SUBLIME STITCHING: Those who associate embroidery with those hideous tea cloths they made in primary school should check out the work of artist Jenny Hart, who is based in Texas.
Unable to find any commercial embroidery designs that appealed to her, Hart started producing and selling her own stylish needlework patterns four years ago. Would-be embroiderers can choose from a huge range of simple transfer patterns, including retro poodles, hula girls and atomic symbols. All you have to do is iron them onto the item of your choice (they're great for pillow cases), and stitch away. Hart offers a guide to basic stitches on her website, and also produces beginners' kits which include stitch instructions, an embroidery hoop and floss. Patterns and kits are available from Red Ink (4 Upper Fownes Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2) or from www.sublimestitching.com. Anna Carey
BRAINIAC:
Super Brian, Amazing Denis, electric heads and extendable legs all feature in a new comic book written by 11-year-old Oisín Leahy Furlong, who says: "This product is not a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or real persons, living or dead is not coincidental!" The author has endorsements from admirers including Bertie Ahern and Dustin the Turkey. The collection of four stories includes one starring his alter-ego, Super Oh, and Super Doo, aka Oisín's four-year-old brother Dualtagh. Dualtagh made a full recovery from meningococcal septicaemia contracted when he was four months old and proceeds from the book go to the Meningitis Research Foundation. Super Brian and his Electric Head, €10, is available from Boots and Unicare pharmacies countrywide. It is also available to buy online at www.meningitis.org or on Oisín's website at www.asuperbook.com.
SPLIT SAILING:
So, you have done the skiing thing and you are looking for more adventure. You have done the sun holiday thing, and find it is now lacking something. You dream of sailing your own luxury yacht, and diving into crystal blue water in secluded coves within an archipelago of islands. But it is the little things that hold you back: you can't sail. Sailing courses are a hassle. Exams and VHF licence requirements make the dream evaporate. Don't despair, for a little more than the cost of a good skiing holiday, you and five friends could realise the dream on board Bayan Blue, a 50ft Beneteau yacht (right). The holiday is an all-inclusive catered, skippered package, sailing among Croatia's 1,000 islands. The package leaves from Split, and the emphasis is on luxury - there are en-suite cabins with air conditioning, electric flush toilets, DVD player and al fresco barbecue dining. The skipper can provide informal tuition, or keen sailors can command the yacht. For a group of six, including flights, sailing and catered half-board, the mid-season cost is €1,492 per person, rising to €1,726 in high season. Direct charter flights can be organised through www.smartersailing.com, which also offers accommodation in some of Croatia's many stunning lighthouses. Check it out at www.bayanblue.com. Alan Betson
HOME FROM HOME:
Grafton House is one of the best new places to recommend to visitors who want to stay in central Dublin, but don't want to spend a lot of money. It has existed in this location as a B&B for some time, but about a year ago Jay Bourke and Eoin Foyle took it on and added it to their list of businesses all within a stone's throw of each other - the Odessa Restaurant and Club, the Market Bar, Eden Restaurant, the Globe, Rí Rá, Cafe Bar Deli and Gubu. Grafton House isn't super-luxurious, but it is a comfortable place, a million miles from the blandness of most budget hotels. Rates are usually about €55 per person sharing, but cheaper offers are often available. At the moment, there are rooms for €29.99. Be sure to ask for one at the back, which are quieter than those facing Georges Street. While staying at Grafton House, guests also get to use the nearby Odessa Club. Grafton House, 26/27 South Great Georges Street, Dublin 2, 01-6792041, www.graftonguesthouse.com
AWARDING WORK :
This weekend hostels around Ireland will be packed with hikers with a special aim in mind. Thousands of 15- to 25-year-olds are in the process of completing their efforts to secure gold, silver or bronze in the President's Award scheme. The awards are given to participants who complete challenges in each of the stated categories of skill, community, physical and adventure. One popular challenge is an Army survival course, which takes place in July (applications are being taken now). Fifth-year student Declan Conroy (above) from Laois took part in the challenge last year, and is a big advocate of the scheme. He says it allows you to challenge yourself as well as benefit your local community. Details are on www.p-award.net, or contact The President's Award on 01-4758746. Nicoline Greer
WHERE CAN I HOLIDAY FOR A FIVER?
The Internet may have revolutionised travel, but even the best websites offer quite limited searches. Most insist that you choose a date and destination, then tell you how much it will cost to get there. But a new British site, www.moneysavingexpert.com/flightchecker, allows you to enter the price only, and then see where your money will take you. So I asked where I could fly from Dublin for £5 sterling in early April, and found that I could get to numerous UK destinations, including London, Liverpool and Glasgow, for prices as low as 99 cent (one way, plus tax). Spending £20 at the beginning of May brought me as far as Brussels or Frankfurt. The facility is independent of any airline, and checks Ryanair, BMIbaby, Flybe and MyTravelLite sites. The only significant disadvantage is that it limits the search results to 75 flights, meaning that the date range has to be quite narrow. Conor Goodman
AND BABY SITS TOO
We're not sure when minimalist retro chic crept into the realms of baby high chairs, but the Nest high chair proves it has. In fairness, though, the designer, Australian architect, Sally Dominguez (a mother herself) has come up with something highly functional. According to Helen O'Connor of Nelo Maternity, it puts the baby into a "racer car position" - sitting back into the bowl-shaped seat and at the same height as adult-sized diners. The straps keep fidgety little people in check - unlike other high chairs in which toddlers can be prone to showing off their new-found ability to stand up. The chair can be used for children up to the age of six. There are no crevices for food to lodge in and it is easy to wipe clean. Takes baby chairs to new heights - though it would want to, priced at €449. Nelo Maternity, 39 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 and Denmark Street, Limerick. Nicoline Greer