Black is back...

I'm not really a black and white kinda girl - but when a local customer from the farmers market recently requested a black and white button moon bloom I knew it would be a challenge. I tried it out and this is what I came up with - this bloom is called 'Mono' and it is sooo dramatic! Its about 3.5" diameter and the big white pearly button is roughly 2" so it really makes an impact when worn on white and other bright colours.

I'll definitely make another in this style but perhaps I'll add white stitching for contrast and some splashes of brilliant white on the lower petals...oooh maybe stripey like a zebra!

... so here's to customers who make you think outside the box! ;)*

Button Candy

I took a trip into Dublin yesterday to dig around the charity shops and stock up on some buttons at Rubanesque and the woolen mills. Aren't they gorgeous! I can't wait to use them in my next batch of bloom brooches. I got eight really gorgeous little tops, all practically new for less than a fiver each, some of them still had their original shop tags on! Oh you can't beat a bit of guilt free shopping - I highly recommend it recessionista's! ;)*

'77 Revival

I woke up to find the bluest sky this morning! The suns out and the birds are doing their thing. I rummaged around looking for something light and summery to wear and there languishing at the back of the wardrobe i found 'the skirt'.

The skirt was handmade by my Granny M for Gezza circa 1977 - a year before I made my grand appearance. It hasn't been worn in at least 20 years so out it came! There is something so special, and yip, kind of sacred about something thats floated gently through the years passing from one generation to the next. It still looks as fresh as a daisy!. In my minds eye I can see Granny M carefully stitching away {she was a wonderful dressmaker in her time} and my Mum, Geraldine, careless and free prancing around the garden in her new summer skirt.... i'll take good care of it Granny ♥

♥ Tweethearts ♥

Here is my latest bit of mail art - it looks like a bit like a quilt doesn't it? In fact, each square is only 1" x 1" so they are really dinkly little bits of art which we mail artists call 'inchies'. They are all heading stateside for a swap so I'll get a bunch of cool well travelled inchies in return! ;)* Peace, love n' inchies! T xox

*** a WoRld WiThOuT MaRKeRs ***

Janie Mac - I haven't posted here in a while! Time keeps whizzing by...

The Blackrock craft fair went really well! It was great fun and my button moon blooms got a great reaction from the crowd. As did Miss Arabella, my mannequin/promo girl who came along for the ride!!! Phew, the hard work was definitely worth it and I learnt a lot along the way. It so nice to know that there are people out there who like my stuff - there's nothing better than meeting your customer face to face. I even got to meet some of my fellow team members from the Crafty Ireland etsy street team too! >>>

www.redpossum.etsy.com

Gorgeous, cute and colourful designer wear for kiddies - all handmade by Sarah. I'm hoping she will start making stuff for big girls like me, I love her eye for detail! Her work even inspired the girlies outfit in my art journal page :)*

www.weecutetreasures.etsy.com

Adorable with a capital A - go check out Carol's shop and you'll see what I mean! Very cute n' kitsch n' totally collectible! ;)*

www.mlleclorofil.etsy.com

Chloe makes the most madly whimsical Kawaii accessories I have ever seen. She is bopping around the country sightseeing at the mo but be sure to bookmark her wonderful etsy - its an experience not to be missed!

www.clodaghmolloy.etsy.com

If you have the time for a wee window shop you should pop in and see Clodagh's amazing handcrafted silver jewellery! I have a pair of her earrings and they are so lovely and beautifully crafted!

After the craft fair, Mr Mac & me had some time together work free - we organised a trip to Manchester to see Oasis play live and had an excellent weekend livin' it up for a change! If you are ever in town you must check out the Angel pub - seriously the best food {and ale according to Mr Mac} I've had in an age! bliss...

P.S My 'Sunday Morning' bloom made it to the frontpage of etsy.com! Its also features in the etsy gift guide too. I'm having a yart sale (yard + art =yart!) to celebrate - free worldwide shipping and a complimentary pair of graffiti drop earrings with every bloom sold! ;)*

www.tanyamac.etsy.com

♥ Offer ends this Sunday 14th June - Don't miss out! ♥

and the winner is....

Lynda!!!

Congratulations girlie you've just won a button moon bloom!

I hope you like it :)*

xoxo

♥

♥ Its a GiVeAway! ♥

As you can see I am up to my eyes in Button Moon Blooms!!! I have a craft fair next weekend - its a two day event so I'm in the middle of making lots and lots of these funky art brooches for my stall. Would you like a button moon bloom all for yourself? Well then, all you need to do is drop a comment {along with your favourite colour combo} on this post to stand a chance of winning. Easy peasy. I'll then pick a name at random from my magic bag next Wednesday 27th....Good luck bloggers!...♥