Birthday Bag

 Here is my birthday bag! I finished sewing this bag last night, just in time for me to carry around on my birthday today! I have to admit, I'm pretty proud of this sewing project since I'm not very experienced with a sewing machine.
Sewing projects are often a source of great frustration for me. Thankfully I have found a way to help me keep my temper... music! I am proud to say that Bob Marley, Sigur Ros, and Robin Mark all contributed to making this bag nearly as much as I did...well, kind of. Without their sweet-action tunes I wouldn't have kept going through those times of bunching fabric, bobbins running out, and fabric slipping out of place.
I used the same type of fabric as my pillow - swatches torn out of a fabric display book. I also managed to pick up the linen for free. Its a sturdy little thing complete with a functioning pocket. I hope to use it for many years to come!

Baby feet

One day, I received a knitting book through the post from a friend of mine. She said that she happened to see it in the shop and thought I would enjoy it. The surprise sure brightened my day! 

The book is made up of many different baby sock patterns. I have only had a chance to try one pattern at this point but I have many more I would like to try. 

These three pairs of socks are for my new nephew Ezra. I hope they fit!

All for nothing

A borrowed sewing machine, free fabric, stuffing nicked out of a pillow and a little bit of my time resulted in a brand new cushion. 

I found an old fabric demo book with some cute, county patterned pieces. I ripped out the fabric and scrubbed off the glue (it took many hours of soaking and scrubbing) and matched a piece with a bit of velvet (also free) to make the cushion. So, I guess you could say that it was all for nothing!

Andy thinks it is the comfiest pillow he has ever laid his head on.  

Just in time for summer

My very first cardigan is finished! 

It took a lot of figuring out on my own but I have to say I am very happy with the end product. I do hope it will serve me well for many years to come. The only problem now is that the weather has turned lovely and warm! 

I have recently been thinking about the impact advertising has on my life. Too often I buy something in the shop that I like but don't need. I am not a big shopper by any means, but I do wonder at the excess of clothes in my wardrobe that I don't wear. If I don't wear everything I own than why do I buy more? 

 For the past two seasons of lent a friend of mine has refrained from buying herself unnecessary things including clothing. With my friend's example and my increasing awareness of the influence of consumerism in the world in mind I have decided not to buy myself any new clothes (including things from charity/thrift stores) for three months. I have plenty of clothes for all seasons, including my new jumper, and all of them are in great condition. We'll see what happens!  

an awkward egg

So, today I decided to try out our brand new egg ring. Andy picked it out at a store that we had gift vouchers for left over from wedding gifts. It is one of those stores with random kitchen things that you can really live life without. 

 It was a success up until the point when I wanted to flip it.

But it turned out ok in the end...

well, sort of! 

Causeway Potential

Causeway Potential from Abbie McCann on Vimeo.



While my good friend Crystal was over for a visit last week we went to the Giants Causeway. When we arrived I found that there were some good waves breaking on the causeway. I took some shots of the waves for a wee video to put together to show Kath and Andrew the potential surf over here. Having said that this break was only surfed for the first time by professionals so it might not be the best place to have a go. However, right along the whole coast there are heaps of good breaks that just need to be scouted out and attempted. I hope you enjoy this fun little clip of our day and the beautiful ocean waves. 

McCann's McDublin McTrip

McCann's McDublin McTrip from Abbie McCann on Vimeo.



With the exciting news of Crystal flying into Dublin Andy and I decided to plan a wee over night down in Dublin Bay. We made a bit of a road trip out of it complete with exploring an ancient monastery and a cool little fishing town.