Felt Workshop at Down Arts Centre

Saturday was spent with 11 lovely people at the Down Arts Centre creating felt bags.

All but 1 had never made felt before and the results of their labours are stunning.

Great colour combinations and wonderful shapes of bags!

I really enjoyed the day, and I'm pretty sure they did too!

Keep watching for more delightful products made by creative participants to the workshops!

Spring Time, Dundrum

At the foot of the Mourne Mountains lies Dundrum Bay, and on the hill above, is Dundrum Castle.

This is one of the most majestic 12th Century Castles in Ireland, started by John De Courcy, but settle well before that, back into the days of the Red Branch Knights.

Around the castle flanks lies the wood, planted in the 1800's now a semi-native sanctuary for wildlife.

Castlewellan

It's a great joy to be out and about in the Mournes these days!

Travelling around, for work and leisure really brings home the diversity and beauty of the landscape around us; from the dunes at the sea in Murlough, to the gorse clad drumlins on up to the heights of Slieve Donard and Bernagh.

So I'm going back to the original reasons for this blog for this post: showing pictures of the area.

Kate was home for the weekend, here are some of the pictures she shot in and around Castlewellan Forest Park and on the beach in Newcastle

Felt Making Classes start again

Elaine is holding the first of what we hope will be many more 'peripatetic' felt making classes on Saturday 24th April. It will be held at Down Arts Centre in Downpatrick - an altogether great place to hang out.

They say about the course:

Create bags, hats and even flowers, turning wool into felt. This hands on workshop will show you how to create beautiful felt projects you will be amazed at the results.

This course is full, which is great.

There will be more, at other venues also. Watch this space. If you are interested, Elaine can organise a special day for groups of 10 - 12 contact Elaine on elaine@turniphouse.com for more details.

Intimations of Summer

Walking this morning with Charlie the dog in Donard Park; the Mournes stunning against a brilliant blue sky.

Some leaves just beginning to burst out, but the trees still quite bare.

Thinking about summer though - and plans to go to a music festival perhaps?

By inspired synchronicity got an invitation from our old Leeds University friend Roz to go to her Littleborough Music Fest the last weekend in June.

One advantage of not having Turnip House to open every weekend is the freedom to travel! So we'll be there. Denise, also from Leeds days is trying to get a sort of reunion of all our old mates.

So if you remember us from Leeds University 1978 to 1981 (gosh - that long ago?) get in touch!

Easter 2010

We're preparing for the Easter Craft fairs. In the last couple of days Elaine has made 19 big brooches and 6 felt bags. we are doing Castlewellan Forest Park on Saturday and Monday, and Carlingford on Sunday.

As you can see from the pictures, the usual seasonal weather is back!

Happy Days see you there!