Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Stormy Seas

during a brief trip to Newcastle last week we were lucky enough to see some great high seas 








Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Friday, November 25, 2011

Welcome to The Lagan Lutherie School

For all those who have always wanted to create their own musical instrument, check out this fantastic place

Craft Fairs

'tis the Season. We'll be busy at Craft Fairs for the next few weeks.


It's a great time of year, in the build up to Christmas, both because it's good to get out and about, meeting old friends and and new, and as it's our best trading time (hopefully!)


Eileen Murphy


A good Craft Fair is a great place to shop:



  • locally produced goods
  • made by real people who you can meet
  • individual, often unique items
  • things that are aesthetically pleasing
  • a better atmosphere than the soulless shopping malls
  • less hassle with getting there and parking
  • often in inspiring locations



Here's our schedule:






These dates we will not be at the Workshop, but if you want to visit, please get in touch! 

Monday, November 21, 2011

Felting Weekend

Had our November Felt workshop on Saturday - some old hands and newcomers - not that you'd be able to tell them apart by the quality of the work!


The Red Baron at large!

Looks vaguely Wagnerian - in a psychedelic way!

can you tell what it is yet?

spec-tacular!

Wow! Mushrooms

dreamy wall panels - ethereal and vibrant at the same time

appletree by moonlight- more than a touch of Gauguin here

from another angle

Happy Felters!
Much banter, fun and creativity went on..... thanks for a great day!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Weather Data for October



Well, plenty of weather again here today (rain & storms!)put me to thinking that I'd not mentioned the weather data archive on our website recently


It was the same in October:










Saturday, November 12, 2011

Starlings and Kites

A beautiful day today - feels like a different planet to yesterday (gales and downpours) I stood out at dusk to look for murmurations of starlings going by.


unusual clouds as the sun went down




There were a few flocks passing by, 








and I saw a Red Kite on the horizon, probably heading home too .
Out of focus I know, but still captures the grace

complete with Starlings!






And was rewarded by a pretty good sunset


from pastels ....

to vivids, all in a few minutes - a Benraw Sunset

Outback Chic

We've renewed the roof on what will become The Gallery - a bigger space where we can hold larger workshops, have a bigger tea room, and have space for display.


A very exciting prospect - needs holes for doors and windows, doors, windows, floor,s water and electricity all by Easter 2012!


A useful side effect, part of our 'make do and mend' culture, the old tin sheet has made a very secure 'skirt' for the caravan. It felt really stable in last night's storm.


Outback Chic - crude but functional; there's insulation behind that as well.
Will look much tidier after a lick of paint

Before:
old roof stripped off and walls built up
New roof; old gable taken down, composting toilet roofed as well!



Monday, November 07, 2011

At Legananny Dolmen


Had a great time last week - James and Lauren over for the first time since February - really good to catch up!


at Legananny Dolmen - two miles from The Turnip House



the Mournes are majestic from here

simply magnificent

one of the finest Dolmens in Ireland!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Turnip House Courtyard; October

a beautiful October morning - a hint of chill in the air mellowed by the warm sunshine


this is a panorama of the Turnip House Courtyard, still some spots of colour and life!


Evening


a perfect end to the day

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A New Product: pebble purses

As well as much creative destruction going on about the place, we've been working on new products in the workshop, we took some on their first 'outing' today:






made by the wet felt process (see the psychedelic guineapig post) they are lovingly crafted by hand and each one is unique 


the first collection


colours so far: rainbow ink

sunburst


mocha

aqua

rainbow sky

deep purple



These perfect little purses for young and old can now be purchased from Painted Earth in Newcastle  
- thanks Linda!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Demolition!

That old gable end just had to go - was a major eyesore, and no use now one of the garage walls had fallen down!


at last a Meccano set for grownups!

Our first construction!

I think we'll take it from the top

going....

going..

a lot easier than we'd thought

That will do until the roofer comes