The Track and its myriad visitors...

I collect most of the material for my cards from a woodland track which was once an old railway line. It is particularly lovely at this time of year -lush and green with countless wild flowers and many types of birds. I have been lucky enough to see wrens and woodpeckers this year at feeders that I have placed at points along the track and have spotted tree climbers too who are great are fun to watch as they hop up the ancient caledonian pines. I had hoped to have lots of photos of the track this summer but alas so much rain... Hopefully we'll get an Indian summer later on. What you cannot see from the above photograph is that while walking along this old line the sea below you on one side. On a windy day it is hard to tell  the song of the sea from the windsong in the trees as the waves billow and the trees bend. I love it.

The red squirrels that appear regularly are so lovely and very welcome (long may the greys stay away). This little fellow was very clever, opening the nut holders from the top so as to get drier and fresher peanuts.  He was fully aware, if wary, of me.

Reunion

She will set

her sail and

cast of this

fine ship

with its

billowing canvas

and the brasses

on fire

perfection in

the dying sun

she will come

and till will

be kind to you

for even though

seas and seasons

time and tides

have driven

you apart

she will find

you and 

return to you 

her heart                                                                                                           

(c) lorraine bruce

(written in response to leaving my island home many years ago)

Patience Lies Sleeping. A boxed poem inspired by an old railway line and the churchyard at its end.

At dawn one can only guess

at universal secrets,

magical mysteries, a

seasoned grace and all that

embodies spirit of place.

and patience lies sleeping

lies sleeping, lies sleeping

patience lies sleeping at

the end of the track.

Patience lies sleeping

lies sleeping , lies sleeping

Patience lies sleeping with

with jack at her back.

not for her the kissing gates

clandestine tete a tetes

nor for her the curlews cry

not for her the blue, grey sky

with three swans streaming.

Not for her the Bluebell wood

waiting to exclaim, not for her

the stichwort, garlic, celandine

and thyme and

burns flowing without name.

For patience lies sleeping

lies sleeping,

Patience lies sleeping

at the end of the track

a dove at her head a

wren on her breast

Patience lies sleeping

At rest

At rest.

(c) Lee bruce.

Bird Baths and The Downfalls of Scotland in the Summer.

Clearly I have a way to go with this blogging business - I am still trying to figure out how to spread the word re. This blog... Today is another grey day but warm, I cannot be the only person in the north of Scotland hoping for some sun. Will be on vitamin D supplements for winter if we don't get some of the real stuff soon!

Lots of birds in the garden who are making great and entertaining use of the bird bath. Except that the baby birds get confused and just sit there for ages until they get the idea at which point there is a flurry of sprayed droplets and much preening. Have not seen our resident collared doves, Mac and Mabel for ages and hope they have not deserted us.

track*works boxes.

It was a grey day again today and was stormy last night with lots of wind song in the eves, this also means lots of old branches will have fallen - gifts for my cards and for our fire. This little box was a wedding present and the map fragents are of places dear to the couple who recieved the box. It was received by a delighted Cristina:

"A stunningly personal artpiece, which said a little something about both myself and my husband. Totally unique to us. We love it! A great gift idea!"

You Are Like A Silver Fish, In And Out Of My Mind

This simple little card is one of my most popular. I found the words in a book of days in the waiting room of a Dental surgery where I was working 40 years ago (am no spring chicken...).

Something A Bit Different

This is a new venture for me. These cards are made from a mixed media of acrylic paint gesso and marvin medium, the surface is layered and textured and may in time include images and text.

Seascape

This little island is made from the leaves of woodrush, which grows in abundance along the track while the trees in the foreground are comprised of moss or lichen from fallen branches. Moss and lichen grow beautifully in the clean air up here.

Slides

This design consists of handmade paper and lichen/moss from fallen branches of alder and birch (or any highland trees). It also features silver leaf. Consistently popular, this card design regularly sells out of stockists. It gives me great pleasure that this design, and others, have winged their way all over the world as from the Orkney Islands and the Outer Hebrides to as far afield as Russia, Australia and the States.

A Small, Affordable and Unique Way To Stay In Touch.

This is a hugely popular card design. It can consist of up to 26 separate fragments. Each card is therefore always unique - I have literally never made two the same. They consist of map fragments, handmade papers, leaves, silver leaf and birch and alder bark - trees known the great protectors in myth and tradition.