A day of transitions. Still recapping my March Ireland trip. On day 5 I went from Lucan Co. Dublin to Thurles Co. Tipperary to Ennis Co. Clare to Ballyvaughan Co. Clare. From East to West. There were kitchen talks, old friend visits, rhubarb tart, church noticing, memories visited, and then a sinking into my favorite… Continue reading East to West
Author: 44clovers
Working with my hands, traveling, exploring color.
Ciaran & Little Bud
Oh my heart! Driving up the long winding driveway to the sight of daffodils, and lambs everywhere frolicking to keep up with their mothers on dewy grass sounds so very sweet but I assure you it's a real scene I witnessed and experienced. It was a Sunday morning and Ciaran was hard at work trying… Continue reading Ciaran & Little Bud
Botanical Dyed Easter Egg Tutorial
I enjoy doing these every couple of years. And this year despite 3 out of 4 of us with head colds, a wonky school week, and kids home on and off from school, I kind of don't know which way is up. Oh, and I might still be jet lagged from getting back from Ireland… Continue reading Botanical Dyed Easter Egg Tutorial
St. Patrick’s Day in Lucan
My first! Experiencing this very well celebrated holiday in its mother country through the eyes of children, was a treasure in itself. Seeing the Irish pride first hand.... I loved it so much. It just made me want to live in Ireland all the more. Lucan Village Parade
Irish Landfall; 45th b-day in Ireland
I’m curious….. What airlines have you flown where you’ve been able to have your knitting needles on board? Ironically, you cannot take knitting needles on Aerlingus flights. It’s annoying. But I managed. I started the Carradal Shawl by Lucy Hague while onboard a Concord coach bus to Logan airport. Happy that my kid’s motion sickness… Continue reading Irish Landfall; 45th b-day in Ireland
Friends Old and New; Cavan and Comber
Long before planning my 44Clovers Dyeing to Knit Ireland Tour, I was planning my Irish Birthday Trip. And it included sourcing Irish wool of course! I found Sandra Coote of Crafts of Ireland2 online and saw that she raises Roscommon sheep- a thought to be extinct wool breed. After shooting off a very excited email,… Continue reading Friends Old and New; Cavan and Comber
Ireland; My Holy Well
I have never quite understood or appreciated Ireland’s holy wells. I had seen many watering holes in all shapes and counties along my 25 years of Irish travel. But it wasn’t until I heard these two podcast episodes: A Celtic Spring and The Holy Wells of Ireland that the idea of holy wells, St. Brigid’s… Continue reading Ireland; My Holy Well
The making of Day 2, The Ireland Knitting & Craft Tour; Lisa Sisk, Crafts of Ireland, and Cabra Castle
It's Day 2 of our Knitting and Craft Tour of Ireland and we've just enjoyed our first Irish Breakfast of the trip. You know what my favorite part of an Irish breakfast is? The marmalade. And a bit of tomato with the egg. And at least 2 cups of sweet milk tea with the toast.… Continue reading The making of Day 2, The Ireland Knitting & Craft Tour; Lisa Sisk, Crafts of Ireland, and Cabra Castle
Irish Tour Day 1; 100,000 Welcomes
What started as little seed of a thought in my tent this past August, has blossomed into the reality of this journey. While teaching at the Medomak FiberArts Retreat this past summer for a week, in the evening I would unwind by reading Irish Aran: History, Tradition, Fashion by: Vawn Corrigan. I became increasingly interested… Continue reading Irish Tour Day 1; 100,000 Welcomes
The Making of Day 3, The Ireland Knitting & Craft Tour; Olann Fiber Mill, Carrickmacross Lace, The Shed Distillery Gin Tasting
My love of Irish lace making knows no bounds. In 2013 while on honeymoon, we looked up and down the whole of the country trying to find non-synthetic lace curtains. I knew so little then about lace that I know now. How people must have laughed at me. Even after returning home, I became a… Continue reading The Making of Day 3, The Ireland Knitting & Craft Tour; Olann Fiber Mill, Carrickmacross Lace, The Shed Distillery Gin Tasting