Weekly round-up - have given-up trying to stay on top of this on a daily basis!

So it was a busy old week last week - firmly back in the swing of things now and Christmas really is but a distant memory - never mind, we have lots to look forward to - a trip to Istanbul, a trip to Nepal (yes really!), parenting classes, a possible trip to Africa and getting to know our social worker really well! College will see a whole new load of graduates and mock interviews for uni are about to take place - God help me!

My week last week started with flowers and heart shaped biscuits - a bit of an old tradition in the Bicknell household - I often get flowers because a) I'm very lucky and b) I'm very spoilt!

This is Alfie - he is horrid and doesn't deserve a write up, but he is a Worldham fixture and was happily munching away when I passed him on my way home one day - he is comedy miserable and I couldn't help but take a snap - Bobby (next door's dog) and I had a very close shave with Alfie once - blimey he can run fast!!!

I finished Belle's cushion - I really enjoyed doing this - it reminded me of designing children's textiles in a former life!

I had to shoot it "in situ" of course but the cushion that usually resides on our spare bed was actually made by Sammi, our current textile technician - she gave it to me when she was one of my students, and I love it! The reason that it does not live on our bed is because the cats would sleep all over it and ruin it!

I have also been printing some new cushions to sell - I always like them as polaroids - makes them look much groovier than they really are!

Not a good Sudoku week for Ivan (Mr Bicknell), HA HA - I got him this book as a stocking filler - a brilliant buy - keeps him quite for hours!!

We went to London town with 50 first years to look at cool modern buildings for their new project - it didn't rain and we most certainly did not drink delicious hot chocolate at Carluccio's on Canary Wharf!!

Synchronisation of watches..

Oh isn't he handsome!

Having a bit of a polaroid moment still - here are some of my rubbish photos from the day!

Installation at the British Museum

The Great Court

Clever poster

On Friday night I went out with the aerobic girls - The  pub was formerly best avoided, but now it has new owners, a very nice interior and pretty goof food - I feel bad though because the ladies wouldn't leave a tip - BEN! I'm sorry.......



Saturday night we had CHRISTMAS - yes really! Lynda and family finally came back from Oz - so it was a belated celebration.

We ate Guinea Fowl (- great recipe below - try it), and my Mum's Christmas pudding - soooo good!

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8012/guinea-fowl-with-roast-chestnuts

We drank proper fizz

We had crackers.....

.......and sparkles.....

......and we got presents!

Sunday Mum and I went to spend money we don't have at Gun Wharf....

 Yeah I know I'm a grown woman, but aren't they cute? Besides my Mummy bought them for me!!!

I baked another Herman!

And what could this all be about?

You'll have to wait and see, but I'll tell you this - it has something to do with this lot! The textile class of 2012 - aren't they cheery!!

And tonight I enjoyed some good old Sunday night telly!

Sleep tight XXX

He had to out do me.....

So Ivan (Mr Bicknell) found this.... good isn't it?!

http://youtu.be/z5W8EBHNsLc

For Ivan (Mr Bicknell).

Oi - thought you might like this! Thanks Vickie for sharing!

Tate

We are about to start our second season of Turbine generation with Tate - http://turbinegeneration.tate.org.uk/
Here are a few of the hellos that the newbies have making - I am supposed to get them all onto the site but it won't accommodate my wishes at the moment, so enjoy them here!



 

 



First proper week back - Christmas seems so far away!

Blimey, life is speeding along, last week is just a blur now, but here is a bit of a summary of what went down in the life of a textiles teacher anyway!

We (Mr Bicknell and I ) continued to eat Herman.....Herman? I hear you say, why yes - he is a friendship cake don't you know, German probably, who was given to me on Christmas eve to grow....... if you really don't what I'm talking about then check this out -
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/nov/30/a-friendship-cake-called-herman

- he was delicious, so much so, that I am now onto "growing" my second batch!

When he stops bubbling you have to worry.....

Next up was the return of the BTEC firsts - not the most organised of groups with lots of absent sketchbooks, and to my horror, discovering that some of them had given their make-up bags away as bloody Christmas presents - DOH! Thank God I made them photograph them last term! So now we are onto a bit of jewellery making, using old clocks and radio parts to make something fab - well, here's hoping anyway!

Along with the hard core tools come the goggles - I love seeing a 14 year old stress about how bad these must make them look!

Lots of photography bits and pieces form their clocks should have taken place this weekend - this is the work of a very organised Molly - hooray for students like this!

 A couple of last minute completed make-up bags....

Kat

and Evie

A lovely ex-student came to visit - Charlotte, who is weaving her way through Middlesex uni - I wish we had looms at college, I used to love weaving on my degree...

Some surprise art work has been popping up in the 3D room - this is one of the things I really love about students - seeing the playfulness associated with being young - something I no longer am.....!

So whilst the 3Ders are getting playful - my lot are working hard on their current projects - well some of them are, all that is, except for Maddie - who for the second time spent a part of my lesson on Thursday spark out - yes indeed, I am that exciting!!!

The Thursday cinema trip saw Deborah and I watching this, and me crying like a baby - not the best film to see when you are in the adoption process.......



Friday night saw the Bicknell's watching this - oh, too beautiful for words.....

And at last! I finished making this wretched tea cosy for my neighbour! Thank you for the pic Heather! OMG, they are ridiculously difficult to make and it serves me right for thinking it would be easy! I am also beaten by my colleague's trousers - it transpires that the zip is actually bonded to the fabric so the only way I can adjust it is to cut it out - so not prepared to do that, far too technical for me sadly, so I will have to admit defeat - anyone have any ideas or top tips? Might try adjusting the pleats at the front instead.....

And whilst I am now sewing a cushion for my friends daughter for Christmas - no I am not that organised, we are talking about the one which has just gone - oops - and sobbing over the death of Dr Greene in ER - nearly onto season 9 now, his Lordship Scratch has decided to consult on the fabric choices - oh lucky me!!!

Gok eat yer heart out!



Too sad!