Thursday, June 24, 2010

The art deco man...


Iconic.

Melbourne.

Read a quote saying that Melbourne is full of institutions which no longer exist. It was said by the man from Patterson's Cakes, who is closing the family business after 94 years. And Patterson's is an institution. So sad. But this fella, with his death-rattling roller coasters, remains open. Family fun for all.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Just for giggles...

And the real baked good is...

In my tummy.
Found these various "food items" in a number of shops in the past few weeks. The "food as craft" or "crafted food" idea has been around for a while. It made me giggle to see these examples though.
Which reminds me, I have a felt sushi kit that I should whip out and stitch up some time...

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The cat got cross

Knitting away.
Distracted by the French Open tennis.
Made a mistake - increased my stitches too much.
Sock too big.
The cat got cross.
Simply can't appreciate his moment of glory as the Cat in the Hat.
Drats.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Winter wondering...

Winter has hit Melbourne, do you agree?

The mornings are dark and foreboding. The sun dares to peak out when it is feeling brave, but overall hides behind the low clouds. The temperature is only just over 10* C, meaning one needs to rug up, to find gloves hidden in the depths of the cupboard, snuggle into slippers and ugg boots, long for a warm hand-knitted scarf. People are wearing black more black than is expected for Melbourne, and often look more than a little cross in the morning. I'm one of those cross-lookers, I must admit. It is hard to get out into the cold, to be bold enough to open the front door and experience the weather before the day has gotten going.

How will I get though? I am asking myself this more often than I should. It is only early June, just the second week of winter. I calculate that it won't be consistently warm, bone-nourishingly warm until November even December. And then only for a few days... Oh, for some weather that is laced with the sun, which encourages you to throw open the doors and windows, which necessitates sandals and sunhats. Oh, I can dream...

Winter, putting up with the cold has to have some benefits though. Like jumping into a bed warmed by a hottie (be that a loved one, a cat or even a hot water bottle). Purchasing new tights which you know will hug your legs all day long. Drinking whole pots of brewed tea, wrapping your fingers around mugs of the stuff with glee. Making vats of winter stews, full of root vegetables and meat that longs to be cooked low and slow. Walking amongst the last of the fallen leaves, and seeing the sun emerge from between the branches of bear trees. Knitting up things that keep you warm, like socks, and scarves, and hats, and rugs... Snuggling under patchwork quilts that were made with love and intended for cold nights such as these.

What do you love about winter?

Friday, June 4, 2010

Knitting on the round...

What I hope to achieve:
Where I am up to:
This project is not fun! I am finding the socks tedious! Too many needles. Too fine a ball of wool. Too slow going. At least, this was my attitude a few days ago. Yesterday I conquered the heel, and the leg it knitting up just fine. Now I'm loving my sock and keen to make its twin. This beautiful wool is called 100s and 1000s and is from the Pear Tree Yarn Shop. They were exhibiting at the Stitches and Craft Fair, and I was demonstrating with their wool while volunteering. It is so soft, made from 100% merino and knits up well. I simply couldn't resist this ball with its vivid colouring. Hurrah!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Graffitied tunnel of dreams...

Walking home from work, I travel under a giant intersection that has been exploited to the max. How I love this graffitied tunnel! Daily I see some new detail within it. Currently I'm keen on the blue section at one entrance, with bats, dragons, hot air balloons and a friendly alien.
There is beauty in these images. And creativity too.