Hot Off The Press...

Thanks so much to St Andrews Citizen for featuring me in a lovely lifestyle article at the weekend! I've been caught up in all the busy-ness of doing lots of commissions this past few weeks and the interview was a great chance to catch my breath and reflect on the everyday blessings of doing what I love for a living!

Also, I'm back in Edinburgh this weekend - if you get a chance and fancy an 'Out Of The Blue' jaunt to Edinburgh, please drop by and see me at this event.... x

Inspiration - The Perfect Coastal Wedding....

Wedding season is finally here...and many of us will be organising gifts for loved ones who are getting ready to tie the knot! Or, if you've just got engaged you may be planning the 'Best Day Of Your Life' right now by taking inspiration from gorgeous wedding features in the summer magazines...

While some weddings will follow a very traditional route, the 'Big Day' can provide a special opportunity to reflect the unique pleasures and passions of the Bride & Groom.  If you - the happy couple -  are in love with of the seaside, why not incorporate a few coastal elements into the theme of your Wedding Day, or add a special seaside-inspired gift to your Wedding List....

A Gorgeous Beach Bride...

Beautiful, beachy wedding style - image via here

The perfect coastal wedding dress is gorgeous, floaty, romantic, a little bohemian and very relaxed.  You could choose a mermaid tail design, a floaty baby doll or long, fluid gown? Add a pair of pretty, silvery sandals, pearls and tousled beach hair for the ultimate beach bride style.

A Seaside Tipi...

Get back to nature by hosting your reception in a beautiful waterfront tipi!  You can hire these beautiful alternatives to a marquee from Highland Tipis.  

Sea Pottery Hearts - The Stationery Suite...

Save the dates, thank you notes, the invitations and entire stationery suite provides a wonderful opportunity to include, unique and pretty coastal style.  Why not send your invitation as a message in a bottle?   Also, you can enquire about using my 'sea pottery hearts' as part of the stationery design feature. I already produce the hearts in a range of note cards!

Wedding Gift Idea:  My 'sea pottery heart' collection is produced on pretty mugs, coasters and mounted prints - perfect for the coast-loving couple!

The Bridal Carriage (and the Honeymoon Suite!)

Image via here

If you love - or dream of - scooting along coast roads in a campervan, this could be the perfect way to get around on your wedding day!  Then, when it's all over, sneak away to your cosy, beachside camper for an unforgettable wedding night...

Memories & Mementos....

Great Gift Idea! Enjoy every opportunity to remember your special day by commissioning a beautiful and bespoke, hand-painted ceremaic plate - I can include elements of your big day and a few more of your favourite things! 

Find out more about collections and bespoke designs by Karen Edward @ Funky Scottish over at my main website - www.funkyscottish.com.  You can also visit my store at Etsy OR come and visit my Funky Scottish studio-gallery-boutique on the High Street in Pittenweem!

3 Ways To BE Little Ms/Mr Sunshine!!!

Hand-painted Ceramics by Karen Edward @ Funky Scottish

You've probably heard the term 'be the change you want to see in the world'.  Well, this is similar...be the sunshine you want to see in the world! Here in the East Neuk, we've been so lucky with a few days of sunshine - it seems to put everyone in a more optomistic, relaxed mood!  So, keep up the momentom - here are 3 great ways to attract 'that holiday feeling' into your life and spread a little sunlight of your own...

Keep A Happy Journal

Sea Pottery Collection by Karen Edward @ Funky Scottish

Keeping happy notes or a gratitude journal - writing about only the good stuff from your day - is a great way to feel positive.  It even gets your brain working to remember the little blessings and reasons to be grateful, each and every day...come rain or shine. You can also just write out happy lists to get into a positive frame of mind. Include even the little things; a hot shower, phone call from a friend or the sound of birds tweeting outside your window! So sit down with a cuppa, a notebook and start thinking happy thoughts...

Be A Tourist In Your Own Town

Footloose...

When the sun comes out, do you notice how many of us find a way to postpone the housework and long hours at the office?  Suddenly, we find a little time to kick off our sandals, relax in the garden or wander down to the beach.  It feels so good to slow down and enjoy simple pleasures, as if we're on holiday.  So, try to make it into a regular ritual.  Just a little time every other day for genuine 'down time' will help you to feel brighter - maybe a short walk in a peaceful spot, get caught up in a good book, wander round your local independent shops to source ingredients or treat yourself to a trinket...and catch up with loved ones over a relaxed dinner...

Let The Sunshine In 

Hand-painted Ceramic by Karen Edward @ Funky Scottish

When our surroundings are bright and inspiring, we feel happier! So, artfully present treasured mementos from your travels, display a vase of your favourite flowers in a place where you'll see them lots and add a splash of colour here and there with pretty decorative features and furnishings. 

Do you have any special ways to bring summer into your life...whatever the weather!?  I'd LOVE to hear from you!

Meanwhile, find out more about the sun-drenched collections by Karen Edward @ Funky Scottish over at my main website - www.funkyscottish.com.  You can also visit my store at Etsy OR come and visit my Funky Scottish studio-gallery-boutique on the High Street in Pittenweem!

Sunshine On Edinburgh....

  

'A Brighter Outlook' was the cheerful name of the Edinburgh exhibition I took part in last weekend - and as it turned out, we had perfect summer weather to match!  Following lots of preparation, I spent the weekend happily showcasing a selection of my work alongside a talented trio of artists, Sonas Maclean, Kate Shearer and Alison Midson.  We were exhibiting in the beautiful space at Dundas Street Gallery and I'm pleased to say the show was a great success all round! It was also a great pleasure to make lots of new contacts, including clients requesting commissions and galleries enquiring about exhibiting my work!  As we packed up on Sunday, following a sunny weekend in the capital,  I did indeed return home with a brighter outlook....

A Brighter Outlook (Thurs 23 to Sun 26 May)...

Just a wee reminder about our exhibition, next weekend in Edinburgh, a great excuse to brighten up your weekend by enjoying art in our gorgeous capital city! x

Art of The Island - Introducing Pat Morrison (Isle of Mull)

Pat Morrison - Footloose

As promised, this week I'm featuring one of my favourite artists - Pat Morrison, who is an old friend from my favourite island - Mull!   Pat and her husband Iain also have a very cool resturant, Am Birlinn at Croig, near Dervaig on the island - well worth a visit if you get the chance!  Meanwhile, here's Pat's profile, plus lots of images of her fabulous work....

ARTIST PROFILE - PAT MORRISON

Pat grew up in Prestwick, Ayrshire.  While her parents had ambitions for a great career in hairdressing - she has nothing against barbershops - her artistic bent took her to Edinburgh College of Art.   She graduated in Drawing and Painting but was drawn to Tapestry Weaving and studied under Archie Brennan, Artistic Director of the Dovecote Tapestry Studios at the time.

On completion of teacher training, Pat applied for work on Mull and became peripatetic Teacher of Art in 1970.  Known as "Miss Sparkly" amongst her pupils, she braved the Mull winters and roads travelling between schools on her Honda scooter.  Luckily, none of her minor skirmishes with the island potholes caused permanent damage.  She married a Mulleach, Iain, and decided to stay.

"Pat must have patience of inexplicable proportions!" - Iain

Interested in pencil drawing - especially trees and Mull landscape -  easy access to seabird life led her to drawing feathered wildlife, particularly puffins and their many relatives on the Treshnish Islands, but tapestry is still her favoured medium.

"Tapestry is crazily labour intensive as a process, economically suicidal and some people have even suggested it's redundant, but it's not abnormal" - Archie Brennan

Pat Morrision - Wee Tree

Pat Morrison - Birlinn

Pat Morrison - Blackthorn

Pat Morrison - Lunga Seapinks

Pat Morrison - More Seapinks

Pat Morrison - Silly Sheep

Pat Morrison - Seapinks & Lichin

Pat Morrison - Rainy Road

Pat Morrison - Rainy Road 2

Pat Morrison - Wee Hawthorn

Pat Morrison - Windy

Pat Morrison - Forestry

Pat Morrison - Tree

Pat Morrison - Sunset

Pat Morrison - Spring

I Love, Isle of Mull...

I heard recently that if you're lucky enough to live by the sea, you're lucky enough.  So, I feel I'm double blessed.  I get to live on the east coast, in pretty Pittenweem.  Then, when it's time to take a holiday, I can't resist visiting family on the west coast's magical Isle of Mull.  The Scottish coastline has been attracting artists since time began - and Mull is no exception.  In the next post, I'll share the work of one of my favourite Mull-based artists, Pat Morrision.  Meanwhile, if you're looking for a tranquil escape from everyday life, I'm willing to bet you too will love the Isle of Mull!  Here are a few ways to make the most of the island....

Stay...

My friends, Reg & Sue, own a lovely B&B in the village of Pennyghael. Go to  www.craigrowan.co.uk.  If you want a base in Tobermory, you can stay at Strongarbh, a boutique B&B overlooking the bay.
 

Visit...

The view seems to say it all but there's actually more to Glengorm Castle than meets the eye, including a coffee shop & gallery, farm, wildlife project and beautiful walks around the grounds and beyond.

  
Tobermory Chocolate is also well worth a visit - try from a huge hand-made selection!

Picnic, Walk & Wild Camp...

Calgary Bay is the home of one of Scotland's most breathtaking beaches.  On sunny days, you might momentarily imagine you're on a Carribean island! Local children used to have their sports day on the beach - can you imagine a more idyllic place to grow up?  The area is also immersed in a rich history which further compliments the atmospheric beauty of this place.  There's a fabulous wild camping spot at the edge of the bay and plenty of places to picnic too!

Eat....

This gorgeous cafe is run by two sisters, who receive the day's catch from family boats landing beneath their balcony. Find out more at www.thecafefish.com

Eat some more...

With family links to Isle of Mull Scallops, I couldn't miss the chance to promote their delicious produce....

And, there's the mouth-watering produce of the Tobermory Fish Company!  Is it any wonder I love the Isle of Mull?!?

Go...

If you're already planning a visit, you can get there by the glorious Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries.

Just remember to send me a postcard....

x