Limerick Craft and Design

I've just been to Limerick to drop of my first lot of stock to the new craft shop.  It's looking great now with all the new paint and shop fittings.  Still no opening date yet but it's just waiting on stock to come in.  The childrens' section is at the front so my jumpers will be seen through the window...great.  Well done and thanks to Ruth and Erika and all the committee.  For more infor see here.
Limerick Craft and Design

 

 

Mea Culpa

Ok I haven't blogged much lately at all.  I have been knitting and sewing and cooking and dog sitting and buying ducks and opening shops and closing shops and painting shops and harvesting courgettes and selling cheese and visiting organic farms and organising a big party...and I went back to work. Phew, so I haven't blogged.  So coming over the next few days, photos of pop up shop in Clifden, new product info and an great interview with someone who had my ideal job...the wool shop lady.

A wonderful blog

I admit it, I haven't had as much time to blog in the past few weeks as I would like.  But I have been busy making things and reading other blogs.  I found this one, a great read but even better it has video tutorials on making patchwork.

I will say no more and just direct you to it, well worth a look and really old fashioned music and pictures.

appleturnover.tv

New baby quilts made

I finally got some photos of these taken.  I like to take the photo's outdoors but we live in Ireland and well sometimes I think the country needs a roof on it, flooding in June.

I have been buying fabric and normally buy a few to go with each other and then when I get them home become unsure and swap them with others.  So each of these quilts was actually made with fabric bought in 3 seperate lots and mixed about a bit.
I also don't plan in great detail, a mood takes me to make a quilt, I see what colours I feel like doing and go ahead.  When making things I need spontaneity, too much planing and it becomes a chore.  Also in terms of patchwork blocks and quilting I think many would cringe at what I do.  I don't like complicated blocks or much detail, I just want to sew squares of fabrics together. And in terms of quilting, I hate it.  That is I don't enjoy the process of holding the three layers of fabric together, so it's simple straight lines for me and as little as I can get away with.

Anyway, despite all of that and the fact that I have only learnt how to use a sewing machine in the past 18 months I think I end up with pretty and useful baby quilts.

I didn't realise when making them that 3 are girl orientated so have to make more for boys.

These quilts are for sale from me online in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/quirkyapple

On my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/QuirkyApple

At the Borrisokane market Friday 2pm to 6pm https://www.facebook.com/Borrisokanemarket

At the Nenagh market Saturday 10am to 3pm https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nenagh-Farmers-Market/299132756842786?sk=info

and at the Limerick Milk Market Sunday



 

Crazy patchwork sign

I need a sign for market stall and decided it woudld be a good idea to make it myself. I "liberated" an election sign to use as the base and I am making a crazy patchwork cover and then will put lettering on it.  I thought crazy patchwork would be simple, look good and use up some of my giant basket of scraps that I can't part with.

Bad idea...

I am using the sew and flip method and it's just not working, each patch has too many sides and it's so slow having to stop and iron each time.

Will keep going, but has anyone any suggestions...I'm obviously doing something wrong.

Sandwich wrap winner

The winner is ThriftWizard with Bacon, Tomato and Rocket.  Well done and thanks to all who entered.  I need an address to post prize to.

Best sandwich poll

I have taken all the suggestions for the best sandwich and picked the top four.  I have a poll running on my facebook page, so click and vote for your favourite.  One was sugggested by ThriftWizard from here.

Click here Quirky Apple to vote

The Limerick Milk Market

I have had another hectic weekend, 3 more markets. Borrisokane Food and Craft Market on Friday, Nenagh Farmers Market on Saturday and The Limerick Milk Market on Sunday.  This is my second week at the milk market.  Sunday is the slowest day so expectations where not high last week.  But this week was the garden show for Milford Hospice...so I expected a busy week.  There was some wonderful music on and it made a great atmophere.  There was also plenty of people around. The coffee shops all seemed to be doing a good trade and people seemed to be enjoying themselves...but they didn't seem to be spending any money.  By the end of the day I had only sold one thing for a small €4.50 and I don't think the other traders did a whole lot better.
I did get great positive feedback on my products, in particular the baby quilts...and I know that a patchwork association was in having a look.  I met a wonderful lady from USA that has owned a quilting shop and she admired the quilts...so I take that as high praise.
I got a bit fed up so took some photos of the atmosphere with my phone to show you.
As I say I had a lovely time but sold nothing.

Sandwich wrappers

I have been trying out new products, it's often hard to figure out what will sell.  I make things I like but have to remember that I am not all my customers. So my sister asked me to make these, sandwich wrappers.  The point being it is easy to use, resusable and doesn't need to be washed, so no wasted tin foil or sandwich bags and no lunch boxes to wash (or break).  I am getting good response to them and am celebrating with a small competition.  It's simple...tell me your favourite sandwich (here or on my facebook page).

The best three will be posted on facebook and will have a public vote for the best..and the winner get a sandwich wrapper....simple.

So have a look and see how they work.

Put the made sandwich in then centre

Wednesday Recipe: Mint, Ginger and Courgette Soup

OK I know it's Thursday...but the bank holiday has me confused and soup is good any day.  I use this recipe when my garden goes into overdrive.  It is over run with mint, we have peppermint and spearmint.  I also grow courgettes and trust me two plants in good soil is more than enough for a family of five.  This soup is a light summer soup using both of these with some ginger added and is quick and simple...and wonderfully tasty.

Ingredients:
A glug of oil
1 chopped onion
2cm grated fresh ginger
3 chopped courgettes
1 litre vegetabke stock
A bunch of mint

Put the oil into a pot and heat.  Sweat the onions and ginger until soft.  Add the chopped courgettes and cook for another two minutes.  Pour in the stock, bring to the boil and then simmer until the courgettes are soft.  Add in the mint leaves and using a hand blender whizz all together.  Taste and check seasoning.
This soup is good served hot with a dollop of greek yougurt, but it is even better chilled on a hot summers evening.
The mint adds a coolness and the the ginger gives it a kick.

Try it and tell me what you think.

Weekend in London

I'm wrecked, I've had a busy week and an even busier weekend before that.  Darling husband needed to be in London...and so I went with him just for the trip.  I was looking for fabric inspiration and decided to go to fabric heaven, Liberty.  It was great, rolls of fabric everywhere.  I really liked this Tana Lawn but resisted temptation to buy it...but have it in mind for when I am tall and skinny and twenty years younger and need an expensive handmade dress.

The shop had an amazing selection of not only their own fabric but also some other designers such as Amy Butler.  It was great to get to see so many in one location.  The shop is a wonderful destination in itself just to look at the architecture and layout.  And when we visited it was in total jubilee mood.

Then under the advice of my wonderful friends at Creative Living I headed to Berwick Street to see more fabric shops all together.  I went into about 5 in all but the best was The Cloth House.  This is actually two shops at different ends of the street, one with fashion fabrics and one with more craft fabrics and cottons.  Here I agonised over some hand printed Indian cotton, all of the designs where amazing and it took a huge amount of self control to only choose 3 colourways.  I had summer scarves in mind to make with it but now think maybe summer hats or bags...oh so many ideas and so few hours to sew.

As well as a day spent shopping we also spent Sunday afternoon strolling around Greenwich.  I shopped in the market and bought some mad trousers and a green summer dress in Quetzal and have been wearing them constantly since.  We walked around the observatory and sat with the crowds on the green eating ice-cream. On Monday we visited Kew Gardens and had a wonderful hot day admiring exotic plants in the hot houses.  I took some wonderful photos and am trying to figure out a way to incorporate them into crafts.  I was thinking of printing them on fabric and embellishing with embroidery and beads and making small pictures with them. Have a look, what do you think?

Meet the...Organic Farmer

Michael Seymour is one of the driving forces behind The Nenagh Farmers Market.  Every Saturday morning you will find him selling his organic lamb and beef products in Quentin’s Way, Nenagh.  He is the man with the smiling face, the gentle manner and happy and appreciative customers.  Not only does he have the best meat to buy and take home but will also cook you a lamb or beef burger or south African style sausage to eat there on the spot…mmm who can resist.  He farms on Sheepwalk Farm in Borrisokane with his family.  I spoke to Michael or “Farmer Michael” as he said he is commonly known as, about farming and selling.

Did you grow up on this farm and have you always been a farmer?
Yes, I grew up on the farm but I wasn’t always a farmer per say.  I had considered other occupations but was drawn back to the farm.  I wanted to leave my mark on the farm.

North Tipperary has very good land and is known for its cattle.  The local town provides a market for these with the creamery and beef processing plant…so why sheep?

My Dad, and his father before him, was a livestock dealer and specialised in store lambs and breeding ewes. I spent a lot of time at sheep marts and there was always sheep on the farm, so it was to be expected for me to farm sheep.  Actually North Tipperary and South Offaly was renowned for fattening lambs and hoggets. But I farm cattle as well and keep an Angus Herd.

As consumers we know about the benefits of organic to the land and also to our bodies, as a farmer why did you make the decision to become organic?
We always farmed extensively and wanted to maintain and develop this type of farming.   Back in the mid 90s the only way to put that stamp of natural production was to be certified organic.

How long did this process take and did it involve a nightmare amount of paperwork and monitoring?
There is a two year conversion period and yes, there is plenty of paperwork and monitoring. But it has to be that way to ensure the integrity of the certification.

Is this a route you would encourage other food producers to go and what advice would you offer them?

To succeed at organic farming you must believe in it and your heart must be in it.  It doesn’t suit every farmer but if you are considering organic then find out as much as possible about it before you start converting.

You sell direct to your customers, how important is this for you and what are the benefits of this to you and to the customer?

I believe and have value in what I am producing. I know it is a very natural product and nobody can sell this produce as good as you can yourself.  The benefit to the consumer is that they know where their meat is coming from and they are assured of consistency in it.  The benefit to me is that I can sell my product as organic 12 months of the year.

OK two cheeky questions about money.  Firstly what do you say to the customer that says your meat is too expensive and they can get it elsewhere much cheaper?

Like everything in life you get what you pay for.  I keep an eye on what others are charging so I know I am not that much more expensive.  If you want good quality food then you have to pay for it.

And secondly, most farmers are saying there is no money in farming, they just continue because it’s what they’ve always done, is it possible to make a liveable income from a farm or will it always need to be subsidised with income from elsewhere?
If farm subsidies stopped then farmers would stop farming, the income from farm activity just covers the cost of production. Farmers live on the subsidies they receive from the EU.  It is staggering to think that 100 acres could not sustain a farmer but that is the case, however if the price per kilo was higher then a living could be made. But people have become used to a cheap food society.

You were part of the group that set up the Nenagh Farmers Market and are now involved in starting one in Borrisokane.  Why do you feel farmers markets are important?It is important to be able to sell direct to the consumer as they get the best food and the farmers realises how important his job is and can take great pride in what he is producing and selling from his land.

Why do you feel this is the right time to start a market in Borrisokane?

Now, is always the right time! We can’t wait or expect others to give us a leg up, we must take the initiative ourselves.  We are a great food producing country, let’s celebrate that locally in every town.  When people visit us in our area they will feel pride in what we can do for ourselves.  My own experiences tell me that local food and craft markets are the starting point for regeneration.
What would you like to say to customers to bring them to this market?

I don’t know the figures but for every euro you spend locally at least half of that is circulated back into the local economy.  But it is a different way of shopping; meet the producer, meet a lot of new people, experience the buzz of an outdoor market – it’s more fun and less stress.
If you weren’t farming what would you do?

Something in the economics or accountancy area I think.

Any final words of wisdom?
Be positive, think positive.  Surround yourself with positive people.  Count your blessings, appreciate good health and remember there is a solution to every problem.

I think Michael has a great attitude to work and to life in general, I have never seem him stressed and he seems to enjoy what he does.  He passes this good feeling onto his customers.  I can vouch for the quality of his meat and this week our family haver dined on the most fantastic bolognese sauce made with his beef mince and tonight is slowed cooked ox-tongue stroganoff, my husbands favourite dish.

You can buy from Michael at Borrisokane Food and Craft Market Friday's 2pm to 6pm or Nenagh Farmers Market Saturday 10pm to 2pm

Find him on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sheepwalk-farm/216901208329910

Backhanded compliments

The weather has finally started to behave itself and my wardrobe screamed with excitment.  I can finally stop wearing leggings and wellies and big woolly jumpers and ear warmers.  At last with a bit of scrubbing and some other body maintainence summer clothes and sandals can come out.

Or so I thought...
I am at work today so thought a light cotton shirt and white linen trousers would work...but I'm having a fat day and the white linen trousers wouldn't co-operarate. I had a root through and found something to wear including a green fancy t-shirt/top from  M&S 3 years ago that is fairly respectable.  When I put it on it reminded me of a back-handed compliment I got from someone before...you know when they mean to give you a compliment and it goes wrong.  It set me off thinking about a number of these I have received.

So, the one with the green top went as follows:
I was teaching a class and at the break one of the older ladies came up to me,
Her: I love your top, it's so bright
Me: Thanks, it's really comfortable for work
Her: Were did you get it, I haven't seen it around
Me: Marks and Spencer's
Her: Was it recently, I might pop in
Me: No, it was last spring I got it
Her: That's a pity, it would be perfect on my daughter...she has a really big belly too.

How do you respond to that.....

Another one was a family member at our house at Christmas, me in a floaty top.
Her: That top is really nice on you, the shape suits you.
Me: Thanks, I didn't want a whole new outfit, I had the trousers and was lucky to find this top in Next last week.
Her: Wow, you were very lucky, I didn't think they did sizes that big

One night after a hectic day at work I stopped at the Chinese takeaway to get a lazy dinner for us all. The owner knows us all and had a surprised look on her face when she seen me and asked was I sick, nope, I replied and she said there was something wrong with my hair so she thought I was sick.  I just replied that I was trying to save a little money and hadn't got my hair colour done.  She was very surprised and said she didn't realise I was that old!!!!!!

A short final one...someone came into the office looking for me but didn't know my name..she asked for the pleasant stout girl.

So, have you ever received a similar "compliment?

Borrisokane Market

Here it is...a total and complete plug.  We have been working really hard to get a market started in Borrisokane and now the start date is almost here, June 1st.  It is a food a craft market with stalls from North Tipperary and will take place in the square each Friday 2pm to 6pm.   We have a press release going into The Nenagh Guardian today...we have been told it's on the front page.

We have a facebook page and every few days it features one of the businesses that will be participating.
https://www.facebook.com/Borrisokanemarket

and I have made this little picture for us all to put on our blogs, facebook pages, websites...nice and colourful.