Shopping trip

Today I ventured into my local town centre, Elgin, for a spot of crafty shopping. My first stop was at Yeadons Booksellers, a fantastic independant booksellers and stationers. They sell an amazing variety of books and gorgeous staionary including french inks and paper, lush! You can visit there website at http://www.yeadons.co.uk/ I bought two books -

'Homemade' by Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson. It is choca block full of gorgeous ideas to get busy making. And, secondly the Knitter's bible by Claire Crompton. I have already found this useful. Two books I would recommend.

Then I paid a visit to one of the two lovely, independant wool shops, to stock up on yarns for making some pressies. I have started making some fingerless mitts today, they seem to be going welll so far. Does anyone else have knitting projects on the go?

Some summery photos

Some of friendly neighbouring cows.

I took these photos whilst walking the dog yesterday, the sunlight was amazing.

These beautiful sweet peas are grown by my neighbour, and they line the pavement. They smell divine.

These photos will soon be available to buy in my folksy shop.

Finding fellow artists and lovely folksy people

This saturday I visited the farmers market in Forres, Moray. I went hoping to find yummy food and to see if I could possibly have a stall there later this year. Alongside the stall selling yummy locally made chocolate (visit http://www.olivetreeofelgin.co.uk/ for more information) I found Carol Capaldi, a fellow folksy seller. She is based in Moray and makes unique jewellery with

polymer clay.

Visit her shop at www.folksy.com/shops/carolscrafts.

I then went to the Nairn Book and Arts festival, a yearly festival over a week that includes art exhibitions, readings, films, and workshops. I spent a few hours wandering around the art exihibitions and saw some fabulous work. There is the opportunity to enter competitions and more information can be found at http://www.nairnfestival.co.uk/

Currently on show at the harbour cafe in Nairn is work by Abigail Yardimci, she paints in a modern, vibrant style. Her work can be seen at http://www.abeeart.com/. Here is one of my favourites.

Home visits

Once again it has been a while since I last blogged. I have been back home, visiting my family in the town of Leek, Staffordshire. I love going home and seeing the hills of the peak district in the distance. While at home I was on the look out for local artists to let you know about, and I picked up a leaflet about the Great Dome Art Fair. It is being held in Buxton on the 24th and 25th June and is organised by Peak district products.

You can find out more information at www.peakdistrictproducts.co.uk It seems like a fantastic event which people can see work from so many talented artists and craftspeople all in one venue. I wish I was home to go to it.

I am currently visiting all the websites f the artists, so watch this space.

New artwork

Here are my two latest creations. I have been experimenting with a different way of using the soft pastels. I have used my finger to blend the colours really smoothly to create a hazy feel. I would normally then draw into the colour, but decided against it, what do you think?

Sweeping Sunset

Moray Firth Haze (Portrait, won't upload correctly)

All my pictures are available to buy at www.folksy.com/shops/AmyRose

Highland Open Studios

I recently picked up a pamphlet about the Highland open studios while buying some supplies at my local art shop. The open studios is a directory for finding and comissioning artists based in the highlands. There is a website at http://www.highlandsopenstudios.co.uk/. It also details when and where all the artists are exhibiting, including art trails to follow.

Here are some of my favourites from the website :

Sun on the Firth 1 by Claire Bois - http://www.clareblois.co.uk/index.asp

Dusky Squall over Raasay by Fiona Matheson - http://www.fionamatheson.com/index.asp

Sunrise delights over the Moray Firth

Whilst coming home from work last week I had to stop and photograph the amazing sunrise. The bank of cloud coming off the sea wasalmost compressing and intensifying the colours. I cant wait to draw this onto back paper to make the colours vivid.

I am currently working on two commisions which is why there has been no new pictures for a while. Its very exciting producing work that I know will soon be on someone elses wall. Although I feel there is more pressure to get it just right, does anyone else feel like this?