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.

Hmmm....

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....

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....

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...

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..

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.

Cobweb Scarf...

Nuno felted on organza...

Felting all weekend...

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....

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 ....

Dyeing day photos

As promised photos of wool recently dyed...

Dyeing day.......

It's been a great day for wool dyeing. I have dyed one skein of handspun, and 5 skeins of North East Yarns vanilla cream into a mix of lovely colours. I will post here as soon as dry and rolled into balls.

I have now warped my knitter's loom with some Bendigo Wool white for a plain weave scarf.

I have actually stayed at home today and it is wonderful.

Follow up tonight with a wine in the spA.

Handspun....

There is no title for this colourway but I think it has spun up quite well. I am not sure who I bought it from.

Too busy.....

This last fortnight has been very busy. No time for blogging.

First my birthday spent working, but had a lovely lunch with my oldest and youngest daughters, my mother and youngest sister.

Flowers are always nice to get because they are still around for another week making the birthday seem longer.

My grandaughter also just had her 1st birthday, and she looked lovely. She has also been walking for the last month.

Quilting progress...

I thought I would never get ahead with these quilts but all is progressing. Baby quilt for my nephew is now a completed top.

I have also completed 15 x 12" blocks for my sister's quilt.

Time for crafting....

While the cat's away...Leigh has left for Qld to see his family, and I get to mind the fort. Of course, I have to go to work and look after the animals. The calf got a shock tonight as she has now gone on to one feed.
I left work tonight , picked up Chinese for tea. And now for the past couple of hours have been at the sewing machine sewing quilts. My quilting fix has been poor due to my wool fix, but production is on the way and I have 2 baby quilts and a queen size quilt to do before middle of October. Wish me luck!!
I'll post photos as soon as I can.

The dishes are still on the sink.....

Babysitting...

Not a lot has been happening over the last weekend as I babysat my 11 mth old granddaughter, and she is walking everywhere. A little spinning, and knitting only happened when she was asleep.

Windy day...

A bit of a slack day catching up with the vacuuming (did I say slack)....
I have washed 7 skeins of alpaca and wool taday, hoping it will dry on the clothesline in the wind. I have been contract spinning some alpaca for an acquaintance from the North East. So far I have spun 8 skeins of this lovely brown of unknown weight. It seems to be a strong fleece so I hope she will be happy with it.

Saturday was another day for spinning and knitting. Sunday grocery shopping then off to Spotlight to buy material for quilts.

I have begun a cotquilt for my nephew's baby boy in Sydney (born earlier this year), then one for my sister's 50th birthday in October, followed by one for my 30 year old daughter who is expecting a baby in October.

Who said life was easy..

Market pictures

Finally played with the camera tidying up the pictures, so have pictures of Nagambie and Girgarre markets - well, only my stall...

Quiet weekend with some rain...

Lovely weekend with some relaxing moments (including sharing a bottle of wine or two with my partner, Leigh). Unfortunately the outdoor spa has sprung a leak and cannot be used at present ( we only have tank water to fill it with).

Lunch with 2 of my daughters and my grandchild in Echuca on Sunday.

Lots of wool play. I have been using my Picker on wool that I have dyed and now looks like colour clouds awaiting carding and blending.

It will be my first try with blending different colours so hope it works out.

We also had some rain on Sunday ...5.1mm. Better than nothing.

Girgarre Market....BRRRRR...

Today was the Girgarre Market, and it was freezing! I don't think the temperature changed at all, even though the sun tried several times to pop in. I think most people decided to stay in bed as market was a bit slower today. Some sales were made, so it wasn't all bad. Also I find it a very social event. It is one way to say hello to friends or workmates that you don't always see on a social footing.
I'll post some photos in a couple days.

Nagambie Market....

After spending a sleepless night for some unknown reason, we were up early (5.40am) to get ready to go to Nagambie. First, coffee and light breakfast (save up for egg & bacon roll), then feed sheep and calf.
No fog, no rain today, but very cold coming off the Lake.
Not a lot of people around, but a few of my regular customerss turned up and persuaded themselves to buy more of my yarn. (I promise I did not threaten them in any way.)
It is a pleasure to have returning customers, and one new customer.

Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show....

This is one show I cannot miss..

Had to have my shopping fix, as well as help man the North East Yarns stall.

I travelled up and back the Saturday and Sunday, as I was working the Friday.

Caught up with my shearer nephew and my Merino breeder brother. He can't understand why I have coloured sheep!!!

Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show

Big day tomorrow. Off early to Bendigo to help man the North East Yarns stall, of which I am a member.
Have to pull out a few things from my stall boxes to take with me.
I'll post a sample. Hope it works.

Work....less craft

Had to work today, but managed to finish plying some Alpaca that is part of my contract spinning that I am doing for an acquaintance.
I now should be putting up the hems of my partner's jeans that have been sitting around for too long (well, he left them in a plastic bag on the floor of the bedroom so I forgot they were there), but I am very tempted to sit at a spinning wheel. Although I could still continue to knit a scarf for the North East Yarns stall at the Bendigo Wool Show at the weekend.
Hmmmm....

Rainy start...

Up a little bit later today following an earlier start for the Girgarre Market yesterday. Today started with a shower then raining more just as we go to feed my coloured sheep and the cows and calves. Stayed sitting on the tractor so the seat would stay dry.
Have spent some of this day carding some more wool, cutting more material for our mystery quilt, and some spinning.
Plus setting up this blog (finally).