Blarney Aran Experience

Since I kissed the ole' Blarney Stone last time I went to Ireland with my daughter, this time I took the time to explore the adjacent woolen shop more.  They have a fantastic display and demonstration experience upstairs.  At several of the places we visited they talked about the different knitted stitches and what they symbolize.  They had a nice display and explanations here so I took pictures of them.  I hope you can read them!  If not, click on the picture and try zooming in.

One of the places we visited still sells hand knitted sweaters - I'll share some pictures of that place too, but most of the Irish woolen sweaters are knitted by machine now.  

So fun and interesting!! ☘️🇨🇮

 

Ye Old Sewing Box

We visited Muckross House in Killarney National Park which was built in 1843.  There were a lot of beautiful antique pieces on display including these two pieces, the old scissors and the sewing box below and the small round table with small portraits of women.  I found them all fascinating!!

 

Catching Up!

We went on vacation to Ireland for a couple of weeks and this week I've been catching up!  I'll share some pictures soon of the trip (just a few fun ones :) but for today - here are the three leaves I just caught up on for Leaf the Week Behind.  And, look at the beautiful little pillow top my friend Nancy made!  It makes me so happy just to look at it 🥰

 

Another Leaf and More Quilts!

Here is my leaf for this week, plus the little knot hole on the tree 😊

And enjoy some more quilts from the Houston Quilt Festival!!

 

Ellie Bellie

Check out this amazing wool quilt that I saw at the Houston Quilt Festival.  The embroidery embellishment is incredible and the machine quilting on the wool ... WOW!! 👏😊❤️

 

Happy Mother's Day!!

We've been out of town for a few days helping my oldest daughter who had to have surgery this past week. It's been rough for her but I'm praying she continues to do better and better each day!! ❤️

Happy Mother's Day to all!  I got breakfast in bed, including yummy sourdough bread made by my youngest daughter and my favorite hot chocolate 😋

Then she sent me these photos with quotes, "I love when Grandma plays with me."

and

"I love quilting and doing stuff with fabric with Grandma."

 So blessed by family - love them all so much!! 🥰❤️

Another Leaf!!

This week's leaf, using the Straw Silk below!  It stitches up beautifully!

The Avenue quilt that I've started requires some 1/2 inch tree trunks and the instructions said to use a bias tape maker to make them.  For some reason I've always struggled with this little tool.  I've watched video after video where they make is look so simple!  I had to make 25 of them and I got about half to work with the bias tape maker and the other half I just did the old fashioned way! 😂