Thursday, January 12, 2012

Rowallane

It's been so long since I posted! feels quite remiss - I've had lost of posts (and pics) in my head but events conspired to never let me get down to it.
So here's a few of the remembered ones put down out of time, just to get us up to date


Rowallane Yuletide Market


It's past the Yuletide season I know, but the main aim of this post is to show how much this outstanding garden shines - even in the depths of winter.


mysterious forms

Charlie alert as ever!

bursting with new life

more sculpture / folly

strangely sinister!

resting up!

the mossy wall

everywhere - depth and proportion

the courtyard buildings

the top of the walled garden

still much colour - in December

frosty

walled garden perspective

frosty

Yuletide Market scene

warming by the fire

the Walled Garden

Bulbs breaking through

and just where is he off to?

the Courtyard entrance

Rowallane Garden is owned by the National Trust, and open every day - well worth a visit any time of year

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!