Monday, February 4, 2013

O! M! G!

I still can't believe it. But it's true. So true in fact that I just booked my flight. In August I will be flying to Scotland to take




at Big Cat Textiles in Newburgh. You might have seen Christine's post about the workshop. She mentioned it to me after we met in Cleveland last October when I took India Flint's workshop. I thought about it and, at the time, just didn't see how it was possible.

Fast forward to last week when Christine and I discussed it again during a phone call. Her excitement was contagious. I mentioned the class to my husband and even after making sure he knew it was in Scotland, was very surprised when he simply said Take it.

So I am. Woooooohoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also get to  spend a couple of days after the workshop exploring Edinburgh...which got me to wondering if any of you have traveled there and have a favorite hotel, B&B, restaurant, store, tourist destination, etc. to recommend. If so I'd love to hear!

16 comments:

  1. triff! see you there, then. the Botanic Gardens are simply lovely and there is a really sweet set of steps called "Granny's Green Steps" that go down the south side of the castle and get you down to the Grassmarket which can be an amusing place to be. and is near the Edinburgh College of Art.
    the National Museum of Scotland is a splendid place for a visit and the bookshop at the National Gallery is frankly a deathtrap.
    when i was there last year they put me up at the Novotel on Lauriston. no idea what it cost but it was comfy and if you ask for a top floor room it has a very nice view :o)

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    1. It will be great to see you again India. And on the other side of the table this time too. An extra treat.

      Thank you for the tips about Edinburgh. My husband & I were there...in 1998 or 1999 so it's been awhile and I'm sure much has changed. It will be fun to have 2 days to wander and explore. Get to pop in the arty type places without feeling too guilty. And there are always my little urchins to buy for. Can't go to Scotland for a week and return without gifts!

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  2. This sounds like a life changing adventure.....of the best kind.....wishing you continued and abundant joy!

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    1. Yes! I'd say this will be right up there with the Dorothy Caldwell workshop back in 2006 which changed the direction of my art forever. I've been wanting to create books since then and this workshop comes at just the right time.

      Thank you for your wishes of continued and abundant joy. May they be returned to you a hundredfold!

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  3. Jennifer, how Wonderful! Such an exciting workshop in such a beautiful country! I read about using 'the sense of touch to stimulate and awaken perception' and it's a mystic experience. Coming from me, usually a skeptic with mysticism, it's quite a statement but I can vouch for it. I am working on my paper homes and every morning, before I get down to work, I spend some time with my eyes closed, feeling the texture of the papers and the marks my previous work has left on them. You will live a thrilling experience, yayyy!

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    1. I'm a bit of a skeptic as well. Needless to say, this workshop will have me very much outside my comfort zone and that is good. No doubt it will be a life changing experience. And doubt my mantras of Just Do It and No Fear will be silently repeated often. Ha! There's nothing like challenging oneself...or it is one's self?

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  4. Yay you! That sounds like a just do it moment. What a wonderful opportunity - and a chance to just follow along and see where something takes you, and what you can make of it in your own way. I love Edinburgh (and Scotland - Fiona, red hair, Dempster) and am sure you will have a great time. Always good to have something to look forward to hey!?!?!

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    1. Loved your line of "Fiona, red hair, Dempster". May I follow it with I'm black Irish on my dad's side and Scottish on my mom's. Not sure where in either country the family is from, but there are several stories as to how our line of the Coyne family arrived in America...and none include Ellis Island. Ha!

      The workshop is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Have to admit though...since John was okay with me going to Scotland for a week, I did try sliding in a workshop in Australia next year. You probably heard his laughter over there. Seems he thinks one week would quickly turn into one month what with the stops to see you & Barry, Susan, Noela, maybe venture down to visit Ronnie...oh! and to just tool around Australia. He's not quite ready to handle the little urchins on his own for that long...not just yet.

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  5. What an adventure! You'll love Edinburgh and I agree that the botanic gardens are a gem. There is an old city underneath the city; they built on top of it after a great fire. Apparently if you are taken underneath (by special permission) you can see the old streets and houses! It has a real sense of history and layers upon layers; even in the upper streets. You'll also be there smack bang in the middle of the Edinburgh Festival so you will find a vibrant array of the best entertainment in the country; the Fringe element being the most interesting to artists. Wow! Have fun! http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on

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    1. Oh! Thank you Julie for reminding me of the Edinburgh Festival! My husband and I were in Edinburgh in 1998 or 1999 and weren't aware of the festival until arriving and seeing all the notices about it. Sadly, we were there a few weeks too early. I've wanted to go back for it ever since. Yahoo! Now I will be. Better book my hotel soon then.

      The botanic gardens will be on my must see list. I actually love botanic gardens. There's something so exotic, yet soothing about them.

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    1. Very much so. I'm trying to stay calm about the whole thing. Not really succeeding.

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  7. This is exciting news indeed! Please take us along for the ride, won't you?

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    1. As long as there's an internet connection where I'll be staying, I'll be happy to take you all along on the journey.

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  8. I have butterflies at the thought. This is something I would love to do. Have you seen Sandra's vimeo interview? http://vimeo.com/15062603
    When Sandra read the poem, There was a child who went forth.... " I thought yes! That is how I used to be as a child. You will have such a wonderful time! Take lots of notes to share with us when you get back :-)

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    1. I saw some of Sandra's work last year as part of FiberPhiladelphia and was drawn to her re-created idea board from her studio. It was fascinating! I'll definitely watch the video. Thanks for the link Robyn!

      Are you sure you can't join us for the workshop? What a great time we'd have.

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