Melbourne quilt and craft

I have a friend, here in this new city. Hi Lisa, Dilly Dally Shilly Shally. And we have the same interests: international development and crafting. Yup, I'm a crafty person with all that knitting I get up to. I hope to have more time one day to expand my crafting abilities. After attending Melbourne's quilt and craft fair a few weeks ago at Lisa's suggestion, I am inspired. Inspired to felt (and quilt after seeing all those beautiful creations, but I don't think I'll be up for any of that anytime soon). At the fair we took a felting workshop to make these lovely flowers which was super fun. I bought a few materials to make another creation at home (which remains pending).
The fair was a huge events with tons of old ladies and fellow crafters pushing and shoving, vying for access to the vendor stalls. It wasn't that bad, but we didn't last long after the venue started to fill up.

I was naughty and bought a few fun items. I don't know when I'll be able to start any new projects. This thread yarn made out of silk and steel which allows the shape of the garment to be malleable. I'll make a skinny/long scarf with that. And I found some bag handles at a good price so I can expand my bag-making skills. Knitted bags. And I just couldn't resist the gorgeous japanese prints, maybe line the knitted bags with them.

Now if only I had some time to do this. You might wonder how I could be so busy while I am in between jobs. Let me tell you. .. Job seeking is hard work (could almost write a phd at this rate) as is keeping house and staying sane. But I foresee a break in on the horizon as progress in these areas occur. More on that later.

Learning how to felt

Autumn visit to the wineries

It was so gorgeous when we went for a day trip to the Yarra Valley wineries back in May. Autumn was in full swing and all the colors were swirling about on the vines and throughout the country landscape. I forgot how much I love fall, not having experienced it for the past 3 years. Usually it signals the start of a holiday season, but alas, here its Autumn in June and Christmas is a long way off. 

Again, this was an excursion with Lindsey during her visit, a trip made possible by my new friend and fellow expat-turned Melbournite, Lisa. Hi Lisa. This was a great day - perfect weather, good company, I am inspired to repeat the trip again with my parents when they come. 

Yarra Valley is one of Australia's wine regions, just an hour or so out of Melbourne. Our destination this trip was Healesville, a little town with a few shops ranging from gourmet/expensive to crafty/kitsch. Along the way we stopped at the big wineries Domain Chandon, Dominque Portet, Giant Steps and Innocent Bystander and some others, eating tasty cheese along the way. We finished up at Yering Station and on home before rush hour traffic, each carrying 2 bottles of something yummy with us. Not an expert wine taster I am slowly developing my palate, but I definitely know my preference for Sav blanc and Cab Sav, and starting an appreciation for Pinot Noir. Now thats is winter time, I am all for a cosy glass of red.

Trip to Philip Island (and more Roos)

With Lindsey we ventured out to Philip Island for the first time to see if we could see the Penguins out there. Yes, there are penguins in Australia. They are mini penguins, Mostly found in the southern coastlines, the final frontier before the South Pole. Penguins come out at dusk, out of the water to settle into their nests for the night. It was a cold night, but totally worth it to see the little ones emerge from the waters and scuttle back an forth along the beach, making up their minds about whether to make the potentially dangerous trek across the beach into the sand dunes where they are vulnerable to bird predators. Picture taking was not allowed, so there is no evidence of this adventure. It was False mating season in May so there were a fair number of penguins to see. It was funny to watch them slowly emerge from the water, carefully approach the shore gathering as many of their friends to join them, only to decide, no - not ready yet and scoot back into the water. back and forth, back and forth until making the big leap to risk it. Back and forth with many different groups. Very cute.

Also on Philip Island is an Animal Park with every imaginable strange Australian marsupial available to feed - but don't try to pet the wombat, they can bite. There were so many kangaroos, I felt outnumbered and vulnerable. They would approach us and try to grab the food out of our hands with their scary clawed paws. It was pretty amazing though. Koalas, Cassowaries, Dingos, all kinds of birds, Cockatoos, wallabies, wombat, tasmanian devil, ....

While Lindsey was here

We match in our Black NorthFace Fleece

It really was a great distraction to have Lindsey here for a little while. Remembering what having fun is all about. Crazy Woman! We explored a lot and I have a ton more pics to depict this Island through a tourist's eyes. These are a sampling from Lindsey's camera. Stopped here to enjoy the last rays of sun on the way home from seeing the 12 apostles. It was just starting to get cold for the Autumn season. The lighting was perfect for these photos. Thanks for coming Lindsey! I really needed the break.