Well hello again and happy new year to everyone! I haven't blogged for eons, so am just going to get my feet wet by posting some new jewelry that I've recently made and added to my Etsy shop... I hope you like :)

My new prints by Lindy Gruger Hanson ...

I flip flopped 'em and like them better with the moon one on top :) 

Anyway, I received these 2 lovely 5x5 prints from Oregon artist Lindy Gruger Hanson last month, but just got around to buying frames... I absolutely love them!! Her artwork is so colorful and the prints seem almost illuminated. She uses acrylics to make these vibrant and whimsical little scenes usually with trees, birds, flowers and background patterns that almost look like hieroglyphics. I'm so happy to have these, they're a lovely addition to my ever growing collection of fantastic art from around the world :) Thanks Lindy!!

You can find Lindy on her main website, Facebook and also in her Etsy shop... check her out, you'll be happy that you did!

Naughty Bits...

I've been working on a custom collaged box and decided to whip up some naughty little earrings while I have all my papers and glues out. I think they turned out quite nice :) New ornaments are just about ready too and will be going into my shop next week!

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!

Hey guys! 

I've decided to have a special giveaway this month with some of my Ireland photos and I'll be picking the winners on my birthday! Presents for me, presents for you la la lalala la la :D And yes you heard right...WINNERS...there will be THREE!

The actual giveaway is taking place on my Facebook page, so head on over and click on the Ivy Covered Door to enter. You just need to leave a comment on the photo and SHARE it on your facebook wall. I'll be picking the winners on Nov. 1st. Each comment on the photo is assigned a number and I'll be picking all the numbers out of a cocktail shaker (the usual way!), so make sure you leave a COMMENT along with sharing the link so I can count you! The winners will be able to pick any Ireland photo they like from either of my  Etsy shops, RUBY CLOVER and THE IRISH STILL.

Doing this giveaway is the perfect way for me to thank people for their long time support of my handmade goods, I REALLY appreciate it! So thank YOU and good luck on the giveaway! Oh and it's Worldwide, so anyone can enter! X

Jewelry fiend!

I just can't seem to stay away from the jewels again! I was tryin' to stick with my decoupage for a bit, but just keep finding myself back in the bead bins. Here's some brand new lovelies in my shop...

OH! by the way... have you liked my Facebook page? Please do! And stop in to say hello :)  

Turns out I'm a natural, Dad!

  I spent this lovely Sunday morning making homemade potato bread with our old family recipe (with some strong-arm help from my husband) and I'm happy to say all the loaves turned out SO good! I even got a little crafty and made some with sharp cheddar cheeses, onions, herbs and garlic cloves...awesome! 

The last time I blogged about breadmaking was about 2 years ago, I had mentioned that the weather was starting to get chilly and my dad would be travelling back to Chicago to make some bread with me (more like me helping him while he did most of the work). My dad stepped up and took over the holiday bread making after my Grandma passed away 18 years ago, she learned from her Grandma (and Aunt Murph) who probably learned from her Grandma. Bread making has always been a special event in our family, because we'd make dozens of loaves to pass out to all of our relatives, friends and neighbors. Everyone knew when my Grandma would be baking and we'd have people in and out of the house all day long, eating fresh hot bread and her delicious oxtail soup. Once she was gone, my dad thankfully kept the bread tradition going and my Aunt Sally kept up with all of her other (awesome) cooking traditions.

 A few weeks after that last bread-blogging, we lost my dad to a sudden heart attack before he ever made it home for the holidays. I've been avoiding the whole bread thing for awhile now, afraid I would screw it up without his guidance...and honestly because I really didn't want to spend a whole day thinking about the fact that he's not here to make it anymore. It ended up being sort of therapeutic, following the directions that I had written down with him last time we made it. My husband even brought out a little childhood picture of him so he could watch over me while I was mixing, kneading, patting, flouring, greasing ...and eating. Now that I know that I can do it, I'm looking forward to carrying on this little family tradition every year...and I can't wait to try some more of the fancy ingredient ones! *you know I can't just leave well enough alone!* 

Thanks for the help today, Dad and Joe ♥♥♥



September Giveaway!!

...head over to my other blog for the whole scoop on the jewelry giveaway I've put together with English designer Suzi Skelton of DashAngel Designs! She makes really cute Day of the Dead inspired jewelry with bright colors and fancy skulls! 3 lucky winners this time and it's worldwide as always! Good luck to all who enter! *Roll on autumn!*

Oh so many colors!

Loving my new Czech beads I just received, can't stop playing around with them! These are some of the new jewels I've made this week and I'll have lots more en route!

Cute handmade cards from Amg-Arts...

I received some gifts from my lovely friend Ann recently and just thought I would share them. She works in mixed media/paper crafts and makes really nice greeting cards, journals, wedding albums and other personalized gifts, along with collaged canvases for your walls.

Ann's been going to college on the east coast of Ireland for art and textile design and continues to make these whimsical handmade goods while she's putting herself through school. I stayed with her last summer and it's easy to see how she can be so inspired by the gorgeous landscapes around her near the town of Slane in Co. Meath.

You can browse around her Etsy shop and visit her Facebook page to see some of her lovely creations for yourself! She also has 2 blogs, I don't know where she finds the time honestly! Amg-Arts is where she blogs about her daily life... like school, gardening, art, her dogs, home renovations etc. She also runs another blog called Where People Create where she showcases artists' studios and workspaces. She even featured my house once (no, I can't really call it my "studio" as I have junk all over the place!). She's always looking for studios to feature too, so contact her if you've got a cool space to show off!

Anyway, check out the links for some really cute handmade stuff and for a look into the life of an Irish art student! *Thanks for the gifts, Ann!!

Handmade Earrings Giveaway...

Hello loves!

I'm having a little giveaway over on my Facebook page. Just "Like" my page and share the giveaway link on your own page to be entered! Make sure you leave a comment on my page saying you liked/shared, that's your official entry. They're made with a rhinestone and bow studded hoop with a pretty olive green Czech glass bead suspended from the center. Good luck!