the patchwork dress: country moo-ves

This last week has been preoccupied both with moving, but also adjusting to new circumstances, a new environment, new routines and outlook...

I did manage at one point to climb up onto the highpoint behind the house and take this photograph - looking down Loch Lomond. It is amazing, and so much more peaceful than life in town. - but basic things like keeping warm in an old stone house, running a woodburning stove, driving to the shops - all these things are new to us, and have to be learned and accommodated into new patterns. I notice whenever I go somewhere new that it takes a while to adjust - that you have to 'think' what you are doing, rather than the automatic pilot of familiarity - and all this takes time and a lot of energy!

I managed another short walk today just around the village. Flocks of wintering geese were landing in the fields, and it was a real joy to see and hear them. I was just contemplating how quiet the lane was trafficwise, when a car drew up and a woman advised me to 'keep into the side, there's a bull coming'. I stepped in to a passing place and watched the farmer usher the trotting bull along the lane.

I then contemplated, slightly more quickly, that wearing an orange scarf to be cosy, may not have been a good idea on this occasion. The bull seemed to agree, and at the last minute looked like he was about to veer towards me. I hopped quickly over the gate into the field, and the ginger bull ran past. Another lady pulled up and asked if I was 'ok?' I was actually very happy, as I felt as if I'd had a mini adventure.

As a friend later asked me - "..was it a dark bull or a ginger one? - because the ginger ones, they're the meanest..."

These are some more Christmas style recycled magazine cards made for Entrading just before we moved.

Images show the card fronts and the corresponding envelopes. I'm noticing that I've photographed a few batches this way - including a recent order for Bridal invites which I'll post about shortly - almost like a 9 patch quilt block.