Simple Change to Sleeves

Making a simple change to this dress. Cut the sleeves to elbow length and then gather the fabric at the centre sides of each sleeve,  sew a couple of nice buttons on and now you have changed the whole look of your dress (for the better)

Fair in lucan

The last weekend in April was a busy one for me.I was exhibiting some of my crafts at "Art Attacks" in Balgaddy ,Lucan. An Art and Crafts fair helping to support the local senior school.Altogether about 45 artists and crafters were there and what a great bunch they were !So enjoyable and helpful and of course I spent most of my earnings on lovely goodies for my home.Don't you think it's great to treat yourself once in a while from your own earnings ?
A little taster of my crafts.

Two of my Quilts along with my Baby Flannel Blankets and of course my lovely booties.

Although not too much footfall those who were there bought quite a few paintings and crafts. Most enjoyable.

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

From Fabric to Apron

This was a piece of fabric I bought  last November, "Skulls and Roses" I call it. And I love it!  Every time I looked at it I kept wondering just what to make so as you can see it's now a lovely apron. Trimmed in red cotton with pocket and frill around the bottom. I guess you certainly would be noticed cooking in the kitchen with this apron!!!!!!!!

Take a look at it on my facebook page

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

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTE1Nzg0MXwyNTI0MjU4MjEz/spring-in-the-country

This is my painting of Country Cottage that was listed in the Etsy treasury above if you would like to view
Thanks Ale for including it .

Keeping in touch!

Hi all, I seem to be getting very lazy posting on my blog. I worked so hard coming up to Christmas with alterations and crafts,selling at markets etc. Maybe I needed the break! But I have been busy in my workshop lots of alterations including altering a lovely vintage wedding dress and also (for a different customer) a pretty flower girls dress. Obviously I cannot show you the photos yet but I will in the coming weeks! By the way I would love to see some of your work!
Bye for now.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 !

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!

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!

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!

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.

A Thought at Christmas

"Never a christmas morn
Never an old year ends
But some one thinks of some one
Old days; old times; old friends."

A friend sent me this short poem and I would like to share it with you.

Snow Snow Snow

Two Starlings fighting ,brilliant photo!

Yes it's still snowing in Ireland.At this present moment it's 10"deep in my garden, (Kildare) looks beautiful but getting to be a bit too much now.

What do you think of this lovely photo, taken in West Cork by whom I don't know. Sooooooo! beautiful.

Guess Its going to be a "WhiteChristmas"

Best wishes to all

Early Snow in Ireland

This is what my front garden looked like all this week,beautiful but hazardous. I couldn't even get my car out of the drive.

Snow came very early this year in Ireland,usually bad weather of snow and ice comes in either January or February.

So I decided to put my Christmas decorations up to keep me busy.

This is my lovely fireplace in my sitting room,all decorated in red and gold, with gold angel lights,red bells and candles etc.

In reality it is much nicer than the photo.

I also decorated my tree, so cosy now to relax in this room with a nice glass of red wine while watching tele!

Tomorrow I'm back to work on lots of alterations and also getting ready for another craft show this week,weather permitting.

Busy Sewing Week !

Yes another busy week for Alterations in my workshop. As it's coming into the Christmas season and people are buying some new clothes for parties,etc. I have been really kept going doing alterations. Shortening hems on dresses ,skirts and trousers also jacket sleeves are never the right length.

I also decided to make some lovely pin cushions from remnants of velvet I had left over from making my velvet scarves.

As you can see I embossed them in the "rose" design and they are so handy when working.

I sold some at a craft fair last week in Dublin along with my scarves and bags.

My next fair is 5th December and I'm really looking forward to it. I love meeting new crafters and making new friends .

This time I must remember to take some photos and post them on my blog,so till then ,bye