Hello fellow felt adicts!!!  I'm Tanya and I live in Perth.  Have been
felting for about 3 years now, on the committee for Feltwest here in WA
and have started my own business Tum Tum Tree Designs.

My thing in felt is 3D sculptures and working with resists.  I don't
really do wearables, as I am a polar bear and being so hot blooded, I
don't need felt to keep me warm....so if I don't wear, I don't make it.

Last year I was lucky enough to work with both Judit Pocs and Alexander
Pilin, which was sensational.  Now, I can say I make good felt!!!!  I
have been running some workshops here in Perth, as well as raising two
little men, make that three (husband included).

Have never been a part of a group like this, so please help me out.
Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Regards  Tanya

hello all,
   The devastation is incredible. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all those
families who have
suffered the loss of there homes and loved ones.   My husband was a fire control
forester
with the Forest Dept W.A. and I know what he thought of arsonists.
What else can I say. If the group decides to put a package together include me.
Have made a
donation.  Meg

Hi Fern, I guess it makes a change to Not be in the line of fire in the
Dandenongs? Having lived in FTG for many years when I was much younger,
I well remember the fear we had every year of bush fires, especially as
communication wasn't as good then.

It makes us all realise how fortunate we are in this trying time.

Keep your eyes sharp. Unfortunately there are still fire terrorists
around. It really does emphasize the need to look after each other
doesn't it?

Warm regards, Barb Mewburn

Hi Ladies, thank you again for your kind wishes and prayers.  I'm fine &
very safe at this stage & wouldn't normally be in the line of fire, as
we're in open farming area here. Caz & Natalie live around Creswick, I
think, which is near Ballarat. They Should be safe, but one never knows.
It was soo frightening. There are several members of the Victorian
Feltmakers who are in the firing line, around the NE of Victoria and
Bendigo, in and around the devastating fires of Kinglake & St Andrews,
in the Bunyip State forest area & the Latrobe Valley, which has been
going for 12 days now. They need our Prayers too. Purple lives in the
Dandenongs, which has been badly affected in parts.  We are all shell
shocked.

I have been rather complacent, before, but not now. I never thought that
we would be affected greatly, being so open. Grass fires are our danger
here. We keep the grass short & the paddock grazed, to minimize it.
Having  seen massive eucalyptus  fire balls travel kms & driven through
fires in forested areas in the '83 fires, I could never live in native
forest area.I used to do burns nursing when I was younger. It's
challenging. So painful. I had a number of burns incidents as a child,
which have left mental, if not physical scars. I freely admit that I'm a
wuss.

That said, plant Blackwoods, Cassuarinas, other wattles. These will shed
up to 400 L water in a fire for protection!  Eucalypts are beautiful to
look at & smell, but not safe to have near the house.

I always remember reading of a man in the '67 fires in Tasmania who had
planted oaks & other deciduous trees around the perimeter of his
property. His place was safe, where all his neighbours lost theirs as
they had Eucalypts all around.

We must think of the animals caught up in the fires, so many people have
lost not only their homes, but their lively hood. Those who haven't lost
all their stock have lost the feed, including hay. Perhaps those of us
who have extra can help others out.

The effects of the fire will be ongoing, lasting years. It's not only
immediate help that people will need, but later, when trying to
re-establish themselves, they will need support, both mental, physical &
financially. Little things will be important. Maybe we could set up a
fund to give them a few days break away in the future, or support them
in going to a felting function?

Warm regards,
Barb Mewburn, Warragul, Vic

Thanks Jennifer,Sandie & Krishna for your sentiments,

We personally don't need anything & aren't in danger at the present
time, we all feel so helpless, but what people can do is donate via the
Red Cross to Bush Fire relief fund in National Banks or to Salvation
Army Bush fire appeal, as money is the paramount need. Locally we're
trying to donate things like new undies ( all sizes), socks,toiletries,
etc. Clothing has been donated, as you can imagine, House hold goods
aren't necessary, as so many people don't have a house to put it in.
the death toll is now 130 & rising each time they find another isolated
house or car. More than 700 homes destroyed. Most of these fires have
been deliberately lit, that's what so hard to take.

The lesson to learn from this is to take heed of the weather forecast,
action your fireplan & leave _early_, even if you think it's not
necessary (not when the flames are appearing) If there's smoke & you are
in a forested area, Get Out. Most of these homes are indefensible. We
have all been too complacent, even if we know what to do, we all think
we'll be ok. Please, don't forget to wear appropriate long woollen
clothing -even if it's hot - in a fire situation. Radiant heat is what
kills.

Regards to you all,

Barb Mewburn, Warragul ( West Gippsland, Victoria)

Hi Everyone,
We're shell shocked here in Victoria, it is so unbelievably devastating.
126 dead so far. I've been around fires before, but this is the worst
ever. Fortunately, where I live, it's quite open ground. Despite this, I
evacuated for a number of hours on Saturday, due to ember strike from
fires 1km away. The wind changed & we were safe so I was able to return,
just keeping a lookout & patrolling all night for embers, to relieve my
husband who had stayed.

So many of my friends are in danger areas, it's impossible to trace them
at this stage. My sister lives in East Warburton, which is heavily treed
with native forest, fortunately she is near the Yarra River, so can hop
in there if things get too bad.

We send our prayers and thoughts to all who are affected by the fires &
also the floods in Queensland, either directly or indirectly.

To all of you felters out there who aren't well I also send my thoughts
& prayers.

  Not much felting going on here at present, but I'll have to get some
done soon, as it'll be winter before we know about it.

best wishes,
Barb Mewburn, Warragul, Vic.

Hi Feltettes,

Yes, I think I'll be attending the NZ convergence. There are a few of us
from Victoria going. If you want to go, it would be best to pay your deposit
by Feb 20. Then you can also be sure to be included in their side trip to
the Wearable Art Awards in Wellington - something I've always wanted to see
first hand!

Cheers,

Stacey


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