Howdy!

I missed last week,Ive gotten down to posting every weekend so missing the last was not good...

Friday we had a massive storm pass through dumping a heap of rain which promtly run off so not as much soaked in as I hoped though where it did the lawn here at home has surged forward,hmm have to coerce a kiddly wink to do it this weekend..

This storm carried or should I say threw a pile of hail at us too but not enough to damage my car bugger,need that paint job, but alot of others were hit hard. Knocked a big tree down at school and an eave caved in with the wind etc. Son no 2 was caught walking home from the shops while I was shopping,he reckons he learnt quickly not to walk near tin rooves houses as the hail bounced off and hit him.He was drenched and covered in welts by the time he got home!

This last Friday(my day off) was also quite damp with lovely drizzly rain,not sure how much but looking at the water holes, must have been around 30 to 40 points? I spent the day in Kal waiting for my car to have a make over at the window tint place after the twits that did the door up put a tinted (black almost) window,Hubby thought we might as well get the whole car done though a lighter shade.So I spent the day trying to do the little jobs like paying bills and Xmas laybys,I got a bit wet so the hair was frizzed a bit. Dont think the lady behind me in the bank queue was very happy when I shook my head to get rid of the drops like a pooch.....OOps.

Best part I managed to find two tops,in different colours so I can be reasonably dressed for Son No 2s Year 10 Grad.He wants a lime green tux.....The worst was finally getting my car back and getting to the lovely Chezs shop in Burt st on the way home to find I couldnt for the life of me remember waht I wanted..too tired,bast daylight saving.Im on a quilting run at moment, so came out with 5m of white homespun to start that 30s quilt I bought a pile of the appropriate fabric squares for,and 8 balls of Smoothie in this colour Col 2018 (already have the dark red) for another top down cardie from Knitting Pure And Simple that I got from South Seas Knitting. They dont show the pattern I bought ,maybe sold out but theres a few new ones Id like to acquire for stash..

Other shopping included some from the Kal Woolies,out here in Kambalda our meat is now packed in Perth in containers pumped with meat oxygen,yuck and totally unnaturel for me so stocked up in town for at least a fortnight. I have to stick to a menu now to make it last though I can still buy sausages etc here...the fruit and vegies were a lot better in there too so got a few bits there as well.

Im nearly done with the last batt of handdyed polwarth/silk,want to start the lovely corrie I have carded with silk too,a lovely chocccy colour,carding it has blended the colours more evenly so the garment will look better for it. I recieved the lastes fleece from Mosely Park too,gorgeous Finn X,currently washing ti ready to store til I finish the choccy fleece. If I can keep up the pace I will have something to show for it by Winter.I know Im coming down with a bug from the kids which has been going around for at least a month,very slow to pick up but a real bugger to get rid of according the teens of the house!

On my list this week if I can remeber is to order a few things from Bendigo, I got a new pattern and cotton sample card a couple of weeks ago and would love to makethe top on its cover in the dewmelon(I think) colur and from the main stock, some 12ply Classic in tuscan for that cardie/jacket for Mum. hopefully before sale ends...

Oh one more project off the list,a wee baggy to add to the swaps parcel in the 100gram swap on Ravely,two fat quarters

And the finished product,cant find a link for the designer but will edit later when I do! I did it in an hour or so and its on the to do again list as its simple fast and very Giveable!

Inside...

I must go,my right arm is killing me,RSI, backs good but this arm bit is not, not, not good,it sometimes feels like the muscle is pulling away from the bone in the upper part.Ive had this happen before on my left shin bone as a result of ReeTaeKwondo training and boy its not nice!!

Hey Hey hey,rollin rollin...

Im listening to Big and Rich so thats where the heading come from...

Now for some piccies...PS please ignore that fudgey bit in the corner,no idea it was that way when I took the photos...

First I finally finished the hand sewing on Mums quilt for her Bday,posted it Friday,a week late but hopefully he ll love it as Dad forgot the big day and was grumpy with her as well!! Wish I could have had a bunch of flower sent too! This a very eeasy peesy slash and sew top!Here's the close of the fabrics I used,theres 12 blocks with 6 different fat quarters(2 of each I think). This would easily make up to a double bed topper depending on the width of the border.I quilted in the ditch and I admit that it could have been abit neater but Im happy with it.Theres no quilting in the border as I wanted it to be a softer cuddly quilt. The one I did for my Nan a couple of years ago was done and it was abit stiff for my liking. It was one of those patterns where you cut 2 1/2" strips, numbered them, then sewed them together following a sequence.Mine was a heart! Gorgeous and dint take a photo,hopefully when Nana leaves us the vultures will let me have it back!

DHusbies lovely celery, and other bits like carrots and so on.With the economic troubles, we hoping to be abit more sustainable in the veggie patch,capsicums are often around the $10 a kilo mark here in Summer.Several Nickel mines have closed or mothballed and others are cutting back on staff and DH is a LV fitter in one so the future could be a bit rocky,I'm glad I'm a Permanent and the last to go if School winds down a bit!

Carrots,a field of....

And the other end where beans and pumpkin,rhubarb and silver beet live.

Now for a couple from our night in...

Now these are abit hmm rude? nearly made it to the 1st prize status but a lady undergoing chemo at present won with a top made up from the pink ribbons representing the Cancer Council but I got noticed especially when my boss practically shoved me up in front of the judges,Im normally a shy person.....oh Im busy texting my friend sitting behind the camera as we couldn't hear ourselves think for the noisy old school bus driven by Husby!!

Heres Husby with his gift for volunteering to run us old chooks in for the event,he had a bit of

fun in the end with a "cat fight"out in the bushes and I dont mean the furry kind and then the opposite later on,me thinks he may have had atouch more fun than us? We all thought that although it was a nice night "in" there was a lot of things that could have been improved,anyhow we will be putting on our own next year out here in Kambalda!
And this is our table,a few were Awol but it was a nice group and we had fun!!

On the spinning front Ive finished plying the pink and black merino but haven't got the rest of it out,must take some evidence piccies this weekend.The next little while is busy taken up making some extras for the Ravelry Swap Im partaking in,nearly finished the main item but have acouple of ideas for the rest,photos when posted!

Have anice bit of fluff coming from two of my fav suppliers and am sweating on Mandies from EGMTKs next Club!!!

Girls Nite In

Ive just finished my boobs and bra for tonights Girls Night In in Kal.Hubbys our designated driver in the old school bus,a bit of a slogger,the bus,he he but we will get there on this hot windy day!!

Below are my efforts,the boobs are from Knitty too...

There are catagories for the time taken for the decorated bras,I reckon about half an hour for mine but not counting the boobs at about 2 hours.....

I was lucky to find these at KMart yesty when I dropped my poor car off at smash repairs,$10 bucks on the throw out table ,a bit of fring and sparkly ribbon and hot glue gunned gems and Im away!!!! Amazingly enough I tried to get big sizing so I could pop the boobies or tit bits in but these are quite a small fit! Lucky Im a small lady in that department!!!

Have a secret project coming along nicely and will put piccies up later when finished and ready to send so the recipient wont clue in... have a few projects Im dyeing to get started but have to finish the list first..still havent done Mums quilt and its her Bday 2 morrow,ooops...

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