On My Craft Table

I've mostly been snip snip snipping felt this weekend whilst watching a marathon of Vampire films. What better way of spending your time? No football, no tennis, just scissors and fangs. Happy Days! But I can't stop staring at these pretty felty shapes, so I thought I'd share them with you:

How much happier would we feel if the rain were rainbow coloured?? Sigh. Anyway these babies are about to be sewed up and transformed. Bye bye colourful rain!

Folksy Friday

The sun is shining down on Derry today, and I've got that Friday feeling! The weekend is here! Not that I have any plans this weekend, but it's nice to have some company round here! For today's Folksy Friday I've chosen some fairytale inspired prints. Enjoy!

This adorable print is entitled "A Flutter By", and is sold by Pixie Doodle Gifts.

Mochalulu makes these beautiful prints from her original artwork.


"The Girl and The Fox" is a print of an original illustration which has been digitally coloured by Blackoutwell

I love love love this Little Red Riding Hood illustration! It's one of a set of three by artquirk.
And finally this original illustration by Elli Moody is being sold as a birthday card. And I can assure you that all of her cards are as cute as this one!

So I'll be having a predictably crafty weekend - good thing too as Mr Weatherman is telling us that we're in for a rotten, soaking weekend. I'm hoping for a thunderstorm. If it has to rain it can do it in style! I could stand at a window for hours watching lightning bolts and listening for grumbling clouds. It's magic!

Crafty Goings On

I thought I'd use today's blog post to tell you about a few things I've tweeted / facebooked about this week. First off I'll be taking a table at this year's Summer Craft Fair at the Playhouse, Derry.


It's all set to be a great day - there will be around 45 craft stalls all in all, and they'll also be running kid's craft workshops throughout the day. Perfect to keep the little ones entertained so mum & dad can have some time to really take in all the crafty delights on offer!

Secondly, I found out yesterday that I've won a year's worth of free advertising on UKhandmade's website and in their quarterly e-magazine. I am chuffed to bits! I'm already a member of their seller's forum and an avid reader of their magazine. Thanks a lot to We Make London for running the giveaway.

And speaking of giveaways - I'll be running my first giveaway in celebration of my 100th blog post. Today's will be the 90th, so If my blogging schedule stays the same it'll be in a fortnight's time. Keep your eyes peeled for what will be up for grabs. I have lots of new stock in preparation for the Craft Fair so you may have a chance at winning a brand new item.

And finally I thought I'd share with you my most recent custom order:


What a sweet name for a new baby girl. Hopefully little Macey-Jayne will enjoy her bunting for many years to come!

Wordless Wednesday

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Quilt Exhibition

Morning all. What a beautiful day it is. The weather forecaster told us last night that we were going to be spending the day under a blanket of cloud, but it's glorious out there! Fingers crossed it lasts.

So today I wanted to share some pics of one of last week's adventures with you. On Friday my friend Christine and I went into town to see a quilt exhibition that was on. It's running in Gordon Gallery and showcases the work of quilters associated with Mission Hall Quilts, our local quilting / fabric shop in Derry. Here are some of my favourites:

I loved the 3D flowers popping out from this quilt. It's something I've never tried to do myself but the effect is impressive.

The piecing in some of these quilts had my eyes turning green(er) with envy! Every seam was perfectly aligned which is very satisfying to look at if you're a perfectionist like me!

I think the black in this quilt makes it come alive. It really picks out the symmetry of the design.

Although I'm a massive fan of symmetry (maybe I've mentioned that a few times before!), I actually love that every block in this quilt is different to the next. The neutral colours keep it from looking busy.

This one is my favourite - I love the colour combination, I'm a big fan of batiks, and it's so intricately quilted.

This one appealed to me because the patterned fabric in the background has a kind of mosaic effect. I'd never think of doing a repeat this big with only two fabrics but it really works.

And this one was Christine's favourite. I haven't seen many art quilts in the flesh so to speak, and this one was really beautiful. I must admit it's something I'd be nervous about trying myself.

The exhibition is showing until June 26th so if you're in Derry and have a little time to spare I do recommend checking it out. Whether for inspiration, or just some fabric eye candy, there's bound to be one to suit everyone. And if you fall in love with one and have a few quid to spare, a fair few of them are for sale!

And I'll finish up by saying good luck to my lovely friend Christine who moved back to Bournemouth on Saturday. Come back - we miss you!

Knitting Project

Remember this big messy pile of knitted shapes that I showed you a couple of weeks ago? I spent hours speed knitting trying to get these beauties finished.

Did anyone manage to guess what they would become??

Well here you go:

I made these bunnies from a pattern I found in one of my Mum's knitting magazine. How adorable are they?? They're much bigger than they looked before I started stuffing the body parts. I'm really pleased with the way they turned out though.

They have since found a new home with BF's twin nieces. I definitely have another on my to-do list that I'll keep for myself. They're so sweet! Now it's just a matter of finding the time for some selfish knitting!

Happy Father's Day

I hope Dads all over are enjoying their day today. Mine is off out on a lad's afternoon of football watching and Bacardi drinking. Enjoy your day Dad!

Thanks to my big Sis for the pic of my Dad back in the day!

Folksy Friday

So it's Father's Day here on Sunday. I've already sent my Dad some goodies, but here are a few folksy items to inspire those of you who haven't found the perfect gift yet.

I love the greens in this Fathers Day card by Accidental Vix.

I remember my dad having one of these giant silver stereos when I was small. This mug is by Faith, trust and pixie dust.

My Dad works in a village full of Coracles. This letterpress print is by aardvarkonsea.

Put your feet up on Father's Day! This brilliant cushion is by Sixes and Sevens.

And finally this Captain Ray Gun print is made by wonkyworks.

I won't get to see my Dad this fathers day, but I hope everyone who can remembers to spoil their Dads this weekend.

Lucky Duck

Today I am indeed a very lucky duck - It's my Birthday! Not many people can say they're lucky enough to share their birthday with Barry Manilow now can they??

My day started with breakfast in bed:


followed by opening a mound of lovely prezzies from BF and my family.

BF made my customary flat as a pancake sponge, this year completed with gone-wrong icing!

And I had to have a go at making some paper pom poms - look how pretty they are!


I also have ice cream, a quilt exhibition, dinner with BFs family and a pub quiz lined up to keep me entertained for the rest of the day. And the sun has just come out! The makings of a perfect Birthday!

Wordless Wednesday

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Set The Truth Free

Eight years ago I was flicking through the TV channels looking for something to watch when I came across a film starring James Nesbitt. I love anything with James Nesbitt so I settled in for a night of entertainment. The film told the story of a Civil Rights march gone horribly wrong on January 25th 1972, resulting in the deaths of 14 people, and wounding of another 15, at the hands of a Parachute Regiment of the British Army.

This story was not entertaining. It was heartbreaking. And most appallingly it is a true story. At 16 I had no idea that I would be living in the place where those events unfolded. Bloody Sunday happened right here in Derry, and 38 years on those who were injured, their families, and the families of those who were killed heard their long awaited apology.

Today the Saville inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday was published, and the victims, accused of being armed with guns and bombs by the earlier Widgerowu inquiry, were finally vindicated.

"There is no doubt. There is nothing equivocal. There are no ambiguities. What happened on Bloody Sunday was both unjustified and unjustifiable. It was wrong.

The families of those who died should not have had to live with the pain and hurt of that day – and a lifetime of loss. Some members of our Armed Forces acted wrongly. The Government is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the Armed Forces. And for that, on behalf of the Government – and indeed our country – I am deeply sorry." David Cameron, PM.

And Rain Will Make The Flowers Grow

So the weather's been quite strange recently - warm, sunny, then showery, then it starts all over again. But one good thing about the rain is that it saves me from the watering can!

and it makes for really pretty pictures too!

In the words of Eponine - rain will make the flowers grow!

And with a little help from these guys...

...we'll be all the more colourful next year too!

Anyhoo, gardening aside things are getting quite hectic here at Jemima HQ. I have a custom order to finish, a craft fair to prepare for as well as a couple of personal projects to finish up. Best get busy then!