Holidays!!!!!!!

I love holidays,I have the school to myself(with other staff for part of holidays.) But peaceful and great to watch the birds really get into bathing under the hoses and generally living it up without any students running around!

This holiday we planned a few things to do on the weekend like movies and shopping as the boys rarely get to Kal as I scoot in on my own a lot. Its easier to do the usual jobs without dragging reluctant kids as well!Sort of debating the Mummy movie or the robot one,Wall-E...

Everything was coming along well with my RDO Friday and that meant we could get to Kal and keep the weekend free for the yard clean up and maybe finish some sewing...

WRONG!

I was run into by a work ute outside Woollies,Ben was showered in glass when the window literally exploded over him,he was still shaking a couple hours later..so all our holiday plans went out the window,Ha Ha. The slide door's wrecked and today(edited Friday ,just added Photos) we have to trip into Kal for quotes as directed by insurance peoples from two Smash Repairers,one of whom we have had bad reportsabout...not much shopping as obviously I cant lock the car..

I ll be without a vehicle for some time while its being repaired and as we don't want to have a spanking new door (curtisy of other driver,he reversed into me)and the rest of the car looking scroungy,we ll have to come up with money to match that as well,damn, blast and all the cursing,we've had some big bills coming in and its NOT the best time to shell out again.
Oh to edit again,around $10000 to paint whole car,its not even worth that....but about $4000 for top where sun damage is noticable..DH reackons a home job for around a couple of grand is looking great,cry boo hoo...
Isnt Duck Tape simply fantastic?
So off to Kal we go with an ever so fashionable green garbage bag for a window!
Oh this also means I have to ride my lovely red pushy to work each day, going to work, fine,coming home? its uphill! Oh well look on the bright side,I wont spend so much as I cant get to the shop and I'll be fit, but boy is my butt sore today,LOL.

Spinningnews,

Have started some hot pink merino top to ply with some black!
Will try to finish whats on the Victoria..


Knitting?

Finished those BFL socks! So quishy and soft,should have used less sts but Im happy with them! Please ignore one sock slightly different.

Finished dads Vest,will sew in ends this weekend and with the heat wave over there (Bourke) doubt he will wear it this year!

Stash Enhancement
2 balls of Patonyle just a lovely purpley patterned one for a gif
2 balls of Coccoon!!!!in Taupe,the company didnt send any other colours...

Oh and some gorgeous Sock That Rock from the Club..I havent gotten around to knitting any yet,its so nice in the skein though am wondering if its worth joining next year as I thought there would be more than fine merino looking at some of their last years fibre content,had hoped for at one in seacell or at least a silk mix!

This weekend I have to start a very special swap gift,have the pattern picked ,lets hope I can get it done in 3 weeks.....

Sewing

Want to finish that top and at least cut out second! Rachael has some more gorgeous patterns!

I managed to redo the binding on Mums quilt and have to handsew it over this weekend too!

Gunna be busy!!!!

Long Weekend!

Ive had a nice long weekend this time and with 3 days of work and a RDO next Friday what could be better!

Even managed to leave stress behind too!

Look what Ive been up to today! The lovely Rachel with all her gorgeous efforts has spurred me on to drag out some bits and pieces ...This top Ive got to about half way as being at the machine for a couple of hours couldn't bring myself to get the overlocker out and re thread with white bit it all easy now so hopefully Ill finish it in the next day or so! I'm doing the blue version with the sleeves left open to see if I like it,if not then Ill add the pleat!

The other one waiting in the wings is this one... I am however waiting to see how the first one goes and then I may just do a second in this fabric and keep the lace for another day!

Here's another closer look at what I wanted to do,originally it was to be in a lovely paisley print I found,all dark oranges etc very similar to the photo on cover but shop has since closed and with no other dressmaking shops in Kal (only Chezs who deals in patchwork products) I might get Lincraft to send some soft Georgette samples like I used to years ago when living in the real outback!

Guess what I found though, that there are very few online fabric shops where you can see what the products look like(even though I prefer to feel before buying,a rough look would be nice so I can then decide if its worth getting samples)

I wanted to do these patterns ages ago but felt that my short hair style wouldn't look very good with that type of top but since I'm growing it out to a messy longer look ,thought Id dig them out. That will teach me to leave the ideal fabric behind next time!!!

On the knitting /spinning front,Ive finished the Finn , 3 and a bit skeins, about 320m. Now I'm thinking of knitting a "Sock Blank", hand painting it and then knitting something else,socks or gloves,a fast portable project! hmmm,not enough weekend days...

I'm currently dyeing some polwarth top in some gorgeous dyes from Mandies EGMTKs which I want to card with silk(again from Mandie!), no idea what to do with finished fibre but it should be fun.. I'm off to play abit more!

Proof of busyness!

Ok this will prove that I have been Crafting!

First up is the sock and a half done foot of another in handspun BFL, on 3mm needles,very fast to knit,gloriously soft and spoingy!! These are for me as I did a nice pair for Hubby last Winter and really wanted a pair for me.I have another large ball in blues/whites going the same way later! Oh it's a made up toe up pattern starting with a basic 58 stitches,must finished next heel quickly as I didnt write down the instructions down. Anyway I think I may have enough for a pair of mittens too..that will also apply to the rest of the BFL I did H socks with too and they were bigger than mine..wish me luck!

And this is a no brainer sock in JigSaw using that st from the Death By Hat pattern,as said before its like the Olympic Sock pattern on Ravelry but I actually started this before I saw that one,had a good giggle about it.Dont know how its going to fit really as I cast on 74 sts and reduced them to fit the pattern st in ,didnt even take notice what I had on the needles while patterning. The ribbing at the top may be bit too stretchy but it will definely be good for circulation!

And this is the Moorit I finished last night,(theres another skein but it was hidden in stash and I just wanted an example anyway) its very soft and what some classers would say is doggy in character but it will make a gloriously soft pair of gloves for me and Mum,found a nice 8 ply pattern on Ravelry and have another given to me in pattern stash so hopefully I can get them done later,have so many lovely projects I want to do!

With a close up to see the colours....pale beigey tones to darker ones,simply yummy,would like to get more of this baa baa...

Still havent cut out tops,the table isnt tidy and having no room makes dressmaking a no go this weekend anyway,its warming up rapidly here and I reckon I could use them in a few weeks! The pool opens in October just after the Holidays and Im tipping the cost will be around $200 mark this year.All the boys can go on their own but I will still play a part in watchiing them especially as S isnt a strong swimmer and being epileptic as well wont sit well in my mind.

We think he had a "grande mal" last week as he was restless as though thrassing around but when I checked he was asleep.The next morning and since then really, he s not been himself.At least two boys have a weird tonsil thing and hes very doppy looking. One other blacked out in the tub a few days ago too and being a big boy hes bruised his elbows where he hit the bottom of shower.Me being a worry wart, my first thought was a heart problem as a young fella here last year collapsed at work but wasnt found for an hour ,out to it beside his ute in front of workshop.It was a heart problem apparently,hes ok now but it makes you think, especially with viruses affecting hearts and so on.Never the less, instructions have been issued to other boys to check him while showering BUT no S,.,T stirring.Knowing my boys they rise to the challenge of a bit of fun,LOL Im hoping to have both checked out soon by Paediatrican...

Oh I forgot,I also have another fleece arrive ,a gorgeous pure white Merino, with a good length and having been a covered sheep,vegie free! Its been put safely away so I can give it the attention it deserves after the other bits have been worked on and finished.Currently spinning Finn Lamb,its to die for,I must a cats nine lives or more as every bit of fluff is to die for,LOL

Hello!!!!!

I have been here.... just an bit lazy,really should say too tired ,no time and so on... to do anything other to visit fav bloggers and window shop!
Actually its been so long I forgot my pass word to my own blog,Heavens....
We went to the Coolgardie Day thing today mainly to see our two boys works which won prizes in the Art Comp this year,very exciting and the rest of the works were fantastic.I took the obligaterypiccies of the pair of them standing rather quietly next to their indiviual pieces...This was the last art comp for the Coolgardie Art Group due to lack of support apparently but the lady I was talking to was a bit sort of bitchy anyway but looked a bit nasty upon me saying cheerfully that we at Kambalda might take it on ! You see a lot of money goes from our little town to Coolgardie and as we boomed here ,they sort of stagnated and theres still a lot of noise about where our Shire is based,Coolgardie, even though the big money is in Kambalda.They have in the last couple of years sort of caught up but that friction seems to hang in there!
First is Paddy with his painting...







Then Benji with his proud work...
Both got Prizes and I think Gift Vouchers to local art Shop..might have a look tooas Im slowly building up my own art stuff again,so far got some Oils,water colours and boards,just have to find some time and peace...

The art Teacher is always telling me they have loads of talent and he'd like to see them expand them...guess what'll be under the tree this year....
Spinning news,

• Ive nearly finished that Moorit,have a bobbin or half an hour I think,so soft and squishy,a pair of gloves for Mum and me
• Finished that Optum from gorgeous Mandies 2nd Fibre Club I think,no 1st..want to do the next one,this stuff is seriously soft and meltly to feel
• Started some Optum I dyed soft spring haze colours ages ago
• Finished enough English Leicester/Romney for Dads Socks
• washed up the fleece to start the next lot,(all finn crosses,the polwarth one gets it first..its unbelievable soft..)
• recieved more dye from Mandie and some nylon to mix in with merino for special socks

Knitting...

• Nearly finished a sock in BFL ,red yellow pink with grading of colour from one to another,socks for me..
• Nearly finished a sock oin a lovely pastel colour from Jigsaw,my own pattern using the st pattern from the Death By Hat,a false cable lace thing,very similar Ive discavered to the Olympic socks on Ravelry
• Still have a sleeve to do on Dads vest..too many things at once must do tonight must do tonight must do tonight,keep chanting I might just do it!!!
• Havent finished that vest in Zoomy,not sure what to do with it now,have the hood to do....

Things I want to do

• Sew two new tops for me,peasant tops,could only get some basic stuff in Kal as shop has closed or is and didnt what I wanted..
• Finish Mums Quilt,have to talke off binding and redo
• Do a Special quilt bag for my Dearest Friend...
• Spin up that Polwarth top and some Finn/Polwarth and compare
• Dye some top in Volcano colours....
• Find a farm...

But the best part is that I finished that Criteria resume etc for a work mate going for a Gov job and now Im free to do some of the above,woop peeee,........(hope she gets the job)

Leave you with this....

A full Weekend

I ve busy busy busy this last couple of weeks,not blogging or even commenting though I was visiting other blogs, usually around 5am before going to work.

This week will be different as I did my back in and have been confined to a week in the office..eeek....not sure how that will go but will take my sock on the go for tea and lunch break as usual! Nearly finished a pair of dyed Patonyle socks ,my own pattern,sailed through last sock waiting in Doctors not only for my poor back but for Son no4 who was pushed off the playground slide. He broke a tiny chip off that hidden little bone in what they call the Snuff Box and being the child he is,(mildly autistic),hes not very happy with the confines of the cast which has be on a minimum of two weeks! Was happy with the fuss of be Xrayed!

Im a bit concerned at moment with the audacity of the school to keep placing different aides with him each day which means lack of communication between them and the lack of continuity of work laid out for him.Ive been urged to Wrte to District Office but Im really worried it may come back on the rest of us as there are other issues too such as another son not being given challenges to suit his academic ability.A request to have him transferred to another better class has be swept under carpet. grrr..

Anyway the focus of THIS weekend has been the invitation to demonstrate spinning at the Southern Cross Agricultural Show,it was a cold day tooo! I was assigned a nice big area right near the door so everyone who walked through couldn't help but see all my fibrey goodies! One lad tried to buy my Hubby's BFL socks I had as an example of how that fibre came up as a knitted article,when told how much and the time to do him a pair, he soon back peddled! The beauty of doing these sort of demos is not only only do people realise the time and effort to complete a project but what is involved as well! Did however managed to help a number of ladies And enlightened a few Hubbies as well!

What I did was to set out a selection of samples of spinning wool/roving or tops

many of which these sheep growers haven't seen before,in particular the British breeds; BFL Cheviot,Masham etc.There were samples of raw fleece to washed and carded,a spun skein showing the results,knitted articles and so on.A few wanted to know if I was selling any and would I be interested in doing so,sort of unprepared for being asked for my Business card,LOL

I set up the trusty Traddie and got abit done to show anyone interested,plied some Moorit I was currently working on and also the lovely little Victoria got to show off aittle,as I was still working on some of your Corriedale Mandie! Must finish that soon!!!!

I ve been asked to go to another Show in bout 3 weeks but the cost of getting there may be the problem,looking at a couple of hundred to do the trip! Would love to see that country though,greener than here!!

From where I sat I could see all the bins of show wool, a dreamy medium fleece from the winning ewe had me but its going to the Perth royal but the owner said later I could have gotten a bit but it had already been packed by then!

Here's myself and Pat (looking comfortable) in our spot! Next year I ve been advised to bring some salable bits such as socks,gloves spinning and knitting supplies as they would have sold quickly! I think I may take this in hand and put together a box of bits through the year.

Please notice I'm wearing my faithful Central Park Hoodie!!!!Love this cardie,warm and comfy must get another one(don't like the Rowan one want another in red Bendigo! Have to order Mums soon so will probably add some to order for me!

Will be back with some more piccies of current projects ! I'm off to finish Dads Vest and get ready to school and work tomorrow! Dr Whos on tonight looking,forward to some laid back time as Hubby's cooked fish on the BBQ so no need to fuss over Dinner!!

Oops

Oops indeed,Ive been away a fair bit haven't I? But the good bit about that is that I ve been spinning heaps and knitting even more ,..And like so many others I ve been getting lost in Ravelry! At first when I joined I didnt really visit much and couldnt see the point of trawling and a record of my stash and patterns was just a guilt trip especially when I was adding even more,no, only a portion of my stash is on my stash page! I just havent the time to photo and document them but Im getting there....the same applies to the projects page,theres a lot more lurking in various parts of the house,dont get me started with the fibre stash.....

Anyhoo, on the knitting front!

• Ive only got a 4 inches to finish the last side of my Dads Jet vest,hopefully will polish that off tonight and just the ribbing to go...


• While in the LWS,Chezs on friday I added to stash with some chocolate Studio Mohair( to add to the pale pink lot I bought last week...),more Patonyle and some Inca and a ball of darkish blue Jigsaw sock yarn.I find it a bit harsh to knit but boy it goes throught the washing machine just super!


• That Inca is already growing into a Crochetted scarf for my Mum as an extra when I send Dads vest over so she wont feel left out. I was asked by my Boss at work to show her how to do a scarf out of the same yarn but I wasnt sure ,just gave her the basics and thought Id try one too.Im pleased with it,a bit wonky at the beginning but a couple of flowers should cover that,LOL Im using a 7mm hook ,a purple metalic one,very quick,I did one ball waiting for Hubby I the Truck outside Bunnings.. with two squabbling boys...


• Ive started, ripped and started a vest thingy from Creative Knittings last issue(yes Iknow all are old patterns etc BUT I dont have them) in green Zoomie,really "Zoomed" through the back last night and by 10.30 looked and realised Id made a size 4 year,hes only about 18mths so I started agian in athe 2yr old size,all guess work as its a surprise!


• I meant to sew the rest of my Studio Mohair in blue jacket up so I could use when I take Sam into Kal for his Friends For Life course on Wednesday but things got in the way...


• Carded up another supermarket box of Finn/Romney fleece,Im hoping to spin the last two bobbins for a pair of socks for Dad,hopefully Christmas pressie,very pleased with last two!


• Got a pile of mags in Kal too,the lastest Spinoff,a knitting mag I havent seen before,or was that a Crocheting one,it had a amurigami Octopus in it,had to have it,the Kids were driving me up the wall and I need some retail therapy,especially when Telstra staff told me I couldnt get my new phone as they were changing over something or other and couldnt do my old sim card in the new phone there and then,grrr,#*#*# Telstra!!!


• Started a pair of bed socks for the Under 13 coach on the way to town..

Hmmm heaps of projetcs and few not mentioned but I should be able to polish the most important ones by August end...

Back with more piccies later!

Abit More

Im back with a couple of piccies...Fluffa likes a sock rub....

OOh dont look at my messy floor...
But not keen on being scruffed

The vegie garden,the bit I claimed back from Hubby,theres coloured chard,miniture Broccoli, rhubarb and lettuce and as soon as its starts to warm up,bush beans will appear!

And the best bit of all,my second lot of washed Romney/finn fleece washed and drying in the warm sun,I carded up the first lot but want to finish what I have going on the Traddy first,waiting on a reply from suppler for another kilo,if I can have it Ill clean up wheel and spinn the R/F while waiting, for it to arrive!! Hmm have a bit of Corrie Moorit waiting,better get it done first as I can comb it out during my lunch break and spin at night,that sounds like a feasible plan,

Ive started on the Girlfriends socks and they ll sail, 8ply standard stocking st ones mindless and fast!! Practise for the Death by Hat! Ill add a piccies for record when a bit further down track!

A Perfect Winter day

I was born early this morning to my poor unsuspecting Mum some years ago,lol,not telling how long...so Im sitting here writing this post listening to Gabriella Cilmi s Sweet About Me,drinking a nice cup of Cammomile and spearmint while I wait for a dear friend to come around so I can show her the latest off the wheel and how navajo plying works!

Meanwhile Hubby is nicely giving the Rodent a run in the back yard,its sunny with a brisk little wintery wind, just a lovely day.

The kitchen is clean,Paddy is baking me a devils food cake too, I love hiscooking for as a12 or should I say 13 year old,hes a great cook!

Hubby and I are off to one of his friends Bday do tonight so its going to be a fab time too,probably a bit cold...being a pool party an' all....

I put in a request for a pressie from Hubby and boys but they have other ideas but to give a hint of my secret project...one item that is on the list very excited about this,Hubbys calling it my second teenagerhood, hmm dont know about that as hes as bad (if you can call it bad,LOL) One of his mates is riding a recent Triumph model up from Perth,one of 8 imports, Im hoping for a demo.....

Despite this I went to the LWS and stocked up for the upcoming Hat Wars!(re Ravelry) and as she was having a 30% discount on ALL stock,(this I didn't know til leaving) I grabbed some 8ply Panda and Heirloom wool in buttery yellow and pale pink for more socks,rather like thick socks in my uggies after work!!
Have request for bedsocks from No 1 girlfrindso willbe starting them today sometime!! Anyhoo,I also picked up another pattern book from Cleckheaton Studio Mohair and I' ve fallen for a lovely pattern in there(actually a couple but this looks very nice) so might give her a call to see when the sale ends so I can get the Mohair... pink ,mint,chocolate? cant make mind up!!!Tried to do a search of book but must e out of print,Ill photo it and add later,its a lovely book with enough basic stuff but witha modernedge!!
Im still spinning heaps,had 500g lot of fawny corriedale/english leicester of which Im just finishing last ball,navajoed and so far gained 5 balls,must have had some waste as I thought Id get 6 or 7 balls of around 8ply with an 96 average metres per ball.Its washed up a treat and is a very silvery tone with a wee bit of darker bits here and there.
I was game and got the fluffy bits out and washed them and carded for the last bobbin,very pleased with result as I would normally throw it out. Also washed a handfull of romney/finn and carded as well,waiting to spin it to see how it goes, have an order for a fleece with a higher finn content. Don't think I could wash too much fleece,might be a bit heavy on the gas/water bill,nice to play with a bit though!!
Will try to get somepiccies tommorrow,too windy and lights not good at moment!

Well Im back with some piccies...

First up,the kitchen ready to be grouted probably 2day and 2morrow,dont think we have enough grout...

William!Me!

Started on the bath yesty and wore the skin off the pad of one finger and damaged another,all bandaged up last night,wanted to knit some of the Ravelry swap item,big secret but have had some oos and arrs over it here and lots of envious looks,LOL

Next some spinning Id done over the last month....

Theres the blue white alpaca,merino mohair...originally from Yarnivorous Stash, shes having a ball in the US among the stuff we can only dream about here,yarn wise of course,I think we have the Bestest wool!!!!

Now this is the alpacca straight from the Paccies back,one lot I paid 99c on ebay as I only wanted to try it first,a bit coarse and the fleece was quite dirty and I threw outabout a third of it,a lot of short cuts,a guard hair..this is destined for a pair of gloves,found a "recipie " last night on Ravely around 11.30,naughty but nice a quiet..this turned out around an 8 ply at a guess!

The next is the black corri/merino from my lovely Aunt,the first ball had been sitting on the wheel for months as I headed off in yet another direction,anyhoo Its been navajo plied(I needed the wheel free and it was very finely spun) and I quickly did up a second as I did get excited about how it turned out,but the second was alittle tooo quick,its a smiggin thicker but I done care I love it anyway! Imhoping tokeep picking away to make avest out of it as I only nee to do 6 or 7 more balls like this a couple of weeks work but I aint making commitment,I spin when the love there(remember the washable laps I was spinning last winter,I need one more ball,the others sitting in the stash box glaring at me and as I want to dye them I have to finish that ball first ...I really could have used a vest heaps....)

Next is the current spinning,I did this over two nights,and is guilty of me being slack with finishing the gouting the bath,had to comb while the sun was warm didnt I!? Its by memory, corredale,English Leicester,a caramel pale grey type,called socks Im thinking,one more bobbin should do,though I may be short changing there in expectations as theres roughly 90 to 100 meters per navajo ball on the Ashford! (I forgot how much spinning I can get done on this lovely old wheel) Need 4 for a decent pair of thick sockies... This wool is quite tweedy,some bits of dark staple appeared and Im curious how it turns out,all will be plied and washed this arvo!!!! I got this from another brilliant Ebayer who Im hoping will put up more of this wool later,she also sells her own wool commercially made into yarn,I have a stash of white corrie put away for a jumper and I had intitually contacted her for more of that and end up getting this wool instead...lovely lady to deal with and is a Fibre Trends dealer as well!

Lastly I just had to put this back up(I think Ive showed this bfore) the gorgeously soft BFL,handdyed and spun on the Roberta,just look at the lusterous squishyness of it,I really want to knit this but cant bear to undo the perfect ball!!!

Cant help but put another up....sorry but I just love this ball,actually I reballed it a couple of times to get it just right,ok Im nuts but Im back into the spinning mojo and knitting of course,and must try to squeeze some patch work in too, after a rather long period of non interest mainly from work crap but as I said before I aint going there,this is for good thoughts and yummy fibres ...
Speaking of which I was naughty and bought out Mandies mohair supply and got wee bit of Gotland to try,any chance of Gotland lamb soon, Mandie?
I just love getting parcels in the mail,the sight of the little red card in the box is better than Chrissy!!!!!
Im off to finish the bath!

Back Again

Oh dear! it has been a while! I had a week off the week before last when I picked up that ghastly fluey cold going around,acually I worked Monday ,mowed the Sports park and by one it had come in dusty rain so I was frozen by the time I got back to the shed,by 4 I was dying from bug!!!!'Thankfully pottering around at home I was a lot better y Thursday...

pumpkin soup made by Hubby,a new made up sock pattern in some of Yarnivorous gorgeous hand dyed wool and bits and pieces to keep me happy....

I cleaned up enough to set everything up to have some much needed fun as I havent had time off properly for 3 years (except that 8 days away to visit parents last July,not rest time though) I bounced from the Roberta Wheel to the sock on the table all day!! I got half a sock done and full bobbin of white alpaca and started the brown(99 cents worth off ebay...).All plied now but havent taken a piccie yet,gloves they shall be... Finished off the Silk wool socks for a friend,very happy with them,I think they are the first ones made just for her,delighted she was!!! This week Ive taken off as annual leave to help Hubby finally get the tiling etc done,half the Bath is done, finish tommorrow and then grout,we did the front verandah Monday and I started the grouting but the wind was up and warm so the grout went off too quick,may have to do again.Bugger,hard on the hands especially when theres a lovelt English Leicester/corredale to play with....Kitchen I hope will be on the way by tomorrow arvo..no divorce plans ..yet.....

Bath ,1.30pm today...

6pm tonight....

other veiws....

imagine a lovely green fern hanging near the glass bricks?

Doesnt look real upmarket, its a normal small room and when the fittings are in,it will look better...dont like the all white but that was Hubbys choice.At least I got say more in the Kitchen,LOL

On the spinning front Ive done another navajo plied ball of black merino/corredale and am really loving playing with raw fleece again..on the search for a white fleece in the same mix/cross,hopefully Hubby wont find out,I have an equally large stash of fleece too..woolistaking over the house,weliterally fight toget down the hall and its stashed in nearly every cupboard,finding stuff ive hiddenmonths before is like Christmas,LOL

Back with more later....

Its the last day!

For the Foundation Day holiday for WA and what did I do,not a sleep in or anything wool like,no I had a leisurely cup and then Brecky at 5.30am and wandered off to school to do some annoying little jobs I cant do when the kids are there,like spray for bugs,poision the lawns beetles out,and then a few enjoyable things as I was all alone,it was so quiet,wonderful,all ready to go home at 10.30 and lo and behold,the local Electrician saw my car nad pulled in to do a couple of jobs too.... got home at 12pm....

This going around a few blogs so thought it would be interesting to have a go...

1) What was I doing ten years ago? I was just getting over finding out no 5 was on the way(and Hubby was in the dog house)we were living in a run down disgusting house in Cobar and Hubby were looking for another job,things were not looking rosy,I was earning a few dollars sewing for a small clientele of ladies,YUK, rude and difficult....

2) What are five (non-work) things on my to do list for today? Whipper snip my disgusting back yard,water MY half of the vegie garden(Hubby has graciously let me have back,)have broccoli,colour chard and lettuce so far, Card the rest of a 99c lot of brown caramel Alpaca fleece I bought ,the white can wait....

3) Snacks I enjoy? Cheese cake,soup,greek salad,hmmm... home made raspberry muffins,hummingbird cake with loads of cream cheese topping...

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire? BUY ME A FARM,a flat for my boys to use while at Uni,and the usual pay off all the bills and import some woollies for the Farm,dont know how to have a holiday anyway,LOL

5) Places I have lived? Louth,grew up there or near there,Dubbo when I first left home(out the back door,quiet like) Jerilderie,on a Merino Stud, Longreach, on "Hartree" Stn, Cobar,mining industry, where rest of boys were born,then Kambalda,WA, best move we ever made!!

6) Jobs I have had? Hmm,jillaroo,SAHM,best job, and now Level 5 Senior Gardener .....

7) Peeps I want to know more about? No Idea,I dont follow celebritty stuff but would love to go see Yarn Harlots speeches one day ,only a dream of course!!!!

Below is that blue and white I was spinning,its turned out very well and varies from a 7 to 10 ply but reasonablysoft,very happy with it and I hope to knit a newsboy cap with it,even if it doesnt suit me,LOL

Another Parcel,STR Spoiler Alert

I actually got two and collected them on the way to an important meeting in Kal aout Sam so had to wait til we got home,the first was some beautiful English Leicester/corredale fleece from a lovelylady in SA,realllly,reallllly need more bobbins..photos later..

The second was this!!! Socks That Rock !!!!!Im putting it way done in case others havent recieved theirs yet! I was a little stunned as this a colour I seem to gravitate to,Ive really loved each and everyone of these yarns as they've arrived and no doubt Ill say the same for the rest of this years issues,Im going to make sure I can do next years as well,they are simply breathtaking!!!!This one is the Incredible ShrinkingViolet in Light weight merino! Yum,pattern looks great too,I have too much going at the moment so wont be starting for a while,LOL thats probably what I said for the last lots too!!!! But really it will be hardto wind them into balls,they look so neat as they are!!!

Any way Im off to catch up,we had to take Tilly into the vets this morning as shes really suffering from grass allergies and a $100 later plus fuel,dontforget ,I may have to make up a shirt for her!! Very nearly had a wasted trip too,they had ceased seeing patients due to an emergency but as we had travelled 6o odd ks they took pity on Tilly, she was not impressed and nearly took the door with her, leaving the surgery!!!

Ta Ta's

Some evidence!

Here's the knitting/spinning photos as promised

BFL,handdyed with Alpine,wasnt the effect I was after but very

pretty all the same,its plumped up as this fibre does so although I was spinning very fine,its filled out to an 8ply...nice warm soccies for moi! Huby is delighted with the ones I finised for him,declared the fibre as very warm!These are my dear friends socks in an Opal Silk,bought the brown blue version for me,P loves purple so these were just right!

The other is Jet,a nearly finished Beanie for Sam,about half an hour there then I can sew both of them up and bingo warm ears,not that we need them yet,very warm for this time of the year ,wish it would rain,might save the lawns at school!

And of course the spinning,once I had finished the BFL I had to try something else,very convenient as it sits neatly on the vast kitchen ench so I can do nearly a bobbin a night while cooking and keeping the homework going(Son 5 had a bast of a teacher,big trouble coming there,Hubbys involved now,oops)

Now I have a few bags of my carded bits to play with but the Roberta isvery fast and for soft fluffy fibre can be a bit tricky and would prefer the Louets or Traddie,but really as long as Im working through the huge stash of fibre I have hidden in every nook and cranny!Oh and yes I was ale toglue the big bobin back together,not a straight but it works!

A close up of this blue/white,its alpaca,mohair amd merino tops that I ought from the lovely Yarnivorous when she was destashing before embarkingon that trip and move to the States! After spinning this bobbin I thing I may have gotten a better result had

I carded and blended it all but I do like the texture changes as the alpaca/mohair or the white is devinely soft but the bluemerino is a quite strong,the colours should interesting when plied.

I read the last Spinoff and am very interested in trying Cabling,looks very good but I doubt I have the patience to spin the third bobbin to try it maybe when I get a bit more stash fibre through the wheel?

A day off

Ive taken today off after in a frenzy of running around,I managed to pick up a pair of kitchen tongs that appareantly were red hot and of course dinner wasnt the only thing cooked last night! If I had gone to work I have no doubt I would have lost a fair portion of skin off that hand which happens to be my right! Its amazing how important your dominant hand is,all those little things you cant do with the other hand!
Pain wise it was pretty awful,but heaps of ice water and jamming the injured part into the frosty ice in the freezer(boy Im glad I didnt clean it out onthe weekend)when the pain was unbearable Hubby being an experienced well trained Mine Rescuer was the best help and did the first aid bit and bandaged it up with wrapping soaked with a mixture (emulsion) of a bright green blue antiseptic/teatree that was the bestest thing out,I had at least a third of the fingers and palm lifting in blister,but by this morning it was just shiny and couple of small bubbles,with a tight skin feel! I took a couple of ibrofufen when the pain was beginning to cut in,Yes Im a wuss,but surprisingly the mix Hubby put together was the best relief,I sleep very well!
It was funny in a way ,as the first person I enlisted to help(Hubby was hidden away on the computor) was my Second oldest son,14, and I had to patiently instruct him where to find the bowl and ice to put my hand in ( I was running cold tap over my hand, not game to leave that) He seemed very slow,but he was perfect in getting everything together,love my boys....
So all my knitting projects are on hold as is the spinning,hmm just as I was getting heaps done too! grrrr!!!
Back with photos later..not of grusome hand but projects!!!!

WOW!!!

Doesn't time get away,not necessarily for having a good time just shorter hours in the day to get everything done,poor garden is a wreck,the house is,ugh... but i have scored some nice raw alpaca fleece which when it arrives will get priority and the back table will be arranged despite DH stuff and tools everywhere to have it carded and done,must find a box to store the fluffy bits in so they don't quash till I get the spinner out,which one don't know yet... the main jumbo bobbin for the Roberta came unstuck,very disgusted there,had to break,yes BREAK the yarn I was so carefully plying to re-ball while the bobbin was reglued.Might contact Ian to order another two so i can get some serious stuff done!!

Also have to "see" Mandy about some Ashford extra bobbins too,the black fleece I started from my wonderful Aunt has sat there,simply haven't had the time to get to it and would love to spin other faster stuff on that wheel!!

I have added to knitting with two beanies(aide suggested has a beanie for his ears ,he lost last one but I felt guilty enough to enjoy spending money on some Jet from Chezs in Boulder/Kalgoorlie),of course I couldn't make Sam one without one for Ben! So its one tan and one blue,half way through one at Friday nights Hockey and will be on a head this week sometime.I was asked to knit a jumper insert for another work colleague,why I said yes beats me but I felt she was desperate,it will be in a Patonyle pattern in some 4ply Bendy I happened to have in stash,shes paying apparently so will replace it when I order Mum and Dads jumpers soon. Think Ill do this for Mum and this for Dads just like Random Knits Hubbys,nice and quick!!

Oh and I'm on the second sock for a friend a plain one with a rib leg,a bit big but she was delighted the first one presented when it was at the ankle,just couldn't finish it for her B'day but it was OK!! Good for a laugh!!!

Ill leave you with this,they ve just had a haircut,very upset I wasn't there to see and had hoped to have a few fleeces put through a mill into top and yarn so my Dad and Mum could see what their wool looked like processed but couldn't find any who could do 18 Micron wool.Dad is losing his sight and it may be the last shearing....

A borrowed bit!

I found this Sheppard Chiks Musing this morning,had to share..PS have a gecko at her blog,what an ideal life,surrounded by Baas Baas!

Sock wool

Well after showing the wee bit of balling up I did last weekend,thought Id show a portion,mind that ! A PORTION of the sock stash......No Im not feeling guilty..

More arrived in the mail a few days ago!!!

But Ive finised DH BFL Handspun and dyed socks,they fit and he declared his feet were very warm quickly,it was quite cold last night!! Gorgeous to spin and knit! Need some more.....

And I did a bit of spinning to finish off the 2nd installment of Mandies second Fibre Club,the Corredale,yummo,very easy spinning and the plying a dream.Im hoping to fit the remainder onto the Louets huge bobbin so I can wash and hopefully fluff itup a bit,what I do with it depends on the yardage ,mittens? for a friend and me!!! Im going to try to start the Optim Issue this arvo if we get home early enough!!!

Now we're off to scrounge through the bush for abit of firewood as Autumn has reallly made her presence known!!!!

PS We think we had a few wee visitors in the front yard Friday night as some important bits have gone astray....

Another New Toy

Another new toy! It arrived about the same time as the last posts goodies but didnt have a chanceto try them until this arvo!! What fun it is to have the tools to do the yarn"chores" that come witha large stash.

This a small pile of the skeins and balls that I reballed ready to go for when the urge strikes!! The pale blue/green Lornas Laces from the gorgeous Yarnivorous who I was able to relieve from her vast stash at the time of packing for that momentous move to the US , along with the cobweb pink maroon and that jewel handdyed Patonyle if I remember correctly.These have been just too yummy to knit up but I feel I need to do something with them as Im running out of room,bought three 58 litre containers today,shhhhhh besides I need socks!The others are various 4 plys and the one on the left is the remains of a ball of 6ply sock wool from the Wool Shacks sale when they stopped stocking this one last year,cant remember the brand but I think I paid $16 a ball. Fast to knit up and it was my first go at a toe up,turned out great but wish Id written the pattern down... as there arent many 6ply sock patterns around especially toe up!

The Wonderful ISE5 Box

Its here and what fun it was to unpack!! My wonderful Secret Pal Angel sent over a gorgeous Pink Irish Hiking Scarf(love that pattern) with yummy Peaches N Cream, lovely washcloths and the loveliest pair of needles,just the right size for scarf needles!!!

The scarf is all quishy and so soft,made out of Bernat CashmereIts now on my wish list to try it myself!!! Theres a lot of cold winter mornings watching Hockey where its going to be my best friend,LOL ThanksAmanda,you rule!!!!

Heres a somewhat, hmmmm not ideal ,piccie of me wearing it,(home from work with scruffy hair and dusty uniform but you can get the idea how thick it is!!

A bit post heavy but you can see why Im so happy!!!!

More Goodies

My New Toy!! These arrived late last week and have been put to good use already!!!

I managed, after stalking ebay for a while ,to find a seller with a few wool winders,my wait paid off and I was able to score a Jumbo winder and a Empisal 100g winder. So now I can wind off balls of different sizes! The best thing about these ones is that the cones are removable and easy to store which also means I wont have to worry about the yarn running off the edge and tangling in the cogs like it did with the other one I have(which is minus the wire stand off thanks to kids moving it).

Me so happy with new toy!!

On the other knitty news ,Im sailing with the ISE6 scarf,photos to follow when I can! AndIm getting there with a few UFOs!

We re off to Perth this week for a couple of days of tests for Son 4 hopefully he will be calm enough to allow the peoples to do their thing.We hope to do some site seeing trips off the usual raod to have alook around too...

A lack of communication from person in a certain position has lead us to have a rough week with Boyo,we thought he was just having a moody blue time but it appears they neglected to tell me a change in aide again,not good when the you're met with a situation of your son undoing seat belt and opening side door on van to jump while Im driving at 110kms on the highway.

Heres hoping they may have listened this time.The other boys were very shook up and Im trying hard not to think about it,only to ensure it dosent happen again.....

OOOh A Parcel!! STR Spoiler

I was expecting this and had a peak at the Club Blog and knew what it would look like but in person...one word.. DEVINE!!!!!!!!!..but then again they'll all be devine,LOL!

What do you think Rachael? I know Im thinking this pattern appeals 'cause there appears to be cables..I loove cables.."Lucky", appeals to the Irish in me!!(Havent had a good look yet just enough to squeal at the PO,but they're used to me now!!)

I have the yarn in the hand with a pattern worked out for the ISE 6 ,post apiccie when its abit bigger,so that will have to get a move on but if I can get a fair bit done, this gorgeous sock wool will be my reward!

The last Club Issue,Serendipity, which I forgot to post about,a beautiful colour but didnt call like "Lucky",I just fondled it....Kids were fascinated by the mini skein,LOL

Bugger!!

What would you do if you were stuck in Perth with no wallet,no money,no ID,NO LICENSE in a new ute and you have to be back at work ,like today........lucky he's got a good friend and a pliable MUM...