FEELING BLUE 2025 IS NOT RUNNING DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES… SEE YOU ALL IN 2026

Last Thursday I paid a visit to QMU or Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh (Edinburgh) prior to teaching there this summer for the Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers summer school in Indigo.

I though it would be useful to share a few facts and photos here with visitors of the summer school. It’s always nice to have a bit of an indication of where you come from.

I travelled by train from Waverley station in Edinburgh and the trains going towards Dunbar or North Berwick seemed to stop there. There were about 3 different ones in the middle of the day hour I was at the station waiting for a friend.

The train journey only takes a few minutes (less than 10). Arrival in Musselburgh was easy and the station is quiet. The walk from the station to the University takes less than 10 minutes on a good path but there is a bit of a climb from the platform up to the main road you turn right into so if you have a heavy bag or mobility issues coming with one of the buses that comes right into the courtyard of the building might be a better option. I did not investigate those but I noticed buses when arriving.

The campus looks impressive with a big car park working distance from the main building and I am told a lot of free spaces, a huge Atrium building in a U shape with a cafe on the outside (and one on the inside) some benches and tables outside. The main entry is very easy to spot and there is a welcome desk as you arrive. I was offered help so many times before I finally met the young lady who would host me that it would have been hard to get lost.

I have not researched when this was built but it is a brand new looking building, modern, airy and so light. A real pleasure to be in the main area. There is a very large open space in the center with loads of sitting areas (and great seats) including some communal tables (with phone charger points), some comfy seats, some computer spaces, a small cafe that was selling snacks and small meals (soup and what not). I even found a contemplating room in a corner with two large comfy chairs looking outside the beautiful greenery.)

In the center of the building on the ground floor is the restaurant were I believe all meals will be shared and because I have diet issues I took the chance to speak to a kitchen staff there who assured me that they were very good at looking after special diet. Some of the food was still out when i visited and it looked fresh and healthy. There are different seating areas where you can take your tray to eat including some table outside over looking a beautiful garden towards the accommodation blocks.

The studios are arranged around the building and well appointed, everything is very new and clean and the University seems to be used to receive groups I think we will have a very easy time here with what they provide. Most of the rooms have AV facilities for those tutors who decide to share some digital resources. The tables and chairs are comfortable.

It is a very easy to navigate building.

I believe they close the studios at 10pm in the evening when they close the main building and it is up to the tutors to navigate the opening and closing of their space. We seem to be the only group there during that week and that will give us a wonderful playground for our summer school.

After 10pm there is Maggie a cafe/pub/space just outside the main building that opens later it is convivial and offers a lot of options from drinks to great coffee/tea/ snack food.

I did not get the chance to visit inside the accommodations because they were all occupied at the time but Terri took us to visit the main welcome desk in one of the buildings that will be our point of contact if we have any needs after the main building is closed. There is a seating area with vending machines, There are washing machines facilities (I believe you request a washing to be done and pay for it). You can get things delivered to the desk for you to pick up. It is a proper concierge.

I believe the accommodations are organised in groups of 5 or 6 rooms all with private bathrooms (or so I have been told) they are around a central kitchen which is equiped with micro wave, kettle, cooker, fridge so if you want a cup of tea in the evening you can store milk there and boil a kettle BUT THERE WILL BE NO POTS AND PANS OR CUPS/PLATES because we are not on a self catering basis… so If you want to make anything for yourself you need to bring those.

I believe the WiFi is decent although I have not tested it. The network for phone outside was decent but inside the building a little more slow.

We walked past the entry to the “Gym” facilities which are opened to visitors for a fee, but there is no swimming pool. I am told the gym is well fitted.

As I was visiting with another tutor who will be working with nature I had a look at the outdoors.

Queen Margaret Union has a well being policy and they are keen to promote sustainability so there is a very beautiful trail one can walk around the building. I found when I last attended a summer school there were very many hours sitting down crafting and a lack of energy or time for physical activities. This will be a nice walk for some of us to do at times during the day (here is hoping for no rain). The track is beautifully planted with trees and bushes and walks around a small “lake” it is very calming. For those interested in exercise there are some stops with suggestions of exercises.

I was told they also rent accommodation to the public (see their website) when the University is not in session so for example if anyone is staying for the Edinburgh Fringe this is a very easy place to be located. Way cheaper than Edinburgh and easy to get too.

Just one last bit of advice. I was commuting from Glasgow and we have a cheap day return ticket from there to Edinburgh on the train which brings the price down from over £30 for a return to £16.20. When trying to purchase a return directly to Musselburgh from the station machine I was first quoted £29 for the return but then found out the return from Edinburgh is only about £4 ish return (or less if you have a travel card) make sure you question your prices when quoted… this is only the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Looking forward to see everyone at the Summer School.

BOOK A SPACE HERE

Want to know more about my new class about Botanical Printing on Cellulose watch the replay video of my live presentation for The Natural Dyers and Growers Academy

I am so delighted to be joining forces with The Natural Dyers and Growers Academy this Autumn to offer my new course in Botanical Printing on cellulose.

It is heart warming to join Jennifer and Tristan in their venture and support their platform with my course while they will support my course with their organisation and their love. The world suddenly got better.

Will join me to achieve crisp prints on linen and cotton from your local botanics? Joining this 8 weeks course will both be enjoyable and a real treat as you will be added to The Academy for a good few advantages like discussions and extra learning in the Col-rooms… Please read below and if you want to join in click the link above it will take you to the right place.

Love you all and looking forward to join forces in September and October when the leaves are at their best.

Elisabeth (Betty) x

🌿 MASTERING BOTANICAL PRINTS ON CELLULOSE – ONLINE COURSE WITH ELISABETH VIGUIE-CULSHAW

Start Date: Monday 1st of September
Duration: 8 weeks
Format: Weekly video lessons, downloadable PDFs, live Zoom support
Tutor: Elisabeth Viguie-Culshaw (The Indigo Plot / UK Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers)

Ready to take your plant printing to the next level? Whether you’re new to natural dyeing or want to deepen your practice, this immersive 8-week course offers the tools, techniques and confidence to master crisp, lasting botanical prints on cellulose fibres.

With Elisabeth’s expert guidance, you’ll explore the process of selecting local plants, understanding fibre and mordant interactions, creating controlled outcomes, and developing your own seasonal print sampler. No studio required – just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Once you book your place, we’ll guide you into the Natural Dyers & Growers Academy and give you full access to your course.

What’s Included

• 8 weeks oflessons with video contentcovering all stages of botanical monoprinting
• Printable PDF guides for each step
• 6 live Zoom Q&As with Elisabeth for support and community
• Techniques tailored for home setups – no specialist tools needed
• A guided final project to apply your learning
• 6 months access to course materials after the course ends
• 6 months Co~Lab Room membership for ongoing community connection

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You’ll Learn

• How to select, scour and mordant cellulose fibres for optimal results
• How to identify, test, and work with local plants and dyes
• How to set up a safe, effective studio space at home
• How to build your own test sampler and analyse print outcomes
• How to move from “happy accidents” to intentional, repeatable prints
• Creative ways to connect with your environment, family and friends through printing

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About the Tutor

Elisabeth Viguie Culshaw is a textile artist trained academically in Decorative Arts by Christies, she runs a sustainable dye studio in Glasgow in Scotland and grows an Indigo plant garden on the grounds of the Glasgow Botanic called #theindigoplot. She regularly travels to Asia to train with professional dyers.

She started working with Botanical printing in 2015 after being inspired by India Flint the Australian artist. During the Covid crisis she initiated “The True Colour of the Cotinus” a global online botanical printing project using the Cotinus plant leaves for blue print. She has gathered a large global community of eco artists around her digital studio.

She shares her knowledge locally from her studio, in regular international retreats in France and Thailand and online in live classes.

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Who This Is For

• Fibre artists and crafters wanting to master plant prints
• Beginners to natural dyeing curious about controlled outcomes
• Students of the Academy ready for applied learning
• Gardeners, eco printers, and creatives inspired by seasonal making
• Anyone looking to map the plant world through their textile work

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In a Nutshell

• 🍂 8-week tuition with video content & live course
• 📎 PDF guides & rewatchable lessons
• 🧺 Home-friendly, no fancy tools needed
• 🌿 Make beautiful prints with your local leaves
• 🎨 Starts: Monday 1st of September

The True Colour of the Cotinus botanical printing method is a skilled technique to create blue eco-prints from the Cotinus (smoke bush) leaves. It was initiated by a group online project I ran in 2020 during the first Covid crisis lockdown in the UK.

The project initially put together online live 100 botanical printers from the 4 corners of the world looking forward to connect during the lockdowns when stuck at home in uncertain set ups. Together we created the blue prints. In 5 years the method was fine tuned by my research in mordanting and dyeing.

Today the method allows us to make wonderful prints with a coloured background. It gives a great insight about the use of dyes and mordants and works both on paper and cellulose material like linen.

It is suitable for beginners as well as more advanced printers.

The method will be delivered by email to the email account you booked from within 24 hours of your purchase.

If you have any issues in purchasing it please email me using bettysbeautifullife@gmail.com