Hot

 We had the water Air conditioner in front of the Budgie's cage because they were so hot. This cheered them up and they started singing again. 

Here is what the out side temperature was yesterday. 115.9f at 1.55pm or 46.8 c. Today is supposed to be hotter. At 7.55am its 31c under the pergola. I know its summer but Australia is getting some strange weather this year we have had floods in Queensland , New South wales and also Victoria but here in south Australia we are getting hot dry weather. Western Australia is in drought. What a country ! 

Spinning Yarn

My fantastic Grandmother taught me how to spin when I was about 10 or so . She was into dyeing using natural things like onion skins etc. I was lucky to have been given her electric Wheel a year or so before she died. I have trouble sitting at the wheel for any length of time due to my back injury but I found I could sit in my recliner and have Wayne put the electric wheel in front of me and I could spin more and for longer. In the photo I have the  yarn I brought at the spinners and weavers retreat I attended in August last year here is a link to the site were the fiber came from http://www.ashford.co.nz/newsite/fibres/silk-merino-sliver

Once I finish the silk i was going to ply it with this lurex thread but I couldn't get it to work because the spool unraveled several layers and once. I then used my embroider thread in a light purple and it worked out fine.

Cricket

My son Dylan after he made 100 runs in cricket. 

11 shawls in 2011

This is my first shawl I knitted for the 11 in 2011 on Ravelry . I used knit picks yarn stroll tonal in Blue yonder. I am happy with the results. I just hope I can complete all 11 this year. 

Moonta Bay

Moonta Bay

we went to this beach on Christmas day. The Water was out but was still a lovely day to paddle 

Australia Day

Today is Australia Day.

we all head to the beach and have a B.B.Q

Olaf Beads

Olaf beads were the only beads I could buy here in Port Augusta when I first started beading.I joined a group who learn all sorts of crafts. Beading and card making seem to be the most popular. I have found this free pattern on line made with olaf beads which are about a size 9 but if you used size 8 beads it should work out OK but just a bit smaller.
http://www.olafbeadwork.com.au/patterns/whitenecklacepattern.html

11 shawls in 2011

I have joined the Ravelry  11 shawls in 2011 I am just hoping I am able to complete them all. I have started http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss10/PATTannis.php a very nice shawl more like a scarf just a bit bigger. I am knitting mine in a sock yarn from knit picks  in a aqua mix.I will post photos as I progress.

Big eye needles

http://www.katiestreasures.com.au
I have found this web site that has all the bead gear I have been looking for , like big eye needles that are 5 inches long great for loom beading. they  great because they are long enough to span the new loom I am learning how to use.my first order arrive fast and every thing was there.

Peanut

I have had a very sad day today. My chihuahua Peanut passed this morning.

she was with us for over 15years , found as a stray on easter Sunday 1996. The vet guessed her age to be 18 months or so. I found her only weeks after my back surgery , Peanut kept me company all through my recovery  

She has been the best friend anyone could have asked for.

R.I.P Peanut
 7th April 1996 to 21 January 2011 

Beading Sofware

Well I have brought a program to make drawing my own bead designs easier. I searched yesterday for different beading software available. I found Bead tool 4  had a great demo, it was easy to use and was a great price at $50 USA which is just about the same price for me in Australia.It was also recommended by one of my Beading groups,  I found it easy to down load and install after my payment was made and the the registration code was emailed and went on in a flash. I hate things that are hard to install or that you need to wait for CD's to arrive.
http://www.beadtool.net/intro.html

Son's Art work

These Drawings were given to me for my birthday . They were drawn by my middle son Lindsey. He is a very talented artist. In the last year he had not completed much in this style but I am sure he will get the motivation  to start again soon. I love looking closely at them and picking out recognizable things.

Loom beading Finished

I could not work out what to make out of my first piece of Loom beading. Here is what I completed Its for my reading glasses. I had trouble with the warp threads I used http://untilwebeadagain.com/index.php?p=1_59_Bead-Loom-Patterns

to show haw to remove the beading from the loom, I would be happy to hear other methods to get the beading off and what to do with the threads left at the top and bottom of the work.

I have this pattern on my free beading patters. I am in the process of drawing my pattern for next month. One day I will buy a beading program it would make designing my charts easier.I am planning to save for bead tool 4. 

Happy Brithday

 Jean with her 80th birthday cake, she is a friend from my craft groups and very knowable about all crafts. I have learnt so much from Jean its fantastic. We surprised Jean with a lunch by telling her that only Heather and I were going to have a meal with her  but when she walked in all the ladies from both craft groups were there to celebrate with her. 

socks

Here are the socks on my needles at the moment. I started them at Pt Lincoln. The yarn is from knit picks. I brought two packs of the special of four hanks for $25 this is called  Canopy and is a beautiful green tones. I am very happy with my Stroll sock yarn its lovely yarn to knit and hold. I am so thankful to my girlfriend in Alabama for posting it to me, I could not have got this yarn another way .

Loom beading in progress

I had no problem stinging up my new loom but the first row was quite hard to get set but I looked at you tube and found this was normal. I used nemo for my warp and weft threads but have now brought some fire line braided line and will us this next time. I hope you are interested in the free loom pattern I have posted. after I brought this loom I found another one that I would have brought instead, it was a Versa  loom but that all ways happens. I am going to post a new free pattern once a month this year.I anyone has a few hints on how to remove the bead work from the loom I would be very great-full. 

More socks

I like to knit while we are in the car, I can't just sit there and waste time. I started the opal socks over christmas and finished them on the way down to Port Lincoln. It takes about 4 hours in the car to get there so there is a lot of knitting time. The colour is called city lights

The Cat

Wayne's cat.

Zav , he hates me. 

   hits me with his paw as I walk past him.He also fights with my dog peanut, he can turn her up side down just like world championship wrestling just because he is bigger.

September Free Pattern

Purse

October free pattern

cube bracelet

The cactus

Our cactus still has not flowered. I was expecting it to have bloomed while we were away over Christmas and new year but when we arrived home I was glad to see it was still growing.we are all waiting in anticipation.

new Loom

My new loom arrived from England yesterday. I could not get one

under $50.00 in Australia. I have not used a loom much and don't know if I will like it

I didn't want to spend much. I found this one on eBay UK. It only cost me $15.00.

Our other Dog

Here is Jay sitting on his Lounge chair. If you sit on this seat Jay owns you, he can sit on you and you have to pat him. Jay Is 11 in march 2011

Great 2011

I hope every one fantastic 2011.
We are in Port Lincoln
 With our youngest son Dylan and Carly. Wayne is
planning on getting some fishing done while we are here.