GIFTS FOR GIVING

I always say that I have only 18 waking hours daily and if I am not doing something that I am passionate about, I am just wasting my precious time. Crafting - yes! That's something I always like to do. Making things for yourself is a joy but making things for people you care for is leaving a legacy. There's no shortage of good friends who surround me, so there'll never be a shortage of things that I can make for them for special occasions or for no occasion at all. You don't need a special day to say that someone means something to you.

I made this for Bino and Melrose's first born, Malcom. He's such a little dear and such a bundle of joy. I am sure his parents will bring him up to walk in the ways of the Lord.

Then one of my lovely friends from the International Women's Organisation had to relocate to the Philippines leaving behind a lot of treasured memories. Lin Yan has been such a lovely friend - a great cook, a fantastic outdoor person - hikes, mountain climbing and all. May this little Mr Prickles bring you joy.

Then last Sunday was Mother's Day in Ireland (31 March) and I had just got acquainted with Jane from China via a mutual friend. I invited her to enjoy the occasion in Abundant Life Christian Church after which we went for lunch at Aroi, Asian Street Food since our children are away from us. Gave her a handmade item to add flavour to the occasion.

Look what's inside!

Earlier this month, Audrey decided to give her apartment a new look. So this is an oil painting that I did for her living room.

This Thursday, my lovely friend Susan has invited me for lunch. Just some potpourri sachets to  enhance the atmosphere!

Talking about fragrance, here are some lavender diffusers that I made earlier for my home.

Sometime last month too, I held a book folding workshop with some ladies from the International Women's Organisation. 

So for the host, who graciously allowed us to use her home, I made a piggy planter out of a bleach bottle for her.

In January too, we went to Mexico, Sonya's Christmas gift to us. We had an amazing time checking out Chichen Itza since I love ancient civilisations, Mayan not withstanding.

We met up with our Mexican friends Fernando and Margarita over tortilla, refried beans, tacos, burritos, quesadillas etc.etc

We carried with us Irish sweets and I made this oven hot pot holder for Margarita.

And decided to start a new scrapbook travelogue with our trip to Mexico as my first entry.

Later this month, Killaloe charity/missions will be sending some clothes to African children. So I made a dress for a little girl, complete with a cross stitched bear.

And finally other little things to surround someone's day with love.....

SUMMER PROJECTS 2018

Summer is almost over and boy, have I been busy.upcycling stuff , painting, sewing and doing all the things I love to do. So I'll divide this blog post into categories.

1. Seamus the Scarecrow

I want to scare away the pesky birds from attacking my vegetables and fruit so what better way than to make a traditional scarecrow? Seamus is bigger than life and since this was my first time trying to make a scarecrow, I had great fun. The best part is I made a little vest for him from fabric that my sister gave me from the States about 20 years ago!

I also made new markers for my crops.

2. Fish and shell mural

I love shellfish so instead of discarding the shells after a meal, I decided to create a wall mural. First I made the fish out of clay. After firing, I painted them with fluorescent acrylics. Sticking them to the wall required loads of patience.

3. Water Barrels

Planters created out of water barrels are rather fetching. Due to adverse weather conditions last year, the 2 barrels that I painted were a sorry sight so I gave them a makeover.

Then I got another barrel and painted a new one for this year, inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's sunflowers.

free hand painting with acrylics.

4. Milk Churns

I purchased 2 vintage milk churns that didn't come cheap. For the one below I used stenciling and free hand painting.

Then I used grout for the poppies on the second milk churn to give a 3 - D effect.

And this was the original milk churn

5. Love the Birds

I made 3 bird boxes for nesting next Spring. They can also keep the birds warm during winter.

Then for the existing bird house, I gave it a summery feel. Notice that Mrs. is wearing a red bikini.

6. Ceramic mural

I did the abstract ceramic tiles last year and decided to paint them this year and mount them on wood.

7. Denim season

Apparently denim jeans and tops are back in fashion. I thought they'd look great in the garden too as planters! So I made a whole family: daddy, mummy and junior.

8. Gifts for friends

For their ordination as full time ministers in church, I made my friends memory boxes.

And for a lovely friend who called for tea, I made her a cactus pin cushion.

I'm back to painting with chalk paints and am in the midst of creating some new stuff so watch this space!

Upcycling Exhibition

The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web.

                                                                                                                            Pablo Picasso

And Picasso was absolutely right. We hold the emotions and then release them again into beautiful works of art. Such is the variety of upcycled objects on display at the Upcycling Exhibition held at the Killaloe-Ballina Family Resource Centre today.

Upcycling is "the process of converting old products into new products of better quality or for better environmental value." '

It is amazing to see furniture and household objects being transformed into works of creativity. 

Not unlike Cinderella going to the ball in a coach made from a pumpkin and drawn by mice turned horses.

I invited my friends who came mainly from Limerick. They formed quite an international crowd: Scot, Hungarian,Brit,Polish and of course the Irish too.

Throughout the weeks, I went round hunting for interesting stuff whenever we visited other cities and towns. These are pre-loved objects that I prefer to refer to as posh junk.

                                                                  A stool from IKEA

                                                             Chair and table from Kilkenny

                                                   Bird house stand from Ennis

                                         Wooden clogs from Garrykennedy (Hachi my dog chewed them)

And turned them into Gorgeous stuff!  After all, one person's trash is another's treasure, right?

                                                            With Nathalie