Curlyrip Dolls and Quilts

Rachel's Makeshop Birthday Party

2011-12-12T04:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the 11th Dec and we celebrated Rachel's 11th birthday with 11 can do makers at Curlyrip's studio in Collooney. What a day for the number 11 !! We sipped on Pink Lemonade and stitched up a storm. Below are a sample of the fab bags made which were especially designed to fit their Nintendo perfectly and we even had time to make a few emoticon bookmarks ! It was a pleasure to work with this group of can do crafting girls and thank you Rachel for choosing Curlyrip. Happy Birthday (:

A week and a day in the Life of...

2011-12-12T03:48:00.000-08:00

Its been over a week since my last post and quite a bit happening there was the launch of The LimeGreen Umbrella a creative collective and the completion of tw o specially commissioned quilts

Lets begin at last Saturday the Launch of the LimeGreen Umbrella it was a great success and a special thanks goes out to all who attended especially Bernie Butler well known local dynamic business woman managing director of Good 4U food company and Forum Chairperson of Fáilte Northwest who officiated the Launch with finesse and enthusiasm Thank you Thank you !!!
Above is a picture of our creative collective including Bernie from left to right introducing !! Soraya Ricalde Jeweler, Anita Mullin Soap maker , Myself Curlyrip Handmade Smiles , Bernie Butler, Olga Mc Carrick Elfewood Furniture, Fiona Stevenson Visual Artist (unfortunately Ethel Mc Veigh Artist our sixth creative collective member could not be there).

A few more pictures of the Launch at the LimeGreen Umbrella

About that warm spiced apple punch lots of people asked for the recipie here is the link from Allrecipies enjoy !

These two specially commissioned quilts are on their way very special gifts for Jack and Georgia and one more to come for Abby will be ready later this week. Thank you Eileen for choosing Curlyrip

And finally managed to make 10 more meters of festive bunting which feeling very chuffed about

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Baby Ga Ga Zipper quilt

2011-12-02T13:03:00.001-08:00

Steely grays, blues and just a smidgen of purple. This baby Ga Ga print one of my favourite baby fabrics at the moment and it is now the feature fabric in a zipper pocket quilt with cuddly fleece backing. This quilt will be available for purchase at the LimeGreen Umbrella in Lyons Sligo tomorrow !

Jacks Quilt

2011-12-02T12:56:00.001-08:00

The brief was to create a quilt that refected the characters and colours in Jacks favourite book I hope Jack likes it ! This is the first in a series of three quilts on order the 2nd for Georgia includes a dashound and finally Abby loves her Labrador.

Christmas Bunting

2011-11-30T05:14:00.001-08:00

These green and red fabrics have a subtle Christmas theme and make some great Christmas bunting So if you have an over sized bull lying around taking up space this Christmas I think you will agree that bunting maketh the bull !! Available at the LimeGreen Umbrella in Sligo upstairs in Lyons.

Danielle's Blankie ready to go !

2011-11-24T02:56:00.001-08:00

This is a special order for Danielle in pinks, brown and zingy green with a cute bird motif is ready. This zipper pocket "quankie"... blankie + Quilt = Quankie has been pre-washed and is boxed and ready to make its way down the country as a unique bespoke gift. Thanks Grannie for choosing Curlyrip.

Leaping Reindeer Handstitched Cards

2011-11-20T06:18:00.001-08:00

It is the season to be jolly! time for card making. Last Thursday while in the LimeGreen Umbrella these trees and leaping reindeer were hand stitched and designed into a Christmas card combining paper, felt, fabric and hand stitched embroidery. These are the mainly green with red accent but will have to try mainly red with green accent. What do you think ?

Birth Announcement Wall Art

2011-11-15T11:11:00.001-08:00

This is a work in progress - a birth announcement to hang on the wall. Keeping with a fresh modern theme, crisp simplicity embellished with a splash of colour courtesy of hand dyed crochet cotton hearts and glass fish beads to add just the right measure of cuteness. Dylan's birth announcement is ready to frame ! This birth date only happens once every thousand years !!! way to go Dylan (:

Saturday Bunting Day Beltra Market

2011-11-14T14:30:00.001-08:00

We used fabric markers, crayons, felt and fabric. We stitched by hand and machine, cut.pasted , drew and coloured until we had made a selection of flags to make almost 15 meters of bunting. It was bunting all the way at Beltra Country Market last Saturday the goal was to produce enough flags to create 15 meters of bunting in a mere two hours ! and happily we made 14.75 meters just two flags short of the target !! take a look at the work in progress on the Facebook page Bunting workshop at Beltra Market

Curlyrip now stocked at The LimeGreen Umbrella !

2011-11-09T05:58:00.000-08:00

Very excited to say that you can now purchase Curlyrip handmade smiles at LimeGreen Umbrella upstairs in Lyons Department Store Sligo Town. Yesterday this newly made teddy Crazy Hug took up residence there and Ethel LimeGreens Artist in residence for the day was busy making angelic beaded Christmas decorations. Above are just a few pics of the wonderful handmade gifts available all made by our creative collective of 6 Artists and Craft Council of Ireland registered Makers. Let the Christmas cheer begin !!

Personalised Zipper Pocket Baby Blanket

2011-11-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

This pink and chocolate brown cuddly fleece Quilt+Blankie = Quankie ! will be making its way to Madison very soon !

Doll Makeshop Saturday

2011-11-08T01:48:00.000-08:00

These cousins sew up a storm last Saturday and made two cutesy rag dolls it was a pleasure to do a make shop with these two super makers :D

Bat On a Stick Halloween Makeshop

2011-10-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

It was bats all over here today at Collooney where Orna, Mia, Ruby, Sonya and Beth made a bat buddy and a gift monster and I am sure you will agree they did a curlyrippingly ! great job

Curlyrip's Website goes Live !

2011-10-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you Liam Osite web design what a great job you have done on my website not to mention that it was a total pleasure to work with you Thanks. How about the super cute graphics courtesy of Michelle again it was a complete pleasure to work with Meech who totally got the Curlyrip brief. Speaking of brief Justin of perfect pints fame helped me to put together a brief that served me so well and formed the blueprint and continues to be the blueprint for Curlyrip. Finally this was all made possible because of my involvement in the CEIM Programme thanks Ultan for the opportunity.

Zipper Pocket Blankie

2011-10-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

Been busy tweaking the design for the blankie with the zippered pocket. It now has the pocket in the top right hand corner and there are loops on top to attach to your stroller and as always they have a super cuddly fleece backing. These are available for sale in the LimeGreen Umbrella upstairs in Lyons Department store in Sligo town

Blankie for Alfie

2011-09-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

This is Alfies Blankie of Awesomeness !! Its made of cuddly fleece, funky fish print fabric and because its awesome it has a zippered pocket to put thingies in ... any thingy that fits really:) There is a wonky dancing star patch worked detail on the pocket or is it a starfish ?

Quilt Kits in the Making

2011-09-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

The brief : purples & blues, less blues more purples and loves cats ! Kept with the blue and purple theme and because of the love of cats included a fat cat in the far right hand corner who is ready to be embellished with eyes and whiskers using technique of lucky recipients choice ! One butterfly or two? Decisions, decisions ... ( :

Buttons and Quilt for Molly

2011-09-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

These wood buttons arrived in my studio a few weeks ago and I have been coveting them ever since but now its time to share and they are all nicely displayed in jars and for sale in my studio @ 25c each perfect to add that little cutesy factor to your craft project.

Introducing the quankie with a cute zipper pocket perfect for the stroller or car, you can pop a spare bib and soother into the zipper pocket just in case and they can be personalised with a name. Molly will be cuddling her personalised quankie very soon ! enjoy

A few new Pin cushion Cupcakes

2011-08-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

These little cupcakes presented quite a design challenge but happy to say the learning curve is done and happy to say they are made and ready for two sewing girls as part of their back to school sewing kit there is a little glass fish bead and topped off with hand felted stars and polka dot ball !

This pink themed is all ready for Kate just born on Thursday happy Birth day !

This note book cover with a zippered inside pocket is a work in progress - need to add a strap and it is possible to put your phone in as well needs some more tweaking but getting there. Actually on reflection its looking more like a wallet with notebook potential !

Two new Teddy Crazy Hugs join the family here at the Studio in Collooney will be adding pink colour themed Crazy hugs soon

Staggering Quilts and Gift Monster

2011-08-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

At first the pink was not my favourite but now I cannot decide. How about the cute wood button eyes !! Stay tuned more monsters in the making with these cute wood button eyes

Fabric Pinwheel Flowers

2011-08-08T04:46:00.000-07:00

This crop just freshly picked and sewn !! at the studio here in Collooney my personal favourite are group A which group is your favourite ?

Final Saturday Workshop

2011-08-02T06:31:00.000-07:00

This Saturday 4 very crafty girls and boy made owls,elephants and birds at our last workshop for July. As you can see some of the owls became necklaces and Eryin Jade added her birds to bunting already completed the week before. It was pleasure to make with this enthusiastic bunch. I think you will agree that their creations are uber cute and just because they all got a free tub of Linnalla Pure Irish ice-cream (now available downstairs at Gilligans Meats) as a special thank you from Curlyrip for all their creative efforts YUM and well done !! They also took home a buttonbag kit with all materials and instructions to make more at home for their friends and family YAH !

Now it is time to plan for some more workshops so August will be all planning and making time for Curlyrip new workshops will begin in Mid September.

Crazy Hug for Séan & Gift Monster Greetings !

2011-08-02T06:19:00.000-07:00

This Crazy Hug is on its way to Limerick via Tipperary to a very special boy for his Birthday.

When you unzip a Gift Monster it now has a greeting inside ! We are working on some quirky but fun phrases to use as greetings at the moment- so more to come but for now our greeting reads ... Monster greetings little Human Earthling !! a little welcome monstorology.

PS The wood and reed boats in the photos are made by a very talented man called Francis and now available in the Roundabout gallery here beside me in Collooney. These Gift Monsters with the welcome greeting make a cute and totally baby friendly newborn gift alternative !!

Bunting for a special boy

2011-07-23T04:38:00.000-07:00

This is an order for bunting just finished this morning and it will be hanging in Ronnie's room in the not too distant future.

Fabric from Curlyrip becomes a bag

2011-07-23T04:35:00.000-07:00

Beginner quilter Maura purchased some fabric here from my stash last weekend just to do some beginner patchwork and yesterday she dropped by to show me the result. It is a super first project and looks great thanks for dropping by for show and tell and keep sewing up a storm Maura.

Another Mother a Daughter Workshop

2011-07-23T04:29:00.000-07:00

Last Monday Anke and her daughter took up the challenge to make their own quankie in one 6 hour workshop using one of my specially designed kits in their chosen colourways of blue/ purple and blues/turquoise - we stopped for lunch downstairs in the Gourmet Parlour just to keep our energy up !

Both Anke and Tessa added their own unique twist to the design by making their own block each to add to the quilt. It was full on fun and Anke and Tessa used their exceptional embroidery skills to add that extra punch to their individual quilts. They were a pleasure to work with and have to say it was a real achievement finishing off the complete quilt in one session- well done you two !!

Gift Monster Kits order

2011-07-23T04:13:00.000-07:00

An order for gift monster kits packaged and ready to go ! It has taken a while but finally settled on packaging for the gift monster kits after all the humming and hawing it is both functional and yet simple- there is nothing like the impetus of a deadline to focus the mind.

Happy Accident Wonky Sunshine Block

2011-07-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

Ever since viewing a this tutorial on Freshly Pieced blog been wanting to give it a go but much to my consternation when I pieced all the rays together it became a buckled up mess ... so there was nothing for it but to slash and burn !!! After cutting randomly from the edges still could not get it to sit straight that's when I discovered oops ! forgotten to sew one of the rays in ... a ray short that was the source of my mess. But happy to say that all is now well with the world and it turned out so nice decided to design a little quilt around the block above is the work in progress and happy accidents do happen afterall !

Mum and Daughters special Creating Time !!

2011-07-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

Had a little special Mum and Daughter creative studio time today at Curlyrip's Made It Studio. Nicole, Cushla and Grace all had a very relaxing, creative and productive time making a Japanese Knot bag and two cupcake coin purses ... which look good enough to eat ! We like to call these FUNKtional workshops fun, funky and functional. Thank you for choosing Curlyrip and it was a pleasure to create with all of you.

The Little Gallery In Rosses Point opens its door

2011-07-06T02:32:00.000-07:00

You may recall a few posts ago there was a pop up shop in Rosses Point for the sae Shanty Festival well the news is it went so well that we decided to continue and open a Little Gallery. Its located at The Waterfront Restaurant Rosses Point. Here is a collage of the wonderful people who visited they hail from from North Carolina, New York and other parts America, also a peek at some of the beautiful pieces available at the Little Gallery in Rosses Point

Will be doing some more posts on the little Gallery later and don't forget to drop by if in the vicinity.

Personalised Gifts on their way to Galway

2011-07-06T02:21:00.000-07:00

This duck themed quankie and teddy crazy hug are winging their way to two special girls in Galway wishing you many hours of peaceful rest and cuddles galore with your special gifts and thank you for choosing Curlyrip

Childrens Workshop This Saturday and Every Sat In July Make Owls\ Elephants\Birds

2011-06-30T04:26:00.000-07:00

Childrens Sewing Workshop 7yrs+ Saturday 2nd July,9th, July 16th, July 23rd, and 30th July, 2pm-4:30pm

This Class is ideal for ages 7yrs+ children will learn a few simple techniques enabling new sewers to gain confidence in their skill while having fun making beautiful decorative owl family/Elephants/ladybirds in a bag/hearts and birds in a box. All materials supplied and for an extra cost all instructions and materials in a take home kit. Each week we add a new toy to make.

Day & Date Every Saturday in July 2011

Time: 2pm-4:30pm

Cost: €15 per person materials supplied and for an extra €7:50 a take home kit with full instructions and all materials or a voucher to get the kit at this special price at a later date.

Duration: 2 1/2hrs

Venue: The Made IT Studio upstairs at the Village Food Fare Collooney

Booking is essential. There is a max of 5 places available per workshop. Book your place by calling into the Village Food Fare Collooney Friday-Sunday 10am-6:30pm or TXT or email

Contact Breda Redfern 0863382492/curlyrip@live.ie

Birthday Party Crew !

2011-06-30T04:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a group of 12 creative monster makers descended on our studio here in Collooney - a birthday celebration for Tara. I think you will agree that we were all very busy because in a few hours everyone made a wonderful gift monster that they can truly call their own- there were all manner of creations each just as unique as the individual makers. The pictures speak for themselves wonderful work! ... a pleasure to monster make with and a big thank you one and all

YAH and a friendly grr to you !!

Childrens Workshop This Saturday Make Owls and Elephants

2011-06-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

This workshop is suitable for the beginner learn to make a little family or a Mom and baby Elephant. Also included for a little extra cost a kit with all materials and a full set of instructions to make your own lovable owls or elephants at home.

Date: Saturday 25th June

This Class is ideal for ages 7yrs+ children will learn a few simple techniques enabling new sewers to gain confidence in their skill while having fun making beautiful decorative owl family/Elephants. All materials supplied and for an extra cost all instructions and materials in a take home kit.

Time: 2pm-4:30pm
Cost: €15

*The kit normally costs €12:50 but for participants in the workshop they get to take it home to practice their new sewing skills for €7:50

Booking Essential Email bredared@msn.com
or TXT 0863382491
6 places available

and now a few pics !! The Kits and completed owls and elephants

Cup Cakes and Hootie the Hooded Hero

2011-06-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

Sligos 1st Pop up shop was a great success this past weekend at The Rosses Point Sea Shanty Festival .... now that all that sea shantying is done time to batten down the hatches and get back to the drawing board.

Been working on simplifying my cupcake for super fun and accessible way to make your own and this is the result ... that strawberry is a little high and mighty but when you are a pink strawberry my guess is its the only way to go !

Also for some reason unknown to even myself decided it was time to make a caped kinda super hero owl !! Not sure if there is a little more tweaking to be done on this creation ... so will have to let it sit for a while and mull it over.

Sligo's 1st Pop up shop at Rosses Point Sea Shanty Festival

2011-06-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

Been busy making gift monsters in nautical colours especially for Sligo's 1st POP up shop at the Sea Shanty Festival Rosses Point Sligo this week end the 17th to the 19th of June.

A group of keen crafters and Artists have come together to bring the best on offer from the vast local creative community to Rosses Point for the weekend-Just dropped off some of my products in the little shop located on the waterfront just down from the Waterfront Restaurant. It looks super and will be out there again tomorrow to take some photos of the finished products and add a list of links to the Creators on display in the shop for the weekend .... was too excited talked too much yesterday almost did the same today but got the pics Yah !

The window display and Art Work adorning the outside wall is a credit to the organisers Medbh Gillard and Olga Mc Carrick and looks good even in the rain always a bonus in Ireland !

The Magnets courtesy of Olga Elfwood furniture

The quilt on wall a curlyrip creation and The Metal Sculptures work of Pat

Ethel Mc Veigh's woodland scene has to be seen to be truly appreciated also other works available for sale

The rain came down while there but me thinks the items look great through the rain mizzled window ....

Don't mess with the sea shanty guy !! Sea Shanty guy Courtesy of Medbh

You can really get into the spirit of the sea shanty with seaweed soap from The Soapbox they truly smell as good as they look and if seaweed soap does not float your boat there are many more scents to choose from

The wind swept ocean theme played out here in a variety of mediums

The window diplay is eyecatching and whimsical and all Medbh. Yes you too may shrink if you try to shift sand while hanging about with large boulders and using a tiny wheelbarrow !

Our first window shopper quick grab him .....

My most recent crop of gift monsters checking out the scene

Super bag combo from Ursla Connolly - Aunty Kittys Buttons

Also Philip Mahon from the Sligo wood company a wood turner of exceptional talent will be displaying work Greta Naylor will be supplying a variety of plants for Sale and last but by no means least Soraya Ricalde Jewlery

So come on over to Rosses point, bring your booty... not the junk in your trunk kind the cash in a flash kind and haul home some treasure "with love from Rosses Point this weekend" !!

MOnster Makers Extraordinare !!

2011-06-06T05:10:00.000-07:00

I like to call the one to the left Lucious Lashes Kissy Lips .....There were mother and daughter, best friends, boy and girl, young at heart, kilkenny monster making friends and teenage monster makers at our first Monster making workshops in Collooney. Also happy to announce that the results are in from our first Sock monster Making Workshops at The Made It Studio and we say douze points to all who participated -below are more photos of the many monster creations.

A big thank you to all who participated and all of those who sent their best wishes for a successful day. As you can see everyone added their own particular flair to each creation. A special mention to Karen and Bernadette my very first! workshop participants, a mother and daughter combination who created the pair with the kissy lips and expertly stitched eyelash detail thank you sooo much.

Caft Council of Ireland Registered

2011-05-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

The days have been flying by since the opening 3 weeks ago so this is my first blog in a while. Happy to report that I am now registered with the Craft Council of Ireland.

Also finished a Yellow and pink themed sock monkey with a feather trim hoodie. Also been working on a suitable workshop item for the market day Sat June 3rd upstairs in The Village food Fare Collooney. Finally have fine tuned a sock monster design fitting for my first workshops

Cupcake Pincushion & Coin Purse

2011-05-05T01:05:00.000-07:00

Been super busy over the past few weeks getting my Made it Studio ! ready for the opening this Saturday. The Roundabout Gallery will be opening as well this Saturday and there is a market with local crafts people all happening upstairs in the Village Food Fare Collooney this Saturday from 10am till 6:30pm. Thank you to all the people who have dropped by in the last few weeks to wish me well. Been working on two new items and have finally got them shop ready yah ! There is a zip top coin/Mobile phone purse with a wrist strap for safe keeping ingredients include cute Japanese owl print, 30% wool mix felt and a cute zipper pull and its fully lined

Above my version of a cupcake pincushion ingredients include fleece,felted bead and a super bright cotton print all topped off with french knot sprinkles yum !

Don't forget to drop by the Village food fare Collooney this Saturday and visit me upstairs at the Made it Studio see you there.

Another day Another Duck Theme Quilt

2011-04-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

In this one decided to use one of the fabric flowers as an applique feature in the far corner and it blends in quite well ..

Organising my stash of fabric has been on the 2 do list for quite a while so today I have measured and put a price on 10 prints of varying sizes and they will be for sale in my studio at Collooney next week ... that's if I can steel myself to bring them in ! Or fabric swap anyone ?

Cannot help myself lusting after cute Japanese prints http://www.superbuzzy.com/ where you can browse tons of super cuteness :D

Finishing Good Friday and Pier Jumping !

2011-04-22T01:37:00.000-07:00

The weather has been so unbelievably sunny for the past few days we had to go to the local pier to test the waters verdict minty fresh and oh so invigorating!!

Back to work and my first custom quankie is done it is destined for a 2 year old little girl who loves ducks

This flower is a thank you for a friend

All 12 fabric flowers ready for tables at the Gourmet Parlour downstairs

The rusty letters for my Studio sign arrived yesterday and have to say they are just as I was hoping. Can't wait to get it up on the wall on the to do list 4 this week.

Hope the sun stays with you this holiday weekend !!

Fabric Pinwheel flowers Finished !

2011-04-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

The brief was to make a flower that could be washed hmm.... several days later and the pinwheel flower is finished it can be taken apart due to the amazing powers of strategically placed Velcro and popped in the washing machine for minty freshness !!! if you so wish. Four layers of fabric and textile materials give these flowers plenty of substance. Now its onto the next flower bud\tulip shape. Looks like a sunny one this weekend happy sunshine thoughts.

Made it Studio 1st custom Doll order

2011-04-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

This little happiness in the heart is a very special gift from a loving Godmother. This is the first Happiness in the Heart to be completed at my Made it Studio ! in The Village food Fare. So I had to take her on tour Maggie kindly posed for a photo op with this little lady who is personalised with a label reading "Irish girls give our hearts wings and become their own warrior queens " Go the Warrior Queens !!! Also Good luck Gilligan Meats and to Maggie who will be at the Green Leader Awards and The Ulster Bank Business Acheivers Awards in the next few days ...bring the awards home we are routing for you and we want to see pics of you in your special awards gúna !! (Irish for dress/frock)

There are no shortage of strong independent women to emulate from ancient Irish culture. Who is your favourite role model from ancient Irish Culture ?

Stray Sock sewing on Sunday

2011-04-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

RaOOWL this little guy is a sock toy from a book Stray Sock sewing too by Daniel . Got this book at Pippablue in Galway and just never got around to making anything from it other than Miss Mini but my girls wanted to have a go at 2 of the basic toys from the book and here are the results ! We call the owl RaoOWL and the fantastic flying frog !! The pictures and instructions are great in this book and the photos of all the sock toys are a pleasure to peruse.

Tomorrow will up to me ears in Bears in Cavan visiting Anke at Bearessentials-really looking forward to the visit.

Sign for my Studio at Colloney WIP

2011-04-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

Spent all day working and chatting to visitors at my studio in The Village Food Fare Colloney have to say "shobby du wah its all good". Spent quite a while -in between chats that is- random piecing a sign for the studio Curly is done Rip will have to wait till next week .... had to make the rrrrgh twice ! The first R was just too skinny but the 2nd effort is just right I hope you agree.

Finishing Friday - New Studio/ Workspace

2011-04-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

Finishing Friday ... Managed to finish setting up the furniture in my new studio workspace and finish a sock monkey with some help from my friend Sylvia who dropped by and Jacquie who arrived just in time to help me display one of my bigger quilts .. thanks heaps ! and the chat was good too ;D Only thing is eventhough there are some photos I misplaced my card thingy to download from the camera to my picture editor so no photos till tomorrow. Till tomorrow !

From Chaos to a Workspace at Colloney

2011-04-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

I am delighted and excited to have moved from home to a workspace in Colloney on the N4 at the Colloney roundabout. The Village Food Fair follow this link to their Facebook page. Downstairs you will find delicious food and coffee at the Gourmet Parlour and if its meat straight from the farm to the fork you are after have a look at Gilligan Meats . Looking forward to working my way through the menu at the Gourmet Parlour tried the lamb pie with side salads so far verdict yum !! and the Chicken gujons from Gilligan meats are a big hit with the kids and great value. I am upstairs there is great light ..... all alone at the moment but looking forward to the company of other great handcrafted items and crafty types in the coming weeks.

FROM CHAOS

TO SERENE ORGANISED SPACE

Having the extra space really helps with the getting things done conundrum .... finished these two gnome sock monkeys and if you notice I was able to use the eyes Mai from the Keadue workshop crochet for me as a gift .... thanks Mai they really work for this garden loving gnome sock monkey.

Of course you cannot have one gnome without another.

Who has got their hand in the cookie Jar !! Humalings enjoy the mischievous fun loving nature of sock monkeys

Below the chaos that was

Finishing Friday Spring Flowers

2011-04-01T06:08:00.000-07:00

Its been a busy week and Friday kinda snuck up on me !! Today I finished two quankies and a fabric flower design been working on .... just a pinwheel to go and two sock monkeys !! Better get a move on !! Its a windy day here just the ticket to clear the cobwebs from the ole brain.

Finishing Friday on Thursday Squares a lot !

2011-03-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is a training day at the CEIM program for me so Thurs is my finishing Friday this week if you know what I mean. This little wonky square eyed toy is called "Squares a lot". I have been mulling over in my head pieced eyes and mouth instead of crochet and felt eyes for the matching quankie soft toy. Today being finishing Friday on Thursday !! and all this idea had to be finished one way or another. The first step was to piece the eyes. Once the eyes were made the rest just fell into place. At first the arms and legs were much longer ... one simple solution later known as tie a knot in it ! The arm and legs were in proportion. "Squares a lot" fits nicely into the pocket at the back of the Quankie and "Squares a lot" likes nothing better than striking a pose for the camera. Might make a few adjustments to the design but overall quite pleased with the result. What do you think ?

The weather is super sunny at the moment have a great weekend here's hoping the sun shines on you where ever you maybe.

Workshops Keadue Finished

2011-03-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

There was plenty of prep to do Saturday and Sunday last for our final workshop in Keadue today .... below are all the quilts and sock monkeys stacked and ready for the workshop today.

We had a lot to get through to finish our quilt and sock monkey but am delighted to say that the group all got stuck in and we finished every ones quilt and sock monkey today ! Phew it was a lot of work but fun. Luckily Gabrielle my friend was able to come along as an extra pair of hands. Below are photos of all the participants and their creations.

Happy to say that everyone enjoyed the workshops and are all bonding very well with their monkeys !! ... Two of the women added their own personal twist to the monkey design and added their own crochet eyes and another Lady completely changed the look of her toy by embroidering a face,adding safety eyes and losing the tail .... it looked just like a little boy/man. Way to go Maureen and Mai !

Thanks to the Manager Julie lady in black ! and all the staff for supplying us with cups of tea and encouragement along the way and a big thanks to all the participants who were a pleasure to work with.

Finishing Friday is all about St Patricks Day Parade in Sligo

2011-03-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

The Irish Girl Guides are celebrating 100 years this year GO THE GIRL GUIDES

Playing catch up today due to festivie overload from yesterday can now predict that will be unable to actually finish anything today !! We were up bright and early yesterday to attend the Parade in Sligo - both Ciara and Ellen were with the Girl Guides. Above are a few random shots of the day.

Finishing Friday Seagull Print

2011-03-11T01:12:00.000-08:00

As with all fabric hoarders ..... saw this seagull print from Makower and at the time had to have it .... now a year or so later its really come into its own and looks great in this simple quilt combined with bright orange, grey and blue from Rowan, Moda and Fabric Freedom. There is a super cuddly orange fleece on the back ... cuddle ability guaranteed on this Quankie !! and its sold ... It turned out so well there are a few more in the pipeline.

Show me the way to Amaryllis !!

2011-03-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

These Amaryllis bulbs are in full flower right now and just had to take a photo to share their awesomeness !!

Managed to get all 9 kits ready 4 workshops and happy to say all going well ... 2 more workshops to go ... our goal is to finish a quankie in three sessions and a sock monkey a bit ambitious I know me thinks will be burning the midnight oil in two weeks time to finish the project will post some pics of the finished items. Below is one of the kits workshop ready .... pinned and ready to go!!

Last week I posted about an orange blue and grey quankie I was fixing to make did not have all the necessary fabrics then ... the good news is now I have picked up the last one a pebble like slate grey one at The Crafters Basket . Below is the work in progress. The light is not good in the photo but the bright orange really helps the tiny orange detail in the flying seagull print pop.

Finishing Friday say hello to the green spotted sock monkey !

2011-03-04T11:25:00.000-08:00

This was a busy week. Meet with a lovely group of women who all want to make a quankie so this Monday will be starting the process .... with our first 2 hour workshop. In the mean time another sock monkey has evolved ... this guy is totally infant friendly with super cuddly apple green arms, tail and wool mix eyes embroidered in turquoise blue cotton thread ... just finished in time for Friday Yay !! How about that blue sky it really charges my battery ... its off to the cutting table for me to prepare quilt kits and the necessary materials for workshop on Monday ... may have to go outside and gaze at the sky several times to keep the energy flowing !! So if you happen to pass by an spy a woman out standing in her own field that's just me I'm working !!

Finishing Friday Fur and Stuff !

2011-02-25T03:48:00.000-08:00

This week finally saw the making of a larger Humaling and a little matching Quankie with sleeping blanket at the back to put your Humaling to sleep. Above some photos of colour choices the completed quilt and the Humaling. This Humaling is not grounded in a Human Value yet any suggestions out there ?

Another colour combination grey, blue and orange sounds unlikely but I think it looks pretty good need a few more colours to get this to work in a quankie .... hopefully by next week will have added a few more colours to he mix .... need six really to get enough variety for a quilt ... two more to go !

Tobergal Lane Sligo stocks Curlyrip Quilts and Humalings

2011-02-21T05:46:00.000-08:00

Happy to report that you can now see several of my handmade quilts toys etc for sale in Tobergal lane Cafe Sligo town . Tobergal lane are about the only place in Sligo to get Tapas and very nice they are too !! If Tapas are not your thing there is plenty to choose from.

Fishy tidings from Beltra Country Markets

2011-02-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

Directly above collage features a sampling of handmade items up cycled jumper hats, hand dyed silk scarfs,quilts. socks, booties the list goes on .....

Top collage features Yummy edibles,snowdrops and new comer rabbit pie maker !!!

Above a sample of the signage around the hall also a shot featuring our lovely volunteer checkout chicks and the market mascot "green pea fairy" aka adorable little one with a pea green hat !!

Above the scene outside and of course our wonderful customers without whom there is no market enjoying a good browse and natter on a Saturday morning sure what else would you be doing !!

All up another successful day at the country markets in Beltra. Its been a while since I took some photos so this is why so many resulting in collage blitz !!! Hope you liked !

Don't forget starting next Saturday 26th of February there will be fresh fish available.

Finishing Friday

2011-02-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

This week has been one of swine flu and sewing blocks upside down ! maybe confusion is one of he symptoms would not be surprised because this flu just about covers everything !! ... headaches, pain in body, vomiting,coughing, swinging temps etc etc. Happy to report family on the mend.

This is a matching teddy crazy hug for a quilt I made last year has been on the to do list quite a while now.

Had a little experiment with using mainly solids with a focus print Alexander Henry's traffic jam print to be precise. Fresh modern quilting for me is about colours, doing more with less and improvised piecing. This is a quickly pieced pattern and mainly I wanted to play with colour in a way that is different for me there are 3 tones of blue with another 2 colours and a focus print there are 6 different fabrics. Above are the sashings in different arrangements two have colours that are the same touching and one none of the colours touch. Can you spot he difference ? Also luckily noticed had sewn one of the car blocks upside down !

The arrangement with no colours touching won out in the end and above is the finished item !

Contemporary Quilting & Free Patterns on the web

2011-02-14T02:32:00.000-08:00

I love all things to do with modern contemporary quilting and I came across a blog well worth checking out if contemporary quilting is our thing its called contemporary quilting with Alison and no only does Alison write super books about stack the deck quilting, her own unique technique but there is also a post with links to lots of free patterns on the web. Follow any of the links above and you will also find Alisons books listed there they are for sale on amazon. I have added them to my wish list for 2011 .... hmm which one will I get first ?

CEIM Training with Jhonny Beirne

2011-02-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

Another successful training session at Sligo IT today with the CEIM program courtesy of trainer Jhonny Beirne. Wow what a lot to take in !! But I did learn something because the button for the Humaling twitter widget is sitting here to the left !!! had no idea till today how to do this and Facebook is looking a lot less daunting.

Johnny Beirne is responsible for my new found abilities thank you ! lets hope my dory fish like brain does not forget all the wonderful things we learned today. Click on the link above and check out Jhonnys site and you too may be amazed by your social media talents !! Changed layout what do you think ?

Finishing Friday Snowdrops, Lambs and Humalings Harbingers of Spring

2011-02-10T23:57:00.000-08:00

Say hello to Humalings new coat, its Lambing season. Have been mulling and thinking about a coat for The Humalings but over thinking and procrastination took over .... oh the tyranny of over thinking. Thank you finishing Friday finally the coat has made it from imagination to creation. See how Humaling Liberty escaped to the garden where the snowdrops are gently heralding the beginning of spring go snowdrops !!! we so need spring.

Finishing Friday is here Again !!!

2011-02-03T05:25:00.000-08:00

I know its actually thursday !!! its good to be a day ahead of yourself never know when it will come in handy. This Pirate quilt has been sitting on my design wall since just before Christmas. The focus fabric is the skull fabric. The skull night sky is lit up by two vibrant red and blue star bursts. Have to say it was a challenge for me to work with so much black but tried to balance that with plenty vibrant reds and blues to keep the bright fun factor hope that comes through. I used improvised piecing to make the star bursts, moon and pirate boat. The bandanna fabric for quite sometime now and finally it has found a home, pretty pleased about that. There is a matching boat made with the left over fabric scraps. The quilt is backed in a blue luxurious fleece I have christened these type of quilts Quankies because they are Quilt like on the front and fleece blanket on the back ..... a combination of a quilt and blankie = Quankie. Also very useful when feeling cranky !! cheesy I know but it rhymes. Do you think this quilt would fit the bill for a pirate loving swashbuckler or too scary and dark ?

Jet Plane- full Moon-Finishing Friday

2011-01-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

Friday will from now on be finishing Friday !! This Friday I put the finishing touches to 2 sock monkeys. As you can see from the photos even when I put them into the bag ready for a trip to the local Beltra Market on Saturday one was a very eager to get going and the other was somewhat reluctant to embrace the idea of being at market and sure enough eager monkey Spartacus is now safely on his way to the USA bye Monkey Spartacus my small dark, polka dotted hairy yet scarily handsome devil. Monkey Flash, saviour of the universe in training ! will spend more time at home before launching himself into the big wide world of super hero adventures. Once more Cillian managed to capture a lovely shot of the moon in the trees and a plane in the blue sky ... maybe Spartacus is jetting back to the states as we speak in one just like it.

While down at the market Naomi shared this quote a new years wish it goes something like this .... This year please make my wallet fat and my body slim and don't get them mixed up like you did last year !!! Working on that one !

Its a New Year !!

2011-01-21T03:11:00.000-08:00

Its been exactly a month since my last post so onwards and upwards with this new year of 2011.
Whats on my to do List !!! My first priority this year is to work on my etsy shop and follow the advise of the etsy success team. They are running a shop make over item via the etsy success newsletter. My first task was to write a snappy statement which described my products USP in this case the Humaling outlining its unique benefit to a potential customer. I used the uber useful worksheet provided and am very happy with the result:

Humalings are the only handmade free standing doll that have wings to give your thoughts flight and boots to keep you grounded

You too can do this exercise just go to http://www.etsy.com/ and sign up for the etsy success newsletter and you will get the newsletter with a list of items to makeover your online shop.

Another item is to write a 6 word memoir sounds easy but its difficult. It think a famous writer once wrote something that goes like this ..... I am writing you a long letter because I haven't got the time to write you a short one !! I am on twelve words at the moment and getting it down to 6 is going to be a challenge. Once complete this 6 word memoir will form the first sentence in my shop Bio.

A Swan and her Three Babies

2010-12-21T05:48:00.000-08:00

Once more my son Cilllian took a most lovely picture of a Swan and her three cygnets who look almost fully grown on the pond below our house its just so sweet I had to post it.

Sock Monkey Hip Hop Fluffler

2010-12-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

From simple sock to this. I love these socks and knew the minute I spotted them they would make a great sock monkey. We Named her Hip Hopp Fluffler because of the glasses and her arms are made of super soft fleece. Johnny long Socks is the name of choice for the guy with the pirate bandanna.

Galway Christmas Market

2010-12-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

We all went to the Christmas market in Galway last Thursday and I have to say thoroughly enjoyed the experience despite the fact that it took four hours to get there. As you can see we all got super warm hats from on e of the many stalls and had a tasty lunch which we ate in complete comfort in the beer tent while we listened to German beer songs!, could have stayed there all day. We also had a stroll down shop street where we visited one of my favourite shops Pippa Blue. I hope this market is on again next year as we intend to stay overnight next year.

Pirate Sock Monkey meets Tweed !!

2010-12-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

Couldn't resist had to try out some of that Tweed I recently acquired. Considering the cold snap is on the way yet again I had to make sure this guy would be warm .... so I lined his Bandanna with red felt and his arms and tail are made from 100% Donegal tweed sure to keep him warm in any weather. All of the tweed seams are over locked for extra durability and finally he is stuffed with washable polyester fiber. Did I mention despite his Pirating ways he is exceptionally cuddly go figure. The light was not great for the photos might get a few better ones tomorrow.

What shall I call this Pirate Dude ?

Do you Like Tweed ... yes I LIKE TWEED !

2010-12-07T05:33:00.000-08:00

Cindi Graham Donegal Weaver was at the Sligo craft Fair and it was there that I saw, totally wanted in fact needed this tweed bag. So we decided to do a swap I got this beautiful bag and a box load of fantastic tweed samples, just a few of which are pictured above and Cindi got a Humaling. Hmm ... Think I may have got a total deal here. Here is a link where you can find out a little more about Cindi http://www.donegaltours.com/tour.htm Did I say I love the bag I love the bag !!

The box of Cindi's handwoven donegal tweed is destined to become Humalings or maybe something completely different not sure yet. I am looking forward to playing with this material after christmas and a big thanks to Cindi some Blog love comming your way.

The Annual Sligo Craft Fair at The Clarion

2010-12-06T04:12:00.000-08:00

The Sligo Craft Fair took place at The Clarion on Sat and Sunday last. I totally enjoyed meeting all of the Stall holders and here is just a little glimpse of what was on offer. These are just a sample of some of the great, gorgeous and juicy Sligo made craft items. Will get around to naming all of the makers of this wonderful array of gift items but just needed to get it up for now check back will be adding list of Makers in the next few days. Go the Sligo Makers and Producers !!!

here as promised List of Stall Holders with Links

Craftwoods based Collooney Sligo Mark Heaney Super Clocks http://www.craftwoods.ie/
John D Rynne Woodturner based Rathcormac Sligo The cute snowman !
Ian Carty Uses Horsehair in his pottery ! follow Ian on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sligo-Stoneware/195997372627
Victoria Charms Jewlery http://www.victoriacharms.eu/ site is great have a look
SealViewPhotography http://www.sealviewphotography.com/ can buy directly from Ulrikes site
Hazel wood furniture and wooden serving spoons in lovely gift boxes http://www.elfwoodfurniture.com/ great site !
Thomas Sheridan Artist http://www.thomassheridanartist.blogspot.com/
I love Dolores Keaveney's artwork and childrens books http://www.doloreskeaveney.com/ check out her site you can buy Dolores books right there online
Rosemary's Pottery Studio Easky county Sligo you can also get good clean soap there as well!!
Handcarved Candles by Jenny Hamilton http://www.jennyhamilton.com/ ops! got no photo .. too busy chattin but do not fear check them out on link above the look super.
Carrigeen Skin Food & Calendula Cream these body care products are made in Sligo, Luxurious and completely made from natural ingredients (link to follow)
Really colourful wall plaques hand painted with a celtic theme by June Sheridan herself and Thomas together are the Sheridans ! http://www.thomassheridanartist.blogspot.com
Danielle was there right beside me with really cute handpainted christmas tree decorations which were customised on the spot with any name you wanted and because we were right beside eachother I never got a photo !!
Melvin crafts handmade Parian China jewlery http://www.fermanaghcraft.com/melvincraft
Soraya Ricalde Jewlery you can find out all about her modern stylish designs in jewlery on craft council of Ireland site Soraya is a registered craftsperson with the Crafts Council of Ireland http://www.ccoi.com/

Pictures of frost and Snow outside our House

2010-12-06T04:04:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at making a picture collage. My son takes the best photos with his little Sony flip camera and I just had to put them together in a pleasing way some are of the exact spot with frost and snow and the other the exact spot with out frost and snow I really like the contrast. I use the same camera to take photos but they never turn out looking as good as these.

Say Hello to 4 Humalings!

2010-11-12T03:37:00.000-08:00

They are finished and ready to spread some peace and joy around this christmas one has suffered a mild brain injury!! so we had a little rehab and now bet you cannot spot which Humaling is in recovey mode ! feeling a little brain injured myself at the moment what with all the doom and gloom about the economy its all a little injurious to the joyful, optimistic part of the brain but not to worry joyful optimism is winning today.

Sock Monkeys & Cup cake boxes

2010-11-02T02:48:00.000-07:00

These three sock monkeys are looking good in their fez like hats. The thing I totally adore about making sock monkeys is this , no matter how you try to make them the same they always turn out looking different even if you use the same size socks they turn out different sizes !! its design magic !

In one of my last posts I mentioned that maybe cupcake boxes might be the very thing for my Humalings. Not so quick google search later came across alpack in Dublin was not sure about the size so I rang alpack spoke to Liam on the phone. Liam at http://www.alpack.ie/ send me on a sample box FOC and the boxes are just the ticket !! Now the challenge, make 100 Humalings for the 100 boxes ..... hmm maybe I will make a few cupcake gifts as well. Have to say alpack are great and go Irish Business !!

Humaling Doll Peace

2010-10-21T04:53:00.001-07:00

Introducing Humaling Peace. This guy loves climbing the log pile of Hope !! The higher the better.

Its the Humaling Making Season!

2010-10-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

Been busy Humaling making hope the results are pleasing to some. I have been looking for a suitable way to package these Dolls if they ever leave home ! In the past they have left in recycled glass jars but as they keep changing slightly in height and width ! I was having a hard time finding a jar to fit, even bought a quantity of jars in IKEA but alas they just did not fit ! Then moved on to Kilner jars with the tin lids they look lovely but not suitable to post. Cup cake boxes will they be the solution ... not sure have to get my hands on some first. Anyway here is Humaling Joy completed today. Will have to get back to box hunting tomorrow.

Just a random thought tap into the power of your human potential that's what Humalings are about. I have recently commenced a business development program Céim (literal translation first steps) run jointly between Sligo IT and Letterkenny IT one of our first sessions involved attending a Business start up Boot Camp 1 day event delivered by Doug Richards http://www.schoolforstartups.co.uk/. What did I get from the event ?

The smell of fear !! My own that is !

Doug Richards shoots from the hip and does not suffer fools lightly

All that aside it was both helpful and not that pleasant at the same time if that is possible. I guess the old maxim 1% inspiration 99% perspiration was illustrated very well.

The nugget I took from the day was I need to work on my Elevator Pitch ! What is an Elevator pitch you might ask and are you in for a spectacular lack/drop in sales if you get it wrong ! There are three types the one you tell friends and family when they ask you what you do, 2nd what you tell people who want to buy what you make and 3rd the one you use with large department stores who want to stock your handmade item (OH sweet dream)

"Humalings help you tap into the power of our Human Potential" This line is destined to appear somewhere in my Elevator pitch i.e. What I tell people when explaining what it is I do.

Also Doug mentioned Whimsy phew finally something I get or got depending on which way you look at things.

What I really liked was the way Doug provided sound advise on the spot to people who had questions about their paticular business very pratical and exactly what you would expect to find at an event like this. There was also a Business man from Donegal past pupil of the school for startups who gave a presentation and it was really encouraging to hear how he had implemented the advise Doug had given with possitive results http://www.wiseloads.blogspot.com/

Thats all the lowdown on the school for startups will share items of intrest from the Céim programme as they happen.

Humaling line up in Garden

2010-10-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Yes their feet have touched the ground and the values are ...... Resolve for the one with a snowflake button on its hat and Liberty for the other with the cheeky monkey hat.

What a great day ! Sunshine all the way. Had to take these out in the garden. There are two new Humalings in the line up created today. The brown swirly Humalings could easily be brother and sister. Guess which one is the boy and which a girl. Even though the sunshine is super there is still a nip in the air so its hats all round for our newly created Humalings. One is sporting super cuddly fleece chocolate brown wings and the other has wings made of cotton batting and fun pink polka dot. So the final line up is Optimism, Team Spirit, Joy, Resolve and Liberty !

Humaling Joy

2010-10-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

This little Humaling is grounded in the human value Joy. Time for warm hats and winter wollies is fast approaching and this little "human angel thing" aka Humaling has just the Hat to keep warm & with a bell on top will be very easy to find when fliting about. Each new day brings a new Humaling ! Below are some photos before hat and after hat. There is also a little pocket hidden under the crochet flower detail on the wings.

Happiness Sitting Boots & Humaling

2010-10-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

Where is the year going ! Cannot believe another month has passed and a new one arrived since my last post. Happiness has boots ... due to the arrival of extra thick felt recently I was able to make boots for happiness with little rabbit detail on the toes. Also a matching Humaling - Team Spirit. Next on my list of things to do has to be tidy up my work area its gone to hell !! Took some photos but am too ashamed to post them at present will save them for a before and after a mega tidy up post on my work space ... Coming soon !! The chocolate brown Humaling Optimism looks like it would be right at home in the woods and has a little crochet heart on the wings, which also can be used as a pocket .. write a sweet thought and keep it there or put a little chocolate heart in there as a sweet treat yum!!

The Mood Gallery Castlebar Opening this Friday !

2010-09-28T01:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we dropped some of my work off at the Mood Gallery in Castlebar. Its opposite Subway just off the main street in the back far right corner of the Eason's building. Ella is the proud owner ( one wearing the cute hat). Ella has done great job of sourcing only handmade locally produced craft items for her Gallery. There are around 15 craftspeople have there work for sale and you can pick up an original locally handmade gift from as little as €5 and right through to €250 and over. So whatever your budget there is something there that will suit. The official opening is this Friday between 5pm and 10pm so drop in if you are around town and have a look !

Teddy Bear "Crazy Hug"

2010-09-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

Just completed this Bear in time for the Beltra Market today and we call it Bear Crazy Hug ! This Bear Crazy Hug has a seriously soft, super cuddly pink fleece back. Luckily I managed to take a few photos before we left for the market this morning because Crazy Hug did not return from Beltra market. Happy hugging Crazy Hug !!

Fergal's Quilt & Tweet Tweet

2010-08-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

Finally it is finished !! Been quite a while in the making. Fergal's Mum was brought up by the sea in Wexford .. hence the boat and sea theme and Fergal's Dad is a third generation Gardener/Garden Center Operator and Grower ... reason for the tree.

The other photo is of a quilt with a rooster and three chicks applique detail. I made the quilt last year and thought I had lost it ... but it has turned up, luckily enough because when I made it for some unknown reason I sewed a Label on the back naming the quilt Quack ! Quack ! As there isn't a Duck in sight I can now rename it Tweet Tweet.

How to wrap a Quilt

2010-08-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

When I finish a quilt I am always at a loss as how to store them in a space saving yet pleasing to the eye way ... Quilt roll to the rescue !! and its simple and easy two of my favourite things !

Using fabric and batting left over from making the quilt make a band with an elastic loop at one end and a button on the other.

In the pictures I used 2.5 inch wide binding scrap so the bands are 2 inches wide when finished.

Make quilt sandwich 2 inches to 3inches wide approx 8 inches long (length depends on rotundness of quilt roll !) insert the elastic loop at this time sew all around leaving top open for turning out the right way. Turn out right way and stitch the opening closed add button and you are done or if you are feeling very creative quilt the band.

Roll quilt in a pleasing way I like the little crochet heart detail on display and fasten band around quilt roll to keep it all rolled up nicely for display or storage or attach a sock cat ! for extra cuddle value. I love the way the rolled up end looks delicious like a sweet, but then that's just me. Above are some photos of how my quilt in a roll turned out !

Cathals Quilt & Introducing Humaling Optimism

2010-08-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

Been a busy few weeks. Finished 3 quilts Cathal, Fregal and Cattitude. Also you can now see and purchase some of my work at the Leitrim Design house in the Dock Carrick-on- Shannon County Leitrim http://www.intoleitrim.com/.

The Humaling is finally finished !! have been working on this little doll for over a year now. The biggest sticking point were the boots ..... you see Humalings are human angel things and they have wings to give our thoughts flight and boots to keep us grounded. Making boots that allowed the Humaling to stand was a challenge to say the least but got there in the end and I have to say feeling very pleased with the result.

As soon as The Humaling is grounded in a Human Value ie stamped on the sole of the boot, they are ready to be placed in a jar for safe keeping until they find a home. The blue Humaling is grounded in optimism !

Beltra Markets Just keeps getting better !

2010-08-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

Missed the market last week and was delighted to see the new items on display. New addition Claire was busy making delicious crepe's. The flowers are really blooming and the craft corner keeps getting better every week. Karen our resident crochet expert happily doing her thing really sets the scene. Hope you enjoy the pictures !!

Mobile Phone Socks

2010-08-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

These are some mobile phone socks I made earlier ! These socks are fully reversible and have handy loops to attach to your bag or waistband of jeans shorts etc. The Handy Hero's clip is a perfect match for these little mobile phone socks colour co-ordinated and all !!

Dr Woof and Mr Hyde go Gaelic !

2010-08-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

Its finished added a few elements to the boys quilt design to get a little Celtic flair going on ! The boat is made from recycled denim jeans with a little embroidery. Dr Woof and Mister Hyde have gone Gaelic ... sailing in a boat and sporting a warriors shield to protect the Irish coast line from all manner of invasion like turtles, strange jelly baby like things and splat like blue plankton !!!. Hope Cathal likes it !

Beltra Markets Photos Galore

2010-07-31T05:56:00.000-07:00

I have been promising myself to take a few photos of the Beltra Market for quit some time now .... finally today It happened !

Little Miss sock doll & Native Irish wood clock

2010-07-30T11:31:00.001-07:00

One Thursday a week or two ago we all went on a day out to Galway and while there I visited one of my favourite shops its called http://www.pippablue.com/ they have supplies of fabric, yarn and an eclectic mix of Kitchy Gifts which are right up my alley I cannot leave this shop without a purchase or two !

The little Miss is a project from a book I bought at Pippa blue called Stray Sock sewing two by Daniel. Little Miss turned out a treat. I also bought a slightly mad looking Teddy Bear Brooch and I could not leave without a bundle of fat Quarters featuring polka dots, all that and I got a discount to booth ! Little Miss is standing by a Native Irish wood clock made by Martin Wilson a local wood turner from Skreen I bought the clock last week at Beltra Markets it was a total bargain at €25. Now that I have got my spending frenzy off my chest its back to serious making for a week or two.

Girly sock monkeys

2010-07-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

Had a request for girly sock monkey and this is the result ! The one with the blue heart has already found a home. The crochet heart is from Annie from Waterford on etsy she has some great applique items ! http://www.anniedesign.etsy.com/. Also the heart appears on a birth date greeting/gift card I designed to accompany a quilt I made recently.

Original Stitch i pad slipcase

2010-07-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at the i pad slipcase a pattern from original stitch. I have used old shirt sleeves, part of a pair of old jeans also used in another project, mattress ticking fabric from old couch cover, anchor fabric gifted to me by my mother in law and various scraps from my rather bulging scrap pile.

Not too sure about the pocket, too flashy maybe. I have a pepe le phew tie which I have been coveting for a while but cannot find it at the moment .... this old tie might be just the thing for the pocket detail.

Haven't located the tie as of yet. This my 2nd effort and the brief was to make a ladies slipcase in heritage lavender to order. This one got the whole treatment, logo from original stitch attached at back and gift wrapped. Posted ! Lets hope it fits the bill.

Mission Water Saftey 1&2 Certificate and swim 5 accomplished!

2010-07-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we 4 Ciara, Cillian, Ellen and somewhat reluctant Mom signed up for water safety training at Aughris pier. We completed the course this Friday.

There was rain, sun, sparkling days, gloomy windy days but we all surprisingly swam our way through it !

There are a few photos of the pier below one on sunny day and another on not so sunny day.

We learned how to do a non contact rescue and also expanded our repertoire of swimming strokes all up I have to say it was a wonderfully challenging experience !

Another Saturday Another Sucessful Beltra Market!

2010-07-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

It was all there today cakes, flowers, raspberry vinegar, soft cheese, hummus felafel's etc bread and cakes of every make shape and form in season veg to beat the band and of course the crafters.

Myself and others took turns to play checkout chicks and in spite of the fact we were on the tills we still managed to spent up a storm, all staying well within our budgets I might add !

Here is a few photos of the craft corner, my girls took them so they mainly feature my stuff but there is some work from other crafters visable ! duck eggs fresh from the farm, felted booties and wacky yet adorable felted hats ..... must get some better photos next week to showcase all the wonderful fresh produce and crafts on display, but these will have to suffice for now.

More sock Monkeys !

2010-07-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

Run out of socks so i will have to stop making sock monkeys for a while... at least. Below are the final 2 from my 5 sock monkey run !

Back to making quilts this week will be working on a one with a celticish looking man in boat with some Irish words theme.

Sock Monkey

2010-07-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

I know, I know should have been finishing off my current quilt top ... but when I saw the sock monkey project in the current issue of Sew Hip magazine I could'nt resist. I am already thinking of my next sock monkey. Next time I am going to use socks made from sustainably farmed bamboo which has naturally occuring antibacterial qualities. Who would have known that a pair of socks could offer such possibilities !

Dr Woff & Mr Hyde Quilt Top

2010-07-02T11:20:00.001-07:00

Nautical but Nice ! The matching quilt top for Dr Woof and Mr Hyde is coming together. This first one will be for our newest nephew Fergal. Nearly there binding, backing, quilting and all will be done.

Great Start to Beltra Market

2010-06-28T03:08:00.000-07:00

We had our first country market in Beltra hall this Saturday it was a real community effort and ran from 10am to 12Md and was great! There was plenty of yummy baked products, duck and hen eggs, all manner of seasonal veg and plants and crafts. The only problem I forgot my camera but not to worry next one is on Sat 10Th July 10am to 12Md and will not forget camera for this one. There was a great atmosphere and a little place in the back where you could sit have coffee/tea and have a chat.

Went straight home to work on some Linen with a tartan trim Hare egg cosies ! which will be appearing at the next market in the mean time they will be very happy munching on some lettuce in our veg garden.

Woofster companion for Cattitude ! Or is it Dr Woof & Mr Jekyll

2010-06-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

Set myself the goal today of bringing woofster to life ... been thinking about the design since I made Cattitude. Here is the result !

Woofster is mainly a sea loving dog but also likes to chill in the garden and loves to travel. Woofster has a truly soft and wild Tibetan sheep's wool fringe. Next on the list ... make quilt to wrap Woofster up in, but will have to wait. Not sure if the Woofster is finished yet.

Well its amazing what a quick break can do ! After dinner Woofster evolved into Dr Woof & Mr Hyde. He has two sides just like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (lovable puppy dog with strange hair or monster like cyclops on the other)actually I am a little confused as to which one was evil .... Googled it ... The answer is Mr Hyde is the evil one ! Thanks to my daughters who are always comming up with great names for my creations.

Vintage cowboy wall hanging and Bonfire night at beach

2010-06-24T05:45:00.000-07:00

The train fabric at the centre of this wall hanging has a history ... it is from an old curtain which hung in the family Holiday caravan in Wexford and then was made into pillow cases by a loving mum for her boy to take with him when he left home and now this boy has a son of his own and we used the fabric from that pillow case to make a the wall hanging for his little boys room. And so the story continues !

The Cowboy and train wall hanging is done ! I used a bright orange binding and a bright red/orange variegated thread to quilt in the center you cannot see it very well on the photo light not good today a little overcast. Its amazing how well the fabric survived all these years.

On an entirely different note.

We were on the beach for bonfire night and this is one taken around 10pm with the moon shining brightly in the background.

Cillian is looking very wise with his marshmallow toasting staff of wisdom !

Cattitude Quilts For Aimee and Hallie

2010-06-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

The quilts are finished and safely delivered to Grainne at EpicHome. Epichome is a gift shop located in the village square Collooney - stocks rugs, homewear and gifts. Collooney village just 10 min from Sligo town off the N4. If you are on the road don't forget to drop in, not only will you find some of my baby quilts there but lots of other beautiful gifts made by local people as well as a great selection of gifts and rugs from all over. Grainne supports local crafters like myself by stocking our products in her shop thanks Grainne !

Before I dropped them off could'nt resist taking a few shots in the field.

Vintage Pillow Case gets Wagon Wheel Treatment !

2010-06-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

The feature print is from an old pillow case which holds sentimental value. Terese asked me to make a quilt/Wall hanging for son's Darrach's (hope that's the correct spelling) bedroom using the pillow case. I decided after much musing to frame the vintage trains and cowboy print with a rather large wagon wheel block after all cowboys and wagon wheels sort of go together ! The swirly chocolate brown print on ivory frames the whole block nicely. Hope they like it. I still have to sew the middle piece to the rest of the top not sure whether to piece it or applique the center. Overall its going to be 35 inches square approx. Yeehaw!