CraftED: A collaborative project supported by the Crafts Council of Ireland and Education Centres around Ireland

The CraftEd programme is supported by the Crafts Council of Ireland and National Eductional Centres to bring craft-makers into Primary School classrooms to collaborate with the teachers and pupils on a visual arts project.
I was lucky to have had the opportunity to work with the 5th and 6th class pupils of Brackloon National School near Westport during their final term.
The Mayo TV film-crew were on hand at the final exhibition at the Mayo Education Centre, to capture the excitement as the children were invited to a celebration of their work. You can see video clip here www.vzaar.com/videos/1026655
This will also be broadcast on SKY TV channel 191 on July 26th at 9pm and repeated the following Sunday and Monday at 7.00pm.

Bolg na Talún: A day in the studio of Mogs McDonnell

Bolg na Talún is the name of the quilting studio of Mogs McDonnell, near Headford, Co. Galway. This stone-built studio tucked behind the picturesque thatched cottage is like a little piece of heaven and I thoroughly recommend booking yourself into a workshop with this talented quilter....you will not be disappointed.

Mogs welcomed my sister and myself through the traditional half-door to her studio, where a wood-burning stove warmed the studio for a morning workshop.

Mogs comes from a long-line of tailors and some of the beautiful old sewing equipment is on display in the deep window-sills of her studio.

Mogs runs regular classes for beginners and advanced patchworkers and can also create a customised workshop to suit you or your group.

My sister and I enjoyed a relaxing hand project, learning how to create the 'cathedral window' pattern which we made into pin-cushions. Mogs also sells a range of fat-quarter fabrics to choose from for your workshop project.

For more information see the Crafts Council of Ireland's profile page for Mogs at

http://www.ccoi.ie/index.php?Itemid=280&option=com_staticxt&reference=1400&staticfile=detail.php