Red Back Spider Discovered

I was spreading mulch (by hand - no gloves) when I came across one of Australia's most dangerous spiders - the Red Back Spider. She was feeding on the green praying mantis (to the left of the photo).

The female Red Back Spider has the red stripe down her back and can live for 2-3 years. The male is much smaller, no red mark on his back and only lives 7-8 months.

The bite is highly venomous and characterised by intense localised pain and around the bite site. Other symptoms may include sweating, muscular weakness, loss of co-ordination and, in severe cases nausea, vomiting, convulsions, etc.

Saturday Sky

Four seasons in one day ..... this time last week we were sweltering on a sultry Saturday. Today we even had the heater on ...... don't forget we are having Summer!!! Today it was cold, windy, raining, sunny..... we had it all!!

This photo shows the figs on our self sown fig tree ... so who is going to get the figs first ...... us?? or the birds?? The birds probably will win !!!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY !!!

Creating and Spinning a Fibre Sandwich

Each year the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria conducts "Summer School" during January. This is two weeks of different workshops, not necessarily to do with spinning or weaving.

I was the tutor for a "Creative Carding and Spinning" workshop. My dear friend Ellen was my wonderful assistant.

We created a "Fibre Sandwich" in the morning. I lay a sheet down on the floor and we all proceeded to lay various fibres onto it. We used wool, mohair, alpaca, baby camel, flax, cotton, bombyx and tussah silk and glitz. Then I sprinkled cut up cotton threads on the top - they looked like sprinklers on top of a cake!!

After the "Sandwich" had been completed Ellen and I divided it into portions and we put them into brown paper bags. The bags were tossed around and then handed out to the students. I thought this was the fairest way to distribute the "Sandwich".

It was a very interesting session, with some students spinning worsted and some spinning woollen. Most of them pulled the fibre directly from the brown paper bag and spun as it came. To make the day easier, I supplied commercial thread to ply with.

Don't the skeins look yummy and good enough to eat!!! It was a fun morning and everyone enjoyed themselves.....

There is more to a fibre sandwich than just bread and filling !!!!!

Saturday Sky ... and it's raining !!

Can you believe this photo ..... the last week has been extremely hot, humid and so uncomfortable - yet today we had rain.... and at long last! The rains brought welcome relief to the bushfires in Victoria. They have been burning since 1 December and has burnt over 1,000,000 hectares of beautiful forest. Australia is experiencing severe drought conditions and here in Victoria our major drinking water reservoirs are very low. We can only water our gardens with a hose twice a week for two hours in the morning and two in the evening. I recycle my washing maching water into a wheelie bin and then bucket it out onto the garden.

Today Chloe (our Border Collie/Kelpie X dog) and I began dog obedience classes. I thought it was for deliquent dogs but it was for juvenile dogs (same thing??). Mind you Chloe is 18 months old now and the other dogs in our class were around 6-8 months old. I think Chloe thought she was "mother" to them and I felt like a grannie!!!

I was extremely pleased with her progress today, especially as the classes began last Saturday and we had to miss that class.

We will show them next week ..... just how clever she is !!!

The Crazy English Language

The undermentioned was taken from Briana's blog http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/knitteralaska.

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes;
but the plural of ox became oxen not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
yet the plural of moose should never be meese.

You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice;
yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.
If the plural of man is always called men,
why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?

If I spoke of my foot and show you my feet,
and I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
and the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
but though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
but imagine the feminine, she, shis and shim.

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.

There is no egg in eggplant,
nor ham in hamburger;
neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England.

We take English for granted.

But if we explore its paradoxes,
we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square
and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea, nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing,
grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends,
but not one amend?
If you have a bunch of odds and ends
and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught,
why didn't preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables,
what does a humanitarian eat?

Sometimes, I think all the folks who grew up speaking English should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.

In what other language do people recite at a play
and play at a recital?
Ship by truck and send cargo by ship?
Have noses that run and feet that smell?
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down;
in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which an alarm goes off by going on.

Saturday Sky

This beautiful pink shrub is an Oleaner Punctatum. When we were kids, these plants were in nearly every garden..... now it is unusual to see it anywhere .... maybe it might be due in part that all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous. This shrub is not in my garden but in the garden opposite our house. So I am fortunate to look out onto it and admire the lovely flowers.

A Sultry Saturday Sky

Today has been a very unpleasant day weatherwise. It has been extremely sultry, very hot and northerly winds. Where I live, a north wind is a hot wind .... great for drying clothes!

Although as I write this, there seems to be a change in the air. The wind is changing direction and it seems a little cooler outside.

Today I have done some drumcarding and spinning. It is too hot to knit, and especially too hot to do housework!!!! Anyway, there is always tomorrow for housework!!

Felted bag and Fudge

I have just finished another felted bag, using my handspun (mainly wool with some alpaca and mohair). After knitting the bag, I threw it into the washing machine with the towels/sheets and it felted quite nicely!!

I came across this yummy fudge recipe on http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/ blog.

I thought YUMMO, but when I looked at the recipe, I realised that it is one of my own favourite recipes!

One-Bowl Chocolate Fudge
16 oz. semisweet chocolate squares or chips
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cups chopped walnuts
Microwave chocolate and milk on high, 1-2 minutes, or until chocolate is almost melted. Stir half-way through heating time, taking care not to let the chocolate burn. Remove from microwave and stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add vanilla and walnuts. Spread into greased or parchment-lined 8” square pan. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm. Cut into squares.

Catching up with Photos ....

In Dec, I took part in the first Aussie Knitters Swap. My swap partner was Donna from the Blue Mountains. She sent a beautiful pale blue baby alpaca mobius which is so soft and wearable ..... in fact I can't wait until the winter to wear it!! She also sent a beautiful red candle, not only smelling devine but it lovely on my Christmas table.

Now I must tell you what happened when I received Donna's parcel. I was so excited that I wanted to let her know straight away that I had received it. She didn't forward an email or blog address ..... so I thought I was being clever when I looked at the Aussie Knitters database and sent an email expressing my delight and thanking her for her generosity. Can you imagine how I felt when I received a return email from Donna in NSW saying that the mobius sounded just devine but unfortunately SHE didn't send it ....... there must be two Donna P's in the Group !!!














SAMPLE OF FLEECES FROM COLORADO

Julia (my OSSPE Pal) sent me a lovely surprise package before Christmas. And indeed it was a lovely surprise.

She sent samples of Shetland, Wensleydale, Karakul and Teeswater/Wensleydale fleeces. These are types of sheep/fleeces which are unavailable in Australia. As a spinner it is really exciting to get these samples. Due to strict quarantine restrictions in Australia, they had been processed. I keep looking at them, just like a little kid in a toy shop! ....... and there was more ..... Julia sent packages of Koolaid and Great Value powder drink mix. These are wonderful for dyeing wool ....

Julia thank you for sending this lovely box of goodies. I had to smile though, on the outside of the box on the Custom's label, the koolaid/powdered drink packets had been circled in red!!! ???

New Blog Design

As it is the first day of 2007, I thought I would change the look of my blog. Why???? ...... knowing perfectly well that I was going to get into all sorts of bother !!!

Still I went ahead and did it ....... and yes, I did get into trouble ........ lots of it. I finally worked out how to post a "button" to the side. Now they are all uneven and the Saturday Sky ring is sitting next to and not underneath another button.

Still I perservered, didn't lose my cool (although I ate more chocolate than I should have!), and sort of accomplished what I set out to do. Tomorrow, I will have to get another site counter. It is always interesting to see where those people who look at my blog live.

I was about to go to bed ..... but thought, no Viv, you can get that site counter TONIGHT ..... and I did ..... !!!!!!!!! So now all that is left for tomorrow, is to work out how to re-arrange those buttons!!

SP9 December Parcel Contents

My SP9 Pal Sue has certainly spoilt me and I thank her so much for her generosity. After her being sprung leaving the package at the front door, I was eager to see what was in the box. I contained myself, and opened the box on Christmas morning.

Inside the box each item was individually wrapped. It was so exciting, I felt like a little kid opening Santa's presents. ('Cause I have been a good girl this year ..... I really have!!)

... and this is what was inside the parcels. A beautiful pair of handkitted sox, made from Knit Picks yarn. They are so lovely on my tooties!! ..... bring on winter !!!

There were 2 balls of Crystal Palace Yarns (Aran Print 100% wool) in a beautifyul mulberry/pale blue colour; two balls of Sugar and Cream Cotton (red/green/blue/dark cream in colour and the other one in greens/blue and mauve colourings; a face washer and Christmas talc..... yes there was even more ...... a lovely cream dishcloth/facecloth (it is far too nice to use on dishes!) AND a delicious Glace Christmas Fruit cake (yummo!). There was a lovely handmade Christmas card with all of this ..... I wonder if Sue made it? Thankyou Sue for my goodies, you really are a generous SP9 Pal.

The Last Saturday Sky for 2006

Today is the last day of 2006. Hasn't the time just flown by? As we get older, the years seem to slip away so quickly.

I sincerely hope that 2006 will be a much happier year world-wide ..... no wars, no droughts or floods, no hunger, no povety ..... who am I trying to kid!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS ..........

My SP9 Pal was SPRUNG !!!!

Last month, my SP9 Pal who lives in Dandenong delivered my exchange parcel ...... today she did the same thing ...... except this time Sue was SPRUNG!!!

I was walking through the loungeroom when I saw someone walking up to the front door ..... and oh boy, was she looking guilty! I realised that it was Sue my SP9 Pal delivering my December parcel. Would I let her get away with it, or would I say something ....... oh well IT IS a secret exchange, and secrets are made to be broken.! So I called out "SPRUNG" and invited Sue for a cuppa. We chatted for about 2 hours, as though we have known one another for years but haven't seen one another for a long time.

Ern took the photo of us .... (the 2 guilty SP9 pals who have been sprung)........ Sorry Sue, I should have had your parcel in my hands ...... instead it is under my Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas Eve ...... hope everyone has a lovely Christmas Day .......

A Xmas Saturday Sky

Happy festive season to everyone who reads my blog ...... and even to those who don't read it !!!

After weeks of abnormally high temperatures for this time of the year, it is quite cool today. We even had some rain last night, which was a welcomed relief. The rain has brought some relief for the terrible bushfires that are still burning in our country.

I have 4 metres of mulch to spread ..... today looks as though it is going to be a good day to do it. It has to be done because we still have months of hot weather to come.

My Christmas shopping has been done ..... food, presents, presents and presents ...... is there anything else?

A lovely thing happened during the week. I set up a webcam on my mum's computer but it wouldn't work. My sister Lyndy fixed it and there we were having a lovely time on the computer seeing one another. Whilst this was going on, I had a parcel delivered. It was my Christmas present from my sister ..... so I was able to open it (only the envelope ..... not the contents) and she was able to see me doing this. I felt she was actually in the room with me. What a wonderful invention.

Spin to Knit a Saturday Sky

4 metres of Euc mulch (!!) has been delivered and is now ready for us to spread on the garden. Euc mulch is finely ground eucalyptus. It has a beautiful smell when it is wet ..... and that is the reason why we got it. We are in drought conditions and can only water the garden every second day. We would just love to have some rain.

The terrible bush fires are still burning - 42 homes have been razed to the ground. I do feel so sorry for them - the week before Christmas. As can be seen in this photo the sky in Melbourne is blue ........ no smoke haze ...... still be have our home !!!

Spin to Knit Exchange
This morning I received the details of my Pal in the first-ever Spin to Knit Handspun Secret Pals Swap organized by Interweave Press. Her name is Elizabeth and lives in the USA. I thoroughly enjoy these swaps .....

The Malawi Project

This photo of jumpers was taken from the web www.aids.net.au For more information go to this site and follow the link to "The Malawi Project" then Knitting for African AIDS Orphans.

The Members of the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Vic have rallied and have been busily knitting these jumpers. Even my mum has knitted quite a few.

The jumper pattern is very easy and the one size will fit different age groups, as there is quite a bit of give in the pattern.

Here is the pattern for the Aids BabyJumpers :-

Knitted all in one - double knit wool is ideal (8ply)
Size 5mm needles (tight knitters)
Size 4.5mm needles (loose knitters)

Cast 44 stitches
Work 18 rows in K2, P2 rib
Work 30 rows stocking stitch
Cast on 12 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows,
at same time change to K2, P2 (for sleeve)
Rib 22 more rows
Next row: Rib 21, cast off 26 stitches, Rib 21
Next row: Rib 21, cast on 26 stitches, Rib 21
Work 22 rows in K2 P2 rib
Cast off 12 stitches at beginning of the next two rows
Work 30 rows stocking stitch
Work 18 rows K2 P2 rib
Cast off

Please stick to pattern ‑ This has proven to work well.

Stripes and bright colours are fine.

A big thank you from the tiny babies of Africa.

Saturday Sky

What a hot day it was today ... and so appressive! It has been an extremely busy week for me and I am looking forward to Sunday to just sit and do nothing. This photo was taken from my sister's house in Wangaratta.

Last Saturday, Sunday and Monday I went into the Guild for the Certificate Spinning Assessements. The students' work was mindboggling ..... and this is their first year. The assessing was time consuming but well worthwhile just to see their achievements. I am very proud of them.

On Tuesday I went to Wangaratta to visit my mum. My sister and her family also live there. I was there until Friday lunch when I came home. There are terrible bush fires around them and in other parts of Victoria. The smoke was so thick, it actually looked like a pea souper fog. The next few days will be quite a worry for the fire-fighters. We desperately need the rain - not the 39-41C days with the north winds.

Today (an extremely hot Saturday) it was on the 7.30 bus/train/tram into the Guild for the last meeting of the year. The Certificate Weaving students graduated from their 2 year course. These students produced such beautiful work. I don't weave, but I certainly appreciate the work that they put into their pieces.

Saturday Sky

This is the dome of Flinders Street Railway Station in Melbourne. Isn't it just beautiful? The photo was taken at 8.45am on my way the Handweavers and Spinners Guild.

Today the 2006 Certificate Spinning Course students handed in their work. The assessments began later in the morning of flax and cotton. What stunning work!! Some of the students have only been spinning for 1 year. Of course, as the Teaching Convenor I must say that our Tutors were excellent ...... and of course the students were brilliant!! I am very proud of all the students and what they have achieved this year.

They have another year to complete the Course. Judging by the standard of the work here today, at the end of 2007 the students will all have exceptional talents in a wide field of spinning techniques.

Tomorrow (Sunday) I go in again for the assessing of worsted, woollen, silk and other protein fibres. It will be a long and rewarding day, but one that will not be rushed. The students deserve our time and attention to their folios and samples.

A Hat or two ......

These are two hats that I have just finished knitting for the homeless at St Mary's House of Welcome in Melbourne. I do quite a few hats and scarves over the year for them and also for a women's refuge that I support.

The blue hat was knitted in 2ply handspun, using white merino tops and then dyed. This hat has a garter stitch border at the bottom.

The multi coloured hat was knitted in 1 ply handspun merino tops which had been randomly dyed. Note the slant in the body of the hat ....... this is because I knitted the hat before I washed the handspun single .... this is called an "energised single". This hat was knitted on a circular needle and has a turned up brim.