Red Shoes

Oh dear, this is what happens when you post about red shoes and toadstools and then go off shopping!

These little beauties won't fit any of my nieces or friend's children, but I just could not walk past them (I tried to, honest!). No matter, I shall make a lovely little Christmas display with them. I already have a  red velvet pair that were my daughters when she was a baby. Pity they won't fit me, they look so comfy.

Last week I posted that I was off to a fabric place that I hadn't been to before. It was all quite overwhelming, the place Craftswoman Fabrics, Carrickfergus, is on an industrial estate. It is upstairs, in what feels like a school building and is a rabbit warren of rooms, bunged with stuff. I didn't know where to look first. I did come away with some lovely fat quarters, felt and cotton tape, but I will have to go again soon!

I am planning to make a series of cushions with Irish Blessings on. I bought a lovely book on holiday with lots of blessings in it, and they just appeal to me somehow, make me feel emotional even. So I thought I would have a bash at making some cushions. I am not quite sure if I want to print the blessing or embroider it, I will have to try a few different ways and see which I like. Here is the beginnings of my first one...

This is the centre panel, which is linen, I appliqued in felt and embroidered the words and will probably have some log cabin type fabric strips around it. I am not sure about it, what do you think?

Finally, I thought I would let you see a blackboard I made for the wedding I did recently. The bride and groom are both very unconventional people, and very well suited to one another. The bride picked these words from Dr. Seuss. I just love it. I saw the bride yesterday and she told me she is going to be using this in her home, which is very satisfying for me. Wishing you all a very happy Monday. Thank you for calling in to see me, you really make my day! Love Linda x

oops I almost forgot.. I was over the moon to find this in a charity shop the other day. A wonderful gardening book by my dear blogging friend, Lance Hattat. I actually shrieked with joy when I saw it in the window. It is a lovely book, full of great photos, beautiful illustrations and of course knowledgeable tips and ideas from Lance. Jane and Lance have been in my thoughts as they haven't been posting for a while, but I have it on very good authority that they are travelling about and having a jolly good time (quite right!).

It's good to be young....

if only for a little while! As I walked to the shop on Monday morning, the fallen leaves where all around, I just couldn't resist it, I shuffled through the middle of them, kicking the leaves in the air. I was on the main road, people were on their way to work, but I didn't care, I was having fun.

I blame my new Cath Kidston skirt, it has little toadstools all over it and an elastic waistband, and when I wear it I feel like my 3 year old niece Nancy. All that was missing was a pair of these.

When I was a little girl I drove my poor mother mad, every time we went shoe shopping I had to have red patent leather mary jane's, nothing else would do. It is amazing that these shoes can still be bought today, and even in ladies sizes, there must be a lot of people out there as weird as me!

It really has turned quite Autumnal here now, but I don't mind, I love Autumn, I somehow feel more alive in this season. I have been planning a series of workshops for the shop, the furniture painting is still proving very popular, so I have added stencilling and decoupage , also patchwork for beginners, and Christmas wreath making, and Kathleen, the owner of the shop is doing one on giftwrapping. The response so far has been very good, as there isn't really anywhere doing these kind of classes in Antrim.

Today, I am off in search of fabrics, as I need to be making lots of things for Christmas, I shall let you see what I find.

Wishing you all, my lovely loyal readers and followers a very happy day. (Oh and don't forget to be young!)

Love Linda x

A busy little bee!

Time has just flown in for me this summer, as I have been a busy little bee. Things are picking up for me at the shop and so there has been a lot of making, painting and planting going on.

vintage style bunting.

hand painted scrubbing brushes.

slightly mad looking rabbit cake to make, for a certain someone's 11th birthday.

hanging baskets to plant.

furniture to paint.

cotton bunting in various colourways.

Bespoke bunting for a wedding.

The 'Tweed' family rabbits.

Decoupaged nest of tables.

A One Direction movie to watch, and photographs to be taken with cardboard cutouts, of Lois's favourite boys.

So you see,a busy bee. I do hope I will be forgiven for not posting?

Then on Saturday, there was 'the wedding', which has been taking up a lot of my time too.

It was a lovely wedding, the couple Leigh and Stuart, had very clear ideas of what they wanted, something vintage, something fun and something different. As usual my photographing was forgotten about until the last minute, and so some of the details were missed, but you will get an idea of what it was like at least.

The venue was a lovely old stone barn in the middle of the countryside called Breckenhill. 

Romance was definitely in the air.

Everything was so well thought out, with lots of  items homemade by the bride, such as the order of service.

Beautiful blue hydrangea in an old cart.

The bride broke with tradition and sported a top hat!

vintage details.

My lovely Lois in her high heels, and me in my 1940's get up, ready to serve the vintage tea, which was lovingly prepared by the Bride's mother, Kathleen, and mother-in-law Kathy. Friends also chipped in with their delicious scones and traybakes, and the staff from Nanabelle's Vintage Tearoom, served the team with great style. I loved the friendly message on the blackboard too!

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A very poor picture of the Bride's bouquet.

More vintage details.

The seating plan, pretty plates on an old stepladder.

There were 8 deep window ledges, which we decorated with various vintage themes.

The tables set for tea. Each table had a classic book as it's name, and a romantic quote from each book was printed unto parchment and glued unto the table centre, which then had bunting attached, made with little mini books and hearts. It is difficult to get the detail with my camera.

Everyone seemed to really enjoy the day, and there were loads of games to play and things to do. I wish the happy couple every happiness.

I hope to be back to blogging once a week from now on , and I have a lot of catching up to do, to see how busy you have all been. Much love, Linda x

Happy Holiday

Thank you all for your kind messages on my last post, we had a wonderful holiday.Our little dog Sparky, came on holiday with us this year. It was a long drive, but he was really well behaved, and when we reached our destination, he jumped out of the car and trotted off to the cottage, as if to say "this is it, I have arrived!"

Jingle, our guinea pig, came along too, he had a wonderful time eating all the clover he could. I must say it was lovely for us to have our pets with us instead of leaving the dog at kennels (which he hates), and trying to find a volunteer for the guinea pig and goldfish. We now have a new addition to the menagerie, a dwarf rabbit called Chester.

Isn't he lovely. Lois got him for her birthday, and we picked him up when we got back from Kerry.

We stayed here, one of 3 cottages, although it was more like a barn conversion, light and airy. The views were wonderful, and it was so peaceful even though we were only 10 minutes drive from the local town, Kenmare. Check it out here.

We had chickens roaming around and we were able to collect eggs every day. The owners of the cottages, Anne and Patrick, were so friendly and kind, and we really enjoyed watching the daily routine of farm life.
Kenmare was a vibrant, colourful little town, with a great choice in restaurants, shops and bars, and the locals were really friendly. There was a Food Festival , the weekend we arrived, which made the town have a great little buzz, and of course there was a lot of yummy stuff to eat.

 I loved the way the stalls were all the same. In true Irish laid back style, nothing much got going till lunchtime.

 We were so fortunate with the weather, it was fantastic! The last time I was in Kerry it was misty and wet and I didn't see any scenery at all.

 The Boathouse Restaurant, a lovely place to whittle away a few hours.

I understand how people get sentimental about Ireland, it really is a beautiful country.

I couldn't resist putting this one in, the camera went off by accident and caught my mad curly hair.I hope I haven't ranted on too much, but I know a lot of you have a soft spot for Ireland, and I thought you might enjoy the photos.Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much for stopping by, love Linda.x.

Leave of Absense

A new rose for me  this year called Blue Moon, isn't she gorgeous?

My dear friends, I was quite horrified when I viewed my blog and saw how long it is since I last posted.
There are not enough hours in the day for me at the moment. The weather has been absolutely glorious and the garden is looking lovely.

We are off for a week's holiday tomorrow, to County Kerry. We will be staying in a cottage on a farm, and the dog and guinea pig are coming too! I am so looking forward to a rest and change of scene. I won't be taking the computer with me, but hope to catch up with you on my return.

Hoping you all have a wonderful week, with much love, Linda xx.