Wednesday 23 August 2017

International Literacy Day 2017 with Viking

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International Literacy Day 2017 with Viking*


We were really lucky to be chosen to help promote International Literacy Day on 8th September 2017 with Viking Direct. I feel very strongly that everyone has the right to literacy, it is the basis of freedom in all it's guises. Freedom of thought, freedom to express oneself and freedom for self rule.

International Literacy Day was first declared in 1965 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to celebrate efforts to increase literacy rates around the world.

We all have our favourite authors. Some of us love Shakespeare some really don't get him at all. 50 Shades of Grey divided opinion, to me it was a badly written novel and I never got far enough to form an opinion of the story but others loved it. Whoever we love, or love to hate, we are united in the fact we can read. The education we received allows us the freedom of choice but for many that choice is not an option. Currently, it is estimated that over 780 million adults do not know how to read and write.

Additionally, 94 -115 million children, worldwide, do not have access to education - International Literacy Day is just one way UNESCO strives to shine a spotlight on these issues and to help increase literacy around the world.

To help us celebrate International Literacy Day, Viking asked us to get creative and sent us a gift box which included a beautiful calligraphy pen, metallic sharpies, fabric pens, a plain tote bag and lots of coloured card and paper.


What were we going to do? Well it had to include cake. That's the rules! (Well it's my rule) If you are going to get creative then you need cake, and to make cake you need to be able to read a recipe. It may be a tenuous link but hey! Everyone loves cake.


I had everything I needed to be creative but the paper was as blank as my mind. I needed cake. To make cake Bear needed an apron (see how it's all coming together) so I thought I'd make Bear an apron from the tote bag. 


Before cake, just a blank piece of paper 



I needed something to decorate the front, I practised with the pens and stencils but it wasn't what I was looking for then I remembered a quote from Winnie the Pooh. This was perfect for Bear.



 Once in a while someone amazing comes along....and here I am
 Tigger


I cut some arm holes, moved a handle to make the ties and hemmed it all the way around. Out of the spare fabric I made a pocket for the front and wrote my quote on the front.



Bear was happy to pose as long as he was allowed to stand in the washing basket. I had no objections,  and he does look adorable.


So we made fairy cakes. Bear loved decorating them and I loved eating them. Bear doesn't like cake and refused to even taste one.



My favourite author at the moment is George RR Martin, he wrote The Games of Thrones. I haven't seen the TV series but love the books, I am currently on the third.

I took my new calligraphy pen and the parchment paper and started to write....

After cake...now I can write prose like my current favourite author George R R Martin
A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.
Tyrion - Game of Thrones



I must admit I didn't actually write the quote, my handwriting isn't that good, I printed it out. I did make the apron and Bear made the cakes. 

Are you doing anything to celebrate International Literacy Day? You can join in with Viking on twitter @viking_chat  

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*I was sent a gift box for the purpose of this post

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9 comments

  1. Wow I am so impressed by your creativity! Love the apron! And such a wonderful cause to promote. The calligraphy set looks fab xxx

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  2. AWWW i love how creative you guys got, this is super fun.
    As for 50 shades of nonsense, I read all thread books and the literacy was painful

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  3. I hadn't heard of world literacy day so thanks for the post highlighting it. I love reading. I'm working through the Game of Thrones books and comparing them to the TV series.

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  4. What a great use of a tote bag, I'd never have thought to make an apron. I love the Winnie The Pooh quote

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  5. It is so important for everyone to have the opportunity to delve into the world of literature. I do like Shakespeare's works, but I haven't read 50 shades of grey as I've not heard great things about it. The cakes looks yummy and I love the quotes! What a cute way to get children involved in National Literacy Day.

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  6. A great idea to make an apron from a tote bag. I love the idea of National Literacy Day and would love to celebrate it. Are you reading Game of Thrones? I'd love to start the series but I heard it is far too long.

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    1. The books are huge, over 800 pages each but I have the books and read it on a kindle (easier in bed!) It is beautifully written that I get caught up in the story so I do not feel that they are too long.

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  7. The gift box is amazing! I would love to have better handwriting. I still have the ink pen I got at junior school and use it for cards etc

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  8. I want to read the games of thrones books, I've never seen it on TV but I've heard the books are good. Ooo I do like cupcakes yum!

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