Almost Winter

This is how Melbourne tells you it is almost Winter...

31 degrees C, then ten days later the temperature is down to 18 degrees C. And you can tell the winter-people from the summer-people. The latter are shivering, dressed in light clothing, defying the cold air. They complain about a bit of rain.

I'm a winter-person. I embrace the cold air. I pull out my boots and scarves and coats with a happy heart. I look forward to the ritual changing of the summer blankets to the thick down quilts. 

Ahh, almost Winter. In Melbourne that means the Craft and Quilt Fair, the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo. It means longer evenings, cups of tea, casseroles, wooly socks, porridge. And it means my birthday too!

This weekend I learned a new skill - yarn winding. I thought I would need one of those nifty (expensive) yarn-winders. But who would have known that all I needed was an empty toilet roll cardboard tube? This tutorial was helpful, and so was this one.

I've done 15 balls already!

Cheers, Paula.

Sunday.

What can I say. I didn't plan to buy more yarn. Well, not consciously. But did I really expect to walk out of Morris and Sons empty-handed?

Tea cups, milk jugs and late night shopping

Who would have thought the little sleepy town where I grew up is now home to at least four antique / vintage shops? 

Along with little art studios, cafes, and a playground that puts our neighbourhood park to shame. I couldn't resist this pretty trio and milk jug.

You might notice, in the background of the previous photos are some skeins of yarn. The end result of a late-night eBay shopping spree.

A bundle of scrumptious merino, silk, alpaca and cashmere.

Cheers, Paula.