Old Haunts

 

This is the River Almond near Huntingtower just outside Perth.

It's the river I grew up with either picnicking as a family further upstream, jumping and swimming in it here with friends or just going for a walk 'round the river' as I called it throughout my teen years. I'd spend endless hours here just sitting and thinking or learning songs.

 

 

My younger brother still lives near here so we went for a walk 'round the river' when we were visiting at the weekend.

My children really enjoyed hearing my stories about adventures I had round here as a girl and we spent ages skimming stones and just enjoying the peace and quiet.

 

 I couldn't resist a few close up shots of little details I found interesting.

 

First hints of Autumn

 



Nice textures.

There's nothing spectacular about this walk but it holds a lot of memories for me and it was nice to take my children back to somewhere I'd spent so much time. My Grandparents lived on the other side of the river so there are a lot of family memories in this area.

 

Spotted this wee cutie well camouflaged in the wheat field.

 

 

 

 I have a few new pieces listed in my Etsy shop but nothing new off the craft table yet.

I'm busy working on commission pieces at the moment, then it will be all go for up coming events.

 

 

Felt Leaf Pendants £20

 

 

 

Wildflower Cottage

£45

 

 

 

Highland Poppy Cottage

£35

 

 

My brother took these two photos on one of his trips to the highlands. Impressive horns aren't they! And doesn't this coo's coat match the russet landscape below.

 

I've added a little snap shot of my on line shop below which can be clicked on should you require any more info on pieces available.

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

5.30am on the north east coast of Scotland.

The promise of a lovely sunny day.

We didn't spend all of our holiday sitting on wind swept beaches. Having children aged 6 and 13 can be quite a challenge on holiday as they both like doing different things. The beach is usually a good option for both but some days it's nice to go and find other things to do. 

Scotland is great for museums and places of interest.

While my husband took our daughter to the 'Tain Through Time Museum' in Tain, I took my son to visit an old friend of mine from college. 

Brodie Nairn and his partner Nicola Burns run the contemporary glass studio 'Glasstorm' in Tain.

It was great to catch up with Brodie again. We haven't seen each other in nearly 20 years!

My son and I were delighted to be able to watch Brodie at work and he explained to us about his latest commission pieces. 

You can follow this link to see some superb glass work and read more about the Glasstorm Studio.

I also met Fiona Byrne who works at Glasstorm. Fi makes her own glass jewellry and has an Etsy shop which you can visit here 

Below is one of my faves from her shop.

'Summer Anchor Pendant' by FiFi Loves Jewellery

Another highlight of the holiday was visiting the lovely village of Dornoch.

Lovely cottages in warm sandstone with beautiful gardens.

A castle on the main street which is now a hotel.

Ahh.... the relaxing scent of summer roses.

And where did this inviting door lead to?

 

 A peaceful and enchanting walled garden.

It was so nice to just amble around and wander in and out of some lovely shops.

Since we got back from holiday I have been busy making small framed felt landscapes and felt bookmarks for Room 15 in Oban.

Today would have been a good day to be in Oban. They set the World Record for the longest 'Strip The Willow' ceilidh dance this afternoon! Some german tourists apparently thought they were going to witness some nudity!

I have also had a couple of orders for 'Highland Coo' pictures.

Not difficult to find the inspiration with a whole herd living next door.

I went out to lock the shed the other night and heard lots of munching and snuffling going on behind the hedge.

I turned round to see this little cutie peeking through.

Just look at the length of those lashes!

It's easy to order something from me. Just send me an email telling me what you are looking for and we can work out something unique to suit your budget.

aileenclarkecrafts@tiscali.co.uk

'Wee Chubby Coo'

SOLD but you can order similar.

Last but not least on my list of things to share is that despite the dreadfully wet weather we've had for the last while, it dried up enough to go out picking flowers this evening.

These are all from our garden or the verges beside the farm track.

Can't wait for the honeysuckle to come out and fill the house with it's heavenly scent. I also can't wait for the sun to come out again....maybe tomorrow?