June began with the culmination of Feis Ile - Islay's whisky week. The sun shone for the final day at Ardbeg and we enjoyed some down time with friends sharing a wee dram or two.
The sun then disappeared for what felt like the rest of the month and it seemed as if we were heading back into winter here on Islay. With wind and rain most days, it was in stark contrast to last years drought, where by June our spring that supplies all our water had dried up!
2022 is the first 'normal' year of being in business with no restrictions and the island is busy. Our handprinted stocks that we built up over winter have soon been diminished so June has been a real month of catching up and printing stock ready for the summer ahead.
We are now stocked in 10 different shops across Islay and Colonsay, find our work in the following shops;
ISLAY
The Blue Letterbox in Port Ellen
Spirited Soaps in Bowmore
Port Charlotte Stores in Port Charlotte
Islay Natural History Trust in Port Charlotte
Outback Art at Sanaigmore
The Shop in the Box on the Oa
COLONSAY
We have so enjoyed the wildflowers out on the hills and along the road verges, they are flourishing in all this dreadful weather. The orchids have been incredible this year with spectacular displays of northern marsh and heath spotted orchids.
Heading into July and the school holidays as I write this - the weather hasn't improved. The Oa is shrouded in cloud on a daily basis but we continue to be inspired by our wild surroundings taking pleasure from the colour and the natural beauty of the insects and flowers we see on our daily walks.