The drive north and east from Ullapool to the Orkney ferry at Scrabster took us through a changing landscape. From a land of wild and barren mountains we found ourselves in rolling farmland of equally impressive proportions. The tiny farmhouses dotted about gave the vast vistas scale. We spotted peat being cut and left to … Continue reading Twinkletoes in Britain part 5: Orkney
In my last post I was on the Isle of Skye in June, summer hadn't exactly set in and it grew colder as we headed further north. We spent a night in a tiny place named Camas-Luinie and then a night in Garve on our way north to Ullapool. The road signs we followed were simply written … Continue reading Twinkletoes in Britain Part 4: Farm Lass
The weather has realised winter is approaching, daylight savings has ended and the Irish rain seems set to continue indeterminately, so perhaps over the next few weeks I will catch up a little on sharing photos and stories from this year’s travels. Once more, pretend it is summer in the Highlands of Scotland, although you … Continue reading Twinkletoes in Britain Part 3: Over the Bridge to Skye
I have discovered that it is infinitely hard to travel and stay up to date with blogging, so here is a post approximately 5 months late. Please pretend it is early June, the beginning of summer in Scotland, bluebells and foxgloves are blooming and the midgies are out in force. After almost a week in … Continue reading Twinkletoes in Britain Part 2: Into to the Scottish Highlands
London I arrived (some time ago now!) in London on a beautiful May day, the air was warm, the leaves were brilliant new season green and the air smelt familiarly English. A walk from Crouch End to Alexandra Palace gave my jet lagged legs a chance to stretch and provided a lovely glimpse of some … Continue reading Adventures in Britain Part 1: Spring in the cities
Clothing has the ability to alter our perception; of others and of ourselves. The outfit worn can change posture, confidence and mood. Wearing something light, flouncy and feminine will likely change a person’s behaviour when compared to that same person dressed in sturdy boots and tweed. It is generally men's clothing which is seen as … Continue reading Clothes make the (Wo)man
A year ago I helped renovate a house. The exact age of the house is uncertain, however it likely dates to the late 1910s or early '20s with some later alterations and additions. As someone who has a love of history, and particularly an appreciation for items which have survived to the present day, I … Continue reading 1948 Newspaper Excerpts, Part 1: Ladies Fashion Adverts
Anzac day has always started with attending a dawn service, but up until this year I have been a spectator – usually somewhere towards the back because I struggled to get out of bed in time. This year though I had a role to play in official proceedings at the Auckland War Memorial Museum Dawn … Continue reading Anzac Dawn Parade 2016
Sometimes I get approached for some very unusual commissions, and they are often the most fun. This was one of the more unusual ones to date… I was asked to make a jacket out of bus seat fabric. It was perhaps asked in jest, perhaps thinking ‘she wont be silly enough to accept’. But I … Continue reading The Bus Seat Suit
As a dressmaker there are three words you should never say to me, and they are 'there’s no rush', closely followed by the phrase 'when you have time'. I'm pleased to say that I have never missed a firm deadline for a project, but three years ago a lovely lady told me 'there’s no rush' … Continue reading The Howick Historical Village Dress
Tammy Twinkletoes 