Amg-Arts.com

Storage Storage and lets Squeesh in some more Storage!

2012-01-12T04:45:00.000-08:00

Makeover and a Revamp

2012-01-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

January is almost half way there and so is my Etsy Shop makeover slowly but surely getting through my products and updating and giving the products a new look. Tonight the altered notebooks got their makeover and I am really pleased with the new photos.

There is a large pile of cards still to be listed but here are a couple of cards I got done this evening...

So what's the verdict so far? like or don't like? Hopefully will get another bit done over the next few days....

My Etsy Shop

Recycling Christmas and Moving On...

2012-01-10T18:40:00.000-08:00

This evening I took the large pile of Christmas cards that our household had accumulated and recycled as many parts of the cards as I could and now have a large bag of tags all ready for Christmas 2012, so long I don't forget they are there for next Christmas...

The large circle paper punch I bought was a great investment never have to buy tags at all just recycle all used cards for new tags. Now all that is needed now is some ribbon....

I also made a start on making some Valentines Flower Bouquets I did them with flock paper and I really have to say I love the three cards I did tonight!

After sorting out some college work I then sat down and watched 'How Does She Do it' with Sarah Jessica Parker as a Boston Woman who juggles her 'Mammy' life with the chaos of work and everything else.... Have to say it I enjoyed it! :)

And here are the cards I made tonight already listed on My Etsy Shop.

Maybe Not so Dreary a Monday Afterall...

2012-01-09T03:25:00.000-08:00

Greetings on this damp and dreary Monday morning, here in Dublin at the moment its a day to be spent indoors perhaps checking out some great websites and blogs here is my lastest blog found and I must admit it was a bit of love at first sight...

Creature Comforts Blog

With its delish colour mood boards and beautiful photography and interesting and will appeal to everyone posts!

The next thing is I have discovered, well I believe my fascination with Owls of late is slightly still moving on (still loving owls but...) I think (that me personally believe) that Foxes are the next big thing cute red foxes with their white tipped tails now if only I could find one in the surrounding field at home in Co. Meath that will stay still long enough fro me to snap him or her on my camera, one that is alive due to the fact the last fox I saw wasn't poor wee guy or gal was after been killed on the road. I want to draw some foxes!

So with foxes in mind here are some wee foxes I like..... courtsey of Etsy.com


ccollier Shop - all beautiful pieces a most see

Oh Hello Dear Shop


Marie Chou Shop

June 22 Shop

....And now for me it's back to class, and back to brain storming for my new drawing assignment brief, which I am happy to say I'm all excited about and think I will love this one Brief is called 'Series' and will soon hopefully post regarding on my College Blog Stitch and Mix.

Having a doodle of a time....

2012-01-06T15:25:00.000-08:00

This is the doodle I started at college ages ago and was stitching on the bus journeys to and fro but managed to get some work done over the Christmas holidays to it and hopefully finish it this weekend but decided to put some photos up and will update this blog with a finished photo when it is finished but in the meantime....

....so far it has been all done by hand! but will be finishing it off on the machine....

New Stock in Shop

2012-01-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmgArtsPapercrafts

....and lots more new stock to come...

Snowmen in the Studio.

2011-12-12T13:50:00.000-08:00

All is busy at the moment with assessments, and catching up after last weeks essays... but today took off an hour to help the nephews make some snowmen.

To make my wee snowmen you will need:

Polyfoam Balls: head, body and hands

Cocktail sticks: to attach body to head, and for arms.

Buttons & Brads: buttons, eyes and nose.

Fabric: for the scarf

Sheet of (thin) foam: to make hat.

And card for the bottom of snowmen to stop him rolling over. Glue for making hat and double sided tape for attaching on the buttons and scarf. ...and maybe you might want ribbon for his hat (it helps to hide the glue)....and all that is left is pen for his smile.

The 22 Shirt Exhibition.

2011-12-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

The 22 NCAD Textile Exhibition had a very successful opening and got it off to a fanstatic start, We had lots of praise for everyones work and the band Raglans, and thanks again to Aisling Farinella for opening the exhibition. We had a full house and are still getting lots of great reviews! We would like to say another big Thank you to all that were involved! THANK YOU!

Ladies Day at the Races.

2011-11-30T13:47:00.000-08:00

Sunday it was Lady's day at the Races In Navan, and I went to support my talented friend Helen from Fashion From Helen at the races and help take some photos, Helen who had made one of the Judges (Debbie Harper) a beautiful hat and her own stylish and coordinating headpiece for the day.

The Finalists been picked. Helens hat can be seen on the left of the photo on the judge 'Debbie'

Lady on the left was the winner!

Judges and the winners (clearer picture of Helens hat)

Helen modelling her lovely headpiece...and me.

& well we ended up with no winners, but it was a nice day for the races (no rain) and we had a good day and then it was back to work... Congrats to all the winners on the day and well EVERYONE looked great, and I'm sure you will agree Helens blue and red hat looked fab on Debbie - that was judging.

NING is worse than being sick, at least the flu wont steal from you!

2011-11-15T07:28:00.000-08:00

Since my beloved cat 'Rum Tum' (called after a cat in the Broadway show CATS) died in the month of November I think somewhere I think the month of November is cursed for me. Something bad or just plain crappy always seems to happen then. It used to happen on my birthdays but now I think its moved to November.

Take this November so far... On Friday I got drowned and had to sit through the Knitting and Stitching show soaking wet after walking up in torrential rain and after getting splashed by several cars, taxis and buses I was ready to turn around and go home! That evening came home not feeling well and have been sick since. Then I actually get a bit of good news I made some money on my paypal but then the next day most of it was gone. *ARRRRHHHggghh* I can not afford for this to happen being a full time Student at NCAD I need any spare Euros I can as we all know art materials and to live these days is expensive. So I went to paypal and enquired what happened. A Ning group I joined and registered for a year decided not to email me about renewal and just took my money out of my account for another year unknown to me. I did not give them permission but because I had clicked on the permission link the year before on paypal it enabled them to take it again this year. After several emails back and froth not only is my account cancelled but I am still short the money they have taken from my account!

So please BEWARE of this company and passing on any account details or you too may have money stolen.

Last November also had problems with my account due to paying for art materials I never received from an Etsy seller by the name of Lordon who managed to shut shop and leave without having to refund the amount before they left! and so here I am thinking November is not my month...So lets hope things pick up because at the end of November is the College Exhibition which now I need to go and write my artist statement for. But first I think I need two more Panadol between this throbbing headache from my flu or its from Ning with their belittling emails saying they are not refunding the money they stole.

Our N.C.A.D Textile Design Exhibit at the Knitting & Stitching Show

2011-11-12T07:46:00.000-08:00

I wait all year long eagerly for the Knitting and Stitching Show at the RDS Dublin. And yesterday was that day but the start got off to a bad wet start. Got off my bus in Dublin in the middle of a downpour that at the point where I had to walk to the train station at Connelly it was torrential rain. So by the time I had walked from Sandymount train station to the RDS my feet were now like prunes and my boots and socks/tights were making fantastic water sound effects. But finally I was there, checked in on my rota and had a quick run around the buzzing, full of chatter, lots of women RDS Knitting and Stitching stands and then onto the NCAD Stand.

Our stand looked very well and I'm not just saying that because our last project is on the mannequins but because it did look great! Let me tell you about the pieces we had on show:

Carrie Kinhan - Applied Art

This beautiful piece was the main attraction at our display and got the most attention and we proudly pointed the people onto Carries own stall behind the N.C.A.D stand. Her piece is based on Memories. And it is stunning! The photo does it no justice at all.

Also at the stand we had pieces from Rachel Platt and Rachel Tynan
on the stand but unfortunately didn't get a chance to take photos of their pieces. Also showing at the show is another graduate of NCAD is Ciara Harrison and and Clodagh Evelyn. All their beautiful pieces can be seen at the Knitting and Stitching Show, RDS till tomorrow Sunday, 13th of November, 2011. .

And lastly the pieces my fellow classmates and I made for the Golden Hair project at the end of last term.

The Outfit the group I was in made

If you look closely you will notice the fringing on dress and shoes etc is cable ties

My favourite outfit is the white one, partly made from the plastic wrappers off the strips put in your hair for doing your highlights

For the Photoshoot photos of these outfits on the models go back to my earlier post found here:

...and today I am not feeling the best with a throbbing head think I have a bad head cold after the pour down I got yesterday but still it was worth it and after I did manage to buy lots of goodies yesterday from Art Van Go and chatted to the very nice and talented Mr. X Stitch who's stand was behind the NCAD one and he came over for a chat. ..and now my throbbing head and I are off to try and get some work done.

22 - The Shirt Exhibition on Dublin Nov 28th - 30th

2011-11-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

At this moment in time my fellow Textile Embroidery classmates are working very very hard on their samples and shirts for the show. And we would love if you could come to our exhibition. It will be showing at:

The Loft Market

Top Floor

Powerscourt Townhouse Centre

59 South William Street, Dublin 2

Monday 28th - Wednesday 31st November, 2011

10:00am - 6.00pm

I can honestly say this will be a real threat for anyone who has a passion for textiles for my classmates are all very talented and dedicated and we will put on a exhibition to be very proud of, so you will not want to miss this opportunity.

Pieces and samples will be available to buy.

For more details please check out our 22 Facebook Page and our 22 Blog.

From all 22 of us 'thank you'.

My Florence, Italy Notebook

2011-11-06T14:46:00.001-08:00

For Core Year (1st yr) at college at N.C.A.D, Dublin we went to Florence, in Italy. We had to cover a list of things and places to visit whilst covering them in our notebook. We had five days there and on the last day we had to hand in our notebooks. We also had a list of sentences that we had to reuse and create images for throughout the notebook. And here are some of the things I saw and drew throughout Florence during them few days.

Where People Create

2011-11-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Where People Create Was created in January, 2010. I was stuck at home sick and had to take the rest of the year off college, I couldn't do too much physically and so came up with the idea of creating 'Where People Create' as a way to keep me sane whilst passing the time.

I have a little bit of addiction, and due to studying Textile Design at college I like to keep on top of the interior threads and I spot lots of ideas of things that inspire me and that I could recreate for my own home. Every month I buy at least one Home Magazine and my Tesco points have gone towards my annual subscription to 'House and Home'

With working in an Art Studio and having a love for Ikea I love to see new ideas for storage with living in a space that is piling up around me with keeping items and materials for both College and my own work, I feel some day I will be buried alive in my studio. And so I wanted to see how other Artists and Crafters coped, and where they worked and how everything was stored. And this is where the love for 'Where People Create' was born.

We are always looking for studios, art rooms and craft rooms. It doesn't matter how big, how small, they are if they are only a box in the corner or a your dining room table we want to see and encourage others that regardless of where you work you can create! We want messy studios, and tidy studios, its up to you, you could send us before and after photos if you want when its untidy and when its not.

But we are always looking for submissions. To submit we need photos as many or as as few as you want to send in. Also the following questions answered.

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?
Where do you do your art/crafts?
How do you keep all your supplies organised?
How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?
Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised?
Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?
If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?
Is there any craft you would love to do but cant due to limitations of your art space?
What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?
Is there a website for people to see or buy your art/crafts?

These should be sent to: amgartstudios@gmail.com

There is a Facebook Page where we try and add on photos of studio space as often as we can, and the links to the blog are added there was well as other interviews and features reading 'Studio Space' and 'Storage'.

http://www.facebook.com/wherepeoplecreate

...and a Twitter Page has just been created so its a little bit bare at the moment but will be 're-modeled' and on track with lots of tweets hopefully in the next day or two.

http://twitter.com/#!/WherePeopleCre8

Thanks for reading and we hope to see you over at the 'Where People Create' Blog.

Letting Go of Pieces

2011-11-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

Last night I went through and took photos of my 'older' College work the items and folders are starting to take over the room a bit too much and so pieces I did originally intend keeping and framing later on. I am now photographing and listing certain items on Etsy. Now if you spot any work that I haven't gotten around to listing yet give me a shout...

So last night I dragged out my end of the year project from Core Year (First Year at N.C.A.D) and photographed it and listed one of the painting I did on Etsy.

This painting was done as part of my Core Year Project (1st year) in the National College of Art and Design, Dublin. Where I am currently studying a BDes (Hons) in Textile Design (specialisizing in embroidery). In my project I experimented with sheer fabrics, netting and plastic netting projecting light through them to examine their transparency, colours and textures.

This painting is done on canvas and painted with acrylics. The canvas measures (h) 16" x (w) 22" it is mounted onto white cartridge paper that measures (h) 16.5" x (w) 23".

Artist Statement:

I wanted to experiment with light and transparency using different textures, fabrics and structures. The fragile look of almost lace that could be found in the vein like wings, the layering, the mapping and how the colour could bounce off something that could look so clear, colourless and transparent.

I projected light through various sheer fabrics and netting and and photographed them and from there started my research and development prompted the idea of panels, rolled tubes and clusters.

To check out the Etsy Listing for this piece click HERE.

N.C.A.D Textile Design Exhibit at the Knitting & Stitching Show

2011-11-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

At the end of last term, N.C.A.D 2nd Year Textile Design Students we given a brief called 'Golden Hair' it was to celebrate Peter Marks 50th Anniversary. The class was split into teams and each team produced a 'Golden' outfit by creating, recycling and revamping.

These outfits we created are to be on display at the the Dublin Knitting and Stitching Show at the RDS. For more information regarding the show click The Dublin Knitting and Stitching Show from 10-13 November, 2011.

Here are some photos of the outfits created:

All outfits will be displayed at the R.D.S Dublin Knitting and Stitching Show. And the N.C.A.D Textile Designers who created these outfits will be there to talk to you and answer any questions you may have. See you there....

*The Latest project/adventure we are venturing into is 'The Shirt Project' which we are currently preparing, it will be exhibited in the Loft Market Space in Powerscourt Townhouse at the end of November. More Details to follow soon at:

http://22exhibition.blogspot.com/ or Facebook Page 22.

Halloween Fires and Moustaches

2011-11-01T04:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening was spent having a nice time at a neighbours Halloween Party with lots of fireworks and a nice big and warm Bonfire!

Last year we were both sick with the flu and so we didn't get to venture out at all and so this year was itching to for the excuse to dress up. I had previously bought 'a' hat in 5€ in TKMaxx and thought it would be great to dress it up 'Gangster' style.

And a borrowed tie (thanks Dad!) ...and my waistcoat etc and a little help with some eye liner...

My First Woodwork Attempt

2011-10-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Firstly thanks to the new Chiropractor firstly for fixing us up yesterday and today I actually managed to get a good bit done.

Nesting boxes that I made got hung up. I made two of these out of decking scraps that were left over from decking getting done last Summer.

I'm probably a bit late getting them up but sure if any birds find them selves homeless or kicked out during this recession there are a few vacant 'homes' here for ye!

New Blog Banner

2011-10-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

The Old Banner

The New Banner

Thought the old banner was looking a bit pasty and too small and wasn't jumping out enough so tonight quickly I made a new one. So what do you think, do you prefer the old or the new banner?

The old one consisted of images taken from my cards and wax collages, and the new one is from a Christening Collage that was made by hand stitching lots of wording, ribbons and buttons on.

For the moment this is only the new banner on the blog I haven't changed the Etsy Shop one yet do you think I should? Personally I think the old banner looks best on the Shop one, it was only on here I think it wasn't looking its best.

Can PVA Glue Die?

2011-10-26T16:02:00.000-07:00

Sunday it rained, and Monday it forgot to stop and went into overdrive and it poured down a months quota (I'm guessing) so Monday's start was guaranteed to be a wet one, wet socks on the way into college and wet socks on the way home from college. Luckily somehow my A3 printouts of my Mood boards for college actually somehow stayed dry even in a soaked wet canvas bag.

When I got off the bus (thank you bus driver for letting me off where the whole path was flooded) and once again my socks are fully wet again, I went to cross the wall to go where my car was parked but before I took that leap realised there was a pool of water almost the height of the wall I got into my car and drove to home through a couple of flooded spots on the road I have never seen flooded before.

At home I was greeting by a mini flash flood meets a water fall, the water was gushing down the drive and straight into the garage and down alongside the garage eating away at the stones.

Yes it was dark and flash no use...

The Garage

And on Tuesday the sun came out....and we were left with a river of stones.

Oh well ...the clock change next weekend and well it will be dark leaving the house in the morning and dark coming home I probably won't see the mess out back again till next Spring, at the rate of how busy things are with college.

And so here we land on the question, can PVA Glue die?! I had a voice somewhere tucked away say in the middle of a sample for college 'lets throw some PVA glue on that' and I didn't think about it, I obeyed, I then walked out of the room to fed an attack of the munchies and when I re-entered the room (bowl of honey corn flakes in hand) I am pretty sure something died.

Now I do have to admit I did have to hack off the top of the bottle due to a big dry lump of glue and spend about 10mins at actually trying to get the stuff out, but I did and now I really think it was a bad idea. The smell is like something farted and then died, and started to rot instantly. All I know is I never use PVA glue and as I sit here and ponder when I did actually buy or last use that bottle of glue is 'unknown'. I was watching Julie and Julia (again) as I worked away but I'm sure neither would appreciated the lingering smell that is coinciding with food and film.

And so I am sitting at the computer away from the smell and also annoyed that half hour later and it still stinks, it also still isn't dry yet and I will probably end up with a gooey sample that...I'm not even going to think what it resembles but plastic and PVA aren't probably a good drying combination. I think its time to bury that glue in the bin. Goodbye PVA glue and lets not buy any more of you for a long long time.

***holds nose and re-enters art room***

The Writing is on the Wall

2011-10-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

Remember the two frames I collected off the lovely lady from jumbletown.ie? Large and brown perfect for what I wanted to do with them.

Although I couldn't get any cork boards (will have to do that one another time) I decided to make blackboards instead.

...and finally got around to taking photos of the finished frames.

And well now the writing will be on the wall, well the blackboard to be precise!

Flowers...Flowers....

2011-10-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

The 'flower' card got a bit of a makeover they now are able to stand upright on your mantelpiece, windowsill or table. With the aid of a leg.

Underneath the leg there is some space to write your greeting. Also because was in a flowery mood the other day made some flower bookmarks.

Have been busy with college but when I get a moment will take photos and upload the latest items onto Etsy.

One Step at a Time...

2011-10-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who has 'liked' the Amg-Arts Page, THANK YOU! Thank you for your support and comments and feedback. Can't believe the page has nearly 500 fans! *smiles*.

When we hit 500 everyone's name is going into a draw to win a 8" x 8" collage on canvas.

And here is one I made tonight, photos just uploaded on the Facebook Page and if its liked well maybe this will be the collage for the draw, will see what the response it like.... if not will make up another one..... So let me know your thoughts.

It's called 'One Step at a Time'. I wanted the background to look like it had been walked on ie footprints, and the little boy is pondering on his next move...the E was supposed to be part of the word Step but I then decided to change it and thought the E could also be for 'Entrance' for his next move....

Don't forget to click to see larger image.

Introducing New Blog Series: Meet This Handmade Artist

2011-10-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

Introducing New Blog Series: Meet This Handmade Artist

Modish & Retro is starting a new blog series called Meet This Handmade Artist this month. I will be interviewing handmade artists & designers based on their artwork, business, and themselves. My goal for this blog series is to introduce you to other artists and designers that you haven’t discovered yet by learning more about who they are and what they do for a living. Become one of their fans, or better yet, become one of their customers.

This fab new blog started up last week, and will publish interviews with Artists and Crafters, I have seen the names of the artists who are to be featured on here for the next few weeks and promise you it will be a great line up!

But, the very first interview to be published on here was ME! I was chuffed and really impressed with what a great job Kelly did with the interview. Their is also a Facebook Page for Meet this Handmade Artist.

To check out my interview click on this link:

Amg-Arts: Meet This Handmade Artist

Egg On Your Face

2011-10-16T15:55:00.000-07:00

To be extremely embarrassed. Usually the embarassment is the result of one's own actions. Not sure of the origin, but it may come from when clowns are at a circus and they have eggs thrown at them because of their goofy acts or when actors had eggs thrown at them performing in plays a couple of centuries ago. http://www.urbandictionary.com/

Today I ended up wearing egg, it was a choice between soup and poached egg for lunch today and I went for the egg, 1 minute and 30 seconds later as I stuck my fork in it there was an BIG bang and I had egg on my face, hair and clothes as well as my poor dad who was sitting across the table from me. All I could do was laugh I was pebble dashed with egg yoke.

I went up stairs to clean up and was getting a bit blinded by the egg that had managed to land in my eye, seconds later in the bathroom realised I had egg in my eye and no contact lense. Several minutes later after a full examination of all corners and nearly the back of my eye ball it was clear that it wasn't there. 15 minutes later after a slow reverse of the path taken it was also clear that I had indeed lost my contact lense. I have now fallen victim to my glasses. The weather forecast for the week is rain I am not happy....and will also be broke.

Specsavers here I come....

...And I should have gone for the soup!

Painting Black

2011-10-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

This weekend was another busy one, seeing I'm back to college I have to try and squeeze all my work into the weekends....

My Blog 'Where People Create' finally got its banner and a makeover.

And the 'Where People Create' Facebook Page now has the new banner as its profile picture which I think looks good.

Remember the two Frames I collected from the lovely (also an artist Lady) from Jumbletown.ie well it also got their transformation started. Couldn't find cork board for one of them so making two blackboards instead of one.

and now so far....

Blackboard paint drying out...

Got one frame finished, one more still to go...

Also have been busy drying out the seeds I gathered have dried and posted and gave away tons already and have some still drying in my little Garden Shed in the window and some here too...

And lastly we had this little guy visit us through the hedge and ditch he came and through the ditch and hedge he went back....spotted him whilst out working in the garden shed put together new shelves and started to move some of my plants inside before the frost comes.

...and lastly had the builder come out and measured the windows and door for the new windows and door! :D

Stitch & Mix

2011-10-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, I'm back at college. Trying to squeeze a whole lot into my short week and weekends. Everything gets so busy and other things come to a halt i.e saying goodbye to any night outs usually.

http://stitchandmix.blogspot.com/

This year year on returning back to college I have decided to try and separate my college work and my own home studio work, I will still be posting college work but not in as much detail as my newly made blog. In the new blog 'Stitch and Mix' I will be posting my College Brief outlines and sharing my research, photos and progress of my work.

http://stitchandmix.blogspot.com/

The latest entry is covering my starting off a new brief called 'The Shirt' and if you find any great links or references on shirts or what you think might help me in my research make sure to send your links my way.

Thanks everyone, and I hope to see you all over at 'Stitch and Mix'.

Ann

P.S I am quite proud of the fact my photo-shopping skills are getting better! and managed to achieve the above pictures.

2nd Hand Reads....

2011-09-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

Every week I spend hours on a bus bouncing over roads watching the same scenery day after day after day, so books are a great way to spend the journeys. But been an art student I can't afford to be splashing out on books, and I rarely have to been surrounded by family members who are avid readers always engrossed in book pages. So usually a pass around is done hence saving money, or I pop into the local second hand shop beside me at college on Thomas Street.

The second hand shop on Hand street, always seems to have books I want to read and today I was very happy to purchase 5 look like new books for €5.00 and can't wait now for the bus journey home, (here's hoping the bus isn't hitting any pot holes on the way home too).

My little happy bundle of books are:

Tragedy is a word too often used. Nevertheless, in Star of the Sea Joseph O'Connor manages to achieve a real sense of the tragic, as personal dramas of the most distressing kind play themselves out against the background of the Irish potato famine and the almost equal nightmare of the mass emigration that it caused. As passengers die of starvation and disease in steerage, a drama of adultery, inadvertent incest and inherited disease plays itself out in first class. O'Connor raises, and does not attempt definitively to answer, real questions about responsibility and choice.

Russia, 1854: the Crimean War grinds on, and as the bitter winter draws near, the battlefield hospitals fill with dying men. In defiance of Florence Nightingale, Rosa Barr - young, headstrong and beautiful - travels to Balaklava, determined to save as many of the wounded as she can. For Mariella Lingwood, Rosa's cousin, the war is contained within the pages of her scrapbook, in her London sewing circle, and in the letters she receives from Henry, her fiance, a celebrated surgeon who has also volunteered to work within the shadow of the guns. When Henry falls ill and is sent to recuperate in Italy, Mariella impulsively decides she must go to him. But upon their arrival at his lodgings, she and her maid make a heartbreaking discovery: Rosa has disappeared. Following the trail of her elusive and captivating cousin, Mariella's epic journey takes her from the domestic restraint of Victorian London to the ravaged landscape of the Crimea and the tragic city of Sebastopol. As she ventures deeper into the dark heart of the conflict, Mariella's ordered world begins to crumble and she finds she has much to learn about secrecy, faithfulness and love.

When Josephine March's great-great-granddaughter stumbles across her letters, the Little Women shed a glorious light on a new generation of sisters.

The Atwaters are a loving, sprawling mess of a family and Fee's three daughters, Emma, Lulu and Sophie couldn't be less alike if they tried. Emma is planning her wedding, Sophie is an up-and-coming actress, but Lulu - the cleverest of them all - is more than a little lost. If life is for living, why is she stuck in a series of dead-end jobs?

Grandma Jo's letters had been gathering dust in the attic for decades, but when Lulu gets her hands on them, everything seems to change and different worlds begin to open up. And even though dark family secrets emerge, Jo's words offer comfort and guidance across the centuries.

Sometimes family is all that matters. And sisters are the closest friends you can find.

Six people – five women and a man – meet once a month in California’s Central Valley to discuss Jane Austen’s novels. They are ordinary people, neither happy nor unhappy, but each of them is wounded in different ways, they are all mixed up about their lives and relationships. Over the six months they meet, marriages are tested, affairs begin, unsuitable arrangements become suitable – under the guiding eye of Jane Austen a couple of them even fall in love.

Beautiful, flaxen-haired Buttercup has fallen for Westley, the farm boy, and when he departs to make his fortune, she vows never to love another. So when she hears that his ship has been captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts - who never leaves survivors - her heart is broken. But her charms draw the attention of the relentless Prince Humperdinck who wants a wife and will go to any lengths to have Buttercup. So starts a fairytale like no other, of fencing, fighting, torture, poison, true love, hate, revenge, giants, hunters, bad men, good men, beautifulest ladies, snakes, spiders, beasts, chases, escapes, lies, truths, passion and miracles.

Loved the film of 'The Princess Bride' as a child and bought it for nephews will try and read it to them or pass it on for their 'Mammy' to read it to them.

So looking forward to reading my new books and will post my reviews when I'm finished.

For some of my previous reads and recommendations check out my reviews on Amazon here

Morris Minor...

2011-09-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

We have this old Morris Minor I love it all rustic.....well rusty really and old and I just love it sitting there....

This is the Minor sitting in the shed before the shed was cleaned up

also useful for photoshoots!

Eventually did manage to tidy up the shed and last Summer my friend Ruby Clover came and took a photo of the olde Morris Minor and sent me a photograph. I love it and when I went to Ikea on Monday bought a nice white frame for it. And today popped the photo in and took a photo for you all to see....

Make sure to click on photo to see larger version

I love it!

And if you would like to see more of Ruby's photos or purchase a photo...or the Morris Minor photo make sure to check out her online Etsy Shop and also Facebook Page Ruby Clover.

Thanks for reading,

Ann

Fly Away

2011-09-15T05:11:00.000-07:00

Last night or should I say the early hours this morning I should have been going to sleep but I decided to make one last and final collage, and hence why it was after 4am going to my leaba (bed). But happy I didn't because I now have my collage that I want to send out as a present....so someone out there is getting a surprise! Still have another collage present to do, so might try again today to make another one. But for the moment here are yesterdays work.

Fly Away Collage

New Frames Day

2011-09-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today went and got the two frames as arranged from 'Jumbletown' website (great Irish Site) lovely lady and very happy with them, all I need now is some paint and some cork board or mdf board painted with blackboard paint and will have great noticeboards.

And this evening played a bit with trying to do a shadow box with butterflies did them in white linen paper first and then on top a coloured, folded butterfly. Will play around a bit more with them later. And will take better photos in the day light instead of the silly hour it is now.

Also made a small notebook prettier...

Again, will take better photos in daylight with proper camera tomorrow instead of mobile phone. Also played with glue gun and paint today but don't like this idea any more going to have another go at it in a different way later....

And lastly I had some help in the studio today, although chocolate was involved....

The List

2011-09-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

The other day I wrote a list, a list of all the final things that were needed for doing work outside and inside of the cottage. I think I wrote a pretty good and clear list of what was needed half the items were to be from B&Q and the other half probably Ikea.

And so yesterday headed up to B&Q with the list, and proudly ticked off the items, the plan in my head of what changes I was going to make with these new purchases even made me eager to get home to start them.

There are presses to be sanded and painted, and birdhouse perches to be made, and walls and gates to be painted... My jigsaw is going to be blunt in no time!

And today I sat down and looked through Jumbletown site and found some great items to go and collect and my list is getting bigger again, oooppps it never does end, does it!?! And the count down to college is on... 12 days of freedom left and still so many jobs to be done...

Go Fly a Kite

2011-09-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, we took a visit to Ashton Court Estate to check out the Kite Festival. Ashton Court run quite a lot of different things like the Balloon Festival which I have attended before but hadn't yet attended the Kite Festival.

Bristol International Kite Festival is running their 25th Festival (it is on tomorrow again 11-5pm, and its free unless you are parking). With large dog kites, cat kites, dragon flies, cars, tweety, fish, boats and many more...With plenty of wind today all you needed was your kite...

A Teddy Bear Picnic taken place at the Bristol Kite Festival

Eating lots of Candy Floss

Our lift home

Why This Road

2011-08-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was very little picking up pens, pencils and markers and being amazed that I could make, command these lines to go or do whatever I wanted to do and so I scribbled and I drew and I wrote and I made my mark. I remember tying up lots of pens and pencils together and smiling, laughing at how many marks I could draw and how quickly and so I would play. (Old Junior Cert Art work 1993)

Collage 1994

I always scribbled and drew, many a time at work I was caught scribbling and drawing on post-sticks when I was talking to customers and clients on the phone at work.

My father used to complain when I was little that I was a magpie I used to have shoe boxes, boxes and tubs filled to the brim under my bed of what he called 'junk and rubbish'; little did he know they were all my 'treasures' and later where to be used for one project or another. And they still are collected and placed into there correct boxes or tub and used for one project or another.

At school I raced to art classes, others were disgusted to get their hands dirty or get paint on them, not me I loved it, always making a mess. I knew drawing wasn't my strongest point but I practiced and I still loved to draw, with everything though pencils, pens, crayons, charcoal, chalks anything that I could get my hands on, but I would get told off, get told that I had to stick to one only. A couple of years later I got a different art teacher who spent more time making us write out the history art book into our notebooks then doing anything else, out the window went drawing, painting or anything that made an art class art, instead we got dented thumbs and sore wrists from all the writing.

1995

For my final year of Secondary School I got a 'real' art teacher, one that wasn't only interested in her own taste but was willing to let you try your own thing and experiment, but also taught you, and taught you how to think, broaden your thinking, and try new things. So we got to do art 'out of the box' and it was a great final year. But the problem was the year before this we were all told are skills were bad and couldn't work with us and instead we were doing art history and the words 'you can't' rang, echoing in my head I believed I couldn't draw and cant draw and by the time I finished school I still wasn't brave or confident enough to think I could do it, go to college and be an artist.

1995 Leaving Cert Year

I tried, I applied for art portfolio courses but my parents convinced me the only one I should attend and afford was the local one, I argued it didn't suit it wasn't the one I wanted to do it was Graphic Design based Art Portfolio course and I wanted to do a more Multimedia one, with more exciting listings on the programme and timetable, but they argued an art course was an art course and that basically she wasn't helping me out re college funds and I had no choice it was the local. I hated it!

1995

The people in the course were great and so talented but we spent two months drawing boxes the same boxes for days on end and nothing else, photography class they had one camera for all of us to share and we had to take it in turns of two's to develop in the dark room I got in one in the two months it was so bad I said to my parents I wanted to leave whilst I had time to get into another course, but she made me say till Christmas by Christmas it was still boxes and the same stuff I had done and learned in early years of secondary school. So parents finally agreed I could leave. But it was too late for another course and so I ended up working full time at my 'part-time' job at the supermarket.

21.03.2005

The following summer I tried for Bristol, to get into Fashion Design and textiles what I always wanted to do, but the fees were way too high and I couldn't afford it, Dublin ran only a fashion design course or a textile course but not a mixture of the too and I never thought of applying directly because I thought i'd never get in. I applied for another portfolio course but never heard anything back, I rang and rang and eventually I was told they had no records of me attending for my interview etc. and it was too late to reapply again! I ended up having to study computers I enjoyed it but my heart was else where.

My favorite Collage - 2005

And so it became office jobs, account Offices, and P.A jobs etc I feel numb doing them, like a clone is carrying out the work and I'm just the one that goes home in the evening tired. I couldn't spend the next 30 or 40 years working a job like this and regretting not trying to get a life in the art world. And so whilst still living in Bristol I went about collecting College Brochures but then in July I got my redundancy after the company did a merger it was the wrong time of year to think of attending college due to the fact Portfolios are due in after Christmas and I went home to Ireland and waited, but it wasn't until July 2007 that I snapped I had enough of Offices/accounts/ and anything to do with that line of work I wanted out. I handed in my notice at work after researching the best way about going back to college and decided to do a year long portfolio course.

2010

I am now about to start my third year at N.C.A.D and enjoying all the projects its been a long stretch especially since I got sick at the start of second year and had to take the rest of the year off, and start it again...but I'm going to finish it, I need to and since having my little nephews around me in my art room I discovered I could possibly make a good teacher and because I had a bad art teacher at one stage I am determined that I could help a kid somewhere along the way and give praise that they should get for their own personal art, art is art whether if its your taste or not and should be encouraged not making child's pull back and thinking they 'can't or haven't got what it takes'.

2nd Year College Drawing Project - 'Collection'

And so this is my artist path/journey so far, sitting here thinking of what direction to go with my summer project I'm still loving it although I'm not enjoying the up before 6am starts on the cold and pitch dark mornings, nor the cold and windy walk you have to en-dour along the River Liffey on the way up to college. But what keeps me going is remembering the old stress and dislike of old jobs and the thought of having my chance of doing my own art - my way and prove 'I can'.

This Week in Bristol...

2011-08-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

This week I am blogging to you from Bristol, UK, sunny Bristol (but only at certain times today being one of them).

So, my week so far in Bristol....

Have done a spot of Gorilla Hunting

http://bristolculture.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/gorillas-roam-the-streets-of-bristol/ to check out more regarding Gorillas in the streets.

Spent time enjoying the sun near a large stranded ship...

Took part in a theater production alongside a crab

and spent some time on the farm

And saw a monkey playing on some bars...

And spent some time standing in a glass house whilst the rain poured down...

*wonder what we can do tomorrow*

Black and White Project

2011-08-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to taking some photos of my notebook work and sample work from my Textiles Degree course (2nd Year) based on the below drawing of a shoe.

Make sure to click on image to see on a larger scale.

Notebook Pages:

Mounted Samples:

Giving an old Calendar Second Lifes

2011-07-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

Have had this old calendar for ages, its pictures too cute to throw out and so I made a series of cute teddy cards from the calendar. So cute I'm nearly tempted to the keep the cards for myself!

All cards are or will be available on my Etsy Shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Torann

Say 'ello' to Pippa

2011-06-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

Pippa was found on Sunday, behind a derelict cottage wall and so was brought home.

Reckon she is just over four weeks old and is just barely eating solid foods so giving her a helping hand with syringing some kitten milk to her but with the introduction of solids had a tiny bit of a sore bottom; and because of the whole Pippa Middleton 'bridemaid bottom' that has really launched her into stardom....this is how 'Pippa' the kitten got her name.

trying to play with drawing tablet cables....

Stitching Away...

2011-06-17T06:26:00.001-07:00

Since finishing college for the Summer, and taking a couple of weeks off to enjoy the good weather we did seem to have here in Ireland...Things have been busy. Need to make tons of work if I want to do any Craft Fairs this Summer, and lots of new stock coming soon, make sure to watch out for the wreaths we will have birthday ones, Halloween ones, and just because they are pretty ones ;)

And today I have examples of the Christening and Baby Collages I am doing. Now because there is certain information that I can't show I had to do some blurring on the photo. I am including a sample for a boy (christening) a girl 'pretty in pinks' baby one.

The collages are 16" x 16" on canvas narrow edged frames. And these would look very nice framed up, I would think but I'm afraid that's one service I can't do at the moment. Maybe in the future.

If anyone is interested in getting one made up please contact me with the details at:

amgartstudios@gmail.com

Thank you!

A Day to Remember

2011-04-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

To leave Amg-Arts Facebook page less crowded Amg-Arts Wedding Items will soon all be uploaded and on display here.

Also, on the Website Amg-Arts has now got its new 'Wedding Page' A Day to Remember - to make it easier for brides-to-be to view the samples in less clicks.

Wedding Page - A Day To Remember

Loved Style.

2011-04-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

If tomorrow I could wake up and walk into someones clothing, wardrope I would have to say 'The Ghost Whisperer'.

Oh I would kill for Jennifer Love Hewitts Stylist for one day, the hair, the make-up and the *smiles to herself in her mini semi day dream* ....the clothes.

The amazing almost Vintage style dresses, lots of lace and lots of chic glamour and girlie girlie girlie *heaven*. You girls who watch it you know what I mean.... :)

For some great Inspiration Style/Mood Boards check out this chic entry from Moxie Grace Style Blog:

http://moxiegracestyle.blogspot.com/2010/09/inspiration-boards-ghost-whisperer.html

Photoshoot with the Dogs

2011-04-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

Sam loves to pose as my previous blog entry shows, he loves the camera!

And so when it came to taking photos for my last Drawing assessment at college I decided to have Sam and Oscar in a photo or two kinda 'look what I caught' style...

Sam eager as ever for photos....

CF Card full and Sam wondering where Im going with that camera...

With his catch of the day my painted Blue Jay wing

Now to add Oscar to the picture, Oscar is hit and miss with the camera and has no patience for sitting still unless there is food involved....

So after many attempts and after Oscar running away I finally got him to sit in a photo....

Problem was it was on Sam

Boredom sets in....

And finally is that a dog biscuit I smell.....

The Photo

And I couldnt resist :)

As for the rest of the photos they can be seen here on my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/AmgArts

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=289973&id=76998663137&l=6163e5e037

Still have spots before my eyes. .

2011-03-18T05:10:00.001-07:00

*Update* (Taken with Camera Phone)

Have nearly 10 hours done on it and still more work to be done on it but getting there. . . Slowly...due to college been busy with assessments and essays etc.

Sam Loves To Pose

2011-03-01T16:19:00.000-08:00

I think the title and the photos tells all, but any time I take out the camera Sam poses....

I usually have to take a lot of photos for projects for college and do walk around the yard looking for the objects etc I need to take and of course 'poser' follows me around and poses.... :)

Outside my garden shed

One he didnt actually pose for due to it being an action one! :P

Get out of the way Oscar...

Recommended 'Books'

2011-02-25T08:15:00.000-08:00

Books on Amazon I really need to update this list for I have so many more to add on, and will try to update in the next while.

Some of the Art Books

Time to Say Goodbye....

2011-02-21T09:24:00.000-08:00

1995 I made some pieces based on the markings on bark these were painted onto white fabric and stitched onto. They were supposed to be for my portfolio for NCAD but then I never applied been told by others your had to do a portfolio course first and so I withheld my portfolio and ended up studying Art in a town closer to me (it was more Graphic Design based and I didnt feel it was my area and so left) and later went on to do computers....

These pieces have been hoarded away every since in my old portfolio case, aired every now and again with the intention of getting them mounted onto larger wider framed mounts and getting them framed. There is three pieces in total the larger two been my favourites, but finally the time has come to let them get some air and let them go to a home where they will get to hang on a wall.

Piece 1

Piece 2

Experimental Piece 3

These 3 pieces are now available to purchase on my Etsy Shop.

Spots Before My Eyes

2011-02-13T14:34:00.000-08:00

Friday night I managed to clean the Art room, properly and so with my space clean, I could take a deep breath and do some art without feeling like the room was coming in on top of me...

I got lots of my college work done and then for a break made some more colourful bunting, which I have yet to photography and list on Etsy. And finally I managed to sit down and grid out the Dog painting thats been put on hold this ages, and start painting it. I spent over fours hours on it so far and even though I have lots to do on it yet and only have the undercoat done Im liking it so far...

Gridded out and outline drawn on

Close up

And now the paint comes in.... I just hope the owner likes it so far?

Stage painting is at, at the moment

Something Got to Give....

2011-02-09T16:40:00.000-08:00

Life can sometimes be a little bit crazy, hetic and there is days you really want to scream...so its great to come home and shut the door behind you and go hibernate for a few hours away from the world of college, bills, housework and everything else that can annoy or put a strain on you, where I go to escape is my art room.

Only problem is, things are so busy at the moment what was once an organised room is now turning into a headache, and always seems to need cleaning/tidying even after I have tidied it...its getting out of hand, but there is never time any more to clean it, and college doesnt break for summer till May I think I'll get buried alive some day....soon.

And these photos are after an attempt of tidying it lol, my table for wax college has become a dumping zone since college started but under that lot really is a large table for working on, The olde O.C.D is starting to not see my art room as an escape but just one large mess! lol

Waiting on my desk notebooks that needed to be listed on shop

Wax collages of Cupcakes, fish and cats that need to be listed

I so need more hours in the day so I can get everything done, and I so need more space, and theres a nice big hay loft waiting to be 'loved' and moved into....;)

Amazing and Interesting Spaces....

2011-02-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

The Handmade Market Place Book

2011-01-26T05:57:00.000-08:00

Product Description

First, determine the right price for every item, not too expensive and definitely not too cheap. Whether the product is beaded jewellery or felted slippers, illustrations or tote bags, author Kari Chapin helps crafters determine cost of goods, market competition, and the pros and cons of wholesale and retail sales. If the price is right, customers will buy. Then it's on to selling. The boom in indie craft fairs and sites such as Etsy ('Your place to buy & sell all things handmade') is providing artisans with an ever-expanding marketplace for handcrafted items. Chapin demystifies every venue. She explains the guidelines that craft fairs impose on exhibitors, the typical yearly calendar of shows, and how to start a new craft fair. For the crafter interested in online sales, there are tips on styling and propping crafts for photographs and technical explanations of how the most popular Web marketplaces run. Traditional brick and mortar consignment stores are still very good options for many crafters. Chapin explains how to approach shopkeepers and build strong relationships. Wrapping everything up with media advice and tips on how to get the word out, "The Hand-made Marketplace" is the sales and marketing bible that today's crafters need.

Haven't read this book cover to cover yet because I have been mostly concentrating on the issues that concern my business and crafts. But so far it seems very informative, lots of practical and up to date advice, but written nicely in a more casual way than a boring business statement manner or a how to guide so much more of an enjoyable read. It covers all aspects of picking your `thing' to sell, how to advertise it, setting up an online shop, for example Etsy.com. It gives good clear advice on running your shop, starting a blog, maintaining a blog, posting comments on blogs etc. It goes in to good detail regarding photo issues and tagging issues, and also gives lots of advice from other artists and crafters the whole way through the book. What I loved about this book was that the different opinions and advice in the books are sometimes wrote in nice block handwriting which breaks up the reading of the book nicely you don't get tired looking or reading different sections of the book as easily I have been picking this book up very regularly since I purchased it. It is most definitely inspiring and a `get up and go' book for starting you off or advancing your online shop, blog and business.

Ann

Source: http://www.cinnamoncloves.com./

Yesterday

2011-01-05T17:20:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my first day back at college I was eager to get back but when the alarm went off at 6am I wasnt as eager as I thought I was....and to make matters worse it was a darker than normal morning nothing worse when walking out the front door when it still appears to be the middle of the night. There was supposed to be a semi eclipse well so the news at 7.30am on the bus told me, but with the sky been so dark and cloudy there was no chance of seeing it, although it was said you were not to look directly at it anyway maybe just as well because I would have been tempted to stare at it directly! And now for some blurry camera phone photos blurry cos I was walking and snapping away at the same time....

Dublin 08.22am

08.22am Dublin

College for the next two weeks we are doing Electives, and that means I'm out of Textiles and get to play in the Sculpture Dept, so this means I will be nice and grumpy from all that lovely red clay and one plaster fun fun fun, (although not as nice as Textiles). Will probably be wearing the plaster if this is anything to go on....

Student getting plaster mask done

Today was lecture day and tomorrow its lets make a mess day so looking forward to that!

also did a spot of reading at college yesterday ;)

Temple Bar on the way home...

And last night managed to do some new collages because it has been too long and needed to do some of my own work for a chance, instead of college work.

Corbett Pt 2

Home Sweet Home

Love

Under Many Layers you may find....(this one was done a while back but changed it slightly and photographed it)

Close up

Free Print Up For Grabs...

2010-12-30T07:47:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the New Year and to get 2011 onto a good start, here at Amg-Arts want to give you a chance to win a ‘Secret Hugs’ Print, it’s a signed copy, mounted and ready to be fitted into a frame, it is also the very first print.

All you have to do is help Amg-Arts get off to a good start in 2011 by suggesting to friends to add the Facebook Page:

And leave a comment saying ‘Done’ on page so I can enter you into the draw

Just leave a comment on my Guestbook.

Wishing you all a Happy and Successful New Year!

Ann x

Resolution's

2010-12-26T19:58:00.000-08:00

So what is the big change for 2011 going to be? What commitment or habit should I change or pick up...well I suppose 2011 I would love to get the studio finally in the loft.

Outside of Loft and Sheds

The studio inside the house is getting tight on space, and limiting some projects, the screen prints and papermaking is still on hold due to no space and carpet down in existing art studio, so it would be nice to air them out! and actually get to use them.

Inside of Loft now

Other Half

Before I cleaned it out.

The Weather outside is Frightful.....

2010-12-06T07:45:00.000-08:00

Ireland is white, some places very thick with white other places a muddy slushy white but white all the same. We had a lot of snow fall in a short space of time and Ireland came to a bit of a stand still last week as we all got 'snowed in'.


View from back of the house

A lot of roads, schools, bus runs, shows etc came to a stop or had to be cancelled, even opening the front or back door became a task as the snow piled higher and higher. The birds suffered with flocks of them nearly grapping the food ie nuts, seeds and fatballs before I had a chance to hang it in the feeders from the trees. And my three liver and white Springers seemed to be very dirty all of a sudden against the bright, snowy fields and landscape.


Sam and Oscar with 'poodle snowballs attached'

Oscar and Sam loved the first couple of days charging around the garden and field, until the 'poodle snowballs' started to appear ie the clumps of snow that gathered around and on their feathered hair on legs and underbelly which started to really annoy them even after clipping them out they still gathered.


Oscar


Sam loves getting his photo taken!

Icicles

The snow is in this picture is nearly getting to the top of the hedge! and as for the cars well I had a craft fair on Sunday, and Eugene dragged the car out of the yard and down the drive onto the road with the tractor otherwise we werent getting out unless it was in the tractor fine, but doing a food shopping could have been a problem.

My car isnt going to move anytime soon!

Sunday, 5th December, Craft Fair at the Boyne Valley Hotel, Drogheda - All of Drogheda's roads seemed to have gotten cleared and gritted all bar the road - lane into the hotel which was a skating ring, and inside wasnt that warm either....

The Amg-Arts Stall and Food and Craft Fair

Good news was that the stall beside me cancelled so I had two tables in the end, the bad news was, I think the crowds of people didnt want to brave the bad weather, but to the people that did a BIG thank you!

As for college, thats another story buses all got cancelled for the last few days and the panic was on this morning to get assessment work in, seeing that my weave samples were still up at college on the loom..... my crazy weave that is! Now for things hopefully to get back to normal...soon...I hope!

So until next time....

It's goodbye from me and my welly clad feet!

*Max, the other dog is missing from all these photos due to the fact he wouldnt brave the snow and went around in the nice warm tractor with Eugene this last week, (whimp of a dog lol)

Amg-Arts Guestbooks

2010-10-05T02:52:00.001-07:00

One done for a 30th Birthday party!

Cover and inside can be done to match bridesmaid dresses, invites or theme etc check out www.amg-arts.com for more examples.

Tight On Crafting Space?!

2010-08-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

Check out these small crafting spaces for inspiration:

It's Busy Busy Busy...

2010-08-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

Was very busy getting ready for another Craft Fair, made lots more cards to make up the ones that have sold at the last couple of fairs, and even made a start on Christmas Cards seeing I'll have less time when I go back to College (National College Of Art and Design, Dublin) with assignments and all the traveling up and down also had a few Guestbooks to make and still have more to do...

So the last Craft Fair went well, as usual meet some lovely people, bought a wooden duck from http://www.absolutewood.co.uk/ and got a photo done with http://www.asturphoto.com/ and bought lots of great soaps, jams etc...Probably spent all my earning all the day lol but it was a good day!

Amg-Arts on the Road (again!)

2010-06-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Today Amg-Arts was in Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa for the Craft and Food Fair.

So a BIG Thank you to all who supported Amg-Arts today! and what a lovely spot Dunboyne Castle Hotel is....

Also, more Amg-Arts news: My sewing machine was delivered the other day so that will speed up all the textiles pieces I have been working on so keep an eye open on Etsy for them!

Etsy Ireland: Eyes Open Ireland has photos and memories from Amg-Arts today!

And finally, because of all the hot weather and the 'lads' being a bit on the mucky side there was a trip to the groomers (BIG thank you) boys are looking very sharp and clean now...

(Max was missing from the photo seen he was too busy, he was off in the tractor with Eugene, he loves the tractor, Eugene can't go any where in the tractor without bringing him!) anyway, Oscar loves his new hair cut and has decided to come out from under the car where he has been the last couple of days panting and seems to be enjoying his cooler look! and neighbours have been asking me about my new dog ie the Pointer! which I have to point out it is 'Oscar' our shaven Springer.

'Kids' Growing up Fast....

2010-06-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

Kittens' One Week Old

Kittens' today 21st of June, 2010

On Wednesday the kittens will be 2 weeks old, their eyes opened the other day the little black kitten (female) and then the Tabby with Ginger one (female) and lastly the grey and black tabbys (the boys).

They are still wobbling around like little old drunken men so can't wait for their little legs to strength up and they start running around!

So in the mean time enjoy the few seconds of cuteness on the video from our 'Instant Family'

New Instant Family

2010-06-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday evening as I was about to sit back in my chair and get down to business in the art studio my phone rang, it was the other half who only minutes ago walked out the door to walk the dogs through the fields. ‘Come out over to the far field!’ and so I pulled on the wellies and headed over to the field
.
The scene that lay in front of me was our three dogs edged around hedging leaping and barking and whilst a petrified tabby grey cat hissed and arched its back in defence up on the top of the hedging. Finally after Eugene managed to persuade the dogs to continue on their walk down the road inside of the field I eventually managed to hoax the young cat down and brought her inside the house somewhere the dogs and Oscar (the largest of our dogs) couldn’t eat her (he has a great dislike to cats sees them as his next meal).

On handing her down a plate of food I smiled as I said to myself ‘getting more than bargained for’ as I noticed her large, about to pop belly and after the fright she had reckoned she would be probably go soon.

Later, after thinking…on a wet day after being found in a field, and she’s appearing very clean and dry and in ‘her state’ we are in the opinion that she may have been dumped at the field gate especially when a car was seen stopped there earlier but decided we’d still post some ‘Found’ notices in the local cat and dog homes etc.

Just before 5am and I awaken to sounds, Eugene is asleep and lightly snoring and I hear a squeaking noise ‘Kitten(s)’. I find a cat with a kitten shoved out towards one end of her made up bed dead it’s a big kitten and can see why she might have problems delivering it but there is squealing and tucked under her is 1, 2, 3 kittens two tabby black and grey and one completely all black I pet our visitor and as she turns to be patted some more find another grey and black tabby with a big ginger patch on its head tucked in under her. Four kittens alive and well wiggling about with wizened up little faces and closed squinty eyes.

Amg-Arts On The Road....

2010-05-31T07:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the Crafters Ireland Craft and Food Fair in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co. Meath. And Amg-Arts was out in force with my Cards, Collages, Guestbooks, notebooks, bookmarks etc...

As well as selling my collages I was also eyeing up some stunning cakes from the Flying Baby Cake Company. And bought some delish 'Sheep' cupcakes. Which I know my nephews are going to love!

I also got got some beautiful jams from Big Red Kitchen (Stamullen), and I had the Strawberry jam this morning on my pancakes for breakfast Mmmmmmmmmm so good can't wait to try the other flavours i.e raspberry jam and pineapple jam.

So now it's off to the Art Studio to tidy it up, unpack an art supply order, put away stock and later add to the Etsy Shop and then restock the sold items, oh and another few orders for Guestbooks so its still all busy busy busy.

Busy Bee...

2010-05-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

The wax pot is working over time at the moment, working on lots of new collages for the next Craft Fair in Navan, Ardboyne Hotel on the 30th of May. These collages are mostly for childrens rooms, and vary in all sizes and have everything from Cats, Penguins to Giraffes on them.

The last Craft Fair and my first, went well in Ardee Parish Hall on the 3rd of May, sold quite a number of wax collages and a lot of cards.

My Stall at Ardee Fair

I learned that I need to go out and get cloth(s) that cover all the way to the ground, so it could hide any mess underneath the table and it gives me more privacy. Other than that I think the stall was good! And got lots of compliments from fellow stall holders. And I also have to say the other stall holders were lovely! And spent most of my earned money on the day buying sock dogs from Sockedelic and a lovely flower Corsage from Inga Inne as well as handmade soaps and strawberry Jam!

I have also been very busy taking photos and stocking up my Etsy Shop, and after I finish my Navan Fair will be stocking up on lots more items.

Other things I have to get finished with too is working on my Papercraft side of the business i.e Wedding Invites, Guestbooks and all other cards need to sort out website page and get my examples up, so if you know anyone who is looking for invites etc...

And as usual you can be kept more up-to-date with my Facebook Page Amg-Arts with my Art work and for my Poetry my Facebook page is Here, also started a Where People Create Page on Facebook so you can be kept posted on the lastest Studio Features on my other Blog.

Thanks for reading everyone!

Ann x

Art Studio Today, May 5th 2010

2010-05-05T15:55:00.001-07:00

Due to finding cheap and cheerful shelves in Atlantic Homecare the other day, I tore my Art Studio apart (again) and seeing I finally got my Dvd shelving over from the attic in my Parents house I really made a mess and used them in the room too!

I'm hoping the result is less cluttered on the floor than before, although I still have a lot of supplies to get through that was ordered in bulk for my wax collages so hopefully that will free up more space soon, cos I ordered lots of HUGE canvas and lots of tiny canvases and want to use them up for the next Craft Fair.

Sorry if the video is too dark thats my camera phone, also my phone will only send messages 30seconds long otherwise I have to chop them up!

Anyways, here is the set of photos of the studio on Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/torann/sets/72157623876403027

I was questioned would I be adding the updated version on 'Where People Create' but I have done a feature already not so long again and until my studio moves into 'The Loft' I think it is unfair to do another feature so soon. But will answer the questions here instead!

What kind of Art/Crafts do you do?
Collage/Mixed Media/Papercrafts and Textiles

Where do you do your art/crafts?
At the moment the Art Studio is inside my house in a spare room.

How do you keep all your supplies organised?
With lots of drawers, shelves, and storage boxes, everyday tools that I need I have hanging on clothes racks over the desk so I don’t have to go in search of them.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep your space tidy?
I guess with running my blog ‘Where People Create’ and seeing all the beautiful and organised spaces gives me the motivation to clean the art room and have it looking presentable. I love House and Home magazines too so if I see a study area or craft room picture in it I like I clip it out and keep and when I need that ‘kick’ to clean the room I look at the picture and get to work making it look as good as the picture.

Any tips for how to keep art spaces tidy or organised?
I find that the large plastic drawers are good so you can pull out the complete drawer and bring it over to the floor/desk where you are working and when I’m finished just slip the drawer back into place. Keep all your items grouped like all your textiles stuff together, all your paper crafts bits and pieces together that way your not running around your studio too much when working on certain projects.

Do you get stressed out when your space gets in a mess?
I hate clutter guess it’s my O.C.D and if it’s too bad I can’t work, I clean and reorganise the studio a lot every few months it’s the only way to find better ways to organise and have the studio work to its full advantage for you.

If you could have your dream space tomorrow what would it look like?
We have a barn loft over our sheds in the yard which we have just got our quote to do up so hopefully soon I will have a large studio with lots of space and lots of light, the room I’m in now the light is very bad I have to use lots of artificial light. Also, need lots of plugs sockets because I run a risk of being electrocuted some day!

Is there any craft you would love to do but cant due to limitations of your art space?
I have all the gear for screen printing and paper making but haven’t the space at the moment. Plus with a carpet all that water isn’t a good idea. Also, with the wax pot I have to work on the floor because of lack of space and with a carpet it can be messy especially if you have a wax spill.

What is the next big thing on your wish list for your art space?
To move into the loft, and get the biggest table ever! lol

Is there a website for people to see or buy your art/crafts?
http://www.amg-arts.com/

& Where Can I Hoard More Stuff?!....

2010-04-10T04:57:00.000-07:00

I am an artist, and I am a hoarder in the art studio, and also because I live in a cottage that hasn’t a lot of storage space I love checking out storage options. (I have also done other storage articles before if you would like to check out more go to older posts.)

I know I have featured this one before but I still think it’s a brilliant idea!

Liking this idea for the kitchen.

Trollies for the Art Studio

Magazines or book storage

http://containerstore.com

Great for storing up to 40 tools in a garage or shed

http://target.com

Hide it in your chair!

Fit it into your closet to store those shoes!

Have deep shelves in your closet, organise your closet better by putting in these shelves in to sort the space out better.

For ties and scarves

http://organize-everything.com

Organise baby clothes

http://walmart.com/