Returning

Returning to visit family in Melbourne is always a treat! My blogging will probably not be happening this week as I will be busy enjoying the moment.

A cold, wet Melbourne day

Although it was a cold wet, Melbourne day we had lots of colour. A bright double rainbow was spotted and admired.

 Toes and fingernails got colourful treatment to the delight of Miss 2.5

And we finished with nice smelling potions made into bath bombs.

 

Clifton Springs

Visited a lovely seaside spot, Clifton Springs near Geelong. It was a popular holiday/spa place in the late 1800's with fresh water springs bubbling up out of the sand. The water was bottled for many years and glass fragments are still found along the shore.

The bottles were also this torpedo shape, echoed in the public information signs along the walk.

It was a beautiful sunny day with lots of exploring by all of us. Miss 5 and Miss 2 1/2 loved the warm sea water for paddling.

Wonderful textures from the sea worm casings on the rocks.

More pattern

Here are some photos of more patterning from the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Before the ticket box is a group of large African animals, seen in the zoo. The animals have been made very appealing by mosaics and interesting painted treatments.

The children love climbing over them.

Pattern

Loved this pattern cut into these rusty metal walls in a small garden area at the Werribee Zoo near Melbourne.

You can just see some of the light pattern coming through.

 

 

A small top

What should I to do with the birthday fat quarter I selected at Sunnybank Quilters? It had bright colours and sea creatures on it and was perfect for the front of a little top. Quickly made in an hour or two, the pattern was from the Australian Love Sewing magazine.

And worn out the next day!
No I am not taking up rag rug making Jan!
Yes, it looks like the same Gaultier exhibition- I guess it is touring the world!

 

Rags to riches

It did feel a bit like that- rags to riches, but in this case a rug made from old woven shirts. Daughter Rita completed the plaiting and had a big ball for stitching into a rug. This was a first try and I had a go at stitching on the machine too and found it easy to join with a wide zigzag.

 Snapped up by Miss almost 5 for her dolls!

 

Melbourne sights

Window cleaners made quick work of this building at Southbank Melbourne, as we walked to the National Gallery of Victoria to see the Jean-Paul Gaultier fashion exhibition.

We were given some insights into his vision by this talking head mannequin.

And we marvelled at the couture and it's execution. Photos were allowed.

 

Birthday quilts

I made 2 little cuddle quilts for my granddaughters' birthdays. While Melbourne has been hot this Summer it will be cold soon enough, so wool batting should keep them warm.

They were fun to make from the fairy panels. I used an alphabet fabric for borders and backing. A bright pompom trim finishes them off.

 

AQIPP

The Australian Quilts in Public Places exhibition opens today at The Whitehorse Art Space Melbourne and continues to December 21. This is an initiative of the Australian Quilters Association. I entered a quilt and it was selected for the exhibition which had the theme Water; Warp and Weft.

Water Net is made from silk and synthetics, yarns, beads and thread.

I enjoyed working on this as it follows on from my technique used to create the tree dress earlier in the year. If anyone is going to the exhibition and photos are allowed, please share them as I will not get to Melbourne in time to see it.

 

Beautiful Australia

Beautiful Australia is now in Melbourne for the Stitches and Craft Show until Sunday at the Caulfield Racecourse 10am- 4.30pm.
Yes Jan, I will be going to the Ozquilt Network conference.

Beautiful Australia exhibition

It is always wonderful to have the support of the local Australian quilt and textile magazines to promote an exhibition. As Curator of Beautiful Australia I began the publicity for our exhibition very early and the current issue of Textile Number 111 has us on page 56. You can see this exhibition next in Melbourne at the Stitches and Craft Show October 24-27 at the Caulfield Racecourse.

Cheesecake

Cheesecake on Saturday- always a good choice. This delightful concoction is an Italian Baked Berry Cheesecake from Hausfrau  Melbourne. Keeping with my healthy eating plan,  I set the very sugary pink topping to the side and concentrated on the cheesecake which was delicious.
Recycled/ upcycled old workshop samples Jan.

Bread



In view of Easter, just around the corner, 'holy bread' may be the way to go! This took my fancy when we stopped for coffee at this bakery café in Altona, Melbourne. The photo is enlarged so you can read the signage. Rather clever marketing?
Indeed I did worship, no covert, the delightful desserts before settling on a blessed tasty treat.

Safe arrival

We have been waiting patiently for the arrival of our newest family member and she has arrived safely.

We are so lucky to have this little bundle of joy in our lives and look forward to getting to know Maeve Isobel.

 

Fruit

I think it is healthy to have fruit in your diet. So my choices for morning tea have followed this dictate.

Mango Macaroon with Raspberry and Pistachio. To be fair I only ate the Mango! 

Caffeine dealers

Melbourne coffee shops are keeping me amused with their clever marketing. Jasper Coffee are 'caffeine dealers' with 'addictive excellence' in a cup.

And then this choice of coffee on the menu at another establishment really cracked me up.

Nightmare Latte anyone??

 

 

Gerard are you a quilter?

Came across this photo at the Werribee Mansion, when we went on a self conducted tour. Wow, what a beautiful old home and then a seminary from the 1920's. The restoration shows some of the elegance of what once was.

Would have been lovely to be a lady of the house, not a scullery maid!

Interesting to see the corsets and bustles they had to wear. Certainly a case of fainting from the cinched in waist.

 

Sculptural elements

Came across some lovely sculptural elements at the seal and penguin enclosure. Lots of colour shaded Perspex? sheets and weathered wooden batons on a wall outside.

This must have appealed to the patch worker in me.

Fish caught in fishing rods, not in the usual way. Melbourne Zoo is a lovely spot for a day out Annette.