I got a lovely surprise from one of my bridesmaids for our wedding. It is a wedding pillow lovingly handcrafted by the talented Karen from Tilly Rose. It is personalised with our names and the date of our wedding 25th February 2012. How pretty is it, and I will cherish it forever, a fond memory of our big day! You should check out the handmade and vintage goodies she sells and creates :)

At work last week I had to go to the National Ploughing Championships which is a showcase of Irish agricultural and rural industry. You can see all types of ploughing at it but some people go to it and never see any ploughing as they just visit all the stalls and exhibits. Last year around 180,000 people visited this three day event and it is now in its 80th year. It is one of Europe's largest outdoor exhibitions and agricultural trade shows with around 1,000 exhibitors. If your looking for anything agricultural related you'll see it there! I bought a few handmade items including one of these lovely handcrafted contemporary jugs by Thomas Diem in the food and craft village. It will look lovely on my new dresser!

Would you like to stay in an Irish Lighthouse? Well with the Irish Landmark Trust you can, check out their lovely properties on their website from cottages, gatelodges to schoolhouses and towers, take your pick!

Today I came across yet another interesting and creative website featuring unique watercolour greeting cards and stationary from Trumpers World! You really have to visit their website to see their amazing collection for sale.

{All items from Trumpers World}

Last weekend I went to the local Pre Christmas Craft Fair, there was over 70 stands there and my, what a wonderful array of handcrafted goodies. I was in my element. What I noticed though was that alot of people were missing marketing material, for instance no tag or cards to say where they were from to try and get return customers. Thery really should attach even a little card with their name and contact details on each item. Here are a few of my lovely purchases

Crochet topped hand towel for my new home :)

Pretty felt corsage and handmade rose soap

Soap from Sean Nos Crafts

All my wee handmade purchases.

Cute sock craft gift ideas from Sock Creatures at notonthehighstreet.com

I want to make one of these, so need to pick up some material this week, one of my dear blog friends sent me some material previously but I now need to go and get some new bits :) Isn't he just adorable- think he would make a nice Christmas present for someone. To find the free template visit Your Home Website.

Some ideas for christmas presents, If only I had lots of time to make and do, but the good news is that I still have 2 full weeks off work before Christmas :)

This week with work I was at the National Ploughing Championships which also hosted some rounds of the European Contest. While there I visited the Food and Craft Village, it was full of lovely delicious artisan foods and creative crafts. I picked up these two items which I thought were sweet.

Both items are from Shallow Yarn Barn based in Castleblayney County Monaghan.

Crochet!
Below are two photographs of a lovely crochet bag my dear grandmother knit before she passed away, isn't it pretty. I have also included a photograph of the crochet blanket I bought at a car boot sale, love the colours of it. I found a few images online too to share with you, sorry I haven't the link. I'm learning to crochet these days so if any of you have any good tutorials I can follow please share with me. I'm starting off with granny squares. Hope you all have a nice Sunday!

This is the blanket I bought at the car boot sale

And below are more pretty crochet images I found online

While in Kilkenny we had to visit the Kilkenny Design Craft Centre which is full of jewellery, knitwear, celtic gifts, china & crystal, pottery & glass, home & fashion, accessories and stunning one off contemporary design pieces. Here are a few photographs to share with you...

Window with a selection of hand crafted goods

Another window with some textiles and knitwear

Nicholas Mosse Pottery, if you have never heard of it, you really have to check it out!

A view of one of the galleries, through to the courtyard area with lots of studios

Some studios and workshops in the courtyard

A factory shop with some fine Irish pottery

More display areas

A view from the inside..