Well, my adventure down under is coming to an end. I have had so much fun. I helped Prudence with lots of her workshops, and now I even have a new freeform outfit. Many of her students added their pieces together, and in the end it turned into a lovely freeform vest for me. It is all in pretty spring colours, because it is spring in that part of the world now, and it matches the bag that I modelled for the exhibition. When I was at the Craft & Quilt Fair in New Zealand I made many new friends, and even got to help some of the Aussies who were visiting there for the show. I am sending some photos taken there. I learned to paint with Nerida Singleton from Brisbane, who does beautiful decoupage art. I helped Mio, from Studio Mio in Sydney, who was selling her handbag handles that come from Japan. Jenny King was there from I will be on the plane back home later today. I can hardly wait to see you all again, and tell you more about my travels. Will be home soon. love, Tofu xxxxx
Dear Mom,
Queensland, too, and I had my picture taken helping her to teach crochet to Amaria Kee-Huaki from New Zealand.
Tofu writes from Australia
Hi Mom, I am over my jet lag now, and have been having lots of fun talking to some of the wallabies and kookaburras here in Australia. I haven't seen a koala yet, but I hope I will one day. Prudence says that sometimes there are koalas living in the gumtrees near her house, but they mostly hide during the daytime. She says they are marsupials, and so are not really bears, but I think we would be friends if I met one. On Saturday I went to a workshop with Prudence. She was teaching a Freeform class at a yarn store in Brisbane. Some of the ladies there let me play with the pieces of knitting and crochet that they were making. They make lots of funny shaped bits when they are doing freeform. I really liked the leaf shapes that Geraldine did, and she explained that eventually she would sew all her pieces together and they would become 
a shawl. There was a coffee shop at the yarn store. I'm glad that we had lunch as soon as we arrived, because some of the knitted leaves looked so yummy that I think would have eaten them if I had still been hungry when they were all spread out in front of me. I will write again next week. Miss you. Love, Tofu xxxxx
Dear Mom,
Wow, here I am in Brisbane, Australia. I'm sure glad my passport
arrived in time for me to take this trip. I had lots of fun on the
plane on the way over, but I was still glad to finally arrive after the
really long flight. I was pretty tired after the journey, but Prudence
said that I could just take things nice and easy until I feel like doing
some sightseeing.
It's no wonder they call this the 'Sunshine State'. The weather is
cloudless and pretty warm, seeing that they say that it is still winter
here - sort of like at home in AZ, although where I am staying it is
quite close to the coast.
I'm glad that you had packed me some of that nice 'electric plum' Gianna
yarn. Prudence has just crocheted me some pool accessories, using that
and another ball she already had that was in 'celestial blue'. Now I
have sandals and a towel to match the knitted Bamboo shirt that I
brought with me.
I am sending you a photo of me relaxing by the pool. Don't I look
cool? I will send you some more photos soon.
Love,
Tofu
July 5, 2006
Dear Mom,
I had the best time visiting Alaska! This is a pretty wonderful state with so many mountains to see. They have very big mosquitoes, though.
I got to see a Pilots baseball game with Delma Myers, my friend. Delma is a member of the Ididachain Crochet Guild, Knitters of the North and the Alaska State Yarn Council. Delma made my green parka with the beautiful and warm ruff. The ruff is made out of handspun musk ox wool called qivuit. Myler Almandinger, from Palmer, Alaska
spun the qivuit. Myler is a member of the Valley Spinners and Weavers and the Alaska State Yarn Council. The buttons on the parka are sliced caribou antlers. Pretty warm and soft; I really like it, so I am wearing it home. I’ll probably look pretty silly getting off the plane in Arizonain a parka, won’t I? Especially in July!
I got to visit a botanical garden show with my friend Linda Yarbourgh. Linda is a member of the Knitters of the North and The Alaska State Yarn Council. She played a harp concert, and I even got to play her harp. It was beautiful and the flowers smelled so good. I wore my new vest that Catherine Hollingsworth made for me.
Last Saturday I went to a Masters meeting of the Knitters of the North. These nice ladies are all working on their TKGA Masters certification. Toni McDermott just finished her Masters, Level III, and everyone celebrated with her. I’ll have some pictures of these people soon.
This Monday I went to Talkeetna, Alaskawith Catherine Hollingsworth and her cousin. Catherine is a member of the Knitters of the North and The Alaska State Yarn Council. I wore my new little sweater with the placket and yellow buttons that Catherine made. This little town is near Mt.McKinley, but even though we tried to find it, the haze was hiding the mountain. I wanted to see it, because it is the tallest mountain in North America. I had fun anyway, and met lots of wonderful people. I helped Catherine tell people about The Alaska State Yarn Council. I talked about my favorite soy yarns to several knitters, too. The best part was sitting on a dogsled and getting kissed by a moose. Yuck!
I’ll be sad to leave Alaska, and I’ll miss my new friends. It will be good to get home where I can go to sleep in the dark at night.
Miss you lots,
ToFu Bear
Jonelles Note: I think this note from Tofu made us all Jealous! Quiviut? Tofu... can i borrow that sweater? Wow.. what a treasure! Joe is now insisting that if Tofu got to go to Alaska its only fair he gets to go. I suggested that when the local fishing guild invites him... we'll talk. Tofu was an honored guest! What an amazing adventure and thanks to Catherine Hollingsworth, Alaska State Yarn Council and all of you wonderful ladies who spent time with Tofu and made his visit and blog so much fun! You are terrific.
Tofu writes from Alaska
Dear Mom,
HI, Mom! I have been having so much fun in
Alaska! Now that the Fourth of July celebrations
are over, I'll be coming home.
Here are some of the pictures from Alaska. I 
especially liked the one of my new friend, Oso,
who is a Ragdoll cat. He lives with Catherine in
Anchorage. I sure will miss him!
There are many more pictures, and I'll bring a CD 
+
home with me.
My diary will follow.
Love, ToFu
Last post from Bendys house!
Hi mom,