Lantern making workshops . . .

When word came that a lantern making workshop was being held in the local town hall, I couldn’t resist! I love nothing more than creating & making things and I had never tried lanterns before.

The workshop was open to anyone interested in making simple paper lanterns,

using cane, masking tape, tissue paper & plenty of glue. No experience necessary.

The day was organised by Colin & Pauline Saul & guided along by others

We willing volunteers soon became engrossed in our creations.

 So much fun & enthusiasm and so many wonderful ideas.

By the end of the day we were surrounded by crowns, fish. birds!

I think I can safely say a wonderful creative day was had by all.

All this lantern making experience is now being put to good use

as we all head out into the community to share our learnings with others.

The aim of this venture is to create over 500 paper lanterns

for the evening of 4^th June, when Kirkcudbright is holding, what will surely be,

a spectacular  fireworks display & lantern parade to celebrate the Queens Jubilee.

If you are anywhere near Kirkcudbright on that date do come by to take part,

there will be lanterns for sale on the evening, or perhaps you like the idea of

trying your hand . . . .well, it just so happens that on

 Saturday 5th May ~ 10 - 5 ~ in Kirkcudbright upper town hall

there is going to be another open to all "lantern making workshop" event !

I can't wait, I have a swan to finish, can u spot him above? Will we see you there? 

 I do hope so, it is such fun & turned out to be extremely theraputic too!

 If you cant' possibly make it, but love the look of lantern making,

you can find some excellent instructions on how to make the lanters here.

What brings you Peace, for heart & soul

Thank you everyone who shared your beautiful “deep peace" thoughts,

each and every word you left touched me so deeply.

I felt the connections strongly, read words that moved me,

Found writings written from the heart that bought tears to my eyes 

and peaceful thoughts that filled my heart to bursting.

Far to many words to share all here,
so I have gathered together a few of my most favourite
 I hope that they bring you as much joy as they did me.
*     *     * 

Here they are, some of your thoughts on what brings you Peace . . .

* Walking in the woods

* Hearing an owl call on a dark night

* Observing nature, looking, seeing, smelling, touching and feeling inside of bliss.

* Watching the sky, stars, clouds, falling stars, foxes.

* Standing on a cliff top, looking out over a wide expanse of blue.

* On a stormy night I lie in my cosy bed and listen to the sounds outside.

* Listening to the dawn chorus.

* Blowing kisses to the moon 

* Writing Small Stones, daily writing that capture a moment of focused noticing.

* Working in the garden, no thought beyond this plant, these roots, this branch.

* Walking, feeling the earth beneath my feet and a breeze on my face.

* My life at 65, freedom and time to pursue my loves.

* Moving tinkling silvery ripples of the many springs, streams and brooks.

* Being alone with my own thoughts.

* A good night's sleep - to wake up in the morning and all's right with the world.

* Knowing tomorrow will come, somewhere, for someone.

* The beauty of the music & the chance encounter of the starlings' ballet in the sky

 

*Knowing your place in the universe, realizing that the atoms and molecules that comprise of you're being were once the fiery guts of a star, the teeth of a T-rex, and the leaves of a Cyprus tree. 

 

* That feeling of being near someone without needing to impress them or fill the moment with much more than just being together. ~ by Mickie x

Are you feeling at peace now after all your wonderful words?

I do hope so.  Thank you all so very much for taking the time to share.

* 

I keep a little book filled with inspiring quotes & lovely images, it is my happiness book.  Maybe you do something similar, or perhaps it is a thing you could begin, if so, please do share your thoughts & ideas, we would love to know  . . . .

*

In the near future I will be blogging about my wee book & its contents, sharing some ideas & inspirations too,  so do watch this space x

 

The tea is made, the cakes are waiting, so do pull up a chair  
and I will reveal the winner of my give-away.

My boy kindly did the deed & picked out a name . . . .

so without more ado I am happy to announce the winner is . . .
 . . . .  Mickie Mueller!    Yay, congratulatios!

Mickie is a wonderful fantasy artist who paints magical beings,
do take a look at her lovely blog "Tales from the old wooden table".

What brings you peace, part 1

 As a thank you to all you precious & lovely followers.

I have here sat in my studio an A4 print of my newest creation

"Celtic Blessing Tree"  to give to some lovely reader.

Written around the tree is the Celtic Irish blessing "Deep Peace"

 So, to enter I thought it would be lovely to hear 

your thoughts on what brings you "Peace". . . .

For me is is being out in Mother nature,

walking in quiet woods, listening to the song of birds or 

standing on a sandy shore, the tang of the sea on my tongue.

  I do ask that you be either a follower of this blog, 

my inspiration blog "A faerietale of Inspiration"  or
my Ruthie Redden Artworks Facebook page to take part.

To enter please leave your "Deep Peace" thoughts below.

Open for comments until Saturday 31st March midnight.
( a special date for me as it was the day Mr O & I 1st met).
X

I so look forward to hearing what brings you Peace . . .

and thought it might be lovely to compile some of them

in a later post -  if you dont mind that is ;-)

x x x 

 (ps: The print is also for sale in my shop Mythweaver )

Celtic Blessings

Did I tell you of my wonderful visit to Groam House museum?

Last year we came upon it quite by accident on travels up North.

I do have to admit I had never heard of this treasure trove before!

A wee museum with a wonderful collection of Pictish stones,

I gazed at them in awe, the detail & design from so long ago.

And taking pride of place the remarkable Rosemarkie cross-slab,

(image below, bottom right) taller than me & decorated all over!

 We were lucky to catch an exhibition of work by George Bain   

who dedicated much of his life to discovering the techniques 

used by the ancient Celts to achieve their intricate knotwork.

Bain is often called the Father of modern Celtic design.

I love his work (see below) & couldn't resist buying his book !

Back home as i walked in the quiet woods, amongst tangles of branches
 i was reminded of the celtic knotwork I had seen at Groam House
and a painting of branches & knots began to stir itself in my mind
it in turn bought to memory this beautiful Celtic blessing . . . 

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.

(adapted from - ancient gaelic runes)
you can hear a wonderful version sung  here

and so was inspired my "Celtic Blessing tree".

Words & edges are picked out in gold and I love the way the 

light catches & glints every now and then, quite magical!

Finished at last & soon to be made into prints & cards.

* * *

Spring is in the air

At longest last I feel signs of Spring in the air as March appears

so lovely to see lighter evenings & misty mornings again

I am feeling as mad as a March Hare, so much to do so little time!
Paintings to paint for an exhibition, a vegetable patch to start, 
a pile of sewing, books waiting to be read, hmm where to begin!

A walk is always a good place to start dont you think?
 To breathe in the deepest lung fulls of pure inspiration!
Walking in our woods i spy knots of wood & twisted roots,

delicate lace like skeletons of leaves & entwined branches,

all the inspiration of Mother nature spread before my eyes.

It reminds me of the symmetry of the celtic knotwork i so love.

So March is here & there are new treasures to discover,
 the clocks will go ticking forward & there is Spring Equinox.
Very soon we will be tiptoing through bluebells in the woods!
What do you love about March?