Herbert and Friends - Handmade Softies by Torunn

The past week is a bit of a blur for me  - there was a sprained finger, some house-hunting, lots of cooking, a basketball semi-final, a group stitching session  - all mixed in with the usual sewing and sending off orders. I've also been reading more than usual in preparation for tonight's First Monday Book Club at Oscar and Friends booksellers in Surry Hills. As the name of the event suggests, it's held on the first Monday of each month and everyone is welcome to join! The book this month is Bed by David Whitehouse. I haven't quite finished it, but hopefully this won't matter too much. 

While I'm on the topic of books I thought I'd share some other books I've been reading/listening to. When I'm sewing and working I always listen to audiobooks, I usually get through two or three books a week. Lately I've been listening to a whole lot of Haruki Murakami - including Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, A WIld Sheep Chase and I'm currently halfway through The Windup Bird Chronicles. I find his stories so compelling, his character are so wacky and completely normal at the same time and I love his humour! Most of his novels have a metaphysical element that flows seamlessly into reality. I highly recommend a read or a listen!  

It's been a long time since I made a fox. In its absence the red panda was often mistaken for a fox and I caved to popular opinion; sometimes it took on the persona of the fox and sometimes a red panda. To me these two creatures are now restored to their originally intended species, but if you see a fox when you look at the red panda, or a dingo when you look at the fox there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Either way they're both for sale in my shop! On the left is Peter the Fox - soon to be geologist, and on the right is Roberta the Red Panda - detective in training.  

I'd like to introduce you to one of my all-time favourite possessions - my shiny red gumboots. It's been raining non-stop in Sydney for the last four days and is predicted to continue for another three, which has provided us with  amazing, never-before-seen, puddle jumping conditions! Yesterday I walked through Redfern Park and the whole thing was one big puddle! Jumping in puddles is definitely underrated (at least by people aged nine and over). If you're in Sydney at the moment I recommend putting on some gumboots and enjoying the rain. Followed by snuggling up on the couch with a hot chocolate! 

Today is our friend's birthday so Herbert, Toby and I decided to make him a short video to wish him a happy birthday...

Mia is the newest friend of the Herbert gang. They ran into her while they were out looking for blackberries and she was trying to track down a mouse that had borrowed a trowel and not returned it.  

Mia is known for her gardening skills (some say she has the magic touch), and having an amazing knowledge of trivial facts. Needless to say she'd be an excellent addition to anyone's trivia team. She's also a welcome guest at dinner parties as she can always fill awkward silences with interesting (but not so useful) facts. 

Mia is available in my shop.

I've just finished a little shop update with these three lovely yeti-trolls. 

George - the sensitive soul.

Lilly - the bass player.

Gustav - on his way to fame. 

I took three yetis with me to the Brisbane Finders Keepers to test out how they'd go. I sold all three in the first hour of the market opening and got some orders on top of that! I'm making a new bunch at the moment so if you're after a yeti they'll be in my shop by Thursday, I'll keep you posted! 

I've finally returned from my QLD adventure! I've put together some photos from the  past week to give you an idea of what's been happening. We (my dad and I) decided to drive up to Brisbane and caught up with some rellies along the way. This first photo was taken on the road somewhere near Guyra. 

Our first stop was to visit my second cousin who lives in Wallangarra, a small town on the QLD border. She lives in the sweetest cottage I just had to take some photos of her place - lace curtains throughout and an old combustion stove.  

Next is the main event - the Finders Keepers Market. It was fabulous as always and Queenslanders definitely know how to make you feel welcome! The weather was perfect and there was a wonderful collection of stalls. Here are a few of my favourites...

Mae was one of my neighbours, they make playful fabric wall stickers and super cute wrapping paper. If you haven't seen what they do I highly recommend checking it out!  

Gretta Hazel was my other neighbour; her stall had a rustic and nostalgic feel with  lovely handmade jewellery, as well as music sheet greeting cards. 

Next up is the Frankie stall, always a pleasure with their vintage look, not to mention the lollies that get you through the afternoons! 

Pannikin was a definite highlight with her whimsical drawings (they remind me a bit of Daria, best TV show ever!)

I also couldn't go past the wonderfully talented Lauren Carney and her awesome illustrations. 

Last but not least is Brooke Johnston Designs and her beautifully embroidered  necklaces and fabric brooches and hair-clips.

The following day we were off again - this time to visit my aunt on Macleay Island. I'm not too sure if it's considered part of Brisbane, either way it's very close by. We were treated to lunch at the bowls club which had the best view of any bowls club I've been to!  

The island was full of these cute birds who make an amazing amount of noise at night. 

While we were there my aunt pulled out some historical family document, among them was this great postcard sent from a great aunt in 1914 to her sister. I just love the colouring! 

This last photo was taken in Bellingen early in the morning before the last leg of our trip. 

It really was a whirlwind adventure! now I'm slowly getting back into work and catching up on everyday life.