Thrifted Treasures, Fairy Stitches and Woolshop Garden

First let me say to Twiggypeasticks "Have a wonderful holiday inWhite O'Morn Cottage!"

 Twiggy won my giveaway for a week's  holiday there and is currently in residence enjoying good weather, the Ballinamore Festival and lots more! Wish I was there....er..well maybe not...it only has one bedroom and er well......Oh, you know what I mean. Twiggy and Co. ....have a ball!!!!! Go girl!

Lots of love to you and your branch and your twiglet (husband and son)

Paul is not allowed out of range of his hospital so we have to have our "holidays" here at home as best we can. So every day we try to go somewhere and make an outing of it for ourselves. Lovely they are too. Always enjoy the simple pleasures - that's one thing his illness has taught us.

So off we went the other day to Stitch wool shop in Beaumont, Dublin. While I was browsing all the goodies in the shop Paul was able to go out to the garden at the back to have a cup of coffee. I joined him for a nice cup of tea. They serve it in a selection of mismatched vintage china and all the teapots have a cute hand knit cosy. So very civilised! 

 This is a fab little shop where you can sit and knit, meet other knitters, swap ideas and patterns, ask for advice, take lessons and hang out and have tea and such and so can your menfolk.

Here are some pics I took of the wool shop garden....a haven of peace and tranquility.

 

 

 

 

Even found a frog friend for Paul!

 

 

 

Not Rocket Science - Sockit Science

I have finally got the courage to have a go at knitting socks on 4 needles. I asked for a simple pattern and some wool. I'll keep you posted as to how I get on.

 

The lady assured me that if I could knit and follow a pattern then it was not difficult...so not rocket science but sockit science!

 

Stitched by Fairies I think!

After that we had time to take in one of my favourite charity shops where I found a stash of oddments of wool, needles (I must have a full set by now) embroidery thread, wool embroidery thread, sewing notions and more.

While there I found some lovely old table linens: a full set of tablecloth, napkins and traycloth. All of them hand stitched with minute, impossibly neat stitches. I took a macro photo of them to show you. Women had patience in those days!

 

I think I will keep these for the cottage as they are too beautiful to part with. I'm always doing that - even though I buy them to resell on my vintage website. I find that I can't part with them. Oh well, confessions of a hoarder! 

 

Comments

[Tanya aka Chyna]

Oh bother! I had a nice and witty comment for you and everything and I didn't do that number/letter combo thing and it ate it!!!!

Anyhow, love that garden. I'd love something like that around here, somebody could make a mint off of me crafting in there back patio. LOL

I was going to ask you if you were sure that the needlework wasn't machine made until I saw the start and stop. Incredible. Patience and really good eyesight!

Paul is looking so much better now, has to be all that attention from Pretty. Or so she thinks at least. By the way, your tea cups are huge! Over here they would be coffee cups but since I'm not a coffee drinker tea it is. :)

[Betty]

What a delightful place! You and Paul look so at peace there, with your tea, coffee and reading materials. I'm so glad the two of you are able to get away, if only for the day, and spend such nice time together!

Hope you are able to visit your cottage soon.

[Angel Mc]

Paul looks great--tell him hi. The garden is awesome. Is it as hot over there as it is over here...in the high 90s here this week. Ir looks so pleasant,I wish I could sit outside, but that won't happen for me until around October...plus the mosquitoes are terrible.
The linens...all I can say is wow...very beautiful.

[sharie]

Your husband looks very relaxed there reading that book. What a great idea the shop had, making a garden area for those non knitters.

Lovely linen finds. Thanks for posting the close up photo. I always try to do the same if I get a well made piece - give credit to the unknown lady who plied her needle with such skill.

[kimme]

Loved the pics.... Everyone looks great! The garden
is lovely and what better a way to spend the day
then in a yarn with a cup of tea :0)

I have a sock challenge for you.....
I will knit a pair of socks and post my progress
as I go along and I challenge you in return to knit a pair
of socks and do the same. Are you up for it?? :)

Hugs~kimme

P.S. I found a great way to turn a heel. Want the
pattern?

[Lorraine]

The linens are lovely. I think I have something similar, I will have to have a dig tomorrow and see if I can find them to take a picture of for you.

Glad to see Paul is looking better and that you are able to spend some good quality time together.

I wish we had a wool shop near us like that - I would be there all the time! Good luck with the socks, I look forward to seeing them.

[Office 2010]

Voila, I can now use 2007 as if it was 2002,