Open Studios Sept/Oct 2016

So this is happening this weekend here at Higherford Mill 

Gisburn Road, Barrowford, Lancashire BB9 6JH

We are opening our studios again too
with refreshments and cake! 

of course!

Then these are taken from my holidays last week in the Highlands of Scotland. I went to have a rest and drink gin and eat choklit.

I was quite obsessed with the fungi which was fruiting everywhere and also the local wildlife. 

There were no pesky Eagles, Golden or otherwise and no otters or pesky otters or even beavers as we were close to where they were released in Argyle

There was also lots of lichen and also the mosses were amazing 

We got very excited at seeing this bird till we were approached by her handler as he was doing a display at the weekend and lost one of his birds of prey and was using his one to lure the other back. We were given a fab display by his hawk who was showing off for the 2 buzzards flying over head!

This dragonfly was sat sunning itself quietly until I came a long with my camera and took lots of pics. When I got home I downloaded them did I realised I was disturbing its tea.

More fungi

Baby wagtail

We fed the birds whilst having a picnic

and was serenaded by this beautiful robin

Rob Roys grave 

Loch Voil 

We did see some very marvelous Red Deer but we were traveling rather fast for photos
as we only really saw them really from the car. So evidence was needed

more fungi

This was from the bridge at Killin Falls of Dockart I thought it looked very much like a face especially when the rain drop hit the centre of the rock pool.

So on the way back to compensate for not seeing pesky eagles we went via 

Dumfries & Galloway to see if we could spot some Red Kites. 

Well we saw loads at the feeding station.

 And hopefully I will make time for me to do something with some of the
 1000 pictures I may of took! 

Watch this space....

But until then we have another date for the diary coming up too

RHS Tatton Flower Show 2016

Well its over for another year and well to say it was hot is an understatement!

 New slab rolled porcelain bluebell vases 

New porcelain slab rolled swallow vases 

 Parian slip cast vases with the boys 

Animal heads 

Apparently Tarquin is going the wrong way down the tree for a tree creeper

Terry the Tawny Owl was on his forever home 

My new dog heads was received well though maybe I need a selection for display. I have a commission for two already so that should keep me busy for a while. Well once I get the right crutches. Yes I have torn my Achilles tendon again but this time in the other leg! I have been given a zimmer frame until they can order me special crutches and I am also in a plaster cast unlike last time. Oh I am a numpty! 

Anyway here's my favourite bits of the flowery bit. 

Garden Library by Kelly Brown in the Upright Gardens

Garden Library by Kelly Brown in the Upright Gardens 

http://www.kb-gd.co.uk/

Prep for Tatton is well under way

It's two weeks to go before I set up for RHS Tatton Park Flower Show over in Cheshire. I am working like a demon to get things done alongside finishing the schools work in time for the end of term. 

So today I bought some drawers and old potato crates to hopefully turn into wall shelving watch this space. I turned my stand at one show into the interior of a shed which was in the back of my mind but maybe a bit more shabby chic this time we shall see more pics to come.

I have been playing with some very new wall pieces using up-cycled pallet wood with small porcelain plaques. I have only made a few so I will take them with me to gauge reaction but I actually like them alot and they are quite a nice thing to buy as presents or gifts. 

Linking in with the new bluebell vases.