Rhubarb Muffins

I made some yummy rhubarb muffins on the weekend whcih are just right for kid's lunches. I'm not sure where the recipe came from but it has been tweaked a little and thought I would share it.

Ingredients:
500 gm plain flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
250 gm brown sugar
350 ml milk
2 eggs
3/4 bunch cooked rhubarb (cook with some sugar and touch of water)
vegetable oil (or coconut oil)

Topping:
4 tablespoons castor sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat over to 180C. Grease muffin tray with oil spray.
Sift flour and baking powder and then mix in brown sugar.
In a separate bowl mix milk with eggs and add to flour mixture.
Add rhubarb and if the mixture is a little dry add some oil so it
is cake consistency.
Spoon into muffin moulds (2/3 full) and sprinkle topping on top.
Bake for around 20-25 minutes and let cool before removing
from tray.
Makes 20-25 muffins.

Sassymetrical

A lesson in what not to do! Do not start a project unless you are 100% certain you have enough wool to finish it.

I started this mini cardigan over one year ago using Malabrigo Cotton. Unfortunately I ran out of the cotton whilst doing the last of three bands. The cotton is not available in Australia and it took me months and months to find one skein (well I actually only needed probably 1/3) to finish the cardigan. I am TOTALLY over the project and will probably never wear the cardi.

Anyhow.... it's no longer a UFO.

BTW, the pattern is Sassymetrical

New Spindle

Look what arrived in today's mail - a new Spindle! This gorgeous spindle is from Whorled Domination - I am participating in the Spindle Club so every few months I get to build up my collection. This 63gm spindle has black lacquered bamboo shaft with a 50mm Lapis Chrysocolla Whorl. It feels and looks beautiful - now to put it to the test...............

Dairing Wool and Fabric Yarn

I had tremendous fun knitting this scarf (BTW, the photo doesn't really do it justice). The "yarn" was purchased from Dairing in Richmond and consists of wool and fabric strips attached randomly together. It is another example of arm knitting and knits up very fast indeed.

There is no need to actually purchase the yarn, it would be quite simple to make yourself from at least a 12 (but preferably 20) ply yarn and strips of fabric. I may try it again in purples/greens/ blues - my favourite colour combo; but then again, how many scarves does one need?

White Swan Scarf

In a previous post I shared the wedding winter batts from Nunnaba which I spun up into fine yarn; here is the finished scarf (designed by Kit Baldassara) and spun in the merino/glitz. I love the dangly bits. My daughter modelled the scarf for the photo and decided there & then the scarf was for her :(

Creepy Cute Crochet - Queen Vampire

Continuing on from my favourite book at the moment, I'd like to introduce Queen Vampire. Don't you just love her coiffured hair and attire.

Handspun Merino/Glitz

I busily spent the last three days spinning and plying some merino/glitz batts from Nunnaba for a scarf project I have in mind http://www.etsy.com/shop/nunnaba

It is the first time I plied on my Majacraft Little Gem and it was such a smooth process - I really enjoyed it and didn't find it tedious (as I usually do when I ply).

Stayed tuned for the scarf....

Hard Core Spun Hat

This hat was spun using Southern Cross fibres as part of a SAL challenge. I spun the yarn using core spun technique and the pattern was "Hard Core Spun Hat" by Linda H ("Coollinda" on Ravelry).

Bridge of Roses Socks

I participated in another KAL and again with Knitters Brewing http://www.knittersbrewing.com/ whom I think has the best sock kits/yarn and also superb customer service.

The socks were fun to knit - I wish I could say the same as the embroidery (which I haven't done for years). The bullion roses were certainly a challenge and this is what delayed the finishing of the socks.

Creepy Cute Crochet - Nosferatu

Number 2 complete - I am really enjoying working through this book, and the items are not that large, so can be completed in one day. Unfortunately because of the contrast between (black and white) it didn't photograph too well, very overexposed.

Pendrell Dragon - Puff 2

Phew. It took a few months but I have finally completed Puff, a pattern by Wendy Chapman and Alison Dews. Whilst bobbin lace is not new to me, fillings are - and this has a number of fillings including simple spider and tallies, 8 thread armure and plaits. I worked it in silk which gives it a lovely sheen.

In the future I think I will make a different Dragon so there is a pair.

Creepy Cute Crochet - Devil

I am in love! At a recent lace meeting a lady introduced me to a book she had worked through called "Creepy Cute Crochet" - I fell in love and just had to get the book; whilst I had every intention to make the items I could contently sit there and just oodle the pages http://www.amazon.com/Creepy-Cute-Crochet-Christen-Haden/dp/1594742324

I have set myself a personal goal to work through the book at make the little creatures, from beginning to end, starting with The Devil.

Art Yarns - Coils and Beehives

Purchased some specifically dyed fibre from Kathy at http://www.kathysfibres.com/ in order to have a play with beehives and coils. Here is my first attempt using this technique. I have fibre left over so intend doing some more shortly.

Hermione the Unicorn

Just completed another one of thge wonderful Dawn Toussaint's CAL's - this time I would like to introdeuce Hermione the Unicorn. This was a fun creature to crochet thanks again to Dawn's exceptional instructions http://dawntoussaint.blogspot.com/2011/08/september-cal-hermione-unicorn.html.

Wildlife Photography

Recently I participated in a Wildlife Masterclass with Sarah Louise) you can see some of her amazing shots at http://www.sarahlouisephotography.com.au/).

We visited the Ballarat Wildlife Park http://wildlifepark.com.au/ and besides taking hundreds of photos we picked up some tips along the way. I experimented with photography through glass panes and it seemed to have worked, I took very few photos with reflection.

Crochet Ripple Quilt

I finally completed the crochet ripple quilt which was started last year. Acrylic was used to make this Lucy of Attic24 quilt; a very easy pattern, just a lot and lot of rows to make a decent sized rug.

Knitted Hat

Finally made something out of the handspun Corriedale yarn. Here is a knitted hat using DROPS 85-12 pattern nib. I modified the hat closure as I didn't particularly like the DROPS top and preferred a rounder finish.

Curly Scarf

These types of scarves are the latest trend with knitters. The yarn I used was Panda Sashay which is a polyester blend (basically it's got netting on one side and a more dense binding

which is used for the curling effect) - the Panda wool has glitter in this binding. Rather than knitting this yarn, I wanted a curlier effect so I used double crochet in the netting.

Cropped Vest

Here is a little vest I just finished knitting using a variety of yarns (I cheated, I bought the various yarns together in one yarn! - if that makes sense). I wanted a neutral vest to wear over long sleeve tshirts, hence I knitted this vest to my own pattern (which of course I didn' think to write down).

Carrickmacross Lace

I attended a one day Carrickmacross workshop at our Lace Guild quite a while ago and here is my second piece, mounted on a Torchon lace mat. I really enjoy making Carrickmacross and have an excellent instruction book by Mary Shields which guides me all the way.

A Series of Reflection

On a recent visit to Echuca, on the Murray River, I decided to do a series called "Reflection". It was a beautiful cold and crisp morning with the sun shining. The river was still and the reflections breathtaking. Here are a few of the many photos I took (aperature priority, no tripod necessary)

Tailspinning

I really enjoyed the SLOW process of making tailspun with English Leicester, using Lexi Boeger's technique. It is very time consuming (and I thought lace making was time intensive) but rewarding. I have a lot of other "tails" to spin including some magnificant Wensleydale from Namaste farm and some Mohair too.

I'm not sure what to do with this sample - I would need a lot more to make a hat or scarf.

Dandelion Beret

Just finished a Ravelry KAL - Dandelion hat by the talented Jen Adams http://www.littleyellowcat.com/. I intended on spinning the yarn but in the end decided "no", and bought some Heirloom Merino Fleck which I just love. The pattern was a dream to knit, and it's a lovely slouch hat which won't flatten my curls too much.

Thick n Thin spinning

Just finished another thick n thin spin using some fibres from Kathy's amazing shop http://www.kathysfibres.com/. I used the technique described in Lexi's Intertwined book, which is now my bible for art yarn.

Arm Knitting - scarf

Thanks to the wonderful inspiration from Teresa at Dairing http://www.dairing.com/ and some awesome (old) notes from the Marta's yarns, I successfully made a scarf by arm knitting. It certainly isn't as complicated as I thought, and oh so quick. To get this really long, and cosy, scarf it took me probably 15-20 minutes. Once knitted, I then (tried to) felt it in the washing machine (having a front loader, makes felting very difficult).

Recently I discovered an Australian aromatherapy company whose products and oils are the bedst I have come across. I recently attended one of their workshops and we made mouthwash and tooth powder with all natural ingredients (and a little alcohol!). Making your own products not only allows you the opportunity to see all the ingredients but in the long run, it is very economical. Next on my agenda is homemade shampoo, conditioner and face cream.

There website if anyone wants to have a little browse is http://www.amazing-scents.com/.

Anyhow, I don't think I am breaking any trade secrets, here are the recipes for the mouthwash and tooth powder -
Mouth wash
Water
1 tablespoon vodka (no drinking it first!)
12 drops peppermint oil
10 drops spearmint oil
8 drops lemon oil.
Shake it.

Tooth powder
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt (love this)
2 tablespoons bicarb
3 drops clove
1 drop cinnamon
7 drops lemon
7 drops peppermint
7 drops spearmint.
Mix together

Fairy Floss

Well not really, but it certainly looks like it. I received these lovely goodies from SPIN FUSION http://www.spinfusion.net/and the "fairy floss" is actually merino, tencel, bamboo, faux angora, firestar and angelina (I think I'm in heaven). It is part of a WIZARD OF OZ Spin-Along and I chose the Glinda, The Good Witch pack. There is also some pearl beads, sequins, ribbon, gorgeous stitch markers and a really sweet Glinda magnet. I'm really looking forward to putting on my thinking cap to see how to incorporate all the add-ons.

Coode Island

It was a 5.30am start but the photography groups managed the early morning (and dark) start and bused it to Coode Island to take some photos of Melbourne's skyline and port not only in the dark but at sunrise.

Queens Park

Photography has been my life of late - and all other crafts have been put on the backburner.

I must say I really enjoyed our night photography assignment at Queens Park. Here I attempted to pan vehicles to get the light trail. I also learnt to shoot in low light using a tripod and NO flash - amazing how some of the photos actually turned out (much brighter than IRL).

I have learnt a tremendous amount at the photography workshops and would highly recommend the course, if you live in the vicincity and like photography, the Club - details can be found at http://essendoncameraclub.org.au/

Pipemakers Park

As part of a photography expedition we visited a historial park surrounded by Maribyrnong River. There was so much to see and snap; I even attempted (and fell in love with) panning. We also photographed gorgeous models at the park, however unfortunately I cannot share these photos as there was no waiver form signed.

Storm

One of the many photographs of Melbourne Storm I took with my telephoto lens. I quite like this photo because it shows Cameron Smith in action.

Art Yarn - Thick 'n Thin

Had a play with some wonderful fibres from Kathy http://www.kathysfibres.com/ and spun thick 'n thin, using Jacey's video for guidance. I really enjoyed spinning this, although it does take a lot of practice to get away from even spinning, which is drummed in to every Spinner when they first learn the craftr.

Basketweave Hat

I knitted a beanie for a friend's birthday; quite a while ago he asked me to knit him a collingwood beanie and I really struggled with this however this is the closest I could get to that team's beanie using their colourway.

BTW I made the pattern for the beanie myself using basketweave for the body of the hat. The pattern can be found here at
http://www.scribd.com/doc/53667256/Pattern-Basket-Weave-Hat

Using the art yarns I recently spun at Lexi's workshop I made an art yarn scarf, bound together with silk thread.

I have already received some lovely comments on it; in fact one person asked if I would make some more and sell them to her for her business - unfortunately I just don't have the time at the moment to make more, but I will consider her offer in the future.

Close up:-

Bushfire

Travelling through Victoria, past Beechworth I spotted a humbling reminder of the horror hundreds of people lived through; remnants of the bushfire still present.

First Editions Merino

I finally finished spinning and plying 250 grams of First Edition Merino. The colour is lovely, and quite different from what I am usually attracted to. I'm not sure what I will knit from this yarn, perhaps it will just hibernate with my other yarn for the moment.

Art Yarn - plied with Silk thread

I spun this art yarn with a scarf in mind. But I think I may have changed my mind - I'm now thinking of (bring them back in to fashion, and hope it's not a fashion faux) - LEG WARMERS!!!

Back to the yarn - it's an odd mixture of bits and pieces plied with Japanese silk thread.

Branching Out

The Sketchbook challenge for the month is "branching out" and it came quite easily to me. I just used the tutorial from the previous month and just altered it slightly. Drawn with watercolour crayons and ink.