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

New knitting projects underway

I am fully into a renewed knitting frenzy after coming home from a Christmas vacation loaded was more than just a few knitting books full of gorgeous patterns. This time around I am working on a green and gray herringbone wool sweater for Richard which is going to take me years to finish. With some purple striped cotton/wool blend I got from mom ages ago I'm making a thin summery scarf. It's something I don't have to concentrate too hard on so I can do it in lower light. Can't wait for them to be done so I can start on the next creative project.

Lace leaf fingerless gloves

Made these a while ago using my yakaboo yarn (Yak and Bamboo mix) purchased from last year's Sheep & Wool Fest in Maryland. The yarn came complete with the pattern for these beauties, a fine gauge and intricate pattern, but the knitting process went by quickly once I got the hang of it and since there are no fingers to deal with. 

Knitting pretty

Finally finished my knitting project. The Daphne purse out of Louisa
harding's "knitting little luxuries" book using Jo sharp pure 8 ply
wool in ember. I love the finished look of the herringbone stitch in
this pattern. Took me forever to get through. Not to mention all the
work necessary to embroider the flowers and put all the pieces
together. I added an internal pocket to increase functionality. Too
bad it's summer now cause I think it's a winter look. On to the next
project which I think will be one of richard's sweaters.