Happy New Year

May all your dreams be realised in 2011

Big hugs from all five generations of our family.

Baby Isla, Mummy Mel, Granny Margie, Great Great Great Aunt Bridie, Great Grandad Joe

Congratulations

A few months ago Leiny graduated with a first class degree in Visual Art Practice.



Duane also graduated on the same day, you can see his work here, a double celebration for two amazing people who are wonderful artists. During the summer they both had an exhibition of their work "Space in Converse" as part of the Eigse Festival in Carlow. You can see the photos and read about it here on a post I put on this blog earlier this year.



Leiny has accepted a place at a University in England to do a Masters in Printmaking starting in two weeks. I could not be more proud of her.

Big hugs,

Margie

Cupcake Christmas

I am so lucky to have Leiny home at Chez Margie for the Christmas holidays. I am enjoying every moment with her and also enjoying the wonderful baking she does.



Vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting.....yum, yum.



Finished perfectly with sugary sprinkles. What a treat.


Big hugs,

Margie

Christmas Evening

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas....and a glass of prosecco!

Hugs,

Margie

Christmas Morning

This is the scene we woke to this Christmas morning. I hope that wherever you are in the world you are having a great time.

Big hugs,

Margie

Merry Christmas one and all

It is -12 C outside, looking out the window I see six inches of snow on the ground, but inside the tree has been trimmed, the lanterns and candles all lit, the cookies and cakes baked,



the garlands in place, the fairy lights twinkling and the fires blazing, the stockings hung,



Mr and Mrs Santa suits drycleaned and pressed.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas,

Big hugs,

Margie

Sinterklaas

Mel, Chris and Baby Isla arrived just in time for Sinterklaas, he knew they would be staying over with us here in frozen Ireland.



This is one of the handmade gifts he left for Baby Isla



He left these handmade hearts for Mel and Chris



Even the little birds got something nice to eat from him


He was very good to everyone, leaving chocolate, cookies, satsumas, and books for all the family

Dank U Sinterklaasje

Was the Sint good to you and yours?


Big hugs,

Margie

Even more Snow

It has been snowing and freezing at Chez Margie and all across Eastern Ireland since last saturday. We never get snow like this here in Ireland, it usually lasts a day or so. I braved it to work the last two days, but today I am happy to be home with Mr. Margie and Leiny.


Leiny took the dogs out for a walk, they look so sleek against the snow. The countryside looks like a picture postcard.


Mr. Margie, made hot lard feed for the chickens and the birds in the garden. We have about 6-8 inches of snow.



Leiny was going to make a snowman but the snow would not make a good firm shape.



We are so lucky to have the Landys. Mr. Margie has been helping the neighbours and is going up to Wolfhill to take my parents to the shops.

Leiny and I are going to spend some time crafting in the studio. Click here to see the crafting.
What are you doing today?


Big hugs,

Margie

Snow

We woke up to a winter wonderland at Chez Margie this morning. I love my Land Rover Defender 90, and when it snows I know that I can still drive where I have to.

A snow shovel (and a picnic hamper with a flask, torch, sandwiches, and a rug) and I am ready to take the Landy out and about.

More snow photos on Margie's Crafts The Vintage Store and Christmas Time Magic

Big hugs,

Margie

Anya Hindmarch Kildare Village

Most of you know by now that my favourite bags are from designer Anya Hindmarch, and I am so lucky to live close to Kildare Village Oultet stores. Today I was invited to the Anya Hindmarch luxury shopping event at the Village. The Village was also hosting a film shoot by Xpose (it will be aired on Ireland's TV3 tomorrow at 6pm) and Michelle, the Marketing Manager at Kildare Village was on hand to ensure the shoot went well.



On arrival at my favourite shop, I met with Guiseppe and Pippy, and we were taken care of by the ever attentive and friendly staff.


The shop has been relocated and the new space provides a splendid space for the display of gorgeous bags. Beautiful flower arrangements and posies were placed on the display cabinets and dotted about the glass table tops.

Champagne, tea cakes and chocolate provided the visitors with some TLC, a great chance to forget about the economic and political upheaval here at the moment (and did I mention how friendly and attentive the staff were?)

Visit Christmas Time Magic to see more of my photos from the village.
Big Hugs,

Margie

Visitors

This weekend, we had a visitor (who looks really like our cat Felka who died in August 2009), he was very friendly and made himself at home.


He even made friends with our other visitor Muzzy (my niece, Muireann) who came over for a spot of crafting. You can see her beautiful work over on Margie's Crafts The Vintage Store.

Big hugs,


Margie

Garden Arbor

Watch out on Kirstie's Homemade Home this week (tuesday night at 8pm on 4Homes, Channel 4) you will see an arbor similar to the one Mr. Margie hand made for our on line store Margie's Workshop, they can be made to order, in whatever size, design and colour your prefer.


You can see the results of the Doll making at Margie's Crafts The Vintage Store blog. Workshop vouchers will be available next week and make great Christmas gifts.

Big hugs,

Margie

Kitchen makeover

The kitchen needed a new coat of paint. It has been six years since it was painted. Mr. Margie did the whole room in a few hours last weekend. Leiny put some cloves in oranges yesterday in beautiful patterns and they have given the room a lovely scent.


The dresser too got a new coat of paint, Dulux Dragonfly quick dry makes a great background for the black wire tray and accessories. The red and white cups, plates and bowls are from Dunnes stores.
With the winter evenings closing in earlier each day, candle light brightens up the room.


So the kitchen is bright and fresh all ready for Christmas and the long doll has a new place to sit on the sofa.

There are some Christmas ideas over Christmas Time Magic, my Christmas blog.

The latest news on Margies Crafts workshops and Knitting Club can be found at Margie's Crafts The Vintage Store blog

Spring workshop dates and new range of items coming soon to Margie's Crafts website (vouchers for workshops make ideal Christmas gifts)


Big hugs,

Margie

Winter warming

Winter is here, freezing nights and cool days. Nothing for it but put the feet up in front of the stove with a glass of mulled wine (for those who abstain there are some alcohol free bottles in the cupboard) and some speculoos. Lovely way to end a busy day. How do you like to relax after a chilly busy day?

Big hugs,

Margie

Turville

I recently revisited the village of Turville, in the Chiltern hills in Buckinghamshire, a few miles from where Mel lives, with Mel, Isla and my Dad.

The village is infamous for a number of TV shows that were filmed there. The Vicar of Dibley, Midsomer Murders and some of you may recoginise the windmill in the right corner of the photo, from the classic childrens favourite, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.



We visited the church and were delighted to find a cosy warm interior after the chilly wind outside. This stained glass inside, affords views out over the village, through its traditonal leaded glass. It reminded me of one of the episodes of the Vicar of Dibley where there is huge discussion over a stained glass window and its depiciton.



There is no such confusion in relation to this window as it depicts the church's name, St. Mary the Virgin.

We strolled around the village admiring the landmarks and mingling with some tourists and hill walkers before retiring to The Bull and Butcher pub. It is the ideal place to drop in to on an Autumn afternoon, to warm by the fire, and have a hot chocolate, pot of tea, or a stronger drink, after a stroll through the town or over the hills.

The baketmaking sessions were on this weekend, you can read all about them over at Margie's Crafts The Vintage Store.

Big hugs,

Margie

Happy Halloween

Leiny and I were in the studio today knitting and relaxing. We spent the last two days at the Knitting and stitching Show as volunteer knitters. Read about our time there at Margie's Crafts The Vintage Store



Leiny is knitting a pair of Sublime Hunter socks in asparagus.




Big hugs,

Margie

The Long Doll

When I first discovered the Tilde range by the Norwegian designer Tone Finnager, I could not find any Irish stockists. So I made the best of the fabrics I could find and used some Cath Kidston.

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Rose, in her shop, The Cottonwood Tree in Kilcullen County Kildare, just a few miles from where I live. You can not imagine how excited I was when I stepped inside the compact, inviting and exciting shop, to see all the Tilda range of fabrics, books, papers etc...

The shop is a little gem, with wool, fabric, accessories, ribbons, books, handmade aprons, and lots more including very pretty notice boards handmade by Rose.

Rose is an excellent hostess and made every customer feel special.

I was like a little child in a sweet shop. I purchased some of the Tilda fabric, a Tilda book and some Debbie Bliss wool. All very good value and well worth a visit.

To further add joy to my day Rose asked me to do some doll workshops at her shop in the New Year. There are lots of other craft classes running there between now and Christmas.

Leiny and I will be at the Knit 1 Pass It On Stand at the Knitting and Stitching Show in the RDS Dublin next weekend teaching knitting and crochet. Please drop by and say hi.

Big hugs,

Margie

Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Giveaway is Deborah over at My Mom's Work. Congratulations Deborah.




Thank you to everyone who joined in the Giveaway, I wish everyone could be a winner.

Hugs,

Margie

Doll making

I have been designing some dolls for the workshops. This one is Florence in turquoise and silver. Thanks to everyone who has joined in the Giveaways here, for anyone who has not yet, there is still time, whether you are first time visitor or a regular visitor you are very welcome.

Big Hugs,

Margie

Giveaway - Now closed

To celebrate the opening of Margie's Crafts Handmade Store and Craft Workshops I am hosting a Giveaway here, there are lots of goodies(fabric samples, wool, cards, bows, papercraft items, and Cath Kidston keyring and purse, and some other surprise gifts too) along with a voucher (worth €20) for use at the Handmade store. It is open to International visitors so whether you are next door or all the way round the other side of the world please do join in.

Mr. Margie made all the woodwork items for sale at the on line store and I made the clothing and homeware items.

Closing date is the October 10th (midnight GMT).Now Closed.

To be in with a chance to win just post a comment here or leave one on the contact page on the Store's website.

Good luck everyone.

We also have a second Giveaway over at Margie's Crafts The Vintage Store Blog, our new community blog. Why not try your luck there too!

The Giveaways are long overdue. We are in such a celebratory mood, with the store, the workshops, and the birth of Isla in July, we want to share that joy with you all.

Big Hugs

Margie

Knitting projects

I recently finished this Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino dress for my grandaughter.

It now hangs in the Nursery joining the other handmade Margie's Crafts baby knits.

All the items have the Margie's Crafts labels sewn on.

Leiny, Mr. Margie and I have been working on new items for our new blog and shop and Duane has designed our logo.

Our blog site is under construction. You can see a preview here:

Margie's Crafts: The Vintage Store

Workshops begin next week and our store items will be on line soon.

Big Hugs,

Margie