Some finished projects

Just put the finishing touches to some cushions, embroidered journals, brooches and a wall piece. Busy, busy! Some of these can now be seen at the 'Willow' a new craft gallery in Claremorris. The shop is a treasure trove of craft and design from the region. 'Willow' also stocks some ribbon, beads, felt and other craft supplies for you to make some beautiful designs of your own!

Learning to draw

A sketch of Nick Cage from a photo in the Sunday Times.

Women's Support Project, Leitrim: Day 1

Today was the first day of 'Creative Journalling' with the Women's Support Project, at the Leitrim Design House in Carrick on Shannon. The thing I love most about 'creative journalling' is that anyone can do it, regardless of age, background or experience at 'art'. Even those who feel a bit anxious about where to start, become absorbed and then don't want to go home! So often people tell me it's the first time they felt 'allowed' to create something without any rules. If it doesn't work out as they like, they can just paint or collage over it until they are happy. Today's session was full of paint, glue, bits of paper and magazines. We created a happy mess, shared stories and had fun. Here are samples of the work from these very creative women.

Women's Support Project, Leitrim: Day 1

More photos of this first session

Women's Support Project, Leitrim: Day 1

Some more photos from this first session.

New batch of notebooks in progress

I'm having some fun combining colours, fabrics, buttons and beads for a new batch of blank journals destined for sale at Leitrim Design House, Carrick-on-Shannon and Willow Craft Gallery, Claremorris. The stitching bug has bitten me again!

'Go Create' Solstice Arts Day at Campbells Tavern

Local artists at work on their 'creative journals'!

'Go Create' Solstice Arts Day at Campbell's Tavern

The Solstice Arts Group held a family fun day 'Go Create' at Campbell's Tavern in Cloughanover, Headford, Co. Galway on Sunday 20th September, 2009. Local families showed up eager to get creative. There were free workshops in pottery, jewellery-making, card-making and quilting in the outdoor marquees. More workshops in music, web-design, candle-making and creative journalling indoors. The teepee had a log fire and some drumming workshops. Anyone who wanted to, sat for a while in the field to help create a beautiful mandala using shells, stones, wood and sand. Here are some photos from the day.

A workshop with Vikki Pignatelli

The Western Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society (http://www.westernips.blogspot.com) invited Vikki Pignaetelli to teach her method of creating curves and openings in quilts on Saturday 19th September in Galway. I took a day away from the lads to attend the workshop and see her quilts up close. Vikki gave us clear demonstrations of her techniques and then we tackled the process ourselves using a pattern she provided. This is a photo of my sample piece pinned together and ready for stitching. To see how the expert does it, check out Vikki's website (http://www.vikkipignatelli.com/) and be amazed!

Learning to draw

Another day, another sketch.

Inisheer magic!

Inisheer was wonderful. I loved flying there on a 10-seater Islander, staying at Brid Poil's B&B, Mad Uncle Harry's cajun band playing at Aras Eanna and of course the creative textiles workshop we did on Sunday. Here are a few photos from the weekend. If you get the chance to visit this quilt festival in 2010....grab it!

Learning to draw

I decided to take a drawing & painting course at Stiuideo na Coiribe Art School with Jim Kavanagh(http://www.jimkavanagh.com/). Jim's studio is a haven! A warm welcome with coffee and cake and soon I was absorbed completely by the project he introduced us to. I learned a huge amount in my first class and surprised myself with the drawing I managed to do. I'm trying not to jump ahead and worry about how I'll get on at the next step....painting. But if tonight's class is an indication, I reckon I'm going to enjoy this course of 5 classes a lot! This is a photo of a second drawing I did at home just to try and convince myself I could do it again. I can see areas where I need to work on it and I don't always know how to do that, but I'm trusting that Jim will point me in the right direction.