my creative space: colourful crochet...

after seeing Melanie's post this week I was reminded that I also have a couple of outstanding birthday gifts to get onto. do other people have this affliction? you want to make because it's a way of showing how much you care, but does giving a present 6 months late contradict that?

I have a dear (patient) friend in mind for this one - she is extremely talented, gentle and kind, an excellent violinist and runner, and she had a birthday earlier this year but true to form wanted no-one to pay any attention to it(!)

It's going to be a cushion cover. I am thinking a recycled jumper (sweater), but still need to crochet another 7 squares to make it 4x4.

You can find links to more crafty people over at Kirsty's

sweet jar covers

for a while now I've been hoarding a single tiny vegemite jar. it is such a perfect size and shape, I have been determined that one day I would crochet a little cover for it and turn it into a dear little vase...

well, the day arrived. it was in the post-grampians-cycle-trip-I-rode-into-the-wind-and-rain-for-three-days-now-I-can-sit-on-my-butt-for-the-next-three-and-crochet-guilt-free phase. and one jar became five, with perhaps some more to come.

I think they turned out rather well. I might even put together a tutorial.


also picked up around the same time were these cottons from the frankston market for my future jar-covering urges... (all this for $1.50!)

plus, some gorgeous hand-carved wood block stamps:

exciting times!

My creative space: on the bike

(taken on Tuesday near Gariwerd, The Grampians)

Sometimes bike touring is easy. The sun shines, the wind is at your back, your legs feel strong and you can't imagine being happier doing anything else. It is a time for ideas, for possibilities. You literally feel yourself unwind. It is very much a creative space. There are endless hours, just to think. No multi-tasking, except for turning those pedals and letting your mind wander (and trying to avoid those swooping magpies).

And then there are those other times.

When the wind and the rain are in your face, when your legs are telling you you're on a hill but it can't possibly be, it looks so flat. When you're still 30 or 40 (or 60) km from where you need to be and you've had enough, and you curse your pride from stopping you flagging down the next car.

It's a love-hate relationship.

(p.s. if you're in the Grampians area, I can highly recommend the Willaura Bakery)

As always, you can find more creative spaces over at Kirsty's