London calling!

Travelling always provides me with lots of inspiration. I love to be on the way to somewhere....anywhere! I love packing, people-watching at airports, arriving at my new 'home' for a few days and the 'foreigness' of every little thing in a different country.
Here are just a few photos of things that caught my eye on a recent trip to London.

A fabric shop on Berwick St. used old dress-making patterns to decorate one of it's interior walls.

A photo from the Ryanair in-flight mag seemed ripe for reinterpreting in fabric and stitch.

A criminal offence! All these lovely old sewing machines had been used as a window display on Regent St. and were being thrown onto the pavement outside as part of a shop-renovation. How I longed to rescue them....but Ryanair baggage allowance does not allow for such sentimentality!

Cork Textiles Network exhibition 3rd to 17th June

I'm working on some pieces to include in this exhibition in Cork in June. Check out the Cork Textiles website on http://www.corktextiles.com/ for some photos of the work by its wide range of textile artist members (you don't have to be from Cork or living in Cork to join...It's open to everyone!)

Feile na Tuaithe, Castlebar Museum of Country Life

The weather was fantastic on 22nd and 23rd May for this great annual event at the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar. Lots of beautiful craftwork for sale with traditional craft demonstrations and exhibitions in the park grounds. If you haven't already visited this Museum it's worth a trip and watch out for Feile na Tuaithe next year!

Feile na Tuaithe, Museum of Country Life, Castlebar

I'll be stitching furiously over the coming days in preparation for Feile na Tuaithe at the Museum of Country Life, Castlebar on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd May, 2010.

This is a very enjoyable event as there are lots of outdoor activities for the children to enjoy: music concerts, magic-shows, facepainting, etc. There are food and craft producers exhibiting their work in 2 marquees. A number of traditional craftspeople will demonstrate their techniques. The museum's permanent and temporary exhibitions are open to enjoy. Various artists are invited to create sculpture and other installations around the lake and the grounds. The restaurant and shop are open all day. And if the weather is good, there's plenty of nice picnic spots around the grounds.

Art in Action, Townley Hall, Slane Rd, Drogheda

Art in Action is an event that takes place every year on the June Bank Holiday Weekend. I've attended since 2000: first as a customer, then a craft-trader and now a demonstrating artist since 2008. I've always been hugely impressed with the quality and variety of arts, crafts, workshops, demonstrations, music recitals, food providers at this event. Come along from 5th to 7th June, 2010 (only 30mins from Dublin on the M1) and meet the makers, watch them work, ask questions and be inspired! For more information see http://www.artinaction.ie/.

"The West's Awake" exhibition opens at Galway City Museum

We gathered at the Galway City Museum on a sunny Tuesday evening to celebrate the opening of "The West's Awake", an exhibition by the Western Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society. The Mayor of Galway, Declan McDonnell complimented the group on the variety of work displayed. Sandlin Poth presented the Mayor with a cushion inspired by the marble tiles in the Galway City Cathedral. For more photos and information about this exhibition which runs until the end of May see http://www.westernips.blogspot.com/.

Irish Quilt & Craft Magazine (May/June Issue)

Frances J. Sawaya (http://www.francessawaya.com/) is a feature writer for Irish Quilt & Craft Magazine (http://www.irishquiltandcraft.com/) as well as the organiser of the wonderful Lakelands Quilt Fair every September in the Ballyjamesduff Museum, Cavan. The May/June issue of Irish Quilt & Craft Magazine features a photograph of one of my wall-hangings showing the use of recylcled 'colour-catchers'. I was very flattered to see a photo of mine in print! Thanks Frances!
This transparent wall-hanging will also feature in the exhibition 'Make it New' by the Textile Art Forum (http://www.textileartforum.blogspot.com/) at this year's Lakeland Quilt Fair in September.