OK here goes...

It, by no means has been quiet here. In fact , quite busy but have been neglecting this blog quite badly.

The new Studio and shed complex is up and running.
I have been to France for the Coloured Sheep Congress and post-congress tour.
Attended the Echuca Steam Rally.
Prepared for and attended the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.
And kept going with my regular 3 markets per month.

So will pop a few pics on and see how it loos for me.
I think I need a reminder to tell me when to post!!!

Shedding and Studio area are now completed...

...and I can really get down to business. Everything is now in its place. So I will be able to pick which knitting machine to use, or work on the carders.

Some building photos. The total shedding measures 17metres x 7 metres, and is divided into 3 parts.
This explains why there is less internet activity here on my part.
Next project is I am heading to the Coloured Sheep Congress and I leave next Thursday 15th May. A little holiday for me before the Echuca Steam Rally in June, and the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show in July.

some photos...

..of new machine knits I have created.
I have a 3ply yarn that we the North East Yarns had spun from our sheep fleeces. So now I am working on a few simple designs to show off the yarn. I have purchased DAK8 an hope to get some designs out there in the form of garments. A work in progress as I learn the designer program.

A simple non closing cardigan.

Jacket with diagonal fronts

scooped neck jumper with eyelets.

 

Mini Poncho in Bendigo Wool 3ply.

And some recent wool tops dyed for the markets(some available from NEY or Glenrowan 10 to 4 Gallery).

Here we are in March...

...and hopefully, now the summer heat is getting behind us, the markets will improve.
There was a good crowd at Nagambie Lakes Community market last Saturday 1st March with new visitors which be a boon to the market, and a few sales started the month off well.
Yesterday was the Girgarre Market, which is a Bake it, Grow it, Make it market, and although visitors were down, the sales were reasonable.
I have had to recharge the battery on the camera, so will post pics asap. I have begun to think about more machine knits, and of course, spinning is always on the go.
So this post is a little teaser to get you to come back and visit.

It's time to get...

...re-organised.
Last year became really busy with our farm selling early December and settlement early January.
Sheep were taken by another farmer so did not have to go to market. will always be able to get fleeces.
Learning more about machine knitting and hope to work on garments and accessories using my own handspun yarns.
We have moved to the town and are now awaiting permits for the new shedding. We have 2 storage sheds full of "stuff" which have to be resorted into new shedding..(his, hers and ours).
In the meantime, the house is full of clean and dirty fleeces, dyed fleeces and undyed tops, fine wool yarn for machine knitting and, of course all my market gear and stock.
I am now managing to get a small amount of work done. h2 wheels working, and only one knitting machine up but thee carders are ready to go.
And I hope to get this blog going better!!

The Girgarre Market is on tomorrow and it is going to be hot, but there are some shady trees to stand under.

Approaching summer...

...I have purchased 4 ply cotton yarn in several colours from the Bendigo Woollen Mills for machine knitting. And have completed a few Vest/Wraps on the Empisal machine using the lace maker.

  Daffodil

  

And here is a full Lace Cardigan in Red.

This one is Orange and is Pure Wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills.

 

This is in a Natural Grey 3 ply from our sheep. This vest is more plain without any lace but similar to a mock rib with needles out of work. Very light so suitable for summer wear as well.

 

 

Recently we had an agreed sale with our farm but unfortunately that fell through after they were not able to get their full finance. We had destocked our cattle, so still have my sheep. We missed out on a smaller property as this purchase had to be cancelled. So feeling a bit raw after all these disappointments.

 

But my studio work continues while another farmer looks to see if he can get finance to purchase as his property backs on to ours.

 

Spinning a Chocolate coloured fleece at the moment and am trying to get some mixed colour blends done as well. 

Elmore Field Days..

..will be my next big event of 3 days in the General Interest shed.
This will be interesting as it is my first time here, so not sure how it will go. But it is all good, as I consider it to b an advertising tool.
Have been dyeing wool tops in single colours and have some dyed mohair curls on offer as well as my general hand spun yarns, hand dyed yarns, and various clothing items.
working on some summer cotton garments so not very many at the moment.
Here are some photos of items that will be for sale.