This week I made a trip to Springwools in walkinstown with my Mum and aunts ( featured left). I'd heard of Springwools and was a fan of theirs on facebook but never got around to popping over.
So over we went and after mad directions from my Aunt, we walked into what can only be described as an Aladdin's cave of wool.They had every kind you could possible want and before we knew it our baskets were overflowing.
I fell in love with some chunky wool called indie which I'm going to use to make some cool scarfs and mittens because chances are were going to have another mad winter like last time. So stockpiling scarfs isn't such a mad idea... ok ok I'm justifying spending a fortune on wool =(
But look at these bright colours double knit, they were on sale for €2..60, Mum says there too bright for baby cardies but I'd put my little one in them. Maybe I'm just mad though. I'm also going to try knitting or crocheting them into bobbles i think they'd look lovely as decorations




Last but not least check out my amazing scarf I knit it from Rico Loopy, it comes in amazing colours, some vintage, some ultra bright and some plain, you knit it by folding it back on itself, took a few mins to work out but after a quick glance at a youtube tutorial by blacksheepwool I was sorted. it also comes in another style called Rico CanCan, which is less loopy obviously. More of a ripple effect, I'll post up some photo's when I finish it.

MMM yummy Japanese paper...

Oh oh oh got amazing japanese paper last week. I've been like a kid in a candy store playing around with it... I love the way its gold highlights sparkle when it hits the light. There are two main types I do to use,

One is Chiyogmai, Chiyogami is a specific word developed to describe the graphic, repetitive designs applied to paper in the Edo period. Originally these patterns were printed by woodblock for use in paper doll and small accessory making. In the twentieth century, these patterns began to be applied using silkscreens and this continues today. They apply the colours layer by layer which really makes the designs "POP"

the other is "Katazome-shi" which means stencil-dyed (katazome) papers (-shi), and is also referred to as "Wazome ." As the name implies, they are stencilled - with traditional materials, and the care that comes with craftsmanship by hand - to produce unforgettable, intense colours and patterns. like this one below
I buy most of my papers in Daintree in Camden street or Online from craft stores, only prob with online sites is you can't see the paper quality until after... which has disappointed me a few times..

What a differance a year makes.... this time last year I was doing nothing craft wise... hardly making cards, let alone painting or anything else. But I guess I've found my inspiration again. This last year has been amazing in my personal life, ups and downs. Lost some amazing people who will always be remembered and found new loves and friends. Its time I started showing what I've been up too

Jewellery

I'm finding it hard to photograph my jewellery, cards are easy because you just need to display the front. But these 3d pieces are stumping me, the photo's always look slighty help. Think I'll have to rope in some photogenius friends to help.

I love making marbled jewellery, chunky pieces shot with bright colours, like the ones above from a previous market... any tips on good photos people?

Have to clear out

Thinking Of putting up some of my stamps on ebay or etsy, really have to start clearing out my stuff. Well if i was really clearing out I'd start with the paper... but well I love the paper. If there was ever a fire in my house I'd be in trouble...

Its Hip to be Square Fabric packs

Just starting to sell on ebay and Etsy, its a bit of a vicious circle. No one knows if they can trust you to buy from because you have no feedback but you can't get feedback because no one's bought from you =) Anyone else have this? I just hope someone takes that first leap of faith.

Anyway today I put up some new fabric packs, cool squares of patterns and differant texture for people you like card making, scrapbooking, badge maker, sewing.... list is endless. Selling a pounds worth, as in weighing a pound not £1 sterling so there pretty big bags

Theres wool in them, felt,satin,chiffon,cotton bouth plain and pattern, paisley, stripes,check,damask, etc etc etc I try put good mix of fabric and colours



Check out some of the patterns included... some customising of clothes me thinks. I used the hot pink paisley to make pin cushions. Actually do I really want to clear them out. this always happens, I say I'm getting rid of something then I find a new way to use it...

A Shoe In for best gift idea

What do you get the girl who has everything? Why more shoes of course! It was my cousin Nessa's 21st yesterday and I wanted to buy her shoes but none caught my eye. So.... I made some, got some plain shoes and decorated them with button, ribbons and butterflys. Here's some before and after pics, check out the cool racing stripes on the back of the heels, very sexy!

Not so Red Velvet Cupcakes

Should have been colour below but i think pink icing brightens it up!

made some cupcakes today from the Rachel Allen cookbook, They were meant to come out reall red but didn't use enough food colouring so there more brown. Kind of disappointed so went crazy decorating them instead... Glitter, Melted choc, hundreds and thousands etc...

Swine Flu, Moving and other Boring Details

I've been awol from this blog for a while for... well above mentioned reasons. My darling daughter Ceri got swine flu at the end of the year which was the most scary thing to have ever happened to me. Seeing your child that sick is horrific, heartbreaking and more. But she's fine now, happy and well. We also moved house (insert stress here) and as we downsized ( insert recession chic here) I know have to clear out my craft stuff. I can no longer keep a room for fabric, room for paper etc so having a clearout and selling a good lot off. Have some bits on etsy to start off but maybe markets will clear too.
I will keep you up to date over next few days as I start delving into boxes and unearthing more goodies

Weddings, oh how I love weddings...

As you prob know work in a pretty cool Paper/Wedding shop so I adore weddings. I'm a hopeless romantic and nothing makes me smile more then a bride all excited and happy. In the last few months two of my friends have got engaged and I LOVE IT! I get to indulge in making lots of invites, menus, placecard samples and I can make whatever I want. Woohoo love designing unusual invites.

Yesterday had a little play with some new metallic aubergine card I got and whipped up a sample for my cousin Lisa, we just won't tell her yet as my wedding organising skills are freaking her a bit. (it is normal to know where you can get 500 miniture white ponys isn't it?) So heres a sneak peek more to follow over next few weeks. Apologies for bad picture I still have a touch of the shakes and no one else to take photo for me...

My finished scarves!!!

Here of some pic's of finished scarves, Enjoyed making them. Might do some more, there so soft and cuddley and thank god you don't need steady hands to knit. My lovely mum took the pictures for me, (thanks Mum!). Finished them off with Lovely felt balls and shapes from blooming felt, really makes a differance.

Gonna make some inny scarves i.e scarves you can wear indoors, I think i'll need them over next while. Did I say the reason I'm shaky and can't do much crafting is I had an asthma attack over the weekend so recoperating at home. But the steriods and other meds have me shaking like crazy. So back to the sofa with me....

Felty Handbag

Was browsing online for cute handbags and look what a found! its a cute bag from felt balls from daisy daisy ethical gifts. Not only is it fab to look at its got my mind whirling with ideas for some felt i got hanging around...

Scarves Scarves Scarves

Under the weather at the moment so turning to wool to cheer me up, knitting scraves you know its autumn... Hopefully will have some to show for the next market. I love two tone colours been mixing up some fuzzy greens and Oatmeal aran wools with simple stocking stitch. Hopefully will have photos to show soon... Thinking of finishing them off with felt balls and beads? any ideas? would love some inspiration. The selection above is from bossy boots design...

Its that time again

Crafty market time, Its on again this sunday 11am to 5pm. Dublin Food Co-op on Newmarket square. Check out the website here, I'll be selling

Bookmarks
Jewellery
Paintings
Cards
Craft Supplies and more

I Felt Crafty

Have been doing a little bit of work since I'm home, making little felt bookmarks and decorative items. Have another Crafty Market on Sunday, Sept 6th in the Dublin Food Co-op on newmarket square. Love doing this market such a fun day out, live music, great food, and some great finds amoung the many stalls its almost got a carnivale atmosphere. A must do for a sunday afternoon, thers even face painting for the kids...

Ceri in Kerry

My Beautiful daughter Ceri in kerry

Torc waterfall in the Killarney national park

Check out Muckross abbey above, in killarney

Been AWOl for a while chilling in Kerry with my family. Its the first time I brought my 7yr old daughter and she loved it. Her name is Ceri (short for Ceridwen) but its pronounced Kerry so it was quite fun calling out for her in the street. All the kerry locals thought i was just loving the county. It was just the break I needed to recover from hectic wedding season and refresh me.

I'm home a few days but want to go back, Killarney national park is fab, get a bike, throw on some trainers and hike around it or for fun rent a horse and buggy, great craic. Went to fab resturant called Mac's on the Main st, would def recommend to all. The ring of kerry, what can you say but wow, its easy to get blase about irish scenery but the landscapes around the ring are out of this world.

When can I go Back?

Crafty market

crafty market is on is newmarket square on Sunday 2nd of August, this time I'l be bringing craaft supplies along with jewellery, greeting cards, paintings.. Fabulous venue in the food Co-op I can't wait for lunch there in one of the stalls. Come along and check it out. 20% discount if you mention the blog.

Nikki

Crafty Market

What a fun day! Weather was wild and wet, the crafts wild and weird. So vmany cool stalls and the food, my lord the strawberry shortcake kept us going for hours. It was myt first time doing this market and I had such a good time I'm going to apply again. Such a great mix of stalls. The Irish design shop was there with some fab silver jewellery and farrell & Chase cards. Bonny Babys little hampers were so cool, were awaiting news on a new cousin on will be buying one of those next time.

Here's the pic's of our lil stall, me ans Aoife Mooney did it together and I think it was here illustrations that got most interest. Cute little girls were a great talking point

Crafty market

I'll be at the Crafty Market this weekend, so next few nights will be spent on last minute crafting and labeling. If your in Dublin, Come on down and say Hi. mention you've read the blog to get your 10% discount...