redpossum

under a white blanket

2010-12-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

we in Ireland are currently experiencing a total shut down of normal life, as we are totally under snow! so much snow! Since Saturday, it has been snowing on and off, never really melting, and just freezing.

The airport is now shut, which is kind of scary! But mostly, i kind of love that Ireland is so unprepared for these kinds of events, it has a sort of war-time, emergency feel, and actually it does make people talk to each other and help each other out. What really amazes me is how many people own sleighs! and moon boots..!

anyway, really nice start to the Christmas season, people have no option but to sit down and have a mince pie!

This is from last year...

little shiny tree

2010-11-29T06:38:00.000-08:00

last year i began my campaign to convince my husband that a white tree would not only be lovely for a change but also very cool. It didn't work last year.

It won't work this year.

so, i have now begun my mission to convince him of this little beauty... i have been wasting a far amount of time just looking at this, and noticing new things about it.. it's so funny and sweet and shiny and tacky and funny (did i say that it is a bit of fun??)

can you not see every one standing around it, having a glass mug of eggnog (i have never had egg nog, the idea of it kind of repulses me, but i still think i would like it) ladled out from a punch bowl.

i found this last night on ebay, and i would have bid for it ( would have won apparently as no one else bid) but the P and P on it was going to be over 60 big ones!!!

you can see that what you hang on it is as important at the tree itself, this could be a long term investment..

anywyay for now, i will just put the first picture on our computor desktop background....

image no.1 courtsey of Martha Stewart No.2 Ebay

2010-09-17T04:29:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I was tagged recently to join in this fun little interview, by the lovely notperfectbutnice (aka my sister!), and here are my answers!

1) What would be your dream job?

i have many dreams. i would like to have a little shop one day, that was beautiful and had fresh flowers in it every day (or week, that is ok too), and had a lovely little cafe at the back which made delicious coffee and wonderful lemon tarts. in the front it would have crafts to buy from local talented artisans and also some hand picked vintage items. We went to this cafe a lot when we visited Mum in the summer, and i could live in it and never leave. The Cornershop cafe.

that is just on of my dream jobs. Others include having a little studio to tuck myself away into while it design and sew up my creations and actually be somewhat sucessesful.

if that fails, i have often envied the job of the Dulux paint person who decides the names of the paint. Actually, i find that Farrow and Ball really have this down pat. "Mouses Back" so true, so true...

2)Where would you like to live?
Melbourne

3)In what century would you like to live.
This one. I think i actually couldn't do without my washing machine.

4) What would be your last meal?
Ohh, that is a good one. I would have some Irish creamy white seafood chowder, and then some lemon tart, and also some sort of pastry with creme patissere in it. I would also enjoy a nice coffee after with a couple of Speculaars..mmm

5) What made you start a blog?

i thought it would make me cool. i was wrong.

6) What's your favourite piece of clothing?

Yes. shoes. also, i do love my wallet at the moment, (made by Scottato, i bought it in Melbourne). When i take it out to pay, i hold it in a way to make sure everyone has seen it.

7) What's your favourite film?

not sure, but certainly Anchorman is up there.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

"It's so damn hot... milk was a bad choice."

8) What would you like to do before you turn 100?

Learn to drive.

photos taken from a number of unknown sources.. thanks...!

now, i have to tag 8 people to fill out this lovely interview:

hmmm, who will i pick...

sewing help is at hand!

2010-09-07T02:50:00.000-07:00

I have been busy studying and trying to teach myself basic patten drafting from this excellent and much raved about book, called "Metric Pattern cutting for childrens wear and baby wear" by Winifred Aldrich.

I will admit, i need silence, a calculator and a brain that works (all of which are in short supply here) and i repeat each sentence i have read atleast 3 times before i make a mark on my paper... it is a slow process!

Even slower when there is something fundamentally wrong with what i am doing! I cannot figure out for the life of me what i am doing wrong!

I keep producing these wide, broadbacked patterns for little children! something is very wrong here...

i have however come across this really interesting and helpful forum called (surprisingly) The Sewing Forum , and i am hoping for someone to help me out with my litle issue....!!!

If you have any useful info on this topic, i would be so happy to hear what you have to say!!

struggling to let go...

2010-05-03T03:24:00.001-07:00

They say you shouldn't name your cattle, and i think i shouldn't name my fabric...

You know, you have to think about how you name it, and sometimes that is what sucks you it! I am trying to list fabric with i have had lying around for ages, years in fact, and some of it is proving to be too difficult to let go of!

Take this for example:

I have named it Piccadily Circus, cause there is so much going on in it! I once made really badly made sacks out of this when i was pregnant and impatient. I just butchered it, and sewed it together. Then i found out it was vintage slik... whoops...

the thing is, i wasn't too sure i liked it before i named it.. now i don't want to let it go.....!

New supplies store on Etsy Ireland!

2010-04-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yes!

I have set up a new store and am (very) slowly photographing and listing all those supplies i have in stock!

I called it Little Lemon Tree supplies (although i did like your suggestions very much, i was swayed by Andrew, who is a man and i probably shouldn't have listed to him in this case, since my customers will be mostly female i imagine....)

click here to visit! oh, and excuse the banner, still trying to figure it out... feel free to enlighten me..!

library boxes

2010-04-30T03:24:00.000-07:00

yesterday we when down to Buckleys auctioneers in Glasthule, if any of you know it.

Its fully of everything and anything you can imagine... you can pick up some great bargains if your smart and unafraid to bid! i find the whole thing quite exciting, its like a sport or something!

We picked up these handy little boxes, the are old library card files, which will need a bit of a job done on the inside, you remember they had those slits on the base (still can't figure out what they where all about.. anyone know? ), but they will hold my basic stationary and probably random junk that always ends up on my desk..

May fair!

2010-04-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

Time for a little fair!

This Sunday from 12- 5:30 pm, if you find yourself in town do drop in!

It is above Sheebeen Chic, which is on Georges st in Dublin, which is quite a quirky little place, if you have never been to it, you should probably check it out, it's an experience...!

Hope to see you there! click here for directions

new supplies shop

2010-04-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

lemon birds in love print from Pictorialboom

Last week, i realised how many lovely materials i have that i have been hoarding for some time now, so long that i had forgotten that i had it!

Some of the stuff is silly to hold on to, cause i know that i will never use it, or even if i did, i would never use the amount of it that i actually have!! you should see it....

I'm considering opening a small supplies store, so that i can move about again in my studio, and i wont fell bad cause it will have gone to someone who will definitely use it.

the question now is, what shall i call the shop?

I have short listed a few names that i like:

Truffle
Pearlbay
Clover
Little lemon tree
Dandelion street

which of these is your favorite? At the minute, it could go either way!

lucy

2010-04-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

last week, i had Lucy over for work experience with me. It was a lot of fun, and we also managed to do a little work!

Amoung other things, we made up a number of these little pencil cases, which are lovely and thin, but which hold a surprising amount of pens and pencils. Ideal for your handbag actually!

Since Lucy helped to make the pattern for these ones, i have named them "Lucy" pencil case.

Thanks Lucy!

mmmm...

2010-04-19T02:29:00.000-07:00

i am just loving this !! i am especially loving the teeny tiny bunting! i may have to make some of this....!!

oh and check it out, featured here on this cutie pie blog!

act of God?

2010-04-18T04:40:00.000-07:00

We recently booked ticket to go to Australia, and are very very excited, especially since it's not all that long to go now...

however, i got to admit, slightly concerned about the volcano... does anyone know if insurance would cover the cancellation of a flight due to this "act of God"?

We were dissuccing this over pancakes this morning and we couldn't agree... i think that my better half may be right.... insurance companies don't pay out for God's acts...

Anyone know either way????

oh and how about post? it normally would travel on the plane right?? any ideas?

little friend

2010-03-30T02:55:00.000-07:00

we have a little friend coming over to play this afternoon, who was born just 2 days after Poppy, so they are almost exactly the same age! I've noticed that Poppy has recently been taking anything that resembles a bag and goes "shopping" around the house with it! Yesturday she was using a pull up nappy (it was clean!), i thought it would be nice to make a little bag for each of them to "go shopping" with :0)

prefect for a chilly spring!

2010-03-29T00:46:00.001-07:00

i love these blankets, this one is especially nice!

check it out here!

green

2010-03-25T04:03:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was my friends wedding , the one who wanted some bunting made, and here is how it turned out!

This is it just hanging in our conservatory, but it was used to hang from the edges of the tables, cvered in white linen with yellow and white daffodils! it was so lovely and springy!

i have some of this fabric left over so i think i will make some for the store since it turned out so pretty!

so sorry and old man pants

2010-03-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

well. It's been a while.

So sorry for the silence, just been busy with life! but i guess that is healthy and normal, to have a life outside the cyber world!

been working on a few patterns recently, i'd like to get them up for sale at some point!

Here are some "Old man pants" , that is what i heard a customer calling them when i had them on my stand at a craft fair this weekend! oddly, the title fits them perfectly.

also available in my store at the minute

Easter thinking...

2010-01-24T04:38:00.001-08:00

Photo: CatNip Studio- Easter egg gift tags

Aren't these tags just really pretty and cute?!

I have just applied for a stall at the Crafty Market in the Dublin Co-Op for the start of March, i hope i get a stand, cause i am thinking of making some Eastery things! It's mad to start that early, but really you have to be don't you??

Not sure what new items to introduce, but i keep thinking about Easter egg treasure hunts and something to do with that! Of course, i hope to have my new spring/summer girls clothning range out, and this the motivation i need to get it there.. a deadline!

i think a lot of people work best to a deadline. I have learnt that i need to set the date and then work towards!

Today i read this quote " Goals are just dreams with a deadline"... so true...

would you rather...

2010-01-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

Recently, a friend of mind asked me to make some scalloped bunting to use as decorations at their wedding, they are have daffodils and so their colours are yellow, apple green and teal.

I put together some suggested fabric combination's, but what i want to know is, which combo do you think is best?

what would you rather?

Tweed notebook

Islander spring

Picnic party

or Granny's kitchen?

what would you rather??
(now that i have gone to all that effort, they all look a bit the same!! lol..)

baby steps

2010-01-15T03:07:00.000-08:00

Last july i bought a book, Metric Pattern Cutting for childrenswear and babywear by Winifred Aldrich, great book!

My intention was that when we moved into our new house, that i would have hours of time at my disposal to go with my specially dedicated studio room to learn how to cut patterns from this book.

Not so...

However, this past week i have been giving it a shot, just a hour or so at a time, while the little one has a brief cat nap, and i am so proud of myself to have created from scratch, a very very simple pants pattern! i have made them to be drawstring genie pants, i'm so chuffed. I know i could have just bought a pattern, or perhaps even just winged it, its so simple, but what i have now learnt, is some good foundations. Very pleased with myself.

These are a tad too boofy, making her look a bit meaty in the thigh department, so i will adjust the pattern, but these are some pj bottoms for the summer..

spring jug

2010-01-14T08:07:00.001-08:00

i was just delighted yesturday, when i had to go to the dentist... and because i did, i was allowed to roam around child-free for a few hours!! (i had to complete that sentence, i know it was confusing for a moment...!)

Does anyone actually enjoy going to the dentist? probably people with perfect teeth. probably the same people who love clove rock... eugh. bad memories...!

In my travels, i hit the mother-load of gorgeous vintage glass! i found so many things, 2 vintage glass cocktail shakers, a champange pink glass vase and this....

my lovely, 50's glass jug of matronly proportions! i cannot tell you how happy this jug makes me. It's hope that spring is not too far away! i will be filling my window boxes with some traditional red geraniums, and pouring from this beauty in just a few months time...

personal art gallery

2010-01-12T06:15:00.000-08:00

When we went to Galway last year, we saw this really lovely poster, it was a reproduction print of a picture from 1975. We just loved it, and bought it for our little one.

When we go it home, we realised just how big it was.... its about a meter and a bit high and nearly that in width! To frame it was going to cost a bomb!

But thankfully i married Mr Handyman, willing to dabble in all sorts, who now has a thing for framing, so this worked out nicely...and as you can see, not too shabby a job on the framing, what do you think?

Interestingly, this very large picture seems to have made our daughters tiny box room seem bigger... i think it is because your eye are drawn up to look at how big the wall is..what do you think? any designers out there who know this trick already??

under a white blanket

2010-01-09T04:19:00.000-08:00

Ireland has been under snow for the last number of days, and it usually doesn't snow like this, the last time was apparently 30 years ago!

For us, it means a kind of extended christmas break, because roads are left untreated and icy, school is cancelled and people are told not to make unneccesary trips...lol, its pretty cool actually! (no pun intended...!)

Check this out, snow on the beach!

spring

2010-01-06T09:37:00.000-08:00

yes, it is very early to be thinking about spring, especially since i still have to take down my christmas tree!

but i have been starting my brainstorming process of what sort of things to make for the spring/summer collection, and i decided to start by choosing colours.

pink champagne, turquiose, coral and grey eucalyptus...

a new year, and some new finds!

2010-01-04T03:54:00.001-08:00

The sun is shining and it feels like a brand new clean year!

I've just been down to the charity shop to snatch the first bargains of the year and here is what i came back with.

A treasure chest, for all those "X marks the spot" games, i'm imagining pirate parties with a bit of authenticty about them.. pity that someone wrote 3 euro on the front....!

A vintage set of linen damask tea-towels in their orginal box! they are still folded, never having been used! i'm not sure if these are for the kitchen or the bathroom as hand towels, what do you think?

Actually this photo is of a gift we recieved from some kind friends, these are hand crafted ceramic discs, which i am not sure where to put or how to hang, where would you put them, and how would you hang them? do drop a note with some suggestions!

(these are accompanied by some rosewater madelenes that i made, which my husband aptly re-named cuttlefish biscuits... mmm, they sound so appealing when you put it like that!)

nuts anyone?

2009-12-22T02:01:00.000-08:00

here are my nutcracker soldiers, waiting patiently for christmas.

Or perhaps not so patientely. they look a bit annoyed, or maybe even bewildered!
don't worry guys, you wont have to guard the fine crockery much longer, i know it is a great responsiblity!

TOday i was going to go into Dublin, to see Andrew at work and absorb some of the Christmas atmosphere, but unfortunately little miss is pretty sick, and i think it would be unfair to her and not much fun for me! so, maybe tomorrow.

It's a beautiful morning here though, blue skies and a lot of frost on the ground... come on Ireland, do what you do best, rain! it would snow now if it rained... fingers crossed..

hoping all of your christmas preparations a going well and wishing you all a white christmas!

An army of gingermen...

2009-12-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

marched out of the oven, with a leader amoung them commanding " rise up, ye gingery gingermen, take your purple ribbons and fullfill your mission to be tasty morsels in peckish mouths." and all the little soliders followed him to the tree, where the hung and waited.

(You can see which one is the leader, he has a skip in his step.)

from small scraps of felt grow...

2009-12-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

.....holly and mistletoe garlands!

Here is a quick and lovely itea for you, if, like me, you keep every little scrap of any thing!

These are so cute, and i had lots of fun making these up! i think people will enjoy recieving them as they are not your average christmas card!

Also, these take no time at all to whip up, so if your attention span for crafty things is short, this is ideal for you..

All you need is:

Any old scraps of felt, in any colours.
A sewing machine threaded with any colour thread.
Small "unusable" short scraps of ribbon.
scraps of card (there may be some in your recycling bin! just make sure it is clean..:-P)
A hole puncher

OPtional: if you have one of those toys for putting in snaps, you can also use it to put those little hole brads in. Not necessary at all though/

All you do is cut your holly or mistletoe and berry shapes.

Sew them together by feeding them under foot as you approach the end on the piece before.

Punch a little hole in the end, and if you have that tool, use it now.

cut card into ideal size for envelope.

punch a hole, you can also add those hole reinforcers if you have them.

tie the card and the garland together with the scrap of ribbon.

And Voila! All done!

little red men.

2009-12-08T02:44:00.001-08:00

As with most people at this time of year, there are a million and one things to do, and so somethings simple things can take a little longer to get done...!

Our advent calendar went up yesterday, and here it is! We are on day 8, so it is a bit late, but better late than never... anyway, i kept us up to date by ensuring all the days where eaten as they came around....

Sorry about the photos, it is a pretty dull day here!

i don't know if you can see, on the top of the branch, there are a couple of little people.... close up this is who they are.

I found them at the bottom of a bag i got in the charity store the other day, and now i keep finding them all around the place! they where insisting on speeding up and down the advent calendar!

Crafty Christmas Markets

2009-12-03T06:12:00.000-08:00

Looking for a last minute opportunity to stock up on some special crafty gifts before christms?

photo: Cranberry pop. Paper Bauble Set from www.Tanyamac.etsy.com

there are loads of craft markets popping up all over the place these days! i think it is great!! Buy local!!

Here are a couple that might interest you anyway:

The Crafty Market on this Sunday 4th Dec from 12pm to 5pm in the Dublin Food CoOp, check here for directions.

The D8 Christmas Gift Fair is on at St Kevin's Community Hall, Bloomfield Avenue, just off South Circular Road, Dublin 8 on Saturday 12th December 11am - 4pm. The community hall is located behind what was an old grey stone church building on South Circular Road and is now converted into apts.

Also, The Christmas Fair in the Mermaid Arts Center in Bray on Sat 12th Dec from 2-6pm and 7:30- 10pm and Sun 13th Dec 10am-6pm and 6:30pm-9:30pm , Main st, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Wishing you all well in your preparations and hoping you are all planning on a crafty handmade christmas!

Bibs in store

2009-11-30T06:40:00.000-08:00

These bibs have been a huge seller on the stands so far this year, and i decided to put these on my shop.

They are in sets of 2 and 3, are made of 100% cotton and cotton toweling. I've been having reports back from people saying they are super absorbent and excellent for teething babies! Excellent!

so, feel free to purchase some of these from my store, it's free postage in Ireland!

Good news!

2009-11-28T03:21:00.000-08:00

This week a baby was born, and her name is Daisy, how lovely!

I made her a little welcome bunting, which is only tiny and we will send in the post to her once i get her address. Welcome little Daisy, we hope you like our world!

ALso good news, Redpossum got in the Irish Times Newspaper TODAY!!! Wow, delighted! If you have one in your hand, it is in the magazine section in an article all about Etsy Ireland! yay!

advent calendar

2009-11-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

or the start of one anyway!

i'll keep you up to date on the finished product (must be finished by Dec the 1st!), i always work better to a deadline...

Giveaway!

2009-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

unfortunately not on my blog, but still a giveaway on the lovely Retro Mummys blog. It is a set of these gorgeous fabrics!

Actually i don't think you should go see it and enter, cause i am going to win them anyway, so you know....

Just kidding! have no fear, i am such a loser, i have never won a single thing in my life, so fear not! go, enter!

snack attack and a fringe

2009-11-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

The other day, after having dressed the little one, and trying to brush her hair into some sort of order when it finally dawned on me that it was never going to happen, since she can't handle ANYTHING on her head or near her head. She just looked like a fur ball, you couldn't see her face at all!

So i just took the snippers in one hand, and took one fell snip. Thankfully it was pretty straight, cause i only got one shot at it! now we just have to get used to it!

"Mum, where is all my hair?!"

To celebrate i made a few little cupcakes. Then ate 5 on one go.

Kitch Alpine Christmas

2009-11-18T12:52:00.000-08:00

I've been toying with the idea of going all ski chalet in the kitchen this christmas! I actually have a few things already that fit the bill, and i think it is time to crack those boxes open!

Here are some vintage gems from etsy that i think would work nicely...

A day in Galway

2009-11-16T04:44:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, i was whisked away by my husband to the enchanting city of Galway, on the west coast of Ireland.

What a lovely lovely surprise!

Here are some of the highlights of our short, but lovely stay!

Sea captain

2009-11-12T03:32:00.001-08:00

i found this vintage little "Sea captain's" jacket at an op shop a while ago now, and i put it away cause it was way too big (it still is a bit big), but i just found it a few days ago, and i have it hanging off the wardrobe so i can look at it every so often!

Its a funny little jacket, if it was on an adult, i would expect them to have a pipe in their hand, grey moustache and a monocular. I'm not expecting the same from my daughter thankfully...!

I think i may be inspired to create something like this in a coat version.. lets see if i every get around to it!

blackrock fair

2009-11-11T14:06:00.001-08:00

please do come visit! just look for the possum.

grey day

2009-11-07T06:10:00.000-08:00

today it is a grey day.

Very cold with a icy wind blowing... ideal for a cup of tea and and Iranian Backlava sweet after a trip to the local farmers market.

Oh and isn't this shop front just great? We have great plans to buy it one day and turn it into an old fashioned sweet shop (you know the kind you buy sweet by the pound), where did all those shops disappear to anyway??!!

snack pouches

2009-11-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

I have two fairs coming up, if you happen to be around, do drop by and say hi! (hey that rhymes!). THe next one is Saturday 21st November & Sunday 22nd November 2009 In Blackrock, Co Dublin at The Blackrock Craft Fair.

SO i am busy making lots of snack pouches, bibs, mushrooms and pencil cases! busy busy!!

red shoes from Uncle Eric

2009-11-05T02:36:00.000-08:00

Lovely little red French shoes!

Calling all quilters...

2009-11-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

Recently i dabbled in a spot of quilting. I'm not normally a quilter, but i am a scrooge.. and i did have a lot of small scraps of lovely fabric, too small to do anything with but make a quilt (or two or three..!!)

so i made this, my first attempt! Definately a test of endurance, but in some ways relaxing, cause while you don't have to think too much, the time involved in making a quilt gives you time to think about other things in life. Kind of like therapy!

now, as i said this was my first quilt, and i decided to do it right by putting in cotton batting.. but i think it is pretty thin. I went to two different shops when buying it, and i asked them if it was too thin, but they both thought this was the normal thickness for a quilt... what do you think??? i'l love to hear!

Vote!

2009-11-03T11:48:00.000-08:00

My Etsy friend, Tanya Mac's Blackberry baubles made it into this weeks Voter! Every click counts so if you have it in your heart then please vote for her - Vote for Ireland!)*

snap these up!

2009-11-03T01:54:00.001-08:00

I was at the Crafty Market in the DUblin Co-op over the weekend, and it was funny to see so many Etsians there! i felt right at home and walked around as if i owned the place!

Also there, was Alex from Propeller prints. Alex designs and prints her own stationary, and i was lucky enough to snap up a few of these gift tags, which are such good value on her etsy shop, check it here, and stock up for Christmas.

Butterfly tags

You always need a few of these around handy for you know, those few bikkies you baked for a christmas visit to a friend, or that plant you are just dropping over to your Granny...!

Flower chocolate box tags

If you want to read more about her, she wrote an article here.

Handmade Christmas

2009-10-26T13:02:00.001-07:00

I'm thinking about having a handmade Christmas this year.

Given that money is a little tight and that i have plenty of time, it has all the markings of a special handmade Christmas :0) It's so lovely to receive a handmade gift that has taken someone time to think about and make!

With this in mind, i should get busy now! I've a few ideas... but i am keeping my cards close to my chest...!

And to encourage other people to have a handmade Christmas, i have a sale on my Emily dolly patterns, so that you too can take pride and make something special for a special little someone you might know!

For this week only! Emily dolly pattern available here

violet

2009-10-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Today we had a little fun in the park, great fun letting the little one run wild in the park!

it was great teaching her to kick up leaves, who knew kicking leaves was so much fun!
Look at the speed on her in that shot, the camera nearly couldn't catch her..!

its not all fun and games though, this item is available to buy in my shop now!

so so so lovely

2009-10-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

so very lovely! i would love this on a long necklace with a soft cashmere jumper... ahh luxury..

Floral Wreath Necklace in Aquamarine and and Tanzanite

Phoenix park

2009-10-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

Today was a truly glorious autumn day, sunny and warm, all golden and yellow!

So we went off for a day trip to Phoenix Park, which for those who don't like in Dublin, is Europe's largest walled park in a city, 15 acres. It has deer living in it! and it really is in the city center! It's just lovely!

We took the opportunity to take a few shots of the capes which i will go on sale in my shop tomorrow...

It also has the zoo in it, and we where very excited to bring Poppy to see the tigers and lions and cows (yes, i know, not quite the same genre...but these are the animals she knows). She now knows a lot more!

Visit me tomorrow!

2009-10-03T04:16:00.000-07:00

Crafty Market is on TOMORROW!

in the Dublin Food Co-Op, Newtown market Square, Dublin 8 from 12pm-5pm.

Come and see my wonderful clothes stand first hand!!!

Mmmmm....

2009-10-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

don't these look just delicious, like sweets in a sweetie store!

I received these on Wednesday from Zipit on Etsy, in super fast time, and after i unwrapped them, and played with the free bits and ate the sweetie, i ran upstairs to play with them, only to discover.... my zipper foot had been stolen!

Yes, i believe it was Poppy. She is always stealing things and i find them months later. We lost our remote for about 2 months and then one day i found it in her toy house. Maybe i am too hasty to blame her. i blame her for everything that is missing. Yes, the zipper foot may be pushing it a bit...

very frustrating....

my lovely husband..

2009-09-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

....once created a stand for my clothes which he handcrafted from driftwood he collected and made in secret. Here it is here. How lovely!

Unfortunately, it wasn't very easy to transport, and it has suffered a number of casualties.. all of which Andrew has been mending and remending.... it's actually become the bane of his life!

So when i drew a little picture of a new stand that i thought he might be able to help me with, i thought i was pushing my luck a bit. But he really is one of a kind, and he is making a lovely tree stand for me! look at his work in progress... ( photo taken by me from behind a window, where i stayed most of the time.... well, i had to keep Poppy at bay, you know..)

Andrew asked me not to get him in the photo, he will be especially happy when he sees the zoom in on his bum...!

more photos to follow, once it is finished (which it has to be finished by this Sun...!)

this morning

2009-09-29T04:15:00.000-07:00

by the sea.

beautiful.

October fair!

2009-09-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

Redpossum will be attending the October fair in the Dublin Food Co-Op once again, on October the 4th.

At the moment i am putting together all the bits and bobs that will be on sale at this fair, and i have roped my husband into building me a new clothes stand, so i'm really hopeful that my stand is going to be stunning this time! (no more busy table cloths for me...no no!)

Please drop by if you have time, and want to spend money that you probably don't have (you could pass it of as super super early christmas shopping and then you will be so organised, all your friends and family will be envious. Or worried)

The Crafty Market, Dublin Food Co-Op, Newtown Market Square, Dublin 8. 12-5 pm.

There is ample parking, so bring a carload of friends!

new wool

2009-09-22T04:18:00.000-07:00

i love love love this new wool. Gorgeous and soft Irish wool herringbone in a rich purple, it's tricky enough to find such a delight, even here!

And a lovely hot pink wool, sort of a soft tweed, also Irish. These are destined to be lovely capes for the winter and if you are in a mild country, winter too...!

capes for autumn

2009-09-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

This year, i am working on a variety of capes.

Here are a couple of shots, but i am working on the photos, soon they will be in the shop (hopefully!!!)

christmas 2009

2009-09-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

i was just doing a little nothing, flicking through all the photos on the computor (which i think i have to delete some off, there are so many it's making the whole thing so so slow... this is a task i am putting off to another time....) when i came across this photo.

Last Christmas which we spend in France with my sister and her family. It's feels so long ago, and strange to already be thinking about a new christmas! Time flies, and i think you must notice how fast time goes when you have children, cause Poppy looks so different (Eric hasn't changed i'm sure, still crazy Uncle Eric!). Maybe when you have a kid or more, you are so busy doing the mundane and helping daily life proceed, that suddenly you look up and its another year gone!

This year Christmas will be an Irish one. Looking forward to it, but i will miss the frenchies a lot....

treasury

2009-09-16T06:55:00.000-07:00

it's been a while since i ventured into the treasury making realm, but i managed to catch one without too many heart palpitations (i find it a little stressful! also auctions stress me out. I'm not a shrinking violet, just not very fast off the mark usually...).

So made up this little beauty

all these items are made in Ireland

blackberry picking

2009-09-14T01:29:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, we decided we should pack a picnic and head off to the hills for some blackberry picking, it was such a gorgeously sunny day!

However, it was a little early and the pickings where slim.. or so we thought..

there was everyone and his dog out picking the berries hidden down small foresty paths, who knew there would be such a demand for the lowly berry?? I thought we where just too early when i couldn' see many berries, but it would appear that they had been picked already by recession busting thinkers..

i did however manage to pick a handful..and then a little munchikin decided they where delicous, too good not to eat right away....

but how long can you really stay annoyed with a face like that??

a little pad inspiration

2009-09-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

Last Monday we moved house. Whew. what a job! And even though we have been working tirelessly for a week, it is STILL in a mess!!!! They do say it is one of the three most stressful things you can do in your life, after marriage and bereavement (they aren't joking...)

However, i thought i would let you in on a sneak peak of my brand new studio, i am sharing it with Andrew but mostly i have it all to myself! I am trying to get Andrew to use it too though..

Don't you love the table?? it's brand spanking new, from Ikea, i LOVE it!!! and its clean white!

Things are still all over the house, and Poppys trike is in our bedroom, there is a box of food in the conservatory and bits and bobs everywhere...

as i was doing a little work in my studio today, i found that i had a cup of coffee on my new white table... needless to say, the thought crossed my mind that i should look after my new table... and so i grabbed what was closed to me to put under it...

Yes, yes that is exactly what it looks like...and no, i will not in future be storing these in my studio! but it did inspire me to make these!

one for me and one for Andrew!

Cork

2009-08-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Last week we had a little holiday down in West Cork.

A few new experiences, mostly for Poppy, her first time in a boat, and by the looks of it, not very happy at all with the life jacket! she was so stiff in it, like a sea burrito! Good though, had she had a dip in the sea, she would have just bobbed around, with that foam collar looking like Queen Elisabeth.

Given that it was, as you would expect, an Irish summer (ie: read, not summer at all, maybe a rainy spring would be more accurate), Poppy built sand penguins fully clothed in velor trakie dacks.. actually, that was her second change of the day, the first was when Nanna took her "rock-pooling"... needless to say she got a lot closer to the crabs that we expected.

but it was good to get away from the big smoke for a little while!

Emily pattern for sale!

2009-08-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

The PDF file on how to make Emily is in my shop for sale now!

foresty dress

2009-08-02T04:02:00.000-07:00

This little pinafore is prototype no.2~ it features elasticated cuffs on the sleeves, which i didn't want to do, i like the hand sewn bias binding look, but i have to admit, elastic is much better for little soft mudgy arms. Also, it seems to give a much more puffy sleeve. What do you think?

Back to school

2009-08-01T03:44:00.000-07:00

there is nothing more depressing as a child than those 3 words... at least for me! School books and uniforms for sale everywhere you looked, and a sickness in the pit of your stomach as another traumatic year of maths worksheets approaches. i still get that sick feeling now when i see signs up!

However, this little dress that i made for my little girl does remind me a bit of a school uniform, and i guess there is a side to the new school year that is nice: shiny new pencils, fun folders and cool sharpeners!

This is the start of my autumn pinafore range, that can be worn over long sleeve tops and leggings (or on their own in those countries that enjoy a mild autumn...), watch this space for more pictures....!!

i want to ride my bicycle

2009-07-31T14:13:00.000-07:00

3 years!

2009-07-31T04:06:00.000-07:00

We just celebrated our 3 year anniversary!

My lovely and wonderful husband has really spoilt me, giving me the same flowers we had at our wedding(we also had purple roses in there too) and these pretty cool gifts!

The traditional gift for 3 years is leather, which is a bit odd, and i shamefully still have to find an appropriate gift for him (hang my head in shame! it is such a masculine material aswell! i have no excuse, other than a severe lack of time...)

I love you Husband, and not just for the lovely gifts you give!

make your own ironing board cover!

2009-07-20T03:39:00.000-07:00

Recently, i had noticed how hard i was working our ironing board..

it looked sad, run down, and burnt out!

So i thought to myself " how hard can it be to make an ironing board cover???

It was sooooo simple!

All you need is:

a piece of 100% COTTON fabric, the size of your board and a bit more. Make sure it is something you can live with, cause you will be seeing it a lot...

some store bought bias binding, any colour will do.

and a sewing machine.

And all you do is:

Take off the existing cover, and lay it flat on the new fabric you are using, having pulled out the string. Save the string!

cut out the shape, and the sew the bias binding around the edge, folded over. Don't forget to leave a gap for the string!

Thread the string through the bias binding, and put this over the old batting, over your board. Pull the string as tight as you can and tie.

Done!!! wow, it feels like a new board!!!!!!

Crafty Ireland launch!

2009-07-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

Yay!

The first Crafty Ireland launch was great!

We met up and got to know a few of our Etsy Ireland team members and share some ideas for things that we can do together!

If you had hoped to come but couldn't make it, we will be meeting up again on August 15th in a location yet to be discussed and we will be learning about making treasuries, amoungst other things.

If you would like to join in, just get in touch, either drop a note here, or convo myself or Tanya Mac. It's that easy!!! This is going to be great!

Etsy meet up tommorrow!

2009-07-17T12:06:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

if you are meeting up with the Etsy Ireland team tomorrow, keep an eye out for this banner, we will be meeting under it at the entrance to St Stephens green at 1 pm.

See you there!

helloooo! anyone home??

2009-07-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this dolly?

2009-07-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

For all those people who have waiting for me to make more Emily dolls, i have come up with a better solution.

You make her!

No, that is just rude! what i mean is that i am working on a pattern that you can make your own dolly, and even add your own personal touches to it! i hope to have this done by September, so that anyone who wants to have a project for Christmas will have plenty of time to make her! i promise you, i will make it super easy!!

super sisters!

2009-07-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

oh my goodness! look at my sisters post today!! is that not totally mad that we have been working on very similar projects?!

last of the summer wine..

2009-07-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

She sells sea shells....

well, that seems to be cut very short, doesn't it??!!

truth is, the weather here is pretty miserable, and i do not feel like we are in summer AT ALL!

but that has nothing to do with me listing the last summer dresses i will make this year, more that i plan to take a little "break" and then to start work in the autumn stuff.. seems early right? well, i have a lot of ideas, and not a lot of time to myself...!

so here are just three more dresses for sale in my shop!

lemon lime soda

giddyup horsey

lovely jubbly

2009-07-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

Yay! i got an award!

i recieved this from Intrigued a little while ago, but never quite got around to "recieving" it! So thank you very much!!

The Rules:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
Now, the thing is I don't have 15 other blogs to award, so I'll list my favorites!

that cheeky urchin

shabby vintage mom

hoppo boppo

bebe and alice

the purl bee

not perfect but nice

poppet in purple

2009-07-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

purple day

2009-07-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

today i had a little extra time, and enough motivation to make (and eat) a carrot cake... it was most definitely worth it!

I also had to make a little outfit for Poppy, as tomorrow we will be attending her great-granddad's funeral. It is a bit sad for the family, someone who has always been around is now gone. But then again, he had a long life and a full one which is the best kind right?

Difficult to know what to wear to a funeral, i think black is very serious, and if you believe in life after death, it is not as scary. I didn't want to put Poppy in black, so i thought purple was a good choice, respectful and pretty.

Crafty crafty..

2009-07-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

Just back from the crafty market this weekend, and it was good fun!

What was really nice was to see my friend, Tanya Mac, show up to have a stall! that was a great suprise, and made the day pass by so much faster!

Here is a shot of her stall, though this isn't the woman in question, but a shopper buying her lovely wares. Tanya, where are the shots of you posing at your stall???!!

Also, this gorgeous piece of art, which i LOVE this piece, which is going up for auction on Friday 17th July in the Bernard Shaw, Dublin. In aide of Battling Autism , so if you want to have this beauty hanging on your wall, wander on down this friday!

Baby exchange

2009-07-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

This photo is above our baby changing table, i love it! somehow i always misread it and read "baby exchange", which makes me laugh cause sometime when there is a really explosive nappy, i wouldn't mind having a baby exchange!

But that is the only time i would temporarily consider it..!

if you would like to have photo in your house, it is available right here.

lemonade

2009-07-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

how do you like this little dress?

it will be on sale at the fair this weekend, i'll be at the Crafty Market in the Dublin Food Coop, so if you want it, come along!

little pouch!

2009-07-02T03:04:00.000-07:00

Having my sister over recently was great, especially cause we like to do a lot of the same things and one of them is making pouches!

Since i have a fair coming up, and i was making about a million of these babies, i thought i would show you how very easy it is to make a pouch. I know there are a stack of tutorials on the net for this, but here is mu own version. so here goes!

1) you need:

-1 Zip
-2 pieces of outer fabric, cut to length of zip and depth of however deep you want your pouch
-2 pieces of lining, the same size as the outer.

2) First, get your zipper foot on your machine. Then unzip your zip, and sandwich one edge of it between your lining and outer fabric. Make sure your zip is FACING your outer. Pin and sew.

When you open it, it will look like this:

3) repeat the same with the other side. Again, make sure the zip is facing the outer fabric.

when you open it it will look like this:

4) Open it out and face the lining to the lining and the outer to the outer, like this:

5) UNDO ZIP to halfway at this point.. very important...

6) now sew all the way around the outer edge leaving a gap in the lining. make sure you sew over the zip ends.

7) Turn the whole thing inside out through the gap you left.

8) stitch up the gap.

9) and voila! you have a cute little pouch!

How easy was that!!

hand made..

2009-07-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, after the public health nurse (who, by the way never said anything about the now bruise between her eyes, and i never had to explain the "clash of Noah's ark vs Poppy's face" incident, for which i was grateful. i had considered bringing the ark down, just to show them how possible this was.) we did a little finger/hand painting!

Yes, it was fun, and mostly a grey sludge was formed on the paper. You will be happy to know that this grey sludge will be cut up and used as thank you cards for all the pressies Poppy recieved. People will be delighted to own a piece of this art!

And then, as i was taking Poppy to another corner of the paper that she had missed, what happened next? Well, ofcourse i stood blindly on a box which was in the middle of the lawn, full of crockery. I would like to state right now, that there may be a bit of white trash in me. I fell down and so did Poppy.. oh my goodness, how scary... she is fine though... and amazingly only one sugar bowl broke...this is what you get for hording...a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UbcSN9wnrNM/SkuIJAtdkjI/AAAAAAAAAdA/AEv1SuoGbn4/s1600-h/crockery+1.jpg">

a nice fine bump..

2009-07-01T03:24:00.000-07:00

just in time for the public health nurse visit today....

cushion envy

2009-06-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

how do you like this little beauty? i love the contrast of the orange pompoms and the purple hounds tooth.

This was in my sisters shop, not perfect but nice and she knew i had been coveting it for some time! Next time you have to move faster!! ;0)

quick fix!

2009-06-26T03:44:00.001-07:00

today we have a wedding to go to, and i have been working on my dress (more photos on that later.. it looks a bit weird, like i am wearing it backwards..anyway)

i totally forgot that Poppy will come with us to the wedding in the church, and didn't think of what she could wear!

So, thanks to my sister who very generously given Poppy some really lovely pieces of clothing, i had this lovely top! However, it is still pretty big for her, so i have quickly sewn on two buttons, and she will wear it like a dress..

whew that was close!

2009-06-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

this weekend, we had a rare visit from my sister and her family.

It was a tight squeeze but it was so lovely to spend time with family and just enjoy each others company! i wish we lived closer...

daisy

2009-06-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

Daisy was meant to be Emily's twin.

You can see the family resemblance, but truth be told, Daisy is a lot more shy and blushes even easier that Emily.

Daisy loves candy floss, and will not share it with anyone. If she sees someone coming who might wants some, she shoves it all in her mouth and keeps her mouth tightly shut so no one will guess her mouth is full of Candy floss.

She wears a little blue bikini, and hopes to get a little bit of sun, but like Emily, she is Irish and burns very easily. I hope she is wearing sun cream....

genius or nuts?

2009-06-11T04:16:00.000-07:00

in my quest to teach myself how to make a basic pattern from scratch, i have taken Emily to be my tiny mini model.

I have taken her measurements and am now trying to learn how to sketch a basic bodice for her.

What dolly do you know that has tailored clothing? I feel like i'm a kid again!

i'm so stylish..

2009-05-28T01:14:00.000-07:00

Despite early morning hair, she still manages to strike a pose. I especially like the crossed over legs..

Do you like the top? i made this out of my scraps! poor thing, she only gets the crumbs! good crumbs though.

Blackrock Craft market!

2009-05-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

Getting ready now for the next fair which is fast approaching! I can't believe that it is only a week away!!! oh dear, i better get my skates on,.. i feel a sewing frenzy coming on....!

Do visit me if you are in the area this weekend!

a little wiggle

2009-05-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Having recently been inspired beyond my capabilities, i have come up with a project for me to aim for...

and here it is! A vintage style wiggle sheath dress!

What is a little tricky about it, is that i want to make this dress FROM SCRATCH.. ie, i want to make the pattern myself!

Yes, i borrowed this book from the library that is basically a text book that i immagine they use in college, about pattern designing, and although it looks a little tricky, i think there is probably nothing that is going to help me learn like chuckin me in the deep end...

i hope to have this dress finished in time for a wedding we are going to at the end of june... watch this space!

feast or famine!

2009-05-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

yes, i know, twice in one day! once could say i binge on blogging...

but i had to post again, cause i was awarded this

from Tanya Mac Thanks!!!

My first prize EVER in my life!

the deal is, i have to share 7 things that i love! and then i pass it on to people i think should have an award, and then they share 7 things... and so it goes on, till all the world has won a prize! yeah, everyones a winner!

1) i love my little family, my wonderful husband and lovely chunky little daughter!

2) i love the smell of mandarins when you first open them.

3) i love Autumn, going for walks on crisp cool sunny days.

4) i love going to the airport, even if i am not traveling (although, it is always better when i am!). I always think they have a good feeling about it, like you could go anywhere and the world is your oyster. i used to love looking at the flight departures board to find the most exotic location that i wanted to go to, but Dublin airport is small and you have to fly to London before you can go truely anywhere!

5) i love drinking coffee and nattering with friends!

6) i love making stuff! i always feel a sense of satisfaction when stuff works.

7) i love pesto.

and now i would like to award this prestigious prize to:

Not Perfect but Nice

Bebe and Alice

Pigeon pair

and Hoppo Boppo!

Congratulations!!

Crafty crafty..

2009-05-12T03:55:00.001-07:00

Hi again! i feel i have to introduce myself all over again, with such little interaction from me recently, you could be forgiven for forgetting me!!

Well, i was at the Crafty fair at the Dublin Food Co-Op on the 3rd of May and it went great! I was very surprised that so many people where around, given that it was a bank holiday weekend here, but lots of people where out and it was indeed, very crafty!

I met so many lovely people, and saw some interesting outfits (that is how you know you are in an arty place... corsets and feather hats at 10 in the morning...)

Here are a few snaps. Yes, it looks a bit crazy, but i was proud of it. I think i would go with a slightly less chaotic tablecloth next time...

Emily seems happy on her perch though...

The Crafty Market

2009-05-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

is tomorrow!!

so sorry for completely abandoning this blog..! i have been trying to get all my stuff together for this fair, and the fashion show that was on Thursday (which incidentally went pretty well! but i can't put photos of it up on the blog, other peoples kids all all, you know what i mean..!)

If you would like to visit me tomorrow (yes please do!!), click here for directions of how to get there!! hopefully you wont get lost.. bring some friends too!

http://www.thecraftymarket.com/page2.htm

Blackrock Craft market!

2009-04-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

sorry to only be blogging about craft fairs, but i put this up mostly for people to get all the info needed!!

There is an exciting new craft fair in Blackrock
this June Bank Holiday Weekend -
would you be interested in booking a stand?

(please note, redpossum is not organising this! contact info@urban-junction.com for more info)

• Sat 30th May 10am-5pm + Sun 31st May 1pm-5pm (set up on Friday 29th)

• Venue: Urban Junction, 42 Main Street, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland.

• 18 stands available – four 6x3ft stands at €50 and fourteen 4x2ft stands at €30 each (a donation of 10% sales is requested also). Tables will be provided

• A cafe, cake stall and face-painting will be offered at the fair too

• The fair will be advertised in the local area, media, online and outside the venue

• Each stand holder will be issued with 30 flyers for the event

Advertising is underway so please respond if interested
(or for more information) by Good Friday 11th April

First come - first choice!

All proceeds from the fair will be going to Urban Junction, a youth and community centre in Blackrock and Tearfund in Uganda.

please contact info@urban-junction.com to book and find out more!

The Crafty Market

2009-03-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

I'll be having a stand at the Art and Craft market in Dublin on the 3rd of May, and if you are in the area, it would be great if you came!

click here for more info

looking forward to it, though really need to get back into sewing again, in a major way!

been a little sick...

2009-03-28T07:07:00.000-07:00

sorry for the dead silence on my end. I've been a little under the weather and i can't shake it! it's like some sort of super bug! sigh.

feeling a bit better now, so hopefully i will be getting back to all the things i should be doing.. ie the giveaway...!!!

Happy Saint Patricks day!

2009-03-16T13:10:00.001-07:00

In advance for tommorrow, i may not be online, so here is a traditional Irish blessing for you...

and a little puppet activity for you!

thanking you!

2009-03-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

thanks to everyone who voted in my poll!!

i'm thinking a giveaway is in order.. but i need a few days to get myself organised... hmm. what will it be...!

say tuned..

hey! I'm Intrigued!

2009-03-15T03:22:00.000-07:00

check me out on Intrigued!!

This blogger has such good taste! I am not just saying that cause she included me, but seriously, look at the stuff she has pulled out of the bag...!

r

And her shop, Intrigued, isn't too shabby either! look at these beauties for Paddy's day!

i'm in love

2009-03-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

this is hilarious!

navel gazing..

2009-03-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

i was just doing a spot of naval gazing, and i decided to do a google search of RedPossum (as you do..) just to see how many pages i would have to scroll down to find myself!

Well, i was so suprised to see that Sassy and George had blogged about my stuff back in November (yes, a little slow on the uptake over here).. Still, how very exciting, right?