Holiday in Oregon (home)

Nothing like the Oregon Coast to soothe the soul. It always brings out the struggling photographer inside of me.



I find the starfish are always willing to strike a pose for the camera.

And here we have the Biggest Gathering of Starfish Ever! Must be cuddling to stay warm :) And they seem to know how to colour coordinate to make it look like a work of art.

Too busy to stitch

There's a desire and a will, but lack of time. It's not that my creativity has dried up. Just the opposite! I have ideas oozing from me pores, but no time. Moving just now, going to Oregon in a couple of weeks, and of course the evil called work that owns my soul and demands too much of me.

Looking forward to Oregon and buying fabric and ribbon with Aspen for her book. Maybe I will have it finished for her 18th birthday? That gives me 8 years!

more Aspen's book

Packing up to move so putting away Aspen's book for a wee while. I have many pages partly completed. Need to find the motivation to finish before mid June when I visit her.

Other blog

I am not sure how to link to my other blog, but I have just posted a couple of pictures on it from my drive through Bronte country today. I will post some other pictures, but the connection is so slow tonight. Will try tomorrow.

Seems silly I think having two blogs. It wasn't what I intended, but I try to keep this one crafty while the other is about living in Scotland.

The blog name is The Markle Diaries, but the address is The Oak Tree Diaries. Long story!

butterfly for Aspen

Early on with beading butterfly. This will also be appliqued on to fabric for the book.

There's always tomorrow

I've come home after a hard day at work with all good intentions of working on Aspen's book, but here I sit. I think the sign hanging in my work space says it all. There's always Hope. If you don't have hope then what do you have? Here's hoping that tomorrow is a better day.

Aspen's book

I am making a fabric picture book for my grand daughter. I have just finished beading the angel. Found this lovely free pattern from Phee McFaddell

I still need to applique her to the material. She will be on the outside of the book.

This is some of the other bits of fabric and pictures that will be used to make crazy quilt pages. So much fun!

Grandmothers' quilts

This quilt was made by my Grandmother on my dad's side. It is actually a doll's blanket. I even remember when I got it! When I was young, my parents would allow me to open one present the night before Christmas Day. I have a vivid memory of my mother getting this from on top of a closet. It was a few years later that Grandma died so it became even more special. The quilt has been with me since. And through many moves, including to Scotland!

This is a quilt made by my Great Grandmother who lived in Arkansas. It has a much used look to it which makes it even more special.

Creativeness oozing!

Spent the weekend (three days!) creating and cleaning. Have made a good go at making my grand daughter's fabric picture book. Finished the beaded angel, cut all material for crazy quilt squares, and started the bead emboidery of the butterflies. All and all...productive!