Update: Angie has just given me my pressie and it's of the Sister Bag variety. Whee!.....all the goodies were contained in my first Cath Kidston...yes, I said my first! I love it.
What was inside? Well, a watch, vintage style tin sign,
necklace, lace pillow, door hanger, pink candy dish, handmade cards, scapbooking goodies and
.... a photo of me and Angie taken many years ago, around 1989. There is a great story attached to it.
We were going by boat to the Arran Islands. When we arrived at the pier for the ten o'clock boat there was no boat! We enquired at the office and the chap got on the phone to someone and we heard the following orders being given...." Ah for feck sake Donal, will ye' get up out of the bed...there's a big juicy blonde wants to go to the islands!"
Well, Donal arrived in two minutes flat and manhandled/groped us into the currach (a small canoe like boat used to bring people out to the bigger boat) We had never received such close attention, especially the big juicy blonde!
Well after recovering from this skirmish with the 'bould Donal we were delighted to see that the seat at the back of the boat was empty. "Great" says us "We'll be able to trail our hands in the water" sez us. Now, we did notice the locals smiling (smirking) to see the "Dubs" (daft people from Dublin who know nothing about sailing) looking so happy to have nabbed the best seat in the boat. We soon found out why!
As soon as it picked up a bit of speed the waves washed over the end of the boat and drenched us! We took a fit of laughing and realised why no one had sat there!
Now if that was not bad enough......up wind of us some other, non sailor, type tourist got sea sick and the wind blew it right into Angie's hair! Now this should have caused a pause in the manic giggling, but no, because no sooner than that had happened when another wave lashed in and washed it away again! Ah sufferin' heart!!!!! By the time we got to Inisheer we were in pain from laughing.
...and if that was not funny enough -when we got to the bed and breakfast house we were advised by the Bean an Ti (woman of the house) to hang our wet clothing on her washing line to dry. We did and when it was time to get them back we asked Dominick, a friend who was travelling with us, to please collect them for us. He duly did but reported that the bean on ti was giving him very funny looks through the kitchen window.
Hadn't the gobbeen taken in all her underwear from the washing line and she looking at him - and him smilin' like an eejit at her! So another round of laughter ensued and that set the tone for the whole weekend. Ah happy memories....Laughter is a great tonic and that has to be the best laugh I ever had in my whole life.
It's my birthday today and I am treating myself (as you do!) to all the things I love. My first treat of the day was to visit Dublin's fantastic new wool shop to spend some of my birthday money. Not just a wool shop though ...more like a crafting experience.
Dublin sisters, Teresa and Fran, have opened a shop where crafters can drool over the huge selection of wool, patterns, threads and sewing notions.
Then you can have a cup of tea in the little cafe at the back where tea is served in vintage china and teapots are decked out in wonderful tea cosies. The patterns for these are given away free to anyone who wants one. People tend to gather here to do a bit of knitting and chatting over a cuppa. What a great way to spend an hour or so.
Also one can book in for one of the regular classes to learn how to knit or crochet and I saw a workshop advertised for sock knitting that I intend to sign up for. Outside is a beautiful patio garden with a water feature and on fine days one can take ones crafting out there and join other knitters to swap tips and ideas.
Above - Fran in the dinky little cafe. I love the gorgeous pink Smeg fridge.
Below Teresa with my stash of goodies I bought with my birthday money. Don't you just love it when you get new fabric or wool? Can't wait to get started!
Get the knitting bug! .......Ladybug crochet tea cosies, patterns are free in Stitch, 74 Shantalla Road, Beaumont, Dublin
Do count yer' chickens! A knitted tea cosy...also free pattern from Stitch.
Below Paul talks music with Fran in the cafe
Mam browsing the pattern books.
A peek at the garden area. Looking forward to getting clicking out here during the summer.
Some of what I bought. Fab pattern book, pearly pink needles and the softest pink wool ever!
I could not decide between lemon or pink for the booties so I got both (as you do!)
I will be back to this great shop for sure. Well done Fran and Teresa (and Kelly) Lovely to meet you and wishing you every success with your venture. It is wonderful www.stitch.ie
Next I came home and made some bunting for the cottage. All in shades of blue to match the colour scheme. Thanks to Teeda who brought these from Canada for me. I love the vintage patterns of them.
This is the vintage style wicker basket I was given for my birthday by my lovely hubby, Paul.
"MMMmmm" ...thought I..." Nice, but I don't have a bike" Well of course he had a bike for me too. It looks like it could fly!
Of all the lovely cards I g0t today this is my favourite...
So I'll leave you with the pissing puppy giving you a good giggle. Bye for now...Pam
Here's an award I created for all my favorite blogs:
![](<a href="http://whitemorn.typepad.com/excellentblog_shannymar11.jpg">Download excellentblog_shannymar11.jpg (11.9K)</a>){kind=link}
That looks so lovely - wish it was near me! Lucky you.
Happy birthday. Have a very lovely weekend. x
Posted by: Lace hearts | April 03, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Stitch looks like a wonderful place to while away a bit of your special day. Their tea cosies are so clever. Love the pink yarn, and pink pearly knitting needles....fabulous purchases. Hope your birthday is a happy one.
Kay
Posted by: Kay Flynn-The Wrought Iron Gate | April 03, 2009 at 06:06 PM
Happy Birthday Pam! What a neat shop and I love all your goodies.....I'd say your special day was most happy...hugs, Linda
Posted by: linda | April 03, 2009 at 07:14 PM
What a fun day! And buying knitting supplies or should I say more fun?
Looks like you had a great time!
Hugs,
Marilyn in NM
Posted by: Marilyn | April 04, 2009 at 05:59 AM
A big Happy Birthday to you!!!
Really looks like you had a wonderful day and what a
Neat shop! I loved your stash of goodies on the counter... looks
like you will be busy for awhile :) Oh, and those tea
cozies are fab! Love the little lady bug one.
What a sweet gift from your hubby... I bet you can fly!
Have the best day ever!!
love, Kimme
Posted by: Kimme & Patrick | April 04, 2009 at 06:16 AM
Hope you had a lovely birthday. What a fantastic shop. Your birthday goodies look lovely.
Twiggy x
Posted by: Twiggy | April 04, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Wishing you all the best on your special day! And what a day!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | April 04, 2009 at 08:11 AM
Happy Birthday to you....what a fantastic shop, my mum would love it.
Posted by: Val | April 04, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Happy Birthday. I found your blog while visiting Lace hearts and so glad I found it on your birthday. Please visit my blog, I am pleased to find a fellow Irish blogger. I love your purchases and will have to visit the shop next time I am in Dublin. Margie.
Posted by: Margie Wouters | April 04, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Well happy birthday to you clear over the sea in the land of luck and wishes (and all things green)!...sorry i'm a day late in sending you sunny california birthday wishes...but it sounds as if it was a lovely day for you and i'm wishing you all the best for the rest the year...your blog (and you) are so much fun!...love, your faithful customer whose veins run with irish blood, mimi brooks
Posted by: Mimi | April 05, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Happy Birthday!!! Sorry I missed it, Love all the goodies you got with your birthday money, what a sweet little shop! Those tea cosies are sooooo cute! I have just started to learn how to knit, and am loving anything woolly at the moment, lol
Priscilla x
Posted by: Priscilla | April 05, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Thank you for visiting Margie's Crafts and leaving your lovely comment. I am so pleased you offered me your award, I will gladly accept it and show it off proudly on my next post.The new gifts sound fantastic as does the story of the trip to Aran. hugs Margie.
Posted by: Margie Wouters | April 05, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I missed the first part of this post...I can't even imagine how much you laughed...I laughed so hard just reading about your adventure!
Happy belated...love the little puppy!
Posted by: Betty | April 06, 2009 at 07:46 AM
I love the update and the story, how funny. It sounds like an episode from Father Ted.
Posted by: Val | April 06, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Happy Birthday!!! :D Sorry I'm a bit late!!!
And Val is right its like an episode of Father Ted!!! Haha!!!
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