It's A New Day!

Late last year I became really busy with my fledgling Seniors Activity business, and did not have much time to post here on my blog, but as the song says:

It's a new dawn,

Its a new day,

Its a new life for me-

And I'm Feeling Good!

I thought this year I might take a different tact with my blog and share more than just craft tutorials and pictures of my proud students.  Since I am a rabid, er, avid Pinterest junkie, I have found loads of great ideas and sources for everything from free printables to use in our crafting efforts to really unique craft ideas to yummy vegan recipes (in honor of my newly vegan daughter) and I am adding more great ideas every day!  I've also started teaching spa indulgence classes and started playing with all kinds of wonderful spa recipes and will share those with you as well and am expanding my jewelry making classes to not only include polymer clay but shrinkable plastic, paper beads and other mediums as well.

This year, I hope to learn how to link to other people's blogs and get more involved with the blogging community at large.  The projects we do at Elder Life Engagement are not only fun for Seniors, but are also great for kids and younger adults as well, so I'd like others to benefit from the creative crafts  and projects we create. So I hope you will embark on this exciting journey with me and let me know how you like the projects and ideas I share with you in 2012!

Hope it is a great year for us all!  Have fun- and Stay Creative in 2012 along with me!

Stephane

Pinecone Turkey Centerpiece

This is one of my favorite projects from last fall so I had to bring it back for my classes this year.  The supplies needed for the Pine Cone turkeys include So far they have been a big hit with everyone who makes them or sees them!

• Medium to large size Pine cone
• Pair of Google Eyes
• Red Felt for Gobbler
• Yellow Felt for Beak
• Orange Pipe Cleaners
• Styrofoam Disk
• Brown Paint
• Foam Paint Brushes
• Moss
• Silk Flowers
• Hot Glue/ Tacky Glue

Pinecone Turkey Closeup

 Here are my ladies from Atria in Carrollton, TX.  They really had fun making their turkeys!

We've also been making some great hand warmers made from denim.  Will try to put a tutorial together for that project soon.  Since most of my students have a touch of arthritis, they are looking forward to using them this winter.

Till next time-  Have Fun and Stay Creative!

Stephane

Fall Wreaths at Franklin Park

In October we made some great Fall Wreaths at Franklin Park in North Richland Hills using pine cones, acorns, a variety of silk flowers, silk leaves, gourds and other natural materials.  Everyone's wreath is unique and reflects each ladies' unique personality:

Proud of her Fall creation!

What a pretty wreath

Teamwork really makes a difference.

A pretty wreath for a pretty lady!

Ready to hang on her door for Fall

A wreath full of flowers

Everyone is ready to decorate their doors for Fall.  Won't be long till we change to holly, green and sparkly gold since Christmas is right around the corner.  Will share another fun fall project in my next post.

Till Then  Have Fun and Stay Creative!

Stephane

Winding Down Summer Already

Wow!  Can't believe it is August 1st already!  This summer has just rushed by.  I am already planning Fall projects for my classes and thoughts of Christmas projects can't be far away.

This past month  I became obsessed with collage and multimedia projects.  We put together some fun collages working with watercolor, tissue paper and scrap booking paper with some great results.

This is my class at Silverado Senior Living in Plano:

Lorraine was very pleased with her watercolor collage!

Miss Helen is always a fast worker with fun ideas!

Miss Ruth always enjoys participating and had extra special help today!

Miss Ruth and her "art assistant"

 At Chambrel  at Club Hill we experimented with eggshell mosaics with some very interesting results.  We did some watercolor crosses then embellished with acrylic painted egg shell to create a "stained glass" looking mosaic.  I also started an eggshell mosaic butterfly and think this would be a really pretty project as well.

Our Eggshell Cross Mosaics:

Our new class member practicing meticulous brush strokes.

These eggshell mosaics take real concentration!

Who knew you could be so creative with eggshells?

Evelyn is a fast study with the eggshell mosaics!