Derelict Cottage at Churchtown, Ballinea, Mullingar.

I pass this little cottage most days coming and going from my home.  In the Spring, ancient,  long forgotten bluebells flourish by the door as cars, lorries and other traffic speed by going to God only knows where.  Do they even notice the bluebells or even the cottage itself?

I often wonder who lived there,  was it a happy home? Or was it filled with angry voices, and times strapped people rushing hither and tither fretting over  things that are no longer important?   Does it even matter?

 I like to think it was a happy contented little place where callers would be welcomed in for a cup of tea and maybe a scone and some bramble jam and a chat by the fire in the days before the road that runs past became so busy.

Sometimes when I am running around like a headless chicken fretting about stuff,   I think of that little cottage, and I say to myself,  "Does it really matter".

This painting can be purchased herehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/AislingKiernan?section_id=6115284

Jewelry Upcycling demo

I had a lovely morning yesterday with the wonderful ladies of Milltownpass. They have a monthly coffee morning and get together which is so important for rural communities. Living in the country can be isolating and it makes such a difference to have a great community to meet and socialise with. We always have great craic in Milltown and the topic of conversation can be very diverse to say the least. They also run art classes and have a variety of very interesting speakers on all sorts of topics at their coffee mornings.

I was invited to do a jewelry demonstration. What with the recession and so much emphasis on recycling and reusing these days I decided to demonstrate how to update some old jewelry. We all have bits and pieces of jewelry lying around that we no longer wear but don't want to throw away. So, I took apart an old necklace that had some lovely Rose Quartz, and also a high street bracelet. I had been looking for a bracelet to go with a dress I bought for my daughters' confirmation but had'nt been able to match the colors. I combined the quartz, with some beads from the high street bracelet, along with a few swarovski crystals and some gorgeous glass flower beads that I bought a while ago just because I loved them.

eh Viola!!!

I now have a bracelet that picks up the colors in my dress and one that nobody else will have. And best of all, no damage to the old bank account!

Mini illustrations

These mini flowers are to be dotted here and there throughout the text.

Book Preview!

Here is another little taster from the book "The Garden Girl"  by Mary Dunn and illustrated by yours truly!

Book being published

Am so excited to have finished the illustrations for the book and that the Author, Mary is happy with them.  These are a few of the pictures that will be in it.  I found this a big challenge and a huge learning curve and at times very daunting.  Completing the commission gave me a great boost of encouragement and confidence.

I cant wait to see the finished book with both our names on the front cover.