TJFrog Leaps into 2015

I am not one for making New Year Resolutions although as one year passes into another I tend to have a ‘To Do’ list for the forthcoming months.  Top of the list for 2015 is to focus on taking TJFrog forward, and with us now fully ensconced in our Skye home it’s time to get immersed in the inspirational surroundings we are so fortunate to live in and take forward my creative ideas.

After many years of visiting the Highlands & Islands, our move to Skye has been the most significant change for me in 2014.  Our house purchase came about in August 2011 although not able to immediately move to Skye, due to ongoing commitments, we set about visiting every few weeks, exploring the area & developing plans to upgrade the house.  The renovation started in September 2013, completing in June 2014.

Regularly driving the 1200 mile round trip to check up on house progress gave lots of thinking time for TJFrog, and with the start of the New Year I have begun to take forward my plans.  Over the next few weeks you should start to see some changes on the website with additional feature pages and more blog posts focusing on Dorset Buttons, knitting, some of the many enterprising people who live on Skye and living in general amongst this stunning landscape and the surrounding area.

With these developments TJFrog is also doing a lot more making and will be attending craft events.  There is a great arts & crafts community in the region and, in November, thinking ahead to my own involvement in craft fairs, I took the opportunity to visit one of the many craft fairs that take place, this one being at the Dornie Community Hall.  A beautiful, still day I took time out to enjoy these stunning views from it’s forecourt:

The fabulous setting of Eilean Donan Castle.

With a further fabulous view looking across the A87 bridge over Long Long as it meets Loch Duich.

I met some great people and made lovely purchases including goodies from Ardelve Bakery and silver earrings from Sea Charms.  Of course I couldn’t leave without some yarn and so I just had to have some hand spun yarn from Spindrift Creations, with a beautiful array of colours reminiscent of those we see in the sky on Skye.

A couple of weeks later I had an unexpected opportunity to attend my first craft fair as a stall holder at  Eilean Iarmain’s Art Gallery – Talla Dearg, Isle Ornsay, Skye.

It comprised of a number of local makers alongside a fantastic baking stall and raffle for the Sleat Nurses’ Fund.  As my first outing with my Dorset Buttons it proved to be a great learning experience and many thanks to everyone who made purchases and for all the encouraging feedback I received.

With 2015 now upon us TJFrog is taking a giant leap and is incredibly excited to be taking part in the Edinburgh Yarn Festival 14 – 15 March 2015 as announced today! Wow, I feel really fortunate to be part of this event that will form the beginning of taking TJFrog forward.  Hope to see you there!

Bye for now.