The last say for 2011

Post-Christmas, the lights are still up. And tonight it is anticipated there will be lights and amazing visual displays all around. Brilliant! How I love fireworks. How I love celebrations. Wonderful to welcome in the new year.

How will you celebrate?

We have a bottle of bubbly set aside. We have plans to ponder the new year as it rolls in. We are considering joining the masses in the city. But should we go to a suburban barbecue to whistle away the hours, in the company of old friends...

Happy New Year.

Street arting it up...

This blog has been in hiatus while the world takes second. Lace to the demands being placed on me with work. A lot of my clients are not so well at the moment, and I have been sitting with a lot of their worries. We are also orientating new staff, which means increased work load in the short term. but this happens, doesn't it? And not just to me, but to most out there in the wild world. So this week is time out, a chance to do some "soul searching" as one of my clients put it this week.

Thus today finds me in our Nation's capitol, seated by a fountain outside of the National Gallery of Australia. The sun has been momentarily covered by cloud, a breeze is passing through and I'm under the illusion that the temperature has dropped. The coffee here is decent, sculptures are dotted around the gardens. Families and couples are seated around me catching up on life, discussing the woes of the real estate market, browsing through their purchases.

I've just finished in the Gallery. The space is cool and light. Guards sit in comfortable chairs, seemingly unimpressed by the beauty that surrounds them. What an amazing space, what precious works of art.

Woollen lovelies in the post...

More wool, more knitting. And some crochet too! I'm really getting into the woolly crafts. These balls are destined for lots of things, like bags, leg warmers, woolly mittens and probably something for a new little niece/nephew that is busting to pop out any time soon.

Yet again trusty Bendigo Woollen Mills has delivered. The wool took around 7 days to arrive, but I did order it over a public holiday (Cup Day). But postage is free if you spend over $30, and I bought 8 balls so easily spent over this amount. I find it great value for money (around $12 for 200 g), the product is made locally and thus is ethically and environmentally preferred by me. The range of colours is enough for most of your standard projects too. I'm happy to tout their products any time...

Lovely things and some Little Red...

Can't find the camera, where has it gone?

Instead, I'm inspired by snuggling up in the rainy weather, by winning netball tonight (!), by generous sisters who have given me early gifties of money towards new crafting, by luscious chai tea at the 1000 pound bend, by Little Red.

Enjoy the tunes, although I've not listened to the words closely I think this song makes me happy.

What has been tickling your fancy lately?

Down at the local... library

Lovely image from Whipup.net - with instructions for making this libary bag too!

Do you ever frequent your local? Yep, your local. It's full of colourful characters, of stories being told. How I love the library.

We try to go every fortnight, often after work and before a coffee. We search the shelves for hidden treasure, things we never considered reading. And we return to old favourites, much loved and borrowed often. Plus the local has a dvd collection, magazines to rival MagNation, wireless net, and all the facilities you need to create a zine! And if you make a zine using library resources, the library will add it to their collection.

The most recent library adventure resulting in a wide variety of books. A crafting book - Weekend Sewing - which has a shirt dress I'm keen to try as well as some trusty looking day bags that would make great gifts. A book about the history of sushi in the USA, some Alexander McCall Smith for general loveliness, a story set in Tehran prior to its radical change in the 70s (not sure of dates, have to read it to know when the country became closed). Also a simply amazing book which is inspiring me to bake, aptly called Baked.

What have you be reading lately?

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.

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.

Melbourne town glimpses...

Just some images from my wondering around Melbourne town. The fella and I took some time one day to explore, smell the roses and enjoy the finer things in life. It was great and took us around some interesting 'burbs.

These images depict things I am keen on - found objects being reused, interesting bold graphic images being used as graffiti, Art Deco landmarks.

What great and quirky things are in your neighbourhoods?