I think maybe some self discipline is needed now - I have had a patch of what maybe I could call bloggyslack!

Lots of little stories and a few bigger ones simmering away - but its hard to go near the computer when the sun is shining, spring is bursting out and the garden calls.  I'll start with  last Saturday which was sunny and warm and we took advantage of the weather to spend some time yarnbombing again. 

 Some of you will know that Margaret and I have a project steaming along in Hurstbridge.  Based on a photograph of "The First Train to Allwood" it is a yarnbomb graphic representation of that photo.  We have an amazing 63 volunteers - all who've committed time, energy, and hard yakka to produce pieces of knit and crochet for the project.  

As the pieces are  given to us we spend time at the fence attaching and joining.  Its often very social, toots from passing cars and chatting to passers by.  Its great to work on something that makes people smile!

We are now well through the guard's van which will be the end of the line.  Just a matter of finishing it off, then patching and piecing a few bits in between followed by a bit of sprucing up and voila! and other expletives, we'll be finished .  Over two years in the making and Christmas should see the project well and truly finished!

Watch out world!!!

Margaret and I have, with the help of 63 amazing volunteers, yarnbombed a street in Hurstrbridge.

We have yarnbombed Montsalvat

Then there's this other project

And now we have an exhibition!  There will be a certain amount of yarnbombing, some yarnbomb sculptures, and the odd interactive yarnombing experience............and there's still our joint catch cry "I have an idea....." and you never know what that will lead to.....

So folks, make a note in your diary "who needs permission" at the Eltham Library Gallery , September 2014.  

Oh and that's not all - but we'll tell you about the other two projects coming up at a later date.......

  

A typical Melbourne spring day - one moment rain,  hail and the next sunshine.  Never mind the weather Max must move!  Her lengthy and varied stay at Montsalvat is over and she is on the move to agistment in Hurstbridge.  

She takes a little more help than the average horse

And of course she is being transported in the correct horsey manner!

Even the geese are impressed

A final check of the protective wrapping......

Past the Gatehouse, our lovely studio for two months....

Down the drive and off away from Montsalvat.......

Some very expert backing up Margaret's very steep drive.......

Back to manual transport

Many hands make light work.......

Through the back gate............and on to a nice dry corner of  the deck.  At this point sudden hail prevented  getting Max into her designated spot or any chance of a  decent photograph! 

Heartfelt thanks to our helpers, Peter and Michelle with the horsefloat and all that went with it, John, Helge,Tony, Sim and Jeanette for their muscles!

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Well Max is now counting sleeps - she'll be travelling from an empty studio

to a cosy new home in Hurstbridge in  just a couple of days. She'll be travelling in comfort in the most appropriate of transport.  Just wait and see!

An extra special post tonight.  We'd like to thank everyone at Montsalvat- all the artists in residence who made us so welcome, members of the Board and the administration,  the restaurant (ate there four times) .  Jo and her band of volunteer gardeners  who  laughed at and with us no matter what we did to the garden and Dean who helped us with the horse and ladders.  We'll never forget how  Sigmund  kept his sense of humour no matter what we wrapped in knitting (including himself!).

Sim, Jeanette & THAT tree again!

We are indebted to Jeanette Davison whose invitation to yarnbomb Montsalvat created a never to be forgotten opportunity.   Thanks Jeanette, you looked after us beautifully! Not only did we have  heaps of fun but the experience enabled us to grow as artists in the most unexpected ways   developing  new skills and ideas as we went.



  

Open Day is over and we have yarnbombed Montsalvat.  So now we pack up.......

First the palm tree

Just about everybody has been photographed under the palm tree except Margaret - until now 

This time its Tony who helps with the dismantling 

And all that was done without disturbing the geese sitting on eggs at the back of the studio

And now ...with much sadness,  the last load into the car

Yep We'll be back!

Meanwhile there'll be less frequent blogs with more details  on our knitty Montsalvat creations over the next few weeks!.

Well a glorious sunny day for Montsalvat's Open Day on Sunday.  

We put on our "Montsalvat Artists" aprons and celebrated with a photograph to prove that we did actually get everything finished in time!  Note the clean floor and everything is TIDY!!

Outside the door , 9am and people are arriving - Sue, Sue. Amy and Joe looking very festive with bright red umbrellas.

Children start queueing to collect their maps for a treasure hunt to count our yarn bombings , return to the studio and collect a chocolate frog.  

Between looking at exhibitions, studios, eating, listening concerts people rest on the daisy covered lawns  entertained by buskers.

Others enjoy our bright and cheery  yarnbombings 

Resting in the Gatehouse Retreat at the end of a busy day

Whilst in the studio we should have been charging  "posing rights"  - the horse and peacock were kept very busy standing still and smiling sweetly for very many of the nearly 1300 visitors to Montsalvat. 

What a day - and in the words of some very wise person - "we all went home tired but happy".