Saturday, September 18, 2010

Thursday, September 16, 2010

From the Ridvan Message of 2001

Have decided to start including examples of the guidence relating to the arts and the advancement of the Institute process.
This first is from the 2001 Ridvan message:

"Throughout the endeavour, periodic meetings of consultation in the area need to reflect on issues, consider adjustments, and maintain enthusiasm and unity of thought. The best approach is to formulate plans for a few months at a time, beginning with one or two lines of action and gradually growing in complexity. Those who are actively involved in the implementation of plans, whether members of the institutions or not, should be encouraged to participate fully in the consultations. Other area-wide gatherings will also be necessary. Some of these will provide opportunity for the sharing of experience and further training. Others will focus on the use of the arts and the enrichment of culture. Together, such gatherings will support an intense process of action, consultation and learning."

(The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 158, 2001 01 09, to the Conference of the Continental)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Monsters from the Id

Last night Juliet hosted her monthly craft night, and the project was "Stuffed Monsters". I do not intend to describe the method but simply want to share the wonderful evening we had indulging our imagination in creating our monster.
Mine was a hairy haggis (see the last picture).
I will continue to report on the craft meetings and let you share in Juliet's latest project.
I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed taking part.

Juliet's sweat-shop
Simone
Juliet and Gwen
Alek, Jennifer and Andie
Andie
Jennifer
The finished monsters
Monster and Hairy Haggis

Monday, September 6, 2010

Floral Arrangement

It’s labour day weekend and the schools are back so thought it was time for another project.
This is a very simple and inexpensive project, with plenty of scope for improvisation, that Juliet found whilst “surfing “ craft sites.


 Gather a number of cardboard tubes
(The kind on the inside of kitchen towels or toilet tissue)
 Press them flat and mark them off in ½” (12mm) increments
 Cut the tube into strips (these will form your petals)

 Take 5 sections and glue then together to form a flower


 Arrange your flowers

 This is the point where you can get really creative, we decided to use acrylic paint to colour the flowers, but you could use crayons or pencils or let your imagination run riot.
 When the paint is dry assemble your floral arrangement.
(This is one disadvantage of painting)

 We chose to use glitter glue to decorate the edges of the petals.

 And here is the final arrangement.


Here are some thoughts for variations:

o Use the small gems, or felt circles, or mini pompoms for the centres
o Use pipe cleaners for stems
o Use a different size tube for petals
o Use them as part of a picture story

Anyway if you have some ideas please share them, this is what the blog is about – participation and sharing our passion for crafts and the Institute process.
Looking forward to hearing and seeing all your ideas