Finished

A few things actually
VSW23...High Distinction,Im still a little unbelieving but its over and I start next one on Monday,again painting and self directed and funny enough actually looking forward to it,I think I'm hiding in the normality of study with the crappy side of family building behind me.
Another Shawl, I haven't photoed yet but will as soon as I can,very happy with it,took all of four days to complete which for me is very very good,"Travelling Woman", quite simple and I cant fathom why I was scared of it, four days to knit in Tanis Fibre Art Purple label, delicious stuff.

And last night I got to the last cast row of another shawl in Lang Silk something,it was two balls I picked up in Perth last may,so soft and silky,being a greeny olive color it was the only color I could go halfway into wearing at the CrossswaysWool in Subiaco but I think it will be good over a white shirt.

Theres no real Christmas party again for us this year, I'm missing the staff do as having to pay for all three of us to attend Son 4 graduation Dinner (in the past only the guests payed but this time its all), the staff do is going to be held at the newly reopened Pub and at $49 a head I reasoned hubby and I can go on our own when funds are better available.Yes I am being super caution re money,the mining industry at this time of the year usually means retrenchment and rewritten contracts,everyone is nervous. Im surprised my son even wants to attend, his experiences at this school haven't been good,his literacy is almost non existent and being made to stand and read in front of a class and then placed in a similar position recently  by a FIFO teacher,this time it lead to physical damage as well as mental  the teachers being supported which I find disagreeable a number of people are at fault and to add to it when I needed support as a staff member I was not offered anything,even when I was injured I was invisible and a non entity,it amused me to read the updates from the return to work program providers that "employers are doing their utmost to assist me",Huh?????? the whole thing was handled by my Doctor and myself, we and I made the decisions,free money for the providers with little or no effort and the Government out of pocket yet again.
More Lizard...

Isnt he gorgeous!!
Anyhow Vegie garden

Tomatoes and figs

Thats it for now,we have had a massive storm earlier flooding through town beautifully and now another is hitting...ta for now

Just a lizard

Isnt he a beauty,or she not sure yet, holding toes and tail off the hot sand which I was laying on to get these pics

he came right up my camera to catch a insect and wasnt fussed at me rolling over closer and closer to get a good pic

Ok Heres a shot of shawl too

Its come out much larger than I thought it would, I've immediatily started the Travelling woman and over half way through it too
Also finished spinning Falling Start from Ixchel Fibres,I got around 426 meters of Navajo plied quishiness, not sure whether to do another shawl or a poncho type thing,thought a poncho to show off the colors and maybe extend the meteridge by adding a simple lace to the majority of shoulder area
Last submission due tomorrow night so all go to finish it off in the morning and at 16MB I may have to use Yousendit this time

Today is

Brought to you by me!!!!!!!!!!!!

Retro-mummy has said on her Blog that we mums don't always manage to be on the other side of the camera so here am I on another art research trip,the formally dry lake is afloat with clear rippling water after our half inch last week!
So now you all know what I look like at the moment anyways!
I believe we are nearly over the stuff called American Elections,it absorbed the TV scene for some time,it will be interesting to see how it all pans out considering the the huge debate and anger from the sides involved....
Anyhow heres my bits up to now
Shawl...

And socks

And this arrived in a wee box yesterday

Which equates to

From Yarn Wench
Ta for today

PS windy day!

Nearly the end of the week

And I get to work on my own tomorrow with the "other' having RDO,I didnt take my last one,Im doing that next week along with a day or two extra to stay home and work on last Sub,i hope to have all the ground work done for it this weekend if weather turns out ok. Its not going to be nice out on the lake either if its hot but as long as its warmish and big bright blue skies it will be all good,

• Spinning.. Im flying along with the last of the churro top from Ixchel fibres,navojo plying I hope will be enough for a sport weight pair of socks,Im curious how it knits up though Ive done a bit before, socks will be different.
• Knitting..nearly finished the shawl out of the lace weight Wollmeise ,"Chim Chim Chimney", the pattern I cant remember but I think its this one and heres a beaut example

Mine will be a bright dark blue...............the yarn was a Lacegarn weight from the illustrious Wollmeise peoples but I got mine as a remnant of a total ball from a lovely destasher who I must find and let her know how I went!

Im hoping to get the first half Pretty in Pink done this weekend and start the other half

Also stalled on the memory scarf,busy with Wollmeise as I need needles for the Travelling Woman Shawl which I decided to use the Tannis Fibre cashmere fingering,too nice to wear on the feet seeing I have heaps of nice sock wool stashed away and cashmere is for the neck

This weeks been a strain,on the muscles I run at least 12 wheel barrow loads of red loam to top dress and mend several patches on the lawns,the arms are not too bad but today carrying two buckets of broken glass off the sports field thats like a desert anyway due to school and council arguing over who pays for upkeep, was an issue,the teens are having drunken parties out on the cricket pitch and the buggers used a brick to smash and grind the beer and whisky bottles into the said pitch and then kicked bits everywhere,took and hour to clean up,swear words abound...

Anyhow I must away to do some study but Ill leave you with little bee,not sure if hes an interloper or native

Found him, Blue Banded Bee (Amegilla)

Oh Sunday

where did you go..one minute its Post Friday night then it pre Monday...
I cooked Italian bread for tea along with the usual snags and vegies, assisted Son 4 to cook choc chip banana muffins so we have enough for lunch boxes for three days
I'm about to iron Son 5 school shirts and the deal is he irons mine........ im also going to navajo ply bobbin of Churro and ball the merino Dream Top from Bilby Yarns in Perth so I can ply it,yep i talked about it before but tonight Im going to do it
it was quite warm this morning but by 11am it turned cool then cold,I went from shorts and Tee to jumper trackies and sneakers,with hand knitted socks of course
Got some study done but its all prac now well a bit of discussion work on various artist that I keep telling myself i ll do it today tonight
Anyhow I did this yesty

Still wet here but the texture of the a paper changed with the wetness and is beautiful, an artists interpretation of Lake Lefroy
And today Tilly did this

Its

FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
so far I have the night to me though not good for shop meaning customers are off doing what people do on a Friday night without Pizza..
I've been playing with prints of photos of my site in preparation for the big installation day,...
As I dont normally sleep in on a Saturday Ill be up in the beautiful peaceful early hour tomorrow to study and get some time to my self before the males in the house arise....
Finished another pair of socks in I think 8ply Opal,thinking it could be 6 ply as it was a destash and no label,I used the 48 sts pattern and they fit beautifully,toe up etc,Ill post a pic later with a fast edition of pattern in case I forget
I promptly started another pair in Tanis Fibre Art 4 ply  in the dark blue purple mix,it was in a discount box at the Re teat in Toodyay a couple of years ago and I had it earmarked for a travelling woman shawl but am knitting a sock for a short while to see if I actually like it,I do think its quite heavy and the shawl may be the result in the end,still working on the bamboo sock,on te home run with about 35 rows to go to cast off,still no pick being my lunch time knit project it stays on my desk(well really its hanging in a plastic bag off a nail on the wall among the shovels and rakes but its sitting waiting waiting as I haul other goodies out).......got out the Dairing scarf kit I bought back in May in luscious red,It doesn't seem to be as memory like as I believe it would be but its interesting,done fours rows and fiddly as,can see it will be a labor of love...........
Im staring at one wheel that has a bobbin of singles that need navajo plying and another that I have to center ball and then ply back on itself, feel guilty when I should be working on assignment,really I could finish the dratted thing this week end if I wanted... if only I could get to site and place those ideas out there,half an inch of glorious rain has shut dirt roads g however..., fairly gentle and soaking with a wee bit of thunder to get the nitrogen into the ground,my lawns at work are doing well and finally catching up after the disastrous last four year of mismanagement from up above.
On that topic too,
OSH Bully Week
the interview was quite successful in one way though I felt Id liked to have had another few minutes to discus other things hat have been hidden under the rug there for a couple of years,apparently I was a topic of discussion at some stage as the team viewed the photos of the area and saw how bad they had decayed,thank god for small gifts of friend who open their mouths and tell the truth of the matter...I was amused at the change in opinion towards myself when mentioning a Master of Education, I'm apparently to be... "one of us" in the public arena.with a pat on the back and the rest nodding in approval..scary stuff but beautiful people on the outside( one in particular has most wondrous smile it made you smile with her),they are trained to exult ones worth to get a result,if my boss has said I'm one of the most important in the running of the place,hes said it to everyone so everyone proceeds around the place with heads up, chests out until one of them repeats the conversation and awful truth arrives at the door,its a morale booster and don't we all need it...anyhoo it will be interesting if I get a couple little wins out of the whole thing, the shocked expression at my questions of certain events tells all,I was probably right anyway but junior big boots will have their way in dominating for a own morale booster .
This was of particular interest to me being the OSH Rep at work,but not for long Im pretty sure Ill be out of it quite soon.
 I didn't however get to bring up the rampid bullying,the inappropriate behavior,the manipulative traits within that workplace, remember the latest scandal in the CSIRO , here and here, the last one in particular caught my attention as this is precisely the situation I am familiar with,having no one to support and confide in in the work place is unfair and inhuman,it lead to deterioration of the workplace productivity and health of those its affects...Legals..in the radio article I listened to early this week on the ABC,it was sited some of these affected personal were  advised to refer to their line manager, when in fact that was the person doing the bullying...
Anyhoo again, off that topic despite the interest I have and onto another Photo, I will endevour to get some new ones soon

I think hes a Ring Tailed Bicycle Dragon but will double check, they play dead very well

OMG

Its raining,doing a happy dance,not good for work but boy my lawns gunna love it and the vegie patch,its cooled quite a lot so hopefully a warm day in the next few days will see things thriving!!!
The boys wont like walking back from the bus,only a few minutes but because I dont know which stop each will get off, I cant go wait for them unless I shadow the bus as it arrives in Kambalda,lol
Anyway Ill wait til a few minutes and see what the rains doing then!
This is a blog Ive been following for a while,she is fascinating with the sewing and knitting she does and the world she lives in!,go check her latest post out

another old flood pic,well two years old, the Talyawalka Creek, had to look up the spelling lol!

Trying not to think of the interview tomorrow,wish it was for another job....

Bumptie bumptie bump

Just a little chat,I cant settle on my assignment,it really is mostly the installations I have to left and heaps of experiments,but what,i have the research down pat,just have to do the commenting thingy and relate to my line of planning and thought,other than that paint the balls half black and half white,pack everything I need in a box ready to go on Sunday I hope so I can fiddle the next weekend the last one for any emergency revisit.
One idea...........

Found out I have to attend an interview on Thursday and while I was a bit thrilled I was referred to this, I am very nervous of the outcome ,the implications and my ability to respond in an appropriate fashion.
Heres a shot from the past,on the Darling River just before Hubby flew back to WA and we drove to Dubbo for Christmas,the river was rising fast at this point but when we left to drive home to WA on the 4th of Jan,Mum was cut off two days later so we timed it well

I shall report back later..............

The juices are flowing

I have soo many ideas,if I can pull off at least half the final Sub will be really good,two weekends to get it all done,if I push through with the experiments today I should ok to do the final works and have it edited earlier,that is good as it means Ill get a longer break before next unit starts!!
Meanwhile I found this site this morning and am in love with its stuff!!!
This particular unit Ive used an ink nib for entries as before I used artline markers and the black soaked through to the other side making the whole presentation a real mess, besides the re dipping of pen Ive thoroughly enjoyed writing with this pen,the antique look of my half way tidy writing is a joy,I should use it when I eventually have time to write a journal

Not a very good example but it is fun and Im looking to enter diary more frequently than before, a plus,the bottle of ink goes much further than a thick artliner
Anyhow check this shop out, there's a couple of beaut Christmas ideas I'm looking at.
on my list for me..cant put too many Chrissy lists out there
Fountain pen

But which colour?? Theres an awesome Graphite one too,pity they didnt have an orange one

And these writing journals are gorgeous

Cant decide which one I like...........

All these images are from the site

http://notemaker.com.au/ ,I just had to add a couple here to show good they are.........

Im smelling roses at moment too,the third bunch I ve picked in a week,they smell so lovely and even if they are showing a bit of sun damage,it doesn't slow the nose, I have to get some ormange and yellows,got Friesa again just need to plant it,might go looking for an orange rose next in town,would love to find a spot for a couple of Icebergs too..

Possible ones on rose list from this fantastic online shop

http://www.magicgardenroses.com.au/index.php from where I found these beauties,go have a look,the number and choice is over whelming

  

Colourbreak

       

Alexandra

 

Ginger megs

Golden Emblem and couple of whites

Grand finale

Margaret Merril

This one looks interesting too

There so many beautiful blooms and I only have room for one or two more,well when all the front yard is cleared of cars and the driveway is concreted and finished then i can organised rest of beds,a fig and a couple of citrus are going out there too,trying to get a cottage feel....

Hello!!!!!!!!!!

Im just taking a wee break from being artistic and having a coffee from Hubby's latest toy,with his latest hobby,Australian Coffee,this ones a mix of  Dreamtime and Skyebury Dk Roast, from Estate Coffee and Im told Wild Bush bean is his specialty.
There are some wonderful plantations of coffee here in Au, I knew it was grown here abut never knew much about it..Anyway Its a bit lower in caffeine so if after a hit it wont help as much as the "nasty" imports but I'm enjoying the Cappachinos as home (and at work as Ive got a machine there for my use)
I've been checking out some other blogs lately,well today anyway!!
Dairing ,OMG I want this and this and this. The first in orange,the second in black and the last in Grey silver..and they are just releasing a reflective yarn,so cool,I can see it as an edge to a hat or scarf. There is the red memory scarf kit I have stashed wonder which box....
Ok....now getting past that,I still haven't ordered those Saltwater sandles, going for the lime as I can see them in my mind,if they are good I'll go see about the orange ones...
Pinterest has me in again,  found some more cool pics this morning while looking for inspiration, there's so much colorful and clever peoples out there,like Olga and  this ones interesting too, if I ever get to travel to the US it will be to get to Rhinebeck!!
Even this one caught my eye as now having a Knitters loom Im on the look out for interesting things I can do
Ok back to work,squeezing paint out of tubes and playing with bits... but a pic to leave with

Monday..

Im feeling tired this afternoon,hmm how interesting, well that's the truth,Hubbys off giving son no 3 the last instruction before he attempts the log book in the morning,now theres an issue,he said as they went out the door,havent got time,too much to do and blah blah blah,all I could think was,why didnt you do the little things before instead of leaving til now? why because hes a man and men cant plan....he let the dentist book our sons appointment first thing in morning,8.30,leaving one son to get to school here by himself,9.30 he rocked up....
I give up trying to fathom or reason ,Im quite happy to get up at 5.30 ,make kids lunch bags.get to work at 6 and work late some days,try to do something towards study when I get home and also get something decent on the table
The sheer pleasure I get from seeing my manicured GREEN lawns at school is indescribable not yellow and bare like before, I've learned to cope with the crap coming my way by treating these gardens as an extension of my own,it becomes more interesting,its less effort,i don't feel like a servant and if I'm ignored?  well who cares,I know I'm human and I'm only doing this job to give my sons a better chance and also to pay my own education,
seriously though I can stand in plain view and everyone walks past,they simply don't see me , lol it reminds of my Fathers veiwpoint ,peace and quiet with no A****** to annoy you,lol
Im giving myself the night off tonight,have a feeling Im coming down with no 2 tonsil bug,bugger,have an interview with new school for No 4 on Wednesday,and a dentist appointment too for me,God damn it,Ill swallow a pile of zinc tonight with horseradish by the bottle,helped before...
anyhow I might spin a little tonight
look at this Batt Oh dear,I must not look as I soo much spinning stuff its not funny! Oh and this one too
Ok another pic for fun!

Another one bites the dust

well nearly,Im a few hours off from sending in Assignment one, with the last due in 4 weeks,I m excited to feel the connection with my work,only problem with this assignment is that I think Ives spread myself too far but the tutor will help me if she thinks I need clarification on direction, the trouble is I get excited about a
" thing" I want to pint whether its a flower poking out of the sand dune or the shadows under a spinifex plant,or even the glow of the shimmering white salt,time will tell
Anyhow havent got that much to talk about,
Knitting,finished a sock in 8 ply Opal,sitting waiting for friend to join it
Over the heel in another one in Happy,bamboo/nylon,very pretty pinks,took a bit to like knitting but once I got going was happy knitting especilly with warmer weather
Half way through Pretty in Pink,have to find bigger needles to finish front edge
Spinning,stalled big time there but have about two thirds of a bump of Charleys Navajo Sheep, Churro top,destined for socks sooo hoping enough yardage
Fell in and was naughty and caught a bump of Mandies Shropshire dyed top from a dear destasher on Ravelry
And saw a link on FB  by Mandie for another batt in golds etc oh my must resist !
Im going to plunge in and buy a pair of SAltwater sandles this weekend as a teat for finishing Sub,shouldnt spend money but they are a nostalgic reminder of childhood,Jesus Sandles,only have to choose between lime green and the limited edition ORANGE!!
Ok Im having a brief break from polishing off Sub so off to see what Retromummy and Foxs Lane are up to!
Just a pic cause I can
Edited to add,one link was wrong,Sorry!!

Reflection

These holidays have gone too fast, I'm enjoyed the work on my own though it doesnt seem  Id done much cause we had two wind storms that came through and spread leaves and red dirt everywhere,the lawns have greened up except for one which I hope this next couple weeks it wll catch up.Hoping anyway as new **** isnt very desirable in that department and on all accounts ,well we wont go there.
Im on the down hill run for the next assignment,though I dont have to have these works actually finished I have to show some work,

I really like this one and thinking of putting it in as a finished piece but that's about all I've done so far except for those I showed previously
This little fello showed up today

So happy as sadly the kids came in last week and murdered one and injured his mate so to see this one who I think is the one I normally feed is just up lifting.They mate for life and if one dies the other wont repair,I rescued the injured one(he had a cracked skull) did first aid(kept him warm and quiet) called the lovely Wendy (WIRES) who came promptly and run her into the Kalgoorlie Vets where she was treated and apparently now at another WIRES carer. I shall be watching keenly to see this ones as safe I can make it.
Went to work this arvo as I couldn't get peace at home to work on assignment, didn't get much there either  but got a bit done
Kambalda Car Ute Bike show was on this weekend too, The Big Attraction!!

 Bestie Friends other halfs toy!!  Agrona with a full paint job,very out there!!!
Another of the old school bikes

 and another

Surprising no big Hondas just this little one

In a couple years Ill have one or more of my girls finished and rideable then Ill show them!

Been out again!!!

Lake Lefroy!!
And my two babies

13 and 15 When with these stop growing??? the others are much taller so I'm presuming this two will go there as well!
Anyhoo,I went back for more research work and I needed to try a couple of ideas, I'm a little lost and need to connect Indigenous history with White man,i think I have something happening so will do the usual throw stuff around in VD and then get painting etc,this time I can also use other media so I'm giving poetry verse writing a go too

One installation idea...a practice run,thinking positive and negative,this is a sneak peak,cant reveil everything as I have to use it in Submission.
More floral..

And of course the ore train on the way home(we took the bush track along train line"

Don t think the driver was impressed or otherwise,he decidedly bored looking out the window as they went past!