Trip to Waterford and Preparing for Fairs

Good morning,

Carousel in Waterford City Centre

Its a lovely sunny day in Carlow, freezing of course but sunny! Earlier in the week my daughter and I took a trip to Waterford city. As a child we spent many holidays in Waterford so its one of my favourite places in Ireland. Now I live in Carlow and the motorway is built its only an hour away which is great. We arrived and parked by the quayside which now has an impressive flood barrier built all the way down the quays, it makes a lovely walkway too!

We walked up as far as the clock tower and low and behold what could we see in the distance, a carousel! Herself dragged me as quickly as possible up to it, "It's just like Mary Poppins" she informed me. Of course we had a ride, I enjoyed it as much as her!

It added to our great girly day together!
This weekend I have a stall or rather a little wooden chalet at the Taste of Carlow Christmas Fair in Carlow town. I am busy getting all last minute bits and pieces made including lots of Christmas decorations and stocking bunting. Fingers crossed for no snow or rain.
Then its time to decorate the house for Christmas, I can't wait!
All the best,
Maria

Lollipops and Daydreams

Hello,

Sorry its been so long again! This time the lead/wire (not sure the technical name) on my laptop decided not to work. Me and cameras/sewing machines/computers don't seem to survive so long together for some reason. I don't even blink an eye at this stage.
I've been working on some dolly goodies for selling at the Christmas fairs, here is Sindy and some Christmas cushions. The outfit is an old one by a company called Faerie Glen who made lots of dolls clothes and dolls around the 1960s.

Some of the Christmas fabrics are perfect for mini size items, a bit of fun!

I'm changing the name of my work from Maria Home Decorations to Lollipops and Daydreams. Slowly updating everything with it and hopefully I'll have a new logo soon. The plan is to have a new website that will be a shop and also have my blog on it. I am earmarking January for all this computer work! I hope you like my new name!!

Small boy turned four last week, which meant for a very exciting week for him. He has been patiently waiting for the big day for about three months now. A ride-on tractor was promised so who could blame him? The cake was made to his exacting specifications, combine and tractor themed of course.

I made the cake and hubby did the decorating, buttercream and very tasty, yum yum. Small boy was delighted so it was worth the effort.

Have a great day!
Maria

Nanny McPhee - an interiors inspiration

Hello,

What a stormy day it is here, shiver shiver! If you live in Ireland and especially if you have children you might know about the "Big Big Movie" on RTE on a Saturday evening. They show a movie/cartoon every week which is anticipated greatly by the kids in this house. Everyone has to sit down and watch as a rule. Last week it was Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang.

The family live in a house which is so English countryside, run-down shabby chic, vintage, Cath Kidston would be proud, style. Its brilliant! Its set in England during World War II.
Not for those who like state of the art at all but for those of us who like a rummage through charity shops its visually fab.

It was hard to find a picture that shows the house properly and the lovely vibrant colours but you can get the idea. I think some of my cushions and aprons would not look out of place in the house!

Cushion is Cath Kidston print and apron below is a fabric which if I remember correctly is a copy of a 1940s fabric.

So if you haven't seen the movie and you get the chance, do!

All the best,
Maria