the patchwork dress

edinburgh 9am

at last... a holiday

a week off... freedom!!

...to do what I want and go where I want!!
Writing this quickly before I rush off to Edinburgh for a few days to begin the next stage of my course... and catch some of the EIFF on the day of the solstice tomorrow.

new openings, and just generally an extended 'artist's date' to get some new perspective and recharge...

thanks for all your lovely comments over the past few days - catch up soon!

gold, green & blue

from the weekend...

gold, green,...

..and blue. Such a rare thing in Scotland, I had to take a photo... not a cloud. Those 2 'wee guys' flew into the picture just as I snapped. They wanted to record it for posterity too!

Then, today I received these lovely artist date cards from Barbara. She made them from photos she took of a visit to a mosque in Aleppo a few years ago, stuck to postcards she didn't like. I love these images and the rich patterns. Unfortunately the photos I just took were a bit blurred... so they are featuring as a backdrop to my other favourite green thing at the moment...

the Strickpuppe (german for knitting doll) which I pur-chased at the Quilt Show Traders Market a few weekends ago. I haven't quite got round to figuring out how to use it. I used to do something like this called french knitting as a child - with 4 nails sticking out of a cotton reel. You can weave or knit a kind of cord. I was strangely drawn to buying the Strickpuppe... for a bit of fun.

Also because she reminds me a bit of a Russian Doll, and is quite East European looking.

...and for her smiley face!

Forget-me-not

Hello again! Thank you again to all those who wrote and told me the flowers in the garden..
We've had...

..lupins and solomon's seal...

lots of buttercups and yellow poppies, and now some red ones...

Meanwhile, I've enjoyed the blog-break, but it's good to be back. My work has been extended until august, which is good news and the course continues with a rewrite over the next 2 weekends. Oh the sun is shining and I'd rather not have any more work to do!

I did squeeze in a couple of artist's dates over the last 2 weekends - although the second one wasn't really an artist's date as I went with Suzanne and Susan to Potfest up in Perth which is atmospherically set in a cattle auction. Bulls and china shops always come to mind. No photos, I just enjoyed it without documenting.

The previous weekend was Loch Lomond Quilt Show which was nice and local. These quilts were hung in the trees by the National Park Centre, although the highlight for me was the appearance of Jen Jones's Welsh quilts.

This is a detail from one of them. I've seen Jen's book advertised about the quilts, and along with meeting the quilt artist Pauline Burbridge, it was one of the highlights.

It feels funny coming back to the blog after a break - I almost feel a bit rusty - although there have been things I've wanted to share - like this formica during a teabreak at the quilt show!

and this poppy unfolding over 3 days...

...the black almost like eyelashes.

So thanks for coming back to read, and forgetting-me-not!

a day off out

After 12 days without a day off, on a job that was fun but also slightly testy - eg. trying to get paid or any information about getting paid was like David and a very big Goliath who was behind a wall somewhere and quite possibly deaf and not very interested either... but which did turn up some interesting finds (see tomorrow).

I had an artist's date to Edinburgh!...

after taking N to work, I found myself blissfully early on a train to the capital... lots of space, coffee and a bagel... an hour or so to daydream and look out of the train window on my way to see

this exhibiton at

It was wonderful to see his work in real life, as the tones and clarity can only be conveyed by the media they are shown on - to see the silver gelatine prints for real confirms his mastery as a photographer. I was also pleased to see he had travelled throughout New Mexico and a number of photos featured Taos and Hernandez.

afterwards across the road for more elevenses with Rowan, Craig and Jill from my writing course, here...

Afterwards I loitered along Princes Street enjoying the cold fresh air and emergence of spring...

(just noticed the reflection of the Scott Monument in the background)

any blossom?

...no, not here...

past the art galleries on the Mound...

where an exhibition by the RSA of contemporary watercolours and applied arts was going on...quite interesting

...nope, sorry, still no blossom here...

...ah, there it is - with the castle, ...of course.

in stitches at the SECC

Yesterday mum and I met up and went to the Creative Stitches show on at the SECC (6-9th March).

I must say it was much better than I'd expected. You can never tell with these things what they might be like. There were, of course, a lot of mass-produced and cheaper end stock being flogged...

...such as this Wool Dive, as I nicknamed it, which made me giggle. It reminded me of those soft-play areas you get for kids, but this version for an older generation, who showed no qualms about diving in and surfacing with a bargain!

In amongst it all there were some gems such as these beaded tassles...

which were part of a larger display about beadwork.

But the highlight for me, and well worth seeing was the National Needlework Archive's exhibition of work created by the WI. Most of it was retrospective from the 1920's, 30's and 40's and was really expertly and beautifully done. There was crewelwork, beautiful embroidered banners for each WI district, table runners and a variety of other pieces - some of which were almost Pre-Raphellite in style.

What struck me was not only the skill and artistry, but the colour choices - and the themes so often of nature, leaves, woodland animals. There were some unusual pieces as well, such as sweaters for seabirds which had been knitted for a bird sanctuary, and a 1922 pattern for Thrift Gloves which were beautiful hand-made gauntlet style ladies gloves, from what looked like flannel or blanket material.
Unfortunately no photography was allowed, but I thought of many people (Melissa, SallyAnne) who would have loved this exhibit. You can also catch it in Birmingham, the dates on this link.

The SECC (Scottish Exhibition Centre) is a funny world. It's one of those places a bit out of time, like an airport, where suddenly all these strands of life who wouldn't normally meet are thrown together. In the areas outside the halls are all sorts of Corporate style people in suits having power meetings (or something), mixed through with gentle grey haired ladies from the Isle of Skye who have come to see some stitchery. Chefs walk by in full whites and tall chef's hats.

Outside Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders were having a photoshoot as a promo for the Glasgow Comedy Festival. A team of paparazzi shouting across to them. Doormen were hanging outside having a look. Across the river the new BBC and SMG buildings...

In the distance is the tower to the Glasgow Science Centre another Armadillo style building just tucked round the corner. Below the bridge the Waverley steamer sits in dock (you can just make out the red and black of the funnel), waiting for it's new season of excursions out down the Clyde to the Kyles of Bute and beyond. The masts of the Tall Ship are just visible on the right.

oh joy!

Last week got a bit dry, setting up things for my writing course - like doing all the online stuff (including joining Facebook, something I didn't really want to do, but decided to embrace - as it is a really good way of keeping in touch with those on the course... if you are anyway mildly interested in what I look like, it's now or never...) - also doing more spaceclearing in the 'writing space' so that it is organised and set up to manage my coursework.

...so you can imagine my joy when this unexpected parcel of things arrived about an hour ago from Victoria at dearmeagan.blogspot.com in...

!

...full of fabric bits and lovely magazine images, just the sort I would use to make cards, but am going to keep this lot, Victoria, thank you, for my own scrapbook!

I got a bit confused initially because I'd had an email from another dear blogger who said she was sending me a parcel, so I thought this must be it until I read the envelope and card! How wonderful.
Also included was this Irish linen teatowel which goes so well with this older post - I wonder if she knew? It's funny thinking these were made in Ireland, as the colours do seem from warmer sunnier climes!

On Saturday I visited Lomond Shores which is a favourite place of mine to go for a wander and have a coffee looking up the loch to Ben Lomond. It also houses the "gateway centre" to the National Park, so is a funny mix of outdoors and retail park. I like the architecture and think the whole scheme was very bold. Unfortunately the Drumkinnon Tower, which is an amazing circular building based on a Scottish broch has become a bit of a theme park where they keep otters (I'm not even getting into that debate) - I know it has 2 or 3 theatre/cinema screens inside and think it would make a great centre to show and host a variety of arts and media connected to Scotland (but then that's just my gig). Sadly too the outdoor clothing shop and bookshop have both closed, and it does feel as if it could do with some rethinking, as it has loads of potential.

...it was a bit cold for icecream...

On Sunday I attended the John Sayles masterclass as part of the Glasgow Film Festival. It was my first artist's date in ages. Sayles is a screenwriter, author, actor, director and film-maker. He talked about making his own films by investing his own money into the production through a series of working really hard writing for others, and reinvesting in his own projects. Although I'm not so familiar with his own films, I was really interested to hear him speak from a point of process ie. about actually being a writer and filmmaker and what makes him tick. I wasn't disappointed, he was eloquent, informative and amusing... you can see why he's had so much work yet even within Hollywood he has kept down to earth.

a trip to ikea...

As I have been recovering from a recurring flu virus - third time lucky fingers crossed! artist's dates have been a bit thin on the ground, so last week I took myself out to Ikea...

Not perhaps what some people would think of as fun, but I've had many an epiphany sitting in the café people watching and thinking about "things".

Maybe it's the Ikea ethos of making design-led furniture and accessories simple and affordable for people, but I always feel a wave of potential - all these people trying to improve their spaces, although some, like one couple I encountered see it as more of a supermarket sweep, shouting across the aisles 99p!! and then the Ikea chorus of "but do we really need it?"

No, I didn't really need fabric... but I got some

I have long been a fan of Ian Mankin's fabric ads/features in interiors magazines, so decided to treat myself to this little pile of lookalikes. I'm not sure yet exactly what I might do with them. They may enter the stash slushpile, but at the moment I'm enjoying their jolly stripeyness... and it makes me feel better.

I also managed to complete a card order and put some more recycled cards in the shop (which sold immediately - thank you!)

these were for the order - themes were 'coast' and 'driftwood garden'.

Outside it's a tawny darkness this autumnal night. What I mean is the kind of dark I think owls would like. It was only 7.30pm but already the sky a deep ink blue, all the houses silhouetted black, punctuated with orange warmth from within, a light but moderate rain on the window.

Quite different from earlier in the week...

I decided to visit Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Hill House, not so much for the house itself (as I've been before) - which is very beautiful

but to see the exhibition by artist willow weaver Lisa Bech, as I like her work very much. She had some nice pieces on display and I was particularly taken by her reference to the word sauchie which she says is old Scots for willow. Of course CRM was famous for the Willow Tearooms which are in Sauchie Hall street, (I think I had a long lost relative who managed there? -mum?) - so Ms Bech wove not only willow but words... I liked that.

There is a beautiful garden and small orchard.

I have been thinking about baskets quite a lot recently, as I thought it would be nice to have a "work in progress" quilting basket to keep projects in rather like a mending basket. I looked at the mass produced ones...and no,.. something a bit better made, not so heavily varnished...
Then I went out for a walk the other night and passed a skip with this wonderful basket sitting on top!

I rang the doorbell and asked rather sheepishly if I could take it, and the man was delighted - did I also want a huge living room wall unit? No, thank you, the basket was quite enough. So I was very pleased with that, as it has a nice rusticity with no varnish, and when I got it home N tidied up a loose end that was poking out with this rather fancy knot. So it will do - make and mend!

Taos

Lately I've been feeling the need to do a post about Taos and the trip I did there in 2004. This was the ultimate in artist's dates. After a particularly long freelance job I felt the need to recharge - and Taos was calling! I'd heard of Taos from several sources, it was a name that just kept cropping up - first of all through Julia Cameron 'inventor' of the artist date and the artist's way... and later again with Natalie Goldberg.

We have relatives in New Mexico and the invitation to go there had rang in my ears since childhood. It was the trip of a lifetime and I can't possibly do all of it justice in one post, but I'd like to focus on the place, the draw it has, and the one incident that made it particularly significant to me...

I've long been a fan of 'Northern Exposure' and you can see from this shot I was impressed by the mainstreet! It doesn't look much here, but Taos is situated north of Santa Fé - which is one of the biggest centres for art in the US. Taos has a reputation as a place for writers and artists, much further out into the sagebrushed desert than Santa Fé, yet anchored beneath Taos Mountain which keeps an eye on the place.

Not only was I on a pilgrimage to my 'artist self', needing to retreat into the artist colony vibe and soak up some of the galleries (at that time over 30 for a small town - quite a high percentage), but also drawn by the mystical quality. Taos Pueblo lies at the foot of the mountain, and I was told by a local that the Pueblo tribe consider the mountain to be sacred. "God runs things in Taos" I'd heard, and interestingly the name contains the word 'Tao' which means the spiritual way or path.

The feather in the cap was also discovering that a large number of the off-grid ecological Earthship houses (designed & developed by Michael Reynolds) - which I had read about and been so inspired by ... were also here in Taos! Somehow I'd forgotten... and when I hired a car and drove out to the plain by the Rio Grande it was very emotional to see the Earthship community with Taos Mountain in the background - little pioneers in the desert.

You can just see the edge of one of the buildings in construction to the right of this one - the walls are built up from old car tyres and compounded earth which are coated with the hacienda type finish. The solar windows have a double skin with a planted area/garden inbetween which is also part of the greywater recycling process. (we now have one in Scotland, prototyped in Fife).

Eventually I heard the Taos story from a local woman who said everyone had their own Taos story - how they came there and what 'happened' to make them stay. (You can read about the founders of the artist's colony here - the wheel came off their wagon). People are drawn to Taos, and it can take you in or spit you out. She had come from Australia, ran out of money and had stayed and got a job there... I was still a bit unsure if I was being drawn in or about to be spat out, although I was in awe of the place.

On the last day I was waiting for my cousins to drive up from Albuquerque and spent my last solo lunch in one of the cafés. As I walked out a woman stopped me and asked me the way to Michael's Kitchen. I knew that she was quite far off track and needed to get back to the main street. When she heard my accent she asked if I was Scottish... She told me she was also Scots and had lived in Colorado for 20 years. I asked where she was from, and as she answered me with my own hometown we both just looked at each other and blurted out the same street name at the same time. She was born in the street where I live in Scotland! Her friend gasped and said that if we had the same name, she was going to freak out. Well, the woman's name was Kathleen, and my name means "little Katherine" - so in a way it was! I offered to walk them back to the main street. As we walked she asked why I was in Taos, and I was trying to explain that I'd been kind of drawn there and that I was interested in art and writing... "So am I, I'm an English teacher," she said. I explained about Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg -and she replied that Natalie Goldberg was also one of her favourite creative writing teachers and that she taught Goldberg to her own students.

By this time she gave me her email address, and we said cheerio at the main crossroads in Taos town centre. But as she walked away I turned and felt a pang of sadness. I once heard a story that we have 10 fingers to remind us that we will meet 10 significant people in our lives... I'm not sure whether this is true, but if it is, this was one of those moments.

I was about to buy some gifts to take home at a local shop - where I knew and had previously chatted with the owner. When I went in, I told her the story, and that I'd wished I'd chatted to Kathleen longer - maybe I should catch her up in Michael's Kitchen. The shop owner agreed, it did seem an amazing coincidence.

I went round to the café and Kathleen and her friend were still there - so I joined them for a drink. We chatted and it seems they were just passing through Taos on the way back to Colorado - and had just been to the Santurio De Chimayo

the miracle church where I planned to go with my relatives the next day. The church has a hole in the earth where you can take some of the soil, and is reputed that no matter how much you take, the earth never runs out. I suppose it is the Lourdes of New Mexico - as there are crutches, crosses etc left by pilgrims tied to the fences and in the sanctuary. The story of the Earth also ties in with the stories of many of the Pueblo potters who believed the earth renews herself in creating the clay they use for their pots.

I have a little of that earth in a small keepsake box, and ever since then I have Taos in my heart.