U-turn and we love “Hugh”

Perhaps being delayed by traffic is not always as bad as you think ? Luckily we were able to U-turn and find a single track road to reach our destination. Travelling via moor, marsh, waterfall, cattle grid, sudden drop(s) and sheep meandering the road. You know the scenario - the type of road that is glorious in the Summer months and treacherous in the Winter, the type of road that takes you a million miles away in just 10 minutes . . . and simply a road we had not used in a long time.

There were certainly many sheep with lambs as we gazed at the scenery, and since it was most likely prohibative that we brought a “real” sheep home or took photos (the road had gotten rather busy due to others following our lead – well that’s what we liked to think !!) we discussed the adventure when we got home (with our young travellers who had also been in the car with us) using some of Lesley McLarens images and a rather cute little chap we found called Hugh. 

Hugh was created by Aileen Clarke and her talent fusing fibres and fabrics to create delightful Scottish scenes and use of colour, is something we like and thought it well worth a look ! Particular favourites of ours are “Hugh” the sheep and “Pretty Birdie“.

Etsy is also a great place to find creative people. A fabulous resource, one which we could trawl for hours, finding amazing creations, and a great source of inspiration. Try searching the group Handmade in Scotland and see just what creativeness is on offer.

Lemon

Similar to my last post but, I had to write and say that we have just had more home-made bread, although this time a wholemeal variety. I cannot believe the difference in taste. The Wife tells me that this bread has honey and lemon juice in it – fantastic ! Why would you do such a thing – to put honey in bread ? Why should I think this is strange, the proof in the eating equals very more-ish. How excited my taste buds are with this explosion of gastric delights. Then again, perhaps I am just easily pleased.

This image is now also available as a Greeting Card 150mm x 150mm square.

Fresh home-made bread

Isn’t it funny how the aroma of certain things can trigger a memory or thought ?

Well, the Wife made fresh bread this morning and boy oh, boy was it good ! The smell, the taste, the butter, delicious. I am told the bread was a basic white loaf enriched with egg. Why on earth had she not done this before ?

The aroma reminded me of far away places and warmer climbs.

The Wife tells me of the fantastic cafes and restaurants in her travels that she visited over the years, a senses delight. Whereas for me, the fresh baked smell took me to a street cafe in the early morning, perhaps just a romantic notion – I know – in reality, more like walking past the local bakers in the morning.

The Bread Recipe

(for a Kenwood Rapid Bake Bread Machine page 23/24 of the Instruction/Recipe
book that comes with the machine).

Greeting Cards – Art Cards from Rikki O’Neill

 

Greeting Cards - Art Cards from Rikki O

Looking for something different to write down a few lines to a friend, or send a unique Birthday Message in a vibrant and colourful card ?

Be one of the first to try our range of Art Cards from Rikki O’Neill.

Our greeting cards are sold in packs of 5,10, 25 or 50 and are supplied as a single design or as a variety pack. The cards are blank inside to allow you to personalise with your own message.

And remember to stop by again soon, with more Art Cards coming on-line over the next few weeks !

Post It Note – Quote of the Week

One of my favourite quotes from the Scottish Whisky distiller, Sir Thomas Robert Dewar (1864 – 1930). 

Edinburgh – Edinburgh from Calton Hill

We spent a few days in Edinburgh, the wife and I. And it was a very pleasant few days with family and friends. We visited the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile, somewhere I had not visited since I was young. It brought back many memories, and some new insight, as I was now of an age to have enough patience to read all the information supplied about the items on display and not just run around from exhibit to exhibit shouting, “Look at that !” or “What is that ?”.

So, if you are in the Edinburgh neighbourhood please visit the Museum, it’s great fun and children are welcome to play with replica toys of a past era.

 

Walking around the City and towards Princes Street, we also viewed some inspiring works at The Royal Scottish Academy. The Exhibition was from various Societies of Scottish Art, such as the RSW, VSA and SSA.

We liked a few of the more quirky displays such as a Periodic table painted to resemble a Snakes and Ladders Game, “Thinking Nut’s”, (Well, since my memory isn’t that great – I canny remember if that was the actual name of the piece or just what we called it !) Walnut shells with minute brass hinges, opened, inside each walnut - not nuts, but the human brain ! Disgarded painting pallets (from school art classes and the likes, one would presume) covered in paint, colours mixed, pallets grouped together and hung on display. A fantastic textural, 3D vista of light, shadow and colour.

We also loved the work of Jackie Anderson. A series of her paintings from her Scholarship in Trinidad and Tobago. Her paintings on cotton are on show from 14th March – 20th April 2008. A must see if you are in Edinburgh ! and also a rather beautiful landscape from artist Charles Anderson.

Summer Party Invitation / Kids Party Invite

Since the clocks have changed and the thought of summer tantalises us. (Well, here in Scotland it does – yesterday we had glorious sunshine then rain, progressing to hail stones, all in the space of about 15 minutes !!!) Here is a hazy, lazy sunny afternoon invite.

We have worded this example for a Kids Birthday Party, but we think it would also be a fantastic BBQ, School Fete, or Garden Party invitation - all you need to do is supply the wording you want when you order.

You can order from 20 invites up to 150 invites on-line now, and if you need more than 150 invites - send us an email and we can discuss your needs.

Winding Road Art Print by Raymond Murray

I just love the vibrant colours in Raymond’s paintings, and this picture I especially like becuse it always makes me imagine what’s round the bend in the road . . .  perhaps a great tea shop for a coffee and a bun, or a magnificent view, and no doubt some sheep and cattle on the road, me thinks !

This art print is available in two sizes,
Small 230 mm x 184mm or Large 500mm x 400mm.
This image is a limited edition of 195 pieces.

Wedding Stationery | Invitations | Art Prints | Art Cards & Gifts | Calendars

April Fools Day

Today is April Fools Day in the UK. A day of practical jokes, pranks, and fun until 12noon, where-upon the joker becomes the April Fool if tricks and hoaxes are performed after 12 O’clock ! Even the newspapers join in and print incredible stories and then publish an article the following day about the hoax and how many people found it.

So let me wish you all some fun and hilarity today !!