SP10 May/June Parcel Arrived

Today a parcel arrived from Kristeen, my SP10 Pal. Once again it had been opened by Australian Quarantine. Several parcels had been unwrapped, then rewrapped but nothing had been removed.




Kristeen had included in the one parcel my May and June gifts.

Kristeen you have spoilt me again this month. You have been so generous and thoughtful in your gifts.

Kristeen lives in Windsor Canada and she sent me:-

• Canadian flag
• Canadian carry bag (for all my lovely goodies)
• Canadian notebook
• Fibre Trends Pattern (Everone's Favourite Hat & Scarf) ....and .....
• Knit Picks skein (Bare) - it is just so soft
• 2 balls of blue Cotton Ease
• 2 balls of Bernat Ultrasoft Cotton (mauve/aqua)
• a jumper keyring
• 5 very cute sheep buttons
• sheep magnet
• 2 lovely soft sheep (Ebony has a lovely black face and Ivory has a pink face)......and .....
• 8 pkts of Koolaid (will be used for dyeing not eating!!)
• block of "stickies" in the shape of a V
• 2 tubes of hand lotion - Mango mandarin and Cherry blossom (and they smell absolutely devine)

There were also some yummies .....

• 2 Pkts Smarties (who can only eat one smartie and leave the rest until later?)
• 2 Aero bars
• 2 Caramilk chocolate bars.........and ..... I think this may have been for Chloe .....
• a box of very cute Twisted whiskers blank cards

Kristeen, thankyou very much for everything. As you said in your card, buying for someone you don't know can be difficult and fun at the same time. Well, all I can say is that you make a wonderful swap partner .... and thankyou very much.

SP10 Contents

This is the lovely card that Kristeen, my SP10 pal sent in her April parcel to me. It is just so cute .............

Now keep on reading .........

This is how my SP10 swap parcel arrived.

My swap partner, Kristeen, sent the parcel early April and I received it today.

The parcel had been opened by Australia Post for inspection by Australian Quarantine because the screeening process, which uses detector dogs and X-ray machines indicated that there may have been an item of quarantine concern in the parcel. A leaflet was added to my parcel stating that upon inspection, everything met quarantine conditions. The offending item was a pump action hand cream. It was subsequently rewrapped and nothing was removed from the parcel.

Inside the parcel each individual item was wrapped in lovely new issue paper. The offending parcel is the one on the right.

Haven't I been spoilt?

My parcel consisted of:-

• 3 balls of Bamboozle yarn (55% bamboo, 24% cotton, 21% elastic nylon)


• 3 dishclothes she knitted from organic cotton. They are just so soft ... will be used as facewashers.


• 1 round pot scrubber (I think?? it is just too soft for the kitchen sink!!)


• Pkt of Canadian playing cards


• sheep stationery (ewe beaut!!)


• sheep shopping list (I won't be writing lamb chops on it !!)


• a magnetic Canadian Mountie (and he is so sexy)


• Pkt Werther's Original hard candies ..... yummo


• 2 Nestle coffee crisps ..... who cares about dieting when you have something like this to eat !!!!!!!!!


• some Lindt chocolate sheep - it would be tooooo cruel to eat them !!!

AND ......... the offending hand soap (along with the Australian Quarantine leaflet)!!!

THANKYOU KRISTEEN ...... THANKYOU KRISTEEN ..... THANKYOU KRISTEEN .....

SP10 PARCEL RECEIVED

Hi World ......
Just wanted to let the World know that I have received my SP10 April parcel this morning (9am). I haven't even opened it yet ... I have sent an email to Kristeen thanking her for the parcel. It had been opened by Australian Quarantine but they said nothing had been removed.
NOW I am going to go and open it ............

Mystery Skein Swap Parcel Finally Received

This Saturday morning sky photo was taken Saturday morning when I was heading towards the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria for a dyeing (colouring day). The photo shows Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance in the background and one of our trams in the forground.

I still have a lot more to write about ..... but a Sunday roast needs to dished up.....

It has been quite an eventful week. On Monday I went to Wangaratta to visit my mum who was not well. She has had xrays and tests and gets the results back this coming week. So I hope everything will be Ok. It was good to catch up with my mum and also my sister and her family. Life is so precious, so we have to make the most of it.

I received a swap parcel .... this one was one that I didn't expect to receive. I participated in the Mystery Skein Swap which began in January. You were to send 100gm of yarn (wool, acrylic, whatever) to your swap partner and they in turn sent you 100gm of yarn. Then we were to knit something with that fibre and send it back to them. I received my swap yarn and promptly knitted a really long sideways scarf and sent it back to Paula in Mitchigan. I sent my lovely soft black yarn to Paula wondering what she was going to do with it.

So I waited and waited ..... to be fair, Paula did have back surgery during the swap period. The Mystery Skein Swap Yahoo group was very interesting - there was a fair bit of flaming and allegations of thieving. Abruptly the Yahoo group finished and that was the end of the swap ... people were left without addresses and without receiving their swap parcels. I had thought I was not going to receive my parcel ..... and then it arrived ..... a scarf and some note pads and pens. It was such a lovely surprise. Thankyou so much Paula for sending it.

So maybe I will still receive my SP10 Swap parcels. My swap partner has emailed that the first parcel had been sent ..... in April. Oh well, time will tell if I receive it and the one for May/June.
And in case you are wondering yes, I did send my SP10 parcels to Chooi wah in KL Malaysia!!

Will I participate in the next SP ??? Don't know .... will wait and see .........

The First Week of Winter

Saturday looked as though it was going to be stormy. But no rain. Chloe completed her "Juvenile - Advanced" dog obedience class and was awarded her certificate. We, the dog handlers didn't receive a Certificate ...... !! sob sob

It has been a busy week. On Monday I went along to a bead jewellery class and made a lovely handbag charm.

Wednesday I went into the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria. The Bendigo Spinning group came to visit our rooms. I had a table of different bombyx and tussah silk products .... you name it, and I think I have it! There were also silk skeins and some completed silk items.

The Bendigo group wanted me to show them how to do a 'Fibre Sandwich". They brought along 50gm of fibre and with the fibre that I provided we created a sandwich. We layered the different fibres and after we divided the sandwich, portions were placed in paperbags and distributed to the participants. We had a lot of fun and the ladies enjoyed themselves.

Doctor's appointment on Thursday - got the results of a bowel cancer test - negative !! hooray !!

On Friday it was back into the Guild rooms. I was on office duty. It was also Joybelle's day where Jan showed us how to knit with wire, fancy yarn and beads. We were suppose to make a braclet but I didn't like mine and redid it when I got home. However, my braclet turned into a brooch!!

My SP10 Swap partner Chooi wah in Malaysia emailed me to say that she received her parcel. This was a 3 month swap, however, I sent her a parcel in April and then sent her a combined parcel for May and June. My own swap partner said she liked that idea and is doin the same for me.

On the knitting scene I have been knitting some scarves for KOGO "Knit One, Give One" charity. When you travel on public transport you seem to get a lot of knitting done.

Swaps

Saturday Sky
It was a beautiful day and it is hard to imagine that winter will be here next week.

The 2007 Certificate Spinning class was on today. The girls were having a dyeing day. As I was not required, I went to dog obedience class with Chloe (Ern came along to have a look and a laugh)! Chloe found it difficult to concentrate .... "now where is he" I could hear her say !!

SWAPS
In the past I have enjoyed participating in different swaps. This is something that we do because we enjoy it. Most times you receive your parcel from your swap partner and sometimes you don't !! That is the risk you take, especially when participating in an overseas swap.

Over the past few months I have participated in several swaps:-

Aussie Knitters "one skein and a choice of three"
I sent to Frances in Adelaide some dark blue fingerless gloves, handspun wool and a lovely (well I thought so) knitting book.

Last week I received my parcel from Brigite in Townsville. She sent a lovely beanie, but not just a beanie! It was made from using 2 yarns together of Patons Jet (30% alpaca 70% wool) and Moda Vera Butterfly (nylon, merino wool and acrylic). It really is beautiful. Brigite also sent a lovely pair of gloves made from some of the leftover Jet, a baby knitting pattern book and 3 cakes of beautiful handmade soap that she made herself. Brigite is a very talented lady. I will definitely be wearing the beanie and gloves when I travel by public transport into the city this winter.


SP10 Swap
This is a current Swap. I am sending to Chooi wah in Malaysia. I sent her a parcel in April. Apart from handspun wool and aussie souveniers, I also included a felting book and some beautiful handpainted commercial tops which Chooi wah could use to felt. She said that she was pleased with what was sent. Last week, I sent her a parcel which included her May and June gifts (well, it is nearly June!!). I hope she likes the contents of them.

My secret SP10 pal has emailed me saying that my April parcel is on its way, and perhaps it would have been quicker for her to travel and personally deliver it rather than sending it. Well that's snail mail for you .......

One Skein Swap
This was a very interesting swap in April. We had to raid our stash and exchange 100gm of fibre (it could have been anything ..... acrylic, wool etc etc). With the acrylic fibre I received I knitted a LONG LONG sidesway scarf.

I sent my oh so soft fibre to Mitchigan, but as yet I haven't received it back knitted into something really exciting.

Towards the end of the swap there was a lot of flaming on the yahoo group and it was becoming quite unpleasant. Then the yahoo group abruptly ceased.

In General About Swaps
As I said, sometimes you receive and sometimes you don't. But never be disheartened and say that you will never participate again. In future I will gladly participate in swaps. These are friends that we are yet to meet via a swap.

Natural Highs

Maureen from the 2007 Certificate Spinning Class sent this to me. Think about them one at a time before going on to the next one. It Really Does Make You Feel Good!

1. Falling in love

2. Laughing so hard your face hurts

3. A hot shower

4. No lines at the supermarket

5. A special glance

6. Getting mail

7. Taking a drive on a pretty road

8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio

9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside

10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer

11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry)

12. A bubble bath

13. Giggling

14. A good conversation

15 The beach

16. Finding a 20 dollar note in your coat from last winter

17. Laughing at yourself

18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you

19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours

20. Running through sprinklers

21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all

22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful

23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS

25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you

26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep

27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner)

28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones

29. Playing with a new puppy

30. Having someone play with your hair

31. Sweet dreams
32. Hot chocolate

33. Road trips with friends

34. Swinging on swings

35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger

36. Making chocolate chip cookies

37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies

38 Holding hands with someone you care about

39 Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change

40. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you

41. Watching the sunrise. (I like watching the sunset)

42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day

43. Knowing that somebody misses you

44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply

45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

"If you can no longer cling to the mountain, then celebrate the fall"

The Guild's AGM

This is a photo of our wisteria's autumn leaves and the pods. The sky is grey and we have had rain ..... lovely soaking rain. It is amazing how everything looks so green and alive after a good downpour.

Today was the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Vic Inc AGM. I couldn't go because Ern wasn't well and I didn't want to leave him on his own. Although I have enjoyed the role of Teaching Convenor, I decided not to stand for re-election. The Teaching Committee is like a well oiled machine and this made my position an easy one.

Saturday Sky 12 May

Our first fog for the season .... this photo was taken at 8.30am this morning. Chloe and I went to dog obedience class this afternoon and it was really quite warm - in fact it was a beautiful day once the fog had lifted. Yes, Chloe did well at school and yes, so did I !!!!!

This last week has been hectic - my Mum came down from Wangaratta and stayed for a few days. We were on the go most of the time. I think she went home to recover !!!!

The computer swallowed Grandma

I want to share this email, that a friend sent me ......

The computer swallowed Grandma.
Yes, honestly it's true.
She pressed "control" and "enter"
And disappeared from view.

It devoured her completely,
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus
Or eaten by a worm.

I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the internet.
But nothing did I find.

In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found "online",

So, if inside your "box",
My Grandma you should see
Please "Copy, Scan and Paste" her "
And send her back to me! '

Saturday Sky 5 May

I am actually posting my Saturday Sky photo on Saturday!!! With such a threatening sky you'd think that we would have such a wet day ...... but no ..... hopefully tonight it will rain!!

Last Saturday's Sky

To all those lovely people who read my blog I sincerely apologize for not being so chatty lately. I don't know why I haven't been posting. I have been feeling a fit down lately, however, today is a new day and I am back !!!!

This photo showed the medical helecopter hovering above our house. It stayed for quite some time and then flew away. No one in our neighbourhood knew why it was there. It certainly wasn't there for us.

So what have I been doing lately? Spinning, knitting ....... certainly not housework!!!

I participated in the Aussie Knitters Yahoo Group exchange, sending my package to Frances last Thursday. Frances has posted on their site that she has received it.

Last Thursday I also sent my April SP10 package to my secret pal in Malaysia. I hope she will like what I sent her. Her May parcel will be sent probably next week.

Ahhhhh, I am feeling better now that I have posted something to my blog. Perhaps I was just suffering blogging withdrawal symptoms !!!

ANZAC DAY

ANZAC was the name given to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 April 1915 during the First World War (1914-1918). (Ern's father was one of these soldiers)

As a result, one day in the year has involved the whole of Australia in solemn ceremonies of remembrance, gratitude and national pride for all our men and women who have fought and died in all wars. That day is ANZAC Day -- 25 April.

Ern went to the local Croydon RSL Dawn Service which started at 5.45am. At the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne they had a crowd of around 35,000. Each year the crowds increase and the number of veterans decrease .......

Saturday Sky

WE HAD

RAIN

TODAY !!

A telescopic view of the birdie on the branch in the top photo.

A Dyeing Day

Saturday was not quite a typical Melbourne autumn day .... it was too warm! This photo was taken about 5.30pm and was showing some rain clouds.... we had a few spots and that was all. Oh when is it going to rain??? I decided to dye some fleece before it did rain.

The Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria will be conducting a workshop later this year. In preparation for it, some of the girls are dyeing English Leicester fleece. I chose to use Landscape dyes - Madder Orange; Tomato (red); Wattle (yellow) and Wattle sprinkled with Opal (lime green). I don't use precise measurements, just a couple of teaspoons of dye powder ..... ummmmm is that enough? oh well just a little bit more. The same with the vinegar I add to the water, a splosh or a splash ..... whatever comes out !!!! The colours speak for themselves.

Aids Baby Jumper

These two photos are of the front and back of an Aids Babies jumper that I have just finished. I thought that the recipient could have two jumpers in one ..... when one side gets dirty, it can be turned around and voilla...... they have a new jumper!!!

Clever thinking ..... yes I think so !!!!

I have knitted enough of these little jumpers for a while ... so will now knit some scarves and hats.

HAPPY EASTER

........ the Easter bunny is upon us!!! The Easter bunny hopped by just as I was taking my Saturday sky photo ..... today is such a beautiful autumn day .... a lovely blue sky, no wind but unfortunately no rain. Maybe it will rain tomorrow ...... and maybe the Easter bunny will deliver a basketful of chocolate eggs !!!!

Spin to Knit Final Parcel

What a lovely parcel Barbe sent me recently. There were 3 exciting skeins, one was completely coiled with targhee. The second skein was in superwash and had wonderful Beehive coils. The final skein was a sparkly one in mohair with angelina. As I said, the skeins are really fabulous. Barbe also included the current issue of Knitters magazine, tape measure and a reel of glow in the dark thread.

Make sure you have a look at Barbe's wonderful website: http://barbesaintjohn.com

This is No Saturday Sky Bandit

My darling Ern had a BCC cancer removed from his nose. He went into hospital for overnight surgery, but had to stay in for an extra day. The cancer was deeper than originally thought. He has quite a big bandage on his nose (although the photo doesn't show it). The stitches come out next week, so it won't be long before he looks like my knight in shining armour once again.

We have had beautiful rain. Not an aweful lot but was so lovely to hear it on the tin roof. The plants seem to be reviving and the lawn is getting greener. From now on we will only be able to water the garden on Wednesday and Sunday from 6am to 8am. Not long ..... so I hope it absolutely teems down with rain.

Over the last couple of weeks I haven't written anything ..... so now I have some catching up to do ..... I have a few photos for you to look at.

A Beautiful Autumn Saturday Sky

A beautiful clear blue sky and the autumn leaves are starting to show.

Chloe completed her "Juvenile - Basic Course" ..... or .... did I complete my "Delinquent dog handler - Basic Course" !!! Chloe was tickled pink when she accepted her Certificate !!