applehead

101 flavours

or rather a  few rather exotic ones...

Raspberry, wattleseed and yellow sapote icecream ( hidden underneath, jackfruit)

On our visit to Cape Tribulation we stopped in at the Daintree Icecream factory.Although there didn't seem to be anything vaguely resembling a factory ( unless you count the tiny tin shed hidden behind a grove of trees) there was a small kiosk selling icecream made the from many different varieties of exotic fruit growing in the surrounding orchard.

The good and bad thing was that you  couldn't choose the flavours - the only way they sold it was as four mixed scoops in a cup. If that hadn't been the case I would never have discovered my passion for yellow sapote icecream or my dislike of the soursop variety. Jackfruit was quite tasty and the wattle seed (along with the yellow sapote) was one of my favourites.

Afterward  we had a quick wander around the orchard to see the fruits doing what they do best...

yellow sapote ,behaving nicely for the camera
(we weren't able to find these for sale to try fresh...has anyone tasted one?)

Soursop...prefer to look at this one on the tree instead of on the end of my spoon! I was told that if you were game to bite the bottom of the ants on this fruit, you would be rewarded with a sweet honey taste
I'd probably prefer to do that than have to eat the soursop icecream again...perhaps the ants might beg to differ?!!!

to-ings and fro-ings....

Just before I headed off to north to Port Douglas and the Daintree, I somehow managed to squeeze in a quick visit to Melbourne ( I know, I'm doing it tough this month...)
Highlights ( and there were many!)

Violet and Rose Peg Apron- picture courtesy of the official Violet and Rose clothesline...

Meeting Jo from Violet and Rose and enjoying it every bit as much ( and possibly even more) than I had imagined. Now I just need to move Melbourne and Sydney a little closer so that I can drop around for a cup of tea and a catch up a little more often... the beautiful apron was part of a bag of goodies that Jo put together for me ( if you too want one to help you achieve that drop dead gorgeous look whilst hanging out the smalls, visit her blog. If you happen to be in Melbourne, pop into Meet me At Mikes to see this and more of her lovely work.This shop is full of craft blog goodness, and if you are lucky you will get to meet the most personable Pip!)

Finding this wonderful stack of old Japanese books hidden in a box under a rack of kimonos at Ziguzagu at Kazari Warehouse.

The covers were so perfectly old and weathered and then inside....

I haven't a clue what I will do with them but I just couldn't leave them behind.

The old obis below came from the same place. ( You might remember one of the obi's from last years trip took on a new life as this crochet roll. I so love using this roll.)

Going to the cinema not once but twice to see a foreign film... Paris, je T'aime  and Orchestra seats at the Cinema Nova, Carlton. I think that the cinnamon choctop that I had on the first evening was a large part of the reason for the second visit the following night!

Just a few of the memorable moments...there were way too many for just one post, so expect another some time soon...

 

 

off on a little wander....

We are heading off tomorrow, bright and early on our annual trip north to find the sun! A little further up than last year - this time Port Douglas and the Daintree. I have always wanted to do a little exploring around this amazing area so I can't wait.I will bore you all silly with the holiday happy snaps when I get back!

In the meantime I have finally managed to finish Keeta's scarf- I bought the wool last year and then got a little sidetracked. Oh well, lucky for me Keeta is a very patient girl and the cold weather has only just set in....

A very simple eyelet knit pattern in Eki Riva 14ply 100% baby alpaca - super soft with the barest sheen to it.Lovely to touch , lovely to knit up.

I have been strict with my packing this time- just two small projects to keep me busy while I'm away...usually I pack several and then never even look at most of them. Drawing stuff is a must though...hopefully have some doodles to show for it when I return.

I've actually  only just arrived back from a quick jaunt down to Melbourne - so it's off the plane, unpack, repack and back on another tomorrow. I was lucky enough to meet up with some crafty Melbourne blog girls so there will be few tales to tell after I've finished exploring.

Until then, take care....

in search of the sun.....

By the time you read this, I will (hopefully) be sitting on a sunny beach somewhere up past Byron Bay. The Horton clan have headed off in search of the sun and to explore a part of the beautiful North Coast that we haven't yet seen. I can't wait - I have a lovely trashy novel, my drawing things and my unfinished toys for Morphe II. Luckily there is no room to take my sewing machine or I most likely would have tried to pack that too. Not that it really matters, as after my slight panic and meltdown earlier in the week, I seem to have found a new source of creative energy. Or my old one has come back! Either way, I have progressed in leaps and bounds and am on the home stretch. Just some hand finishing and embroidery  to do and they'll be bound for Adelaide.
In the meantime I have a few more Japanese craft books to show........

ISBN 4-529-04229-4 This book is full of patchworked and appliqued goodies - bags, potholders, pouches and a knacky sewing kit, just to mention a few!
The way in which colour and pattern are combined are quite inspiring - much bolder and riotous than I tend towards but I think it's good to take a look at things from a different viewpoint once in a while.

Some cute pouches ( or "porches" as they have been called in the book)!

ISBN 4-277-43066-X  hemp no kagibari ami KOMONO
I only had to look at the cover to know that I would enjoy this one.
Lots of crochet inspiration- hats, jewelery, bags and even a drink bottle cover ( could you really be bothered?) There are some really odd little cacti in pots that would make a fun present....

and some beautifully simple hemp baskets...

I would like to make one of these with a pincushion insert.
When I get back from the beach , that is!

Talk to you all in 10 days.....sun & surf here I come! ( hmmm, not too keen on getting into the bikini though!)

sore feet, heavy bags and a much lighter wallet...

A big thank you to everyone who sent suggestions for places to go in Melbourne - as you can see , I had a wonderful time ... vintage buttons from Chapel St bazaar, vintage kimono fabric from Zigu Zagu
and the sweet little apple ( not to mention a stack of other  things) from  the most beautiful store I have been in for a while, zakkaya.  The linen crochet cotton was also found there  -  I could have closed my eyes and pointed and still have been thrilled with whatever I found.  Wonderful stock,and a lovely  welcoming space to be in. Exactly the sort of retail space I'd like to have one day if I ever decided to open a retail store. As for clothes- well,I'm glad that I didn't sign myself up for Wardrobe Refashion 06 - it would have been torture.

Just look at those red glass buttons - and a whole handful of round red Bakelite cherries - serious vintage button heaven! if only I can bring myself to use them!

When I returned home I had the pleasure of finding several postcards waiting for me from the handmade postcard swap organised by Nichola from nikkishell.

It is my first ever postcard swap and it won't be my last. Makes collecting the mail so much more fun when it isn't all boring bills! ( the cute little ceramic bird was a Chapel St bazaar find)
I think that mine should have started arriving now so I can post a few pics of them at last. I used a lino block print and collage ( recognise the paper, Christina ? perfect, thank you!) - the first lino cut I have done for ages and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed it.

this is the lino print and below, the finished cards..as you can see I'm still in full on bird mode.

sooooo glad to be home - here's a cute photo of my smallest applehead....

oh and by the way, Charlie's wearing the only jumper I have ever managed to finish - I just seem to get bored by the time I reach sleeve no. 2 ( maybe if I  just sew together all the odd sleeves and bodies........). Best off sticking to more manageable knit projects for now ( except of course for the wool throw I am knitting for Carla, which grows about 1cm a month and at this rate she will be getting it for her 60th birthday - what on earth was I thinking???)

ps....I was asked what the  "applehead"  referred to - both my girls were smallish babies: Rose was 2.8kg and Charlie, a teeeny 2.2 kgs and they both had the tiniest, roundest heads just like little apples. I used to call them my "little appleheads" and it kinda stuck around...