Summer Sewing Camps

I'm not sure what I'm more excited about.  My super cute poster design by Fiona at FD Design or the fact that my Summer Sewing Camps are starting in just over a month's time!!

Spring Sewing Workshops

After lots of requests I've decided to trial some one day workshops at the cottage.

The feedback I've been getting from people who attended short workshops was that they loved the cottage, and having the use of all my fabrics and buttons and sewing notions and would love to have a full day.  As all us stitchers know you don't find a few hours flying by when you are engrossed in a project. 

I've decided to start with three workshops and I'm kicking off with 

Do you have a sewing machine but aren't sure how to use it or are you thinking of buying a sewing machine but would like to "try before you buy" ? 

Are you looking to spend a day with like minded people in a quaint cottage drinking tea/coffee in china cups, eating homemade scones, trying out different fabrics and sewing techniques? 

If so, this workshop is for you.

I will get you sewing in no time. 

Come along and learn all the basics in my quaint country cottage with a cosy wood burning stove roaring inside. What better way to spend a couple of hours?

I will show you how to set up your machine and teach you the following:

How to thread your machine

How to thread and load bobbins

How to change your needles (different needles are needed for different fabrics)

How to sew a straight line! Trust me it is possible :O)

How to use different stitches

Please bring the manual for your sewing machine if you have it and correct sized bobbins as all machines vary.

Apart from that nothing else is required other than bucket loads of enthusiasm :O)

Call Michelle on 085 1111984 to book your place

Or

michellemadethis@gmail.com

65 euro, includes basic materials Please bring 1 metre of fabric if you wish to make a bag or cushion cover.

This is not just any sewing workshop this is a michellemadethis sewing workshop

This is the perfect workshop for you if you recently purchased sewing machine from Aldi

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Easter Kids Sewing Camps

Hello lovelies.  Sorry this is a shameless plus for my Easter Sewing Camps for budding super stitchers or fashion designers out there.  

I will be running two camps from my cottage this coming Easter.  Choose from

21-25th March Mon-Fri 10.30am - 1.30pm 95 euro
29th Mar - 1st April Tues-Fri - 10.30 am - 1.30 pm 75e

BOOK ONLINE HERE 

During the week they will learn how to hand sew, sew with a sewing machine, design and make their own patterns and make several items all of which are theirs to take home. In previous camps we have made bags, cushions, dolls, wall art, pin cushions and lots more.

Camp is limited to 6 children to ensure they get as much one to one attention as possible. ALL materials are included in the price. We will take a 15 minute break late morning so a small snack/drink can be provided. I normally serve cookies and a glass of squash also (please provide alternative if they have special dietry requirements).

Invitation to my Christmas Cottage Pop Up Shop

It's that time of year again.

Feeling festive? If not, you sure will be after a trip to Michelle's Charming country cottage just 4 miles outside Roscommon town.

Michelle is opening the doors of her cottage to you for a one weekend only and transforming her cottage into a winter wonderland pop up shop bursting with handmade Christmas lovelies.

If you are looking to inject some rustic, cute, quirky and handmade charm into your home this Christmas this is the place to go.

Michelle has been stitching, cutting, pasting, painting and crocheting since July getting ready for this event .

Expect to find handmade Christmas decorations that you will not get in the shops, personalised gifts, wooden signs, Santa Cookie Plates, beautiful appliqued and embroidered cushions, Christmas wreaths and LOTS more all entirely made by Michelle, in the very cottage you will be visiting.

You heard it here first.

Get that date in your diary.

Ho! Ho! Ho! There's not long to go

Xx

P.s. Festive jumpers are optional

If you are on facebook you can link up here.  

Roscommon Lamb Festival

It's that time of year again, can you believe it !?

The Roscommon Lamb Festival is just over a week away. 

This year you will find me at the launch of the Festival in Roscommon Mart on Wednesday 1st May from midday with Frances Crowe Fibre Artist where we will be launching our very own event called 

Fleece to Piece 

On Thursday 2nd May Frances will be hosting a free workshop at her studio in Four Mile House demonstrating spinning and weaving from 11am-1pm.  Then from 2-4pm I will host the second part of the event at my cottage where we will use the wool created that morning to put together a final 'piece' (which is top secret for now) to be unveiled at the Wool Craft Village during the Family Fun day in Loughnaneane Park. 

As you will see from the pic below it promises to be a fun filled fibre day!

The Wool Craft Village is moving from it's usual location and this year will be part of the Family Fun Day in Loughnaneane Park.

We have a variety of crafts people on hand to demonstrate spinning, weaving, feltmaking, knitting, crochet and wool embroidery.

there may even be some live sheep shearing !!

As if that weren't enough I will also be exhibiting at the Festival.  I will be taking a stand in the Made in Roscommon tent (situated in the town square in front of the Bank of Ireland) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday selling all my handmade, homemade lovelies.  I have been very busy working on lots of new stock over the past few months so I'm excited to showcase it all at the Festival.  

Don't worry there will still be lots of my usual items including baby onsies with farm appliques 

and lots of knitting themed items. 

Hope to see some of you there!

It's May Bank Holiday Weekend 2nd-5th May

It's not all about craft though the festival celebrates lamb in many forms - this year there is a food trail where lots of local producers are opening up their premises for you to come and visit, there's music, entertainment, the infamous Brazilian BBQ and the Aileen Cust Memomorial Celebration celebrating the first female vet in Ireland.  That's just a snap shot though.  Check out the website for more details. 

As if that wasn't enough excitement, the talented young chef Donal Skehan will be popping by the Festival too with his new vintage van, Gertrude.

So what are you waiting for!?  Get online and check out the website for the festival and plan your fun filled weekend in Roscommon.

Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Stitching !!

Wooly Crafts

I'm busy as a bee

crafting late at night 

and early in the morning

getting ready for the

Wool Craft Village

I'm organising at this years

Roscommon Lamb Festival 

If you fancy trying your hand at any wool related crafts

I've organised lots of fabulous workshops

The Yarn Room

12.30 – 1.30 pm – Spinning with Nancy Devlin using a spindle and a wheel

1.45 pm – 2.15 pm – Beginners crochet with Patricia Kearney

2.30 – 3.30 pm – Feltmaking with Maggie Dolan

3.45 – 4.45pm – Loom & Tapestry Weaving with Fran Crowe

The Wool Shed

12.30 – 1.30 pm – Weaving a mat on a peg loom with Caroline Walshe

1.45 – 2.15 pm – Spinning Introduction with Gerardine Murphy

2.30 – 3.30 pm – Needle Felting for kids with Carmel Creaner

3.45 – 4.45 pm – Crochet– making crochet flowers & butterflies with Carmen Heffernan

To book your place on one of the workshops above please emailmichelle@michellemadethis or call Michelle on 085 1111984

I'm really looking forward to crochet flowers with Carmen Heffernan.  Carmen was featured in Mollie Makes magazine and has a beautiful shop on Etsy selling her crochet creations. 

In fact I want to do all of the workshops!

I've got lots planned for the day including a Knit'n Natter Cafe, a Spinning Area for people to join in and have a go and an interactive Knitting Circle.

Keeeeeep Stitching!

Mx

1000 Knitters Wanted!

Theres's just a few days to go

until the big event

and I'm telling you now

1000 knitters are wanted!

We want them all

to gather in Roscommon

On Saturday afternoon

at half past eleven

If you haven't registerd

just go online

follow this link

there's still time!

Come along

and be part of the knitting

help spread the word

and keeeeeeep stitching !!!!

If you're new to the blog I'm organising a knitting world record attempt on Saturday 30th April in Roscsommon town (Ireland) as part of the Roscommon Lamb Festival.  We are attempting to break the record for the largest group of knitters, knitting simultaenously at one time for 15 minutes.  Find more info and a registration form on the Roscommon Lamb Festival website  here.

Knitting Lesson Part III

How to Knit/Garter Stitch

Once  you have mastered your slip knot and cast on your stitches you are ready to knit. 

Just follow this quick tutorial and you will be knitting in no time.

Enjoy!

Knitting Lesson Part I

How to make a slip knot

The first stitch you will ever need when knitting is a slip knot.

A video may seem ridiculous for some of you but you would be amazed how often I get asked how to do this.

So here you go, in just over 20 seconds  - you're first step to knitting.

Enjoy!

Wooly products

image source

Those of you that have been following my blog for a while will know that I am involved in our local town festival The Roscommon Lamb Festival.

Last year we organised a Wool Craft Village.  The marquee was brimming with all sorts of yarn and knitting notions.  Not to mention interactive demonstrations in spinning, weaving, knitting and crochet and we even had some live sheep shearing!  This year we're hoping the Wool Craft Village will be even bigger and better so I'm trying to source all wooly-related products produced locally and/or in Ireland at least.   During my search on the wonderful world wide web I've found some interesting/quirky (ok some tacky) items.  I don't think they will make it to the Wool Craft Village but they certainly made me smile so I'm sharing them with you.

How about a lovely knitting themed watch?

available from this site.

I'm adding this to my wishlist.  It's so funny.

I found it here on amazon. 

Here's a cartoon from the book ...

How about some knitting charms from here?

Then there's lots of stuff to chose from here

Including this bag, which I think we could all do with :O)

One thing I didn't find much of is knitting themed cards so I've designed some of my own :O)  They will be available to purchase at the Wool Craft Village but if you can't wait until April I'll have them up in my etsy store soon!!