Distributing more postcards to the bushfire areas.
On Sunday, Ken and I drove to Yarra Glen, which is about half an hour's drive from where we live in Eltham. I'd planned on going up there to visit the craft shop which has been relocated from the town of Marysville which was destroyed in the February fires. As it was such a pleasant day, Ken said he'd like to come, so of course he drove! (it's a man thing...).
I'd been informed that the craft shop in Marysville is now up and running in Yarra Glen, and thought it would be a good starting point to distribute some of the fabric postcards I'd been sent by generous craft girls in both Australia and overseas.
It was the right decision. We found the shop easily, by the sign out the front:
Inside, I approached the lady behind the counter who was busily knitting, and introduced myself, showing her the postcards I had.
Christine was delighted with them, and after we'd talked for a while about the bushfires, she chose half of them to keep and give to the ladies that she knows who have been affected by the fires. I wrote down some information about Stitchin' Fingers for her, so they can all have a look at what we do there. Ken and I spent some time browsing through the store, and I bought three embroidered hand towels, which will make lovely gifts at Christmas.
Christine pointed to a display near the door.
This is a photo of the shop at Marysville before the fires.
And this is all that was left.
Christine told us that they have between 50 and 60 local craftspeople who make things for the store, and after the fires, everyone went into overdrive to restock the shop. As you can see by these photos, they have been busy, to put it mildly. I held back my tears, thinking how soul-destroying it would have been for those people, who had all their work go up in smoke, possibly because of an arsonist.
When we left the craft gallery, it was only 3pm so we decided to have a look around the antique shops for which Yarra Glen is famous for.
We went in here
Then over to here
and finally, here:
I was very good and only bought one thing - a rather old book about the history of playing cards. (Those of you who know me, know I collect playing/swap cards as well as linens.)
By then it was getting late, getting cold, and we were getting hungry, so we drove back up Main Street and headed home.
I'd been informed that the craft shop in Marysville is now up and running in Yarra Glen, and thought it would be a good starting point to distribute some of the fabric postcards I'd been sent by generous craft girls in both Australia and overseas.
It was the right decision. We found the shop easily, by the sign out the front:
Inside, I approached the lady behind the counter who was busily knitting, and introduced myself, showing her the postcards I had.
Christine was delighted with them, and after we'd talked for a while about the bushfires, she chose half of them to keep and give to the ladies that she knows who have been affected by the fires. I wrote down some information about Stitchin' Fingers for her, so they can all have a look at what we do there. Ken and I spent some time browsing through the store, and I bought three embroidered hand towels, which will make lovely gifts at Christmas.
Christine pointed to a display near the door.
This is a photo of the shop at Marysville before the fires.
And this is all that was left.
Christine told us that they have between 50 and 60 local craftspeople who make things for the store, and after the fires, everyone went into overdrive to restock the shop. As you can see by these photos, they have been busy, to put it mildly. I held back my tears, thinking how soul-destroying it would have been for those people, who had all their work go up in smoke, possibly because of an arsonist.
When we left the craft gallery, it was only 3pm so we decided to have a look around the antique shops for which Yarra Glen is famous for.
We went in here
Then over to here
and finally, here:
I was very good and only bought one thing - a rather old book about the history of playing cards. (Those of you who know me, know I collect playing/swap cards as well as linens.)
By then it was getting late, getting cold, and we were getting hungry, so we drove back up Main Street and headed home.
posted by Gina E. | 11:28 pm
4 Comments:
thanks for posting the pictures, especially the "what was left" one. It is still hard for me (in the U.S.) to realize the trauma the fires must have caused.
Dear Patra, if you would like more Postcards, I make clown ones.See Blog... I would like to donate some too.
Your photos are very poignant.
I live in South Australia.It could so easily have happened here!
We have been to Marysville. What a Fairyland village it used to be.
Did you see the Collectors, where a lady is collecting teacups to give to the fire victims.Would love to help you.
Judy
Dear Gina ~~ How good of you to deliver those Post cards, and how do you like beimg in an upside down country? Yarra Glen is a lovely little town. I used to live in Dixons Creek until I was about 11 yrs
and of course loved it and going to school there. We shopped in Yarra Glen. It brings back memories.
Where did you get the book about the bushfires, Gina? I would like one so will look for one.
Thanks for your comments and I had a wonderful birthday with some
terrific surprises.
Say Hello to your MIL Take care, Love, Merle.
Thanks again for all your warm supportive comments. Michelle, you aren't the only one to find it hard to understand how much trauma the fires caused - there are people in Australia who still don't understand. "Get over it" and "get a life" are some comments in the media sometimes.
Judith, I've responded to your comment on your blog, and Merle, you have email!
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