Irish Inspiration

Last weekend I visited relatives in Ireland and we visited the folk museum in Cultra. I took some pictures of crockery, lace, textiles and a few bible verses that decorated the different buildings there. Here they are all in one place so that I and anyone reading this might be inspired by the designs, ideas, colours and shapes.

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Life

I'm sure there's a time in everyone's life were everyone seems to get married, moving on, moving in and moving out. And you feel stuck. Feelings of jealousy and loneliness come in and appreciation for what you actually have goes out the window. That's how I've been feeling lately.
It seems like my textile centred life is now going to be forgotten as I am about to embark upon a new adventure... in a degree in Occupational therapy. I don't know if its going to work out, I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with the course work and reports and research, but I'm going to try. Its another four years.
I feel so many emotions all at once, hopefully I will be able to control them one day. Well anyway, back to textiles for a little bit.
I've decided to again discern my charism, but I feel so unmotivated. I am pretty sure its craftsmanship and so I'm trying to use my gift in personal ways with others - making them things but also working with others.
Here are two textile samplers I made for my friends

100% linen from John Lewis, button handmade in the Scottish Borders, duck egg embroidery thread and embroidery hoop.

Crucifix from bead shop in Northern Ireland, frame from Dunelm Milne.

I'm not too sure what else to do in my discernment, faith seems so complicated, stressful and like you have to have a degree in theology to understand it. I know that that's not what its supposed to be like at all, but there are many times when I feel overwhelmed and not worthy. I enjoy creating things and I enjoy mass and worshipping God through song and prayer but I feel like I'm not trying enough. I guess I'll be shown soon enough what I should be changing.

I came back from Lourdes last week, it was a challenging but fun experience - it was a pilgrimage with the HCPT with volunteers, the elderly and disabled. I enjoyed drawing with one person, he has autism and we both drew a portrait of him, here is my drawing of him:

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Inspiration

Running low on inspiration on anything creative. I want to sew and write and draw and design but I just feel like I have no motivation to do any of it. I've just got back from a holiday to Malaga, Spain and there was a lot of lovely tiles with eye catching pattern and colour. I then looked in anthropology on the way back in Edinburgh and found that they had wonderful ceramics that linked in with this theme.
I thought I'd share my images on here and also for me to look back on too.

cups from anthropology

cups in anthropology with floor tiles

ceramics in anthropology

balloon visual merchandising in anthropology

gorgeous plates in anthropology

plates in anthropology

cups in anthropology

Spain:

outdoor wall tiles

tourist information building in Malaga.

Cork stoppers

cork stoppers

cork stoppers

church at "the lakes" Malaga.

Restaurant stairs at "the lakes" Malaga.

Outside tiles of restaurant, "the lakes" Malaga.

Outdoor fountain, Benalmedina costa, Malaga.

outdoor fountain, Malaga.

laminated lace table cloth

Church mural, "the lakes" Malaga.

Tiles.

I'm hoping I'll at some point use this as inspiration to have scribbly ink drawings and turn them into pattern repeats.

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Inspiration/Motivation

Well life is crazy at the moment. I feel like I have no time to breathe! I'm now working more or less full time at work and have been made key holder which is exciting and also daunting but its great to feel more involved at work.
In my spare time I go to 2 church groups and now choir practise.
Its been hard to get back into the creative swing of things now that I am away from uni and my talented flat mates. Ive just been finding ways to combine my faith and my creativity together. Here's a few pictures of what I've been up to:

From "Still my Soul be Still" by Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Ephesians 4:26

From "How great is our God" by Chris Tomlin

Proverbs 11:16

From "Still my Soul be Still" by Keith and Kristyn Getty.
The image behind the writing is from Sir Walter Scott's house just outside of Galashiels.
I took the picture on a visit, its a keyhole to a wooden desk.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

Timothy 4:12

My unfinished piece "create in my a clean heart O God" Psalm 51:10

I think I need to move the O over and maybe re-do the "God".

Our church has started up a cafe open all day every Sunday to raise funds for the building. I decided to re-do the white board sign. 

My main project at the minute is to read the bible and find quotes that feel personal to me, I then draw out and doodle around them. I then scan into my laptop and then edit on photoshop and keep them to modern colour schemes. My idea was to make the bible more easily accessible for everyone and also to try and give a more pleasing and visual impact on these wise and holy words - which may have been un-noticed/not known about.
I went on a retreat a few months ago and my main charism was craftsmanship so I've been trying to use this gift as a way to bring others closer to God. I'm not sure if its working or if I am trying hard enough. I guess I can only try. Please leave a comment for any criticism =] Thank you.

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