Doing things for myself

I went back to Anna's Workshop again today.  I very nearly didn't make it as some nutter in a red plate hire car was looking for somewhere to park along the row of shops in Latchi and suddenly stopped and went into reverse and despite me honking my horn as I couldn't reverse because there was a row of cars behind me he didn't stop until the very last minute.  He missed me by the width of fag paper.  I was less than impressed that he didn't acknowledge me at all just slammed the car into drive and shot off into the nearest car park.

We are still able to sit outside in Neo Chorio although the weather is currently quite changeable up here in the hills.  I am determined to get some of my Christmas presents made here because they will be unique and made with love!

I have worked out that I can successfully complete decoupaging an item during the time that I am there although it is getting increasingly harder to get the coats of glue to dry now that it is cooler.  Anna has everything you need although I would like to get some of my own rice paper (the white handmade background paper that you use) because then I could do some things at home.  Today I chose a heavy glass vase which I wanted to decorate and turn into a candle holder.  I had found some pretty serviettes with bluebells and dragonflies which I thought would be nice.

I worked out that it is easier to work on an item if you have it sat on top of something tall because otherwise it sticks to the tablecloth!  So first of all I covered the glass vase with the white rice paper and then coated it all over with a thin layer of glue.  Whilst that was drying I separated out the printed layer of the serviette and used a wet brush to select flowers and dragonflies - if you use a wet brush you get a rough edge which means that when you stick it onto the rice paper it is less noticeable.

I put a silver rim around the top edge before sealing the whole thing with a coat of glitter glue which gives a nice sheen.  On the bottom I will put some little felt pads and then find a nice candle to go inside and that's it.  I really like doing these!

I made my way back home making sure that my vase was safely stowed in the car and avoided any nutters in red plated cars.

John and I were shooting off down to Paphos to Shuks as he had some fillet steak on offer - a whole one for 20 euros which was a billy bargain.  We tidied up the meat and cut it into steaks and put the trimmings to one side for a stir fry - there's posh using fillet steak for a stir fry!!!

We had a fusion meal - the Lebanese lentils with Teriyaki Beef and it was absolutely delicious.  That lentil dish has been an absolute revelation to us - we love it.