Happy New Year....

.....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....

...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.

Big Weekend...

...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...

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..

.......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....

...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...

...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....

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...

...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...

...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...

...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....

...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...

....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...

...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....

...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

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...

......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...

....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....

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...

...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...

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....

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...

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...

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.