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Stravaiging

Stravaiging graphic

A visit to Farfield Mill

A few days before Christmas I was able to visit Farfield Mill to see their current textile exhibitions before they closed for the festive season.

I’ve been a few times but not for a number of years and I was delighted to find it brighter and fresher and full of inspiration (and now free to enter...)

Farfield Mill, Sedbergh

Located at Sedbergh, England’s Book Town, on the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales, the Mill was completed in 1837. Wool spun there was used on their six looms but also went out to local cottage industries of both knitters and weavers.

What we did on our holidays

Christmas 2024 was spent in Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales (in northern England). We booked a week in a wee first floor apartment with woodburning stove on the southern edge of the green in the village of Reeth. We have visited before, together and separately, but never stayed a night.

I deliberately did not look at the weather forecast - didn’t want to know. We always travel with wet weather gear anyway, and lots of ‘dog’ towels as well as, in my case this trip, knitting and stitching supplies, a complex jigsaw and a new real book, with more on my ipad.

 

Suspension bridge over the River Swale

Chocolate Orange Bread

Because we all need a little escape, and hiding in a chocolate infused bubble works briefly.

Download the attached PDF for the recipe...

Two loaves on a cooling rack

Falling leaves, slowing down

We are all just creatures, all of this planet, and only nominally in control of our bodies at any time. And if we are also all stardust, why do we expect so much of ourselves and of others? Isn’t it a feat that we can tie our own shoelaces, let alone use mobile phones and TV remotes? Why do we push onwards, feel guilty about extra coffee breaks or not ticking adequate numbers of things off lists? Where are we trying to get to?

a tiny falling down shed in a tree-lined field

 

The Border Tart’s Retreat in March 2025

This post is solely about the retreat I am planning for March next year. It is now open to all and there is a copy of the application form below to download and complete, if you would like to participate. It sets out the cost per attendee and the payment schedule. 

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 March and would like to join me in encouraging the arrival of Spring at the farmhouse! 

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

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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