Mystery tour...

Mural at the "Melbourne Story" exhibition at Melbourne Museum

On Saturday I took a girlfriend on mystery tour of another collection of my 'favourite places'.  This time it was the Bellarine Peninsula.  My friend has just moved back to Geelong and so we took some time to catch up and explore...

We started with KYO at Ocean Grove... a HUGE warehouse full of furntiure, homewares, textiles and more from around the world.  For me it's like an Aladin's cave of interesting "stuff"!!

Then we wandered the main street of Queenscliffe... I love Queenscliffe... I love the boutique clothes shops, antiques, second hand books, galleries, homewares, gourmet foods and the cafe's... and of course the ice-cream shop (although we didn't indulge in ice-cream... we were full froma gorgeous lunch and afters of hand-made chocolates and hot-chocolate....).

Top Designs - Fashion students' work

On Sunday I took myself to the Melbourne Museum and was flooded with inspiration... the Top Designs 2010 exhibition (the works of VCE students) was impressive!! I would have love the opportunity to do works like that when I was at school - there was everything from fashion, furniture, film, photography, advertising and so much more. What was really impressive was the folio's that supported their work that included their research, inspirations, designs etc.

I was also impressed with the animal display - and the buzz coming from the kids and families as they viewed it... And the bugs in display boxes always amaze me... I've done this before when I was at Uni and really enjoyed it (I don't think I have any photos) but still love the 'en-masse' display.

My head is now swimming with ideas for my artwork! I'll have to write some down before they get lost because right now I'm still on the hunt for bridge images to satisfy last weeks inspiration...

Inspired!...

Today for the first time I have been inspired to do something creative...  I won't start it yet... the idea is still developing and I have a weekend of visiting ahead of me, but the ideas are flowing, the search for images is on and the sketches have started...

It came with the quote that I posted earlier in the week:

"The hardest thing in life is to learn which bridge to cross and which to burn" (David Russell)

I found it (on the internet of course!) when I was feeling pretty low.  I've been using quotes as a 'pick-me-up' or 'mantra'.  I re-wrote this quote onto a sticky-note (gotta love post-it-notes!) and it has been attached to my computer screen all week...and it really has helped to keep me focused on the "bigger picture".

This morning I made this rough journal entry using the quote - just as a reminder to myself of the quote...  and then I realised that this is my next project!!  Bridges...  There are heaps (and heaps) of bridge related quotes and sayings ... "build a bridge and get over it" and "it's water under the bridge" and "bridge the gap".  I don't intend to get too deep... it's simply that this quote has me thinking bridges and suddenly I can now see bridges 'working' in the type of images that I create.  It's one of those things where the image has meaning only to the creator...   I'm actually really excited about this one!

Another project started...

I did manage to make a start on the new scarf last night... and I ended up using the new pattern. *grin*
Partly because I was itching to see how it worked... and partly because I couldn't lay my hands on the other (couldn't remember how to get started)... and

I like this pattern but unfortunately it's not as fast working as the other - not the instant gratification of the other pattern (patience is NOT my greatest virtue). I don't remember the names of either pattern, except that they were available from Wondoflex for $1 with the purchase of the Noro wool.  The pattern I'm using will create a ruffle effect  and was supposed to be used with the Noro Light yarn which I think is a slightly finer yarn.  I'm just not sure if the 3 balls that I bought will be enough.... I might just have to make another trip to the shop for an extra ball. (that would be a shame... or maybe just a perfect excuse to go back and gush over all of the gorgeous wool...)

Of course I also worked some more on the Babette Blanket too... I think I'm addicted!  I know it's a big (biggish) project, but because I'm working in 2 and 4-round squares at the moment, I get the instant gratification of seeing the piles of completed squares growing.  When the 2 and 4 squares are done I'll go back and turn some of them (the 4 squares) into the large 6, 8, 10 and 12-round squares - that's where I'll slow down a bit.  At the moment I can get about 2 of the 2-round squares done in an ad-break and another 2 between ad-breaks!

My creative space...

I'm going to be putting the crochet down for a couple of days so that I can turn these balls of Noro Silk Garden into a wonderful warm scarf for a friend.  I picked up another pattern when I was at Wondoflex buying the yarn, but am still undecided if I will re-use the drop-stitch pattern that I used recently or try the new one...  hhmmmmm..... decisions, decisions....

For more creative spaces check Kirsty's blog

"If you don't like something, change it; 

If you can't change it, change the way you think about it." 

 (Mary Engelbreit)

"The hardest thing in life is to learn which bridge to cross and which to burn..."

(David Russell)

...and my theme song at the moment...

Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

  "I get knocked down, 

but I get up again,
You're never going to keep me down"

Melbourne, markets, treasures and more...

This weekend I spent time doing the things that I used to love doing when I was living in the inner suburbs of Melbourne and guess what... I still love it!

I love the strip shopping in Melbourne... particularly those with somewhere with cool cafes, interesting shops and a great 'community feel' about them.  Maling Road in Canterbury is one such strip...  with everything from fashion to antiques, homewares to books, gourmet foods and kitchen wares to the green green grocer on the corner as well as the obligatory cafes.  I wandered the strip buying only a couple of nice cards and a packet of Herbie's Spices Chermoula Mix for my Morroccan Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Tagine and Canadian Pancakes (with Bacon, maple syru, banana and berries) for my 12noon breakfast.... What a great morning!!

There are many more places like this - some that I have discovered... others that I've yet to find... and I'm going to start enjoying them again!  (BTW if you have a favourite spot in Melbourne and you're willing to let me in on the secret... please leave a comment!)


Sunday's were always my day for markets and so this weekend I did just that... I started at Wantirna Trash & Treasure with a girlfriend, joining the queues at at 8am (yes... they line up here to buy the $1.80 ticket to get into the market - which opens at 8am...).  J came away with a new vac and some baby clothes but I was empty handed...  J and I said our goodbyes and I continued on to Camberwell Market which is the market that I used to frequent.  It was late by the time I arrived (about 10.30am - I used to be there at 7.30am with the serious buyers!) but still had a lovely time...  I ended up with two not-quite-complete cutlery sets (but with soup spoons, and two sizes of knife and fork) for only $14 which will be perfect for when I find my own place in the near future.  

I finished off the day with the heater on, watching tele and crocheting like a mad-woman... (after spending several hours in McDonalds over one cup of coffee, making use of their free wi-fi playing Words-with-Friends-Scrabble with my Mum in Queensland...).


I have made a plan for the Babette Blanket... I've mapped out the colour combinations that I will make (still sticking with my original 4 colours) and am working on making the 2 and 4-round squares (sounds wrong... round squares... doesn't it?).  I'll then add-on to the 4-round squares and turn them into the larger squares.

I'm a planner... by doing this I know how many of each colour I will need and can be sure that I don't double up on the combinations too much.  Anal, I know... but it keeps me on track!  And before you dispute this Mum... I didn't say I was organised... just that I plan :)  One look around my house (or room as it may be currently) and you'd know that I'm not the most organised of people...

I'm now looking forward to next weekend and the treasures that it might bring!

Going exploring...

I'm taking myself out today to explore Melbourne... not sure what I will find or where I am headed but I'm sure to have a great day...

It starts...

After a number of false starts, a day searching for clarification of instructions (thanks Jeanna), and a few wonky squares... I have made a start on what will be my version of the Babette Blanket



There are 126 squares (in varying sizes) to make, and lots of colour changes (although at this stage I plan to stick with my 4-colour green and taupe/grey scheme) but I'm up for the challenge...

I like how the squares are turning out so far. My tension might be a bit tight (I haven't actually measured it beyond checking that the squares match) but as long as it's consistent that won't matter. It should make a very warm blanket!

Lost in translation...

Double crochet?... treble crochet?... single crochet?....

I commented yesterday that what was keeping me from starting the Babette Blanket was my memory... I couldn't figure out what double crochet was.  I was doing what I thought was double crochet and it just didn't seem right.  In search of answers I turned to the trusty Google and....  turns out I was right and wrong....

Apparently there is a difference between Australian and US definitions of the stitches...

It turns out that what I was doing WAS double crochet - at least as I'd been taught here in Australia - but in the US, this is a single crochet.  And what I call treble, is what the US call double... confused??? I am!!!

So now my problem is.. which stitch is the pattern calling for when it says double crochet?  At this stage I'm assuming that the pattern I have was printed in a US magazine and therefore would be using the US definitions, meaning that when it says double crochet, I should do what I know as treble crochet and it should all work out fine...  Fingers crossed....

I have sought clarification over at the Flickr Babette Blanket group and I keep checking every few minutes to see if anyone has an answer. I love the internet and it's wealth on knowledge!!

****************

The importance and power of words was also pointed out to me (subtly) yesterday in relation to another matter completely...  As we were leaving the office 3yo son of my boss asked me where I was going... I told him I was going to ****  place to which he replied "why?" (as 3yo's do) and so I answered "because that's where I'm staying for now" at the same time as his Mum said "because that's where Sophie lives now"...  And his Mum was right... There are some great quotes out there like "fake it till you make it" and "the power of positive thinking" and small differences like using 'live' instead of 'stay' are all part of convincing myself that what I am doing and the choices I have made are right and that this is permanent!


I have no doubt confused many of you with the above... Up until now I've tried to keep my blog about my art and creative pursuits with small snippets about the house and the dog but generally I have kept my personal life out of it.  Apparently this is not just the case with my blog... I've been doing the same with my Family and Friends and as a result they have not known of the things going on in my life - not really anyway - not until recently that is... 


The past week I have toyed with what blogging is for me and why I blog and I have discovered that it's more than the art and creativity.  It's about the connection and the community that blogging envelopes... but for me, right now, it's also a means of picking myself up and getting on with life.  Blogging each day this last week has made me look for positives and as a result I've found myself looking forward and not dwelling on the past.  And so I'm keen to keep it up!  I will warn you however that I've now decided that there will probably be times where the focus of my blogging turns inwards.  I hope that this doesn't turn you off, but if it does then that's alright too.


BTW in explanation... I left my husband a couple of months ago... I tell you this as an explanation and NOT to seek sympathy... It has been and still is a struggle but I'm at the stage where I need to get back into doing the things that I love and that make ME happy and blogging, creating and art are some of those things....

Direction....

Thanks to Penny of  Sosewpoppy I now have direction for my granny squares...

The granny squares have me hooked and I'm seeing them everywhere at the moment.  I like them because:

1. I'm happy to work with patterns and structure at the moment - it keeps me doing, without having to plan too much...
2. I can work small making it portable and easy to pick up without dragging out boxes of 'stuff'
3. If I get bored before I finish, I can adjust the project to be something smaller - or more to the point it keeps growing as I make and stops when I stop...

Penny has been making the Babette Blanket and suggested I do a Google Image search.... I did... and I fell in love... So yesterday I bought the pattern - online in PDF so no waiting!!!

And I would have made a start on it last night, if I could only work out if what I was doing really was double-chain...  I know i have a number of books that would show me exactly how to do it, but they're all in storage at the moment...

Instead I worked on knitting this last night...

A few good things...

Yesterday was a good day... Nothing earth shattering, but a few small positive comments were enough to lift my spirits...

The first came towards the end of my working day when my girlfriends 13yo daughter spotted me on Facebook and said hi. It was her and her mother that I had visited on Saturday, and while I was there I cooked pita-bread pizzas for lunch and a couple of lasagnes for the freezer (her Mum has had an operation recently and this was something that I could do to help). During our brief facebook chat I asked her what was for dinner and she told me she'd cooked pizzas - like I'd shown her on Saturday!! I was impressed that she'd given it a try and when I suggested I teach her something else next time I'm out, she was keen.

The next came later in the evening... I visited another girlfriend who's shoulder I have cried on a few times recently. Usually when I visit, we have shop-bought lasagne (easy-tea-night) and so I took a large home-cooked lasagne as my contribution. As I was leaving and I went to collect my dish, and M (15yo son) asked if he could have the leftovers for lunch as there was still some left. And J (15yo daughter - twins) was also impressed because I'd remembered that she doesn't eat/like cheese or dairy and so I'd saved some of the meat sauce and taken pasta so she didn't have to eat space food (her father's term for the frozen dinners that she eats when we have shop-bought lasagne).It was nice to know that my cooking was approved by the kids as well as the adults :)

En Plein Air...

En plein air... according to Wikipedia is "a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors."

Yesterday, I applied this to my knitting.

I'd had a difficult morning - I've always loved weekends, but now I find them hard - I just don't know what to do with myself... So after a phone call to Mum asking for a 'virtual' hug (Mum's hugs always make things better - even now) I packed my knitting and headed off to the park at the bottom of the street.

I've been living in my latest place for nearly 2 months now and whilst I know that there is a large park just down the road, I've never yet ventured down there. I was pleasantly surprised when I did... It was buzzing with activity!!! Family picnics and BBQ's, Dad's playing footy with their kids, parents teaching their kids to ride a bike or rollerblades, dogs being walked, photographers with their camera's, student studying mosses, bird watchers and people walking, riding and running for fitness, pleasure or socially. All of this has been going on at the end of the street and I have been oblivious to it all...

It was comforting sitting there amongst everyone, on my park bench across from the lake nodding and saying hello to those who passed.

ETA I can't show you what I was knitting because I've ripped it out already. I tried the drop-stitch-wave pattern with the alpaca wool and it's just not right... I think that pattern works best with variegated yarn and the alpaca needs something else so it's back to the drawing board to find something better... I might have to give the pattern that Aunty Jill gave me another try (with different needles this time).

A new dress and a new 'do'....

I have been going through some pretty big life changes lately and just like I treated myself to the obligatory-cheer-me-up-shopping-trip-and-new-hair-do-treatment, I figure that my blog deserves the same it's-all-about-me-time-for-a-change attentions...

I've trialled about 50 (maybe more) new tmeplates until I stumbled upon bloggers edit template feature which has allowed me to create this latest one. It's not yet finished - I need a header (the one I had doesn't fit my new colour scheme, and the one I made doesn't quite work properly), and I need to fix all of my links and lists and buttons... I lost my blog-list too so I'm going to have to spend some time trawling the blogs and creating a new one - actually I'm looking forward to that!!

But today I'm having a day out! A girlfriend needs some company and TLC so I'm packing a picnic and some "pick-me-up" treats for the three of us (she had a teenage daughter who's been pretty worried about her Mum too).

Finished...

My noro silk garden scarf is finished and already snuggly employed around my neck. Even though the yarn is composed of 45% Silk 45% Kid Mohair and 10% Lambwool it isn't as soft as I would have thought. To be honest I bought it for the colour and the scarf pattern (available for $1 with purchase of this yarn) and I'm very happy with both.



Now I can get back to something else... maybe the granny squares... maybe something else... I want to be creative but my head is just not in the right space so perhaps I'll stick with patterns for now.

It's growing!!!

This is one ball of  Noro Silk Garden so I am now halfway through. I haven't measured it but the finished scarf will be a good length - not too long, not too short... just right!!



I'm really enjoying how quick this is to knit and have decided to use this same pattern for some Alpaca Wool that I picked up from my Auntie at Sunline Alpaca's.

Knitting and crotchet fever...

Finally, pictures of my Granny squares. These were just to get me started... I'm not sure if they're too small, or if I want to mix up the colours or if I'll even go with some plain and some mixed colours - lots more decisions to make (and lots lots more squares to make).





In the mean-time I've gotten a bit distracted - not at all unusual I hear you say (particularly you Mum!). I found this wool and pattern at the stitches and craft show on Sunday and needed to give it a go. It grows quickly so I reckon I'll have this knocked over in no time and will be back to granny squares before you know it.





I also found a part-made crotchet rug (started more than 8 years ago - probably more like 9) when I went home to Mum and Dad's place in Queensland last week. It started out being one of those tartan crotchet rugs - from this book here - of course I don't know where the book is now... and for some reason I've chosen to use white, royal blue, yellow, black (and a bit of red I think). I'm not sure if the colours were from a specific pattern or my choice, but I thought i might try and finish it as well. I might have to see if I can get my hands on another copy of the book.

It's definitely knitting/crotchet weather in Melbourne...