crafty colleen

I am currently....

2012-02-11T11:17:00.000+11:00

...spinning some medium-light grey Corriedale fleece from my own sheep so will be awhile before it gets posted to the website.
But in the meantime I have been knitting some mitts. A basketweave scarf in natural grey brown is also finished.
Another machine knit cardigan to be sewn up.

It is the Girgarre Market this Sunday (tomorrow) so will have thes finished items on the stal.
Visitors arriving late this afternoon for a few days. Never know how long so will have to have things at hand mto do whilst sharing a glass of wine or two.
Sheep are looking good with no hint of flystike so far. Thank goodnes!!
Cows and calves are going well, one expected soon. I think the bull must have had a rest every 3 weeks with these heifers as that is how long it is taking between each birth.

Ok...

2012-01-31T11:08:00.000+11:00

3ply Natural coloured wool in a classic raglan style cardigan with lace fronts.

BFL/silk handspun

Multi fibre handspun yarn.

....cardigan completed, and halfway through another. More yarn has been added to the website.

Some handspun yarn..

2012-01-14T00:33:00.000+11:00

..added to the website.

Time to get busy...

2012-01-13T11:04:00.000+11:00

I recently dyed some small amounts of fleece which are now on the website. There is a little VM in them but easily flicked, picked or carded out. I will be dyeing more soon, and these I will card separately.
I recently have been knitting a cardigan on the machine and finally finished it. I was sewing it up and was checking how it looked when lo and behold I noticed the cuffs on the sleeves did not look even. How I missed that I do not know. So will not be able to sell this, but I get a new cardigan for myself which is not a bad thing. So, off to the machine to do a new one. At least I am getting the practice.
I have some skeins of yarn that also need to be added to website. Photos taken so need to be added soon.
As I said time to get busy.
Babysitting this weekend so that will slow me down, will have to get things prepared.

Last day of 2011..

2011-12-31T10:51:00.000+11:00

As it is the last day of the year, I thought I should post something.
Today one of my sheep died. It was not unexpected as it has been unhappy for more than a week. I could not detect any flystrike and assumed it was an internal issue. He would drink and chew a little grass, so I let nature take it's course. He did not look like he was suffering, just unhappy. It was sad as it was my first actual sheep death since I started in 2007, so I consider I was lucky. This fellow was born here in 2008.
At present I have several projects on the go including some handspinning that I am going to give to a friend for her 60th birthday next week. It is a natural grey which I will then dye in her favourite colour. (So her daughter says.)
More skeins of the white alpaca have been completed, and I am balling them up for the client as I know how extra busy she is as a busy GP.
Wishing all my followers and visitors a Happy and Safe New Year and we hope 2012 will be a better one.

It's Christmas...

2011-12-24T15:45:00.000+11:00

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Christmas. Thank you for visiting my blog and website over the is last year. I hope you continue to visit.
Here in Victoria, Australia the temperatures are rising and we will will be having a traditional hot lunch tomorrow. The important thing is it will be with family. There will be about 25 of us including little ones, and that is not all of them as other family members had to make other plans for their own families.
I will miss my middle daughter Rebecca this year, who is unable to come home from Port Moresby for Christmas. Last contact was she is still working so hope she has a good day tomorrow.

Here are some dyed grey fleeces in 100gm lots that I will be putting on the website. They have a little bit of VM but should flick out.

This a grey cardigan I have been working on the knitting machine, it has eyelets around the raglan sleeves and lace patterning up to the armhole edge on the cardigan fronts. It is hip length and will fit 40 inch chest (X large). The neckband and front bands still to be completed. This will be up for sale as well. The wool was processed for the North East Yarns and is a fine 3ply (fingering or laceweight?) Natural colour grey.

Dyeing wool....

2011-12-14T16:51:00.000+11:00

I have started dyeing some of my lighter grey fleeces, and since I have several full fleeces weighing between 3 and 5 kgms, this may take some time in the kitchen, in between meals. I am not scientific about dyeing, and just add colours and wait for the surprise. These will be in 100gm lots, easily carded for spinning or felting projects.

The vegie garden is starting to look much better with tomatoes, zucchinis, silver beet, beetroot, potatoes, and pumpkins showing some growth. A little more rain followed by warmer days should bring on good growth.

The calf is weaned and will have to be taken to the larger paddock to ingratiate itself amongst the other cows and calves.

The sheep have been getting extra grain and hay now the grass is drying off.

Winding down for Christmas...

2011-12-04T10:56:00.000+11:00

I am winding down the markets with only one to go at Girgarre before Christmas.
We are having a surprise party for my father's 80th birthday the week before Christmas, so will be able to catch up with family that we haven't seen in awhile.
Fleeces have been baled up in the North East for value adding.
The remainder of the fleeces will be taken over to Riverina wool company in Moama, and some will remain for wool dyeing and spinning. I am hoping to have 100gm lots of hand dyed Corriedale fleeces for sale on the website and at the markets, next year.
A gentleman has approached me asking if I could use his Saxon merino fleeces. As these are very fine fleeces, I have offered to trial washing and dyeing and making small rolags with the handcarders as I don't think they will be suitable through the motorized carder. Could be very interesting. I will be getting these samples sometime after Christmas. The possible outcome may be suitable for felters.
The Vat room has almost been cleaned out of fleeces in preparation for the dairy revamp. Hard finding a new home for fleeces.
In the garden, tomato lants are growing, beetroot, zucchini, and bean seeds have sprouted. Have to keep up the watering with a lack of rain.
I am now ready to do the bands on the grey cardigan. I am happy with the lacework, and my compatriots love it, so I might get this in the Beechworth Old Schoolhouse Gallery for display.

I am having a serious look at my natural fleeces and am working at spinning these for most of the summer, as well as my spinning commission.

Just another scarf that has been knitted on the machine.

Getting organised...

2011-11-10T11:55:00.001+11:00

Although I seem to be very quiet here, I am working at crafting. The garden is still getting a makeover, and we are waiting on quotes for revamping the dairy. If quotes too high it may not be viable.
Baling day for the North East Yarns will be at the end of the month, so will look forward to catching up there at Wangaratta.
In the meantime I have lambs fleeces and bellies and pieces to go over to Riverina Wool in Moama, just have to find a day.
Another cotton poncho has been completed, and a little wool jumper needs to be sewn up before doing the neckband. I have a Natural Grey 3 ply wool on the machine which is going to be a cardigan.
And of course I am spinning some natural coloured grey yarn as well as the white Alpaca for a client.

Diamond pattern Cotton Capelet/Poncho

Who said there is not enough hours in the day!!!

Party Coaster Set

We had only 19mm rain last night but that will freshen everything up.
Saturday is busy with catching up at Mandie's, spinning (EGMTK) and then to Echuca for a Linen party at my daughter's unit.
The Girgarre Market is on this Sunday morning as well.

Sheep...

2011-10-21T00:11:00.000+11:00

...have been shorn. Luckily just before this hot weather, which is going to follow up with rain, so will have to watch for flystrike. Very bad last spring and summer. I now have to decide where to send the lamb's fleeces as they are only 1 - 2 inches long. The full fleeces I will spin myself or sell privately or send away, and the remaining will go in the shared Baling Day in the North East after we decide what to do.
I have now started carding (prior to spinning) a white Alpaca fleece for a customer. I also am organising some gifts of natural coloured wool batts for some acquaintances who I met at the spinning workshop in August.

I will be at Riverside Plaza Market in Shepparton this Saturday from 9am to 2pm.

Making himself comfortable.

I am minding the farm while Leigh is away visiting his son overseas, so a bit quiet here, with only the cats, the sheep and cattle to talk to. speaking of cats, another has popped in and if it hangs around that will make 4, and they don't even belong to us. My daughter's cat of course is settling in really well since he came to us in June, much better life in the outdoors than in a city apartment.

I cannot believe I have....

2011-10-15T00:20:00.000+11:00

....not written anything for a month. Some catching up to do.
Tomorrow is shearing day for my black coloured sheep who are starting to look decidedly bedraggled and daggy. Praying no flystrike, after a couple of humid days.
Sunday off to the Mooroopna Farmer's Market from 8.00am to 1 pm.
Although I haven't blogged I have not been idle.
The two granddaughters have turned 3 and 2 respectively in September and October, and birthdays can be busy.
I have completed the Alpaca for a customer and am about to start another for another client. In the meantime I have to catch up and get some of my own fleeces done.

Granddaughters helping feed the calf.

Machine knit Lace Capelet/Poncho

Handspun Natural Mid grey

I have added some new items to the website so go and take a look to see what's there.
Work is ongoing on the farm with repairs to fencing. Calving is finished with 23 calves. We lost one cow whose calf we are now feeding and one calf whose mother was too young. Some of these Lowline heifers seem to matue much sooner and therefore while the bull is in with the mothers accidents can happen but you don't know until much later.
We are currently looking at the possibility of getting the dairy up and running again, so that the farm can make an income. Oh well early mornings. Maybe I can make some cheeses again, nothing like my own Camembert, fetta or haloumi.

Ok the car is packed....

2011-09-17T19:28:00.000+10:00

.. and wool carded for spinning.
Off to Mooroopna Farmers market tomorrow after a break of 2 months. Previously I have been at the Bendigo Wool Show and a workshop with Jacey Boggs, the Insubordiknit spinner. Hope the weather holds up, as it looks grey and the Barometer has dropped.
Have to get up extra early as we always feed the sheep first, but we now have a calf to feed as her mum didn't make it. She was an older jersey cow( as are the others) and we weren't sure she was in calf, but calve she did, but from the outset you could see her slowing. Gorgeous heifer calf for future generations.

Okay...

2011-09-15T10:37:00.000+10:00

...my blogging entries have been very poor lately but I have been using Facebook for quick entries.

Now, on the farm we have been calving very slowly and spread out, unfortunately, and we still have one to go. One of the older cows gave birth to twins, luckily 2 heifers, so a lot of growing for these tiny girls. i haven't taken any photos yet, because the day after they were born Mum wasn't well and had to be treated with Calcium successfully, but soon after one of the twins went missing, and could not be found anywhere. We have a lot of long grass around the channel area, so heaven only knows where she went, but after a week of not finding her she turned. So 15 cows and 15 calves in one paddock. We are very happy! Another paddock we have 10 Lowlines, ( 4 of which are heifers calving early next year) with 6 calves. In another paddock the Lowline bull has 7 heifers and a steer to keep him busy. Lots of animals now plus 44 sheep.

Of course I am always working at my crafting and have finally finished a machine knit cardigan, so hopefully am getting the hang of the machines now.

Handspinning always goes on, with the Alpaca for a client as a priority but I have done some natural coloured Corriedale for the stall.

And some seing, and I need to add more of these. Here is a sample.

So, since it is my birthday today, it is time to get ready to go to Echuca for lunch with my mother, children, sister, etc.

Okay....

2011-08-25T10:37:00.000+10:00

..the workshop has been over a few days. It was a hive of activity from the moment we checked in and continued with food, fibre, frolicking, wine and Spinning. I don't think there was anyone in the group who did not have a wheel in front or some knitting in our hands. Jacey Boggs is an excellent teacher, (I am not sure I am a good student) and we all went away having learnt something and met some new friends.
Back to reality, I am continuing my alpaca commission spinning. I also have a machine knitted piece for a lady for her to use for her printing, if it is suitable. Farm stuff continues with calf watching, and feeding the sheep.

I am going to a new market on Saturday, Riverside Plaza Market in Sheepparton, under cover for a change.

MEMAC (North East Yarns) are having our AGM on Sunday at King River Cafe in Oxley. Nice cafe/restaurant always seems busy when we go there.

This weekend...

2011-08-18T10:38:00.000+10:00

..is for me.
I am heading to Belgrave for a spinning workshop with the Insubordiknit Jacey Boggs. Mandie of EGMTK is the organiser. Should be a great weekend with much spinning and laughter.
Tonight I have a project to take to patchwork and am completing it today. We have been working on Round Robins, so can't put up any photos.

Catching up....

2011-08-12T23:16:00.000+10:00

Time flies, and you suddenly realise that you are writing in Facebook pages quickly so as not to use up computer time or "waste time on computer" when you should be working at your craft.

Nagambie market was a washout last Saturday, but weather permitting Girgarre Market will be on this sunday, and new items have been added to the stall.

Farm news... we now have a total of 18 calves. Lowline calves unfortunately have a knack of getting into other paddocks, just walk straight through the fences!!! So Leigh has been putting up ringlock fencing to keep them in; this will be an ongoing project. As the farm was originally set up as a dairy farm, there was no need for high tensile fencing. I must get an updated photo of the Lowline family.

Website is updated, and more yarn is drying. And here are photos of some new items for he stall.

Craft & Quilt Fair

2011-07-28T11:58:00.001+10:00

Off to the quilt show tomorrow for the day. Travelling by bus/train from Kyabram. Always look forward to more crafty sessions.
This weekend I have none of the regular markets so am taking the weekend to do more work at home, including getting on with some Alpaca for a customer.
I am on the computer now also working on some borders for round robin quilts. EQ6 is very helpful.
Better then go into town for some shopping and some material for these projects.
So, currently picking more Alpaca fleece, carding some very light grey, almost silver Corriedale fleece, 2 earflap beanies are off the machine, and another beanie waiting to finish. Handspun wool yarn drying on the clothes horse. Some thick & thin handspun yesterday waiting for the dyepot.
Sunday will incorporate a visit to Rushworth for a Chat & Choose your Craft day. Then sometime I must run into Tongala to catch up with Mandie at Ewe Give Me The Knits.
Two more calves born last night so will have to check on them last thing today as we won't be home till 9.30pm tomorrow.
I am looking forward to reorganzing my days better after this.

Catching up...

2011-07-22T23:08:00.000+10:00

...with website updates. I also have a new machine knit poncho up as well.
Busy weekend coming up ... with our Patchwork group in Rochester. We are having a Quilt Marathon over 12 hours...UFO's, with lots of goodies to eat and drink. One way of catching with projects that keep handing about.
Also, one of my sisters' has organised afternoon tea for our mother's birthday, so will dash to Echuca after lunch and then return.

Homeward bound and I need to pack the car for the Emerald Bank Market in Shepparton on Sunday. Is there any other better life!!!

Bendigo Wool Show

2011-07-14T12:41:00.000+10:00

...car is packed. Have I enough stock???? I am sharing a stall with the North East Yarns. Hope to see you there. Off soon. Lunch, shower, and drive......

Working at Crafting...

2011-07-09T14:07:00.000+10:00

...is the focus of these days before Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show.
I have spun and dyed some more thick and thin wool skeins. Will I have enough???
I also have been dyeing some wool tops to create extra interest.
In progress... knitted jacket on the bulky machine, hand dyed natural 8ply wool yarn; fine machine knitted boucle scarf/shawl which I felting with the machine embellisher; 50 gm packs of natural wool batts for onselling; and have started spinning an alpaca fleece for a customer.
I won't have a lot of time to do photos for adding to the website as most of the stock I hope will sell at Bendigo.
Please introduce yourself while I am there. I would love to meet anyone who reads my blog.
Tomorrow is also the regular market at Girgarre.

Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show..

2011-07-04T11:36:00.000+10:00

...is nearly upon us, where all those addicted to woolly things can get there fibre fix. Lots of stalls with such a variety of fibre and garments to choose. The beauty is that we are all different in our way od doing things. I have coloured sheep so am trying to do natural yarns, as well as knit beanies from my wool stash. I have been relearning the knitting machines, do a little felting, and use a Knitter's loom for scarves. I think I need 36 hour days!!!
This I am especially looking forward to it, as I am sharing a stall (with all my goodies) in my own right, and as a member of the North East Yarns.
A bit of a challenge to get a lot of work done for the 3 days, as I do a market each week. I will still keep plodding away and hopefully have lots of new stuff for the show.
So will have to post a few piccies soon.

Just an update...

2011-06-18T18:58:00.000+10:00

I have just updated the website with some items.
Plus the Mooroopna Farmer's Market is on tomorrow.
I have been tidying the knitting machines and hope to do more work on them soon, other than small scarves. I have to run off an earflap hat for show and tell at the local Knitting machine club this week.

Have completed a couple of handknit shawls this last couple of weeks.

Time is not long enough....

2011-06-05T11:11:00.000+10:00

...to do all the things we want to do. Seems to take forever even to knit a shawl but I finished it for the market at Nagambie. The poncho is past the halfway point, taking me longer than a jumper.
I am going to look forward to using the knitting machine on some handspun in the near future, as well as some of our North East Yarns.
Off to Melbourne airport today to stay overnight to see Rebecca off early tomorrow for her 3 year working stint overseas, (I think it will probably be more as she likes travelling). My other 2 girls and 2 granddaughters are coming as well, so we should have a nice catchup session as a family.
Next weekend I will be spinning at the Echuca Steam Rally on the Saturday, and then doing the Girgarre Market on Sunday.
In the meantime I have some thick and thin in the dyepot.
I had a great time at the Knitting Machine Seminar last weekend, coming home with a Machine Embellisher from Kate's Sewing Centre, (had looked at this previously at Bendigo show) and a bulky knit machine. (Can't take me anywhere without buying something new).

Here it is...

2011-05-27T10:05:00.000+10:00

...the piece of machine knitting I have taken off the machine. Will decide what to do after the weekend, whether to pull it and redo or continue on.

Some felt scarves, and some yarn I recently spun from a blend of natural and hand dyed fleece.

This weekend....

2011-05-26T09:57:00.000+10:00

... I am away at a Knitting Machine seminar from Friday through Sunday, so am looking forward to some inspiration in that field.
Kylie Gussett is a speaker after the Friday night dinner, so looking forward to meeting her.
I have been working on a piece that I have patterned by using the hand tools, and it is nearly ready to slip off the needles, which I will take with me to the seminar. Not sure whether it is the right size for the vest I envisage but I'll soon find out. Will post a picture when off the needles for a better look. It is simply a rectangular shape.

Hand knitting happening..

2011-05-24T20:46:00.000+10:00

...with a rectangular poncho almost half way completed. I am using our North East Yarns Warby Tweed, and knitting in stocking stitch with Moss stitch borders and as a pattern down the centre of front and back. The photo unfortunately doesn't due the yarn any justice.

And a triangular shawl using stocking stitch with an eyelt pattern . The yarn has been handspun from a pinky orange fibre top originally from EGMTK

I have been working on the knitting machine yesterday and today and am halfway up the front of a front of a vest or jumper (I will decide later). It will take sometime to do as I am handtooling the eyelet pattern that I have decided to do. It is a lovely green colour, just a little lighter than khaki.

Cold weather...

2011-05-14T13:46:00.000+10:00

.....

Natural coloured wool thick beanie

is now upon us so I hope there are lots of knitters out there wanting some lovely handspun wool to knit something scrumptious and warm, or handmade beanies to keep our heads warm.

Purple Sky Thick and thin

Mooroopna Farmers Market is this Sunday. Look for me there.

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers this weekend...

2011-05-06T20:31:00.001+10:00

...and it looks like the rain is going to hold off until Sunday afternoon.
Since I have two Markets on this weekend I am eternally grateful.
Saturday is Nagambie's Market, with Girgarre Market being on Mother's Day.
The car is packed bar the spinning wheel, wool to spin and other essentials.

First days of retirement...

2011-05-03T23:10:00.000+10:00

...was spending the weekend on my own, so started washing a fleece, as well as carding other fleeces. Winding off some 8ply white for dyeing for a customer, winding off 100gm lots of white tops ready for spinning thick and thin and then dyeing.
Trying to tidy bits of papers and magazines, that seem to accumulate. I generally flip through first and then get back to reading them later. Needless to say the pile grows.

Here are photos of some natural coloured batts and some thick and thin hand dyed yarn.

Today was a big day. Back to work to share morning tea with staff and residents, and speeches and a gift of flowers and a voucher, almost made me cry. Always sad to change one's life before going on with another.

Then a phone call out of the blue. The Cobram Spinners group were in town before going to Mandie's (EGMTK) shop in Tongala, could they stop by (we are talking a busload). They would call when leaving Tongala. They turned and viewed my little studio, and shopped. Not bad for not being prepared. Next time if advance notice, I will have a big display of fleeces out as well.

Such a fun day!!

Easter Markets...

2011-04-21T09:55:00.001+10:00

Easter is coming TOO quickly and I have to do lots of work. More beanies, more fingerless mitts, scarves, handspun yarns.

I am currently working on as much as I can because there is a big Market at the Rushworth Festival this Saturday with a big crowd usually visiting this historic town. On Sunday the Tongala market is also happening.

I always look forward to all the visitors.

The lambs are still coming, now at 12 beautiful black lambs.

On the work front, I am Retiring from Nursing after 36 years. I will be looking forward to spending more time in the garden to get up to scratch, and keeping a better eye on the animals, and best of all start all the crafty wool things that I have been planning.

Bendigo Wool Show.... I am especially looking forward to this, as I will be sharing a stall (in my own right) with the North East Yarns. It is especially satisfactory because I am a member of this group of very talented people from the Nort East, where we bale our wool together to be processed into our yarn and jumpers. Amongst this group there are very talented, weavers, felters and knitters.

The North East Yarns products can be found through their website and at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery in Beechworth. Follow the link from the website.

This weekend....

2011-04-14T00:01:00.001+10:00

...is going to be very busy. Wangaratta Wool Day on Saturday.
Mooroopna Farmer's Market on Sunday.

As well, I am setting up a display at the B2Bexpo being held in Kyabram this weekend.

I have been working on some more thick and thin yarn for the weekend, and hand dyeing some white yarn as well. Previous yarn knitted up as a scarf using approx. 100 gms.

Wangaratta Wool Day....

2011-04-06T22:44:00.000+10:00

....as I am a member of North East yarns I thought it was time to post our Annual Event which is in 2 weeks time. A great day is usually had by all. So all those who want a "woolly" fix come along.

Wangaratta Wool Day features “Maharajah’s Garden” textile exhibition

The 5th annual Wool Day in Wangaratta will be held on Saturday 16th April 2011 from 10am – 3pm.

This day is co-hosted by textile fanatics who are members of Wangaratta Handweavers and Spinners and North East Yarns.

The Wool Day is intended to promote spinning and weaving and textile crafts. We would love to see Guild members from near and far join us for this relaxed day meeting friends and sharing ideas and skills.

The focus of the day this year will be an exhibition of the embellished textiles in the Jasmine collection of “The Maharajah’s Garden”. These 25 brilliant and richly coloured artworks include dyeing, embroidery, machine work, felting and weaving. The works are accompanied by “techniques boards” which explain how to achieve a similar richness in your own textiles creations.

Again this year there will be people demonstrating a variety of woolcraft techniques.

You are invited to bring your spinning wheel, knitting, crochet or other project and spend time sharing your knowledge and skills with others and perhaps picking up some new ideas yourself.

The day is also planned as a chance for spinners, weavers and felters to purchase raw materials and equipment for their crafts as they prepare for winter projects.

First Edition Fibres of Euroa, Mandie Chandler of “Ewe Give Me the Knits” and other traders will be present.

The Wool Day will be held at the CWA Hall in Templeton St Wangaratta (between Ovens and Baker Streets and one block from the shopping centre). Morning and afternoon tea and light lunch will be available for purchase at the hall. Entry $2.

For further information contact Marion Stewart 57253259

Lambing..

2011-04-05T22:09:00.000+10:00

This little one is the first lamb followed by number 2 below.
Absolutely a delight to see little lambs skipping along. I now have 4 and eagerly await the rest.
As you can see they are black against their lighter coloured mothers, but I am a member of the Black and Coloured Sheep Assoc, although I don't do the meetings.

Jewel fulled thick and thin

Jewel is on consignment at Rushwool Knit & Yarn

Bulky Yarn plyed

Bulky yarn is new on the stall.

April....

2011-04-01T22:14:00.004+11:00

....My daughter Rebecca's birthday today. As she is in Melbourne working she was having lunch and tea out today. Also she has major preparations ahead of her for a job transfer to Papua New Guinea in a couple of months, so will certainly miss her.

Tomorrow is Nagambie market, followed on Sunday with a demonstration Spinning Day( where I will have all my goodies including my new yarns) at Merrigum Historical Day.

Monday spinning at Rushwool Knit and Yarn where I will be taking a small supply of my thick and thin fulled yarn.

Tuesday half day in the studio and half at work.

Yesterday I had a fabulous day at Stitch This in Kyabram where I attended a workshop with Maria Martin learning to use her Pattern Drafter. I actually was able to make the blocks for a dress that would fit me. I have a terrible sizing when it comes to clothes, and I find it difficult to get affordable clothes off the shelf. I am looking forward to sewing my own clothes again.
http://www.mariamartin.com.au/

On the sheep front after a two year break, I will have lambs again. The first arrived yesterday afternoon, with another this morning. The sight of black lambs is to be beholden. Hope the sheep behave while at the market tomorrow as it is an early start for travel. Look forward to the end of daylight saving so it is light when I get up.

More yarn....

2011-03-29T21:49:00.001+11:00

....colourful thick and thin lightly fulled yarn.

Crafting, sharing, spinning day...

2011-03-29T00:11:00.002+11:00

Recently I put out an invitation for visitors to come and craft, spin etc. at the farm studio. So thanks to Wendy, Shirley, Dawn and Margaret, we had a lovely day sitting in the shade of the apple trees spinning and knitting, and talking about our ideas and plans for our craft. Wendy wants some of my handspun hand dyed fulled yarn that I have been working on, so have to get some more done for her shop in Rushworth. After spinning, dyeing comes in a close second, because you can plan your colours, but you don't necessarily know what the final result can be. Too busy chatting, so unfortunately no photos of the day. But photos soon of some more of the new yarns.

New Yarns...

2011-03-19T12:42:00.002+11:00

... for Mooroopna Market tomorrow. These are handspun fulled hand dyed singles in a thick and thin variation. Looking forward to comments from customers. More yarns to come before next market at Tongala.

Mooroopna Farmers Market...

2011-03-16T23:24:00.006+11:00

...was recently set up late last year, and after enquiries I am going to be there, this Sunday, March 20th.

I am working on a few projects at the moment.

I am currently spinning some hand dyed blended wool yarn for Rushwool Knit & Yarn,

spinning some Tan Alpaca fleece for sales, some grey Alpaca for a client.

A yellow hand knit scarf and a machine knit carf have also been completed.

A Garter and dropstitch shawl from hand dyed thick and thin yarn also finished. My oldest daughter is the model, and shows it off quite well. I manged to get her to model our new North East Yarns jumper, which looks really great on her.

And some hand dyeing of natural white wool yarn.

Looking forward....

2011-03-04T11:43:00.003+11:00

....to a pleasant day tomorrow.

It is Nagambie's Saturday Market, and since the weather has been a bit horrendous lately, hoping for a good day.

Extra items have been added to the stall, including this Handspun Fawn Alpaca.

Tongala Village Green Market .....

2011-02-25T23:29:00.002+11:00

..is on this Sunday. I have more handspun yarns for the winter knitting season. I also have natural coloured tops for spinners and felters.

February is nearly over and what a summer we have had. More people have been by abnormal weather events than we have ever known. I hope it settles soon.

I thought that when I dropped some work hours it would give me more time for my craft, but this week has been extra busy - Seymour Alternative Expo, Saturday; Beechworth Old Schoolhouse Gallery, Sunday to meet up with the North East Yarns. (This gallery is worth a look as several stalls belonging to several indidual artists or a group of artists, have been incorporated into the one building ). There is also a tearoom to partake in fabulous teas and scones. Monday, teaching spinning, Tuesday work, Wednesday Ballarat visit to the Hospital, my ex MIL is unwell again, very tired. Thursday handed over the Suri handspun, Friday work, Saturday off to Kyneton to look at some Lowline heifers. Need more stock, lots of grass.

Have had to mow the sheep paddocks to mulch the Bathurst burr, looking much better, the grass will start growing with the new dew. Sheep are looking better, so hope no more fly-strike. Have a new shelter set for a shearing area and yarding to be completed. Looking forward to a bit better facility.

Surely it can't be February already....

2011-02-10T23:11:00.002+11:00

The weeks are going so quickly, I am sure Easter can't be that far away.

But I have been busy, so I thought I would bore you with some of my current projects, some for me and some to sell.

A year or so ago I joined the Wangaratta Spinners and headed off to the Guild in Melbourne, where we participated in a "sandwich" ie each participant went round in a circle dropping small amounts of fibre on to the floor, which were then divided into equal amounts for each person. Lots of fun!! I finally carded and attempted (my version) of a thick and thin which I plied with a multi coloured rayon thread. I don't think I did too badly with this. Now I have to decide what to do with, maybe a beret or a neckwarmer comes to mind.

Last year I took on the job of spinning this Suri for a client. It was a very long fleece ( 2years growth), so sometimes hit the too hard basket but, here it is the finished product. Hopefully Cheryl from Chersam Alpacas will be happy with the result. I haven't weighed them yet, but a total 11 skeins have been produced.

Before I started weighing batts or tops prior to spinning I would have leftovers sitting on the bobins for awhile. I have come to the conclusion that these should not be wasted and I thought I might sell them as Mystery ends, because they will be a mix of Alpaca and wool.

Wool laps from Bendigo Woollen Mills can produce some surprise packages. This next skein is a blend of white, green and mauve. I have carded small amounts separately, then split and recarded to give this baby blue effect. This would look lovely as a baby's shawl or any other project for someone who likes pastel colours.

And, finally a wine tote depicting wine bottles and grapes as the base material design.

Sponge bars have been replaced on the knitting machines, so it is time to get them working and me to use them. The basic machine is easy but the electro card machines I have to learn.

With all this humidity we have been having, I have had to watch the sheep like a hawk, and try and treat fly strike as it occurs. A few sheep have been affected including the older ram who is really having a bad time. These fleeces will not be very useful this year.

I hope all those out there who have had a bad time with floods and exceptional weather systems are faring well. Bring on cool weather!!!

Update...

2011-01-23T16:31:00.004+11:00

It's good to know that friends and families are safe. In trying not to overload the phones so disaster messages can be sent out, we play a waiting game until we are informed all ok.

It was amazing to hear my hometown of Pyramid Hill had flooded around the Hill and up to the town boundary, and people were using canoes for transport. Luckily my old home was not flooded and old friends two doors up were not flooded, although they have been part of the workforce with the sandbagging etc.

Let's hope the water runs away reasonably quickly, to allow normality to return.

Early February, I will be giving Spinning lessons at a newly opened shop in Rushworth.

Wendy Cooke is the proprietor of Rushwool Knit and Yarn, and kindly asked if I could do lessons, and we have decided to do lessons on a Monday for a three week block. As it is a small area classes are limited to 2 persons, which I hope to give each person more attention. I am looking forward to this as it has been one of my future goals.

Check out http://www.rushwool.com/

Photos below of recent works:

... English Leicester/Corriedale Blend

.....Handspun from tops (EGMTK)

....Hand-dyed Natural grey processed wool yarn

...Handspun from hand dyed wool tops.

Just a little update.....

2011-01-11T07:02:00.004+11:00

Sunday's market at Girgarre started out with weather changing to showers. Should I set up?? Might as well, weather can be all-changing, as it was. Showered on and off with just a few of the cotton totes getting damp, with the wool products staying dry. This market coincided with the annual Moosic Muster so there were a few people around. Had a surprisingly successful day, as usually visitors are just looking and buying fruit and vegies. So it was great to sell wool products in the middle of summer.

Last week I could only spin at night as I was working the full week while my colleagues were away. No working in the studio until Saurday, so have been carding more wool since.

I am still waiting for repairs to the NEW Air Con when it broke down after 3 or 4 uses. The service agent is waiting for a part to come in. I am glad we haven't had real hot weather, it does get hot and steamy in there. I am using a water cooler at the moment.

I have been able to update the website with some new handspun yarns as they have been completed. I previously had some dyed English Leicester from Coral Stuart, which I have blended once through the carder to soften the EL. The greens and blues, with several other colours through it give the yarn a nice natural finish.

Happy New Year....

2010-12-31T16:08:00.004+11:00

.....to you all.

I will not be attending the Nagambie Market New Year's Day but will be back in February with some new stock.
The Market at Girgarre will be on the 2nd Sunday of the month as usual, and Tongala the 4th Sunday of the month. Hope to see some of you there.

Wishing everyone all the best for the New Year, and safe travelling.

I have updated the webstore, and will have some more yarn ready after the weekend. Just keep popping in to check.

Merry Christmas....

2010-12-24T22:21:00.003+11:00

...to everyone. Safe traveling to all who are on the roads tomorrow.

For us, it will be pick up Leigh's Mum, head to Echuca meet up with my three girls and families, then in convoy off to Pyramid Hill for Christmas lunch with the whole family(well, as many as can be there). Sister, Wendy and her family remain in Sydney this year, so hope their day goes well. The family includes my parents with their children, partners, grandchildren and partners and great granchildren. Busy!!!! Happy!!!!

Christmas is nearly here...

2010-12-17T22:47:00.004+11:00

....and little Mackenzie had a creche concert last Monday.
....Work Tuesday.
....Then Wednesday off to Echuca pick up two daughters and two grandaughters and off to Ballarat to see the great grandparents who are in their late eighties, and are now still living at home even though they have had several stints in Hospital this year. Pa is keeping better health but Nanny is very tired. He is doing very well looking after her with the services they receive. Then back home again, 6 hours travel with 2 hours visiting.
....Thursday was another big day, because we needed to check up on Leigh's mother this week as well while she has been ill.
...and the good news I have another great nephew. My parents now have about 14 (or is it 15) greatgranchildren.
...work today,
...and tomorrow off to the airport to meet Leigh's son who has been teaching in the Czech Republic all this year, so he is having a few days with us, then back to the Gold Coast to spend Christmas with his Mum.

And of course, I have been doing lots of spinning, and washing of fleeces for more spinning. I have a small of amount of Llama fleeces so will look forward to spinning that. I have to get more photos of the dyed fleeces as well and then make up some batts for spinning or to sell.

Big Weekend...

2010-12-10T07:29:00.005+11:00

...coming up.

Saturday starts up with a rugmaking workshop with Ann Churches, Kyabram from 10.30.

Tongala is having a market from 4pm to 8pm. Carols by Candlelight will be the feature for this market.

Sunday is, of course, the Girgarre Market.

So, lots of spinning and some sewing to add new products to the stall and to the website.

With all the rain, giving us overflowing tanks, I have been dyeing fleece lots, both white and grey. I also have some natural grey skeins that I purchased and have over dyed. So am now waiting for them to dry before winding into balls.

Rain, rain and more rain...

2010-12-02T17:07:00.002+11:00

I cannot remember when we have had so much rain. For grass growing it is great, but for crop farmers, not so good. It is hard to get a happy medium.

Last Sunday was meant to be the Tongala market, and it didn't stop raining till about 5 am. As it was just down the road and the car was packed, we decided to go, and were informed they decided to cancel. Not many people about, except for a few local stall holders popping in to see if it was happening. It was getting colder and the wind was starting to blow up again, so a good excuse to go home again for the rest of us.

Nagambie market is on this Saturday, so am uncertain what the weather has in store for us. Fingers crossed!

I continue to card more wool for spinning. I also am spinning some white Suri fleece which was exceptionally long, so not quite so easy.

I have listed all my products on the website, and will have a couple more to add before the weekend.

Website open..

2010-11-23T23:25:00.004+11:00

.......so I am going to give myself a plug here. My online store is open so feel free to check it out at http://www.colleenscraftsstore.com/

I have worked on this for the last 3 weeks so I hope it looks as good to you as to me. I will be updating often, also hope to make improvements as needed.

At least I can now get back to normal and finish off making the studio workable. Woollen goods will not be as saleable over our Australian summer so will have to add a few more products from other materials. Only a few more markets before Christmas.

On Sunday was a trip to Wangaratta where we baled 157.5kg of coloured wool into one bale,

which was a bit of an achievement. And this done using the older hand press.

I also now have a lovely supply of commercially machine knitted jumpers from our coloured wool, which I have added to the website.

I think....

2010-11-15T16:24:00.003+11:00

...that the website production is taking over, but I have given myself a deadline by the end of the month if not before. And I was able to do something new today, which I had been looking for.

I have also been cleaning up the vegie patch, and I don't have a previous photo, but when it is done it will look so much better. Pretty bad with metre high weeds, almost couldn't find the mandarine tree.

We had hay done a couple of weeks ago, so here are a couple of pictures.

Started...

2010-10-30T17:13:00.002+11:00

...setting up the website. So far so good. Looking forward to it, even though I am only a small crafts business. You never know what might happen!
We had some rain today; so far 15mm, pretty good for the paddocks now the hay has been bailed (341 bales). Cows and sheep are very happy with the feed this year. Not so good for the garden, too many weeds.
I usually work Tuesday and Friday and with Melbourne Cup on Tuesday I get a holiday so hopefully get lots of work done, particularly in the Studio as I now have POWER!! Must get some gardening done as well.

Brave me....

2010-10-21T15:47:00.004+11:00

Well, I have decided to bite the bullet and set up a Webstore, to add to the markets I attend. I want to increase the distance for sales. I look forward to this challenge, and since I at least set up this blog, I am hopeful I can set the website up as it is through diyestores. I am probably quite small compared to some but I hope to do well.

Amelia had her 1st birthday a couple of weekends ago and her Mum and Dad had a BBQ with family and friends attending.

It seems both my granddaughters have birthdays around major sporting events. Mackenzie's birthday coincides with the Football Grand Final (heaven help her for her 18th and 21st birthdays) and Amelia coincides with Bathurst .

....sample of fleeces from my sheep, lovely long locks.

Little one's birthdays...

2010-10-07T14:41:00.004+11:00

...two weeks ago it was Mackenzie's 2nd birthday with friends and family sharing in the party goodies and present opening. Very excited little girl who was well behaved and having lots of fun.

Dyed fleece now being made into batts and yarn. Lots of flecks showing through.

Tabelerunner and placemats now completed waiting for a new owner???

Nagambie Market...

2010-09-30T15:55:00.002+10:00

...is on again this Saturday. Last month was when we had exceptionally inclement weather so it did not happen.
I have some new natural handspun for the stall, and I hope to finish a tablerunner and placemat set.
The sheep are being shorn on Sunday so will have more fleeces after that to sort.

Adding Stash...

2010-09-20T16:46:00.003+10:00

...to the Studio. Studio is filling up fast. Added a couple more big shelving which seem to be working well.

I also recently started on this Tablerunner and 4 placemats from 8 Batik prints I bought at the Craft Quilt show in July. I hope they will sell when the time comes.

Have been practising on my old knitting machine. Can't wait to try the new ones when the electricity gets put on. The electrician was out the other day looking at whether it was safe to dig the trench, but, not yet as too wet and boggy still. Now, it is drying quite well so I hope it will happen soon.

I continue to pick a dark brown fleece, and then throw it through the carder. Because it is predominantly Merino it seems to need at least 3 cardings. I think there are quite a few short pieces throughout. Oh well if I get sick of spinning it I think felting it would be a good option. (Bags come to mind!) I am still spinning up a grey fleece, which seems to be quite fine somewhere between a 5ply and 8ply which should suit a shawl or a nice patterned jumper.

The sheep are looking very woolly so will have to organise the shearer soon, in between 2nd and 1st birthdays for the grandchildren.

No rain today....

2010-09-11T18:30:00.004+10:00

...so Girgarre Market tomorrow won't be so wet, though I think there will be a little wind. Won't be in usual place, but located on the street somewhere due to wet ground.

Managed to get a few new things done for the market. A handyed processed natural grey wool yarn knitted into a shawl, and 2 matching beanie and hanwoven scarves from multicoloured Bendigo wool.

Wet Times...

2010-09-06T16:55:00.002+10:00

....setting up the Studio/workshop. It includes the second-hand knitting machines that I have just bought, and set up is my original Empisal knitting machine(always set up) and brought out of retirement.

I thought I would put up a couple of photos to show how wet it has been...

...this is the drain that runs through the farm. It is higher than the concrete drain ....

..that Leigh is pulling up the door here to drain water from this paddock where it is running down from higher paddocks.

.....Handspun Corriedale wool, and a handspun and commercial wool woven scarf.

.....Strauch double-wide motorized carder.

Studio happenings...

2010-08-26T20:45:00.002+10:00

...although no electricity on yet I have begun to put a few things into the studio. Some packets of wool that are still labelled in ounces. These were given to me by my GP, who was also my ex-boss, after he and his wife had been clearing out his elderly aunt's apartment after she went into care. I look forward to opening the parcels of wrapped brown paper and sharing with other knitters.
Mandie (EGMTK) came out Sunday afternoon with my Strauch carder, which I have already used. Makes lovely batts. So we went for a walk to check out the Studio and the sheep. All were admired by Mandie and Georgia.
Today took me to Shepparton to pick up my purchases (where they were stored) from Clare of Garments and Gadgets. Lots of ideas lurking in my brain for these knitting machines which I have been thinking about for a while.
More rain so all was a dash to get equipment into the Studio. Hardly had time to properly look at them, but I know what to expect, as I have used plain knitting machines in the past. I now think I have all the equipment I need to work.
With the rain I haven't taken any photos yet so they are to come.

Items for the stall....

2010-08-21T17:03:00.004+10:00

...more handspun natural wool and handspun Alpaca for the stall

...new adult beanies ,

....and handspun fingerless gloves.

The weatherman says fine weather tomorrow. Hope it comes through OK.

Leigh, the good man he is has finished painting the studio/workroom. Looks nice and light with the white paint. I want to fill it up now but still need something for the floor.

Tongala Village Market

2010-08-16T17:11:00.004+10:00

Just a little advertising for a small market at Tongala. We are trying to get it established with a few focus days.

Tongala Village Green Market
Focus on Fibre!

Come take a stroll around our Market on Sunday 22nd August and visit with all of our Stallholders, some of who will be demonstrating and working with fibre.
Expect to see Spinning, Weaving, Knitting, Crochet, and Crochet all taking place. All of our Fibre Folk will also have their beautiful wares on show and available for purchase.
Tongala Village Green Market is held on the 4th Sunday of each month on Potts Village Green in Mangan Street Tongala, commencing at 8.30am and finishing at 1.30pm.
For further details contact Mandie 0438 824 766

Also on Facebook

More rain...

2010-08-15T11:49:00.006+10:00

......today. The computer is set up at the other end of the house including with my sewing machine, picker and carders, and it is always cold down here, so a little reluctance to stay in here too long.

This winter seems to be coming back to normal rainy weather. Nice but it is a bit cold, have already gone through 4 gas bottles so am using split system for heating at times.

I got through dyeing another fleece yesterday before it started to rain again. Happy with colours.

The studio is now lined with the wallboards, so now to paint and wait for electrician. Tank is set up at the back but still have a layer of water beside and behind as the main tank is overflowing. At least I used a bit of water with the dyeing and rinsing.

The cows and calves have been enjoying lots of green grass.

Someone always has to be the King of the Castle. Looking forward to fleeces this year. I don't think the barley grass will set for awhile.

Just had a nice quiet weekend...

2010-08-02T16:12:00.004+10:00

....spinning, carding, knitting and contemplating the shed. The electrician came out this morning to see what was needed and the builder will be coming out late this week or early next week. I am looking forward to setting it all up and then will invite a few people to my Studio opening . A good excuse for a party to have my own "Girl's Shed".

Some of Mandie's (EGMTK) Mulled Wine Merino Top that I bought some time ago, finally spun up. It was 200gms so now have 2 skeins to sell.

I thought it was about time I put a picture of my sheep on here. I'm not sure if I have before. But although they have only a small area to live they look very healthy. They are fed a sheep mix grain in the mornings and there is always a bale of hay in the paddock. the grass is growing with all the rain we have had, so hope the spring will be good.

Emotions....

2010-07-26T09:56:00.002+10:00

I've just been reading my daughter's blog. Rebecca is currently visiting South Africa with some of her friends, doing some volunteer work. Seeing her with the children brought tears to my eyes. Although they are very poor they were a happy little bunch, and I am very proud to see what Rebecca is doing.
There are lots of lovely photos. Perhaps someone would like to drop in on her posts and have a look.
You can find her at http://rebeccaandtheworld.wordpress.com

On another note the Bendigo Sheepshow and Craft and Quilt fair are over for another year, and it is time to get back to work.

Presently on my needles I have a vest from a Patons pattern, a beanie, and a scarf.
There is always fibre on the spinning wheels of course. I have to replenish my stock after sales at Bendigo, so have woven a scarf and felted 2 scarves already. I always need a new item to add to the stall before any market.

Tongala was a little quiet this time but did manage to sell a few items, including whilst almost packed up, as 2 elderly ladies hadn't got down early enough.

Now, will need to get photos on soon.

The shed/studio/workshop is up and now am waiting for the electrician and the builder. The builder will be here later today to have a look.

Back...

2010-07-19T14:57:00.002+10:00

...from the big Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show. I sold quite a bit through the North East Yarns stall, so I have a lot of stock to replenish as well as lots more spinning to do. I was very pleased to sell a couple of skeins of yarn to Nicola Bota of Ashford (now a consultant). Nicola is always very pleasant to meet up with and she remembers me as well from previous times.
On the spending I will be organising with Mandie (EGMTK) to buy a beautiful motorized carder from Strauch. I took along some of my cleaned Corriedale fleece and was very pleased with the result from just one pass. I can't wait!!!!
Of course I took my camera but not one photo did I take, now how dumb was that. Next Year maybe.
I also chatted with some of the stallholders, a little bit of networking goes a long way.
I behaved myself and didn't spend too much on fibre, knowing I will have to find more space in an already overcrowded area.....
Therefore the shed is now coming along and will be complete in a couple of days, then for the electrician and then to be lined for comfort, then fitting out for working in. Ohhhhh, I can't wait.
More instalments next time.

Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show...

2010-07-14T16:46:00.002+10:00

Hoping for a big weekend. Will be helping to man the NE Yarns stall at the show, then lots to look at and shop for, people to meet and catch up with.
It will be great as I will be there the whole 3 days.

Girgarre Market tomorrow....

2010-07-10T16:02:00.003+10:00

New handspun yarns for the stall, small amounts only.

Today's program was to get some hay fed out to the cows and sheep, before it rained which it has just before midday.

Since then, I have finished carding the wool for the tweedy yarn, and next for carding is a grey. This is also from my own sheep.

The car is packed, so am hoping weather does not become too bad and seetles overnight.

I have some NE Vanilla cream that I have dyed with Landscape Apollo Bay and it should be dry enough for the stall remaining in 500gm skeins.

Work...

2010-07-09T14:48:00.003+10:00

My colleagues were away during last week and this week so I was working extra days and longer hours.

In the meantime I developesd a chest infection, but I still went to work came home, let Leigh cook for me while I sat at the spinning wheel. A girl's got to get her priorities right. My left ear has also bothered me with no let up with ringing day in day out for the last couple of months. Ear candling has been slow to relieve as I had oedema in the ear canal, but another trip to the doctor next week and I hope will end my problems.

This is the white corriedale fleece I recently dyed, it is a little lighter than I thought but should blend well.

It's all happening...

2010-06-29T13:58:00.003+10:00

This is the completed shawl as promised previously. Soft and light!

Last week the sand arrived then blocking for the cement slab and now the concrete is setting.

Of course the concrete truck got bogged and the cement had to be emptied out by barrow, but the concreter took it all in his stride.

Market tomorrow...

2010-06-26T10:01:00.002+10:00

The Tongala Market is on tomorrow, so I have been more busy catching up with spinning, and some knitting. Have a beanie to finish off and am continuing to knit up a plain multicoloured triangular shawl. I think the shawl has amazing colouration. I will take a photo on completion.

More busy days ahead...

2010-06-21T16:18:00.002+10:00

Apart from having more glitzes with the computer which I hope improves as nothing wrong could be found this time, it has been busy with the Steam Rally and Girgarre Market on the long weekend. I was quite happy with sales at Girgarre, as there was a lot of competition with markets in several areas.
On the farm front over the last 10 days we have had 9 live calves from 9 cows, but 3 cows went down with milk fever and 1 cow had to be vet assisted. At this stage 2 more cows to g with another 3 suspected not in calf.
My upcoming studio/workshop now has sand plopped down ready for the concretor who had to postpone due to destructive weather uprooting another job. Never mind my turn will come.
My middle daughter was in echuca for a party on the weekend, so we got together for lunch at the Wisteria with my other 2 daughters and grandchildren on the sunday.
In the meantime more carding and woolspinning happening, and a few projects on the needles.
Photos coming soon.

More items....

2010-06-10T22:50:00.003+10:00

Large padded Totes....

Simple 2 colour tablerunner.....

I will take photos of the dyed wool when they are dry.

Some projects for the stall...

2010-06-10T22:33:00.003+10:00

Skeins of tweed or three natural colours...
Handspun and woven scarf.....

Handspun lace scarf from a three colour blend....

Hand spun Knitted beret.....

Felt scarf using 3 block colours.....

Klunking in the night....

2010-06-10T22:11:00.004+10:00

Apart from the fact that I am rather behind in blogging we were woken in the middle of the night by the sound of klunking, tapping whatever. It has taken three days to find the cause. It was coming from both our clock radios. Was it the electric fence or were the clocks dying. No, worse. One of the power point fuses was shorting and sparks could be seen. Not nice. Lucky we had extra safety switches which solved the problem, but the electrician found the damage was behind the board as well. All fixed!!

The whole issue also was not good for the computer, in that Windows would not open! Despair! Off to the computer doctor who found one corrupted file and now back on track.

I have just acquired 17 kilos of white Corriedale Fleece, so have washed and dyed a kilo and washed another kilo and a half already. So I hope to have a lot of fun with colours, and blending of colours.

Nagambie Market last Saturday was freezing but I did OK. This weekend I will be at the Echuca Steam Rally with the Echuca Wool & Craft group on the Saturday, and the Girgarre Market on the Sunday.

On the farm note we are waiting for new calves to arrive . We have 14 cows, but are unsure how many will calve as the bull had injured his leg and was sold off. We will look into getting another bull later this year. This year after shearing the rams will join with the ewes when further paddocks are prepared for them.

My Tweed Yarn...

2010-05-25T08:56:00.004+10:00

Finally, I have some tweedy yarn from my 3 natural colours of white, grey and dark brown. Have only 3 skeins at present but have a fair amount carded ready for spinning so hope to get more done before the next Nagambie market.

I am hoping they sell well.

Lot's been happening....

2010-05-12T14:54:00.002+10:00

Recently, Leigh and I have been travelling to the Northeast around Wangaratta , Euroa, Benalla, etc., in the hope of finding a property that has more rainfall and no irrigation. There were some nice properties we looked at, including one with a shearing shed "to die for", but in the end he has made the decision that we are better off where we are, and adding a shearing area and building another double garage to house all my wool, and working materials.
He found that you might have a good house and old sheds with not so good land, and vice versa. The estate agents did a great job considering there were several properties but in opposite directions at times. We almost went over towards Ballarat area which had some good land for sheep but not quite suitable for the small amount of cattle we have.
Monday, there was no work for him so he has put up a gate and some fencing around the Dairy vat room, which will work reasonably well for the shearing as well as any yarding requirements, so then all that's needed is some holding yards in the room , shift the shearing plant and put a board down and the first stage is complete.
With early summer rains and some autumn rains we had a lot of Bathurst burr set, so ongoing work to get rid of that will be prioritised, as well as more fencing before the sheep can go in other paddocks.

Below is a photo of some of the North East Yarns group with our stall during our Wangaratta Wool Day.

Recent purchases from First Edition Fibres

.....EweGiveMeTheKnits - treasures (I am not sure what I will do with these yet after they are spun).

Picking clean white fleece for my handspun tweedy yarn I have been planning....

...and carding light grey...

My father made these toys.. he generally donates these for sale at a special school in Echuca, but needs a little extra cash for glues, nails, etc. so I took them to the Girgarre Market to see what interest they held, sold one set to another stallholder.

New bright, padded tote for the stall,...

plus some more cobweb felt scarves.

Alpaca Open day at Chersam Alpacas, Koyuga...the boys are peeping over the fence to see the girls with their new offspring.

Today I am....

2010-04-28T11:13:00.003+10:00

...picking, carding and spinning some Suri fleece for a client. It is an extremely long fleece, and I wanted to spin it as a raw fleece. Because of it's length it has proved a little challenging. I cut it half and hand carded originally, but now I am picking as a whole length then drum carding several times before spinning. I think the skeins still look lovely. This I am spinning on my Ashford Joy.
Over the last week or so I have also commenced another alpaca fleece for another client, this is on my electric wheel, another alpaca fleece is being spun on the Tara wheel.
In the meantime a grey fleece has been picked and carded, the remainder of a white fleece is halfway through being carded, and the brown fleece has been picked.
Out on the verandah a tan alpaca fleece, and a dark brown sheep fleece are drying after their washing process.
I now feel productive. Will get more photos on here soon.
I might go to Merrigum this afternoon to catch up with the ArtMooveau girls.

Wool Day...

2010-04-18T11:50:00.007+10:00

Wangaratta Wool Day was busy, with visitors flocking to the stalls which included First Edition Fibres, Mandie from EGMTK, Anne Churches with her Tapestry Weaving, Julie Petlyn with Alpaca fibres and Fibre Picker and combs.

Demonstrations included Tunisian crochet,needle felting, weaving, and novelty spinning.

I took my handspun shawl to put on our North East Yarns stall, and I was very pleased to have several admirers of it. It could have gone on to our stall at the Beechworth Old Schoolhouse Gallery, but I thought I would continue to keep it on my own stall until Bendigo Wool Show and if not sold in that time, can then go to Beechworth.

Although I have plenty of fibre from various sources, I had to buy more. There is always something you different to do. I'll post some photos when I organise the photos.

More time....

2010-04-16T08:21:00.005+10:00

I have recently gone back to working two days, as family (incl. extended) issues had arisen, so hopefully I will be able to devote more time to craft and still enjoy just a couple of days at work.
As I had already visited my daughters' on Monday I was able to have time for myself on Wednesday, happily completing the picking of a grey fleece and carding half of it. I am hope to blend with white and dark brown for a tweed effect.
This is a completed gullwing shawl from my handspun coloured blend.

Busy night tonight, will have to make up a loaf of sandwiches to take to Wangaratta.
The North East Yarns with Wangaratta Handspinners and Weavers are hosting their Annual Wool Day. It will be a busy wonderful day.

Happy Easter....

2010-04-04T13:06:00.003+10:00

It's a lovely day outside this Easter Sunday. So, have been watering fruit trees and vegie garden, watching the pumpkins grow. Checked out what was underneath a dying peanut plant - not quite right peanuts - so I know we can grow them here. The other plants are still growing, not dying back, yet. Dug up some potatoes, as well.
Later this afternoon, will head off to Echuca this afternoon to have tea with the girls and family, and visit my parents as well.
My mother gave me the sad news that her brother, Les, had died quietly in his sleep last night. My uncle had led a busy life over the years, having many farms, last being at Daylesford. He was renowned for attending the Dog Trials on his scooter. when I went to visit my ex-MIL at Ballarat St. John of God Hospital 2 weeks ago, I had hoped that I would get the chance to visit Les as well, but he had been discharged that day, as there was no more they could do for him. I would imagine that he would have practically jumped out of bed when they said he could go home (if his legs would have let him). My sister took Mum to visit him a couple of days later.
Uncle Les was 80 years old (always a good innings).
My ex-MIL remains in hospital in a stable condition, so now we wait and see.

I had a reasonable day at Nagambie Market yesterday, lots of people about, a bit cool to start off with but warming up late morning.

Crafting goes on....

2010-03-24T14:36:00.003+11:00

I decided to add a few more woven scarves to my stall items as Winter is coming. I have used some Bendigo wool yarn and some natural brown that I overdyed. I have also spun up some of my blended batts, with no colouration in mind except to see what they turned out like. And, I am happy with the results so far.

....scarf on the knitter's loom

.....a scarf completed using overdyed natural brown processed yarn

.....handspun wool yarn from blended dyed wool fibres

.....blended dyed wool fibres batts

I recently picked the almonds off our three trees, resulting in a bucket and a half (not including those picked and eaten straight off the tree in preceding days).

......almonds after picking

A little bit of sad news as my ex-mother-in-law is seriously ill in Ballarat's St. John of God Hospital. As she is 87 years old I envisage a sad outcome, as she will certainly go into care if she gets through this acute stage. My FIL also has to have an operation on his hip, which is infected (previous hip replacement several years ago), this week so they will be in hospital together. They have been unwell over the last two years, but have managed to be able to stay in their own home with services available to them. So with 2 daughter and two babies, and meeting my middle daughter off the train at Ballarat, we trotted off to visit them. It was particularly important as the hadn't seen Amelia yet. The girls were happy and the great grandparents were happy, and now we play a waiting game.

All the local markets at the moment seem very quiet. I am unsure whether it is the current economics or the fact that there seems to be lots of events on at he same time everywhere. We will wait and see what the winter brings.

a little update....

2010-03-13T15:53:00.002+11:00

Due to last weekend's predicted storms and further rainfall I cancelled Nagambie market (disappointingly), but lucky I did as I was coughing and spluttering most of the night and woke up with a sore throat, (I hate being unwell).

As part of the long weekend I organised a felting day for my friend Kaylene who has been wanting to try felting for a long time, and here are the fruits of our labour...

Ten years ago I learnt how to quilt with a group at Rochester under the guidance of Sue Reid and this was my first quilt which was a block of the month we did, and I handquilted it as well.

I was very proud of this first effort and, now I am losing count of the quilts that followed. I do have photos of these quilts but not good for uploading so I will gradually take photos of the ones I still have and then post at times.

Why does other stuff take up time...

2010-03-03T08:07:00.002+11:00

I think generally the older we get life changes and every minute is taken up with stuff and other things.
I am getting photos taken of projects, and articles completed. But getting them on to the blog takes extra time, and when that time is short the blog takes second or last place.
I have 4 markets to attend this month, plus going to work 3 days, so have lots of work to do.
this is just a hello to say I am still here.
Button, thank you for your recent comment on my blocks, will be posting photo of completed quilt soon.
Better get off the computer, now. Off to feed the sheep, then water vegies, shower and off to Echuca to babysit, then wool & Craft meeting, check on other daughter, then check out another car. My Pulsar is feeling the pinch going to the Markets and is heavily loaded. I have had it for 10 years and have clocked over 240,000 kms, with no mechanical issues. Sigh!!!

Working on lots of projects...

2010-02-22T14:22:00.002+11:00

Last post I posted photos with no details, so a little bit of an update on their progress and other stuff...

I have been spinning a fleece of black Alpaca, for a local client, and have finally finished carding it so I can really get stuck into it. (I would love to have some for myself but maybe another time.)

On the needles I am currently knitting ...
a red scarf from Bendigo Wool,
a man's jumper in handspun natural grey on consignment,
completed garter stitch scarf knitted on big needles from overdyed coloured processed
wool from Bendigo Goldfields farm,
a shawl knitted on 6.5mm needles from overdyed coloured wool (not pictured).

I also have fibre on all the bobins of my spinning wheels.

Sewing - almost completed Amelia's quilt, and a quilted bag.

Girgarre Market was quiet on the 14th, although not too hot.

This weekend just gone, found Leigh and myself at the Seymour Farming Expo. We regularly visit each year. Then Sunday off to Wooragee, past Beechworth, for a meeting with my MEMAC Textiles Group (trading as North East Yarns).

Travelled home in heavy rain, almost getting blown off the road, to find that we had none here (sigh!!!). This morning 2.3mm in the gauge overnight. A little more here today.

Been busy....

2010-02-08T17:12:00.004+11:00

A fortnight has gone, but I have not been idle.

Monday is usually a day at home doing some sort of craftwork, maybe a little housework!!!

Tuesday .. workday

Wednesday..visit to Echuca to go to (1) Wool & Craft meeting or workday(1st & 3rd Wed each month), (2) visit each daugher with respective grandchildren in each of their living abodes or together in one place, (3) then visit my parents, (4) visit Chiropracter if due for an appt. now every 3 weeks, I look forward to lengthening time between visits, (5) back to Kyabram shops, (6) sometimes I am then able to catch up with my other friendly group in Merrigum - ArtMooveau. Sometimes I just manage 2 or 3 of these visits.

Thursday & Friday... workdays

Weekend catchup for Markets, or visitors or as the previous Saturday I found myself in Echuca for a Body Shop Pamper party, plus a little wine and cheese.

In the meantime there is plenty on the needles, the spinning wheels active at night or sometimes in the morning, and the sewing machine gets active too.

Tongala Market tomorrow....

2010-01-23T20:35:00.003+11:00

I managed to get a few things ready to add to the stall tomorrow. I must admit it did help that Leigh has gone to Phillip Is. for the Motorcycle Classics, so I only had me to look after....

A little bit of sewing...

2010-01-17T10:40:00.004+11:00

I have been working on little Amelia's quilt and now have the top completed ready for wadding and backing. Poor baby she is now over 3 mths old and I am sure will be looking forward to going into her cot!!!

I have a quilt program, and I don't do traditional baby quilts, tending to go to bright unisex colours. Samantha helped picked the colours as well as the blocks.

I have also started another colourful tote to add to the Market stall.

This will be a simple strippy non-padded tote, easy to throw in the wash. The colours should be a bit more green, but the camera didn't show them that well.
I also find my camera shows mauve/purple as a blue colour.

Girgarre Market...

2010-01-11T12:33:00.003+11:00

...was very hot. Although the Moosic Muster was on the buyers were not there.

Never mind, a day out, would have been stifling in the house. Too hot for the pool, but the spa was nice later on with a beer, not my traditional wine.

This photo was taken after it rained sometime ago. The canvas roof had an accident and has had to be replaced with some shadecloth in 4 triangle shapes. Not very successful but will suffice.

Amelia's Quilt progress...

2010-01-11T12:22:00.002+11:00

Just a little update to say Amelia's quilt is progressing.

So am adding photos of blocks ready to join.

Felting for the Market...

2010-01-09T14:15:00.003+11:00

While Leigh was taking his son visiting family before his trip overseas to work as a teacher in Europe, I was able to get some felting done for the Market this Sunday at Girgarre. It is also going to be very HOT!!!!

Gardening progress....

2010-01-06T10:32:00.002+11:00

Last year gardening was put on the back burner a bit, so a non-producing,weedfilled garden was all there was. It has made me very distraught as I had such plans. Anyway some effort has put gardening back on the agenda, as has been previously blogged. Some production is occurring, and some weeding is being attempted. Due to a persistent back problem (spondylolithesis, grade 2)and many visits to the Chiro, it will take me quite a while. (It is also not very good for my crafting either, but we won't go there.)
So some photos of growing.....

....peanuts
.....tomatoes
....

Christmas time...

2009-12-27T15:07:00.002+11:00

...is definitely for the young.
Trying to decide how to best catch up with my children and grandchildren is now proving difficult with extensions to the family.
First stop this year at my oldest daughter's house to exchange presents. My middle daughter and her partner then dropped in as they were getting a ride to my mother's house where Christmas lunch was to be this year with 23 adults, and 4 greatgrandchilren (not the usual 38 plus).
Then go to my youngest daughter's unit to exchange presents, put the baby seat in the car, with 1 year old Mackenzie. Also travelling with us is my patner's widowed elderly mother.
I think my youngest sister had the right idea this year, as her son was working in the afternoon, they had lunch with him and his little family and had a lovely private time.
We all like to catch with our immediate family, but now with our own granchildren coming,all things must change.
I found that I could not have enough private time with my girls, their partners, and now the little ones. I could not get any family photos.
Am I being selfish? No, I don't think so! Reorganization will be on the agenda next year so we all get to see everyone.

Hmmm....

2009-12-12T11:43:00.004+11:00

My recent dyeing activity was more than a couple of weeks ago so thought I would post photos

here

I have a market at Girgarre tomorrow, but as it is Christmas and summer, will probably just be entertaining with the Spinning Wheel.
I have felted some soaps to see if they will be attractive and a couple of totes just to be finished off.

Not enough hours in the day....

2009-12-10T00:15:00.005+11:00

The last fortnight has gotten on top of me.. no time for blogging, have worked longer some days.

And also needed to help my daughter with the new baby.

Christmas is coming up and still a lot of things to do.

I have managed to do a bit more gardening so that becomes satisfying. The vegies seem to be going well, so far.

Here are some pictures of my recent dyeing and wool blending...

before blendingfinished skein

Gardening and other things....

2009-11-16T10:14:00.003+11:00

Although the weather conditions continued to be in high 30's I manged to pop in some more tomatoes. Something is trying to pick at new leaves, just leaving holes (I have put Defender down). Anyway the peanuts are still growing and zucchini seeds have popped. continue to keep on top of the watering. Have to keep the S & D tanks filled from the spur channel (that's Leigh's job).

The Aged Care Hostel where I am currently working 3 days a week at had their annual fete yesterday. I was the Spinning display, so all my wool was out, plus my scarves, beanies etc.
My best sellers of the day were 2 Christmas Tablerunners and 2 quilted totes, so am happy they sold. Now have to cracking for the Girgarre Dec market to make a couple more for display. Need to do so much work, not enough hours.

I received a phone call this morning from an Alpaca farmer in the area who wants her fleeces spun, so more work coming that way. We had a brief discussion a couple of months ago when we were at Mandie Chandler's (EGMTK) Spinning night at Tongala.

Have to get organised again and put more photos up. I have some natural coloured wool yarn from the Goldfields Mohair Farm that I have dyed, and I think my colours have turned out well.

Gardening...

2009-11-09T13:57:00.003+11:00

Gardening hasn't featured much in my life for a while. Very depressing going outside looking at the extremely dry grass and the huge collections of weeds in every garden bed you can find. So, I have made a decision to only do bits at a time so it is not so daunting.
Today, just cleared some top grass around the manderin tree in the veg patch, planted some zucchini seeds, two tomato plants from their pots, and some peanut plants which have grown in their pots(hope these can be successful).
This small area is easy enough to water with the hose in the mornings.
It still continues to be hot here, with temperatures in the mid 30's.
What will our summer here be like, I dresd to think?

Girgarre market yesterday was quite warm with a reasonable crowd attending, but not many buyers. Woolly things do not figure much at this time of year, but as it is in our local area, I still attend. Some nice lady may like to start knitting for next year.

Dyeing, then relaxing before a 21st tonight..

2009-10-31T15:30:00.003+11:00

Wasn't quite sure what was going to happen today..temperature going to be in high 30's.
First up definitely feed the sheep who already didn't like the heat (8.30am), then get some hoses going to water as much as possible. Thank God for poly-pipe, mine have holes drilled at regular intervals, but the earwigs usually end up at the end section making it very hard for that last little tree. Then some hand watering for non poly area.
Inside at 10.30am, having a drink and reading the current Wheel magazine. An article about overdying. Decision made - I have some light brown yarn from the Mohair farm, so into the dyepot it goes. Will take photo later.
I have 5 skeins of white handspun so after lunch they are in the pot.
Tonight heading off to Echuca for my niece's 21st.

2009-10-26T17:09:00.000+11:00

Cobweb Scarf...

2009-10-26T17:02:00.000+11:00

Nuno felted on organza...

Felting all weekend...

2009-10-26T16:49:00.004+11:00

While my partner has been away this last weekend doing his VJMC rally at Healesville, I was able to indulge myself without having to pack things away or get meals at specific times. (I did tell him I still missed him.)

I was able to do lots of felting...

Alpaca base covered with dyed Merino to be used as Table center or I may cut it for Coaster and a Trivet?

Small bag to be finished,which I started at a workshop last weekend, and an alpaca base covered with silk from a batt to be made int a bag.

Early arrival....

2009-10-20T19:56:00.004+11:00

This past fortnight has been very busy. I visit my expectant daughter one day and the next day - a phone call - Amelia Jane arrived following emergency caesarean section at 11.15am on Thursday 8th October, weighing in at 5lb 10oz.

The next Saturday was a 60th birthday up in the North East, and we had a lovely time at he Stag Restaurant at Eurobin.

My sister's 50th birthday is the following week and I spend most of that time working on her quilt as well as drive to Echuca for mother and daughter visits.

Another sister who lives in Sydney was also coming down for the weekend so I thought I would work on her grandson's cot quilt (he was born early in the year).

Well I finished them both ....