Polaroid Week

It's officially Polaroid week (or 'Roid week to those of us addicts) and it's actually day four and I'm behind in posting.


I used my gorgeous, lovely, reliable (I can think of a lot more adjectives but I think I will stop here) SX-70 to take my snaps.

Day 1 (03/05/2010) - PRICKLY PEAR













Day 2 (04/05/2010) - BARN













Day 3 (05/05/2010) - BASKETBALL













Day 4 (06/05/2010) - DOG

English Country Garden CAL - April

Here is May's CAL Flower - the Hawthorn.

ThreeSixFiveChallenge April

Finally got a minute to upload some of my photos from April fopr the 356 challenge. I'm getting a little stale in the inspiration area at the moment; it's cold, it's heading towards winter and there's not a great deal around here to photograph.

Torchon Lace

I'm jumping up and down here!!!! I finally finished making the two bobbin lace mats for my friend's birthday (last year). For the last few months of the year I have basically been concentrating on finishing the mats. I'm very relieved they are complete, now I can concentrate on some other crafts for a little while at least. My spinning has been a little neglected and I would like to do some more tatting and Carrickmacross.


The first one is from Lace Express (I think the designer is Monique Potoms, but I am not certain). It is made with 39 pairs of bobbins and 50/2 Egyptian.

The second, and larger mat, is a gorgeous pattern from Alison Dews in UK, titled Hexagon Star. This has 48 pairs of 40 Finca.

Caricckmacross

I attended a Caricckmacross Workshop on Saturday held by the Victorian Lace Guild. The tutors. Leonie and Vicki, taught us how to make this lace and here is my very first piece. I must say, I really did enjoy making this lace and have now started my second piece, using the same design.

Unfortunately because of the nature of organdie and net,doesn't scan very good. But this will give you an idea of the finished product.

Thanks Leonie and Vicki.

My Heart Aches

A post not about crafting, but about how I am torn up inside.

My heart bleeds, I am a shattered person, yet I can't shed a tear. My beloved MELBOURNE STORM are nothing more than cheats. How could you! Two premierships 2007 and 2009 have been stripped from us, three minor premierships, and our dignity. You lied, you overpaid players, you breached the salary cap - and you were deceitful, not only to your fans but to yourself! Don't you know winning is not everything but it's how you play the game. Yet I still love you and will still support you, I will still be there at the games, I will even still be a member (if there is a Club) - even though your actions are against all my beliefs!

Brian Waldron you are the instigator, a traitor - what goes around, comes around. You showed very few leadership qualities; let's hope the Rebels remove you before a repeat.

Burberry-Inspired Cowl

I fell in love with the Burberry-inspired cowl neck scarf and decided to spin the yarn to make it. Juliannesmith kindly provided the patternfound at http://www.thegartergirl.com/2009/12/04/free-knitting-pattern-burberry-inspired-cowl-neck-scarf/

The fleece was purchased from Karen at http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoolznYarnz Because the yarn had to be soft and possibly be worn next to the skin, we decided on BFL.

It was a BIG challenge for me because the pattern required the yarn to be thick, and I can only spin thin yarn. I managed to complete the final bobbin at my spinning group and plied them together at home. The end product was some seriously soft yarn, all ready to knit into my cowl











And here it is knitted into the cowl. Roll on winter...............

Torchon Bobbin Lace Mat

Here is a photo of a second mat I am making for my friend's 40th (December last year). Not long to go until the set is complete (she has two tables, not three as previously thought). The pattern is by Allison Dews, from UK.

Retro watch

I haven't worn a watch for over 10-15 years; I don't like being tied down to time. Anyhow, I fell in love with Carol's leather work and asked her to custom make me a watchband (70's design). It arrived today and I am just besotted by it - I love it dearly. Please do have a look at Carol's designs at http://www.etsy.com/shop_sold.php?user_id=6546708

ThreeSixFive Challenge March Pt3

The final part for this month's 365 challenge. I had fun experimenting this month with Polaroids (636 and my latest addition, SX70), DSLR (and hues/saturation) and TTV.

Diamond motif

Finished another quick-and-easy motif. This motif can be found at http://lady-lace.blogspot.com/. Tatted in Lizbeth thread; is there anyone who doesn't like this thread?

Motif #10 for 25 Motif Challenge

Social Butterfly KAL

Ahhh, the feeling of satisfaction when one finishes a project. Here is my beaded sock KAL complete and in the drawer, ready to wear in cooler weather. I am amazed that I actually finished the KAL one day after the final clue was given, and that it took just under one month to knit; the quickest pair of socks I have knitted.

Duaflex photography

Here are two photos I recently took using an old Duaflex. I just love the "vintage" feel the photos have, particularly the spade. I will definitely be experimenting a lot more with this technique, particularly now that I have made my contraption to reduce the amount of light entering the field.

Lemons - Polaroid

My first photo taken with my new (albeit, second hand) Polaroid SX70. I am already beginning to love this camera; I just wish the film was readily available and cheaper.

Cup Trio

I have a lovely collection of china cup trios; you know what I mean, china tea cup, saucer and matching plate. This is my latest addiction, it's by R & D Balmoral, circa 1892-1909. It is beige & cream fine china with a hand painted floral design, in lemon and purple, and finished with a beautiful gold trim

My dear friend in the UK Allison Dews made this gorgeous Czech bird. It is just stunning with a variety of differing stitches and fillings, and differing threads . I have found the perfect place for it - it takes pride of place in the largest of my nest of tables, safely protected under a glass sheet.

My Family and Other Animals

I have just finished reading a lovely light-hearted and humourous autobiography by Gerald Durrell “My Family and Other Animals".

The novel discusses Gerald’s childhood with his three siblings, moving from England and growing up in Corfu, with emphasis on his eccentric family and animals. Gerald collected and studied wonderful creatures including tortoises, scorpions, butterflies and bats to name a few, and these adventures are highly descriptive and fun to read.

His mother was adorable, and very little seemed to phase her. The impression I got about her is she instilled very few boundaries but, by the same token, was totally dedicated to her children and non-judgemental about them.

I didn’t want the book to end and do recommend it.

ThreeSixFive Challenge March Pt2

Part two of my 365 challenge for the year. These photos include a recent visit to Southbank, my High Tea at the Windsor (I recommend everyone does this at least once in their lifetime), and visits to various laneways in Melbourne.

Glitter Socks

Finished another pair of socks - I must admit I didn't enjoy knitting these; they are in navy blue (I'm not fond of navy nor black). Thankfully the glitter stripes sparkled them up a little.

I used the magic loop, knitting two socks on the one circular with a toe up method.

ThreeSixFive Challenge March Pt 1

I had fun taking photos for the 365 Challenge this month. It involved a few nice trips to the country and to my favourite Cafe!

Here are my photos to date.

English Country Garden CAL - March 2010 #2

I finished crocheting three of the second motif for the country garden CAL, this time it is a Begonia.

Cameras

I had a wonderful day today. I caught up with a dear friend whom I have known for over 20 years. We had a lovely lunch at Armadale and browsed in Antique shops thereafter. The weather was glorious - you really couldn't wish for a more perfect day. And to top it off, I also went to Chapel Street and picked up my latest, and probably one of my most exciting, additions to my cameras - a Polaroid SX70 SLR.

Social Butterfly KAL - Clue #3

The clues are coming in fast now, I'm barely keeping up but managed to finish clue 3 before clue 4 arrived. There are lots of beads in this clue, and on the body of the sock which is something new to me.

Social Butterfly KAL - Clue #2

I managed to finish clue two on time - it's getting very interesting now with a lovely pattern is starting to emerge.

Free Time.

What does one do when they have reduced the family size from four kids to none - PARTY!!! My sister and BIL generously took three of our children to Queensland for one week (visit their blog to see their fun-filled adventures at http://www.theatkinsonkids.blogspot.com/). The fourth child just did his own thing and was away for a lot of the long weekend.

Over the recent long weekend, my husband and I did many things including movie watching (saw three excellent movies - Shutter Island, Men who Stare at Goats and, the most brilliant, Hurt Locker). We experienced different cuisine (and discovered two wonderful restaurants in our town) including Thai, Indian and Penang. We visited a few different retro markets including the Mill Market at Geelong and the infamous Camberwell Sunday Market. And to top it off we had coffee and cake at my all time favourite (and retro) cafe in Bacchus Marsh - Baby Black.

Here are a couple of snaps of the cafe:

Social Butterfly KAL #1

Here is the beginning of my KAL, at the end of clue 1. I think I am going to enjoy this knit-along; I love the yarn and the pattern so far.

English Country Garden CAL - March 2010

Yep, yet another CAL/KAL to participate in. I couldn't resist this one - I am hoping to have enough motifs to make a shawl or scarf at the end of it.

Here is the first flower motif - Jonquil - by Amanda Perkins.

Social Butterfly KAL

I just can't help myself. I have signed up for another KAL; this time a beaded sock KAL run by http://www.knittersbrewing.com/. I can't recall making beaded socks before so this will be an adventure.

I purchased the merino/nylon yarn from http://www.moseleyparkhome.com/- I just fell in love with the colour plus the customer service from Jane is superb!


More sock posts later once I start the KAL.

High Tea at the Windsor

A couple of us decided to do spend a lovely day together. We started by visiting Southbank market and after some shopping and snack, we wandered the streets of Melbourne, past some lovely old and odd laneways. Then we did something unusual by having "High Tea at the Windsor".

What a glorious experience. We were greated by a waiter and shown to our table. We started with some lovely pink bubbly and then a three tiered platter arrived. Once we finished with this we could help ourselves to the dessert smorgasboard; the food was neverending, the desserts/cakes were just so yummy. There was even icecream and freshly made crepes. I must admit I did give up fairly early; a case of my eyes definitely being bigger than my stomach. The only disappointment, to me, was the tea was not served in fine china as I expected but just your typical cafe thick cups. All-in-all, I would love to do this again.

Lace Wedding Horseshoe

I just finished a lucky horseshoe for a lady at work who is getting married in March. I have made many of these horseshoes - they are so quick and easy - yet each one is different.

I must admit, this is the second attempt at this horseshoe, when the diluted PVA hardened it clogged a lot of the holes so I remade it and used a stiff bristle brush to clear all the holes.

Happy Valentine's Day

Not that I am a traditionalist, but a "theme" always motivates me. And what better a theme, than Love.......
Firstly a wonderful Pattern from Jon, which can be found at this site http://tatsaway-patterns.blogspot.com/. This is my first attempt at a dimpled ring. I used Lizbeth thread which is definitely my favourite tatting thread at the moment.


Motif number 9 for 25 Motif Challenge.

Secondly, I remember these lollies from my childhood. They are called "Sweethearts" and I thought it appropriate to take a photo to recognise the day of love.

Lastly, a little play on words - well, scrabble letters actually. I love my 50mm prime lens for my Nikon and use it every chance I get.

Tardis

Thanks to Anne B's gorgeous TARDIS tatting pattern, here is my Tardis. I'm very pleased with it and will get it laminated next week so my youngest daughter (diehard Dr Who fanatic) can use it as a bookmark.



I had my first exposure to split chains with the Tardis; whilst they are not difficult, it is awkward (thank goodness for You-Tube; it has helped me many a time when learning new techniques whether it be for tatting, or some other type of art/craft). My SC is far from perfect, but hey, it's my first attempt.

Motif number 8 for 25 Motif Challenge.

ThreeSixFive Challenge February pt 2

Today I travelled to Warrnambool for work commitments and of course I took my camera (I even found a camera shop and bought some "old" film for my SLR). Anyhow, I took numerous photos; today at Warrambool and at Geelong on the way home. I have definitely met my February quota with all the photos I took. Warrnambool is such a lovely place, the beach is superb. Geelong is also lovely, particularly along the foreshore where I took most of the photos.

ThreeSixFive Challenge February pt1

Here are some photos for the first part of February's daily challenge. I experimented a little in my digital darkroom (i.e. Photoshop) using different techniques on a few photos.

Tatting Motifs

Here is some tatting I recently finished. First is a snowflake based on heart doily by Kelly Luljak. I used Perle 8 in a blood red colour.

Motif number 4 for 25 motif challenge.

Next is Acacia by Judith Conners. I used Caotes 20 in a blue with some dark blue/purple beads as accent.

Motif number 5 for 25 motif challenge.

Thirdly is Sally Magill's MHC Snowflake in Lizbeth's 20. Whilst I love Lizbeth, it is just divine, the variation doesn't do the pattern any justice at all.

Motif number 6 for 25 motif challenge.

.... and lastly is my completed Rooster from Jane's TIAS challenge. It was the first time I have participated in a tatting challenge, and now I understand what "challenge" actually means! I really enjoyed doing this however and will certainly do another one.

Motif number 7 for 25 motif challenge.

Golding Spindles

I received some lovely goodies in today's mail - two gorgeous Golding spindles. Anyone who spins knows the quality of these spindles.

The first one is a silver lace spindle (0.83 oz) which I couldn't resist because of the lace-related nature. The second one is a purple heart spindle (2.1oz) which I also couldn't resist, but this time because purple is my favourite colour. And... to top it off the gorgeous Emma who organised the purchase sent me some lovely hand dyed Tussah silk in my all time favourite colour combo. Thank you Emma for organising this purchase and for my extra treat.