Barn owl update!

Just a quick update on my previous post about the nesting barn owls...

There were only 2 owlets that fledged from the box this summer. This probably means it was not a great year for field voles around the farm or maybe the parent birds were a bit young and inexperienced for raising a larger family. Anyway the 2 young birds looked to be doing well and were off flying around the garden and fields by the time we left the farm! Hopefully they will go on using the nestbox in the years to come.

Departing...

Well the removal men eventually turned up and took most of our things away to be stored somewhere in the uk until we find them a new home. Meanwhile our time at the farm came to an end and we had to pack everything else we wanted to take with us into the back of the van! There wasn't much spare space in there by the time we finished!

The dog of course had her spot...a room with a view! Extremely well tied down dog cage positioned so that she could look out of the windows and not get too bored as we travelled.

And there was a tiny space left for this little guy...well we couldn't really leave him behind!

And then we were off....

So we're finally back chez nous in Scotland! It seems like we've been away aaages and in fact it was the best part of 3 months (!!) so it's not surprising. Now it's just a struggle to get back into the daily routine (disrupted by searching for a new house still) and get on with crafting new stuff!

Buttons

Buttons, originally uploaded by HollingdaleDesigns.

I know it's been ages since the last post but we are still in the process of moving so I've been a bit distracted. I haven't just been packing boxes getting ready to move though, I have made a few sets of buttons too!

Nesting Barn Owls!!!

Nineteen year ago when we decided to buy an old farmhouse in France as our full time home one of the first things I wanted to do was put up an owl nesting box. So, making use of an old tea-chest I found, I made a few alterations in the hopes that some owl might find it a desirable residence. It was placed up in the eaves of the large barn at the back of the house. After it was in place I bought a book about Barn Owls and was dismayed to find that the best design for their nest boxes was nothing like mine. So I was really pleased and surprised when one evening a few months after it was installed I saw a Barn owl fly out of it!! There were 5 owlets reared in the box that year!! This is what the box looks like today...


19 years on and it's still in place. Admittedly it is looking a little worn but guess what.... the owls are still using it!!! There is a pair of Barn Owls nesting there again this year! This means I get to sit in the comfort of my bedroom in the evenings and watch them coming and going and if my stay at the farmhouse goes on long enough (not sure yet how long it will be) I may even get to see the latest generation take their first flight!!!

Been a while!!

I know it's been ages since my last blog post! I've been travelling about but have finally come to rest for a few weeks in one place which will hopefully allow me to get back to the computer for a while! I've even had some time to make some things in polymer clay! Shame I couldn't bring a kiln and some glass with me as this is a great place for inspiration (more about that later)!!

Anyway, I've mostly been making buttons, of course, but have also managed a few things which I'm hoping will become components in some jewellery. The problem I have now is that I keep making and baking but not getting around to sanding and polishing!! This means the 'to-be-sanded' pile is mounting up fast! Took this photo earlier and then made 2 more batches of baked items which need to be added to the pile!!

OMG I came third - Delphi Art Glass Festival 2009!!!

I can't believe it!! I entered this dish a while back and had almost forgotten about entering. Then tonight I was just checking my e-mails and almost didn't check the one from Delphi. As it turned out it was announcing that the winners had been chosen and when I went to look there was my dish!!! Gobsmacked or what!!

Sunny Sunday!!

It was such a gorgeous morning this morning I took the camera out into the garden to see what was going on. Here's a few of the things I found...

There are more like these on my flickr photostream!