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Stravaiging

Stravaiging graphic

A visit to Farfield Mill

A few days before Christmas I was able to visit Farfield Mill to see their current textile exhibitions before they closed for the festive season.

What we did on our holidays

Christmas 2024 was spent in Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales (in northern England). We booked a week in a wee first floor apartment with woodburning stove on the southern edge of the green in the village of Reeth. We have visited before, together and separately, but never stayed a night.

Chocolate Orange Bread

Because we all need a little escape, and hiding in a chocolate infused bubble works briefly.

Falling leaves, slowing down

We are all just creatures, all of this planet, and only nominally in control of our bodies at any time. And if we are also all stardust, why do we expect so much of ourselves and of others? Isn’t it a feat that we can tie our own shoelaces, let alone use mobile phones and TV remotes? Why do we push onwards, feel guilty about extra coffee breaks or not ticking adequate numbers of things off lists? Where are we trying to get to?

The Border Tart’s Retreat in March 2025

This post is solely about the retreat I am planning for March next year. It is now open to all and there is a copy of the application form below to download and complete, if you would like to participate. It sets out the cost per attendee and the payment schedule. 

How you live your days...

...is how you live your life.

Mellowing?

I've been musing on my age. Not in a mournful way but choosing to embrace some of the changes the passing years bring.

Tart Retreat in 2024

This post is solely about the retreat I am planning for May next year. It is only open to newsletter subscribers so if you are a blog subscriber only then pop over to the website home page and sign up for newsletters to be eligible.

Blooming?

Summer takes me by surprise. Every day recently I have woken to the suggestion of, or actual, sunshine. It seems such a long time since the northern UK had this long a spell of warm weather. The many light hours are enriching and full of promise with early mornings and late evenings the loveliest.

Back to Lewis

The week before last was spent in the Outer Hebrides. We drove up to Ullapool, building in dog walking stops and a late picnic lunch at the edge of a forest. The crossing takes two and half hours across the stretch of water known as the Minch. It can be challenging around each equinox with high seas running but we travelled in reasonable comfort, thankfully.

Cake is always a good idea

Yesterday I had a wee cooking session and one of the outcomes was Mozart Cake.

Messy, unfocused, curiously stressful.

WARNING - Stream of consciousness ahead.

Two Northumberland Beauties

In October I wrote about being in Yorkshire. In that same North of England trip I also caught up with two rather talented women who run businesses closer to home.

Surfacing

Books. My little world would be much smaller without them and I know I am far from alone in that feeling.

Glimpses of the Past

Last week I had the good fortune to be in Halifax.

Courgette Cake Season

I like cake. Specifically I like interesting cakes/loaves with lots of flavour. (No Victoria sponges here, thank you, and buttercream about once a year)

Blissful Blues

I'm encouraging you to share the calm and beauty of natural indigo today, with a collection ranging from traditional boro to contemporary weave and block print.

Close to home

You may know I have a soft spot for the church on the corner that I pass so frequently when out with Bruce. More specifically a fondness for the churchyard itself.

Exploring Berwick

Ok, I am biased. I don't live far from this most northerly English town (although in another country) and have always had a soft spot for it. As with so many places, its once thriving main street (Marygate) is a sad shadow of its former self but there are many gems to be found.

Time and Tide and Tapestry

In April we travelled to Orkney for a week of wild weather and wide horizons. Catching up with old friends was fun, and for me seeing what I recognised after three decades away was always going to be interesting.

bordertart

Making time for creativity…
It may look like my life is full of it - stitching samples, designing kits, printing, creating tours et al.
But time for me stuff is always limited, and too easily squandered.
This morning I watched Jane of Snapdragon Life as she ran an hour long session entitled About Time. She spoke such good sense!
☀️
Good morning! 
…..
Sunshine, birdsong, peace
…..
More precious than ever
A very fine extended Sunday brunch and knit/stitch session with pals, followed by a less fun weed-attacking session chez Tart. 
These irises ask for nothing and delight me every year 🤗
🌻🌸🪻🌿
I’ve missed my stitching! 
Working on a little sample for a new mini kit, listening to birdsong (and unprovoked barking🐾) on a sunny Friday afternoon. 
Simple pleasures 🪡🧵
I succumbed to some lovely wool threads naturally dyed by @woollenflower when I saw her last week.
Together with salvaged flowery tissue paper from a wee @asapoth purchase they make a pretty picture with another treat to self.  @porridgebrain Josie George’s new book was waiting for me when I got home 🤗
The inspiring studio of Jane Harlington, @bluepigstudio 
One of my favourite memories of the Outer Hebrides tour🤗
💙
Home from tour, via @tangledgalashiels where I fleetingly caught up with lots of vendor friends. 
Didn’t hesitate over this lush shade by @caithnessyarns from Graeme’s happy sheepies!
💙
Twist twist twist
Hooray, nearly done skeining up from my recent indigo session.
All that potential
Lots of 🧵🧵🧵 listed in the shop now🤗

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