: Oriel 1

In my last post I mentioned that I would be running a drop in arts and crafts session on the 17th december in Oriel 1, St Fagans: National History Museum. We will be taking inspiration from 1950s decorations, and to get some good ideas I went around the site with my camera the other day and took these photos.

Do you have anything similar at home? don't forget to let me know your memories of Christmas decorations in your house when you were growing up too!

I will be running an arts and crafts session on Saturday 17th December and we'll be making Christmas decorations! whoop!

I've been busy creating some samples of what we will be making, so if you like what you see come and make them with me! It's a drop in session and is suitable for both children and adults, we'll be making tissue paper pom poms, crepe paper chains and gingerbread men out of felt - i'll also try and remember to bring some christmassy playdough for the littlest ones and some colouring sheets too.

I've taken inspiration from decorations from the 1950s and have a few decorations from that date to show you! (will take pictures and blog about them too). We're also keen to collect some information from you - what decorations did you have as a child? let me know here or fill in one of my forms on the 17th.

The gingerbread man in the photo is from our collection and dates from around 1912. Inspired by this, I thought it would be fun to make some gingerbread men felt tree decorations too (and, yes, I realise I'm not sticking to my theme!).

Staff are busy decorating the historic buildings in St Fagans: National History Museum as we speak, so on the 17th you'll be able to get some first hand 50s inspiration for the 1950s decorations by visiting the Prefab and the 1955 Rhyd-y-car house.

go here for more information or email me if you have any questions regarding the session.

Hello!

Every year we take part in the Big Draw Here are the pictures from this year which took place on the 1st and the 8th October. We made a paper version of St Fagans: National History Museum inspired by Made by Joel, and used some of his images too.

I love quilt club, I really do. And if any of you would like to come along then I'm sure you will love it too!

It's a friendly, informal group and we get together and sew quilts! Quilter, and all round wonderful person Samantha Jenkins is on hand to help out if you get stuck or to help you get started if you have never quilted before. We meet every two months on a saturday morning at 11am until 12.30pm, the next meeting is on November 5th and is open to all - but please book your place by phoning 029 2057 3424.

Here are some pictures from recent meetings... I know there are more somewhere in the depths of my computer, so I'll have a hunt for those too.

On Wednesday Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James took part in the art activity that I offer to schools called 'Looking at Buildings'.

The pupils have a look at the buildings in the museum and make sketches of them, before returning to the activity space to create a 3d model. Here are some pictures of the wonderful work made.

If your school would like to take part in something similar, have a look here for more details.