metal and knit

Hoot goes my tea

2012-01-24T23:04:00.000+11:00

Well with time to spare I have this years Tea cosy made and ready for Kiama show. After watching numerous Hoot toys being crochet by a friend I felt I could do something like it in a tea cosy. So being modelled on a 6 cup Swan Brand The Carlton is the last item that needed to be made for the Kiama show. So now time will tell how it all goes.

Might need to start the brain ticking for next year as well.

Dapto Show 155th in 2012

2012-01-21T20:45:00.000+11:00

Well show time means Shawl done frantically but got 1st

Bootees got 1st yet again

Coat hanger 2nd and Beanie 1st. There was also 2nd for the crochet jacket and another Coathanger.

Time to finish the mushroom Tea cosy so I had something for the Kiama crochet tea cosy section.

So the show had some crazy Lumberjacks from Canada

A few Monster Trucks to draw a capacity crowd.

But I did also get some cute this week at Shoalhaven Zoo and met Clancy who loves a cuddle pat and smell. No they do not smell like gum trees they are hard to describe the smell but cute and happy is his best description.

Anyone for Tea!

2012-01-09T10:43:00.000+11:00

Despite trying madly to get show entries finished for next weeks deadline I had to get a few supplies and found the Australian Afternoon Tea was finally on the shelves. So after a long wait for it and thinking it wasnt going to be until Australia Day I was excited and very quickly started putting it into the basket to take with me. I love it good strong robust flavour and as good as 'An Army cup of Tea'. My thoughts are good for a Wharfie and good for the stockman with a touch of CWA in as well. I guess that means for Aussies all over a good Aussie blend. I will admidt that half the looseleaf box is gone already.

But as I am hiding my finished items until I get more finished heres a friend from works crochet caterpiller attacking my chocolate supply. This was just one of many things she has made since learning to crochet last year.

So for now I must get cracking on the entries.

Festive or worn out

2011-12-27T00:06:00.000+11:00

Well Christmas has hit and gone in a blur of a 8 days straight shift block from 23rd December to the 30th December. I am half way thru and the 27th December also means 11 years of employment in the one place. But there has as always been more things presents food and fun. Boss was lucky to get a Tessco dog ball that he loves. it wasn't easy to get him to not pick the ball up for a photo.

I was lucky to get some red poppies still bloom amongst the solar lights Christmas Display. We didnt win any comps we were entered into but alot of people said we had a very nice display.

I did get alot of other lovely presents but this is just the UK package. I really want to make alot of the cakes and we enjoyed the coffee stencils for a change.

One crazy highlight this year was eating Alaskan King Crab like you see caught on Deadliest Catch. they are like daddy long legs of crabs with weird joints and very long about a foot long legs. A lovely treat and I never thought I could ever get to try a little bit let alone a pile of legs.

Now its try to get show entries made and keep up with everything else in life. I have a good start but need more items to get to finished. So now its just do the best to get my knitting and crocheting done on the double and come back with FO's soon.

Mail Time!!!!

2011-12-09T23:32:00.001+11:00

Well when I am not busy with the knitting and crochet its letter writing and Postcrossing I enjoy. This pile is just one days outgoing 8 items from local to European countries. I have close to 30 penpals and feel that I still dont have enough to keep me overly busy. Its a great hobby and not overly expensive as the knitting sure does cost alot more but doesnt help keep near as many jobs. Australia Post for example has 10,000 posties on 7650 routes with some being on foot, bikes, motorbikes and long runs in cars. You do get a great feeling when its not a unwelcome piece of mail known as a bill or another request to sell you a credit card or wanting money.

As we havent featured Boss for a while he sat for a portrait and now watches over me while I wait for postcards to get registered allowing me to send more. So back to the knitting and crochet so there is some finished objects soon.

Busy on all lights and needles

2011-11-19T20:55:00.002+11:00

Well I have stolen some time lately to charge my solar lights and to set some up. It might only take about 30 mins of sorting then charge all day and set up more another night when you can see whats working. Slowly I am getting there.

I even managed to get the 2nd crochet jacket today and I just have a few more on the list and the show entries to try and do. Hopefully it will get there.

52 Weeks of Postal fun

2011-11-08T21:34:00.002+11:00

Well todays routine was interupted with a storm that came along and make itself known. I did take photos before the bad rain or the hail. Sadly it took out a few tomato and cucumber flowers and tiny fruit with the hail. The hail was about frozen pea sized but enough to damage tender plants.

Well apart from crocheting some jackets I have been active with a 52 weeks of Mail idea. I am to send atleast 1 item of mail a week in the regular snail mail post. The photo is just Mondays items to go in the post box. I have another POst crossing card today and tomorrow I will post 2 penpal letters. Its nice to have these friends that you get to share with in each letter. Plus it is also time to start the Christmas posting. I started on the slow post countries and will go thru them in order of postage times.

But for now there is a tonne of work still to do and I best get stuck into it.

Award Night and Pretty as a peacock debut

2011-10-30T18:52:00.002+11:00

Each year my workplace has a formal night where we fin out the top performers and it has a theme each year. This year was Arabian Nights and the managers have been having all these extra meetings where they were learning a dance to preform for us. We also had Tribal Belly dancers perform as the main entertainment. Its not a night I normally attend but this was an exception for a change. I have finally finished the Pretty as a Peacock shawl after 3 years and it needed a night out as well.

So add a Black formal dress and a great friend in a Kilt and there is a good showing. Before anyone asks I did not check to see what was under the KIlt as his Girlfriend did let me no its tru they dont wear anything under there back home. But we had a lovely night and now I have a pair of sore feet from the shoes I wore. They were flat but not very good to support me so I suffer.

Now while on 2 weeks leave I can catch back up with the long list of work ahead.

Busy lead up to the big happenings

2011-10-20T23:39:00.002+11:00

Well last weekend we started with a Saturday where the rain was chucking down by the bus load. 122mm in 10 hours and well roads were terrible and some were closed and still I bare managed to get much knitting done.

Sunday greeted us with a new adddition to the Cockateil ranks and well this is very young and tiny so hopefully it grows nice and healthy despite the odd unpredictable weather we are getting.

I am still sinking under a big list of knitting and well so many other things have been barging their way into each day I havent got very far this week so hopefully the weekend prooves better. There is a big happening to occur but in Time that will be revealed.

Guild Camp 2011

2011-10-08T20:54:00.005+11:00

We set off for the Bi-annual Guild camp at this lovely TAFE campus for the October Long Weekend. Just a 3.5 hr drive away but a great weekend as always.

The TAFE itself makes up its grounds on a former State Wards school and some of the accomodation blocks are the orginal ones refurbished and now some have been remoddled into lovely ensuite rooms.

The Locals were rather curious of us lot about and we could view them easily each Breakfast, Morning Tea and Lunch time. I was able to get quite close to take photos but wont go too close when you know they are wild and not some batch of Animal Par or Zoo ones that enjoy a pat and feed.

But yet again the weather closed in on us and we had a very wet and wild walk to the Dining room considering it was not under cover to get there. Umbrellas and Rain coats were the items we all seemed to fish out of cars after being caught out yet again.

Even being one fo the furtherest travelled I seem to do Train Station Trips to collect other campers that arrive and bring them the 10 min trip across. I guess it is the time spent knitting with friends that counts the most. I was able to get a decent amount knitted and even watch the Grand finals in the Football codes in the comfort of my room.

I hope I get lovely facilites like this again in 2 years time. As for the knitting that will come soon when I photograph some pieces that are finished.

Beanie, beanie, beanie

2011-09-26T22:11:00.002+10:00

Well I need to catch up on alot of knitting work and while I am on 2 weeks leave I will do my best to make some decent dents into the current stock needs. I have beanies needed so I did a broken fishermans rib in BWM pink 4ply.

In alpaca a slip stitch one that will match the jumper that was a previous order and since purchased and collected with alot of drama attached. I will try to add more to them as boys and girls sizes 6mths to 18 mths is needed and every cold snap makes the stock get depleted quicker in Crookwell.

But I also need to get a UFO to FO by the end of the month and with just over 3 charts left Pretty as a Peacock has come back out and will even go with me to Guild camp as I have not selected any workshops to do just a huge catch up on knitting weekend.

For now I am trying hard to get a little 0 - 6mths pink jumper out as well and then I have 2 cardigans to get done for Crookwell also. Handmade in the Highlands well lets not speak just yet but there is a list as well and its pretty involved too.

Squaring up

2011-09-17T00:05:00.002+10:00

Well the Knitters Guild group were donated a big box of yarn all in 1 shade and slowly its becoming blankets. My part is all crochet Squares and about 9 squares should give a blanket as I have gone for large squares.

So I keep making them and soon there will be no balls of yarn left in my pile for them to be made from.

Hopefully alot of other things become Finished piled instead of UFO's

Too much work to get thru

2011-09-13T23:12:00.002+10:00

Yet again the shawls are popular and this took far to long this time so hopefully the next I need to do isnt as long and gets completed soon.

My Dutch Iris are happily blooming after finally showing after my week on Flowers at church.

The start to a big run of beanies in Blues and Pinks.

A 0-6mth Jacket that should have been finished ages back but sadly other orders kept pushing in so I have to catch up on the works now.

A monkey in my parcel

2011-09-01T22:44:00.002+10:00

Well today was another good and busy mail day. I have a handmade card from The Netherlands.

An Estonian one came too so there was great excitement of seeing a card of Tallinn Old Town section.

A great parcel thru a Ravelry swap came too. I have the Postcard, pen and softie swap. I have been enjoying the mints already but need to name the monkey.

Cornish Lobster anyone????

2011-08-31T00:01:00.003+10:00

The Postie today gave me a big bundle of mail and only 2 I guess I knew could be arriving but the big parcel was a Surprise from Toby. They recently spent time in Cornwall and sent me some goodies. A Rick Stein book full of great recipes. I am not sure what to try 1st.

A history and old time recipes book on Cornwall.

An Adoption Certificate of the Baby Lobster Hatchling Toby got me and he named him Towmater as in Mater from Cars. I love the charachter Mater.

Finally such a great postcard. I guess any Aussie Picnic could have the same result as well.

More happy mailbox times

2011-08-30T23:51:00.002+10:00

I have a new friend Daria in Belarus who sent me a card of the Library in the Diamond building.

An official from the USA and the closest I will see the Hollywood sign for now.

Willie B from Atlanta Zoo another official from the USA. Willie B was a Silverback Gorilla who lived at the zoo from 1961 to 2002 when he passed.

An official from France and yes Notre Dame Cathedral with its 12 Century windows.

Postcrossing is starting to be a great thing and I have even made some lovely new friends from it. I now have new penpals and love the postie coming each day. Today was a big pile of goodies for me.

Its Done in a speedy 2 weeks

2011-08-15T23:31:00.002+10:00

Well start with todays Postcrossing. I have an official in from the USA. The sender is a Russian living in the USA in Colombus South Carolina.

Lucy and Tobes sent me St Marys Church from Saffron Walden. I have them hooked to Postcrossing too and even Lucy's Parents are thinking of joining the fun.

I did have a new chance to send another and as a Russian has Registered one in I am sending one to Finland.

But the Big thing today is the Navy/Red size 6 Shawl neck jumper is done and on its transported way to Crookwell. Thank goodness its smaller sizes again. I have some balls left over to knit beanies with now as well. I need to get a few outstanding projects completed as well and sent off to the various sales outlets.

This postal week

2011-08-13T20:38:00.002+10:00

This week was a quiet week on the postal front but busy on the knitting. I had a swap from the Czech Republic and it shows some lovely views.

An official from Belarus arrived but the young lady is on summer holidays in the Czech Republic so that is where the card is from.

Knitting wise I have been slogging away on a size 6 jumper that is on order and trying to get it posted on Monday if at all possible. Stay Tuned for that.

Clicking away like the airmail post

2011-08-05T23:26:00.002+10:00

Well I did manage to get the little blue 0-6mth jumper done before getting stuck into the size 6 jumper order. I was finishing this while waiting for the parcel with the alpaca yarn to arrive. I just need to get the front and back completed and onto the sleeves over the weekend. Busy times alead for sure.

But in the land of post crossing this week I had a swap from Michigan USA.

Official from Louisiana USA.

Official from Poland.

For a good conversation the other day the jobs associated with the postcard sending I am now enjoying. There are alot of areas that involve staff and owners to recieve wages to get my cards to and from here. I guess my little $2 each time could seem very small but if you have 20 people all doing it then it starts to add up.

Postcrossing a new side hobby

2011-07-30T23:19:00.003+10:00

Well a friend told me about signing up for Postcrossing and well I had to do it after all I love mail. So as a start you register and can send to up to 5 random people in the world. Using a code you are given to write on the postcard when you get the address you get them registered and as yours are registered others will send to you. So I sent my 5 and then Postcrossing had their 6th Birthday and we were granted an extra 6 addresses. From that I have made friends with a lady in The Netherlands and she exchanged a further card with me and I got the pink mini card in return.

Then on Ravelry there is Postcrossers who knit and I again swapped some cards and so far have this one from the USA.

Then as I have had a few registered as received I got a card from Germany. This is for the "Day without Cars".

Also from Japan which was my 1st official one to come here. I am loving it and well cant wait for the postie to come each weekday.

UFO's to FO's finally

2011-07-18T11:20:00.002+10:00

Well many years ago I won a Creative Knitting Competition for the to be released Jet Yarn it may have actually been about 2003 that this occurred. So I won 20 balls and a pattern book. Fast forward a few years and the jet is still not knitted and the pattern book really didn't have anything I really suited. So finally in 2009 I found a vest pattern I would like and started the terrible path. The pattern was very badly written for a Patons pattern and ringing them really gave a bad taste with very rude service. So I modified the pattern so it fitted me and for a few months it has sat awaiting the last few things of one arm band and sewing up. I finally tackled it and have the vest on for the cold weather ahead. I will be very happy later in the evening when I come home at 10pm thatthis is done.

Fun factor 2 is the red Patons Mohair Amour jumper that I have completed for the Bandmasters wife. This jumper was started back in the 80's and the front and back were both to the arm holes and sadly the cable pattern will not really show with this yarn. So I was asked if I could knit the remains and complete it. So fun starts just after Easter when it is given to me and well it stank of mothballs with a whole box still in its celophane of flakes in with the partly completed front and back. Some airing time later and sorting our the pattern that was altered from the actual pattern in the book and we get going. Sleeves well not adding the cable there and finally we have a completed jumper that will return asap so it's out of my way. Personally I think it is not very nice but I guess if your cold and wear a coat over it there may be some beauty in it.

Now back to regular knitting work yet again but using some new patterns.

The red vest tale

2011-07-07T00:11:00.002+10:00

Way back for the 1st NSW Knitters Guild Camp I went and stayed at my Great Aunts house the night before in Blacktown before continuing my journey to Katoomba. My Aunt gave me her knitting gear and some handknits she had made. Amongst them were 2 broken rib v neck vests that Great Uncle wore but were in too good condition to give to charity so she gave them to me. A mustard one that I have since worn to bare thread and a Red one. Recently my parents were telling her the red vest is still in constant wear and it was then we found out its over 40 years old. I have also subsequently got the pattern to make ones similar in 8ply this was a vest in maybe 5 ply. It shows good yarn and good care can go on for a long time.

Billabong was the property they lived on and when they moved to a new house in the late 80's
a lovely garden yet again was established with many roses and the sign from Billabong went to be by the front door. I dont yet know why they named the property this but the property is not very far from the new house. My Great Uncle came to Australia from Estonia so its from there and my Grandfather that makes me so interested in the Estonian patterns.

For now I need to keep getting orders completed and then I can wander to do my own things again maybe.

Flying time

2011-06-25T22:49:00.002+10:00

Well the HARS Tiger Moth was playing over the coast today. I have just finished 45 days Long service leave and returned to a normal routine. There has been alot of stuff that didnt get to have a photo before shipping off to Crookwell but maybe I can get back on track again.

Taking time for some bits of photography will happen as well. Last weekend I went to Cathedral Rocks in Kiama and enjoyed a pleasant half hour or so taking photos. I still have a section or so of the local coastline to photograph yet and hope to get to it soon.

As Winter rolls in

2011-06-03T22:19:00.002+10:00

Today at about 4pm my mother shouted out to me telling me there was a big helicopter coming over. It was infact a tree chipper up the road but the sea fog was starting to roll in and since I had just dashed out to take a different photo it was htis that ended up being caputred. So winter is here.

That also means more stock is needed asap and so far this week a Daisy cardigan in Size 1 has been finished. I have a 2nd on the needles and bootees on the go. Crookwell needs just 9 pairs, 3 in each of Cream, Blue and pink. Still alot to get done but there is a side job to complete a ladys mohair jumper that is up to the armholes on the front and back of already. So another busy week ahead.

But Boss is happy to say hello as well.

Hats Off

2011-05-19T22:24:00.002+10:00

Well beanie 4 is done and 5 is close behind coming off the needles. Then its back to the list again.

But a little wander about today at the Nan Tien Temple

But I am not sure if this little guy is having some trouble with wind or not.

Brrrr its getting cold outside

2011-05-18T22:02:00.002+10:00

Wel an early cold snap runs along to an early beanie run in the Crookwell restock so this week so far I have the above. This a Cobolt/sky blue slip stitch one in Mudgee wool from Superfine Wool.

House of Alpaca Baby Blue and Cream.

Sorry its a bit blurred but this is House of Alpaca Purple, emerald and cream.

I have also done a Superfine Jacaranda/Lavender one but will post it next time. I am half way thru my long service leave and well when you are too broke to do things you knit. So this week I posted urgent stuff on Monday and will follow this up on Friday with 6 size 1 beanies off as well. Then its back to the big list and try my hardest to post again on Monday to help stock as quickly as I can.

Keeping up with the demands

2011-05-16T11:47:00.002+10:00

Ok well this is not really knitting but there is a JRT hiding there at my feet and trying to keep himself warm in the Doona I use when I sit and knit. I find I am much more comfortable with this instead of a heater.

But yet again the lure of Noritake has bitten again with this 18 piece tea service and well then I went to another op shop. Saw another service but not to my liking and didnt get that one known as Poetry. Go to another of my favourite op shops and see a pile of plates and when I asked if they had any other parts to it was told no just them but they are $2 for the lot. I got 4 dinner plates, 6 salad, 5 cake and 6 saucers of marywood. You can guess that I go to another op shop and found another set but again not to my liking so it stayed there. I guess it is just the tea cups of a rounded shape I like and well the footed coffee cups are not always my thing but I must like the pattern I see first.

There has been knitting work to meet a few urgent requests. Monday I sent off one parcel and
Tuesday I got an email to let me know there was no Pink garments in Size 1 or under. So madly we have knitted to get 2 cardigans done to post off today. So 0-3mths above 3- 6mths below. I also had a request on Wednesday for Size 1 beanies as they are going fast also.

Before the emails I had 2 0-3mth beanies in pink made and ready to form the next parcel. So this week will be busy knitting yet again.

I have a collection problem already.

2011-05-06T20:49:00.002+10:00

Well I may be on leave and some might have thought I would spend alot of time here on the Shoalhaven River at Grady's Riverside Retreat in Burrier near Nowra. I have spent 1 night there and done one drop off there. Too much has kept me away and too busy.

There is a new problem that has started involving op shops a Noritake China ware. I have brought another set and well broke my normal rules and actually drank out of it.

For now its a busy weekend of knitting ahead to get the stuff off to Crookwell that they need asap and are desperate for.

Lots of things to keep one busy

2011-05-03T10:02:00.003+10:00

Well I may be on Long service leave but it is all systems go here. I just did my quick round of the garden with the camera and Mr Lincoln is in lovely bloom today.

More garden work arrived yesterday with a Diggers Club Grab bag of Bulbs there are 170 bulbs of 8 different mixes to be planbted as soon as I can get it organised. Not bad for a cheap price to buy off the excess ones this year.

Yes there is knitting going on. I have the big list into some groupings and from the large groups I will be setting myself smaller tasks to complete each week. So far I am getting along it ok. I am keeping a pretty good schedule of getting them done as well.

I did get the Baby set completed right on the deadline of May 1st and its now delivered an on its way to the new baby that had arrived on the Friday.

For now its back to beanies and baby jackets.

Fleet Air Arm Museum trip out for good behaviour

2011-04-28T16:05:00.002+10:00

I think its is more intimidating if i dont get my orders done but this is a Vietnam Era chopper from the Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS Albatross. I had to take my mother back to the caravan so I dropped her off and went to the museum for a treat paid by knitting labour.

Maybe you would prefer to see a M.A.S.H style chopper

Or a plane of a different Colour

But I enjoyed my time there and 162 photos later I have a nice reminder. Its not expensive for a family to go as Adults are $10 and kids under 18 are free.

This also means that my next trip out to somewhere needs to be funded by knitting labour again and I need to knit for that.

Business as usual

2011-04-24T18:27:00.002+10:00

Well there are lots of things on the list to get made as orders that must get done. So we have part of a baby set. Must add sleeves ect and bootees and beanies.

Then there is the due of Wednesday and well so far we have 4 pairs of bootees and 1 beanie. Not bad for a long weekend that has had a few major things get changed along the way. I got short notice on some band things and music stuff for ANZAC Day.

So I hope to get a few more things made but I am not sure when I have a 5.20 am Dawn Service at Kiama to start my ANZAC duties. We do 3 services over 7.5 hours so its a big day.

Long Service and knitting doubled

2011-04-15T23:57:00.002+10:00

Well after a long period of working in the same place I am entitled to 45 days off so I have started and will return to the call centre in June. So what wonderful things will I do....... I thought of going away but cannot afford to pay to go far at all. My Pretty as a Peacock shawl is just a few charts from done so yes can try to complete that. I have a huge list of knitting work so I will spend time making money to try and get myself in a better financial spot. I will garden as much as I can weather permitting. Photography runs and op shop crawls will happen as well. So For now it back to the needles and well photos to come soon again.

Faster than the speed of light it seems

2011-04-03T00:15:00.002+11:00

I sent a parcel off to Crookwell on Monday and it arrived there on Thursday ( its a 2 hour car trip there but a slow postal route). Items were prepared to display ready to help fill some gaps in the stock as I try to build it up after very good recent sales. Ok so 9am Friday morning I am informed that the items have sold as soon as they were displayed. Ok start again and hope to increase the quantity before they get sold this time.

Just a round up

2011-03-27T21:06:00.002+11:00

Well deadline to have a mass of stuff done for Handmade in the Highlands is tomorrow and well got a reasonable amount done in the time . The shawl is a good weeks worth of crocheting but its in the bag ready to go to Bunadanoon this weekend.

Country Treasure is selling my knitwear at an alarming rate so I will be well entertained trying to catch up if I can. There seems to be more and more to the list everytime I think about it.

But as a sideline I have a Sock yarn blanket started to keep me amused as well. I will try to show progress reports when I can. I will also endevour to get the peacock shawl finished while I am on long service leave as well. Just have to get things worked out and hide from the bandroom as much as possible.

Just add Knitting......

2011-03-25T23:13:00.003+11:00

Pop asking the 3 Grand daughters : What do people in the caravans do when its raining?

The girls had no idea to give Pop an answer. Pop wanted to hear Knit.

We have a family caravan next to my sisters van at Gradys Riverside retreat. So no mobile contact, we dont have a tv yet and at this stage its raining and we have no radio either. I sit and knit while Miss B watches me knit. Ok so Miss B is now learning to knit then Miss C comes along I only had 1 ball of spare yarn and 1 spare pair of needles. So Miss C gets to finger knit on 4 fingers. Mind you this was after Breakfast and my Neices were also knitting during breakfast.

I tried to have a week off to get on track and only had a few things to concrete in. But ended up Op Shopping and getting bone china bargains. 2 trios of Windsor in the Tartan nd Bow pattern.

1 Royal Vale agapanthus trio.

Best bargain of the week was on the way to the van we stopped in Nowra to look at the Vinnies store. I am know to spot things easy as anything and well despite a very full car and not knowing how to fit in more things I came across a Noritake Laureate 5391 dinner set 42 pieces it is just missing 4 coffee/tea cups ( not the shape above) for the whole sum of $20. It would have broken my heart to leave it behind. Mind you I drove around with it packed in my boot for almost a week before it came inside after our floods and other wet days ect.

So I have alot of knitting to still get caught up on with photos and still to get made. I did get a new Winter Uniform Jacket from Salvationist Supplies in Sydney and need to finish putting it together with trims that need to be attached. So Ill try to get things updated as I can.

In the mean time

2011-03-12T19:58:00.002+11:00

Well a quick view from the otherside of the lake to Primbee and well I am so busy that my week of will probably be gone before I know it.

So enjoy the views until I get myself sorted to show the finished items ect. For now its to finish a few things and watch the football.

Some changes for the the better

2011-02-26T19:46:00.003+11:00

Well strange things this weekend it seems after a very entertaining Stitch n Bitch I have had magpies visit and some time to sort out a few things.

I have new Art viva needles just in time for the big change. I never thought I would have to ramp my knitting up to the stock for internet selling but it has hapened. I spent most of yesterday processing what has begun. Handmade in the Highlands ( site is not complete yet) has gone to the new world. So its stock in bulk please oh and a shawl.

So I have got the crochet set complete.

1 vest so far and nearly a beanie. I guess I will also need to work out the balance to keep up with Crookwell as well. Thank you for Long service leave and about 3 weeks of leave awaits me before I even start that but so far only one week is booked in March. I have opted to take my Long service in one block as we can only take it in the option of one block of 45 working days ( excluding public Holidays) or 2 blocks of min 1 week then the balance. So there is hopefully plenty of knitting and photography to come.

For now its time to get a shawl going along.

sock it to ya

2011-02-12T19:52:00.003+11:00

Well I cant help have funnys I saw these bean seeds on Diggers Garden Club known as Sex without Strings and had to get some. A good laugh at the name but looks like they are a very healthy plant as well just 1 week along from planting.

Just to keep Boss in the blog hes on his watch patrol seat happily keeping up his patrol of the suburb.

But the best bit my 1st pair of Toe up socks and finished in time to cast on 2 more pairs and wear these while watching football. It really shows my small but rather fat feet in the picture as well.

Kiama is Show

2011-01-29T21:56:00.002+11:00

Kiama Show means the smells of horses, cows, roses and veges and yes lots of pavillion and woodchop. Here are the champions roses.

The Baby Surprise Jacket got 2nd this week

Crochet 2 ply alpaca Jacket got 1st

And a new critter on the block a cinnamon Cockateil that we have bred from a pearl mother and regular father. Known as Mo! hence the mohawk they have.

Show round 2 photo heavy

2011-01-24T11:37:00.005+11:00

Not competed yet but the Elephant this year

Magenta Tunic got 2nd at Dapto

Pretty smocked lace coathanger 1st

Jacket and bootees 1st

Beanie 2nd

2 pairs of bootees 2nd

Baby Surprise Jacket 1st

Raha Scarf ( Knitted Lace in Estonia - Nancy Bush) 1st

So I came home with 4 1st's and 3 2nds out of 9 entries. Now to complete the last few items for Kiama.

Show Time

2011-01-22T22:10:00.003+11:00

We had Stunt utes

Junior masterchef Lucy

Camel races and my entries of knitting were well placed but more tomorrow as its hard to shoot thru the cage.

Busy hands that are rarely Idle

2011-01-03T22:50:00.002+11:00

I have been show knitting with Dapto the 1st one and picked a few new and challenging things to do. I have wanted to knit a baby surprise jacket for a while but had no need so now I feel it was a good time to try and well cast on Tuesday night and cast off Saturday night. I will knit them again but they are just for th gifting box only. I just hope we can gift it to a good home.

It is weird the shape it makes before the folding.

Coathangers for the show as well with Dapto having 2 coathanger classes one for pretty one for plain I have 2 lacy ones and a bamboo cotton one. Kiama will have either one or 2 lace coathangers if I finish the other one I started.

I had to be different and get the smocked lace kit from World of Lace andcan honestly say they were the loveliest people to deal with.

There are more things that I have yet to photograph like the Tea Cosy that is close to done and the Rahakiri sal (estonian ) is to be blocked as well. Now things are getting back on track Ill get to them.

Time is running away

2010-12-21T00:59:00.003+11:00

Well time really goes fast at this time of year with Carols to go and play as well as the prep for Christmas parties and feasts. Our lights are up and I do have some new additions that are yet to be photographed. But it also signals its show time just around the corner.

Show time means a carousel of projects. I have coat hangers done and a suitable jumper for one show. So UFO's include a pink jumper, a cream cardi, a tea cosy, a baby set and a scarf.

This week maybe get as much scarf done. I am knitting the Raha scarf from Nancy Bush's well researched Knitted lace in Estonia. It is possible that my Great Grandmother may have knitted these patterns. So there is this weeks focus with a mint baby set as well. Yes I knit on Christmas Day as I need something to pass the time when nothing happens. I am working also.

So I will get back to photos after I get back on track properly.

Have a safe and Happy Christmas.

Day is done... gone the sun... out the needles... on the show stuff...get it done....

2010-12-05T22:29:00.002+11:00

Well despite I needed to go and get landscapes for Dapto shows photography sections I need to get a big wriggle on on the show knitting. I Have things starting to arrive so items can be made and the tea cosy is in my mind and starting to flow to the needles.

So a quick look at some Christmas lights at the famous Porter Ave Mt Warrigal and Ill get back to it and try to churn thigs out.

Time is flying fast

2010-11-26T23:52:00.002+11:00

When you start attending functions that involve the man in the red suit its sure getting close to show time again. I best get working on the tea cosy as well as all the other show items.

So we have Kronnenberg out this week and it was lucky to steal the time I should have used to take a photo of the shawl that I just completed. Now there are 2 garments that need sleeves knitted and other things to get started.

I should get most things going and gone off to the right places soon.

Its all like Jack and the beanstalk

2010-11-14T23:47:00.002+11:00

Things are busy in making here at the moment there is a Market Day at Shellharbour Salvos on 27th of November and I am busy getting stuff made for the stall I will have. So Bon Bons are being churned out, and I am busy sewing, crocheting and still doing the regular amount of stuff I need to do as well.

Christmas Trees are getting made up and hopefully this week alot more of them will be made.

But the garden is the biggest area of growth, Today my 1st bean of the crop was quite long considering it was only Wednesday it was so tiny.

Wont be long till I harvest them and other delights like Zucchini, Tomato and cabbages. My corn will be perfect for Christmas and look like Ill be fine with the capsicums soon as well.

But there is a shawl to edge and a jumper and a cardigan that is seeing some action as well. All systems go here, just deprived of endless pots of tea and maybe some sleep.

Flora,Fauna and hard labour

2010-11-08T21:47:00.002+11:00

Well things have been busy and there is still far too much to do. Each day I spend sometime in the garden and take photo roughly once a week so my friends can see its progress. This year is a great year in my garden and my friends are starting their own too. So around my yard I have veg and Flowers just like the clums of hippieastrums that we will try to get in a proper row next year.

Boss loves the garden time as he watches me go around the spots and check each one or going down to pour my teapot of leaves and cold tea to keep the garden happy.

So yard duty and patrol done it's back to the real work at hand. The shawl still needs to be completed but is getting alot closer. The House of Alpaca Tunic is complete so there is a cardigan and another heart jumper to go.

But show knitting ideas are very distracting too.

Viva la Knit whoops Gong

2010-11-06T23:02:00.002+11:00

So after trying to figure if it would rain more I got going a little late and then we were treated to a parade, bands, interesting costumes, and acrobats. So the Hectic Bros can juggle swords and a chain saw.

Balance a working chainsaw in ones mouth.

Wear really interesting outfits.

While tall chefs wander around.

But to top it off they are on a table, one on the others shoulders and yes swallowing a real propper fixed blade sword. No wonder I got an extra 3 cms more than the length required ont he jumper back I was knitting. Plain stocking stitch was all I would be able to manage as there was too much to see and going on. Plenty of people out and well just too busy to concentrate on a pattern.

I just now have to finish the shawl, finish the tunic and the Motif Edge Jacket as well as the jumper I started on and did most of the back of today.

Working ...workng... working...

2010-10-29T12:44:00.002+11:00

Well I haven't negleted everything I have been out in the garden breifly each day when its not wet making sure all is rigt and the lizards dont eat all my strawerries. I have been going like mad on the knitting and the crocheting. I have a cardigan, jumper and a crochet shawl that has been getting worked on and going very well. Photos of them as they get finished. I have christmas craft going as well with the next market day on 27th Novemember.

So just a breif wrap up before finishing things and well Boss will just finish his bones while I work away.

Its back again.....

2010-10-24T00:06:00.005+11:00

With a market day coming up on November 27th and plenty of Christmas Crafts ready to be worked on it was time to get the boxes out and start geting back to it all again. So Bon Bons, Christmas Trees and Ornaments are being worked on again. This year they are for sale. Bon

Bons and Christmas Trees are $10 each and the Ornaments are $2.50 each or 3 for $5.

I still have a shawl and other things to make from the orders as well. More photos to come real soon.

Is all happening here

2010-10-17T18:20:00.002+11:00

Well each week I take ome photos of the progress my garden makes and put them on Facebook for my friends to see. My pen friend in England likes seeing them as well. Truth is that it only takes about 10 mins a day of hecking and making sure they are ok. Somedays when things want to add excitement you check more often as the Beans spring up as quick as you turn your back. S my Heirloom Tomato plants and the others I have are all going very well also.

I have even been growing large strawberries and they taste much better than remember hom growns taste. As things were a bit tight often what I can grow to add to what I have in thefridge and panty have been what we eat. Thankfully my Father started working again last week and things will ease a bit here but my garden is getting so good that I will just be happy to keepup the growing and enjoy what I can make meals out of from it.

Yes there is still alot of knitting goin on with another jumper for Crookwell made this week and I learnt to do the knitting stitch to get the cream panel on and then cross stitch around it. Now I have a Tunic to knit, a shawl to crochet and a jacket to knit. I will get there this week on them all.

Catching up

2010-10-09T22:46:00.005+11:00

This weekend the Parramatta Songsters have travelled down to share with us and I was great that even something like 7 years later than the last time that a friend and I have seen each other he was still able to pot me straight off and recognise me. I met the soloist facing the camera 15 years ago and it was in the band as he came to play after a week long Music Camp. That friendship still keeps a bit of a band theme being that he is the Bandmaster at Parramatta and I still play in the Shellharbour band.

So as I make new friends and enjoy some good laughs about things and try and figure out other things from before it should be great but probably tiring at the end of tomorrow. I didnt get to knit as today has been very full on.

Sweet Strawberries

2010-10-08T21:27:00.002+11:00

Alot is happening here, we have a garden that is growing and producing what seems to be a great crop. I actually picked quite a few strawberries and had enough to take to work for later on in a break. I have harvested silverbeet and made a pork ball stirfry as well. Before I know it my cooking will not just what I find in the normal areas but what needs to be harvested and used next from the patches I have dotted about the yard.

I just need more roses to come into bloom and it will look even better in the yard.

The Crookwell Merino was knitted into a size 1 funnel neck jumper and a beanie. With only 300g and no matter what method you tried it striped the same. Just by chance each time I started it was pink. Now I am playing with a lovely alpaca/merino blend from House of Alpaca.

So I head into a busy weekend with Parramatta Songsters to visit my Corps and I do hope to see a few friends who now attend there.

A great Dragon Day

2010-10-03T21:40:00.002+11:00

One day a year that happens after many weeks of nail bitting games and nights in knitting while games are on. I use Grand Final Day to get plenty of knitting done as I will sit and listen to the games. This year there were 2 games I was more interested. The Toyota Cup with Under 20's players was a big match and the bigger team won NZ Warriors. Then the big game with the Dragons in.

Knitting did get stalled a fair bit and a few times backwards was needed but by the end I was able to start sewing up the Crookwell Merino jumper and start knitting the neck up. So we will have actual FO'S really soon.

How green does a cabbage look.

2010-10-02T18:47:00.002+10:00

Well lots of stuff has been happening and I seem to find a little bit of time to spend getting the veges going strong this year. My plants are getting bigger everyday and after a bit of a scratch about keeping bugs and weeds under control I am looking forward to the harvesting results I will get. I even made my own white oil mix that I spray on the aphids.

I can hardly wait for the Heirloom Tomatos to fruit so I get to find out what plants are what from the mixed seeds that make up 10 different ones.

Yes there is knitting too! Actually alot of knitting didnt get to photos. I had 2 weeks to make bootees and vests to help stock for Tulip time and the 5 days of market that goes with it each year. To really help things out a big load of wool arrived to get Crookwell back to a decent stock level. Some new Crookwell Merino to mix it all in and as the ball knits I have been getting the stripes. Thankfully I'm now on the sleeves and then I can make more beanies with the left overs and have fun playing with all the other ideas we have for their range.

Still getting busy

2010-09-25T18:46:00.003+10:00

Well as much as I should really be knitting to get he order done for Wednesdays drop off but no knitting photos this week or garden photos either. Ill just share my Nephew 2 with me and his formal partner for his Yr 12 formal and I was off to a celebration dinner for my work. Rare to get us like this but good all the same.

So back to the needles for me now.

Alot of Juggling and trying to beat the Chainsaw

2010-09-18T23:47:00.002+10:00

Well an Exhausted Boss sums it up its been very busy around here with alot to get done in a short space of time.

But we took a break tonight for a Talent night fundraiser and well that is a cornet guy on a soccer ball about to juggle as his other cornet guy cousin starts a chainsaw behind him. We had a great night and helped to take some of the cost of Gospel Arts Camp ( music camp to us old school folk). The neglected knitting was only for a few hours. I have vests and bootees due on the 27th and there is still quite a few things to get done as well as the knitting.

Knitters Guild today was an all day affair where I learned toe up socks on 2 Circs and also Magic loop. I have one sock complete so far. I might skip to a pair for me next. For now its back on track to get my order complete.

I can haz cupcakes

2010-09-02T23:38:00.002+10:00

In between busy times with plenty of knitting and crocheting that needed to be one and the growing list does not feel lighter thanks to a really bad run of rosters at work. My Great Neice Tahlia turned 1 and had the 1st round of cupcake which surprisingly managed to mostly get in the mouth not everywhere else.

So I had to whip up yet another big load for Handmade in the Highlands. A shawl, a crochet baby set and next is vests and bootees between here and Monday's delivery. Then it seems the work is still backed up for a long time and things need to start rolling on plenty of things for the rest of the year.

How can you resist putting up another photo of the big girl at 1 and sitting so good.

Rounding stuff up

2010-08-15T23:30:00.003+10:00

Alot has been happening in the last week, I have finished the shawl for my cousins new little boy and made a beani in the left over wool.

But thats not all that has been worked on. There is a white set that is in the making and a crochet set being done. I did manage to get the little white crochet jacket complete in between working on a cream crochet shawl and a cream crochet set. I am trying to get a jumper complete for Crookwell also.

A nice little white jacket complete that I will work a matching beanie for at some stage this week.

But, I am a little sidetracked from time to time by the bounty of the garden. My strawberries are giving a bumper early crop. The slightly ripe one is the width of an iphone and about 1/2 inch at the diameter of the biggest section. There are cabbages growing well and I am just waiting for the weather to settle ready for the summer crops to start growing. For now I'll now just plod along and finish the jumper and get thru the long list of items to be done asap.

If you want to view paradise simply look around and view it.....

2010-08-02T21:51:00.002+10:00

I have to say I was lucky to go to Panorama House and joing with other ladies from the Illawarra for a luncheon. To sit on your chair and enjoy this view and the changes in light as clouds go by is one thing I loved. The food was quite good just not enough of it to my normal servings. I can sit back and enjoy the view as the light changes the areas.

Today after what has been a busy one I was able to get this glimpse of a rainbow before the weather got too wild again. Tonight is a real battern down the hatches with wind, rain and thunder pwerfect excuse to stay rugged up inside and knit. Knitting is something that I sure have plenty that needs to be done asap. I have been knitting a leaf shawl for my Cousin who had her little boy on Saturday night. I was not expecting an early one but he beat me so I am now
working full steam on getting it complete as well as other orders that need attention.

Again this week has other things that need to be booked in and take some knitting time away from me but hopefully that I can get what needs to be done in the time frame I have and the awful Tuesdayy to Saturday Roster again. I would like my normal life to return with my regular Saturday routine of knitting and crochet.

Come up to the Lab and see whats on the slab......

2010-07-25T22:41:00.002+10:00

I have been busy working away on the newest thing that Crookwell has received. A request for the crochet motif jacket came and with the shop owner and I trying to figure if the garment could be resized we opted to create something. Taking a few measurements and calculations we end up with a cardigan in size 1 that has the extra of the crochet detail. Worked in 4ply alpaca my biggest problem was that it was in cream and I have trouble seeing light things after a while and can only work on them under lights.

So now I am back to trying to complete the shawl and need to get a few vests and pairs of bootees by next monday. So far the total is half of a vest. I guess I will be having a very busy week.

Somewhere out there where the FO's Are.....

2010-07-18T22:29:00.002+10:00

I am just a little swamped with things to get made, there is another of the shawls in the leaf pattern that is halfway thru sewing ( that one above is a completed one my Great Neice TJ recieved). Sometimes family jobs are more labour instense than anything. Vests and Bootees for Handmade in the Highlands and a Size 1 cardigan to somplete for Crookwell.

If I look worn out I am as I still have normal life to contend with and rotten work rosters that include my major knitting day which is Saturday. So no Knitting groups for me lately and well not much of a real life. I spend about half to 3/4 hour each day on my garden in prep for the seeds and seedlings to be planted in the newest area we have. I would rather grow more useable stuff for my cooking and even treated myself to a 2 year membership to Diggers Garden Club with some of the bonus I was given from work for not having a sickie for 3 years. I was also granted 23 hours of Annual Leave to my total. So seeds are in the mail and once the frosts finish it will be a bit of planting for a hopefully great food plot this summer.

I still get to spend atleast 6 hours a day knitting if I have work and most RDO's have about 16 hours a day spent knitting. I even still find time to actually feed my parents with my cooking as well. To be honest it is mostly what I can figure by the seat of my pants and is a basic chop and cook or thro in the oven easily and bake. My favourite is the chop and throw in the Slow cooker and then keep eating till its gone which is generally only a few days.

So back to the needles I go and hope there is no late night dash to Kmart to replace a worn out broken needle. Thank you for 24 hour stores.

Whoa whats next then.....

2010-07-10T00:49:00.002+10:00

I have been too busy lately to actually get everything up todate. I took photos of my Broccoli plants and that was maybe 2 weeks ago and soon I will start the harvesting of them too.

Just a small selection of what I have had to make lately. I have made a shawl to replace it in the stock for Hndmade in the Highlands and managed to get a vest and some beanies and bootees done. I still need to get another shawl made and more vests, beanies and bootees. Things get a little out of hand when it all sells out from what was a very good stock level.

I even have a size 1 cream cardigan to make for Country Treasures which is a bit of a new design working basic elements and a touch of fancy. So with yet again not the best version of roster making life very odd I will be using the next 3 days to work on the cardigan as well as a shawl for my cousins baby that is due soon and get a few other things complete and to the right places.

I guess Ill just carry on somehow till things settle back down one day down the track.

Down the Street comes the band of The Salvation Army

2010-06-14T20:17:00.003+10:00

I spend a wonderful 2 days out in Mudgee bringing music and much love to Lt Dean and Lt Rhonda Clutterbuck. We had our Brass band and 2 worship bands converge on them and show Mudgee and Gulgong we were there. Dean and Rhonda loved having us and the treat of real music as well as the time to be with family from back home.

We were in a cold place in about -1C and the Youth Jam started with Wipeout complete with some lost Surfers. Thankfully the guys got changed quickly after the song.

The band went down the main street in Gulgong for the Henry Lawson Festival Parade. Mudgee Timbrels played behind whish is good for a group who are only a few weeks old.

I had the chance to follow the band in the march as I had a lovely baby in a pram to watch while her mum was playing in the Timbrels. I have Major Christine Longbottom here with me and she was my Prayer Pal when I was a Junior Soldier so 20 years later this would be since our last photos together.

How much knitting did I get done ....none while away as I was Driver and playing so I was very busy the only stuff I got to do was see some yarns in some shops that Dean was steering me towards.

So now its back on track with a list to get done that is far too long.

Eureka! Abundant!

2010-06-06T22:02:00.002+10:00

Well sadly I didn't take photos of the work that has been churned out so far. I have made 12 beanies for Handmade in the Highlands but that has had me busy and then we had a great one come in.

10 am Thursday 3rd June: Email from Country Treasure in Crookwell arrives. Requested items is 6 month old mittens in either Cobalt or Jacaranda. I reply and get the needles cranked into over drive.

9 am Friday 4th June: No sleep in here went to bed at 2am with 2.5 pairs of mittens made. Not sure if a thumb was needed or not so in each shade there is a pair with thumb and with out one. Request this time is get one pair in the post as soon as possible and follow up with another pair. So a response of there will be 4 leaving in the post today.

1pm Friday 4 pairs complete and packaged, invoice written and ready to drive to the post office and send for a weekend trip to Crookwell. Postage is just a 3 day from me to there and weekend movements help to get it there. I even considered the drive there and back to drop them off but chose to post so I could knit more beanies.

So a quick turn around at 32 minutes for each 8 ply mitten. A request filled in a day and well a happy shop owner on the other end at the work I have done for it.

The maddness wont end there as I know things are becoming popular and keeping me busy and I have a few more things to finish off before August as well. A couple of family items to knit for babies who are due and hpefully in whatever spare moments I can snatch I will knit at Mudgee. The Shellharbour Citadel Band, This Way and Feedback are travelling to Mudgee to show Mudgee the Salvation Army is back in force in Town. So I have a full on 2 days and I think I will be glad when its over with all the extra practice and time doing things for it have consumed my time. Our theme for the Weekend is Eureka! Abundant Life! and it should be good even with a Youth Jam to go and let loose at. I will try to get as much as I can made.

Over the Range

2010-05-22T00:44:00.002+10:00

Well things have been a bit on the busy side and beanies are the main thing for a bit longer. I have had some alpaca sent to me in an assortment of shades and had some playtime with it. A lovely Rose grey did not only one childs beanie but a second toned with cream.

More playing with slipstich ways

and more playing

and stripes to use stuff up. I have made 14 beanies in 2 weeks and well they will all be sold at Crookwell. Since they are stocked a bit more I can spend a weekend doing as many as I can for Moss Vale.

I picked the title for 2 reasons this week being that the beanies are going over the range ( Great Dividing Range) to Crookwell and that this week at a work collegues funeral the A. B. Banjo Patterson poem was used. Its just fitting for the moment to thing of being in a nice place. So for me its a quiet but knitting time here.

quick rounding around.

2010-05-01T01:03:00.003+10:00

Ok we have 12mth beanies with slip stitch variations.

Slip stitch n mucnhkin stripes for 6mth olds

and a 8ply childs beanie. So I have been busy and there is still more than plenty to get done.

ANZAC the legend and well the day.....

2010-04-26T20:49:00.002+10:00

Well some went to camp and I stayed behind as I was on serious duties for ANZAC Day. This meant a 3 day weekend of Saturday getting prepared after spending what seems like endless hours but really about 8 hours getting music ready. Some of the music had changed so that means alot of work getting new lamiated march and Hymns cards ready. Getting uniform prepared and organised. I even still had to keep the knitting up as I knew I was about to loose alot of time for the days events.

Anzac Day itself was a long one with a 7.15am service then a 10.15am service and then a 2pm service. as there was a Breakfast between 1st and 2nd services I have partially clogged my cornet from that. By the time I had a lunch stop and then a 2pm service my instrument was not really happy with me. I will spend this week cleaning the instrument as there really was not enough allowance to allow food to settle between and thats not a great mix.

So despite alot of hard work for one day I have manged to get a few beanies worked on and a baby vest. I just have to catch up on photos and sewing up things soon as well.

Just to give an idea of the day in my area the local paper did a collection of pictures. So a very sore and aching me has had a quiet Monday knitting to catch back up again.

Now its all in a days work

2010-04-10T19:51:00.002+10:00

Just for fun to start us off with, my lovely scottish Michael and I at work. Yes Beanie to sew up infront of me and the fun of getting someone to behave at work after too much sugar and caffine made one hypo. Not me I was the good one.

A plain beanie needed to be dressed up and for this one a safe unisex teddy does the job.

Some Bendigo Aqua that is now discontinued and will be churned into 0 - 6mth beanies as its hard to get bigger size patterns for 4 ply yarn.

The 2 ply alpaca shawl is complete after consuming the best part of my Easter weekend and is ready for Mondays delivery. This along with 5 beanies and a vest is just one load and so far 5 beanies for Crookwell have been completed. So it is back to filling the Crookwell box up so it can get posted this next week as well.

Long weekend round up

2010-04-04T14:45:00.002+10:00

Ok it has been a little busy and I am sure some of my needles think they will pass out with the amount of work they do. I have 3 beanies for Crookwell.

Almost a shawl for Handmade in the Highlands.

3 beanies completed for Handmade in the Highlands.

A vest for Handmade in the Highlands as well and all of this is only a few weeks worth of work to be honest. So as I toil away doing things I notice there were some crazy wild Chocolate things about to invade me.

O no I think I need to catch them, kill them and eat them so they dont reproduce a District 9 scene in my house.

Surfing thru the work

2010-03-19T20:58:00.003+11:00

Just like any good Surf boat crew Skip I have been at the helm gettign everything in the right places. I have to take photos when I have sewn things up but 2 beanies and nearly a 3rd has been completed this week while I had the peace and quiet of no parents.

So it has been me Boss and my knitting but, Roxie says it all Im worn out. I have worked like mad and needed to do alot of extra things as well as normal stuff. 2 beanies done for Moss Vale and one nearly done for Crookwell which balances out the number of days each has at the present. Back to the work and will try to get photos on Sunday or so as I am still on split days off of Friday and Sunday so very little presence at groups until I get a break of my weekends again.

Things are flying off the needles

2010-03-13T22:10:00.002+11:00

Just like Connie I have been flying about the knitting work. I have been able to get the right balance of the 2 places and getting stuff ready to post off to Crookwell ahead of the winter onslaught. I do know that in the past 2 weeks with the cooler weather things have started to go yet again. I have steamed my way thru a size 2 jumper and geoing great guns on more pairs of MDA bootees ( million dollar alpaca). Moss Vale isnt missing out as they have a shawl, beanie and a vest on the needles and get their allocated days as well.

I have begun slightly planning my days and what is needed better and making use of my free time from the call centre to get plenty done. I will have to get beanies to fall off the needles like parachutes in the next week or so as they have become a very hot and popular item.

So back I go before I drop in again with photos organised.

I went to the Danger Zone.......

2010-03-04T23:43:00.002+11:00

Ok yes It was Wings over the Illawarra time again and this year was a real treat with a FA-18 Hornet buzzing over just like in Top Gun . I think that its sonic boom and the feeling I get being only 100 m away from it renewed my vigour and got my routine moving.

Quite a sleek looking thing in the real but thats not knitting. I know once of a knitter loosing a good part of a knitter sock as one flew over in an air show. My sock was safe in my camera bag instead.

On the knitting front this week has seen a huge lot of progress on the long term UFOS. A jumper started at Guild camp is onto its sleeves and going well. A little cardigan started way back when last year is finally seeing some movement. I have started the next crochet shawl and going well. I can even forsee an outstanding beanie getting completed very soon and some form of routine happening between the 2 places and maybe a little extra on the side of socks. I hope it all keeps up on a good balance so I actually find less of the lingering yarn and more new stock coming in.

Lots happening

2010-02-27T20:07:00.002+11:00

There has been plenty going on despite the extreme humidity, heat and other things that got into the way. I got a vest in 2ply done.

crocheted a matinee jacket.

Crocheted a 2 ply shawl for a christening.

Found some Red Bull and surfers on the way to Stitch n Bitch. Ok they are not knitting related unless you count the fact I was knitting while waiting to see the race. It's known as Helisurf and they run out paddle from one bouy to another and 1st to the 2nd bouy gets the rash vest to be the winner.

Then the winner gets winched out and taken for a private secluded surf somewhere with some top surfer guy. Different but alright if only I took my DSLR for better pics.

Stitch n Bitch was productive but tomorrow is Wings Over the Illawarra so mostly planes and possibly a little sock knitting if I can put the camera down for long enough.

I haven't disappeared

2010-02-19T00:22:00.002+11:00

Well I have not actually been neglecting the blog its just some stuff has still been a tad on the hectic side. I have started to settle into a better routine with my 6 hour shifts and hopefully I go back to late shifts from now on and regain my weekends back. I have still one split day off thi week then a 6 day straight to get a full weekend off again.

Things have been going like mad with extreme humidity and odd weather that has slowed what could be done. The Christening Shawl is finished and will be dropped off on Monday with the crochet jacket,vest and a beanie. I still need to get bootees made for Crookwell as well as complete s couple of garments started before October last year. To even try and figure why it has taken so long is not a question in my mind. Its all forward from here and hopefully it works out better.

My garden is going really well with Dwarf peas and beans all popping up from seed and other plants and herbs taking right off with the right weather conditions. Finally I seem to even feel alot less stressed than I was 2 months ago. I am hoping that my forward thinking and some little planning along the way will balance out stock for both places and get my vest complete and the second one going. I knit the rib and my mother works most of the rest with my intervetion on parts where she cant figure it out. I only won the 20 balls of Jet back in about 2003 so not to bad its finally going to keep me warm in what could be a cold winter.

Back to getting my stuff done.

Take me to the Tardis

2010-01-30T21:39:00.002+11:00

I found some very interesting things at Kiama Show this year and when I took my entries down on Thursday a young man of about 15 or so was bringing his entry in. None other than this Tardis. I couldnt resist sharing a picture of it with all the Dr Who fans out there. I seemed to have gain some form of Dalek relative near my chair at home in the way of a portable air con unit.

Another thing I felt was worth seeing is a lovely mans handiwork of knitted Wombles. I love the wombles with Uncle Bulgaria one of my favorites.

Well of my own entries I was only able to get a Highly Commended for the coathanger and a 2nd for the 2 ply alpaca shawl. The shawl is partially done and will get its other rows of edge when I get it back tomorrow.

Overall the show had some lovely things and well some injustice was done to alot of knitters who had very well presented work that was passed over by the judge/s for some very cheap and nasty looking work that really didnt fit the category. I can see a stronglhy worded letter may need to be sent to express my concern on the issues that have been noticed on the judging.

The hard work doesnt end with the shows over. I have still some things to catch back up on and get moving on the winter restock. I lost a fair bit of time due to muddled work rosters and bad health but have since reduced my work hours to get back on track and prevent any health issues escalating any further. So I am finally 4 months later getting things off the needles and off to Crookwell and actually feeling a tad better about getting sufficent stock ready for this year.

Back to the needles I go and get more MDA bootees ready to post on Monday.

Show time yet again

2010-01-23T19:30:00.002+11:00

Time for Dapto Show when the drop off on Thursday night is also the Greyhound meet so parking was a problem but I did watch 2 races after things were checked in. I was really watching the pink dog from Box 8 who came 5th but might show some form another time.

So the results amongst a heap of Scarves was the Beanie which got a 2nd place. I sponsor the Best Beanie and Best scarf classes with a $10 1st prize in each.

Pretty coathanger got a 1st.

2 pairs of bootees one with cuff and one with short leg 2nd

Childs Cardigan size 4 - 12 2nd. So a total of $9. sadly many classes were not entered and well numbers in entries across the whole pavillion were down very dramatically.

Just hope Kiama has plenty in it and well that next year more will enter as well.

Into Show time gear again

2010-01-17T15:09:00.002+11:00

Its time again to be ready for the Dapto show so this year the scarf is done, the 2 pairs of bootees are done, crochet matinee jacket is done and yes the beanie is Rudolph. Photos need to be mounted and the coathangers need to be sewn as well as finish a size 4 cardigan.

Then we have Kiama show which means so many UFO's are becoming FO's finally in time to get them off in stock. As like the past few years a creative teacosy is made. This year the 4 books of Twilight.

So back off to get busy and keep working on things and even try to do a 2 ply crochet shawl in a week again.

The latest Update brought to you by Kevin!

2009-12-27T22:32:00.003+11:00

Kevin to start with is my Youngest Nephews Christmas Present a Siamese Fighting Fish. Who knows why the name but I joke and call him Primeminister.

Progress is actually starting to happen!!!! Today I took the chance after getting the essential Battery for the portable DVD player that I was gifted for Christmas and would not go until I got one for the little itty bitty remote. I can confess to having more DVDs than I think I can get thru in a hurry. So sitting peacefully outside with portable DVD player and The Harp of the South playing I worked away and completed the back of a size 4 cardigan that might make it to Dapto Show if I'm lucky. I even finished off a crochet matinee jacket that should have been finished weeks ago and sorted my self a bit better for the up coming shows. Not too much is being planned but a day and night of knitting and crochet will help greatly. So my new year will be knitted in and hopefully I get photos soon.

So back to it all I go!

ok when does normal return

2009-12-25T23:36:00.002+11:00

Well Christmas has come and well now its gone. Carolling is over and soon my haphazrd roster might return to some form of normal. I spent time with the little 4 mth olf Great neice and have been busy with work and trying to do some of the normal things.

I turned the car into a Reindeer and well its coming off tomorrow and hopefully it drys from the rain fairly quickly. Crocheting and knitting has almost gone to a halt before I have finally started to get back on track in the past few days. Heres hoping that new years give plenty of hours of DVDS and knitting to finish things off.

Just take a number ill get back to you in turn

2009-12-04T23:51:00.005+11:00

The Agents Of T.R.U.T.H who recently did a visit to my Corps and well Eve, Logan and Bally kept the kids and some not so small kids Moving about like mad.

Life here has been a little busy and out of whack. There has been training at work, plenty of new staff, 10 plus hour days at work and trying to sqeeze in normal life. The knitting has suffered and well I am trying to catch up just when my work roster goes very off track and weird. As its drawing to the Christmas Season a bit to fast I try to put lights mostly solar but a few large additions this year. If your in the Illawarra and dont know how to find me its Jones Ave Primbee.

So lights going on each night and now I try to get stuff done for the shows as well as restock for Crookwell and Moss Vale. Busy times ahead so Ill try to get things ready to photograph soon.

Plenty still happening

2009-11-07T22:44:00.004+11:00

Well despite being busy Boss has started this time with his very doggy Arroo hello to you all. Things have been busy as normal and the great summer break is looking like a miss this year.

I have been making these vests for most of the year and well they keep selling very well and this round was to make a matching beanie and bootees as well as a Matinee Jacket.

Some tweaking came out with this made in 2 ply alpaca. The breather in the knitting does not even start as restocking is a big priority with a better than ever sales year for both Handmade in the Highlands at the Bowral Farmers market, Bundanoon market, alpaca farm days and other invites for Canberra Wool day and Tulip time. Crookwell and Country Treasures has kept me on my toes as well. I am not sure what has sparked the renewed interest in getting handmade but I am trying to figure how to balance next year early.

So its back to the work I go!

Lots going on here

2009-10-16T23:49:00.005+11:00

Well plenty happening! The Pram cover I knitted at camp needs to be crocheted around, the maintee jacket needs some attention and then there is an order to knit a matinee jacket and a vest for. I guess that will keep me out of trouble.

The 2 balls of the Million Dollar Alpaca that will become parts of bootees. So far one set knitted just not sewn yet.

A lovely lady at work went to visit relatives in New Caledonia and when she saw all the tea in the supermarket thought of me and I have now a lovely Rose and Cinnamon Black tea to enjoy. It seems just as my tin needs some restocking I get a gifted one to help it along as well.

Well a few questions while on dinner at work helped me achieve a Maggi products hamper to the value of $50. So some sauces, meal bases and 8 packets of 2 minute noodles make this up. Not too bad for a dinner break.

Well a busy weekend ahead with knitting and gardening as well as trying to get organised for a week of training at work. This will be the 4th product I have learned in almost 9 years.

And this one time on knit camp......

2009-10-06T22:19:00.003+11:00

It was time for the Knitters Guild camp at Kurri Kurri so a trip up with 2 other ladys to keep the driver company ( me ) and a great weekend. Food, friends, wool and workshops. Even some heritage items to see such as the bonnet that made a show for us to see.

The meeting of feet and actually comparing sizes mine is the little one at the front in the navy slipper meeting a size 11 and size 9.

There were workshops and well Kris and Fiona took a great socks class for those to master the skill of 2 circulars and sock techniques.

The wildlife even came out for a look and I think this Eastern Grey was more puzzled by me and the camera.

Overall a good 4 days and well it means that I did get some stuff knitted and well the Million Dollar Alpaca (MDA ) arrived after I left and missed going with me. SO back to the mountains of work to do.

What a week that went by.....

2009-09-28T18:22:00.002+10:00

Well things have been busy and odd over the past week. Even Boss will tell you today was one of the few times suitable for outside.

An orchid has flowered but still bears alot of the red dust from the Dust storm last Wednesday. Even the wild winds on the weekend didnt shake the icky mud that it left behind.

Poor Birdsnest fern is dtill bearing red rusty dust.

I have been finishing off a few things and getting things done before the Long weekend that means trip away to Kurri Kurri for Knitters Guild camp and relaxing knitting time. So I have been getting things ready to go to the places they belong. Last night I finished the size 1 slip stitch cardigan that must have been hanging about for 10 months. Tulips Time in Bowral has required some attention as well with Handmade in the Highlands doing a 5 day market from Thursday 1st October until Monday 5th. Bootees and beanies full steam ahead here and need to maximise before Wednesday only the 4th set being made now. Must get back to all of it as the garden is being watered from the rain and the wind has stopped blowing eveything away.

Working away very well

2009-09-13T23:28:00.003+10:00

Well madness did arrive in trying to get orders finished and get back to clearing up the needles a little bit. So far so good and hopefully with a 5 day weekend from work more gets completed. So a Size 3 Cable top Jumper that was hanging about for far too long was finished. I am now trying to get a cardigan completed that also has hung about for far too long.

Amongst it all I have to restock for the Tulip time festival and well there was a fair sized order as well. This is just the Size 1 vest and Beanie along with them was a 6mth vest and 2 beanies and 2 pairs of bootees. Stocking for a 5 day event is a little daunting but great all the same. I for see a quiet few days outside enjoying the time to get caught up and infront for a little while.

Christmas craft wise well 3 bon bons and 13 christmas trees have been made. I can see a few more being made this week as well and maybe some other items to join them. Fete is on the 26th of this month so will have to get working away as best I can.

For now I think I need to keep cutting circles of fabric to get ready to sew between items this week.

Marching on with the flag unfurled.....

2009-08-30T23:45:00.002+10:00

Just like the NSW Police Band things are marching along. Things have calmed and releif has been felt with confirmation of a further 3 years of work ahead and new things to learn as well at work. Knitting wise things are moving along as well. I think things will get there and be all done ok and caught up soon.

A little Size 1 cardigan has been completed and another cardigan and jumper are getting closer to coming off the needles as well. The jumper has been hanging around for far too long and the next cardigan has been as well. I have some how managed to find a better balance and feel as if things are getting there as well. Just speed up and give me the bit of leave that is coming up in a few weeks time. Hopefully the weather is much nicer and I get to enjoy outside time watching the world go by and knit away.

For now its back to the needles and keep going still alpaca stuff to do.

350 and counting .......

2009-08-23T21:10:00.002+10:00

350 bottle tops that have been sewn and used to complete 10 Christmas Trees so far. Now its restock them as well as get bon bons ready to be made as well. All the fun of craft for Christmas and fetes and stalls.

Aside from that I was able to complete a hooded scarf for a friend and her 2 beanies. Now the fun starts and there has been skeins wound into balls today and now a few baby singlets and baby wear to knit. I had a large list of things to make and then Thursday had a decent sized order phoned through to me. So I'm sewing and knitting and well trying to keep up with things normally as well.

So nights of sewing or knitting and weekends of cooking and crafting. I think I need to get more tea to cope with all the work that needs to be done. The better news is that the prm cover has gone to its new owner being my Great Neice who arrived last week.

Time to return to the needles so there are blog worthy photos soon.

Getting there before the fete as well......

2009-08-17T23:35:00.004+10:00

Ok we are still busy here fete items still going with a further 3 trees done so over 280 milk bottle tops have been sewn and I know it over as I sewed about 30 over the weekend. I think this weekend will yeild a pile more as well.

I have been on the knitting path with a Noro beanie complete and a cable beanie has also fallen off the needles lately just one thing to complete and all done.

A nice pram cover for the great neice when she arrives.

Still tonnes to do but atleast I feel like its getting somewhere. I need to settle in and get the last bits of things done and get started on others. Some how I am a little bit better organised finally and will get better in time. I just have to sort the wool order and then sit back brew tea and knit and crochet like the wind.

Steaming along .....

2009-08-09T21:03:00.002+10:00

Well I am still as busy as ever and honestly more so than a pair of Euphonium players doing triplets in a band march run. I did cheat and take time out to go to Kiama for their 150th Celebrations. NSW Fire Brigade and the NSW Police bands both took my eye.

So I need to get on my horse and prepare to ambush the what seems like an ever increasing knitting list. This week I have received a rather long list of things to make and well sure I had a fair list but now Im a bit too deep for my present likings. I will get there and go forth like the Light Horse Brigade.

So like the 3265 steaming past Bombo ( and well they move pretty quick too) my hands will be going full steam ahead making cardigans, bootees and beanies. Just less time for the photography and more sitting with the knitting. Should be in a better spot in a week or 3.

Still working as fast as the wind

2009-08-01T21:57:00.003+10:00

A nice afternoon and a good chance to catch up on some items that needed finishing. So Fete items for the Warrigal Care Group Fete to be held next month. A nice little pile of hanging decorations that were crochet around milk bottle rings to finish.

Another 6 angels to match up with the 12 that have already left to join the 60 rudolphs and another 3 Christmas Trees were completed. So far this year I have a count of 5 trees which each take 35 milk bottle tops covered in fabric. There is certainly some maths to be had with 175 bottle tops that were covered and now put into use.

So in between fete craft I was knitting and well watching out to see what birds caught my eye. I had the Hawk hang around for a long time and later a Kookaburra.

But on the knitting side of things I have been knitting beanies that were ordered and a blanket for a little one who arrives soon into our family. There is so much that needs to be done and I hope tomorrow I get some finished to photograph and move to the next items. I just hope I get a nice day to sit back relax and knit. Hopefully more fete craft can be made with my supervision as well.

Daisy , Daisy

2009-07-13T00:04:00.002+10:00

Busy as normal here but on assorted Projects. Warrigal Care group have their fete in September and yet again Christmas craft is flowing again. So far I have 60 of these Rudolphs complete and they can be used in plants or flower arrangements or the like to dress up for gifts or just display. Next is more trees then some other ornaments en masse.

But Crookwell has been selling too well for me to cope with and I have now completed a Size 1 (above) and a Size 2 ( below ) basic cardigan and to dress them up added some Lazy Daisy's to them. I have 4 other cardigans on the go for them as well.

So I will keep finsihing a shawl and knitting away on the rest of the stuff. I guess it is the best way to cope despite the background stuff that is happening for me. Sometimes the land of craft is pleasant so we want to hide from reality there instead.

You got me on the line

2009-07-06T23:19:00.003+10:00

Well things have been busy yet again trying to get things done quickly but it was amidt some chaos as well. Finally things were rounded up and dropped at Berry where I also took time to see their museum which houses an older version of the system I work on to do my job these days. Seeing the old Call Connect switch is a bit of excitement for me.

But the chaos that has been has resulted in this rather useable outdoor area which has power and shelter on nice days as well as not so pleasant days.

Nearly there and yes those bodys are relatives of mine.

Before the roof with just the frame up. My task before this was completed was tea duty before I went to work each day do the morning tea and still try to get organised for work so alot of knitting time was lost on weekends to it as well. Even my garden needs some time as it got a bit neglected as well.

Now back on track again its full steam ahead in finishing garments and making things for the Warrigal Care Group Fete again. So far I have Rudolphs and Christmas Trees going well and thing there are elves and bon bons to do. More on them as they get finished each time after lazy Sunday afternoons doing craft en masse.

Sightseeing the 'Gong

2009-06-27T22:30:00.003+10:00

Sir Earl and Junior are ending their time here and we went to see the sights around Wollongong most places were just a drive by as the weather was iffy and Hobbysew had 30% off buttons. Sir Earl agreed the savings on the sale were much better anyhow. So a look over Belmore Basin towards Flagstaff Hill.

Some history walk time with Smiths Hill Battery being a great spot.

A closer look at the restored cannons there.

And the infamous "Table of Knowledge" which he chose not to sit at so he does not get associated with the trouble that brewed there not so long ago.

Then it was on to Stitch n Bitch where plenty of knitting on my part happened. Tonight is the catch up and finishings for me to get orders out. I know tomorrow will be similar and a few other things need to be attended to as well.

The week that was ......busy to say the least

2009-06-27T00:03:00.002+10:00

Well this week Sir Earl arrived and really came on a very muddled week. Delights were enjoyed from the cafe at work with the Chocolate Ganache tarts going down very well and even my work mug has started springing a leak in the seal.

The view from the breakout room overlooking the grain terminal, port for cars and the Steelworks (BHP/Bluescope)

Sir Earl taking a look out to the view the building that looks like a high rise is a retirement facility with self care units.

Sir Earl has been helping on Morning tea in my large pot....

To feed the workers on the verandah works....now with roof

The day after he arrived it was looking like this ready for the roof.

Knitting done for me well basically very little has been done amid the muddle and hopefully this weekend can do a bit of catching up and getting back on track again.

Sir Earl Grey arrives with Junior and the Travelling tea box

2009-06-22T23:34:00.005+10:00

Ok to my surprise there were 2 large parcels for me today before I went to work. One was a box of Crookwells needs and then this other box that is Sir Earl Grey Esq and Junior with the Ravelry Travelling Tea box for Aussies on Cuppa tea group. So out to stretch legs just as I had made a morning tea brew and serving piklets to the workers ( aka father and uncle). Then a little quick rummage and then off to work with these 2 in tow.

Well we got to work and despite Junior being told he had to behave he ran amok til he saw the big TV in our lunch room.

So we settled Junior down and showed him his little treats for the day, An Orchy ( orange and passionfruit juice), mandarin, bag of chips and a small chocolate bar. He was most happy.

Sir Earl opted to sit back and relaxe with a cup of Earl Grey and a youghurt.

Then while I worked and Sir Earl knittted Junior was treated to some colouring in and showing his books to anyone who would listen.

Sorry the pictures wont behave and are out of order

This Old House

2009-06-14T23:26:00.002+10:00

Well grey drab sunday morning but Boss wanted to play a bit so he played while I finished things and got on with other projects.

I have completed an order of newborn pants, jacket and beanie. I spent 2 hours tonight puting the 7 rows of elastic in the waist rib. I wont be rushing to do this again as it is very difficult to see the rows to thread thru.

But I have a side non fibre related project to play with. A dolls house that had been discarded and suffering minor damage will be repaired and refurbished for a new addition who arrives soon but I guess this will take me a little bit longer to repair then paint nicely for her. I will need to get a wriggle on with the pram cover instead.

Still carrying on thru the night

2009-06-08T23:12:00.002+10:00

Well despite being busy with plenty of things to knit and get off to the 2 different places I took some time out to catch up with a friend and do some photography. So an afternoon around Kiama and a few photos were challenged between us.

Saturday nights challenge was the fireworks after a family funday on Lake Illawarra. I got plenty of them and well the last was the best.

I cant resist the window displays at Gallery Serpentine so as I went past on my usual monthly order drop off I stopped to take the picture in the crisp cold winters morning.

Even after churning out beanies as they seem to sell so quick I can hardly keep up and now pink has been the seller as well and depleted the stock of baby wear and under 3's so its all needles flying for Crookwell and trying to keep up for Moss Vale and I am almost completed another side order with just a scarf to complete after that. I shall be chained to the needles for a bit longer yet.

Never,never doubt what nobody is sure about......

2009-06-01T23:52:00.002+10:00

With cooler weather and cold snaps it has lead to the busy hands in a wild fashion unlike wild seas that have been about. I dont think I have ever had a year like this where I can barely keep the stock up and well I am happy all the same.

I do have some photos on the cameras to load up yet of some of the recent work but will carry on at all angles to keep things going along smoothly. So like the Roulettes I will break formation to work on the needs at present.

Working hard to get to knit camp

2009-05-26T00:27:00.002+10:00

Maddness has hit with a order due over the long weekend and Crookwell selling out of stuff as well. Last week I had a failed attempt of 2 knitting days only to have the OZ Travelling Tea box arrive and need attention as well as other spanners in the works. The tea box contained plenty of goodies and well left with some goodies added as well as some goodies for me.

So this time of year means plenty of work and normally it is still stocking with slow sales beginning to get a little quicker. This year the early cold snap and onset of the cooler temps has lead to a mad rush. Alpaca is selling quick and Crookwell is selling through newborn beanies as quick as I can seem to knit them. On the side I also have a baby set to complete and a scarf to knit.

Throw all the knitting in around a 40 hour working week and the need to still get regular supplies. I think I need a trip away where no one is going to disturb me and a slave will feed and water me at regular intervals.

Mind you while waiting to have some work done on the car in a basic maintainance way I was shooting photos around Port Kembla Harbour. I feel like the little pilot boat (tug) bringing the big ship in the port. But, on the otherside I am like the works as the lights come on at night on sunset I keep working along the way.