Recent Commissions for the BIG Birthdays

Ann has been busy with private commissions recently. The Big Birthdays can cause a dilemma for people who wish to buy a gift for the special person in their life about to celebrate a new decade.

Creating an illustration, celebrating that life, has proved to be a memorable and unique gift and a delight for the recipient. In consultation with the customer, Ann finds out what interests the Birthday Boy or Girl has, and working from photographs, injects humour and warmth into the final illustration.

Two Birthday Girls

THE SKIER

This lovely Birthday Girl did not want any reference to her actual age so Ann illustrated her as the keen skier she is, flying into a new and hopefully her best decade to date!

SUPERWOMAN

This Birthday Girl has several references attached to her person, indicating what it takes to be a superhero these days!

FAMILY MAN

This commission was for the Daddy of the family's Big Birthday.The illustration included all the varying sports allegiances in various sports' kits.Even the goldfish had to be included in this lovely family image!

New Greeting Card Selection

Now the days are getting longer and hearing the birds sing,Ann feels a spring in her step and,this is echoed in her new card selection!

First date is March 26th ......Mother's Day. She so enjoyed illustrating this Mother Hen ...she has attitude and is very protective of her little chicks!

Easter falls on April 16th and the birds featured in the Woolly Walnut Christmas card selection have come home to roost,with a serious spring in their step!

Wedding Season is covered by the  sassy pink flamingo and multicoloured peacock who featured in the Valentine's Day card selection.They have got their act together and are tying the knot!

Birthdays are always worth celebrating especially as we mature.However not all of us want our age emblazoned on a card for all to see so Happy Big Birday card generalises this whole issue!

New Baby Card welcomes that special little chick and Mother Hen exudes love and protection.

These latest Woolly Walnut greeting cards are printed as a limited edition and are produced on high quality card with a co-ordinating coloured envelope. They are individually priced at 3.45 euros, with free shipping for orders of six or more.To order and view cards in detail please visit Woolly Walnut Greeting Card Shop on this website.

And Greetings to you all !

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Valentine Birdies have Hatched!

As promised Ann has been working on her unique Valentine Cards, and has produced a His and Hers edition. For the ladies wishing to send a card to that special man she has produced a sexy pink flamingo with a matching pink envelope. The greeting is "Tickled Pink over You .......on Valentine's Day!" For the gentlemen she has illustrated a strutting peacock bearing gifts with the caption "And all because the Lady Loves...... Valentine's Day!"  This card is teamed with a red envelope.

The cards and envelopes are of a high quality measuring 20cm x 20cm and retail at 4.50 euros.

As well as ordering online (see  Valentine's Day Card Shop on this website) they are selling in "The Flower Basket" Western Road Clonakilty, "Coisir" 15 Pearse St. Clonakilty ,"Bloom Studio"  79 S.Main St.,Bandon, "Anne's Flowers" 7 Howard Court  Bandon, and "Fox Flowers" Model Farm Road.

So if you want to impress that special someone, surprise them with one of these unique limited edition card.

Woolly Walnut was born on Christmas Eve

Ann received a very special gift this Christmas from her highly creative sister.....Woolly Walnut in the flesh so to speak! Jill,a very talented artist,created Woolly as a gift to encourage Ann in her new business.

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Valentine Birdies !

Two months today will be Valentine's Day ! Christmas hasn't arrived but Ann is already sketching ideas for Valentine's Day cards from a strutting peacock to a sexy flamingo. 
Inspiration came when sourcing Christmas envelopes and she came across gorgeous Valentine envelopes. So what's a gal to do but create gorgeous cards to complement them ... well at least that's the plan !!

Now back to the drawing board!

Holiday At The Sherkin Island Art Workshop

To quote the description on their Facebook page, "The Sherkin Island Summer Art Workshop brings together experienced, beginner and emerging artists who have a common interest in art."  Initially Ann brought her two daughters to Sherkin Island for a one week art course hosted by the artist Majella O'Neill and Cora Collins. They enjoyed it so much that she returned the next year with one daughter, her very artistic mother, sister and nephew.

Ann with her family on the ferry to Sherkin Island and keen to get painting!

They lived on the island for the duration of the course, immersing themselves in the tranquility and beauty of the island with nothing to do except paint, draw and be creative.   

The participating artists benefit from the guidance and advice of the tutors as well as the support and encouragement of fellow workshop artists.  "This is a special Art Holiday run and attended by creative people."

Whilst she was attending the Sherkin Island Art Workshop, Ann was interviewed for the Nationwide TV programme.   "Nationwide followed us over on the ferry and filmed and interviewed us. The week was terrific ... a very alternative and bonding family holiday. My mother initially had some trepidation in the life drawing class when the nude model was in between her and her sixteen year old grandson, but she soon relaxed and immersed herself in sketching! One of the best holidays ever!"

Unfortunately, the quality isn't perfect and it's out of lip sync, but here's a link to the Nationwide clip on the Sherkin Island Art Workshops Facebook page.

Ann with her family and other members of their Art Workshop

All photograph credits to Sherkin Island Art Workshop.

Limited Print Christmas Cards For Charity

The inspiration behind Ann's Christmas Cards was as a result of being invited last Christmas to a Turducken dinner, also known as a Three Bird Roast.  She illustrated a card for the host depicting himself with a turkey, duck and chicken as his best friends BEFORE Christmas!! This led to inspiring this year's cards... what would these lovely birds desire ? Surely a Vegan Christmas and NOT to get stuffed!!

Each pack contains six cards with three designs of each.  Order online from our Christmas Card Shop or from Scally's Supervalu in Clonakilty.

10% of the proceeds go to WestCorkAOK, a Cancer Support registered Charity, raising funds locally to financially help people affected by cancer in the West Cork area. It was founded by a dear friend of Ann's who following her own hard experience of cancer saw a way of helping others in the same situation. To date she and a handful of women, through continual fundraising have helped many deserving cases get some financial relief during a very arduous time of their lives.

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Happy Vegan Christmas

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Try Not To Get Stuffed!

Ann's Woolly Walnut "Happy Vegan Christmas" cards are prominently displayed in Scallys' Supervalu in Clonakilty.  Also, available to purchase for non-vegans!

Creating A Unique Baby Name Picture

Baby Name Pictures record those precious details that can otherwise be lost in a diary or on a hospital name band. 
Charming imagery will depict Baby's Name and include their Date, Weight, Time, Length and Place of Birth, their parents and sibling names.  Not only a special Newborn gift, they can be a Christening or Birthday gift and they will always be a keepsake for Baby as they grow into adulthood!

Ellie was commissioned by her proud Dad who insisted the county colours were included! He tells me the tears his wife shed on receiving this gift were of joy not Baby blues!! To gain more brownie points he has commissioned one for Ellie's older brother!

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Ellie's unframed artwork cost €9 a letter plus €7 postage bringing the total price to €52.

Baby Ella's parents kindly took this photo of Ella inspecting her very own Baby Name Picture.  She's possibly Ann's youngest admirer - isn't she divine?!