The Twirly Skirt for Ess...progress check

The Twirly Skirt for Ess

Progress is being made... yet this little green fellow is taking more of my creative energy and desire at the moment. I've been inspired to make pink ones and little ones and perhaps even a strawberry. Ooops better get back to that twirly skirt.

Isn't this adorable fabric?! Lily Pond created by Wendy Slotboom for In The Beginning Fabrics.

Oh how I love a different creative project awaiting me in every room. These days there are so many lovely fabrics, yarns and even food for me to work with. I can make skirts, interior decor and meals to delight us all.

Postcards from the Limestone Coast: Tantanoola Caves

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. ~Henry David Thoreau

Tantanoola Caves are a sight to behold. Our expectations of this magnificent single chamber dolomite cave were definitely exceeded. A friend had told us that Tantanoola was the cave most worthwhile visiting on the Limestone Coast. We are so glad we received this recommendation as we may have driven right past this knowing we would soon be visiting the World Heritage Naracoorte Caves.

The colours of this cave provided by the dolomite component were enhanced by the recent rainfall we have had. The chocolate, yellow, cream and burgundy colours were glossy and bright due to the wetness of the cave. The surface rain is soaking through and effecting all the stalactites. There were puddles on the floor as well. So locals were visiting the cave to see how it looked this season in the wet. It has been so dry for so long. While visiting Naracoorte Caves we noticed a sign encouraging people to view Tantanoola Caves also as they are a sight to behold at the moment. This reaffirmed our decision to stop and take in the beauty of this fascinating cave.

So for our first cave visit we were all thrilled, and held in absolute awe. One of the main things Ess was looking forward to on our holiday was visiting caves and she certainly delighted in this one. She was so excited to finally set her eyes upon some real stalactites, stalacmites and helictites. We also learnt about straws and columns, calcite and dolomite.

The cliff top walk above the cave was enjoyable too. The various flora blossoming during spring was delightful and the seeds of certain grasses became "pingy things" for my dear Ess who threw them at Daddy to see how many would stick to his shirt. It wasn't long before she had a little helper as well. Dad was absolutely covered in them and it was quite a job to remove them all before we could jump back in the car.

The wildflowers were very unique and interesting to me, who was brought up in north west New South Wales, far from any Limestone Coast. I have no idea what these are but would love to know if you know.

It still amazes me to see just how porous limestone is. This wall is an excellent example of limestone.

Postcards from the Limestone Coast: Millicent

'Musts' at Millicent

The Playground in 'The Domain', an outdoor adventure space, a mega playground obviously loved by children of all ages. Particularly impressive is the adult exercise equipment - wonderful for those parents whose children are old enough to play independently. Ess and I actually enjoyed some of it together for a while. So much to do, the girls were sorry we had to leave.

Drive the Woakwine Range Wind Farm Tourist Drive to take in the largest wind farm development in the Southern Hemisphere and enjoy some pretty nice scenery around Lake Bonney.

This is certainly not a common sight in our country, yet perhaps it should be more so with the amount of extreme weather we experience.

Postcards from the Limestone Coast: Boatswain Point

Ocean: A body of water occupying two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills. ~Ambrose Bierce

A little north of Robe you will find the curious community of Boatswain Point. We observed craypot buoys used as baubles in trees and a pyramid type monument built of these buoys in someone's front yard. I have no pics as while the locals were friendly, I didn't want to invade their privacy with my camera. However the menagerie of decorations was something to behold as we roamed the streets trying to find a route down to the beach.

We finally found a 4WD track which led to a beautifully calm and secluded sheltered bay and beach. The seaweed along the water's edge proved very interesting. Ess and I found a miniature harbour bound by seaweed "headlands" which captured our interest for a long while. It was so calm and relaxing to watch the water lap in and out. (I had a lovely little video for you to bring the sea into your home, yet Blogger will not upload it for me, no matter how many ways I try (sigh)).

We enjoyed watching the effect of the waves on the sandcastles we strategically placed around the 'little harbour'.

We saw the waves gently swirl around the base of them and gradually erode them to form little mushroom islands like those in Palau.

The ocean never fails to calm and delight.

Lazy Days and Twirly Whirly Skirts

Any day spent sewing, is a good day. ~Author Unknown

Just before we left for our holidays I saw Mel's plans to make a twirly skirt for her daughter and the whole time we were away I spent dreaming of the beautiful fabrics I would find for a twirly skirt for my dear Ess.

Little Eee's Appley Lazy Days Skirt

I returned home to find that Mel has been holding a sew-along this week with Lazy Days Skirts. I just couldn't help myself, my creative fingers were itching to make something pretty for my little girls.

Fortunately my stash had something pretty in it which was enough to make a small lazy days skirt for my dear 2 year old Eee. Fortunately my stash also held a matching red satin ribbon which made a beautiful trim, as well as ribbons to tie her cute piggy tails.

Can you tell it is hard not to move when wearing a pretty skirt? Or should that be 'when one is only two years old?'

I joined the sew-along and now some lovely fabrics from Quilt Fabric Delights seen here and here are hanging on my clothesline, hoping for some sunshine to dry them so I can begin to make more lazy days and twirly skirts for my girls. What a delight to receive my package only the day after I ordered the fabric. If you get your order in today, Sarah has a special offer for so go here to take a peak at that before you order.

Happy Sewing!

P.S. Let me encourage you, the Lazy Days Skirt pattern is super super easy!! Give it a try!

Postcards from the Limestone Coast: Nora Creina

I find myself at the extremity of a long beach. How gladly does the spirit leap forth, and suddenly enlarge its sense of being to the full extent of the broad, blue, sunny deep! A greeting and a homage to the Sea! I descend over its margin, and dip my hand into the wave that meets me, and bathe my brow. That far-resounding roar is the Ocean's voice of welcome. His salt breath brings a blessing along with it. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Foot-prints on the Sea-shore"

Simply stunning!

It was like a sanctuary, a haven, a place where few visited. Those who did come viewed the beautiful sights and left quickly. Others didn't linger like we did.

We clambered over limestone rocks finding caves, watching seagulls.

We sat and we dug, we dug and dug and ran down to the water's edge to fill pails of water.

We explored the many shells and carefully observed the many blue bottle jellyfish in the sand.

Little Eee's tiny footprint

We walked and left a small imprint of our visit.

It took a long while before we were inclined to leave this beautiful place, on such a beautiful day.

When we did finally drag ourselves away, we were both surprised and delighted to see some special birds running over the hill. Do you recognise them?

Postcards from the Limestone Coast: Robe

Most of us, I suppose, are a little nervous of the sea. No matter what its smiles may be, we doubt its friendship. ~H.M. Tomlinson

On days when the wind is blowing a gale, the sky is cloud-filled and you have to "coat-up" every time you get out of the car, you realise what a dangerous job fisherman of the Southern Ocean are committed to.

The Obelisk

The Cape Dombey Obelisk was built in 1853 as a navigational guide to assist entry to Guichen Bay. However powerful storms have claimed a number of vessels over the years. They'll claim this Obelisk too soon as this point is washed away.

Every year before the commencement of the cray season local fishing communities each hold a Blessing of the Fleet. This consists of a small service where prayers on behalf of the fishers, for the fleet, for family and friends and for those who mourn are offered. Afterwards a cross is thrown into the sea and retrieved by one of the fishermen, then the boats leave the safe haven of the marina, receiving a blessing as they move into the sometimes treacherous waters of the Southern Ocean. We were fortunate to participate in this by enjoying some fish and chips with the locals and other visitors, standing in the rain under our umbrella for the service, and watching a crazy young fisherman freeze to retrieve the cross from the sea. We were then invited on board a boat and headed out to see for a few spins. It was a great experience, one which is very memorable. We feel very fortunate because we were simply in the right place at the right time. How many people get the opportunity to ride the waves of the ocean on a working fishing boat?

Our boat, the 'Nihilator', leaving the harbour.

The town of Robe is quite a historic seaside community and we enjoyed wandering the streets stumbling upon gems such as this very old little cottage with its very pretty spring garden blossoming to delight our senses.