17th March 2023 Spread the LOVE on the world wide web

 On this special day, when Irish celebrate around the world, I thought I would share with you some of the work in my sewing room today.

One of the many things that I love to use in my designs are flowers and shamrocks, so today of all days I thought why not let you see what is on my work bench.

Designs and sketches with my Irish shamrocks featuring.

They are a quiet way of saying what I really want. 

Learn more about St Patrick, the saint the Irish celebrate today all around the world, wanted to spread christianity. His idea
was to use the shamrock as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity.

In my work I rarely touch the subject of religion as it is too contentious a topic. I prefer to make people happy rather than cause tension. For me the idea of the shamrock being made up of 3 hearts is the perfect emblem to celebrate the coming together of lots of love.

A St Patrick's blessing I want to share with you 

"May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go"

Wherever you are in the world today you have probably heard of St Patrick. But research and learn more about him! He didn't wear Green! He wasn't Irish! He was enslaved!

So please use the WWW to learn more about everything and learn understand what is Fact and Fiction, who to believe and who to watch out for. People need to learn to love and to share and look after this world. By looking by listening by using our brains and skills we can do better. Maybe by being together we can improve each others ability to achieve their best. I hope greed and evil become extinct while love and wisdom flourish.

This year St Patrick's day coincides with Red Nose Day. Let us come together to fund raise for programs to end child poverty, keeps children safe, healthy, educated and empowered.

Bridal Inspiration 2023

 

Brides often only hear a year later what is on trend. But in the world of fashion designers and manufacturers are deciding what direction they want to go in. I try to predict what folk are going to be looking for in the future. 

I'm lucky because I can design and make what we want there and then, it means I can help my brides to be ahead of the retailers.

Expert advice on the hottest trends withe photos and updates on the latest fabrics are thankfully at my fingertips. years of bring in the Bridal world means that I get up to date information from the top people in the wedding world. 

Icons and game changers help with the latest trends and inspiration.

However ultimately we can be influenced but it's what we do with what inspires us. 

 Vera Wang designs

So last night we had the Oscars' and this Vera Wang dress catch my eye. The diagonal pleats on the hip area are so flattering, even that bit of a break between the bodice and the skirt appeals to me. There is something with the black hair, black choker and the black bodice in contrast to the orange colour that makes a strong statement.
Personally the bodice isn't quite long enough for me, I think it would have been more elegant to be longer.
Fascinating for me, it seems that last night it was often Vera wang dresses that appealed to me. What was your favourite?

This dress I liked the back but not the front. Strong contrast colours seemed to dominate the night. Flowing trains and splits were evident. 

I have just finished a formal dress for one of my flower girls from a few years ago. 

Cody knew what she wanted so I just had to listen to her.

She wanted a cerise satin dress with a slit at her leg for freedom of movement and a cross over back to keep her dress secure as she enjoyed her night. Just goes to show Cody wasn't far from what we saw on the Oscars' red carpet tonight.

March Madness 2023 in the Wedding World

Have you ever read the poem by Rudyard Kipling? “If you can keep your head when all about you" This is the time to think like this.

 “Did you know in the Wedding World the 1st March is National Wedding Planning. The holiday was created by “The Knot” in 2017, and if you are thinking of tying the knot check out their website for ideas. 

Weddings are one of the most joyous celebrations of mankind and traditions vary from culture to culture. However, it is also one of the most stressful events to plan. The planning usually takes a toll on both the bride and groom, bringing them down from the proposal high, especially if there’s no one helping to ease the process. 

I ask myself all the time why I do the things I do? 

I’m just someone who helps brides find the right dress for them. If I haven’t got it “ready to go” then I’ll make it. That’s what I have done for years now and some how we always get there. I’m just someone who left college, wanted to put my heart and soul into making things as a living. Sensible people thought I should be an art teacher. Was that me? 

I’m glad I do what I do!! It’s scary, exciting and rewarding. I meet the most amazing diversity of people. Recently one of my clients is actually an Art teacher. She’s super clever, super sensitive and super at helping her pupils work out what’s good for them. 

One of the things I have learnt about my job is that being good at sewing is not necessarily the most important thing. I have to know when I’m designing for someone what makes them happy, what gives them confidence and how can I help them. 

Another thing I know is in life you are always learning but experience of life helps. 

People often ask where my inspiration comes from, well that’s easy I have always had to my ideas. It’s my clients, the people I come in contact with and the things around me that inspires me. 

Inspiration

These days there seems to always be such tragic news from around the world and the thing that keeps me sane ( if I am sane!! ) is my work. 

On my Twitter feed I noticed that the inspirational Ukrainian people are doing so too !!

I don't know whether my school studies of history (with Miss Mc Cleland at Glenlola School ) of world wars or the fact that my homeland Northern Ireland has had to endure over 30 years of terrorism but I want the Ukrainian people to know they have the support of the sane people around the world who believe in justice and peace. I'm sure on twitter people seeing a simple sewer sitting in Belfast giving a ♡ they are thinking WHY? But I want people to know I CARE.

So while all around you seems to going crazy KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!! If I can help ask me. 

Tomorrow is National Dress Day 6th March

If you are a bride and you buy a dress from me I will give an agreed percentage to help Ukrainian people and if I can't help you with dress please at least think of buying a dress from a Ukrainian dress manufacturer !! "Actions have consequences"

PS my best tip is write things down.

Oh Yes And here’s what Rudyard Kipling wrote:

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

"Have a Heart"

Is it just the time of year or am I always thinking of hearts. I like to think of the idea that when you join three hearts it makes a shamrock, one of my favourite characters in my work. I think of it as the brides family and the grooms family coming together to make a new family.

It's that Time of Year for the London fashion Week, so it's good that I can follow the latest trends on social media.

It's also the week, a year ago, that Russia invaded Ukraine and our lives have been over shadowed with the doom of the war.

Thankfully following Ukrainian designers on the internet has been a way of keeping my spirits up. The people of Ukraine have so inspired me with their amazing resilience and bravery. 

I am in awe of their brilliance.

Fashion, design and creativity is the heartbeat in Ukraine. Fashion is a business but it can also be a powerful platform to communicate with people in All Parts of the World.

The Ukrainian people have made it their mission to show the Rest of the World the Truth about what happens there!!

"Together we can prevent this from having any more people loses and destruction. 

Ukrainian designers have Joined the War Efforts!!

Beyonce and Sam Smith have championed a Ukrainian designer who has caught my eye.

His name is Ivan Frolov from Kyiv and along with the Ukrainian mantra "we can go through anything we are strong and united" they are successfully fighting the wars news front line.

Frolov has a team of 35 employees and from the start of the invasion they have done their best to support each other mentally and financially.

Right now most of the team are in Paris working on projects to raise funds for their countries needs and to spread the Truth and narrative about Ukraine.

Frolov " I try to use every second of my life to do something useful"

" What helps me hold on is a deep faith in our victory and Hard work. Regarding the brand, we are focusing on two main things right now. First is taking care of each team member and keep our company afloat. Another is helping our country in winning this terrific battle."

" During the first weeks of the war, it was impossible for me to create at all, I just couldn't take a pencil into my hands. It was unrealistic to concentrate and it only got worse when the horrific facts of the Ukrainian genocide in Bucha and other cities were revealed"

So he started the FROLOV HEART. a limited collection of white and black sweatshirts and t-shirts embroidered with Hearts hand sewn and beadwork.

Each heart is hand sewn and unique, and a t- shirt or sweat shirt can be bought AND THE PROFITS FROM THE SALES ARE BUILDING MODULAR HOUSES within the nest project by Serhiy Prytula charity foundation while also providing jobs to crafts people!!!

Shop for your heart @frolovheart.com

Love is in the Air

Crazy times, war, earthquakes and more; but at least Northern Ireland can thank Rhianna for yet again putting us back on the world stage.

Congratulations to Johnathan Anderson, son of Willy Anderson one of our rugby legends, you did it.

Designer Jonathan, from Magherafelt, in Co Londonderry, is creative director at luxury Spanish fashion house, Loewe, and founder of his own label JW Anderson.

Sometime ago Rhianna famously did a video scantly clothed in front of an oak tree in North Down, much to the protest of the local farmer ( who now says the tree is dying). 

Hopefully this experience will be more warmly celebrated, along with the news of her expecting her second child.

Good to have some good news, I love hearing when my former brides are expecting the arrival of a wee one.

The other good news that cheered me up these days was hearing of the couples getting married or planning their weddings in Ukraine.

I just love this smiling face, such a wonderful image, a Ukrainian defying the Russian oppression. I find it hard to concentrate these days when I hear all the sadness in the news but at least, faith, hope and love the 3 ingredients weddings are a powerful way to improve our lives. 

So I hope this Valentine's season you feel loved where ever you are in the world.

Share some LOVE "be the reason someone smiled today"

If you are in Ukraine and you need a wedding organiser look up Forever_bride_wed 
 

The Latest from the Bridal industry on the newest trends for 2024

"Come fly with me"

I have always loved watching the birds in my garden. Every morning there is one there to say "Hello"

You will have seen some of my work with embroidered birds, from simple outline stitching to more intense elaborate embroidery.

Recently I noticed birds appearing on the couture catwalks, so I thought I would share the latest trends with you.

"Birds flying high you know how I feel" inspiration from a song maybe!

"Love is in the Air"

"Let your idea out of the bag"

"Dare to Dream"

"Icons in the Spotlight"

"Fresh Trends for 2023"

Short bridal dresses seem to be a thing for 2023.

What's on trend that the bridal shops are buying for 2024?

Bodices with a straight across line rather than the sweetheart line?

Sleeves still a Big thing in some form or another.

Bows?

Do you ever see a dress in a picture and think well I like a notion of this but not quite the same as that. Or maybe you have been to a wedding dress shop and liked a part of an idea but need someone like me to make it the way you want. Well then why not come and meet me to discuss your ideas to see if its possible. 

History is being made today in London as Zelensky visits the capital. He thanked us the Northern Irish for our support and help so far with the invasion of the Russians into their country, jeopardising freedom and democracy. He appealed for "Wings of Freedom" While recently Miss Ukrainian Universe sold her wings to raise funds for the crisis.

Who needs a needless war when we have a natural disaster to cope with since the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria?

Let us All sew the seeds of Love and "Give Peace a Chance!!"

"Spread Peace and Love"

"Love can Conquer All"

Inspiration for St Valentine's day 2023

 

I try my best to keep up with posts and everything that is going on that interests me in the creative world and the wedding world, but there never seems to be enough hours to my days.

I enjoy learning new things and being creative, its probably why I live and breath my work 24/7

You have to be more than enthusiastic to be self employed.But where would I be without the love I get from All my clients.

So with Love being in the air I thought let's make something which would be of use to any of my clients.

So if you would like a red felt heart shaped cushion, either to give to someone you Love or you could use it as a pin cushion then all you have to do is FOLLOW me on FaceBook or Instagram and SHARE this idea with your friends and Loved 1's

LIKEand You are in with a chance of me sending you one.

Let me know what you think and don't be frightened to Comment on this my Blog or any of my Posts as it encourages me to keep doing this social media.

The ring my bride's groom made

My Bride & Groom

My idea of a ring cushion or a pin cushion.

Help me Grow & Flourish

thanks Joanne