For those of you who haven’t already seen this on Suse’s blog………

Legend has it that the Sewjourn Stork …

was feeling a little chilly, what with being so far away from his tropical native lands* and the thought of a rural Victorian winter approaching.

And so, once upon a time in the autumn, someone
kindly made him some bright and snazzy leggings.

But he was still a wee bit chilly.

And so another thoughtful
soul made him a scarf.

Photo credit: Tinniegirl

The Stork was happy now, yes?

Um. Not quite. The Stork realised that part of his problem was a rumbly tummy. And lo, in the midst of the long hard winter he received the
gift of a fish.

Photo credit: Jodie

But the Stork was not yet satisfied. The harsh winter winds of Lancefield
troubled his delicate constitution and he demanded of the people a woolly hat. Preferably one that matched his scarf.

Aviator’s helmet, with pin for scale

And definitely one appropriate for a now-grounded flying hero, long retired from the days of migration yore.

Clothed and fed, the Stork would be content now, thought the people.

And so, the people turned their evil lust for yarnbombing creativity focus elsewhere.

Note striking similarity of yarn and design feature stripes to that of the leggings …)

But the Stork’s discontent mixed now with Cactus Envy and as his rage grew ever stronger he called upon a Tempest to strike down upon the land. O, the winds howled, the rains lashed the land in horizontal needles of unbridled fury and the flood waters rose until the people wept and gnashed their teeth and it all made the front page of The
Age.

And on the Sabbath the people awoke to find …

… that the bottom had fallen out of the world stork.

(And the cactus bed really really needed weeding).

Sorry Jan.

(Thanks Suse for posting…..)

I’ve just unpacked from craft camp. I’ve admired my finished items, I’ve giggled at memories of long nights of hilarity, I’ve sworn I’ll never eat again, I’ve read the emails we’ve all sent to each other filled with the wonder and joy of our shared retreat. A first ever completed quilt left behind in the rush has been delivered home, new clothes fit for a growing baby bump have been hung up ready to wear, a seemingly endless crocheted blanket is that much bigger, a five piece batman costume has been donned by a very excited 3 year old, a new scarf has been knitted on an ancient vintage knitting machine. The scale and variety of projects my fellow campers tackle never fails to amaze and delight me.

Is it really almost two years since my first visit to Sew Journ? It seems like only a blink ago that I was following the renovations on the blog, watching the unfolding story of the birth of an institution. Before my first visit in October 2008 I had organised quite a few craft camps. I’d scoured the internet for houses for rent for groups of 5-12, not too far from Melbourne, not too expensive. Every place I’d stayed had shortcomings of fairly large proportions from unsleepable beds to zero table space to unpleasant landlords. And quite frankly the never ending venue search was pretty tiring and anxiety provoking with every camp a venture into the unknown.

And then came Sew Journ. Perfect, ideal, slice of heaven Sew Journ. If you’ve been you know what I’m talking about. The buzz of inspiration, the shared energy and enthusiasm, the sense of possibility in the air. The perfectly set up tables and lighting, the roaring fire, the handmade quilts. The stashes opened and shared to ensure just the right buttons are found, the 35cm red zip you never knew you were going to need miraculously materialised, the patterns and recipes and techniques passed from person to person.  Just yesterday someone, a complete stranger I kid you not, saw me knitting on the tram and regaled me with stories of a magical weekend at this amazing place called Sew Journ. Her eyes glazed over and she looked all dreamy and far away. I knew just how she felt.

But this weekend we moved into a whole new level. More than just a great craft camp, in a great venue. A story is beginning to emerge that exists between and beyond the individual groups who visit and it is a testament to the spirit of the place. It started out as the story of a stork in a cactus garden, a stork needing some warmth and handmade love. Leg warmers appeared first. Sometime later someone added a scarf, then a woolly fish caught in its beak then a hat. Someone’s inspired idea given life, caught fire and running away. I see the cacti are getting in on the act now and I can’t even imagine where this story might lead.

I’m already planning the next camp. I’m thinking about what projects I’ll be taking, what meal I’ll be cooking and the people I’ll be sharing my adventure with, returning campers and newbies alike. I’m also thinking about where the story of shared creative imagination might be by then and what I might be able to contribute to it.

Sewjourn Experience August 2010

On a cold, wet and windy Friday (aren’t we all pleased to be having a REAL winter for a change?) five friends ventured forth for their second visit to Sewjourn, full of anticipation and excitement.

 After fully loading the car (how can 5 women have so much STUFF?!) we set off down the freeway, first stop Gisborne to visit Lorraine at Quilter’s Bazaar and Mary at Drapers of Mount Macedon.  Several packages later (which we weren’t quite sure would fit in the car) we lunched at a lovely café and then headed off to Lancefield …….. except the sign at the freeway said Romsey straight ahead so we thought, let’s bypass the freeway and go to Lancefield via Romsey.  Well that was the only sign we saw (VicRoads please note, we need more signage!).  After the third road we tried led off bitumen and onto gravel it was time to get out the tomtom – and thank goodness it was available otherwise we’d still be traveling backroads!  Tomtom led us on a delightful tour of Mount Macedon through mist and rain, and then Sewjourn was in sight.  On the way we saw four rainbows and a fifth after arriving at our destination.   A good sign for our weekend away.

Because of the weather, we’d already allocated tasks, number 1 being Karen “light the fire”, number 2, Vikki “put the kettle on” and the rest of us unpacking.  We soon had a blaze going and settled in for a cuppa and some sewing.    Off to the pub for dinner and back for more sewing and dvd’s.

Saturday morning most of us spent sewing, and Vikki headed off to the Antique store.  Just as we were starting to worry she came back full of the sights seen, prompting a visit there in the afternoon.  (Don’t worry Phil, there won’t really be a truck pulling up on Thursday filled with Kaye’s purchases!)

 Then dinner and several dvd’s later, Meredithe headed off to bed leaving the others to wonder over the fate of the nation’s election results.

A beautiful, blue sky morning Sunday and after a slow start, more stitching, more dvd’s, one nanna nap by Meredithe after a late lunch (she saw the start and finish of a dvd, but what happened in between???), a quick clean and pack up.  We left feeling refreshed and relaxed, but wishing to stay for at least a week.  Thanks Jan for making your wonderful retreat available – we just love staying!

 Helen’s beautiful embroidery.

Kaye’s appliqué, inspired by a Robyn Falloon project.

Karen’s stunning William Morris on black

Vikki’s gorgeous ode to William Morris for her daughter and son-in-law’s wedding present.

Meredithe was hand quilting (and still is hand quilting……)

Sunday’s lovely morning weather – it rained later.

We love the new look stork!  Very fashionable!

 Our delicious lunch

 Kaye spoilt us all with a not-so-edible but just delicious cup cake pincushion each.