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Orkney Islands
Out and About in the Orkney Islands
Although two weeks of lesson planning stopped me sharing on my blog, it didn't stop us from getting out and about in the Orkney Islands. It was my kids holiday fortnight after all and we had two wonderful days, exploring more of Orkney's Mainland. It's only a short 20...
Autumn Comes to the Orkney Islands
We have gone full circle in our new life in the Orkney Islands and as we celebrated the anniversary of moving up here, the seasons changed once again to autumn. This time though, I feel prepared to take autumn in and experience all that it has to offer. Last year, as...
Our First Summer in the Orkney Islands
Well it is drawing near to the end of our first summer in the Orkney Islands and autumn will soon be upon us once more. We have escaped the sweltering weather that mainland uk experienced for several weeks, but we have had lots of sunny and pleasantly warm days. There...
Self-Sufficiency
Getting the Garden Started for Spring
As soon as the snow melted, spring arrived on our little island and it has been gladly welcomed. Suddenly the air is full of the sounds of bird calls once again, the willows in our garden are bursting into a mass of fluffy white buds and there are huge drifts of
Having a Handmade Christmas
I have been very absent from this blog through December and the reason has been, that every spare minute has been spent making Christmas gifts. We have a simple Christmas. It has been a gradual process through the years - when I was a child Christmas meant sackfuls of...
Making a Hugelkultur Bed
Over autumn, I am working on a permaculture project with our kids. It is really important to us, that they feel a part of what we are doing here and the best way to do that is to get them involved. As I have a lot of winter veg seedlings waiting to go in the ground,...
Craft for Kids
Making Advent Peg Dolls
Making wooden dolls, has been a favourite craft in our house since we started making them last year. Since then, my kids and I have created lots of little characters. Some are just for decoration and others get played with everyday, but all had the same humble...
Using Charcoal for Paints and Dyes
An experiment with natural dyes turned into a fun activity for Wren (my two year old) this week, as she found out how to make charcoal paint. I had been experimenting with making heather dye for a few days, but having left it rather late in the season, was only...
Make Your Own Autumn Wreaths
Making a wreath to hang in your home is a lovely way to celebrate the seasons and it is also a lovely craft for kids of all ages to enjoy. Since moving to the Orkney Islands, we have been so much more aware of the change in seasons. In this big, unbroken landscape, it...
Basketry & Natural Crafts
Daffodil Dye and a Basket Experiment
April is coming to a close, but it has been a month of working with daffodils for me. This time last year, I was at the beginning of my journey of working with plants for basketry and dyes. I did collect some daffodil leaves as they faded, but I was keen to make as...
Baskets from my Garden
I have been spending some time this week, working with plant-fibres that I have gathered from the garden. Eventually, all of my baskets will be made with materials that I have grown and gathered myself. This idea of sustainable craft, is so important to me. I feel...
Build a Spring Nest Tutorial
Like many other people, I am really glad to see the arrival of spring. If you are hoping to welcome spring into your home, with a nature display or looking for a fun way to present easter gifts next month, then you might like to have at go at making a spring nest. You...