Thursday- Show and Tell

This Thursday I'll do a "show what I'm up today".
So I've been making this skirt for, umm, a while now but I finally finished it today. It's made from the bottom of this cool old lady nightgown I snagged in a charity shop. The fabric is actually slightly fleecy too so it's pretty and snug, you likey?:
When I went up the counter to buy this the lady selling it was bleedin' gas!

"Oh lovely and long and soft, keep ya warm, a lot better then a man!" she says;
I muttered something like "er yea, nice and warm" fully knowing I would be butchering it and never sleeping in it.
She replied "A lot less trouble than a man too, ya may be sure".
Ah, the wisdom of our elders! 'Tis a fine thing.

Generally, I'm sure she'd be correct too but I can tell you I had to take Mr. Stitch-ripper to this a few times more than I'd like, which is ridiculous cause it was very easy essentially.
Here's what I ended up with in any case:

And now for some in action...action:

Whaddya think?
I'm gonna don it round town later paired with my light brown leather boots and knee socks.
If you'd like a tutorial for this just drop a comment below and I'd be happy to oblige.
Until tomorrow. Take her handy.
x

Giveaway Day!

Here's to the start of the new regime!
So lets get moving with a wee giveaway.
I will send an embellished lavender sachet and a 25% off my Etsy coupon to the winner.
And here we see the lucky sachet who will be off to a new home soon:

This little lady was created with a combination of fabric markers and embroidery. Stuffed full of french lavender and ready to scuttle into your drawer or dance from your door knob.

To win just leave a comment below, you could post a link to your own blog or tell me how you came across this one, I don't mind as long as you get your comment up. If you're not in..etc.

I will pick the winner on Friday evening so get your post it by 8pm (GMT) on Friday.
X

The Shape of Things to Come

I've decided to put more structure into my blogging activity in order to make it more varied and easier for me to settle upon what to write about. I'm hoping to post every weekday ie. Monday to Friday and if I've got anything to say on Saturday or Sunday that can't wait then you'll hear that too. So here is the basic frame:

Monday- Any weekend news and some links to interesting posts I've read over the weekend;

Tuesday- Try a tute. I'll be attempting tutorials, projects and some recipes from online sources and books then writing a bit about how they went;

Wednesday- Giveaway or Etsy catch up. I'll post a giveaway of one of my items or some photos of my latest Etsy posting or treasuries I've done;

Thursday- Do a tutorial or show something I've been working on;

Friday- Have it my Way; a little bit of life and anything else that comes to mind

Let me know what you think.
So I'll be back tomorrow with a little giveaway.

Fair Weather and Craft Fairs

Well now, what a smashing day it is here on the green isle.
I have been doing lots of posting on Etsy lately and although I have been getting a few views and some hearts I think my views are relatively low, coupled with the fact I have yet to get a comment on this blog I am a little disheartened but not to worry.
Went to the Crafty Market last weekend with all my wares and wonders. It was great to have some of the other team members there, it gave the place even more of a community feel.
Here are some of the newby pieces I brought along:


The sales weren't great but I expect it will pick up again for the Christmas season.

I'm off to take advantage of the lovely weather to pick some blackberries and take a few nice bright photos.
XX

Head gear for a Hen Hooley

As I mentioned in my last post I was asked to make a little veil for a friend's hen-night.
It was mucho fun to make as you can imagine and it also meant I could use up some supplies that didn't generally fit into my aesthetic.
I went for a birdcage style veil as I think they are both classy and cheeky... But I do look like a bit of an ass pulling this pose:


Just in case you'd like a tutorial here goes:

Materials:

• Tulle scraps
• hairband (I picked up a pack of 5 in the €2 shop)
• diamante brooch
• red feathers
• Glue gun
  

1. Cut a square-ish piece of tulle slightly larger than your face
   
2. Run a length of thread through the top (or least neat edge) of your square amid the netting and bunch up the tulle until it fits the length of your ear to ear
   
3. Position your main colour of tulle on the hairband, pin it and reposition until it sits where you want it.
4. Sew or glue in place.
5. Now glue your feathers in place - you can go for real drama here or keep it to a few whips.
6. Now play around with your other decorations, tulle scraps, brooches or whatever else you have to hand. Stitch, glue or pin in place.

Et C'est Tout!
You're all done and looking very risqué too.

Lads and Ladies we are LIVE!!

My Darlings my Etsy shops went up today. It has been a little light in an awful, horrible week. But it has been okay craft-wise which is what this blog is about after all.
I've been putting lots of work into my underwear pattern but I'm not happy with it just yet so alas that will have to wait a little longer before I can reveal any of those dainties.
But guys, guys.. My shop is up, IT'S REALLY UP. Yey! Look:
The Sailmaker's Daughter
http://SailmakersDaughter.etsy.com

Here is a shot of the very first item I listed, I called it Odette after the Swan Lake Princess:

Let me know what you think of the shop. It needs a proper banner and more items. Do you think its needs anything else?
I'll be back soon with more hair accessory photos as I was asked to make a veil for a Hen party. The Hen party has been and gone so I'll have the photos for you soon.

Absense Makes The Heart Grow Fonder... I hope

That was a crazy length absence. I have no excuse but I do have a reason. We moved house and the blasted internet provider, who shall for the moment remain nameless (until they really piss me off), didn't get us up and running for 5 weeks!

But I have not been idle, Oh no!

The Sailmaker's Daughter had an outing to the Crafty Market on the 5th of July and it was fantastic. I didn't have anyone sharing the booth with me this time because I had more merchandise and although it was a little lonely and I was a tad hungry I had a blast. The other sellers were fantastic, there were bellydancers and the atmosphere was great. If you haven't already been GO!

It's on the first Sunday of every month and I will be there and square on the 6th of September

Here's a link to there website:
The Crafty Market
http://www.thecraftymarket.com/index.htm

And here's a shot of my stall:

This was a new robot lavender dude that was snapped up by one of the really sound organisers:

One of the best things about the market (apart from lots of sales, a-woohoo) was meeting some fellow Etsy peeps. Tanya of the Happy Heart Place did some awesome networking and invited myself and others along to the first Etsy Team Ireland meeting organised by herself and Sarah of Red Possum.

The meeting was truly stimulating, the show and tell was awe inspiring, the sheer range of crafty was wonderful and the ladies all delightful. For more about the first meeting check out Sarah's post on the Redpossum blog:
http://redpossumgear.blogspot.com/2009/07/crafty-ireland-launch.html

We've just had our second meeting this weekend and again, so motivational. Next one will be mid-September so if you are interested check out the team blog Etsy Ireland :
http://www.etsyireland.blogspot.com/

Working on some new stuff too. More on that later... but not too much later hopefully!