Busy times...

The last few months have been really busy, and not only with woolcraft.
Late September and October I took a trip to the USA, where I first caught up with a friend in Vacaville, North California. It was about sheep and wool. Jacalyn introduced me to some of her friends in the Fibershed group and I purchased some lovely dyed Wensleydale locks and a little (pin)
cushion from weaving offcuts. Lovely group of people. I purchased yarn and some cotton material from the lovely shops in Winters. More new friends for me.
Jacalyn showed me her huge carder that she makes such wonderful batts from, using fleeces from her own sheep. And then she puts it through her Felt Loom (needle) machine. Wonderful.
My net visit was with my daughter and son in law in Dallas, Texas, where I spent a whole week. Rebecca and Matt took me to visit several places when they weren't working. And I took some museum tours. Ate lots of food.
My next journey took me to New York to start a 2 week tour through the east coast and into Canada and back into the US through Pennsylvania, Washington, Philadelphia, and finishing up in NY. A wow of a trip. I still need to organise my photos and details so this is a brief story.
Next was a trip on Amtrak from Penn station to Rhinebeck to meet up with Marie Minnich who was showing her CVM Romeldaye sheep at Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival. I stayed for 2 nights and one whole day at the Festival. Oh boy, those crowds, and those stalls full of fibre and yarn and lots other things. And, yes, I did buy yarn and fibre. I had a lovely time dining out with Marie and her friends.
So I, now, have new friends in California and Pennsylvania.
So, leaving Sunday morning, I caught 3 trains before catching 3 planes back to Australia.

And, no time to slow down after getting back home, I had to start preparing for a trip to the Gold Coast in Queensland for Leigh's son's wedding. All went well and it was a great time.
Next came Christmas lunches, luckily I only have 2. Hopefully now I can slow down from travelling and get some work done.
Uh oh forgot some medical appointments coming up and Nursing home visits to my father. Then Christmas and family time.

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
www.facebook.com/collarn

There is never enough time to post everything,

..so here goes.
As well as family commitments I have been working hard.
Machine knit jumpers. Trying to get enough beanies and mitts for the markets, as well as handspinning yarns.

Big weekend with the Rushworth Easter Saturday Festival Market, followed by the regular Mooroopna Farmer's and Craft Market on Sunday.
the following Saturday April 22nd, is our annual Wangaratta Wool day at Milawa. so have started dyeing more wool tops. Not sure how much time to wind off and dye more yarn.

Busy times ahead..

I have started back at the markets. Played with a new cardigan design, simply styled with tapered sides, and a diagonal front.

 

I have all my regular products, and another cardigan in Charcoal. And I have been learning more about the DesignaKnit program from a group on Facebook.

I have lots of new handspun yarns and handdyed wool tops.

Girgarre market is on Sunday and then next Friday is the Seymour Alternative Farm Expo.



 

 



 

 

Gosh it has been awhile...

..but we have had Christmas and New Year family catchups.
Now January is for working to stock up for the markets.
Wool yarns and dyed tops have been hot on the agenda. And a new style cardigan is underway. On top of that my standard stocks need replacing. So see you soon...