Cathies blog

Australia Day and snakes..

2012-01-25T21:22:00.000-08:00

I was lucky today,theres no need to rush into work and do that liile thing I forgot though I may this arvo just to kill a few ant nests...
Anyhwo its a study day for me must use every spare minute..the older brood has nicked off to the bush,Donkey Rock to be precise,for the usual teenager party,hope none of them want to catch a snake no doube there ll be tigers there...

http://www.ozanimals.com/Reptile/Western-Tiger-Snake/Notechis/scutatus%20occidentalis.html
and I hope they back on time tonight as we er off on a mini road trip too and Paddy is coming with us...
Anyhow Im researching some trnasluent works for my own project and thought I add some spot here,I end up going off on one tangent or another and find some real gems
http://benedante.blogspot.com/2011/11/marcahuamachuco.html
An interesting writer with a lot of posts Ill trawl through later..
Found art!
http://fuckyeahduchamp.tumblr.com/
interesting....

I ll look around to see what this is,made of and history etc....

http://www.linesandcolors.com/2012/01/15/mysterious-paper-scultures-of-edinburgh/

Wonderful things!!!!!!! Check out the dinosaur!!

And this one

Aleatoric Art

http://blog.gettyimages.com/2009/07/10/aleatoric-music-in-the-aviary/

Curious to what it sound like,an unholy racket or a tinkling reminiscent of movements.

Ok Im off to play with paint and stuff

Still alive!

2012-01-24T03:14:00.000-08:00

Im here feeling knackered but Im savouring my last few days of freedom,zombie world starts next week I think tuesday when Son no 3 pulls out of shop and goes back to school,life will be in limbo for a few months but Ive list and looking at it now and then may keep me sane..including a new bit of furniture for my room,a side board,a trip home to see my Mum in April,ohhhh thatll be so good to be myself and not have the males of the family to wait on...
Oh in June the Toodyay Retreat!!!!!!! If I can work both jobs which are in theory are from 5 30am through to 9pm at possibly 5 or 6 days a week? we ll see.

Dont know if I posted this photo but was looking at it today and thought Id share( even if it was again)

For tea tonight I thought I didnt have any onions..then I remembered,Pat had some onions in this place

came these...sweet succulent green juicy spring onions

And for size this next pics shows how big they were,currently in a beef cassarole

One day I will have my own vegie plot where theres no sticky burrs too,the men who run this one dont believe in working the plot...
Anyhow my current WIP...

Lornas laces sock yarn,yummy stuff,my pattern..just a little heart like shape that makes the knitting go faster,boring for some but I cant concentrate on anything and I have at least 20 years supply of socks. And as soon as I can find a couple of not tired days Im itching to get that sock machine out to do something with all that opal wool!
Oh and yesterday we had a huge storm went around up out to Lake Lefroy,it was a red storm,a lot of rain in the middle but all we could see was the pink dust and billowing tops!

We did get a little bit of rain but the ground was dry this morning when I went to work at 5.15.It was a little cooler too, and the whole day wasnt too bad though I found it a hard going mowing the lawns at 11am. I enjoyed a nice cuppa and a piece of upsidedown pineapple cake I cooked yesty for an early smoko.
Edited to add.... check this super blog out,they are gorgeous!!! makes me want to try them too!
http://dolcreations.blogspot.com/?expref=next-blog

Sunday all over

2012-01-21T20:29:00.000-08:00

Well I got that assignment done and posted though Ill check again later to see if the dratted gremlins attacked
Im enjoying the Shepard Sock so far,up to heel last night,Ill see how exhausted I am tonight after I shut shop...
God it s hot today,the shops going to be a sauna...

Just a little bit

2012-01-20T22:23:00.000-08:00

Im done with painting for the moment and started a new sock last night,it was good to feel the woll against my fingers,savouring every moment for if the docs get their way ill be out of commision for a wee while,one more assignment to go.... then a few months off to run family B and my own job if I can..
Really want to fly home to see Mum and all my family,maybe down time will work out with that,I might even take Victoria with me this time..

I have company again under my desk,he gets miffed if I shift stuff as hes nearly blind and cant see anything newly rearranged..

Taffy is in cognito in the potplants..we figured if we adopted a handfull we wont need to mow lawn!

Briefly

2012-01-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

Busy with trying to find enough hours in the day to finish current assignment and keep ahead both physically and mentally...
Perth yesty to see special doctor who delivered not good news but not bad as well,I am however sick of the advice thats coming from different angles so Im sitting a while and see if my own mind can see clear enough the path I must take.The flight down and back was very uncomfortable,made easier of course due to a fellow traveller in a similiar position medical/job wise,my ears have never been so bad,I really though they wold burst and I was conpletely deaf on the left and barely able to hear on the right,maybe thats why some passengers were looking at me weird like upon landing,my voice may have been louder than normal in the animated conversation with said fello traveller..
anyhow heres a couple more efforts...

Work (mine safety hat and rescue belts)

Free time

Contemplation

Theres a fourth in production that finishes this series a which Ive named "choices" that we make for a life that we mold with the decisions right or wrong, work (safe),leisure time (afford),play(consequences?) the last, Im doing something that reflects a common problem,illegal substances that impact on the success of the rementioned. Well if I can get into it,the last back up option is an abstract fun close up of anamber beer bottle..
The house is a mess though I managed to do something with the kitchen,the lawn is a jungle..the only knitting I have done is finishing off a pair of Moda Vera Moir socks in the coffee multi and frog and start rekinitting some Lornas laces in a green aqua colour I bought off Yarnivous's stash ages ago,my own design based on Charlies heart socks,have about three inches done on first socks,these will be my work smoko knitting for a while

Oh and now I have my own little flock of baa baas thanks to bestest Friend!!! The little treasures were beautiful and really made my day after all the upsets lately!! Thanks P,your a wonderful soul!!!PS I enjoyed our morning tea yesty too

A 30 minute exercise

2012-01-10T04:31:00.000-08:00

Busy this afternoon,two down and two to go before I start to graze.. Im happy with this, I have tweeked it a bit...

And "mild " excitement,the wonderful Cormo has a rrived along with the next lace shawl projects!Grown in Tassie, we knitters and fibre lovers donated funds to the lovely Kylie Gussett who through Pozible.com.au to raise enough to have a bale of Cormo to be processed here in Aussie,the reward for donating was a selection from a list of prizes,I chose a kilo of undyed top though I wish got some yarn instead so I could dye then knit but its so gloriously soft!!!!!!

Cormo baas baas

The breeder

Sunday Night...

2012-01-08T05:42:00.000-08:00

Just a few things in my life at the moment...............................

2012 another year

2012-01-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

Small Creature alert at Bottom below Red line
First up number twos 18th bday bash,on the 29th...he nicked off to Esperance next day without even saying cheerio and havent heard from him since,an ear burn time tonight me thinks and he ll be making his own lunch tomorrow when work returns as Im aiming a very early start.........

Fluffa was not amused by the attention he got,disappeared promptly after............................................

The New year has arrived,without an determining boundary,one day was the same as the next except I wasnt at work,I wish I was, it would have felt better..
The New Year,what are your expectations? Is there a goal? Have resolutions that most probably be long forgotten by the end of the month? Mine will be to make it through to next Christmas,and still be sane and healthy.Oh and happy as well.
My list which is still a hope rather than an aim
1. Find a job where Im valued as a person and a team member,where I dont have to watch my back
2. Get back into sewing,I miss that satisfaction of the colours and shapes in patchwork/quilting,the nice clothes I used to make,
3. Get into my stash and create something from it,yarn and cloth
4. See more of my Friend who I miss heaps
5. Lose weight and get fitter,I doubt I could run around the block now
5. At the end make a decision about my future
Not in order of course but it gives an idea of what to persue or rather a reminder?
This Christmas has been one of the most stressful ones for some time,last year Id lost my Dad about whom I discovered more after he was gone and will always leave a hole inside me and a missing peice like my brother did,the anniversary of his going in a couple of days when, thank god I wont be here so will be afforded a little time of peace to reflect. My nightmares have returned and I spend time reflecting on them trying to read what they are trying to say.I should write a book I keep telling myself,before age takes the memories away,lol but maybe then the words I write may be better reading too...

I love boganvilleas,one day Id love to go and stay someplace tropical where I can see all the colours,from apricot to magenta,maybe swim in a warm pool and be myself............theres a overpowering need to be with the girls in my family,to talk womens business and share common interests and most importantly laugh.Maybe that will be at the top of my list..

RED Line...............................................................................................................................................

Had a little friend keep me company last night while painting,very quick but I waitied til he rested and got a couple of good shots,didnt have the Macro one and no time to get it but I like them ,spontaneous...

Little things

2011-12-29T23:40:00.000-08:00

In a tribute to Fox Lane I thought Id put up a few things,little things to cheer!

I adore pearls,they even feature in my engagement ring,

Blue, especially crisp lavendar blue,hope to have a garden full of a gapanthus one

Orange,my on the spot colour,going to House next week to buy the orange spotted teapot and a set of four cups.........I hope if I have enough pocket money

And this is bedazzling,it looks like jewels sparkling away,hand sewing the binding on this weekend as a reward for getting some uni assignment stuff done......
Cheers!!!!!!

A mile stone

2011-12-29T05:09:00.000-08:00

Yes a mile stone,I ve managed to raise a second son to the legal age of 18,no I dont feel old,I feel happy hes finally a young adult, still a teenager at time doing teenager things that are foolish and darn right stupid that he will probably be hit by someone hes stirred up too much the bloody clown, one day,I hope if that day comes he will be able to look after himself,undiginifed as it may seem I would stand up for him as well as I would for all my boys,Im steadfastly a very maternal person,ever seen a mare protecting her foal,well thats me..
happy birthday dear Boy I love you to the core of my being....along with your brothers of course!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-28T04:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2011

2011-12-24T22:46:00.000-08:00

Id just like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and heres hoping this coming year will have peace everywhere and happiness abound!

Finally

2011-12-23T04:20:00.000-08:00

Im starting to wind down a little,the things that have set us back soo much this year,if we can have just a few days of peace and a feeling of well being,that would be so,so nice.
A little sunshine in my day yesty ,yep it was acually C39' but anyway I was exhillirated to pick this up while in town....

Now where to hang it, only a little piece but Im so thrilled with that i keep going and looking at the blues and the shadows that live within it.

Im now looking at moving onto doing my Grandfathers Store room,theres a little confidence growing,lets see if I can do that one!

A little creature

2011-12-21T02:05:00.000-08:00

Isnt nature Beautiful..........

Came across it today at work so Dh poped him in his glass case so I could take apic of him at home in the grapevine. I love orange.....
And this is what Im spinning this holiday,I say holiday as I dont think Ill catch more than a day or so

Countdown to Chrissy

2011-12-19T04:17:00.000-08:00

caution spider at bottom,watch for sign and if you dont like them Ill put a warning sign up well before ")

I feel much better,assignments gone,not happy with it but very ready for a couple of days or weeks break,I think the nect one is due week 6 that makes it three from now...
Celebrated with

Im going to keep going with these,its only little but Ill see if I can get a bit bigger,ones being framed now.Im so looking forward to seeing waht it looks like! This one will fit the window of a card so it only 3 " by 4",took about 15 mnutes as I layered this a bit more than I have been...on day I deam of making a large painting showing more detail.Still planning the main one I want to do,the cost of the paint is holding me back..

and a sketch I did for submission..my son and his mate...

Just look at this one,like the cats that got the cream..wish I could be like,nothing seems to faze hime,he just walks on by and smiles! I hope if Im not there when he does fall he has someone to catch him,gorgous boy!
Ok spider alert....
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As big as my hand,nice lady, she been living in my shed for a couple of weeks,I talk to her and the 7 birds who come for dinner every day!I love my buddies..yes I may appear strange by some...

See hes beady liddle eyzssss...........
Off to Perth tomorrow,more docs,see you Wednesday

Monday........

2011-12-12T03:27:00.000-08:00

Went for a walk...Hakea?

And the quilts of course

The dogs and cats were hand sewn around the border,the blocks were i spy with borders..

Another I Spy but with a sort of colour wash

Ive already recieved the next bundle of Jelly rolls/layer cake in the Blueberry pie colour way from Moda,more on that later,they ll will be my Christmas stuff to play with on the couple days I have off which includes binding my own scrap quilt My first big bunch of roses,peace and Mr Linconl?

Lastly my water colour card for Mum!

What else

2011-12-09T02:51:00.001-08:00

Its been such an up and down year,went into debt for a new vehicle,lost our contract,then lost my Dad,Dh nearly cut his hand off and is now unable to work as before,my circumstances have deteriated more,and now it looks like our girl Tilly is in trouble...

Heres she is waiting for dinner with Fluffa waiting patiently too,we re off to the Vets n Monady for a 4pm appointment,Taffy gets her needle and we ll find out if its bad for Tilly or an easy solution.
Deep breath.......New Years coming.

Disgusted

2011-12-07T17:01:00.001-08:00

I believe I am too dignified to say anything, being raised as I was, to rise above certain things especially any public outbursts... but this takes the cake,
Please read this and think of what it says about the average persons family and most importantly their children
Congratulations, means you've done an excellent parenting job when your kids are receiving those kind of awards.
This was a post on facebook about some local students achieving rewards at the end of year assembly,good on the ones who got them this year ,no boubt some did deserve it,I find it a total insult when over the years Ive watched students recieve awards simply because they were favourites or the parents were high standing and rewards days during the year were awarded to those who had been given "yellow" cards for misbehavior,bullying,theiving,and generally pain in the butt "go to the office" offences when other kids are left to look on and wonder where did they go wrong. No Im not jealous,I knew my HFA son wouldnt recieve an awards simply because the teachers and other staff have given me the cold shoulder for some time,I believe kids need to be given incentive but where they have no help to achieve thats where the buck stops....
Last year ,two of my children were given awards but we werent there, being home burying my Father,but on our return we were told that at the time the awards were rushed through and given little attention,I believe that from conversations with certain people that the upper levels of the admin did not approve and certainly the way it was told to my children that other people believed the same thing.To make it more of an insult,the main teacher deliberatley failed one student due to a clash with the Principal and now that child will probably not gain entry into a traineeship or apprenticeship because of that..
This is why Ive placed my last child into Private schooling to try to salvage whats left of his academic skill,hes hoping to gain a university level of education.............
I will leave this post up for one day and then remove,rant over....
Signed An Apparently Bad Parent

MIA

2011-12-05T00:56:00.001-08:00

Oh dear I didnt realise how long since Ive posted AND I still havnt got pics of quilts,well they are surprises ad the recipients are around all the time...
Last week I lost another member of my family,it was particulary hard being so close to my own fathers and I think I was a probably a bit hard to live with,feeling lost and unable to fathom life.I shall miss him and the conversations we had, even though far and few between,I wanted so much to ask for his help when I got through to being a teacher with his years of experence. I feel for my cousins and hope to catch up with them early next year,living over here in WA has its advantages but latley Ive been missing the girls in my family...
Christmas is around the corner,I havean assignmnet Monday week which I dearly want to get done as soon a possible so I relax and enjoy this year...Im going to give what ive got and see how I go.
In the mail today i got the first of a couple of jelly rolls

From these lovely ladies,I going make a quilt from the Moda Bakery, think I refered to it last post

I m thinking of this pattern in the future for one of my sons too using 1 fat quarter bundle, Birchbark Lodge by Holly Taylor featured in this quilt Better not leave my job just yet,LOL

I got the socks done,washed and ready to wrap,hard to give these away,they are softer than the other colours for some reason or maybe I just love the colours,last year I knitted a pair out some expensive yarn that I bought at the Toodyay Retreat and designed my own pattern too for a special Aunty,but the cables made them a bit firmer than i was happy with so this year Im trying again (she wouldnt give them up!) and dearly hope they are a good fit and not too long as I know she a similiar size to me but I dont know if length is same.Moda vera,Noir in Laguna..going shopping to find this colour again

Oh and I found these precious little earings,also on their way to a special person and again Im on the hunt for a pair for me...

Topaz with diamantes on the side..exquisite

Can you a common theme in colour here...........

My Fathers Love rose popped two flowers out and the camera wouldnt pick up the correct colour but its fairly close,a light red and the flagrance is beautiful

They went straight into my grandmothers vase and lasted three days but were divine smelling
Waiting eagerly in the wings and I check everyday and hope the visiting biy buck roo doesnt sniff him out(the bunnies would ahve him short shift out the back) is my Sturt desrt pea and I think I may see a flower or two coming through...

And of course the obligatory bunny shot,Taffy loves sleeping in the loo,Fluffa was no where to be seen..

I think she has been sleeping under my old Honda too looking at her scruffy back..

Weekend Things

2011-11-26T02:59:00.001-08:00

Gee Ive actually managed it, both the boys quilts are done but they wont get them til Chrissy,having a quiet one this year so thought a little personal touch like these would be a nice from Mum to them,its been 5 years coming and the quilts will be a bit young for them but hey they ll look great anyhow.Ill post a pic of them when I can get a one,a bit of stenth happenignas I dont want them to see them in their entirety.

The other one is an eye spy that I graded in a close to colour wash from white to dark,top to bottom.

Ben took this one,lol my new galsses do look better trhan this,theres little mauve butterflys on the hinges with a darker marbling brown purple arms.
Anyhow Vegie garden is going ok,Paddy will have butternuts soon,Id like to think they ll be ready for Chrissy but alas no,however we may score with tomotaes and the corn is starting to come to flower,didnt think they were dwarf ones so we'll see if they do any good as they a bit far a part.

Ad the whole patch...............mostly DH tomoates..just like Triffids,LOL

Taffy was enjoying the cooler evening,its getting windy with the Doctor wind coming up from Esperance,lovely at the moment,

Ive already washed and dried my new projects on the line,will cut the binding and get it ready for the next time I have a day to spare.Another assignment looming in three weeks and its quite indepth for a first sub,a lot of research and at least two pages of a report on Work And Play in the terms of art.
Cant wait to finish my next idle quilt,an Eye Spy style,a queen size topper,the binding was expensive but being my bed its going look smashing,oh the binding is a nice patterned mid green!

2011-11-24T00:51:00.001-08:00

Well Im sitting here with no energy,I have a disgusting house,theres washing to hang from yesterday,the ones at home today or yesty didnt think to get it out and now Ill have to wash it again so it wont smell,I really would love a once a week house keeper......I rise at 5.30,Im at work at 6.30.I dont get home til 3 or 3.45 some days,and I come home to house thats not now, just untidy, but getting towards dirty as well,very heart breaking,yep Im sitting here on the net but my eyes are puffy with something,could have been the bunny I scruffed,DO NOT TOUCH FACE...why do I not remember..........

Just look at the colours on this fello!!,I may try to paint him one day

Plumbagos,I love these shrubs partly because My Grandmother grew them or should I say they were growing at Dunlop when she moved onto the place,they must have been over 60 years old then and even when the wild goats got to them they still survived til today,I hope the new owners preserve them.................
Im nearly finish the second sock of a pair of Spotlight brand ,Moda Vera in Laguna,I finding them a quick pair to do and may be putting them into a Chrissy Box,gettinga bit behind with the gift area!Ill pop pics later as Its DAY off tomorrow woohoo!

wordless Wednesday!

2011-11-23T01:45:00.001-08:00

Friday aLL DAY

2011-11-18T03:30:00.001-08:00

wELL WITH TWO KIDS HOME "SICK" THE LITTLE RATS i HAD TO CONTEND WITH A HOUSE FULL BUT i MANAGED TO GET SOME STUFF DONE,,,,,,,and the capslock is on again...

This much I managed last night and a bit of a touch up this morning,,not happy with it but its done for the assignment!
next up is the first of a set of three paintings

Dont like the flowers,need to find a different way of dealing with them,they re too solid but again for my assignment Im happy..
The next two which Ive started are the nveiw of a tall gum looking up into the canopy,a bit dizzying really when looking at the photo,this will be my effort for expressionism,the final will be developed off a photo I took close up of the trunk of the same gum,its got a green underhue and the texture is interesting.
Grr have to deal with a tipsy DH,so much a pain in the butt!

Thursday continued

2011-11-17T01:59:00.001-08:00

HERE i SIT TRYING IN VANE TO LIFT MY PENCIL,i FEEEL TOO SCARED TO PLACE IT UPON THE PAPER,THE IMAGE IS WAITING TO TRANSFORM THAT PLAIN PAPER TO ONE OF A PEICE OF ART ..OR AT LEAST I HOPE SO,THERE IS ALSO THAT LINGERING THOUGHT,SOFT PASTEL OR gRAPHITE...
bugger the capslock was on...
anyhow I shall proceed no matter what...........

Down Hill Thursday

2011-11-16T05:19:00.001-08:00

Yesterdays pic came from these fellas..Flower caps!!

And overhead these came for a visit!

Trainee Pilots with Airforce Im presuming,they come here and practise touching landing take off! Very loud and must be hell for the shift workers trying to sleep!

arent these just goreous!!!!!!!!!!!

Wordleass Wednesday

2011-11-16T05:18:00.001-08:00

Sunday Alas

2011-11-13T03:37:00.001-08:00

Oh dear,its the end of the weekend,its was a reasonabley successful one but I would have liked to have got more of the assignment done,I did a couple paintings,one a major for last weekends exercise,procastrinated all week and only did it this arvo before irono\ing all the school clothes...

And a little one for the diary,I love this one and its was great fun to play with..

This from a photo I took of an very interesting eucalypt growing in sandy country while we were out wood cutting,these were the fruits and the whole tree was lime green!

I havebt any pics of knitting but I doing the pocket to the Harvest Sweater and have finished that hat,if I get time Ill post as soon as!

Any jpw O have three major painting assignments to do this week plus three small works,one will be pastel,one a lino print(have to carve it yet) and the third a fabric one.Wish me luck....

Its just one of those days

2011-11-11T03:18:00.001-08:00

The end of the week,I should be feeling glad, relived I survived yet another 5 days but strangley Im so P.... off I cant concentrate on my study so thought Id get right away and write something instead..
Hop bush,woody Weed in a lot of arid areas where it takes over and has to be chained ploughed or biological last time I looked ( a long time ago)
Some of these have the most gorgeous colour,calyxs instead of flowers,the seed head in other words'

One of the towers around the place,this is the road to Kalgoorlie,and this one is the break through of the fault,see the purple colour?

This nice big tree was one I was considering as part of my project this week but looking back over the programme it might not be what I need but Ill squeeze it in someplace, a work in graphite is one idea with a second subverted into something abstract like using oil pastels

Knitting..

I havent finished the hat yet,just need to find a pair of DD needles..happy with it so far,Over half way through Harvest and last pair of soxs!

Spinning...

Mandies Aurora top is divine,Im spindling it happily but carefully,its tending to fall apart but the glowing sparkles just keep coming,hopefully therell be enough for a lace scarf or shawlette.

Theres a pretty bundle coming soon from Charley,blue and yellow Twinkle bunny,yep naughty but I just had to have it,I have an idea for it already!!

The orange Halloween is still being petted,I want to know what it wants to be before I go and spin it

These flowers fascinate me,Ive collected a few photos now as they re all in bloom and with these Ill be able to paint them at leisure without having to wait for the next season

Love the colours!The shapes! Imagine this one an A1 !

Hmm

2011-11-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

Ive procastinated too much today,the last few weeks Ive managed to do a pile each day and found myself trying to beat the clock,the garden was attacked and will be again later this coming week,I need to get the last weeks stuff out to the tip as Im about to get more crud out of the yard,the cruisers box is nearly stuffed and I havent my licencse for the Dyna,Hubbys busy so Ill just have to hope the old girl can get to the tip and back before she complains and jacks up,she needs a major heart transplant,I love her to bits and hope Hubby doesnt have to sell her...
Above "Peace" rose
Theres four roses left in the garden out the front,the shasta daisies over grew them last year but Ive cut things back the daisies and moving over further and I hope to get a Rose called "Fathers Love" to fill the gap.

Look what I found today!! We ve had a fair bit of rain and all manner of things are coming out of hiding..warning a "small" spidder is featured,gorgeous wee thing

Ive been practising my macro lense,a bit fiddly but so far worth it,will step up to a better one in the future..
And the grevillea close up,never ceae to amaze me...see the bee,I was trying to get him but like the birds they clear off as soon as I point the camera.............

And a large weavil beetle,he was trying to hide in the little pots where theres three frangipani cuttings hopefully taking root.Everything is leaping out of the ground,the lawns just taking off,the bunnies are delighted of course...

On the knitting front I need to go dig/find the box with the Country Silk so I can continue the
Cardigan so I strated that hat and this my progress so far

I started on the outside as it was thicker and I wanted the band to be firm in fit and not lacy lacy! The stash will be enhanced a wee bit soon but have ideas for the new lot so they er relatively guilt free,LOL
Targets books will be perused tomorrow,I want to make some stuff for this week so hopefully between mowing lawns and cleaning up yard AND painting Ill get some in the oven..
Hmm off to get some work done Ta Ra@@@@

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T01:53:00.000-07:00

2011-10-30T04:55:00.000-07:00

I have two more days..Tuesdays a bit stuffed due to having to go into town but Ive managed to finish the main portrait sketch which I shall publish here (just for bestest friend) not very happy with it and I really should redo do parts, but for now Ill leave it as is,tomorrow I have afew things to do,try to tidy up table so i can paint this portrait,get board ready to paint,I may do paper this time,cook something for the school week,plant a blood orange and if I get enough done Ill give myself a treat of winding my new yarn and starting the pattern I want to try....

Fresh out of ball state and ready for the bath...

I got busy last night and managed to knit Harvest dawn up to the point of dividing for the sleeves etc whne I discovered I had meant to increase from XS to S so an hours knitting was back to where I started ,I do hope I have enough for this cardigan,Im juat about finished third ball,I think i have 11 or 12.

And just for interest.I dont remember if I posted this before.Just look at the bee!!

Long Weekend WA

2011-10-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

Exhausted this morning after a late night and going out at Midnight to pick up hoppy son from Club,such a fun of life boy but arh such a pain when he doesnt listen to Mum,had to get him into Cruiser,get him out and to front door and the he wanted me to cook him something to eat...
Anyhow even though I was not quite with it I mowed the lawn, I live with 6 males go figure and the trimmed and raked and I can now start to see the garden and its potential,Im watching the boys vegie garden like a hawk and will not be happy if it let run wild like last time... Im hoping to plant some Zucchini out the fron at bae of roses(removing shasta daisies and taking them else where) and hopefully will start a bit of productivity.

My organic oranges,only valencias and bit bland in flavour but being free I wont argue..

Boys vegie patch,butternuts onions,strawberries and tomotoes..........

Ive finished the batt,the hat in the magazine is what I hope to knit,its very noro like and bit thick thin but when I wash them they should be great!

And Ive done the scarf too,put a fringe on it to jazz it up,not sure its its effective or not but i think next Winter worn with jeans and jeans jacket will look good! I kept a few metres to do a fancy teapot hopefully out of that Tea Cosy Book!

And I arrived home yesty to a super surprise from Charley,I had my eye on it and without a blink she sent it over,Im blessed to have such great fibre pals for Im thinking more than Charlei is involved...,dont know what I will spin it for but thinking that if I spin it like the top one there may be enough for a wrap or definitely a hat but also it could be a wonderful accompany yarn for the like of the garter st cardigan! Or King of Confidence

Gorgeous isnt it!!!!!!!!! Merino, Alpaca,Angora,Yak.Mohair,Silk,Cashmere,Glitz,Angelina,Seaweed and Mink...............breathe breathe..........and breath...

Its amazing

2011-10-25T02:34:00.000-07:00

Its rained and rained well,the weather people say 7mm for here but looking at the bucket in the garden this morning nah nearer to 15mils,the rabbits were amazed too,they went runing out to dash back to the verandah and sit hunched,it was a bit cool but very funny as one was sitting under a leak,flicking his ear and his fluff was dewy should have taken a pic,lol! Its made a big different that I went to work in yard yesty,new territory to hop through,its drier this afternoon so now they are out exploring.A bit discerning for one of them,hes only got one eye and semi blind in the good one,hes just starting to run into things if you shift them around.

Ok I have knitting and spinning pics,love these two projects
First is the linen st scarf,maybe a boring scarf but Im loving the mindless well linen st does require some awareness,the yarn is soo soft,my magic ball,I may go find another one later!

And geode,merino silk alpaca and gitz ,this is coming out like a heavy silk Noro Yarn,Im planning a hat out of that Holiday Book over half way through it! I really would like some of Charlies Hallowen stuff!

Hope these X large Pics are annoying but I do like to see what Im looking at..did I mention new glasses next week,a bit costly but look stylish,well I hope they are too much!

Nearly there

2011-10-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

Im up to the last bit of my assignment and I hope if the thunderstorms we re having right now wont take our power cause i have an aweful lot of diary entry to make to show my working for the projects and exercises
Im thinking of framing this one,I think the bottle brush is too upright but it reminds of old Australian paintings..

Bugger its facing the wrong way but it looks good, one of the close up paintings in preparation for expressionst abstractism

More of painting below where you can the little gum nuts that I took the above from facing the right way

mmm rather pleased with this exercise!

The last is another but in the shade,it also gives a spatial effect as you can see the estle

Knitting I picked up the latest IK Holiday and Vogue as well,love quite a few patterns!
I like the Water shed shawl in the Holiday one!

Nearly there

2011-10-20T04:47:00.000-07:00

I started this yesterday and Ill finish the bits tomorrow,I was getting angry as I couldnt get the right tone but for the timne I have I think Ive done ok for the assignment,Im finding that I have talents that have been buried for far too long,this I now think of when stressed and bothered in that other place,I can and I will climb above those who dtrive to belittle and control
Behold the gentleness of old age stills....

Still have the yellow gums ( and the red pink ones) and the grevillea to finish off........oh I photographed in the evening light so it has a bluish cast,to finish I now have to use small veiwfinders and make 6 abstracts based on the shapes etc tones and colors in this painting!

My Front door,arent they wonderful!Rather me than the person they were going to orginally!

DH dragged my bike down to the Nickletown Carutebike Show,got a few comments,Ill see if I can get it a bit more presentable for next year!!! Honda Dream 305 dry sump all origianl,one bloke tried to buy it there and then,he worried me so much I didnt wander too far from the Girl all day! Thats bored out 750Four next to it!

Spinning...Ive started those batts too,pics when Ive got a bit into batty! Im spindling,its less room,I wish Ill be putting it into a hat,something lacy! Got the latest Vogue Mag I think theres something in that!

wordless wednesday

2011-10-19T06:08:00.001-07:00

2011-10-08T00:42:00.000-07:00

In fiddling around trying to get some serious project work done I also played around with my new waters...

Small detailed works like this I really enjoy ,still learning with the other one,its a fast ten minute job looking at the courtyard Im painting for a major part of this SP 2nd assignment

Knitting

I been working on my magic ball linen st scarf,hoping it will be long enough

Also havent gotten a chance to take pics,maybe later today while its bright light!

Ok here is my new spinning stash,isnt Geode gorgeous?? I thoght it was black with yellow and bue but its deep purples with sparkles,sign,cant wait to spin it,prob in a single to use as a feature yarn,been looking for a pattern,thanks Shirl!!!

And of course Enchanted,enough to do the pattern I sort have in mind,may have enough for a short sleeve cardie yet,Rhonda sent a little gift of gorgeous alpaca too!This stuff is seriously nicestuff to spin,I use my peggy here for a more uneven effect which is also spoigy,love it! I think I have about 500m so far this should produce another 300m?

Wordless Wednesday,ahem Thursday

2011-10-06T01:04:00.000-07:00

Monday.............

2011-10-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

I took Monday in liew of Friday,I love a good long weekend,today Im persevering in getting some Uni practicals done..I ll say no more...

Except ..I LOVE MY CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday all day!

2011-10-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

I went with Dh today to see about some work he has,dint know what hed have to do so a fair few tools came with us and I brought art supplies and of course camera.
The main job took little time so off we went back toward home where we spent a couple of hours looking at things on the road sie and country...

You can see Lake Lefroy in the far distance..

Sleepy lizard or Shingle Back,I grew up calling the Bog Eyes,he wasnt too happy being made pose for the shutter!

Hakea,"Birds beak" a beautiful shrub small tree that has flowers appear inside the protection of the slightlt prickly foliage

Didnt think to get pics of whole shrub..

Pig face!! See below where it was growing in fairly loose sandy loam ,there larger ones like these,they have the angular leaves,these fellas however are small rounded leaves and after flowering the plant tend to turn a ruddy pink and this makes it blend into the red ground more.

and to end this post is a mulla mulla!

ptilotus exaltatus, there are smaller ones that are like creamy white pom poms but havent seen any yet!
I love these,the pigfaces and the Ptilous, they take me home in my memories as a child...

Selubrious Saturday and Paper Flowers

2011-09-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

Arh,Staurday,others are getting excited its the Grand Final but Im just happy its the weekend and the start of a three day break for me,the cause primarliy because it was my day off yesty but I worked for the only reason that it was last day of term and things happen and things get sprung on me,I dont particularly like being a mushie.The other reason I wont include on here,if interested(lol) send me an email,it might be interesting or it might not but it certainly is an issue for me!

On my way back yesty I had ten minutes to spare,more photos! Im particularly attached to yellows and oranges at moment,if it clears up to a nice clear weekend I m hoping to take a bush walk,a lot of late flowers are not always obvious,I may find a wee treasure

Thoughtful Thursday

2011-09-29T02:13:00.000-07:00

I took these this afternoon,the mexican standoff ,well not really the King Billy Butcher bird mere presence is enough for the junior bird to bow his head,Bossy Boots attacked a female this morning and trounsed her quite rudely in front of the assembled birdies and all the others immediately bowed their heads and fluffed up in obedience,funny what you can learn if you sit and watch.. quite the

I tried the 300 ml lense this afternoon,very happy with it,Im picking up a Macro later this month,Im particualry fond of close ups!

Gum flowers high up

Now the light was very strong,thought the camera auto setting should have corrected itself here,its the second pot of pellys,dark magenta!! Gorgeous!I ll leave it small,it might blind....

In spinning news

I have a lovely parcel coming soon with some batts,black yellow and white,looks yummy,will show them when they arrive. The Enchanted Batts havent landed yet hope they do for the holidays,Ive finished the magic ball from Mandie,its plied and waiting a bath,Im sort of thinking entralac scarf..

Knitting news,Ive finished DH socks,now I have three pairs to sew up....

Pics when they happen..

I have some grass warblers in my back yard,thats how high the lawns getting... ahem must do something this weekend,no wait I have at least 3 paintings to do....Boys???? Can you....

Oh Knitty how Ive missed you!On the wish list!

Tacoma

Callette

Papermoon

and this isnt including all the others from the last issues....

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-29T01:50:00.000-07:00

Sanity Sunday

2011-09-25T01:12:00.000-07:00

Well off we went to the festival,(65ksaway)it was a lovley day,the crowds were huge,drove around the block three times with a gradually unsettled Dh who suggested he drive to get a park spot,Im a cautious driver but finally MY patience paid off
Off we walked the few minutes to get in the gate,I immediatley starting taking shots of all the stuff around me including Pimp My Burger Van all respendant in the matching Red Hilux twin Cab and Food van,massive hamburger,next time Ill order a Baby Burger,hopefully it ll be smaller than what I had!(and cheaper than $15)
I was a little disappointed that alot of the stalls had crafty baby, small child things like clothes head bands etc and others were jewellry and dust gatherers.I though being Sring there d be more in that theme,like garden demos or plants stalls, though the local Landcare from Karkurka pk had their table of plants from the nursery,not much but a long way from nothing.FOOD stalls everywhere.Hannans Park is awesome,huge green lawns and heaps of shady spots that on a normal Sunday you could go there with a picnic basket and a book while the kids played on the equally huge fenced off playground(almost wished I had young kids again) Plus there a little kiosk there for basic tea coffee etc
While all this was being surveyed I took photo after photo and just at the end when we were considering wed had enough I noticed one little thing,the camera was saying NO CARD on its screen which of course in my enthusiasm I didnt see,I was floored,no one has blogged about this event and I thought Id do so,well it ll have to wait til next year now....
Anyhow it was a good day out,went to Bunnings after and arrived home at 2pm ..only lightly sunburned!
We did do a bit aof shopping,two 1 kilo buckets of honey,Pattersons Curse or Salvation Jane and a one from the jarrah tree,lovely bee keepers,will be sure to go see them next time!
Ok Im off to get house ready for a busy week,last week before holidays....kids are excited and so am I,no lunches at 5.30 in the morning,I can wake up at 6,have a nice cup of tea and waddle off to work(unless something hits the wall)

Sassy Saturday

2011-09-24T03:03:00.000-07:00

Im getting in the right mood to get into this uni work,the diay Im carrying everywhere to use all opportunities to put something in it,have to get a new printer though,we just seem to have so much trouble with them,I print out pics for that diary for research etc and its vital the images are clear.

This week Im going to do the three paintings that cover the inside /outside topic,A3 paper makes a difference,easier to move around with...
Got into my water colours today..very abstract and it was on purpose sort of,I let it evolve and the direction it took Im happy with,the second is an experimental one in technique and learning to wait for each stage to dry properly before adding

Lechenaultia

Poppies

The technique here is a wash followed by balck pen to highlight,Im pleased with this one and I think Ill frame it and send home to Mum for her Bday

Went out and about with new Camera again and tried the close up,very happy with it.. I can see possibilites for a large painting here

Im off to the Kalgoorlie Spring carnival tomorrow at Hammond Pk, supposed to be a big eevent,havent been before even though we been here in Kam for 11 years, Im enjoying life more and more despite the nasties going on in this wee place.I aim to take a pile of pics especilay as the agrdens there are great,dying to catch a bee in action,LOL Ill take my spindle too as a spot of other creativity

F.ck Off Friday

2011-09-23T04:54:00.000-07:00

Oh dear I was little slow this week,missed out on Wordless Wednesday,never mind,it was truely that way,I flew to Perth on Monday arriving at 9.10 and spent the day wandering around Midland Spotlight and then Midland Gate Shopping centre,at 3 that arvo I caught a taxi to Subie for the appointment for my hands MRI which returned positvely,it wont fall off,only strained with fluid build up.Docs reckons it ll take about 12 weeks to sort itself out as long as I dont bugger it up again.
I stayed over night at the Perth Ambasidor, old but not too bad,to bad the staff werent as nice,the food in restaurant I expected better too,though looking at the other dinners ,maybe I too fussy? I did order a steak and salad as the rest of the menu looked nothing flash,surly they couldnt reck a steak,WELL DONE plz... it arrives still kicking,waited 30 minutes for it to be "chucked " back on the stove(yes I did say that to floor manager,oops,still in the bush) and then another 20 at least for its heralded return,$31 ? no way.it wasnt too bad but not for that price!
Anyhow,next morning the reception tried to tell me I owed $ 380 odd for my stay,WHAT??????? it was prebooked and payed AND I payed my Dinner the night before.WTF?? anyway sorted after they went througha huge fistfull of recieht from restaurant..
Spent the rest of the day back at Midland Gate(flight home at 5.30pm..) as I knew where I was AND Spotlight wa there,AND I found Jackson Art Supplies earlier,woohoo let me loose,$110 later I had some new wtaer colours and a pad plus new brushes and a very special one out of badger? hair,I posted my loot from Spottie and art Shop back as the weight was killing me(back pack) and I wasnt sure if theyd let me on with the brushes.
As my bestest friend couldnt make the day cause of work I was feeling abit bored,oh what the hell,there the camera shop loomed,fell off my budget sooo hard but Im EXCITED!!! A Rebel has moved home with me and Im having a ball learning how to use it! Im hoping to make the Spring FEstival on Sunday in Kalgoorlie where Im hoping to play a bit more!!
Heres some of the first pics

The last was Bens first photo using Rebel,LOL shows its simple to use!!

On the spinning/knitting front I nearly finished the first half of the Magic ball and am about 25 rows short of finishing DH socks........
Oh this is with my little bay camera,I rather like ths effect of this page in my diay,part of assignment posted on Sunday9not enough experimental entries Ive been told already)

I still like to go look at them..

Simply Saturday

2011-09-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

And its a gorgeous day and Im seeing the end of my assignemnt looming,loads of fun if only I had the time to play furtehr and not cram it in,I had yesty off as I marked the oval last Sunday and did two projects,absolutley love this one,an experiment in colour...

The sun was so bright so will try for a better pic today but this one I love ,it burns with vibrant orange though theres no reason to say this its obvious.Im planning in my head the main work I hoping to start this year...

My oldest baby is home for a little while,hes FIFO from SA at this stage but not happy with his pay so maybe reconsidering.

For my part I should the medical outlook on my own injury by Wednesday I hope,MRI on the way...

No kbnitting pics yet maybe next time ,spinning,I waiting for a double issue of Enchanted from a lovely lady in the States who kindly offered to let me buy her stash of SCF Club so I can finishe the project I have in mind,I may start it today as a rest thingy to get my thoughts going to finish assisgnment..

Anyhow my Big baby caught me working yesty!

Cheers!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-14T04:14:00.000-07:00

Exams IN!!

2011-09-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

OMG yoohoo and all that stuff,I passed the exam,got a Credit JUST beneath Distiction level but Im thrilled,21 years since I sat an Uni level exam,and I did it!! Thats two Humanities Unit done and I dont think I have to do anymore so its all Art from here!

Just a random shot from Before Kids time!!! Oats Galore!! with Shearing Shed for added garnish!

Sunday and feeling Lazy

2011-09-11T00:06:00.000-07:00

Dh and I went down this morning and marked up the footy oval for next Fridays Sports Carnival,its turned out a lovely warm spring day with little breeze but I did enjoy the one we had as pushing the line marker around with 25 litres of paint was not an easy thing but I managed to do a large ammount of it with DH coming in and finishing the last three rounds,so I think I walked 1200m? plus the little bits,poor DH now has a sore hip form the extra exercise and he has to run his shop tonight,I feel guilty ..
Been playing with camera setting again,found the panarama setting above,have to do more with it..

Im going to try doing a few new things seeing Im enjoying the regular chatting ,Wordless Wednesday sounds cool,lets see how I go....

Bugger me,its different

2011-09-09T04:11:00.000-07:00

When Lynne from Yarnivorous said she wasnt sure about her new blog interface I thought she had changed something but boy it is different!!!
Anythow for a person who doesnt like change this intrigues me....
I had to put my Pellies up top,arent they gorgeous????,boy Im glad I kept them,cant wait for the magenta ones to start flowering

Ok,Ive finished a pair of work socks today,boy Im on a roll,thats two pair in less than a month with one pair done in 7 days,already picked up and started a new one for Dh in bright blue Patonyle...

Unfortunately the very cold weather is about to turn to Spring so I wont be as productive but I suppose I will love the warmth anyway and Ive always been able to keep knitting!It has been uncomfortably cold though,I sort of expected snowy drzzle!
I pledged support for the above Pozzible project but I think the transaction failed due to my account(stash acc) didnt quite have enough,me being stupid thinking it finished tonight not last night so I had time to get to bank,I wanted to have a kilo of top but hopefully Ill be able to repledge tomorrow....
more flowers mainly cause I found some new settings on my cmaera I didnt know I had...

Geraldton Wax or Chamelaucium uncinatum I had quite good success growing these so if I get my act into gear Ill have a great front yard well as soon as we finish the drive after winning lotto!

Chinese lanten or Little Dragon I think its called in some nurseries and Eremophila or Emu bush

Wee little lantens dangling from the branch,I recommend these shrubs,they are very easy to grow and can fill a large area

And my old fav,Grevillea "Robyn Gordon",just look at the size of that bloom...

Woohoo

2011-09-07T02:09:00.000-07:00

Only 3 weeks of school left I think,please dont correct me its exciting to think this for the time being.Im marking up the oval for the Carnival shortly ,the dreaded chore of the year that previous gardeners seemed luckily to got away with not me though,must have gullable up there someplace
Oh the bestest news of course is that I passed the first Humanities Unit,must have read the score sheet wrong but its there and lost and sad little " P" but its a big fat "P" all the same,so happy I got that one down,just waiting for that dreaded Exam result....

AND blocked though ends havent been sewn in yet(cant find needle box)

My Pellies are just starting to flower,need a prune but I want to take cuttings so have been leaving it til I have the time to do so,they were meant to be a bday gift for someone who turned not to be the person I thought they were,lucky me they now reside at my front door,the other one is a bit slow but is the dark magenta type,beautiful

Love this Pic

Added Pics

2011-09-03T23:43:00.001-07:00

Ive have added pics to last post! But put an extra one of scarf here as I love the colours!

Theres my new canvases behind ready for me to start doing some new works..

Still Knitting

2011-09-02T04:40:00.000-07:00

I finished the scarf on Thursday while waiting for Ben,if its clear tomorrow Ill wash and block for pics on Sunday,I dodnt use the whole ball as I thought the scarf 1. was long enough and 2.there might a need for a bit extra for the gloves Im going to make to match it

I broke and bought 6 balls today,4 Patonyle 8 ply in vivid blue and 3 balls of Cleckheaton Tartan in the blue green colour,I really should have got the red but somehow the greens were shining in the blues ,destined for a pair of socks for me as being 8ply they ll go fast..Chezs is selling so I do hope the new owner will continue,she has some lovely new yarns in at the moment,good basic ones so I may pop in and grab some more of the Patonyle in the other colours before she does sell,Im really keen to get some Pumpkin,didnt see any but hope she may have it hidden there some place.
Pics when its light enough

It rained quite heavily today in Kal and I didnt think to take photos,it,zee camera, came along as there are heaps of gorgeous natives flowering on the way in and thought it would be sunny enough coming home to capture them,I did call into harvey Norman and found they could be very competative price wise for a Canon 1100D,They offered to match internet prices as longas they were shops fronts and with freight it may be worth it.Really need to save hard,tax time may offer a treat!
Add to wish still is a AKL,have quote and as soon as I can I ll deposit money and it will be here very quickly..
It rained last time I wore the shoes I had on today,I really love these,bought them at Harbour Town in Perth while waiting for Hubby at the Son of God Hospital,therapy on his hand. Little slip on black ones with flower cut outs and white stitching.$40,retailed for double that in Kal but I noticed that Target are selling some very much similiar in last catalogue
This weekend Im starting the prep work for next unit,I dont hold much hope of doing well in that exam as I only scraped in with last assignment and Id thought it had a good chance of at least a credit,trying not to think about it,losing Dad has affected me more than I thought,Ive lost focus.
Anyhow Im back to the fun painting stuff,boight masonite at bunnings today with paint for sealing and bond seal at art shop.I also indulged in some more paint brushes etc at the cheap art supplies through newsagent.Im hoping to play with some water colors this weekend,no Hockey so have both days to prep and play
Darling River Pea,one day Ill see these again and Ill have that good camera!

Sunday nearly gone

2011-08-28T01:21:00.000-07:00

Well Im half prepared for the exam so after sitting in Kal for two hours watching Paddy play his last game of hockey I back here with a couple of pics,didnt take camera to hockey in knitting bag at home but I do have a couple of pics to share
By the way Paddys team lost by a fraction,it was a close one and had us supporters on tender hooks as the closk round down,alas it wasnt to be but boy its been a great season and even with the injuries he collected including blocking the ball last week with his head(he must have a hard one) and a few deliberate hits to the knees cruel bastards (opps I swore) hes enjoyed himself and so have I,it was a chance to sit and knit(or study) listen to the radio at the antics of Jaqui O and her cohort while trainig was on! I shall miss it
Anyhow I wrote the pattern down for my new scarf,not a unique one and its an old one but I found the one I found was too wide so I modified it.This is just over two days worth,3 hours? over half way

Chevron scarf

Cast on 33st

Purl one row if your cast one has a definite front/ back look like mine

ROW 1...K2tog,K 3, YO, K1,Yo,K3,S1,K1, PSSO

Row 2..Purl

Continue till desired length is reached ending on wrong side and cast off loosely wash and block to bring out the pattern

My wool is 200m of Churro(Navajo sheep) Bunny handspun from Charleys Tops at Ixchel Fibre Farm, I used 4.5 mm needles and the wools roughly a sport which gave me a scarf with a width of 15 cm unblocked but should be nearer to 20cm wneh Im done with it

Im loving this particular pattern as it shows off the variation in the wool and perfect whn Ive spun top too thick and not enough for socks though I did discover I had another ball Id spun ages ago and forgot so i would have had enough for socks anyway but I love this scarf so much Im going to make a pair of gloves out of the remainder.

Oh and I like my new Harmony Needles,Pink ones !!Im very enthuse at changing them around as I need different lengths on my cords

This another UFO i found that I finished last Christmas well in the first term,the other half I dragged out this morning,again my own pattern based on the 72 st sock with a gussett heel (eye of partridge for cushioning)

The colours are better in this photo! Yarn is a sock yarn from Spotlight which I cant remeber now but was a cheap style on,I paid $14 for this one EDITED to ADD Moda vera Ive since seen this on Rav destashed for as little at $5,I only bought it as I wanted something knitty from Dubbo,everything was shut for holidays so couldnt get to my fave little shop in Tamworth st..
Well Sunday is slipping away very fast ,ack to books for refreshing,semiotics gender,history,feminism and so on!

Hmm

2011-08-27T01:32:00.000-07:00

Im trying to study for an exam on Monday,which is to held at the most stupidest time of 2pm,the siesta time,so I think there will be a fair bit of coffee consumed before hand,I think I will be answering three question in short essay form,lets see how I go.
On the other front its cooled off again but the sun has a sting in it so I reckon in about a week we ll see a more summery effect happening,30s this week according to fello grocery shoppers this morning,great,just as I go back to work,oh well the lawns are stuffed s there wont be too much work.Im suppoed to have an MRI on hand but I cant see that happening either..
Spinning Im half done with the Enchanted top,gorgeous stuff,hoping other person is back from hollies soon so she can sell me the other two tops
I finished my socks but havent taken pics yet
Im nearly to shoulder on pink sweater and Ive got about a third done on a chevron scarf in hand spun Chrro bunny top.
The native flowers should be out soon,I may go for a wander later for fresh air and se if I can take some photos,Im hoping to invest in my new camera later this year,Im tossing up between a Cannon 600D or the newer 1100D,I rather fancy the limited edition red version there.
Ok Im back to study,have to queeze in as much print onto two A4s as I can (permitted to take this into exam,a bit hard ato cram three months worth onto two sheets I can assure you!)

Something of interest,Taffy likes to sleep in her toilet,it must be warmer at night!

Again

2011-08-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

Its a lovely warm day,I went and bought two nice light shirts yesty while Pat was at Hocky,one s just an average one from target something other than black which Ive taken to wearing,mind you I was curious what people tjought with the huge decorative "C" written across the front,it stands for Cavelry of One a group set up to help people acheive something like the old fella on his last years ride around Australia one last time,funds were raised through sales of tees etc,I got two,one is the "C" one and the other little "C" making up the shape of Aussie,come to think of it I must check to see if Tassie made it on there.Anyhow I got a grey tee shirt and a chechered cowboy style shirt in cotton which I have another very simiar but it will dress up nicely or down if necessary. I had a good look around for plain nice tees but they ll all flowery or off the shoulder types,yuck!
Ok heres the pics Ive been promising,sitting on card for a while but uploaded yesty!
Anyway Knitting and Spinning
Optum

And projects

BFL socks on
3.75mm
52 st recipie
and short row heel,
handspun and
dyed well dyed with the sprinkle method
then spun on Roberta,gorgeous stuff cant wait to try them,the first sock took me about 3 days fanstically quick! And perfect fit too! I used the stretchy cast off .

Harvest Moon
On 4mm needles
Small size though may twinge it to do med for arm and body
Cleckheaton Silk garden,have 12 balls but may need another one or two
beautiful to knit and pattern so far is easy except I got markers A and B on the wrong sides so had to contact peoples for affirmation to continue

Im about to realise my wish list well get into it so its hopefully done by Chrissy!
Priority 1 Dining Chairs
P 2 Cannon Camera
P 3 AKL
And next year more furniture ZI really need need a new bed and cupboards
Its really warm here today ,even the bunies have come inside to rest,the tiles are cooler than the ground outside apparently!

An Invalid

2011-08-19T06:35:00.000-07:00

Oh well I think I ve done it this time,Had a wee accident last Thursday,dint worry too much at first but come Friday (last Week) I thought hmm its getting a bit sore of I toots off to Docs who straight up says, Ive ruptured or partially torn this tendon in my hand,"You must go Work compenastion" hes says,No I says Im sure its going to be fine,I just wanted to find our how bad and what do I do to fix it, He muttered and cursed a bit too well in his way,gave me Brufen and said see you next Friday...well its next Friday and after being talked at and talked by DH and Docs I went Compo ANYHOO,the tendon ( Extensor digitorum tendons )is now inflamed and the fluid building up in the sheath surrounding this charming little tendon is leaking out and working its way into my other "sheaths" and into my wrist,hence more sore and now stiff as well,bugger...I serverely do NOT like Compo

The above picture is from the link above that just for niceties referances I mean
On the up side the Doc says I can work just no weight lifting with that hand.
Enough of that,SPRING is nearlly here,I want my new camera NOW,there natives flowering everywhere and the weather although pure icy early morn,the later day are just gorgeous.I finsihed some optum last week and I skeined and washed it tonight,was goign to ply it but Im dreaming of a lovely Estonian lace scarf,Im starting as soon as I am able!
I ve also finished one sock and started the second,wow how did that happen,its some handspun and dyed BFL thats been sitting my stash for at least 2 years,I did start it on my trip east but on 2.25mm needles it was really hard to knit and it hurt my hands so I froggeg it and started again on 2.75mm, a lot softer.When I dyed it I wet the wool and sprinkled the blue dye(Sky) over the skein and then cooked in microwave,its muted with the shadowy blue of different hues scattered through. Pics later as I have never cpatured it yet!
I hope when I get back into the roll of things I ll be able to finsih this last sock,finish spinning the last of the Churro and start it as socks too! Oh and spin up the Enchanted top and hope the lovely lady who offered the other two remembers so I can adopt them too! I got the new(to me) pattern books for Noro,small projects one and Flowers!!! Will add pics in next post
Paddy has two hocky games this weekend,that means a spot of shopping for me,bunny beans and I needa couiple of new tees for early spring,I seem to have gone totally black last year but Id like a lighter tone /colour this time..
Oh I also invested in two flyers off Ebay for my old wheel,ones a jumbo and Im real happy to have them!
Ill leave with a pic of my biggest boy whos coming home soon before clearing off for a four week stint out bush in SA doing a job for his boss

Ta ta!

School Work

2011-08-14T00:24:00.000-07:00

Very annoying,I cant settle to work and get this essay out,it sitting there just waiting,Ive the intro and rambbled on abit which usually stokes up the juices a bit but some how Im not clicking,I think Im developing cronic fatigue as Im tired all the time as well.
Knitting,I undid the BFL sock I was nearly finished on trip over East,it was far too dense and it was hruting my hands to work on it so off to froggy pond and I restarted it at hockey on 2.75mm,the fabric already is much better now I have to knit to around 48sts and try on and see if size is right as the yarn is quite tightly plied and around a sport.
I ordered a magic ball from Mandie plus some glittery bits to play with in my next carding exercise.I WILL have this essay done tonight and then all I have is revision and notes for Exam in 3 weeks.
Also have a nice ball of lace coming from a lovely destasher on rav,thats destined for scarf time,a simple lacey one which should an instant gratification list
The annual art exhibition is also coming up in a couple of months so next weekend Im going to try to start at least two projects to go in it,an oil of my shearing shed or store room and a couple of graphites of some old rusty things I got pics of,antiguey things IF oly I could stop fiddling and get essay done.....
Oh and cap it off I hurt my left hand onThursday rolling a heavy lump of cement,I only did it while I working nearbay to see if I could shift it with a bag trolley,you know one of those moments where normally nothing will happen but does,the Docs thinks Iv torn tendons for three fingers and Im inclined to agree,Im taking Brufen to see if it will come good thjough hes advising work compensation leave etc and going off to see a hand surgeon,whre I wonder,PERTH??? cant afford not to be at work though Im afraid of doing more damage as well.I cant carry anything heavy with it so washing basket stays put til an unwary son walks past,he he he he
Anyway a couple of pics for fun! Which reminds me,all the flowers are coming otu,must go for a walk and get some new ones,Im buying a new camera very shortly,a Cannon a mix of Bday and Christmas,not sure which model but an entry level type so I can take close ups of plants and small things...

Dunlop Shed

Salt pan drain off near Norseman,colours were gorgeous

No time at all

2011-08-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

This weeK HAS BEEN A FAILURE ALREADY AND ITS ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH,i WENT TO WORK TO FIND A MESS GOT SOME sorted AND TODAY i GOT UP IN A PANIC AND FOUND i WAS OUT TOO EARLY 5am BUT NOT ONLY THAT BUT FELT THE CRAPPIEST FOR A LONG TIME,ONE SON HAS TONSILS AND ANOTHER HAS SINUS ISSUES MEANING ANIBIOTICS AND BUGGER ME AS i TYPE i REALISE MY FINGER HAD CAUGHT THE capslock key
Anyhow I end up staying home and fiddled around here with one cranky DH and a carefully studied igorance on another son
Anyway I sorted some photos last night for my project and I cant find the one I need to go with some comments Ive written/I was lucky to rescue som eold family ones that dear Mother didnt think important and boy didnt I look to make sure she didnt get rid of any others

Thats my dad on the far left,the lot of them were the cheeky crowd of the area,the bloke on the 2nd from right recently passed on and I feel for his family as Id known him all my life. Taken at Fordsbridge near Bourke,Dad had a record for some time from there to Bourke in his FJ,still very angry I couldnt get that ute and do it up for him....pale blue and entire with needing little work I would loved to drive it in his memory.

Here I am with my little brother,not hinted is the fact I bit him on the hand just after this photo was taken.............

And another of us later of course,with Bo the poddy, I think there was about 12 of them all up,I remember trying a blue ribbon around the poor things neck! Just look at my thick pony tails,they gave me headaches and Mum had them cut off later!.I must be revisiting my childhood as Im growing them again,no really Im just going through my hippy phase,LOL

And this one,the only visual record of any of my family or friends in any photos Ive seen to date,Im one of very few that inherited the clever hands pasted down through my Nanna.My Aunty and Cousins do the most brilliant hand work,their efforts are perfect(in my eyes) and if one day I have the time and the money to do so I want to try to do the same,stumpwork,weaving even,my nanna had a floor loom and I dont know where it is now but Im getting a AKL after I do my tax as a late Bday gift and that will affirm if I want to go further later.
Im having a sad time remembering little things that didnt mean much back then but also Im taking shelter in those memories as some unpleasant and frightening things are around me now.

Thats my Mother holding me as a fairly new bub,to contrast thats me as a mum with my fourth son..
Knitting......
i HAVENT DONE TOO MUCH BEEN OCCUPIED WITH THE SPINDLE,BLASTED cAPS LOCK too lazy to go back

And I finished the second bump of Enchanted,correidale in black browns and bright fernie green from Southern Cross Fibres,really want to do Davids club again but I have soooo much stash
And handdyed some Finn

Im going to card these into a mix of Black diamond,soysilk on a base of black alpaca and white bfl,they will have a bit of everything I can get my hand on!the blue is quite light when pulled apart so Im thinking a blue white mix so it very delicate,hopefully these will yeild enough to produce at least four batts and be feature yarns
There,thats it for a while I have to do some work on my assignment so I can get some rest to beat this nasty bugg bug!

Goodbye My Home

2011-07-31T04:30:00.000-07:00

It was with a heavy heart I said my last goodbyes to a place that has been in my family for what seems forever,I spent every Christmas of my early life(14 years) plus cared for the gardens for another ten years or so and knew so much of its every nook and crany.I took so many pictures as I left but they will never replace the feeling of home,it was my steady rock to know it was there through good times and bad and I hope the new peoplewill care and love it as I did and appreciate the history of the past!
I left home at 5.30am,monday 18 July with my middle son as company towing a tandem tailer on loan from the bestest friends without whom I wouldnt have been able to do what I set out to.My own trailer had too many things needing work to get it ready in time which I wasnt aware of til two days efore leaving date.
I packed two project bags and two spindles and had plans to work on them at travel stops. We spent first night at the WA border,I started a sock in some handspun(Espinner) dyed y me ages ago,it ll be a plain toeup with a feather fan pattern at the top. the spindles job was to finish some polwarth from EGMTKs for the Bandwidth hat (top since finished in a lovely light worsted weight)
3500kms to go,over the Nullabour towards Ceduna

Patrick kept busy with his books,military history etc

Ceduna,beautiful green crops........

We had some fun man handling the trailer into position before backing 100 Series in and rehitching,as youve guessed Im not good at reversing a trailer...this was the second night,I did some more on the sock...we also tried out a local pizza shop to compare notes...

Leaving Pt Augusta and heading up into the holls to Peterborough

Back to 3rd gear and up climbing!

Then second!!

...then down through to Broken Hill

Little Topa,whats left of the flooding rains last Christmas,I saw a bustard slinking off into the grass here,so many have een shot and eaten over the yeasr Im glad theres still a few around

Loads of summer fire fuel here going into Cobar on the other side of the Macdonald Ranges,eautiful scenery,wish I had time to stop and take more pics of the ranges themselves,wonderful painting material

This pics didnt come out like I hoped but it was like the southern Aroura lights,a rainbow hanging over Cobar as we approached aout 50 ks away! Stayed at the Western,everything else was booked out and we scored the 3rd last room at the pub in the old party rooms,had to put up with an annoying drunck yelling out at his TV all night...

Onto the Louth road which was the roughest Ive driven over for a while,I stopped a few times to check wheel bearings etc and to have alittle break from the rattles,the Bourke end was shocking! This pics was the good part through the sandunes,they were graded for the famous LouthPicnic Races which we missed as we were going home the week before they were to be held

Over the hill and nearly there

All my Dads stuff for all and sundry to sort through and bid on,country auctions are a big day out for people to travel to and try to get bargains and just have a great day out.It can be heart breaking for some if they re being sold up for example but for my own family it means a move to someplace more comfortable,Mums has existed for the last few months on no runing wtaer with the tanks rusting through and as she was going to move there was no need to spend money.Thats for the new owners.It was sad for me in the way Im losing my real home and also I wasnt quick enough to get some family heirlooms out of the way before they were put out,I did however managed to save my girls,given to me a long time ago by my father they were frisked away and hidden from prying eyes.

Just look at them lined up and ready to go!
Auction time...........

And all gone the next day,the sale lasted from 10amto after 7pm that night with flood lightslighting up the shed as the auctionare gaming tried to finish off.
I was very angry to learn during the day that a certain attendee bid up to an extravagant ammount for a family heirloom that shouldnt have been in there and due to a miscommunication among other family I was distracted and failed to bid on the item.Upon discussion with the organisers later it was realised that it was a mistake for it to be put out as my mother wasnt aware and even though she didnt really care at the end of the day I will always regret not being able to save it and that person involved will be remembered. I did however managed to rescue my OWN spinning wheel,Dads stock whip and his pistol holster along with a few tools and abit of his hobby stuff(lapidary)

Over the next couple of days i went through and took photos of everything I could for the memories.

Front of house,one of my fav spots..

At side facing the river,this was the best side to sit on the kitchen step and have acup while the kokaburras rallied up in the trees and blue wrens twittered among the shrus

A portion of the gardens,a fraction of what they were in my Grandfathers day

The mighty old 45 stand shed,I aim topaint this one day so got heaps of pics to keep the memory as correct as possible.

thats it for now,Ill e back with more photos of the house ad shed and Im hoping to find the time to tpe up an article that was printed in the sixties about the history of the old place.

No knitting or spinning pics but i have started some white optim on a tiny spindle as I want to use it to make a delicate little scarf with nupps etc,Ihave also started the second half of Charlies Churro Bunny top and as Im not back at work for another week im thinking of getting out the sock knitting machine in between fnishing the ast Uni assignment,finishing grouting the abthroom and getting garden upto some sort of decency.

the blasted key board is dicky too so if you see a few missing letters(b) thats why.....

Gee times running out

2011-07-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

Bugger me the week ended before I could get some things done including murdering some clover,Ill have to go into work tomorrow and spray and water new plants ,leave paper work for a certain Staffy and then wizz home and pack!!
Its going to take me at least days to get back and probably abit longer coming home with aheavy load,I will definitely take alot of pics this time and store them properly

I plied a skein of Charleys Churro this morning and washed it,one more to go and there should be enough for socks which I want to start NOW

Looky I found an ld project I was working on last winter,I think a bug had a chew but only had to reknit two rows,I have to decrease for crown now and I cant find the sock needles so hopped on Ebay and bought a pile of Knit pro cords and ends in sizes I need for these type of projects.I really want to wear this hat when at home as its going to be freezing and Mum has no heating,the beds will feel like ice so we ll be taking hot water bottles,LOL

The trouble is I have so many on the go I use up my supply,LOL Oh this is a wurm hat,I did one for my Mum last year with the ruffle scarf the same colour in Sensation,(pale blue) Ive got some pale pink here someplace I would like to do the same set again for me~

Got my eye on another pattern for a pack of Cleakheaton Silk in raspberry,called Harvest Moon, by Heidi Kirrmaier,I love the pockets though Im a bit worried the neck linarrowne will be too low and end up sliding off shoulders as I have ~~bony~~ narrow parts there! Ive got soem dark lime green too but dont know how much,probably a vest! Ive been wanting to cast on for a long time for that old pattern Vestish ,have some burnt ornage mohair and abit other stuff that I had in mind,also three packs of that cleackheaton charcoal tweed naturals,boy I think I hve enough to stock a shop.

I ve got to set up a project bag and realistic one at that to take with me too.Im driving the whole way (3500 odd k) and can only really knit and spindle during stop overs if Son no 3 dosent get cranky ! He should pleased with the ammount Ive managed to plough through!!That said off to bed for me,have sooo much to do!

Last day

2011-07-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

Well today is my last day at work for a few weeks,off to give Mum a hand and load my bits up so she can move,Ive been spinning a lot to keep up with te Tour Fleece and boy Im gettig afair bit done too and all by spindle!So Ill pack a bit of fleece and my spindles including the new Trindle,pics soon!
I have to finish a uni assignment tonigt and post it before I go,Ill get a registered postbag today and just chuck it into the mailbox as I leave so I have the maximum time to do as good a job as I can.
Its overcast but I hope I can get to the weeds this morning so theyve died off by the time I get home!
Ill be back later with more pics!

Re photos

2011-07-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

I would really like a more professional camera but shes not bad really! Oh and a fat cop!

Gotland(EGMTKs),170 odd metres,the second skein,yet to be washed,still has grease in it,the first one I think was 120m,have another 100 grams to spin,Im hoping to do a lace style wrap,still looking for the just right pattern,I hope to take this as a project (along with spindle and other bits)on my road trip though as Im driving the whole 3500 odd ks,itll be stop times and night time only

Ta Ra!!

Photo time

2011-07-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

Blue..........

Green

Red....

Knitty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-06-28T01:13:00.000-07:00

Oh Heavens,Oh My,what shall I do with such a wish list of patterns,this edition is wonderful,I have my eye on at least half of them......................KNITTY is up!!!! The lacy socks look like the right ones for my last spindles production,the Silk Garden Cardie is divine! Oh the choice!

Feeling pretty good

2011-06-22T01:21:00.000-07:00

Yep,Im nearly finished this weeks Uni assignment,lets see if I can get a week ahead this weekend so I can post the thing in the mail and not have to take Laptop with me and battle with that in week 9 when Im supposed to be travelling home
I finished the second half of the BFL in blue/mushroom that I started on the weekend,balled up first plied half but havent washed it yet,it looks awesome,I think Ill be knitting with 2.75 needles but will swatch first
Darn photos not up loading! Will try again! Nope blogger being a bad blogger tonight!

Back again for 3rd try,LOL

There 148.8m in one ball and 132.8m(sportweight) in the other hopefully enough for a pair of sock maybe aheaps of lace otherwise Ill dye a bit more up ...And my rescued Bunny Taffy,fat bunny

Yes that is her bottom seen under my hand and the jumper is a Jo Sharp sweater I finished at Toodyay,5 years sitting there half sewn up.it growing abit as I wear it but its gorgeously warm and I think a bit of a hot wash will tighten it up a bit,BTW its Merino Fur or Fur nMerino,I think a Naturally Yarn,love possum,awesome stuff

TEACOSY 2

2011-06-20T04:31:00.000-07:00

Im reposting this to help a couple of people who have contacted me even though I didnt see their comments in this as somehow my editing of Blogger isnt up to scratch when fixing comment thingy,I be back to edit this to fix the problem I think people are having

Tea Cosy

Simple Cosy for a 3 to 4 cup Pot

Yarn: 1 ball Patons Jet

remnants of three colours(Cleckheaton Silk used here )

Needles: 5mm

Abbr:

RS-right side

WR-wrong side

K-Knit

P-purl

YO- yarn over

SS-slip stitch

PSSO-pass slipped st over

St-stitch

tg-together

Rib-K1 P1

Cast on 84 sts,work in basic 1x1 rib for 4 rows

Work Rib pattern 40 sts,cast off 4 sts,continue knitting on these 40 sts for 20 rows.

Break yarn and rejoin to other 40 sts and knit for 20 rows as for first half,knit across the first 40sts so there is a toal of 80 sts on needle keeping in rib pattern.

Knit in Rib pattern for 8 rows,then knit two together across row ,40 sts, Purl 2 together across row,20 st,knit 2 together again so ther are 10 sts left.Break yarn leaving enough yarn to draw up remaining sts.
Here you will start with 84sts at bottom,knit 44,turn,cast off 4 sts and continue knitting on that 40 sts to the top for 20 rows,break yarn return to other 40 sts and knit them for 20 rows,this will have the two lots at the same level,knit across all sts(80sts) and continue onto decrease.
I apologise for not making this clearer as I didnt realise it wasnt understandable!

Using wool needle, pass through these last sts and secure.

Decorate with knitted or croqueted flowers,pom poms,or a knitted cord(cast on a number of sts knit a row,cast off) that can be tied into a bow.Another sugestion,gather last sts with a ribbons of contrast colour and tie in bows.

Green leaf pattern:

Cast on three sts,

RS R1 Turn,K 1,YO,K1,YO,K1

WS R2 Purl all sts

RS R3 K 2,YO,K 1

WR R4 Purl

RS R5 K 2,SS,K1 PSSO,YO,K1,YO,K2 tg,K2 (7 sts)

Repeat last 2 rows 4 times,should have 6 lace"holes"

WS P

RS Knit 1,SS,K 2 tg,PSSO,K1.K 3 tg (5 sts)

WS P 1,P 2 tg,P 2tg,P1

RS K1,SS,K2 tg,PSSO,K1 (3 sts)

WS P 3 tg.

Using wool needle secure end of yarn by sewing into back of sts, Press and attach to cosy.

Flowers used are from Simply Knitting ,Issue No 16,June, 2006,not sure about year,but if you cant find it,any embellishment of knitted flower shapes woill be good

Still cold

2011-06-19T05:11:00.000-07:00

Freaking hell, its getting cold,havent had time to get wood so unless my older boy and myself go out Im buying a load this week,at least Im putting my lovely warm jumpers to good use,the possum jumpers are super awesome,I should make pair of mittens and socks with the last of it..

Ive been playing with my spindle this week again..I actually plyed the last lot,some South African Fine from Knittery Things in wonderful yellow through to brown and bright blue,just love it,only got around 346metres out of it and really wanted to do the Kvothe pattern,might try it and mod it somehow

I love the way the colour lined up on he skein holder! Now Im spinning BFL handdyed in delf blue through to mushroom,its drafting like a dream and hopefully enough for a pair of socks.I dyed it at least 3 years ago and its been sitting there all this time,I nearly destashed it but now the spindling has caught me Im taking it everywhere.I have another lot in rose pink and mushroom that Ill do after.I think Ill ply the blu with blue so the socka have blue toes fading into mushy legs.The pink I think Ill ply opposite s the barber pole thingy happens with the ends swaped.Im currently shoppinf for a couple

more spindles and one day Ill have a Golding....

Knitting wise Im done with the ribbing on one vest,6 inches on second,and shawl is getting bigger too!

Ill leave with another pic of the fluffy inhabitants

Dont look at the carpet lol it was Friday night and I work all week....

Bitterly cold

2011-06-09T01:54:00.000-07:00

It is freezing here at moment,straight off the artic it feels, but no snow of course,I struggled through work today,offsiders been reallocated elsewhere for a few days so worked around different parts not that theres much to do as we done everything earlier and it had rained.
Got bad news on one assignment last night and no I aint repeating it,I didnt like it at all,may do an internet based one early next year if I can to make up for this one.Theres a mix up in the other one,the tutor awarded me Very Good on all parts and marked it at 35/50 which Im sure is 75% but she put it through on main sheet as a mere 35%,emailed her to confirm and hoping she just messed up as I dont want to do it again either,want to do something different, I got 60% for 1st assignment and 77 for second not sure ehwere it leaves me.
Anyhow I had a huge ball at Toodyay for the retreat and will add pics down below,the weather ws cold enough to show off new knits and enjoy knitting new ones,I finished one 5 year old UFO and nearly second one but started 4 others ,LOL I also added 4 more skeins to cashbah stash and a skein of Trail sock which I cant wait to attack,must finish at least two UFOs and do some seriuous study first

Me and my BF,we talked each others heads off!

Inside the main market/ work room...the mittenes were the Retreats pattern for this year

Spindling workshop, market night,we all hang out for this part!

One project I started,this was spun on a spindle,the top an old club from EGMTKs,fine merino in Old Jeans

and this is the Mosley Park yarn I spun from a Christmas Club I think about 2009,lovely squishy stuff and Ill have enough for mittens as well!
Theres two more(I think) but I havent taken pics yet
Must go, its bloody cold and I have to do something about dinner

SP2

2011-05-30T05:31:00.000-07:00

Ok here we go again,SP2 has started and tonight Im going onto the Griffith Uni site to set my account up and find myself around,Macquarrie I didnt like at all but hopefully Ill scrape through with a pass like with the first two assignments.Just couldnt get my head around the theory stuff to "talk" well enough in my essays.at least its set me up to understand Gen 101 whih is also theory based
Anyhow looking forward to this weekend,Tooyay Retreat,have my main knitted item nearly done,will knit pockets to body tonight and sew ends in tomorrow on second cardigan,wash car and pack bits in my UFO box,have to work shop on Thursday to give DH a chance to change oil and grease essential bits on Cruiser,the fuel chewer but cant take the car as its needing some TLC that we cant do at moment
Took yougest of brood for his school interveiw today,all good it looks like he ll have a place next year,such a relief,hopefully he ll see his full potential there!

Heres a pcs from late last year, a street in Perth with my name and the other DH s name.We thought it may ahve been a goodluck sign!More pics,old ones but i wanted to put something up tonight,first is a back entry veiw of Dunlop with a ferocious storm coming,see the heavy rain falling?

This is the Darling River Lilly well thats what I called them ,the bulbs were massive and they got bigger the older the plant,each year it would pull itself lower into the ground by moving its storage sectioninto one of its fleshy roots, I dug one up in the 80s after rain and it was flat to fit into a household bucket,like all lillies the flowers are over powering in smell,sweet and heady.This last photo is a field of them in a spot on on my old Home,"Delta" where I grew up,I shed a lot of tears going back for when my Mum leaves there I dont have a reason to go back there anymore.

Dunlop Shearing Shed,held 800 odd wethers and up to 1300 odd weaners.The smell of old wool and lanolan.

lastly a quick snap I took of the Nullabour road house looking out at the approaching rain,ging through it was not so fun as I was aquapaning and nearly run off the raod,Im very proud of my self there,I drove from Cobar to Kambalda on my own with four sons,they were well behaved and the bestest bys a Mum could wish for,Im going back soon with Son no1 to see Dunlop go,looking forawrd to the drive not the rest,yep feeling melacholly tonight...

2011-05-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

Im so glad I managed to get to the end of this SP,dont know if I passed one but should scrape through the other
Relief... I give myself a few days to just be me and knit in spare time and cook goodies for the boys,
I started another pair of the blue mittens but this time in RED Naturally Loyal,no pics yet this yarn is so nice ,a bit splitty but I can handle that for the lovely fee of this yarn.
I have this weekend to finish the Birdy cadigan and wash and block it and the other one ready for my retreat ,dont know if I should go even though Ive paid it all up ,worried about leaving Hubby to handle things here

Anyway I have to wash car this weekend,its very scuffy and bake stuff for school too NAd organise WIP basket for the trip,determied I am not to buy anything there,well a couple of spindles if the lovely lass turns up this year!!

Lovely arent they!

Releif

2011-05-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

Well I managed to drop both last assignmnets,no idea if I will even pass the Macquarie one as I had the wrong email for the first,the tutoe said chuck it on the second which went last week and now the last one meaning Ive done an entire unit SP without having work marked,hope it goes through I dont want to do it again and apay as well
The other one should be ok,I got 70% for last sub so even if this one is in 60s I ll pass,dont want to that one agin either
Im off to Toodyay if all goes well end of next week,woohoo and Ill have two new knitted things to wear and im taking a basket of UFOs to work on,there two very nice projects specially for the weekend but I havent knitted anything from the last two so better do some stash busting.
I have an urge to cast on some thick socks too so it ll be avery productive and fun weekend.had today off I want fit for work and didnt get anythimg done here,went through stash and got a basket ready to put on Ravelry
Thats how I found a heap of goodies Id forgotten,I must have abig stash if Ive forgotten what Ive got,LOL
first will be some handspun Mosely Park merino,enough for a pair of thick socks and then Im casting on the 8 ply Patonyle for another pair,will be fun!

Late time

2011-05-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

Here I sit waiting for a movie to download so I can add it to my assignment and then when I do that drop it off at Curtins Droppy Boxy thingy
I would have done this earlier this evening accept it was enforced in a horrible way by another student about copy right etc,I understand that issue but I read the tutor advising another student jsut make sure everythings credited properly,anyway to be on the safe side I redid my little animation movies ,all three and reloaded onto Vimeo,trouble it takes half an hour to upload and then nearly an hour before its availble to check over times three
I have anasty feling Ive picked up a tummy bug thats floating over town at present,lets see how I go tomorrow
Anyway i was a bit shocked at this person having a crack at me for jumpig to attention and changing my work,it was good of her to clarify everything but really had I chose not to follow that instead of my interpretation of turtors posts then thats my buiness.The other students mad tem selves scarce too,she was still ranking at 11pm,nearly told her to go to bed! Oh and then she came back and had another crack at me after I posted on Uni site asking for advise jeez....
Bloody hell,anyway movie should be right to go now
Too Ra!

Ye Gods

2011-05-19T03:51:00.000-07:00

Why has everything have to happen at the same time,bloody hell and all that,I have two huge assignment due on Monday and only have this weekend to complete a 1800 word essay,half sort of drafted at moment,then another,thats all about creative art plus an animated movie,I can get the essay fairly done by tomorrow night but that leaves me virually only hours to do what should have been three weeks work.Problem? DHs shop !I have to go run it til nine at night for the next three nights while he
toots off gettng more stuff and staf are away,now I dont have aprob with doing this but by Tuesday Ill be fine to do the extra as Im dropping uni back to one unit per study period for 2 semesters "cause of work eaching up my physical well being..
Ive had my whinge now Im off to go to shop.....

2011-05-16T03:17:00.000-07:00

Im sitting here witing for dish washer to finish so I can cook dinner and the get a head start on my next essay,a simple meal for half the time the boys have pigged out on somehing else and wont eat what I cook,which in way is good 'casue it becomes the next days crib!
Hated going back to work today,I ve been home wth a bug but it was nice not to run around after other people and just watch my bunnies louging around.I didnt get as much work done on my units but managed to send off Assign No2,I have No 3 for both units due next Sunday night yikes!! If I can get the outline and notes written I can start getting a thought process going,couldnt think today as I left the question behind.
Im waiting for OL to get back to me as I requested a cut in study so I can do one at a time til SP4 where Ill go back to two at a time.The shop is costing too much time and I need to help Dh as we get it updated and expanded to a full on cafe.Not sure how Ill cope when Dh goes back to his own business.
Im just up the pocket or I should say down to the pockets of my Snowgoose cardigan,another ball and I think Illbe finished.The next one will be the cable vest in the grey handspun I started early last year,I hope I have enough yarn to finish it,theres at least another skein maybe two which should be enough,I think I have to finish the top of the first front but then again Im not sure,maybe I ll take it to Toodyay as a UFO
Its so soft for EL/Merino,Beryls the sheep! Pattern from Caron yarns,soft squishy cables!

And a finished item for once,Im looking forward to washing and blocking!SilkGarden a reclaimed sweater ammount destashed off Ravelry,one of the best deals Ive done,love it!
Original
From

Knit.1, Fall/Winter 2008 I think my sleeves are a little longer and may grow as well
I have enough yarn to make at least four of these vest too
So many projects and so much wool and so little time!

A very Autumn day

2011-05-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

Heavens its cool today,there what I call Esperance fog drifting over us and its a bit misty,the two bunnies in residence are sitting on the back lawn pretending its warm and sunny..Fluffas got the Pose,while Taffys keeping a sharp lookout

Its just started coming in heavy mist,the two of them are still pretending its sunny and their furr is covered in beads of moisture,funny buggers!! Fluffas lost his eye and Im worried he wont see danger coming as he is quite non pussed about things around him ,very sedate bunny,Taffy is on the other hand very flighty,takes a bit of coaxing to get her inside at night,usually round and round the truck a few times before she gives up!At least she takes notice of stuff!
Took a peak at the latest IKs last night,nothing really grabs me ,maybe this one,Amelia Hoodie though I do love this hat Cats Eye Tam,love the name!
Im home today,more crappy stuff happening but I ll be able to use the rest of time to complete an assignment ,What is White? are you White? Why Not? etc.Last kids off to scholl and a minute so Ill have acouple of hours to myself,boy its cold,may have to go look for uggies..Hockey again tonight so Ill be wearing them then for sure!

End of the week

2011-05-06T02:19:00.000-07:00

Im so relieved its Friday,have a nasty headache though it should ease if i dont do too much eye work,lol doing this is not good but Im enjoying the bit of peace while DH is at the shop,still in work clothes but really looking forward to trackie daks.
I have to do an outline for one essay tonight but have to also read that chapter to go with it so not sure how far Ill go..
Ive noticed my vision blurring heaps lately,hope its not a sign of Dads eye problems,have enough to worry about now..
Im so looking forward to the June Retreat at Toodyay at the Avon Valley Homestead The people are wonderful,and they cook beautiful food so we are all spoilt!
Sunday is Mums Day but Im enjoying my Day by watching Son 3 play Under 17s and then A2 grade Hockey in Kal
Interestingly we have had some visitors around town lately,usually when the local dogs go off frantically barking and our JR seems scared to go out side we can hazard a guess they are around,we think two dingo dogs are venturing into town and they are veiwed at least by us to be dangerous.One of my boys walking down to meet friends at the local kids spot(fish and chops shop) at 8pm was in a Mexican standoff with one near the entrance to a laneway most people use, even at night, H...tried to bluff with the usual stamp foot and yell but end up throwing his bottle of drink at the animal,it slunk quietly back into the shadows and he was very careful after and kept to the lit streets,which is hard in this place as the local sport is kicking the poles so the bulbs fail,bloody kids, leaving heaps of street very dark! He was aware of the habits of these dogs and acutely aware also that its mate wouldnt be far away( setting an ambush).They have a great following in popularity and are very intelligent dogs ,these particualr ones usually hang around a station hunting goats near here but they didnt show fear of my DH as he drove past them going to work and they are the ones you have to be careful of.
Most people have scoffed but keeping in mind the little girl set upon on Fraser Island,its something that should be noted,being careful doesnt hurt.Ive been in a similiar position before when my first born was a wee baby,I was travelling alone and had to get out of the ute in the darkest dead of the night to open a gate on the family property,we had word of dogs being sighted near there and at night to feel the hackles rise on the back of your neck is not the nicest things,it always worried me if it attacked so always closed the door so it wouldnt get my baby,not good for a fast entry into drivers seat but at least bubby wouldve have been ok. That particular night I did hear a low growl sort of noise and although dingos are generally silent killers this one had a splash of kelpie in it and mixed blood ones are the worst.
anyhow Ive enjoy my afternoon writing I have to go catch up with family members scattered over Aus, on the phone!

Autumn

2011-05-05T01:27:00.000-07:00

Wow its cooled off so quickly,I had my thick handknitted socks and Ugg slippers on last night and was just warm,we cant go out and get wood for a while with the shop taking up DH time all day and I dont feel super confident myself to take son 2 and old ute out to get some,especialy after Dh said something about checking the manifold for leaks...there may be some old wood behind the shed anyway if it gets too bad..just being a wussy!
I have about ten inches to go for my Snowgoose,I think its going to be aneat fit too so will hopefully find a set of buttons like the ones on the rav pic of anothers effort.
Fluffa is on antibiotics for his eye which was ulcerated from the injury,hes learning to see well out of the remaining one though and is getting back to his old self , I do feel hes seems to be looking more like an old bunny lately
Schools back and whatya know one kid refused to go another missed the bus so only one made the bell this morning..theres always tomorrow,that useless Walna test is up on Monday I think,it has never shown my boys true potential,one year Son 3 was given a smudged sheet he couldnt even read,another son was marked absent for the day to save the teacher the effort as he has a learning disability,so no I dont like them....
I have to work on three essays tonight,so want to get the out of the way!!! Sex and Sexuality and Foucalts opinion,name two things brought together by globilisation,what is white/ are you white/,why/ not/ ...I have to write at least half page...on each.. I left the ad at work I needed for the last one!
This is my last bit of creativity,Heirloom Alpaca,one ball equals one pair of awesomely warm mittens..best part I have another ball,seriously would love a jumper out of this stuff but at $7 a ball not very wise at moment,I do have some fawn mix in stash for a vest though!

Looks better on than on their own! They about 2 hours each to knit!
Ta ta til next time!

Again

2011-04-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

Well I must say writing another post is a surprising event,I think Im avoiding reading the necessary chapters to write a one page essay,ahem,Im getting so close to seeing another large project off the needles I just want to knit every spare moment and get to try it on!
Its a gorgeous warmish day though by jove its been so cold at night,weelll for us anyhow,no snow or frost, just that creeping coldness that soaks in,we spent an hour out in it a couple of nights ago in a desparate search for our missing bunnies
At nearly 11 oclock I found Fluffa,I first though he was dead but I could see a gigantic tear weaving down his little furry cheek and I frantically pulled away the crap that was between him and me,he had somehow got his head stuck between the corner of a plastic bottle crate and the upright pole along the shed wall and must been there for hours,his right eye was pushed up and distorted and I think any long and he would have just given up,he sat back and was very groggy and the only way I could get him out was to pick him up by the cruff of the neck gently and he snuggled into my arms,I rushed him inside and give him water which he didnt leave for nearly ten minutes and was barley able to stand
Meanwhile we went straight to see where the hell Taffy was,a small hole under the fence into the neigbours garden(they dont live there anymore so no feisty JR) I really didnt think Taffy would fit,she is so fat but low and behold when we looked over fence there she was sitting up like Jacky not a feather out of place.After going in there and rattling around she had disappeared, the little rat .Frustrated we came back to our side and bugger me there she was cheekilly perched up looking at us.a quick run down and block the hole and we had her back inside very indignantly.
The last two days they have been locked inside,"punishment" for Taffy but also to ensure Fluffa had a grooming pal to be with him.Im suspicious some thing must have startled them for them to go to ground like this and I think Fluffa must have tried to climb or hop over the plastic bin and slipped as there was room for him to turn around.
Looking at his progress he come running up to me this morning looking for his favourite brekky, bread and cereal(Fibre Plus) and I think hes going to be blind in that damaged eye as he run into a few things when I let him go outside.Hes such a docile buny,he loves being petted and I always spend time "grooming" him ,he doesnt struggle when I pick him up,very loving,sits with me often as I study late nights and even joins me while I hang washing,feeding around my feet on the lawn. I didnt sleep that first night so scared I had lost him and I blamed myself as I didnt go looking for him earlier when he didnt turn up as he usualy does,he has a cute little routine and always follows it.

Dressed in a 000 singlet to keep him warm after shearing,

With luck he will come good and is already showing his resilience(that word makes me feel ill,had it jammed down neck too many time ,lol) and it remains to be seen how much sight he ll have considerign that we think he didnt have much in the first place!

Sitting in a bucket or split peas,he loves them so much and had to squish in muchly to get at them!And yes I did post this last time but couldnt resist he looked so cute sitting in there!

Im Back!!!

2011-04-28T01:54:00.000-07:00

Well so much for doing more posting,anyhoo,Im racing the clock to get two assignments done,ones all theory Faucould etc,think thats how tis spelt,I have to write 3 more short essay on te impact of bodies and sexuality and global effect of bodies and so on,confused so am I but if i manage to read enough I may be able to write some sort of response,the other unit requires a more practical one,yippee I have to make an animation,the boys say iteasy Mum,hmm lets see how I go,two weeks I have to do these...plus a huge theory essay to follow a week later
On the knitting front Im half way through Snowgoose and Atilier,couldne be bothered checking spellin,if interested check last post,cripes my typing is shit tonigh
I have an oven full of baked spuds for a beaut meal of stuffed with sour cream and bacon to go with the awesome snags from Kal butchery....I can sit a bit longer before I go clean off the crap from work,I rally must put some more timeinto my own garden,I rally miss that gardening time here,bugger doing it for aliving
Im starting to get excited with the Toodyay trip coming up in early June,Im hoping Hubby wont hate me tooo much for deserting him,Ive got him in training at moment by not helping at Pizza shop,yes his latest business,thank god it went through but his hand is getting better and should be back in full use soon,

Just for fun heres Fluffa sitting in the bucket of split peas Dh uses for hand therapy,loves munching on them!The weathers starting to turn cool and hes fluffy again,his companion is like basket ball shes so fat!

Brownbird AKA Snowgoose,Jo Sharp Silk tweed in Autumn,love this stuff have enough in the red Worsted "Spain" for a vest,got some as destash but realised it was worsted and could nt do the pattertn I wanted so bought some more on sale. Also have some in a greeny colour but cant remember what its called but the patterns called,bugger cant remember..anyway Ill find it and when started will add a pic...

And the lovely Atilier again thinks that spelt wrong but who cares..This stuffs from Skein I keep saying is seriously the nicest stuff,I hope it wears well,Im sweating on another two colours Fig and sorry another two,Geishas and Suburban I think,steely grey and lusciuous red.
Ok Im off,really need to clean up kitchen and cook dinner...
Oh I meant to add,is anyone having probs commenting,I know one person said they did ages ago and Ive been looking this new setup and theres "Traffic" but Im presuming like me dont have time to sign in etc

Oh cant resist heres another shot of bike...its on facebook but some havent seen it here!!LOL Me in my work attire,cant afford the protective bike stuff yet

.

Working hard

2011-03-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Yep Im working hard as making sense at life and what makes it go round while staying sane.I woke this morning daunted at what seems to be an impossible day but after spending a hour or so catching up on the net ,Im much more relaxed and uncaring despite I havet done any Uni work or a few days,the last 3 weeks have been another aweful stage but as always we seem to pull through so Im determined not to let anything get in the way!

This last few weeks as I said have been terrible,DH hurt himself badly and there seems to be rumours surfaceing around town as it does in small towns like this that directly impacted my job,having people including your own staff getting excited at the prospect that I have resigned from my job,WTF,the crestfallen looks that ensued upon the denial was equally disapointing considering. I found it both amusing and disappointing however Ive resisted the notion of attending morning tea and publicly annoucing that information.I havent ,nor do I intend leaving my job until Im well and truley ready which wont be for some time if not years and even if that does P*** some certain galahs off. I will however mention one little trifle,work place bullying ,intimidation,harrasement and all the crap that comes with it is also well and truley alive and kicking,sad as it is.Oh and the isolation that comes with it, simply because it is like domestic abuse,no one wants to know

Right back to more pleasant things!!!

This has me thinking,Ixchels fibre Farms hand dyed BFL Cashmere called "Irish Pub",delightful name and cant wait to spin it but am thinking of this lovely pattern where I can use this as the complimentary yarn and the main will be something soft and yummy,Im thinking "Skein" in that very nice combo Silk Merino! Not sure if Ill go with a darkish navy blue or an equally dark olive green.I have sooo much on the list and its growing each week mainly decasue the annual pilgrimidge to Toodyay is coming up and I must have some new knitting to show off and enjoy!Im going to start the King of Confidence soon as its mindless knitting though being black it may be a bother!

Im u to knitting the left sleeve of the Lagoon,it ll breeze along now I understand the concept of the pattern,I had to think and use commonsense last night to work out the cast on for under the arm and Im thinking an inexperianced person might stall at that!

Ive also started another sock in Lornas Laces ,some lovely greeny blue yarn that I bought from Yarnivorous a couple years ago during her destashing before moving overseas,I had stated another pattern,lovely as it seemed,it was just too much to sit and carefully mark off a chart as it was easy to bugger up.So I started another in one of my dream up simple but fun patterns that I may write up one day! I havnt photoed yet,waiting to get up to a more photo genic stage.Now this project is on top of the "danish" shawl,another sock pattern again my invention,some handspinning that will end in a pattern like Multinomah but grades from near white corries down to a chocloate feather fan pattern at end,I have too much natural greasey fibre so am getting the best out,spinning stariaght from a washed fleece no carding and when I ahve enough to do something in the bin for the remainder,just no room left.I have two alpaca fleeces too,a white ,and a caramel,Im hoping the little mill in Toodyay may be able to process it to yarn stage. I dont know if they have a minimum amount and havent weighted mine yet!

Anyhow I must get too,ironing school clothes, my work clothes, a hang washing,make boys put theirs away,a quick clean up and maybe some study!

Interesting

2011-03-06T23:25:00.000-08:00

During research on my latest art assignment,I came across this little bit of interesing science news,Ive heard of something like this before but maybe the researcher was poo pared then and has just gone on to add further studies.

http://journalofcosmology.com/Life100.html I was going to add a picture from the journal but thought being copy righted they might upset with me,but go take a look at this fascinating article,possibilities are endless!!
Never the the less, this Journel is now favourite marked on Computer
Anyhow Im trying to get some projects done this week and managed to add to my list I think on top of trying to get as much done on the Curtin Assignment,the text book hasnt arrived for the Macquarie one but its not due til April

Im working on a contempory angle with creative thinking to absolve the problem of 30 ideas of what you can do with a bucket,not just one but as many as I need,I may post something next weekend to show what I came up with if they dont seem too silly?

On the spinning front I cant find the fleece I was spinning for the Dutch Shawl,So am going to introduce a new fleece somehow,most of what I have is EL merino and not as soft and that goes for the bit of Gotlnad lamby I have as well,Im dying to get to the end so I can experiment with a lace finish...

On Envy I got to the second pattern and discovered I hadnt read row 9.... which had extra M1s,...bugger but I frogged last night and got back up to where I had to undo,hopefully Ill be through the second set of increases tonight though cant have a late one.Work tomorrow though a of bit mess up there,have to run DH into town to catch a flight to Perh at 7am, to visit the hand foot specialist surgeon tose how his injury is fairing,we must have run over a black feline someplace ,all the crap doesnt seem to stop,it just keeps on rolling in :(

On top of that some people seem to think Ive/m resigned/ing my job,are you kidding???? its all that keeping us at moment,bloody idiots.

Envy now..

A skien of Christmas hand dyed top from Jane at Moseley Park near Kimba SA,had it sitting there as a single,was knitting it up as socks but it was over spun on the electric wheel and twisting as I knitted, if I can find the other half will be a hat or mittens

One of the pair of gorgeous alpaca mittens Ive had hibernating,feels like butter,I hope to pull in and buy some more in Chocolate later this year!

Some more fleece I played with this week,corrie in fawn through to white,not as soft as the shawl but pretty,110 metres at a light worsted or 8ply not decided yet what Ill do with this one

Oh great news last Tuesday my second son is starting his apprentiship with a local Buisness in AutoSparky

,best bit its what he wants to do and its walking distance from home so he ll be able to save more towards his car!

Its not a very dirty profession unlike the Boily job Son 1 has,nearly finished his App too, but I hope he does well,very brainy boy and picks up very quickly!

Lastly,Grevillea,"Moonglow" very lovely bush!

A New Year

2011-02-24T17:43:00.000-08:00

This year started in a such a sad way,Im feeling better now and I think the grief I feel is gradually being buried enough for me to continue without that aweful sense of guilt that I should have done more and the questions that come after the loss of someone close. To make things harder for my Mum rather than me but it still upset me,she just lost her only companion,her kelpie,Jess.She is thought to have chewed one too many poisioned mice despite Mums efforts to get rid of them and watch Jess etc, she was just too good at hunting them out in the gardens.Sadly the good side of this is that Mum can take a trip away now and not have any animals to worry about and when and if she moves the worry of taking a bush animal into town to live.I still have all my photos on the lap top but heres a couple from home..

The old store room and two of the boys trying to catch a yabby on the edge of the river that was nearly fully flooded about 3 days before Mum was cut off and two days before we left.

Study is wearing me out and now embarking on another set of units ,one form Curtin and one from Macquarie,the latter is the most confusing site ive had the peasure of dealing with but I will survive this time like the others with the wonderful community that we students are developing,Im not alone in my confusion....

One of my latest efforst not finished but Im drawn to it for the colour I think,the second is another what Id term contraversial piece

Got to love comtempory art...ps I welcome any critical comment,nie of course,LOL
Anyhow..

Knitting ,havent done much but have a couple of projects lined for that wonderful annual pilgramadge,the Toodyay Retreat in June.

I indulged in 4 beautiful skeins from SKEIN on Etsy,Envy,lovely blue green 50% merino and 50% silk,its a dream,soft silky,it looks like its going to be treat to work with. Im hoping to knit the interesting patern called Atelier by Pipibird

Im also spinning up a big batt from Ixchel fibres,a gorgeous mix of charcoal bronze gitteraty and silk,churro bunny and heaps of other yummies,Im navjo plying,have one big bobbin done so far with enough for two more and eventaully will be making that interesting swaeter that is either top down like the Garter st cardigan or the bottom like that on Knitty, King of Confidence I have managed to find someone who was destashing 4 balls of beautiful Bendigo Alpaca,8 ply but Ill work my way around it.The bottom up will ensure that the neck line is small enough too so I dont have something that hangs off my shoulders like the garter st one Im nearly finish in Noro that I started last year,it seems to be awefully loose but I love the colour!!! Pics when done

This the BIG batt that Charley sent!!!For the above project,it was huge,Ive done about 30% i think,simply undescribable,I try not to visit on Fridays when she has her updates

Ive also some very nice bunny fluff and BFL mix in gold and grey that I spun some time ago,it was destsined for the same pattern but am waiting to find the right yarn that is super soft to go with it.

Isnt funny how you get al excited about a project and then something catches the eye and off you go,well I do,in a diffeent direction and by the time Ive come back to that same project I cant remember where the pattern is,Ive made the mistake of trying to buy a pattern again on Ravelry to find Id already done so months before,dah!!!

Im not afraid to navajo ply my spinning now as I dont fuss if I dont get enougn yardage,they make great samll project yarns or additions as in the above cardigan

I also have a new little friend in the house,I present,Taffy...Taffy by name,Toffy by nature!

And another one or two...

Yes she is hog,Fluffa knows to run for the tucker when I call,LOL

Oh Fluffa was shorn again,like his wardrobe??

They skun him a bit this time so Im investing in a set of animal clippers this year..

Im home sick with broncitus again with two sick boys so I can afford a bit of time out of study for today so am using it to unwind a bit..

Ta til next time

2011-01-10T04:53:00.000-08:00

I havent been well enough to write anything of use for anyone to read,the year has started sorrow and forever changed for myself,and family,When I feel the way clear to write again I shall do so,Im still getting over a huge drive,3200 ks in fact with four sons,they did me proud the whole time I needed them. For now I must concentrate getting back to what ever normal life we can a

nd continue study somehow.

In Memory,his favourite rose,"Fragrant Cloud"

Back again

2010-10-21T02:25:00.000-07:00

Hmm I thought Id just put something in today,maybe I just want to talk! It feels like rain coming in but I think its a drought cloud that promises but declines to produce! Theres a coolness already as though its already dropped it moisture someplace!
Been home for an hour and just chilling out with a coffee I shouldnt be having! I really should be checking my Oasis account but I think Ill do some study tonight and get an idea started for esssay,set up the cover sheets etc then spend weekend doing the fun practical stuff,itd be nice to get a good night sleep so I can feel top of the world on Saturday!
Im spinning some luscious Bunny BFL Silk from Ixchel Fibres for the Teabox that coming my way very soon,I hate to part with it but I know something just as lovely will come along and if I can enjoy spinning this and giving it away Ill have some room.I really should put up some stuff on Rav,really need to get house organised,its disgustingly scruffy!
The long awaited CSM or Auto Knitter from NZ ,is arriving by air shortly so Ill be able to turn out some socks and clear more room though if I get good at this machine Ill have to buy another chest of draws to store them.Im only using this machine for the coarser yarns like opal and the standard yarns like Patons leaving the yummy STR issues for handknitting!!!
Im hoping there ll be instructions in the box....

Isnt this lovely,I paid a lot for these and only have two colours left and the Ebay supplier, the only one who could send to WA hasnt got any for sale! I did have them in the ground but they werent doing very well so potted them up.Im hoping to get a red and yellow ones so am very keen for this seller to open up again!!
Anyhoo I off!

Just to say Hello!

2010-10-12T01:33:00.000-07:00

Hi there,I thought Id better pop by just to say hello and tell everyone I'm still alive!!
I'm doing ok!! My studies are tiring but Im achieving distinctions so that great, thumbs down to those who doubted me and also what goes comes around,I think that's how it goes!!!
Anyhoo,Im busy with gearing up for the last assignment for these units and spinning a gorgeous bobbin of pale beige suri,this stuff is to die for,I got it from the Alpaca shop in Toodyay and only just got around to playing with it!!
Ive just checked into the ISE9 Blog and everything hunky dory there and also a link provided to a contest being held by this talented lady I love the prizes and of the cute tape measure are beautiful!!
I'm planning a Travelling Woman Shawl this time around and am waiting for a ball of sock wool from Jimmy Beans .I really hope it gets here soon as I need to start it pronto so I can give it some time before the pressure gets going for my essay,a big 200 word one !!
I'm also going to do this shawl for my Mum in some handspun suri I also bought from the Alpaca Shop,its a gorgeous silver blue,pity I didn't spin it myself but Mum wont mind!!A big Happy Bday to you Mum for today too!!!! I might start it this evening with a glass of wine on my front veranda!!! I wonder if some beads might look good!!!
Anyhow Im off,have apile of crap to do as I did extra tiem at work today and will tomorrow as well
Ta Ta

Hmm

2010-09-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

I went to log to find I was still logged on since the alst time I posted,dont know how that happened
Anyhoo,Im home sick for a bit,ulcerated throat etc,docs at 11 with son 5 in tow as he needs a referal(lets not mention school here,at least for moment..) Im enjoying some quality,if you call it that,time with him,my baby,he needs some time out from pressure so we re playing with collages! I found this marvelous artist called Mike Bernard,his site and how he does his work from a UK based art magazine,The Artist,June 2010 edition,The Practical Magazine for Artists,theres a step by step guide how he does these gorgeous works.Im doing a second one now and helping Benji do a basic one to show him a easy step by step way so he develop his own style later if it interests him! Hes off to new school soon to help him reach his potential thats been side stepped here.

My first effort as a quick project for Uni work,it was something using text in work and response to text.Mixed media using collage,modelling texture paste and acrylics. Its not supposed to be a realistic representative but I keep looking at and several bits appeal.I have no doubt its barely out of High School standard but Im quite chuffed with it.Im currently doing a canola feild so theres no structured elements like the corragated buliding like this one so its very challenging.
I havent any new knitting though Im still plugging away at that kilo of polwarth top so I can dye it up for a pattern I sort of picked ages ago,(when Im finished and Ive washed and tested the gauge then Ill check its suitability)
I dropped off the first two assignment for this SP units,Sculpture and Contempory Art,essay writing,scary but once I get into it I rather enjoy! Im not keen on the scupture but no doubt it ll bite as all practical things doand Ill fill the house with yet another "fad"
Fluffa been annoyingly cute lately,I think he gets lonely when we away from the house as he sits next to me and insists of many pats when Im trying to study!And bites when I dont compy quick enough.He needs shearing soon,his a bit well matted so maybe hes itchy! I dont wan to have his entire fleece removed as I have to go home to my parents soon and mossies are rife on the Darling and of course theres no one to care for him here so he has to come too,his fleece may give him some extra protection from mossies carrying myxo.
Ill leave you with some more flowers..

Spring is nearly here

2010-08-07T02:36:00.000-07:00

I went for a walk today and took this photo, I simply love the colour of these,not as good as show as last year but still vibrant!

And some camel bunny silk mix from the ever wonderful Charley at Ixchel Fibres,its so soft and behaves just like cashmere silk,yummy,destined to be a gift and currently being knit into my fave pattern,the very easy cowl with a simple wave pattern! Pics as soon as I finish it!

On the home front Im going well in my uni stuff and had a great day off yesty to go into Kal for the usual hair cut and style,new hairdresser and shes great! Came home with this, a bit rough after a bit of wind got to it but the ideas there! Wahsed it this morning and having the weight taken out has lifted it and allowed more wave to come out,never had my hair like this before.

More stash and another two assignments!!

2010-07-09T00:06:00.000-07:00

Ive been so busy lately,Heaps of works on Uni assignments from drawing to sewing molas,all fun but leads to no spare time,I shouldnt even be on here but thought a little time out would be nice.

I added to the stash quite significantly and I havent put it all on Rav yet,but theres enough for 4 more socks pairs,a Malabrigo Shawl,Citron,when I get time, in Cactus Flower,my god this stuff is seriously addictive,so soft !! I saw a lovely lady knitting the shawl at Toodyay in probably the same colour and after making a trip online to Webs, well it was in the bag along with some Sugarloaf from Valley yarns for a Jo Sharp Vest that was originaly designed for Ultra,this substitute is very much cheaper at around $4 a ball and has a lovely feel in the wool tencil composition

I have to knit a wee hat of some kind on request for a little girl thatll be in some pink sensation I nabbed last week,the last 4 balls in the shop,there was lady eyeing it off and I wanted to do a pink wurm for me after doing one in pale ball for Mum, I think I ll do the Meret hat from WoollyWormhead...

This some merino handyed from a lovely person in the Bday Group on Rav

I have soooo many projects I want to do,I even started another shawl out of some spindled wool,Yes Ive mastered that too!! Ok Ide better go but Ill leave with a photo of the foggy morning we had last week!It was -7 at Norseman...

Its me again

2010-06-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

Hmm as per usual I havent been very active,work study and other nasty things have gotten in the way!I have a reasonably small or should I say two small uni assignments due,hubbys not happy with it taking time away from him but really by Monday things will ease up a little,Ill pace myself this time and have things done in better time.The trouble this time is that I lost track of the week numbers and dates,week 1 study period is hard to work out when theres no actual date to correlate with,hence last wednesday night I discovered that I had two of the buggers due this sunday night(well really 9am monday).Three nights to do 3 weeks work...after a mini break down (heap of stress at work didnt help) I had a good look and discovered with the aide of an RDO I could manage enough to pass.That sounded great,except I came down with the flu again after a bout of bronchitus which I havent really gotten over yet(early frozen mornings havent helped there!) So coughing and squarking Im nearly there,just some artist research and a bit of additional drawing bits and I should be done hopefully not at 2am in the morn this time.
Hey I can still draw,Id been putting off the practise stuff anyway but when forced to do something it was exciting and relieving that I could create something beyond childish squibbles,well it is more HS stuff but Im happy and everyone Ive nervously shown have nothing but praise but maybe they re being polite,LOL When Ive dropped assignment Ill give myself a few days to catch up and post a couple here,even if to keep a record in case the house burns down!
I went to Toodyay again this year,drove all the way down on my lonesome,listened to the radio,ABC,all the way and only put some music on briefly,except for being nearly wiped out by a sleepy truck driver and an annoying squeek under the car(I think it was the pads on the brakes as Id just had struts and shocks replaced or gravel may have gotten in there when I pressure cleaned the old girl the day before) The trucky pulled over I noticed, after I passed him, and just as well,I only passed him(he was coasting at 90kms) after another small truck went , he came right over the white line to the point I was looking for the best bit of scrub to aim for so I didnt roll,not a great road that bit, the bitumen is broken edged and the road fairly narrow.
Well I made it to spend a brilliant weekend with heaps of wonderful people all knitters and spinners,the yarnmarket was awesome as usual,I came away with 3 skeins of SeaWool,Somoko (I think I got Renaissance),a pile of Casbah destined for gifts, a couple of BFL sock yarn, and an early Bday pressie in the form of a Deluxe Knit Pics set,Im aiming to get the Wooden version at Chrissy! While there I finished off my Mums hat,Wurm, to go with her ruffles scarf, started a small shawl by the wonderful Anne(Knitting Inspirations),spun the first bobbin of Southern Cross Fibres,"Hunter Valley",finished off my Assymetrical top,yet to wear it but hopefully soon as its so warm and soft in merino silk handspun! Oh and did a failed run on my pushbike that my darling boys had done something to,the expert in the group apparently said it was not good and "dangerous", wish he had told me,LOL,it would have been an excuse to stay and knit with the girls instead of embarrassing myself,I still think my left lung is hitching lift back! Never mind Ill have a think depending on the result from bike shop in Kal,whether to fix it up and flog it and buy a better one or just keep it for the occassional use!
The best part of the trip was catching up with my dearest friend who had moved down there some time ago,I got the guided tour of their block and awesome it was,wish I had more time to sketch some of the wonderful boulders in a richly texture landscape sort of drawing! Maybe next time!! there a possibility I may get to go down in the next few months to spend a UFO weekend at Avon Valley Homestead,the host are friendly and brilliant,I look forward to doing it again!

Winters nearly here

2010-05-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

The weekend was strange,warmish with a hint of cold to come,the wind blew last night and snuck under the front door near where I was sitting trying gamely to lodge my latest Uni assignments,one went through quickly but the other was beauty at 47 MB reduced to 46000 KB,my limit is 10BM so hopping it went through and was accepted,took ages to load site let alone get to the tick page.Ill find out this morning..
Home with two sick boys and im hacking up a lung,lost the first on Saturday..So Im going to lay low ,clean up a bit and get some sort of order back into this pigstye,and even get a gecko into my stash to see if I can rehome some as boys are cutting up rough about the lack of space,hmmm,its hard to let go when you can see the possibilities..

To eleviate stress levels,I managed to spin up three skeins,a gorgeous yellow grey mix and then some Diamond dog,havent taken photos yet but will put the yellow one here in its top form later.Im planning the King of Confidence and yes Im boring as Im going for the original colourway but only because I have a kilo of farm wool from Aunty J she had processed and gave to me last time I visited,hope it looks ok,Ill drag it out later.

Been busy

2010-05-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Ive been so busy with full time work and full time uni study,I didnt think it was until I found the definition on the Uni site a couple of days ago! I can do it,and Im having fun draggin out the interlectural bits from the grey matter!!!
I thought I had only a week left to do my 2000 word essay plus the pracs including print plates using the collogragh technique, but got my dates mixxed up,Ill be spening Mums Day playing with some experimental bits on printing and now I have some colours it will be terrifically fun. On the down side my spinning and knitting has been severely affected but I still costing along.trouble with this lap top for some unknown reason is pissing me off as it tells me every now and then that the computer is closing down to save damage and now it wont let me upload photos onto my Project page on Ravelry or Flickr,I can go one of the other 'puters and do it there,thankfully the photos are still on the camera card and I wont transfer bugs

Heres a shawllette I did for my lovely Neighbours Bday! Woohoo it worked so Ill put some more on!!

A horrid one of me but at least you can see the colour !!S... loved it and Id like to do a lacy one later for her before they leave next door!

I used a ball of handdyed Patonyle and 4.5 mm needles and the pattern is of course the" Just enough Ruffles"

And this is Multnomah I couldnt be bothered checking spelling,will be back....ok I did and its ok Now this found its way over the big sea to Karrie for the ISE8 Swap.. by all accounts she has loved it as much I love what she sent me!! See below

Now this is the fantastic shawl scarf that I was so lucky to recieve from Karrie as part of the ISE8 for this year,its soft and my fav colours and lovely to wrap around my neck,she cleverly checked out my Rav page and found Batkis on my wish list queue.She very kindly spoilt me with not only this but a knitting book, "More Sentaional Knitted socks" and some great sock DPD end protectors,looked these on the net before but never got to buy any!!Thanks Karrie it was wonderful doing this round and I look forward to participating in the next round!!!

2010-04-26T04:49:00.000-07:00

A few things (meme)

1.Do you like bleu cheese? Not really,I like variety of different ones but blue cheese is abit strong

2.Have you ever smoked? Nope if you discount sneaking a puff and a single puff under Dads dozer when I was 12~

3.Do you own a gun? In the past owned a few,miss them

4.Favorite type of food? Italian and good old plain bush food

5.Favorite type of music? Heaps from Enja to Alan Jackson,some hip hop ,Grinners,Jet,hmm Theory of a Dead Man,yep heaps!And all different

6.What do you think of hot dogs? Gross,tastes like plastic
7.Favorite Christmas movie? Friday after Next

8.What do you prefer to drink in the morning?Dilmah Tea!!!

9.Can you do push ups? Used to do up to 80 twice week

10.What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? My Eternity ring as Hubby dragged me into pick one out and made it impossible to refuse....

11.Favorite hobby? Knitting, reading, gardening, writing,art stuff,riding my Motor bike

12.Do you have A.D.D.? Not that Im aware

13.Do you wear glasses/contacts? Have readers

14.Middle name? Maree

15.Name three thoughts at this exact moment: Have to do some study,finish Bday Scarf for friend,wish Son would hurry up and get my cup o tea

17.Current worry? My Job

18.Current hate right now? My job,LOL

19.Favorite place to be? Home with family

20.How did you bring in the new year? Quitely,think I was asleep

21.Someplace you’d like to go! Home to see family,too many are sick

22.Name three people who will complete this. My Blogger Firends,not naming them!

23.Do you own slippers? Uggies!!!

24.What color shirt are you wearing? White

25.Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No! Crisp linen

26.Can you whistle? Yep

27.Where are you now? Home

28.Would you be a pirate? LOL it would make an interesting change

29.What songs do you sing in the shower?

30.Favorite girl’s name? Charley Rose

31.Favorite boy’s name? Have 5 boys all favs,Tom Hew Pat Sam Ben

32.What is in your pocket right now? Dont have any

33.Last thing that made you laugh? My silly big boys

34.What vehicle do you drive? Tarago

35.Worst injury you’ve ever had? Buggered back due to an idiot/S at work

36.Do you love where you live? Its not bad but Id rather be elsewhere

37.How many TVs do you have in your house? 5....

38.How many computers do you have in your house? 4....

39.If you changed your job, what would it be? Art industry,farming,craft shop which ever came up first

40.If you had three wishes what would they be? Health happiness and want for nothing

There you go, I cant remeber where I saw it but many thanks for a few minutes of fun!

Lotsa rain!!!

2010-04-03T06:03:00.000-07:00

Ina short time.We had a massive storm last night,starting around 2 am,it slowly made its way over the town and finsihed around 5.30am.When I did to see the radar map it shows a large horizontal cloud that traveled in a different direction to what we ve getting.It meant we got the full force of the down pour as it came out of the hills behind us.
We were lucky it only came up to our front door,thank heavens for DHs new toy, the laser level that he used to check if our new verandah was high enough as we d been told of the water levels last time it flooded!

Receding the first photo, though the passing yobos out sight seeing were a bloody nuisance,making waves with their 4x4.

The poor neighbours on the right were flooded out!!! As were the young family further right,have been told since their house is unihabitable,they moved out by lunch time.

Saltbush Rd....see the idiot driving through? thats pushing More water into those flooded houses.

Water heading into town.Im looking back towards the creek it entered from!

The Playground going into Sturt Pea St

And BP Dam,see the water roaring into the dam through the culvet! We had some big storms before but flooding like this, not for at least ten years!!

On the knitting front Ive finished the River Avon,it fits beautifully and have started on a Sock Head for my ill SIL,knitted in gorgeously soft KA Cashmere in Beijing Blue.Im using 3.25mm needles,it looks quite good so far and hope it doesnt come out too loose, I am having trouble with the finess of the yarn but once I get into the rib it should be ok. I might start off the 4 ply Possum hat(Vogue) for me too so I have abit of variety.On top of that Im also starting Tea Leaves with the very lovely Berroca Alpaca from a destash on Ravelry ....

Still here if a little brain fired!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hi to anyone who still passes by!!!I really should add some new blogs that I check in on!!!!!Ive gotten the next two assignments done ,well nearly,I was two weeks ahead of myself and just as well I can spend some more time polishing them off,I got just 3 marks short of a distinction with the History one,not too bad I suppose considering I havent done that for 20 odd years! Oh and I passed well enough for the other but I should have donme better I have to be more proactive and get into the thought process.
Knitting,,,well very excited,because I cant spend as much time of my projects they ve become more important and I actually get more done,(read that,I stick to one and finish it...).No spinning though,maybe with the holidays coming up Ill have abit of time! Thewres some absolutely gorgeosu stuff from my Fav people.MoselyPark and Ixcel Fibres... Im not doing any more Clubs for while to try to eat into stash well Id like to do the Luxury Club from Lushyarns, and the Jindibyne scarf looks awesome..Heres what I finished earlier though...Hand dyed Patonyle,lusciously soft, dyed in Moutain blue over Mist.Check Rav for more details,I want to do another but really would love to do the ruffled scarf I have soo many things on my Fav and queue list.

And from my latest art practise,lino printing!!!

Ha Ha Ha,pretty rough but I love the simplicity!Oh and another one,not even half way as good as some of the others but Im having fun!

The last is just too simple for the exercise I was supposed to be doing so Im starting again and am hoping to use more than one technique.

And my lovely boy sitting back watching his mate wash the bikes!!!Cheeky buggar!!Im hoping to get my B/L shortly,got everything ready for my Companion though I dont know if I can go very far on a 200,Hubby reckons it might be too much for it,hmm! Been checking out a BMW..

Veyr Busy

2010-03-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

The last months has been ver full on,Im half way through the first study period and am trying to get a heavy essay on the way,I woke last night and strated the plan in my head,hopefully Ill remember today.Its steep learning curve and have had to deal with things like the Uni changing over to Chicago Referencing just as I wanted to post my first essay.Oh well it keep things interesting.I feel so crashed out,full time work with what seems like full time study,Im behind with my reading but hope the holidays will allow me to catch up.
Im going well with my ISE8 scarf,love knitting it,the softest wool in 4 ply,handdyed and just a fleck or two through it to give a tweedy look. I have aweek to finish it.As my smoko times are not peaceful for study reading and who can get much done in ten minutes,Im knitting the project then and of course when Im having a brain freeze, a row here and there as I think is really nice.
At home I have one son down with tonsils,the next one coming down and I woke with a dry throat this morning,grrrrr at least if I have a day off itll be towards end of week where I can make use of being home unless my other lovely boy needs to stay home then I ll have to take carers leave.

Having fun with the printing side of my course,a bit amatuerish but I have to show all my experimenting in visual diary.Its exciting to peel the paper off to see the results.I've also dabbled in some oils too but will wait til Ive something reasonable before I show that.
Ive only the neck and sleeves to do on the River avon,just busy with scarf to go back to it.The yarn stash has increased with a pile of Mousse,some gorgeous Berroca Alpaca,Plucky Knitter plus the gorgeous stuff from Ixchel Fibres.On the to do list for these yarns,Tealeaves Cardigan,Whisper cardigan and cabled vest!If only I can find the time!!

Hot and Humid

2010-02-09T04:23:00.000-08:00

The last two nights we ve had thunderstorms which surprisingly have fallen over the town!!Beautiful and cool at moment but in the morning by 8am I expect it to be sticky!
Im not on here for long,I must do at least two hours reading/study but I have managed to get past the patterning part of River Avon and hope, when next I allow a treat of an hour of knitting, I may get to the arm holes and then itll be quick!!I have a few things I want to start and all is lined up on Ravelry, Ill be back with piccies(but Ive said that before!!!)
Meanwhile Ill be trying to read this massive Art History Book and also trying to formulate the outline of my first Essay as Undergraduate,anyone else in this position make your self known!!!!Id love to "talk" to other Online Learners!!!

First Day at School for 2010

2010-02-01T00:48:00.000-08:00

First Day,all the little(and Big) tikes are back,oh those poor lawns,....anyhooo,my boys seemed to have settled ok,their teachers are good to them,LOL lets hope the boys are kind in return!!It was a busy but a nice day as well,only one phone call....
Bs teachers loves him,Ss is very lucky to have a kindly person this year,P well is P,my boot is right up there this year,their last chance for get the big marks,year 10 and year12,possibly 2 for Uni...
I so wish like most people,that I could win lotto so I can go back to school full time and help the boys on their way but as reality intended, we have to do it on our own so I shouldnt whinge!
I finished another small project this last Friday,a lovely roll brim hat out of a single ball of Noro Silk Garden,it was a pattern developed for a knitting class and I didnt believe that I could get a whole hat out of one ball,it seemed a bit small at first but reknitting it an extra large(no I dont have a large head,just wanted it to cover my ears)) and blocking showed I could have knitted the large size ,Hubby loves it especially if I curl my hair up,right out of the flower power days,LOL Ill try to get a fashion/action photo one day,its supposed to be 41 tomorrow,Yucky No chance of a mohair beanie on me..
Im waiting on ISE8 for swap allocation,Ive been through my stash to see what I have and depending on the Swappees wants and likes I should have something lovely to whip up!!
I hope to pick up my new desk this week and set up the computer ready for...cant call it D Day,maybe U Day..Im freaking but maybe when I have it all laid out the fossil memories will re emerge, Ive had abit of a recon into the info,think Ive picked my first essay Question,must order text book,Grants "Art Through the Ages" Edition 13,it seems to remind me of a similar book I had in Year 11 and 12!
Ok Im off to order zee required book and then wash/cook tea and what ever other jobs come myway...sneaking off to hide with my needles and glass of ZZZZibibo!!

My lawns

2010-01-25T18:35:00.000-08:00

My Lawns, not really but Im the only one who lays awake worrying about them....
Then....no substance,sick thinning and didnt react to anything done to it..

Not an exciting heading but its taken me a least 4 years to see a result.It wasnt a case of throwing water and fert on them,we battled vandalism,drought,heat,bugs to no sign of improvement.After trying different methods I went back to the basic,organic seaweed fert,Seamungus that looks like reintroduced micro organisms and organic matter,I started to get excited(not as much as a parcel of yarn etc,LOL) when I could see the lush green developing in a wave like pattern across the grounds,then toad stools(which stink and Im thinking I may have to fungicide later but think at moment its a good sign for improved soil) popping up in among the greener parts.I can see a vast difference and can cut once a week easily on a level 7 on the mower,if I walk over them they are soft/cushiony under foot,just hope the students dont trample them too much when school starts again on Monday.
Now and getting better!!!!

See the darker patches coming through!!!!

This areas still only 50%,used to get bogged on the ride on!!

Lush and I actually stalled the mower on Sunday!!Yoohoo!!!

Now look at the last photo,the tell tale green wave is starting to join up,it should be fully lush by the end of Febuary,I ll take updates if only as record here in case Computer dies and I lose my photos!

Excited you bet!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Im on count down now,only 4 weeks to go..must buy text book this week,$128 but hopefully worth it!!