Once in a Blue Moon

I have found a new knitting spot at Windypoint which is right out on the far end of Beara. A glass of red wine, a comfy chair, a stunning sunset and what more could anyone want?

 

 

 

 

A blue moon (the second full moon in a month is called a blue moon and it happens very rarely) is a bonus. The next one won't be until 2018. It was bright enough to knit by!

Spinning (Again!)

I have decided that I really do want to learn how to spin. The wheel is going to be left out until I have cracked it. I am taking time out to practice turning the wheel and I have gone back to spinning with my spindle to practice drawing out.

 

 

 

Anniversaries & Birthdays

It is the 4th anniversary of my Mum's death tomorrow and my Dad's birthday this week. May they both R.I.P. I started doing my own flower arrangements because the ones from the florist were such a horrendous price for what they were. I use oasis, foliage from the garden and silk flowers. I choose flowers that are in season and have a good selection of different ones.

 My Dad's passion was hydrangeas and my Mum loved all flowers, particularly tulips.

The arrangements usually last about 4 weeks but can last for months in the winter.

 

 

 

 

Maritime Festival

Acappabella were invited to sing at this years Maritime Festival in Ballydehob. There was MUCH discussion about what we should wear! We finally settled on jeans, a white shirt and a scarf. I was in the middle of knitting my big wrap and Pat suggested a scarf in this wool would be ideal. I knitted FIVE of these and gave a tutorial to four others in the group who knitted the rest. Here is a photo that Finola's husband  Robert took.

 I think they look great!
 

 

 

 

Waves They Keep Rolling In

This song is running around in my brain as we are preparing it for a big performance with Acappabella in the Cathedral. I have been knitting a shawlette and I just realised that this too is a wave pattern. Now that I have finished it maybe the song will go!

 

 

 

Every Picture tells a Story

You will know how attached I am to Kerry and to the wonderful little cove near Castlecove called White Strand. My grandfather Daniel, my great-grandfather Denis and his father Daniel Shea fished from there. You can still see the flagstones that were laid as a slipway for the boats.

 

When I saw the work of a wonderful West Cork painter called Danny Smith I knew he would be the artist who could paint what was just in my head. He has such an understanding of boats and how they sit in the water. I sent him a photo of White Strand and described my love for the place on a summer's day and left him to the creative process.

 

What a Result!

 

I am thrilled with the painting that Danny has produced and even on a dull winter's day I can look at it and be back there with my ancestors.

 

Thanks Danny for a great job.    

 

 

Danny Smith with the finished painting

 

 

My grandfather Daniel Shea

 

My special place

Lampwork Workshop

Kevin and I did a great half-day workshop with Helen G Beads. We have both been fascinated with these beads and wanted to know how they were created. We were amazed at what we managed to achieve. Helen was such a patient tutor and took us through the whole process.

 

We learned how to pull stringers, make beads and decorate them in four different ways. Kevin picked it up faster than me so he was ahead of me in the decorating. We are thrilled with the beads we managed to make and I will use then in a necklace which will be a nice souvenir of a great day. As a reward for his patience Kevin was treated to some real ale and I got one of Helen's own beautiful necklaces. She made the lovely heart too.

 

These are the beads we made

 

We want to go back soon!