ok, I know that sounds like I'm a WEE bit late .. but that's not true, because this week I finished the 6-week Stained Glass course, at the Royal Botanical Gardens, that DD got me for Mothers Day this year. the logistics had the potential to make it impossible for me to attend the classes as it was Tuesday evenings from 7:00-10:00 .... which is our busiest night of the week. DD has 2 dance classes and I have my piping lessons. I decided to bite the bullet .... I cancelled piping for 6 weeks (which is probably a good thing as this project at work has kept me so busy most evening that I haven't practiced AT ALL !!), and Wendi was good enough to bring DD home with her after dance (and I'd pick her up on my way home after class)
the first week was very exciting, I met a couple of nice ladies that I sat with and chatted. it was a quiet class because we all didn't know each other yet (boy did that change by the end of the 6 weeks!!). our instructor was Tony, a lovely man who has a studio in West Hamilton. to say this man was talented would be an understatement, but fortunately for us he also has the "patience of Jobe". I couldn't believe that we actually came home, after our first class with a lovely finished product, this bird sun catcher. everyone's turned out SO cute, and we were all thrilled !!! he also showed us what out main project would be for the remainder of the course .... OMG, not only are we going to do a large window, but the subject is an iris which is my favourite flower !!!
week-2 .... we started to cut out and assemble our iris. this was not a totally fun class. I was deciding at this point, that although working with the stained glass was "ok", I didn't think it was "my thing", but I would (of course) finish the classes. we actually lost one lady half way thru this class, who completely hated it. it's too bad she didn't stick it out, because it got so much better.
I'm not going to bother going into details for each week, but let's just say that by the last class I was enjoying working on the project as much as chatting with all the ladies. it's amazing how fast 3 hours can go when you are busy, and how much you can accomplish.
week-6 .... we couldn't believe that this was it!! the weeks had gone so quickly, and we were all leaving with a beautiful window. Tony brought a VERY yummy box of chocolates (I tried a couple of the dark ones .. only to be polite !!), and one of the ladies brought veggies and the BEST DIP I've ever had (which she let me take home afterwards, and both DD and I've been enjoying it) Everyone's window turned out great .... it was so interesting to see how we each started with the same pattern ... but between the cutting, placement, and colour choices each window had something different and special. I can honestly say there was something from everyone else's window that made theirs stand out apart from all the others.
the first week was very exciting, I met a couple of nice ladies that I sat with and chatted. it was a quiet class because we all didn't know each other yet (boy did that change by the end of the 6 weeks!!). our instructor was Tony, a lovely man who has a studio in West Hamilton. to say this man was talented would be an understatement, but fortunately for us he also has the "patience of Jobe". I couldn't believe that we actually came home, after our first class with a lovely finished product, this bird sun catcher. everyone's turned out SO cute, and we were all thrilled !!! he also showed us what out main project would be for the remainder of the course .... OMG, not only are we going to do a large window, but the subject is an iris which is my favourite flower !!!week-2 .... we started to cut out and assemble our iris. this was not a totally fun class. I was deciding at this point, that although working with the stained glass was "ok", I didn't think it was "my thing", but I would (of course) finish the classes. we actually lost one lady half way thru this class, who completely hated it. it's too bad she didn't stick it out, because it got so much better.
I'm not going to bother going into details for each week, but let's just say that by the last class I was enjoying working on the project as much as chatting with all the ladies. it's amazing how fast 3 hours can go when you are busy, and how much you can accomplish.
week-6 .... we couldn't believe that this was it!! the weeks had gone so quickly, and we were all leaving with a beautiful window. Tony brought a VERY yummy box of chocolates (I tried a couple of the dark ones .. only to be polite !!), and one of the ladies brought veggies and the BEST DIP I've ever had (which she let me take home afterwards, and both DD and I've been enjoying it) Everyone's window turned out great .... it was so interesting to see how we each started with the same pattern ... but between the cutting, placement, and colour choices each window had something different and special. I can honestly say there was something from everyone else's window that made theirs stand out apart from all the others.
I was lucky, and got an added bonus out of the class ... because I finished my window early, I was able to take some of the left over glass pieces and make an angel sun catcher.over all, probably one of the best Mother's Day pressies I've ever had !!!
stained glass is definitely not my "calling", and if given the choice I'd rather be knitting ... but that being said, by the end of the 6-weeks I definitely enjoyed working on my projects and would be willing to give it another go. both Wendi and my neighbour across the street have all the necessary stained glass related tools, and have offered them to me if I ever choose to give it another go. Wendi and I were taking about getting together for a "stained glass day", hopefully with our daughters. I can only imagine what the 4 of us can come up with !!!
