The Train Trip

I can't believe it has been nearly a week since I headed off on my wee Train trip adventure and I haven't had a chance to tell you about it.

For various reasons the only one to join me on the trip was Michelle she had actually travelled in on the Hurstbridge train so we just jumped back on the train and pulled out our crafting supplies. Michelle was making some of her stretchy necklaces, and I was stitching some brooches. It's a good thing there weren't many others in the carriage 'cause we were taking up bit of room with our crafty gear and our giggling.

As we pulled into Eltham station we noticed a market nestled amongst the trees. We quickly gathered up our stuff and jumped off to have a look around. There were some really cute hand dyed pants and t-shirts for children. I didn't take a photo as I totally planned on going back on our way back out. Unfortunately and fortunately the market was bigger than we first thought so she was packed up by the time we got back to her end, so I will surely have to go back. I did manage to get some very delicious Autumn Chutney from "Alot of Good Stuff". We have already made a serious dent in the contents of the jar so I will have to return for some more of that too. Michelle brought some lovely Proteas from a farm up at Kinglake. We were told the guy had lost a third of his farm and his shed to the fires but still had some proteas to share. Michelle's Dad used to have protea he was very proud of at their house in Kinglake, so she brought them for him.

As all the stalls were closing up we headed back to the station to continue our journey. At Hurstbridge it was a short walk down to Heart and Soul Cafe. The atmosphere was great, quiet and friendly and they had a great fun mural on one of the walls. No photo as I wasn't sure the people having their lunch in front of it would appreciate me taking one. There are tables inside and out but we choose one next to the heater. The wedges we shared were the best I have had in ages. Fresh, really hot (temp) and spiced up tasty, there was plenty of sour cream and sweet chili sauce. At the chefs recommendation, we split a chickpea burger which was delicious toasty and not a bit dry which I find they often are. Filled with food and a good coffee we headed back into town again. I loved the day away from the routine and will defiantly plan another one when the weather is warmer and folks are over their winter ills. I love to craft on the go and with a new view and company was gathering inspiration all day. I hope you can come on my next one or are inspired to do some of your own 'crafting on the go'.

Princess visit

Can you see the shape of New Zealand in this picture, my friend Mandy took this photo, it cracks me up. It is just how it landed, no rearranging at all.

And now just one more sleep till Princess Mandy comes to visit. If you see a couple or three friends about town, dressed a little over the top, drinking far to much coffee and telling stories with lots of gestures and laughing, that will be us. Oh how will I sleep? it feels like Christmas (including having jobs undone on my list before the deadline).
Also I went to the talk by jeweller Vicki Mason tonight, love her work and so much to think about, about her work, about mine, about the journey of creating, of putting your work out there, of balancing commercial and creative, and creating in a new land, about themes and new techniques. More than I can write tonight, might be interesting to explore a bit more some time though.

Not sure how much time I will have to post between coffees but hope that you take the time to enter my giveaway I have been getting comments from lots of lovely people every time I wear one of my new brooches, such a lovely way to collect compliments.

A trip to Red hill

In my new efforts to get to more markets and new places today we headed out to red hill market. I had heard about this market and been told by many it is worth the drive out from Melbourne. Well, following the print out from Google and finding roadworks, having to detour to find a service station and to find a 'relief' stop we got a little lost (why had I taken the Melways into the house?!) but eventually we got there and it really was great. There were a number of stalls I had seen before but enough that I hadn't that made the market itself worth while and it was nice to be out in the country. Despite the new discoveries I again found myself at a stall I had found at Sister Market harper & eddie and brought a lovely wee thing but I can't show your cause it is a present for someone... I also found these cool cookie cutters they will also be a present.

Another great thing about being at Redhill was we were pretty close to Sorrento and as three of the four in the car hadn't been there before we decided to head there for lunch. And found Buckleys Chance. Since this is a phrase the lone aussie in the car uses a lot we thought it sounded like the perfect place to stop and ...yum. The service was great, a seat in the sun and the food delicious and plentiful. After we decided we needed to take our pukanui (big stomach) for a walk down the street. (I have tried to edit this bit numerous times sorry if it still not sitting right)

We didn't go into this exhibition but liked the sign. That is me and Princess Michelle.

We did go into Gallery Sorrento and found a new item to add to my wish list, some beautiful butterflies made from recovered saucers by Lightly. Further down the street we wandered into Beast Creations strange name, but beautiful glass and jewellery inside. A walk on the beach, soak in the view and then home. A great day full of good friends, great food, treasures for the soul and pressies to bring home.

Next time though I will be heading to Made in Thornbury since I am pretty sure I won't get to lost getting there and I know there will be lots for me to bring home there too, Nice people also I hear ;) Sorry I couldn't get to both and hope all who had a stall there today had a great day.

Another weekend of wonderful

Oh bliss

It was full and it was great, I need a wee lie down now but no time for that.

Saturday morning we had some of our friends over for breakfast, some of our new friends and a couple of long time friends that we managed to bring over from New Zealand. We have lived in Melbourne for just over a year now and it was great to be able to have friends in our house, and to have those that hadn't before, meet each other.

Do you like to have guests? Sure it is a bit scary, my work space wasn't as tidy as I would like it and we nearly ran out of cups, but it is great to meet that scary and find out that your friends do like you despite the less than perfect surroundings and to connect the different parts of our lives. I love breakfast and I love feeding people. We had so much fun I forgot to take photos.

Sunday morning it was cold (yes really New Zealand readers it really was) but I managed to get myself out of bed and down to the Camberwell market to meet the other brave Brown Owl girls. It was lovely to meet some for the first time to share a coffee a chat and some good bargains. I found this great tin, a perfect find for a cold autumn day. It will replace one of my shoe boxes currently used for storage.

On Friday the felt I have been waiting for for my new kits arrives so after I defrosted I spent Sunday afternoon cutting it up. The colours are fantastic I just love to pile them up and rearrange them. But they are all destined to be out the door very soon so best I get stop playing with them and pack them up.