Inspiring Ideas Gift & Craft Store

FREE demonstrations February

2012-01-08T10:47:00.001Z

Our program of FREE craft demonstrations resumes in February. With many occasions coming up over the next few months we're sure there will be an event you wont want to miss

Click Here for full information

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T08:18:00.002Z

A Happy New Year to all our customers !

we are open New Years Eve until 5pm , closed New Years Day and reopen at 11am On January 1st

Get Ready for Christmas

2011-11-01T16:52:00.003Z

Only 54 days to go, so now is the time to get started on your hand made decorations

Click here to view full instructions to make this ribbon polystyrene tree ornament

and the winners are .....

2011-10-24T15:29:00.004+01:00

1st - Sharon Callis
2nd - Patrice Casey
Joint 3rd - Margaret Coyle & Sylwia Pawlis

A big thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations to the winners!

All cards are available for collection until closing on November 1st. All remaining cards will be sold instore to raise money for Breast Cancer Ireland

to see the winning cards click here

World Card Making Day 2011

2011-10-19T20:03:00.003+01:00

click here to view all the cards made as part of World Card Making day, October 1st 2011. The demonstration was presented by the fabulous Mandy from Do Crafts.
We also launched our card making competition ....watch this space to see the winning entrants !

Card Making with Aileen Howell

2011-09-19T20:31:00.001+01:00

What a great day we had with Aileen from Do crafts who showed off her fab cards at the card making demo on September 19th. It was Aileens first event with us and we cant wait to see her again.

You can view photos from the day by clicking here

Demo Listing is now out!

2011-08-28T10:22:00.001+01:00

Click here to see the full line up for September

Octobers will be announced shortly including whats on for World CardMaking day on October 1st

Christmas Card Making with Cliona Larkin

2011-07-04T23:03:00.005+01:00

What a great day we all had with Cliona from Docrafts last Saturday ! Loads of inspiration and new ideas for this Christmas .

Have a peek at the photos here and remember all stock used is now available instore .

to see how to make the hug in a box click here

to see how to make the card gift set clcik here

Things to do with a Heart Punch

2011-05-30T10:34:00.002+01:00

Things to do with a Circle Punch

2011-05-27T23:26:00.001+01:00

Petal Pairs

2011-05-27T23:09:00.002+01:00

Create 13 different flowers with each set of Petal Pairs ! as seen at "things to do with punches" craft demonstration

Quitled Polystyrene

2011-04-01T22:02:00.010+01:00

Gather your materials together. You need : styrofoam egg, push tool, sequin pins, olfa knife, ribbon and two fabrics

Divide the egg into quarters and cut into each line with an olfa knife, creating grooves along each section.

Place the fabric over one quarter and push the fabric into each groove using the side of the push tool

neaten off all the edges

Repeat on all four sides
Using 3mm ribbon , pin a piece at the top of the egg and place over the grooves hiding any raw edges. Pin to secure
To finish , create a loop at the top

Handbag Template

2011-03-18T22:03:00.002Z

Click here to print the template to make the Handbag Card .

Clionas cards & templates

2011-03-18T20:40:00.006Z

Pizza Box Gift Box

Side Step Card

Spring Card

Card Making with Cliona

2011-03-14T12:40:00.003Z

Thanks to Cliona for a great demo on the 5th! A selection of her cards are now up on Flickr for you to be inspired by. A|ll the cards are made using products from the new ranges from DOCRAFTS.

you can view the photos here

This weeks events

2011-02-17T08:39:00.003Z

We've a busy few days coming up in the store ! The Like Minds Craft Group meets tonight at 630pm in the cafe and Mandy from DoCrafts will be showing how to make beautiful jewellery this Saturday from 10am -4pm. Both events are free so come along and have some fun !

Woven Heart Basket

2011-02-04T22:36:00.002Z

Click here to view and print the template to make a Woven Heart Basket

New Spring Schedule

2011-01-29T10:02:00.001Z

New Spring Event schedule is out now

click here for more info

We've a lot of new and exciting events planned such as jewellery making with Mandy Ni Bhraonain, candle making with Brian Woods and card making with Cliona Larkin!

Card Making with Mandy

2011-01-19T18:01:00.004Z

We had a gtreat turn out for our first demonstration with DOCRAFTS Designer Mandy Brennan. A big thanks to everyone who came along and also to Mandy herself for some great new ideas & tips.

Click here to see the cards made on the day.

Wednesday Night Promotion !

2011-01-08T16:59:00.002Z

10 % OFF ALL art, hobby & craft products.
Every Wednesday from 6pm - 9pm.

Mandy Brennan

2011-01-05T15:19:00.004Z

Don't Forget !!
DOCRAFTS designer Mandy Brennan is
instore this Saturday, January 8th 10am - 4pm.
A limited amount of Spring Goody bags are available on the day

Winter Sale

2010-12-23T16:46:00.001Z

Winter Sale Begins
Monday, December 27th @ 10am
3 DAYS ONLY
20 % OFF ALL STOCK
50 % OFF CHRISTMAS RANGES

Spinner Cards Tutorial

2010-12-03T23:35:00.011Z

HOW TO MAKE A SPINNER CARD

Step 1
Gather your materials - an A6 card, piece of card cut slightly smaller than A6, foam tape & large foam dots, embellishments and two 5c coins
Step 2
Take the paper cover off a foam dot and use it to cut a rectangle the length of your patterned card.

Step 3
Using the same foam pad , stick two 5c coins together

Step 4
Slot the coins in the rectangle and make sure it rolls evenly along the gap

Step 5
Stick double sided foam tape to the back

Step 6
Attach to the front of your A6 card making sure the coins roll along
Step 7
Attach the embellishment you want to roll to the 5c coin and decorate the card with yopur other embellishments

We're now on Facebook

2010-11-18T23:33:00.003Z

Join us on Facebook.
Keep up to date with instore events, demos, promotions..

Click here to visit us on Facebook

Cliona's Woodland Friends cards

2010-11-15T21:02:00.002Z

Cliona's cards showing the new range from Papermania can be seen by clicking here

A big thank you to every one who came along and made it a great day.

step by step - ribbon polystyrene tutorial

2010-11-08T22:08:00.009Z

cut 25mm ribbon into 50mm strips. You need approx 3 metres for a 7cm ball

Place a small patch of fabric at the top. This is not absolutly nessecary and any ribbon or fabric will do. But if your top pieces are not even it will hide the polystyrene
Place one piece at the centre and put a pin in the centre
Fold the sides in and pin into place to form a triangle
Repeat this three more times, placing the ribbons at north, south , east and west
Repeat again on the next row moving down around a cm or so
Fill in the spaces with four more pieces, This and all other rows will have 8 pieces
Repeat until you have reached as near to the base as possible. Usually 5 rows.

When all rows are complete your decoration will look like this.
It is not possible to work till the end as the ball is getting smaller. Cover the base in sequins instead

Halloween Face Painting

2010-10-25T14:11:00.005+01:00

FREE FACE PAINTING

Halloween Weekend
Saturday 30th
& Sunday 31st

12pm - 3pm

Halloween Templates

2010-10-22T20:48:00.002+01:00

Our Halloween templates are now available to print off

Witch
Monster
Bat

Betty Cumiskey Card Making Event

2010-10-10T19:16:00.004+01:00

There was a great turn out for Betty's first card making event in our store. A big thank you to everyone who came along and also to Betty for showing her wonderful cards and great ideas!

Click here to see Betty's cards from the day

It's Voting Time again!

2010-09-23T16:34:00.003+01:00

A big thank you to everyone who nominated us for the 2010 Craft Awards.
We are delighted to say we are shortlisted for Best Independent Store - Ireland.

So get voting now for all your favourite products and us of course!

www.craftawards.com

Card Making with Cliona

2010-09-07T21:56:00.003+01:00

All of Cliona's cards from last Saturday are now on our photo stream.

Click Here to see them

All the tutorials are in the post below

Uploaded Project Sheets

2010-09-06T16:27:00.010+01:00

The following are links to the project sheets/ templates currently uploaded on this site

Spinner Cards Tutorial
Woven Heart Basket
Ribbon Polystyrene
Squeaky Mouse Pattern
Water Fall Cards
Stepper Cards
Cupcake Cushion
Rocket Cushion
Embroidery Stitches
Tunnel Card
2, 4, 6 , 8 box ( from Cliona)
Bouncy Card (from Cliona)
CD Holder (from Cliona)
Tent Card (from Cliona)
Post It Notebook (from Cliona)

New Event Listing

2010-08-20T08:10:00.005+01:00

The schedule of events for Autumn 2010 is now up online. It's a jam packed season with sewing demonstrations for junior cycle students , spooky style events for all ages as well as TWO card making events from the DOCRAFTS team !

CHECK OUT THE FULL LISTING HERE

Like Minds Craft Group is back after the Summer break and the next meet up is Thursday September 23rd in the cafe at 630pm. No charge as usual

Bank Holiday Hours

2010-07-30T10:17:00.000+01:00

We will be open this Bank Holiday Monday, August 2nd from 11am - 6pm

New Card Samples

2010-07-08T23:59:00.002+01:00

All the cards from Cliona Larkins demonstration last Saturday can be seen here.

Thank you to every one who came along

Craft Awards 2010

2010-06-26T08:40:00.004+01:00

Its nomination time again ! Please follow the link to nominate us for

BEST INDEPENDENT STORE - IRELAND 2010

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Childrens Craft Month

2010-06-11T12:37:00.002+01:00

June is Children's Craft Month instore !
Crafts for all ages are on display instore including matchstick craft,
rug making, funky foam and lots more...

Events on instore include

Saturday 12th - glass painting demonstration
Saturday 19th - have a go at hama Beads ( €2 per piece)
Saturday 26th - funky foam masks demonstration

Assorted demonstrations are on all other days
- just call in and ask any staff member whats on

June Event Listing

2010-05-24T15:06:00.001+01:00

The event listing for June is now up online .

June is Children's Crafts Month instore so visit us
for loads of exciting & creative ideas
that your children can make this summer

click here for more details

Cliona Larkin Card Making

2010-05-21T22:07:00.007+01:00

Thank you to every one who visited instore last Sunday to see Cliona at work.
She showed some great new card styles and techniques
including the big hit - Gel Cards!

A very big thank you goes to Cliona for another great card making event. Watch this space for more details on her next visit

To view all the cards made by Cliona click here

How to make an exploding photobox

2010-05-16T21:03:00.003+01:00

Cut 3 pieces of card to the following sizes:
9" x 9"..... 8 5/8" x 8 5/8".........8 1/4" x 8 1/4"
Score each sheets to the following measurements: score on all sides
9 x9 - score 3 inches from the side
8 5/8" - score 2 7/8 inches from the side
8 1/4 - score 2 3/4 inches from the side

Using the scored lines as a guide, cut away the corners.
Round off the corners with a Xcut edger
Stick together your pieces. Start by sticking the smallest to the middle size then these to the largest.
Use double sided tape and only stick it to the middle square.

For the lid cut a squar of card 6 1/4" x 6 1/4 "
Score the lid 1 1/2" from the side.
Turn the card over and score diagonally from each corner point to the
inside scored corner.

Fold along the scored lines and pinch into place. Glue with PVA and hold in place with paper clips. If youre stuck for time you can use double sided tape.

Decorate your album as you wish using ribbons, flowers etc

Putting together a Biscornu

2010-04-10T10:13:00.005+01:00

Begin by pinning the two squares together. The point of one sqaure to the side of the other
Pinch the two sides together and whip stitch the borders to each other
Continue to stitch all around the edges
Stuff with toyfiller
Stitch to close and sew a button either side. Remeber to sew the button through to the other side so the Biscornu has the correct shape

Instore Events for April & May

2010-04-02T11:39:00.002+01:00

The full event listing is now live on the main store website.

Events include a make & take in exploding photoboxes and Cliona Larkin will also be returning in May with more great cards!

Places on the Make & Take are limited and booking is essential. The cost is only €5 for a one hour class .

View all classes here

Easter Opening Hours

2010-03-30T08:46:00.001+01:00

This Easter week theres a few changes to our opening hours:

Wednesday 900 - 900
Thursday 900-900
Good Friday 900-700
Easter Saaturday 900-600
Easter Sunday CLOSED
Easter Monday 1100-600

Like Minds March Meet Up

2010-03-26T10:57:00.005Z

A big thanks to everyone who made it to the March meet up of the Like Minds Craft Group.

Our guest speaker for the evening was fashion designer / pattern maker Beatrice , a tutor from The HomeWork Club in Blanchardstown. They have a wide range of courses available including introductary sewing and advanced pattern making and sewing. See their website here

Thanks to everyone who brought along something to show and for taking part in the mini craft session - make a butterfly

The next meet up is Thursday April 29th @ 630pm in the cafe

Communion Cards

2010-03-21T21:17:00.002Z

If you cant find what you want then make it yourself. A selection of Communion cards you can make yourself - click here

Are you interested in learning to draw?

2010-03-12T12:01:00.002Z

Artist Liz Smith will be running a FREE introductary session in drawing and illustration instore on Friday March 26th @ 6pm

Places are strictly limited so ring now on 01 8219277 to book your place

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED .

Please ring the store to add your name to the cancellation list

Card Making with Cliona Larkin

2010-03-07T11:14:00.005Z

A big thank you to Cliona for her 6 hour card making marathon instore, March 6th. For everyone who couldn't make it or needs a reminder of what Cliona made follow this link to see all 40 ( yes that's correct !) samples from the day.

see photos by clicking here

Big thanks to everyone who came along and made it a great day.

Easel (stepper) Cards

2010-03-07T11:08:00.005Z

To make an Easel Card - also known as stepper cards-
follow these photo instructions
click here

Waterfall Cards

2010-02-16T22:15:00.005Z

For full instructions in pictures click here
To print off the project sheet click here

Tunnel Cards

2010-02-16T21:30:00.001Z

Pictures to follow but for for now

view and print the template for Tunnel Cards here

Creating Wedding Invitations

2010-02-15T21:45:00.003Z

To view images of wedding invites you can make your self, click here

Winner Craft Awards 2009

2010-01-29T09:26:00.006Z

We are delighted to announce that we won our category at the 2009 Craft Awards!. We were awarded Best Independent Craft Store -Ireland. This is such a great achievement as it was our first year to be nominated.

Thank you to everyone who voted for us.

NEW FOR SPRING 2010

2010-01-09T16:02:00.004Z

The new "Craft Essentials" from DO CRAFTS has arrived and is selling quickly! so make sure you visit soon and see the great new products on sale... this includes the new range of co-ordinating papers and accessories from Papermania as well as great new cutting tools from Purple Cow.

The new event listing is up online click here for full details

Happy Christmas !

2009-12-22T15:29:00.003Z

Everyone at Inspiring Ideas would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas & Peaceful New Year.

Dont Forget .... the Big Sale starts Sunday, December 27th at 10am.

Best Retail Store !!

2009-12-02T22:52:00.003Z

We're delightd to announce that we recently won Best Retail Store in Dublin 15 ! It was awarded by the Chamber of Commerce and we beat some very tough competition. Thank you to everyone who passed on their best wishes and sent cards to the shop .

Upcoming Events

2009-11-03T16:20:00.006Z

The new schedule for free instore events is now live on the website
click here

New for this season is a card making " Make & Take" . For a nominal charge of €5 you will make a Christmas card & matching tag using rubber stamps and ink pencils. All materials are supplied and the class will last approximatly an hour.

Places are limited and it must be booked in advance.
Ring us instore now on 01 8219277 to book your place !

Like Minds October Meetup

2009-10-30T11:24:00.002Z

Thank you to everyone who came to the October meeting. A great night was had by all of us.

A very special thank you to Bernadette Kelly from the Irish Patchwork Society, who was our guest speaker for the evening. She showed us her wonderful quilts and the stories behind them. The eastern branch of the I.P.S. are holding an open day on November 14th in Clontarf for every one who would like to more about patchwork. Click here for more details

Our next meet up is Thursday November 26th

Craft Awards 2009 VOTE NOW

2009-10-17T12:49:00.005+01:00

Vote in this years Craft Awards and you could win some top prizes!

We're nominated in the Best Independent Store - Ireland
so don't forget to vote for us !

New pictures added

2009-09-30T18:51:00.003+01:00

Our Flickr stream has been updated so you can view marbling and polystyrene samples. New Chritmas cards have been added to the Xmas Card Set

LINK

A Big Thank You !

2009-09-30T09:13:00.006+01:00

Thank you to everyone who came to the first meeting of Like Minds - our new craft group. We had a great turn out and had a fun time talking about and doing crafts. Some great projects such as Sinead's knitted quilt, Viv's cards and Fionula's glass painted bowls were shown around. We made secret cards and great advice was doled out to anyone who needed it while we enjoyed a cuppa tea!

Our next meeting is Thursday October 29th at 6.30pm in the cafe at the back of the store.

New Events for Autumn

2009-09-01T10:34:00.007+01:00

As part of our exciting, new Autumn schedule we will be holding instore events where you can meet and chat with fellow crafters !

TRY IT TUESDAYS 10am - 11.30am

commencing Tuesday September 15th and then fortnightly.

Come along and try a different craft product at each session. We'll answer any queries you have and give you all the information you need to try something new!

LIKE MINDS Craft Group 6.30pm - 8pm

commencing Thursday September 24th and the last Thursday of each month

Meet and chat with fellow crafters in our cafe.Have you a crafty problem that needs a solution? - then come along and let us solve it. Bring along your current project to show to everyone else, share your crafty tips with others or just enjoy time spent with like minded crafters

a full list of upcoming events can be viewed here

New Christmas Card Samples

2009-08-20T23:13:00.004+01:00

New card samples are up on Flickr for you to view. Many are made with the Slice cordless, digital cutter from Making Memories. This is the first Christmas that it has been available so we've had great fun creating samples for Christmas

follow this link

Things to make with a heart paper punch

2009-08-19T21:25:00.006+01:00

Have you ever sat down with your heart punch and wondered what else does it do besides just punch a heart ? Well, here you go....8 things you can make using a heart punch including a bunny, clover and some strawberries

just view the photos here

Marbling Inks

2009-08-10T17:02:00.003+01:00

The new range of marbling inks is now in stock. Ideal for using on paper, silk, styofoam, plastic etc it's a great product to use on Christmas decorations. Keep an eye out instore and on Flickr.com for examples of what you could make.

Peelable Glass Paint is back in stock !

2009-08-10T12:23:00.003+01:00

We are now stocking Marabu "Fun & Fancy " peelable glass paint. It's available in 15 colours and is a great buy at only €4.75 for80ml. This is a great craft for all ages especially children and it's in stock just in time to start making your Halloween & Christmas designs.

Christmas Demonstration

2009-07-20T22:23:00.002+01:00

Originally uploaded by Inspiring Ideas Craft Store

There was a great turnout on July 18th to see the first of our Christmas
Demonstrations. Rubber Stamping and decoupage were the techniques demonstrated by Frances Boylan. Thanks to everyone for coming along !

see more photos here