White O'Morn Cottage

The Perfect Evening.....with precious loved ones

 

Well, who would have thought that the Perfect Evening would start with this?

...A cake baked baked with GREEN SPRINKLY THINGS ON TOP?  Does not compute!!!!! Not as far as this domestic goddess is concernced!

Ah sufferin' heart!...who ever heard of such a thing? Let's face it. Green and cake do not GO - unless it is St Patrick's Day. ....which is in March and this is  September! In all fairness now!...

Admit it...it looks like a cake sprinkled with oregano (or is that Oregono? ...Ah no, sure everyone knows that Oregono is a part of the USA)

...but regarding the green stuff on cake .....you are SO wrong...

'cos it is...

...in fact ...a home baked...WAIT FOR IT...

Blueberry, Rasberry and LIME sponge cake!

Yeah, ...what looks a bit like parsley/mareejooaannah is in fact: finely shredded lime rind.  DELICIOUS! .... SCRUMPsheeTIshoUS....AND verry nice too!

 Poor Marie,  - the girl who baked it. She took some slaggin' from us saying "You can't put parsley on a cake - Get with the program!"

She baked it especially for us. Thanks Marie!

Marie?

"Who's dah?" I hear you ask.

Let me introduce y'all to Herself....

Marie. My Steve's lovely girlfriend

(Ah sufferin' heart Steve...dat girl can cook...marry 'er quick!)    (No pressure now son!) Would I Mimi?  ;-)

 

Above is the said Marie..... Marie Irwin..future Mrs Flynn...MMMMmmm. I like the sound of that.

 I was going to crop this pic but I realised it showed so much of our ordinary everyday life.........such as it is........good or bad.......impressive or not.......rich or poor. 

Without meaning to I had snapped a photo of a little corner of our lives and so I share it here with you.

 So,......what does this ordinary snapshot show of our ordinary lives in this ordinary but extraordinary photo?

In the above pic you will see:

....The lovely Marie...petting our much loved yorkie, Pretty.

To left of them is one of) Paul's guitars. He is a multi talented musician/singer/songwriter who owns 5-ish guitars.

... in bottom left hand corner you will see Paul's feet wearing the hand crafted slippers I made for him...Cosy toes.

...and just below the guitar you will see our beloved doggie, Holly (highly strung, hyperactive, wired to the moon Yorkie (ha!- you thought that was meself!).........(I wish I had her energy....  but stress is the only energy I have left!)

And there's more to show ye'

A snapshot of me/him/and yer man...ye' know...what's 'is name?...the one with the tattoos.

 

I LOVE ME DA!

 Paul, my soulmate, and my much loved middle son, Steve.

Steve is the only of our three sons who followed Paul into the world of music. Paul is a very talented singer/songwriter, as is Steve.  Paul is presently banned from using his singing voice for a year-(ish) due to his recent skirimish with throat cancer (thyroid) from which he is making a remarkable recovery.

MMMmmm ...it does not stop him from moaning at me in his sexy gravelly Tom Waits type tones! Moan all ye' want Flynner, I can take it.

Anyway...Steve and Marie called over tonight with the scrumptous freshly baked cake. We had a lovely evening talking about old times and simply chillin'

Lovely evening. Couldn't be better. Thanks guys.

Poor Steve is showing signs of his recent biking accident...he has road rash on right cheek and a black eye. Still as handsome as hell in my eyes though! Below: Big hug with Paul and Marie.

 

...and a bug hig with me!

 

Now, a cute pic of Pretty suckin' up to Marie...

 

Awwwwwhhhh!!!! Does God make dogs any cuter than this?

Ooooh, something just struck me...God spelt backwards is Dog

*******************************************************************

........(and apparently - evil spelt backwards is live...as my son, Chris, just pointed out)...

Ah, feck off sirhC...this is MY Glob

Now that brings to mind a little exercise I use with my literacy students...this tends to  flummox them.

I love the English language and playing with words - indeed I have made a living playing with words for years. 

 So here is a little spelling exercise that I believe I am the ONLY  person in the whole world to have discovered! (Do I get copyright?...Ah feck, who cares!) feck is not a swear word by the way....not unless you misspell it  ;-)

This might do your head in, so be warned!...

Last time I did this, one student said in a lovely flat Dublin accent...(think of Colin Farrell here)..."Ah, Pammie, yur' doin' me feckin' buzz in!" 

(Just doin' me job son)

Well, what can I say? If I am doin' yer' buzz in ...well, so be it.

I'm not very religious at all but I am spiritual. Like or lump it. That's me.

Here we go....

God/Devil/ - Good/Evil

Take the work GOD...add the letter O and you have the word ...GOOD

Now...take the word DEVIL..Delete the letter D

...and you have the word...EVIL

Still not flummoxed?

Well, then... just put the two new letters together and you have the letters...D and O...= Do...

Do Good or Do Evil..... Suit yer'self.

Iz yer' buzz dun inn r do ah hav too carrie awn?

 

Vintage Sewing Lucky Dip Surprises & Irish Stew Recipe

I love a lucky dip and when I saw this little plastic bag in the British Cancer Charity Shop in Enniskillen, for 50p I knew I should have it without even looking inside.

When I got it home I had so much fun looking through it. Were the contents worth the 50p? Ooooh, yes.....

As you can see it had some handmade doilies and ribbon....

and this strange little kit for hanging your clothes up to dry indoors?

That's a great idea...but...will these tiny pegs hold up a wet sock? Methinks not!

 

There were several spools of lace making cotton, iron on binding....

and two truly beautiful hand crafted doilies - one in cream and one in emerald green...but the real treasure was this vintage,engraved, fine crochet hook.

 

I just love it and use it for picking up any dropped stitches when I am knitting (yes, I drop the odd one...(I blame the stew aformentioned)

 

So pretty.

 

I will treasure this little item and keep it close to hand in my knitting basket. It's both beautiful and practical. I wonder if it was a special gift for the lady who made the lovely lace items?

I have been on Ebay again and found this old needle compact. Such a beauty and again very practical. Why use drab, new packs of needles when you can enjoy using one like this?

 

 

 

Then I found these two in Virginia, Cavan on my way to Ballinamore. A lovely old decorative spoon and some sweet buttons.  It reminds me of the song..."Just a spoonful of buttons make....."(buttons  -huh?)

 

and a close up. Hmmm...these are just begging to be crafted into something SWEET! Let me work on it and I'll get back to you.

 

That put me in a frilly frou frou mood and so I piled my frilliest cushions on to the bed. The peachy roses one on the extreme left, I made - and the rest were presents and finds and the one at front right is a nightie case.

 

 

Remember in an earlier post I said I was going to copy this customised chandy?

Well I did it last weekend and I'm very happy with how it turned out. I may add some more to it and even fix some of the matching saucers around the stem. Like many of my projects it's a work in progress!

 

 

Also in the kitchen I have added the old 1940's cooker I collected from Carrick-on-Shannon. I found it on our freecycle site Jumbletown and the lady who gave it to me told me it belonged to her aunt who lived in Ballinamore. So it is coming home!

The old lady is still alive but getting on in years and had to move and was adamant that she did not want her cooker dumped and was sure someone would love it. It was in daily use until a few weeks ago. Her niece told her she would try to find a good home for it but did not think she would find a new owner.

Well!.... Mrs Reilly of Aughawillan, Ballinamore...your much loved cooker has found a new home in my kitchen and is wonderful. It makes a great Irish Stew!

 

...and here it is. Delicious!

As we say here: "Sure there's eatin' and drinkin' on it!"

Irish Stew Recipe:

Lamb or Mutton: gillions = loads!

Spuds: (whole potatoes) 2 each-ish

Onions & carrots: (chunky chopped)

Fresh parsley and thyme :(lash them in on their stalks and remove before serving)

Soup mix :(= dried barley, lentils, split peas mix)

Stock cubes: (chicken and/or veg)

Salt and pepper: (a whiff of each)

Water: (fill yer' pot if there's any room left)

Boil up until meat is tender and serve with crusty bread. DEADLY!

(I don't know the quantities - just use lots of 'em and make enough for the next day as something happens to it overnight and it tastes even better the next day. It's true! (I think it ferments into alcohol or something)

(update: day 3...I have jussss had wha' iz left and I tink it has moo-tated inna sUmm-ing illegal! Wheee!)

Day 4? Don't even go there! ...... We're talkim'  'bout nuke soup!

 

Serve it up on old Willow pattern mismatched crockery for a really old fashioned Irish meal.

Well, bye for now ...enjoy your stew!...Pam

 

A Special Tribute to a Unique and Free Spirit... Daisy Bell Lee

  Today we said  a bittersweet goodbye to a legend in our family.

Well, she was not related to me at all, but still - I loved Daisy Lee. She was the nearest I had ever had to a mother-in- law. She was Angie's MIL and a wonderful one at that. I borrowed her now and again.

I always remember she came to visit me in hospital after I had had my third (in a row) son.

"Now don't be worrying...I did not have  my girl until I had six sons first!" said she. .....Ah sufferin' heart Daisy!

She is unique in this world as the only person who ever has typed The Bible in both Latin and Gaelge (our native Irish Language) 

(this is the actual Celtic carriage with the Irish typeface that she used) Isn't it beautiful?

She gave this typewriter to Angie and Ed as she knew they would treasure it. She also typed this up and left it in the typewriter.

She had special carriages  she could change on her manual typewriter to do this.  Her vintage typewriter was brought into the church today for her service. Angie and Ed keep this special momento at home where it has pride of place.  This is a picture of it in the "Wildflower Window" (as imortalised by  prize winning Irish writer John McGahern in his  bestseller: "Memoir") How appropriate it should come to rest here.

She also typed up the theses of many of our bishops and cardinals and literary talents of Ireland ie: Benedict Kiely ("a perfect gentleman"...according to Daisy) and the wonderful Brendan Behan (Ah...hem!) 

When our great writer (but rough diamond) Brendan Behan came into the office, her boss used to send her on an errand 'cos Brendan used profane language and her boss did not want Daisy to hear it!  Well, she was just a young lady at the time...

 Above: Daisy and her fiance (and future husband): Joe Lee. They got engaged that day.

 

Well, today I saw - not just her children, but her four DIL's and one SIL in floods of tears at her passing.  'Nuff said?

Daisy was also a talented crafter, cook and a wise old woman who could and did relate to all generations. 

A fiesty old bird  too......Two years ago she was driving home and was going through green traffic lights when she was side blasted by a getaway car after a bank robbery. The Gardaí (Irish police) were shocked to see that such a "frail" old lady of 85 was the victim in this incident. But sure, Daisy comforted them all of course!

Last year she got a letter in the post from the Gardaí stating "Daisy Bell Lee....You have been awarded two penalty points on your driver's licence for speeding...")

She was delighted!  She could not wait to tell all her friends! Done for speeding at 86!  She got 2 for doing 70 in a 50  at 86!  A Red Hatter if ever there was one.

Well, Daisy love ....your nimble fingers have come to rest and I'm sure the author of The Book is looking after you now.

Bye bye Daisy...Slán abhaile.  Grá ...Pam

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Speaking of Pearls....

 

I can't resist a nice string of pearls especially when they have a beautiful clasp. These were found in my local charity shop.

Below the lovely front of the clasp with its baguette diamonte stone...

 

...and the lovely back of the clasp.

 

Box Makeover

On the crafting front I have done a complete makeover on the shoe boxes that I was using to store my ribbon. They were so ugly sitting in full view on  my shelves. Here is the Before pic: Ugly? Right?

 

...taadaaaa! After:

 

Fingers Flynn on the Job!

I found the wallpaper when I was investigating a derelict cottage near me. It is by Kildare Wallpapers and dates from about the 1950's. Little sprays of roses with lace and trellis pattern. It goes really well with the old lace I added to the lids. (Kimme, it was the two story house you were looking at - do you remember it?)

I can just hear Angie saying ..."You found it while investigating...?" "Nicked it while breaking and entering....Fingers Flynn you were at it again!"

Guilty as charged, I am known as "Fingers Flynn" for not being able to pass a derelict house that has an open door. I must do a post about all the little treasures I have filch...er, nick..er stol....eh..."rescued" from oblivion during my undercover missions.

Now admit it....wouldn't it have been a shame not to bring that piece of vintage wallpaper home? It is so beautifully faded and dusty and look at the box on top. Its paper was on the outside of the roll exposed to the light and the trellis part of itsdesign has faded away to nothing. My fingers were all dusty after working on this...Dusty Fingers Flynn! LOL!

Back to the boxes. There was a seam on the lid of the larger one so I used some of my brocade trim to cover it and then added some of the vintage lace that Kimme got me earlier this year. Pretty?

Free CK?

More freecycle treasure this week. On my favourite sites for giving and taking this week www.jumbletown.ie  I managed to give away all the junk from my garden shed and made room for my new bicycle in there. It feels good to have a clear out (and makes room for more "stuff" that you just got to have)

 It worked the other way too for me. I answered an ad that said " Large bag of fabric cut offs, suitable for quilting /crafting"

 MMMMmmmm... sounded good to me and so I answered it. I was not the first requester and did not expect it but the giver chose me and I picked it up the next day. There was no photo with the ad so I did not know what to expect but I sure did not expect it to have any YOU KNOW WHO in there ...yes, CK was among the lovely fabrics in it. (Paul is reading over my shoulder and saying "Calvin Klien does fabric?")

Now there's an unexpected treat for lil' ol' me! Well they say ...what goes around comes around. So I will be crafting for Ireland all next week. See you then...Pam

Crafty Vintage Finds, Foreign Chocs and Flick Chick Film

Today I thrifted, crafted, lolled and scoffed a few scoops of fine wine. Needless to say it was a lovely relaxing day...Aaaaahhhh. Don't you just love a day like that?

Find of the day was this set of ...An old tin of embroidery threads, needles, instruction book and hoops. Whooohoo ...embroidery motherlode!

All you could need to create a gorgeous craft. And I will.

 

Some lovely vintage sewing patterns. I got more than this but only kept the easiest ones. The more complicated, (looks like you'd need to be a tailor to do them) I freecycled to someone else.

 

On the sewing front I have finally made myself a union jack cushion. (well, here it is shown as a WIP.) Will update with finished item.

I'm so jealous of you Americans and British who both have  interesting, adaptable and craftable flags (ours is a tricolour, green white and orange so - not a lot of scope there but I haven't given up yet! watch this space)

 

I am going to make one of these for a lovely young couple: Katy and Darren Meakin of Aughawillan, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim...'cos they:

•  are English

•  live in Ireland

• and have a holiday home in France

• And have two doty little lads  - and are are well deserving of my crafting efforts.

Perfect for them...updates will follow of course. Katy and Darren...one union jack cushion comin' your way!

...and a close up of the lovely fabrics. Both bought in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. I have lots more of the pink gingham one. It is a dream to work with.

 

I have just finished this using the same fabric. It is a laundry bag (duh! as if you hadn't guessed)

I love how it turned out...and I did the word LAUNDRY using the embroidery threads. I haven't done any of this since I was a teenager. Loved doing it. I have a great creative mojo going on at the moment.

 

Below: I made the floral one on the left and thrifted the striped one on the right (one yoyo or 1 Euro)

 I think the striped one will go so well with the pink gingham union jack one in the cottage bedroom. The back of the floral one is done in the pink gingham and I am going to try to do a real buttonhole on my machine for it. I'm getting very brave with the ol' sewing machine these days. "Ain't no stoppin me now"

 

This must be national cushion week as I have gone all pillow mad! These two blue beauties below were found in a CS shop, brand new, pure handmade silk, and  - wait for it .........only €2 each. Whaaaaa!

Perfect shade of duck egg blue for the cottage living room. Can't have enough cushions in da' house.

My son, Chris, was in Belgium for the weekend and brought me home a HUGE bar of chocolate with a doty vintage graphic on the wrapper. YummmMMMMMMM ....Should I eat it or just tape it to my hips?

 

And what goes better with an overdose of chocolate? Well.....an old B&W romantic chick flick  of course...that's what!

 This one, The Enchanted Cottage comes highly recommended by me and scores highly as a three tissue weepie.

Treat youself to this flick made in 1945. Tells the tale of a plain woman and a scarred airman who decide to have a marriage of convenience, move into an enchanted cottage.....and - Sorry....Hmm hmm NO! - not telling anymore!

 

Perfect end to a perfect day! Have a nice weekend...Pam

Freecycled, Crafted and Thrifted Treasures!

 Vintage gas cooker find

Today I sourced this fabulous vintage gas cooker on our freecycle site www.jumbletown.ie  I never thought I would find a working original cooker circa 40/50's, never mind that it would be located withing a few miles of home! It will be perfect in the cottage kitchen instead of the ..."on its last legs and missing two burners and a broken oven door" cooker I have at the moment. Not only that  -but a very kind member of the site who lives nearby and knows of our present difficult circumstances has offered to collect it and store it if we can't get down to collect. How lovely of her!  Thanks you Misstake (aka Bernie)

I first met Bernie when she gave me some fabric and a sewing machine and I gave her a collection of rock videos! We have been firm friends since and she has contacted me several times to ask how Paul is doing and even offered to pick up the cooker for us. Thanks Bernie, much appreciated.

Sock News....

Well, I have just about finished my first sock and started my second! I could not figure out the finishing instructions for the first one so left it and started on next one. I will get to grips with it as I am so near to finishing...Wheee!I love sock knitting now and can't be stopped. More to come when I get them both finished. How's it goin' Kimme?

Thrifted Wool

I found a big bag of mohair wool in my local charity shop. It is called Kinnair and is made from goat's wool. Pic to follow. Don't know what I will make from it but it sure is gorgeous...any suggestions?

Well, The Cat, Pants...has settled in and peace reigns once more in our little home...she sure looks contented don't you think? She doesn't look like a moggie who is besieged by three doggies!

 

Next I have a pic for you of a lovely shabby chic piece of vintage Irish wool cushion cover I have just listed on my website White O'Morn Cottage Shop click on link or see side bar

It has a little hole in it and I am going to crochet a cute shamrock to cover it.

And how cute is this baby's aran cardigan? Doty! It has just been listed too.

...and while on the subject of cushion covers...here are two I made for my son, Steve and his girlfriend Marie. Deep orange is their accent colour so I made these from my stash of fabric sample books. I finished them off with big plastic toggle buttons. No frilly frou frou, shabby chic for this cool young couple!

 

...and here is one I made for my sister in law's new home. One side - the patchwork,  is made from Moda cotton fabric that sisTeeda gave me and the other  is made from handmade silk I got from a book of furnishing fabrics Angie got for me. Fully reversable and finished off with a vintage button closure...clever me!

 

 

Paul is keeping well and is getting ready for his next session of treatment in Sep. I am delighted to have my oldest son, Chris, home for  a while. He will be good company for me when Paul is in hospital (and can't have visitors - as he will be radioactive)

I caught a nice photo of Chris today when he was not expecting it...the best kind I think..."Are you growin' a beard son? ...or just acting the goat?" Love ya'!

 

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! 

 

Updates and Thank You's

Hi all. A quick update on things here...Paul is still in hospital - he's as fit as a fiddle but his calcium levels wont stabilise. He is gagging to get out and walk the dogs and other ordinary things. It really brings it home to you what the simple pleasures of life are when you can't do them.

The poor doggies are stressed - missing him. They sometimes look at me in what I am convinced is a very accusing way - as if to say "WHAT have you done with him? You lost him didn't you? Well go find him please"

Here is Pretty looking adoringly at her beloved... ""I wuf you"

 

...and here she is right now...sulking. ...."and I'm not coming out until you bring him back!"

 

 

 

Get Well Soon Ma!

Also my mam is doing fine after her double operation. She sends her thanks to you all too for your good wishes. She is in the same hospital as Paul and he visits her every day (when he can get off the damn drip for a while) How nice it is when SIL's and MIL's get on so well together. Mam will soon be going to a convalescent home near where we live so visiting will be much easier for all of us. She is amazing to have come through so well for a lady of 80 years young! Well done Ma!

Photo shows her with Teeda, our sister in Canada. Hello Teeda!

I can't say enough how much all your kind wishes have helped us, especially me. to get on with things and not drop too low in spirits. I logged on this morning feeling a bit low and mopey only to find a lovely heartwarming comment on my last post by the lovely blogger. Painting New Memories. I instantly got a lift in spirits! I made a cup of tea and decided to do this post to tell you all what a comfort you have all been. I hope I can do the same for you some day.

Thanks, Merci, Go raibh maith agat, gracias etc.

Cute Dogs and Frogs and Other Pleasures and Treasures

I had my moan yesterday and today I am feeling a bit better so here is a more cheerful post....Featuring some of my most precious loved ones...my three handsome sons

 

A nice happy pic of my firstborn, Chris  - 29 (Will ye' stop showin' yer' belly to the whole blogging world!) Chris is single and straight so I am looking for a nice wife for him ...any suggestions?

No, of course he wont read my blog.

 

My second born, Steve 28- looking a bit serious (for a change)- Ah cheer up Steve... and show us yer' belly! Steve is in a serious relationship with a beautiful girl, Marie, and is my best bet for my becoming a gran...no pressure now!

...and my precious baby -Jamie, 23. Still fond of the oul' teddy bears...and beers too it seems! (Give that up or you'll get a beer/bear/bare belly!) What can I say about my baby? Luv ya' baby!

...and last but not least ....my Flynner, the best man/husband/soulmate/dad/brother-in-law/uncle/dog whisperer/friend/guitarist/musician/singer/songwriter/PC technician/teacher/cook/historian/rocker/my rock and more....

Love da bones of y'all lads! xxxxx Signed Pammy/Mammy Flynn

 

Here is a pic of us on our wedding day...Setting out on a journey and an adventure

 

 

The Voyage

Lyrics by John McDermott

I am a sailor and you're my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
We hauled up our anchor determined not to fail
For the heart's treasure together we set sail
Withnomaps to guide us we steered our own course
We rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
We sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
Working together we learned how to cope

Life is an ocean, love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
Now gathered around us we have our own crew

Together we're in this relationship
We've built it with care to last the whole trip
Our true destination is not marked on any chart
We're navigating for the shores of the heart

Life is an ocean, love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just me and you
Now gathered around us we have our own crew

 

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Meet Freddie

My next door neighbour just got the most adorable dog. Here is a picture of him (Freddie) peeking up at me from the corner where he likes to sit. I had to hang over my wall to get this but I will be getting more of him as he is tooooo cuuuute not to share!

 

Irish Artist...Jean English

My friend, renowned Irish artist Jean English, made this lovely card for Paul. She painted the scene, which is of St Anne's Park, in Raheny where we all walk our dogs. It is a beautiful card Jean, thanks.

 

Speaking of dogs...this is one she did of my three dogs, Chewie, Holly and Prettty...But she also put in our beloved Tiny who had died. Two weeks later we got Pretty and you can see why I could not resist her as she is the living image of Tiny!

 

Here is a close up so you can see for yourself. Clockwise from top: Holly, Chewie, Pretty and Tiny. Aren't they gorgeous? Like a bunch of bold teddybears! It amazes me how she caught each of their looks as really all she has to work with is hair and eyes!

 

And now for the real thing! Top to bottom Chewie, Pretty and Holly. 

And not forgetting (inset) little Tiny cuddling up to her lookalike teddy.

I have more of Jean's fabulous work up at the cottage and I will post up pics here of them for you. So talanted - I'll also put up a link to her website.

 

More cards...this time froggie cards from Angie and Co....Angie....How many frogs have you given Paul so far?  I think Twiggy's little boy can learn counting skills from counting all the frogs in my cottage when they stay there in August! Thanks though - they are all so cute!

 

Now for one of my favourite shabby chic pieces. I have had it quite a while bu never got around to showing it to you. It is a Wade pitcher and is a lovely, faded shabby chic condition.

 

This arrived in the post the other day. I have seen it on other blogs and wanted a copy for myself. I am working on the first and easiest flower and it is really easy! It is a poppy and I will put up a pic as soon as I finish it. Great book. I can recommend it to any knitter or crochet-er

 

Below is a picture of the book with my collection of knitting needles. The blue and white jug I have some of them stored in is an 1847 Charles Meigh minster jug. Nothing but the best for my supplies!

I almost have a full set of needles in all sizes. All sourced at thrift shops and car boot sales. I love to use them thinking of the ladies who used them before me and how much pleasure it would give them to know that they were in daily use. 

The pair I am using for the poppy are worn thin and polished near the tips and are so smooth to use. She must have knit so many lovely things on them. I could almost get a sense of her as I used them.

 

They came in the yellow tube with lots more including a beauftiful pink pair! Here are the photos of them

Look how the tips have been worn down by use. I got lots of her patterns too and some of them dated from the forties!

 

...and the very pretty pink pair. How could you not enjoy using these vintage knitting pins?

 

Last time I went to Enniskillen, over the border in Northern Ireland I picked up this great collection of knitting patterns in a folder- one of the kinds one bought each week and built up. I am actually making the throw shown on the front. So easy and satisfying to do.

 

Also from this great book I will be making this cardigan below...

 

What do you mean????? it's a bit shapless and ugly?

ah yes, but that's 'cos it has no shaping at all at all. Shaping my knitting is what gets me into all kinds of trouble!

 

But look! Just add a gorgeous shaped body (like mine?.... Yes, round is a gorgeous shape) and voila! We have an elegant and easy to knit cardigan. I will be posting my progress as I go.

Almost forgot to show you the inside of the flower book. Gorgeous designs!

 

And to finish...a shot of some of my favourite craft books...well for the moment anyway!

Gardening and Craft (& Paul) News

I'm back at last and have some of my recent crafting projects to share with you. This first one is a WIP and I really must get it finished off as I wanted to use it as a summer handbag and summer is flying by! It is a stocking stitch knitted bag with blossoms all around the top. The flowers are really easy to make - indeed the whole thing is so easy it is a pleasure to work on.

 

Below are the two cushions I made from the Moda, Carrots and Peas fabric Teeda gave me.  I love these muted colours.

 

 

Now for some of my PIPs ( projects in planning stage) This flower is so easy to do too.

 

More of a challange is this lovely piece of embroidery work. I haven't done embroidery for a while, I hope I can remember how to!

 

 

Is there a more beautiful blue than that of the little forget-me-nots? This is a close up of the ones growing in my cottage garden beside the green bench where I like to have a nice cup of tea and admire the view

 

...and here is the said bench with the said forget-me-nots at front of cottage.

 

...and last but not least here is a pic of two of my three "garden inspectors" Chewy inspecting the flower tub and Pretty peeking out the door keeping a close eye on the gardener...Me!

 

Thanks to all of you who have been thinking and praying for Paul. He is fine at the moment and just waiting to hear a date for his next operation at end of July and course of radio therapy after that. We are off to our annual holiday on Friday to enjoy some relaxing time before we have to worry about such things. I think he is looking very well considering all he has been through...here he is...the one and only......Paul Flynn!

Sharing my TITAWICS with you and more good news!

 Good news is Paul is coming home tomorrow! I'll sit him in the corner and throw sugar at him! Happy days!

...now - I bet you are wondering what a TITAWICS is. Nope. Not tellin' you until the end of this post. So you have to read all my boring knitting bits first.

I was given a bunch of 80's knitting patterns this week. I got them from a woman on the Irish freecycle site, see link below.  They sure brought back that decade to me and made me smile...Ahh, the big hairy shoulders era (sorry, I meant the big hair & shoulders era) 

Some of the patterns were so complicated I just culled them and put them back up on the freecycle site www.jumbletown.ie  and I got a taker in two minutes flat!

These are the ones I kept...This one is for an Aran that I can't do so I am giving it to John in work 'cos he can and does and will (yes, you heard me...John. He is a very skilled knitter and makes all his own knitwear)

Hey!  is that straw sticking out from under his arm? Why can't he have hair like the rest of us?

This one below looks easy and I WILL be giving it a go. Batwing sleeves are back (well

they will be when I have made this)

I love the eighties styles in these books. God be with the days when you could tie an 'oul dishrag on yer head and off ye' go looking gorgeous.

The one on the right reminds me of YOU Colleen...OMG! I think is IS YOU COLLEEN! (I am going to go to your blog and rip that pic of you in the 80's to prove my point)

 

                                  Colleen in the Eightes! Main Street Memories Blog - see my sidebar.

Now TITAWICS...are very interesting and you should keep reading to find out just how interesting :-)

 Ha -ha,  you thought you were off the (crochet) hook but no...keep reading my head ramblings first.

This is one I would love to make but don't think I can manage it. Looks so cuddly and gorgeous. Ah well ....one can dream!

...and THIS one is also gorgeous and I would love to cuddle up to this one but I don't think I can manage that either...but ah well..one can dream (and if I could  then he would not need any wooly jumper or scarf to keep him warm..whehey!)

 

Speaking of dreaming brings me neatly to ...TITAWICS = (Things I Think About When I Can't Sleep)

I could not sleep the other night so I came up with a plan for World Peace instead. It is devestatingly simple. That's what a good TITAWICS is and if I ever come up with a better idea than World Peace I will be sure to let you know.

Here is mine......What if all world leaders were women? One good meeting in New York and all would be well. Then it woud be off to the outlets stores to blow the respective national war budgets (which -let's face it - would be better spent on Jimmy Choos and shoes anyway) ...I rest my case.