Very often, a little story quietly finds its way into my mind and becomes the heart of my artwork. In that fashion, a story about a little penguin called Glen who roams the rugged Scottish countryside popped into my head while I was working on a set of penguin quilt patterns. That reminded me of my first visit to the Dryburgh Abbey in Scotland. Last week, I hand-made books with my painting of its weathered stones as the cover, feeling the spirit of the place, and being reminded to pause and note the details we so often rush past. I will be hosting an art event in September where we can just take a few moments during the day to breathe and create.
Quiet Earth
InkFortnight: Small Pages, Stolen Moments
This September, I intend to do daily small artwork for 14 days, make something without any pressure. I would love for you to join me. You really do not have to have any drawing skills to partake. It’s about making room for the small pages that don’t usually get filled.
To that end, I am hosting InkFortnight.
The name and design were inspired by my love of old stories.
- Theme – Quiet Earth: small, unhurried things. Not landscapes in the grand sense, but corners of them — a leaf, a steaming cup, the particular hush of staying in.
- Dates – A 14-day art event, running September 17 through September 30. Wrap-up post on Oct 1st.
- Venue – It will take place right here, no social media needed.
- Prompts – I came up with 14 prompts built around the theme of Quiet Earth. Follow them if they call to you. Freestyle work is just as welcome. You’re also free to use any media you want.
- Constraint and Size – The one constraint: size. 2″ to 3″, no larger. That’s it. That’s the whole rule.
- Who is this for – A low-pressure art challenge designed specifically for beginners or any artist looking to enter a gentle daily drawing practice without the fear of perfection.
Fabric artists are also welcome with small embroidery work.
Note – I will send out an email with information and the prompts on Sept 15th. Please remember to sign up with the form at the end of the post so you don’t miss out on the early information. I will post all the info here on Sept 17th as well.
Please feel free to share:
Download the InkFortnight Badge
Following is story about little penguins inspired by my love of roaming about woodlands and mountains.
The Dress-up Penguins
Scottish Penguin Glen Quilt Pattern
Glen had always loved wearing his kilt, but the other little penguins made fun of him. He spent his days roaming the hills and dales alone, having his own adventures. Although he was happy to go about on his own, he sometimes wished he had a friend with him. During one of his excursions, he found a new hill. As he walked up the hill slowly – he was a little penguin after all – it started getting colder and darker. Rain clouds covered the sun and very soon, strong gusts of wind started blowing him all over the place.
He hurried up the hillside and found an old broken ruin there. The hill was in a remote area and the entrances to the ruin were all overgrown with brambles. He took a little knife out of his sporran to clear a path so he could get in without spoiling his clothes. As he was cutting the brambles, something pink plopped down along with a few Thistle flowers. He loved Thistle. When he bent down to pick up the flowers and put them in his little sporran, he found a small pink stone among them. By this time, big raindrops had started pelting down on him. He scurried into the ruin to sit inside a big stone fireplace. There he sat, thumbing the stone and looking at the sky, waiting for the rain to let up a little.
Little Penguin Polaris Quilt Pattern
A sudden flash of lightning, and he suddenly found himself elsewhere, facing two other penguins. One was dressed in woolens and the other in Viking clothing. They were as surprised to see him as he was them. After a round of awkward introductions, Glen learned their names were Polaris and Olaf. He also found out that before they met each other, they had been lonely penguins too. Polaris said he loved his matching woolens, and that he had quite a few sets.
Viking Penguin Olaf Quilt Pattern
As for Olaf, not only did he love his Viking clothes, he also insisted on having horns on his helmet even though he was told Viking helmets didn’t have horns. He thought the horns made him look very mighty and formidable. They both welcomed Glen with open arms.
Painted during another trip to Scotland
Polaris gave Glen a little snowflake that sparkled in the moonlight. Olaf gave him a little fire-stone which glowed in the dark. Glen remembered the thistles in his sporran and gave each of his new friends a thistle. He showed them his pink stone too. All three wondered if rain and thunder somehow activated the stone. They were delighted to have found each other.
They are a happy bunch, aren’t they! I love them! Polaris was the first one I made, and then the others followed.
A Dryburgh Fragment
Very much like Glen, I also love to roam the Scottish countryside. The southern border abbeys are amongst my favorite places. Of them, Dryburgh Abbey stole my heart many years ago, during my first visit in 2007. The rain had just stopped. The wet and glistening stones and the serene choir music they were playing there shrouded the place in peace and quiet. There was not a single soul other than the two of us. The steward kindly kept the place open a bit longer for us. I sat on that bench in the far corner for a long time, soaking in the spirit.
I loved the tranquil moment of standing alone in front of this aged and wet stone abbey chapter house so much that it became the subject of my painting.
I never got to mention it here – a few years back, this painting was featured in a professional art paper product.
I make a new organizer book every year. It is such a favorite of mine that I have been using the same painting for the cover. There is comfort in familiarity.
The Chapter House was fairly dark when we visited. So I had originally painted it dark, as I had seen it.
However, in recent days, I had been thinking about updating the doorway. I knew the risk of ruining the painting completely, but my curiosity got the better of me. So with much care, I managed to make the changes.
Once that was done, I got to sewing books with the new art as the cover.
I add a little coordinated artwork on the endpaper of the cloth-bound books.
I added one of the windows on the linen-finish endpaper. I do love sepia-brown ink on cream color paper.
The hand stitched thick white paper really sets me in the mood for taking a little time to slow down for writing or sketching during an otherwise busy day.
These books are cloth-bound. I really like how the red cloth background enhances the warm tones of the stones.
I got the forest green cloth specially for the books with this artwork; the color echoing the weathered stones. It evokes memories of the weathered abbey surrounded by green trees as if I was there just yesterday.
The Dryburgh Fragment – A surviving piece of Scotland’s rich history.
Painting and binding these books lets me tap into a quiet space lost in time. I hope to see you in September for InkFortNight to find those little quiet moments. I am looking forward to it.
Until then,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them. Hosts of linky parties – please grab a photo of your choice for your party. Thank you for hosting!
44 thoughts on “Ruins, Tales, and Quiet Moments”
Steph@CrazyLittleLovebirds September 9, 2026 at 05:15
Soma, I just loved the story of the penguins. I loved seeing all the fun outfits, and of course, your art is so wonderful. I am happy to feature your post this Friday at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.
handmade by amalia September 6, 2026 at 05:33
I didn’t know it before but clever little penguins were exactly what I needed to cheer me up today.
Amalia
xo
Gillena September 5, 2026 at 09:24
Luv the penguins
Thanks for linking to AFFF
I am commenting late because for the last 2 days my comments were not publishing
much love
Nicole/DVArtist September 5, 2026 at 07:50
I think this is a great idea about the 14 days of Quiet Earth art. I will try to join in. Your story about the Penguins is brilliant and the Penguins are adorable. Your books are so well made and quite beautiful. It doesn’t surprise me that your painting was use for a feature, your art is so good. Thank you for joining with FFO and have a very nice weekend.
Maria September 5, 2026 at 07:20
Happy Saturday! Oh the penguins are so so cute and I love the watercolour architecture! Your sketchbooks are beautiful! I’ve always wanted to visit Scotland. So beautiful! Have a lovely weekend and wonderful artwork as always!
Natalie September 5, 2026 at 07:14
So very talented! Love your little paintings :)
Alycia Quiltygirl September 4, 2026 at 09:05
Oh the Penguins!!! I love them and their story!!
Gillena September 4, 2026 at 07:47
Fabulous Friday share
Luv that penguin best
Thanks for linking to AFFF
much love
TerryK September 4, 2026 at 05:29
I loved the penguin story and the penguins! What cuties they are!
Erika N September 4, 2026 at 05:18
Today’s art is amazing. That ruin you painted is gorgeous. And I love Glen. I especially love Glen in his Viking outfit. he is adorable. And I wish I could join you but I’m away during much of that time. :( Have a wonderful class and thanks for the smiles I got from seeing Glen.
Angie in SoCal September 3, 2026 at 20:59
Polaris is ADORABLE! You have such a touch of magic in your sewing.
Michelle September 3, 2026 at 16:00
I enjoyed your story and the penguins are delightful! Thank you for linking up and have a great weekend.
Janine September 3, 2026 at 14:46
I enjoyed your story and I love your pieced penguins. Olaf is right. His horns do make him look vey mighty and formidable :)
Nature Notes September 2, 2026 at 13:32
Lovely..my sister is in Scotland as type this…..
Sandee @ Comedy Plus September 2, 2026 at 07:40
So beautiful. I want to explore there.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous day and rest of the week. ♥
Juliet (Crafty Green Poet) September 2, 2026 at 05:13
Glen and his friends are adorable!
an artist reflects September 1, 2026 at 15:25
Absolutely love the Penguins ~ so creative, happy and fun ~ Hugs ^_^
PS Thanks for wishing Ziggy a Happy Birthday
Kim Carberry September 1, 2026 at 02:44
Aww! The penguins and story is so cute and your artwork is beautiful! Fantastic work!
Melynda August 31, 2026 at 15:12
Soma, your art is stunning, but I have to say, those penguins bring a smile!
Yvonne August 29, 2026 at 10:44
I love your penguins. Such an endearing story.
Lavender August 29, 2026 at 07:14
Oh Soma, I am seriously hoping to join you in this art project. It would really give me a boost! Sweet hugs, Diane
tomthebackroadstraveller August 29, 2026 at 05:33
…I love you little penguins!!! I will look forward to seeing more to come.
Amy Johnson August 29, 2026 at 04:53
Amy
Eileen August 29, 2026 at 01:16
Hello, Soma
What a lovely post. I love the photos and scenery from your Scotland trip.
Glen the penguin and the story are so cute.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.
PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Connie Griffin August 28, 2026 at 17:03
Neat idea to host the small artwork, it sounds like ATC size :)
I so love your penguins, you always amaze me with your pieced quilting and these little guys are way too cute, love your little stories to go along.
Beautiful painting of the Abbey too, looks great on the cover. That is one thing I really enjoyed when we lived in England, going to all the ruins. You captured it so well!
jeanie August 28, 2026 at 15:10
I don’t know which I love most — your fabulous cover for your book or those adorable penguins (and the story!) What a total delght this post is, Soma! Is there a link to your 14 prompts?
veronica lee August 28, 2026 at 03:23
Glen in his kilt made me grin, and the abbey painting is simply beautiful.
I admire how you turn quiet moments into art. InkFortNight will surely spark many little treasures.
Gillena August 28, 2026 at 02:14
Happy Friday
Luv your smoky sky
much love
Sue August 27, 2026 at 19:41
Your journal cover is beautiful and I love the penguins! I can’t draw but am going to try and join your Quiet Earth project, thank you for doing that.
Mary August 27, 2026 at 18:15
Congratulations on your painting honor! You do such beautiful work with amazing detail. Scotland is such a special place! Love your little penguins and story. I have certainly felt like penguins should live there on some of our visits, but Nessie comes to my mind more frequently. lol
Photo Cache August 27, 2026 at 18:04
You are so talented. The Quiet Earth project sounds interesting, if only I have an artistic bone in my body.
Worth a Thousand Words
Dixie August 27, 2026 at 17:53
Oh lovely story and the penguins are so cute!
Scotland looks so beautiful.
Wonderful paintings of the Chapter House—love the new books too.
Joanne August 27, 2026 at 13:50
Your penguins and your story are all so cute! I’m currently working on a 52 week art project where we tackle an art project of some sort each week for a year. It just started this summer and I have 3 weeks left in this quarter. I’m liking the challenge of making art in a shorter time span– it has really forced me to stop being so darn perfectionistic and just have fun with it.
Bill August 27, 2026 at 12:45
Love the inspiration for the cover and the little penguins. I looked up the Abbey on Wikipedia and it has some stunning looking Norman doorways which have weathered time. I keep wanting to revisit Tintern abbey in Wales but not had the time yet. This year I have seen some stunning doorways and carvings on them. I’d love to visit Drybrough
Alan August 27, 2026 at 12:44
You are so creative and also take great photographs.
Carol on the Lake August 27, 2026 at 11:11
I love the penguin in all his little outfits!
Kim August 27, 2026 at 11:08
Your stories are so lovely, Soma, but I’m sad to report that despite wandering much of the Scottish landscape for many years, I’ve never come across your little penguins. Perhaps one day, and certainly I’m looking forward to many more explorations of this beautiful country i am so fortunate to call home.
Brenda @ Songbird Designs August 27, 2026 at 11:02
I love your story Soma and the books are wonderful! Scotland would be a nice place to visit if one didn’t have to fly there! LOL
Jim, Sydney, Australia August 27, 2026 at 11:00
wonderful post
Peter B. August 27, 2026 at 10:49
Scotland looks so beautiful!
Karen Goad August 27, 2026 at 10:48
love the penguin and the story and paintings are wonderful. I would love to see areas like that
Christine August 27, 2026 at 06:43
Cute quilt! Lovely art and photos.
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal August 27, 2026 at 05:04
What an enchanting story. :) I love your little brave penguins and their cloth counterparts! Your Ink Fortnight sounds so interesting. I look forward to seeing what takes place.
I am not surprised your abbey artwork was featured – it is exquisite.
I would sit in the same bench to soak in all the feels from the ruins of the abbey.
Cat August 27, 2026 at 04:32
The pictures are beautiful, what a wonderful place to visit.
Well, and Glen and his friends are just adorable!