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Stravaiging

Stravaiging graphic

How you live your days...

...is how you live your life.

I don't know when I first heard/read this, but it has always stuck. 

petals of a dying lilac tulip on a cream ground

Mellowing?

I've been musing on my age. Not in a mournful way but choosing to embrace some of the changes the passing years bring.

changing leaves

In the last few weeks I've noted the early signs of the forthcoming season in the hedgerows and verges, and been drawing parallels. If I consider the cycle of life to equate to the four seasons then I am firmly in my autumn.

Tart Retreat in 2024

This post is solely about the retreat I am planning for May next year. It is only open to newsletter subscribers so if you are a blog subscriber only then pop over to the website home page and sign up for newsletters to be eligible.

I am repeating here the content sent as a recent newsletter, and there is a copy of the application form below (retreat-may-2024.docx) to download and complete, if you would like to participate.  It sets out the cost per attendee and the payment schedule. 

I may not be able to respond to individual enquiries between now and 20th September when applications close. I don't want it to be based on a 'first come first served' basis as not everyone has the access or inclination to be online every day. So all applications will be considered together, regardless of date received. 

If you are unable to save and complete the application form online, please print it off, fill it in and send me a photograph or scan of it. I cannot consider applications in any other style.

In the event that you need to cancel, fees will not be refundable unless I am able to find a suitable new participant to take your place.

OK, that's the serious stuff out of the way. I hope you love the idea of a few days' gentle stitching in lovely surroundings in early May and would like to join me at the farmhouse! 

click on the ‘Read More’ button to see the whole post!

Blooming?

Summer takes me by surprise. Every day recently I have woken to the suggestion of, or actual, sunshine. It seems such a long time since the northern UK had this long a spell of warm weather. The many light hours are enriching and full of promise with early mornings and late evenings the loveliest.

Back to Lewis

The week before last was spent in the Outer Hebrides. We drove up to Ullapool, building in dog walking stops and a late picnic lunch at the edge of a forest. The crossing takes two and half hours across the stretch of water known as the Minch. It can be challenging around each equinox with high seas running but we travelled in reasonable comfort, thankfully.

Bruce considers the view

bordertart

🪬I love making and packaging and finding quirky fabrics to incorporate in my kits. I’ve never lost my childhood delight in playing with scraps of paper and pencils, yarn and fabric.
BUT
I have a more recent love too, planning and leading textile tours in the UK and beyond. Whole new vistas have opened up for me and I don’t want to miss a thing!
SO
The Tart shop will close late summer. In the meantime I have new makes and interesting bundles to add to the shelves. Newsletter subscribers always know about these first and often snap up my limited edition goods before I have time to tell anyone else. 
PLEASE
Sign up so you don’t miss out! There are bargains to be had from now until late summer.
THEN 
I hope to have some time to be creative in other ways for quite a while.
❤️🧶🤗
I needed a very simple project yesterday. Picked some red mix random 4ply leftovers, held them double and cast on the simplest of hats. Just love how it’s turning out!
🤗🧶❤️
🤗
Such a bright uplifting day
🌞
Picking a few blooms in the perfect shade
💜
Watching Bruce have a happy tail-wagging dream
🐾
Finding dal in the freezer - no dinner invention required
🥣
Digging out yarn to cast on a new sweater
🧶
Drinking too much coffee
☕️
Simple pleasures
🙏🏻
Taking nothing for granted
🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

NOW SOLD!
I am planning to sell my lovely Lendrum spinning wheel.
Do you know of anyone in the UK who might like it?

#lendrumwheel 
#lendrumspinningwheel 
#spinningwheelforsale 
#spinnersofinstagram 
#handspinnersofinstagram
🌼🌞🌼
Sunny Wednesday windowsill
Love the deep sills in this old place

#wednesdaywindowsill
#oldandquirkyhouse
🌞
Coffee 
in a handmade mug
on a handmade coaster
in my quiet conservatory 
on this sunny March day

What a privilege in this fractured world
🙏🏻
🇲🇦 ❤️🇲🇦
Delighted to have this wonderful book waiting for me when I got home. 
The stories of 25 women who weave, spin, make buttons, embroider and sew, keeping alive their textile traditions with strength, generosity and dignity in a rapidly developing country.

The women of Morocco rock!

#womenartisansofmorocco 
#textileartisans
#womenraiseeachotherup
🍸
Worth the wait!
A quirky hotel tonight - Morocco meets Wild West - 
After a day of fossils, a gorge walk and fascinating landscape 🌄

#moroccotour 
#highatlasmountains 
#antiatlasmountains 
#inspirationeverywhere

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