Long time, I know!

Hi Everyone, yes its way too long since I've posted and have neglected my blog I know!

A lot has happened over the last couple of years, most significant of which is a return to the UK to be closer to family and for a variety of other reasons. Selling and moving away from a home in the countryside we loved so much was indeed hard (and maybe I'm still on the way to accepting that!)

A sad day I never want to experience again :(. I miss a lot of special people I met in Ireland, you know who you are, and I will be back to visit.

I am happy to say that a little earlier than expected, we purchased our new home here in December 2017 and have now both secured permanent employment (back 9 - 5 monday to friday so routine is back and I'm loving that!!). I'm grateful for a room to have my craft stuff and it even overlooks a small field and is next to the local country park so we've heard geese over the last few days on account of the reservoir in the country park.  We're on the edge of a small town so not in a very busy place. It helps that my better half has a golf course next door too, that was a bonus :)

Nevertheless, I promised myself to continue to craft and take advantage of the increased number of craft suppliers over here (did you hear my bank account just groan!?).

I've hit a little hitch though, probably down to the last very manual job I did before my return to UK, my slight carpal symptoms have moved onto severe symptoms :(. So, the pre-surgery specialist appointment is due in around a month's time and  in around 2 - 3 months I will be in a lot better position without a dead hand!  Anti inflammatories, splints and anything else including frozen heat wraps, I'll try it all as the current sleep deprivation from tingling and numbness is not nice.

So sadly crafting is very limited, but for one who cant sit still, I took to knitting and crochet again and hauled out my old supplies.  Helped along by a work friend who I've hooked up with from years ago, Cheryl thanks for all your encouragement, I've missed you these last few years.

One of the things I was hoping to do on my return, was to visit TOFT which is around 20 mins from where I live, appreciate being that lucky!

I had a ball!  We even took a day off on a Thursday and went on the free farm tour to meet the alpacas, they are skittish animals and about the size of large sheep. I understand that some people keep them as pets too!  I am totally hooked by amigurumi, having only made granny row and granny square blankets in the past. Mom taught me to crochet and I could never read a pattern, it looked like greek when I attempted to decipher crochet instructions but now I'm on my way to understanding them finally. It's like the old lightlbulb cliche.....👀👀

Anyway here are some photos from the farm tour and the amigurumi basics workshop.

Cutie alpacas...

and this dark one was the shyest and my favourite 💗💗💗

Basics workshop was all about learning the stitches and to increase / basic shape. This would enable a beginner to finish the piglet.. here is the demo animal

ooh nice hand dyed yarn in the background.

So I have decided to make a beanie type animal in the form of Emma the bunny from the Edwards Menagerie book, and this is the start. from one who has knitted bears and other animals, these are so quick and gratifying to make..

I purchased plastic pellets from ebay as the beanie material and sewed a pyramid shape with polycotton fabric sourced from the works (mental note - they have some fab label dies i must go and review LOL!)

So after adding some polyester stuffing in the bottom and sides of the bunny body, I've now added my pyramid weight and the rest is WIP (work in progress).

I hope to bring an update after the current baby blanket project has been completed (deadline looming!)

So that's it for now. For those frequent blog readers in the past, I will be back with papercraft and some new things, and it would be great to hear what you've all been up to, so feel free to add a comment or two!

Here's hoping the cold weather departs soon and we see some more spring days. 🌷

A framed Thank You Piece

OK, so you might remember this thank you card a did a while back.. Well I was asked to make a matching framed thank you gift from the star wording which appears on the card.  Had fantastic fun with this one, the first of many I hope to make :)

and so the card and gift were given to the recipient at the same time..

. Well it's really difficult to photography something with glass in or on it, and I need more practice I think - sorry for the lack of and poor photos on this one but thought you crafty people would want to see the project - used Tagxedo and Tagul and Lifestyle crafts star dies

Workshop Previews and cupcake things..

Hello from a bright sunny day on my little patch of the planet.  Have been working a good bit over the last week, but now I am off for a few days and can spend some time in the craft room, garden and going for a long walk :) Bliss.........

Am popping by to put up some previews of what I will be making in my next workshop in Enniscorthy on May 3rd (I plan to repeat this workshop in Newtownmountkennedy on 17th May, provided there is enough interest), so if you would like to attend the 17th May workshop in North Wicklow, please contact me at creationsbyjess@eircom.net or on 087 274 9929.

For those of you who attended the Kilkenny date last week, thanks for your feedback and glad you enjoyed the day. Die cutting and preparing all the kits is always a lot of work, so the feedback I get is much appreciated. Here is one message which blew me away - thanks Kay :)
Had an absolutely fab day with Jessica Meyer in Kilkenny yesterday. Got lots of new techniques, made fabulous flowers and just beautiful cards. She is so gentle and looked after everyone. The day flew by.

First up is a christening card for boy or girl, the girl one is shown here:

..and some previews of the other cards are below - die cutting, embossing and use of patterned papers is still very popular, so I used these a lot this month, along with a little colouring and some stamping :)

boxed wedding card:

Boxed centre step card:

Quirky cute ducky birthday card:

Men's seaside theme card - fathers day, birhday etc or this could be sent to a lady too!

Very colourful this month.. it must be spring LOL!!

Onto other things, I have been busy making cupcake toppers/picks. Here is a photo of some recent ones for a local wedding.

Have a Blessed Easter everyone, and here's wishing the great weather continues.

Happy Crafting!