Artist Trading Cards

 Artist Trading Cards - have you heard of them?!

I discovered Artist Trading Cards in the town of Ajijic in Jalisco, Mexico when I was having a margarita at a bar in a restaurant and saw a group of people enter and head to their table all carrying "binders". I asked the barman what the group were doing and he said he didn't know but "it was something to do with cards". Given my limited Spanish I didn't push it any further to try and see what type of cards or what they were doing with them. 

Anyway a few days later I was at a party in an Artist Residency and I happened to see someone who had been in the restaurant with a binder. When I got talking to them, I found out that what the group was doing was swapping "Artist Trading Cards". I then googled Artist Trading Cards and found out all about them.

And now back in Ireland, I am involved with an Artist Trading Cards group in Dublin.

Each month a different theme is chosen and after working throughout the month and creating artworks relating to the theme on the specific ATC sized cards, the group comes together to swap them.

Swapping the cards means you can build up a collection of cards and here's some photos of my collection.

Last month the theme was "Woodland Creatures" so I created 7 cards where I drew ladybirds. For this month the cards I created were all the same. But there are no rules, you can create cards that are all the same or different.

And here are pictures of my collection of swapped cards

If you like the thoughts of swapping Artist Trading Cards, you can google to see if there are any groups in your vicinity doing this activity, or I think some people swap or trade cards online. It's a fun activity and it is very social. The other great thing about it is that you can drop in and out of it and go to some meetings or miss one from time to time, there really is no pressure. 

I am really happy to be involved in this activity and I am always amazed by all of the work created by the group members. It is always fascinating to see the different approaches to the theme by all. I am also loving seeing my collection of cards grow by the month. For me personally, I am not much of an artist, but I do enjoy doing something creative and physically present that gets me off my screen. I spend so much time online that I feel it is really good for my brain to be involved in this non-digital group!

Let me know what you think of Artist Trading Cards and whether you will look to get involved in a group, where ever you are in the world.

Here's one of my favourite cards that I completed. It was for the theme of "Fruit and Vegetables"

Can you guess what it is based on?!

Ranelagh Arts Festival: Maeve Brennan events

We got straight in to the Ranelagh Arts Festival activities this morning with a trip to the gorgeous Devlin Theatre at 10.15am to watch a short film about Maeve Brennan and her life in Ranelagh as part of the Ranelagh Arts Film Festival. With a coffee in hand, it was lovely to watch this great 45 minute film in the comforts of The Devlin Hotel. A really great start to Sunday!

And after the film I made a plan to attend another Ranelagh Arts Festival event later in the afternoon. This was another Maeve Brennan activity and was a walking tour of Ranelagh that would start in the Arts Centre and go up to Cherryfield Avenue to see the house that she lived in from age 5 to 17 years before moving to USA.

It was a perfect day for a walking tour, a really bright Dublin day. Cold in the shade but bright and light - a jacket still required by me, but I am a cold person!

The tour was led by Sally Corcoran and was full of interesting information about Maeve Brennan and Ranelagh in general.

Here's a video of a past Ranelagh Arts Maeve Brennan event and if you are interested in her writings, do check out the Irish Public Libraries catalogue.

Hecho en Mexico - Made in Mexico

It's always lovely to buy a well designed and handcrafted item when on holidays and I feel lucky to have found this gorgeous leather bag in a shop in Tlaquepaque on my February trip to Mexico. A brown leather bag is such a classic thing, and I feel like I will get use of this bag for years to come.

It's a simple minimal design made with the most beautiful leather which will soften over the years. I didn't buy many souvenirs but the things that I did buy are handcrafted high quality items that remind me of a fantastic trip to Mexico. 

The designer is Santiago Jimenez and you can check out the store's instagram here.

The Devil wears Prada

We had a lovely trip to the Omniplex Cinema in Rathmines this weekend to see The Devil wears Prada. There were tons of options to go see it at lots of different times in all of the different screens and we got tickets for the Maxx screen with really comfortable reclining chairs.

So what about the movie?!

Well it is exactly as you would expect a big budget well executed very watchable film with great actors. A special mention has to go to Meryl Streep who is excellent as usual and entirely believeable as Miranda Priestley.....and looking great!

The fashion, the art, the settings are all beautiful and if you are looking for an escape from real life for a couple of hours, this is the movie for you.

And then there is Gaga - yes Lady Gaga is there singing on the big screen. Of course I am biased, being a big Gaga fan, I thought she was fantastic.

So all in all I recommend The Devil wears Prada.

I should also mention how busy the Omniplex was which makes me wonder that people are still going to the cinema (or have returned since Covid)....who knows, I haven't looked at cinema going stats in any detail but the Omniplex must think there is a future in cinema going because they have upgraded the Rathmines cinema and have extras available like cocktails, pizza and other hot food options. Definitely an upgrade from a popcorn and coke!

Bank Holiday Blooms

I've been having a quiet Bank Holiday weekend here in Ireland. Generally just getting up to some chores and gardening.

I mentioned in my last blog that I mentioned that I planted wilddlowers in the wasteland at the end of my road. Well would you believe there are some signs of some plants beginning to bloom!

The first thing I am seeing that is doing really well are some "Pentaglottis" which I think have been growing a few years now in this spot. They kind of look like nettles with fuzzy leaves but the flowers are a gorgeous blue colour.

Also growing for a few years in this area, is this flower which is called "Wood Sorrel" or Oaxalis Acetosella. From looking this plant up online, it seems that the leaves and flowers are edible.

And then the next one that is just starting to grow is the Oaxalis Tetraphylla, also known as the Iron Cross or Lucky Clover. 

It's great to see all of these different plants among the wild garlic and it will be interesting to see what pops up next!

Garden project time!

Well it is another gardening project in the makine.

This time it is not in my garden but instead in a little bit of wasteland down the end of the cul de sac that I live in.

For the past few years I have planted wild flower seeds in this area but nothing seems to have grown except for lots of wild garlic which has been there for years. 

While I love the smell of the garlic it is rather boring to look at. So I am really intent on getting some nice brightly coloured flowers growing in this area.

I am currently growing some seedlings on the window sill in my living room which I will transplant to the wasteland area. There are a few earmarked spots I have started to put down fertiliser in and water well in preparation.

I have coco coir ordered from Amazon and am expecting that to arrive in a few days. 

So on Saturday I will set up the areas for planting with coco coir and then compost and then give it a good water. Then it is a matter of planting all my seedlings. After this I have a box of wildflower seeds which I will scatter around in the bare areas near my seedlings.

And beyond that it is about keeping the area well watered and cross my fingers for this Hail Mary Project!

Watch this space......

Garden project - furniture upkeep

I noticed that my garden furniture was looking a bit shabby and decided to give them a little refresh by spray painting them.

It is a fine weather day here in Dublin so I took the opportunity to do a few chores this morning and then start on the garden furniture in the afternoon.

After dropping some WEE reccyling to the centre in Rathmines and dropping in some old clothes to the Oxfam charity shop, I stopped in to the hardware in Ranelagh and brought black spray paint.

Here's pics of the furniture as I started and progressed to finish. I am happy with the result and they certainly look "refreshed".  They currently sit in our front garden and will be great for another Summer!

Tetelán - what an experience!

Tetelán is a restaurant and Cultural Centre (including a concept store with handicrafts for sale) situated in the restored stables of Casa Pedregal, a Luis Barragan designed house in Mexico City.

It is a wow building with the most amazing feeling in it and filled to the brim with architectural features. We wandered through it before heading to the restaurant for the most gorgeous elevated Mexican meal made with organic and local produce. I had chicken with mole and Ciaran had the mollcajete which was cheese, steak and shrimp bubbling in a volcanic bowl!!  Both were delicious and we enjoyed them with a wine and beer - my wine was served in a funny little bulb glass. 

Here's some pics of our visit.....but to also mention what happened after we had paid our bill and just as we were readying ourselves to leave....the city wide earthquake alarm went off!!!

We had to evacuate the building and stand on the street until the alarm stopped - the all clear came within a few minutes.  All of the cars on the street stopped driving too. It was all very surreal.

When I returned to the restaurant to use the building I then saw a sign up, explaining what to do in case of "Sismo".

A true Mexican experience from the architecture to the food to the earthquake alarm!!

St Brigid's Weekend in Dublin

The first weekend in February has much needed Bank Holiday for St Brigid's Day.

I had a lovely weekend and met up with lots of friends as awell as taking part in a St Brigid's Parade in the "Brigits by Bike" pageant which is organised by Cllr Donna Cooney and the Dublin Cycling Campaign. Our pageant led the parade and it was great cycle from Capel Street to The Spire on O'Connell Street wearing out bright yellow cloaks.

It was a pleasant day in Dublin and surprizingly there was no rain, considering how bad the weather has been (wet wet wet) of late. However, there cold did get in to me when we were standing waiting to start. So when I finished up I planned to stop in Starbucks on Leeson Street for a hot chocolate. However as I came up to Starbucks I decided to continue cycling on home (a further 3 mins or so) and make a Baileys Coffee straight away when I got inside. And that is whatt I did!

It was then aa quick turn around to head off to meet friends a for a lovely meal in Nightmarket in Ranelagh. It was really great food and I plan to return soon!

Tassle time!

I finally got around to deciding on how to frame a beautiful tassle that I was gifted by a lovely lady that I met on my travels in Mexico.

This lady worked as an Interior Designer in Dallas Texas and she collected lots of tassles and fabric samples over the years. Amazingly this particular tassle dates back to the 1800's. Perfect for presenting in a box frame in my master bedroom given that my house was built in about 1856(?) - and it coordinates perfectly with my green Laura Ashley wall paper.

The frame is a simple box from Ikea. I got the E2 bus all the way over to Ikea this morning and after a breakfast in the restaurant browsed the store and bought this frame and a few other things.

Here is the tassle all framed up and presented with a wall paper backing. Let me know what you think!

Mission to Pluto: Accepted!

MoonSwatch

I got a new watch!

It's an Omega-Swatch cross where Swatch have created their take on the Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch.  

I have wanted one of these babies since the day they came out. However, at that time they were only available in particular Swatch stores because I think they were very much limited.

And now I finally got one! After probably checking them out in just about every Swatch store from Madrid to Mexico and even in Colombia too!!

The one I selected is.......

PLUTO

The colours of Pluto are very classy, understated but unique. It's a variety of burgundy on the face but I can't even begin to describe the colour of the strap.

Have a look at the full variety of Moon-Swatches and let me know which one you would select. How bright is that yellow Mission to the Sun watch?!

Memories of Mexico.....and beyond

Every morning I am reminded of recent travel adventures to Mexico and beyond (Guatemala & Colombia). On my bar,where my coffee machine is, I have displayed the few small souvenirs that I brought home from my travels. I didn't buy too much on my travels because I had knew I would have to lug them from country to country. However, it makes me happy to wear my bright pink leather belt (not pictured) that I got in Mexico City or use my wool drinks coaster, from Oaxaca, when drinking my morning coffee. Along with the beautiful hummingbirds making me smile and giving me hope that every day is going to be great.

Here's some pics of the few small handicrafts that I brought home from Mexico, Colombia & Guatemala.

A beaded hummingbird. I actually bought a few of these and gifted to family and friends on my return. These were my favourite souvenirs from all of Mexico.

A Lucha Libre mask made by a handcrafter utilising a technique similar to papier machie and then handpainted by his wife! 

These artisans were staying in the same Art Residency as us when they were visiting the area for the once yearly Chapala Fair that brings creaters of Mexican handicrafts altoether for one big massive fair near Ajijic. I also bought two little handstitched blouses to send to my two neices living abroad.

This bird was gifted to me by a friend as I left Mexico and it reminds me of time spent in Ajijic, Jalisco.

T

This cutie came all the way from the beautiful town of Antigua in Guatemala

The best way to start the day - a cup of coffee on a brightly colored Mexican wool coaster. Handcrafted in the shop that we bought it in and we even got to speak to the weaver who showed us all of the naturally dyed wool out the back of the shop in his home!

And then one of the final things I bought was this fun handpainted Mexican hat. I haven't had musch opportunity to wear it here in Ireland but I got to wear it recently in Spain. Here I am wearing the hat and coordinating with the PIGSY painting in the background!

Souvenirs really are fun things to buy when on vacation, and even a simple thing like a fridge magnet can bring back happy memories of past holidays with family and friends.

Let me know - what do you like to bring back from your vacations?!

Super Saturday - Phoenix Park Visit

Heritage Week 2025

For Heritage Week, I booked 2 tickets for an Architectural Tour of Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park. To get there we cycled to Dawson Street and folded our bikes to take them on the 37 bus to the Castleknock Phoenix Park Gates. From there it was a short cycle to Farmleigh.

Farmleigh, Phoenix Park

When we arrived to Farmleigh, which is the "State Guesthouse" we checked in for our tour in the Motorhouse and then being a little early we had time for a coffee at the Lake House looking out on to the water. 

The tour started promptly at 11.30am and lasted about an hour. Our guide was excellent and gave a really interesting tour. Here's a few photos that I took but they really don't do this house justice and I highly recommend you visit yourself to see this place that was a holiday home / country estate to the Guinness family from the late 1800's to 1999 when it was then bought by the Irish State and restored for civic and state use, including welcoming foreign dignitaries.

After the tour we visited the Cowshed Gallery and then cycled back to the city via the great cycle lanes on Chesterfield Avenue on the main road in the Phoenix Park. It started raining when we got close to the city so we headed to Capel Street for a lunchtime plate of wings in All Bar Chicken.

After this we cycled to Rathmines via the newly pedestrianised Parliament Street with the incredible vista leading up to City Hall. In Rathmines we did some printing in Rathmines Library. When we left the library we discovered it was raining heavily so we immediately ran over to the Omniplex and bought tickets for a screeening of Nobody 2 which was starting shortly. When we left the movie theatre at about 5.30pm the rain had stopped and cleared for the evening and the temperature was pleasant. I was glad of this because there were a few large outdoor events on in Dublin including the Robbie Williams concert in Croke Park and the College Football Game between Iowa and Kansas State in the Aviva.

Later we walked to Ranelagh and got a takeaway pizza from Rita's for dinner. We had split wings at lunch time and we split a pizza for dinner!

All in all a perfect Saturday with a great visit to the Phoenix Park and a lovely cycle all over the city from Southside to Northside and then back again.