Scrapzville

Warning - total addiction!!!

2012-01-25T09:57:00.000Z

Well, I resisted a while, I thought "I'll never use it" (just like I said about Twitter - i've sent one Tweet!) but then I got an invite and am now having to seriously ration my time on PINTEREST!!!
I'm still getting the hang of it, apparently I can follow people, well, if you Pin (or is Pinner the proper term?) let me know and I'll add you.

This is like having an endless supply of magazines to browse through, I have collected ideas for my dream home, recipes, quotes and even pictures of hairstyles....... do not look at it unless you have will power and/or lots of free time!

This made me laugh..............

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristy on Pinterest

Look whats out today!

2012-01-23T14:48:00.002Z

Open publication - Free publishing - More cardmaking

Work in progress....

2012-01-18T09:12:00.000Z

A sneeky peak of a new Polly - at the moment she is wearing a pink and white striped top and I've yet to decide what else..... i'll post some more pictures when she is dressed!

Have a lovely day!! x

A Cinderella moment!

2012-01-15T11:06:00.000Z

This weekend celebrated all the Irish explorers that have been to the South Pole and a black tie ball was held by the Irish Explorers Trust. The seven (yes, seven!!!) course meal was based on the banquet that Captain Scott ate before he set off for Antarctica in 1910.....
Why am I telling you this?well, that was the reason for 60 adventurous explorers and mountaineers to get dollied up and leave there fleeces and base layers at home, and it was quite a sight! more dickie bows then you could shake a stick at!!

This is the beautiful dress that Heni Blak made for me.... i've never worn a full length dress before and it was really fun to dance in!!!

this is Himself all suited up, for a man who complained that he was going to look like a penguin I think he looks pretty good!!!!

So after the eating, the dancing, the laughing and talking we eventually came home in the wee small hours - I have to say its not something that happens every day but it was really fun!

Mini Album Class!!!!

2012-01-10T20:49:00.000Z

This is the album I will be teaching at an amazing little craft shop and gallery Truly Gifted in Mallow, County Cork. It is run by Majella Spang, a glass artisit and is set in a beautiful old building, the art and crafts that are on display there make a "quick visit" quite impossible!

I was going to make the theme 2011 and do a keepsake mini album for last years photos, but then I found this paper collection - Tilda Winter Garden - and the blues, reds and pinks said, "make us Valentines pleeeeease!!"

The kit contains everything you need to make this album, so if you'd like to come and play then call Majella on 022 57225 to book a place. The class is on Saturday 21st January from 2-4pm. Its going to be fun, fun , fun!!!!!!!!!

This book is really simple to make, if it proves popular then I will hopefully be making more intricate minis for the next class!

Monday update....

2012-01-09T10:37:00.001Z

This is Mr. Toby modelling his new jumper, he wouldn't look at the camera! I knitted it with Aran wool on 7mm needles so it was really fast. The pattern was free on Ravelry and is the first thing i've knitted for a full year - that Aran jumper I promised Tim is still just 3" of rib, I just cannot follow that pattern!

Here is Molly modelling the beautiful African 50's collection for Heni Blak - Heni makes amazing clothes, she has combined 1950's style with African prints. Not only does she sell online, but makes couture creations for special events.

I am going to a charity ball this coming weekend and Heni has made me a full length gown..... I haven't seen it yet, but today is the fitting and I am SOOOOOO excited!!!!

I'll post photos of the gown soon!

What do you think?

2012-01-06T13:16:00.000Z

(This was the only birdie picture I could find!)

I'm thinking about joining the world of Tweets...... will I ever look at it? will I update it? will I waste too much time looking at it? or will I love it and become addicted to Twitter (and still waste too much time)? I don't know how it works, it cant' be that hard can it?

Ebony was tweeted by the editor of Elle magazine after she put up some comment - she just about combusted with excitment! that would be cool, not the editor of Elle, but someone that I admire alot, so maybe I will...... ( I don't not admire the editor, I just don't read it!)

_____

I have come to the realisation that there are only a hand full of people reading this blog - and that is kind of nice, like a little gang of friends. It also means that I can say exactly what I like because there are few people to upset (you know, if they took agin to my thoughts. )

So, to the few (wonderful) regular friends and readers, thank you for being here!!!!! and if you're new then say hello and you will be in the gang too!!!

These are my ramblings for today, I'm off to the Back Lane Art Gallery now to do my shift in the artists co-op, I love being there, its a very inspiring spot!

Have a great weekend! xxx

Happy birthday Ebony!!

2012-01-03T12:44:00.000Z

When Ebony was 4 she wanted a fairy castle cake for her birthday - which I made from sponge, I cooked the turrets in bean cans so that they would be round........( I obviously had alot of time on my hands!) and then she asked for a pink castle cake again for her 21st.

While I was out getting candles and bunting I came across a plastic castle and a "my little pony" unicorn and decided to make life easy for myself!

This was the card I made for her, more pink!

and another shot of the famous cake!

Kirstyn and her mum Paulette travelled from Meath for the party, they are our only family in Ireland - Paulettes mum and my mum were first cousins, I have no idea what that makes them to us, but they're family!

and whats a party without a fake moustache???!

thanks for coming guys, it was a great party, no food left over but just enough cake for breakfast this morning!!

Whats your word?

2012-01-02T09:57:00.000Z

Well, its here, 2012 - we celebrated at home which was cosy, comfortable and lovely. I always feel a bit sad about leaving the last year behind, I have no idea why, I'm an optimistic person, I look forward to the things to come, but I always get a little nostalgic.

2011, was an eventful year in our house, Tim retired, Molly went to Africa, my job came to an end and I took the chance on being "an Artist" (keep saying it and eventually I'll believe it!) & my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer.

-BUT-

Tim is busier than ever, Molly came home safe, and longing to go back, I have sold many "Polly" items at all the craft fairs I attended and made great new friends in the process. My Dad has finished his treatment and later this month we find out what the latest news is (HE WILL BE JUST FINE!!!!)

Every year Melody Ross (an amazingly inspiring women) chooses a word for the year, this year hers is "Sacred"......... I am having trouble deciding what mine should be, it needs to mean, energetic - as in pouring every ounce of energy into everything I do. Thankful - to be thankful for everything I have and that comes along, even the bad stuff that will challenge me to find a way out. Successful - the dream would be to have a licensing contract , to get there many little steps are in place, which leads to me to my next word - Belief, yes I can do this, it will happen!!!!!!

So, if I can find a single word that means all of the above then that is my word for 2012!!!!

By the way, today is Ebonys 21st birthday, little did I know 21 years ago what an adventure it would be! Thank you Ebony x x x x xx x

That week inbetween.....

2011-12-29T16:15:00.000Z

We had a lovely Christmas this year, very peaceful and relaxed. My parents came for dinner, which was delicious and too big, and the evening was spent playing "The Million Pound Drop" boardgame and drinking wine.

But now its that strange week inbetween Christmas and New Year, I never know what day it is during this time! its a completely relaxing week, the kids are still off school (till the 9th, I wonder will I be so relaxed by then?!) and I am getting muchos crafting time.

This mini album is for our next door neighbours who have just had a little girl, Caoimhe, I need to make some more tags and then deliver it. I used Graphic 45 Baby to Bride paper - love it, its so feminine!

I got my hands on a Tim Holtz pocket watch, it is the coolest thing! this is what I put inside it today, but since you don't have to seal it permanently you can make lots of differnt inserts for it....... ingenious!

Now I have to finish a commission that must be ready for New Year, its an A4 diary for Karen of Swinkydoo designs she said I could do anything I wanted but that means I keep changing my mind! I think i'm decided now though.

What are you all up to this week?????

Up close... and a recent event!

2011-12-12T10:24:00.000Z

Issue 6 of Crafting Ireland is out this morning ( you can read it by clicking the link in the previous blog) but here is a close up of the finished pages... dont' you just love Perfect Pearls???!

The printing onto organza gives a ghost like quality to photos, I love the way it creates another layer. There are so many projects in this issue, the recipe book is calling me in particular, but then so are the altered baubles - displaying them in the glass jar is fab!

I have been missing from my blog for weeks..... its been busy around here! there have been fairs every weekend but one of the best nights was at the Art and Wine night which is held by the Rotary Club in Killarney every year. Its a great fund raiser, because they have so many artists they set out the room with these metal grids, that way everyone gets "wall space". My Polly Dollies got a great reception, thank you everyone who stopped by for your kind words.

This week is busy again with making stock for next weeks craft fair in Kate Kearneys Cottage in the Gap of Dunloe, putting up the tree (finally) and I suppose i'd better do some Christmas shopping.

Have a great week, x x x

Crafting Ireland - issue 6!

2011-12-12T08:45:00.000Z

Open publication - Free publishing - More 2012 calendar

I love these Meeces to pieces!!

2011-11-21T20:57:00.000Z

I showed some little mice on my laptop keyboard on facebook yesterday - it was a lovely quiet Sunday afternoon and I had a notion to make something.... so out came the fabric scrap bag!

Many years ago, when I was about 10 (many, many years....!) I made a mouse pin cushion. It was made from a scrap of yellow Laura Ashley fabric, had pink ears and embroidered eyes, it also had a piece of elastic that made a wrist band.

So, yesterday when I was making these little guys, I decided to add some covered elastic to form a band - you wear it on your wrist while you're sewing and your pins are always to hand!

My yellow mouse has disappeared (quite recently actually.... around the same time my eldest daughter left home......?) so I may have to keep one of these, the others (ten so far) will be making an apperance at the Malton Craft fair this Sunday.

Tuesday...

2011-11-08T10:07:00.000Z

This post was originally titled Monday - but the day past in a blur and it didn't get finished so i'm starting again!

I know I said I would post a video of the Crafting Ireland mini but I filmed my Halloween mini and then the battery died and the recharger isn't here ( and so on and so forth!) so that is my excuse for not having it up! I think I will fill it with photos first, it looks a but bare at the moment.

When we were at the Art Show in Dublin last Friday I was totally bamboozled by all the art. The styles were so different there was definately something for everyone, it was funny to listen to peoples comments and hear what they could see in things that there companions couldn't. I was drawn to many different styles but I couldn't resist this "Girls playing Chess" by Ludmila Korol. It is off to the framer tomorrow and then will hang on my wall ( i'm not sure where!) I love the detail in it.

Everyone has gone to school or work and its just Toby and I at home, its quiet other than the radio and I have tonnes of things to do. All of which make me a very happy bunny! I'm sure it wouldn't suit everyone and maybe i'll get bored eventually but at the moment I am loving being a stay at home mum/ domestic goddess/ artsy crafting nut!

Ok, the laundry is calling (yes I know, i'm weird, I like doing laundry...)

I hope you all have a lovely day! F x

Halloween Mini ...... a year late!

2011-11-07T12:49:00.001Z

Crafting Ireland issue 5!

2011-11-01T17:05:00.000Z

http://www.craftingirelandonline.ie/

Since the clocks went back on Saturday night it is now 4.30pm and dark outside. The fire is lit,(cosy, I love this time of year!) the kids are on mid-term break so there are no school runs, i'll make a cup of tea, click the link and read on!!

There are so many projects this month, lots of lovely Christmasy goodies, I especially love the cone christmas trees that Timi has made, these might just make an appearance on my Christmas dinner table!

My project this time is a "Twas the night before Christmas" mini album, I will make a little video of it and put it up tomorrow.

What else is new? well, this morning I got a chance to show case my Polly Dolly art at the Killarney Open Coffee meeting, its amazing that you can have blogs and facebook but sometimes the people in your own town don't know what you do, so thank you Maria Stack for the oppurtunity!

On Friday i'm going to Dublin to see the Art Show which is held at the RDS each year, it would be a dream to exhibit there but i'm really looking forward to seeing all the talent that is around. The lovely Amelie Gagne has taken a stand this year, she is a Canadian artist who lives here in Killarney so i'm going to be on "coffee delivering" duties, the best of luck to her, her work is amazing!

Thats all my news for today, the "Art & Wine" night is in 23 days....... i'm off to meet the framer again tomorrow, I remember last year thinking, i'd like to do that next year - I had a whole year to get organised and suddenly its around the corner!

Have a lovely evening,

F x

The Wedding Tree!

2011-10-24T20:00:00.000+01:00

This is my friend Mel, she married Donogh on Saturday. It was a beautiful ceremony and a great day, didn't she look lovely?

She had asked me to paint her a "Wedding Tree" which I did, it was set out on a table in the reception room of the hotel with ink pads, wipes ( for cleaning fingers) and pens to sign it with.

At the end of the night, this is what they had! I will have it framed by the time they get home from honeymoon and they can have it as a memento of their day.

P.S. - I wore a strapless dress to the wedding, and I was thinking I didn't want it to fall down when I was dancing so I used Redline tape across the top to stick it in place.......... that dress didn't move, even twelve hours later when I tried to take it off!!! there is still a red stripe across my chest today, so be warned!

Quick and Easy.

2011-10-18T14:35:00.000+01:00

Way back when, during the great bedroom re-do, I made this for Mollys room. It was a plain cork board from the local DIY shop, I painted the frame with acrylic paint and then covered the centre with some lining fabric. To cover up the not to neat edges I glued on some chocolate brown ribbon and then made lots of paper roses and a lollipop flower to decorate it with.

I added some Prima Bling and a button and that was that! Simples!!

Busy, busy, busy!

2011-10-13T15:04:00.000+01:00

I have four craft fairs and one art show to do between now and the end of November - 'tis the season after all!

I've been like a little elf in santas workshop making all kinds of pretties, there are notebooks and keyrings, cushions, prints, new framed prints, cards and the like.

I am not very disciplined though, I make two of something and then I want to do something else ( i've started to set goals for myself otherwise nothing would ever get finished!) I'm sure it would be more productive if I just made keyrings today and cushions tomorrow but I end of doing a bit of everything everyday!

Recently I got a notion to paint something, and here it is............

I love the sentiment - you never know whats in store for you, "Life is a delicious mystery!!"

I'm going to be putting this up for sale in my Etsy shop.... there are so many things to go onto the Etsy, I will have to schedule a morning to do nothing else!

Anyway I hope you like it, and I hope your day is delicious!!

Wedding Card

2011-10-06T09:00:00.001+01:00

My friend Mel is getting married this month and she loves all things hand made. As you may or may not know I am not a card maker - straight lines and myself don't get along very well! but I thought i'd see what I could do and this is it..........

The tag says, "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person"

The card is made from scraps and a lollipop flower, some pearls and some lovely ribbon that says, " love, honour, cherish" - I distressed everything with Vintage Photo ink to make it look old.

And this if the finished card, I hope she likes it - she doesn't blog so this won't spoil the surprise!

GCBE Report.

2011-10-05T15:23:00.003+01:00

So, there were shops.......... many of which (thankfully!) didn't take credit cards, however there was a cash machine in the shop next door so my willpower was restrained only a little!

The only thing I actually needed was a new paper trimmer which I got from Kerrys' shop, An Siopa Bui. Kerry is the organiser of the whole event and seemed to glide through the whole weekend without looking flustered - well done Kerry!

I missed my last class as we had to leave early but Mandy kindly sorted out a kit for me. I was really looking forward to this one as I haven't caught the dress form bug yet, but I was sure I would when I took Mandys class. There were a whole lot of book pages and some decoupage with this to cover the dress in but they have been eaten by my desk and couldn't appear in this photo!

Then there was the Crafty Queen herself, the lovely Eve Louw, the kit for this mini book class was full of goodies, flowers, bling, lace and the Graphic 45 Magic of Oz 8x8 paper stack. As usual time flies when you're enjoying yourself and this two hour masterclass passed in the blink of an eye!

These window frames are Shabby Chic Treasures from Prima - love them! they are definately going into a Polly painting at some stage.

Now i'm off to play with my new goodies!!

Its here!!!!

2011-09-29T10:58:00.002+01:00

The Great Big Craft Extravaganza starts tomorrow!!

We were asked to bring name badges, so this is mine......

I am supposed to be packing my craft supplies and choosing clothes, but I am the worst packer in the world! I always leave it until the very last minute and I am the only person I know who never brings enough clothes with me........ ( I blame Mr. RyanAir and his luggage restictions for that!) but since we are driving to Athlone I can bring as much as I like.

I've never tried to pack my craft stuff before, it proving quite difficault! exactly how many distress inks should I bring? will I need stamps? and if I do, which ones? As they say "its better to be looking at it than for it" so I think i'll just bring everything!

I recently got a pot of UTEE and now everything is being enamelled and cracked..... I know, years behind!

Little Bird.

2011-09-26T08:48:00.002+01:00

I made this page in my art journal - I like the way it came out because I rarely use pink. The tree is stamped with leaf designs and the wording says,

" Little bird, please take all the negative thoughts that stop me being who I really am, and lock them away in a jar where they can't do any harm"

In the jar are the words, anger, self doubt, impatience and fear - I liked the idea of the bird flying around picking up all those words , flying back to its nest and locking them away, how it does it i'm not quite sure... what with wings instead of hands!

I hope you have a great week and that your little bird is keeping an eye on you!

GBCE!!

2011-09-23T09:46:00.002+01:00

I am soooo excited, its only one week away - The Great Big Craft Extravaganza!!!!!!!!

Two nights away, lots of shops, demos, classes and friends - whats not to love?!

The first class i've signed up for is " how to photograph your art" ( or some similar title) this i'm really looking forward to, its something I need to learn about.

Nicole and Timi are taking Crafting Ireland to the show, I suspect that i'll be suffering a sore throat from all the chatting!

So now i'm off to make a name badge, if you read this and are going, come and say hello - i'll be the one with a big smile on my face who doesn't stop talking!!!!!

Ta - dah!!!!!

2011-09-19T12:20:00.002+01:00

I am very pleased and proud to announce that I was asked to write a tutorial for Crafting Ireland and whats more Nicole and Timi have asked me to be a regular contributor!!!!!!

I have to tell you, I was nervous.... but today issue 4 is out and you can see not only the Back To School mini I made but a huge amount of tutorials, hints, tips, reviews and the like from a lot of talented crafters. There are even some digital papers to download!

There are 93 pages of crafting goodness here, so when you get some time to yourself, make some tea, click the link and settle back ....... I'm pretty sure it'll send you running to your craft table full of ideas!!

Thanks Nicole and Timi for producing such a great magazine!!

Ooh!

2011-09-10T16:11:00.002+01:00

Hi again,

My teeny, tiny desk area got featured on "Where People Create" - the lovely Ann from AMG-Arts runs this blog that shows peoples studios, desks, kitchen tables, or wherever it may be that they make their art/crafts.

Send in your photos and answer the questions so that I can have a nosey at your space too!

Check out some of the older posts...... FABULOSO!!!! warehouses and beautifully decorated rooms, just the thing for nosey parkers like me!!!!!

Anyone???

2011-09-10T12:14:00.001+01:00

Hello, the lovely Dee has requested a mini book swap - something that hasn't happened for ages!
So, if anyone is interested then leave a comment here and maybe the Scrapzville Swap will be brought to life again!!!

F x x

A little bit of randomness.........

2011-09-02T20:33:00.002+01:00

So, I noticed on one of my visits to Youtube that Mr. Tim Holtz had brought out a die called "Artful Dwellings"- I am always so far behind the lastest trends so this may not be news to the rest of you, but it was to me!

Anyhoo, I thought, I like that, but its straight lines for goodness sake and since I am the proud owner of a steel ruler and a craft knife, I set off on a crafting spree....

Let me just say, this is NOT an anti Tim Holtz post, but apart from his round roof it looked pretty easy.

Here are the results, this project was such FUN!!! I used My Minds Eye Lost and Found papers. It was one of those collections that I was saving for "best" (why? why do I buy paper that I don't want to cut???) and then I opened up all the boxes of embellishments that are on my shelves and just used a bit of everything!

I used things I haven't used for ages like Stickles and Crackle Accents, I used stamps, buttons, beaded pins,lace and the paper roses that I am currently obsessed with making (another example of me being SO behind the current trends!)

The basic shape was cut from chipboard (they are 5" in height) and I used "Frayed Burlap" to distress the edges.

I don't know if any of you have tried cutting chipboard with a craft knife, but I would just like to say that if you get the die you will be saving yourself AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK!!!!!
Mr Holtz knew what he was doing!!!!!

But mine are cuter because they have chimneys!

So, this is what it looks like........

2011-08-21T13:30:00.003+01:00

This is the wardrobe that we had made - because none of the furniture shops could deliver in less than six weeks, and its nicer! it was literally one centimetre narrower than the alcove it was to go into..... getting that up the stairs and in place was a challenge, the radiator had to come off the wall along with all the skirting, but now its in place, never again to move! (and yes, we're still talking!)

Not a great picture of the blind, but you get the idea, simple fold up blind - very easy to make and as there is no gathering uses very little material.

This is the blue chest that I HAD to have! thanks to the new motorway it is a three hour drive from here to Ikea, it was well worth it to bring this home. I am now an expert at assembling flat pack furniture!

The bedside tables are Ikea too (no point going all that way for just one thing!) the patchwork quilt was made a couple of months ago, its full of mistakes, but I love it!

So that is pretty much that! I know its kind of girly but I have a very patient partner so I'm making the most of it!!!!

You can never have too many cushions.......

F xx

The Great Transformation!!

2011-08-20T15:15:00.002+01:00

Ok, so her room was always messy, but this what happened when we started to tear things out..... chaos!!
We have three bedrooms in our house and five people, while they were sharing the girls had the largest room, we had the middle room and Zac got the box room. Ebony moved out so I decided it was time to take back some extra space and move into the big room! (There is still room for her to stay over, you know, just in case!)

Zacs room got a makeover earlier in the year and when I asked if he wanted the middle room he declined, so it was eventually time to tackle The Great Transformation.....

Years ago we had built bunk beds (that were high enough to have desks underneath) on two of the walls, that meant the first day was spent deconstructing (is that a word?) those.

The Velux window had to be treated, which we did on a nice dry day.... only to have the heavens open and trying to put it back into place was fun I can tell you!

There are two windows in this room which make it really light, I chose Dulux Warm White for the walls and the new floor is a light maple, making the whole room light and airy.

Here is a sneak peak of the finished room - i'll add the rest of the photos in the next post.

While we were doing all that, Mollys room had to be finished since she is coming home on Monday (yeah!!! can you believe the time is up?) so we have been living in a DIY state of chaos for almost three weeks!

It is totally dreamy to wander into our new bedroom now - I keep opening the door to make sure it hasn't changed back to the way it was!

Anyway more piccys to come soon!

Thanks for looking in x x x x

the first day of my new life...!

2011-07-30T23:13:00.003+01:00

Well, how are you? I am fine, more than fine actually!

Here is the latest Polly to join the family, " There is nothing worse than normal" the first lot of printing didn't turn out well, buts that the beauty of painting - paint over it and start again!
I have just made some prints of her to bring to the Ballylongford craft fair tomorrow. Along with cushions, fridge magnets, keyrings and notebooks its going to look like Polly World!!!!

What else? well.......... yesterday Tim retired from his job after 43years of service!!!! (well deserved i'd say!) and since my Etsy shop is empty, my blog is neglected, there are craft fairs that i'm missing because I dont' have time to make things, its probably the last summer that my son wants to spend time with me and I have a million things to catch up on........ I decided to retire too!!!!!!!!

That is actually an exaggeration! what i'm doing is taking the whole month of August off, and then in September I hope to get a part time job and make a serious attempt to sell art.... there i've said it out loud!!! its now out in the universe for everyone to hear...... scary!!!!!

There is a major decoration/ swapping of rooms going on at the moment, so i'm actually hoping it rains for the next few days. If the sun shines, i'll be gone and there will be nothing done! I have a sneaky suspicion that "the whole month of August" will turn into, "what? its september already?!"

Thats my news, i'm packing boxes for the fair tomorrow and will report back on all the things I bought while I was there!

Enjoy your weekend,
Felicia x

There she goes.......

2011-07-24T15:57:00.003+01:00

At 4 o clock this morning Molly was checking her bag onto her flight at Cork airport. She stayed up all night since we had to leave home at 2.30am and decided that she would sleep on the long flight instead.
She should arrive in Nairobi at 6.30pm our time to a whole new experience, 42 degrees, different foods, staying with people she doesn't know, making new friends , meeting the children at the school and generally having a ball!!!!!

I was SOOOO good, I didn't cry!!!! she was so excited going through the gate, she hasn't been out of Ireland on her own before, let alone all the way to Africa, but she will be fine. She will be back in 4 weeks, and I will miss her, but what an amazing opportunity!
As soon as I get a phone call to say she is there safe I will relax a bit.... i'm sure all you Mums out there will understand that.
so that is how our Sunday has been, how about yours??
F x x x x x x

Maxi marathon!!

2011-07-18T10:25:00.002+01:00

So Saturday was THE BIG RACE!! it started rainy and windy at 5.30 am when I got up to eat peanut butter and nutella sandwiches and a banana.....

I think I should say that "Maxi Marathon" is a bit misleading, am I the only one who thinks it suggests further than 26.2 miles?? I think it was because half marathons are "Mini marathons" and this was 15 miles. But getting back to the story.....

We (all 1000 and some competitors) were taken by bus through Molls Gap to the Sneem road, I had thought we were starting from the lake but we kept driving for another mile and a half. From there the rain stopped briefly and off we went!

Its amazing how fast the crowd thinned out, we could see the fast runners way off in the distance after half a mile. Judy ( my running buddy and good friend) and I ran 10 minute miles for the first 8 and then my knee decided to give up!! I was SOOO disapointed, Judy did very well and ran almost all of the course, but I walked/ ran untill the half marathon mark (13.1 miles) and then walked the last bit with a jog to the finish line!!

The atmosphere was great, so many happy people at the finish line, my time was 2 hours 48 minutes. I had hoped to finish in less than 3 hours so I was pleased with that.
On the back of the shirt they gave everyone it says, " I completed the worlds most beautiful road race" and I am very proud to have it!!!!!!

I spent Sunday painting and creating and taking it easy, then went to see Harry Potter, so all in all it was a great weekend!!

2011-07-11T14:04:00.001+01:00

Today I learned to be careful what you wish for - cos you might just get it......
Scary? yes,
Exciting? yes
Can I do this?......... lets wait and see!!!!!!!

2011-07-10T11:57:00.000+01:00

Why oh why???

2011-07-03T10:33:00.003+01:00

Hello!!! remember me??
this morning i sat down to look at the blogs I follow and found literally dozens, I was delighted, I love reading all these posts.
BUT, every time I tried to leave a comment blogger wouldn't let me! "choose a profile! so I did, and then it says, " choose a profile" its the same profile i've been using since I started my blog!

So I would just like to say this, to Jane, Kay, Jenni, Christa, Ebony, Dharma, Ruth, Louise, Katherine, Amelie and all you other lovely ladies, I'm not ignoring you, I wanted to leave comments, it just won't let me...... so the next thing is.... does anyone know how to fix this???? is it just me?????

The Polly in the picture is still not finished, but she is getting there - she might have stood a better chance if I hadn't given in to the patchwork quilt!
I have never started quilting because firstly you need space (of which I have none left!) and secondly I knew it would become an obsession! so far, the quilt i'm making is REALLY simple, just squares, but really pretty ones. I will take some photos today when i'm working on it.

The other thing that is taking up all my spare time is running. I started running last March to take part in the Easter 5 mile fun run, and some how got ropped into a 15 mile run that takes place on 16th July!
I'm following a training plan but I find that if I run 6 miles for the first time I think its a fluke, so i have to do it again to prove i can do it. I'm up to 8 miles comfortably but yesterday when I attempted 10 my knee suddenly stopped bending and I had to hobble back to the car.

This is not good!! i'll go to the physio on Monday to see what can be done.

So, thats all my news,
If you can't leave comments for me here then maybe Facebook?

Have a lov-er-ly day! x

?????

2011-06-20T14:21:00.003+01:00

What has been going on over here?? ( Just so you know, it wasn't the ironing that did it, but I am about as stressed as this poor women!!...)

Well, things have just landed in a heap and i'm chasing my tail to find time for everything!

BUT....

I feel my crafting mojo creeping back, there is definately some quilting planned (simple, very simple quilting!) there is another Polly dolly almost complete. There is that jumper that I started knitting not one, but two winters ago........! I need to take lots of photos and make an album for myself. My Etsy shop needs updating and the gallery on my website, I can't expect to sell pieces that folks can't see!

So, I will get to all of the above asap - and as soon as I do i'll have some piccys for you.

Thank you for still looking in, even though there has been nothing new to see.

F x x x

while the cat is away......

2011-06-05T10:31:00.004+01:00

While the cat is away.... the mouse will craft!!

Tim has gone on one of his mountaineering expeditions that do not resemble a holiday in any shape or form! He is on the Isle of Skye in Scotland sleeping out on mountains in a bivvy bag having carried every drop of food and water , ropes and climbing gear for miles and miles......

He and 7 of our friends think that is fun, what can I say??

Sooooo...... while he went off to do that, I got to go to the craft fair in town. It wasn;t overly busy but I knew alot of the other people and so we had a lovely day in the sunshine, listening to live music and visiting in each others stalls (which were actually wooden sheds and very cosy!)

The Polly cushions are growing in number, but other then that I didn't take any photos.... what was I thinking?!

This is my desk this morning, the weather looks a little dull, so i'm painting and drinking coffee in my p.j's and thinking I might get dressed soon and walk the dog. A perfect start to the day!!

A Polly in progress! I'm not sure what she will look like in the end.... but since tomorrow is a bank holiday I have lots of time to think about it.

What are you up to for the weekend?

F x.

Whats new with you?

2011-06-02T20:50:00.002+01:00

Well, this is new - kinda!
Tim found this in one of his many storage places, a never used telephone from some time last century.... I have no Idea when it was made but I LOVE IT!!!!!
He has always found my taste a little strange but now there is no doubting it, this ancient dial phone has replaced the hand held one in our bedroom. It takes forever to dial a number and if you make a mistake your doomed, when it rings it would wake the dead, but I love the roundiness of it and the sound of the dial.

Guess what else?? well, this morning I thought, "I didn't get a bill from Etsy at the end of May" and then I realised it was because I hadn't added anything for a whole month.... so i thought it obviously isn't for everyone and i'll just let it go. Then this evening I got home to find that I had made my first ever Etsy sale!!!!!!!!

Hooray!!!!!

A women in England (thank you Ruth!) found my shop amongst thousands of others and parted with her hard earned cash for some of my art....... I am pretty amazed and thrilled!

I know this blog has been neglected of late, life just gets like that doesn't it? I will try and find time to post more often, and maybe even post a craft project (!) Blogger seems to have stopped letting people comment, I dont' know why but just so you know, I check in every day and read all of your blog updates that appear on the dashboard.

So, thats it for today, there is a craft fair in Killarney this weekend, if you're around come and say hello!

Art exhibition

2011-05-22T21:31:00.002+01:00

So, last night was the opening.... and I have to say a HUGE thank you to Deborah O'Keefe who runs the gallery, she puts in so much work to keep it going so that people like me can feel like they are getting somewhere with their art dreams.
There was a great turn out, lovely music and lots of new people to meet.

Here are my family, including my Dad who was sporting his new baldy look (thats chemo for you!) I didn't think he would be able to come but here he is with my Mum, Tim, Ebony, Zac and Molly. He is a great artist and was inspired by the show to take out his paints again..... it just proves that ART HEALS!!!!!

This is Tim contemplating if we will ever find one piece of art that we both like!

The exhibition runs for a month, so if you're anywhere near Killarney you could stop in for a look......

We hardly ever go out, but after this we went to a 30th birthday for one of my work collegues, so the great night continued untill the wee small hours and now I am officially wrecked!!

Hope you had a good weekend,

F xxx

Etsy pop-up shop!

2011-05-18T09:06:00.003+01:00

Last Sunday I went to Limerick to see the Etsy Ireland Pop-up shop. It had been opened for Saturday and Sunday and Ruth
had sent an email to the Etsy Irealand team asking them to send their work to her and she would display it........... can you imagine how much work that was?? she is like Superwoman!!

So, off I went on Sunday with some prints and magnets to display, while I was waiting for it to open I met Rebecca who makes fab cards- this is her adding her artistic touch to the outside of the shop!

Now, as the sign says its "open this weekend only" but - great news! the owner of the bar (Bourkes Bar in Catherine street) where the shop has "popped up" has very kindly extended it to a month!!!! that means that every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the next month people will be able to buy a huge variety of handmade items.

You all know how much I love polka dots - especially white spots on red background...... look how Ruth decorated the space!!!

So, with any hope there will be sales and everyone will be happy, and shops like this might pop up more often!

Rainy sunday afternoons....

2011-05-08T18:04:00.003+01:00

This weekend has been wet and windy.. perfect for getting jobs done around the house. First thing on Saturday was to put down a new floor in Zacs room -

with Tobys help of course!

and then we put all his furniture back and he has been watching dvd's in there since! the walls are a blue/grey colour that doesnt' show up well in these pictures.

Today I was left at home for the whole afternoon by myself. I took out my sewing machine to make a bag but it didn't turn out quite as I'd hoped (that might be because I decided not to use the pattern.....) so I made a cushion instead.

Printable canvas is great! I'll have to search for a bag pattern, I think i'd like a "Polly Bag" for the summer!

Hope you weren't blown away this weekend,

love F x

Busy, busy, busy!

2011-05-02T16:38:00.002+01:00

We have been crazily busy in our house recently - here is a bit of whats going on......
Today we are booking Mollys' ticket to Nairobi, she is going to do a month of volunteer work in a school and orphanage in Kenya. It is a huge adventure for her, she doesn't know anyone else going and has never been far away from home before........ I am both scared and excited for her, I really hope she enjoys it and learns from the experience.
She will be 17 on 19th July and flies out on the 24th, so now a long series of vaccinations and visas and travel arrangements must start.
I think she should start her own blog to keep everyone at home up to date!

Tim and I have been away in Galway this weekend climbing. sixteen brave souls set out to climb 7 of the "Twelve Bens" the weather was gorgeous, we had great fun, we covered 13km & 1535 metres of climbing on Saturday and then found a little pub in Cliffden to enjoy a well earned drink!
On Sunday we pulled on the harnesses and ropes and climbed Carrot Ridge - that was an experience...... I would have taken photos but I was busy holding onto the rock face!!

The Back Lane Gallery exhibition is having its opening night on May 21st ( just in case anyone wants to come along.....!) and here is the second Polly. There is some beautiful work there, lots of local artists, so it'll be a great event.

What else? well, the Easter holidays are officially over tomorrow ( today is the May bank holiday) and everyone is back to school and work. At the minute everyone is a bit glum about it, but tomorrow it'll be good to be back into a routine.
Thats all for now I think, hope you all had a good weekend,

Love, Felicia xxxx

Finished!

2011-04-21T21:01:00.004+01:00

This is the first painting for the Back Lane exhibition - the writing around the edge says - " Life is not about getting what you want, its about wanting what you've got..." A sound sentiment if you ask me!

I'll be putting prints of this for sale on my etsy shop over the weekend - there is a link straight to it on the main page of http://www.scrapzville.com/

Her she is complete with frame, I tried every single colour as a background, but black wins every time!

Tomorrow i'm working but then I have five whole days off - yeah!!!!

I hope you all have a lovely Easter and make the most of the weather (though I did see on Facebook that some poor souls are STILL snowcovered!)

lotsa love,

F xxxxx

work in progress.....

2011-04-20T12:02:00.002+01:00

This is a new Polly - still not finished but getting there!
Hopefully it'll be finished in time for the exhibition at the Back Lane Gallery, i'm not sure when i'm supposed to have them in by!
This is a 8x10 mixed media on wood - bigger then usual, I love the way her clothes have turned out.

Its half term holidays here, so Zac is supposed to be clearing out his room so that it can be redecorated this week - what he's actually doing is drawing pictures and re reading all the stories he has found! So, i'm off to Homebase to get paint and a blind and new flooring..... it looks like any painting done today will be on walls rather than art!

Some more of France!

2011-04-16T19:08:00.002+01:00

This is the abbey in Lagrasse - its just one of the many amazing buildings that we visited. Tim is a history fan and was spoilt for choice of places to visit. Actually, they were all really interesting, and there were alot of vineyards to visit too!

This house is why I want to live in France! there was a patisserie next door, which made it just about perfect!!

and this is a close up of my birthday present, do you want to know why its so special? well, i'm going to tell you anyway!

When my babies were small they always called their beds their nests - they would snuggle up and be cosy in there. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE being at home, I mean, love it! even if there is laundry and chaos to sort its the best place to be! and finally, the nest at the bottom has 3 eggs in, one for each of my children.

I wonder if Gwynnie knew that when she made it?

Happy birthday to me!!!!!!

2011-04-13T21:46:00.004+01:00

Hello, there are a million things going on in our home at the moment, mostly good, some that we will wait and see what happens. But one thing that happened this week was it was my birthday on Sunday...... (This could be a long post, best go and get some coffee, tea, water, wine? and get comfy!) So, because my fella (that is an official alternative title to "partner", hes not my husband, he says he is too old to be "boy" friend, and he also says "partner" makes him feel like a cowboy!) is completely AMAZING he took me to Carcassone in France for 3 nights! The castle is huge - huge enough to form the outer walls of the old city, people actually still live inside the walls - can you imagine that? they have to be really good drivers to get up and down the streets that were made for knights on horses! There are so many stories and so many photos to show, i'm not sure where to start or finish! we started our journey by driving to Dublin, we had dinner at The Porthouse which is a Tapas bar (thanks Cathy for introducing me to it!) but something strange happened there - I had never tasted calamary or the particular wine we had, I didn't like either and only had a bare taste but I woke up in the middle of the night in a panic. I was convinced that I couldnt' go to France for the silliest reasons, I am claustrophobic and thought that I would suffocate on the plane, also that my children couldnt be on their own while I was gone ( the eldest is 20!) In general it was a total panic that I can only put down to the food........... a horrible feeling, poor Tim, I woke him up at 4am to say he would have to go alone!!!! Still in the morning, all was calm again and off we went. I didn't suffocate - I have alot of visualisation techniques for plane travel, its not the flying it sharing that space with so many others! Also, this is sooooooo stupid - I got a copy of Cloth, paper, scissors in Dublin. I've never found it at home, I was so excited and decided to not even open the cover untill I was on the plane. On the plane I opened my bag to find.... that i'd left it in the hotel!!! but the trip was far too good for that to matter... Anyway, we spent 3 days travelling from Chateaux to castles to Abbeys, taking hundreds of photos and eating delicious food. The whole thing was fabulous!!!!!! But there is more!......... Look at this!!! no not the Gorge or the mountains or the sunshine..... look what is around my neck! Once, ages ago I mentioned to Tim that Gwynnie B had this necklace that I was going to treat myself to..... guess what he had for me on my birthday????! I know, reading this you may be thinking I am thoroughly spoilt, I think I am too! but I honestly totally appreciate everything that I have, I am one very happy 42 year old!!!! xxxxx

Charity Cocktails!

2011-04-02T18:40:00.005+01:00

The "Open Coffee Killarney" meetings are run by (the very cool and groovy!) Maria Stack as an informal business networking group. Last night Maria had arranged a fund raiser for a very good local cause the South West Counselling Service. This service is badly needed and could really do with extra funding to help more people. I donated a framed print, which was one of many spot prizes ( I didn't hear who got it yet, I hope they like it!) and since it was "Cocktails for Charity" it seemed rude not to have one! This week has been very busy and so I am loving being at home and pottering around today. I had to go to the DIY shop to get some hooks to finish a craft project, I found them amongst about a thousand other hooks, queued up, paid and then drove away without them!!!!!!! Duh!!!! Still, its no big deal, I dont' need them just yet. What else? my friends Nicole and Timi are putting together an online magazine, "Crafting Ireland" i'm going to enter something into their first challenge, its ages since I did any crafting! Thats all my news today, there is more news to follow when I get some decent pictures........ Have a lovely weekend x x x

Petit Polly!

2011-03-23T09:35:00.004Z

Morning! if you are in Ireland then what a beautiful morning it is! I hope its sunny and spring like wherever you are.
So, this little Petit Polly (5"x7") was just finished last night. I love her, sometimes I make these Pollys and think, "she's cute" and sometimes I just LOVE them! anyway, heres the thing, it took me ages to learn how to shade a face with pencil...... (and there is ALOT more learning to do!) but I have been trying to paint faces instead and so far it has been a disaster!!!
I have ruined more little faces then I care to mention, so I'm back to pencil and finishing with wax. Tam over at Willowing has some lovely tutorials on this, but she makes it look easy!

I suppose i'll keep practising, any hints, tips, video links would be greatly appreciated, but maybe i'm just a pencil kind of a girl?!

Enjoy your day,

love ya! xx

Crafty Alley Sunday!

2011-03-21T07:52:00.002Z

Yesterday was the Crafty Alley Shops 3rd birthday and Cathy had arranged a craft fair for the day. This is my little stall, there were loads of friends there that I hadn't seen for ages so it was really nice to catch up. the crafts were amazing and inspiring, I wish I had taken more photos! I'm seriously tempted to take up patchwork ( or is it quilting?) but I really dont' need another addiction!! ..... however, I did buy fabric while I was there.........

This is Christine and her daughter, we met online before this, so it was lovely to put a face to the emails! You can see Christines work on Etsy, at Killarneycardscrafts.

and the amazing Viv O'Shea, quilting queen and daffodil farmer!! in the time we were in the fair Viv had made almost all the strips she will need for her new "sew in a row" quilt. That is one of her other projects hanging behind her.

There were also ceramics and weaving and a candlemaker, in all a very enjoyable day!

Crafty Alley show.

2011-03-18T09:23:00.002Z

Hello, this Sunday the Crafty Alley are having a craft show to celebrate their 3rd birthday - I'm as disorganised as ever, but having booked my space will be there with piles of "stuff".
I'm really looking forward to meeting Christine who is in the Etsy Ireland Team with me (and many many others) and seeing her creations "in real life!"
So if you happen to be in Kerry on Sunday come and check it out, i'm sure I will end up buying a loads of things, that is always the way at craft fairs!
Enjoy the sunshine,
F x

While I was away....

2011-03-12T09:15:00.003Z

Did you notice I was missing? well i was! I was thrown down with a vicious dose of tonsillitus and sinusitus. For 9 days I was really sick, and today I'm not, so I'm having a little party here!!

There is always a silver lining though, this morning I got to read over a weeks worth of blog posts, which was lovely, loads of links to follow!

It is snowing...... it isn't sticking to the ground, but there is white stuff falling from the sky! last week it was positively warm. But this is good news, why? because there is a man in Donegal who predicts the weather and he said that in March we would have more snow and then a BRILLIANT SUMMER! everyone thought he was mad, but here is the snow in March, so I really hope he's right!!

I'm off to do a million things, even though I've been at home this week I haven't done one creative thing, so now I have lots to catch up on.

Have a lovely day, and if any of you are sick then get well soon! xxxxx

p.s. I apologise for my spelling of medical terms, spell check says they are wrong but doesn't offer an alternative.............

Anns journal.

2011-02-23T12:52:00.002Z

The January Scrapzville challenge was to create a journal in which you could write about 5 achievements. Ann was my partner and today (yes February 23rd!) we are swapping....... so this is the cover, i've left alot of space inside for writing.

The paper is mostly ledger paper from the Slice stack with some colour thrown in for good measure.

Ann hasnt' seen this yet, but at the moment she is driving over here so it won't spoil the surprise! I hadn't done any paper crafting for a while, it was fun to get the Big Shot out again!

I think one of my challenges to put in my journal will be CLEAN MY DESK!! its no wonder I can't find anything, I actually made the back cover twice, the first one is missing- presumably hiding amongst this mess. I'm sure it'll turn up when I'm searching for something else............

Saturday.

2011-02-19T12:27:00.002Z

Who knew there was so much to Etsy? I was hoping that you put something up and somebody bought it......... not so!

There are thousands and thousands of shops, so you have to try and make yours more visible to attract visitors, who will hopefully become buyers. There is SO much to learn, today i'm going to add these little fridge magnets and maybe a couple of other things.

What else is new?

I'm not really loving " The Elegence of the Hedgehog" its good when I pick it up, but i'm not dying to pick it up ~ what suggestions do you have for me????
I think I will re read Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris, its years since I read it. When I like a book I always re read it, does anyone else do that?

Have a lovely weekend, I think i'll bake some delicious chocolate chip cookies...... yum!

Pretties continued.....

2011-02-15T21:03:00.003Z

Here is the previously mentioned brown paper package..........

Lots of nice things happened today, I had a book voucher left over from Christmas and got "The Elegence of the Hedgehog", and Zac made a cake!

See that little box with the ribbon? thats what was inside the larger box.........

Look how pretty it is!!!!

And THIS is what was inside of that! not the best picture i'm afraid ~ for the full effect have a look at Gwynnies site at " The Lucy".

Today was pretty good for a Tuesday, so now i'm going to eat cake with Zac and read my book whilst gazing at my necklace!

I hope you had a great day too,

Felicia xxx

Pretties!!

2011-02-15T15:06:00.003Z

Guess what? I went home today for lunch and there on the kitchen table was a package. A brown paper package all the way from California.......

You have to understand the restraint it took not to rip the paper off to get to the contents!

This package, you see, is from the lovely Gwynnie B ( the most amazing jewellery designer, I blogged about her recently) and this is supposed to be my birthday present but that isn't untill April!

If I really wanted it for my birthday I shouldn't have ordered it untill the end of March, but it was one of those (rare) things that I JUST HAD TO HAVE!!!! So, here I am now, back at work, just finishing my lunch and knowing that its there at home, waiting for me!!!!!!!

More later..............
xxx

Maggie Mae.......

2011-02-09T14:46:00.003Z

Hello, this is Maggie Mae Polly, she is named that after the amazingly cool and groovy Maggie in Iowa. Maggie In Iowa looks nothing like this painting by the way, and i'm pretty sure she doesn't wear pink. Anyhoo, it was her birthday yesterday, so Happy Birthday Maggie!!!!!!

She is on canvas and I used acrylic, pastels, paper and buttons.

She will be going onto my Etsy shop
as a print tomorrow. I've just got all of the Pollys made into fridge magnets and greetings cards to! they will be up on Etsy soon.
This painting says " Breath and Believe" because really thats all you have to do isn't it? keep breathing and believe in yourself!

Hope you have a lov-er-ly day,
Felicia x

Time ...

2011-02-04T15:14:00.002Z

Its Friday, i'm sure it was Monday only yesterday........ will the weekend pass equally quickly, and suddenly it'll be Monday again?
But, since its Friday I will be full of Fridayosity from about 5pm onwards, then i'll have lovely dinner and a glass of wine, sleep in tomorrow, have friends over for dinner, and spend Sunday making "stuff" (cupcakes will be on that list for sure!) In between i'll shop and do laundry and walk the dog but it'll all be enjoyed.
Personally I think three day weekends are the way to go, but then i'm also very grateful to have a full time job in these times, so i'll be careful what I wish for!

I hope you all have a lovely time,
what are you're plans?
F x

Sneeky peeky!

2011-02-02T09:59:00.002Z

Heres a peek of the painting I hope to finish today..............

February Love......

2011-02-02T09:43:00.002Z

Hello, are we all glad to see the back of January? We are one month closer to warm weather! I was walking Toby the other day and came across this tree, I think it got hit by lightening - poor thing!
So, whats new? How are your new years resolutions going?
Today I am going to pick up one more set of prints from the printers (duh! where else would I get them?) and hopefully finish the latest painting. I am also on a mission to find Amelie
she has some very sweet pendants made with her lovely art and I know someone who'd like one very well!!! ( yes, me - but actually this is for someone else)
Its windy and rainy today, and Toby is afraid of the wind. I'm trying to type this with him on my lap with his chin laying on the keyboard....... he will follow me everywhere today, he really doesn't like it. Perhaps I can get him doggy ear plugs?>

Anyhoo, enjoy your day,
lotsa love,
F x

Oooh Pretty!

2011-01-29T03:12:00.002Z

Its not my birthday till April but i'm making a wish list now, you know just in case anyone (Tim!) should want some ideas.......
And this is top of the list-
A necklace from Gwynnie B the only problem is choosing which one!
Aren't they pretty? I love them!!

I also happen to love her boots that are in her "weekend fun" post on her blog - perhaps i'll put those on my list too!!

Its 3.20am, I couldn't sleep (that is a VERY unusual thing for me) so here I am in blog land, I suppose i'd better go back to bed and stop thinking about sleeping and just do it!

Good night x

Etsy - Betsy!

2011-01-27T12:22:00.002Z

Hello, exciting news!!!! ( well I think its exciting....)

I had some (lets be honest, it was only two, but still !) enquiries about the Polly paintings and so I've taken the plunge and had prints made and am listing them on Etsy!!
The address is www.etsy.com/shop/scrapzville

Only Polly Pilot is there at the moment but as soon as I get a chance all the other Pollys will be there too. They will soon be followed by Polly greetings cards - yes, its true, the Polly Dollies have taken over my world!!!

Felicia x

Very Cool........

2011-01-24T12:17:00.002Z

Hello, I have found a really lovely blog and etsy store, it belongs to Katherine Quinn and is well worth a look.
Her house pictures are so cute that I may just have to buy one! click the little badge on the right to have a look.
x x x x x x x x

Tims Birthday!

2011-01-23T11:21:00.003Z

This week we celebrated Tims birthday by taking a night way in west Cork. Now when I say "celebrated" I mean, I did because Tim is having another Bah Humbug moment! He is very good at making a huge fuss of me for mine, but prefers for his to pass un-noticed.

No Chance!!!!

I made him a card - why is it so hard to make cards for men???? which he liked and on our way to Clonakilty we visited Lough Hyne.

We will definately be going there again in the summer, its a great spot for canoeing. So, after cards and presents and cake and a lovely day, he had to admit that birthdays aren't that bad after all!

What else? yesterday I went to a craft class at the Crafty Alley shop - we did 12x12 layouts, i'll post those pictures later. The papers were fab, Lost and Found from My Minds Eye, and it was lovely to see everyone again.

Thats all my news this week I think - I'm working on a new Polly painting, which i'll show you as soon as its done.

Byeeeeeee! x

This week......

2011-01-15T11:40:00.002Z

Hello lovely ladies,
how was your week? mine was interesting, it flew by though and now since it is howling a gail and puring rain, i'm at home "pottering" .

My cousin Paulette posted on Facebook yesterday, "Dear God, please make my bank balance fat and my body thin, I only ask as it seems to be the wrong way round!"

And Ebony posted that she wanted to go to Notting Hill (or Primrose Hill, any London hill will do apparently) and open a cake shop that does late night sessions, craft classes and makes hangover killing bacon sandwiches..............

Dreams are funny things, mine usually involve living in a house that we have built that will have craft room ( a whole room!) and magically this house will always be tidy...! and I will finish everything I start..... but I'm much better at that than I used to be!

So, ladies, what did you dream of this week?

p.s. Get better soon Maggie x x x x x x x x x x

January challenge.....

2011-01-09T11:25:00.002Z

Hello ladies, I was trying to think of something really cool to make for January...... what do you think of this?
Have you looked at Youtube lately? Marion Smith started a 31day challenge and everyone is doing it!!
The idea is (for those of you that don't know) to set yourself a challenge for each day of January, and then make and post a video about it. In fairness, Marion makes it look effortless, she is quite amazing!
In theory I think this is a great idea, imagine how much you would get done?!

But, I know I wouldn't keep it up, and since setting attainable goals is one of my resolutions, I'm not going to start it.
So, for those of us who are playing the Scrapzville swap game this month, here is the plan.....

We will make a journal I suppose A5 is the biggest it should be, with a page at the front to list 5 goals. Then each of the 5 goals will have a page for writing about it and a page for a photo.
Because this will need alot of space in it, we only have to add a few embellishments, therefore it should be quick enough to make.

You can discuss colours with your partner, and then send them off to each other. Next month, when your 5 challenges are done we can post about them and see how we all got on.

So, i'll contact you all with your partners, and let the fun begin!!!!

Lotsa love,
Felicia x

January Swap .....

2011-01-04T17:20:00.003Z

Hello ladies, today I went back to work, which means that Christmas is over ( even though the tree will be up untill the 6th) sooooooooooooooooo.......

who wants to swap something??

Leave me a comment by Saturday 8th and we'll see who wants to play!

I promise it'll be something that doesn't take alot of time -

I hope you all had a great time over christmas and New year, one of my resolutions was to increase the subscribers to my blog. I am very pleased to say that there are 53 people who have signed up and thank you to those, so if you're reading this and haven't , then please do - i'll be ever so pleased!!!!!!!

take care, F x

This made me laugh.....!

2011-01-01T09:51:00.001Z

Brandi over at Life is Art entitled her latest blog post "2010 was SO last year"

Gotta love her!!!!

1/1/11

2011-01-01T09:18:00.002Z

Every year I resolve to do something positive, take on something new rather then give something up. last year I resolved to learn to draw and entered into the Sketchbook Project,
as you may or may not know, finishing things isn't my strong point, but this sketchbook had to be in Brooklyn New York by the 16th of January and I had it in the post on December 20th!!!!! (yeah for me!!)
Tens of thousands of people enter into this, all of the books get put into a mobile exhibition that goes around America. When people visit it they can pull out any book at random and look at it, which means that there is a tiny miniscule chance that anyone will ever see it - but someone might, and it might make them smile, and if not it will sit in the Brooklyn Art Library for ever more.

So that was last year, what about this one? every year I say I will learn to speak French - every year i've learnt maybe three new words! I will try and run more (more often, and for longer distances) and I will not take on more then I can do. I will keep the inside of my car clean.........

Thats not very exciting is it? Hmmm, I'll have a think and let you know if I come up with anything better!

In the meantime I wish you all that you wish for yourselves, I hope its a healthy, happy and prosperous year for everyone!

By the way, the photo of the tree is just because I like that tree!

Maybe I should resolve to use fewer exclamation marks...............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What was on your resolution list?

Love Felicia xxxxxx

2010-12-27T09:55:00.002Z

Since the weather got the better of mountain climbing yesterday (at least for us not completely mad people!) I decided it was time to finish Polly Pilot.
So, here she is - this is the first time i've used canvas, its usually wood.

The best thing about the days off at Christmas is being able to stay at home and make stuff! oh, and finish all the chocolates....and mince pies.....
Hope you're enjoying the day!
xx

Christmas Day!

2010-12-25T13:26:00.002Z

Merry Christmas!!!!! Here are some quick piccys of the morning - The table is set ready for lunch, which I can smell and am really looking forward to!

My brother Blake made it through the snow from the Isle of Wight, here he is walking Toby up to Torc mountain.

And Santa amazid me completely by bringing an ATG....... a pink one no less!!!!!!! I was positively THRILLED with it ( for all you USA people, these things cannot be got here!)

Poor Toby needed a small snooze after eating the leg and ear off his new squeeky pig!

So, I hope you all enjoy your day.

Lots of love,

F xxxxx

Festiveness!

2010-12-13T12:04:00.002Z

Hello, how are you all?
Last Saturday I was struck by a sudden dose of festive cheer! Having spent the afternoon at the christmas market ( its always the food stalls that get me!) followed by a hot port I was in tree buying mood.......
However, Mr. Bah Humbug pointed out that next weekend would be better for many reasons, and he was right of course, but thats not the point!
So, my festiveness was spent singing Christmas carols (badly) and making cookies (well!)

Every year I have this idealised fantasy in my head where my family gather together after watching Home Alone or something equally festive, we play christmas tunes and happily decorate the tree, feeling nothing but love for each other and enjoying the coziness of home.

What actually happens is, my girls have amazing social lives and can only help with the tree if it fits in between straightening hair and the taxi arriving. Zac who will have done his duty helping his Grandparents with their tree is sick of the whole thing.
So, it will be me, a bottle of wine, a mince pie or two and Mr. Bah Humbug who will have to endure my singing once again!

And do you know what? I'll enjoy every bit of it!!!!

p.s. Mr. bah Humbug actually turns into an xmas fairy, bursting with festiveness, but not untill the 18th of December!

November Swap for Ebony.

2010-12-03T21:18:00.001Z

Craft fair report!

2010-11-21T21:50:00.004Z

Today was great, we found Ballylongford easily and followed the trail of people laden down with boxes and baskets of goodies to the hall. We ( Tim came as my chief elf!) set up the stall and then followed our noses to the mince pie stall.... then the cake stall.... then the mulled wine stall.... you get the picture! Amongst the bits and pieces I had made were these altered note books, this one was the first to sell.

Spot the helper!

We met lots of lovely people, alot of whom will be at the Killarney Christmas fair next weekend, so I will have to visit and see if I missed anything today!

Hope you had a good weekend, is it really over all ready???

Felicia x

leaving things till the last minute....

2010-11-20T19:15:00.002Z

Hello, tomorrow I am off to Ballylongford for a Christmas fair. I was kindly invited by the lovely Josephine and Laura Denihan, so i'm packing up boxes of "stuff" ready to load the car and head to the wilds of north Kerry in the morning.
So far I have, fabric heart tree decorations, jewellery, scrapbooks and altered notebooks....... I really didn't leave it till the last minute this time, I actually did loads every weekend but there is still SOOOOOOO much to do!
Of course, I could be bringing it all home again, that means you all know what my christmas gifts are going to be!
No, I haven't been organised enough to take pictures yet, but tomorrow I will !

I hope you all enjoy your Saturday night (that means watching to X-Factor to just about everyone in Ireland!)
byeeeeee! xx

Sunday sunday!

2010-11-07T10:47:00.002Z

Okeedokee, I'm up and crafting like a loon!
I have 6 names for the festive swap.. our theme is, ...... erm, lets see........
Twas the night before Christmas!
So, lets make something lovely, maximum of 6" by 6" and just for fun put an envelope in somewhere ( Yes, I am in a very random mood today!!!!)
Six pages including front and back covers. Please contact your partner and keep the communication open - and have your mini in the post by the last day of November.
Thanks for playing, and don't forget to put the badge on your blog!!

We are welcoming Ebony to the swap this month ( no, not that one, a new one!)

So, Timi is swapping with Nicole
Ann is swapping with Ebony Phoenix
and I am swapping with Ebony Ivory

Have fun!!!!! xxx

The Mad Hatter!

2010-11-05T10:45:00.002Z

This is the Mad Hatter with attitude- apparently its no longer cool to smile in photos!!
Still a good time was had by all!

who wants to play???

2010-10-31T11:03:00.002Z

Hello!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!
I'm here making a very tall mad hatters top hat for Zac..... Pictures to follow!
I should be finishing some reports for work, but its Halloween! (nuff said!)
anyhoo, I just thought I'd ask if anyone wants to play "swap the mini" this month?
I was thinking that December will just be sooooo busy for everyone, so why don't we swap something festive in November and then we can take December off?
Leave me a comment, I'll gather up the names on Sunday 7th and post the list then.
so, i'd better get back to this hat, apparently teaspoons need to be sewn to his jacket too- at very nearly 14 he can tackle that bit himself!
Actually he could probably make the hat too, but then what fun would that be for me??!
xxx

Christmas Fair

2010-10-27T08:34:00.001+01:00

Surely not!!!

2010-10-19T12:11:00.003+01:00

Its October, the Halloween decorations aren't even up yet (they are down from the attic though, so maybe today?) and I find myself making a christmas album!
But I'm making it for a good cause, so its ok.
My junior school friend Heidi, whom I haven't seen for very close to 30 years (eek!) has a daughter who goes to the same village school that we went to. Through the wonders of Facebook, she has asked past pupils to donate something to the christmas fair raffle..... So thats what i'm doing!
I'm making it fairly simple with lots of photo space using the K&CO Yuletide collection from the Crafty Alley . I swore I wasn't buying anymore paper..... but you know how these things happen... ( Isn't that right Ann??!)
When its finished I'll put up some more photos.
Have a lovely day,
F x

Mwah ha ha!!

2010-10-11T07:58:00.001+01:00

The October List!

2010-10-05T20:21:00.002+01:00

Mwah ha ha!! ( thats my evil laugh...)

Here is the list for the most "Frightful and Delightful" album swap of the year- Its short and sweet!

Clare L - Timi
Ann - Christa
Nicole - Felicia

So ladies, you know how it works - you can make anything that is 6" square or less, you can even repeat the TP roll template if you want. Have fun and try to have it in the post by Halloween.
Thanks for playing!!!
(creaky door hinge, clap of thunder, more mwah- ha-ha-ing!!!!!)

And the winner is......

2010-10-04T20:30:00.002+01:00

Hello Peeps, remember all those goodies I was giving away?
Well, having failed to put all the names on a "random generator" site ( due to internet connection problems) I went with the old fashioned name in a hat method, and the winner is........

JENNY (AYELET)!!!! send me an email with your postal address Jenny, and I'll get it out to you asap. xx

Saturday Stuff.

2010-10-02T17:29:00.002+01:00

Hello, I just wanted to show you the beautiful album I got from Christa in this months swap.
There are some really pretty things inside, i'll show you more of it in a video soon. Thanks Christa, I love it!!

Zac is doing a graffiti art course at the moment and since his room needed decorating anyway, he's practising his art. Those spikes at the bottom are the crown on the statue of liberty!! I'll have to make him stop soon, no amount of open windows will get rid of the smell of spray paint!
( he's wearing a mask for the spraying bit)

If you live anywhere near me and would like a pumpkin for Halloween lanterns then please buy one of Zacs!! He grew these from seed in my Dads greenhouse, planted them out and harvested them - prehaps he's the next Richard Branson!!

Reminder.....

2010-09-30T19:35:00.002+01:00

Hello lovely ladies, its the last day of the month, so hopefully your album is ready to go or has gone!
If you've been delayed in any way, like, life in general got in the way or something then please email your partner to let her know.
Now, i'm off to open the package that arrived from Christa today.... I love it when I get an album in the post, its like Christmas!!

Are you ready???

2010-09-29T22:29:00.002+01:00

Hello, sorry i've been missing for a while - i'm just back from a 3 day course, very interesting and very exhausting.
Anyhoo, as I was sitting on the train it occured to me that tomorrow is the last day of september! how? when?!
I had thought that I'd bring the laptop and keep up to date with emails and blogs but alas, no internet connection in the hotel room.....
Guess what that means (other then the hotel was a tad last century- ish?) It means that the next swap will be HALLOWEEN THEMED!!!!!!!!
EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!
So, if you're ready to make something "FRIGHTFUL AND DELIGHTFUL" then leave a comment!
I'll put the list up next monday (4th) along with the name of the candy winner!
Enjoy the rest of the week, and especially the weekend,
Felicia x

Christas' Album - sorry its out of focus!

2010-09-22T09:08:00.001+01:00

No, really....!

2010-09-19T21:46:00.002+01:00

When I said, "this took me ages to make" I was being sarcastic!! I wouldn't know where to start! I tried getting my daughters computer whizz college student friends to do it... but no go.
So, I got the lovely Lyndzi over at cutest blog on the block to do it. She just waved her magic computer wand and there it was!!

Just so we're clear on who the clever clogs is here.... ( that wouldn't be me!)
Glad you like it though, I LOVE IT!!!

Yeah!!!!!

2010-09-18T21:31:00.002+01:00

Hey Girlies, finally my button is here!!! If you are one of the lovely Scrapzville swappers then grab the badge and display it on your blog!!!!
It took me ages to make this.......... yes, you can laugh, I have Skype and no clue how to use it, so making a button is a bit beyond me!!
Hope you're having a great Saturday night!
F xx

Sketchbook project

2010-09-18T15:23:00.002+01:00

When I signed up for this it was probably August, maybe even July and I have untill January to finish it....... BAD!!! I'd be much better off if I was given two weeks, I work well with deadlines!

Anyway, this is a page that I finished this week - I'd better get on with a few more!

Finally finished!

2010-09-12T16:00:00.002+01:00

About a year ago I started this project, and today I found it in the draw and decided to finish it.
Its made from two wooden heart cut outs that I painted with silver acrylic paint.

I printed a photo of my daughter onto pearlised tracing paper to give it a ghostly effect (it was an experiment and she hates the photo I used, but it would take another year for me to get around to doing another one!) I stuck it on with Mod Podge along with some corrugated card that I painted with silver dabber.

Then I added some lace, silk and paper flowers and some ephemera from the SteamPunk Debutante collection.

And finally, after a year of sitting in my "to Finish" draw, its done!

I heard someone describe it as "the scrapping graveyard" - What projects do you have lurking in yours???

September Swap candy!

2010-09-11T13:35:00.003+01:00

How are all my lovely swappers?!

Here are the goodies that are going to one of you this month - there is loads of paper, its Penny Lane by My Minds Eye, vellum, grunge paper, tags, more tags, coin envelopes, lace fibres, prima flowers, feathers, skeleton leaves, buttons, brads and bling - oh, and a tri fold frame from Bare Elements to stick it all to!

How are you getting on with your minis? have you all heard from your partners? if you have any questions, leave me a comment and i'll get back to you soon.

Today is the Crafty Alley Dublin crop - I hope you all have a good day ladies, you never know there might be some visitors from Kerry at the next one!

Enjoy your weekend,
Felicia x

New challenges, Sad endings....

2010-09-05T11:32:00.004+01:00

I firmly believe that you should do something that scares the life out of you as often as possible. That way, that particular thing won't be scary anymore - or maybe it will scare you so much that you know not to do it again! but at least you will know and not spend your days wondering about it.

So, because of that, when I was offered another job - soooo far out of my comfort zone - I made the decision to leave the job I love, and give it a try. Yesterday was my last day at the Crafty Alley Shop, and I just want to say a huge Thank You to everyone who made it such a lovely day - but especially Cathy.

The celebrations started with a tea party at the Craft Club...

Which quickly moved on to Champagne and strawberries! - we do things in style around here!

And ended with Cocktails - mostly (well, some!)non alcoholic - but very enjoyable all the same!

So, a very big thank you to Mary, Ann, Josephine, Laura, Ebony, Clare, the new Clare and Cathy for such a nice send off!

Tomorrow I start my new adventure - it could make for some interesting blog posts, but for now I'm enjoying a day at home pottering around and getting some crafting done.

I will now be a The Crafty Alley Shops best customer!

Enjoy your day,

Felicia xx

Swap partners list!....

2010-08-31T22:02:00.002+01:00

Hi Ladies, here is the list......
All of your partners are members of the crafty alley ning.com so you can contact each other through that. If you have any questions or problems dont' hesitate to email me and i'll do my best to help.
Because there is an odd number I will make two albums, that way everyone gets to play!

Ok, here we go.........

Felicia - Timi
Felicia - Christa
Nicole M - Ann Healy
Nicola - Ebony
Ayelet - Clare L
Michelle - Clare B
Sandie - Louise

So, get chatting and discuss colours, you have all seen the template and most importantly have fun making it!!!
Please have your album in the post by 29th September at the latest.

Thanks for playing,
Felicia xxx

Envelope Album....

2010-08-29T17:55:00.000+01:00

September Swap Template.

2010-08-29T00:47:00.002+01:00

Well, here it is, the template for this months swap.....

I think it'll be interesting to have everyone use the same shape mini, and then see what you all do with it!

I thought a fairy would be cute and easy to put in somewhere - but why did I say to remind us of the summer???? aren't they kind of an all year thing?

If you want to join in, leave me a comment here and i'll put up the list of partners on the 1st of September.

Thats all for now, enjoy whats left of the weekend,

F xxx

Paper suitcase and weekends away!

2010-08-24T11:50:00.005+01:00

The sun is shining today, so its still summery, but school is sneaking up on us!
Last week I went to Derrynane in West Kerry for a nights camping. We took our kiyaks and enjoyed the beautiful day out at sea. It was such a nice place that we stayed another night ( the food at The Blind Piper was a huge incentive, delicious!)
Look how clear the water was, i've never seen it like that before!

I've done very little crafting of late, but last Saturday Robyn

was teaching the card making class at The Crafty Alley shop. She made a paper case that contained greetings cards, it was really cute, so on Sunday I made one at home. Mine doesn't contain cards but could be a nice gift box, and it was very simple to make.

So ladies that is all of my news for today. I'm still taking names for the September swap untill Monday 30th, this months challenge will be small enough so it won't take too much time!

I'm off to do a bit of gardening now - we have loads of tomatoes that are still green, but we can't look at another courgette! my Dad bought a book called "what on earth will I do with all these courgettes" its full of really nice recipes, I'd better try some out!

Enjoy your day,

Felicia x

Itchy Fingers!!

2010-08-05T08:59:00.002+01:00

Good morning everyone, how are you all?

I think its time to start gathering names for the September swap - I'm getting all fidgety and wanting to make stuff!
I;m not sure what the swap will be yet, but it'll be fun and there will be SWAPCANDY!!!
So, leave me a comment here and i'll gather up all the names at the end of the month.

Enjoy the rest of the summer,
Felicia x

At last......!

2010-07-21T21:24:00.003+01:00

So, here I am again. I kind of stopped writing because it was sunny and everyone was too busy for blogging. However, its positively autumnal again! raining and cold.... summer is rumoured to be coming back again next week though...(yeah!)
This is what I've been up to since I last wrote.....

We celebrated Mollys' 16th birthday.
I've made one whole page for my Sketchbook Project - still it doesn't have to be finished untill January 2011. Why did they tell me that???
I made an altered photo frame as part of my Mums birthday present. It is Tim Holtz Lost & Found papers, it turned out really well, better then this photo did!
And yes, this is junk....literally! its for a "Recycled Art" exhibit for the Killarney Summerfest.

So, thats what i've been doing. How about you?
F x

Thinking out loud.....

2010-07-03T08:45:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone, you know when you think out loud? well I did the exact oppisite!
I thought to myself,
"Self, lets take summer holidays from the Scrapzville swap for July and August and start back in September"

However, I forgot that you can't read my thoughts! my apologies for not posting this on 30th June.
So, sometime in late August I will gather up the names and come up with a theme.
I notice that everyone is posting less as the weather gets finer- I will still put up the odd project but to be honest my craft desk has been neglected!

Have a wonderful summer ladies,
love to all!! xx