We had 14 people along for our visible mending workshop with local textile artist Serene on Saturday.

Serene provided introduction kits, lots of gorgeous samples and real life inspiration for patching and darning across a variety of fabrics, basic information on needles and thread (the tools of the trade), practical help with particular projects and also directed participants to great resources such as books from the library for further ideas and skill development.

It is just wonderful that so many people in our community are interested in learning and exploring new skills that help keep items out of hard rubbish.

Yay! The official posters are complete and we’re getting excited about the upcoming Alphington Show!

Kalimna has been looking into booking the pony rides again (how cute were they last time) and we are firing up the BBQ and the CWA is cooking up a scone storm for devonshire teas …

If you are a local maker who would like to be part of the Makers Market you can book a stall here. Only $20 and we’ll have our fingers crossed for the weather (note it is an outside market).

And if you are skilled in the domestic arts (calling all jammers and preservers, bread bakers, flower growers and arrangers, sewers, knitters, crocheters, vegetable growers, olive harvesters etc.) PLEASE enter our show! The full list of categories is below. It only costs $1 to enter … and perhaps become a proud neighbourhood winner!

Download your entry form (with all the categories clearly listed) and see photos from previous years here.

A few people who booked in have let us know that they won’t be able to make it to the Visible Mending Workshop.

It is running on Saturday 26th of February from 10am-1pm here at our centre.

Which means we have some last minute places available for anyone who might have missed out on booking.

If that is you then click here and grab yourself a spot!

This week we are starting planning for the Alphington Show.

We’re partnering with Alphington CWA to run this event that celebrates the ‘domestic arts’ … if you are into bread baking, jam making, preserving, knitting and crochet this is your chance to shine! The show also celebrates the home garden … admiring your most impressive vegetables, homegrown eggs and gorgeous flowers … along with celebrating your floristry skills … and cake decorating skills.

We’ll publish the full list of categories shortly,

But in the meantime … finish that beanie you started, dig out your family scone recipe and encourage your children to perfect their lemon slice (and cook their own snack for school lunch at the same time … win/win).

The Alphington Show will run on Saturday 26 March here at ACC.

Join Maylei in the shed for a weekend workshop on Saturday 12 March and explore the slow art of wood carving … take home your very own handmade wooden spoon at the end.

Keen? You can book in to this workshop via eventbrite here.