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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’m looking forward to welcoming participants arriving for our gentle stitching retreat in a spacious rural farmhouse. The shop is coming with me!
    🐌
Today’s life lesson:
Stop rushing
Slow down, breathe deeply, use all your senses, seek out the small, the quiet, the overlooked, revel in the simple things, be grateful for small mercies.
.
.
Good plan, but I need to keep practising…
    🌈
I’ve dyed these vintage wool blanket pieces and they await your tender ministrations in the form of hand stitching or felting.
It is the softest warmest fabric to stitch into and your needle will love it.🧵🪡
    🌹
Found this wee gem in my photos, from an early Wednesday Windowsill.
    📚
The more I read the less I wanted to put it down. Loved the characters and all their quirks.

#justfinishedreading 
#maggieofarrellbooks 
#needmoretimetoreadeverything
    ❄️
Before the sun shone and chased the frost away this morning…
.
.
#wednesdaywindowsill
#littlelovelies
#handwovencloth by @shuttlethrower 
#handthrownjugs by #coldinghampottery 
#smallmomentsofcalm
    🧵❤️ 
Turns out I had to make red ones too!
For boro-stitchers I have made packs of red or blue scraps, large and small, to feel your habit…
Thirty five pieces in a pack and UK post free…
😘
    🤗Most things I’ve done this weekend have not gone as planned. But the veritable ocean of dal which has burbled away in the slow cooker this afternoon is a WIN!

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