Showing posts with label May You Be. Show all posts
Showing posts with label May You Be. Show all posts

Tuesday, 4 June 2013

May You Be Series Recap



Hi everyone!

I can't believe we are in June already? Didn't 2013 just start? How are we half way through already?!
Anyway, June is gonna be great, I have plenty of fun, creative endeavours ready for this month so make sure you keep checking in regularly to get your art fix ;)

Wasn't May fun too though? A post a day (minus one or two, oops) for a month! Wow! I still can't believe I managed to pull it off, I'm so proud. Here is a recap on the May You Be series in case you missed any or if you just want to relive the delight of it all again :)

  • 1 May - May You Be: Yourself : An inspirational post about relishing in the fact that you are unique and special. Never try to be anyone else.
  • 3 May - May You Be: Lucky: Need a bit of luck? This post tells you about five different lucky charms.
  • 4 May - May You Be: Patient : This post gives some advice on how to better develop patience.
  • 11 May - May You Be: Frugal : A must-have list of home made household cleaners. Very handy to have.
  • 14 May - May You Be: Strong :This post shows off my Mixed Media Canvas - "Be Strong", available in my Etsy shop.
  • 16 May - May You Be: Prepared : A post about my preparation for my recent visit home, includes checklist and bag packing!
  • 18 May - May You Be: Proud: A post on feeling pride in your life and a list with a few things I am proud of in my own life.
  • 24 May - May You Be: At Home : A great post showing off some of the delights of my home town, Wexford.
  • 25 May - May You Be: Cheerful : When you need a little bit of cheering up, this is the post to take a look at.
  • 26 May - Missed a day :(
  • 28 May - May You Be: Messy : A look at a new technique I tried out in my art work.
  • 30 May - Another day I missed, sorry everyone :(
  • 31 May - May You Be: Complete : The last post in the series, showing off another of my canvases and some good news!

So, that is the lot! Again, I hope you all enjoyed this series, I know I did. If you have any questions or comments feel free as always to leave them below or email me at ciaramcguireart@gmail.com and I will be sure to get back to you.

I hope you are having a beautiful + creative day!

Ciara
xoxo
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Friday, 31 May 2013

May You Be: Complete

Hi everyone!

Here we are the last day in May can you believe it? Our last May You Be post :( awwww... I have to say it has been really fun and I am pretty proud of myself for only missing 2 in the whole month. That is good going if you ask me. Thanks you all my lovely readers who have checked in daily to see what my posts have been about, I really appreciate it and I hope that you continue to return here. Don't worry just cause May is over now doesn't mean I won't be posting regularly. I might not post everyday from now on but it will be like, every second day? Something like that anyway! I'll keep you all informed.

To start off, I want to show you a canvas that I just got finished. It's called "Change is Possible", which is available to purchase in my Etsy shop.
Those of you who follow me on Facebook may have already seen this photo (you can follow me on FB + other social media sites by clicking on the links on the left hand side of the blog)


I created this piece on a 20 x 25 cm deep edge canvas in a portrait format using scrapbooking paper, music paper, paper doilies, acrylic paint, alcohol ink, modelling paste, rub ons, metal foil, corrugated card, rubber stamps and a fine tip Sharpie.

Looking at this canvas now you would not believe that a day before it was brown, dark and yucky! I had previously covered it in newspaper and painted it in these dark shades of brown and creams. I don't know what idea I was going with but it was horrible, I hated it and had to change it QUICK! So, as you can see that's exactly what I did. And the result is a bright, fun little canvas!






The inspiration I got for this canvas was obviously change and changing. Who would have thought a love heart could grow like a flower and spout butterfly wings? In this garden anything is possible, even change, which for some people, may seem like the least possible thing in the world. But it can happen, just keep on believing. 

So, that is my latest canvas, I will do another post over the weekend probably listing the products I used on this piece because right now I want to tell you 2 pieces of exciting news. The first is the most exciting and it is that tomorrow I will be demonstrating in my local Hobbycraft store!!!




I am so excited and a bit nervous now too. I will be given a table to work on and to display my canvases and the products that I use. I also will leave a bundle of business cards on it for people to take. This is so exciting though! I really hope that it all goes well. I suspect I will be working on some canvases in store and hopefully people will wander over to check out my work and to ask me some questions etc. I'm not really 100% sure how it will go but we will see. Also I hope I will get to take a few photos.


The second bit of exciting news I have is a little more low key but I think that it is worth sharing. Today I ordered an iPhone 4 adaptor for our tripod so when it arrives I will be able to record videos which means....*drum roll* I'll be on YouTube soon!!!!! Woohoo! I think I may be more excited about that than Hobbycraft tomorrow......Ok, that's not true but it's neck and neck.

And here we are, last post of May You Be. We are complete ;)

I hope you enjoyed this post today and all the other posts in the May You Be series. If you missed any or would like to read them again you will find all the posts listed on the left hand side of the blog.
Please feel free to leave me a comment about anything at all! I love to read your comments.

I hope you are having a beautiful + creative day

Take care
Ciara 
xoxo



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Wednesday, 29 May 2013

May You Be: Nourished

Hi everyone!

I'm sick.

The pain in my ear + throat that I had yesterday truly came to the surface at around 3.30am, when I had to stumble around in the dark (so as not to wake up Himself) looking for Paracetamol.
I ended up having to cancel my appointments for the day and stay in bed to try and get better. I drank loads of hot drinks and snuggled up in my duvet while watching Youtube videos and catching up on some blogs I have been meaning to read.
The one thing I was missing though was a nourishing bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup. I had no one to make it for me and it was raining here all day so I didn't want to venture out to the shop and get some. It is something I never think of having in the house yet the last few times I have been feeling flu-y and sick I have craved it.
So, I found this recipe for Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup which I am definitely going to make a large bath of and freeze, when I am feeling better.

Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup


You can get the full recipe with step by step photos on mealsforreal. It looks so yummy, I can't wait to try it out :)

I hope you will forgive my very short post today but I need to get back in bed......
Hopefully tomorrow I'll be better. Let me know if you try out this recipe or if you have any go-to comfort foods for when you are unwell leave a comment below, I'd love to hear about them

Take care everyone

Ciara
xoxo
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Tuesday, 28 May 2013

May You Be: Messy

Hi everyone!
How are you all today? I am feeling a little under the weather today if I'm honest. I am having a bit of trouble with my ear, its blocked and a bit sore and the pain has decided to make it's way into my throat now as well so I'm not exactly on top form this evening I must admit. However, the show must go on as they say and so today like most other days I have been working at my desk, experimenting in my art journal and then progressing onto a canvas, hoping to conjure up something pretty that can be sold in my Etsy shop.
Really, I think I've just made a mess!! Lol!


Boy oh boy, look at that desk. Actually, don't, please don't stare at it too long! This is real life Ciara my friends - messy. I'm a really messy worker it has to be said, I don't have time to put things away neatly how they were found, I need to move as quickly as my brain is moving. Well, that's my story anyway....

I tried a new technique (new for me) today. I mixed some copper acrylic paint with my Crackle Accents to see what effect it would give, I was thinking it would look pretty cool. However, I was disappointed to find that, when it had dried, it hadn't cracked very much at all.


As you can see there are a few cracks but not near as much as I had hoped for. I guess that technique either doesn't work very well, or I wasn't doing it properly. I know there is some crackle mediums that you can buy specifically for acrylic paints so I will probably pick up one the next time I visit the art shop. But hey, that's what life is all about, learning new lessons everyday. 

I spent my evening designing and ordering a batch of business cards. Jeez Louise, who new it would be such a pain! Well, it took at while let's say and I'm not a whiz at computer design stuff by any stretch of the imagination so tasks like that can test my patience a little. But I got there in the end and I am delighted with the end result. Hopefully they will look as pretty in real life as they do on screen.

And because I love you, my fantastic, supportive readers, you can all have a sneak peak of my new business card design. You are the first to see it!


Yeeeeeeah! So excited! What do you think? Do let me know by leaving a comment, I would love some opinions.
That is all the news I have for you guys today I think, other than to tell you that I am loving being back in the swing of things after my break at home, getting back to my desk, my blog & my shop and of course planning and organizing new ventures, earache or no earache. 

Only 3 more days of May You Be posts! Where does the time go?

I hope you are having a beautiful + creative day

Ciara
xoxo



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Monday, 27 May 2013

May You Be: Refreshed

Hi everyone!

 It is 10.06 am here in Sheffield as I am writing this, it is a beautiful, sunny, May morning and I am sipping on a coffee from my favourite mug while writing this post. I'm waiting on my grocery shopping to be delivered, Himself is still snoozing in the bed - he was out with friends last night, so I have some quiet time to myself now and I thought its a perfect time to write today's post. I have some great photos to share with you all from my trip home but first I must apologize... I forgot to post yesterday's May You Be post *smacks forehead* silly old me. But today's is a good one so hopefully it will make up for it ;)

 So, as you all know I have just got back from Ireland. I spent a week in Wexford with my family (where I grew up) and it was a very special time as always. Everything about this trip was special to tell the truth because it was the first time I every travelled in an aeroplane all by my lonesome. Now, of course U.K. to Ireland is only 40-50 mins but it was a big deal to me when it was my first time alone so I was pretty proud of myself to have gotten through it in one piece I have to say. For someone who is notorious for being a bit of a stress-head at times, I can believe how calm I was about the whole thing. 

My Dad collected me at Dublin airport. He was waiting for me in Arrivals, it was so lovely to see him standing there with a big smile on his face. We caught up on the drive home, then had a quick cuppa and into bed. 
In the morning, Dad brought me out for a lovely walk in Kilmore Quay with his partner and her son.  


Kilmore Quay, for those of you who don't know, is a little fishing village in Co. Wexford. It is quite small but has a working fishing harbour full of hustle and bustle. On any given day in Kilmore you will see ships galore in every colour imaginable, fishermen working away, seagulls soaring the sky above waiting for whatever leftovers they can zone in on, seals swimming around in the harbour and my personal favourite, rusty bits of chains and ropes left behind on the pier. The salty smell of the sea is in the air, the sound of gulls cries are all around. Paradise!




I was in heaven there with all the rusty and grungy elements I found, it brought me a lot of inspiration and my mind was just spinning with ideas for new canvases and projects while I was there.

Look at the texture the barnacles have created on this old anchor. Stunning! How could I get a texture like this in my artwork? Mother Nature truly is the first and best artist the world will ever know.

I was mesmerized by these lobster pots. I love how the fishermen piled them up so neatly, for convenience more so is my guess. Little did they know that someone like me would come along and see so much beauty in them! Their shape, their grunginess, and don't get me started on the colours! Pale blues and Seafoam greens - intoxicating. 

If you follow me on Instagram (which you can by clicking on the "view on instagram" button on the left hand side of this blog) you will have already seen that photo. I just couldn't wait to share, I had to give you all a sneak peek ;)

I had such a lovely time down at Kilmore Quay that I had to take a souvenir back with me


I have an idea for what I might do with this shell, but that is for another post.
While I was at home my Mam + I went to see the Lion King Show in Dublin's Bord Gáis Theatre on the Wednesday night. It was truly the most amazing production I have ever seen in my whole life! No exaggeration. 


 The could only take photos of the stage before the show started, then I had to turn off my phone and no photography or recording devices were allowed. I can understand why of course but it is a bit of a pity that I'm not able to share it with you, it was fantastic, I even shed a tear at the opening scene. If the show comes to a theatre near you I urge you to go and see it, you will not be disappointed.

All in all, my trip home was very enjoyable, as always. It refreshed me in more ways than one, we all need a change of scenery from time to time.
Family is the most important thing in my life. I cherish every moment I spend with them and I look forward to returning home for another visit as soon as I can.


Again, apologises for not posting yesterday, but I hope I made up for it today. I am off to my desk now because I have been home since Saturday afternoon and I haven't had a chance for some arty time yet. 11 days is WAY too long to not be creating!! 

I hope you are all enjoying this Bank Holiday (U.K.) whatever you are up to. 
Have a beautiful + creative day!

Ciara
xoxo

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Saturday, 25 May 2013

May You Be: Cheerful

Hi everyone!

Today I am going back to U.K. + needless to say I am feeling pretty sad. Pretty tearful. I don't like goodbyes. So today I am doing a very short blog post and what I am gonna do is show a bunch of cute, adorable, animals to cheer me up a little. And hey, who doesn't love looking at cute, fuzzy animals am I right?

Pug

Ragdoll Kitten | Cattery Elroni's Dream | The Netherlands

This is why elephants are awesome.


#PinUpLive >>> 10 Best Reasons to Take the Kids to the Galapagos

awwww

oh goodness!

The Best Thing About a Dog... ♥

537155_517478061645720_480498288_n.jpg (400×300)

<3

Small, Medium, Large

.

Teacup Pomeranian

Because eating is hard work. :)

opinionatedcheese: les bébés <3

My Mommy

Aww! I feel a lot better now. I hope you enjoyed this post. Why not send me some photos of your cute pets?
As always, feel free to leave me a comment about anything at all.

I hope you are having a beautiful + creative day

Ciara
xoxo

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Friday, 24 May 2013

May You Be: At Home

Hi everyone!

Painting of Wexford Town

Today I thought I would share with you some of the delights of Wexford, seen as I have been spending some time here the last few days. This is what Wexford, my home, means to me. Others may differ but this is what comes to mind when I think of home.

The Quay


What can I say about the Quay? It has to be one of my most favourite places in the world. On a fine, sunny day there is no where nicer to walk than down the Quay. You will see people out walking with their dogs or their children, people in cars on one side you driving about their business, and the sea on the other, housing large fishing ships.
Before the Quay was done up, it was known as the 'wooden works' and looked like this


But in the '90s a big regeneration project took place on it and despite the contractor going bankrupt, the quay was a great success. Now the public and fishermen share this great asset. 

The People Paper



The Wexford People is a local newspaper that is published once a week in Wexford for the people of Wexford town and Co. Wexford. It contains news, stories and information mainly about Wexford and the surrounding areas. 
For me the People paper is one of those constants that we all have in our life. Every Wednesday it was People paper day (I think it might be Tuesdays that it is published now which breaks my heart a little). Mam would always pick up a copy coming up home from the town (and probably end up buying a bar of chocolate too, don't deny it Mam) and flick through it with a cuppa. There was usually nothing of much interest in it but everyone from home will agree with me on this, you had to get it in case you'd miss anything. It's the same as gossiping really, you have to have a nosey in it to see if there are any photos of anyone you know in it, did the photographer manage to spell their names right this week, what is the latest scandal in the community, and the highlight of the elderly reader - the death notices. 
Now it would be a sin to be talking about Wexford papers and not mention the People's rival, the Wexford Echo. The Echo is pretty much exactly the same as the People, I don't know what the difference is so I won't pretend to. There must be a difference or there would be point to it so maybe some of my Wexford readers can enlighten me on that. Anyway, when I was growing up I always had the impression that you were either a People household or you were an Echo household. It just seemed to be that you either read one or the other and you would NEVER dream of buying the other paper if yours wasn't available! Maybe that was just our house though. And of course there was, and I'm sure still are, those poor mixed up souls who buy both papers..... well fair play to them, if they want to read the same news twice. No, maybe I'm being too harsh on the those who buy the two papers, it must be because they are looking to see what jobs are in the back of it. That's what it must be.

Chippers


Now this is a touchy subject because there is an on going debate among Wexfordians about which chipper is the best in town. But it's hopeless lads because we all know that it's the Premier for the rissoles and plenty of salt and vinegar hun, wrapped separately, thanks very much.
Now, for those readers of mine who don't know what the heck I'm on about I'll do my best to explain.
Depending on which end of Wexford town you come from you will have a sort of allegiance to a particular chipper. I come from the South end of the town and so this means that I swear by the Premier. If you come from the North end of town you may favour chippers such as Cafolla's or Pomme Frites. If you are some where in the middle well, you can have Sharkey's.
I also have the option of Mangan's around the corner, which I must admit, their taco fries are deadly, but when I want a rissole or a battered sausage there IS no other chipper in town that will do the job only the Premier.

The Rocks


The Rocks is a large green area in the South end of Wexford town. It is called the Rocks because it has massive rocks spotted around the area, just like in the picture. When my Dad was a child, he spent every waking hour during the summer running around and playing and getting into all sorts of mischief up in the Rocks with his siblings and friends. And during my teenage years it was a regular hang out spot for my friends and I. 
Unfortunately, in subsequent years the Rocks has taken a bit of a nose dive, and it isn't really a very pleasant or in fact safe place to be. I can't remember the last time I visited the Rocks but it has definitely been years. It's an awful pity because it has so much potential and it is such a wasted area if it is such left to go to rack and ruin. Maybe some day something will be done with it to improve it. 

Art Centre


The Wexford Art Centre has great significance in my life while growing up in Wexford. I remember the first time I set foot in the Art Centre, it was to take part in a children's art workshop. I even remember that I painted a under water scene with fish and all that kind of thing!
Through seeing exhibitions in the Art Centre and availing of the fantastic art classes that took place there, it helped to develop my love for art even further. I loved having that resource there in my home town, a place of refuge where I could go whenever I felt I need my art fix.

These are only a snippet of what I love about Wexford. There is so much more that I could show you but this post would be a very, very, very long post then. I may do a follow up in the future on some more about Wexford but for now I will be enjoying my time left here before I have to go back.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have never been to Wexford I urge you to visit it as soon as possible it's a really beautiful place.

Take care

Ciara
xoxo

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Thursday, 23 May 2013

May You Be: Envious


Hi everyone!

Green is the colour of Ireland, emeralds, grass, life, innocence and of envy. And although envy is not an emotion that I particularly admire, these beautiful green photos are definitely something to be envious of.




.










Oh jealous! I think my favourite are the vintage green glassware. How posh would I look drinking out of those!
Anyway just a short post today. I hope you enjoyed it. Leave me a comment or an email if you wish x

I hope you are having a beautiful + creative day

Ciara
xoxo
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