Slings and Arrows

Hi everyone. Obviously I'm on a bit of a hiatus. I'm kinda re-evaluating my crafting business. Having changed jobs twice already in 2010 life has been eventful in general. My new job is part time though so I had decided to make a real go at the Etsy business. Just when I was getting my butt in gear I had a set back in the form of an imitator. Crap right? While I understand this is part of putting your creations out there it's unpleasant none the less.
I'm gonna take a while to craft for myself and just enjoy that without concentrating on the business. I won't be shelving the business but I won't be making it the focus of my creativity for a while. Lets call it comfort crafting. I'll post anything worth while on the blog if I get a chance. Here are some things I'll be trying:

Popcorn Squares Afghan

Cocktail Umbrella Lantern

Beautiful Holly Golightly inspired dress from Burdastyle user Myk

Tried it Tuesday!

I had been meaning to get reviews in of some tutorials so without further a-do I bring you.. a something I made earlier:
Paper carnations
You may remember these rustling beauties from an earlier blog post.
Here's their version....
Gorgeous aren't they. I just had to try it!

So here are mine....
They were very simple. I didn't have everything they required but I improvised. I had no gardening tape so I substituted thick gauge jewelery wire, adding masking tape at the tip and base of the flower to secure things. Neither did I have 'felt tips' so I used the fabric markers I have laying about.
I think it turned out well, all things considered, don't you? I would definitely recommend this tutorial for a quick, low maintenance way to spruce up your living space this spring.

Shake it up Spring Style

Euk- sequins. Euk-gold.
Are you feeling my festive fashion fatigue? How utterly scrumptious are all those beautiful pastel shades out their? How delectable is everything with foliage and freshness?

I'm absolutely craving a major wardrobe shake-up and here's how I plan to go about it.

1. Clean out any item of clothing that makes me feel frumpy when I wear it - sell the best of them at the Bernard Shaw, use any nice fabric in my crafting, anything decent left goes to charity and the rest for rags.
2. Pick pieces from my mounds of "items for alteration" bag and create some pieces around designs I would actually wear.
3. Mend some of my fabulous but flawed garments which have been sitting in a bag forever;
   
4. Spend some quality time shopping with the Topshop voucher I got for Christmas (Thanks, Godmother-you know me so well).
5. Dip into a few second hand shops and the Dublin Flea Market for a more custom touch.

See a wardrobe re-vamp doesn't have to cost more than €30 and hopefully it won't.
I'm will keep you guys updated on how it all goes.

For now I can dream. Sweet Spring Dreams:

Sickness and sergers.

How was your Christmas guys? Mine was wonderful however I'm now rather ill. Just thought I'd drop by though to let you know I GOT AN OVERLOCKER.
Sorry to shout but it's a truly ace pressie, no? Thanks boyfriend!


Very excited to get that baby going just as soon as the pestilence passes. Tell me about your favorite crafty Christmas presents.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Hope you all have a great holiday season with mucho mulled everything and all else that you desire. Here's to the new year and all the madness waiting to unfold!


Oh and much love to Va who won my reversible tote giveaway. New year - new bag. Sweet.

How Much Fonder is your Heart Now?

A-tee-hee. Sorry...

Now that thats over and done with let me tell you what I've been up to. Would you like that? - you'd love it!

I had another family wedding and it was a big 'un. In a castle and everything. I made a few headpieces for it, for others and myself-below is my piece de résistance which was commissioned by the beautiful Fiona (So mad I didn't get a picture of her wearing it!).

It's so sparklerific I just had to make others in it's image, but not the exact same, for last Sunday's Crafty Market. They went down a treat. Best Crafty Market so far by the way. Very festive and fun and delightfully busy. Hurrah for everyone supporting the crafts!

I've also been working away at my temp position and looking for a job and holding down the fort now that me fella keeps getting posted off to far away realms-Seriously I feel like a soldiers wife!

This week I'll be getting down to bis-wax with some feathers and a whole lotta fabric in prepartation for the Christmas car boot sale at the Bernard Shaw in Portobello. It's gonna get messy. I'm already tired and excited.

Now as an apology for deserting you all for so long here's a giveaway!

One of my reversible totes in delicious vintage fabric is up for grabs. It's Autumn/Winter on one side and Spring/Summer on the other although I think the over-all look is quite summery don't you? The perfect antidote to the gloomy weather and a nice little stocking stuffer or treat for yourself. Take a look at her:

OOh, Ahh. Now here's how to enter:

• For 1 entry just become a blog follower (if you aren't already) and leave a comment making sure I got a way of contacting you if you don't have a blogger account.


• For 2 entries do the above and also have a look in my etsy shop, favorite something and link to it in your post- (sorry things are a bit sparse there today will be topping up on Wednesday).
  

Closing date for entries will be next Friday the 18th so there's loads of time.

Easy Squeesy Lemon Breezy!

Thar She Blows! It's the big white winter giveaway.

Steer yourselves on over to the Etsy Ireland blog for a really generous giveaway.
There's all sorts from jewellery and accessories to art and christmas decorations.
I contributed at few pieces myself and I know the quality of the other pieces will be truly awesome.
Who ever wins this will be one lucky ducky.
Good luck to you all!