It has been a while...

...but I am still here. One wonders how much a person can do in this world of technology.
This year has been hugely busy. Building up stock levels of garments and accessories to sell at the markets, creating an online presence, spinning and dyeing yarns. And attend markets, events and keep and eye on family issues. At present parents are becoming older with the inherent medical issues that come with that.
In the meantime I have been planning a visit to the US particularly to visit my daughter in Dallas, Texas and include visits with woolly friends, plus a tour. And this is happening soon. I leave September 26 and return October 24.
To ensure you see what I am up to follow me on Facebook
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This week is busy but..

...not with crafting.
Tired after 2 markets, with the Sunday being a very long day starting at 4am and getting home at 6pm.
I have been spinning, and have started a beret combining commercial and handspun yarns.
In the meantime, I have 2 trips to Shepparton for Leigh's eye appointments to laser seal the detaching retina which was separating in 6 places. Nasty!
Also, a trip to Echuca to take some dyes to a customer, get a little shopping for my daughter whose youngest child who has been very ill with a chest infection this past week. Then visit my parents and see how my father is faring after his bout with pneumonia.
Whew! I look forward to next week with a trip to see Miss Fisher's fashion garments at Ripponlea on Wednesday, and my birthday on Tuesday.
Girgarre market is on this Sunday so hopefully get a few more items ready over the next couple of days.

How does one keep up...

..with life changes.
I have been adding some yarn to the website, but more yarn and wool tops still to be added. My machine knitting is progressing, but I still need to do handknitting projects.
Felting, what can I say, this has been very slow and need to get some more items done.
Farm projects: the dairy is finally ready and leigh has been improving fencing for the milkers. some beef heifers will be going to the market tomorrow, there is definitely no room for them here, now.

My oldest daughter who is 6 and 1/2 months pregnant had the biggest scare of her life, when her partner picked up their daughter from daycare to go for a drive, and was involved in a serious car accident. Amelia was extremely lucky with no injuries, and her car seat strapped into the middle of the back seat of the car. Shane received multiple facial bone and jaw fractures and was transferred to the Alfred hospital where reconstructed the smashed bones, etc. The wonders of modern surgery and they are bringing him home today. Will save on travel, and much nicer to be at home. Just will have to go back for specialist appointments.

Winding down for Christmas...

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.

Merry Christmas....

...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...

....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.

Emotions....

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.

More busy days ahead...

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.

Happy Easter....

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.

Christmas time...

...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.

Dyeing, then relaxing before a 21st tonight..

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.

Early arrival....

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 ....