Christmas Lino Printing

So, as you all know Christmas is fast approaching, so what better thing to do than create some Christmas themed crafts and run some art workshops. First workshop, lino printing. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this Rudolf the red nose reindeer lino cut and print in our art session, just one of my design for Xmas. 

Halfway through cutting my design into the lino. 

My finished design carved into the lino, ready for printing.  

The printed result. Love it and sure the kids in the workshop will too. 

Who can resist that smiling face? 

More designs to be added soon!

Minnie Mouse Paper Plate Face

I am running a series of children's workshops this summer, all inspired by children's films and animations. 

Here's one I made earlier: 
Here is my Minnie Mouse paper plate face for my Disney themed children's workshop. The bow can be removed to make a Mickey to go along with Minnie. This is fun to make and works as a great party decoration too. 

My Minnie Mouse face ready for my workshop. 

View more of my workshop photos on my fan page: 
Facebook fan page

My Henna and Art Workshops

I really enjoy delivering creative workshops to allow people to have a go at henna or different arts and crafts. I run these in various local places like community centres, schools, churches, museums stay and play groups and more! 

One of my Henna workshops in a church. 

These photos are from one of my henna workshops through Birmingham Ikon Gallery, held with the Friendship Club for the Retired group at St Edburgha's Church. 

One of the members having a go at watercolour painting. 

These workshops were based on my masterclass with Artist if the year Imran Qureshi. 

Someone enjoying doing henna for the first time. 

Send me an email if you would like a art or henna workshop:

E: Sharon_Kerala@Hotmail.com

Ikon Gallery Opportunity

It has been really good to work with other Artists and creative people this week on a new project at Ikon Gallery in Birmingham. Then to end the week walking through the German Markets in the dark with the Christmas lights was so nice and festive. 

Ikon Gallery, Birmingham

This opportunity will now allow me to share my new creative skills and techniques with others through running workshops within the community which I am really looking forward to. 

More info to follow soon. 

Make-Up - Another form of Creativity

Like Henna, make up is another form of creativity whose medium is the human body. It is used for theatre, TV, film, fashion, photography, magazines & the modeling industry. To show you some creative striking eye make up, here is 1 of my photos.

They say 

"eyes are the windows to the soul"

but if you're a good person and beautiful inside, it's reflected on the outside too. 

Happy Diwali - The Festival of Lights

Diwali or Deepavali translates as "a row of lamps." The festival celebrates victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, and so many divas, lights and candles are lit. 

Divas, lights and candles are lit around homes, temples and streets. 

I like celebrating Diwali, it's colourful, bright, spiritual yet fun, especially in India. It marks new beginnings and represents joy, love, reflection, forgiveness, light and knowledge. 

Woman create Rangoli folk art on the floors and courtyards. 

Rangoli, a traditional Indian decoration made of ground rice, dry coloured flour, sand or flower petals is created on living room and courtyard floors. 

Rangoli in the courtyards. 

Apart from decoration Rangoli is thought to bring good luck and is also created on marriage celebrations. Traditional designs include geometric shapes, deity impressions and flowers but Indian symbols of lotus flowers, leaves, peacocks and birds are also created. 

Rangoli in living rooms. 

I must celebrate Diwali in India some day, it's much more festive. Streets and homes come alive with candles, divas and lights, people are everywhere celebrating together creating a fun atmosphere. 

Diwali at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, North India. 

I also like the spiritual feeling where so many worshippers can be in the temple yet it still feels peaceful with all the candles set against the dark night. 

Many worshippers but still peaceful. 

Diwali at Trafalgar Square with lanterns, musicians and traditional food. 

Diwali in Times Square

Here are some Diwali colouring pictures your children will love. 

Rangoli peacock design. 

Indian paisley design.

Diyas design.

Poem: I Stood By Your Bed Last Night

I really like and appreciate a well written poem and the skill and thought someone can put into one. So much so that it can be very personal and touch the heart. Take a little time today to write some words for a loved one straight from your heart. Often these unexpected written words will touch the heart and mean so much more to them than an everyday "I love you."  

I would like to share with you a beautiful poem that someone shared with me. And if like me you have lost someone that you truly love, whether it be through death, having to say goodbye or just  parted ways, you will know how this emotional pain can also become a deep physical one. This poem is well written, gets you thinking, but most importantly true to every word, making it touch your heart and think of that lost loved one, enjoy. 

I Stood By Your Bed Last Night

Rainbow Bridge

Copyright: http://www.rainbowbridge.com

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. 
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was clos...e to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,

You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.

I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.

I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said " it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...

In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning

and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me. 

Copyright: http://healingtheheartpetloss.com/

Earth Hour 2013: To unite people to protect the planet.

What will you all be doing on Saturday 23 rd March 2013 at 8:30 pm? I'd like to invite you all to join me to switch off your lights for the future of our planet. 

WWF's Earth Hour is a unique annual phenomenon that focuses the world's attention on our amazing planet and how we need to protect it. At 8:30 pm on 23/03/2013 hundreds of millions of people will turn off their lights for 1 hour, at the same local time, on the same night, all across the world in a huge symbolic show of support. 

Taken from www.NationalGeographic.com

Earth hour has grown from 1 city, Sydney in 2007 to the world's largest campaign for the planet, uniting hundreds of millions of people across 7001 cities and town in 152 countries, all 7 continents. 

Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge, before and after lights switch off. 
www.AlternativeChannel.tv

Watch the official 2013 video above to see the celebration of this year's event across the world and see its mission to unite people to protect the planet. 

Visit Earth Hour 2012 - On The Night Favourite Photos

Visit the Earth Hour site

Major world monuments and world heritage sites are turning off the lights too, including: 

The world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Times Square, New York

Christ the Redeemer statue, Brazil

London Eye

Table Mountain, South Africa

Davis Station, in Antarctica

Opera HoOuse, Sydney

Niagara Falls, Canada

Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

The Obelisk, Argentina

Government House, Hong Kong

Royal Palace, Thailand

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Children's Halloween Spider Project

Halloween is not far away, so why not keep the kids busy with this easy Halloween spider project, great for parties or to decorate the house with. This is copyright material taken from the site: http://crafts.kaboose.com 

  

Sparkling Spiders
By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Average
Age: 7 & up



What you'll need: 

• Styrofoam ball about 4" in diameter
• Purple acrylic paint
• Sponge applicator
• 2 large wiggle eyes
• Hot glue
• 9 black chenille sticks
• Colourful craft gems OR purple sequins & sequin pics

How to make it: 

1. Use the sponge applicator to paint the Styrofoam ball and allow to dry. 
2. Use 8 of the chenille sticks for legs by bending the bottom of each one into a foot, about 1” long. Bend at the “knee” about halfway up the stick. 
3. When the ball is dry, insert the 4 chenille sticks into each side of the body. 
4. Cut the last chenille stick in half and then cut one of those halves in half again. Bend the quartered chenille stick to create a “feeler” about ½” long and place one on either side of the face (on either side of where the mouth would be).
5. Hot glue the wiggle eyes onto the spider’s face.
6. Decorate the spider’s back with purple sequins, securing them in place with sequin pins. Younger children can glue craft gems to the back instead.
7. Adjust the legs so that the spider stands on its own.

Tips: 

• Sequin pins are tiny and can be hard for younger children to manipulate. Use craft gems as an alternative. 
• Sponge applicators can be found by the paintbrushes in any craft store or at building supply stores as they are commonly used for applying stains and varnishes.
• Styrofoam is very porous and can take a little while to dry. This is also a good time to cut and bend the chenille sticks. 

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Olympics Colouring Pictures for Children

With today being the start of the summer holidays and with the London Olympics just round the corner, here are some colouring pictures to keep your little ones busy when you're busy. Or you can celebrate the Olympics together with these fun colouring pictures, mazes and puzzles. 

Due to copyright, right click cannot be performed on my blog, so instead click the post title and then Print from the menu bar to print all the pictures, mazes and puzzles. 

Enjoy! 

Children's colouring pictures - Torch carrier.
Copyright image: http://www.squidoo.com/

Children's colouring pictures - Torch relay past London Bridge. Copyright image:  http://www.free-for-kids.com/

Children's colouring pictures - Winner. Copyright image: http://www.handipoints.com/

Children's colouring pictures - Olympics logo. 

Or they can have a go at this fun printable maze where they can run through with the Olympic torch into the stadium. 

 Copyright image: http://www.printactivities.com/

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 Copyright image: http://www.guiders.co.uk

The older ones can have a go at the Olympics themed word-search. Simply find and cross off the listed words. Once all the words have been found read the remaining letters from top left to bottom right for an Olympics summer fact. 

 Copyright image: http://printables4kids.com/

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GYMNASTICS		MARATHON
HAMMER THROW		MOUNTAIN BIKE
HANDBALL		PENTATHLON
HEPTATHLON		POLE VAULT
HIGH JUMP		RELAY RUN
HORSE JUMPING		RELAY SWIM
HURDLES		ROAD CYCLING
JAVELIN		ROWING
JUDO		SAILING
LONG JUMP

Children's Jubilee Celebration Mask Making Worksheet

Celebrate the Jubilee with my fun children's mask making project to keep your little ones busy this bank holiday. For a British theme paint and stick ribbons and feathers in red, white & blues. 

Click the link for my worksheet:  

http://monsoonarts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/mardi-gras-mask-making-worksheet.html 

My mask decorated in my favourite colours. To create a British look decorate in red, white and blue paint, feathers, sequins & gemstones - perfect for celebrating the Jubilee! 
© SHARONJEET GALSINH. 

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Happy Easter! Pictures for your children to colour in

Here are some printable Easter pictures for your little ones to have fun colouring in during their holidays. For the full size picture right click and select open image in new tab. Have fun! 

Easter bunny with a basket full of eggs
Copyright image taken from www.netmums.com

Easter bunnies
Copyright image taken from www.netmums.com

Happy Easter
Copyright image taken from www.netmums.com