A Lazy Day

Its been hot here,it was 45' in Kal last Monday but only 33 out here at 5 o'clock that arvo,it cooled a bit after that but has gotten hotter again.Not liking that as I have to rake and mow the whole school grounds for preparation for the return of staff etc in the next few days. A bit at a time,watering first up tomorrow and a bit of lawn work here and there and we ll have it beat though..

I'm about 1/4 way through the ISC7 scarf.I'm using the Machinewash 8ply in gorgeous dark red, I thought it was a bit rough to feel but after knitting an angora /merino mix (Ixchel Fibres handspun)

I suppose I couldn't expect anything else.Its grown on me as Ive gotten into it,I actually knit one ball in a sitting which for some is nothing but for my busy life where I'm squeezing in spinning as well its great!

I'm using the Palindrone Pattern and its the second Ive done,very effective and very easy.

On the spinning front Ive nearly finished a stash bag of crossbred/finn fleece I washed lightly and carded,about half a kilo,it seemed very rough but after I knitted a wee bit up last night,cross eyed as it was quite late,Im surprised how much softer it is,obviously not merino but passable as a vest or even heavy socks for winter (a bit itchy I reckon for other times).

My Dad is still quite ill and having more treatment soon and as he was disappointed in not getting handspun socks I'm getting this crossbred done today and going through my fibre boxes to find the last of the BFl and spinning that up.Posted on Ravelry that I wasn't sure of a colour way and Mandie suggested red and black,I'm already swinging towards mushroom,black broken with alpine,might do two lots and see then.Dad has told Mum hes taking his new socks to Sydney to wear them to see the docs,Id love to fly over to see him,surprise him etc,he cant talk clearing and gets a bit cranky but I thought I could at least just keep him company and Id take some sock knitting,be nice if it was his socks..

Poor Mum shes got start the pump and keep watering the garden etc ,it might not sound much but its not good for an older person..at least shes got the chooks and dog to keep her company.

The latest purchase from Ixchel Fibre,Charley has been very busy and im eyeing s few of these,love the wallaby one, cant remember the other names but check them out,yum in a big way!!!

Mandies been busy too and they sold out sooo quick!!! Really want to try some sea cell...pennies I have to keep reminding myself!!!!

On the knitting front Ive stalled on the top down Smoothie,I don't like the sleeves, they narrow down too quick,thinking of ripping back and knitting straight before flaring out for cuff...not afraid to rip back now,usually i just throw it in the corner and get to it later but its such a fun knit and mindless at that,something Ive needed lately...my form of a holiday!! Take alook at the sleeve photo and its obvious,also Im not happy with the undersleeve and if I loosen up the clingy sleeve it may sit better.

Sock knitting Ive gotten only the heel to toe for the cable socks I was working on,during the holidays I carried my little bag around on my wrist while watering and got heaps done,plants got a good water too,didn't shift until I got the 4 row repeat done,only 5 repeats to do on Friday...Picies when finished..

Here a few flowers I collected after I cut back afew things,too good to throw I brought them back inside,lovely grevilleas and one peace rose!!

A new Year

The Silly Season is nearly over well for me, my work has been casual and not demanding but the real work starts this week,I expect tradesmen to appear...I did work out that my next RDO is the Friday before the Australia Day long weekend so Ill have potentially 4 days off,yippee,a lot can be achieved in that time!!

I will if I can, do a couple of hours on the Monday as I have a few sensitive projects that wont survive and I owe 4 hours anyway!!

Hubby is temptorarily back in work and the employment people are ringing everyone on their books as the contracts are about to be realised for the lucky few now that the "Silly Season is over (and the Stock Exchange will back in business,We can only hope!)

Hubby is home today and by golly he is becoming, as my boos said about her own other half "anal " about the back lawn,cant believe it!! hes mowed it several times this last few weeks,normally he believes in waving a few dollars to snare a kid to do it!!!! I think with a house full of teens sleep seems a bit more important,LOL

Ive been spinning heaps,did a two bobbins yesty of pink and black,I want to order another 400 grams of these colours to have enough to make a tee or vest or whatever,I'm determined to destash the fibre stash into yarn stash,i get all excited when I check whats bee building that the choice of what to start first is simply too much!!

I'm in the ISC7 and have two patterns picked but unfortunately Cheryl's in Boulder is shut for another week and I wont get in there for a while .I'm using this time to finish off a couple of projects anyway.

The top down Sweater from "Knitting Pure and Simple" in Smoothie Dk the pink orangery colourway

A scarf using s reversible cable method in Charleys (from Ixchel Fibres) Bunny merino mix that I managed to spin over a couple of days at Chrissy.This 2 ply ( wanted to navajo ply but it would have yeild much less yardage) is the softest yarn I have ever felt ,its simply Divine and I can see a few taking up residence during the year! Hubby's looking /seeing fibre/yarn everywhere!!!!! hes declared that the office he suggested in the future shed will not be big enough and hes betting his left n*t that the entertainment centre he supposed to be building will also become a storage point,Ive promised no fibre but I cant say afew mags and books wont sneak in there....

My dad was very happy with his socks but thought they were handspun,I feel guilty that I haven't done a pair with his health not as good and losing a lot of weight I resolve to spin up some of the last bits of BFL and hand dye it for a pair just for him.Mum will be receiving a air of finger mittens out of that moorit I spun a few months ago. i spun the last lot of BFL on the Roberta but this time i might use the traddie!

On that subject I had a brain wave,I'm going to get Mum to post my old Traddie over so I can repair it,Dad apparently broke something trying to dismantle it,I may have to get a new wheel if the balance is out too much but Hubby reckons it should be ok glued,hes a whizz on woodwork so it should be all good

Im waiting for a largish order of PeachesNcream Cotton from the states,i broke and ordered some,a heap in avariety of colours,Ill be getting abit more later.This is part of my "fill a gift" box so I don't get caught short this year with the Australian Swappers Bday Swap and other little celebrations through the year.i have my eye on some colours that are swirly lemon/white,pale pink/white and few others.Found a great free washcloth site,its on the other compuot so will

link it here when next Im on.

Ive joined Mandie over at EGMTKs Fibre Club and also Jane at Moseleypark as well,I just love fibre parcels and is an intersting way to try different things as well,not knowing whats in the parcels is also fantastic!

I aim to refill my coffers of other fibres too this year if $ allow,Im nealy out of Shetland and BFL, with wants including some Icelandic and Norwegian top ,oh and some Gotland ,found a ripper spot to purchase but have to wait to sort out other stuff first!!

• Lastly my New Years resolve,first and foremost to organise my fibre/yarns,knit up a few pieces for Mum and Dad


• and have a positive outlook and NOT let anyone under my skin this year
  
• build up an art box,I have some water colours,charcoals,and oils, next is a decent box and brushes and then Ill be off!!
• there, three easily I hope things I can acheive,lets see how I go!

A Great New Year and A Properous and Happy one to you all!!

Christmas Eve 08

Wow didn't this year go fast,I found it a bit stressfull both at work and the normal I guess bits that come raising 5 sons, girlfriends and all..

I made a concerted effort not to mention work about half way through the year,it was not nice to find out who your friends were and the lack of support..the end of the year was a lot better with my confidence given a boost with roles given to me by senior staff and their visions for next year.My apologies to those I lent on for a bit of moral support,you know who you are and Ill be eternally grateful for that!

I managed to complete a few Christmas goodies for friends,

• Voodoo Wrist warmers in Merino Heirloom,pale pink
• Spring Hat in handdyed Inca,sorry no photos
• another Hat for wearing with long hair,again no photos,white Inca
• Socks in Cleackheaton Naturals,beige colours in the Campfire pattern for Dad
• A cotton washcloth for a work friend
• a Quilted bag from a Home spun mag, gorgeous pattern a easy pattern that looks wonderful!

I used half a metre of each fabric but had to cut outside into two pieces to make the flower go in the right direction,would like to make another!!



A close up of the details I added.

I loved this pattern,Campfire! So apparently did Dad but he hadnt tried them on when I talked to Mum!

Currently sitting and waiting for job replies for Hubby,his mine shut a few weeks ago,cant remember if I posted here,its been awhile..promises are hanging but its presumed nothing will happen til after the holiday break anyhow

At least hes mowed the lawn a few times cleaned up the backyard and thank G.. I work,thats my peace,LOLOn the spinning front I have a gorgeous bundle from Ixchel Fibres, Bunny fluff and merino,havent done much spinning for a couple of weeks but have now till Sundy off so I hope to do a bit with the Regal Fluff. Ill be going into work Friday to water though,have to make up a few hours after I took Tuesday off,so tired,the thought of Crissy wasnt even exciting.I was given the idea that had the other person not be working I couldnt take that day,bit unfair considering Ive the last two Christmases on my own...couldnt add to that but Im being a good girl and not bringing work here...

Hubby bought me a devine eternity ring last week,five diamonds for five sons,its a cool antique style,love it...Had the opportunity to try on my finger an Arglye Pink Diamond worth an astonishing $10 000.. apparently they only expect to mine the pinks(not sure about other colours) for another two years,if you have one look after it ,it ll be worth a mint!!

Ill be back with piccies...Edited

Piccies and later I post about my gift this year,LOL

A Cool weekend

I mean cool,and certainly happy that Fluffa didnt get shorn last week! Drizzly rain and cool wind.The temp was 16 on the kitchen window so it would hav ebeen cooler out!! Fluffa fluff was stuck everywhere,giggle,and he wanted to come indoors much to Tillys disgust!

And with all this lovely cool weather? I havent picked up sticks or spun at all,weell I was in Kal yesty getting some Xmas shopping done and a suit for my son for his grad from year 10,nice classy black one with a gorgeous microfibre shirt and lovely two tone satin pink tye just because his partner is wearing pale pink. Have to organise a Corsage yet. The drama of the day convincing him to try a pair of normal dress shoes, not the pointy ones that are so popular just normal ones.."NoMum I aint wearing those gay shoes" was the firm response and after a tense ten minutes(Son No 1 was on the phone wanting me to get to bike shop to get a rather expensive half link chain for his new pushy, 2 minutes before shop closed and I was ten minutes from there rr Kids!!anyhoo,mum won and the shoes came home to be glared at..Photos when the big occasion comes up.....
And today I just chilled and did as little as possible as I have a busy week ahead.

Ive picked the patterns for the teachers gifts but have to finish Dads Campfire socks first,knit in some bargain Cleckheaton Country Naturals, a sandy colour for $2 a ball,they hada lovely dark royal blue this week for same price but resisted,wished I had grabbed some,Mum would have liked them...
Teachers gifts are...( Im picking 3 of these)
VoodooWrist Warmers
Princess Mitts
Cabled Fingerless
Symmetrical Braided Gautlets
Spring Beret
I did think about another pattern on Ravelry that buttons under the pony tail and may do it yet.I visited Wool shop yesty and bought 2 balls of Sensation in pal blue and 4 balls of Heirloom 8ply in ice pink which i think may go to Sams Aide as wrist armers as she also sits in the cold watching hockey etc so thought she may appreciate them,they'll be done after Dads socks.
Im off,have to get things ready forthe week ahead!

Tuesday...

I was taking today off as a true sicky as I have the flu with bad ears etc but my assistant is off for rest of week with a nasty condition so I had to go to work...5.30am...I got to pay ten bucks for a nice luncheon however, put on by the office staff and a $5 entry in a sweep which I have no idea which horse I drew! I practically sat alone,couldnt hear much anyway,LOL but I think I somehow looked a tad out of the water with my work clothes among the nicer outfits adorning several/most staff..... Im hoping the red dust in my hair didnt show..I know there was some dry bottle brush flowers, found tghem after when I got home,ha ha ha!!

I feel crap but the light on the horizon is that finally Ive started that Top Down cardigan from Pure And Simple in Smoothie DK, the red orangey grey varigated colour!! Im about 2 inches into it and loving it. Smoothie although and an acrylic,yucky,I know but I figured bugs wont touch it and it may be just right for those days where a light cover would suffice...piccies a bit further down the track!!

Im still looking at that Polwarth /silk top,only two batts,come on girly get it done!! Crikeys,you can start that chocolate fleece and the shawl with the polwarth.....

The Swap item is done a dusted,need to wrap and post tomorrow...

Ok am off to wash that dust and flowers out,heads going round and round..have docs shortly to sign off on that Worker comp thingy,boy not doing that again, do the right thing and get backstabbed AND get a phone call from a "long lost boyfriend" who was sent my medical certificate for some reson at Curtin Uni,took him a week to work out the birth date was wrong,talk about invasion of privicy ,he has ALL my medical and personal details to do with this claim.I got a message on phone for an apology....

Wednesday..

Im still here ,had another godawful day,dont know why, it was great,had the gardens to myself but somehow feel Ive stepped on toes somewhere? or something,just didnt feel welcome ,maybe Im reading something thats not there.I really like one new staffy,hes up front and with some wonderful ideas for the students,hope hes here next year!! Theres some interesting plans afoot,I made amistake of mentioning a couple to offsider and was poo- parred, Im learning not to say anything,keep 'em guessing!!!

Anyway got home and had a brief visitor and she left me this and box of Choccies as thankyou for helping with a difficult assignment,that was reallly nice after a Sh**t of a day,thanks B!!

A close up!!!
I rarely get roses....and I definitely feel better now!!

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!