Saturday, September 19, 2009
SPINNING IN PUBLIC DAY
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday Card Day
When I can, I like to go to Ferngully Stamps for a card making class on Tuesday mornings. I went this week where we made 3 cards using the roller stamps ... my first attempt. Our tutor, Marlene is so patient with us .... is it because we talk so much?For the top right card, we used black mulberry paper. To fray the edges, drag a wet cotton bud along the sides of a ruler and then tear apart. It's such a lovely textured paper to work with.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
I'M HERE ..... AGAIN .....
Stress eating has me stacking on the weight since I last wrote. Of course, when you feel FAT you loose self esteem, confidence and certainly motivation.
A week ago, I had a dear friend measure me .... cause I wanted to loose some of the blubber! Again, lacking motivation I thought "well this is going to be hard" ..... until Ellen measured my hips ..... OMG the tape measure didn't meet !!! Hells' bells !!!!! about three inches ...... and that was the clincher !! One week later the tape measure nearly meets .... yaaahhhhh (mind you I didn't loose much anywhere else)
Now I have joined Curves gym AGAIN, signed in yesterday and went for my first session this morning. Ern met me and we went to Allan's Bakery. I even took Chloe to doggie school but will be changing class to time to 9am next week.
My mum rang to ask how to post a picture to a blog. Whilst helping her, I decided to write something in my own blog ...... so here I am once again !!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
WHERE HAVE I BEEN ??
Last April my husband, Ern (who has alzheimers) went missing for a couple of days just before ANZAC day. I had been taken to hospital with a possible heart complaint and Ern came with me in the ambulance. When we were told that I had to wait 12 hours for another blood test Ern went home. He was to book a taxi at the hospital reception desk, however, surveillance camera shows him leaving through the front door to ........... ??
26 hours later he was found 22kms from the hospital and no where near home. Apparently he walked all the way. It was a frantic 26 hours - I discharged myself from hospital - there was TV and radio coverage, helicopter surveillance and family, friends and neighbours looking for him.
He spent a week in hospital (badly cut from blackberry bushes, dehydration and kidney probs). His memory has deteriorated and I feel that I can't leave him for long periods of time. Yes I could get respite, but I just don't want to yet.
I have had to change my lifestyle greatly. I no longer go into my favourite place, The Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Vic. I miss my voluntry work there and especially my friends/members. I haven't done very much spinning either ..... until this year. I have knitted umpteen beanies for the Guild's charity "St Mary's House of Welcome" for the homless. So I still feel useful.
Early February 2009 Victoria experienced their worst bushfires in history. Over 200 people perished, whole towns burnt down and 2,000 homes destroyed which left thousands homeless. These fires changed many peoples' lives.
I personally didn't know anyone who perished. However, I look at things differently now. Amongst other things, just how much wool and fibre do I REALLY need?
Monday, January 07, 2008
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
Saturday, November 03, 2007
A Doggie School Saturday Sky
The photo shows from left to right: Terry with Sooty, Yvonne and Scout, Michael and Boof, Cheryl and Sweep (Sweep and Sooty are related), myself with Chloe and Lyn with Benson.
We had rain this afternoon - beautiful beautiful rain - it was lovely to hear it on the roof ! We need so much more ......
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday's Jewellery Day
It would look stunning on a "little black number" ...... something that I don't have in my wardrobe any more !
Sunday, October 28, 2007
I'VE JOINED RAVELRY !
This is an awesome site and I suggest anyone interested in spinning, knitting and crocheting to join. Now I definitely have to post knitting/spinning photos to my blog.
This photo shows 6 skeins I contributed to the Handweavers and Spinners Guild Experimental Group entry for the 2007 Bendigo Wool and Sheep Show. The blue and green skeins represented the sea and the orange skein the Australian outback.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
CAN ANYONE RELATE TO THIS?
When stored in large quantities, the Pheromones (in the fibre) cause memory loss and induce the nesting syndrome, (similar to the one squirrels have, before the onset of winter, i.e. the storing of food,) therefore, perpetuating their species and not having a population loss due to their kind being cut into pieces and mixed with others.
Sound tests have also revealed, that these fibres, emit a very high-pitched sound, heard only by a select few, a breed of women known as "spinners." When played backwards on an LP, the sounds are heard as chants, “buy me, dye me, spin me".
In order to overcome the so called "feeding frenzy effect," that these fibres cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility and use ear plugs, to avoid being pulled into their grip.
Studies have also indicated, that aliens have inhabited the earth, helping to spread the effects that these fibres have on the human population. They are called "FIBRE STORE ASSISTANTS".
It's also been experienced, that these same Pheromones, cause a pathological need, to hide these fleece purchases, when taken home (or at least blend them into the existing stash.) When asked by a Significant Other if the fibre is new, the reply is, "I've had it for a while!"
Author Unknown
Monday, October 08, 2007
Dolly has a sister
I have already started knitting another l-o-n-g scarf for the homeless. I am using acrylic yarn, 14 stitches and 10mm needles. This is one way of using your stash and helping those less fortunate than ourselves.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Saturday Sky 6 October
I know we always talk about the weather, but we need the rain so much. It really is quite scary that our water reserve levels are so low.
I need to wash some fleece before I dye it, but I sorta feel guilty using the water. It's a shame we can't get our fleeces drycleaned !!! hehehehe lol lol
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Uthando Project
My dolly began as a Trauma Teddy and ended up looking like this ..... I began with 12 stitches for each leg, then dolly just evolved as I continued knitting. I knitted in some lace at the bottom of her knickers !!
I have now started on a "sister" for her ............
This is their web site: http://www.uthandoproject.org/
Saturday, September 29, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME ........ he he he
...... mmmmmm .... lets see .....
I had a birthday !! So what did I do for it??? Well it just happened to fall on a Certificate Spinning Class day where I was co-tutor with Carmel. It had been Carmel's birthday a fortnight before. Carmel is such a quiet, considerate person who does just so much for her family (I think they might take her for granted). So I organised a birthday cake with Happy birthday Carmel and Vivien on the top. The cake suited the fun day that we had planned for the students.
During the spinning class, we broke all the rules the students had learnt over the 2 years. We made a "fibre sandwich" which was broken into 16 portions. The students were to spin and ply their portion in whichever way they felt like it ...... !!! The students are just so lovely and clever ...... even some of these roughly spun skeins from the fibre sandwich balanced !! Oh how clever!!
TODAY the weather is dull, dull and even more duller. We actually had rain yesterday - YEAH ..... none today so far ....We are in desperate need of so much more.

Chloe went to doggie school ..... and was the star pupil today ...... Again, I was hoping that we would all get soaking wet training our dogs. Nope, I came home dry !!
It is the football Grand Final Day today - Geelong v Port Adelaide. At the time of writing this they are into the third quarter and Geelong is miles in front. It has been 44 years since they won their Grand Final.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
I AM BACK !!!
Sorry I have not been in the land of "eblogland" but things got a bit beyond me. However, I am here now, so if anyone is still reading my blog I am back !!! I must admit I had trouble remembering my password!!
Today being the 1st day of Spring, I thought what better way to post to my blog. This photo shows the beautiful red flowers of Great Eastern Camillia against the beautiful blue sky .... ahhhhh ....... Saturday sky!!
Earlier today, Chloe and I went to doggie school ..... yes, we are still attending. Both of us are doing very well!!! Then Kate came for lunch - for Father's Day tomorrow (Kate is working tomorrow).
Ern and I are both well, although Ern's memory is not so good and I am putting on weight !!!
Monday, July 09, 2007
A Scarf Saturday
Last Saturday the Handspinners and Weavers Guild of Victoria in conjunction with Craft Victoria organised two workshops -
- Spinning fat singles, dyeing the skein and knitting a scarf on your hand.... and ...
- Knitting a scarf straight from unspun roving/fleece, at the same time adding bits of material, beads and locks of mohair or wool.
I was there as a general gopher for the morning and in the afternoon helped the students knit their scarf.
The photo shows one of my scarves that I knitted straight from unspun wool/mohair roving. I added English Leicester locks throughout the scarf.
We had a wonderful day - the students had a great time and the tutors and gophers enjoyed themselves.
Friday, June 29, 2007
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.
Friday, June 22, 2007
SP10 Contents
This is how my SP10 swap parcel arrived.
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.
- 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 !!!
THANKYOU KRISTEEN ...... THANKYOU KRISTEEN ..... THANKYOU KRISTEEN .....
SP10 PARCEL RECEIVED
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 ............