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Dr Who Villains and Monsters Competition Entry

Well I just scraped it in and got my Lady Cassandra finished, photographed and uploaded.

I came across some soft velvety yarn at the op-shop in a flesh colour even before I decided who I was doing. So with crochet hook in hand ,some pretty blue safety eyes and an op-shop picture frame this is what I came up with.

It will be the ultimate prize if I can send both my boys (dear hubby and Master 13) to the conference on the 4th and 5th February with flights and accommodation included.

Here is a link to the competition entries.

The Butterfly Circus

Yesterday during one of the rare times I use my "Stumble" button I stumbled upon this movie called "The Butterfly Circus".

Maybe it was the place that I was within myself, the particular phase of the moon moon or a combination of all things that just are. I was moved to tears by this movie. It totally captivated me with it's scenes and colours, the actors and their parts. I can not remember a movie that has ever left me feeling so profoundly affected.

The Butterfly Circus - HD from The Butterfly Circus on Vimeo.

Another reason for me to be proud of me

This little cutey is getting ready to fly away to his new home in Tennessee. He is going to meet tiny little newborn baby's at a photography studio.

I was contacted by Starla from Starla Photography with a custom order request. Starla had seen my original Oscar the grouch hat in my flickr account. She was wrapped when I told her I could make this in a newborn size to use in her photo shoots.

Kumihimo - Japanese Braiding

Kumihimo is the braiding of threads into beautiful cords. It appears to be very intricate and complicated, but really it is a simple, rhythmic, repetitive process.

Miss 6 absolutely loves the kumihimo wheel. She has it down pat. Even took it school to show her class for news. I am looking into some different patterns for round, flat and square braids.

It is a great pickup/put down type of craft. I have been taking mine in the car and braiding while waiting for the kids at their various activities. The braids work up quite quickly. I have found that the embroidery thread cards are handy if you intend on making quite a long braid as it saves alot of time untangling the long threads. More pics and patterns to come.

Oh here is the link to the seller on eBay where I purchased the Kumihimo disc.

Hand Painted Handspun Merino Alpaca Blend

From the fleece to finished yarn. This yarn is 80% Merino & 20% Alpaca blended together. When spun and plied it is an 8 - 10ply (12 wpi). This is so lovely and soft and there is a total lof 180g.

I used the microwave to dye this with food colouring. First was a blue dye session followed by hand painting the gaps with violet. I call it Bubble Gum Paddle Pop.

Woo Hoo - My Inwood Smith Drum Carder

I have dreamt for a long time of one day owning a drum carder.

Well as luck would have it, I was talking to Christine from Glenora Weaving in Gerringong about popping up to see her when I asked if she got 2nd hand drum carders in. She replied yes I have one now.

So I put my skates on and headed down to grab a bargain.

This little gadget makes life so much easier. I can card about 100g of mohair in 40 minutes compared to 20g in an hour using my hand carders. The kids often like to help card and miss 6 has an obsession with cleaning it. She sits with the awl and the flicker brush for ages making sure every little fibre is removed.

Elmo and Cookie Monster Look-a-like Hats

These were great fun to make. The best part was the look on miss 4 and miss 6's faces when they layed their eyes on them.

Made by measuring the circumference of their head and making a basic beanie pattern using a 5.5mm crochet hook and one strand each of DK and Moda Vera Jazz.

Once finished I used the eyes of a toy pattern and stitched them on and the nose was a guess.

Flick Beanies

These are so funky. Crochet with DK (8ply) and a 4.00mm crochet hook.

I made a few of these. In camo colours and plain colours. You can find the pattern on Ravelry (you need to be a member to access)

Playing Catchup

It's been months since I have done anything with my blog. No particular reason other than, life pulled priority.

So Over the next few days I am going to get photos and projects up and edited.

A game of catch up on many fronts.

Dyeing fibre the kid safe way

Today I asked the kids (Mr 11, Miss 6 & Miss 4) if they would like to dye some fibre (mohair).

So we took some dirty nasty mohair and washed and washed and rinsed and rinsed.

Then we divided it into 3 pyrex bowls after we had squeezed all the water out.

Then the kids chose their colours.

Mr 11 - blue and purple

Miss 6 - red and pink

Miss 4 - pink, pink and pink

Mummy then mixed up the colours using a mixture of 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 5 - 10 drops of the relevant food colourings (just the standard cake making one's in my pantry)

The kids added their colours.

Then we covered the bowl with cling wrap

Then into the microwave for 5 minutes

out it comes all steamy and very very hot "be careful"

We checked to make sure the water was clear (clear water means all the dye has gone zoom into the fibre) We had to pop Mr 11's back in for another 3 minutes. It seems the blue is a little more stubborn than the rest.

Then we left the bowls and fibre to cool then mummy will rinse it all ready to put out in the sun to dry in the morning.

Mummy rinsed all the fibre before going to bed and wow don't these colours look fantastic.

Mummy will post the photos of the fibre out in the sun tomorrow and more when it's all dry.

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