Gallery
Orkney Islands
Jellyfish on the Beach
We popped to the beach for a lunchtime walk yesterday, because Wren likes to go as often as she can and a daily dose of beach exploration does us all good. We were very surprised to find that the beach was covered in jellyfish of a few different varieties. We used to...
A Life by the Sea
One of the things that I love most about living in the Orkney Islands, (and there are quite a few!) is being so close to the sea. It is always there like a friend, inviting you to come and visit. I have loved the sea since I was a teenager and I had a long period of...
Wild as a Daisy – Raising a Toddler on a Small Island
Our big move to a little island off the coast of Scotland, is likely to have a big affect on our toddler. Unlike our other four children, her earliest memories will be of life here and the freedom that it offers. Her picture of the world is being formed from this...
Self-Sufficiency
Super Easy Basic Biscuit Recipe
I spent years looking for a simple basic biscuit recipe that would fill hungry tummies when there wasn't much left in the cupboard. This year, through looking at lots of recipes and a bit of trial and error, I have finally got it mastered. So I am going to share it...
Snow in May – The Orkney Cold Snap
Although we have heard about the lambing snow in Orkney, it still came as a bit of a shock - mostly because we were expecting it in April, not in the middle of May when we had all been out in t-shirts the week before! It snowed three days out of seven, but thankfully...
Dandelion Jelly
We love foraging and back in Cornwall we knew all of the best places to go for blackberries, hawthorn, sloes, wild apples, pears and wild garlic. Now that we're living in Orkney, we're having to start over, because we don't really know what is available or where to...
Craft for Kids
How to Make a Corn Husk Doll
After having a go at making a corn husk doll myself, I showed Lark (my 10 yr old) what to do, so that she could make one herself. She really enjoyed doing it and it's a shame that we don't have more husks, because I think that she would really like to have made a...
Two Easy, Summer Nature Crafts For Kids
We finished off a botany study with two lovely nature crafts. They were so easy that even my two year old could join in, so I thought that I would share them with you. It's also worth mentioning that they are a lot of fun for adults too! The first is printing onto...
Pewter Casting – A Birthday Bonfire
We tried pewter casting on a bonfire this week. The first of our children turned 18 and became an adult and we thought that a birthday as important as that needed marking with something a little bit special. Arwen has been wanting to do some work with metal for the...
Basketry & Natural Crafts
Making Baskets With Grass
A couple of weeks ago I was gathering some common rush in our garden, when I noticed some grass that was really fine and yet very tough. I had a feeling that it would make some great coil baskets, so I collected a small amount to try it out and left it to dry. I have...
Trying Out a Sea Urchin Basket
Up until now, I have been making baskets purely by trial and error. I think that is a great way to get started - you start to build a connection with what you're doing and also learn the questions that you need to ask. I also have to consider that we have very little...
Harvest Crafts – Wheat Weaving and Corn Husk Dolls
I decided over the weekend that I would try out some traditional harvest crafts this week. I remember seeing a display of traditional corn dollies when I was little, at a country fair in Buckinghamshire. I found it fascinating then. The designs are so delicate and...