Crochet, Knitting, Felting Workshops.

Workshops have commenced at Precious Purl for 2011. Our first class will run this Saturday 26th February 10.30-4.30 This is an introduction to Felting with Robyn Steel-Strickland and is booked out, but if you are interested in such a class, let us know and we will plan to run it again.

On Saturdays 19th March and 26th March we have planned 2 workshops with the fabulous, outrageous, Crochet Queen, Penny O'Neill. Penny has run classes for us previously and all participants have had a "ball!"
                                 

On 19th March 2.00-4.00 Penny will run her Bower Birdz class.Crocheted flowers and treasures embellish a "stitch holder" to adorn hair,bags,scarf or wrap.Cost will be $55.

On 26th March 2.00-4.00 a crocheted Scarflette that can also be worn as a head band embellished with crocheted flowers that are used as fastening. Also $55.

These fun classes are designed for both beginners and experienced crocheters.

Saturday 30th April, Pam Goble of Lara Downs will run a Felting workshop using her hand dyed Merino/Silk laps to produce cobweb felt. Get in quickly as numbers will be very limited!

Saturday 14th May Jude Skeers, well known knitwear designer of Moebius Wrap fame will take you through the process of knitting his latest vest design using our Superfine Kid Mohair.

Register your interest by email now (go to my profile for address) and all details will be sent to you or visit Precious Purl to see Samples.

Geelong Patchwork and Quilters Guild

What a great day we had yesterday as the invited guests of the Geelong Patchwork and Quilters Guild at their monthly meeting! This is a vibrant group of around 120 women who are passionate about many crafts.

Pam gave a fabulous talk about the evolution of Lara Downs/Precious Purl  over the years and displayed some samples of work by our talented Artists and Knitters that were lovingly fondled as they were passed around!     
Sorry about the fuzzy zoom shot below!

Our Trade stand was enthusiastically received and many treasures purchased for the next project or just because they were irresistible!! 

Thanks Geelong for inviting us! We would love to come back again and thank you Lisa for minding the Store!

My next post will be all about the exciting workshops happening at Precious Purl - stay tuned!!

This is Melbourne, not Brisbane!!

WOW!! I really feel even more for all those affected by our unbelievable weather in Australia this summer!

The tail end of cyclones Anthony and Yasi  hit very close to home on Friday!

This is the view out our bedroom window at the height of the torrential downpour. This raging waterfall was running down the hill from the back of our half acre block, taking everything in its way, including our driveway!! Fortunately it stopped just short of flowing in the back door!

But this was nothing compared to my son's brand new house.

 Pride and joy of he and his partner for the last 6 months!

Workers from the insurance company came very quickly to remove the soggy plaster and insulation and secure what was left. Just heart breaking for them, but all can be repaired. Gives perspective to the huge losses and damage, others have had to endure. 

I am crocheting Granny Squares with new fervour as I join in with Crochet a Rainbow for all flood victims!

http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com/ 

Crochet a Rainbow

Precious Purl has joined the growing list of participants aiming to Crochet a Rainbow to bring comfort and colour to those affected by the floods throughout Queensland and Victoria.
Donations of Granny Squares of 5 rounds in wool or acrylic will be joined together into blankets. Completed "Grannies" can be left at Precious Purl and we will forward them to Sarah London in NSW. We hope our customers will want to join in such a wonderful way to show their support.
All information can be found at "Crochet a Rainbow" or Sarah London on Ravelry or http://sarahlondon.wordpress.com

Precious Purl resumes normal trading tomorrow Wednesday 2nd February 11-4pm

2011 Workshops at Precious Purl

Time to get excited about 2011 Workshops!

We are starting off the year with a bang!


Our first workshop for the year will be with Robyn Steel-Strickland, author of this great little book of "Irresistibly Beautiful Projects."
Robyn is a past president of Victorian Feltmakers, felter extraordinaire, and a very experienced teacher. She's also lots of fun!
This will be a technique based day for beginning Felters.

Date: Saturday 26th February
Time: 10.30 - 4 -30pm
Place: Precious Purl
Cost: $99 inc all materials and equipment
There are limited places, so register your interest now by sending me an email,(go to my profile for address)
All details and registration form will be sent to you.
I will be at Precious Purl next Saturday 29th January, our last day of holiday trading before resuming normal trading days/hours on Wednesday 2nd February, if you want to register in person. However, we already have several participants, so I would get in early to ensure your place.

Edited: This workshop is now full, but you can still register your interest by email, as we plan to run another soon.


Other workshops in the pipeline are Crochet with the wonderful crochet Queen Penny O'Neill, Knitting with Jude Skeers well known knitwear designer of Moebius Wrap fame, Cobweb Felting with Pam, using her wonderfully lustrous Merino/Silk Laps, dyed to your order and more, stay tuned!!

Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef in Upwey!

I finally managed to find the time to see this wonderful Satellite of the worldwide project. It happens to be about 5 minutes from home, so I visited Friday, then again today with my camera, 2 different groups of friends, 2 chances for a coffee!
Sadly, it finishes tomorrow 9th Jan at "Burrinja" the Arts Centre and Cafe on Glenfern Rd in Upwey.
 Hurry!  Well worth a look!

Many people, of all ages, have crocheted pieces for this fabulous project combining Maths and Craft, while highlighting the effects of Global warming on our Reefs and the huge impact of Plastics on our Oceans.

(A little fuzzy, still learning about my Flash/Focus )

This section of "bleached" coral was amazing! It was hard to pick the few pieces of  "real" thing from the crocheted  pieces. 



Even a little Nemo!

All this crochet is making me think it is time to get some more Crochet Workshops happening at

Precious Purl.

If you do get to Burrinja!! Check out the beautiful paintings in the Cafe, painted by my talented neighbour, Gabrielle Ridgeway!

HOLIDAYS! HOLIDAYS! HOLIDAYS! HOLIDAYS!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We certainly did!

Today was the last day of trading at Precious Purl for 2010!

We will only be open on Saturday 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th January from 11-5pm, while we take a break.
If you are desperately in need of some supplies for Summer Crafting or are visiting Melbourne from interstate and not able to get to Precious Purl on Saturdays, then give me a call on 0423 514 668 and you may be able to persuade me to be at the shop on some other day!! Maybe!

I am going to be doing lots of enjoying of my sister's lovely garden/pool in the Central Highlands area of Victoria. We have our caravan set up in this lush and private caravan park!

Lots of family members to enjoy this break with us and plenty of reading, eating, talking, knitting, shopping, swimming, walking, bike riding and sleeping to come. That's in between Mr Purly and I, tag teaming to give Insulin injections to our recently diagnosed, diabetic Burmese cat. She is much loved and absolutely worth the time and petrol spent to and froing!

Hope your holidays are memorable! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my blog readers and to all our lovely customers at Precious Purl!