Chill in the air

With the first day of winter on the calendar tomorrow, and snow just over the ranges, it's cold ...as is to be expected. I don't mind.  One of the things I've done today is follow the sun along the verandah, starting with it on my back and then shifting seats as it travelled north and I finished off some soft toys. These little guys have been sitting around for a while, waiting for their eyes, noses, smiles, and in a couple of cases, their ears.!  What??

Hmm, says Fox, am I surrounded by dinner? 

All set now, to head off next week to a charity, ready to cheer up some children.

Hope where-ever you are, you're cosy if winter's upon you.........

  

Rain, bales, turns, nests or warrens.

We've had rain for days, or grey skies and on/off showers at the least.  The heavens open and it pours just as I decide I'll do some gardening, or walk Mirrhi.

 The skies looked like this a year ago today, the night the Big Flood took out a lot of our town.  There'll be no flood this year, but it's hard not to worry as we all remember the fear as it swept through, the mess and devastation it left behind and the generosity and support as the town pulled together afterwards.

So to keep busy and keep my mind off it, I've been making rabbits and turtles, hence the title of the post, as those are among the common names for groups of turtles and rabbits.

Not quite a nest or a warren

A mischief maybe?

              and one on his own  .....                              

 a singular of bunny - wool felt 2.5 " long

Not a bale of turtles, a huddle perhaps....or a conference 

 Wool felt, around 5-6 " long 

Definitely a huddle!

These are now heading to Queensland, for Knitting for Brisbane's Needy and will be going to children who'll be in the Sunshine Coast Hospital over Easter. The turtles are not a new Easter symbol, but were requested by the hospital, I'm not sure exactly why,  but something they do every year, and the request just happened to coincide with Karen's shout-out for bunnies.

Lastly, the rain has brought some interesting "visitors" to my yard ...... these quite large alien looking mushrooms. Some are 6" or more across. Not edible, unfortunately.

That's all for now, it's time to pull rain coats on and go dodge the showers. Till next time...........

There's a bear in there.......

........and there's another

Oh look...... a kitty, a couple of giraffes and tiny teddies too..........

They're all pretty excited, they're off on a journey today to join lots of other softies on the Victorian Variety Bash, a motoring event that raises money to support children in need.  This year they're driving from Melbourne, Victoria to Fraser Island in Queensland. The toys will be given out along the way by Car 152.  This group is one of the charities that are being supported this month through the on-line group Knit4Charities, which I belong to.   It donates to a variety of charities Australia wide, and members nominate their favourite charities, which are then placed on a yearly calendar.  Each month there's usually 2 or 3 charities for us to choose from to support.  If you like to knit, crochet and /or sew, pop along and have a look at the website.  There's no obligation to make anything, and no minimum number of items to be sent.....that one beanie, toy or scarf will keep someone warm or bring joy to a child.

........till next time.