Upcycled by Linda

10/05/2026

At 8.10pm on Thursday, I retired ♥️

Working “Upcycled by Linda” part time, around family life, was always the plan, but I found it to be more physically and mentally taxing recently, especially during a spell of ill health at the end of last year. After a month of reflection in January, and after doing the sums, I decided to retire.

As they say, “Do what you love and you’ll love the outcome”, and that’s been so true…

♥️ I have absolutely loved…

Helping people give their furniture a new life, with a new look, and my favourites were definitely those with sentimental family attachments.

Having loads of laughs in craft workshops, and remember… “what’s said in the studio stays in the studio”.

Seeing people who thought they weren’t creative, proudly taking their own creations home from workshops.

Stretching myself and learning new skills.

Getting creative on social media.

Meeting my inspirations Dick & Angel Strawbridge.

Being treated as part of the team at No. 75 Hair Design for nearly four years.. Kathryn has been so much more than a landlady 💕

🌟 Highlights have been…

Meeting so many lovely people I wouldn’t have known otherwise.

Painting a beloved piano which the owner had received when she was 8 years old…. the responsibility felt scary.

Having a reel go viral on TikTok, with 160k views in a few days… so exciting.

Creating the hashtag and seeing the tote bags travel all around the world.

Breaking Covid rules to pick up a piece of furniture… I was very nervous.

Seeing countless newly decoupaged ducks waddling out of the studio.

Bringing Fairlie creatives together as
Fairlie Creative Community Hub, seeing them network and showcase their talents.

🔮 What’s Next?

I’ll keep my page open, and share an occasional personal upcycle or craft.

Fairlie Decoupage Club will continue.

I’ll be found spending more time with my mum & the grandchildren, supporting my own two as they embark on new adventures, having cuppas with friends and enjoying more home & away time with Andy & Mila.

🙏🏻 THANK YOU to everyone who has given their time to help me in my small business, and to everyone who has supported me by commissioning work, attending craft workshops, buying handcrafted goods and by spreading the word 💗

30/04/2026

♥️ Welcome to Fairlie Decoupage Club

Our decoupage evenings are a relaxed, friendly space to gather, chat and create together. Everyone is welcome - whether you’re new to crafting or have years of experience.

We meet on the first Tuesday of the month, from 7-9pm, in the Semple Centre, Fairlie.

This is a voluntary, community-run group, focused on creativity and good company.

✂️ Materials

A wide selection of decorative napkins, along with scissors, brushes, glue and other tools, will be available each session. Please feel free to use whichever napkins you like for your project on the night.

The napkin collection and equipment are personally owned and shared for use during club evenings. To keep things sustainable, all unused napkins and tools should remain at the venue.

❓Your Project

You can bring whatever you want to work on. If you’re new, or unsure, just ask.

☕️ Contribution

A nightly suggested contribution of £10 (cash only please), paid on the night, helps cover room hire, supplies and refreshments. There will be a sign-in sheet and a box for contributions.

Any surplus will go back into the group — whether as items for special projects, Christmas treats or something special for everyone to enjoy.

♥️ But please don’t ever feel you can’t come along if money’s a bit tight—just bring what you can on the night. Being together and creating is what matters most ✨

❗️There is enough table space for 12 people each night. If any more people arrive, there won’t be room for them to craft. If this becomes a regular occurrence, we’ll look for a bigger venue.

🧽 At the End of the Evening

We’ll all spend a few minutes tidying up together — washing brushes, teacups, wiping tables and returning supplies — so we leave the space as we found it.

Most of all, this is a space for kindness, encouragement, sharing inspiration and enjoying the process.

💕 You’re very welcome to join us.

01/04/2026

♥️ Welcome to Fairlie Decoupage Club

Our decoupage evenings are a relaxed, friendly space to gather, chat and create together. Everyone is welcome - whether you’re new to crafting or have years of experience.

We meet on the first Tuesday of the month, from 7-9pm, in the Semple Centre, Fairlie.

This is a voluntary, community-run group, focused on creativity and good company.

✂️ Materials

A wide selection of decorative napkins, along with scissors, brushes, glue and other tools, will be available each session. Please feel free to use whichever napkins you like for your project on the night.

The napkin collection and equipment are personally owned and shared for use during club evenings. To keep things sustainable, all unused napkins and tools should remain at the venue.

❓Your Project

You can bring whatever you want to work on. If you’re new, or unsure, just ask.

☕️ Contribution

A nightly fee of £10 (cash only please), paid on the night, helps cover room hire, supplies and refreshments.

Any surplus will go back into the group — whether as items for special projects, Christmas treats or something special for everyone to enjoy.

❗️There is enough table space for 12 people each night. If any more people arrive, there won’t be room for them to craft. If this becomes a regular occurrence, we’ll look for a bigger venue.

🧽 At the End of the Evening

We’ll all spend a few minutes tidying up together — washing brushes, teacups, wiping tables and returning supplies — so we leave the space as we found it.

Most of all, this is a space for kindness, encouragement, sharing inspiration and enjoying the process.

💕 You’re very welcome to join us.

01/04/2026

🐣 Yesterday at Out of School Club we embraced Easter, and decorated these little hanging decorations using Easter stickers and felt pens.

I’m always struck by how the children dive into their activities with such enthusiasm. Their ideas are all so different, and they’re so proud to show me what they’ve made 💕

💡 A great suggestion from one person today, was to take two photos in order to show off both sides of the eggs.

Fairlie Childcare

31/03/2026

🇳🇿 🇦🇺 🇸🇬 🇭🇰 TOTE TUESDAY #41

It’s so fitting that the furthest travelled tote bag is being featured on my last ever Tote Tuesday post.

This wee Fairtade cotton tote bag travelled as far as Dunedin in New Zealand, which is 11738 miles from Fairlie, as the crow flies. The same bag visited Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand (with its owners 😎).

Thank you to EVERYONE who has joined in this challenge over the last couple of years, and sent so many amazing photos from near and far.

means “from Fairlie” 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

LAST FEW REMAINING BAGS
reduced to only £3.50

If you’d like one of the last tote bags to use on your travels, just drop me a comment or a message. First come, first served, and I’ll reserve your bag on payment.

30/03/2026

For anyone who’s keen to do some duck decoupage…. Denise at Honeybee Cottage in Saltcoats will show you the way 🦆 🦆 🦆

Some of you will know Upcycled by Linda from Fairlie, who’s been running her craft classes for the past few years. Linda has recently retired, and with her blessing, we’re going to be continuing her Decoupage Duck workshops here at Honeybee Cottage.

We’ve managed to source some beautiful 25cm hand carved ducks, and they’re just perfect for this — loads of character and really lovely to work on. And yes, you can also paint the boots!

Our first class will be on Saturday 9th May at 2pm, and we’re really looking forward to bringing this one into the workshop line-up.

Book online or in store.

28/03/2026

🌺 It’s clearance day! 🌺

I’m open 10–3 today for my final sale, and I’d love you to pop by and say hi 👋🏻

There are lots of little treasures looking for new homes — perfect for gifts, crafts, or a wee treat for yourself.

And some real bargains too… almost everything is under £5, and loads under £3.

‘Make me an offer’ on upcycled furniture.

Thank you all so much for your support — it really means the world ♥️

📍 Look out for the board and come say hello at 75 Main Road, Fairlie KA29 0AD

27/03/2026

♥️ FINAL CLEARANCE – this Saturday

Just a wee reminder…

🌺 Handcrafted items £5 or less

🌺 Fairlie gifts £5 or less

🌺 Craft supplies £3 or less

🌺 Upcycled Furniture – open to offers

Further reductions, and absolute bargains waiting for you 😊

Saturday, 28th March, 10am-3pm
75 Main Road, Fairlie KA29 0AD

Don’t miss it ♥️

18/03/2026

🦪 Yesterday at Out of School Club we refreshed our decoupage skills to decorate very small oyster shells, which could otherwise have been thrown away.

I brought along a variety of colourful napkins, so that everyone could choose something they liked. Small pieces of napkins were cut or torn, then the children placed them wherever they wanted to, on a shell, and sealed them to make them durable.

♥️ One of the favourite ideas was to feature beloved pets (past and present).

Fairlie Childcare