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 .

Vintage dress restyled

This lovely simple  vintage dress bought in Dublin. A request,from a lady for her second marriage, to change this dress befitting for a bride. The fabric was so beautiful ,delicate,light and simple.
As you can see the neckline was typically vintage, as was the sleeve style.

Adding a satin waistband with a decorative embellishment fitted to the front changed the style greatly,but something was missing!!!!!!!!!!! Yes an underskirt to fill the skirt,now it was complete.

Can't wait to see this lovely lady all dressed up on her wedding day.
It was a pleasure restyling her dress.

Pretty Flower Girl

This lovely "flower girl" dress I restyled to fit pretty Kieri .The bows and headband matched the bridesmaid dresses.Kieri was flower girl to her mam and her brother was pageboy.     What a handsome pair they make!

Easter Chicks Flannel Blanket

This is my newest flannel baby blanket,so pretty in reality trimmed across the top in lemon with a lemon heart sewn under my "Angel" label.
Slightly stronger in colour than the picture shows. Reverse side in white flannel fabric. So soft and cosy for baby.

I love making these baby blankets and  bibs to match.

 I have also decided on making matching baby booties !
What do you think?

This is a commission painting of mine, painted for a very good friend and I have just realised prints of the same have been selling on an Internet site in China in varies sizes.  So much for "copyright" laws,how on earth do you do anything about this scam?
Has this happened to anyone else? I would be delighted to hear feedback of what you can do about it.! And also what on earth do you say to your client?

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.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Well here we are the first day of the new year! just where does time go,one minute you're working hard getting ready for craft fairs ,selling your goods along with sewing for your customers and the next minute it's all over and beginning a new year just to start all over again. Is it just me or does anyone else feel the same?
Not that I'm complaining about having plenty of work! 
This year I found quite a lot more people are buying homemade crafts and asking about the work and style.
Here's hoping we will see more and more talented crafter's emerging and quality work sold .
Regards

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.

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.

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.

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!!!!!

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!

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.