Galleries and Gingerbread ★

so yesterday, before i headed off to the gallery times (more about that soon) i spent some time stitching and sewing at my college desk, so here's a snap of what i've been working on lately...

yaaay Gingerbread plushies! now it really must be nearly Christmas!!!

i spent my day at college making them. it was lovely to get back to some stitching! i think i've missed it!

even if my desk was a mess of felt, ribbon, embroidery floss and buttons all day...

some of these are already available in my Etsy Shop (on a made to order basis)

so i also realised yesterday that i'd completely forgotten about the 'Xmas Giveaway' i promised you all! i've just been so busy lately i honestly haven't had chance to gather up some goodies for it! (i haven't even started my Xmas gift shopping yet either!!!) so i've decided to postpone the giveaway for a while...

instead, i'll be holding a mahoosive NEW YEAR Giveaway Extravaganza! i promise!!! so keep your eyes peeled in early 2012 for some fun giveaway times!

so to make up for this (sort of... i hope!) + because today is Thanksgiving and tomorrow is 'Black Friday' i'm offering 15% off EVERYTHING in my Etsy Shop until the 15th of December 

all you have to do is type in the coupon code FESTIVEFUN when you make your order

so you know... Merry Christmas :)

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right so, as i mentioned in my last post, some of my work is currently on display in a groovy group exhibition at a little local Gallery in Tynwald, and last night was the exhibition preview night!

 it was a fab exhibition but it was kind of weird to me, getting to display my work alongside some of the islands top artists and photographers! weird but brilliant :)

my best pal Courtney tagged along to keep me company and we had a laugh wandering around the gallery + the Tynwald café and shops all night

all together i had 7 pieces in the show. my 4 sweet canvases...

2 lovely framed giclée prints of the sugar skull and matryoshka

(+ some pretty mounted/bagged prints for sale as well...) 

and my 'un-domestic Goddess' canvas which miraculously... is the piece that sold :)

i didn't manage to snap too many photos but it was a brilliant night! and best of all, like i said... i actually sold something!!!

crazy awesome times! thanks to all those that popped along to have a little peek at all the work! the Exhibition will be running right through Xmas so if you live local and head to Tynwald to do any Xmas shopping, be sure to pop in and have a look!

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so not much else to tell really, here are a few of the fun colouring/maze pages i've been working on recently for a lovely local commission

these have been sooooo much fun to work on! i can't wait to do some more stuff for 'Imagination Station' in the New Year

to find out more about Imagination Station + to download your own copies of the colouring sheets, check out the official Facebook page here - Imagination Station

and on that note, i'll say goodbye for now!

so until next time, that's all folks... ◕‿◕ ★ xX

Art and Shopping ★

wow art AND shopping in one post... well they are two of my favourite things, what did you expect!!!

anyway, while i was in Kinsale yesterday i also took the opportunity to re-visit a fabulous little gallery shop i saw last year during my visit (see old post - kicking back in kinsale) 

this gallery always seems to be filled with the most incredible paintings and ceramic pieces, this year was no exception

(artwork shown here by: Ruthie Ashenhurst, Carolanne Crosbie, Lucia Parle, John Lawrence, Amélie Gagné, Sara Roberts, Adrian Wistreich, Julian Smith, Victor Richardson)

while i was there i also treated myself to this beautiful little ceramic heart brooch, made by wonderfully talented Irish artist Lucia Parle. isn't it pretty!!! 

here's some more of her gorgeous Ceramics work (images via Crafts Council of Ireland)

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so today i just wandered around Cork City Centre again for a few hours since i love the shops on St Patrick's street so much! super duper fun times!

anyway, since i've been out this week near so many wonderful shops, obviously i've ended up treating myself to one or two little bits and bobs!

i thought today i could show you some of the lovely stuff i've bought so far...

well there's the truly awesome pencil necklace and crayon bracelet!!! i figured that being an artist they'd be quite suitable! (Accessorize, Cork)

a colourful little pinwheel pencil! because let's face it... who doesn't love a pinwheel on a pencil!!! (Stationary Shop, Kinsale)

a big ol' yummy rainbow swirl lollipop! tutti frutti goodness!!! (Aunty Nellie's Sweet Shop, Kinsale)

a yummy cupcake scented air freshener. it's for my room... i already have a different strawberry cupcake one hanging from my calender! don't judge!!! (Accessorize, Cork)

a pair of gorgeous pencil cases/cosmetics bags that i couldn't resist! (Jello, Kinsale)

a lovely vintage glass beaded velvet and satin tie-up belt, loved the tasseled rope ties! (PaNdEmOnIuM, Kinsale) 

+ a pretty print, i spotted it in the window of a stationary shop in Kinsale and just knew i had to have it!!! 

it's by British Illustrator Julie Fletcher (print from James Ellis)

i've actually seen some of Julie's work once or twice before floating about online, i just loved the colours in this print though + the adorable little characters! love, love, love it

* * *

anyway, since it was our last day in Cork, today my mum also decided to treat herself to something special! 

i met her outside Brown Thomas and after we had a lovely wander around the handbag hall, she eventually settled for a gorgeous Michael Kors handbag!

 it's a lovely bag, very smart with a fabulous metallic lining and pretty 'MK' charm on the front

very swish! we make quite the stylish pair, her with her MK tote and my with my new Gucci Indy :)

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oh and before i forget, i also popped back in to Peacock and Ruby + Miss Daisy Blue in the market today to say thanks again for being allowed to snap so many pictures of those gorgeous shops! so big thanks again to Breda at Miss Daisy Blue and Noelle (who i met today) and Jill at Peacock and Ruby, thank you :) x

* * *

well i guess that's it for today! tomorrow we're packing up and heading up to Waterford for 2 days (which isn't nearly enough time!!!) so look out for pics of my adventures!

but until then, that's all folks... ◕‿◕ ★ xX