"DayDay turns 21 today!"

I can't believe it, our oldest grandson, Dayton "DayDay" turned 21 today!  My oh my, how time does fly!
It seems like just yesterday when he was this sweet little angel ...

and then he graduated from high school ...

And now he is a young man working and attending college ...

Life passes by so quickly ....

My birthday wish for DayDay is good health, good luck, good love 

and happiness and joy in the life he has been given.

Happy Birthday my dear DayDay!

Gramma Karen Anne

"Eirinn Go Brach!"

After I completed "Irish Eyes Are Smiling" I decided I liked the character so well that I would illustrate a larger version with more detail.  Today I finished "Eirinn Go Brach!" and I must say, I am really pleased with the results.

I haven't had a chance to list him yet in My Etsy Shop but I thought I give my blog friends a preview...

"Eirinn Go Brach"

Hope you like him as much as I do!

Happy Day!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Two New ACEO's"

I have been busy working on celtic knotwork design exercises and finally decided it was time to do some ACEO's.  This first one is a variation on a design I learned through exercises in Sheila Sturrock's book, "Celtic Knotwork Designs" ......

"Celtic Knot in Purples and Blues"

In this next ACEO I have combined my love of drawing people with my love for celtic designs and come up with my version of "Irish Eyes Are Smiling". The inspiration for this came from a picture of a mountain man my husband was using for one of his projects. When I saw the picture I saw an Irishman in his kilt and holding his shillelagh (prounounced shih-LAY-lee), a far cry from a gruffy looking mountain man wouldn't you say! Anyway, that is the image I saw in my mind and drew.

"Irish Eyes Are Smiling"

I have listed both ACEO's in My Etsy Shop today.  If you get a chance, stop by and visit!

Happy Day!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Celtic Knotwork Designs" by Sheila Sturrock-Exercises #58 to #63"

Today I was able to work in six exercises from Chapter 6 of Sheila's Sturrock's book "Celtic Knotwork Designs".  With each design I find my confidence building and the ribbons are becoming more consistent in their widths.  By coloring them in I am adding my own personal touch to each design.

Today my husband asked, "Just how many exercises are there in that book?", so I took a look ... there are at least 222 exercises!  As I am now only up to 63 that leaves 159 exercises to complete, hmmm .... I may not be posting all the exercise designs in my blog after all.  I'd probably end up boring you all to tears!

I will keep my goal of completing the book, however .... I think I am going to have to pace myself and get some art pieces for My Etsy Shop completed and posted; otherwise people may think I have fallen off the planet because I am not adding to my shop's inventory.  Don't want that to happen!  I think I'll try to incorporate some of what I have already learned into my next art work.

"Exercises 58 through 63"

Take care all and God Bless,

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Chapter 6 - Exercises #52 through #57"

I was back to the drawing pad with some celtic knot designs today, not as many as yesterday but I did manage to get in a couple.  I have now entered into Chapter 6 of Sheila Sturrock's "Celtic Knotwork Design" and am relaxing enough to have a bit of fun by coloring them in.

Today I completed designs number 52 through 57.  Would have completed more but regular life imposed upon me (doing dishes, cleaning up messes, paying bills, preparing food ... you know the mundane stuff that keeps one's life comfortable), oh to have a house keeper!  That is my fantasy dream!

With no further ado, here is what I completed today:

"Exercises #52 through #57"

If you should ever decide you want to try your hand at celtic knotwork, get Sheila's book;  she has brilliantly laid out and simplified the art of celtic knotwork!  

Take care and happy day!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Celtic Knot Design Exercises #23 through #51"

I have been a busy person today!  I was so excited about learning more celtic knot designs that I started in at 6:30AM today and finally pried my fingers off my pen tonight at 5:30PM.  I think I over did it, my fingers were locked in position!  And "Danny Boy" (my miniature pinscher) was not too happy with me today ... I guess he felt ignored, poor baby!

I did mange to complete two pages of celtic knot exercises from Chapter 5 of Sheila Sturrock's book "Celtic Knotwork Designs" and am pleased with how much I have learned.  I also received, in today's mail, "Celtic Knotwork Handbook" by Sheila Sturrock, which is a smaller condensed version of "Celtic Knotwork Designs".  It is small and compact and I'll be able to take it along on trips, etc. and practice designs whenever I find the opportunity.  Yes!

So... here are the two pages of exercises I completed today .....

"Exercises #23 to #38"

"Exercises #39 to #51"

As you can see, the designs are beginning to get more detailed and complex.  This is so much fun and exciting to be learning something I thought was beyond my comprehension!  I am now beginning to understand the plotting and how one can alter a design to give it a different perspective.  

My eldest grandson requested that I create a celtic design for him to have made into a tattoo awhile back and I told him I didn't think I was capable of doing one.  By the time I have finished this book I think I will have the confidence to create a special design just for him.  Won't that be grand!

Take care all and may your day be filled with blessings and love!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

  

"Learning The In's & Out's of Celtic Knots"

I really want to know more about the art of Celtic Knot Designs so I purchased several books by various authors.  The one book that really "clicked" with the way my mind works is Celtic Knotwork Designs by Sheila Sturrock.  I received the publication, with others, yesterday and immediately started myself on a regime of trying out each of the designs she has patiently laid out, beginning with design #1.

I hope to become versatile in Celtic Knot Designs so that eventually I can incorporate these wonderful designs into my art work in ways that will enhance what I am creating.

I thought those of you who are following along might enjoy watching my progress of the various exercises through the chapters in her book.  I have just completed Chapter 3 and am attaching the exercises I have so far completed.

Exercises #1 through #13

Exercises #14 through #22

If any of you are interested in learning the art of celtic knot designs you can purchase reasonably priced books through http://www.abebooks.com/.  If you are interested in books by Sheila Sturrock here is a direct link to her books through ABEBooks.com.

As I said earlier, I have been through several books and her books really connect with the way my mind works and I am clearly understanding each lesson I learn.  Many thanks to Sheila Sturrock!

Take care and happy day!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Before and After"

I finally finished adjusting the Celtic Mount Mat #1 that was too large to fit into a 8"x10" opening correctly.  In PhotoShop I learned how to cut out one part, reduce another part, and touch up using PS tools with the aid of a Wacom Tablet.

So, with no further ado's, here are the before and after prints .....

BEFORE

 

                                                           AFTER

                   

What do you think?

Karen Anne

"Wacom Pad To The Rescue!"

Remember that first Celtic Knot Mount Mat that I made, which was to large to fit in an 8x10 frame?  Well, a reader (Lise Winne, Hi Lise and thanks!) of my blog, told me how to reduce it without reducing the center square in PhotoShop!  I tried it out and was 75% successful, the other 25% I innovated on, but it is working!  I then decided I wanted to try and spiffy it up in PhotoShop and began trying my hand at using the erasure and pencils tools.  Working with the mouse proved to be quite tedious and cumbersome, when I remembered I had a Wacom Pad with a pencil that I could use?

I had purchased it about 4 years and was learning to use it when we acquired "Danny Boy" (our little miniature pinscher) to the family; during his puppy teething stage he chewed up about 6 inches of the Wacom pad cord, which was NOT removable!  With the cord chewed up and wire exposed, it no longer worked.  So I stuck it away, meaning to get it fixed at Wacom (in Vancouver, WA) and then completely forgot about it until today.  I was thinking this would be so much easier with a pencil, then I looked up and saw the Wacom pencil peacefully sitting on top of my computer cabinet, so I pulled out the Wacom pad and checked the wire, it didn't look that great, yet it didn't look that bad.  I wondered if perhaps a little electrician's tape might be a cure for what ailed it and decided to try.  Wrapped it tight, plugged it in, said a prayer to "God" and tried it out ... it works!  I popped back into PhotoShop and tried it out and WOW! was I delighted!  Magnifying the image up to 300% and using the Wacom pencil works wonders!  So much easier than the sloppy work I was getting from my mouse!  Now I am going to complete the entire project until I become proficient in using it (Wacom) to clean up various pieces of artwork.  I think it will definitely prove to be a life saver. 

I am slowly beginning to appreciate PhotoShop and learning how to use the various tools.  Sometimes I get stuck and the program locks up, but I figure if I keep on trying I'll eventually get it somewhat mastered.

Will share the finished results of this project once it is completed and then you can compare it to the original and let me know what you think.


Or ... maybe I'll be sharing the frustration of this project with you?  Hope not!

Thanks a bunch for listening and happy day to all!

Karen Anne

"A Wee Bit O' Irish Cheer!"

St. Paddy's Day is just around the corner, may you be starting off right with a wee bit o' "Irish Cheer" in the charming company o' this spirited little leprechaun! 

"Irish Cheer"

Mounted on Celtic Knot Design Mount Mat

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Five New ACEO's!"

I just love ACEO's!  When you have a little bit of time you can create a little piece of art.  An ACEO creation can be created just about anywhere, snuggling up on the couch, sitting in a car, camping, in the middle of the night when you can't get back to sleep, filling in time at a local art show .... they have to be an artist's best friend when one has only a bit of time and not enough energy to work on something larger.

That said, I have been squeezing in little ACEO's here and there for the past week and finally got them photographed and ready to list in my Etsy Shop later on this week.  In the meantime, I thought I'd take out a bit of time to share them with my friends.

"A Floral Knot"

"A Knot of Shamrocks"

"Three Tortoises" (already listed in my Etsy Shop)

"Mushroom"

"Mushrooms and Fern"

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and letting me share my artwork with you.

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Back In The Groove"

Hi everybody!

Well, it has been busy the past week or so.  Last week I was driving my sister back & forth for chemo treatments for a blood & bone marrow malady she is struggling through and I learned my friend in B.C. is being treated for her cancer weekly with her chemo treatments.  Our passports are in the works and should arrive sooner than later so we should be heading up north sometime in March!

In between taking my sis to her treatments I jumped into my own survival therapy ... art work!  First I designed what I thought would be a great mount mat for ACEO's in a celtic knot pattern.  I wanted it to fit into an 8"x10" frame so I measured carefully and laid out my pattern and began.  I finished it last Friday morning (2/18) and printed off my first copy and I was delighted with it!

Went to put it into an 8"x10" frame and, horror of horrors, it was a bit too large!  I had drawn it to exactly 8"x10" measurements, which when put into a frame obscures the outer edges because there is about an 1/8" ridge on a 8"x10" frame .... but I still like it, so here it is:

But, because I wasn't happy with the overall effect and I couldn't reduce because then the area where the ACEO is to be mounted reduces as well and then it doesn't look right.  So, not to be discouraged, I began a new plan of attack on a similar design with my drawing measurements being smaller, around 7"x9".  I just finished the new design today (2/21), putting in about 8 hours a day for the past 4 days, and I am really HAPPY with the results!  And it fits!  Yes!

Here, for your viewing enjoyment, is my "new and improved" B & W Celtic Knot Design Mount Mat for ACEO's......

Would love to hear how you like both versions and what you think of these pieces.  I will be posting the second version in My Etsy Shop later on this week.  First I have to take a few photographs of how it looks framed.

Hugs!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"I Am Numb"

I met my bestest of friends in the entire world back in the early 1980's, up on the Queen Charlotte Islands (now known as Haida Gwaii).  She is a one in a million friend and we and our families have grown up with each other.  Who would have known that meeting someone in another country could bring so much joy, amusement, laughter and adventures to ones existence ... I sure didn't!  But it happened and I am so delighted and grateful that it did.

My dear friend was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago.  She had the mastectomy, chemo, radiation and everything looked good!  HooRay!  Well, things were going good until a few weeks back.  Then she went in for an exam, learned "It" was back.  In her liver and probably in her bones .... no!

I found out today, from a mutual close friend, that her liver is basically destroyed and the cancer has most probably moved into her bones.  She had tried to tell me in a round about way, but I couldn't accept it, I realize now that I was in denial.  She told me her doctor's said that "it's quality of life vs. quantity of life" and asked me to come to her soon, in fact sooner than soon because she wants to enjoy our company while she is still "normal" and  before she is no longer able.

If she lived in the US it would be sooooo easy ... but she lives in British Columbia.   Our passports expired nearly 5 years ago ... we have the renewal process begun but what I want to ask now .... please, "Pray that the process for Jim & Karen works quickly!".... and please pray for quality of life and enjoyment for her.

When her husband died of cancer, we made about 9-10 trips up there to support them in their worst of times.  Please offer your prayers so that our passport renewals will take less than the 4-6 week process time so that we can go up to BC to support her.

Your prayers do count and work ...
Take care & God bless,
Karen Anne  

"Two More Flapper Cloche Hats"

Since St. Patrick's Day is approaching, I thought I first list the cloches in greens in My Etsy Shop.

The first one is pale green with a white carnation ....

Pale Green with White Carnation

and the second is mixed green yarns with a green carnation...

Dark & Pale Green with a Green Carnation

Happy St. Patrick's Day all!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Celtic Knot Shamrock"

St. Patrick's Day is on its way and I thought now would be a good time to try my hand at some Celtic Knot designs. My first attempt at this beautiful style of art is a piece I have titled "Celtic Knot Shamrock".   I have the original ACEO as well as Open Edition ACEO art prints now available in My Etsy Shop.

"Celtic Knot Shamrock"

I am going to try my hand at some more celtic knot designs and hope to be sharing them with you in the near future.  Wish me luck (of the Irish?) in my latest endeavors!

Your friend,

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Obsession? or knot?"

I found this adorable crochet pattern for a flapper cloche hat and made up a few dozen to give away to friends and family at Christmas time. I loved the webbed design in this hat and decided it needed a little something extra so I added a darling crocheted carnation (with a safety pin for easy removal) to the side. 

Since then I seem to have become obsessed with crocheting this particular hat with flower and in the evenings, when I am sitting back watching television, my hands just seem to have to be crocheting one after another. I now have more than enough for this coming Christmas and am still making more!

Finally, my husband pointed out that I have more hats than I need, especially if I keep on making them. Both he and my daughter (who loves her many hats) suggested I list them in My Etsy Shop and share them with others. So that is what I am now doing. 

No two hats are exactly alike since I do like variation (except for the pattern).

"Pale Green Flapper Cloche with Deep Green Carnation"

"Pink Cloche Flapper Hat with White Carnation with Black Center/Base"

Happy Day!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

Two more Zentangle Valentine's!

As Valentine Day rapidly approaches people search out a special card for that someone special. With an ACEO Valentine you can give a card that is also an art piece which can be framed and viewed with loving remembrance of that special day on which it was given. These Valentines are titled "Me + You = Us!" and "You + Me = We!". After all, Valentine's Day is really a celebration of a couples' love for each other. 

Happy Valentine Day to all the couples out there!

Karen Anne

An ACEO Zentangle Valentine "One True Love"

Valentine is quickly approaching and I decided to try my hand at an ACEO Valentine. It seems we meet many people in our live but there is only one who is really extra special in your life, so out of all the loves in one's life I present the "One True Love".

I was lucky enough to meet my "One True Love" and marry him 43 years this coming February 17th. We would have gotten married on Valentine's Day, but it fell on a Wednesday that week, in 1968, so we opted for Saturday the 17th ... figured people would show up for the wedding that way!

Please keep in mind that, because the drawing has been scanned to the computer, the image is considerably larger than the actual art piece. Therefore, you can not realize the delicacy of the line work and fine detail of the image as a result.

"One True Love"

A happy Valentine Day to one and all!

Love,

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

A terrific new way to mount your favorite ACEO!

I was very excited about the creation of my first ACEO Mount Mat / Mounting Matte (http://www.etsy.com/listing/66053940/new-idea-for-aceo-mount-mat-or-mounting) and decided to create another one. These mount mats are a wonderful way in which to showcase your favorite ACEO's!

I also included some additional examples to show how versatile this ACEO zentangle design for mounting ACEO's actually is. 

So, what do you think?  Isn't this a grand way to show off an ACEO!

Karen Anne

Some new ACEO's ....

My husband thought it might be nice if I created some ACEO illustrations to compliment my "My Chinese Mudmen" art piece. So here we have two new ACEO's  titled "Bonsai!" and "Chinese Garden Lantern".  The originals are available in My Etsy Shop along with Open Edition ACEO copies of each.




Please keep in mind that, because the drawing has been scanned to the computer, the image is considerably larger than the actual art piece. Therefore, you can not realize the delicacy of the line work and fine detail of the image as a result.

"Bonsai!"

"Chinese Garden Lantern"

Happy day all!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady