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Yes, it's that time again.....back to Singapore. But I will leave you with these Melbourne skyline photos
. I think I prefer the moodiness of the Black and White version. The white squares you can see in the middle is the white squarial architecture of the new MTC building next to the new Recital Hall.....it lights up at night like neon lights.
Catch you in Singapore
Sharon
My neice needed an Art Smock so I bought this cotton print from Spotlight and used Kellie's pattern . No applique for me, I cheated and used this butterfly print instead. Sorry Kellie.
Taylor loves the smock
Enough fabric leftover to make a matching drawstring bag using Curlypops tutorial. I upscaled to make it bigger. I only have a 12mm bias tape maker so used this to make a straight grain drawstring channel in the matching print and made the drawstring cord using the lining dot print
Sharon
What great weather for a long weekend I hope everyone had some time out with family and friends and feels refreshed, especially with the new school year approaching.
I was at Sorrento for the weekend
Walking along the forsehore
A great Nicoise salad for lunch
A snooze after lunch
and there was the quilting exhibition on at the community hall. This double wedding ring pattern was one of our favs.... just perfect for a beach house
This was a panel that had been quilted
This quilt was so appropriate for the beach and the quilting was different on each block
and this unusal fibre art display
A great weekend overall
Sharon
If you are looking for some new ideas or trying some new skills in 2009 there are some great workshops available.....screenprinting, photography, jewellery making and much more at the CAE.
Download Purl Palace workshop at Daylesford
or perhaps check out Craft Victoria's library here which you can use by appointment.
Japanese craft workshops at Kimono House
Sharon
My final week of walking again gets me to over 35K for this week so all up about 140Kms in 4 weeks. So I am very pleased with this.
Just like these seagulls who knew how to beat the heat last week sitting in the shade.
And this is the new Olympic Park stadium under construction. I have been watching it for over a year now slowly coming to life.
Sharon
I do love chocolate and one of my favourite stores to visit when I come home is Koko Black. In the Block Arcade in the City, Lygon St and Chadstone plus other stores.
Hot chocolate and desserts and truffles and pralines
But there is another boutique chocolate shop called Cacao in Fitzroy St, St Kilda making handmade belgium chocolates with a cafe attached as well.
This is a dark chocolate cocoa bean with filled chocolates from Ganache in Toorak Road.
Then there is the Max Brenner chain popping up over Australia, there is even one in Singapore at the Esplanade
I am going to leave you with 10 reasons why you should eat more chocolate!!
Sharon
As you know I have been doing alot of walking this month. Usually I listen to 774 or my Ipod music. For some time I had been meaning to learn how to download podcasts so that I can use this time efficiently. You just need to download the itunes software on your computer and then you have access to a wide range of categories to listen to on your computer or download onto your Ipod.
Two great craft sites I have found:
plus another on digital photography - Shuttersparks
Celestina Carmen has also found some great sites to download as well, so I will be checking those out.
I am really pleased I have taken some time out to do this.
Sharon
I am a great fan of Nikki's bag patterns. Easy to follow and great instructions plus she has alot of tutorials as backup on her blog if you need even further help. She has differnet levels of difficulty and her new Mod pattern is one of the advanced. That will be good to test my sewing ability. So I am on the lookout for material now.
Last year I won some moleskin pressing hams that I had not picked up. Can't wait to use them.
and I bought an applique mat for some new projects.
Sharon
We went to the Melbourne Acquarium to see the stars of Antarctica and a great place to be on a very hot day.
Happy Feet all over again
Sharon
Ok, you know I have been working on this for sometime. It's even too big to get in my lens.
110 x 100inches - 30 strips and diamonds forever
But its completed - just before I left for Melbourne
So today I went to GJ's in Lygon St and bought the batting to take back with me. I have chosen 100% cotton and made in Australia but the best thing it is the correct size for me so no need to cut and paste the backing before I even start.
I will hand baste it over a couple of days when Gregg is away. I have decided against using spray baste. It's such a large quilt, will have alot of handling and then there is the humidity to contend with....I can't see it working. It would be good to get your views on this if you have used basting spray.
Then I have decided to back it and bind it in the green dot fabric. I just have to sit down now and work out how many metres I will need.........and a cream perle thread to hand quilt
It's a big job ahead and I think it will take me all 2009 to handquilt
Sharon
