ART &CRAFTIDEASBOOKArecipe book to inspire!

We have never really believed in afoolproof method or ‘recipe’. Itsimply doesn’t exist. The fact isthat making art should be apersonal response: to the materialswe are using or to the subjectmatter we’re working from. That’swhat makes it so interesting!

As part of this book we have triedto encourage you to try things outfor yourselves, to use the ‘recipes’as a starting point and then totrust the ‘feelings’ you have for aparticular colour or material.Make the candles, boxes, lanternsyour own by bringing something ofyourself to them.

Whatever sort of ‘artist’ you are -or want to be - there is nothingquite so rewarding as followingyour instincts and finding thatthey pay off.

We have also included a selectionof poems for each month. Taketurns reading them out to eachother or maybe bring in some ofyour own favourites and sharethem with the other members ofthe group. If you feel a bit self-conscious then perhaps allocatesomeone to read - who knows,others may follow ...

Hello everyone and welcome to our creative recipe book!

We have put together a collection of ideas and activities for you todraw on throughout the year, as a source of inspiration for craftsessions and seasonal celebrations. We have tried to keep the ideassimple, easy to follow and, most of all, enjoyable. Hopefully therewill be something for all of you: painting, sewing, decoratingcandles, crayon and ink etchings and a bit of baking.

You may find that by working together on these exercises ideascome more freely; supporting each other to try things that are newor a bit trickier than some of the others. Sometimes there will belaughter, talking and a sharing of ideas. Sometimes there will beintense concentration and help for friends if fingers aren’t quitedoing what was intended. But most of all we hope there will befulfillment, a sense of fun and the satisfaction in having madesomething yourself.

We hope you will persevere and go on to make many wonderfulthings for you and your friends. Happy making!

Sharon & Jeff - verd de gris

Things you might need:

acrylic paintswatercolour paints

a selection of brusheslots of paper and card

a selection of beautiful papera craft knife

rulersa selection of pencilswooden BBQ skewerssilver and gold pens

lining paperPritt Stick glue

PVA gluepaint pallettesblock crayons

modelling bees waxplain wax candlesbeads and sequins

sewing threadfelt

merino woola cutting board

old jam jarssewing needles

scissors

JanuaryThese wooden spirals can be painted and decorated with buttons, sequins or beadsand help to bring some sparkle when the Christmas decorations come down! Hangthem on the wall or window or from someWinter foliage in a vase. Alternativelyyou could hang a branch from the ceiling and decorate it with holly and ivy or paintit with gold or silver paint. When you hang these spirals, they turn and the beadsand sequins catch the light.

I love all shining things - the lovely moon,The silver stars at night, gold sun at noon.A glowing rainbow in a stormy sky,Or bright clouds hurrying when wind goes by.

I love the glow-worm’s elf-light in the lane,And leaves a-shine with glistening drops of rain,The glinting wings of bees, and butterflies,My purring pussy’s green and shining eyes.

I love the street lamps shing through the gloom,Tall candles lighted in a shadowy room,New-tumbled chestnuts from the chestnut tree,And gleaming fairy bubbles blown by me.

I love the shining buttons on my coat,I love the bright beads round mymother’sthroat.I love the copper flames of red and gold,That cheer and comfort me, when I’m a-cold.

The beauty of all shining things is yours andmine,It was a lovely thought of God to make thingsshine.

SHINING THINGSby Elizabeth Gould

Wooden SpiralsWhat you need:A vase, branches and winter foliageWooden spiralsBradawl or thick needleAcrylic paintA selection of brushesJam jars to rinse out the brushesPaint pallette (or paper plates)PVA glue and potWooden BBQ skewersDecorations: metallic pens, sequins, beads, buttons etc.Newspaper to cover the table

1. Make a small hole with a bradawl or thick needle (thewood is thin, so it’s quite easy to turn the needle through).2. Protect the work surface with newspaper, then choose acolour and put some paint on the pallette. Using a brushpaint one or two coats (depending on coverage). If doing twocoats wait until first coat is dry to avoid streaking.3. When the paint is dry decorate with metallic pens (stars,dots, circles, stripes etc.) and stick sequins or beads on withPVA glue using a skewer. Make patterns or add thedecorations randomly, it’s up to you!4. Tie some thread through the hole ready to hang the spirals.5. Hang them fromWinter foliage or somewhere that catchesthe light.

FebruaryThere are lots of things to do and make for St Valentine’s Day. With a bit of love inour hearts we can make some special things - even if it is not a romantic love!

We have included a recipe for ‘Valentine Biscuits’ but you could also sew someValentine hearts (see Halloween decorations). Alternatively you could paintwooden hearts using the same technique we used for the ‘January Spirals’ or the‘Halloween Cats and Bats’. Try a few things and see which ones you like best.

Valentine HeartsThese make lovely gifts and don't take too long to cook.Eat them as soon as they are ready!

Makes 20 – 30 biscuits (double this up if there are more ofyou)6 oz butter (warmed to room temperature)10 oz caster sugar1 egg and 1 egg yolk1 tsp vanilla essenceGrated rind of 1 lemon or 1 orange10 oz plain flourGreased baking tray/sRolling pinsHeart shaped biscuit cuttersIcing decorating tubes (you can get these in different coloursfrom supermarkets. They are relatively easy to use)Small decorations

1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.2. Cream the butter until nice and soft and add the sugar.Continue beating, taking turns as arms tire.3. Slowly mix in the eggs, adding vanilla essence and lemonor orange rind. Stir well, add flour and bring together into aball with your hands.3. Share out the doughy mixture and put onto a flouredsurface.4. Roll out the dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut out heart shapeswith cutters. If you want to hang the biscuits once they arebaked make a hole in the biscuit about the diameter of apencil. They can be hung later with ribbon.5. Bake until lightly coloured (about 8 minutes). Transfer toa wire rack. Leave to cool.6. Decorate with icing tubes. These can be used a little likedrawing pens – keep it simple, lines, dots, heart shapes. Putthe small decorations on whilst the icing is wet.

... a poem for lovers:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,I love thee to the depth and breadth and heightMy soul can reach, when feeling out of sightFor the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday’sMost quiet need, by sun and candlelight.I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to useIn my old griefs, and with my childhood’sfaith.I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints - I love thee with thebreath,Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if GodchooseI shall but love thee better after death.

HOW DO I LOVE THEE?by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning

MarchFor the Easter table ...A vase of flowers and branches hung with painted eggs.

What you will need:

A pretty cloth to cover the table

A vase of spring flowers, some branches and foliage or a

pretty bowl

Hen or duck eggs - blown or hard-boiled

A large needle with a sharp point

A small cup or bowl

A selection of acrylic paints

Paint pallettes

A selection of brushes

Jam jars (to clean the water)

Gold and silver metallic pens

Small pieces of white paper (approx. 4 x 3 inches)

Threading cotton

Some egg cups or egg boxes

A match stick

Some newspaper to protect the work surface

... the first signs of Spring abound:

It is the first mild day of March:Each minute sweeter than before,The redbreast sings in the tall larchThat stands beside our door.

There is a blessing in the air,Which seems a sense of joy to yieldTo the bare trees, and mountains bare;And grass in the green field.

A CHANGE IN THE YEARbyWilliamWordsworth

REMEMBER: if you want to hang the eggsas part of your Easter display you willneed to blow them first. Blowing is quitetricky but it does make the painted eggmore versatile, so do have a go!

Alternatively you can simply hard boil theeggs and display them in a pretty bowl as acentrepiece on the Easter table.

Painted Easter EggsWhat to do:1. Blow the eggs! Using the sharp end of a needle, turn with abit of pressure until a hole appears at the top of the egg. Turnthe egg over and do the same underneath. Push the needle infurther and turn it round and put the eye through. The holewill keep getting bigger. Then use the sharp end of the skewerto get the hole bigger again. You are aiming for the hole to beabout the width of a match stick or skewer. Don't worry if itgets a bit big.2. Next, poke the skewer inside the egg to break the yolk; thismakes it easier to blow the yolk out. Put your lips to one ofthe holes and blow the contents out of the other end and intoa small cup or bowl.3. Choose a colour and put some paint on the pallette.4. Paint half the egg and place in an egg cup or egg box. Whenit’s dry, turn it over and paint the other half. You can speedup the drying time with a hair drier.5. While the eggs are drying practice some design ideas on apiece of scrap paper. Use either the metallic pens or fine paintbrushes. Think about contrasting colours and keep thepatterns simple: swirls, lines, dots, flowers, hearts, crossesetc. It is quite fiddly painting lines so if you want to use paintthen stick to dot patterns. The metallic pens are much easierto draw lines with.6. When the paint is dry the eggs are ready to decorate.7. If the eggs have been blown you will need to attach cottonto hang them. Take a length of cotton and tie it to the middleof the inch of match stick. Tie a loop around the other end soyou can hang it from the branch later. Poke the end of cottontied to the match stick through the hole. It's now ready tohang.8. Place the cloth on the table with the spring flowers andbranches and hang the eggs from the branch or simply placethem in a decorative bowl.

AprilDecorated candles are a beautifuladdition to the table at any time of theyear. Patterned with coloured beeswaxthey make a lovely Autumn orChristmas centre-piece.

In Springtime, we can take inspirationfrom the beautiful seasonal flowers:the daffodils, crocuses, snow drops andtulips outside our window. Take a lookat the colours of Spring and combinethe greens, yellows and purples withdots, squares and ovals to makesomething really special.

... a poem that captures some of the magicthat the coming of Spring brings with it:

It can happen, it can happenLate in April, early MayYou don’t think you’ll come across itSo it takes your breath awayYou’ll have entered on the hillsideThrough the fence you always useTo the woods you always walk inRound the way you always chooseWhen you stumble on the bluebellsAnd it seems a fact to youThat there’s never been a carpetQuite so beautiful or blue.

CARPET OF BLUEby Hiawyn Oram

REMEMBER: you can use this candlerecipe all year round; just bring in someseasonal colours and shapes to reflect thetime of year. These decorated candlesmake particularly good gifts for familyand friends.

Spring CandleWhat you need:Plain candlesColoured modelling bees waxA wooden boardScissors, pencil and paper (to make a pattern template)Wooden BBQ skewer, craft knife (for cutting and shaping)A selection of patterns to follow e.g. leaves and flowers

What to do:1. Think about your design – you may want to sketch it first.2. Soften some wax either by the radiator or in the sun (don'tput it directly onto the radiator as it will melt too much).3. If you are using a paper pattern, draw your shapes and cutthem out.4. Continue to soften the wax by warming it and flattening itwith your hands.5. If you are using a paper pattern place it onto the wax andcut round with a craft knife.7. You can use the skewer like a pencil and draw directly ontothe wax, or shape directly with your hands.8. Press your shapes onto the candle.

MayNow that Spring is well and truly here, let’s capitalise on all the beautiful coloursaround us by doing some painting. It is such a lovely thing to do, but we doappreciate you may be a bit unsure and feel that you might not be a painter! Don’tworry, this is really simple. We’ve included 3 exercises and it’s best start at thebeginning - try some blocks of colour, followed by some simple shapes and thenmove on to the patterns. It will help you build confidence if you follow these threesimple steps - and remember, in painting, there’s no such thing as the wrong way!

... a poem for the month of May:

I’m going out to clean the pasture spring;I’ll only stop to rake the leaves away(And wait to watch the water clear, I may):I shan’t be gone long. You come too.

I’m going out to fetch the little calfThat’s standing by the mother.It’s so youngIt totters when she licks it with her tongue.I shan’t be gone long. You come too.

THE PASTUREby Robert Frost

REMEMBER: May is a good time to trysomething new; Springtime is here andthe air is filled with freshness and newpossibilities. What better time to try somepainting. Have a go, keep it simple, seewhere it takes you!

Just Painting no. 1Colour EmotionWewill begin by representing an emotion with colour. Andfor this exercise remember not to use patterns or shapes, justblocks of colour! This is such a good thing to do as we all haveour own ideas about particular colours e.g. happiness forsome is pink! For some it is orange. Sadness for some iswhite, for others it is blue. There can be no right or wrongway, it’s up to us to choose. It’s also really nice just movingthe paint around, especially with acrylic paints as they arelovely and silky to use.

What you need:Sheets of paper either cut-down lining paper or pieces from asketch pad (approx. 6 x 4 inches)A selection of acrylic paints (including black and white)A paint palletteA selection of paint brushesJam jars to clean the brushesMake a list of emotions e.g. happiness, sadness, love, anger,contentment, fear, joy etc.Some newspaper to protect the work surface

What to do:1.Choose an emotion.2. Try to think of a colour that you feel represents thisemotion.3. Now completely fill a sheet of paper with your chosencolour or ‘emotion’, leaving no white areas. You may decide tothat you need more than one colour. Just paint and see whathappens. Try a few - it’s interesting to see which coloursrepresent different emotions. Have a look at everyone else’s.

... some inspirational poetry:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claimBecause it was grassy and wanted wear,Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I marked the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to wayI doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.

THE ROAD NOT TAKENby Robert Frost

Just Painting no. 2Simple ShapesBuilding on our first exercise, we are now going to choosesome simple, bold shapes and think about the contrastbetween the shape and the background. Also have a thinkabout the thickness of the brushes – use bigger brushes forblocks of colour and finer ones for more detailed work.

What you need:Same as exercise no.1 but use a selection of different sizes ofpaperA pencilA selection of ideas for shapes e.g. hearts, ovals, stars, fish, adaisy etc.

What to do:1. Draw your shape in the middle of the paper.2. Decide what colour you want to paint the shape, thinkingabout the contrast with the background. You may want to usejust one colour or you may want to use different shades, orcolours blending into each other.

In Springtime when the leaves are young,Clear dewdrops gleam like jewels, hungOn boughs the fair birds roost among.

When summer comes with sweet unrest,Birds weary of their mother's breast,And look abroad and leave the nest.

In Autumn ere the waters freeze,The swallows fly across the seas:-If we could fly away with these!

In Winter when the birds are gone,The sun himself looks starved and wan,And starved the snow he shines upon.

SEASONSby Christina Rossetti

REMEMBER: as with all the exercisesand activities in this book, you can makethem as simple or as complex as you wish.As your confidence grows, so will yourfaith in your own ideas.

Just Painting no. 3PatternsThis is a nice, satisfying, uncomplicated way to paint. It canlook very effective and, if done on small pieces of paper, canbe put onto cards to send to friends and family.

What you need:Sheets of paper either cut-down lining paper or pieces from asketch pad (approx. 6 x 4 inches)Acrylic paintsA paint palletteA selection of paint brushes (include a fine one)Jam jars to clean the brushesSome newspaper to protect the work surface

What to do:1. Using quite a fine brush, make simple patterns across thepaper. Think about your use of colour and make lines or dots,squiggles or dashes across the page. Take your lines for awalk, make some simple shapes - see where it takes you.

JuneWreaths can be made throughout the year; they are very beautiful, seasonal andsimple to make. So you could make them in the Spring, Summer or Autumn withseasonal flowers and foliage. And of course you can make a Christmas wreath withholly, ivy, berries and Winter foliage.

These wreaths will look beautiful as a hall decoration or on your front door. Asfresh flowers are used, keep themmoist with a water sprayer.

O, my Luve’s like a red, red rose,That’s newly sprung in June.O, my Luve’s like the melodieThat’s sweetly play’d in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,So deep in luve am I;And I will love thee still, my dear.Till a’ the seas gang dry.

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,And the rocks melt wi’ the sun:I will love thee still, my dear,While the sands o’ life shall run:

And fare thee weel, my only luve!And fare thee weel, a while!And I will come again, my luve,Tho’ it ware ten thousand mile!

A RED, RED ROSEby Robert Burns

Summer WreathWhat you need:A 12 to 15 inch frame - willow or vine ones are available fromgood garden centers or you could use some lengths of ivyA selection of Summer flowers and foliageFlorist’s wirePliers (to cut the wire)Ribbon or strips of fabric

What to do:1. If you are not using a bought wreath then making your ownis quite simple. First get some long lengths of ivy and make acircle approx. 15 inches diameter. Begin winding more ivyaround the circle to secure it and to keep the shape. Use a bitof florist’s wire if necessary to keep it all together. Go round 3or 4 times with the ivy. It should feel quite sturdy and youwill be using other foliage to bulk it up.2. Now wind some other foliage around the emerging frame,foliage that bends enough to be wound into shape. When itlooks thick and lush add some flowers and foliage of choice.These can be attached with florist’s wire.3. Cut some ribbon or fabric into lengths to tie bows aroundthe wreath.4. Tie a loop with the ribbon to hang it up.

We have used this activity with lots ofpeople in lots of different settings andwe’ve always been amazed at howeffective it is and what it opens up. Thequality of the paints is the real key here;good ones can produce the most beautifulwarm and rich patterns on the paper.

This is a very soothing exercise and goodto do as a group or to try on your own.

Wet on Wet PaintingThis is such a lovely activity to do. It is wonderful to have apiece of beautiful music playing whilst painting – it takes yousomewhere else.

What you need:Cut down pieces of paper (approx. 10 x 12 inches) soaked incold water for about an hour - lining paper is perfect as it isquite porousJam jars to clean the brushesA selection of watercoloursBrushesA cloth - to wipe the excess water offSome newspaper to protect the work surface

What to do:1. Cover the table with newspaper.2. Water down the paint in the jam jars - 1 part paint to 2parts water (you only need a small amount of paint as it goesa long way).3. Take the wet paper and lay it on the table. Wipe the extrawater off the paper with a cloth.4. Just start to paint. Wet-on-wet painting is a very calmingway to paint. Just experiment - make swirls, rainbows,colour moving into colour. The effect is beautiful.

... a poem for the month of June:

Immobilised by June heatthe chestnut trees are calm cathedrals ofbough and leaf.In their deep shadehalf-hidden horses seek cool relief.

The pond’s azure eyegazes amazed at the gold coindazzling the skyas, barefoot amidst the buttercups,we cross the meadow,slowly pass by.

THEMEADOW INMIDSUMMERbyWesMagee

REMEMBER: keep looking and thinkingabout the natural world around you. Tryand bring some of the colours of theseasons into the house and into yourdesigns; the flowers remind us ofseasonal change or of a particular time ofthe year.

Use these things as a basis for yourdesigns - they help to keep your ideasfresh and make the designs your own.You’ll be amazed at the combinations ofcolours and the shapes that natureproduces.

JulyLike lots of our recipe ideas these ‘Gift Boxes’ can be adapted for special days andseasonal celebrations throughout the year. If we decorate them with acrylic paintstudded with coloured beads and sequins they make beautiful gifts, and can befilled with truffles or any other little something you might find or make.

Winter is cold-hearted,Spring is yea and nay,Autumn is a weathercockBlown every way:Summerdays for meWhen every leaf is on the tree;

When Robin’s not a beggar,And Jenny Wren’s a bride,And larks hand singing, singing, singing,Over the wheatfields wide,And anchored lilies ride,And the pendulum spiderSwings from side to side,

And blue-black beetles transact business,And gnats fly in a host,And furry caterpillars hastenThat no time will be lost,And moths grow fat and thrive,And ladybirds arrive.

Before green apples blush,Before green nuts embrown,Why, one day in the countryIs worth a month in town;Is worth a day and a yearOf the dusty, musty, lag-last fashionThat days drone elsewhere.

SUMMERby Christina Rossetti

Decorative Gift BoxesWhat you need:Pre-made and folded boxesSome scrap paperAcrylic paintA selection of brushes (including fine ones)Jam jars to rinse out the brushesPaint pallette (or paper plates)PVA glue and potMetallic pensA selection of beads and sequinsWooden BBQ skewersNewspaper to cover the table

What to do:1. Put the pre-folded box together.2. On some scrap paper paint an area your chosen colour. Thisis to be your 'practice' piece.3. Take the box and put a base coat of your chosen colour,inside and out. You may find you need two coats to get theright coverage. Wait until the first coat is dry before applyingthe second coat to avoid streaking.4. While the paint is drying, work out your design on yourscrap paper. Think about this design – keep it simple. You maywant to get some books for inspiration - look for patternbooks (libraries usually have a good selection) e.g. Celtic,Indian or Aboriginal designs work well. Look to nature -leaves, branches, flowers all work well. Think about whetheryou want to use pens or paint for the decorations. Paint isnice to use if your pattern uses dots – but the pens workbetter for line drawings.5. Apply the design to your box and then choose beads orsequins to highlight the design. They work beautifully as theycatch the light. Use a bamboo skewer to apply the PVA glueand stick on your beads.

AugustWe thought it would be a nice idea tomake your own book – a book to putsome of your paintings in or thedesigns, ideas and poems you mightwant to keep. You could also use it tokeep photographs of things that mayinspire you.

We’ve used a very simple way ofmaking a book. You can also decorate itwith some beautiful paper. Try using apiece of felt for the cover and decorateit with embroidery, beads and sequins.

Something told the wild geeseIt was time to go,Though the fields lay goldenSomething whispered, "snow".

Leaves were green and stirringBerries, luster-glossed,But beneath warm feathersSomething cautioned, “frost".

All the sagging orchardsSteamed with amber spice,But each wild breast stiffenedAt remembered ice.

Something told the wild geeseIt was time to fly,Summer sun was on their wings,Winter in their cry.

SOMETHING TOLD THEWILDGEESEby Rachel Field

Concertina BooksWhat you need:A sheet of paper approx. 16 x 12 inches. Use an A3 pad.A craft knifeA long rulerPritt Stick glueGood quality cardDecorative paperA cutting board

What to do:1. Fold the A3 paper length ways.2. Cut down the length with a craft knife and a long ruler (itsbest not to use scissors as you want a very clean straightcut). You will have two long pieces of paper (approx. 16 x 6inches).3. You now need to join the two pieces together to make aneven longer strip (approx. 32 x 6 inches). Glue one of the 6inch edges and join the strips together.4. Now fold this strip in half length ways. Then fold in halfagain and then in half again.5. Unfold the paper completely and then refold it but this timezig-zagging as you go. When its complete it should look like aconcertina.6. Measure the size of this concertina book (it shouldmeasure approx. 6 x 4 inches). Then choose some card tomake the cover. This needs to be slightly bigger than thepages (approx. 7 x 5 inches). Cut two pieces (front and back)to size with a craft knife.7. Using a contrasting piece of decorative paper cut out andstick to the cover using Pritt Stick glue (see example).

SeptemberWhat a wonderful thing it is to cometogether to make and share a loaf ofbread! As the evenings draw in and achill creeps into the late Summer air,the smell of warm dough proving in thekitchen brings back of memories ofbaking bread at home with Mum orGrandma.

From all around the mourners cameThe day that Summer died,From hill and valley, field and woodAnd lane and mountainside.

They did not come in funeral blackBut every mourner choseGorgeous colours or soft shadesOf russet, yellow, rose.

Horse chestnut, oak and sycamoreWore robes of gold and red;The rowan sported scarlet beads;No bitter tears were shed.

Although at dusk the mourners heard,As a small wind softly sighed,A touch of sadness in the airThe day that Summer died.

THE DAY THAT SUMMER DIEDby Vernon Scannell

A Harvest Loaf!This makes about 6 individual buns, so double up if there are more of you.

What you need:1lb strong white flour (bread flour), plus extra for dusting the work surfaceA pinch of saltA sachet of easy blend yeast6oz raisins or sultanas4 fl. oz milk4fl. oz warm water1 large egg3 tablespoons orange marmalade for the glaze1 tablespoon of sugar2 tablespoons of waterPlus: a large mixing bowl, measuring jug, tablespoon, fork and large knife, scales,wooden spoon, tea towel, baking tray (if there are more of you you'll need 2), smallsaucepan, pastry brush

What to do:1. Put the flour in the mixing bowl with the salt, yeast and raisins. Measure the milkand water into a jug and mix with the egg. Pour into the flour. Add the marmalade.2. Mix flour and liquids together – pass the bowl round so all can have a mix. When itbecomes tricky to stir the dough bring it together with your hands. Split the doughevenly between yourselves and put it on a floured surface. Knead the dough untilyour arms feel sore. If when you poke it it bounces back you have kneaded enough.3. Shape into an oval, circle or even plait it. Place onto a floured baking tray andcover with a damp tea towel.4. Place somewhere warm to let the dough rise for about 45 mins.5. Place in a pre-heated oven, 200 degrees C, gas mark 6, for about 15 mins. Check itis cooked by turning the loaf upside down and tap the base to see if it sounds hollow.6. To make the glaze (optional) put some sugar and water into a saucepan on amedium heat, stir until sugar has dissolved and simmer for a couple of minutes.Brush the bread with the glaze and it will shine beautifully. Enjoy!

REMEMBER: this is a really enjoyableexercise - the process is very simple yetgives a very pleasing effect. This way ofworking helps to promote a very free,creative way of applying paint;watercolour paints are beautiful and itfeels wonderful applying them with lotsof lovely big strokes. The effect is quitemagical.

The resulting sheets of coloured paper canbe left to dry and then rolled up ready tomake lanterns later in the year. You couldalso use the paintings as wrapping paperor simply hang one up to add a splash ofcolour.

Leaf EtchingThis should really be done later in the year, when the leaveshave fallen. However there is so much to do in October andNovember we’ve put it in here - there should still be someleaves on the ground now that Summer has begun to fade. Youcan keep the paper to make lanterns in November.

What you need:Lots of collected leavesA long strip of wallpaper lining paperA selection of block wax crayonsA selection of watercoloursJam jars (to put the mixed paint in – one jar of colour forevery 2-3 people)A selection of large brushesNewspaper to cover the table

What to do:1. Cover the table with paper.2. Lay the collected leaves onto the table (you will need lotsof leaves to form patterns).3. Place the strip of lining paper over the leaves.4. Using the flat edge of the crayons rather than the tip, movethe crayons over the paper. Like with brass rubbing, you willsee the shape of the leaves appear. Use different colouredcrayons to build up layers of colours and patterns.5. Water down the paint in the jam jars - 1 part paint to 2parts water (you only need a small amount of paint as it goesa long way).6. Paint over the paper. Make sure there is plenty of paint onthe brushes. The colours may be kept separate or you maywish to merge them on the paper. Try to keep the colour in thejars separate; use a separate brush for each colour.

... a favourite poem:

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,Enwrought with golden and silver light,The blue and the dim and the dark clothsOf night and light and the half light;I would spread the cloths under your feet:But I, being poor, have only my dreams;I have spread my dreams under your feet;Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

HEWISHES FOR THE CLOTHS OFHEAVENbyW B Yeats

OctoberGhosts and ghouls and things that go BUMP in the night! Let’s celebrate Halloweenwith some hand-made cats, bats and moons. We can also decorate some spookywooden shapes to hang in the hall or on the front door on Halloween - they lookwonderful and these decorations aren’t too difficult to make.

... a poem for October:

Season of conkers and fireworks and mellowfruitfulness.New shoes, and a coat that’s a bit too big,To grow into next year.Blackberries along the canal, white junglesOf frost on the window.Leaves to kick all the way home,The smell of bonfires,Stamping the ice on puddles Into crazy paving.The nights come in early, and you can’t playout after school. Soon there’ll be tangerines inthe shops,In shiny paper like Christmas lights.The little ones write letters to Santa Claus.The big ones laugh under the streetlights.

AUTUMNby Adrian Henri

Felt Cats & BatsFor the painted wooden Cat, Bat and Ghost decorations, usethe same method as we employed for the January Spirals.

To make the felt Cats, Bats and Pumpkins use the followingrecipe.

What you need:Paper templates of cats and batsBlack feltContrasting threadA selection of beads and sequinsA box of pinsLarge needlesSmall strips of fabricStuffing

What to do:1. Double over the felt and pin on the template. Then cutaround the template to obtain your shape (front and back).2. Take one piece of your felt cat (or bat) and sew the face -eyes, nose, whiskers etc. or sew on some beads or sequins.3. Pin both pieces together and sew around the edge usingblanket or overstitch. Remember to leave a gap so you can putthe stuffing in, then finish sewing up.4. Use a thin piece of fabric for a scarf for the cat.5. Attach a piece of thread to the top and it hang up!

NovemberNow its time to turn the lovely hand-patterned paper you made in September intoAutumn lanterns. As the nights begin to close in, these lanterns really do bring awarm Autumnal glow to the room when we light them and help to remind us howwonderful it is to celebrate these annual events and to mark the changing of theseasons together.

Winter stalks uslike a leopard in the mountainsscenting prey.

It grows dark,bare trees stick black barsacross the moon’s silver eye.

I will light my lamp for youLakshmi,drive away the darkness.

Welcome you into my homeLakshmi,beckon you from every window

With light that blazesout like flamesacross the sombre sky.

Certain housescrouch in shadow, do not hearyour gentle voice.

Will not feelyour gentle heartbeatbring prosperity and fortune.

Darkness hunts themlike a leopard in the mountainsstalking prey.

DIVALIby David Harmer

REMEMBER: this month is all aboutbringing light and warmth into the houseas Summer fades. Taking the Autumnhues of red, gold and orange asinspiration we can make beautifulcandles, lanterns and wall-hangings.

LanternsWhat you need:A piece of leaf-etching paper (10 x 16 inches)A piece of tissue paper (size as above) in whatever colour youlike (think of the colours of your paper and of Autumn)A piece of leaf-etching paper cut in a circle (4.5 inchdiameter)PVA glue, Pritt Stick and paper clipsCraft knife and scissorsNight light candleSome pencils and a cutting board

What to do:1. Fold down 3/4 inch from the longer or ‘top’ edge of theetching paper.2. Draw a line 2 inches from the longer ‘bottom’ edge andthen cut a fringe up to this line – each cut approx. 1 inch apartalong the full length.3. Draw some simple shapes on the unpatterned side of thepaper – they are going to form windows in the lantern e.g.moons, stars, hearts etc. Remember to make them no biggerthan a couple of inches or the lantern will become too flimsy.4. On a cutting mat carefully cut out the shapes with a craftknife.5. Cover the inside with Pritt Stick and then stick in thecoloured tissue paper.6. Using PVA glue stick down the short side of the card aboutan inch in, then stick the two short sides together to form atube – the tissue paper should be on the inside and the leafpatterns on the outside. Use paper clips to hold the gluededges together whilst drying.7. Fold the fringe edges in – this will form the base of thelantern. PVA glue the fringed base and place the circle of cardinside (pattern side up), this will strengthen the base.

They rise like sudden fiery flowersThat burst upon the night,Then fall to earth in burning showersOf crimson, blue, and white.

Like buds too wonderful to name,Each miracle unfolds,And catherine-wheels begin to flameLike whirling marigolds.

Rockets and Roman candles makeAn orchard of the sky,Whence magic trees their petals shakeUpon each gazing eye.

FIREWORKSby James Reeves

Leaf HangingsHere we are going to make patterns by layering collectedfallen leaves and hanging them on a wall as an Autumndecoration.

What you need:A selection of Autumn leaves - different sizes and coloursPVA glue and glue potA brushSome sewing thread

What to do:1. Choose 3 or 4 contrasting leaves (think about the shapeand colour).2. Lay the biggest leaf down and coat it with PVA glue.3. Now lay the other leaves over, one at a time, coating themwith PVA as you go. The PVA glue will stick them togetherand will also stop them drying out. It also helps to bring outthe wonderful colours!4. When everything is dry, attach the thread. They are nowready to hang.

... a poem for Bonfire Night:

Our bonfire still smoulders as we start back for home,The blue wood smoke floats straight to the skyWafting feathers of ash from the foot of the hollowThat’s hidden from everyone’s eye.

The heat on our cheeks! The spark and the spit!Dwindling down now to nothing, grey-gentle as down,Where we snuggled our taties to cook.

The sun slides down, the long night will be cold,But I’ll think, when I’m tucked up in bed,Of somebody sleeping, secret and warm, where todayOur rotten beechboughs blazed red.

Smoke in our nostrils, and smoke on our tongues,Ash on our eyelids, our clothes and our hair -As, smelling all kippered, we saunter to tea:And trouble, but none of us care.

OUR BONFIREby Brian Lee

DecemberDecember is such a busy time; there are so many wonderful things to make forChristmas, as decorations or as gifts for friends and family. We have included aselection of ‘recipes’ for you to try and, as with most of the activities in this book,they can be changed and adapted for different times of the year.

For some truffle variations you canexperiment with some of these extraingredients:

Toasted flaked almonds (finelychopped)Raisins soaked in rum or brandyPreserved gingerMilk and dark chocolate - fordecoration and to give a differenttexture to the truffles

Orange PomandersThese can be done at the same timeas the truffles and the smell of theoranges with the chocolate workswonderfully well. They are so simpleand look beautiful hung in the homeat Christmas time.

Take a small orange, some clovesand a skewer. Use the skewer tomake the holes in the orange(pushing the cloves in yourself willhurt your fingers). Make whateverpatterns you like with the cloves.Try tying contrasting ribbon aroundthe fruit ready to hang.

Chocolate TrufflesThese are so delicious and great fun to make. They make lovely gifts in the boxesyou decorated earlier in the year or put on the table when friends get together orjust as a little well-deserved treat.

You will need:A food processor or blenderA small saucepanSmall bowls - one for each of youTeaspoonsA pack of truffle cases

For the basic truffle mix (this makes about 60 truffles):10 oz good quality dark chocolate10 fl oz double cream2 oz butter4 tablespoon rum or brandy

What to do:1. Break the chocolate into squares and put into the blender. Switch on and grindthe chocolate until it looks like bread crumbs.2. Put the cream, butter, rum or brandy in the pan and bring them to simmer - DONOT BOIL.3. If you are using milk and dark chocolate as part of the decoration for the truffles,break into a bowl and put over a small pan of hot water on the stove until melted.4. Pour the cream and butter mix into the dark chocolate 'bread crumbs' and blenduntil smooth. You are now ready to put the truffles together.5. Share the truffle mixture out into small bowls. Have a selection of almonds,ginger, rum or brandy-soaked raisins and milk chocolate ready.6. Fill your truffle case with some of the mixture and add other ingredients. Tryexperimenting – think of taste and texture. The truffles are very smooth andcreamy, so you may want a crisp layer of milk or dark chocolate on the top or in themiddle to give a crunch to contrast with the silky truffle texture. Try sandwichingthe truffle mix with a layer of raisins or ginger. Or sprinkle some almonds or smallpieces of ginger on the top. Have fun!

We are made from light.Called into being we burnBrighter than the silver lightOf hot magnesium.More sudden than yellow phosphorous.We are the fire of heaven;Blue flames and golden ether.

We are from stars.Spinning beyond the farthest galaxyIn an instant gathered to this pointWe shine, speak our messages and go,Back to the brilliance.We are not separate, not individual,We are what we are made of. OnlyShaped sometimes into tall-winged warriors,Our faces solemn as swords,Our voices joy.

The skys are cold;Suns do not warm us;Fire does not burn itself.Only once we touched youAnd felt a human heat.Once, in the brightness of the frost,Above the hills, in glittering starlight,Once, we sang.

ANGELSby Jan Dean

A Christmas AngelWe love making these and we love how they look. The Merinowool is so beautiful to touch and to work with. They can behung from a small Christmas wreath or as part of a biggerdisplay for the hall.

What you need:A length of Merino woolA small length of contrasting wool for the hairA needle and threadSome gold or silver thread

What to do:1. From the wad of marino wool pull a piece off about 12inches long and 1 inch wide.2. Tie a loose knot in the middle of the Merino strip. This isgoing to become the angel’s head.3. Gently tighten the knot to the size of the head you feellooks right (about the size of a large marble).4. Take a fine piece (a few strands) from one side and wrapthis quite tightly round and round beneath the head (thisaccentuates the shape of the head and body). Then tease theangel into shape – try to get rid of the blunt ends to give asofter, more ethereal look, also blend in the join in themiddle.5. Take a fine piece of contrasting wool (yellow, brown,orange, pink, whatever you like) approx. 4 inches long. Thisbecomes the hair. Attach the hair by sewing through the head.This will also give you the thread to hang your angel from.6. You may wish to give your angel a halo. Take a piece ofsilver or gold thread and tie it round the angel’s head (aboutwhere the forehead would be). This also helps to keep herhair in place.

On Christmas Eve my mother readThe story once again,Of how the little Child was born,And of the Three Wise Men.

And how by following the StarThey found Him where He lay,And brought Him gifts; and that is whyWe keep our Christmas Day.

And when she read it all, I wentAnd looked across the snow,And thought of Jesus comingAs He did so long ago.

I looked into the East, and sawA great star blazing bright;There were three men upon the roadAll black against the light.

I thought I heard the angels sing,Away upon the hill...I held my breath... it seemed as ifThe whole great world were still.

It seemed to me the little ChildWas being born again...And very near... and Then somehowWas Now...or Now was Then!

CHRISTMAS EVEby Edna Kingsley Wallace

AcknowledgementsSharon and Jeff from verd de gris would like to say a big thank you to all the peopletook part and have helped to make this such an enjoyable project. This booklet wasgreat fun to make and we hope you all enjoy trying out some of the ideas; hopefully itwill help to make the coming seasonal celebrations really special! Special thanks tothe wardens Shelby Bailey and Valerie Greenhalgh, and to Nick Thompson fromSalford City Council Arts Development Service for all his help in making this projectpossible. And to the residents of De Traffords and The Meadows, we would like youto know that it has been a real pleasure to meet and work with you all.

This workshop project was devised and produced by Sharon and Jeff from verd de gris. verdde gris is a public art company based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Set up in 1999 byartists SharonMarsden and Jeff Turner we specialise in creating community-based artsprojects, tailored workshops and commissioned artwork.

Our approach to project work is centred on our shared interest in the ways in which thecreative arts can be employed to help people find their voice - whether as individuals or aspart of a wider community.

We try to create works in which the individual, shared or collective experience is placed atthe centre of our investigations and our own artistic response is very often to frame thesethoughts, ideas and concerns in as imaginative a way as possible.

As artists we believe the Arts can have a big impact on peoples lives. Holding no barriers itcan reach out to everyone, helping to build a sense of personal identity and a sense ofcommunity involvement. If you would like any more information about us please contact:

Email: info@verd-de-gris.co.uk

Part of the Irlam & Cadishead Older People’s Art Project,managed by Salford City Council Arts Development Serviceand funded by Arts Council England and Salford City Council.

ART &CRAFTIDEASBOOKAverd de gris production