flea market and vintage buttons

Happy Monday.  Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

We had a great time at the flea market yesterday although next time we will probably go on our own.  The little ones enjoyed it but they got tired and maybe a little bored after a while.  Sadly, they haven't developed our love of rummaging in markets yet.

I did get some cute vintage buttons though and a few superhero comics for the boys and I am looking forward to going again, just as soon as I can get some babysitters arranged.

A little random prettiness, a bunch of wildflowers I rescued from the rain.

lovely new wool

Friday again.  I do love the weekend.  I'm planning to flex my crafting mojo tomorrow and catch up on a few projects which seem like they have been forever in the pipeline.

The weather has been lovely for the last few days and happiness abounds.

I had a little splurge during the week on some new wool including, the perfect pink wool for my granny blanket and I got some other lovely colours too.

We're going to Dublin Flea Market on Sunday.  I've never been before but I can't wait to see what it's like. We will be making a day of it with the wee ones, fingers crossed for some lovely sunshine.

Hope you all have a lovely Friday and a fun filled weekend.

thank you

I wanted to say a huge thank you to all you lovelies who read and follow my blog. I am constantly amazed and delighted that you take the time to read and comment on my ramblings.

I am really enjoying my foray into blogland and am looking forward to much, much more.  I love reading all your comments and emails and am so inspired by all the fun you get up to.

I also owe a big thank you to the lovely Kate who has nominated me for an award. You are too kind.

As part of the award, I have to divulge seven things about me, so here goes.

I could eat olives to a band playing, simply delicious

I love autumn so much so it's when Mr F and I got married

Three is the magic number, for me anyway

I am allergic to kiwis, a legacy of my first pregnancy

I am a business graduate but my heart is in the arts

I love blue, sky blue, petrol blue, indigo, any blue will do

I love to cook, savoury, sweet, anything really

A little random but that's how I roll!

After receiving this lovely award I am supposed to forward it on to other lovely blogs, so rather than upsetting anyone by leaving them out I want to say that there are lots of amazing blogs who deserve this award and rather than pinpoint any one in particular I think you are all lovely.  I hope this is okay, Bee x

lovely etsy

Just thought I'd share with you some lovely etsy purchases I made recently for the little fairy's bedroom, a beyond adorable dolls house cushion by alice apple.

The house is printed on to the cushion and the wee family are separate little cushions for playing house with,

and a pretty retro bird print from ellen giggenbach,

I just love the colours in this print, so bright and cheerful.  I just need to get it framed and ready for the wall now.

teddy bears picnic

Yesterday the rain humoured us and stayed away so we made the most of it, met some friends and headed off to a teddy bears picnic at a local farm shop which happens to sell the most delicious homemade icecream.  Divine.

The littles had a ball visiting the 'mumma' pig, little fairy's words and her fourteen piglets.  Can you imagine.  I can just about manage my three little ones.

We watched the jersey cows getting milked robotically which was amazing and finished up searching for eggs from the farm hens.

A good day was had by all.

  

introducing zog

Introducing Zog, the monster softie, my number one is delighted with his new playmate.  He has already taken pride of place on his bed.

Zog was created using red anti-pil fleece and handcut felt embellishments, designed by my number one.  He drew a few monsters and after some discussion with the seamstress (!*!*)  chose the best features of each to include on the final design.

Can you see the similarities?  The lightening flash on Zog's tummy is his secret superpower!

As he is intended to be used as a tooth fairy pillow I left the top side of the mouth open for the tooth and gift from the tooth fairy.

My number one really appreciated my efforts to bring his design to life so I'm ready to start the whole process again for my number two.

summer sneezes

Hello again.  Apologies for my little vanishing act in the last few days.  It had been sickie central here, summer colds galore, runny noses, sore throats, the list goes on.

On a happier note, we are all feeling much better and it's back to business as usual.  The happy madness that abounds with three crazy little ones needing constant amusement!

How pretty are these?  I couldn't resist temptation.  The lovely Florence of Flossie Teacakes has set up a pop-up shop on etsy selling some of her fabric stash - pop by and take a look.

sunshine, lovely sunshine

The lovely sun has come out to play after weeks of hiding behind rain and storm clouds. 

As a result, the general feeling around here has been get out there and make the most of it and that my lovelies it what we did.

We have been on summer walks, tending the veggies, going to football camp and generally have a smily, happy summer holiday. Long may it last!

This lovely poppy blossomed in our wildflower bank the other day, judging by the buds there are some more in the pipeline.  What a clever little plant.

sneak peek

Just thought I'd give you a little sneak peek of something I've been trying out. This is my first attempt at a patchwork quilt.

I've been freestyling with the design (code: making it up as I go along) and so far I have made 18 blocks from a stash builder pack of fabric I found on ebay.  

The fabric is from the Moda Hello Luscious range.  I really like some of the fabrics, others I'm not so sure about.  But for a first go, I'll be delighted if looks anything like a patchwork quilt.

The postman just arrived with a parcel containing red fleece - looks like the monster softie is back on the agenda.

liberty book review

On the lovely Ada's suggestion I have written a quick book review of The Liberty Book of Home Sewing.

The cover is cloth covered and is simply stunning.  There are a large number of Liberty prints used in the projects and on the book pages themselves and a lovely glossary of fabrics at the back.

The book includes some of the history of Liberty fabrics and has a good range of sewing projects including cushions, an apron, bags, a kimono, a peacock pincushion, to name a few.

The projects are designed to use Liberty fabrics and are detailed and well explained.  There is also a useful section in the book on sewing basics which would be helpful for beginners.

Overall, this is a pretty book which is also very useful for those hoping to improve their sewing skills while making lovely things for the home or as gifts.

Fans of Liberty would really appreciate this gorgeous book.

what a hoot

Just thought I would share a cushion I made recently.  It is destined for the little fairy's bedroom.

I made the front using white linen with applique, sketching the owl freehand on paper and using fabric scraps for each individual piece which were hand appliqued on to the linen.  The eyes are blue buttons.

The back of the cushion is a simple envelope style made in red lecien fabric.  

How cute is this fabric?

bliss

My idea of heaven.  A stack of craft books and a quiet corner to curl up in, cup of tea and chocolate bar to hand.  Anyone else with me on this one?

little fairy

After having two beautiful boys, Mr F and I were beyond delight when our little fairy entered the world.  Her arrival two years ago brought me much glee; an accomplice in a male dominated world.  

We built and moved into our new house just before she was born and we are slowly but surely trying to create a home to love for years to come.

Our baby girl is growing up fast and will soon be moving from her cot to a bed. So my next big home project is decorating her bedroom. We love the handmade vibe around here and her room will be no exception, more crafty goodness.  I'll keep you posted.