Happy St.Patrick's Day

I've been thinking about my St. Patrick's Day post and wondering what it should be about.

I've considered crocheting shamrocks and making cupcakes with super green frosting.

Instead I've decided to show what we usually get up to on St. Patrick's day. The children and I usually go to watch their Dad and his friends at work.

My last post gave a little glimpse into my working world and how I earn my bread and butter.

I thought it might be fun to show you not only how we spend St. Patrick's Day but how the man in my life earns a crust.

What makes a good match for a Midwife ?

Here's a clue ....

Of course, a Circus Performer and Tutor !

Most years that I can remember we have travelled on the 17th of March t0 Downpatrick (burial place of St Patrick), and join in the Festival and watch the juggling, unicycling, fire eating and rolla bolla- ing and stilt walking. The children love to watch their Dad perform and have picked up a few skills themselves.

Various entertainers and Circus acts perform at different locations around the town. The children who have been tutored in Circus Skills Workshops through out the year take part in the parade.

Hope you enjoy the story of St. Patrick as told by a little girl and animated by Brown Bag Films.

My Bread and Butter

I don't often talk about my day to day job on my blog. This is mainly due to the confidential nature of Midwifery.

Some days my job is busy and there can be stressful times.

However the good days far out weigh the sad and difficult days.

I can honestly say that I Love my job.

I thought I'd share this amazing animation called "Mother of many" by Emma Lazenby to let you see what I do on a day to day basis.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I especially love how the midwife appears to draw the outline of the baby when she is palpating the mothers abdomen. I have always imagined that this is what I am doing when I am trying to find the position of a yet unborn baby.

The little sigh that the midwife gives at the end is just perfect.

I'm smiling just thinking about it.

You can find the complete animation here.

Doll quilt taster

This year I've been lucky enough to get involved with Doll Quilt Swap 8.

It's a project that I have watched from afar for the past few years and I have finally gathered the courage to join in.

You can read about past Doll Quilt swaps here and enjoy viewing the beautiful quilts that have been made in previous swaps here.

As hoped for I have an International swap partner and have been secretly checking out her likes and dislikes on her Blog and Flickr account. All in the hope that I will make a Doll Quilt that I hope she will love.

Well the postage date is nearly here.

I've doodled my design and collected my fabrics, cut and appliquéd, stitched and embroidered and created a quilt.

But I have a confession.

I am Terrified ! with a capital T.

What if the quilt doesn't get there on time ?

What if it is lost or damaged in the post ?

Worst of all what if my swap partner is disappointed with the quilt she receives?

I'm wondering if any of the other swapee's are this nervous ?

The flip side however is the excitement of receiving an original handmade doll quilt.

Just imagine a handmade quilt from one of the amazingly talented quilters involved. If you've followed the links to the Flickr group you'll understand just how wonderful these doll quilts are.

I have a little finishing up to do and my handmade quilt label to finish and then my quilt will be winging its way from Ireland to another continent.

I hope to post a pic of my finished quilt soon, but not before my partner has received it. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.

Stupid Cupid

Could there be anything that says "I Love You" more than a heart shaped fried egg ?

Happy Valentines day

Weaving in the ends........

This is a sneak peek of the reverse side of a project that has been a long time in the making. But I can finally say that it will be finished and soon.

I have loved every part of making this throw. It is a project that evolved rather than one that was planned with any great care. I've never been one for sticking to the rules anyway.

Hopefully I'll be able to post a pic of the completed "Scattered Flower Throw" with more detail about how it was put together in the next week or so.

Before then I have just a few (hundred!) ends to weave in and some embellishment to finish on the edges.

(note to self- Learn to crochet in the ends as you go along!)

Tiny toes and Legendary throws

It's hard to believe that we moved to our new house in August and here we are in February and this is only my second blog post since the move !

Our new Home has take up most of our time. There has been a lot of renovating and sorting out needed and Thankfully we are nearing the end of phaze 1 of our building work.
Although we are still limited to a few rooms we thought it was time that we had some visitors.

For the past week we have been delighted to share our house with my husbands twin brother his gorgeous wife, our three little niece's and our one and only nephew.

They travelled from Wales by ferry and arrived on St. Brigid's day. Hannah brought me a beautiful hand woven St. Brigid's cross. Made from reeds. These crosses are traditionally woven each year on the 1st of February, ( the beginning of Spring) and are said to protect a house from fire. The cross made the previous year is either stored in the roof or burned. They resemble corn dollies. If you would like to make one there is a tutorial here.

I've always had a fascination for the Legend of Brigid. Both the Celtic and Christain and how the two have been combined over the years. Brigid has always been associated with the cleverness and strength of women, Patron Saint of Midwives, babies and Crafters.

The story of Brigid's Cloak is by far my favourite. You can read it here.
I've had it in my mind that this tale would lend itself to a beautiful painting or illustration, perhaps even some type of applique. When googling I found this print by Barrie Maguire, the other paintings in this Irish Quilt Series are amazing.

You can read Barries Blog here. While you are there take a look at his Irish Quilt Kit.

Coraline pumpkin

Happy Celtic New Year.
We are having a Coraline theme to our Halloween party this year.
I've just finished this pumpkin. I'm hoping to do another one as it needs a few adjustments here and there but thought I would post this one anyway.
More photos later.