Ironing Fabric

This magical ironing machine must be at least 60 years old. It was my mother's and I remember her ironing sheets, serviettes, tablecloths and other homely things. Well I don't iron much but I do iron my hand dyed fabrics.

Today I have been ironing fabrics for tomorrow's Northcote Market. I am nearly finished at long last. Most of my stock is packed and I have to price the last pieces of fabric just of the clothes line and ironed.

Next week is major clean up week. I hope I feel the same way on Monday. Well maybe not Monday as I'll be weary after two markets. The shop needs to be restocked, the state of the felting studio is unmentionable and the house is in need of a quick flick of the duster (and more).

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Hay made but no sun

I have photos of shearing but these photos illustrate today's weather so well. The sheep are in the bad books anyway. They have been so noisy since shearing. Maybe they can't recognise each other. We have enjoyed more wonderful rain overnight and it is still raining. These round bales are more protected from rain as they are rolled in a protective mesh.

I feel sorry for the owner of these bales. This is the second time the bales have been rained on. The paddocks around here are small and the hay is sold mostly to small land owners. With such an abundance of hay available I hope there isn't any wastage. The time will come when we are short of feed as a result of drought or fire.

Sukie & Northcote Market

According to my list I am supposed to in the studio making felt shawl pins for the Northcote Market.

I had a lovely afternoon enjoying coffee with Betty. We had to have our Christmas coffee early as Betty has family coming to stay next week.

Before I go to the studio I want you to meet Sukie, one of Mopsy's puppies.

How grown up is she. Sukie is now living in Hong Kong but I haven't told Mopsy. I can imagine the request for a trip OS and then Darwin would think he should go as well. Another puppy has gone to Singapore. A most adventurous family.

Northcote Market - November

Next Saturday is the Northcote Market. I love having a stall at this market. You will find me and also Twisted Violet Jewellery http://www.twistedviolet.com.au in the Hall. A great Market for "Hand Made" Christmas shopping.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Shearing is done. I have some photos to upload so will be back later today or tomorrow. I'm madly making stock for the weekend markets, sorting fleece and have some gardening to get done. Now off to post orders and back to the felting studio.

Wooden Dolls

My mother gave me these 3 wooden dolls when I was a very young child. I found them to be very good friends and we chatted about many things I'm sure! The three of them were never separated and I always lined them up together just like this with the doll in uniform in the middle.

We are in for a hot day. After some essential food shopping this morning I am off to the studio. I was to go shopping yesterday but just didn't get there.

The Northcote Market is on again on the last Saturday in November. I will put the address on the blog later on - Well the market is at the Uniting Church in High St. I just can't remember the number.

Obie

Our dear old sheep dog Obie, chook protector from foxes and sort of friend of goose died yesterday. This photo was taken a couple of years ago. Obie's coat had faded, he was wobbly on his legs and deaf except when dinner was delivered.

We have been watching him carefully as we decided to take Obie to the vet as soon as we saw any discomfort. Yesterday was shearing day for some sheep. Obie was there barking at the sheep for a while. When we had put the sheep back in paddock David went to get Obie and he had died.

David and Taffy found Obie at the local RSPCA. We think he was about 17 years old. Obie liked to visit neighbours. On one visit he got in a neighbour's car and wouldn't get out so they drove him home. On another visit he and a neighbour's child took a liking to each other - Obie was on said child's bed which I was a little concerned about. Obie just hated water when it came to washing or swimming.

Obie and chook were great friends and if chook didn't go to bed she would be found in Obie's kennel.

David buried Obie today in one of the holes Obie had dug. Obie was rather good at excavating. He had dug such a basement under his kennel that David has to do some reinforcing work to prevent a cave in and kennel collapse. The basement was a bit wet in winter but cool in summer.

Felt

A piece of orange felt with chunky yarn and fleece overlay.

Some of the colours of felt I have made this week. The pieces are large squares which can be embellished, made into a bag or tea cosy or many other items.

I have had a day of "avoidance". We all have them don't we? The market bag is packed and ready for a busy day tomorrow. Fleece has been washed and quickly dried. As well I made felt dolls, packaged dyed fleece and dyed yarn for an order. So a good day in the end.

Getting Life Started Again

Last week's funeral left us feeling quite lost. We have been pottering around and have a new vergie garden waiting for me to plant seedlings tonight. Have been working on my favourite knits - tea cosies. This grey cosy has yellow and white flowers and some vintage flower buttons given to me by a dear friend Terri.

A dark navy/grey tea cosy with a knitted and felted flowers, beads and braid.

The Hawthorne trees come into blossom with quite a flurry. One day they are green leaves only, then wake up next morning and some trees are all white. Then a few days later the pink blossom appears on the remaining trees. Same time, same routine each year.

And what does a Portuguese Water Dog do on a hot day when he sees the creek? Darwin just loves a swim. The creek was covered in Hawthorne blossom petals but not for long with Darwin splashing.

The clouds have covered the blue sky and reduced some of the heat this afternoon. Time for me to go to the studio and make some small dolls. Last night I cast on to knit a pair of socks although I really must finish the scarf this week. I am only knitting one sock at a time. Think I'd get in a tangle with 2 socks on one circular needle. However if I can find a second circular needle in the correct size I may work on the two socks alternately as I hate having one sock finished and then have to start all over again.

Funeral

Yesterday was the funeral for our dear daughter, step daughter and sister Michele. Michele was only 42 and did not live to celebrate her 1st wedding anniversary. She died from cancer as did her mother.



My dear husband has buried Michele's mother and now Michele.


Rowena, Brie and Taffy have said goodbye to their sister. The three of them have been such fine family members over this time and I am so proud of the way they have been so generous with their love and care.



And I have lost a loved step daughter and friend.


Today I awoke with no energy and a feeling of numbness. Michele was ill for 2 years. During this time we hoped that here would be a cure, more time but in the end there was nothing left. Michele had operations, chemo, Doctors visits, hope and tears. But there was no cure, no time, no hope, no magic in the end.



Farewell Michele.

My Train Knitting

This scarf has been my train knitting of late. When so many commuters get out their lap tops and stare into space I get out my knitting. Sometimes on the way home the train feels too crowded to enjoy knitting. This scarf is a very compact project and I'm using circular needles so no chance of dropping a needle under the train seat. The yarn is Noro sock yarn.

Feeling Lost

I am way behind in my work. Amidst the sadness of losing Michele I have been just working on whatever comes my way. So lots of colourful fleece which needs to be weighed and packaged.

We are in the strange time between death and the funeral. Lots of emotions, memories and I must say exhaustion. I really cherish the most supportive care and love from family and friends. Although we had known for some time that Michele's cancer was terminal it has not softened the blow.


And I made some bootees for little toes. There are lots of small projects to finish. Today I am sorting the shop, labelling yarn and being creative with the colours. Tomorrow I hope is a finishing day.

And then there is the house. Piles of clothes to put away, some food to be cooked, and a general tidy. What do I want to wear to the funeral???

And we won't discuss the vegie garden, I have pulled weeds from half so I should have that finished this week.