Vision

Those of you that have been a follower for a while will know that I'm a big believer in Vision Boards. Every year I do a new one and there's nothing nicer than coming to the end of the year and seeing that most of what you envisioned has happened.


This has been one of those years.

Way back in January when I put mine together I really wasn't sure that I would achieve half of what was on my board.  We had had the longest coldest winter I had every experienced.  I had made so much for Craft Fairs but couldn't get out on the road to sell my products, it was all very gloomy.  My bank account was in a very sad state and I was struggling to keep petrol in the car to drive to college every day.  The radio/tv/newspapers were full of doom and gloom about the economy and how the population of Galway were emigrating from Ireland. 

But despite all that I had plans and dreams and I set out to fulfill them.

And I did just that.

I graduated from college last night with my Certificate in Art. 
I, and 1145 others, broke the knitting world record
I set up my business full time and am now self employed and have achieved pretty much all of what was on my vision board.

So get your sheets of paper out peeps and start planning for next year.  I'm already jotting down ideas for my next vision board.  Watch this space.

Here's a few words to keep in mind to help you on your way ...

Have a lovely weekend x

It's official

After all that work we did it!  I got the certificate in the post today :O) 

We broke the record for the largest group of knitters in one place!  Wooooo Hooooo!!!

Thank You, Thank You,

Thank You

to everyone who took part! 

The Roscommon Lamb Festival Committee,

my family and friends,

my AMAZING boyfriend (who even came and knitted on the day),

my fantabuloso knitting group The Cast Offs,

the people of Roscommon town,

all the people who came and helped on the day with registering people, organising car parking, food  etc,

Anne Van Dyke for travelling all the way from New Zealand to take part,

and all the people who travelled from nearly every county in Ireland to take part. 

You did it!

Each and everyone of you helped break the record!

And for those amongst you who thought I was mad and that I'd never make it happen - sausages to you !

Keeeeeeeeppp Stitching everyone

We might need you to win it back the year after next because rumour has it there's plans to take it from us already. 

Bring it on!

Thank you for the fabulous bouquet of flowers and bottle of bubbly xx 

Pop Up event

This weekend I took part in a Pop Up event in Vobe, a gorgeous Interiors Store in Carrick on Shannon. 

It was a fantastic weekend with lots of local stores taking part.  

My appliqued cushions were a great seller :O) 

And the personalised applique frames were also popular.

The sewing machine had a lot of interest too and I can't tell you how many people asked me about sewing classes for the new year.  Luckily I had lots of gift vouchers :O)

Below is a list of dates of where you'll find me over the next few weeks.

Most important date for your diary will be my Country Cottage Christmas Craft Sale here at An Teach Ban for one weekend only. 

This is no ordinary craft sale this is a michellemadethis craft sale.

 Hope you're all having a lovely week so far x

My cottage industry

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Mairead O'Shea for our local paper, the Roscommon Herald.

Mairead wrote a lovely article all about me and my little cottage industry, michellemadethis.  So if you want to know how it all started, who inspired me and what exactly I do you can read the full article here.

Happy Saturday!

Christmas Makes ... in progress

It's that time of year. 

Christmas is a coming

my cottage is a buzzing

my heart is a racing

and I'm wondering

how am I going to get everything done - yikes! 

In between classes my sewing machine is whirring away making lots of christmassy things and I've been spending my nights (early mornings) on the sofa in front of the fire finishing them off.

I've finally found the cable to get my pics from my camera to the laptop (that's what happens when I tidy up, I can't find a thing).  So I can now share some lovely little christmas purchases I made at Penneys (aka Primark) a few weeks ago.

This lovely little Rudolph, with extendable legs, was only 11 euro !!

This little fellow a steal at 4 euro. 

Honestly I couldn't buy the materials for that! 

 

They also have a lovely selection of cards and gift bags. 

I couldn't resist this little one.  I think it was 1.50!

And finally - THE most fabulous Christmassy purchase ever !!

A reversible, brushed cotton double duvet

One side is covered in Mr Christmas himself and the other with Rudolphs!!

And yes, my boyfriend was with me at the time of purchase. Needless to say there was a little eye rolling done.  

 

Regardless of whether you like Christmas or not, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND these brushed cotton duvets.  Remember the cupcake one I got (see it here) - it was a God send on all those chilly wintry nights.  Nothing worse than getting into a bed with crisp cotton (ice cold) sheets in the Winter but nothing better than snuggling up in brushed cotton.

No I'm not in anyways associated with Penneys - I just love their stuff, even if I have pangs of guilt about the people that make it and how much, or rather how little, they must earn in order to justify such low prices.

Pangs of guilt aside ........ I know you want this duvet :)

Have a fun filled fabulous weekend x