Homes and Gardens

Dear All,

The Highland summer is bumbling along, albeit at a slightly cooler temperature than normal for this time of year.  It was only this month that the loch became comfortably ‘warm’ enough for a swim.  I did swim throughout May and June, but was still wearing a double layer of woolly hat when in the water.

But I digress.  My reason for writing to you is to let you know that the theme for this month’s on-line textile shop is ‘Homes and Gardens – Highland style’, a collection of stitched images of old croft houses in their typical untamed settings.  We try to maintain an area of manicured garden close by the house, but any attempt to civilize beyond the immediate thresholds of house and studio meets the challenges of wild weather, wild beasts and the inexorable conquering march of nettle and dockan.  Much better to let nature’s jungle have its way.  This week it is the meadowsweet that is taking centre stage; instead of being its usual two feet in height it is five feet high!

Anyway, moving on …  As you know, nowadays I run only a few courses in the year, as I head towards retirement and take more time to find a new direction for the next stage of my creative life.  There are two courses this autumn and, due to a cancellation, a place has become available on Undercover Books, which I run with my regular collaborator Jan Breckenridge.  To find out more about this exciting week of exploring book forms, have a look at the website and, if you fancy it, sign up!

Well, I’m off now to pack and freeze blackcurrants and gooseberries.  What a bumper year it has been for soft fruit; we are struggling to eat all the strawberries and cherries.  But what a delicious challenge!

Until the next time, enjoy your garden – wild or coiffured.

Cheers,

Jan