Primrose Hill Studio

A little something for the weekend.............

2011-05-04T22:04:00.001+01:00

My word, it's a while since I last posted on here, time just seems to fly by while you're having fun, or in our case lots of visitors, painting and decorating, trying to tame the jungle outside and get the veggie plot going! Busy, busy, busy..........and of course the little star to keep entertained!

To add to the chaos, I've been helping out my lovely friend Gillian get her exciting venture, Eggshell & Chalk at The Bothy, set up for it's grand opening this weekend (7th & 8th May). For sale at The Bothy will be a gorgeous range of Hand Painted Furniture which Gillian paints herself and a superb range of vintage homewares which she scours the auctions for. Also joining her for the weekend will be Katie at Vintage Squirrel, Three Bear Prints and me with my Primrose Hill range. Tea and cake will be for sale on both days and the Bothy will be open from 10am to 4pm. The address and directions are as follows:

Eggshell & Chalk
The Bothy
West Balgersho Farm
Coupar Angus
Perthshire
PH13 9LW

Heading from Coupar Angus towards Perth take the first left as you reach Woodside, signposted for Abernyte. Pass the bus depot on your left hand side, as you come to the corner you'll see the sign for West Balgersho Farm, so instead of continuing round the corner go straight ahead up the farm track. The bothy is at the top of the road on your right hand side.

So tomorrow and Friday will be busy sewing days, as usual it's the last minute rush to get new stock made, I'm quite enjoying my new swallow design, our first pair arrived back in April, it's so lovely to hear them twittering away on the wire outside the back door.

Hopefully see you over the weekend!

L x

Some sunshine please........

2011-02-21T15:25:00.002+01:00

Oh these dreich days are really getting the better of me............the lurgy has been hanging around in our house for weeks now, little star was ill for about 3 weeks, she then had a small spell of jollyness and is now full of coughs and cold again :(

Last week I coughed like I smoked 40 a day and then eventually took to my bed at the weekend, full of the cold and feeling very flu like.........bleurgh.

So, in an attempt to try and cheer myself up, I decided to take a look through some lovely Spring pictures taken in the garden either last Spring or the Spring before that (I'm thinking prob the Spring before that as Stella took up all of my time last year!)

Where is the sunshine of February? The lovely sunny days promising us that Spring is just around the corner? There is nothing nicer than being able to take a cuppa out to the back door and sit and enjoy a bit of early Spring sunshine on your face, it warms the soul out of hibernation, don't you think?

Oh how I long for the yellow burst of little celandine flowers along the bank of the burn, and that sparkle of sunlight off the water as it trickles down to the big burn...........

Fingers crossed Mr. Sunshine arrives back from his long holiday fairly soon. In the meantime, I hope this little burst of Spring has cheered you up, it's certainly given me hope!

L x

Marmalade making

2011-02-02T21:14:00.011+01:00

Well, that's January been and gone for another year! I have a bit of a love hate relationship with January, the house looks so bare without the Christmas decorations, but before long the spring bulbs are in, so I just have to fill the house with blooms.

So far we've had few pots of hyacinths blooming away and filling the house with their gorgeous scent, a bunch of tulips and now we're awaiting the burst of sunshine from a little pot of tete a tetes.

January can be such a long dark month, but this year we had a lovely week of sunshine, and the days were noticeably getting longer. Little star and I went out for a few walks with the dogs at about 4pm and Spring was most definitely in the air.

I do love curling up at the fire with a good book though, especially on a Sunday afternoon. I've just finished this book, a very good read, given to me by my Mother-in-law for Christmas.

We've at last almost finished the kitchen, there's still a wood store to build, a shelving unit to get painted up and a few finishing touches, but it is so lovely having the space to live in. Getting the cook books out and having a play in the kitchen has been great fun after a year of no kitchen!

Marmalade making was started last night so the first batch is done.

See you soon!

L x

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-08T13:15:00.007+01:00

Baby it's cold outside, -15 to be precise! We had snow for 10 days on the trot, fun at first, then very frustrating! The log pile is diminishing rather quickly, but at least we're keeping cosy!

These photos were taken at the beginning of last week, we've probably had another 10" on top of this, about 2 1/2 ft in total! Gregg and I walked into the village as it would have taken us as long to dig out the car and the driveway! It was hard going trudging through the snow but beautifully still and sparkly.

The studio is cosy and busy! I had my mum up for 10 days, stranded here! So I made the most of it and got through the orders, the biggest problem was getting them to the Post Office, but we're managing, just! So I'm now having to be mummy by day and demon sewer by night to keep on top of things...............but it's all good.

Sadly I had to miss the Green Gallery Fair, it snowed all day on Friday, the roads were awful and I didn't want to leave the bub and G stranded with no car...........it was such a hard decision to make, but I think it was the right one. The Fair went well and lots of people turned up, which was great, especially after the huge effort that Becky puts in every year to make it such a special event.

Anyway, there's one week left for people to buy some Primrose Hill loveliness on-line before Christmas, we have a few goodies in our Not on the High Street shop. If there's anything else you've seen before and isn't in the shop, just give me a call or drop me a note.

You can also follow us on Twitter now too, it's quite good fun and so many lovely folk out there!

L x

Handcrafted & Vintage Christmas Fair

2010-11-03T18:42:00.003+01:00

I can't quite believe it's that time of year again! This time last year I was spending my first few days at home with our little Stella, where has that year gone.........?

Somehow, in the midst of the madness, I have managed to keep the business ticking along, only just! So, after the Open Studios back in September, Katie and I got our acts together and organised the above fair, and in the blink of an eye it is upon us already!

We have a great selection of stall holders, everything from beautiful porcelain ceramics, to knitwear, vintage and textile homewares, artwork, photography, fashion accessories, painted furniture and lots more.

We've decided to do it as a fuindraiser for Help for Heroes as Rob, Katies husband, was in the Royal Dragoon Guard for 16 years. As far as we know we think this may be the first ever Handcraft Christmas Fair held in aid of the charity in Scotland, so lets hope we get a big turnout.

We've got the local SWRI serving up tea, coffee and lots of home baking, so hopefully that will pull people in too!

So, if you fancy a wee day out on Friday or Saturday of this week do pop along to the fair, remember to come and say hello!

L x

Perthshire Open Studios

2010-09-06T22:14:00.004+01:00

This Saturday sees the start of the Perthshire Open Studios 2010 and I'm really looking forward to it! Last year was such a big sucess, Katie, Diane and I all did well, so the three of us have got together again this year to put on a quirky and colourful exhibition of textiles, jewellery, photography and ceramics.

We had a nice little selection of home produce, so hopefully we'll have more of that this year!

We've got live Scottish music on the deck again on opening day, and as an added extra this year we're doing tea and cake in the garden over the opening weekend, what more could you want!

So, if you're local please do come and visit us, we'd love to see you! Fingers crossed the weather stays dry!

L xx

Back to work

2010-09-01T22:11:00.003+01:00

Well, supposedly! I've been back at the sewing machine for about a month now, gosh how I've missed it! Stella is 10 months old now, where that time has gone I do not know......but I've been itching to get back into the Studio for the last 6 weeks or so, does that make me a bad mummy?

Over the last 10 months, life has changed so much. We no longer spend hours working away on the house and garden, there's another little person now who needs to be fed, changed and entertained, and of course absolutely adored.

Life has changed in a very good way.

We've had our first family holiday on the stunning yet sleepy island of Tiree, but more on that another day.......

Somehow today is the 1st September, in 10 days we'll be back open again for the Perthshire Open Studios. I'll tell you all about our plans at the end of the week, it's going to be a great opening weekend though so put 11th & 12th September in your diary......

It's good to be back folks :)

Our new toy....

2010-03-31T18:44:00.002+01:00

Ever since I was a little girl I've always wanted one of my own.................

I learnt to cook on a Rayburn and an Aga, so you can imagine I'm in heaven right now. Gregg is rather enjoying it too, it's woodburning, heats the house and the hot water, so it's butch enough for him to play with too......!!

Christenings and finishing off with the trademen has been keeping us busy, but I'll be back again soon. Life is a little more calm again, which is good. :)

L xx

The last 13 weeks

2010-01-26T17:46:00.006+01:00

I think we're just about out of the fog! Life with little Stella is good, although where the last 13 weeks have gone, who knows!

Christmas came and went, spent with the family and was a very chilled out affair, just what we were needing.

The house renovation (part 1!!!) is almost there, the next couple of weeks will be exciting as the woodfired ESSE will hopefully be getting fitted........watch this space!

Hopefully it wont' be quite so long until my next post............

L xx

Christmas "Open House" at Lilybank

2009-11-10T17:57:00.006+01:00

Hello all!

I'm in the land of pink and babies at the moment so this is very short and sweet! Thank you all for your lovely messages welcoming our little Stella into the world! She's doing extremely well, Mummy & Daddy are a little sleep deprived, but hey, it could be worse!

Just a quick post to invite all the locals along to this years "Open House" event. Seeing as we have our hands full at the moment, Katie at Vintage Squirrel has kindly offered to host this years event, and would love everyone to come along. We'll both be selling our wares, plus another friend is coming along to sell her gorgeous painted furniture, so do come along and start your Chistmas shopping!

It's at Lilybank, 32 Mercat Green, Kinrossie, Perthshire, from 11am until 4pm, this Saturday, 14th Nov. If you'd like any further info or directions give Katie a call on 01821 650632.

Hopefully see you on Saturday!

L xx

Our little star has arrived.

2009-11-03T17:44:00.005+01:00

Meet our little bundle of joy, Stella Rose! She arrived on Saturday 31st October at 4.50pm, weighing in at a healthy 7lbs 14oz and without too much drama, just 10 days late!

I cannot even begin to tell you how much we love her already, I would walk to the ends of the earth for this little button if I had to.

See you all soon. x

Lisa & Gregg ( a very proud Daddy) x

I'm still here.....

2009-10-29T12:04:00.003+01:00

For those of you itching to know, I'm still hanging on in here with no signs of the bean arriving! So, tomorrow is D-day, he/she will have no choice in the matter!!!! Will hopefully have photos next week when I'm looking forward to being home with the little bundle that we're so eagerly awaiting the arrival of!

L xxx

Hanging on in there....

2009-10-13T12:06:00.005+01:00

Hello abandoned little blog, where has the time gone? I feel very bad for not updating you very often but life just seems to have gotten in the way, building, sewing and a growing bump taking up lots of energy.

Photos of cute windows, big spaces, and the view from outside.

But, we're hanging on in there, the new part of the house is nearly finished so we'll be able to move in soon and then the renovation part can be done on the existing house. A week to go until the bump is due to arrive, although I have a feeling he/she may be early.........x

Sorry for not visiting many blogs to say hello, my report card would most definitely say "must try harder" this year...........

Hopefully speak to you all soon with news from the stork.x

Lxx

Progress

2009-08-23T19:01:00.009+01:00

It's a dreich Sunday afternoon, so I've spent a couple of hours downloading photos and catching up whilst sat next to the stove......and this is August weather??? So at last, here are some photos of the progress of the build, it's coming on but the rain hasn't helped over the last week.

Everyone keeps asking me if we'll be finished before the babe arrives, do you think we'll be finished in 8 weeks..........?

This is our bath for the main bathroom, salvaged from our friends garden, they rescued it from a flat in Edinburgh, but had 3 to choose from so we got this one for a box of beer!!!! The feet have to come off and be cleaned up and I'm planning on painting the underneath a nice Cornflower/Forget - me - not blue, another job to add to the list!

The windows arrived on Friday afternoon, after a little bit of humming and hawing I decided I liked them........good job eh!

Enjoy the week ahead, fingers crossed the weather is a bit better!

L x

I'm still here.....

2009-07-13T12:37:00.004+01:00

just......and no more! Boy this project managing lark is a full time job! As you can imagine, between things being rather busy with the business and the start of the extension/renovation, there hasn't really been a minute lately. Plus of course the little bean growing away daily.......I'm getting rather large..........hmmm, the next few months are going to be fun!

Anyway, I'll hopefully be back with a full update of the job in hand as I really want to document it on here, so fingers crossed our paths will cross again later this week.

I'll leave you with some summer loveliness from the garden, there is the odd corner in amongst the building site!

L x

The joys of country life.

2009-05-22T15:32:00.002+01:00

Just thought I'd quickly pop in and say hello, it's been a busy week, can't believe it's Friday already! In between the showers, I've been taking lots of photos of new products. Today Nicola (the elf!) and I set up a cute little photo shoot with the pottery, as the photos I had weren't the greatest. I'm really pleased with the results so I must get the website updated, another job to add to the list!

And the dreaded "C" word is being banded about here already........

We (Gregg) had a bit of a nasty deed to do this week, you'd better not read on if you're of a delicate nature..... The other day, while taking photos, I happened to look over to the chicken run and noticed one of our little bantam hens lying on the ground looking like she was having a fit. When I got over to her I knew exactly what had happened. Her feathers were wet and she was in a bit of a mess, the drakes (male ducks) had attacked her. I think they may have broken her neck. She was beyond saving, so for the first time ever I had to despatch one of our chickens, not the nicest job, but unfortunately one that goes hand in hand with chicken keeping.

So, the two drakes were despatched last night and will be slow cooked this weekend in a casserole. The four remaining ducks seemed a bit lost this morning, but there did appear to be a bit more harmony in the hen house. I think we've done the right thing.......

I let you know how the casserole tasted.........:)

Enjoy your weekend.

The view from my desk....

2009-05-12T16:49:00.004+01:00

Glorious sunshine, sitting out on the deck outside the studio. Listening to the babbling burn, ducks quacking, and hens clucking away. The wonders of wireless broadband allows me to work on-line, what more could a girl want!

Even though it was a wet and miserable weekend the opening was fun, it's lovely to have the studio back in working order and looking very smart even if I do say so myself! The deck is almost finished, just the balastrade and rope to go around the edge and that's us, another project finished at last.

Photos of inside shall follow this week. Hope you're all having a lovely sunny one like us.

L x

The madness....

2009-05-05T21:50:00.005+01:00

The deck is nearly finished, Gregg is still out there working at nearly 10pm......

The studio had a mass blitz on Friday, one half is tidy, the other half is like a bombsite.......

The list of stock I still have to make is rather large, hmmm.........

But, the tablet is made (I delegated that one!) and the lemons and sugar are ready to be made into old fashioned lemonade.........

Do you think we'll be ready by Friday at about 11am? Did I tell you we were opening for the season then? Come and join us if you're in the area.........

L xx

A lovely new blog to visit....

2009-04-28T20:59:00.002+01:00

.....pop over and say hello to Rebecca at POLKADoT Farm, a fab blog about life on her and her husbands farm in rural Stirlingshire. I met Rebecca a couple of years ago at a Christmas Fair we were both selling at, it's lovely to see her here in blogland.

Image is a toadstool keyring, one of last years big sellers and making a return this year in many more products! x

Stuffing & handsewing

2009-04-24T16:27:00.004+01:00

I'm a real Friday loving girl, the weekend is about to start, I deliver the eggs in the village, Fridays just buzz along nicely. Today, I decided to stuff and handsew some of this weeks production, seeing as there was a rather large pile of it mounting up.

We open up for the summer two weeks today, as usual I'm leaving it all to the last minute! The studio looks like a bomb has hit it and needs a major tidy and move around, there's still pine needles on the floor from the Christmas tree...........the next couple of weeks are going to be busy.

Seeing as I feel I know my customers quite well I decided to start making lots of what I know sells well, so lavender bags were the order of the day today in the handsewing. Next week I'll get making some other new pieces, which I'm rather looking forward to.

We're off for the weekend, back down the road to visit friends and family, we're both looking forward to it as it'll be our last weekend off for a while. For the next few weeks it'll be all hands on deck, literally......Gregg has started on the deck outside the studio and has promised me it'll be finished for us opening back up in May.......fingers crossed eh!

Happy weekend. I'm off to put eggs in boxes. xx

Bumblebees & Swallows

2009-04-23T16:18:00.005+01:00

I've been watching out for them for the past couple of weeks, then they arrived on Sunday, one week earlier than last year. Don't you just love it when the swallows arrive? Although they do say one swallow doesn't make a summer......?

My Papa keeps a diary, he has done for as long as I can remember, but not the sort with Dentist and Doctors appointments, nope, he records nature and and it's goings on throughout the year. I must have taken it from him as I've become a bit of a recorder of dates too. We also have lots of House and Sand Martins too, they've been with us for about a month. I love sitting watching them all swooping and diving, filling the sky with their magical dance.

We've also had an abundance of bumblebees this year, has everyone else found that? There's been some huge bumbles bobbing about in the garden, they obviously survived the winter well.

The cherry blossom tree was buzzing with them when in flower over Easter weekend, such a lovely site. So it's not really surprising that they've began popping up in this years designs, don't you just love being inspired by nature? x

P.S. Thank you for all the congratulations on our news, we're both so excited, 2009 is going to be one heck of a year! xxx

Easter bunny a week late

2009-04-20T13:47:00.004+01:00

On Friday morning I opened the porch door to find our ginger tom parading around a helpless little baby bunny cowering in the corner. After an initial squeek from me at the thought of having to put little bunny out of it's misery, I picked him up and checked him over for any gashes/bits missing, thankfully there were none and he seemed to be in good health other than being a bit stressed.

Thankfully Nicola works with me on a Friday so she kindly took some photos of me and little bunny before we returned him to the burrow where I thought he'd probably come from down the road. I was very tempted to keep him but Gregg said a firm "no", we have enough on our plate at the moment without adding to the menagerie!

And yes, for those of you wondering, I have a "bump" rather than a fat middle, we're due in October. Just to add more chaos to the madness.....x

Back to it

2009-04-15T12:48:00.004+01:00

After a lovely Easter break it's back to the grindstone, sew, sew and a bit of sowing! We had a lovely time with family and friends over the last few days, lots of good fun and some really special moments. So it's back to it in the Studio, Nicola is back helping me again as we're opening for the season on Friday 8th May. This year, due the extension build, we're only opening 2 days a week, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am - 4pm. I'm terrible for biting off more than I can chew and this year I'm having to be a bit more sensible about things, so I think two days a week will be more than enough as I have a feeling builders and customers together could be a bit of a recipe for disaster!!!

So, over the next few weeks you'll get little sneak previews of the new collection for this year, and you never know I might even venture back into the world of wholesale seeing as we're only open two days a week........we'll see how it goes.

I'll leave you with some rather cute photos of the highland cows living up the road from us, they are so adorable.

Hope the sun is shining where ever you are.

L x

An impromtu break....

2009-04-06T11:43:00.006+01:00

Sorry, a bit of a break in blogland there.....we had a lovely and much needed break up north a couple of weekends ago and then time just seemed to disappear. A bit of research for a rather important bit of kit for the extension was done here, and just general chilling out with lots of wonderful beach walks. Little Miss Moss was in her element splashing in and out of the sea.....

So, it's back to the grindstone with a rather busy and exciting week ahead.....and then family visiting for Easter.

See you soon,

L x

Sunny days

2009-03-18T22:39:00.003+01:00

The last couple of days have been absolutely glorious, real spring sunshine with a warmth that gets the washing on the line perfectly dry!

Today I planted my garlic and red onion sets, a little bit late, but hopefully they'll produce something, it was just so good to get outside and working away in the garden again.

Yesterday two friends came round to organise our application for the Perthshire Open Studios event which we're taking part in again this year. Between the three of us we'll have a really varied selection of work, from painting and photography to textiles and ceramics, plus we've decided to do a produce table as we should all have spare cut flowers, veg and eggs, something for everyone hopefully!

What I really enjoyed yesterday was having the support of others and not the usual "having to do everything myself, therefore it gets done at the last minute in a bit of a panic". I think that's why I've enjoyed doing all of the fairs over the last couple of years with Katie, the company and the shared responsibility makes all the difference, even though we are both separate businesses yet working together.

I really hope this great weather continues, wouldn't it be wonderful.......

L x

The man with the chain saw

2009-03-11T12:53:00.005+01:00

This year our big project (we've got to have something going on to take up our time!) is finally getting our shack of a cottage sorted out. We're knocking down part of the house and adding on a rather large extension, which will bring together the "sleeping" and "living" areas rather than it all being higglety pigglety as it is at the moment. We're hoping to start the exentension within the next month or so, with it hopefully being finished by Christmas......

So, a couple of weekends ago we made a start, there is much demolition to be done before the builders can come in......a bit that Gregg is thoroughly enjoying! Out came the chain saw and down came the trees at the back of the stables, as we didn't want any little birdies nesting in there.......

Next is the stables to come down and the kennels moved, a storage area which will be greatly missed until a replacement is built. Then there is the back porch and spare room to come down, then we'll be in a right guddle! The back porch is probably the most used room in the house and belongs to the pooches so goodness knows where they are going to sleep once it comes down......Ah the joys......it'll be worth it all in the end. We'll have fun recording it on here though!

Off out to the studio to do some long overdue sewing!

L xx

Hello there....

2009-03-09T15:00:00.003+01:00

Ok, so hibernation lasted a bit longer this year.......but the sun has been out for the last couple of weeks, the snowdrops are out in full force, the birds are singing away and all of the snow has gone (although we had lots of flurries yesterday!). So all in all, I think I've eventually thrown off that duvet and joined the human race again...!

I haven't been sitting around doing nothing over the last couple of months though, there has been much planning, sourcing and decision making going on, but I'll tell you all about that later.

I just thought I'd pop back in and say hello, along with Lexie enjoying the sunshine last week.

It's nice to be back. I promise I won't leave it so long next time........

L x

Hibernation

2009-01-14T17:55:00.004+01:00

I think I've gone into hibernation. Last week saw lots of drab, dreich days, I just wanted to curl up under the duvet and sleep.......

But this week has been all about crisp, hard frosts and Mr. Sunshine has come back out to play. It's amazing how a bit of sunshine can totally change your day :)

Some photos of the dazzling crystals in the garden.

Anyone else out there in hibernation?

L x

Back to work

2009-01-05T22:38:00.004+01:00

Today we returned back to routine, the festivities over for another year. We both felt we'd had a good holiday and really enjoyed this Christmas especially. The house started to fill up on 23rd December, I was kept busy with sewing and orders right up until the day before, so it was a welcome break to start the holidays when the guests arrived! There were 6 of us in all, Gregg and myself, my Mum, my two sisters and my brother. We knew it would be strange, the first year without Dad, but somehow it has brought all so much closer together. Some tears and much laughter, but Dad certainly wasn't forgotten, we dragged everybody up Alyth Hill on Christmas Day to have a wee toast to Dad, I'm sure he was with us somewhere.

Lots of long walks were had with friends and dogs, a childrens reel with friends in the village hall, visitors coming and going, lots of good food, a little too much whisky but lots of fun was had over the last couple of weeks, it's just a shame it's all over for another year.

2009 will hopefully be a special year for us, I really do hope so. Plans are afoot for lots of exciting things, so fingers crossed that it all works out.

Wishing a very happy & prosperous 2009 to everyone who reads our little blog and supports our adventures in the country, I hope you all continue to enjoy it as much I enjoy writing it!

Love to all,

L xx

Little mice

2008-12-10T17:53:00.004+01:00

Today I have been mostly making these little cuties. We were lucky enough to have a product feature in the Christmas Gift Guide of The Scottish Field, so the orders have been coming in thick and fast for these little guys.

The Studio is looking particularly fetching at the moment, adorned in all it's Christmas finery, especially last week in all the snow we had.

Chrissie was loving her snowy walks, she loves to poke her nose in the snow and throw it about the place. Even though she's a lady in years she loves to act like a pup every now and then!

L x

P.S. Thank you for all the get well soon wishes, I'm feeling a lot better. The last Christmas Fair was over the weekend, it went well, but I was glad to be home!

A sick day...?

2008-12-01T20:43:00.004+01:00

In the world of self-employment there doesn't appear to be a clause for compassionate leave or sick leave, it's crap! You've probably guessed, after a couple of tough weeks lately, we are now experiencing the dreaded lurgy in this house, do things ever get any easier....nope, I guessed not.

After a really lovely day listening to the seriously talented Sarah Raven last Wednesday, I came home a shivering wreck and went straight to bed, flu had hit big time. By the end of the week Gregg had it too, fair cancelled on Saturday, but it was our annual Christmas Open Day yesterday and the show just had to go on. Thank you to Nicola and my family for saving our bacon, you're all stars. xxx

So, orders are now being processed again (will I ever catch up with myself again or should I just throw the towel in now...!) and hopefully the nice doctor is going to give me something to fix my throat and horendous cough tomorrow.

I'll hopefully be back in a couple of days feeling a lot better (fingers crossed). Off to have a hot bath and a bottle of whisky to help me sleep ;)

L x

The candles have arrived at last!

2008-11-24T22:56:00.002+01:00

You may remember some time ago that I mentioned we were doing a trial run with our own range of scented candles. Well, at last I have them made up and ready to sell, which had been planned for the Country Living Fair, but never mind, now is as good a time as any.

The candle pots are hand thrown with our heart motif hand painted on the front, each one being slightly different as no two pots are ever the same! Filled with Elderflower & Wild Nettle scented soy candle, they have a burn time of approx. 30 hours and then the pot can obviously be used after, I think it would make a lovely little sugar bowl. They are £20 plus £4 P&P.

I have only had a limited number made up and will be selling them at the fairs we're attending over the next couple of weeks and in the shop. If you would like one please e-mail me at info@primrosehillinteriors.com

I'm just home from a great evening at the CRUK Christmas Fair in Perth. It was reasonably busy (good sales, needle cases seemed to be the thing of this evening!) so lets hope tomorrow brings a good day.

L x

Christmas door wreaths

2008-11-20T23:58:00.005+01:00

I'm getting there with the gearing up for Christmas in the Studio, it has certainly cheered me up as it's a time of year that I absolutely love. Nicola, my trusty little elf, delivered me a couple of door wreaths this week, one for on the Studio door and one for inside. Given that she was a florist in her previous life, she has taken over the task of making our door wreaths this year! And they are just gorgeous, made traditionally with a mossed ring, they are made up with lots of hedgerow finds and other natural bits and bobs. Just perfect for any discerning front door, and what better way to welcome friends in to your home over the festive period.

In previous years I have done the whole running around like a blue ar**d flee delivering everyones wreaths, this year we are asking that you come and pick them up from the studio, you will be welcomed with mince pies and maybe even some mulled wine, who could refuse an offer like that! Obviously we're only expecting locals to order them...........

They can be made up with a natural hessian ribbon or a red satin ribbon, the choice is yours, and all for just £20. Bit of a bargain really.

L x

P.S. I'm off to a Sarah Raven Christmas Flower arranging day next week so no doubt I'll be helping out with the wreath making over the next couple of weeks!

Back into things.

2008-11-18T10:42:00.005+01:00

We are back home and trying to get back to normal, back into the routine of things. Friday was a really hard day, my first on my own with no one to look after, just me, myself and I. And a very messy studio with a huge backlog of orders to be made, put together, and posted out. I'm getting there, slowly. The shop is also back open now and is dressed for Christmas with twinkly lights and lots of festive loveliness.

Thank you to everyone for their thoughful comments, cards and phone calls, it's at times like this that you realise just how important good friends are.

Taking things slowly this week, but missing the buzz of the Country Living Fair, never mind there's always next year. I'm sharing a stall with Katie this weekend at a local Winter Festival so that shall keep me busy.

L x

2008-11-10T08:55:00.002+01:00

Sadly Dad passed away last week, we were all with him and he went very peacefully, which is a blessing given what he's been through over the last 6 years. He died in Strathcarron Hospice, an amazing place where the doctors and nurses are like angels. The funeral is on Tuesday so I hope to return home by the end of the week. The Studio will re-open on Saturday 15th November, apologies to anyone who has visited over the last 2 weeks when we have been closed. Some orders will go out today, the rest will be dealt with on my return. I have also had to cancel our stand at the Country Living Christmas Fair Scotland. I've learnt over the last 5 years that sometimes you just know that you can't do everything, and right now being there for my family is more important to me. We will attend some fairs, just not as many as usual.

Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and words, they really meant a lot during a rather tough week for us all.

Normal blogging shall hopefully resume a week today.

See you all then.

L x

2008-11-01T10:53:00.003+01:00

Unfortunately things have taken a turn for the worse with my Dad, he's not going to be with us for much longer so we are spending as much time as possible with him. I have been at home with my family since Wednesday evening and shall stay for as long as I am needed. Being the oldest of four children is very hard, having to be brave for them is the hardest. My youngest sister is only 16.

With regards to the studio it is closed for the time being and I am unsure as to what fairs we will be attending over the next few weeks. This has made me realise that as much as my business is my baby, my family are so much more important to me, life has totally been put into perspective and I now realise just how precious it really is.

All orders will be dealt with as soon as I get home, whenever that may be.

L x

Missing in action.....

2008-10-28T10:39:00.005+01:00

Gosh, where have the last couple of weeks gone? Well, it's been a bit mad around here of late, what with courses going on, orders coming in, and a nice little break to Edinburgh.

So, what have we been up to? The knitting course was fab, Karen did a great job and we all had a lovely day blethering away to the sound of clacking needles. As usual I forgot to take photos (taking part and playing hostess isn't the easiest you know!) so you can see us in action over on Karen's blog here.

Then we had the needle felting course the following week with Katie, 6 lovely ladies came along to learn how to needle felt and all made a really cute little angel. I have to admit to getting a rather warm fuzzy feeling inside while watching everyone felting away, all quite content (with lots of tea and cake!) and learning a new craft. There is something quite special about promoting crafts and seeing everyone go home rather pleased with their creation from the morning, plus rather sore arms from all the needle jabbing into wool tops!

Gregg and I then took ourselves off to Edinburgh for the night as we were attending these awards. Friends were finalists for a couple of awards and had invited us along to join them, we had a wonderful night with scrumptious food, great company and then a rather plush hotel to return to. We battled George Street in the wind and rain on Saturday and I at last made it to the Cath Kidston shop, believe me, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

So, back down to earth with a rather large bump this week, back to the sewing as deadlines are looming........

Happy Tuesday.

L x

Emporium feature

2008-10-15T12:29:00.003+01:00

We are in the latest edition (November) of Country Living Magazine, in the Emporium section, our famous dotty door stop gets a lovely little mention. We were last featured nearly two years ago in December, but we weren't "click and buy" then, so it will be interesting to judge the difference in sales. Let's hope lots are doing their Christmas shopping on-line this year!

Ooh, it's all very exciting!

L x

Christmas scents

2008-10-13T09:55:00.006+01:00

Much stuffing of Christmas hearts and pillows has been done this weekend, so the herb jar has been hit fairly hard. A mix of cinnamon, cloves and rosemary, with a little clementine essential oil added too. The best bit is definitely bashing up the cinnamon sticks, very good for anger management............

This year our little Christmas hearts are made from locally handloomed linen with an embroidered snowflake in red stitching, and stuffed with said herbs. All we need now is jingle bells playing in the background.............

Happy Monday.

L xx

Evening walks

2008-10-11T19:31:00.006+01:00

Gregg has been off this week, change is in the air and it's all good. I've appreciated him doing the morning routine of dog walking and seeing to the chooks so that I can get on. He's also turned into a bit of a cook this week, right now he's rusting up a little chick pea and chorizo stew, just perfect for a chilly night.

I've enjoyed going out for the evening walk with him and the pooches, a well deserved break from the sewing machine. I've even managed to remember to take the camera with me a few times ;) The trees are just starting to turn, autumnal hues starting to run through the woodlands, just gorgeous from up above. The sun is so much lower in the sky too, catching the grasses with the last golden glow before dissappearing below the horizon.

Little Miss Moss is getting bigger by the day, four and a half months old tomorrow. She loves her walks but is a real fireside dog. Not the easiest to take photos of as she never stops flipping moving!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

L x

After the event

2008-10-07T18:45:00.005+01:00

Phew, my feet have at last hit the ground today, a full day of uninterupted sewing, probably the first in almost 2 weeks! The Perthshire Open Studios was a huge success, I was amazed at how many visitors we had over the 9 day event, I think from my notes between about 70 and 80 people came along. It was lovely to chat to everyone, I met some really inspirational and interesting folk, and there was an awful lot of studio love going on, I only wish Gregg had been around more to hear everyones comments.

It was really interesting how many people who visited had seen our little article in Homes & Interiors Scotland, so it just goes to show that P.R. does work!

The venue up the road from us at Bamff House was fabulous too, I met a couple of the artists who were exhibiting there, Penelope Anstice and Lulu Washington. Lulu is a total inspiration, her paintings of chickens and ducks were understandably snapped up quickly on the preview evening. She came down to visit us and fell in love with Florence and Felicity our geese, so hopefully they may feature in some of her work soon!

I met this lovely lady too, she came to visit on Sunday and we had a great old chat, Lucy organises the North Fife Open Studio event so it was interesting to hear how they were doing now in their fourth year.

I was also thoroughly delighted when the author of this book compared our setting to that of Enid Blytons, apparently she used to cross the bridge over the burn and into the woods, just like ours outside the studio...... Duncan and his partner Kate came to visit during the POS week and were quite taken with our little bit of heaven here.

Right, I'm off to have some supper and then back out to the workroom, 20 Christmas hearts are a calling.

L xx

Vintage corner

2008-10-01T09:12:00.004+01:00

It's a gorgeous, crisp, cold and sunny morning here, just the type I like. The first of October is always a special day for us, five years ago today I "officially" started up the business and it's also my brothers 21st Birthday today. I think a cake shall have to be made in celebration this evening, or maybe a crumble, perfect for enjoying in front of a toasty fire with a glass of bubbly.

As promised, here are some of the little vintage bits and bobs we've got in the shop just now. I'm a bit of a sucker for old china so it took a lot for me to be able to part with these little lovelies. Gregg talked me into keeping a few of the lovely old glass bottles, so they are lined up on the window sill with flowers in them :)

Aren't those little teacup, saucer and tea plate sets just adorable?

I also found this cute little stool, perfect for display in the shop, and it already had that lovely distressed look, so it all needed was a bit of a clean.

So, off out to the studio now to get on with some more sewing, it's nice and cosy out there as we've got a little radiator timed to come on in the morning as there's nothing worse than going out to a cold workroom!

See you soon,

L xx

Door wide open, come on in!

2008-09-27T18:55:00.004+01:00

Today has been the first day of the Perthshire Open Studios event. People have been dropping in throughout the day, all interested in what we do here, my sewing, the chickens and just country life in general. The eggs that I had for sale sold very quickly! Everyone was fairly local and enjoying the opportunity to see lots of artists at work and have a nosy in their studios and workrooms. Many commented on the fact that they didn't know of all this rich talent within the area and that it was a great chance for them to find places to bring visitors and friends, so fingers crossed they all come back!

I spent yesterday having a bit of a blitz in the workroom and tidying up the shop. I've got some lovely new vintage finds for sale now, I'll show you pictures later in the week. The pictures show our new candles that I'm trialing. Gorgous reusable pots made by Diana up at Glenshee pottery, filled with Elderflower and Wild Nettle candle. I have to say I'm really rather please as the scent is just delicious.

Off to have supper and then sit in front of the fire and do a bit of sewing.

Enjoy your Saturday evening.

L xx

Frankly my dear, I'm in a bit of a tizz...

2008-09-25T13:13:00.004+01:00

I must be mad, with only 7 or 8 weeks sewing time left, I have decided to go for it with the old Country Living Fair up here in Glasgow. I was waiting to see how things were with Dad before I committed to anything that big. *Amazingly* he is hanging on in there.

Never having done anything quite this big before I am now panicking slightly (Spring Fair is one thing, Christmas, I think, will be a whole different ball game up here). So I have bitten the bullet and aquired some help over the coming months, a sweet little elf (called Nicola) is coming to join the sweat shop.

Lets just hope no family dramas happen in the meantime.

Back to the sewing machine, covered notebooks are a calling!

L x

Autumn Courses

2008-09-23T08:19:00.004+01:00

At long last I got the Autumn courses organised last week, details sent out and the website updated, so places are now booking up. I enjoyed the courses that we did over the summer, and from the feedback we've had everyone enjoyed themselves and would like to return, so I have a list of requests for courses next year.

I'm really looking forward to the more craft orientated courses we're doing, needle felting and knitting, both being held in the cottage, sat around the dining room table with the woodburning stove going. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day, good chat, good food and getting creative.

It's a busy week this week, I'm off to a charity fashion show tonight (a girl is allowed a night off every now and then!). It's for a charity that is very close to my heart, The Sandpiper Trust. The family who have set up the trust are very good family friends and own the estate where I was brought up. So I'm looking forward to hopefuly seeing a few familiar faces this evening and catching up with old friends.

It's madness in the studio just now, trying to get enough stock made for the Perthshire Open Studio event, although it's a bit of a stab in the dark as none of us know how many visitors to expect.......

And then there's all that stock to be made for Chirstmas......?

See you soon,

L x

P.S. Another photo of us on the beach on Sunday. x

Beach Sunday

2008-09-21T20:16:00.007+01:00

At last we've had a bit of time to ourselves at the weekend and a trip to the beach. I was starting to have withdrawl symtoms as I hadn't been to the beach since we were in Orkney at the beginning of the year. We packed up and took off this morning to St. Cyrus, a lovely beach on the east coast. The first time Little Miss Moss has seen the waves, she loved it!

I always enjoy discovering another part of our surrounding area, I think that's why I love living here so much, we are tucked away in the depths of East Perthshire, yet within an easy hours drive we can be on the fabulous east coast taking in such totally different scenery.

We also discovered a fabulous junk yard type Aladins cave, thanks to this lovely lady. We came home with a back seat full of goodies...!

Little things that make me smile, lots of honesty boxes at the road sides.

The fire is lit, as are all the candles, so I'm off to sew up 20 little mice.

Happy Sunday evening.

L x

Photo shoot

2008-09-17T20:58:00.003+01:00

Today I went along to a photo shoot for the Perthshire Open Studios event which is happening at the end of the month. Various press were hopefully going to be there so that the event is well publicised around the country. We were told to bring ourselves and a piece of our work with us, so Diana (from Glenshee Pottery) and I headed down to Perth with a bowl and cushion in the back of the car, wondering what on earth we were letting ourselves in for! It was fairly pain free (other than sore cheeks from smiling so much!) and a great chance to meet some of the other artists taking part and see their work. Heather Cumming was there with her wonderful scrap metal sculptures which I'm sure will capture the attention of the media.

If you can make it along to the Open Studios event it promises to be a fantastic opportunity to see some wonderful artists at work. It's on from 27th September until 5th October, the brochure detailing the routes and artists taking part can be downloaded from here.

Here's a picture of the cushion I took along, made a couple of months ago when thoughts of winter were starting to creep in......

Plum harvest

2008-09-15T18:22:00.007+01:00

Even though it is a fairly grotty evening tonight, after walking the dogs I just had to go and pick all of the plums from our plum tree. The jewels dangling from the branches were calling to me, plum crumble, plum jam, and I've even found a recipe for plum sorbet with sloe gin, so we shall see how far they go.

You see this is the first year we have had any fruit on our trees so it is quite a momentous occassion. We have watched with envy as our neighbours have harvested plums and apples every year since we moved here! It makes me smile, in the particulars for our house the grassy meadow was described as a paddock/orchard, with a cherry, plum, pear and apple tree planted, all of which were fairly unhealthy looking specimens to say the least. So this years crop was a complete surprise, it just goes to show that even the plum tree at the bottom of the very boggy garden can bare fruit!

Plans are afoot now to plant a cooking apple, eating apple (our current tree is baring one fruit at the moment!) and a cherry. I think we shall purchase them all from here as there are some locally native species available.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post, it's great to get your feedback as it's all these little things that can help make a good business a great business.

L x

A question....?

2008-09-11T16:28:00.004+01:00

Today I met up with a friend to have a quick look round our local flower & sundries wholesaler. In general it was a fairly dissappointing trip but I got a couple of basic things that I was needing. Last year my friend made some really cute little ladybird magnets and was swithering whether to make them again this year and the conversation brought me back to something I've been thinking a lot about lately. For all of us who do the whole handmade small business thing, do customers expect to see our range simply growing, with the addition of new items every few months or do they expect to see a clean slate, everything new once or twice a year? Do we continue with the staples that always seem to fly out of the door (even if we are sick to the back teeth of making them??) or do we risk changing everything (fabrics, products, etc) for the sake of "keeping it fresh"?

The reason I ask is that when our little felt covered notebooks were featured in Country Living a couple of Christmases ago we got loads of sales, which was great. I still do covered notebooks but the style has changed and the original ones are no longer on our website. A customer who ordered the original notebooks has re-ordered a couple of times in the last few months. As well as buying the new notebooks, she asked if I could make some of the original felt ones. Now this isn't a problem as I still have the fabrics available but obviously don't have the product in stock so it does mean a special run of just a couple to please the customer. I do believe this is all part of the charm of being a small business that will happily oblige when possible, but at what stage to do you say "sorry I don't make them any more"?

So, a couple of interesting questions there that I'd be really interested to find out what others think, both from a customers point of view and as a small business owner? Answers on a postcard please....only joking, comments or e-mails would be great! info@primrosehillinteriors.com

Thanks,

L x

Nooks & Crannies

2008-09-09T11:51:00.002+01:00

I was really excited last Thursday when I found the latest edition of Homes & Interiors Scotland in our local newagent. After a riffle through at the counter, I found our lovely little feature in Nooks & Crannies, they've got us right down to a tea, a lovely little write up.

Also featured this month is a little bit in the arts section about the Perthshire Open Studios event and also a fab article on my friend Pennys' super new home that her and her husband have built on the shores of Loch Tay. Penny has the most adorable shop in Aberfeldy, Homer, so it's no wonder her home looks so amazing.

So if you fancy a good read and can get a hold of this magazine ( it's probably only available in Scotland I would imagine??) it's all in the September/October edition.

A big thank you to Gillian for putting the article together for us.

L xx

Just had to show you this....

2008-09-09T08:39:00.005+01:00

My two crazy sisters made me this cute little video of Milly as a thank you for her. My sister Nicola is holding Milly and talking, and my youngest sister Zoe (whom Milly was a birthday pressie for!) is doing the filming!

Points of note, check out my sisters groovy ears ;) she really is a crazy cat. "Betty" cleaning in the background is a referral to my mum, we all call her Big Betty ( her Sunday name is Elizabeth) but Big Betty has stuck, and she loves to clean. Unfortunately this gene hasn't been transfered down to me, so I hate it when she comes to visit as I know she has the white gloves on....!!

Enjoy!

L xx

P.S. Remember to turn the sound up!

Glorious September

2008-09-08T20:04:00.006+01:00

Today has been a beautiful day. While walking the dogs at the back of seven this morning there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The promise of a good dry Autumn day, with just a little nip in the air. I am being inspired by the hedgerows just now, rosehips, rowans, seed heads and the promise of brambles to be picked in a few weeks time. The thought of apple and bramble crumble makes my mouth water......

Some local handloomed linen was washed up today and dried on the line so I'm looking forward to using that some time soon. The sewing list is rather huge at the moment as stock is rediculously low, with Christmas just around the corner I'm starting to panic slightly.....

It's just started raining here so I'm off to sit by the fire and sew up hearts!

Some exciting news for tomorrow, but I'll keep you waiting ;)

L xx

The Gardening Course....

2008-09-07T18:19:00.005+01:00

All was going well on Friday night, the baking was done, the note booklets were made and printed and the marque was still up from last weekend.

Then on Saturday morning we woke up to find this...........

................it had been a bit windy during the night..............

Not ones to let anything like this stop us, the marquee was rebuilt, taped together in bits and weighed down with rather large logs!

I prayed for good weather while making the soup that morning and we were blessed!

So much was covered during the day, John kept everyone busy and all went home with lots of goodies. The day was most definitely a success, the sun shone, the food went down well and everyone learnt loads. I just need to twist Johns arm to do it again for me and also find someone to do a garden design course, so that's on the list for next year and I have someone in mind already.......

I'll leave you with more photos of the day, I'm now off to write up and print the leaflet with our next lot of courses, some kind of newsletter ( a new thing for us!) and information on the Perthshire Open Studios as I've got a big mail out to do this week. So much for a quite Sunday night in front of the fire, I shall be glued to the laptop instead, but still in front of the fire :)

Everyone enjoying afternoon tea

A Birthday this week

2008-09-03T21:32:00.005+01:00

Can't believe it's Thursday tomorrow, where has the week gone? The Chicken Keeping course went fantastically well on Sunday (apart from the rain in the afternoon!). My nerves soon disappeared once we got going, a great bunch of folk that all got on great. So, more Chicken Keeping courses will be planned for the next year, probably Spring and Autumn, so do let me know if you're interested. Herbaceous Gardening course this weekend which is fully booked, so really looking forward to it.

As if Sunday hadn't been a busy enough day, we then tootled up to a friends to pick up a birthday pressie for my youngest sister Zoe. It's her 16th Birthday tomorrow and I had a big surprise planned for her. Things have been pretty tough for us as a family lately, my dad is in the final stages of cancer, so I thought it would be great to treat Zoe to something she has wanted for such a long time.

So, on Sunday night, this little lady came to stay with us ...........

I had the pleasure of looking after her on Sunday night and Monday, before I took her down the road to her new home, it was just delightful. She kept me company in the studio, climbing up my leg and falling asleep on my knee while I worked at the sewing machine :) And played with a piece of string and climbed up a customers leg too........!

She slept all the way down the road while we listened to KT Tunstall......and then a quick phone call to my other sister when I was just around the corner ensured that Zoe was in her bedroom, eyes closed and wondering what on earth was going on! I sneaked in and put little Milly on her knee, Zoe screamed and then burst into tears, as did my mum!!! It was such a sweet moment that I'll never forget.

She has settled in well, after one sleepless night for Zoe as she was kept awake by someone pawing at her hair all night wanting to play.....! Right now I think I may well be the best big sister in the world ;)

Life is never dull around here, great friends coming to visit tomorrow, little Inky Monster (my little boyfriend) is coming to entertain me tomorrow with his wee brother Ian. So the house has been polished, hoovered and floors mopped (doesn't happen very often!!!) and mass baking and cooking will be done tomorrow morning. Can't wait.

Shall report back tomorrow on all the frivolities!

L x

Chickens and fairies

2008-08-28T10:27:00.006+01:00

This weekend is our first course, Beginners Guide to Keeping Chickens. I'm getting organised over the next couple of days, but have to admit to being a little bit nervous. It's a mix of adults and children coming along so hopefully that should make it really fun.

A postcard and a cheque arrived in the post the other day from a friend who is sending her husband and little girl along on the course. The little girl had spent part of the summer holidays over at her grandparents in Ireland and when asked what was the best bit of her holiday her reply was feeding the neighbours chickens! So this week when her tooth fell out, there was a note wrapped around the tooth asking the tooth fairy for a chicken rather than pennies, how sweet is that!

So hopefully, by the end of Sunday afternoon she'll be ready to embark on the great hobby of chicken keeping, I'm sure the tooth fairy will oblige!

L x

So how did I do then......?

2008-08-25T19:35:00.007+01:00

Well, as usual I left everything to the last minute on Friday, the plan was, after a quick dash to Blairgowrie, I would come home and get on. But hey, when do things ever go to plan in the Hector household?? A big fat puncture on the way home, ensured that I didn't get started until 9pm on Friday night! Needless to say I didn't get to bed until 1am as I was making jam and was back up at 6am to harvest most of the veg, I was determined I tell you!!!!

So, the results, I'll let you have a look for yourself......

Third prize for my carrots, was pretty pleased with that!

Second prize for my peas, was very pleased with that as we hadn't had any peas last week as I was saving them all for a good picking on Friday so that I had the best of the crop to pick from. It was worth the wait as there were 7 or 8 entries, so I was pleased as punch with that result.

First prize for my photography, a picture of a castle. The picture was of Fortar Castle which is up in Glen Isla. I've won first prize for photography before at the Alyth Show so the pressure's on for next year!

And then the most amazing results of all were.......

First prize for my raspberry jam........

....and first prize for my orange marmalade! I was glued to the spot for about 5 minutes staring at the prize cards as I just could not believe it. I think I went back over about three times before I really took it in! To say that I was chuffed is a bit of an understatment, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat all afternoon!

I didn't get anything for my flowers, which ended up all from my own garden as I didn't get to Johns. Anyway, since writing the last post I have since found out that using flowers that aren't grown by yourself isn't the done thing as it's not actually about the arranging it's more about the content, so next year I'll just have to have my own sweet peas on better form!

I also got a third in the crafts section, a very cheeky entry that I put in for the "bag for life" section, really mine was more of a hand bag rather than a shopper, but it's the taking part that counts!

So, all in all it was a pretty amazing day, we took part in the World Bale Rolling Competition and Tug O'War so lots of fun was had. Roll on next year!! xx

Strathardle Gathering

2008-08-21T10:24:00.006+01:00

This weekend is the annual Strathardle Gathering over in Kirkmichael, we've gone for the last couple of years since moving up here and have always had a fantastic day. This year I am entering some of the competitions in the Indutrial Tent. Now, for those in the know this is very competitive, it's the ladies opportunity to fluff up their feathers and show who's Queen of the Kitchen, Garden and Crafts!!!

I am on the Ladies Committee for the Alyth Show, our local agricutural show, and was lucky enough to be able to accompany a judge this year, so picked up quite a few tips here and there.

So, for the next couple of evenings I shall be busy getting my list of entries together, a little bit of baking, some jam making, some flower arranging, picking my veggies and making some bits and pieces for the craft section. I'm not entering loads in each section as I simply don't have the time. It always amazes me how some folk have entries in nearly every section, I take my hat off to them. But then if you're serious about this (which clearly I'm not!) you have to enter loads in order to be in with a chance to win any of the cups as it's all based on points!

I'm really looking forward to entering my veggies, funnily enough, that's the section that I'm entering the most in! I know of a few people who are entering in this section so there's going to be lots of competition this year. One of our neighbours entered for the first time last year and won the cup so the pressure is really on for him this year, good luck Geordie!

In the flower aranging section I'm (hopefully) entering a jug of sweetpeas and a vase of garden flowers. Now, our garden isn't looking the greatest at the moment as I'm still battling with our very wet borders and the rain this year really hasn't helped. So, thanks to John (my gardening guru) I'm hopefully going to be able to get some flowers from his garden tomorrow. We do have some fabulous Dahlia and other bits and pieces so I'm thinking a nice warm coloured arrangement will look really good. One of our other neighbours is the champion of this section so Saturday is going to be an interesting day!

I'll post some pictures once it's all over and let you know how I get on, wish me luck!

L x

Autumn Courses

2008-08-18T21:51:00.007+01:00

I have at last got something organised that has been in the pipeline for a while now. On Friday I had a meeting with my friend Nicola Poole-Reeves as she is going to be taking one of our courses over the Autumn/Winter months. Nicola is the type of person that I would love to employ full time. She always knows what to be getting on with, is great with the customers and is just generally lovely to work alongside. With 20 years experience of running her own floristry business under her belt, she certainly knows a thing or two about flowers. Her business was based in Devon, so this allowed her to support many local flower growers by selling their flowers in her shop. She traded that life in two years ago and moved up to Glenshee with her husband, her two passions now being pottery and growing her own flowers and veg, along with doing up their cottage (many of us seem to be in that boat up here!).

So, we have put our heads together and are going to do a day course on Christmas Flower Arranging. She will demonstrate how to make a mossed wreath (which everyone will get to make and take home too), putting together a gift wrapped posy, bulb planting and a table centre decoration. I'd like the emphasis to be on using natural ingredients foraged from the garden and woodlands, so my dog walks are now centred around looking for seed heads and nice greenery to be foraged later on in the year!

We have set the date of * changed to 6th November rather than 27th, sorry!*, so everything should be fresh in your head for making your own the following month. The course costs £50 for the day 10am - 4pm, and includes morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. Drop me an e-mail(info@primrosehillinteriors.com) if you'd like more info or to book a place.

I'm also in the process of organising our other courses which will be held in October, day courses in quilting, knitting and needlefelting, again let me know if you are interested as spaces will be limited.

Gosh, it's just all Christmas, Christmas, Christmas at the moment, mad really given that it's August, but then the weather is fairly lousy so it's not really difficult to get into the spirit of it all!

L x

Product Focus

2008-08-13T11:19:00.006+01:00

A part of the business that I really enjoy is working with other makers. I've come across some great folk over the last couple of years, especially since we've moved up here. I like being able to give other makers the opportunity to sell their work in the studio, and working with them to make products exclusively for us.

One lovely lady that I've met is Claire from Barony Crafts. She makes a fantastic (and huge) range of hand made soaps, tioletries and candles. We sell some of Claires soaps in the studio and they go down great with the customers, we've gone for the fairly natural scents like Red Poppy & Ginger, Elderflower & Nettle, Under the Gooseberry Bush and her organic range too. The great thing that sets Claires soap apart from others is that it doesn't go to mush in your hands and lasts more than a couple of washes! She also gave me one of her little hand poured soya wax candles to try, we had it burning in the back porch as that's where the dogs hang out and it certainly got rid of any doggy smells! She has just recently started up a blog about life as a soap maker, so pop over and say hello.

Claire and I are hoping to get together on a little candle and soap project for Christmas so watch this space!

Back to the Christmas samples, you'll maybe get a little peak tomorrow.

L x

Changing times and dropping the "interiors"

2008-08-11T09:42:00.006+01:00

Since opening the studio, things have been changing around here. In the run up to the grand opening I found myself saying "yes" to orders, people also opening up new shops and desperate for stock. Really I should have been saying no, concentrating on getting my own stock made for the big weekend. But then, most business folk never like to say no do they. The upshot of it all was that I totally underestimated the time and effort required to pull everything together and as usual the sewing went on the back burner, otherwise there wouldn't have been a studio to open!

In contemplating this and thinking back to when I was tempted to give up wholesale some time ago but was talked out of it, I've realised that I just don't want to do it anymore. It has become a chore and that's not what this game is all about. Don't get me wrong, over the last five years, it has done us so much good, getting our name known and getting us out there, really it's the only way to do it. But now that I have this fantastic space that's just crying out for lots of one-off pieces, a place to experiment with products and get feedback direct from the customer, I can't really throw this opportunity away can I?

I've gone through the figures with the accountant, looked into getting someone to do the sewing, but is that what Primrose Hill is really about, someone else doing it? And at the end of the day, I would still have to have some kind of input, fabric and ingredients ordering, managing it all, that's not what I want to do.

So, the decision has been made, after 5 years of hard slog and being the basis of how the business started up, no more wholesale. It's been a really hard decision to make but it's done now, and I've put it here on paper so to speak, so I'll have to stick by it..! The only outlet I will continue to supply is the Fotheringham Gallery, as they were the first business to support us and they sell our products so well, I want to keep that relationship going. And as it's a gallery it's on a commission basis which is totally different to supplying shops.

We've also learnt over the last couple of months that people seem to think that the word "interiors" means that you make curtains for a living. Now this is something that I used to doing when we lived in Stirling. I had a sewing lady who made up curtains and blinds etc for me, but since moving up here I've kind of gotten out of that side of the business. Again, having thought about going back there I've decided not to, it's just not something that I want to do. So, Primrose Hill Interiors is now just Primrose Hill and we're focusing more on the studio side of the business as you can see here. A little bit of housekeeping has been done and I think it looks a lot better, what do you all think?

So, there we have it, a rather long rambling post for first thing on a Monday morning, you've done well if you've gotten this far! It's good to put these things out there though, people like to follow the story of a business and know the history of it all. I'd be interestd to know what all of you guys think though, have any of you gone through the same changes or thoughts with your businesses, do let me know as it's great to get feedback.

Right, off to tackle a rather large "to do" list.

L x

Hunter Gatherer

2008-08-08T09:09:00.004+01:00

Gregg went off out at the crack of dawn this morning to shoot some bunnies. We're having some friends round for a BBQ this evening and the request was for some of Jamie Olivers E.F.R., Essex Fried Rabbit. We've had it before at friends and it is really very tasty. I know it's not everyones cup of tea, but personally I think rabbit is just like chicken, but a lot tastier, a bit more gamey. Unless of course it's your own home reared free range chicken which is just the best. So, at about 7am, just as I was starting to think about getting up, the hunter returned with 3 rabbits, gutted and skinned and ready for cooking, good lad!

For all the vegetarians out there, we're not just going to be feasting on meat, I'm doing lots of salads from the garden too and I'm going to give Sarah Ravens Barbequed New Carrots recipe a go along with some courgettes thrown in as we're growning with them.

Have a good weekend.

L x

Juxtaposition

2008-08-06T10:02:00.004+01:00

I'm loving the fact that we do things in a bit of on old fashioned way around here, yet to be able to keep up with everyone else we have to be state of the art too.

So, if you pay cash or cheque it gets stored in this lovely old piece of kit,

or if you choose to pay with plastic we can still oblige :)

It also means we can take orders over the phone now so it's another step in the right direction.

Organisation isn't my number one skill but I do get there eventually.

Off to sew in the studio and work on some more Christmas samples, you'll maybe get a sneaky peak later in the week.

L x

Puppy love ;)

2008-08-04T17:32:00.003+01:00

I know, I know, just too much puppy love going on here, but I just had to show you this one....

Adorable or what..? x

Back to business tomorrow, I promise, well maybe just one or two photos of Little Miss Moss ;)

L x

Introducing........

2008-08-03T20:02:00.003+01:00

Little Miss Moss. Our latest addition to the menagerie, and so very, very cute. x

Bonding with Chrissie (although not sure if Chrissie feels quite the same!)

Contemplating chewing the welly.....

Chewing one of her many toys

Pooped. x

Parti en France......

2008-07-23T16:18:00.005+01:00

In my usual fashion, I was winging it by the seat of my pants last night and doing everything at the last minute. The order for the Interceltique Festival has now "gone to France...", being driven over there today by the lovely Philip. It's a bit of an exciting project, part funded by the Scottish Government and Visit Scotland, Philip and his team are representing Scotland at this huge festival, it attracts over 650,000 visitors over 10 days, so fingers crossed his collection of Scottish goods go down a treat.

I was really pleased with the collection that I came up with, the Harris Tweed was just divine to work with, so I'll have to get back on the phone to the weaver in Harris and get some more sent over I think. The fabrics and colours all sat really nicely together and I came up with a nice thistle design to applique onto the lavender pillows, quite contemporary and not too twee. I shall have to make some more for in the studio to sell seeing as we're getting into the "tourist season" up here, everyone that saw them loved them!

I was muttering away to myself about how I leave everything to the last minute and will I ever change while packaging up doorstops etc, Gregg reminded me that it was almost the last of the "big orders" to go out. Hopefully by the end of this month I'll be free to design and make whatever takes my fancy, but more on that another day.

Off to blitz my old workroom as we have a rather important visitor coming tomorrow and the house needs to be worthy of writing about, I have my doubts, as it really is a shack!

L x

Eating from the garden and our new arrival

2008-07-16T19:45:00.006+01:00

Today I have had a good feed from the garden, strawberries for breakfast, and then other than the cream and peas (ours aren't quite ready yet!) tea was all from the veggie patch too. I made myself a courgette & mint frittata, very yummy indeed, even though I am not a big egg eater.

Here's the recipe, you'll need:

a couple of potatoes sliced thinly (ours were freshly dug up from the garden tonight)

1 small courgette thinly sliced with a veggie peeler

a handful of fresh or frozen peas

some mint leaves chopped up (I used basil mint, very yummy)

4 free range eggs (or a goose egg and a hen egg is a good combo)

a dollop of cream (or milk if you want to be healthier)

salt and pepper

grated parmesan

Pop the potatoes into pan of boiling water and cook, add the peas after about 5 minutes. Place a sieve on top of the pan and steam the courgette strips. Meanwhile, beat your eggs and add the cream, mint leaves and some seasoning. Once the potatoes and peas are cooked, drain them through the sieve with the courgettes.

Heat a large frying or omelette pan with a little olive oil in it. Add the egg mixture and then the veggies and evenly distribute them around the pan with a fork.

Cook this over a medium heat for a bout 10 minutes or until the bottom is golden. You should be able to shuggle it about in the pan.

Grate some parmesan over the top and then place under a hot grill to cook the top and brown it off.

I made a little pesto and creme fraiche dip to have with mine tonight, it was really tasty.

On Monday night, we had to do one of the hardest things ever, we had to chose our puppy from a litter of 6. Sorry, did I forget to mention we were getting a black lab pup.......?!!! Oh well, we must be mad but hey ho! So, we halved the problem as we decided to have a girl, the litter was 3 girls and 3 boys.

We went from 3........

to two..........

to one........

The lovely little lady above is coming home with us on 3rd August, we can't wait.

L xxx

The veggie garden in flower

2008-07-11T19:59:00.010+01:00

Seeing as I've found my blogging mojo again (yeah!) here are some photos I took earlier this week of the veggie garden. After a few days of rain the weeds will no doubt be appearing pretty quickly again.......

Runner beans.....

Broad beans.....

Courgettes......

peas........

the first cornflower........

Californian poppies adding a splash of orange.......

It's been a funny week, lots of time spent glued to the computer putting together leaflets on our courses and doing a bit of P.R. At last I spend the whole day out in the workroom today and it was bliss. Some samples are off in the post, winging their way down to London, so fingers crossed they are magazine worthy.......

Right, off to walk the dog and pop in on some friends for a glass of wine. Have a great weekend.

L x

Courses at Primrose Hill

2008-07-09T12:23:00.006+01:00

As I've mentioned before, we're running courses over the summer months here at Mill of Fyall. Never having done this kind of thing before I'm very aware of not biting off more than I chew, something I've been guilty of in the past! So, we're running three courses over the summer, quilting, keeping chickens, and gardening. The dates and details for these are as follows:

19th & 20th July - Quick Quilt in a weekend - with Rachel Simons, award winning quilter and fellow blogger! Great course for anyone wanting to try their hand at quilting, by the end of the weekend you will go home with a lap quilt. 10am - 5pm, £60 per day. Max. of 4 people.

15th August - Patchwork for busy people - Day course exploring time saving techniques in quilting, again run by Rach. 10am - 5pm, £60 for the day. Max. of 4 people.

2nd August & 31st August - Beginners Guide to Keeping Chickens - run by me! A day learning all there is to know about keeping a few chickens in your back garden. You will go home with a half dozen eggs from our flock and hopefully the desire to get your own chickens! 9.30am - 4pm, £45 per day. Maximum of 8 people.

6th September - Herbaceous Gardening - with John Munro, my good friend and gardening guru! John studied at the Royal Botanic gardens in Edinburgh and has lectured at Askham Bryan College in York. He has gardened all over the UK, his last being in Orkney where he had a daily open garden and was in the Yellow book. Now living in Perthshire, he has a wonderful garden that has provided him with many more challenges and again is about to become part of the open gardens scheme in the yellow book. The day course will cover all aspects of herbaceous gardening, both theory and practical. Everything from designing, planning and choosing plants, to division, cuttings, propagation and maintenance. You will go home with plants and also have the oportunity to buy plants. 9.30 for 10am -4pm, £45 for the day.

All of the courses will begin with coffee and scones in the morning, a home made lunch of soup, bread, salad and cheese, and then afternoon tea and cakes.

If anyone is interested in any of the above courses, drop me a line at info@primrosehillinteriors.com and I'll send you the information leaflet.

L x

3 years on......

2008-07-08T14:22:00.013+01:00

On the 8th of July 3 years ago we got the keys to our little shack in the country. We were about to embark on a new journey in our life together. Over the last 3 years there have many ups and downs, lots of hard work and far too much blood, sweat and tears shed! Amusingly, I've heard that Gregg was dragged here kicking and screaming to live the life that I wanted........I know that he kind of likes it here, he tells me pretty much every day! The man does have a voice after all, if he really didn't want to move here, I don't think he would have.......

We have met so many wonderful people over the last 3 years, many of which I know we will be good friends with forever as they are very special folk :)

The menagery of animals has grown over the last few years, we still have our two loyal cats, Bud and Lexie, and we have added Chrissie the dog, 22 chickens, William II the cockerel, our two very friendly geese Florence and Felicity, 10 ducks - 8 of which are our ducklings hatched this summer, and a new arrival is coming to join us next month.................

We are gradually getting on top of the garden, the veggie plot has come into itself this year and we only have a tiny bit of fencing left to be done! Gregg has built me the most wonderful studio and shop, a true labour of love. The house is still a bit of a shack, but plans are in hand to sort that out..........
Anyway, I shall leave with some photos of when we arrived to how it is now, a bit of an improvement I think...

Projects......

2008-07-02T16:35:00.004+01:00

Time is flying by, it's July already and I've been in the studio for a whole month. The divide between work and home is so much better, Sundays are our day off now, and we love it! The house is just about back to normal, although there is still a rather large pile in my old work room to be sorted out.

I had a great excuse to get tidied up at the weekend, this lovely lady was coming to stay. We had such fun catching up with each other and also planning the first of our summer courses. Rach is coming to do a weekend course "Quick quilt in a weekend" on 19th & 20th July, as the title suggests, you'll go home with a gorgeous lap quilt after two days of expert tuition from this award winning lady!

Along with Rachel's courses we're also going to be doing "Beginners guide to Keeping Chickens" and a gardening course on "Herbaceous Gardening". The leaflets will be finished by the end of this week so if anyone is interested drop me a line at info@primrosehillinteriors.com

Another project that I am working on is really quite exciting. I have been asked by Visit Scotland to produce a collection of work for them to take to the Festival Interceltique in Lorient, Brittany. I don't really do tartan twee so this has been a bit of a challenge, plus there are only so many things that you can make at trade and still make a decent profit. So, my harris tweed stash has been raided and some sketching of thistles has been done.......

I've decided to go for an earthy-grassy-sea inspired pallete of colours, not my usual bright and breezy stuff, and I'm really enjoying the change. The deadline for the finished work is fairly soon, so I'm going to be burning the midnight oil I think, what's new eh!!!

The pictures are of the fabrics I'm using and of the progress I've made today.

Auction love

2008-06-18T22:49:00.006+01:00

Fiona commented on my last post that she loved my red dresser, so I thought it was only polite to tell you a little bit about her. I found her loitering at the back of the auction that I frequent, she had my name written all over her, no matter what, she was coming home with me.

She wasn't in too bad a condition, lemon yellow and white, not too ghastly and nothing that a lick of paint wouldn't sort out. So, in my usual fashion, I got round to "doing her up" all of five days before the opening, she had been living in the garage since last summer, shame on me, the poor thing!

Seeing as red is the order of the day in our house, it would have been rude not to paint her red and white. She's told me that she loves her new outfit, wants to live with us forever more and will gladly look after all the lovely things that we put in her..........

Everyone else loves her too, she has received many an "oooh" and an "aaaah", and "ooooh my Granny used to have one of those"!! My nana had one too, I fondly remember playing underneath the counter as a child and constantly banging my head on it........

I think she may be getting a sister soon.......................

L x

Buttercup meadow

2008-06-10T16:14:00.004+01:00

From this.........

.......to this.............

I didn't have the heart to cut off all their little heads, and I like the idea of the garden being interesting rather than just a big slab of green grass. The little race track around the bottom of the garden draws you to wander all the way down and look at all the wild flowers.

The Studio has been busy with people popping in and me getting some sewing done, I'm loving having this new space to play in! For those that are local or on holiday in the area we are open:

Monday 12pm - 4pm

Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10am - 4pm

Or call to come along at a more convenient time and we'll make sure we're here to welcome you.

Some lovely new goodies arrived in the shop today so I must give you a guided tour later on in the week.

Be back soon,

L x

The opening

2008-06-05T22:55:00.006+01:00

Well, what can I say? We made it just by the skin of our teeth, some extremely late nights and early starts were had, but it was worth every minute of it. By Saturday morning we had moved into the studio and the shop was all set up, ready and waiting for customers. The other stallholders were all raring to go, lots of plants, cake and candy and vintage bits and bobs were on offer, and the tea tent was brimming with the most yummy selection of cakes I have ever seen.

So did anyone turn up? Gosh, about 200 to be precise! On Saturday the place streamed with people, the sun shone and there was a real magical buzz about the place, it was a really special day, one we'll never forget. Sunday was nice too but the weather broke later in the day, we had a lot of old friends that had come to visit, some that we hadn't seen since we'd moved up here, so it was wonderful to see them all. All in all a fanstastic weekend.

My feet haven't hit the ground since, hence the reason I'm just getting round to posting now! I'll get some better photos taken this weekend, all I can say is that I'm loving working in my studio, I'm having to be dragged out of the place! And amazingly we've had customers every day this week so far! Long may it continue!

I'll leave you with some pictures of the weekend, will be back soon.

L x

The big countdown

2008-05-26T22:36:00.005+01:00

Only 4 more working days to go, yet so much still to be done! but, we're getting there slowly. At the beginning of last week the windows went in (made by Greggs fair hands too), now we've just got the floor to lay, skirtings to go on and the sockets to wire up. Outside there's still lots to do, we're not going to get the deck laid in time, but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day! The photo above is of me contemplating how much still had to be done!

Here's how we left it tonight, the roof is up, the walls are clad and painted and the lights are up too, it's all coming together really nicely. Just need lots of stock to fill it now!!

On the sewing front, I'm disappointed in the lack of stock I've got made, I just didn't appreciate how much organising this would take and also how much painting there was to do!!! Hopefully in the next day or so the sewing machine will be working over time!

On the animal front, over the weekend the ducklings hatched, 8 little bundles of fluff, the cutest little things I've ever seen, and boy do they hit the ground running!!! I'll get some decent photos of them this week, as they grow at a tremendous rate.

So, I'm off to get a bit more sewing done, it would be nice to get to bed on the same day as I got up.........

Will try and post photos of it all before Saturday, wish us luck!

L x

The red door

2008-05-12T10:59:00.003+01:00

What do you think? When we were up North I was inspired by a little white cottage with red woodwork and doors, I fell in love with it! So we now have a lovely red reclaimed door and the windows are going to match. Only 3 weeks to go until the grand opening so we're on the big count down, fingers crossed it all comes together!

L x

Another step forward...

2008-05-01T22:41:00.008+01:00

There are some parts of the business that I love, and there are some parts that I feel I'm constantly chasing my tail with, forever. Yep, you guessed it, the website. Whenever I talk to anyone in business about web sites I'm constantly met with the comment "they're great but they just constantly need updating!". It's true, no sooner have you uploaded your latest additions than you're thinking about how you're going to change it again!

So, at last we have made a huge change to ours, we've added a "click and buy" system, it's been long enough in the making, but I'm actually quite pleased with it. It's no great shake, loads of sites have it, we've just been extremely slow in getting round to doing it. The desire has always been there, but time is never on our side! Me being me, I was never going to be happy with using the standard Paypal buttons on offer, so I messed around for a while until I got something I was happy with, simple, but rather good looking, I think so anyway.

I say "we" as it's pretty much all of Gregg's hard work, I provide photos, text and design direction and he does the rest, without him, I wouldn't even have a website. For that I am extremely grateful. Aren't husbands wonderful things..... ;)

Have a look and let me know what you think, all feed back is greatly appreciated.

Happy Friday for tomorrow, I'm painting the studio door, making up a couple of orders for new shops that are opening and hopefully a little bit of gardening too. I might give you a sneeky peak of that door if you're lucky.

L x

The swallows have arrived.....

2008-04-29T10:22:00.007+01:00

Summer must be on it's way as the swallows arrived this weekend. Sunday was such a glorious day, made even more special by their arrival, sat twittering away on the wire above. One pair has arrived, so hopefully there will be more to follow.

It's all go here at the moment, we have set a date for the "Grand Opening", Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June, so do come and join us for our tea party in the garden. The studio will be open with a new range of products (in the process of being made at the moment!) along with a collection of work from other artist friends. Katie's fab felted jewellery, Rach's stunning handmade quilts, Lynne's gorgeous felt and feather brooches, Claire's organic range of soaps and smellies, Ali's beautiful handmade cards, aswell as a nice little collection of gardening goodies to tempt you with.

We're having a marquee in the garden with a few other stalls in it, Pat selling her wonderful range of herbs and flowers, Katie with her range of vintage bits and bobs (she's a very busy lady!) and hopefully a local girl who sells the most divine cake and candy. We'll be serving tea, coffee and lots of home made cakes all day from 10am until 4pm, so if you can make it along it would be lovely to see you.

Over the past couple of years I have met a range of extremely talented people, so the plan has always been that as soon as I had my own dedicated space we would start to run day courses here too. I have managed to cajole a few friends into agreeing to come and teach others their wonderful skills so we will be holding classes in Keeping Chickens, Dry Stane Dyking, Needle Felting, Quilting, Knitting and Willow Weaving to name a few. Having done a few courses up at the pottery, the best bit (other than learning a new skill!) has most definitely been the great spread of food we've had throughout the day, from morning coffee with fresh scones, a great lunch and then afternoon tea with a huge selection of cakes, yum! We will most definitely be following suit in that department! So, if any of you are interested in the above please do let me know as I'll be getting dates in the diary fairly soon.

It's another sunny day here today but it's back to the sewing machine for me!

L x

P.S. The gorgeous posy of flowers are courtesy of my gardening guru and great friend John, fresh from his garden. x

Exciting times ahead

2008-04-04T10:51:00.004+01:00

This week has been an exciting week, all the pieces of the jigsaw are starting to slot together now. When we came back from the Western Isles last summer I was very inspired by the Uists Open Studio event that had been on while we were there. When we were on Orkney earlier this year they had a superb tourist Craft Trail, the art up there is second to none, but more on that another day. So, I was really excited this week when I discovered that Perthshire is hosting it's own Perthshire Open Studio event later on this year, and we're going to be a part of it. This is exactly what we need to promote all of the small designer/makers thriving in this area, and I'm hoping that on the back of it all we shall be able to have a permanent art trail around the county.

The event will take place from Saturday 27th September through until Sunday 5th October, a bit like the Pittenweem arts festival, taking in two weekends with the week in between. We don't intend on being open 7 seven days a week normally but for this event we'll be open right through, which will probably be quite a good thing as I'll be mad busy making for Christmas by then!

Hopefully it will bring in lots of tourists, but also it will allow local people to see the vast amount of talent that is on their doorstep. So off you go and pop those dates in your diary!

Have a great weekend.

L x

Taking stock

2008-04-02T17:33:00.003+01:00

Today has been stock taking day to coincide with our financial end of year. I have never done this previously but seeing as I have a fantastic new accountant things are all done "properly" on the paper work front now. I never quite appreciated how much of a relief it would be handing over receipts and invoices at the end of every month and somebody else just "dealing" with the rest for you. She's very good and very focused and understands exactly what I'm doing here. She shares the same vision I have for the shop and can see the potential. She also likes to drink coffee and have a good old natter while counting things! I think we're going to get on rather well.

I feel like we're a grown up business now, all we need is for the studio to be finished and then the skies the limit as they say!

L x

P.S. Mr. Mouse has managed to keep out of the claws of the cats. Him and his friends will be for sale on the web site very soon. x

The perfect working day

2008-03-27T19:36:00.006+01:00

Today has been the perfect working day. The sun has shone, while out walking Chissie this morning I stopped to let the sun beat down on my face for five minutes, that always sets me up well for the day.

A bit of sewing was done this morning, then a friend popped round for a quick cuppa, some cake and some gardening chat. Photos were taken of said sewing done this morning and a wander round the garden to see what else was in need of some camera love.

Seeing as it was such a lovely afternoon, the wellies stayed on and some gardening was done.

A bed was cleared ready for planting and some seeds were sown, sweet peas and cornflowers. I've come in rosy cheeked and full of fresh air.

Here's a picture of Mr. Bud cat giving my wellies some love and the next one is of him watching the world go by.

A wintry Easter weekend

2008-03-21T14:28:00.010+01:00

It was to be expected I suppose, given that Easter is so early this year, that we would have snow in between fleeting visits of the sunshine. We've just had the most horrendous blast of wind, hail and snow all mixed together, and now the sun is out in it's full glory, Spring showers in their truest form I think.

The above cherry blossom tree hasn't quite come out yet this year, when it does it puts on a beautiful show of tiny delicate pink flowers. I've brought some branches in and hung the Easter decorations from them, the stove is lit so hopefully the warmth will bring the buds out fairly soon.

The dining room also looks a bit like a florists shop at the moment, jugs and jugs of daffodils and masses of branches of flowering currant. Gregg will come home and complain that it smells of cat pee, but I quite like the smell, I think it's almost earthy, a real spring smell. I've volunteered to do the flowers in Church tomorrow for Sundays service, so hopefully the daffodils will come out in the warmth of the stove too. One of the joys of living in the sticks is that there is still a lot of "by the gatepost" selling. The daffodils came from a local farm, they leave a couple of crates with bunches made up and an honesty box, 25p a bunch and locally grown, so a dozen bunches were bought for the church.

Our little enterprise of selling by the gate is also doing well, we now have 20 chickens and a bunch of regular customers that either collect their eggs or I deliver them on a Friday when I'm down in the village. It was Easter last year that we put the sign up, it still amazes me that we get so many people popping in, especially walkers with a little room in their rucksack to squeeze in a half dozen eggs!

Some of you might remember that we hatched our first lots of chicks last year, 9 in total, 3 hens and 6 cockerels. The three hens are doing great, one of them is a real little madam, she jumps up and pecks me on the leg every morning, although I am getting wise to her now! I'm obviously not quick enough in giving them their grain! Anyway, your probably thinking, what did we do with the six cockerels? Well, one of them went to a small holding up the road and as far as I'm aware he's still doing well. We ate the other 5. They were delicious. I'm now thinking we should hatch some free ranging table birds and then start to breed them for ourselves to eat all year round. We shall see, we need a bit more land and I'm still working on that one, hence the reason we have no pigs as yet :(

We also had to despatch our much loved cockerel William, he was very ill with an infection that hadn't cleared up, so he's now buried in the garden. I cried when we had to do that but it didn't bother me at all when we had to kill the others that we ate. I quite happily plucked them and got them ready to roast for Sunday night supper. So, we now have William II, he's another Welsummer cockerel and is enjoying strutting his stuff in front of the ladies and crows away quite the thing on top of the fence post.

I also mentioned the other day that I had to try and catch one of our drakes, we currently have 2 drakes and 3 ducks, all Indian Runners, as our little call ducks got eaten by something when they decided to sit on eggs and we couldn't find them to bring them in at night. Anyway, as you can imagine, with it being Spring and all, the drakes are rather randy at the moment and have decided that three ladies is just not enough for them, so our two chinese white geese, Florence and Felicity, have been getting chased to the point where they dissappear down the burn and don't know how to find their way back! One of the drakes has to go, we could eat him, but I'm going to give him back to Diana (pottery friend!) as she's just lost her drake to the fox. He has been given a reprieve at the moment as I've not had time to go up to the pottery, maybe this weekend, then hopefully peace will be regained in the hen house!

So, I hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend, we'll be dodging the snow showers, hopefully getting some more studio building done and a bit of gardening. We might even go and roll some eggs!

Love,

L x

WRI night

2008-03-13T17:33:00.003+01:00

Tonight is the monthly meeting of the Mount Blair rural, yep, I've joined the rural, or should I say WRI. And no I've not started putting a blue rinse on my hair and wearing a pleated tweed skirt before you ask! Our group has a real mix of ages and some real characters. The first night I went along I was warmly welcomed and taken by the arm by one of my egg customers (a dear little lady who lives up the road) and she took me round and introduced me to everyone, now how sweet is that? I've made loads of new friends and really do feel like I'm a part of the community now. I've been cajoled into entering competitions and the like, and if I'm totally honest I absolutely love it.

Tonight we are having a joint meeting with the Kirkmichael group, over at their hall. The talk tonight is "A day in the life of a vet" by one of the local vets from Blairgowrie, I'm really looking forward to it as it's one of the many jobs that I fancied doing when I was a child. For me the best part of the evening is most definitely the supper, some groups just have tea and biscuits, whereas our group really goes to town with a full supper of savoury and sweet goodies, so no dinner is required before you go!

The competitions this evening are a bowl of bulbs and a jar of marmalade. As usual I checked the programme at the beginning of this week (always at the last minute!) and luckily had some hyacinth bulbs flowering, so I've titivated them with some pussy willow twigs and raffia. I made marmalade a couple of weeks ago with some lovely organic seville oranges, so bobs your uncle I'm all sorted for tonight!

Right, better go and get on, eggs to collect, dog to walk and a drake to catch, more on that one tomorrow!

L x

And the winner is.........

2008-03-11T09:22:00.005+01:00

Drum roll please.............

The lovely Katherine at Chatiry World is the winner, a tea cup and saucer cushion will be winging it's way to you this week, can you send me your details please?

Right, off to walk the dog and let the chooks out, will be back later with tales of our trip to Orkney.

Bye for now.

L x

The month that was February!

2008-03-10T16:23:00.010+01:00

Well, February has been and gone and we're well into March now.......where has the time gone? It was a busy month, so much happened........

I met up with this lovely lady for a day in Glasgow, we had great fun shopping for fabric and trimmings, I took her to VV Roleaux.......need I say any more!

I received this amazing gift in the post, not only is she a great friend she's a very talented lady - could you whizz up one of these in a weekend?

A friend recommended her hairdresser at Christmas time when I commented on how lovely her hair was, so I went and got a new hair cut, 5" off as I hadn't had it cut for over a year, very drastic but I'm now getting used to it. I'm not a fan of going to the hairdressers but I think I'll go back again...!

The reason behind the hair cut was because we were going to a christening here and a wedding here, a post about this will follow as I've got so much to tell you all about it!

It was a busy month with work too, lots of sewing for Valentines orders and lots of shop orders winging their way out of the workroom.

We've also been busy with the studio - what do you think so far then?

Ooh and it was also my birthday on March 1st, my mum and my two sisters came and visited for the day and then we had friends round for supper. Gregg cooked, Greek lamb with lemons and feta, I made pud, marmalade ice cream and chocolate brownies - good food and good company, what more could a girl want?!

So, now that I'm back out of hibernation I shall do the cushion draw tonight and post the winner tomorrow.

See you all then!

L x

P.S. Hope you like the spring cleaned look of the blog!

Keeping out of trouble....

2008-01-29T23:26:00.000+01:00

....yet I feel a little bit naughty, only 4 posts in January, that's a bit slack isn't it? Well, all I can say is that I've been a very busy girl, even though I have really struggled with the January blues.

Last week saw some new designs coming out of the workroom,
and a stack of lavender hearts and bundles, can you tell Valentines Day is just around the corner?! I also managed to buy some lovely new fabrics that I'm enjoying being creative with, so keep an eye out here for new things arriving soon.I also popped down to Glasgow on Sunday to the Scottish Trade Fair. I'd been a couple of years back, and to be honest it was pretty rubbish, so I was glad to see a huge improvement this year and felt it was well worth the visit I'd paid.

I've also been busy planning for this, which I'm getting really excited about. The roof is hopefully going on the studio this weekend so I'll post some photos next week.

Seeing as this is my 100th post ( I know, it's taken me ages to get here!!!) I thought I'd do a little giveaway, the lucky winner can choose one of the above cushions. So either leave a comment or drop me an e-mail (info@primrosehillinteriors.com) and your name will be added to the draw.

Good luck!

L xx

Fun in the snow

2008-01-15T18:32:00.001+01:00

Friday's fun in the snow was make or break day. I had to decide whether to stick with snowboarding, give it up and try skiing again (I've not been on skis since I was a teenager) or just give up the whole snowsports thing, because constantly snowballing down a hill just isn't my idea of fun....

So, what was it to be then? You can probably tell from the smile.........

I'm sticking with the snowboarding, I was pretty much linking my turns ( where you turn the board from edge to edge in order to snake down the hill) by the end of the most amazing day I've ever had on the slopes. You see, for those of you that aren't into this mad sport where you throw yourself down a hill strapped to a very slidy board, it's not easy. I have struggled with it for years, and only getting a smattering of days a year at it probably doesn't help. It looks really simple when you see others doing it, but building up the confidence to point the board straight down the hill in order to turn from side to side is not for the faint hearted. Physically having to lean your body down the hill, rather than naturally lean back into the hill is a tricky thing to get your head round, but I'm getting there....

On Friday, I had my determined head on, took loads of snowball like tumbles, but came up smiling every time, more and more determined to crack it. There were no tears ( a first for me ) but lots of bruises, and I have to say the impact shorts and wrist guards are worth their weight in gold. If there's anyone reading this and thinking about taking up the mad mountain sport I would thoroughly recommend you buy yourself some.

We had a perfect day of blue sky weather, amazing snow conditions, and we spotted loads of wildlife, Snow Buntings, Black Grouse, stags and white mountain hares. It made me realise why I truely love living up here, to have all of this on our doorstep really is quite breathtaking, lets just hope it lasts......

On the sewing front, I'm busy getting orders finished that weren't essential for Christmas, making up samples for the new Spring collection and off to visit a new stockist tomorrow. So it's a busy week, but we'll maybe try and squeeze in a bit more snowboarding if the weather's good.....

L xx

Getting back to normal.....

2008-01-10T21:23:00.000+01:00

This week we've been trying to get back in to the swing of things, routine, boring, boring, I find it very difficult! It's hard enough to get into the swing of the holidays, not always having something to do, then, just as you begin to relax a bit the holidays are over........yep, you guessed it, the January blues......................

Anyhoo, today Katie and Lynne were round for coffee and scones while discussing lots of crafty things. It was fun. They also sorted out my prize draw for me that I did over the Christmas Fairs, a basket of goodies for one lucky winner..........June Heggarty from Dunblane, it'll be winging it's way to you some time next week!
So, seeing as it's Friday tomorrow, and there's lots of snow up in them big hills called Glen Shee, we've decided to have a cheeky wee Friday off and go snowboarding for the day. Now, the last time I did this I broke a bone in my hand..................... and I cried loads...................hmmm, off to find my impact shorts (they make you look like you've got a HUGE arse but save you having a very sore bottom from falling ALL the time!!) and wrist guards..................

See you soon, hopefully with lots of photos of the two of us flying down the slopes and no broken bones!!!! The photos above are of us snowboarding in Canada three years ago, THE BEST snow ever!

L xx

Fond wishes for 2008

2008-01-03T18:04:00.000+01:00

It's been a while, so I do hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and wishing you all a warm welcome into 2008. As usual, the run up to Christmas was a bit mad, the decorations were only just up by Christmas Eve and all of the parcel wrapping was done that night, some things just never change in this house! It was lovely though, to be giving lots of home made pressies this year, and I think they all went down rather well.

Much celebrating has been done, we brought in the New Year with good friends in their lovely "newly extended" home. Lots of good food ( Rob's game pie was fantastic!) was eaten, not too much whisky was drunk, and much merriment was had! New Years day consisted of a hearty breakfast, a good walk and then lots of tea and cake, my idea of heaven!

Today, the snow has arrived, just as Gregg went back to work, typical! So, we're cosied up, the fires are roaring and lots of candles are lit. Bliss. I do tend to hybernate a bit at this time of year, but that's ok, it is January after all. I like to spend this month planning ahead for the coming months, plans for the business, the veggie garden, the flower garden, the extension, holidays..............the list goes on a bit! But it's all exciting, don't you think? What are all your plans for 2008, anything exciting happening?

I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone over the next couple of weeks and hopefully making lots of new friends in blogland, that's the fun bit don't you think?

L xx

A fab weekend

2007-12-04T10:46:00.000+01:00

Well, we're onto the last push this week, it's more mad sewing for our Open Day this Saturday (all welcome if you're in the area). We had a fab time at The Green Gallery Fair this weekend, we were beside some lovely stalls in the conservatory, it always helps when you've got nice "neighbours" at these things.

I love the fact that quite a lot of bartering goes on between the stall holders, I did swaps with Emma of Pumpkin Sputnik who was next to me, she makes the most fabulous stationery, have a look at her site. We're hopefully going to work on a project together some time next year.......

We were also kept well fed and constantly tempted by The Cookroom, the most delicious range of cakes, all gluten and wheatfree. The Fair was their first weekend of trading so I really hope they do well in the future.

I also got to meet the lovely Jane Keith, the sister of my friend Sara Keith, both extremely talented textile artists. Jane was there with her fabulous range of hand printed and painted silk ties, I think we're planning on doing swaps too, she loves our dotty aprons and is getting one of our dotty door stops for her Christmas..........!

Right, must get on, loads to do this week, plus the house looks like a bomb has hit it, so a fair bit of tidying will be required before Saturday.........!

Bye for now,

L xx

P.S. the pictures are of Katies gorgeous felt jewellery, it flew off the stall this weekend. x

All work and no play.....

2007-11-30T12:04:00.000+01:00

This week has been a bit mad, the fair on Monday and Tuesday went really well, which to be honest I was really quite surprised at. I had felt previously that it had been more of a "social" fair where people go to catch up rather than shop. But this year we did really well, hence the reason this has been a bit of a mad week, no stock left! So amid a mad flurry of sewing, we've also been trying to get the web site updated (always late doing that, one of these years I might actually get organised and be updated with xmas goodies by October, but to me that would just be boring, I much prefer to fly by the seat of my pants!). Plus, other than wanting to get the shop updated before December is upon us, we've also got a lovely little article in The Scottish Farmer about us this week, so by midnight last night my head was spinning slightly!

So, this afternoon I'm heading down the road to Buchlyvie to The Green Gallery for their annual Christmas Fair this weekend, one I always enjoy as there are always so many familiar faces, given that the area used to be home. It's my last fair for the season other than our open house next weekend, and boy am I looking forward to getting home on Sunday night, I'm pooped!

Off to get on with some last minute sewing, label printing and packing my bag, roll on Sunday night, a big hug from Gregg and a log fire to come home to!

Enjoy your weekend,

L xx

A few photos....

2007-11-26T22:34:00.001+01:00

I'm absolutely pooped! Not long home from another fair, a big one in Perth that was on tonight and all day tomorrow - if you're in the area do pop along to say hello, there are some lovely stalls there........

The fairs are all going well, some better than others, but that always tends to be the case in this game, you can just never tell...... I should really be going to do some sewing now as we've sold out of a few products tonight, it's very heartening to see that it's the handmade goodies that are selling out, it makes all the hard work worthwhile!

Seeing as I've not shown you any photos of the studio build for a while I thought I'd post a few tonight, it's really coming on.......

The roof trusses inside, it's going to be open plan to make it feel nice and airy....

The sarking boards going on the roof......

At the end of this weekends work, roof water tight, the back wall clad and the side wall started.......

A rather blurry photo of Gregg on the roof playing with his favourite toy, the nailgun.......!

Right, I suppose I'd better go and get a bit of sewing done before I go to bed, it's going to be a long week I think!

Night, night,

L xx

A quick post.....

2007-11-16T09:04:00.000+01:00

Morning all! Just a quick post to let you know our next fair is tonight and tomorrow at The Edinburgh Academy School. Tonight (7.30pm - 10pm) is a ticket event, £10, which includes champagne and capapes - very posh! Tomorrow is open to the public from 11am - 4pm. There will be approx. 50 stalls so it should be rather good. I'm really looking forward to it as I haven't been down to Edinburgh for ages, hopefully this afternoon Katie and I will manage to squeeze in a couple of art exhibitions, so I'll report back on Monday!

I also want to tell you all about the latest happenings here on the animal front, I've

been trying do a post on it for ages, but never quite get round to finishing it! We've had our first experience of eating our own poultry produce, but all I'll say for now was that it was very yummy! Don't worry we haven't eaten William the Cockerel.............

More next week, off to pack the car, it's a very frosty morning!

L xx

Friday Fair

2007-11-02T19:40:00.001+01:00

As usual, I forgot to take my camera last night to take a picture after the set up, but never mind, better late than ever eh!

As you can see, that's not me standing behind the stall, it's Katie, my great friend, who I'm doing all the fairs with this Christmas. Katie makes the most beautiful felt jewellery, and lots of other gorgeous little bits and bobs and trades under the wonderful name of "Vintage Squirrel"! We had a great time today, met lots of lovely people and lots of friends came along too, so a successful day was had by all.

So it's stocking up time next week as the next fair is a week on Saturday, no rest for the wicked as they say! It's also an exciting week here, but more on that at the end of the week.

Have a good weekend, hopefully the weather will be good so more progress can be made with the studio, cladding on the walls this weekend!

L x

Progress

2007-10-31T18:45:00.000+01:00

Just a quick update with the progress of the studio, it's coming on, as you can see......

We have decided that we're probably not going to get it completed for a Christmas opening, which is a shame, but we'd rather not rush it just for the sake of being open for a couple of weeks, plus the weather is bound to turn sooner or later...............!

So, I've started making plans for the grand opening next year, probably even more exciting than a Christmas opening actually, but more about that in the new year.

Julia, you mentioned in your comment about having a wood burning stove in the studio, well funnily enough that's exactly what I was thinking!! It's all dependent upon space as it is a bit of a luxury and there are certain things that I must fit into the studio, but hopefully we'll be able to squeeze one in somewhere. It would just be rude not to have a stove for Chrissie to lie in front of now wouldn't it!!

Tonight is a tagging and organising of stock evening, the first Christmas fair is this Friday at Letham Grange Hotel, from 10am - 4pm, so if you're in the area do pop in and say hello. I've been sewing like a mad woman for the last few weeks now, so hopefully I'll have enough stock made. We set up tomorrow evening so I'll take some photos and try and remember to post them!

Anyway, better get on, loads to do tonight. I promise I'll come and visit you all very soon.

L x

P.S. Blogger was playing up so I've only just managed to load up the photos after umpteen attempts last night - it seems to be behaving a little bit better this morning! x

Birthday wishes

2007-10-01T20:36:00.001+01:00

It's the first of October already and Autumn is really with us now. We've had a few nippy frosts but amazingly the garden is still in flower. I'm loving the changing colours that are slowly starting to emerge, showing signs of the garden going into hibernation until next year.

Today was a special day for a couple of reasons. It's my little brothers birthday today, although he's no longer little! Twenty years old today and a good 6ft 4", he more than towers over me!

It's also the 4th Birthday of Primrose Hill Interiors. I can still remember my business adviser telling me to pick a date and work towards it - so I did. I'd spent the whole summer working on the first collection and getting all the "business stuff" done. By that Christmas we were supplying our first outlet, The Fotheringham Gallery, and I was selling work. At last I'd made it, I was my own boss!

So it's quite fitting that now, four years on, we are in the midst of creating a studio for me to work in. I will at last have "somewhere to go to work"!!! It's all too easy to get distracted while working from the spare room, washing to hang out, a bit of tidying to do, you know how it is, and I do struggle at times! I'm soooo looking forward to packing up my little lunch basket and tootling across the drive to my little studio, where I can be creative all day and turn a blind eye to the chaos that resides in the cottage!

A little corner of the studio will also allow me to "play" shopkeeper!, this is the bit I'm most looking forward to....... Being able to go back to the roots of my degree and really get creative, oooh I'm so excited, can you tell?

So, in between sewing, I've been holding bits of wood for Gregg, and at the end of day three we now have the floor joists down and the back wall frame built, not bad huh? ( the photo shows the end of day two).

I'll keep you posted on the progress!

L x

Loving this life

2007-09-14T20:04:00.000+01:00

It's Friday, yet another week has flown in, and it's truely feeling like Autumn now.

I wasn't really prepared for the heart warming feeling you get when harvesting from the garden, it really is quite magical. We had our first carrots tonight, along with some peas (we've had a bumper crop of them this year) and some broccoli. It always amazes me how the simplest things in life can make you so happy.

I'm loving going for peaceful evening walks, enjoying the last of the sun low in the sky.

Lighting the fires, the smell of the wood.

It's our wedding anniversary this weekend, 7 years, where has that time gone? We're both happy and settled and enjoying the peace.

Have a good weekend.

L x

A gardening day

2007-09-05T16:56:00.000+01:00

Inspired was how I felt yesterday, truly inspired. I came home and made a list of seeds and plants to buy for next year. Where did this inspiration come from I here you ask? Well, earlier this year I joined a gardening group and yesterday was a day out nosying at other folks gardens, bliss!

We visited two gardens, both close to home, so coffee and cake was provided here at Mill of Fyall in between visits. The fact that it was a gorgeous day helped too mind.

The first garden was large and terraced, the views across the valley were quite amazing. The borders were filled with stunning roses, an abundance of clematis, aswell as many other beauties. Every time you turned there was a different scent lingering in the air.

The second garden took my breath away, the owner, a garden designer, has a little piece of paradise on her door step, I could have stayed in that garden forever. Quite formal, but flowing effortlessly, your eye was constantly pulled on to the next episode of the story and your nose was tickled with the scents of sweet peas, lilies and more delectable roses.

So, a rather large list was made last night, Sarah Raven here I come!

L x

P.S. If you fancy a cosy country break, the second garden that we visited has holiday lets, have little peak here.

Busy bee

2007-08-17T07:50:00.000+01:00

It's been a busy old week this week, trying to wade through a HUGE order for a shop in Portree - I'll be glad when it's finished!

A little sandy beach on Eriskay looking over to S. Uist.

The gang at the hostel.

The hostel at Howmore.

Here's some more photos from the Uists, we camped for three nights at the hostel at Howmore. A great little place with a lovely atmosphere, we met up with some super people there, with whom we shared evenings of flying the kite on the beach, fishing and playing scrabble - great fun. The days were spent looking for otters (which we saw), listening to Corncrakes and dotting around the islands looking at various artists work during the arts festival, just my cup of tea!

A gorgeous little croft house.

Wild orchids.

Otter watching.

Unfortunately it's gotten to that time of year again when the "C" word (Christmas!) is being banded around the house like it's just around the corner, not something that I particlurly enjoy, seeing as the sun is shining and it is actually quite warm outside! Hey ho, the joys of being wrapped up in the world of retail...............(ha ha!)

Enjoy your weekend.

L x

P.S. Thank you to the lovely ladies Marie and Tracy for the awards, will post about them next week.

Harris & Lewis

2007-08-09T21:14:00.000+01:00

As promised more photos of the holiday. We started our little island hopscotch by sailing over to Harris, one of the most spectacular places on earth. As we drove to the south of the island to spend our first night in the sweetest little B&B ever, all we could do was soak up the amazing scenery of one golden beach after the other.

An evening stroll along Scarista beach

Sorrel Cottage B&B, Leverburgh, a stunningly simple, home from home place to rest your head, made even more special by the lovely warm welcome from it's owner Paula.

Flying the kite on Luskentyre beach, Harris.

Luskentyre is also home to Luskentyre Harris Tweed Company, we had a great chat with Donald, who showed us his workroom, the weaving loom and how it worked. He designed and produced the Harris tweed that was used for the limited edition Nike trainer back in 2004. On looking out of his shop window I asked him where he got his inspiration from, but kind of knew I was looking at it, the aquas of the sea, the golden sands, the pale blue skye and the amazing colours of the machair.

The view from our first nights campsite, at Cliff on the West coast of Lewis. This patch of harebells just gently bobbed in the sea breeze.

Our second nights campsite on the beach at Garenin, the blackhouse village, a conservation village of traditional blackhouses, some of which have been turned into a hostal. There is also a wonderful museum set up as to how the house would have been originally, (another) Donald weaves all day demonstrating to visitors in the weaving shed, and then through in the kitchen there are demostrations of spinning, making oatcakes and the day we were there how to make butter. Theres also a superb little tearoom selling good coffee and great homebaking!

Donald weaving Harris Tweed.

Butter making with a roaring fire in the background.

Looking down through the black village.

Callanish Standing stones.

Feeding the pigs at the Callanish Visitor Centre - really nice little place that do a great bowl of soup, coffee and cake!

Uig Sands, a gorgeous big stretch of sands of Lewis.

Surfers at Dalmore beach, this was probably my favourite beach, a little cove of golden sands, aqua sea and great waves - ooh how I wish I'd had a surf board! It was so hot I ended up sunbathing for the afternoon, stripped down to my bra and my jeans rolled up as there was hardly anyone else there!

We spent our last night on Harris camping at Scarista beach, shown in the first photo. We sat down on the sands with a bottle of wine and watched the sun set (more photos but taken in a different format, will show them later!). It was such a beautiful night, not a single soul on the huge stretch of beach, then, all of a sudden what pops up in front of us but two dolphins! They gave us the pleasure of watching them play for a good five minutes, you can't pay for scenery like that. It just rounded off our first few days perfectly, we were off to The Uists the next day, once we'd seen a bit of the east coast of Harris. I have to admit I was looking forward to a soft bed and a good shower, our second night of B&B....

More to follow on the Uists next week, see you all soon.

L x

Back to work!

2007-08-06T10:50:00.001+01:00

Back to work today after two glorious weeks of holiday. To say that we were both a tad stressed before we left would be a bit of an understatement, so our holiday in the Outer Hebrides was just what we were needing. We were lucky enough to get great weather the nights we were camping and met up with some really super folk.

The wildlife is quite amazing over there, and the beaches are just mind blowing, but more on that tomorrow.

As usual the work load has pilled up after two weeks away so we're going to be busy bees over the next few months. We've come home completely inspired by all of the artists living and working over on the islands so it's full steam ahead with building the studio and shop, I've put a deadline of the end of September on it................hmmm, we shall see, watch this space!

Will catch up with you all soon, in the meantime I'll just have to tease you with a couple of photos!

L x