Fondelifair http://fondelifair.com Ireland's Craft Community & Marketplace Fri, 18 May 2012 06:24:23 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Going to a Wedding… http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/05/18/going-to-a-wedding/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/05/18/going-to-a-wedding/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:11 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2352

Image of a pearl set in white and green, on click leads to the crafter's site

Freshwater Pearls & Emerald Swarovski Crystals by Gayle Coleman Jewellery

Image of a white flower girl dress, on click leads to the crafter's site

Embroidered Silk and Chiffon Flower Girl Dress by Special Occasions

Image of a white sign featuring the names of the couple and the date of the wedding in grey, on click leads to the crafter's site

Celebration Design by Decorative Artwork


Image of a flamboyant navy hat, on click leads to the crafter's site

Navy Hat by Threads Inspired

Image of a pink and cream wedding card, on click leads to the crafter's site

Mr & Mrs by Eve's Card Creations

 

(Click on the image for more information)

…could be the making of another.

During Spring and Summer, the number of weddings one attends sharply rises. I love going to weddings, because I can eat, drink, be merry and meet many people I haven’t seen for years.  Although I am not a girly girl, I love dressing up for a wedding and wearing my big hat, where it is appropriate. Any chance of getting that hat out, really! If you ‘need to’ go to a wedding abroad, that’s even better. You really get to know local customs when you attend a wedding!

For all those who are getting hitched this year, congratulations! For all the guests, behave yourselves (erm, sort of… ;)   )

Purls

]]> http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/05/18/going-to-a-wedding/feed/ 0 The Magic of… http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/05/11/the-magic-of/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/05/11/the-magic-of/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:36 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2330

Image of a black Puppy Dog Keychain, on click leads to the crafter's site

Puppy Dog Keychain by Handmade by Amo'r

Image of a black and white stick sheep, on click leads to the crafter's site

Sammy The Stick Sheep by Heli

Animals

Image of a pair of golden bird earrings with red beads, on click leads to the crafter's site

Earrings, sweet bird of youth by Allthingsshiny

Image of a suncatcher featuring a black cat trying to catch a yellow butterfly, on click leads to the crafter's site

Cat and Butterfly Suncatcher by Cre8tiveglass

 

(Click on the image for more information)

 

This Tuesday, our neighbourhood lost an amazing dog. Charlie, my neighbour’s Mini-Schnauzer, was truly magical – you could not be in bad form when he was around, his joy, love and cheeky doggy look just made you smile, if not laugh out loud. Hearing him pelting down the stairs for his morning walkie was a great wake-up call, it reminded me that there was life to be lived and a world to be discovered every day. His body finally gave in to old age (the equivalent to over 100 years in human age), but his spirit was undaunted.

I love watching animals – cats stretching out in the sun without a care in the world, lambs jumping across fields, birds tweeting and trying to imitate the sounds around them (I haven’t discovered which is the one in our garden who can perfectly beep like a mobile phone, but it confuses me every time…) They live for the moment and can teach us a thing or two about enjoying life.

Have a great week with your furry, woolly, feathery or other type of animal friends!

Purls

]]> http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/05/11/the-magic-of/feed/ 0 Oh my, oh… http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/05/04/oh-my-oh/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/05/04/oh-my-oh/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:22 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2310

Image of a peach pair of shoes with floral shoe clips, on click leads to the crafter's site

Antique Vintage Floral & Blue Herringbone Flower Rosette Shoe Clips by The Bow Makers

Image of a soft peach coloured handknit moebius cowl, on click leads to the crafter's site

Tulip Soft Bamboo Handknit Moebius Cowl by the Crafty Cailín

May

Image of a pink ladybird candle with six spots, on click leads to the crafter's site

100% Soya Ladybird candle by Cre8tiveglass

Image of a notebook bag in a floral pattern, on click leads to the crafter's site

Japanese Print – Book, Kindle, Notebook Bag by Huggleknits

 

(Click on the image for more information)

“Sweet May hath come to love us,
Flowers, trees, their blossoms don;
And through the blue heavens above us
The very clouds move on.”
(Heinrich Heine)

We have just entered the month of May, and what a month it is! By some described as the most beautiful month in the year, there is something really special about May. Spring has now finally sprung, the trees are blossoming, the nights are short and the days long, and life is good. It’s the month of romance, of weddings, and of poetry.

Enjoy some May madness.

And if you have a craft stall this month, may the sales fairy be generous!

Purls

]]> http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/05/04/oh-my-oh/feed/ 0 An ode to… http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/27/an-ode-to/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/27/an-ode-to/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:42 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2290

Image of a cream-coloured sign with pink flowers, saying Best Friend, on click leads to the crafter's site

Daisy Flowers by Decorative Artwork

Image of a turquoise onyx bracelet, on click leads to the jewellery maker's site

Turquoise & Onyx Bracelet by Gale Coleman Jewellery

Friendship

Image of a turquoise, green, yellow and white scarf, on click leads to the crafter's site

Sea Bed Scarf: Silk & Wool by Golden Angel Crafts

Image of a knitted aran cable bag, on click leads to the crafter's site

Green Aran Cable Tote by Visual Basics

 

(Click on the image for more information)

Recently I met up with old friends, people who know me for over…well, a very long time! We had such a laugh reminiscing over old times, and wondering where the years had gone. Of course, we still felt as young as ever!

There is nothing like friendship that lasts through the tides of time.

Here’s to long conversations, laughter, adventure, support, cups of coffee or tea, shopping trips, crazy ideas, advice, and lots and lots of brilliant memories!

Enjoy meeting your friends for a cuppa and/or for some crafting!

Purls

PS: Turquoise is the symbol of friendship.

]]> http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/27/an-ode-to/feed/ 0 How does your garden… http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/20/how-does-your-garden/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/20/how-does-your-garden/#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:46 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2253

Image of three flower pot holders, on click leads to the crafter's site

Flower Pot Holder, Set of 3, by Art Glamour Design

Image of a burgundy patchwork cushion, on click leads to the crafter's site

Burgundy Mix Patchwork Cushion by the Crafty Cailin

Grow?

Image of two lavender sachets in a floral pattern, on click leads to the crafter's site

Lavender Sachets by Special Occasions

Image of a lilac floral earring with purple rings, on click leads to the jewellery maker's site

Floralise earrings by Mouflon

 

(Click on the image for more information)

Gardens all around us are blossoming now and the air is saturated with flowery scents. For someone with no green fingers (and who can’t distinguish weeds from plants), I love gardens and even more, I love to relax and knit in our garden. This year I might even make a feeble attempt in planting something!

To all those crafty gardeners and …well…people like me …
enjoy this growing time!

Purls

 

]]> http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/20/how-does-your-garden/feed/ 0 Spring Decorating http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/13/spring-decorating/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/13/spring-decorating/#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:29:36 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2270 The longer days and brighter weather often inspire a desire for change in one’s home decor.

Let some light and lightness into your home with some…

 

Image of a red glass bowl, on click leads to the crafter's site

Midsummer Fires, red fused glass bowl by Spleodar Glass

Black and white photo of a forest in half-light, on click leads to the photographer's site

The Half-Light by Cherryblossomtattoo

Art

Pen and ink drawing of an old vicarage, on click leads to the artist's site

Vicarage, Pen and Ink Drawing by CraftyV

Image of a framed wood sculpture in shades of red, white, grey and black, on click leads to the artist's site

Framed Wood Sculpture by Art Glamour Design

 

(Click on the image for more information)

Even when you are spending more time outside than inside during the spring and summer months, it is always lovely to come home to some beautiful artwork.

Enjoy!

Purls

]]> http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/13/spring-decorating/feed/ 0 Knitting in Trains http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/06/knitting-in-trains/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/06/knitting-in-trains/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:39:51 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2209 Nothing beats the creative rut like getting away. I love travelling by train, which for me means sitting around, drinking coffee and knitting. Recently I went on a long train journey, and enjoyed plenty of quality knitting time, while the landscape rushed past me.

Image of a silver pendant with the word journey on it, on click leads to the jeweller's website

Journey Pendant by Studio C

I certainly used the time to catch up with some of my UFOs, which had been lingering in my knitting basket.

Sometimes you meet interesting people you can have a chat with (while knitting).

In Germany, women organise train trips to knit and visit wool shops together. The so-called Zugsocking (this made up word literally means knitting socks in a train) is getting more and more popular and Zugsocking trips are advertised on blogs and in craft forums. I would love to do a Zugsocking in Ireland, but in the meantime, I do solo Zugsocking whenever I can!

Not every craft can be done outside a studio, but if it’s possible, I can thoroughly recommend taking your work on a train journey!

Have a good trip and don’t forget your knitting, crocheting, sewing…

Purls

 

 

]]> http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/06/knitting-in-trains/feed/ 2 Easter Time http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/05/easter-time/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/05/easter-time/#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:24:01 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2186 This weekend is Easter weekend. Apart from the religious (and in Ireland the political) connotations, Easter also means visiting family, egg colouring, egg rolling, egg hunt, chocolate bunnies and eggs, more eggs, the end of fasting and the indulgence in many delightful things, more chocolate, a sense of spring, longer days, holidays, fun for kids and a time for celebration.

We at Fondelifair are ready to join the festivities!

Sign featuring a bunny with a balloon, on click leads to the crafter's site

Bunny with Balloon by Decorative Artwork

A pair of chocolate brown and honey coloured beaded earrings, on click leads to the jeweller's site

Honey and Chocolate Earrings by Red Grape Jewellery

Easter

Tea cosy with a spring daffodils pattern, on click leads to the crafter's site

Spring Daffodils Tea Cosy by Special Occasions

Blanket with an easter chicks motif, on click leads to the crafter's site

Easter Chicks Flannel Baby Blanket by Crafty V

 

(Click on the image for more information)

I really love Easter and I am looking forward to some wonderful gatherings of friends and family (which will surely also include chocolates and eggs).

May the Easter bunny pay you a visit!

Purls

]]> http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/04/05/easter-time/feed/ 0 Do it yourself! http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/03/30/do-it-yourself/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/03/30/do-it-yourself/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:44 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2053 Sunny weather always puts me in the mood for crafting. Maybe it’s just a good excuse to get the table outside and sit in the sun while still doing something useful. However, the colours in the garden inspire me to experiment with yarn and textiles.

Let Fondelifair encourage you to…

 

Image of a purple, white and green scrapbooking kit, on click leads to the supplier's site

Luxury Scrapbooking Kit by Visual Basics

Image of two long silver and gold plated beads, on click leads to the supplier's site

One Gold Plated Afghan Bead by Crafemall

Get Crafty!

Image of four amethyst stitchmarkers and one bookmark, on click leads to the supplier's site

Stichmarker and bookmark set in Amethyst by Fondeli

Image of a piece of lime green needle felt, on click leads to the supplier's site

Lime Green Needle Felt by Woolly Gathering

 

(Click on the image for more information)

 

Whether you are scrapbooking, cardmaking, beading, jewellery designing, knitting, crocheting, spinning, needlefelting, sewing, weaving or dyeing, enjoy your creativity!

Purls

]]> http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/03/30/do-it-yourself/feed/ 0 When the sun is out in Ireland http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/03/29/when-the-sun-is-out-in-ireland/ http://fondelifair.com/blog/2012/03/29/when-the-sun-is-out-in-ireland/#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:05:59 +0000 Purls http://fondelifair.com/?p=2042 The last few days were simply glorious in Ireland (and the UK)! We had blue sky, sunshine all day and temperatures between 17 and 22 degrees. It was as if the country threw off their winter woollies and came alive! I spotted a few guys who ran around shirtless – something that would make Australians shudder, since 22C is rather fresh and wintery down under! For us, it’s a heatwave.

Photo of deep aquamarine water and a piece of a stone edge, on click leads to the artist's site

Aquamarine – a fine art digital photographic print by Cherryblossomtattoo

Days of uninterrupted sunshine are rare here! I never hang my washing out when I am going out, because you just don’t know if a sunny day suddenly turns wet – and believe me, it can happen within half and hour. This week however, you could carelessly let your washing flutter – it was stone dry when you got back. And I didn’t have to bring all the heavy raingear with me when I was out cycling! It’s so weird to travel lightly!

Ice cream sales soared. Barbecue sets were bought and used. Have we run out of sausages yet?

Of course, we’re already got suspicious in ‘Norn Iron’. Is this our summer? we ask. The last two years, glorious early spring days have been followed by miserable summers, so we’re not taking anything for granted.

So, get out, enjoy the rays, because you never know if these are the best days of the year!

Purls

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