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A podcast for people who love knitting, Dorset Buttons, creativity & Scotland, especially the Highlands & Islands.
Welcome to the 3rd episode of my podcast – Island At The Edge, Part 1
Thank you for listening again or welcome if you are a first time listener.
The Weather
Summer hopped off away as quickly as it arrived & the April showers turned up bringing snow with them.
I talk about the term ‘Lambing Snow’ & ask if any of you know of its origin.
We’ve had a crazy few days of contrasting weather – snow, hail & sunshine all within minutes of each other. These 2 photos are taken in the same spot in Armadale walking alongside the sea wall.
Looking towards Skye & the blue sky.
Stood in the same spot & turning 90 degrees to look towards Knoydart experiencing a heavy snow shower.
We haven’t seen any wildlife this month although we did go on board the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust to learn about the different species in the Hebridean waters, their distribution & how to recognise them.
Making
I bring you up-to-date on my WIPs or were some of them really UFOs (unfinished objects)?
- Taliesen Jumper by Louisa Harding – Finished!
- Eigg Slippers from Rowan Magazine – Proving a bit more of a job than I’d originally thought.
That’s all the progress to date. Most importantly I’ve not cast on anything new!
I’ve signed up for “A Year in Techniques” by Arnall-Culliford Knitwear & this month it’s about intarsia with a shawl designed by Bristol Ivy. I’ve been content with vicariously knitting haps & shawls via Instagram!
Isla from Brit Yarn told me about her WIPs which I think offers good variety and maybe a way forward for me in the future.
Dorset Buttons
Lots happening on this front!
I’ve done 2 local craft fairs. The first one at Plockton, a beautiful coastal village on North West mainland Scotland, and at Dornie by the iconic Eilean Donan castle. I talk about what I love about these first craft fairs of the year.
I’ll be back at Dornie on Friday 12 May for another craft fair where I will also be delivering 2 Dorset Button Workshops.
On Thursday 27 April I ran a workshop for 20 ladies on a trip with Rowan Tree Travel held at Skyeworks, above the Isle of Skye Bakery.
All set up & ready to go!
I had a lovely afternoon with these wonderful ladies spreading the love of Dorset Buttons.
I’ve been working on a few commissions including some Dorset Buttons for a hand knitted fair isle cushion. It’s great to be asked to be part of somebody’s personal handmade project. And I’m also working on some Dorset Buttons for a local Bed & Breakfast. These are for the duvet covers to add a finishing touch to match the themed bedrooms.
I’ve had a workshop booking that I’m really looking forward to & a new TJFrog stockist – more to be revealed next month!
The big reveal is I’ve been accepted for Yarndale!!! Eeeek! I’m very excited & incredibly happy to have been selected as there are a lot of great wool businesses in the UK at the moment.
I have a lot of wool festivals this year as well as local events. As well as the craft fair coming up on 12 May I will also be at the Highland Wool & Textile Show at the auction mart in Dingwall on Saturday 27 May.
May will also see me visiting Dorset to do some research for a book!
I’m very excited how my business is growing this year, so thank you to all of you for your support & encouragement.
Local Lowdown
I start by reviewing the Local Lowdown on Episode 1 & 2
- Suzanne got in touch via Twitter to tell me I’d enabled her to buy a bottle of Misty Isle Gin.
- The Concert in the Coire – a 3minute clip I found on YouTube.
The latest event to draw your attention to is the Plockton Real Ale & Gin Festival, 19, 20 & 21 May 2017.
Skye Showcase
For this episode I travelled to Edinbane, North of Portree to visit Yasmin & Trevor of the Hebridean Isles Trading Company. Having come through a devastating experience they are rebuilding their lives and business. Their drive, resilience & positivity shines through. They have an incredible story to tell so this is Part 1 and we will be back for more!
Island At The Edge can be found at:
Website: www.island-at-the-edge.co.uk
Facebook: @IslandattheEdge
Instagram: island_at_the_edge
Twitter: @IslandAtTheEdge
The road sign, and the entrance to the croft.
The house!
The Hebridean & Black Cheviots
The best bit – getting to tickle the Hebridean lambs!
Dorset Button Brooch made with Yasmin’s wool.
Next month we will find out more about life at Island At The Edge.
Music – the music is One Frog For a Prince, by Ron Patton & licensed from Melody Loops.
Bye for now.
Facebook: @TJFrogSkye
Instagram: TJFrogSkye
Twitter: TJFrogMakes
Ravelry: LittleFrog
Tania, it is such a pleasure to hear all your goings on and that life is such a success. I well remember the beginnings of Dorset buttons! X
Hi Norma, thanks for you lovely comment. I remember the beginnings of my Dorset Buttons too – in your lounge! x
Tania – WHAT a lovely episode. I so enjoyed your talk with Yasmin – it was like sitting in a comfy chair listening in as though I was in the room with the two of you. I am so in awe of them building a house from scratch, even more so after seeing the photos on your blog. Lovely to hear that your business is going so well too. Really enjoy your podcast.
Thank you for such lovely comments. I enjoy doing the interviews face-to-face as it feels more intimate & authentic to me. Maybe that helps the listener to feel they are part of it too, as you are not the only person to say they felt like they were in the room!
Thank you for a wonderful class Tania, it was a great experience and I can’t wait to work on more Dorset buttons. Your class and our trip to Island at the Edge made our time on Skye even more enjoyable than just visiting the island. This episode was totally enjoyable, thanks for this too!
Thank you Anita. It’s great to hear you’ve had such a wonderful experience here on Skye & enjoyed your class & trip.