My Stuff

Monoprint Collage

2012-01-17T10:58:00.003Z

This is another piece of work from my notebook - its a collage of monoprints creating layers using the theme of exploring the past. The colours in this seem to work well together.

The Sketchbook Project 2012

2012-01-05T10:30:00.010Z

I finally completed my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project 2012 and it will be going in the post this week to Brooklyn, and will be on tour in London and Europe later this year - how cool is that.
Here is the link for more info as Im sure another will be starting later this year if you would like to take part......

http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject2012

I chose the theme 'Nothing New' for the book as I like all things old rusty and decaying and tried to reflect this in the book through various methods of mixed media collage and painting. I've missed a few pages while photographing it but you get the idea from the many below. Would love to know of anyone else taking part and who have completed their project too.

Metal Works

2012-01-03T14:31:00.002Z

These are some samples from my modules prior to making the final piece below. They are made with foil from wine bottles and bits and pieces of scrap metals and copper.

Free as a bird

2011-12-29T14:25:00.002Z

I've been trying unsuccessfully to get a photo of this bird recently as he is around quite a lot sitting on logs or pouncing on mice in the field but i never manage to get a picture of him. Today I stood for a while - with frozen fingers - determined to capture a picture of him - this was taken quite a distance away but I love the strong features he has.

Mixed Media Textile - Brass and found metal

2011-12-29T09:58:00.000Z

Well, I finally managed to get this uploaded. This is my final piece of work for my mixed media and drawing module. I seem to have chopped a bit of the left hand side which has more stitching on it. The metals are brass which has been treated in various processes and some rusty found metal which was also treated to some varnish, alcohol inks and a bit of a blow torch session to clean it up a bit. The background is rusted satin with copper mesh and metal mesh .

Mixed Media textiles

2011-11-23T08:43:00.004Z

Here is another sample prepared for my college course. The base is plywood with painted polyfilla, some cotton duck with plaster and paint and linens woven and machine stitched.

Mixed Media Textiles with Copper and satin

2011-11-10T16:21:00.002Z

I had made this piece recently for an exhibition but it didn't turn out to be. I quite like it. It measures around 35inches x 26inches and is made from patinated copper sheeting, discharged and rust dyed satin with hand/machine stitch and screen printing.

Mixed Media Paintings

2011-11-08T14:28:00.004Z

I'm still working away on my new drawing, mixed media and print course every week. These are some of my 'samples' which I have completed as part of my homework this week.

Not what you normally see while having breakfast

2011-10-23T09:36:00.003+01:00

I was eating my breakfast this morning when I spotted what I thought was a cow walking on the railway line close by our home. I was delighted to see this beautiful beast toddling along and more than willing to pose for photos for me.

So, after being very excited with the lovely image I had a go at drawing him, I have been trying to draw for some time now and its not a strong point but Im getting there slowly.

The Sketchbook Project

2011-10-12T14:28:00.004+01:00

Well, I signed up for this last month as I felt I needed to 'do something creative'. Who knows where or how I can create the time to get this complete but its worth a shot. I have made a good start at it but at the moment it just doesn't seem to have much direction and I think I may have run out of steam on it. however, I will perservere with it and hopefully compelte it on time to be included in the tour. I might even make an excuse to get to London to view it :0)

My theme is 'Nothing New' as it suits me and all things old, decaying, rusty and wrinkly etc....
Here are some of the pages ; ok, just one page as the others are appearing sideways - will upload more soon :

Silk Screen on Bark Fabric

2011-09-19T13:29:00.002+01:00

This is a lovely piece of bark fabric which I bought recently at the NEC. It has a beautiful texture to it and even some stitch holding the fabric together. I have silk screened on this and added some stitch. As yet, its unfinished but I am working on it :0)

Inspiration photos taken on holiday this year

2011-09-06T11:49:00.005+01:00

Hi folks - summer is now over and normal routine is back with a bang (and woolly socks judging by today's temperature) I have been out the past few weeks on holiday but thought I would share a piccie or two that caught my attention - none of the usual holiday pics but some colours and textures that I loved.

this virginia creeper on the walls of Adare Manor was so rich looking against the grey walled background.

Second is an image of a washed up boat which was one of many being exhibited in Palma at present by artist Fabrizio Plessi and supported by Louis Vuitton - I was never more delighted to see so much peeling paint :0)

Supporting Work

2011-08-15T12:48:00.002+01:00

I should probably have posted some pictures from my notebook prior to posting the last 2 images of work from my Printed Textiles course. Here are just a few images from my notebook that inspired the designs for these works.

Rejected

2011-07-28T11:11:00.005+01:00

How do you feel when you get a rejection? Me? I had a giggle, well, its probably a lot easier if you dont have expectations for certain situations. This piece along with another was sent back from the Embroiderer's Guild as not suitable for their 'Off the Wall Exhibition' (note the lack of much stitching!).

This started out as white cotton poplin fabric which was then 'rust dyed'. It then went through a series of screen prints, lito coal was added, plaster emulsion, painted bondaweb and finally a little stitching.

On a better note, I had an acceptance from a local gallery to submit work for their forthcoming exhibition so it's not all bad news. More on this to follow soon (i promise)

NCAD CEAD Exhibition - update

2011-07-01T10:01:00.003+01:00

well, here I am having a giggle at the opening of the exhibition last night - some lovely work on display and a great evening to catch up with the students.

And then these little wild kitties cuddling and hungry were around this morning to greet me - they are looking like they could be adopted more each day if I can train my dogs not to want them for supper :0)

More Fabric Transfer Painting and Screen Prints

2011-06-15T11:40:00.003+01:00

These were some samples I had made during my course. I havn't yet decided what to do with them but I like them both. They both started off being white satin which was then transfer painted, screen printed and some foiling on one.

NCAD CEAD Exhibition

2011-06-06T13:49:00.004+01:00

This is one of the wall hangings which will be exhibited at the end of year show at the end of the month. Again, this is Fabric Transfer Paints on white satin, screen print/thermofax prints and dyed silk chiffon which is stitched. It is lined with silk habatoi and is around 2 metres long.

Cork Textiles Network Postcard Donation

2011-05-26T20:19:00.003+01:00

oh yes, I am still alive and kicking. Ive been trying to decide whethere to delete this blog or start using it again. I think I will try to start maintaining it. I've been busy studying at NCAD in Dublin and working away at home completing many textile works, I hope to start posting piccies of them very soon. :0)

This is an 8x8 frame which is a donation to the Cork Textiles Network. It is satin which has been painted with fabric transfer paints, screen printed, foiled and stitched.

Thanks for dropping by and keeping an interest here.

Printing Workshop

2010-09-27T09:34:00.006+01:00

Hi folks

I've been to another printing workshop last weekend and again it was great - this is my second time attending with the same tutor and it was worth it. I have posted some drypoint prints and collographs. TFL.

Below is the drypoint plate (which was edited after the above prints) which is perspex that was scratched/drawn into and above some of the prints.

Below is the collograph plate and the print underneath.

iphone piccie

2010-07-19T13:14:00.003+01:00

I have been wishing for an iphone for a long time just because of its convenience when out walking and having the camera/ipod and phone all in one. Had some fun taking photos this weekend and this is just one of them.

Passage 2

2010-06-30T08:23:00.002+01:00

This is another piece of copper work similar to the previous piece on Passage only i have patinated this a lot differently - I love how the colours worked out on this one - I also have a few more holes in this one.

Toxic

2010-06-16T09:26:00.003+01:00

Another textile piece complete :)

one for sorrow

2010-06-01T08:48:00.003+01:00

Inspired by the many magpies that hop around my garden I made this piece - it will probably be stretched over some plywood eventually. Lots of texture on the main circle which will probably never be seen - even managed a few french knots !! I havn't measured it yet but its over a metre wide to give you an idea of the size of it.

All of My Heart

2010-05-17T14:00:00.002+01:00

Been working on this little piece with some left over copper 'scraps' - its around 4 inches tall and wide and it has been drilled, textured and stitched - I quite like it now. It can be worn as a piece of jewellery although it is quite large.

Did I Tell You.........

2010-05-10T09:38:00.004+01:00

For a long time I had wanted to make a book around this poem for my daughter, and as its coming up to her birthday I thought it would be perfect timing, the book however just didn't come along how I had planned it, too many techniques, ideas, colours and none of them really flowing. In the end, it turned out to be more of a booklet. Covers are painted cotton duck with stitched detail and embellishments, swan feathers and a brass etching, the insides are a painted photo of a robbin and a canvas painted with acrylic paints, image transfer and some oil sticks. Fingers crossed she will like it :0))))

A Finished Project

2010-05-04T09:57:00.003+01:00

How many projects have you ever started, never finished and filed under bin, bag, box or shed??? I have far to many, but, I have decided to start getting some work together. Here's one I made earlier and finished off last night. :0)

nesting.................

2010-04-21T09:33:00.002+01:00

I came across this lovely swan nesting yesterday evening and couldn't resist stopping the car to take her piccie - doesn't she look very content?

My Final Assessment Piece - Passage

2010-03-10T16:31:00.004Z

Hi folks, I think I can now function in real life again, I feel as though this piece of work has taken up the last few months entirely and life zoomed by. I have attached a photo of the fabric piece on its own as a fabric wall hanging, this is made from discharged satin and chiffon and has who knows how many of those wonderful little french knots on it along with free machine quilting and some embellishments. The piece is then complete with a hanging of copper which I have patinated, stitched lots of knots on also and cut to shape. on their side, they are both the shape of shipwrecks but i prefer them the way I have shown you. I am now very glad to be finished this work and to hand it in for evalution tomorrow - woohoo - will be back soon with some work from my notebooks which built up to this piece. :0)))

What I'm working on .............................

2010-03-01T09:33:00.003Z

Hi folks, I'm still working away in the background trying in vain to finish my final piece for assessment for my creative embroidery course. This is a snippet of what I am doing at present and its taking me forever. I decided to do 'some' french knots around the edges of chiffon and they have turned into thousands............................ and i am still at it a week later :( I love how its turning out but definitely need to get cracking. The background is a black satin which I have discharged and it has turned out great. Watch this space for more updates!!!

I've been Zentangled

2010-02-07T13:41:00.002Z

Have you tried these yet? Check them out, they are totally addictive. I have to admit to looking at them for a very long time and any time i tried to do them they never worked and I just didn't 'get it'. However, I tried again and after watching this Milliande's tutorials I have been hooked.

Another sample

2010-02-01T16:34:00.004Z

Still havn't created a whole lot so more samples. This was from the online workshop with Linda Monk and Carol McFee called Creative Surfaces (I think) - well recommended. This canvas has wallpaper, moulding paste and paint and an aperture cut out with rusted fabric at the back of it. I did like it at the time but the colours seems to bold now.

Tag Swap

2010-01-24T15:49:00.000Z

This is a tag made for Chris as part of a forum swap. Chris chose Children as her theme and i do love this image of the little girl. Some distress inks and stitch with an image transfer.

Some more samples

2010-01-22T14:02:00.002Z

Another few samples to show you the different textures I was aiming for :

Contemporary Embroidery Samples

2010-01-18T09:11:00.002Z

These are some of the samples I prepared for my embroidery course which i am doing at NCAD in Dublin every week. I am loving it :0)) The images were transferred to the linen with Jet FX transfer paper - this is a very easy option for transferring images, I think I prefer the gel medium transfer method but these give a perfect finish, with a slightly waxy feel to them.

Happy New Year

2010-01-09T16:33:00.001Z

Happy New Year everyone - I had hoped to show you some of my current work but couldn't resist a winter walk today and it didn't disappoint, this little fellow was happy to pose for lots of photos while having his dinner.

Here are some more piccies of the frost around the garden.

I hope to be back on track showing my textile work very soon.

Drypoint

2009-10-25T10:05:00.004Z

Here are some drypoint prints, some of which were monotypes I made earlier this year and hadn't used them as they were not very attractive on their own. I printed over them with the drypoint image and I like some of them a little more now. Still not sure about them but I love drypoint and look forward to doing it again. Did I mention before that I want a printing press ???? :0))) Thanks again for dropping by.

Collagraph Prints

2009-10-14T09:30:00.002+01:00

I did these prints at a recent workshop and had no idea when making the plate what they would end up like. I enjoyed this process but only got 2-3 good prints from the plate unfortunately. These are the best 2.

I almost forget how to post!!!

2009-10-06T13:56:00.007+01:00

If there is anybody out there still looking in on this blog - HELLO :0))))

I've been busy in lots of ways and blogging has not been top of the list lately but I am happy to say that i have FINALLY finished my City & Guilds Creative Sketchbook course with Linda Kemshall and I can definitely recommend it to anyone wishing to develop their skills. I am now pursuing another course (real life this time!!) and hope to be able to show some images of that work in the coming weeks and its on embroidered textiles so a little different from where I started out on this blog.

In the meantime, here are some piccies of my sketchbook assessment.

This was based on a heritage building in the town of Carlingford.

bits 'n pieces

2009-06-29T10:34:00.004+01:00

Hey folks - the weather here has been fantastic some days and its hard to be creative when the sun is shining. I have a few images of sunshine, some jewellery which I made at a workshop and some paintings on canvas board with moulding paste - love this stuff. I've lots of more work started as always but should complete some more fairly soon.

I took a half day off work last week and went for a short drive to a small village called Carlingford. It is a beautiful village and across the lough you can see the beautiful Mourne Mountains.

More WIP

2009-06-17T20:26:00.003+01:00

I dont even know why I am adding these but I have many works that are started and never get finished. They will be ........................................... someday - but not just yet, I have lots more work to start on lol.

These are 2 of 5 pieces I made while at a silk papermaking workshop last week with Tunde Toth. It was a great day and lots was learned, I just need to give up the day job to be able to complete all my creations. These are not complete by any means but just a trial of what they could be.

I'm also doing some work for Fibre in Form online workshops so hopefully I will have some work from those experiments soon. :0))))

Textile Hanging (WIP)

2009-06-06T13:20:00.003+01:00

This is very much a work in progress at present but its a good start. Not really good to practice a vermicilli stitch on somehting so big but so far I'm liking it. I was very lucky meet a lovely and talented textile artist at Art in Action last week (Ester Kiley) and she kindly gave me a full demo and instructions on how to finish this off properly. So watch this space...... probably months down the line from now lol. I have a few more paintings complete which I will get loaded up here soon too.

more textures

2009-05-24T14:04:00.003+01:00

I know I mentioned textiles were on the menu but I got very distracted with polyfilla, not recommended really, molding paste has a completley different texture and is a lot more durable but I like how this turned out all the same. This is a 10 x 8" canvas board, covered in polyfilla adn then Goldens fluid acrylics and gloss medium to finish. Not sure how to frame this though but I will look at it for a while and see how it goes. Its hard to capture the true colours as the bottom is more deep violet than what you see but TFL..

Textured Surfaces

2009-05-20T19:40:00.003+01:00

How many times can you over paint a painting :0))) - I did this as part of my 'homework' for my City & Guilds but have stripped it back and repainted it, stripped it back again and again and I still cant stop. I like the overall layout but just can't seem to get the top panel painted the way I picture it in my mind........ This is a plywood box panel measuring 24"x20" , covered in molding paste and then painted with various acrylics and oil sticks. Its a work in progress as yet. I'm sure you will see it resurface again soon with some additions to it. TFL..

Textile surfaces are swimming in my mind at the moment so maybe some will gather momentum over the next week or so as I have a few workshops lined up and I will be inspired again. Watch this space..

monoprinting

2009-05-11T16:29:00.005+01:00

As part of my City & Guilds course I had to complete some monoprints, have you tried this? It is totally addictive and works equally as well on fabric as well as paper. I can't tell you how many pieces I created as they were completely all over the floor but these are some of my favs.

some jewellery

2009-05-06T20:24:00.004+01:00

I had to make a necklace to match a dress for going out over the weekend and made a few while I was at it. The silver pieces on these are from a previous class and necklace which I took apart, My fav is the black and white stones, no idea what they are called but I like them anyway.

Paintings reworked

2009-04-25T12:14:00.006+01:00

I am never happy with a painting I complete and tend to rework them several times before I am sort of content with them. So..............., I now have a diptych which I am fairly happy with :0)). There is a bit of a glare from the light but they are fairly large to get a decent photo of atm. I have shown you a photo of them at the begining with their first and second coats of paint and then the finished pieces. They are polyfilla on mdf board with natural jute embedded for the trees. If you click on the top image you get a better idea of the texture.

Stop the Clock!!

2009-04-24T14:46:00.003+01:00

Where is time going and why is it going so fast (I'm obviously getting very old lol) Here is a card I made for Jo's birthday recently keeping the theme going from my recent class showing the paint distress technique. Its quite addictive when you start as you never know what the end result will be. TFL.

TGIF

2009-04-05T13:01:00.004+01:00

Hey folks - I had just told myself I needed a craft break as I am on overload with too many things going on - it lasted all of 5 minutes lol......... I popped over to Jo Capper-Sandon's blog and she is guest artist this week for TGIF and I was inspired. The theme is secret garden - not sure about this piece being a secret garden but its my interpretation to it. Why not pop over and have a look at some of the fabulous creations.

Easter Party - Are you free ????

2009-04-01T21:03:00.008+01:00

Hey girls - Annamarie from The Scrapbook Store and Elaine have organised another great party where you can scrapbook, make cards, shop, take some classes and generally have a fun filled day in Dublin on 18th April. They have very kindly asked me to teach a class and I thought I would show you some photos of whats in store for you.

I am going to teach the distressed paint technique which was recently published in the Stampers Sampler and create a fabulous sketchbook/journal with your finished design. I have lots and lots of little 8 fold inserts which I use for quotes and notes or basic sketches for my artwork and have made these into handy journals to fit in my handbag. I would love to see you there and hope you will join in and have fun with lots of like minded folk.

Annamarie is taking bookings through her shop or you can log onto the forum for some further info.

Hope to see you all there :0)

Here are some samples of the completed journal covers :

And here are some piccies of inserts which I had done last year with coffee stained pages and some added stitching to make pockets etc (my fav)

For Katie Scarlet - Edited to add the hummingbird flourish stamp shown below left here is from here:

http://www.katzelkraft.fr/rubber+stamps/animals/birds/birds+ktz41-01?language=en

I will post you required list of supplies on the forum over the coming days.

Fallen

2009-03-15T18:17:00.002Z

I have to tell you about Creative Textures which are video online classes and they are all about,well, its all in the name lol, creative textures.... They are video recorded classes for you to do whenever if ever you choose. They are given by 2 wonderful artists who are informative and fun to watch, they also share a lot of secrets on the forum and interact with all who wish to take part. There is no time limit or commitment to these classes. Here is a picture I did after watching several of the videos, they are so inspiring I have several more ready to finish. I had initially painted this various colours of oranges and reds but although they were 'my colours' they were too much for this. I'm finally happy with it, it has been overpainted so many times that I should just varnish it now so I can't put any more layers on it lol. Hope you like it :0)))

Creative Weekend

2009-03-09T19:36:00.003Z

Hi folks

Back again with another bag - I know I promised I wouldn't but they are kinda addictive lol. Audrey came to stay the weekend and we played non stop with fabrics, wire, silk paper, procion dyes etc etc. We enjoyed every moment learning from each other and topped it off with a nice walk on the beach thrown in for good measure. Here are some piccies I promised.......

Its springtime

2009-03-01T13:19:00.004Z

Hi folks, the sun is shining and there are blue skies here at the moment. I hope wherever you are that the sunshine lifts your mood like it has mine. I thought I might show you a few of the things that I made over the past week. I do keep busy almost daily as I do my City and Guilds with Linda Kemshall but I sometimes like to dabble into other things just for me too. I made a bag last weekend and some jewellery for a night out and also took part in a workshop yesterday and made another one (I seem to have made a lot of bags when I think of it, must dig out the rest of them). I have also shown a paper collage which I did as part of my C&G coursework, I had fun doing this using tissue paper, paint and oil pastels. Thanks for dropping by and leaving your comments.

Stamper's Sampler

2009-02-06T14:17:00.006Z

I am bursting with delight at finally seeing these pages which are published in this month's Stamper's Sampler. I tried this technique early last year and with lots of encouragement from my lovely forum friends - THANK YOU - I made some samples and sent them off. I had given up on them and thought they got lost in the post but the're not - they are published for everyone to see and I am thrilled. Also published in this month are forum friends Jo and Nellie - well done ladies on some fabulous work.

Noriko Bag

2009-01-18T13:50:00.003Z

I had finally finished a very belated xmas pressie for my friend Elaine this week and was delighted to be able to give it to her this weekend. This is a beautiful little bag which you can find the instructions and pattern for here so a big thank you to lazy girl designs. I have passed this link to many many friends so this bag should be popping up quite a lot. I hope to perfect my sewing skills and make a few more of these.

Happy New Year

2009-01-11T12:25:00.004Z

I know I promised to post more but doesn't time seem to just disappear? I've been busy working on My City & Guilds work which I'm doing with Linda Kemshall so I'll post this painting I did a year or so ago. Its called The Escape. I've been creating some wonderful backgrounds while experimenting for my sketchbook using salt and clingfilm and the outcome is great. I do hope to get some of that work posted here soon. I hope you are all full of creative enthusiam for the new year and hope to get back in the creative swing with you all too. Take care xx

Happy Holidays

2008-12-26T16:54:00.003Z

Hi folks and a very Happy Christmas wish to you all. I hope this is a peaceful time of year for everyone. I managed to get some crafting time to myself and hope to get lots more over the coming weeks. Here is a little snippet of something which I hope to send off to be published very soon.

I've been absent......

2008-12-15T19:18:00.005Z

I know I know, I do promise myself constantly that I will photo my work and blog it more regularly but at this time of year its almost impossible. I have been doing lots of work at home making curtains and cushions which I also promise not to do again in the future. I have also been busy making some of my xmas pressies / wedding pressie this year hence my absence but hopefully after xmas life will settle down a bit and I can get back to doing some more work with less time constraints.

My lovely friend Audrey is getting married next week and some of her forum buddies in the UK and Dublin got together to make her a little something. I had been inspired by what I saw on Julie van Oosten's blog and thought I could get some of Audrey's creative friends to do something similar. I have to admit to being delighted with the results and almost not giving it to her. I think she kinda liked it :-)))

This is what I made for Audrey and which my lovely hubby thought I should 'do the right thing' and buy her a proper pressie lol. The background is some silk paper I made some time back at a workshop which I then stamped and embroidered on to it and I am very happy with how it turned out.

It was a busy month for Audrey as it was also her birthday, so I made her birthday card too...

And Finally........................... I have literally just finished making this hanging for my mum for xmas, the tips of my fingers are still numb but its worth it. I'm pleased with how it looks but I think in the future I will make something a little more abstract to this piece, its exactly how I had planned it but I'm not sure if its something I would want to re-create.

Hopefully during the holidays I will work my busy little fingers to some wonderfully creative work and get back into a routine of blogging again. Thanks for dropping by and do pop back again soon :0))

A Day of Sharing Words

2008-11-18T19:45:00.004Z

While popping into the lovely Red Velvet blog today Judy posted about the challenge that LK Ludwig has on her blog. It goes like this:

The idea: We have words that touch us, move into our hearts and resonate, creating a feeling, taking us some place- past, present, future- perhaps some place we have never been and may never go, but for whatever reasons, the words pulse in our blood. Meeting new words, new poets, new poems, new ways for my heart to beat, is an intruiging concept. Want to go on this adventure with me? It will be easy to travel along.Many of us already do this sharing; this idea is just to help us find each other and hear the words we have to share.

The Date: Wednesday, November 19.

The Plan: on your blog, post a poem that moves inside you, touches you, reaches you. (quotes and song lyrics welcome). Include the author (or composer or musician) and source (book, album)- perhaps also the amazon link if there is one. no explanation required, no other revelation necessary.One last thing- Perhaps add an image. a photo. a video. a painting. a collage., if you would.Come here to this post. Add a comment with your link.I'll create a typepad page with the links, so others can hear the rhythm of the words, see the image and share in the experience.

The Request: If you are intrigued enough, post on your blog about this Day of Sharing Words- encourage your friends to post. Who couldn't use a few new poems in their treasury or new songs in their hearts?

So here are my shared words. I have planned a book around this for my beautiful daughter and hope to finish (start) it in the near future.

Did I tell you?

Now that you are grown,I look back and ask myself-Did I tell you all that I meant to tell you, all that I felt was important?Did I tell you or was it lost in the shuffle of our Everyday lives.The busy full days when we taught and didn’t know it.What did I teach? Was it strong? Was it good?Will it root you in something real that will allow you to grow with a firm and sound foundation?Did I tell you…

Did I tell you to love?Not with a fair-weather love, but with a love that accepts and cherishes unconditionally.Love not with a quick and passing love, but with a love that is a quiet peach within your heart.

Did I tell you to be thoughtful?Not to be a martyr or a doormat to be trod upon, but to be aware of other people and their needs.To meet others with awareness and within your own framework,Be able to meet them halfway and on occasion, go the other half joyfully.

Did I tell you to be courteous?Not to display empty manners with no meaning but to live the courtesy born of caring.And to express this caring through the small formalities and customs born of the years.Did I tell you to be bold?To be not afraid of the unknown, but to live life to the fullest, and meet each new experience with joy and anticipation.And did I tell you to be cautious?To temper your daring and sense of adventure with good judgment and consideration.

Did I tell you to serve other people if only in a small way?There is growth and satisfaction in being part of something larger than yourself and your life will be richer for knowing this.

Did I tell you to find a part of nature that speaks to you?Then know it intimately and well. For some it is a mountain peak, for some a windswept beach.Find your own and in it find your restoration.

Did I tell you to maintain a sense of the past?To recall and uphold all that is best and meaningful in our country and in our society.But never be afraid to speak out when you don’t believe or where there is room for improvement.Work for what you believe, but work in a positive way, with a structure of order and reason.Remember your ancestors; learn about them, so you can know of where you came.

Did I tell you to be creative?To explore the seed within you.Find your creative spirit and let it grow.

Did I tell you to laugh to dance to sing?There is a lot in life that is hard, but take it as is comes and find the good…And make time to dance.
And did I tell you always to respect yourself?Don't compromise your morals- do what you know to be right and good, regardless of what others may do.

Did I tell you these things as we went along the way?If I did, I am humbly grateful.If I did not, then choose for yourself.If it has meaning to you, accept it and make it your own.If it does not, discard it.Your life is yours to build as you choose.

And did I tell you…I hope it will be a good life.Now that you are grown,I look back and ask myself-Your life is yours to build as you choose.And did I tell you…I hope it will be a good life.

Elizabeth Knapp

Some workshop work

2008-11-18T19:32:00.003Z

Well, I had promised a few people I would post what I have been making at the workshops I have taken recently. None of these are completed works but I'm at the learning stages for a lot of textiles work and its fun. I did a silk papermaking class in Lisburn last saturday which I really enjoyed. I did have a play also when I got home to make sure I knew what I was doing but it didn't turn out just I had expected. I think the thickness of the paste might make a bit of a difference so more experimenting needed. Also 2 weeks ago I did some quilting practice and felt beads at a workshop in Dublin which was endless fun, especially when doing it with some friends. The felt beads/millefiori were great fun as I had no idea at all what they would turn out like. I will have to master this art and incorporate all my litte pieces into 'something'. I'm begining to wonder if I will ever make that final 'something' at this stage. Off to London this weekend and then for my final textiles class next week so hopefully more techniques will be on offer. Oh yes, I did have a play with some potatoe mash and bleach on linen which I absolutely loved and have to try to incorporate this into something soon also. :0))))))

Textile Translations - Maggie Grey

2008-11-12T19:58:00.005Z

Have any of you bought this book and tried the free online classes? Its definitely a must if you love to experiment with something new. I bought the book at the Knit & Stitch a week or so ago and have been busting to get all I needed together to have a play and join in the classes. This is my work which is as yet unfinished. I absolutely loved trying these techniques out. I was even more delighted to find what was left behind on my blotting paper which I used to dry out my vilene, the image is so colourful I will use this in another piece of work. TFL....

This for me was the bonus of the experiment.

One Powerful Hour

2008-11-06T18:16:00.002Z

The Challenge this week at One Powerful Hour is an xmas ornament. Joanne is guest designer and is being sponsored by Inka to give away a beautiful xmas stamp. Why not jump on over and have a look and a play :0). This is my effort which I had promised Joanne I would do this week. Have fun......

Tote, paper, stitch, metal and broken needles.

2008-10-26T16:06:00.003Z

Two posts in the one weekend????? Whats going on............. Well, I think I have been bitten big time by the textiles bug. I'm loving it. Last year at the Knit & Stitch show I bought a book called Bags, with Paper & Stitch by Isobel Hall, its a fabulous book with amazing techniques using paper and fabric and stitch, obviously, lol. Anyway, one bag in particular always caught my eye and this weekend, yup, for almost 2 days, I had a go and made a large tote. I am off to the Knit & Stitch this coming weekend so I needed a large sturdy tote to carry all my new stuff that I will splurge on and this is definitely sturdy. Its curtain/upholstery fabric and I can you tell I broke a few needles. It was worth it though as this was fun and definitely a satisfying result for me.

textile box update

2008-10-24T18:14:00.005+01:00

Well, I wasn't at all happy with my little textile box which I had last posted about so I decided to alter it. I took my trusty heat gun to it, added some beads, more organza and a lovely little bird in a cage sitting on a fabric bead all stitched inside the 'birdhouse' which is what it is now. In reality, it doesn't look like a torn old bag as it does in the photo but its hard to capture the true colour and texture. I'm a lot happier with it as it is now but think a lot more of these will be produced/developed. :0)))) cLick the image for a more detailed view if you wish.

I havn't got lost

2008-10-20T18:11:00.003+01:00

I had almost forgotten how to blog.............. Only kidding. I thought I might show you some of the items I have been playing with over the past weeks. I have recently started an online City and Guilds course wtih Linda Kemshall so I have been spending some of my dark evenings preparing the first module. Isn't it hard to get into the swing of things on dark evenings? or maybe its just me. (Thanks to my lovely sister I should have no excuses as she bought me a day light lamp) . Joanne recently made a lovely tea towel tote (or 565 lol) and I thought I would like to give these a go. You will find instructions here on this lady's blog if you are tempted, be warned, you may have to go on a major tea towel spending spree/hunt. Once the bug for trying this was over I had a play at making some jewellery which I had spied in a catalogue but they were an absolute fortune so I have made my version of them. AND lastly, I attended a 'Moving on with textiles' intensive workshop just yesterday at the Draoicht in Blanchardstown and I can tell you I had a fun fun fun day. There were 2 fantastic tutors who were teaching us how to do 3d embroidery, they did have a challenge I have to admit but it was worth it. My pieces here are not what I had envisaged they would turn out like at all but I am very happy to have learned so many techniques that I will definitely refine my next attempts. So, thank you for dropping by and catching up, hopefully it wont be as long until I blog again, but the next few weeks are filled with more fantastic textile workshops and I'm helping out at the Mega Scrap too but I'll be back :0)

Wednesday Stamper - Structure

2008-10-03T17:06:00.002+01:00

Its been soo long since I participated in a weekly challenge and I miss them so much. I have too much going on and yet nothing - do you get me? So, this is a little painting which suited the challenge as it has lots of texture paste spread on a canvas board, some gauze was pressed into it for added texture, air drying clay was used for the swirls , I used a mould for them and the focal piece is an etching where I used a Stampers Anonymous stamp and stazon on nickel silver, its a more silvery/pewter colour irl. The background had then several layers of acrylic paint and washes applied to get the desired effect. :-)

Judging a Book

2008-09-28T12:07:00.003+01:00

I came across an article recently for a call for submissions for the 'Judging a Book Exhibition' to be held at The Winding Stair Bookshop in Dublin for Culture Night. This book had just been returned as undelivered from the states where I had sent it to a magazine. I thought I might as well put it to some use and sent it off (hopeful :0)) . I was delighted to learn that it was featured in the exhibition recently. The book is an old fusty book which I had found and it was glued together and altered to form a canvas for an image transfer of my nan as a young girl. (Click for a larger view)

Invisible

2008-09-13T12:10:00.002+01:00

Sometimes................................

I just want to be invisible

Textile Work

2008-09-07T13:32:00.002+01:00

I've been trying to develop my textile skills before I take a few workshops in the next few weeks and have made this piece. As yet it is still unfinished, I think a bit of advice on the next move will be sought - hopefully when I go to my first workshop they can give me a bit of guidance. The background fabric is rusted irish linen (lots of steel wool and vinegar) I have to admit to loving rusting fabric. The heart is made up of many layers of silk,linen which I stamped on, chiffon which has been heated to an inch of its former self, scrim, netting and paper with embellishments. It was fun experimenting on how to do this and definitely worth having another go very soon. You can click the image for a more detailed view.

Photoshop

2008-08-29T11:54:00.005+01:00

Wow - have a look at this piccie Elisa had done something similar for her daughter and I loved it so much she kindly did one for me too. The piccie is of my daughter before going out to a disco. Check out Elisa's blog if you wish to contact her, I have no doubt this will be a successful new business venture for her. I would love to hear some feedback from you so I can pass it back to Elisa, I think she has done a wonderful job and I'm off to get this framed now.

Here is the before piccie.

Journal Pages

2008-08-14T21:05:00.006+01:00

A very special friend of mine celebrated a very significant birthday recently and I along with some crafty friends got together to put a journal together for her as a surprise. These are my contributions to the journal. Mary is such an inspiration to any who have met her and we were delighted to be able to do something to mark her day. The album was an 8x6. These pages have distressed ink backgrounds with stamping and embossing, my favourite image transferred onto fabric, an etched angel on nickel silver and soluble paper which I inked and stitched into it. (I used glue to stick it to the page and it started to disolve, so a lesson learned for me lol)

A Pair of Little Shoes

2008-07-27T17:43:00.002+01:00

Its my lovely God daughter's first birthday this week and I wanted to make her something special. Even though she is not yet 1yr old she has so many shoes it would make any girl jealous (her mum is the shoe Queen!). I had designed these little shoes for her and made a small rubber stamp with the design, I then enlarged it to make my pattern for the felt shoes. This piece is done on a canvas board which measures 10x12" and there is lots of painting, stamping and distressing in the background. I had made the felt some weeks back in the good weather and it was the perfect colour for the shoes. I was lucky enough to spy a beautiful pair of pink sparkly shoes in London recently which will match this picture perfectly (they will be too big but she wont mind lol) I'll take a piccie of them and the matching card tomorrow. The light is not great in these photos as its brighter irl. Hope she (and her mum) like it. xx

Linocutting

2008-07-23T17:52:00.003+01:00

I'm back again after another great workshop, this time at the National Print Museum in Dublin with tutor Caroline Byrne. This workshop was over 2 days and it was well worth it. We designed and cut our own lino and printed with up to 3 colours. Caroline was a very informative teacher and had the patience of a saint too. She was willing to share so much of her knowledge with us all. This was my design - did you ever have a design in mind and be happy with it until you saw what everyone else was doing? I was along with Audrey and Mary and they did the most fabulous work. These are my images, the first is on cotton paper in black, the second using 2 colours was printed onto Japanese paper - I love this paper. Below them are just 2 rubber stamps I made for fun while in 'cutting' mode. The museum has quite a few workshops running and I have spied another couple I think I need to register for.

Gel Transfer

2008-07-13T14:12:00.003+01:00

I have completed a challenge - its been so long since I have done any but the challenge was an image transfer so it was hard to not do it. Have a look at Saturday Workout for the challenge.

This is a gallery wrapped canvas which has been painted and collaged and stripped back with rubbing alcohol. The transfer is an acetate transfer with gel medium onto fabric and one of my lovely little cages stitched on top. Hope you like it :0)

Tyvek

2008-07-04T20:05:00.003+01:00

Here is a piece of tyvek which I altered by painting, heating, stitching beads and wire, glueing some shells and scrim and some found bits of twigs from the beach. You never know what you are going to get with tyvek - its a great material to work with. TFL.

Metalsmith Workshop

2008-06-29T13:48:00.003+01:00

I attended my first metalsmith workshop yesterday at the Marketplace Theatre in Armagh. It was probably the best workshop I have attended so far. We were given a small piece of silver to work with (after drawing out our designs). I went with a design already drawn and I didn't change it all that much. I have only just finished it off as I wanted to use some gorgeous Jasper beads which I got from BDI in Bray. I would definitely recommend this class, I want to go again - now. (Even though when I woke this morning I thought I had no use of my arms!)

Click the picture for a bigger view.

Find Yourself

2008-06-22T12:34:00.003+01:00

Well folks, it seems like a while since I've posted anything but its not that long really. I've been busy creating lots of things but not really finishing off anything. Here is a piece I started a month ago and only finsihed it last week. I love this piece, probably because of its distressed look.

Who is the little girl and why is she trying to be invisible? Why doesn't she release herself from that little cage and be free? What or who is she hiding from? Does she hope to free herself in the future?...................

I love making these little cages, they are tricky, I did try to distress the wires over the gas stove but some melted lol. Cant remember if they landed in with the spaghetti lol. (I'm kidding)

A Mother's Love

2008-06-07T19:58:00.007+01:00

I made some felt last week while out in the sunshine and today I finished off this piece again in the glorious sunshine. There are many layers to this that I cant seem to capture in the photo, lots of burnt chiffon, dryer sheets and acetate, all layered and stitched onto rusted cotton and more chiffon with an image transfer and some stitched foil, utee and beads. There is a story behind this piece but I will share that with you another day.

Edited to add - the net bag contains a stone symbolising the heavy burden a mother carries, there is also a sharp shell hanging from it - I'll leave that to your imagination. The layers represent the many layers of a mother's love, torn and ripped apart but held together by threads of steel reforming to make them stronger. The image transfer is of a stairs but shows a light at the top so the journey is always worthwhile ;-)

congratulations sis

2008-06-03T23:58:00.002+01:00

My sister has finally realised her dream of owning a coffee shop and has recently bought Tiny's Juice Bar in Cairns. I made this to congratulate her. I know she will make it a great success.

Etched Pendant

2008-05-26T14:18:00.003+01:00

I was making a pendant for a forum swap and couldn't stop at just one. I have been meaning to make one from some of the metal etchings I have made recently, this is my fav piece as I love how the colours of the brass changed when torched.

I've added another smaller one now which is very similar in style.

Distressed?

2008-05-17T13:48:00.002+01:00

Old, used, rusty - and that's just me ha ha. I've made this centre piece out of old bits and pieces lying on my table, the very centre piece is an etched piece that was probably over etched but I like how delicate and old it looks, it is layered onto an old torn leather spine of a book which I love. The background under this is a rust patina over distressed paint and its then layered onto a 10x8 canvas board which started its life as something totally different too. I'm not sure if this is finished yet or just what to do with it. I think I will have to look at it for a while. TFL xx

I'm back - I think

2008-05-15T14:15:00.003+01:00

Thank you to all of you who have been posting and viewing over the past few weeks. Life took on a role of its own and creating was just not a possibility. I hope to be back to some sort of normality over the coming days and to get back to my craft room and play some more. I have had some work done this past few weeks which I havn't shown you, they are small journals which are very addictive. I love the leather ones in particular but unfortunately I have run out of my leather samples so I wont be making more of these. This lot will be going to an art fair very soon. I thought I might get a lot more done but some day soon :-).

Here is one I made for Paula for a forum swap.

A Little Birthday Book

2008-04-23T19:25:00.002+01:00

This was a little mini book I made for Jo's birthday. I love how it turned out and it is fairly small and dainty. I used a page from a book which is over 80 yrs old and a colour catcher from the washing machine as the cover dyed with tea.

Paper Whimsy Fabric Arch Swap

2008-04-20T11:44:00.003+01:00

I'm doing a swap on the Paper whimsy forum and it is to complete a fabric Gothic Arch with a charm - the charm is still in the thinking process but this is the arch which is 1 of 3.

2008-04-09T20:10:00.002+01:00

The Paper Whimsy Forum have a bimonthly quote 5x5 challenge running from 30th March. The first quote is: If you cant teach me to fly, teach me to sing. I almost got it right LOL. I have used a distressed and collaged background with an acetate transfer on top, it came out like a gloss finish which I really like. It is then embellished and the paper whimsy image added. TFL.

Arte y Pico Award

2008-04-05T18:20:00.002+01:00

Thanks to Jackie and Jo for nominating me for this award.

There are 5 rules attached to this and they are :-1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her/him the award itself.4. The Award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte Y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.5. To show these rules.These are just five of the the very different Blogs I look in on regularly - all of them fun and full of all sorts of inspiration.

1. Jen Crossley

2. Ruth Rae

3. Viola

4. Nellie

5. Kaz

A Windy Day

2008-04-03T19:07:00.002+01:00

I made this piece as Guest Artist for Its a Creative World , if you would like to know more about soot stamping I have a tutorial for the technique on their blog. Its a great site for all crafters - some lovely tutorials too. It also fits very well for this weeks Wednesday Stamper challenge of Trees. TFL.

Metal Etching

2008-03-28T15:56:00.003Z

This is my first attempt at metal etching - another addictive technique. I recently bought a book called Semiprecious Salvage Its a great resource for making jewellery with found objects and some great techniques too. I havn't been able to put the book down since I got it and headed off to Dublin on Tuesday with a list of items to buy and try.

Here is my first attempt. I have another few in a bowl waiting to be released :-). Hope you like it and are inspired to try the same.

Just for me

2008-03-24T16:44:00.002Z

Lá Fhéile Pádraig

2008-03-17T00:29:00.003Z

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone - I hope you all can take time out to enjoy the celebrations.

This week's Gothic Arch Challenge was All Things Celtic and I felt I had to at least try to make something for it. This is a very quick effort, the image is one from the Book of Kells with various celtic stamps used around the edges with some copper foil, mesh and wire.

Enjoy your day.

Mini Journal

2008-03-11T17:15:00.003Z

I found an article in a book The Art of Fabric Books by Jan Bode Smiley and it had a lovely little journal made of fabric. It is equally adaptable to paper so I have to admit to a small addiction to these journals. You will probably find at least one in every handbag, table, drawer or anywhere I need to make notes. I have a tutorial for the basic design of the journal on Scrapwest this week if you would like to give it a try sometime.

Here is one I did earlier :-) on blotting paper distressed with coffee and a few pages stitched together to make pockets. TFL.

More of my weekend creations

2008-03-04T16:09:00.005Z

These tiles from Kelly Paper Crafts were created using pigment inks, lots of utee and alcohol inks, I love them and have decided to frame this piece. The black strip is a stirrer from the coffee shop (Audrey stole it!) with some wrapped wire and the lovely red stone was donated by Jackie. I think I could do a lot more of these for my walls.

craftjam weekend

2008-03-03T19:36:00.003Z

I had a great weekend catching up with some wonderfully talented and creative friends Jackie , Audrey, and Mary (who has no blog unfortunately) on saturday and sunday. I had fun creating some soldered charms, here are my efforts. I managed to get lots more work started playing with utee, alcohol inks and paints, but have no time yet to complete them, hopefully over the next few days I can add some more. We also salvaged a lovely green wine bottle which we cut into several pieces, the label and the wine collar didn't go to waste either (nor did the yummy wine!!) TFL.

You make my Day Award

2008-02-28T11:39:00.001Z

Thank you to Nellie for sending me this. I have awarded this to you- yes that is YOU reading this post - the fact that so many people visit my blog and leave lovely comments really does make my day and I would like to thank you all. :-)

Make a Moo or Two

2008-02-23T15:06:00.003Z

Over on Make a Moo or two this is what you will find:

If you see my work more often you might know that I love travel as a theme. You can interpret this theme in so many ways, cities, countries, means of transport etc. Even on a little Moo you can travel around the world. So show us, what’s the destination of your journey this week?

I find working on this size challenging to say the least but I said I would try :-)

Wednesday Stamper - Valentine

2008-02-14T17:35:00.004Z

This is my valentine card for my hubby and also my entry for Wednesday Stamper.

I also made this for a secret Valentine Swap for Jo

wednesday stamper - asia

2008-02-06T21:13:00.001Z

This week at Wednesday Stamper the challenge is Asia. Its been a long time since I have made anything oriental and I have been searching my room for all my oriental stash and not having much luck. They are, probably all in a very 'safe' place LOL. TFL.

Wednesday Stamper - Charms

2008-01-31T12:33:00.000Z

Charms are this week's challenge at Wednesday Stamper - lovely challenge. My photography is very off these days but I'm blaming the lack of daylight and my camera, nothing to do with my shaky hand. This is a piece of chipboard covered with glossy paper which has been distressed and some shimmering mists added and finally, Stamp Francisco face stamp. It is then covered with a piece of metal (wine bottle collar :0) ) I scrunched up the metal then covered it in alcohol ink, black stazon and then gold rub on paint, I then tore the centre to reveal the face. Charms were added as a finishing touch.

New Home Cards

2008-01-30T12:57:00.000Z

There seems to be a lot of people on the move at the minute and I had sent these cards out on Monday for some of them. House is the theme too on Mixed Media Monday so these should be suitable for my first entry there.

The piccie was taken at night so the colours look quite dull compared to irl.

Handmade Felt

2008-01-27T22:33:00.000Z

This is a little hanging I made for my sister who has just made a huge life changing decision in her life and I'm really proud of her. The quote reads 'In her heart she knew she was ready to fly'. This is also one of the first pieces of handmade felt I had made recently with some silk through it, I also stitched some beads around the edges. The centre panel is painted tyvek which I then stamped and stitched to the felt and added a little handmade cage over the heart and wings. TFL. I have some more pieces to add this week for some friends but will add after they receive them :-)

Wednesday Stamper - Keys

2008-01-13T15:03:00.000Z

Wednesday Stamper Keys Challenge