inspired by . . .

inspired by the beautiful bright moon
to do a quick doodleinspired by an earlier gypsy sketch

to try a bigger more detailed paintinginspired by autums colours
a piece i did last autumninspired

the cailleach bheur

whilst listening to the wonderful

celtic myth podshow

inspired . . knowing spring is on the way x x

If you are interested in ancient tales & legends

of celtic origin, a visit across to the

celtic myth podshow is an absolute must

* * *

never very good at planning, this is a new adventure to me

having a plan of action has given so much more focus

i think i could begin to get very used to this new way of thinking!

at last, i have been a working on my web site design, exciting !

and i do so hope to have it up by the end of the month

and remember i told you here, about the red-den,

we got held up last year but are due for opening

very, very soon, i shall let you know.
x x x

(see also the red-den studio links under snippets of)

happy new year. . at last!

wishing a wonderful happy new year to you all!

(i eventually made it onto my blog)

the snow and the cold has kept us busy

exploring & exclaiming

then the thaw and the greenery uncovered

and more exploring & inspecting to be done

we have cuddled sleepily round pinecone fires

melted the last of the christmas candles

and eaten the last of the festive food

and we have been making plans...

setting new ventures for this new year

i have re-drafted & updated my business plan

and now have projects to finish & targets to reach.

I shall share them here very soon.

i am feeling nervous & apprehensive,

but so excited and raring to go!

* * *

i shall catch up with you when i can x

decembers treats . . .

how wonderful, waking to sparkling snow

the perfect start to our christmas week

a peaceful, stillness settled all around

away from the hustle & bustle

this beautiful countryside

unspoilt and wild

and on closer inspection

tiny forests of frost

and tinkling decoration of icicles
dancing over the rushing streams

for the first time ever i am all ready, "early" for christmas!

as the evening falls, and we settle down in our wee house

for days filled with precious family time

i wish you all a very wonderful, smile filled christmas

x x x

velvet evenings & the magic begins . . .

in the countryside, quiet evenings

of the last month of this old year with the velvet of night time tucked around me

like a cosy & familiar blanket

my thoughts ran to the magic of christmas and i pondered times past, present & future

the giving & the sharing & the meaning. . .

those thoughts stirred others in my mind

i set about making (the 1st time since too long ago).

i have unburied my boxes of treasures

& began beading berry red hearts

and wondering what gifts i could make

with my bundles of richly coloured ribbons

i have brushing glittering gold

onto my christmas card designs

* * *

such enjoyment in the stitching & painting

and making things to give, with love.

and for me, its part of the magic of christmas

x x x

robert kirk . . . elves, faeries & fauns

a trailer for the intriguing, award winning, scottish film "kirk"

about a 17th century reverend, robert kirk, who believed in faeries

he wrote a book "the secret commonwealth of elves, fauns & faeries"

the film was produced by 17yr old michael ferns

where the wild things grow . . .

a world of tiny wonders . . .

(a faerie pup, or a giant mushroom? )

* * *
i am loving our wrapped up, breezy strolls

through woody places, over grassy meadows

watching as autum paints the world with burnished hues

* * *

fidelma massey . . . treasures

every once in a wee while my eye catches a glimpse

of treasures that make me catch my breath

and i did gasp when i saw the wonderful sculptures

by irish artist fidelma massey

creatures from her imagination

and yet they have a familiar feel to them

steeped in mythology & otherworldliness

they speak of times long past

or of wonders hidden just beyond our world

her site is so very worth a visit

many more treasure to behold

here

stolen time & the tale of a stolen child . . .

two weeks have disappeared in a blurry eyed haze

whilst i have mostly slept & dreamt the strangest of dreams

for the oddest of bugs knocked me right off my feet,

leaving me feeling as giddy as a . . .goat??

a wonderful excuse (whilst recovering) to catch up on reading

to doze & doodle & drink endless cups of tea

i discovered this hauntingly beautiful book, the stolen child

an ethereal tale of changelings hidden deep in the woods.

i was reminded of the beautiful poem by william yeats

& of course one of my most favourite & wonderful songs

of the same name by loreena mckennitt

a sweet surprise parcel arrived on my doorstep too

from a dear blog friend, jasmine of natures whispers

it brought such a smile to my face for in it were

this delicate felted tree made from natural fibres & dyes

& a bundle of other thoughtful lovelies,

a knot work purse, heather & shells & all sorts

do visit her blog for a peep at some of her beautiful work

* * *

oh my, its so good to be back

x x x

shetland and back . . .

home again from the far off shores of shetland

from days filled with music & wonderful hospitality

Mr O playing with irish fiddler manus mcguire

my oh so talented lovely sister -in -law marie fielding

days filled with wonderful scenery

wide open skies & regal seas

peat filled valleys & ruin strewn hills

with wee sturdy shetland ponies

and curious seals watching from afar

with centuries of history to discover,

from iron age brochs to ancient crofts

pictish carved runes to viking buried treasures

we stayed with the sweetest lady, Harriett

who shared her home & her deep love of the island & made our stay a joy.

* * *

travelling here & there these past few weeks, such things i have seen & heard

but i have missed our wee home & cosying in front of the fire

my fingers are itching to get back to the studio

* * *
see more of my shetland photos here
& others shetland photos here

here to visit the shetland museum

a christmas carol . . .

it is a little early to be thinking christmasy thoughts i know

but this is something i am so looking forward to . . .

a favourite tale of old . . . .the new "christmas carol"

animated movie by disney, and i had to tell someone ...

due for release in november

magical faerie wedding

deep in the forest tricia fountaine

weaves her magical spell

with costumes & flowers & love

for a peep at this fantasy faerie wedding

tiptoe over for a visit to

kiss the groom

or see more stunning work

of event organiser tricia at

by tricia fountaine design

costume & medieval magic . . .

we couldn't leave bath without a visit to

the costume museum

to soak up the details of old

and stumbled upon another unplanned treat ...

an exhibition of designs by "bill gibb"

whose work i have long admired, simply stunning

later we found the 13th century st marys church in berkeley

with medieval wall paintings that would once have glowed

and jeweled colours in its stained glass

painted bright by the sun's rays

and there just outside

the resting place of the very last jester in england a trove of treasures we unearthed on our travels

complete with a visit to see my eldest
all in all we had a wonderful time away
* * *
now its nose down to finish two commissioned pieces
until next time x x
* * *
more beautiful images of st mary's here