Monday, August 3, 2009

Double Take - Take 4: Scotland! and Take 3: Finishes

After the tour with our needleworkers ended, Chris, Kim and I flew up to Edinburgh to spend a few days. What can I say, but stunning! The cities and towns, the landscapes, the green colors, the patriotic rush of freedom with William Wallace; all make Scotland a fantastic place to visit.
We strolled the Royal Mile more than once,

Scott Memorial down the Royal Mile...

toured Stirling Castle and the Wallace Memorial -well worth the climb up,

One of four tapestries hanging in Stirling Castle.....

Wallace Memorial - slim spiral staircase to the top - so inspiring to hear the real story behind William Wallace and all those who contributed to Scotland's freedom

went for a scenic ride out in the country up to Loch Lomond -breathtaking- stopping along the way.

Scottish countryside - isn't this gorgeous??

One cannot go to Scotland and not see the requisite bagpipes and kilts... very moving

Really old bridge....

More countryside...

Then we toured Edinburgh Castle and I went to Rosslyn Chapel in the afternoon.

Edinburgh Castle...magnificent

Royal Symbol of Scotland found in Edinburgh Castle


Rosslyn Chapel - this gives you no indication whatsoever how intricate the carvings are inside....truly remarkable... this chapel was in the Da Vinci Code.

All were so picturesque, it was mind-boggling. My absolute favorites, besides the countryside, were the Wallace Memorial and the Rosslyn Chapel. Pictures aren't allowed inside the Chapel and scaffolding is everywhere on the outside, so it's hard to appreciate the utter beauty of all the carving inside. It really is spectacular. I would love to go back one day and see more; maybe one day!
Thus concludes a wonderful, whirlwind trip through bits and pieces of Europe. Thanks for taking the ride with me and leaving me such wonderful comments. They are all much appreciated. :)

Now to a few finishes...a needlebook for Kathy K. for our beach meeting; she's received it now, so ....



Quilting, the headless wonder, is no more - she's fully able to quilt now and is ready for some summer Reading...


Cute as a Button, a darling pouch kit from Susan Greening Davis....


And lastly, progress on a few WIP's...
Secret Garden 3 -


Travel Sampler -


Thanks for stopping by...everyone have a great day!

32 comments:

Brigitte said...

I was following your trip through Europe and from what I could see in the pictures it must have been gorgeous! Thanks for sharing all the lovely pictures.
Very nice progress pictures.

Dawn said...

Loved the pictures of the tour through Scotland.....its beautiful up there. The land of my Dads ancestors.

The little quilting piece is lovely as is your other stitching pieces.

There is a litle surprise on my July 31st blog for you.

Dawn
(UK)

Sadie said...

Beautiful pictures Carolyn, I'm so glad you had a great trip.
Love your stitching, congratulations on the finishes :-)

5 Foot Runt said...

Your stitching looks great and that was such a nice thing to do for Kathy. I can't believe all the beautiful shades of green. It reminds me of a sister at church who was a missionary to Nigeria. She had brought back pictures from her time there. You would be amazed at the greens there. Almost everyshade you can think of. It just popped because the dirt is this beautiful red. I've never seen such a red. Such a nice blessing for you. I'm glad you shared your pics with us.

Faye said...

These photos are so nice. Makes you feel like you are right there! Way to go on the finishes too!
Faye

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

How wonderful! I have always longed to see England/Scotland and Ireland...
Your trip looks fantastic!
And look at all those WIP! Fantastic progress on all :o)

Emily in NC said...

Certainly have gotten alot done even with all your travels. Scotland pictures are fantastic, maybe will be able to go someday. So beautiful

Sherry said...

Oh my! Your trip was just wonderful! I am speechless by the pictures! Lucky you!

I love the Quilting finish!

Mzplcdokie said...

I loved reading through your travels and especially loved Scotland shared. I so want to go back to Scotland to visit. Edinburgh was one of my frequent trips while living in Dunoon.

Sew Sew Special said...

Awesome pix of your trip!! Ive been wanting to go and visit for years, my father was from Glasgow. Loved the "cute as a button pouch" too!!

Nancy M said...

I would love a trip to Europe. To see castles up close and know how old they are would just boggle my mind. We have NOTHING like that in this modern society!!! Your needlebook is perfect for your meeting and you have some great WIP started.

Kathy said...

Great photos of your side trip to Scotland. This is one place I have always wanted to visit. Some day.
Love your finishes. The Quilting one is adorable.

Cheryl said...

Yes Scotland is great but i am biased! Love your pictures! You'll have to visit Glasgow next time :)

GoldenAngelsWorks said...

Great pictures of Scotland! I have always wanted to visit there.

Great stitching as well.

Meari said...

What a great trip you had. You certainly made the most of every day. I've lived vicariously through your pics :)

The needlebook looks great, as does your WIPs.

Caroline said...

Wonderful photos - thank you! I've been to Scotland twice, we stayed at a wonderful cottage on Loch Lomand in March and your pics have taken me back there. If I could live anywhere it would be a tough toss up between the rocky shores of Georgian Bay, Canada or the Scottish countryside........

Karen said...

Love the pics...everything is so green! Great job on all of your stitching...especially the needlebook. I love the colors.

Donna said...

Great stitching! I love that needlebook!
Thank you so much for sharing the pics of Scotland. I will never be able to go there, but I can dream through you!

Tracey said...

Beautiful pics and lovely finishes too! I would love to go to Scotland someday.

Rene la Frog said...

I can only dream of a trip like you had. I would give my right arm to see the places you visited.

The stitching all looks lovely and I know Kathy loves her needlebook.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing, your stitching is lovely.

Carissa said...

Beautiful photos Carolyn! Some day I really hope to go to both Scotland and Ireland. You're finishes are great and the WIP's are certainly coming along.

Chris said...

Hi Carolyn,

Scotland is beautiful and so green 'cos it gets so much rain! Glad I live further south altho' the Midlands get lots of rain too, but to me that means endless stitching time!
Your WIP are making good progress I have put mine to one side while I get on with some exchanges. I need more time!
Chris x

Faye said...

Saw your comment on my blog...I was there 73-77..! Tommye was there 74-78...email me sometime at lriggsbee@nc.rr.com so we can figure this out. Oh, so that makes me older than you and from the looks of the photos, you are WAAAY more worldly than me!!lol...Love them all!! Faye

Anonymous said...

your trip looks wonderful love the picts.. and your stitching is great.. cant believe you have got so much done thankyou for leaving a comment on my post really appreciate it.. take care
tammie

Cindy F. said...

I've really enjoyed your beautiful pictures. Even though we didn't get to take a vacation this year, I feel like I did through your wonderful posts! Thanks again for sharing!

Your needlebook is adorable and your finishes and wips are soooo pretty!!
Good job Carolyn!

Patricia said...

Oh, I'm envious!! I want to return to Scotland, the best place in the world!!

Von said...

It was so fun to relive my own trip to Scotland through your pics! How I hope to get back over there some day!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Thanks for sharing the journey! Magnificent photos and great details. Love the needlebook! And your quilting lady is tempting me, again!!

Chiloe said...

Thanks for sharing your trip: I really enjoyed looking at all your pictures ;-)

YOu did a lot of stitching !!! Good job !!!

Sharon said...

Carolyn I am so enjoying your trip through europe. Lovely pictures. Thenk you so much for the sweet comments on my blog. You are a sweetheart. Your stitching is just gorgeous. Love it. xoxo

Unknown said...

Carolyn love your pictures of Scotland so lovely to see some familiar places, if that old bridge is the one I think it is, it is the one from the Harry Potter movie, that is where they filmed it.