Crawfordsburn Country Park Ramble - 30 June 2012

I think this was my first ramble this season - and a really lovely one.

We ventured up 'The Glen' a part of the country park I hadn't seen before and definitely couldn't have managed with out the use of a mobility scooter.  Hurrah for Disabled Ramblers NI !!

The Park is a very popular spot for walking dogs and we met this beautiful Irish Wolfhound named Tala - which is American Indian for wolf !

The beach at Crawfordsburn - beautiful place.  Finished the day with tea at the Cultra Inn - perfect ending.

End of Term Service - Kelsie

This is Kelsie's last year in Primary School and I attended her End of Term School Service.

She was singing a duet with a class mate and I couldn't miss that!

and she received two sports awards -

I spotted these photos on different walls in the school and took a snap of them

Love these photos - Kelsie was awarded two trophies for sports and I quickly took this photos with her two big brothers.  I'm so proud.

Jean Power Bead Workshop

I have been looking forward to this day for months and it didn't disappoint!

The Glen Gallery https://www.sites.google.com/site/glengallerycrafts/home is a fantastic craft shop 'stuffed' with all sorts of crafty goodies - I highly recommend a visit.  The lovely owners organise regular workshops for different crafts including beading and knitting.  Check their website for a list of the workshops - new ones are added occasionally so it is a good idea to ring to check what others are planned.

This weekend, Jean Power, http://www.jeanpower.com/ a very talented and lovely bead designer from London came for a two day workshop. I know her name and her creations from several beady magazines and as soon as I heard she was coming to Northern Ireland I signed up for the Saturday class.

I was sorry I couldn't attend yesterday but I saw some of Jean's sample pieces -

her geometric stars - and some of the completed stars made by the students - fab.

 Today's theme was Spiral Rope and some of its variations - I made the most  of the opportunity and made 4 different sample pieces.

A workshop is also a lovely opportunity to meet other beaders, see what projects they make, where they get their inspiration and beads from, what other crafts they enjoy.  I spend as much time talking as beading !

I also spent a lot of time browsing in the craft shop - it is a real Aladdin's cave, full of beautiful yarn, beads, fabrics, books, accessories and finished items.

My friend Crafty Claire hard at work !

Jean brought so many of her pieces, some you may recognise from the beady magazines -

Fantastic day!

Greenmount Agricultural Show - Sunday 17 June 2012

The Greenmount Agricultural Show used to be a yearly event but due to funding problems it hasn't taken place for 6 years. I was so pleased when I spotted a leaflet promoting it this year, it was always a lovely family day out and this year was excellent, even the occasional torrential rain shower didn't spoil the day.

Dean, Kyle, Kelsie and my friend Norma came with me and we met up with my rambler friends Elizabeth and Pamela.
On arrival we went first to the food marquee - good idea - so many free samples and the kids thoroughly enjoyed them all - several times !

There were so many activites to take part in or watch - including a climbing wall - Kelsie loved it -

We all had a go at archery - much harder than it looks -

Kids loved the gladiator game and the bucking sheep !

Dean

Kelsie

Kyle

There were so many other activities - horse shoe tossing, welly boot throwing -

Laugh out loud fun!

We watched sheep shearing, cows being milked, horses getting new shoes, pony club races, agility dogs and obedience dogs -

Kelsie 'borrowed' this gorgeous one and was instructed on how to take him around the course.

There was a fab motorbike stunt show, Birds of Prey and a marquee with little animals from the Ark farm.

I took many photos of Kelsie on this jumping, elastic, bungy jump apparatus, she was doing forward rolls and back flips but I didn't manage to snap any of her fancy moves !

Another favourite spot was the pen with beagle dogs, the kids could go in and pet the dogs for as long as they wanted.  Beautiful.

Then it was off to Dunsilly Hotel http://www.dunsillyhotel.com/ for a delicious meal.  Rambler friends Ann and Richard met us there.

3 beautiful, well behaved and well mannered children, I'm always very proud of them but especially proud that day.

Good memories.

Craft Fair - Sat 9 June 2012

My sister-in-law Karen told me about a craft fair taking place at Londonderry Primary School in Newtownards so I booked a stall.

First opportunity to wear my Vistaprint t-shirt promoting my Folksy shop!

Crafty Claire and my friend MM also had a stall each and the craic was great.

2 very talented friends.

Of course, after the fair it is compulsory to retire to a local eating establishment http://www.strangfordhotel.com/ to discuss the highs and lows of craft fairs.  Lovely lunch and great company.

Bank Holiday Monday - 4 June 012

My chum Pamela suggested a girlie day out to the Vintage Fair at Bangor Castle.

Lovely weather and it was a great day out.

On arrival we stopped for a cuppa, and a cupcake - delish.

There were lots of stalls with vintage and crafty goodies.

Several of the stall holders had really made an effort with the vintage theme

In the Castle Gardens there is a beautiful walled garden, definitely a lovely place for an afternoon stroll in the sunshine.