"Every night, just when the dark was softest and sleep was deepest, there came a loud noise from the end of the great room. It came from the place where the loom and spindle stood, where by day the grandmother spun and the mother wove."

from "The Spindle Imp" by Alida Sims Malkus

Wednesday 29 July 2009

Luscious Things!

Oh Yum!
I'm in receipt of a couple of parcels of lovely goodies. The first is a luscious gift of handspun yarn and a gorgeous little handmade notebook, a pay-it-forward gift, courtesy of Spinning a Yarn. Thank you Jess.....its all so lovely. YUM!

Now I get to pay it forward. giggle
This how it works: I send a handmade gift to 3 people, each of whom will send a gift to 3 people etc.…etc…. if you would like it to be you send me an email! My email link is on my profile page.

And then there were these:
Six sets of little Brittany Birch DPNs (only 3 sets shown), all wrapped up in some lovely wool for spinning.....they needed cushioning you see..... giggle
The delicate little darlings!
Thank you soooo much kniterarygirl! The puss cat approves too.

Oh....and its official!
A cat scan of my head has revealed that I dooo actually have a brain. .....giggle
I must say, I did have my doubts; this comes as something of a relief. .....Phew!


Saturday 25 July 2009

Steel Magnolias


I went to the theatre Friday night; didn't feel much like going (because going out for me is just plain hard work) but I had a lovely evening. And I knitted through the interval.....perhaps I'll start a "knit-at-the-theatre" trend. ...giggle

This is what I saw...

Starring Jacki Weaver, Jennifer Hagan,
Ana Maria Belo, Marian Frizelle, Debra Lawrance
and Geraldine Turner.


The quintessential story of friendship, Steel Magnolias serves up a slice of life in Louisiana that’s as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie.

In the haven of Truvy’s beauty salon, six very different women come together to share their secrets and bare their souls, throwing in a little neighbourly gossip for good measure. From weddings to divorces, babies to funerals, new beginnings to happy endings, they weather every event in their lives with grace, determination, and perfectly coiffed hair.

When tragedy strikes, it is in the familiar comfort of Truvy’s salon where they seek the solace and support that carries them through. Fans of Robert Harling’s smash hit film can enjoy this enduring comedy and heart-felt celebration of love, loyalty, and the bonds of sisterhood live on stage with some of Australia's best loved actresses of stage and screen.


Tuesday 21 July 2009

Apricots and Raspberries

A weekend away at Phillip Island; was gorgeous; and gave me an opportunity to get started on some knitware designing.

Palest fawn Cria Alpaca hand spun to sport weight. Isn't it gorgeous....don't you just want to dive into it? It was so delicious to spin.


And dyed in shades of Raspberry, Pink and Coral:


Then knitted.....a fine wool, long line, classic cardigan with a fitted waistline; classic set-in sleeves; a round neck line; and, buttoned through with delicate, iridescent, shell buttons.


Amazingly soft.....I plan to wear this with a black crushed velvet tank, black skirt or trousers and I think I may have to create a jewelled choker in raspberry, pink and coral. More pics when its finished.


Tuesday 14 July 2009

Woodlands and Dragonflies

Once upon a time I had two BEEEEEAUTIFUL crystal, enamel and brass bookmarks. About 18 months ago I lost them. I have been so sad everytime I've done any reading....I accidentally threw my beautiful bookmarks out with the rubbish....don't ask me how.

Recently, I was rifling through my craft stash looking for a bag of felt to make a "baby mobile" for a girlfriend's new, first "almost grandchild". Lo and behold at the very bottom of my stash, in a plastic bag with some forgotten books, were these!


I can't tell you how pleased I am. They shall never again leave my bedside table, unless they are in a book of course. I'm still looking for the second bag of felt...perhaps its time to do a bit of stash organising!

On another note...the knitting of my Woodland Shawl, except I'm making it a scarf, for a KAL is going quite well. I had a bit of a false start when I realised the hand dyed wool I was using didn't really do the lacy pattern justice. So I unravelled it and started again with another yarn. I was a little sceptical about how soft this Bendigo Woollen Mills 2ply classic would be when knitted but I have been very pleasantly surprised. I think it'll be very pleasing after finishing and blocking. The colour is called soft plum.



Thursday 2 July 2009

Persephone Pink Pooter


Meet Persephone...


Um...yep.....the box passes inspection...

Hmmmm.......PINK!

...okay...so where's the manual?


Wednesday 1 July 2009

An Island in Winter

On an island in a bay we have a house. Not a fancy house. Nothing grand, modern or showy; just a comfy, modest, built-on-a-shoestring beach house.

At the end of the road where our beach house stands, only a few hundred feet from our front door, is bushland...

And through this bushland lies a path...
And if you follow the path ...shhh....you must not wake the sleeping bunyip...
You will find a beach; a stormy beach...
I have loved this place for as long as I can remember. For me its a small piece of paradise in an otherwise very difficult world. It's best in winter. In winter it's peaceful, quiet; no summer holiday makers or bathers. The only companions are the wild animals and birds.

From the lounge room window we see the the clouds as they drift in from the ocean... and hear the winds, often icy, blowing straight from the antarctic.

The sunsets in the evening, even during winter, are magical...

There is nothing better, on a cold winters day, than to sit by the heater with a hot cup of freshly made coffee, a spinning wheel or some knitting, and a lap full of cat.