The final Christmas decorations

Well, even though term is over here are some final photos of the last of the Christmas decorations.

Some of the adult students with special needs also came to look at the decorations and bought over some they had made.

More Christmas decorations are appearing

A few more decorations have been added to our twiggy tree.

Christmas is coming to the Textiles Room!

Well after a couple of attempts, plus thinking we'd managed to set the College fire alarm off, causing all of the students and staff to have to evacuate in the rain and owning up to the Vice Principal that the fire alarm had probably gone off because we were trying to hang a tree branch near a sensor, Liz and I have managed to make a start on displaying the A2 Textiles students handmade Christmas decorations.

By the way we found out it wasn't us who set off the alarm, but someone burning the toast!

Made 11

I've been intending to visit Made 11 for a few years now but finally managed to this year. I organised a college trip and Liz, Sammi, Gayle and I took about 40 A2 and Btec Textiles students on a lovely day out there on Friday. The students were great and we had a gorgeous day with lots of research done by all. Everyone was much friendlier than when we take the students to Origin and so I even managed to take a few photos, but I missed some as I got so wrapped up in all of the beautiful things.
Anyway on to some of the gorgeous people and things I saw:

Joanna Corney   http://joannacorney.co.uk/  

 

Katie Almond   http://katiealmond.co.uk/  

 

Rebecca Anne Lee   http://rebeccaannelee.co.uk/Site/Home.html  

Angela Davies   http://www.angeladaviesartist.co.uk/  

 

Lara Sparks  http://larasparks-embroidery.co.uk/     

Ros Lymer   http://ros-lymer.co.uk/  

How lucky am I!

Lunchtimes at work used to be OK, they usually consisted of a trip to the canteen, often for pasta or a roll from Costa, but for the last few weeks my husband has spoilt me rotten. I must admit his motivation was probably mainly that luch for him was a limited selection from Sainsbury's sandwiches section.

A couple of months ago we were in Guildford and popped into the lovely Steamer Trading Cook Shop

http://www.steamer.co.uk/

where we saw a great selection of Bento boxes so he treated us to one each and since then lunch has been totally transformed.

Homemade Kijiyaki chicken on green salad with plain basmati rice

First attempt at Onigiri, stuffed with smoked chicken and served with green salad, sweeet potato and pickled carrot & suede. Not the tidiest onigiri in the world, but they tasted yum.

Beef soboro and egg soboro with blanched brocoli and sugar-snap peas on udon noodles with a kaeshi sauce.

What a difference a blog makes

This term I've been working with a group of students on the Btec Level 1 Vocational Studies course; they are a lively bunch to say the least and have taken a while to settle into my lessons. But since we started making blogs they have become a totally different group.


Suddenly I have 12 hard working students in my lessons who get on with their work and even seem to, dare I say it, be enjoying it. They are producing blogs on a range of subjects from Rap to make-up, theatre shows to the Olympics, shopping and fashion to kick boxing and mixed martial arts, music to their own group of students and dragons to sailing.


I will have to make sure I keep updating my own blog so they don't out do me!

Hush

A couple of months ago it was Alex's birthday and her boyfriend John gave her, among other things, a voucher for a Hendricks high tea at Hush in Mayfair. Unfortunately when the day arrived, John couldn't go, so I with great courage stepped into the breech and accompanied Alex on her trip.
This was a mixture of the traditional

and the less traditional take on Earl grey, an Earl Grey cocktail with a Flower Twist made of Hendrick’s Gin with Earl Grey Tea, Violet Liqueur and a Lavender edible fragrance.

It was all very lovely so thank you John and maybe Alex will treat you to something nice soon.
As you should know by now I love good design and so the Hush logo and signs inside the restaurant really caught my eye.

Ruffs

While having a quick look for inspiring places to take our As Textiles students for a trip I somehow found the work of the wonderfully named Jill Flower who I would have discovered if I'd managed to get to Origins last weekend. She uses bits of paper and buttons, lace, etc to create beautiful ruffs. Take a look at her work on her website http://www.jillflower.com/

This is all just so right to show to my student Katy who is currently doing a project inspired by an Elizabethan story. I love it when you discover beautiful things and they can also help inspire our students with their work.

day 5

More goodies today both in subtle neutrals and strong, brights.
Mary Katrantzou

  
  
Aquascutum
  

Roksanda Ilincic

  
Osman

David Koma


Danielle Scutt