Happy Christmas Everyone !

Tomorrow Thursday 22nd December is my last working day before the Christmas holidays.
I would like to thank all my blog followers and of course my clients and also my crafter friends for making the year so enjoyable and very interesting. I love reading your blogs and seeing all the wonderful crafts made.
So wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

Castletown House Christmas Fair

Castletown House Christmas Fair.

A really great day ,as you can see my stands are low in stock and by the end of day I was all sold out !

By the way this is my friend (with the hat) She helps me out from time to time.

No more craft fairs this year as I have lots of alterations to finish in my workshop.

Lengthen a Dress

Quick and easy way to add length to a dress. As seen in picture 1., sew your strip of lace about one half ins.seam to the hem of the dress

This is what it looks like from the front of dress

Now add some ribbon over the joined seam

This is the ribbon stitched to the seam

All finished and ready to wear,this can be done on most dresses, just remember use a fabric that suits the fabric in your dress! 

My Market Stand

Yes,this is me at the first of my Christmas Craft Fairs this season. In Killester, north Dublin,a really great fair. Lots of lovely people and crafters. Sold out most of my baby blankets and velvet scarves. I'm now busy sewing more crafts for the coming craft fairs this weekend.

My latests Craft

Thought you would like to view some of my baby flannel blankets,so soft and cosy,

Ideal gift for baby or toddler.  



http://www.facebook.com/valeries.crafts

Thanks for looking.

Workshop orders ready to go.

I know I've been neglecting my blog lately, my alteration business has taken up all my time. I really don't mean to complain but I was asked to make some unusual items for customers ,ie, a fabric cover for a water cooler, a fabric cover for a very large wine rack, 37ins wide and 70ins tall (imagine all the wine that holds ).
 I was delighted to receive compliments on both of these finished designs.

I have just finished these covers for a wicker 3 piece suite of furniture .Ready and waiting for the customer to collect!

Back now to my crafts ,hoping to be ready for my first craft fair this season next weekend in Killester north Dublin.

By for now.

Can't Believe It !

What a lovely surprise to receive this beautiful silver necklace from Jess of Epheriell Designs.I won her giveaway piece,all the way from Australia.

Thanks Jess,check out her site, http://www.epheriell.com/.

Calories

Just had to share this with you all. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Transforming a Jacket

This is a photo of a waistcoat  that was a ladies jacket not so long ago! Unfortunately I forgot to photograph the jacket before the alteration began,but never mind the end result was good !
Firstly I removed the sleeves ,then the neckline was changed to a "v" style and lastly the side seams wear taken in to give the jacket shape. The owner of this waistcoat was very pleased with the result . I hope this will help to give some of you budding dressmakers a few ideas of your own, regards.

Castletown House Celbridge

Hi all,just to let you know of another great food and craft market is taking place in the grounds of Castletown Houst ,Celbridge, Co.Kildare next Sunday 18th September from 10am-5pm. Such a beautiful and historic house to visit also. Plenty of craft stalls including mine, I will be showing my interpretation of Yeats poem "Tread Softly" on my embossed velvet scarf amongst other items. If you can make it please stop by and say hello!

Back working again.

Just back from my holidays in Spain,what a great time I had,obviously I needed the long awaited break.But I'm finding it difficult to get back working again.Had lots of "Debs" dresses to alter,and also childrens uniforms.Where has the (so called) Summer gone.
Lots of orders for my flannel Baby Blankets. 

This is one of many fabrics they come in and are all backet in lovely soft flannel.
Check them out on my facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/Valeries.Crafts

I still cannot see my" followers" on my page and it's really annoying if anyone can help me with this ,love to hear from you.

Back at last

At last I can log into my blog again and reply to comments also,thanks to "Patricias fabric art"and her advice!Take a look at her blog,it's really good.
Once again the markets are in full swing,ie, Castletown House in Celbridge Co.Kildare,also Buttons and Bows in Crumlin,Dublin, which are both on this weekend Sunday 21st.August.
I love this time of year,in regards to crafts,it's the beginning of thinking of the "holiday" or "Christmas" season as we know it in Ireland. What fabrics are we going to use or trying out new ideas to make an impacted.Yes,everyone wants to be different in their own way! That's what makes it great !
Regards

Need your Help!

Can anyone tell me why my list of "Followers" have disappeared from my page and I cannot answer any of my "comments" on my page also I cannot stay signed in. This error was supposed to be fixed in May by Blogger but no joy !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Celbridge Market

I'm all ready for the food and craft market in Castletown House in Celbridge tomorrow Sunday 17th July,but it looks like the weather is against us,rain,rain and more rain is forecast.This is my first time to attend this market and was really looking forward to it so here's hoping! As the song goes "my bags are packed and I'm readt to go".
I have changed direction in my crafts and am now making some lovely Flannel Baby Blankets (if I may say so myself),hope I get a good reaction for them at the market,that's if anyone shows up!!!!!

Tutorial

I saw this Tutorials and thought you might like to give it a try. Great for a night out or even to the beach. Love your comments.



Note: This type of design works best with chiffon, jersey, or material that drapes well.

And also you need to know a little about sewing.


1. The length and width depend on you. Fold it in half and find the center.


2. The neckline measurements I gave are a good basic guideline but there are so many different variations you can try. Usually the front has a style variation but the back should be just an inch deep, if you want it to sit behind your neck.

3. This one is more similar to the picture.
4. If you want your arms to have more stability this design is more appropriate.
5. This is another variation that a friend of mine saw in BCBG.





Busy Sewing

All this week I have so busy sewing not only for my alteration business but making some new crafts.
Yes! my first craft fair in quite a long time is happening this coming Sunday 3rd July in Dublin,so wish me luck.
I have made some new Satchel Bags and lovely Baby flannel blankets, a first for me,  and I'm really pleased how they look and are so soft, I'll post some photos of them next time. I must say I'm really looking forward to the fair,I love meeting new people and having a "chat".
Bye for now

Sewing for myself .

Back to sewing for myself this week. Having bought a lovely pair of white ,summer cotton trousers, about 2yrs ago in Ibiza ,Spain, while on holiday. I never wore them because they needed lining as they were a bit "see through",if you know what I mean, and of course my own clothes are always the last to be mended or repaired.

Last week as I was clearing out my wardrobe to give to the local charity shop, I came across an old pair of trousers which were lined in white.How lucky was that ,I changed  the lining from one pair of trousers to the other pair. Job done !

Acrylic paintings

Imagine my surprise when another of my paintings were sold this week,Tuscany Hills, sold to a lady for a wedding gift to her niece.

Must get painting again as my stock is running low.



April Showers

This is a painting of mine called "April Showers" I sold at an exhibition last week,I must say I was sad to see it go as it was one of my favourites,but the good part  is this lady  had previously bought one from me last year.

Nice to know two of my paintings are hanging in her home

New Cushion Covers

"Taupe Grey " is the colour I choose to describe these lovely covers. A pair of large 18x18ins covers and small one  18x8ins .

This is the only crafts I have had time to make since I posted in April,the reason being

LOTS & LOTS of alterations in my workshop.

People are starting to have their clothes altered and repaired for holidays.

I have lots of beautiful fabric just waiting for me to get started.

Don't forget to gheck out my facebook page and love to hear your comments!

Happy Easter Everyone

Happy Easter to all!

Lets hope the weather is good with plenty of sunshine.

Is'nt this a lovely basket full of "Love Hearts"

I will be using this basket to display my hearts at Craft Fairs,lots of lovely colours.

I'm off to Killarney for the weekend I'll take a few photos while there and post them on my return,

Bye for now!

Sketching and Drawing

I have just finished my 9 week course of evening classes in Sketching and Drawing, thoroughly enjoyable. I cannot wait for the second course in September.

This is a pen and ink drawing I finished last Monday,I call it The Vicarage.

It took me quite a long time to draw as it has a lot of detail.

Restyle a Dress

This is a very easy way to restyle a dress.

A client of mine wanted to add interest and also length to a dress she had bought a few months ago and never worn.

I suggest adding a band of fabric to the skirt of the dress in a different shade.

Don't you think this is lovely?

My client was so pleased with it.

It was like a new dress.

Just thing I would like to say make sure the front and back band is matching.

If you need any help on your sewing projects just ask.

Bye for now

Hemming a pair of Jeans

As I was taking up the hem on a pair of jeans I thought you might like to know a tip I was given many years ago. Trim the inside tip of the seam seen in the photo

Next using a small hammer hit the thick part of the seam,

this makes it easier to sew over the seam

No trouble now for the "foot" of your machine !

This is the hammer I use ,so light and handy.

Hope this has helped you

.

Pen and Ink drawing

At the moment I am attending drawing and sketching classes ,thought you might like to see my first sketch.

This is The Wonderful barn in Leixlip,Co.Kildare.

In Pen and Ink with a watercolour wash .

Built in 1743 as a grain store.

70ft high encircled by a staircase with a crows nest viewing gallery on top. Can be seen as you travel along the M4 motorway heading into Dublin.a truly great site to see.

I really enjoy these classes and just another three classes to go.

If anyone else does pen and ink I would love some tips!

St.Patrick's Day

As St.Patrick's Day is nearly here I thought you might like to see my contribution to the "green".This is a lovely green velvet bag hand embossed with the Celtic Knot design. Ideal for jewellery,mobile,gift etc.

Another one of my projects is this pin cushion made in the same colour and design.

Love working with this velvet although it can be a struggle sometimes as it's inclined to slip.

Have lots of different colours ,Burgandy,Blue,Green,Chocolate Brown,and Purple.

I'll be making some cushion covers soon and I'll post them here.Bye for now.

Sewing tips

Just a couple more sewing tips I thought might be of some use to you.

I have had a number of people asking me to explain the measurements on the "inch" tape, so I hope this will help.

Another tip is for when your buying fabric or a dress,etc. scrunch it in your hands and if it falls back and holds its shape,great! but if it holds the wrinkles,by all means buy it if you like ,but just remember it might need a lot of ironing!

First weave

I just had to show you this piece of weave my granddaughter of 10yrs did in school
this week.It's her first piece and she is thrilled.

She also loves to paint and she plays the "tin whistle".

It's great to see schools are teaching crafts to children and keeping up tradition.

January 2011

I know I'm very late posting since December but I've been busy working (lucky me)

My alteration business is busy and my "Shopping" bags or as their known in America as "Totes"are very popular,not only for shopping but they can be used for carrying baby clothes(nappies,wipes,etc)

My granddaughters love them to carry their accessories for dance class and also gym class.

The fabric is strong cotton,lined with cotton with large inside pocket and matching purse.

Hope you like them,if you need more information just email or leave a comment.