Founders not Followers, Donegal Ireland: Renee McCracken

My first ever blog post, had to be about none other than my fabulous Grandmother. The woman who taught me how to sew, how to make the finest jam, to laugh, to forgive and let go of what you don’t need to carry with you in life. She is the ultimate go-getter, best company and wisest woman I know. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!

Name: Renee Margaret McCracken

Occupation/Creative Outlet: Retired, but I worked in soft Furnishings with my Company Moyle Grove drapes 

Hobbies: Gardening, knitting, hand crafts, appliqué, sequence dancing, Scottish country dancing and walking, cinema and I love reading with my kindle.

First thing you did this morning: Had a cup of tea in my dressing gown.

3 go-to skincare products: Serum, moisturiser, then tinted moisturiser, and blusher and a nude eyeshadow.

Favourite form of exercise: Yoga at the moment and I do a lot of walking and Dancing of course! I dance 3 times a week.

How do you relax when you feel stressed or tense: Read my kindle, I’m currently reading D. E. Stevenson novel about life in Scotland around the war.  Another uplifting author is Marcia Willett, I have read a few of her books.

Do you have a morning or evening routine: Have tea, shower and do house work, before I start my day.

Favourite recipe: Queen Mother’s pancake recipe at the minute! With my pancake maker, I like gadgets - you know that!! This is the second pancake maker, because the other one died, thats the problem with gadgets, they die on you!

3 favourite kitchen ingredients: Coconut milk, chicken and fish. Tonight I am poaching coley fish in milk, and I will make sauce with corn flour. You can then make it into a fish pie with bread crumbs and cheese on top.

How did you make your first business move: I worked for a shop for 2 years to get experience. My sewing life started by making a cushion. If you can make a cushion, you can do anything. I worked from home, I sewed upstairs and downstairs, I sewed my way around the house!

Advice for someone who is about to start their own business: Do a course on starting your own business. I was good at the sewing, but the business end was difficult. Always have a business that has demand for your work.

Favourite place in the world: Donegal - Buncrana, walk out by Ned’s point.

Favourite song/Artist, that makes you feel relaxed: Scottish fiddle orchestra, while Im working. Christie Hennessy - I like country Western.

Favourite item of clothing: This blue coat has got me to be a lady, at least thats what my boys tell me. Fine feathers make fine birds, they say!