Spinning a Yarn

Kaimoana (food from the sea)

Long walks on the beach with Michael’s Grandad.

On saturday I went into an op-shop looking for some knitting needles and came out with several peices of cotton and two sheets in fantastic condition (the blue fabric on the left). It was my lucky day.

Also found: a small cluster of mushrooms.

I made a knitting bag for a friend for her birthday, complete with homespun yarn, needles and the promise of knitting lessons.

a) When it is (almost) a marrow

b) When it is a chocolate cake

I’ve been wanting to try this recipe for a while. A friend has a garden at work, and when this beauty grew over the weekend I jumped at the chance to make one of these cakes. So moist and rich (all white flour, no chocolate chips, slightly more zucchini than called for.) Delicious.

A distant ocean crashing against my spinning wheel.

A rainbow emerging from my microwave.

Incredible depth achieved by 3 ply.

I have neglected you so colour+colour. Here is a poor attempt at photographing a moving flower.

And because I took it:

Also not as good as it could be. But it’s better than nothing right- because that’s all I have to offer you otherwise.

There hasn’t been alot of crafting going on. A little spinning (alpaca/wool, destined for dying) and some sewing yet to be completed. Maybe tonight?

I’ve been trying to get back into the swing of things- and on top of things. Now that I’m not a student I should probably do housework more often.

Like a few other people around the blogosphere I may just pop in with a few photos over the next few days? weeks? until the crafting gets back on track. Peace to all.

on my stressed out post. I have a cake lifter to make, a cake to ice and some bags to pack. After that it’s hit the road baby (in the morning.)

Sorry for my absence and lack of crafting and I will try and get some quiet moments to answer some questions and send emails (prehaps with margharita in hand) while on holiday.

Meanwhile, yesterday we did this.

(Part of the reason for the stress.)

Not sure how “here” I will be over the break. Merry Christmas to all.

It’s a little unconventional, but we picked up our christmas tree a couple of weeks ago at the beach. Pedro was very excited for me to be bringing a stick larger than him home with us. It’s been riding around in the back of the car with us for the last couple of weeks and today we got it up. It’s actually suspended from two well placed nails above the wee stained glass window in the lounge.

Which is good thing because aside from the “12 Days of Christmas” ornaments I have been making, and a slightly pathetic paper chain, we don’t have alot of decorations! The stained glass window adds a bit of bling.

I’m really loving the red/white embroidery- though I don’t know if I’ll get through all 12 days what with all the christmas making that’s left to go here.

This is my kind of job perk!!!

Black merino knit so fine it feels like cotton, (back) and alpaca knit (foreground)

A bag of the softest, finest merino (rescued from a rubbish bin!) and 50:50 alpaca/wool

Yesterday I had a tour around the fibre part of AgResearch. I know which section I’ll be looking in for my next job when my current contract runs out. They have everything- a scouring plant, carding and gilling machines, spinning machines, knitting and weaving, dying. From time to time the testing as giveaways of fabric and carpet samples. Great perks huh?!

I picked up a green linen napkin at the Salvation Army in the weekend. I cut it into 4 strips and have embroidered lavenders on each.

Add 4 fluffy white towels,

And a big bunch of lavender from the hedge which is drying inside, and you have gifts for all the grandmothers. (And slim chance of them checking the blog!)

Now back to the french knots!