Robyne Melia is Bobby La

Garden Progress

2012-01-20T18:53:00.003+11:00

Good huh?

The Dude Abides

2012-01-13T09:24:00.002+11:00

Jaden is my first-born grandchild. Go Dude!

Vintage Aran Textured Poncho

2012-01-06T21:28:00.003+11:00

This is the front. Next time I'll add a bit of patterning at the side plain bits. And do a few other alterations. Below is the side view. Look here for more information. I'm off to start a new knitting project and can't talk. Way too excited!

Oh, and the colour is green. This, strangely, is exactly the colour of other wool by Jaggerspun but not the Poncho.

Foxy La

2011-12-30T14:44:00.001+11:00

I bought this actually I had it made for my Fella for Christmas. He added the goggles and the flowers seemed right too. Less frightening for the little ones.

I'm Starting Teaching Again!

2011-12-28T09:54:00.004+11:00

Kim at l'uccello's has persuaded me to do some classes. She, with her lovely winning ways, and her amazing shop, which will be a dream to teach in... the stuff she sells is so inspiring! The classroom is upstairs but I'm told it will be as beautiful... and of course, all of the goods are for the plucking.
I go there for a pick-me-up sometimes. One week recently I had an awful time at work (can't remember why) so I popped down to Kim's at lunch and bought a little bit of bling. It makes me so happy! I have tiny vases of millinary pearl stamens, and folded up ribbons in pretty floral bags to keep my sprirts up. ETC...!

SO, classes will be in April. Crazy Patchwork construction and embroidery.

Here are some more pictures of my quilt.

The classes (4 Saturday's with one session in the morning and another in the afternoon) will take participants through the basics of:

-Building the crazy patchwork, with instruction on colour and forward planning (for the motifs).
-Traditional border designing (fun).
-Many beautiful and uncommon stitches, which will be applied in specific ways. Nice ways.
-Colour blending, needle painting, needle-lace stitches (3D and textured work).

Whilst I give patterns for the motifs, we'll adapt them to each piece. For example I'll draw, or instruct in drawing the designs individually if the diagram doesn't fit nicely.

Any ideas people have can easily be incorporated, or at least addressed. I always describe other ways to use the stitches they learn, as well as bring examples to show the various ways I have explored the stitches they will be learning. I follow a specific curriculum that has been developed over some sixteen years to help the class to develop their own ideas as much as follow mine.

Each class has more than one outcome, for example: we work a fern design (it’s on one of the cards) and explore colour grading as well as learn an old, little used stitch (my all time fave) and so on for each class… However, a 2 1/2 hour session allows for a gentle pace.

Above all, I've never taken a class that wasn't fun and warm! I love that about us crafters, we're a lovely bunch!

The Poncho

2011-12-13T10:50:00.003+11:00

I've started at last! The wool is Jaggerspun's Heather (3/8 doubled to be about 10 ply), in Agate. It's such gorgeous wool. I've long loved this pattern, and Eunny's cable tutorial helped me understand how to write out the pattern. And how to understand cabling altogether. Great tute! Yay for Eunny!
I figure that a poncho is perfect for cold New York. Over a cardigan, over a shirt, over a jacket and under two big, warm wraps. I hope. I saw a brilliant recipe (pattern) for tights too, but there's not really enough time... I've done the wrist warmers though.

2011-11-27T21:51:00.003+11:00

OK, well, what I should have done is superimpose these gaphs over Eunny Yang's Ivy League Vest, or something similar. Check out my Ravelry page for more info... Or connect to the other post (it's too late to write and think, again)...

It Is Finished!

2011-10-31T19:27:00.005+11:00

My very own old fashioned Fair Isle vest. Yay!! As soon as I've put the chart on a graph, I'll post it here and at Ravelry. Have a look there for the whole ordeal in minute detail.

Leif's Groovy Shirt

2011-10-30T19:38:00.003+11:00

Made from vintage (but never used) fabrics and a 1960's pattern. Mr 2 years old. I made a pair of shorts in other vntage fabric but forgot to photograph them. I'd made some for my son (Leif's Dad) when he was a wee lad as well. If you keep the fabric long enough..... The label is one I used just for the children's clothes. Had a few left.

Happy Birthday Lamp

2011-10-29T11:33:00.004+11:00

I made this over a long time, just for my darling heart. I could only glue a few shells at a time, then would rotate the whole thing to do more. In secret. The bark is from Silver Birch trees. You can peel it off, if you're gentle, during the spring. It's so beautiful (the barrk). I've glued it to rice paper, then crocheted the edges. It's very delicate and warm and pretty.

I was concerned about the thin pieces, but as it happens, they look the best when the light is on. In fact it's a gorgeous thing. We all love shells huh? So pretty and shiny!

I'll add more pics later when I recharge the camera.

Sorry People. I'm Lazy

2011-10-07T14:45:00.004+11:00

And I'm at work so haven't any photo's of what I've done. It's all been hush hush you see... the fella's birthday and all that.

I covered an Op Shop lamp-base with shells, then made a shade using Birch Bark and crochet ala Hanky Boxes. It's swell even if I say so myself. It took ages. AGES.

We're also working on the garden a lot and the knitting is going swimmingly thanks for asking. So's the pretty dresses colouring book and I wrote some poems for the One True's birthday. Naturally.

Beautiful Boy

2011-09-05T20:19:00.001+10:00

Gorgeous photo of my darling little grandson.

She's Done!

2011-08-31T15:22:00.004+10:00

Just have to stitch a border now, then block it to straighten it up. Very excited! It says on the back of the pattern that I started in June 2010! Surely not! It has had long gaps of inaction, but a year seems ridiculous.

Go to my Etsy if you want the pattern!

I Want To Make A Bust Like These

2011-08-30T09:49:00.003+10:00

Rachel Denny (above)

We have some beautiful horns at home. Various goats, I think. We also have a few skulls. A bear skull from the Op Shop. $5 because nobody wanted it. I may paint it pink, although I may not too. I had a book out of the library, on Dr Suess's busts, and since then I've had a hankering. Now that we're really getting into the renovations (although we're starting in the garden), I'm keen to get a wiggle on on the house stuff. I write countless lists...
Lounge Room: Bee Cushion (tick), Mme Riviere (almost... tick), 2 large square cushions, 2 small rectangular cushions and one oval cushion, Shell Covered Letters (tick), Shell Covered Lamp with Birch Bark Shade (almost tick and I'll show you as soon as it's done), Rag Rug for under or in front of the Chaise, Bust with Goats Horns...

Bedroom:
3 Rag Rugs, Heavy White Damask Monogrammed Sheet set, 2 Doona Covers (one from old table cloths), Bayeux Style Embroidery of Family Tea (or should that be for the kitchen/dining room?), Duck Doiley Set, Finish the freaking Red Quilt! etc...
Kiddie's Room:
Ship Rag or Tapestry Rug, Wagga...

Ad infinitum.

Happy Birthday (Or Valentine's Day Really) For 2 and a Half Years Ago

2011-07-31T20:37:00.004+10:00

That's how long I've been gathering shells and when I started this lovely present for my One True Love. He was impressed by the lovliness of the shells and the length of time I've been planning it. He deserves it anyway. Oh, incase you don't get it... we have the same initials, and with the ideas and the sharing, I thought it's more like a multiplication than an addition, so I wrote rm2 in a love letter 12 1/2 years ago and it stuck.

What he doesn't know is that there's more coming. I'm on a roll. Don't tell, if you have an opportunity to, that is.

Frogged! Starting Again.

2011-07-05T20:19:00.003+10:00

So, I've pulled it out because the thing is smaller than my pattern. And I've wondered if it will do, and thought it might... and wondered. But no! It will last for years and must be right! So, zip!

I have printed out some correct graph and will re-do the pattern tomorrow at work. Check here for updates and whereto's.

Note: The second 'lozenge' shaped row looks better with the stitch in the middle huh? And I discovered that the rib looks better on the other side! Hmmpft!

Got The Colours Now For Goodnesses Sake!

2011-06-21T12:05:00.004+10:00

This colour choice has been a saga. I have smoky grey, pink, apricot and two yellows spare, all bought thinking they might fit in. Ha ha ha! Plus I have a number of excellent books on Fair Isle and the history of knitting. It's lovely but little bit sad history. From a good living to be made to nothing. Queen Elizabeth I refused a patent for a stocking knitting machine and delayed the demise of the hand-knitting industry for 200 years. Bloody Industrial Revolution! The Revolution has a lot to answer for. And no, I won't listen to how it helped.

I love this from 'The Old Hand-Knitters of the Dales' (Yorkshire Dales), about how these knitters would re-knit a jumper just for a change and how delightful it was to behold:

A dalesman's daughters, whom we know, think nothing of frequently unravelling complicated Fair Isle patterned jumpers and knitting the wool up again in differnet styles. But 'things were made to wear then' and we think of Mr. William Gill as he sat on the edge of the sofa saying, 'What a change! What a change!'

The Painting I carried For 10 kilometres Through Paris

2011-06-20T05:47:00.003+10:00

He's a bit of a gay boy huh? Or is it just the times, the court etc. It's not old old old, so it's a copy of a style, but I really like him and he's going in the bedroom when it's renovated. Why not now? Well, it needs a little restoring and I might bling it up a little. And I'll have to convince the One True, who doesn't like it.

The Bayeux Tapestry

2011-06-14T10:16:00.004+10:00

I have to talk a bit about the Bayeux Tapestry, now that I have a moment. If you happen to get over there ever, you must go up to Bayeux in Normandy and see it. It's amazing! Any historian, art lover or embroiderer will find it so. Just the graphics and the storytelling expertise... the cartoon, is succinct and has incredible movement. The ebb and flow of the battle, for example, takes you along at an amazing pace. Some small images describe a lot with incidental details. I want to see it again.

Even thought I know it quite well, to see it in one continuous length, rather than on pages, makes a huge difference. Huge. Have a look here too, and explore.

You'll love the town as well.

I've just been Googling the tapestry to find out more, and have found a heap of other similar works, modern, done to depict the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie (Prestonpans Tapestry)and there's the Quaker Tapestry. I thought I might have a go at our Family Dinner, which is always full of movement and activity!

La Drogerie, Paris, for Yarn, & Bayeux Too

2011-06-13T17:00:00.006+10:00

We went to La Droguerie in Paris. They have their yarn samples hanging in hanks, and you choose by the number. Then the staff go out the back and wind off however much you've ordered. I bought these clear French blues, which shade subtly. The yarn is a bamboo/linen blend and looked lovely made up. I thought I'd do another Paperdolls, but without Fair Isle, just shading. Dunno yet. 4ply.

Main colour.

2nd shade.

Lightest shade.

Pretty other shade for something else. Too pretty not to buy.

I can't remember the price but it wasn't expensive. Unfortunately, there is no label to recount the colour or describe the yarn. It may have been on the reciept, in French (who knows?). I threw it out. Silly!

This was just interesting and I bought it for no good reason.

And these beauties are from Bayeux Broderie, a shop in Bayeux which sells kits of sections of the Bayeux Tapesrty. I wasnt to make my own design, ala Bayeux style. I started to plan one years ago and now am freshly inspired. The wools are grown in France, and dyed in the colours of the Tapestry. Very yummy!

I have posted all of my decent photo's over on Flickr in the Holiday set.

Home Again, Home Again, Lickety Spit

2011-06-12T12:11:00.005+10:00

Versailles

Well, that flew by, as you know it will. But still my mind is filled with the experience! What fun, and what a lot of walking I did.

I didn't climb the Eiffel Tower/Notre Dame/The Arch of Triumph, however I did ride a bicycle around the whole of Versailles and picnic on the lakeside, walk the entirely of everywhere, go to the Louvre a couple of times, take the river boats a few times, walk, walk, haggle at markets (oh, excuse me, marche's), see the sunset (almost) at Sacre Coeur. Did find a million Place of Interest, dring coffee and eat crepes. And I went into Notre Dame and walked saround the other places I didn't climb. And OH! The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry's! And all of the other tapestry's.

I saw the Bayeux Tapestry at Bayeux in Normandy (above). It happened to be June 6th too, D-Day, and soldiers from the 1st world war were walking (hobbling) around. The people there were lovely and so welcoming. It was the most beautiful town in the world as I know it. It was the first time I really had a sense of how horrendous the war must have been for France. Bayeux was not bombed but nearby Caen was, which I read about in a book I bought for Dad.

I went to see Mme Riviere and got so teary I had force myself to stop crying! Blubberer! She's so beautiful and the place is amazing. Of course. I couldn't believe where I was. But the wonder of it all and the 'coming down off cortosone' and the jet-lag and not having my One True Love there to share the joy overwhelmed me.
So much more to say but it's birthday time for Anna and I must away!
xxx

Yes, I'm In Paris

2011-06-07T08:21:00.000+10:00

I've Been Tagged!

2011-05-29T23:09:00.006+10:00

Lucy 'In The Sky' tagged me with my first ever Blog Award! How lovely! I met In The Sky at good old Ravelry, Yay! Thanks Lucy! I want to live where you live, it looks so pretty and green. We could have cups of tea.

Now, I have to tell you 10 things about myself that you don't know. Which is hard and I've done it twice so far (you'd think I'd remember) and my computer HAS CRASHED! Which it never does. So, if I get through, I'll publish BEFORE I award 10 of my favourite bloggers too! Ok?

1: My middle name is Fiona and I was named after the female character in Brigadoon. Mum and Dad went to see the play when Mum was preggers. Dad still calls me Fiona sometimes (in cards) and my Uncle used to call me Robyne-Ona, or the alternative, Fleas-Onna.

2: When I was 15-16 I went to Melbourne College of Textiles for a one year course, but because I started part way through the year I missed the embroidery component.

3: I still bit my fingernails at age 52 years and 11/12ths.

4: My friend Marion and I went for a drive (hitch-hike) up in the Dandenong Ranges one day (1973-4) and got a lift with Brian Cadd, a well known Pop musician of the day. We sat in the back and put our bare feet up on his leather and wood old-Jag upholstery and he didn't hassle us at all. We were too cool for school because he was a bit daggy, but we cooly bragged about it later.

5: I worked for five years as a gardener here at Cloudehill, doing paving and hedge-clipping and all manner of proper gardener slog, even though I'd not had a garden since I was a wee thing. It's not what you know, it's Who You Know.

6: I hate mushrooms, crab and oysters. I'm ashamed to admit that, but it's true. I hate them.

7: I named my daughter Lucy before I knew that my Grandmother's middle name was Lucy, my great-grandmother's name was Lucy, my great-great grandmother's name was Lucy and my great-great-great grandmother's name was Lucy.

8: In all my family history, I have not found a single convict.

9: I got a 3 day old goat as a pet when I was 12. Dad said she was lucky to learn to walk becaue I never let her down. So cute.

10: My teenage friend and I tried really, really hard, and I mean really truly sincerely honestly hard to send a psychic message to someone, then went around to see if he'd been at least thinking of us at all, even vaguely. And he hadn't.

Countdown To My Big Trip!

2011-05-29T17:13:00.004+10:00

2 more sleeps. I woke up ridiculously early today, remembering or thinking of things I needed to include. My Duck Doiley's to crochet the edges of. Note to self: cut and Fray Stop the edges before I go.

The little tapestry I have ready to do is another version of Mme Riviere, by Ingris. But in Pop brightness and for fun. Maybe to make a bag or something? And easy to see (and work on) in the low light of the plane. It's hard to decide. Or, do I wait and make a very fine petit point on silk with silk... but not of a cropped Mademoiselle, whole? To frame? I may tire of the image if I do it three times... or not? The painting is at the L:ouvre too, I just have noticed!

And because my black glass beads broke, I pulled out my necklace making gear and ended up (finishing) knotting my expensive garnet-coloured, interestingly cut Swarzkovski (?) crystals, and my great grandmother's pearls. To take. To Paris.

My Eldest & Youngest Grandsons

2011-05-27T17:54:00.003+10:00

Just hanging.

I'm off to Paris on Tuesday, and I've had most of the week off, not to sew, or prepare, but funked down with an awful nasty cold! Really sore throat, really sore chest, etc. etc. And it's a girl cold too. Imagine how bad it would be if I was a boy. However, it will be gone enough by Tuesday and completely forgotten by Wednesday.

I may have done some sewing, actually.

My New Darling

2011-05-27T11:07:00.005+10:00

I found this darling at the local Op Shop. And fell in love. He/She's stuffed with whatever and sewn however. With a very gentle, kindhearted disposition.

Crap Photo's Of My New Jacket

2011-05-22T18:04:00.004+10:00

Finished at last!! It's very comfortable and suitably snug. Perfect fit. With much coming and going and unpicking and recutting and hunting etc. I have finally finished. There are a few things I'd do differently... I'm a bit out of touch and my bum is rather large (which no amount of pattern cutting will alter).

Detail, worked by my Mum ever so long ago. From an unfinished thingy.

Looking up inside the cuff.

Vintage buttons.

Secret pockets at cuffs, in side seams.

Back, obviously. I ironed vellum onto the lining and made the quilted fabric. It looks so luscious and yum. You can make out where the cuff pockets are in this pic.

Inside. Nice lining huh?

Bad photo of the front. Two different Prince of Wales check fabrics. Wool, and wool-silk.

In Chain Cables

2011-05-21T19:00:00.004+10:00

This vintage pattern comes from an old booklet belonging to RubyRedRabbit on Ravelry. It was so pretty that I nagged her for a pattern!

Japanes Fabric Skirt For Bicycle Riding In The Paris Sun

2011-05-15T17:34:00.004+10:00

Ancient buckle.

I just made this skirt, using old, reclaimed Kimono fabric from Kazari. It's a bit mental and SO bright, but feels pretty. After all, I'm having some summer time in Paris! This is for riding-bicycles-to-Versailles-type activity. I've almost finished my marathon jacket too, and can't wait to share.

In my old age, I have chubby upper arms (damn!), and it's hard to accomodate it in patterns or bought clothes. I'm getting to know my patterns a bit, though. That's a constancy thing... you need to adjust then try again, a lot. Eventually you get there and know what needs to be done.

The best thing I've done is get a basic block made up for myself, even if it is a FATTY BOOMBA size. I can lay it on a pattern and adjust.

These fabrics have been accumulating for a few years now. Most of it is a light weight wool. I used cotton voile for the lining as I find the silks (synthetic) wear out and rip way sooner than the skirt is worn out. It's cut on the cross. I didn't hem it but cut it with pinking shears, with a couple of rows of stitching for good measure.

Don't tell me I'm too old for this skirt.

Red (vintage) bias tape as a waist facing.

Pretty, soft lining.

Leif's Birthday Owl Hat

2011-05-15T16:14:00.005+10:00

As soon as I saw this pattern on Ravelry, I knew I had to have it. Designed by Irina Poludnenko. I think she was hassled into making a pattern and sent me two for the price of one. $6 it was. Cheap! The others art cute too.

I already have two orders from other family memers. Maybe...

Off To Paris In Three Weeks!

2011-05-11T11:42:00.003+10:00

For just eight nights, but Whoo Hoo! I'm excited!

I have to say that the woman who bought my crazy quilt has bought my tickets and we will visit loads of textiley things, includiong the Bayeux Tapestry and the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries etc.

Any 'must do's', please email me.

I've been busy making clothes to wear and yes, I'll post some pics. Troublwe is, at the mo, when I get home it's dark. Same as when I leave for work...

Speaking of work, I'd better dash.

P.S. 11 hours in London too. Ideas....?

I'm Struggling With The Colours

2011-04-26T11:55:00.003+10:00

The back of the vest will have our ensigna. RM2. That's Robyne Melia & Ross McLeod. We are more than the sum of our parts, I think. Our ideas, together, multiply. Lovely!

I love the Egg Shell main colour. The photo's don't do it justice. It's a gorgeous colour for sure. And, although I chose the Apple and wasn't sure so bought some Mint... the Apple has won the day. I LOVE the old-fashioned-ness of it. The red (Fuchsia) is a must too...

BUT... I just don't feel settled on the fourth colour. It will be situated inside the green lozenge. Pink? Orange? A tiny bit of orange but mostly pink (hmm... might try that next). I'm into the knitting you see, and need to proceed at all costs.

Sounds like a decision has been made. If it works, I'll have to sacrifice the scarf.

I'll post the pattern when it's done.

New Wool From Scotland! It's Here!

2011-03-26T19:51:00.003+11:00

I've gone mental on knitting. And today I wore my new cardigan and felt fabulous! My One True complimented me twice, once before I left to see my daughter and once when I got home! This is for a traditional style Fair Isle vest. I haven't finished the design yet, or choosing the patterns to use, but want it to be old fashioned, like this maybe, or any of these? I'm doing my own design.
So, the wool is from Jamieson's of Shetland... Which REMINDS me! I found some amazing old films to download from the National Library of Scotland, about the Shetland Islands in the 1930's. It makes my heart come close to breaking. They knit like mad people! So fast you'd think it was sped up, only I've just been reading about them.
And while I'm at it, my favourite books at the moment are:
Mary Thomas's Knitting Book
Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting
Traditional Fair Isle Knitting by Sheila McGregor
Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans: Fishermen's Sweaters from the British Isles by Gladys Thompson
Michael Pearson's Traditional Knitting: Aran, Fair Isle, and Fisher Ganseys
and
Mary Thomas's Book of Knitting Patterns, which hasn't arrived but I know it will be good too.

Thses books talk about a time now past, where shepherds walked around knitting in the south of France and all over Scotland of course. They have old, old photo's of how fishermen always dressed... in a manner that would be guaranteed to make me swoon (I told the fella and he sees my point but doesn't want one). I mean really, properly swoon. With fringe benefits.
I love the history.
Crikey, I sound just like Ross! He gets into something and life as we knew it is over... it's 100% whatever it is. No other thought or activity invades the space! I think I compatmentalise my activities... I like to have a bag of something for the train, something for when that thing is too demanding and I need an easier something for the train. Something for the couch and something serious for the sewing room. Plus a book to read, and drawing book and maybe an audio book for walking or when knitting something easier for the train and don't need to think.
My bag for work is full of things to do while I'm not working.
Do you want to hear something funny? Recently at work, it was reported that potentially hazardous things were being brought into the lunch room... and it was (my) knitting needles! True! A report was written or threatened to ne written. My boss announced that he'd get OH&S (which is me, and he nodded at me while I sat in the lunch room doing my knitting in my break) to do an investigation. Which amounted to my going into his office and we collectively shaking our heads while smiling broadly. End of! As my freind would say.
Ha ha ha!

My Button Collection

2011-03-18T11:39:00.004+11:00

I realise, of course, that I'd better not give away my address.

These are a few generations of collections. Grandma's collection would have had some of (her mother) Nanna's. A friend gave me his grandmother's buttons last week and I felt compelled to sort everything out. It took hours and hours and the Op-Shop has more than I have saved.

Some very cool old gold stuff. One of my favourite drawers is the tan.

I used to put the 'Heart Strings' tag on my childrens clothes.

These yellow glass buttons come from my friend Barry's grandma. The aqua self-covered button is quintessentail my Grandma. She had curtains in this fabric too, I have them and the rest of her aqua fabric.

I might draw some old-style cards and string them up... make a good wall thingy.

I'm A Knitter And It Feels Good

2011-03-06T20:57:00.003+11:00

First, the cardigan. The wool is Jaggerspun from the USA, mail bought and beautiful, mixed with Rowan Scottish Heather.

I feel Scottish knitting away in heather wools. It's good. Even if I'm many generations Australian. The baby singlet is a Morris pattern.

It's been so busy at work these last few weeks, late nights and tiring days... I've been knitting. I've discovered knitting and am reading about the history etc, on the train.

Too tired to chat...

The One True At Work Doing His Thang

2011-02-12T08:27:00.003+11:00

We realised that this is OUR place, and as such, we can do just as we please. We both like little groovy details and we both like restraint, so I think we'll get a good mix of straight lines and the occasional silliness. This scroll has had about six or so colour changes so far... Hmmm... looking like this original yellow after all that. A hedge will abut the outside of this so it'll really be visible mostly on the inside, step edge. That'll tone it down. But, it's the entrance, so it's good.

Jet's Ripple Blanky

2011-02-12T08:14:00.002+11:00

Here is the Ripple blanket, finished. I was going to say, at last, but it didn't take so long at all. I like it... it's dark (good for pram etc.) but if I did it again I'd do it a brighter colour. Like in the link I've given you.

We Bought Our First Tree For The Garden!

2011-01-31T11:22:00.003+11:00

Golden Full Moon Maple
Acer shirasawanum 'Aureum

The most beautiful tree. Inadvertantly it is our anniversary today, so I'm claiming it as another really good omen. Fun in the garden. A good and bright future etc. etc.

The Cot Wagga Top

2011-01-23T11:31:00.005+11:00

I'm on a bit of a roll. I just love this greyed blue and cherry red together. The intention was to make another with plain stripes... I suppose it is just stripes.

I'll hand quilt this one too, like the green and orange one. It will suit better than just ties, me thinks.

Off to see little daughter and littlest baby grandson soon. Can't wait for my week to fuss, after Daddy goes back to work in a few weeks.

Jet Is Here At Last!

2011-01-21T18:39:00.005+11:00

Big brother and sister.

My daughter Ruby is fine and so is baby. Born on the 20th, 6lb 11oz, fair and kind of mini-chunky! 12 days early. I worry so much (but keep it inside and under freak-out) there's a big wave of emotion when it's all good! Sniff! So darling, these little one's, including my baby Ruby.

Rrup!!

2011-01-10T12:55:00.004+11:00

I bought this old baby's blanket, years ago, and thought I'd copy the puppy for newest baby boy. My fella's not so muscley and really not so manly(dogly), but it's still ok. I'm sure a little boy will love it still. The One True suggested 'rrup!'.

It's so old fashioned. A proper 1950-60's pram blanket.

All from The Stash too. 10 points! Heavy woollen blanketing.

Newest Baby Not Yet Born's Wagga

2011-01-09T09:43:00.006+11:00

I've had this green knitted wool for years and love it so much it's hard to use. Ridiculous I know, and I have enough bits left to . I suspect it will be for my eldest grandson's Wagga. The red-orange is from an old cardigan. Both are fine knits and the blanky feels lovely and snuggly. The back is cotton T-shirting. It's quilted with 2 ply wool, quite coarsley.

This is for the cradle, if that where Ruby wants to use it. I made a few sets of sheets too, two with wavey hems at the top for fun. Some in crisp white cotton poplin, and blue T-shirting.

88cm wide and 100cm long, or 34 1/2 x 39inches or therabouts.

Grrr... Just got a phone call from work (today is my last day of holidays) and what I'm doing tomorrow is dread worthy.

Pattern For Teacosy's

2010-12-27T14:07:00.001+11:00

Not for commercial purposes, if that's ok, just for you and yer mates and fambily like.

Leah's Teacosy

2010-12-27T12:10:00.001+11:00

Leif's Teepee

2010-12-27T11:58:00.006+11:00

I loved making this. It came about because my Dad has a huge stand of black bamboo. The whole thing is made using unbleached calico plus whatever I found or had... I love calico (we Aussie's call unbleached raw cotton calico, not the floral stuff). It's quite big, for a one and a half year old, but you want to be able to use it for some time, and fit some friends in (or Daddy).

Lorna's Teacosy

2010-12-27T11:50:00.002+11:00

I could have removed the fluff, but didn't see it without my glasses!
The fabric is a gorgeous raw silk, a real pleasure to work with. So soft and silky.

Claire's Teacosy

2010-12-27T11:23:00.002+11:00

Ruby's Teacosy

2010-12-27T10:53:00.002+11:00

Rob's Teacosy

2010-12-27T10:17:00.004+11:00

Need better photo's...

This Is Exactly How I Feel About My Love & I

2010-12-11T13:12:00.001+11:00

And our life together.

Ripple Blanket For New Unborn Baby La

2010-12-11T12:57:00.003+11:00

A very easy design. Go to Ravelry for the pattern. You can see everyone else's versions too.

Papa's Hanky Box

2010-12-11T11:11:00.005+11:00

For Christmas. We had a happy childhood up in Wandin (then, country Victoria, now outer outer east Melbourne) and went on lots of holidays, caravaning around the countryside. The pic on the front is at Currumbin Bird Park and sets the mood. I've used red everywhere because Dad's a fireman to the core, and the button is from his old Army something or other (ex-Reserve Army). Properly sentimental! Even the hanky's are purple, for Mum.

Bit Exciting, I Say!

2010-12-10T21:38:00.007+11:00

Alys Francis rang today to interview me about the quilt, and has put a link to a story on Ninemsn's home page! GO HERE. That's pretty exciting! Even if she did get my name wrong after the first go... it doesn't matter. So I thought I should post a couple more photo's. Have a look HERE for my original post, which has a bit about the quilt.

Above: A corner of the Crazy Quilt With Grandmother's Fans.

Bluebird.

Originally, I worked two of these on a Western style shirt I'd made, but ended up sutting it up to make a Crazy Patchwork, which is now framed. I took a clss where people made exactly my piece. I s'pose it's about 45 x 35cm in size. The birds are a good format for learning Needle Painting and don't take as long as you'd think. This photo is on one of my cards, available at Etsy.

Claire's Man.

I used a picture my blossy la Claire drew when she was a little boopy cutie pie. The pants are long for my purposes, in my favourite stitch, Ceylon.

Anthony's Wagga For Christmas

2010-12-10T18:34:00.006+11:00

2 metres square. Made using an old overcoat and scraps of woollen fabrics.

It's still a secret, obviously. Sadie used to call him Agony, and it's stuck, of course. I love this Wagga. I made the top in 1998, and just did the back for Ag. I think I'll do another in the same style. It's calming to have an actual pattern. Although I have to say I'm conflicted... it's the best fun ever to 'build' the abstract Wagga's (like on the back here). Look at the other's too, if you want to.

Sorry about the rubbish photo's.

He's A Keeper! I Keep Telling You.

2010-12-09T22:27:00.002+11:00

Beautiful walls. Lovely! And Harrold The Handsome (Harry), the companion bird from the wild.

Just Found A Source In Melbourne

2010-12-07T08:42:00.002+11:00

For Pure wool felt. At l'uccello's in the Nicholas Building.

l'uccello's is a gorgeous shop on the second floor, which sells the most exquisite vintage haberdashery and fancywork supplies. Kim is luvverly too, and offers iced water to the parched shopper. If you want little bits of stuff for the most unusual gifts for Crafters, or maybe to give yourself a treat , then go get lost in the building. I did, and bought some amazing and old silk velvet ribbon, one thinks to make an equally exquisite French style cushion... and a 1960's silk rose for my shelf... and some pearl-like little bloopy things you put as stamens in flowers (which I have in an old ink pot as a vase and it's very pretty)... and a set of pink buttons that have no purpose but to please me (just like that other little pink button)... I would have spent more, but I really already have everything. My inheritance is such and I have so much beautiful trim and buttons and fabric and vintage stuff, it's very exciting!

The Nicholas Building, 205/37 Swanston Street, Melbourne. l'uccello is in room 5 on the second floor, enter via Cathedral Arcade where the Subway take away is.

Maybe I'll end up teaching there after all?

Progress On The Home Front

2010-11-27T19:03:00.004+11:00

This photo is way behind the truth of the matter. The grey tops of the step-end thingy's will be changed by render to a bit brighter rockish goldish colour. And the red has toned itself down too. It's very Pompei. Oh, and he's finished the front rock wall now. I really should just take another photo, but it's raining. You should see the plans. They'll need framing in the end. They are more whiteout than paper now, as ideas come and go and are modified. It's good.

Christmas Tea Cosies

2010-11-10T19:52:00.005+11:00

The Cheshire Cat above, and

Bluebird for my mother-in(out of) law, below.

These are all for my new Tea Cosies. The faces are for the back of the smiles. They'll be clothed and have hats. I'll upload the drawing too, when I'm done.

Made from old blankets.

For The Cup Cake Practitioner

2010-11-10T18:41:00.000+11:00

For Christmas.

Jaden's Hanky Box

2010-11-10T07:35:00.005+11:00

It's very difficult to get photo's because of the plastic. I used the same (vintage) cartoon magazine as in Rob's box. The inside is from an old National Geographic. I've cut out a few of the talking bubbles to add here and there, which I'm sure Jadey will appreciate... funny. And added teeth or re-arranged the images. Luckily, in my stash (the stash to end all stashes), I had a space age vintage button. Of course I did! It will have been my Grandma's.

Have a look at the rest HERE. There's a tutorial in there somewhere too. The biggest difficulty is finding an appropriate hole punch.

Myself (aged 28, ages ago), Jaden's Uncle Rob and Aunty Claire and his mother Ruby.

I've got news for you Pal! I don't explode so easily!

This is for Christmas.

Sparkley

2010-10-24T18:54:00.005+11:00

Mercedes thought it the right name (I had nothing to say on the subject). This is from Mimi Kirchner's pattern. I used old chennile bedding so it's lovely and soft for my Sadie to cuddle. Actually we made it together, as in, I made it and Sadie stuffed a leg for about five or ten minutes then thought I could finish it. She did choose all colours though. I want her to have the experience of making stuff though, so it was still good.

I bought the felt through Felt Craft Studio at Etsy. Pure wool felt. Yum.

SOLD! The Money Is In The Bank This Time!

2010-10-15T15:06:00.015+11:00

Crazy Quilt With Grandmother's Fans

Made from 1992 - 1996

2 metres square, minus a smidge. Only handstitching by myself.
Cenrtal horse panel worked on 10 stitches to the inch linen.

WELL, after much patience, much stubbornness and many years, the Crazy Quilt With Grandmother's Fans that I completed in 1996 is SOLD. $70,000 is in the bank! No kidding at all! There are more photo's over here (as well as people's work from my classes).

(I want someone to contract me to write a book of patterns and blether about the quilt or my style of doing things... somehow. Got any suggestions?)

P.S. The money's gone straight into the mortgage.

MUCH LATER..............

I thought, perhaps, that I ought to say more. So, in reply to a forum discussion, I wrote this:

"It's true!I'd post a photo of the cheque but that would just be silly (I admit that I took a photo of it)!

The quilt took me 3,000 hours, at a conservative guess. I worked on it furiously over four years and tried and developed many techniques over the time. It's been displayed around Melbourne over the years and I taught the various stitches and design skills I had accumulated, using it as my prop, from when it was a babe in pieces.

I first displayed it at a show in 1996, just after it was finished, and the manager insisted that I name a price. Of course, fresh off the needle, I had no intention of ever selling it, but I arrived at a price that, with very modest wages for the day, reflected the time involved. In fact I originally had a tag of $80,000.

I wanted people who saw it to look again and maybe understand what they were looking at in terms of committment and effort etc. The show was primarily a woodworking show, with an arts and crafts section. I ended up planning and organising that section and so could push my own agenda, which was to bring needlework to the general public (blokey wookworking types and tourists who may never go to a craft show).

The buyer has been interested since about 2001 or therabouts and I have taught her in her home over many years, on and off. She has the money and I would rather keep it than give away my heart and soul. It would have been soul destroying to give it away cheaply and I couldn't do it. Her father was one of Australia's major art collectors and Melbourne's Modern Art Gallery at Federation Squaure now houses his donated collection as a permanent gift to the state (The Ian Potter Gallery). The Joseph Brown Collection.

I really did put a lot of effort into it and have always been an advocate for asking a realistic price for our work. WE know how much we put in and how many generations of women (usually women) have made their homes beautiful and warm and developed amazing art and skill, without recognition from the wider community. We deserve it.

I did a visual art course in 1998 and taught in the evenings (once or twice a week). NO-ONE in the art world knew anything about how BIG and HUGE the craft industry was and saw it all as doileys and knitted coat-hangers, and I say I LOVE knitted coat hangers and add that generations have grown up being influenced, by osmosis, in homes surrounded with these domestic, creative, joyous touches.

I'd better stop. I sound like a fanatic!

It's amazing to find a buyer, it's true. But she has phoned me almost daily to express her delight and belief that it was worth the money. In turn it has alleviated my stress about my mortgage and now I can see a futute where I get to retire! Or work part-time at SOME stage in the not too distant future!Thanks for all of you good wishes too. I feel like it's a flag for all of us.

Oh, and no-one at art school really looked down their noses at all, but neither did they realise how big and excellent our stitchy world is."

Cherub is worked on some old linen interfacing from my Grandmother's overcoat.

Moving Right Along

2010-09-27T18:25:00.003+10:00

I have sciatica from sitting all cramped up. I need a proper standing frame.

She is looking very lovely. I can't seem to get the colour good in the photographs though. But you can take my word for it, she's lovely.

Mademoiselle Riviere Progress Report

2010-09-05T10:54:00.002+10:00

I am so enjoying stitching this pattern. I work hard at it in the evenings, in spite of not having a very good system... that is, I need a stand for the frame. Otherwise I am cramped up with it propped inelegantly between my knees.

She if far more beautiful in reality. It looks quite nice here, but the true colours are lovelier. Deeper.

Working a painting in canvas work gives you the image in a way that a mere print does not. It gives texture and depth and incredible warmth.

I need another me, who I can set to making these full time.

Madamoiselle Riviera Is Looking Lovely Tonight

2010-08-22T15:42:00.006+10:00

I feel cramped up today.... I reckon I spent at least four, maybe five hours doing this last night. I sit in a most awkward position and hurry so I can see it unfold. It's really, really lovely. Then I went out to play with the image (for ages and ages) and decided to do a smaller (as in smaller stitch count) and less detailed, partly abstracted version in 10 count (per inch, as opposed to 14 count in this one), just to see/show the difference.

The Medium, regular coloured version I'm showing you here (above), is:

147 x 205 stitches. In 14 count that's 26.7 x 37.2 cm or 10.5 x 1

The pattern for this, worked out as a Small version, will be:

116 x 163 stitches and that converst to 21.1 x 29.6 cm or 8.3 x 11.6 inches in 14 count.

In 10 count it will (obviously) be 11.6 x 16.3 inches.

If you want the pattern, it's a Red Hot Special as a double at my Etsy shop.

Two Years Today

2010-08-12T13:52:00.000+10:00

I miss you Mum.

Done!

2010-08-07T20:09:00.003+10:00

Here it is finished! Yay! So scrumptious and warm. My pregnant daughter thinks velvet is a good idea too and so it is. I have another in mind, but let's see if it's a boy yet.

Happy Birthday Little Leif!

2010-08-05T19:51:00.003+10:00

Lovely boy! So nice and sweet and friendly and Mr. Chilled.

I made this patchwork ages ago (told you that already) and he really is the perfect recipient. Mr. Red Head (yum yum). The back is scrumptious with velvet! I can't imagine why I hadn't thought of it before? Now, it's a must. A MUST!

With another grandbaby on the way... and a room full of velvets, waiting to be made into heirlooms.

Anyhooo... this is actually finished. I put cotton wadding in the middle and did a little smidge of heavy handed heavy linen quilting, but mostly did ties, (which is the new best way to quilt in my busy life). I love real, proper, fine quilting, but have no time (patience) when there are a squillion things to do (you should see my Hand-Made Christmas Gift task list, version 5).

Notice the knitted bit?

As soon as I have some daylight, I'll take a couple of action photo's and go have a look at this... Robbie's note to Mum (me).

Bye Bye Baby

2010-07-29T10:22:00.004+10:00

My to-be new grand-daughter looks awfully like 'she' might be a grandson, which is fine, and good for the other grandson, who'll be thrilled and it'll be good for him. Apparently (observing the scan) there appeared to be some tackle down below, sitcking out type tackle not just lumpiness.

So, bye bye Lucy Robyne. I'm a bit sad about that. I loved the name Lucy and it's a famliy name from old. My Grandma's middle name (Phyllis Lucy), her mother's first name (Lucy Ellen), and her mother's (Maria Lucy but everyone knew her as Lucy) , and then her grandmother's name. Who knows how many before? That's five generations we know about with a couple of jumps.

When we lost our Lucy, the name took on scary qualities for naming babies. Sort of. But now that I've done the Family History we can see that there are stacks of them. It's OUR name and deserves to be preserved. Fancy a little Lucy Robyne! I'd be tickled pink!

Phyllis Lucy (Grandma) and her to be hubby (my Dah).

My Nanna (Great Grandma) Lucy Ellen and her darling George.

Great-great Grandma (Maria) Lucy.
I'm at work, and don't have a picture of my Lucy here to upload. I'll try to remember.

Me & The Fella

2010-07-29T10:14:00.001+10:00

He's not too bad for a boy.

Leif's Blanky. This Isn't It But I Haven't Taken A Photo And I'm At Work So Can't Anyway.

2010-07-26T10:50:00.008+10:00

Leif on his first birthday with Aunty Ruby.

I'm making Leif a quilt. Years ago, when I used to teach patchwork, I made this quilt top (the one I haven't photographed yet but will)....(this pic is picked up on the net). My background is dyed with onion skins and I may have muddied up some of the print fabrics that way too.

(We had the top on the wall in our mud brick house. With a troupe of red-heads, the tans and old reds and blues were lovely!)

The back is velvet. I've used up all (ALL) of my gorgeous gold and tan velvets. Some I have had since I was 17 years old! I can't believe it's all gone!

(I love that! It is my intention to use as much of my fabric as I can. I have nothing that is not beautiful and useable).

So... I ran out just before I finished the back and NOTHING else looked right. We went (way out of our way and for no other reason) to Spotters to find some velveteen or something appropriate and there was NOT ONE fabric in golden tan. Nothing! So I bought a skein of alpaca in a bulky knit and am knitting the gap.

Good, clean fun!

I'm so glad to have a red head to sew for! I love the earthy colours and I certainly can't wear them, not with my yellow Welsh looking skin.

xxxxx

Too Much Fun!

2010-07-20T20:38:00.003+10:00

I made Sadie a play skirt on the weekend. Old pink lining, doubled up, then dotted over with little fluffy things with sparkly centres. I had them in a little pile on the floor, so we could pick out the nicest one...

Someone thought they were so lovely she launched herself into them and rolled over and over!

I do know how she feels. She'd definitely one of us!

Patterns For Needlepoint & Cross Stitch at Etsy

2010-07-16T23:47:00.005+10:00

I have purchased the upgrade for a (very expensive) program that converts pictures to cross stitch or needlepoint patterns. I had it years ago and it didn't work on my new computer so it went by the by...

The patterns I'm making are chosen after much trial and error and deliberation. Some things just don't work end most things need quite a bit of tickling. So don't imagine it's a quick process and how dare I charge anything for them!

The idea is, if you want a photo of your loved one (people or pets or anything else) then you send it to me and I'll convert it

Go to my Etsy shop for a look at all patterns.

Vintage Aran

2010-06-30T09:37:00.004+10:00

This is the most amazing thing I've seen! I want to knit it, but imagine I'll use 5ply? Waddya think? It won't work will it. But... I hate the feel of cables done in thick wool. Even 8 ply can feel a bit chunky. I have a cone of Cobalt Heather (JaggerSpun). In fact, the whole idea was to make a cabled jumper with it, hence the search for a style.... now I wonder if I ought to make it in a pale colour. This is why I spend so much money.

I do like a fitted jumper though.
Anyway, this book ought to be in every knitters library. It gives a bit of a history and some design patterns (not jumper patterns). She has preserved a culture that is sadly gone.

The Traffic Stopper

2010-06-07T17:19:00.002+10:00

I'm going to have to set up a Fairy Floss stall, we have so many people stop to say how beautiful his work is! And it is! He's a star!

Sadie's Hanky Box

2010-06-05T20:34:00.013+10:00

The underside.

The inside base.

This photo is of my mother holding me, taken up at my Granny's hotel in Yackandandah. Mum would have been just 25. Younger than my youngest. I showed Dad and he remembered taking the picture!

My little grand-daughter wanted a hanky box the same as mine, and here it is. A little girl version of mine at least. I bought the hankies before last Christmas, knowing I'd make her a little box eventually. I did think to make it for her now, but really, the idea was to make it while she was with me, to inspire her to follow in the family footsteps and become a mad sewer... but once I got started it... I couldn't stop. I'm keeping it for Christmas because she'll be that bit older and won't trash it perhaps. Luckily, if she does, I can just as quickly make another..

I'll make a little book while she's visiting one day, to let her see how it's done. I don't remember learning to crochet and I want Sadie to have the same tools. That's what Grandma's are for.

TUTORIAL OVER HERE FOLKS!

Wazza!

2010-05-15T20:05:00.004+10:00

Made at least 20 years ago out of beer cans and 8ply knitting wool. He loves it too. Makes the wife proud!

Having Fun With Hard Rubbish Collection

2010-05-15T18:30:00.003+10:00

At the centre of a roundabout in Boronia. The person I sent to get a picture could have had a bit more try... there was a coffee table with mugs on it, a doll in the high chair, cushions and a big soft person/creature all watching tele. We laughed! Must have been quite a job to get it there!

Who The Hell Is That Old Lady?

2010-05-08T22:42:00.002+10:00

The Disclaimer: Fair dinkum, I have never been so fat in all my life! But I am 51 going on 52, so you get that. Plus, the One True Love cooks and we eat and we live a voluptuous life. I must be getting mellow, otherwise there's no way I'd add the photo (vain).

So, the jumper is FINISHED! Paperdolls by Kate Rice. Yay!!!!!!!!!!! I want to begin another version immediately!

Hanky Box For Zoe FINISHED!

2010-05-01T10:33:00.011+10:00

A button from my Grandmothers collection. I have three, and wondered if I ought to break up the set... but what else am I going to use them for? This is Zoe's great-grandmother's button!

See how I've added a row or two of crochet to make the base larger? That's because I forgot to allow extra size in the base and lid to compensate for the seams. You need to add an extra 1cm to each side for the lid and base. My lid is bigger than the pattern here. YES, I'll redraw it and blog it correctly, but just so you know.

I Have yet to make the button and tie catch. You can see them on all others if you click on the CROCHET tag at the bottom of this post.

Inside pieces:

Outside pieces:

I thought this design might be a bit easier for people to make as a starter. Also, it's cute, and traditional. The base and lid are made using equilateral triangles. You just draw the lines at 60 degrees apart and measure how side you want it. But use this if you want. I haven't cropped the pattern picture so the size should be right for A4.
Top is 10 1/2 cm wide (amended size), sides are 12cm tall. Don't forget to make the lid and base bigger. I promise I'll fix it soon.

TUTORIAL and MORE INFO HERE.

I Do Stuff But I Don't Share

2010-04-27T14:31:00.003+10:00

I'm trying to make some clothes. You'd think it could be a simple and quick thing to do for an old dressmaker, but that doesn't account for the Brilliant Idea that turns it into a long and difficult task.

I thought a knitted lining for the cuffs would look fantastic (and it will), so with the aid of the knitting calculator, I figured out the exact knitting increases etc. to do it. That was easy-ish. I found a couple of brilliant knitting books at the Oppy and found a favourite cable design and worked out how many repeats and how much either side etc. etc. Then, I lost my place and missed a crucial step in the cable and had to pull it back, which turned into a mathematical nightmare! I couldn't figure out where I was up to. Crikey!

And the only wool that suited is 2 ply! Of course.

It's all good now. Excepting that the jacket pattern needs adjusting.

What began as a simple thing - To Make A Jacket - had turned into a course in Patternmaking, an elaborate Brain Stretch in knitting design, a deeper understanding of Cable Methods, some very pretty new knitting needles and as yet no jacket! Ha ha ha! Perhaps my new, fit, boxer-cise body will be ready when the jacket is ready!

Then I soaked and washed this Pot Holder. The black fabric ran (I threw the black out ages ago but this is one of the first).

I said to the One True that it looked like he'd been beaten up or maybe fell of his bike, and he thought he needed a bandaid and some stitches. Still seems happy enough, even without counselling.

I Have A New Plan

2010-04-27T08:51:00.004+10:00

100 colours

20 colours

One shown in Petit Point with no background added as yet, the other in Cross stitch. The intention is to use the colours for the eyes and hands/bow-tie on the chart with less colours, to add dimension and prettiness, without using 100 colours!

Years ago, I bought (for a ridiculous amount of money) a program that converts images into cross-stitch patterns, or needlepoint patterns. I've just bought (at great expense again) the upgrade. The thing is, it's not as easy as you think. A lot of things don't work well. Or they do if you allow the program to use 100 colours, which no sane person will want. Except me, I think.

Anyhooo, I intend to put some patterns on Etsy.

I've been fussing and fussing with this design in particular. It's so cute, but the eyes need a bit of work and I had to eliminate the background. I just figured out where I saved it from... Arthur's Circus. So it's just for me and not for sale. They have a shop in North Melbourne that looks like a fun place to be! I'm gonna go have a squizz!

What do you think? Would you pay around $10 for a cross stitch pattern in PDF form? Would you get a picture of your favourite pet converted and make it up in wool on canvas, or cross stitch? Or your child slash loved-one?

Also, I've keyed in a few of my early samplers as patterns. At least one is almost ready to rock and roll, so that'll be there soon too. At Etsy, that is.

Thing Is, We've Done Twice As Much.

2010-04-05T18:08:00.003+10:00

I took this before we began today. The One True did 7/8 of everything, at least. At LEAST. He's worth his weight in gold, that one. I must have done stuff though, because my body thinks it's been working.
On a knitting note... I printed out some knitters graph paper and made a pattern for the cuffs of my new jacket. It works too! The graph, that is. I'm very impressed with myself. I'll show you maybe tomorrow. It's too much fun!

The Bob Cat Man Came At Last!

2010-04-02T19:54:00.005+11:00

And we've begun in earnest. True! Since these photo's were taken we've placed two of the big rocks in and mapped out the line for the first ever rock wall on our place. It's good. We're a team. I actually miss this kind of work. Sitting on my (ample) bum all day is not good for the body. I try to walk in the mornings but don't always get to it I'm afraid. Carrying rocks up hills will be good for the Bingo Wings.

Everything's good actually. I'm drafting my basic blocks to make clothes that fit my middle aged pudding body. Ironically, making clothes causes me to eat less. I love clothes. I love making them and I love good design and technique. I get weepy when I see documentaries about good designers. I've nearly finished knitting my jumper and can then start the next thing. Life is good when you're easily pleased.

Paper Dolls On The Home Run

2010-04-02T10:50:00.002+11:00

It had better look good, that's all I can say! Though, I have to add that the great thing about Ravelry is that you can see other people's versions on other people's bodies, so you can get a bit of an idea. Chubby arms, big boobs, biggish anyway, these days. Not BIG but bigger than before anyway.

I'm a bit excited. Now I get to do the next thing (orange cuffs for the new jacket). Yay!

Now I'm Excited! And You Will Be Too

2010-03-14T21:50:00.006+11:00

I found this place after much struggling and thinking and thinking. Now why, you might ask, didn't I realise that of course this would be available on that good old internet. Why indeed, especially since maths makes my brain hurt. Knit On The Net has a place where I can make a knitting graph/grid so I can plot and scheme and plan in knitspeak. Yes. Yes it does.

I need to make cuffs for my new jacket you see. I've spent a fortune and an eon trying to match or equal some excellent orange wool I bought years ago from Marta's Yarns. They've discontinued the shade and so has every other wool manufacturer in the entire world. Everyone is so brick, so earthy, so not bright and true and so extremely earth mother. What happened to the modern space age rave culture revolution?

I bought dye today and wool to dye and dyed said wool, only to find it did not set. I did the microwave thing, but didn't do the ironing heat thing. It washed straight out. Leaving behind a soft pretty colour mind, but no bright tangerine orange. $$ I did meet my Dad for lunch so the time wasn't wasted.

But I persist. Perhaps Etsy has come to the party. Perhaps. USA, more money and I'd better like this jacket. I'm relearning patternmaking for the jacket. I bought RMIT"s book on the subject for th jacket. I'm working for the next three weeks just to pay for ten aborted attempts at the cuffs for goodness's sake!

It's a hard task master I have I tells you.

Worth A Try At Least

2010-02-27T17:53:00.002+11:00

I'm making a jacket. I've made this one before... it's gorgeous. I traced a copy of the pattern from a 'Lush' jacket I bought years ago. Naughtiness! Anyway, it has a contrast inside the cuffs, which are over-long and can be folded up, or noticed as a peek. I started to weave a Houndstooth, or I started the samples of colour. But, Nah! So I pulled out my two chocker boxes of wool, tipped them upside down, and pulled out everything that looked good. This orange is THE ONE. I looked everywhere today (well, Spotters anyway) and then did a Google to fine Marta's Yarns, who still do the colour!!! Yay!!! The intention is to knit a cable pattern. Yum Yum...

Stay tuned.

Too Much Fun At Grandma's

2010-02-27T16:14:00.003+11:00

Or is that at Grammy's? The name has evolved without my input. We made cup cakes which were iced with experimental colours, added sprinkles liberally to the whole kitchen and beyond, made necklaces and bracelets, went to the op shop for treats, had cups of tea (ish) outside with a tray and proper cups and saucers and a little jug of milk and a tea strainer. It was too much fun.

Tne Nicholson Building Is GOOD!

2010-02-12T11:06:00.004+11:00

I used to buy (wholesale) jewellery on the 6th floor, at Accent... but I didn't know until now that it's one of the funnest buildings in Melbourne! Thankyou Janet, mysterious knitting friend on the train.

Corner of Swanston and Flinders Lane, then into the arcade and up the lifts. And the lifts are another story.. (gotta go).

Buttonmania. On the second floor, get out of the lift and turn right then right (immediately).The lady there spent at least 20 minutes saying, "Hang on, let's have a look at this..." until we narrowed it down to the best choice. So nice and interested and lovely and terribly, terribly helpful. And the lady does covered buttons and belts, so I'll be back.

And next door to this marvel of shops...

stay tuned, I have to find out it's name... IT'S MARCHE ROUGE...

Box Tutorial Sort Of Thing

2010-01-25T11:37:00.018+11:00

My dear Doublewinky asked me to do a bit of a tutorial for the boxes. So here's a start: The pattern: I have used the pictures from 'Diki' and they're not symmetrical, therefore my box is slightly off kilter. Doesn't bother me, but I redrew the pattern piece for you because I'm just like that. Here's the link to the pictures again. I must add that I tweaked them in Picasa a bit to brighten them up.

Finished!

Can you see that I have made two hinges in Buttonhole stitch?

Above: Crocheting through all loops.

Base. Stitching through only three loops, leaving the outside (visible) loop free.

See it's a bit skewed because the pictures were not symmetrical. The pattern here is though.

These pattern pieses are on A4, so that when you print them out, they ought to come to the correct size (I haven't cropped the images).

Sew the base on.

Crochet all other 'seams'.

So, cut out two pictures for each pattern, outside and inside, and two pieces of plastic. I collaged the Lip piece from parts of the story. NOTE: The plastic I use is available at Officeworks. It's some kind of Project Cover stuff. I just had a look on the website but can't find it. Ask. It comes in packets of 25 or 100 I think. Stiffish plastic.
Clamp them together and pop the holes all around... hmmm... maybe 8mm apart and into the edge... ish. With 3mm" hole puncher. Good luck finding a hole-punch. I've just ordered one from the old US of A and can't finish my Diki Box until it gets here (actually today I found one at Riot Art).
Using a single crochet stitch, work 2-4 in each hole, depending on how thick your thread is. I usually do 3. Do all of the pieces. Tuck/sew in the ends.
Do the same stitch to join the sides, taking in all of the loops. All right... look at this picture and you can see the edge of the crochet has a chain, yeah? On the sides, go through all 4 loops. Join the four sides together in the order you want them. Finish the ends in.
Next, pin the base in position and HAND STITCH it on, using a Buttonhole (i.e. Blanket) stitch, leaving the outside loop free to make it prettier. Look at the detail photo and the diagram.
Having already crocheted both edges of the Lip, pin it in position and crochet around the outside edge. It's a bit fiddly but you'll be right.
Now, position the lid. It will only be joined in two sections (look at the pictures above). I did a Buttonhole stitch to join it, leaving the top-most loop free so you can crochet the Picot stitch around lid after it's sewn on, as in the bottom bit of the diagram.
RIGHT, you're up to the finishing touch! I want to say that I avoided doing these boxes etc. for ages because I thought it was hard and I didn't know how to do Picot... but it's EASY!!! Youtube is a beautiful thing! Here is a link to Picot stitch, however, I tend to do it a little differently so I'll have a hunt... this is fine though don't worry...
So... work a row of Picot around the whole of the lid. Start at the back somewhere, maybe on a corner, and when you come to the hinges, work into the top loop that you have left.
CAUTION: Originally I messed up the lid!! I had the pictures the same way up... I'd crocheted around it and everything, then realised (as I prepared to put it on) that when you lift the lid up, the inside picture would be up the wrong way. OUCH!
Now, go and buy yourself a beautifully scented soap and put it in your box with all of your inherited handkerchiefs or special treasures. I've put mine away for a few weeks because I can't see its beauty at the moment. Familiarity and all that. But I am happy.
xxx
Oh, and I want photo's of yours please.

P.S. Let me know if something is not clear, huh?

The Process

2010-01-21T18:13:00.003+11:00

This is a quickie. The pieces are all big and therefore fewer. I didn't have a good colour so I've raided my machine (100%) cottons and combined them for an opalescent effect. Look at the previous post for a link to the story (and help to correct some omissions if you like/can).

Hello There!

2010-01-19T14:18:00.009+11:00

I'm making myself a box, at last. My dear handerchiefs fall about the cupboard with no place to store them. When I saw these pictures in pillpat (agence eureka) on Flickr, I had to stop everything and make a box. I tweaked the images to make them a bit brighter and had them printed at Officeworks before work but couldn't make them smaller. I should have saved them with a border, just to get them a little smaller in size but Oh Well. There's no way I could wait another day, even though the box may outlast me in the end. Of course, if something is wrong, I will wait/unpick/take the time to make it right.

It really is too exciting! I hope my hole puncher at home is good, the one I brought with me died after a short time. Very short time.

So stand by for pics. Oh, and I'll post my pattern too.

P.S. If anyone can read French and tell me what the story is about, I'll be so happy. SO happy!

P.P.S. A friend at work did a translation for me (us). He didn't know some stuff, and if you go to the link and know the difference, perhaps you might tell me what's wrong or mis-represented???

Christmas 2009

2009-12-25T16:12:00.002+11:00

Elsita.

I must look this guys name up.

Rob Ryan

Elsita again.

Elsita.

I've gone mad on Paper Cutting and have followed degins from the from the best in the craft. I have had so much fun. I can only say thankyou to Elsa More (Elsita) for her amazing talent. I have learnt so much by copying her. I did think that, being cheeky, I shouldn't publish these pics on my blog, but then one always studies the masters to learn one's trade. Now I intend to draw some of my own. Thanks Elsita.
Compared to embroidery, these are so quick!

This is from a photo on the net somewhere. Jadey loves his bike. I was running out of time and feel that it is a bit lacking, compared to the others, although Jadey likes it and thinks it's cool.

I've Finally Finished The Pot Holders!

2009-11-28T17:01:00.003+11:00

And finally photographed them too. I think I'll keep the Opera Singer (Blow Up Doll). She's a favourite. There's one more and I want to show you the backs, but the battery is dead on the camera, so it'll have to wait.

I tried to have some of the eyes looking thother way! And yet here we are? What's that all about?

I Know, It's Been Ages

2009-11-15T13:03:00.005+11:00

Someone has a nice bottom.

I still do stuff all of the time, stitching wise.

We are clearing our block of rubbish and feral growth in order to begin a garden. This tree had broken off some years ago, before us, and was completely rotten inside, as well as ugly. It was a bit scary cutting it down but we had a massive winch and took no chances at any stage. The yard is almost barren, which doesn't show how ruthless we are, but what rubbish was there. Don't worry, it'll be spekky when we're through.

Compare here, to what we had and what we now have..

I have to go and do some more now, bye. xxx

Paperdolls by Kate Rice

2009-09-19T12:12:00.004+10:00

This is the most gorgeous jumper I've ever seen. And anything I didn't know, I do now thanks to Youtube. Any tutorial at all is there. Good O! I tried to reinvent the design to use my girls, but seriously, Kate's version is so clean and right, I won't change a thing. Excepting the colours. While I think of it, go have a look at the other versions everyone has done (at Ravelry).

Ruby's Long Story: "The Time Went Farster Than Enythinck".

2009-09-19T10:45:00.008+10:00

Ruby wrote this in maybe grade 4? I stitched it in 2004 or so but haven't shown you yet. My first intention was to make a quilt type thing, built of all these kiddie's things... but now I'm not so sure. It spends some of its time hanging on the wall as is.

To Mum

The Time Went Farster Than Enythinck xox I love you

OnCe a Pone A Time

There Was a little Gile +

a little Boy

They Wock (woke)

up Relly orlee in the (up relly early in the)

Mornine and They looked

at There Teddys

and Went to the clock

and then they Sterd (stared)

at the clock and sterd

and sterd

and after One Minet (minute)

It Sead an ouruer hand (it said an hour hand)

Went up (pointed up)

One minet is only 60

seconds.

They took The Bachrise (batteries)

Out and Had a look

They Were or Rhite (they were alright)

But it Was rong looking

So They Went to there

Mother and told Her

she Went and Had a look

as Well.

she Seaid Its

only Cos Its oly in the (only because it's early in the)

Morning

Good Nhit and (good night and)

Go to bed pleas Its to orly (go to bed please it's too early)

Its only 1:00 in

The Morning

oK Mum They Sead

and they went to Bed

and Then the little gile (girl)

had a Bad greem (dream)

she sterted Crying

Her Mum Came and

gave Her a Hug

Come

and Sleep With Me. OKay

Mum

The Little Boy Dident

Like It When she Was gone

so He Started Crying to (too)

his Mum Came With

Sissy (his mum came with his sister)

I Dont Lick It When She (I don't like it when she)

is not Here Its Scary Can I

Come and sleep With you two

OKay Come on then Hurry

up okay okay okay I will

okay

Good Seaid Mum

Mum Dont Be Mean pleas

oKay

They all Went to Sleep

and

all of Them gumpt up (jumped up)

in a big friht (fright)

It Was gest Next Door (it was just next door)

good Im glad

Then a Rober Came into the Hourse (a robber came into the house)

We got a gun each and

chrid to cll him (tried to kill him)

They Cilld

the rober after 6 owers

and

the Boy Had His Birthday and

the

Girl Had Her Birthday Cose (because)

They Were twins. they torned (turned)

10 yers old.

They Had to

clen the blud thate Was on (clean the blood that was on)

the floor the End

Finished. An In-Between Task

2009-09-15T14:37:00.005+10:00

On the red back door.

Pointy head. The new one is always the best one. I have these still sitting here, and every time I'm in between things or sick of something I'll finish one. They're mostly for Christmas so there's no desperate hurry. Did I show you the other one below?

This is the back for Claire's Wagga.

Home Today!!

2009-09-15T14:27:00.008+10:00

I'm so happy. I made soup for luch and my bloke came home to eat. I've been putting together my daughter's Wagga back. I've had daylight hours to take photo's. I rang up because my new speaker headset doesn't work with Skype and got it sorted (had to ring in business hours). I went to the op-shop and bought a really nice linen skirt. AND I don't have skin cancer. I have a possible pimple that is nocturnally scratched.

My New Teacup And So On

2009-09-12T23:15:00.005+10:00

Another patch. 'C' for Claire. "lgm' for Lucille Gladys Melia.

It's really not big enough, but the colour! I had to buy it. 50c. The rug was $5 and I bought 3. One for each grand-child. The jug was $3! Outrageous!