Trip to Glasgow

I attend a cardmaking class in Killyleagh and each year the group organises a weekend trip to Glasgow to the Hobbycrafts Exhibition.

This was my 4th year and it was great.  Thirty five ladies and one very patient bus driver!

The group hires McAvoy's of Greyabbey and Robin is so patient and accommodating to the retail therapy we undertake!

This year we travelled on the 7.30 ferry from Belfast to Stranraer and drove immediately to the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet shopping centre, arriving in time for lunch and then shop, shop til 6pm.

I came to a stop at 5 and texted my chums to meet me in the Wetherspoons pub where a bottle of wine was chillin!  Great craic.

From there we went to our Hotel - Mint (strange name for a hotel group?) but it is lovely. 

Right beside the Clyde river - hotel on the left, river on the right,

view from my bedroom window,

and just feet away from the SECC Exhibition Centre.

Saturday I spent the whole day at the craft fair and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It's so great to be able to saunter back to the hotel without having to wait on transport.  Not everyone who comes on the trip is interested in crafting so they can go into Glasgow to shop instead.

Food was lovely at the hotel and I couldn't resist taking this photo of the berry cheesecake!

Sunday is homeward day, after breakfast my chum Margaret and I took a short walk along the riverside, the path goes on for miles but we only had time for a 20 minute stroll.

From the hotel we went to Silverburn Shopping Centre for more retail therapy, a huge centre.  Then another stop at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.  Lovely place to visit, we hadn't enough time but visited the shop and the cafe and would definitely recommend a visit.

5.30 ferry home and I stepped back into my home at 10pm - fab weekend, many thanks to everyone for their company, Libby for organising and Robin for driving!

Folksy Friday - 28 October 2011

It was my Dad's birthday this week and I've chosen gifts from Folksy that I think he would like.

As always, click on the picture to go straight to the shop.







My dad is a great gardener and you'll notice a theme here!  I thought the watering can magnet was very appropriate and he could use the sign on his garden shed and the jar to put spare bits of string and labels etc.

The soap would be kind to his skin after working in the garden and I loved the keyring and card.  I always say the word Fab and this card caught my eye.

Men can be difficult to buy for but there are 'fab' items on Folksy!

What do you buy for the men in your life?

Halloween Party

I host a family Halloween party every year - the kids dress up and I make an effort too!

We have stew and crusty bread with appletart and chocolate cake for dessert.

There are a couple of 'Pass the Parcel' games and we light sparklers in the back garden and watch the fireworks at a local church from the front garden.

It's great to get everyone together and it's an opportunity to celebrate my dad's birthday.

Niece Kelsie was dressed as 'The Joker's Girlfriend', her own design and you can see her peeking into this photo.

The Stitch and Creative Crafts Show, Belfast

I visited the King's Hall, Belfast today to go to the craft show.  It takes place over 3 days and is a great opportunity to see lots of suppliers and crafters all under one roof.

I was helping to  'man' the NI Beaders' Guild stand to promote the Guild and beading.   It's a lovely way to meet other beaders and help advertise the craft.

Bead Guild members provide samples for the display - it was wonderful and much admired.

The Guild also runs two beading workshops each day, giving visitors a chance to try a new skill.

The next craft fair at the King's Hall is April 2012, I'm already looking forward to it!

Batman Live

Tonight I took my two oldest nephews to see Batman Live at the Odyssey Arena.  It was fab!  A live action show, brilliant special effects, aeriel stunts, acrobatics and pyrotechnics.

There was even a Batmobile which Batman and Robin were able to get in and drive away.

This was a Christmas present for the boys and we wished each other 'Happy Christmas' a couple of times!  A bit strange in October !

The evening started with a visit to Pizza Hut - delish.

An excellent night out - highly recommended.

Folksy Friday - 7 October 2011

As it's now October I thought a Halloween theme would be appropriate, and if you see something you like, there is time to buy it in time for your Halloween party !








For other suggestions just type Halloween in the search box on http://www.folksy.com/ and browse the other fab items.

Do you celebrate Halloween? 

I have a family party every year and hold it on the same night as the fireworks at a local church, we can see them very clearly from my living room and it's a lovely family get together.

An Exhibition of my Bead Jewellery

Very exciting! 

I visit my local library occassionally - not as often as I used to because I haven't figured out how to bead and read at the same time!

There is a display case in the library which can be booked for a month to display crafts, photographs, pieces of local history etc.

I asked if I could display my beadweaving jewellery and on Tuesday night I set it out.

Photos aren't great but they give an idea of the set up.

I was able to leave business cards and I printed up flyers about Folksy including my shop address, so fingers crossed it might lead to a few sales!

I am really pleased to have this opportunity.

Bead Retreat - Northern Ireland - 30 Sept and 1 Oct 2011

Wow - what a lovely weekend.

I'm just home from a fab beady weekend at Magpie Crafts http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Magpie-Crafts-Coleraine-P11317

Marion was a great host and Pamela a lovely teacher.  My friend Claire and I stayed in one of the holiday cottages beside Magpie Crafts, we went up on the Thursday night so we would be there - fresh and ready to bead on Friday morning.

Pamela had designed a beautiful necklace

for the more experienced beaders to make - I should have picked a nicer background for the photograph! We were supplied with the full kit

and immediately set to work.

The company was great, tasty lunches and endless amount of cake and tray bakes were on hand.

This is the centre ring for my necklace, I made good progress over the two days and plan to finish my necklace at home.  Pamela had other colours for inspiration - difficult to pick a favourite.

Pamela has designed and created so many beautiful pieces, she is a really talented beader and teacher.

The beading beginners made up to 6 different projects - a great opportunity to learn a new skill. 

The accommodation was very right beside the workshop venue and we had these gorgeous donkeys for company too!

I promised to bring them carrots next time!

We went out for dinner on the Friday night to the Harbour Bistro in Portrush http://www.ramorerestaurant.com/harbour-bistro.htm - delish!

Claire and I had tea at the Millside Restaurant, Cloughmills http://www.millsiderestaurant.com/ on the way home on Sat - a hidden gem and I'll definitely be back.

Many thanks to Marion and Pamela - I loved the Bead Retreat and can't wait to go to the next one.