Spinning around and around

The weekend before last I packed up my Ashford Traditional spinning wheel and went to learn how to use it. 2 hours later I had half a bobbin full of thick'n'thin which was apparently pretty good for a newbie and was in love! On Monday I had a child-free day and spent most of it spinning; I filled that bobbin and one other and then plied the singles together. They were a little overplied and overspun, but they're mine and I love them. After that I soaked them and the next day dyed them with Kool Aid and George's help. I have 2 skeins, one in Cherry and the other in Lime. They will become a hand-bag with maybe a little help from a commercial yarn for the base as I'm not sure I have enough to do the whole thing in my yarn.

Here's the first bobbin



Plied together

The lime

And the cherry

Went back again yesterday and I am now spinning reasonably consistent yarn that might ply up to about a 12 ply; very little thick bits which is great! I'm still in love and now dreaming about new wheels (how did that happen?). I won't be getting one for a while yet though, need to pay off the Visa first.

I've also done some knitting; almost finished the multi-coloured jumper for Ian, I'll post a pic once it's done. I've knitted it in DK Utiku Bazar from The Wool Company. It's my first ever go at cables and I'm going to do another in the same colour for George, but his will have the cable section in a plain turquoise to go with the Bazar. He'll have to wait a bit for his though as his school jersey comes first along with a hat for a friends daughter's birthday. Another thing finished is the roman blinds. They are now up at my brothers place and I've handed back all the leftovers. I'm glad it's all done and I can now tidy up the sewing room a bit. They look good and I think I did a good job considering I'm not a professional!

Also been gardening. I now have leeks, kale, collard hi crop, broccoli, cauliflower, mangelbeet, lettuces and onions in the garden as well as the broad beans. Still have bright beets and radicchio to add yet, but that'll go in during the week after I've finished sorting the garden. Should really do a green compost type crop, but don't have the room atm or the time. Hopefully this year will give me some idea of how much I need to plant so I can start a rotation for the green manure around the edible crops.

Productive Weekend

Spent Saturday morning out and about. Went to the gym for the first time in a few weeks and I'm going to get back into it as I felt fantastic afterwards! After that I walked to the Art Centre to have a look at the Spinners and Weavers Guild's open day. In a couple of weeks I'll be going there to learn to spin; can't next Saturday though as I'll be working on my Brother's roman blinds. I am definitely in love with spinning though and I haven't even started yet!
I then went to Knitworld as I'd reread the pattern I want to make with Naturally Yarns Dawn and found I had half the quantity I needed. Spent another $30 on that,but was good and didn't get anything else. Spent the afternoon looking after 2 tired boys; they'd both had a busy week

Sunday I cleaned up the sewing room ready to make the blinds and then we spent some family time building a bird box. It's up in the Silk Tree now and looks great; I'll post photo's later. We used offcuts so no spending to make it which was great.

Today I'm going to get some work done on the blinds; I've got all the fabric ready to go and the sewing room as well; I might also do some knitting for Ian, but I think I may have to put the heater on as it's quite chilly today. I'd light the fire, but I'm working at the other end of the house.

Working day

Spent most of yesterday working hard. Had to go and do a drop off and pick up at work, got some Magnesium supplements to help with sleeping and got some milk. Also took the boys to the park for a while.
When we got home I cleared the lawn of peaches and mowed it, then we make ginger fudge cake (yet to ice) and gingerbread; yum!
Downside, both boys had icky poos in the evening though so I have to make a doctors appointment today as it's been going on for a while. DH and I have been having issues too, but I have issues fairly often anyway so just thought it was getting worse. Looks like maybe it's been having some help from some unknown organism. George has swimming next week so we need to get it sorted quickly!

Long weekend, lots done!

A very busy weekend, most of it was spent in the sewing room after DH's using all of the last few weekends on his projects.
Started off by making a lion with George (well, mostly me, but he wanted to help).

I also ordered a book on using my new loom, a couple of knitting books, some bamboo dpn's and a bolt of silk kimono fabric which cost me $29 US. I'm so looking forward to that arriving. No more spending for a while though aside from necessities like supplements.

I made 3 bags, 2 of them are for a swap on TNN though so I can't post pics here yet. I only needed to make one, but I had some fabric that screamed it was for the lady's daughter so a second one was done. I did one shopping bag for me out of some fabric left over from a dress I made a wee while back.



















I've also made 4 pairs of trousers for George for school, took the basic Kwik-Sew pattern from the Childrens book and adapted it to be very similar to the bought ones. I'm keeping 2 aside which will be for if he ruins some or else for Ian when he starts. I'm quite pleased with these as they look great!














After I'd finished these I had just enough time to make the frontage for our wood shed so the weather can't get in. The fabric was bought from Hollingsworth agencies for $6pm +gst. It's 100% polyester waterproof, non-breathable. It's stapled at the top, and the hem has a wood insert for weight. Looks really good!

A long weekend

And I don't mean the one coming up! The weekend just gone was only 2 days, but seemed much longer. DH spent most of both days in the garage with his sister working on his gaming boards. I ended up doing cleaning, tidying, lawnmowing, peach drying and kidwrangling. He's almost done and has promised me most of the long weekend for sewing etc. I will take some time off for the family, but I'm drooling over the promises of uninterrupted sewing and knitting.
I want to make a couple of pairs of trousers for George for school as well as a bag and some pj's for both boys. Would also be nice to get some more knitting done on Ian's jersey.

A productive day

Spent the morning taking photo's of my wool stash to load on Ravelry. Still have a fair way to go, but all the cotton, bamboo and mohair yarn is ready to load (after editing the photo's for easy loading). Afternoon was spent vacuuming after youngest to remove all the sand he was traipsing through the house, as well as getting dinner ready. We had roast duck and I put one of our peaches in the stuffing; yummo!
I also managed to get in some Kool Aid dying. I now have 2 200g 14ply (bulky) skeins of orange, yellow and lime. Not sure what I'll make with it, but it's rather nice and currently dripping onto the lawn. I'll have to bring it in soon so it doesn't get covered in dew. Here's a photo, there'll be another when I get around to turning it into something.

I've also lanolised the shorties that Mira made for me; George has laid claim to them and didn't even want to wait for them to dry!

Peach Jam

Our black boy peach has been dropping it's annual bounty on the lawn; we've had a lot of brown rot on them this year so not so many to use. I've been adding a lot to the compost (not sure if I should be or not), the good ones I've tried peach roll ups, but need a little practice at this as I've never used the dehydrator before. Will do some more in the next few days. I also decided to do some jam, the last time I did preserves was when we moved in, about 7 years ago and some of them are still in the cupboard, not much point doing more. Jam, on the other hand will get eaten! I got 7 jars, one in the fridge the rest in the cupboard for later along with the strawberry jam I did earlier in the season.
The next thing to try will be dried peaches, looking forward to trying that. I figure I can use some in stews and things to add some sweetness with a little bite.

I'm not getting much sewing done atm as DH is spending all his time in the garage working on gaming boards for Easter's wargaming competition. I'll be glad when he finishes so I can do some sewing. All I've managed to accomplish in the last few days is to add to my sewing to-do list and also to add to my mending list and my knitting list. I have today wound 5 skeins of yarn into balls so far; still several to go!

Quick update

Have finished a few things in sewing, but haven't got time to post pics atm; will have to do that later. I've done a couple of Ottobre T's as well as 1 pair of plain sweatpants for the gym. I've finished knitting 2 beanies in Patons Zhivago and a number of cotton dishcloths for Christmas presents. I've also make a cardigan in Naturally Yarns Vero (Pink/purple) for Gabriella (Jan and Robert's daughter). I put pink daisy buttons on it and it was very cute. I'm using the remaining skein to knit a hat for a TNN swap; no piccies yet though!

I'm also working on a sweat-jacket which I'm planning to add some swarovski crystals!

As far as the GF is concerned we've been GF since September and have seen a bit of improvement in George's speech, but not much in the way of changes aside from that. It's possible they are a bit calmer; certainly noticed a difference when they had an infraction! DH is finally supporting it a bit which makes things easier. I'd like to try milk free as well, but DH is so anti that it's not even worth trying atm! Maybe later.

Gluten issues

Well, just found out that both my boys are gluten intolerant. We had blood tests done for IgG levels. Normal is between 1 and 20; George's was 49 and Ian's was 61! We're not going gluten free immediately as I want to check for milk protein issues first, so we're taking a couple of weeks with no dairy before going gluten free. I'm hoping that the milk won't be a problem because that will mean we can still have cheese.
So, no more takeaways, no more bought bread considering the bought versions cost $6 per loaf which is daylight robbery! I've got us a juice fountain a new toaster (the old one was dying anyway), and I had enough fly-buys points to get a waffle maker. Unfortunately I have no idea where I'm going to put everything and the stuff we're keeping is going to have to be scrupulously clean so we don't have cross contamination (another reason to wait for a couple of weeks).
I'll put all the wheat based stuff in the hall cupboard so it won't tempt the boys and I'll have to bake often which I don't do now.
I'm also going to be looking into seeing if I can get a referral through the public health system to see Rodney Ford (Dr Gluten), he's too expensive to see normally and if he confirms George is gluten intolerant we may be able to get WINZ support to help with the expenses involved. We already get if for Ian as he is on the Autistic Spectrum.
DH isn't 100% committed and probably won't be until we see results, and maybe not even then, it may well be considered to be a "coincidence". We have seen big results with Ian from the use of Efalex fish oil, but there is still a way to go; and George has some major language delays. Even at almost 5 he's still hard to understand so I think it's well and truly worth a try.

Peak Oil

Well this is my final post for today, the others were catch-up posts; this one is addressing an issue that rather worries me. I'm mostly worried about how it will affect my ability to access supplies to keep Ian from descending back into grumpy Autistic child. He's on Efalex fish oil and has improved greatly, the idea of not being able to source that anymore is rather scary. I'm hoping that peak oil will be further off than believed and that when it comes bio-fuel will still be able to be used for shipping so that we can still get that sort of thing.
I'm not too worried about power or food here as we are a mainly agricultural country and most of our power is hydro, with some coal. If we stop selling our coal off to China we should be ok on that front too, at least ok for long enough to adapt. I can see the possibility of rationing though, similar to what happened in WWII in England. Our access to free wood for the fire may be compromised though as we won't be able to drive out to the farm to get it, hopefully they might get a horse and cart and we can sort something out for that (the chainsaw might not be working though)
Funny, you don't realise just how much oil is necessary in our society until you sit down and think it through. Although I work in an industry that makes woollens a lot of that depends on transportation, the dryers are run on gas and I couldn't fit many jerseys on the back of the push bike.

Just been watching the news on another front. They're going to be asking all women and children who go into hospital if they've been victims of abuse. What about the abused men? I think it's a bit shortsighted concentrating on just women and children. Sure they are the main groups that are affected, but there are men who are in the same situation who find it even more difficult to talk about it as it's not considered "manly".

some sewing

My latest sewing, 2 tops for Ian using a 2 way stretch knit from Fabric Vision's remnants table. I think it cost about $4 for both. The one on the top has velvet iron-on's in an aboriginal style print. The flame was a free-hand fabric paint attempt. It's still holding up quite well a month or so later. Both boys want to wear it, they both fit the same size in tops now!




















The jersey I knitted in 14 ply thick'n'thin yarn for a friend's son. Apparently it fits really well, a bit long in the sleeves, but that's not a bad thing for growing boys. The yarn was Naturally Colormate 100% wool. Nice to work with and quite soft. I'm going to do one for one of my boys for next winter in Teal (I love knitworld sales!)














I made these trousers for our neighbours newborn. They're size 1, so will be for next winter but they are so cute. An Ottobre pattern, I used remnants from the last pair I made (which I forgot to photograph before posting off). The brown was the remnant and the red goes so well with it! My neighbours were surprised, but pleased to get them; and I got to meet their 6 week old son who was very cute and having a good look around.

Catching up

Well, it's been a while since I updated this. In the meantime I've finished George's quilt
He's very proud of it, and so am I!















I've knitted both boys a jersey in merino possum wool, very nice to work with though lacking body a bit so will stretch.
















I've also knitted my first ever pair of socks, unfortunately both boys are growing at a rate of knots and they won't fit Ian past this winter. They turned out really well though!
I'll have to knit more for next winter as it's really hard to get woollen socks for children over here. Strange considering we're in a country full of sheep, but there you go.










I've also done some sewing, but I'll post that separately.

Weekend work

It's been a long weekend, been very busy! Yesterday I washed the outside of all the windows as well as the inside of the bedroom windows. Ick! George helped me with the outside, though I think they might have been cleaner without his help, lol! I also did quite a lot of work on the garden; pruning roses and dug one out as well as rediscovering the vege garden. It'll be interesting to see how that goes in the Spring after George planted several bean seeds.

Today was mothers day so I got to spend the day in the sewing room. Finished Ian's jersey and cut out 2 t-shirts for him. I also got DH's ironing done and some reading. I'm about to sort out some Burda mags that sold on TradeMe yesterday and then I'm going to play some computer games to round the day off nicely.

Winter singlets and update on quilt

Just finished making 3 singlets for Ian from Ottobre 2/2005 #19. 2 are from offcuts of merino knit from work, the third (cream) is from an old singlet of mine which had gone under one arm. The rest of it was in good nick so I decided to turn it to good use. I used my Janome Coverpro for this and it did a really good job.

I'm also working on my first quilt, ran out of thread today so will have go shopping for more. I'm currently doing the actual quilting, once that's done then I'll just have to bind it. I'm making it for George (my eldest). It's a dinosaur quilt and uses a mix of piecing and applique. Looking really good and I'll post a piccie here when it's finished.

Egg donation

Well, tomorrow I get to go into the Fertility place, take a whole load of drugs and hand over a bunch of eggs. I won't find out who's getting them, though I will get to find out if they actually have a baby.
I'm glad it'll be all over for my end though, feeling a bit bloated atm and it'll be nice to get our fridge back too. I'm going to take in one of my nappies to give to the recipient (The Fertility Centre will be doing the giving) and then that's it for me. I'm too old to do it again now, but I've given 2 couples the chance to have children of their own. I really hope it works for them, hopefully the nappy will be a good luck charm.

More SS replacement

Here's the nightgown I made to go with the little jacket. This is also an Ottobre pattern. Very cute, however no girls to take a photo of it on. This was my first attempt at shirring and I think it worked out quite well. The fabric was some my MIL gave me which I've been wanting to use, but didn't have a project for; until now!

A replacement SS and others

One of the ladies on TNN unfortunately didn't get her SS present, so I volunteered to replace it for her. I've made a couple of items from Ottobre mags for her children, her hubby and herself got much more prosaic pressies (toffee and nuts).
For her young son a jacket in Malden Mills 200wt fleece with a lined hood (organic cotton jersey). Unfortunately I can't do a photo on as both my boys are too big now to fit this.

Secret Santa and gifts

Well, this is a full post. I have several items I made for my secret santa on TheNappyNetwork.org.nz. The first is a sleeping bag from the latest Ottobre magazine (05/06). The outer is polar fleece from my stash and it's lined with organic cotton jersey with a wee bit of organza ribbon for decoration.
I also made a nappy for the same lady using my own pattern and stencilled an Iris on it, I'm really happy with this.

I also had a second person to make for, and I combined 2 womens T's to make this t-shirt. I then appliqued a vehicle on the front. I used the Ottobre T-shirt pattern for this and used a basic shorts pattern to make a full outfit. That had the same vehicle appliqued, but I don't seem to have made a photo of that for some reason. Unless it's still on the camera; if so it will show up here later.

The last T was made from another of the existing women's T's and I made this for the son of the lady who gave me them. I made it to the Ottobre pattern again and free-handed a tractor onto it with fabric paint (Pebeo Setacolour). The wee lad loves it! Always nice to be appreciated.

2nd sleeping bag for nephew

This is a robots print, inner is organic cotton jersey which is absolutely scrummy! There is a hidden layer of wool batting so it'll also be snuggly in winter. That's a good thing, they live in Waimate which gets really cold in winter!

Nappies for Africa

Well, one of them was. I made 12 of these newborn nappies, 7 for kits to show off at local
Ante-natal classes and 1 went to raise funds for the Fistula Trust which is in Africa (I forget which country).
I sold another on Trade-Me, gave one to a friend and still have 2 left.
They are 100% cotton velour towelling on the outside, lilac sherpa inner with a hidden soaker.
Wonderfully soft!