Cute as a button!

Button necklace

I used a selection of pink, mauve and neutral buttons from my stash, threaded them through with waxed linen cord and tied in a knot after each one. I used sliding knots for the closure so that you can put it on over your head and then pull to shorten or lengthen to the position you prefer. 

Off to raid the button stash some more, Christmas is coming and the list is long!

Get your craft on!

 

It's time to think about Christmas presents!

Christmas on a budget can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. This year my motto is make, recycle, thrift, re-purpose. 

With this in mind I started thinking of those short straight waiter-style aprons that always look neat, comfy and don't restrict movement. I like the way the strings are long enough to wrap around and bring to the front. You can use this to tuck in a tea-towel. 

I decided to make them using 2 coordinated cotton prints and make them reversible too. I added lace trims, a nifty pocket and a couple of printed words for a little extra detail. 

I've made a start on the present list.....but there's still a bit to go!

"Goodnight Chicken"

Hand-dyed fabrics, vintage lace, free-motion embroidery, fabric painting and machine-stitch sketching are just some of the techniques used to create this frame-stretched piece for the exhibition "Art is a Wound Turned into Light" at NUIG for Mental Health Week, which opened on September 30th 2015.
This piece was a slightly new direction for me to explore. I enjoyed allowing the piece to evolve in the same way as I treat a page in my sketchbook. I just gathered fabrics and lace scraps in my studio and allowed the piece to evolve as I worked.
Working in this way is all about enjoying the process and not worrying about the outcome.

Galway Culture Night: "Building Claregalway"

A wall-hanging created with the help of some local children for Culture Night at Cruthú Studio in Claregalway on the 18th September, 2015. The children used fabric crayons to depict something about their life in the community, I quilted each one and we used recycled ribbons to tie them together. We talked about the connections between people, communities and interests and how this makes life interesting. I love creating something new with the help of young artists like these.
Cruthú Studio is owned by artist Elaine Cunningham and Culture Night saw the studio come alive with face-painting, millinery, mixed-media art, music, poetry, stilt-walking, paper-craft and textile art. What a vibrant arts community we have!

Pop Up shop at Cruthú Studio, Claregalway: 
every Thur, Fri, Sat in August 2015

A number of local artists have come together for a pop-up shop at Cruthú Studio, Claregalway for the month of August. Pop in and see the range of work available for sale.

Summer Country Wedding

I enjoyed helping to decorate this barn for my friends' wedding. A mixture of old and new embroidered table-cloths, patchwork quilts, wall-hangings, bunting made together with the 'hens' over a glass of wine and the result is casual country style. Perfect backdrop for the organic feast and dancing that followed. Great memories!

 

 Finding inspiration for colour choices

This simple arrangement of Sweetpeas and Sweet Williams in a jam jar is my starting point for a colourful lapquilt. Watch this space for signs of progress. But I warn you..... it may take a while!!

Notebooks for sale at the Fancy Nest in Claregalway

Delighted that some of my work is available for sale in this beautiful interiors store in the heart of Claregalway (next to Supervalu). Pop in and take a look at the gorgeous selection of gifts available.

Some new notebooks on their way to Galway Crafts and Collectables

Just some of the new notebooks on their way to Galway Crafts and Collectables in the Corbett Court Shopping Centre, Galway this week. This is a great shop with some lovely handmade gifts from Galway makers. Pop in for a look!