My Haberdasher's Happy Place

The little of sewing I've done, I've loved.

I sat a class in creative embroidery in Art College

and it was perfect for me as I'm not perfect at sewing.

The sticky-outy threads and very zigzaggy stitch work

covered a multitude of sins and for a while

I made it my happy place of all happy places!

So, in an effort to return to stitch heaven,

I enrolled in a one day Quirky Creatures course

with Textile Workshop Dublin.

Quirky Creatures Course at TWD

I mean Quirky? Creatures? Sewing bits and bobs?

I had to go.

I met the most lovely Paget Scott-McCarthy

(who is one of the founders and amazingly talented)

and with her clear and gentle instruction,

I made these (don't laugh now!)

This is Roderick Ryan O'Connor Reilly

(I think he most definitely is Irish)

and Doris the Sausage Dog.

But I've been practicing a little at home,

starting to use paper, pretty fabrics and simple designs.

I have loads to learn, but am having fun while I'm doing it!

When I was one, I had just begun...

Susannah Tucker

ONE year ago today I opened my Etsy Shop, Designbirdie.

It was a name plucked out of the air -it could have just as easily been called

Buttons, Toothbrushes & Cotton socks or

Black Eye Bags (i like that one!) or Mountains of Unwashed Clothes...

eat, pray, create

I just wanted to say thank you for supporting me, buying from me,

telling your friends, 'liking' me and blogging about me!

Anyway to celebrate, I'm having a little giveaway.

A package with all sorts of designbirdie goodies including

a Bear Hug Print (still one of my most popular), Birthday Calendar

and the cutest pair of ladybug earrings.

These are lovely to keep but make great little pressies too.

To enter, leave a comment here or on my Facebook page under this post.

A draw will be made on the 28th May (a favourite someone's birthday).

Thanks again and tell all your friends!

Moustaches and... eyebrows

A very good friend of ours

and extremely talented artist Fergus Ryan retired recently.

We had a huge party for him!

We set up photobooths to capture all his friends and famly.

And, as Fergus has sported moustaches for most of his adult life,

I made lots of different taches to be used in the photos.

It was lots of fun - and people really got into the spirit it!

Bouquet of Moustaches

If you want to do your own Moustache Photobooth -

Right click on the below image and save onto your desktop and then, print them out!

After a few days recovery, I met a writer friend

at IMMA to see the spectacular Kahlo and Rivera Exhibition.

If you love art, you'll probably love this!

Kahlo's art is piercingly honest and exquisitely beautiful...

Rivera's... i didn't love as much (sorry Diego, wherever you are!).

I couldn't help but wonder whether he meant the world to see some of his paintings..

The exhibition is on until 26th June 2011 and it's free on fridays :)

Something for the weekend...

Well, this is a special one. This is my birthday weekend!

The Unbirthday Party

I was born in the middle of the European Song Contest, back when Ireland won it every year...

I'm going to take a break from designing for the weekend, as I plan to be spoilt rotten for the next 48 hours! I did manage to get a new print out this week, which I'm so happy with.

One of the things about having kids is the endless amount of energy they have and inspiration they provide. Ruby (who is nearly 4) has an obsession with dandelions at the moment so i was eager to draw her up, about to tackle another 'blowing thing', as she calls them.

Here's a little of this print process!

I start with a drawing. I take my time here - it needs to be perfect!

Then I use black ink and a brush to ink it up - really wanting to focus on the line quality.

I heart line quality! Little thin lines in her hair, sturdier lines on her legs...

Then, I digitally colour in the image. I think about where the sun is, what would be shaded etc.

Then print and photograph it off to the shop with with it!

You can find it here!

Newness...

Hi. I'm Mandi. And I have a online shop called designbirdie. And my journey with my shop has naturally led me here. To start a blog.

The Wheatfield

I have to admit while this idea is so delicious to me, I have a little panic about 'blogging' vs 'making'... I don't want all these pretty inklings to replace all the things I want/have/need to create. But, I am hoping one will compliment the other. We will just have to wait and see.

Happydeliveries