Recycling !

I hate to see old furniture go to waste, and I quite regularly get offered household items to re-use and re-cycle, and if I cannot make something 'new'again due to time (because I have alot of projects always on the go!) then I hand them out to my like minded friends!  I love to see something transformed like a chair, or just a simple jam jar made into a lantern with a bit of decoration and a tea light.  Adding a bit of wire to the jam jar and making it into a lantern.  Simple but effective idea.  

I am thinking that I may try candle making and make use of some of the empty jam jars I have using them in a different way.  I have also discovered posca pens and I think these will be ideal for decorating the jars or personalising them.  So when I next have spare time I will give it a try see how it works.  

Have had a busy day today as always, seem to have had one of those days where I get sales calls as they don't leave their number, I appreciate they have a job to do but haven't time to take a sales call or do a 'survey'.  I have helped in the past with surveys but I really want to dedicate my time to my work, my home and my sewing, so apologies this week for those sales people! 

Time to send out an SOS for empty jars from my customers and see if I have any old ones lurking in  the back of the cupboard!  Have a good week everyone from Ballybara. x 

Blarney Stone.........

Yesterday was a lovely day, my husband took me too

Blarney Castle (as he knows I want to kiss the stone!).  We were lucky it was a lovely sunny day and we took loads of photos. There are lovely walks and gardens there too, and I was mesmerized by the place.  You have to be fit though to make it up the 100 narrow, slippery spiral steps to the top..... however, once you are there, it's worth it.  The views are spectacular and the rooms (well, old empty stone rooms) transport you back to another time.  You just can't imagine them cooking in such a small space with a stone fire only to cook with. I was brave and did kiss the Blarney stone, you have to lie back and do it and it feels like you are falling off the wall downwards, very scary not for the faint hearted! But even if you cannot get up to the top it is worth a visit. 13 euros per adult and worth every cent! Truly magical day for us! Have a good week everyone! xx

Fancy a go! 

Sew and snow.

Well, we haven't had any snow here for a couple of weeks but I see on the news that Boston have had incredible snow falls, can't believe the photos of it.

The wind here is very icy as we live right by the sea, but it's beautiful and refreshing for walks and plenty of people run and walk their dogs here and bring their children to the beach.

Have ruined my manicure I had done the other week, was trying to make it last as long as possible but what with cleaning (although I wear gloves for it as I'm a bit OCD!) they are finally on their way out.  Guess I will have to do my own tomorrow!

In my spare time I try to do some knitting too as well as sewing for other people; this wool is lovely and great for knitting scarves (as I'm not too good as jumpers!) It knits up beautifully big on large wooden needles (I feel another trip to the wool shop in Cork coming on!).  There is a wool shop in town here but she's only open 3 afternoons a week sadly, and you can bet your life I'm always at work when she is open! But in her window she has some lovely children's knitted cardigan's, not that I have any need for them but I do envy people who can knit things other than squares and oblongs!
Have a crafty weekend! Ballybara x

Little sew and snow!

Well, how exciting we had snow here where we live,  my husband and I were just walking down to the local shop, and I said 'Look at that.  It's snowing!'.  We took a few photos but it was dark and by afternoon all the snow had gone sadly, but we did manage to make a big snowball and it's still in the freezer!

Clancys - our local next door where we have coffee 

This view from the top of Youghal


Is nice to get outdoors for a bit though and breathe in the cold fresh air !

After cleaning in the day I have the joy of varied sewing projects I've been asked to do and I hope to make a few of my own makes too, I have been searching patterns from old magazines of projects to try, so fingers crossed I find time to start maybe a skirt or a top!

Have a good day x

Nails and the Church!

Well, the New Year has started now and Saturday I had a girly pamper night, which was lots of fun (nice to have a bit of pamper time after working!)  I cooked some fairy cakes which went down well and the most popular thing to do was manicures.  We had great fun searching through all the bling and jewels to add to our nails!   I must teach myself  to do this as they are so cute some of the little stickers and gems.

Best of all we raised some money for the Collegiate Church of St Marys here in Youghal, so thank you ladies for your support and effort.  Very good nite enjoyed by all!  The Church has been featured in the news and one of our friends is the helping with the archaeology, I love hearing about his painstaking work!  Wouldn't be good for my nails mind now! but very exciting to have the film crews here in Youghal when the vault was discovered before christmas.

Here is John at work in the vault!

Well, happy 2015, happy sewing, happy cleaning..... from Ballybara xx

New Year, New You

Well, 2014 is nearly coming to an end and the start of a New Year will soon be upon us!  Just a couple more days of work then can relax for New Years Eve.

Have been telling my lady friends (sorry guys!) about my Pamper Evening on Sat 3rd Jan at 7pm, and am looking forward to that!  Have been growing my nails so I can have a manicure and polish done.  I have bought my own red nail varnish (I like the Rimmel Glitter Bomb varnish but it's hard to remove, so I think I will just stick with red!).   Will have to wear my marigolds for work so I don't ruin them!

Well, quick update for now, maybe next year I will join them running into the sea along the Strand here at Youghal, but for now am keeping warm!

Love this cushion stitchers! x 

Make mine a mince pie!

Well, yesterday was baking day.  Baked mince pies and tarts, and they all came out wonderful and tasty!  Had a relaxing Sunday at home, as knew today was going to be hectic, and this week with everyone getting ready for christmas.  Was also nice to get out for a walk along the beach and get some fresh air.  Someone told me the nights are getting lighter, I kind of disagreed  lol!  I wake up and it's dark and it gets dark about 4.30pm which is still early!  It's nice in the evening though to put on the candles and have a cup of tea (with a mince pie now of course!)  I don't mind winter, the smell of cinnamon and spicy apple in the home, making orange decorations with cloves (the smells that remind you of a home), sitting sewing in the cosy warm, or reading a magazine or book when I have 'me' time.  Have some sewing projects to finish this week for a couple of customers, and cleaning duties to do then I will have two days off.  Most shops are shut here on the 25th in Ireland, but some are open on Boxing Day, so if I run out of whipping cream it's fine.......... cause I'm adding loads to my mince pies!!!