Podcast Episode 1 – A Giant Leap into the Unknown

A podcast for people who love knitting, Dorset Buttons, creativity & Scotland, especially the Highlands & Islands.

 Update 2 March 2017 – The iTunes Link is now working!

Welcome to my podcast & the very first episode, a massive leap in a completely different direction for me.  With a background in training I’m use to delivering workshops face-to-face so it’s weird just talking into a microphone & wondering if anyone is listening.  I use visualisation to imagine you are all sat in front of me knitting or doing your craft of choice! Welcome.

Why a Podcast?

I listened to my first podcast in 2014, Louise Scollay of Knitbritish & not only did she energise me to get on with my WIPs (Works in Progress), a seed was sown that maybe I could host a podcast one day & share my love & knowledge of where I live, crafting & what’s important to me.  It’s taken a bit longer than planned to make it happen.  Finally it’s off the ground & I thank Louise for providing that first inspiration.

How will my Podcast run?

The plan is to run the podcast on a monthly basis.  This first episode is about providing  an insight to me, how I came to be living on Skye & I cover the different sections I plan to have on my podcast which include:

• Skye weather!
• Making & Dorset Buttons
  • what’s on my needles
  • WIPs
  • workshops
  • yarn festivals
  • reviews on events, books, yarn clubs
• Local Lowdown
  • featuring Skye news of interest
• Showcase
  • of the wealth of talent that exists on Skye & beyond.
  • interviews will vary to short inserts & feature length
  • this episode ends with a 10mins interview with a local artist.

My Background

I talk about visiting the Highlands as a child and how my love affair of Scotland took off following a stint working on the West Coast of Scotland.  Many years exploring Scotland & much winter walking so eventually led us to find a home in Scotland with a “wow view.”  And that ended up being Skye.  A place with stunning scenery & spectacular light & skies especially in the winter, as well as being a place with a huge amount of creative talent & activities happening.

Brought up in Dorset & taught to knit by my Nan & I loved many crafts at school although never pursued it to any level.  On leaving the Royal Navy I went on a knitting retreat to reacquaint myself with knitting.  Organised my Sue Culligan, who now runs Knitting & Crochet Holidays at her home in France and tutored by Debbie Abrahams & Jane Crowfoot I entered a world I didn’t know existed – the world of knitting.  I could not have imagined during that week what knitting would do for me as a person, the people I would meet along the way, the travels I would go on & how it would help me through dealing with the loss of my Nan who had been the start of my knitting journey all those years ago.

Through knitting I learnt to make Dorset Buttons, & so TJFrog was spawn.  Sadly I did not learn about Dorset Buttons during my childhood so I’m now interested in learning what I can & researching the history.

The Weather 

The weather is often a topic of conversation & I’ve become even more aware of the weather & changing seasons since living on Skye.  As I love the surrounding views in all different weathers, be it sunshine, rain or storms, I’ve decided to share with you some of my weather thoughts, what’s been happening with the weather over the past month & include a couple of photos.

Making

I think I already mentioned it – I love knitting.  I have a few WIPs although need to get them out & reassess where I’m at with them & I also mention my stash in passing – this will be getting love & attention in a future episode.  My last project worked on is a bag from a fishermen knits workshop during Shetland Wool Week.  I talk about what state it is in & my plans for it.

I used Frangipani 100% British Worsted 5-ply Guernsey in Deep Ocean.  They have 28 colours which are really beautiful, it’s worth getting a shade card.  Yarn with great structure & stitch definition.

Dorset Buttons

I talk about Edinburgh Yarn Festival on 10 & 11 March at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange where I will be a vendor for the 3rd year running.  If you are coming do come and say hello to me in.  I am in my own special place in where The Teapot Trust Classes are being run, just off the Concourse.  Download the vendor map to make sure you find everyone you want to visit.

I discuss my latest project – TJFrog’s very own special yarn!  This is a Dorset Poll & Hebridean mix from sheep who roam Dorset, where I was brought up, & Skye where I live now.  I have much to do to get this ready for launching at Edinburgh Yarn Festival.

Local Lowdown

I  briefly talk about a new craft gin Misty Isle from Skye.  I’ve yet to try it!  I’ll report back when I do.

Skye Showcase

I include a short interview (approx 10mins) with Emma Siedle-Collins a mixed media textile artist here on Skye.  Emma produces the most exquisite work & samples are shown here which illustrate the freeform stitching, use of different fabrics & the gold thread Emma talks about during the interview.

Emma will be demonstrating her talent at The Stitching & Sewing Show & The Scottish Quilting Show at Glasgow SEC 2 – 5 March 2017.  If you are there pop by her stand ZE12 & say hello.

Emma can be found online at:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EmmaSiedleCollinsmixedmediatextiles/

Blog:    http://emma-alittlebitofeverything.blogspot.co.uk

Etsy:     https://www.etsy.com/uk/people/escskye

 

Music – the music is One Frog For a Prince, by Ron Patton & licensed from Melody Loops.

I loved to hear your feedback on my 1st episode!

You can contact me via the contact form at the bottom of the page or via social media as below.

Bye for now.

 

 

 

 

Facebook:   TJFrogSkye

Instagram:   TJFrogSkye

Twitter:    TJFrogMakes

Ravelry:  LittleFrog

 

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