What a month. From the mundane (no Internet at home for the last 4wks thanks to Optus) to the tragedy of February 7th.

Emma and I were in Launceston, Tasmania for the weekend on The Hottest Day ever. Temperatures only reached 33degrees so we were oblivious to the destruction going on back home. It wasn't until 6pm on Saturday evening when we were enjoying a Bogues on a hotel balcony in Deloraine that we found out how bad things were. I called my sister to discover Victoria was on fire.

We used to live in a little town called Broadford on five acres of land. 70ks from Melbourne and only 12ks from the fires that burned around Kilmore East, Heathcote Junction and other parts of the world up there.

We contacted our neighbours - all are fine but everyone knows someone who was caught up in what is now referred to as Black Saturday.

We flew back Sunday morning and passed over some of King Lake, plumes of smoke and patches of black - it just seemed so surreal. So days have passed with hundreds of accounts of miraculous escapes and heart-breaking stories of death and destruction as everyone comes to terms with just how massive, fast and powerful this fire was. A woman I work with (but don't very well) spent the night sitting in her damn as the fires raged, another woman's aunt & uncle and gradmother lost all their homes and every single possession, a former colleague literally ran from his house with his wife and daughter and escaped with their lives. I met a man who gave his caravan to a family in need. This inspired us to clean out our house and not surprisingly, we managed to gather together a lot of basic stuff; kitchen utensils, pots and pans, clock radio - good stuff that works and can be re-used.

I hope it rains soon. I really hope it does.

On the craft front: I made a softie for the fantastic Toy Society who have set up an appeal. Hundreds of crafty bloggers are doing an amazing job, lending their names and voices to getting the word out: Handmade Help, Meet Me At Mikes, Kaotic Kraft Kuties to name just a few.

So what else did February hold?

Dinner at Stillwater in Launceston. Brilliant.

Poor Boy at the MTC starring Guy Pearce. Mixed feelings but over-all, really enjoyed it...especially the songs.

The Victorian Blythe meet in Seddon organised by the funny, smart, talented We Play With Dolls people.

Kaki King at the Corner Hotel - wow.

Saw
The Changling
Milk
Bride Wars

Ghost Patrol and Cat Rabbit's fantastic new exhibtion at Gorker Gallery, While You Sleep.


And a lovley dinner with good friends at Kamel in Albert Park.

Nothing to complain about there. x

A peek at the kitchen shelf...for no good reason.

Do you like my little Unazakin? Emma found her in Tokyo. I'd been searching for one and almost gave up hope but Em stumbled across her in a department store called LOFT. Apart from looking cute she has the remarkable ability to answer any question you please and with a shake of her head - up/down, left/right - she let's you know her answer.

I find this particularly useful during arguments when I ask her "Am I right?" or "Is Emma wrong?".

Clearly this Unazakin has a brilliant mind.

My friend in the craftroom

Toby chilling.

Another sweet book from Japan.

Bunny/bear/fox and red coat = cute in any language.

Minor detail...

I love bookshops and whenever I travel I usually make a bee-line for whichever bookshop happens to be the best. I was spoilt for choice in Tokyo and was lucky enough to stay in a hotel that was virtually next door to one.
Okay, I don't actually speak or read Japanese but no matter - the books, on just about every subject from interior design to craft, are brilliant. No surprise to find loads of fantastic children's books. I spent ages just pouring over beautifully illustrated hardbacks that were very reasonably priced. I couldn't go past this one, especially when I saw that lovely shop with all the sewing notions. Way cute.