Mountmellick has been "Bombed" once again

What a great weekend to wake up to or is it all a dream. If your traveling through Mountmellick you would be forgiven for thinking so with all the dream-catchers and colour about the place.

Once again a great group has come together in Mountmellick to brighten up the town. It really is worth a visit and there is something for all ages. My daughter Isobel's favourite area this year is the picnic area out the Rosenallis Road. It really brings out her imagination and her special teddy came along to enjoy a picnic.

I love the whole town its hard to pick out one particular area, but at a push I have to say I LOVE the wishing wells. There are three (I stand to be corrected on this!!) One at Derrycloney picnic area, which is on the main Mountmellick to Portlaoise Road.

One at the picnic area on the Rosenallis Road.

And a third at the picnic area at The Commons, this is on the road from Mountmellick to Emo.

The truck is a great idea and the kids are queuing up in force to have their photos taken.

This year has seen the addition of some larger pieces which really feed the imagination. One seaside piece is at the entrance to Ashgrove

and another beautiful piece is on the wall of the Old Bank House. What great works of art.

Please check out the groups page at: https://www.facebook.com/yarnbombingmountmellick

And they are always looking for people to get involved, so get in touch if your interested !!

Who is Little Lids Siobhan

I am a mammy, a wife, a full time worker and a crafter. I guess I am a lot of things to a lot of people, but becoming a mother made me start my business. I originally started making items for Isobel when I was pregnant, I wanted her to have pretty things and not all shop bought.  Also I suffered from low blood pressure while I was pregnant and found myself bound to the couch at times. So from here a crafty business began.

I am a mammy to the gorgeous Isobel who is five and started school last year. She is the inspiration behind the hats and now is at the age where she has her own ideas and opinions and is only too happy to share them with me.

I am a wife, I married Barry in 2014 and we live in Mountmellick with Isobel. Even on my wedding day I had the personal touch using many items which I made myself including my own bouquet.

I also work full time in Laois County Council for the past 15 years. At present I work in the Environment Section, a lot of my work is with the Tidy Towns. I am lucky to be able to say I love that job, its very rewarding and it's nice to work with the Tidy Towns Groups and feel that I can make a difference.

And finally when I have any spare time between work, homework, lunches, dinners and other tasks, I LOVE to craft. From making things for Isobel and family, I have grown my craft into a business and am always looking for ways to expand. If you want to see some of my creations check out my Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/littlelidssiobhan

I can also be found on the following social media sites:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/littlelids1
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/littlelidssiobhan
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/littlelidssd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlelidssiobhan

A Crafty Business

As with every little girl at some stage all those pretty dolls end up with their clothes lost or washed and shrunk, but thankfully I had my Nanny to crochet them their own little outfits and bonnets. I always thought they were so pretty and no one else’s dolls had them. Even then my little fashionista was bursting out of me.

Then there was the interest in my mam who makes beautiful bed spreads and does lacework as well but she never thought my patience would stick the crochet. So out of pure stubbornness and about 2 years of giving up and getting back at it, i produced a bag of granny squares to her one day to put together and low and behold my first bedspread was born.

Then more important stuff came along like playstations, boys, going out and it was put in the back of the press again. But on the news that I was going to have a beautiful little doll of my own, my idea of having her own blankets and hats and clothes came floating back so I got busy again. From there friends asked me to make items, then people who had received the items asked me to make more and my little business has grown from there.

I have often been told I could charge more or use other quality items. But as a parent and in the current economic climate, I like to think that I am being fair and leaving something affordable and to a standard that will last. Each item is handmade and where possible I like to keep items unique. When I don’t have the needle or glue gun in my hand, I can be found with a pencil sketching new designs or online doing some research. 

Now my own daughter who is only five is ever so eager to help out. While learning to crochet is taking time she is quite handy and happy with the pom pom maker. When her cousins come to play, they don't want to play with any of the toys they want to have a wool party. 

The Hot Seat

As well as being a Crafter I also work full time during the week. To keep the creative juices flowing while I am at work I decided to yarnbomb my chair. I had been toying with the idea for ages, wondering what would my colleagues think, how would it look when it was done. So after weeks of pondering and some pinterest research I decided to give it a go.

It truly was a labour of love, and armed with just my hook and wool (and no pattern), I made two freeform pieces to cover the back and seat of my office chair.

It took a few attempts, of adding rows each evening and bringing it to work to measure up to the seat.
I got several comments and questions about what I was doing.

I have to say I am truly happy with the result and it certainly brightens my day and the office seeing my seat when I walk in each morning. I guess its nice having a little piece of my personality at the place I spend 7 hours plus everyday.