Just a quickie!

No, not me and Ken Stott (if only)! Just a quick post to update you on my PGDE progress. Well, that's me finished the first course of four. I'm a quarter way through my course, 9 weeks of bloody hard work have passed and there are another 18 to go!! I've handed in my first essay (twas' hellish) and had my two week nursery placement (no comment) and now I'm about to embark on my lower primary 5 week placement. My class is a primary 3 one and I've had a meeting with the teacher who seems really nice - and very supportive as she has also done the PGDE at Edinburgh - so she knows what it's like! I also only have a 10 minute walk to my school which will save me a fortune on fares. I feel there may be the possibility of a 'Christmas present to self'.

I am trying to get myself organised this weekend. There is an amazing amount of things I have to do on an hourly/daily/weekly basis - not to mention all the other bits and bobs over and above. I'm thinking I should start with a really big piece of paper! On that note, I shall be off, as I need to finish a lesson plan for a little maths activity I need to teach.

Hark at me - 'teacher talk' and everything!

First week at Uni!

This is just a quick-ish post for those pals who are wondering how I got on with my first week at University. No, I didn't get a lot of sleep the night before. I was too busy worrying that my alarm wouldn't go off at 5.45am (!!). Anyway, my alarm did go off and I made it to the bus stop and all the way into Edinburgh and down the High Street to the University. The first day was overwhelming. I was prepared for that, but had no idea just how overwhelming it would be. I really did wonder if I had done the right thing. There was so much to take in and remember, not to mention trying to do those important things like find out where the loos were! Tuesday was much the same - more information and trying to remember what to do and when. I have to say though, all the teachers were absolutely wonderful and so so encouraging and supportive.  By Wednesday I had made some friends - both young and old and was enjoying sharing ideas and emotions. We were all pretty tired by then to be honest and I don't mind admitting I just wanted to go home and cry. I was really missing not being there for the kids in the mornings and after school - I think that was the worst bit.

However, I'm not my mother's daughter for nothing, and I didn't cry but carried on and got through to Thursday. I was a bit nervous for the morning as I had to teach 3 of my fellow students 'something' in five minutes. I decided on 'last minute iced biscuits' (you know the kind of thing - two biccies sandwiched together with jam and decorated with icing and sprinkles). Well, we had the best fun of the whole week, it was an absolute success and everyone else's lessons were amazing - I learned how to introduce myself in Irish, communicate under the water, and re-pot a plant. That was the turning point for a lot of us I think - we started to gel in some small way, and began to see what the course was really all about. Friday we had to do a group presentation in front of the whole class (about 30 people) and that was really nerve-wracking. Ours was on expressive arts, and my area was art and design (woohoo). My small group went first and we did really well and got good feedback from the rest of the class. The most surprising thing for me was that I not only managed to talk without babbling or mumbling, but I actually enjoyed the experience too. Amazing.

So, that was the week in a nutshell really. The amount of reading and work we have each and every night is huge and is only going to increase, and that is really difficult, especially if you have a family as I do. However, I can see that it will be worth it in the end, at least I hope so. I think I'm going to enjoy the course if I can keep awake in classes - there is some fascinating material to work with and all my placements to look forward to as well, and if I keep organised and on top of things, it will be great.

Roll on the Christmas holidays!

Filofaxy and University

Did I mention I had a Filofax? I've had one for quite a few years actually - just a little pocket sized one that I keep in my handbag most of the time. Well, somehow I suddenly have three. I have the original pocket sized one - a Domino, in a grape colour, a pocket sized mustard coloured Finchley which a lovely lady gifted to me, and a larger personal sized Domino in a lavender colour. The lavender one is to use for Uni and largely replaces my purse while I'm there too. I love my filofaxes. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for technology - in fact I love it, but you can't go wrong with some paper, a pen, and a lovely filo to keep all your scribblings and notes in. It helps keep me organised - and I'm going to need a lot of organisation to juggle Uni and home life!

Here are my Filofaxes

It's a shame the pics are a little dull, but the lavender and grape colours are much nicer in the flesh. 

Inside my Uni filo, you can see I am well organised in terms of paper clips! In there is the calendar bookmark Miss Lucy gave me and behind that a postcard I bought on holiday..

I printed out my first weeks' timetable and folded it to fit in, so I can never get lost (hopefully), as I have a shocking memory...

My plain brown notepaper - love it - and another of my bought postcards. Just behind you can see the top of my fold-out of the periodic table - well, you never know when that might come in handy!

 Not to mention a list of chords for my ukulele!

I hope you've enjoyed a wee tour of my organiser. I have a diary section in it which I can write in all my assignments etc and a big 'To Do' list at the front for other things.

I can't believe I will be starting at University tomorrow morning - it's been such a long time in coming around that I feel I'm not quite ready for it now it is finally here. I'm sure it will be fun though, and challenging to say the least, not least of all because I will be one of the few older students on the course - the majority are at least half my age! Hopefully, my many decades (!) of life experience will be an advantage in some areas. Surely all those birthdays must have been useful for something lol.

Well, wish me luck on my adventure towards becoming a teacher, and I'll let you know how I get on :) 

Drop Spindle Hand Spinning

 I have done a bit of hand spinning recently after I bought a lovely wooden Ashford drop spindle. I must say it is very relaxing and I'm finally getting the hang of it. I love it.

 This orangey/red one was my first attempt! I used pre-coloured merino for this one.

This was blue faced leicester I think, lovely and soft.

This autumnal coloured one is massam wool. I dyed this wool before I spun it. It was nice to spin but a bit 'hairy' for my taste.

More hand-dyed massam in pinky/purply shades, this was my first attempt at plying to strands of spun yarn together. The colours are much more vibrant than this picture shows and I think it came out reasonably well.

At the moment I've got some Shetland wool on the go in lovely natural colours - it's gorgeous to work with.

Now, if I could just get my hands on a spinning wheel!

Knock, knock...

...anyone there? I'll be surprised if anyone reads my blog anymore as I've been missing in action for a good few months now. Time for an update methinks.

My biggest news is that I am going to begin the PGDE Primary course at Edinburgh Uni in a fortnight!! Yes, by this time next year I should be a newly qualified teacher. Can't quite believe it myself actually. I had the interview in January and was thrilled to get accepted - it seemed a long time away then, but now it is coming at me with a rush! I am a bit nervous but mainly very very excited and can't wait to get stuck in...am trying not to think about the fact that most of the other students are at least half my age :( 

Still on academic matters, I finally had my OU graduation ceremony in Glasgow in April. It was a lovely ceremony and a fantastic day, only marred by me falling flat on my face as I left the hall! Luckily no one with a camera saw me.

On the home front - Mr A is about to enter primary 7, and Miss Lucy has chosen her subjects and is going into S3. I know it's a common lament by parents, but I really can't believe how fast they are growing and they will be off on their own adventures before I know it.

Well, although I'm sure I must have done something else blog-worthy (or not) since December 2011, I can't think of anything right now ;-) My recent weeks have been spent trying to decipher the pre-course work the uni gave us and trying to tidy the house that somehow was neglected during all the OU years - and is about to be again!

If there is anyone still willing to read this, I will attempt to keep it reasonably up to date. I miss my blog friends xx

Interview update and Christmas preparations

As I thought, I didn't get the job... the person who was already doing it got it. Good news is that I have another interview for the same sort of job at a different school, which is on Wednesday. I'm more nervous about this one. Not really sure why - perhaps because I sort of know what to expect and I think I've already had the relatively 'easy' questions. Some feedback I got from the last interview was to think of more examples of how I would deal with certain situations whilst 'in post' - so I need to think about that. Anyway, it will all be over soon enough.

On to Christmas preparations...I am almost done with my gift shopping, just a couple of small items to get and most things are wrapped too. Cards all written and waiting to be posted. Some (well, quite a lot actually) knitting/crochet to be finished/started. Something else to be made that I can't mention here. Cake still not marzipanned or iced (marzipanned? - not a word one uses a lot). Decorations are going up tomorrow - complete with some rather odd looking things you hang from the ceiling chosen by OH.

I am almost on day 5 of the 'Journal Your Christmas' scrapbooking/journalling project - at least I would be if I'd actually begun it yet. I will get caught up in the next couple of days :) I'm not stressing yet.

We had our first touch of snow this morning (lasting about 10 mins) - I know this because my lovely neice texted me to tell me this at 8am!!! Now I know snow can be exciting and magical and looks so pretty...BUT, I do not want any snow, no thanks, not now, not any time soon. Does that sound mean spirited? Okay then, there can be a nice downfall of snow on Christmas morning - just enough to allow a snowman or two to be built, a quick ride on a sledge, and then it has to gracefully melt away without causing any traffic problems at all. That's fair, right?

In other weather-related news, it's gotten a lot colder here. We shouldn't be surprised of course, but it's been so mild up until now that it has taken me a bit unawares. Time to dig out warmer clothes and hunt out those gloves and scarves!

Progress of sorts

So, I had the interview for the little job - it was as a Support Assistant in a primary school. It was actually a lot better than I had anticipated. I worried that my first interview for over 20 years would be absolutely dreadful but it wasn't so bad and I think I actually did reasonably well (and for me to say that about myself is a big deal!). However, I haven't heard anything and I really don't expect to get the post but I am just really thrilled that I got as far as the interview, so yay for me...there's hope left ;-)

What else to chat about? Hmmm, can't even post a pic of what I've been up to in the knitting/crochet department because they have mainly been secret Christmas projects. Well, I could show you the dalek inspired gloves I knitted for Mr A from a pattern on Ravelry, he doesn't read my blog. Here they are...they look better in real life, believe me - really 'daleky'!



Now that I have looked through some photos, I see I have got a few pics to show after all. These below are some fingerless gloves I knitted for myself from a ball of Noro yarn that I had been meaning to 'do something with' for several years.



And these are 'ninja' fingerless gloves for Mr A (crocheted).



...and fingerless gloves for Miss L (crocheted). Bit of a theme here...



Ah, this was a lacey-ish scarf knitted from sock weight yarn. I'm not that keen on it, so will probably re-use the wool for something else.



Oh, and my ripple blanket is coming on. It's bigger than it was in this pic and much more vibrant in the flesh. I love the ripple blanket...it's growing on me lol.



Oh yes, and my first ever crocheted 'garment'. A little cardi for my new niece.



That turned into quite a few pics! And I'm not the only one to have had the needles out - Miss L knitted a lovely scarf for her great gran who is 91 (we call her Nana) and she is going to give her it at Christmas.

It's a lovely colour and so cosy. Nana will love it :)



I hope you are all having a lovely Friday xxx

It's been a while...

Yes, it's been a while since I've blogged with any great regularity (or enthusiasm for that matter) but I thought perhaps it was time to try. Of course it's been sooooo long that there may not be anyone apart from my 12 year old still visiting here, but I'll give it a go!

So...what's been happening? Well, the biggest news I suppose is related to my last post and that is that I am now in possession of a BA (Hons) Humanities with Literature! Yes, I finally got the certificate and everything, and get this - I got a First!! My graduation ceremony will be in April in Glasgow Concert Hall.

I also took a maths qualification with the OU (MU123 if you're interested) and a Digital Photography course (T189), and passed both of them!

Other news is :-

I have applied (again) for the PGDE at Edinburgh University for 2012 and am on tenterhooks waiting to see if I've got an interview for that.

I'm still volunteering in the local primary school and loving it.

I've been knitting a bit.

I've been crocheting a bit too.

Hmmm, can't think of anything else really. I've been looking for a job, applying for lots and getting nowhere mainly. However, I've got a little secret...shhhhh...I have an interview this week! It's only a little job and I'm not saying any more in case I jinx it, but I'll keep you posted.

Ah, it feels strange to be blogging, my words are all rusty. But it's nice to be back :)

I'm going to be working on this. Last time I did any Christmas scrapbooking/journalling was back in 2005. Time to do some again methinks.

Degree Done

Well, that's my degree done. Finally. So come August sometime I should have an Honours Degree of some description - which degree depends on the pass mark I get (won't bore you with the details). So I'm free...and bored! I've only been done two weeks - the first week I had a horrible lurgy and now I don't know what to do with myself. Well, that's not strictly true - there is another teeny tiny OU course I'm doing at the moment - digital photography - but that's for fun and it's just for 10 weeks and I'm almost through that. It just feels weird without study, that's all :(

And now I have to look for a job!

You Never Know...

I sometimes think it will be a miracle if I ever manage to blog on a regular basis again. OU work and life in general has been so busy and stressful this past year that there has been little time for anything else. Even my procrastinating whilst assignment-writing has been drastically reduced ;-) However, soon my courses will be over and hopefully I will have an honours degree in something. I will be relieved it's all over but I know I'll be at a loss for a while. I won't be able to rest on my laurels though as I'll have to find some work. Unfortunately, I didn't get any interviews for a place on the postgraduate teacher training PGDE for this Autumn. There is a small chance I may get something in the 'clearing' in the Summer, but I won't hold my breath. In any case, there are only two places I can realistically go and I'm pretty sure they will not have many places, if any. I'm sad because my dream of teaching is probably not going to happen now for several reasons.

Still, perhaps when the courses are done and dusted I will get back to crafting and blogging and some guilt-free pursuits (I can't really imagine that yet). It will be wonderful just to browse through all the lovely blogs that I just don't get to nowadays and send emails that don't relate to assignments. And maybe, just maybe I'll have a chance to finally complete a pair of socks knitted with four needles instead of having not even finished one sock of the two different pairs I've started! Whoa there...maybe I'll just start with blog browsing :)

Busy Bee

I am a busy bee. This year I have two courses to do (well, actually I have three, but that is a long and boring story). I am doing A330 Myth in the Greek and Roman worlds and MU123 Discovering Maths. It's proving quite a challenge to fit all the work in and so far I'm a little behind with things. Not to worry, such are the challenges of life. I'm also applying for a postgraduate teacher training course (primary) to begin next September, so fingers crossed for that - I know it's a long shot, what with hundreds of applicants and only limited places.

Hmmm, what else? Oh, I'm working at Mr A's primary school one day a week, helping out in the classroom, which is brilliant - I'm absolutely loving it.

Miss Lucy is getting on well at high school and has changed overnight.... She is growing up so fast...

As for art, craft, anything creative - well, no time for anything really, although I did manage a little jewellery making at the end of the summer which was a great therapy for all that studying.

So, no time to blog either it seems. The intention is always there, just not the time at the moment...maybe one day :) For now I just need to get on and get through this coursework so I can finally have my degree...keeping my fingers crossed that nothing puts me off course.

Did someone mention Christmas?

Results

Got the result for my OU course back yesterday. Grade 2 pass. Just one more course to do for my Honours degree. Can't wait to be finished with it all!

Ribbon rose tutorial video

Here is the ribbon rose tutorial from YouTube that I mentioned in my last post :)

Ribbon Flowers

After watching a tutorial by Donna on YouTube on how she makes lovely ribbon roses, I just had to have a go. My first efforts (from left to right, below) were pretty poor to be honest and I did have a few issues with my glue gun - probably because I've had it for years and used it once!



However, I persevered and the final three were a bit better, although the white one was off centre and the black one covered in glue :) I think it's the kind of thing that needs perseverence and practice to get right - Donna certainly makes it look simple on her video, she is a very clever lady! I can't remember how to link to her video, but I will try and post it up here in case anyone would like to see it. (Excuse the quality of the pics here, but I took them at night and the light was horrible).



I thought that the roses would be nice on handmade mini albums as embellishments, maybe with beads attached? Anyway, I had fun making them...it was good to be creating something :)

Hi folks! Nothing much to report I'm afraid. Have done a little work on my art journal, but nothing quite complete yet. I will post some pics soon though. In the meantime, if anyone can tell me what I can use instead of ModPodge or what I can put over ModPodge to stop it being so tacky, then I would be grateful. At the moment I am putting tissue or greaseproof paper in between those pages I have modpodged to stop them sticking. I am really enjoying doodling and scribbling in the journal but I seem to have lost my mojo a bit - maybe it's all that studying? It certainly leaves little time for anything else and certainly is not conducive to creativity :( I haven't even done any baking!!! Very unusual. Never mind, I'm sure I'll get back to it even if it's a slow process.

Speaking of studying - my results for this last course should be out any day now. Usually, I'm pretty laid back about waiting for them...some folks are constantly checking online to see if they are out yet, but I usually just wait until someone says they're in. This time though, I am a little nervous as the result I get this time will affect my degree classification. I still have one last course to go to get my Hons, but this result now is the one that's giving me butterflies :-/ Yikes. Keep your fingers crossed won't you, mine are (quite hard to type like that actually...).

Oh, a wee bit of news - Miss Lucy has her own blog and you can visit it here - Cookies Cool Creations .

How the Time Flies

I can't believe it's almost a year since I last blogged. Seriously? Wow. Well, things have been busy I guess. Another OU course completed (awaiting results) and only one to go for my Hons Degree - this is what has taken up all my time. With each course there has been less time to spare for anything else it seems - crafting becomes all but non-existent and the urge to be creative has been squashed into submission. But now that there is a teeny break from study, that urge raises it's head above the parapet again! So, I have done a couple of journal pages so far...nothing terribly ambitious is it?...but still, it's something.

Otherwise, life goes on in it's usual way. Miss Lucy is heading from primary to high school this year and Adam grows in height and confidence every day.

It feels strange to post to this blog again and I wonder if I will have anything more to say?

Edinburgh Book Festival

We went back to the Book Festival again this year - we were organised too - took lunch, water and remembered our rain jackets (we needed them!). We were extremely lucky to get a couple of ticket returns so Lucy and Adam could get in to see Jacqueline Wilson and then even luckier when a woman behind me in the queue said she had a spare ticket and gave it to me so I could go in too (and she wouldn't take my money either - nice lady). JW gave an hour long talk with question time at the end and was really lovely. Really interesting and easy to listen too. The only tiny disappointment was that we didn't manage to get Lucy's book signed as she had to limit the numbers due to her health, but we were all thrilled to have seen and heard her. She is teeny!



I also met up with a lady from the Open University (they are one of the sponsors of the BF and had an area there) that had helped me when I returned to study with them 3 courses back. She was extremely helpful to me at that time, although I had never met her in person, and so I was delighted to finally meet her face to face and be able to thank her in person.

After all that excitement, we traipsed in the rain to watch the street performers in the rain at the Mound. I seem to remember it raining at the Mound last year too! It was fun though - the kids absolutely love it.

So, a good day had by all including Dave who even managed to avoid all tram works and find a very handy parking space.

Sock Pattern?

Some time ago I was knitting a pair of socks on four needles with some lovely self patterning wool. I say some time ago, but it was actually July 2008. How time flies ;-) Anyway, I've not got much (any) further forward and have lost the pattern and am trawling the net looking for another.

So, my question is - does anyone have an EASY pattern for a pair of socks? I would much rather begin with something that someone else has actually knitted and can vouch for instead of me stumbling through a pattern that may or may not work (surprisingly, this has happened to me a few times lol)

You never know, I might get further this time :-)

DIY

I hate DIY. Well, not hate exactly, I just loathe all the hassle that goes along with it. All the furniture heaving and towers of books all over the place that are guaranteed to fall at any moment, treacherous toys underfoot and so on. I've been decorating Lucy's bedroom and I'm (almost) finished. It seems to have taken forever but now it is a vision in pink (a surprising choice from the girl who has objected to all things pink and 'girly' up till now) - on one wall is Cheeky Wink - a dark pink, and the other three are tastefully pale in Mademoiselle - oh and traditional white woodwork. Good. I'm not planning any more DIY for a while :-)

By the way, thank you so much for all the comments that have been left regarding my course result. I do truly appreciate every one of them. Thank you. xxxxxxxx

Happy Dance!!!

I am totally gobsmacked and (almost) speechless... I got a Distinction for my OU course A363 Advanced Creative Writing!!!!! I sincerely cannot believe it. But I have checked several times and it is writ large in red letters so it must be true lol. Happy happy girl :-)