Re-Illy Unique

Repairs on a lampshade

2011-05-20T09:00:00.001+10:00

This was one of the first lampshades I made. It was just a copper foil lamp, and had started to get wobbly.
I pulled it off and set it down, then a pane came half off, and while removing the one to fix, the other came off.
Fiddly, and more annoying than making the thing, because of having to get all the old solder and foil off. But patience won and finally it's fixed.
Just needs the patina to bring it the black, leady kind of colour of the rest.

A little kitty girl and her dadda.

2011-05-20T06:28:00.001+10:00

This was just so adorable to walk into, I had to share :)

Yes they were both sound alseep :)

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My little hat.

2011-05-19T12:28:00.000+10:00

I talked awhile ago about my fail hat because I didn't swatch first. here

Well here is the hat all sewn up.. IT barely fits on my head and the punch lace was too tight to have the effect that I was after :)

At least it is something to add a laugh to your day! :)

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DIY Hair Cuts

2011-05-18T06:06:00.003+10:00

I don't want to put anyone out of a job here, but girls, you have to at least once, try and cut your own hair!
I am not talking like a major re-style, but for trims etc, it's just so ease to do it yourself.

With the advent of You Tube, there are a zillion different tutorials out there. Choose a few and try them.
This is the one I use, I haven't tried others yet:

.Don't be afraid to try. Your hair WILL grow back and in the event that you have a catastrophe, there will always be a trusty hairdresser to fix it.

Try it on a day off when you can experiment etc?

Imagine all the things you could put that $25 a month to?

Would this work? - Tree bed

2011-05-17T06:14:00.001+10:00

I see so many things and get so many ideas; I never do even a 20th of them, so things that I know I am not going to get around to in this life time, I thought I would post and share the ideas I had from looking at them.

I saw this and thought how beautiful it was, but not many people I know would want to spend forever making this from Timber.

What I thought was you could use a regular bed frame, and either cardboard or foam, or even like a balsa wood to make the "trees" and attach them to the bed frame.

I would imagine it would have to be reinforced otherwise every time you make the bed you risk breaking the tress.

It wouldn't be hard to do, and so effective, and you could swap around the trees depending on seasons.. imagine that?

OH and as a little added touch:

How cute would a few of these hanging from the ceiling add to the ambiance of the room... provided you don't have kitties like I do... unfortunately I could never trust them not to play with them and strangle themselves in the process.. silly kitties and string... :)

The girls - first cuddle

2011-05-16T05:59:00.000+10:00

This is the first time I have seen the girls cuddle. It was in a sun spot, maybe that is what made the difference.
Can you believe that my little ginger girl is only 6 months old in this picture?! She is a BIG girl!

Tech knitting and Oh boy I am a bad blogger.

2011-05-15T11:36:00.000+10:00

Not even going to try and make any promises about blogging now. I can't believe it's been over a month.
I did get obsessed with twitter for awhile, but hopefully, I think, I may be over it.

Not to obsess with being away, but to post something...

I found this blog a long time ago, I should have shared it then. TECHknitting is an amazing little website.
A lot of the stuff is such common sense, but when you have the problem, it's usually these things you don;t think about.

If you machine knit or hand.. even crochet, I really recommend this blog.

Arm full of kitty love.

2011-04-04T11:27:00.000+10:00

Just a kitty post. Miss Cleo was laying in my arms.

I love this little girl so much!

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Ideas that don't work (or need tweaking)

2011-04-03T08:28:00.000+10:00

I haven't posted in so long I thought I better post something.

One idea I had was for a double thickness beanie. It was to be one layer of lacy material with the second layer of just regular stocking stitch in a contrasting colour.
That way, it would be reversible, but also the contrasting colour would show through the lace fabric and creating a different effect.

Well, it's my fault! I have to start swatching.
here are the failed pictures:

This is why you need to swatch!

Trying cut and sew to trim excess.

Ready for sewing up

I did make the hat, though it would be better for a child than my head. You can also see the problem I had with the ribber (which didn't matter as I was only writing the pattern), I was going to cover it up with a flower or butterfly adornment.

I haven't given up, just haven't had the time to get back at it and have something else I want to do now.

I really need to make myself a roster so I can find the time to do all these things I want to do.

So here is me sharing a failure :)

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Used needles

2011-03-22T11:45:00.000+11:00

I have been slack yet again, I have been doing things but it has been raining what seems like ages, so too cloudy to get any good pictures.

Thought I would just share this today.
It is a picture of a hypodermic needle, but what i wonder is if our sewing machine needles get wrecked just as quick?
I know myself, I next to never change them :(

Food for thought huh? ;)

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Yellowing plastic or brighten up that knitting machine

2011-03-16T16:57:00.000+11:00

I had seen this website a long time ago, but has since gotten lost in my bookmarks for things to do.
I do want to try this on one of the yellowing bits on the knitting machine (where it won't hurt), to see how it goes, but of course that is for "later".
Luckily someone posted about it on Ravelry again, so instead of getting lost in my ever growing bookmarks for "to make and do", here it is for me, and for anyone that may want to give it a shot. :)

The site is called Retro bright and you will need a UV lamp (I have one for cleaning). There are a lot more pictures over at the site and could be used in all sorts of applications.
I have not read it all though and would advise, like anything to do so;But it's great to have options. :)

Wry Neck...

2011-03-13T14:01:00.000+11:00

This is what happened when i was brushing my teeth on Wednesday morning. It was pretty bad, couldn't;t hardly move my head and has spasms that would make me stop when they were happening.
Went to the docs and was prescribed Panadine forte, took some; they lessened the pain but it was still there.
Went to the phisyo the next day (expensive), and he gave it a rub and stretch the muscles, showed me exercises and hubby what to do.
Practiced exercises and was careful with all that i done ( really wanted to get better as so much to do), woke up Friday night, got out of bed and had mind numbing pain in left shoulder.. I have never given birth, but the pain waves i was getting ... all I could do from scream each time... they were the worst I have felt.
Called the medical line to check if anything I could do, husband had to talk as I was screaming every time I had a wave of the pain,instructed to go to hospital as there are other ways to manage pain.
Triage nurse gave some tablets? while waiting for Er doc. didn't work, still pain and trying not to scream so loud when in waiting room.
Got into see doc, wanted to give me some pain killers, asked if they were like pethidine, because last time I had that it made me so sick i was better with the pain. he said they were the same line, but he would give me other tablet to off set the sick.. hesitated long time, but pain got the better of me and said yes.. no sickness, doc was right.
Said i should stay in hospital, to see phisyo and because he didn't want to send me home like I was and also, so he could give me the stronger medication, which they had to observe when given.
hesitated a long time (wanted to go home), but wanted to he pain to ease or go away more.
drugged out of my mind, head all fuzzy, but couldn't sleep, shoulder kept waking me up with pain waves, not as intense or as long, but still there. Nurses were really nice, always so hard to explain how bad the pain is, wish there was some sort of meter they could hook you up to , to see and believe just how bad it was.. some of us handle pain better..(because we are too embarrassed to scream out loud).
Phisyo finally came, pain happened when first started talking to him, he then took me for a walk and nothing, walked up stairs nothing... not sure weather he believed or not, but was scared it was like when you go to the docs symptoms disappear then when you get home they are back again.
Nothing I could do, so i just said thanks and asked to go home, doc wrote out some prescriptions and I only got the one; Figured that I would get the other if I needed it.
Searing should pain was good through the night, and by time of waking up this morning (touch wood gone).
The only different thing I did was sleep sitting up, so I didn't strain or pull the muscles trying to get up out of bed.
pain from Wry neck still there, but easing up.. must be getting better, but still can't lift anything with weight to it yet, at least it's on the mend, and the wry neck is nothing now compared to having those awful pains, it's funny how relative things are.. we forget.

I am sorry to physios, but I think if there is a next time of this happening ( hopefully not), I will just be getting the pain killers to relax the muscle, make sure to keep moving around gently, to keep the blood flowing, and sleep upright, so it is easier to get up and out of bed without stuffing anything else.

Oh, and I made a deal with the universe last night that if I was allowed to get better now I would exercise every day... I was better this morning.. almost good.. almost.. that means have to keep my part of deal :( LOL

Apparenty I am a creator.. online career test, fun

2011-03-10T16:23:00.000+11:00

This is so neat! The 2nd career choice is NOT me, but the first pretty much sums it up... how do they get that out of choosing colours? wow~!

Color Career Counselor

Best Occupational Category

You're a CREATOR

Keywords
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas. CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.
CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

2nd Best Occupational Category

You're a PERSUADER

Keywords:
Witty, Competitive, Sociable, Talkative, Ambitious, Argumentative, and Aggressive
These enterprising types sell, persuade, and lead others. Positions of leadership, power, and status are usually their ultimate goal. Persuasive people like to take financial and interpersonal risks and to participate in competitive activities. They enjoy working with others inside organizations to accomplish goals and achieve economic success.

Section I: You and Your Team
This personality overview section highlights your natural workplace talents—the tasks you pursue with passion. You'll learn how your natural strengths complement those of your coworkers and how, joining forces, you can resolve on-the-job dilemmas.
Section II: Your Key To Success
Here you discover your capacity for dispelling disruption and maximizing profitability. Use this proven, beyond-self-perception advice to create a more positive career path free of detours.
Section III: Managing Strengths and Weaknesses
Your evaluation's highest and lowest scores result in this section's recommendations for staying on-track in your career and reversing wrong turns. In focusing on your talents and missteps, you'll re-stoke your energy and enthusiasm for managing costly mistakes.
Section IV: Leadership Power Moves
This final section identifies your "street sense," those power moves that turn obstacles into insignificant details. Here suggestions based on your color-ranked evaluations will guide you towards making the most of an interview or harnessing your fast-paced workday.

Man cats says----

2011-03-08T15:45:00.000+11:00

What he says to momma all the time anyway ;)

Foot for my sewing machine

2011-03-06T08:33:00.000+11:00

The picture is just for the sake of having a pretty picture there.
I have been slack with the posting, I get in moods like "only post when you have something to post about", then others where I have tons of things to post about and try and post every day.

I thought I would just share a story that not even shopkeepers know best.
A couple of years ago I bought my sewing machine brand new, and not knowing a whole lot about sewing..(still learning), I went to a specialist sewing machine shop.
I told the lady what I wanted to do (free motion embroidery or thread painting, she called it), and she said you need a special foot, and sold me one for $45.. ouch!
Well, a couple of years later I get over my "what if I fail" and try it out. There were no instructions, so I had to fiddle to work out how to put it on, when I finally worked it out, it would make a huge big clunk when I lowered the needle.
I found that the wire bit coming out of the top was catching on the needle screw, but there was no other way that the foot would go on, I know this because I tried for a few hours.
In the end I called the lady at the shop, feeling stupid because this lady would know best right?
I had to bring the machine and the foot into the shop, turns out it was the wrong foot for the machine, she swapped it over for one that works, so all is well now.
However I am just re-telling the story because, even though you think the experienced old lady that runs and has run the sewing machine shop for years, knows all. They too are prone to mistakes, so don't take all for gospel, listen, but research on your own :)

Cats with thumbs... beware! grin

2011-03-03T12:20:00.000+11:00

Not a big post, just a video... this is SO cute I watched it like 5 times! :)

Monthly donation - Pet Rescue

2011-03-01T09:56:00.001+11:00

This months, monthly donation was to Pet Rescue.
I have heard about this place before and about all the hard work they do to find animals new homes.
I really wanted to donate to the RSPCA, as of course , as they do, they sent out a letter saying there is more need than ever for donations for this and that.. the thing is, after my beautiful Mr Tocks and myself, the experience ... well it still makes me cry to think about it.
I just can't trust them anymore, you know like a politician, you want to believe what they are saying and it sounds right, but when it comes down to it, it's just all lies... I hate thinking that way, but I do still at this time.
I even sent them an email about my experience, just the facts about what happened and how I felt and have heard nothing back.
I suppose I was hoping that they would look into it and let me know the facts of what happened and that it wasn't laziness etc .. but meh, time to change the subject because I miss that beautiful boy still, very much.

But from what I have heard Pet Rescue is just as deserving, so this is my monthly donation this month :)

You can click on the picture to be taken through to their home page or go to : http://www.petrescue.com.au/

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The girls are getting along better.

2011-02-25T13:31:00.000+11:00

Cut and sew - Stretch and cheating

2011-02-23T11:52:00.000+11:00

First up, My hat isn't going as smoothly as I would have liked, but then that happens when you don't swatch and just guess... but all is never lost.

What I wanted to talk about was cut and sew. Just briefly, hence the subject, it is just a quick post.
I am finishing off my hat via sewing and also fixed some "over knitting" with the cut and sew method.

I used it on a lace piece of fabric I have ironed/steamed because it was too long.

As you can see, what I have read is that you sew like a channel; Two vertical lines and cut down the middle.
I did this and it worked fine, no unravelling, nice and strong.

The only thing I would do next time, is to do it in a stretch stitch or something. I assumed they were talking about just a running stitch, which is what I used, and I didn't even think about it, but the knitted fabric has stretch and the running stitch doesn't.

Anyway, if you want your fabric even and stretchy all the way around, don't use running stitch!

On a side note... I see a few machine knitters talking about finishing, and how they like to seam on the K'machine and traditional seams etc etc... It kind of makes you using the sewing machine or serger, feel like you are cheating.
What do they call Hong Kong seams? is that sewing machine done?

Either way, I think it's kind of hypocritical being that they are also the ones who complain about hand knitters saying machine knitting is cheating.
I mean do all these actions work to the end result intended? Who cares how you do it, if it works and the finished result is just as good? (as in a usage, what the end result was intended for, use)
I mean is someone going to come up to you and say " wow that is a pretty jumper? let me look at your seams?"... come one guys, like with knitting machines, the technology is there... if you can afford it, use it?

Unless you find hand seaming soothing, which you would probably enjoy hand knitting better?

I love knitting machines for the creative side, and I am not afraid to say, that if there is a shortcut and the end result is the same, I will take it. The quicker I get the ideas out of my head the quicker I can move on to the rest.

What are you ideas on hand seaming/finishing? :)

Elastic in socks

2011-02-22T09:28:00.001+11:00

I got this idea forever ago. It was from my dad, he used to use little elastic bands that he would hide in the fold of his socks to keep them up.

I was going to do this with the first socks I made but incorporate them in; Then I ran across this blog post and thought it might just be easier to put a link here, being that I am not the best of getting ideas across right.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Socks falling down? Consider elastic
Socks won't stay up? You're not alone. Socks are a very popular item to knit but recurrent discussions on Internet knitting forums show falling-down socks are a problem to many.

There are many, many ways to solve this problem, but one of the most direct is elastic. Here are four different methods.

Elastic garters inside the sock

Click on the test to be taken to the website. There is a whole post about it, and while your at it, look through the rest of the blog, she has some great ideas for knitters... I love logical thinkers :)

Is my fur baby a cat or a racoon?

2011-02-21T12:05:00.000+11:00

So our little baby girl has never sounded right, even her dad-kitty used to make funny noises like this, like a chirp I called it.
I haven't been bored enough to chase her around with the camera to catch it first hand, however this is the exact sound she makes!! And Mr Tocks used to make as well.
I wonder if they can somehow be half breeds or something?? Never known a kitty to chirp like this...
Still love her all the same.

Sleepy

2011-02-20T09:11:00.000+11:00

I have been trying to blog everyday. I was hoping to have a project finished every two days; That way I could alternate kitty/misc. posts with stuff I made posts.
It kinda isn't working.

Apart from being tired from this lack of carbs diet, my kitty boy, who is usually very vocal anyway, has been screaming every single time I go to bed.
This morning he yelled for 2 hours before I relented and got up, maybe his little lover charger is not getting charged.. who knows? :(
I must say that every time he is awake, he is playing with the baby girl, they are inseparable, which I think our little lady girl loves as she gets a bit more peace and quite.

Either way, this pretty much sums up how we are all feeling!

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Simple wooden, loom type knitting machine - well kind of

2011-02-18T08:32:00.000+11:00

I saw this video a while ago now. But only came across it again the other day. I just thought it was so neat and a portable way of knitting machining, "sort of" anyway.

Can you see yourself doing this while travelling etc? looks still faster than slow boring knitting needles?

Miss Cleo's amazonian paws.

2011-02-17T05:44:00.000+11:00

My hands are not like man hands in size but they are chubby. This is my little baby Miss Cleo's paw against my hand to get an idea of the size of her already :)

Just a quick post today, I hoped to have a pattern I am doing done, but other things came up. Actually I got my first order of Happy cow meat, grown stress free, naturally, just like the old days.. will say more after we have tried more of it. I must say, we had the sausages last night and wow were they good! :)

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It's ok to be a cat guy

2011-02-15T08:38:00.000+11:00

Oh my goodness!! I LOVE these videos!! There are only 3 so far, but I have subscribed to the channel.

I just think men and cats are so sexy. It's like they are confident enough in their masculinity yet can still love... If a man can love a cat... it says so much about them!! Only in good ways! :)

.You can see the rest here at: It's ok to be a cat guy channel! :)

Punch Lace and Nylon cord

2011-02-14T08:48:00.001+11:00

This is probably a bit premature...
I wanted to do a punch lace pattern and it called for "nylon thread". Having no idea what it is, I mean you can probably buy it from knitting machine suppliers, but I wanted it now, I just tried my over locking thread.

It worked great for my little test, as you can see in the pictures ( though clear would have looked better up close).
I am going to try it on a pattern I am doing any day now, so will see how it goes on a big lot of knitting.

As they say, the proof will be in the pudding *crosses fingers before I start big knit* he he

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UPDATE 16/02/2011

I just finished a large piece for a pattern I am doing and the serger/overlocker thread seemed to have worked just fine. As I am unsure of how it feels with the nylon thread I can't say it was perfect, but I can't see anything wrong with my larger sample.

Some houses you are just attached to for no reason..

2011-02-13T08:02:00.000+11:00

Our new mattress is now ordered. 100% natural latex and wool... can't wait!
After ordering, my gorgeous husband said I want to take you somewhere. I thought it was some new restaurant he found, as we often do that when going into the city.
This is my crazy: I started to get like my head saying to me, you are nearlly here (my name), not far now. And I asked my husband where was he taking me, it wasn't for food was it? I can't remember what he said but he shrugged it off, then I started to get butterflies, those type that happen when ghosts are around, you know the like your head is underwater...
Anyway long story short, he took me to see this house that I am obsessed with, but never seen in person, only pictures on the Internet.
When we got there and I saw it, I cried... don't know why, just cried.. LOL I am an idiot!
We walked up the street it was on to have a closer look, but didn't get all stalker or anything, just walked normal, but even as we were walking a lady drove by really slow so she could have a look.
It was amazing on so many levels... I can't even imagine inside!
Later that day, after doing other things, I went for my nanna nap, and dreamt about it.. 2hours worth!!
All I can remember was I met the ghost in a bedroom, it was really dark and had a big dresser, I thought his name was a common name starting with the letter U but now I just keep thinking uncle??? Apparently there were people that wanted to buy it that wanted to change everything, wreck everything, and the ghost wanted me to help.
Anyway, we had a plan and would scare the bad people off, till this family hired a medium who could see the ghost, this medium was also a bitch and threatened the ghost.. she brought back his wife "Priscilla" and showed him memories from them both in the 60's... weired...
Anyway, I did a quick look up and can't find any names relating to the Abbey, but apparently a whole lot of different people lived there, as the owner for 50 years is said to have been involved in the push?
Anyway it's just a dream... freaky at that!
Here are some links.. oh my gosh... for places like this I actually wished I had money, but things are meant to be or not. I am just glad it is still standing! :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/velovotee/sets/72157622337401837/
Houses of John Young
For Sale listing
Wikipedia listing

Starring Miss Cleo Bear

2011-02-12T07:22:00.000+11:00

There was a better wink shot at the end, but was cut short by MM.
I think she is going to be a huge kitty @ estimated 12 weeks she is already the size of my little man-cat.

Just another Etsy Treasury

2011-02-11T10:26:00.000+11:00

You can click on the pick to be taken to the list if interested :)

Standing when Machine knitting

2011-02-10T05:29:00.001+11:00

Just a quick video, as I haven't done one in forever, but hopefully I plan to change that!
Basically (so you don't need to watch it). I found that when I was knitting on my Singer machine I would get long floats and the patterns would muck up.
I found that it was only happening at a certain section, and further I was ever so slightly lifting the carriage up.

Now I just stand and knit and make sure to apply slight pressure all the way along, being careful of course when you are using the full bed.
So much easier!

This is where all the seasoned knitters say " I told you so" lol... I haven't seen it said yet :)

Kitty butt on a knittng machine!

2011-02-09T06:23:00.000+11:00

Last post was technically a craft one, so this one is a kitty one... I am trying to mix them up...

Here is a naughty man cat on something he shouldn't have been on. the door to this room is usually closed, Lucky I had the cover over it otherwise he would have had sore little feet!

Ratty chair mended. tick

2011-02-08T05:24:00.001+11:00

So I started to take some before pictures for this post and I had 2 of my little helpers come in an explain why I had to do this!
This chair was fine other than being all ratty looking and my husband had been on me to get a new chair, but I hate to waste anything, so I fixed it!

"Oh hi momma! I will demonstrate how it is done!"

Not to be left out Mr kitty comes in and wants some action also!

As you can see it really needed mending, but this time I thought I would use some carpet and hopefully it might last a bit longer.

I took the carpet and wrapped it around the chair. I then measured how much was showing of the chair back and added a a bit either side for mistakes and stitching/seams.

Then I clipped it all together, inside out of course.

I then took it off the chair and sewed it up; I ended up having to do it by hand, my awesome Bernina serger just didn't want to know it. Didn't take long at all though.

Pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.

The picture on the left is when I used running stitch and on the right is mattress stitch. Next time I will definitely use running stitch again.

I also used cooking twine, you know the stuff you wrap your stuffed beef rolls with, I thought it would be stronger.

And this is the after.

I know posting to blogs you are supposed to tidy it all up and make it look straight etc.. but blah. It's neat and tidy and not ratty looking anymore at least :)

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Cleo with a blood filter

2011-02-07T09:44:00.000+11:00

Actually it was totally an accident, but I like the result.
I didn't want the flash to go off in her sweet little eyes, so I covered it up with my hand.
Who would have known that the light would still filter through my hand and result in this?

So next time you want an eerie picture, just cover the flash with your hand! :)

Now... a butterfly doll beanie - Machine knitting

2011-02-06T06:22:00.000+11:00

It wasn't meant to be. It was the first time I had set my ribber up and wanted to do something easy, so I thought I would try a beanie pattern.
The only problem with the pattern was it wasn't meant for use with a ribber, so I thought I would just divide the numbers of stitches used for the mock ribbing in the pattern, between my main bed and the ribber and all would be well.
Well I am not sure how small a babies head is.. but I would imagine a lot bigger than how it turned out.

Also, I lost some stitches transferring the ribbing to the main bed, which you can see I tried to mend.
Other than that worked like a charm, I must say with the Singers, it is easier, and you have less problems standing up and doing it so you have pressure on the carriage, I have found.

When I was practicing doing tuck, I was sitting down and getting all kinds of problems with longs floats and missing the pattern, It was because ( I am pretty sure), that I was slightly lifting the carriage sometimes.

OK: the pictures:

It was so quick and easy to do! But then I just used blanket stitch for the side seam as I was going to line it.
Yeah I am a cheat, but whatever works.. I know when I buy or get given things I don't look at how someone did the seams.. I don't care as long as it works!

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She is growing so fast!

2011-02-05T10:20:00.000+11:00

Just in the 2 weeks we have had her, she is at least triple the size she was. It's crazy! Maybe she is going to be a big cat like Mr Tocks, maybe (like my husband said, as he noticed how big she has gotten already also), that she was so hungry and homeless before, that she was small for what she should have been and now she is eating etc she has caught back up.
No idea.. at least she is in the rest of the house now, so I can move things back to where they should be, but there is still much hissing and growling going on..
My little man-cat is just such the huge sweetheart though, he hisses and growls ( though it is getting less), because he has to let her know who is boss, but has not hurt her ( he has had plenty of opportunity and reason), and will follow her around to get to know her.. he is such a gorgeous kitty, My older Miss kitty, is more hesitant, apart from being older and "over it", she had to go through it all with my little man-cat... guess she has had enough.. though the heat etc is pretty crappy.
Anyway less babble and more pictures!.. well two anyway :)

"can has kisses please?"

Monthly Donation - Sydney Dogs and cat home

2011-02-04T08:06:00.000+11:00

I have been a bit slack on the donating, I was even erring on doing it this month as we have paid out so much in vet and adoption bills, and now my poor little Boy kitty has caught a cold...
But then I thought that, it really defeats the purpose of setting aside even a little every month to help.. I mean even $5 could buy some food, a blanket.. anything helps.

So this month, because I am overloaded with kitty things is the Sydney Dogs and Cat home
You can find more about them here:

There is a link on the page to be taken to where you can donate, but if you want to go straight there:

http://www.givenow.com.au/sydneydogsandcatshome

It seems like $5 isn't much, but imagine is 100 people gave $5.. every little bit helps every charity! :)

going into the mountainside...

2011-02-02T10:21:00.000+11:00

Just a couple of pictures I scanned in recently of inside real caves, out in the middle of no-where.
We all used to go on these camping trips into the middle of no-where and my ex and his friends would go explore caves, with some rope and torch's.

This is really stupid looking back on it, no professional gear and in the middle of nowhere.

here are a few pics, excuse the quality, they are from old photos.

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Trip to Markets... or not...

2011-01-30T16:47:00.000+11:00

Lazy Sunday which hubby actually had off, I thought it might be nice to take a trip to markets. I am a sucker for arts and crafts.
I suggested the Bondi beach markets, but husbie said they get too busy ( I hate lots of people around), so we picked totally the opposite direction... Penrith.
It was a little scary, the stories you hear... but I didn't see anyone bad, just regular people.

Well the markets were just a few stalls ( a little sad), so it was a non-event.

So we had lunch in the RSL, which was nice and went home.

On the road with the Blue Mountains in the background.

My lunch, Quiche and salad, it was nice and fresh, as was hubbies.

Hanging to know why everyone has these bead stickers on the back of their car??

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People who have inside pets.

2011-01-26T14:24:00.000+11:00

This has long been on my list of things to do, I am finally crossing a lot off.
I always worry if we are away from the house that if something happens, who would know to get my furry babies out? The neighbours do know we have pets, but I can't rely on them being home either, so I made this sign.

I found the graphic online and fixed it to the size I wanted. IT is stuck on the inside of the window.

This is the view from the inside; I added emergency contact numbers and extra information.

I then, just laminated it and stuck it up.

On a side note, little Miss Cleo has the sneezies, but gets her stitches out tomorrow, so will ask the vet about them then.

Also, we are watching Life on Mars... I know, this is so old, but I like to watch things when I can see them all, rather than wait week to week. This show is wicked good! so far... I hope that they let us in on what is happening.. skizo? time travel? what?

Fairy Suncatcher

2011-01-22T12:01:00.000+11:00

Something I made a long time ago. She is from a pattern in a book called Crystal Sun catchers by Linda Bjornson. The pieces are really fiddly to cut due to the long thin pieces, but there weren't so many,that made up for it... a little.. he he

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Hi! My name is Cleopatra

2011-01-21T07:13:00.000+11:00

But you can call me Cleo for short.

The story...
About a week before Mr Tocks went missing for the night, I had been hearing scratching in the roof and meowing, like it was coming from just outside my window' I would look around for my kitty babies and find them all safe a sound, so had no idea where this noise was coming from.

A couple of days before Mr Tocks went missing overnight, I had been putting him out of a day and bringing him in of a night, I was doing something in the back room and thought I heard like a sick Bird outside, So, me being me, went to look and saw that MR Tocks was sniffing at something in the flowers, I went to investigate and saw for the first time this little tiny kitty.. Miss Cleo.

Well we couldn't get anywhere near her, but I left food out, because she looked so skinny and she was just a little baby. She slept outside on the chair I had for Mr Tocks, and I was peeking out the window all night at her.

I think about on the 3rd day we managed to lure and catch her with some chicken, she spent the night in the laundry, and that was the night I spent all night every two hours looking for Mr Tocks to come in of a night.

The next day was also the day when Mr Tocks came home injured and I called the RSPCA, I didn't know what else to do with him, and with them, at least people go to look at kitties there... anyway, I was talking to the girl about Mr Tocks, how loving he was etc etc, and I said I have to get in there another day as I have also found a teenie kitten that needs a home, and she said she could take her now for me;
The state I was in I couldn't think, so I just went and got her.

So almost straight after I just felt sick, physically, I knew we had done all we could with what we had with Mr Tocks, but what about the kitten? So, even though I hate to ask for anything, it seems wrong to ask for things when we are thankful for what we do have, but I was sick.. so I called our landlord and he said that was no problem because we looked after the house ( which I do to the best I can).

Anyway, long story short, I called the RSPCA and asked if I could get her back I made a mistake, they said that she had already been put in the system and we could only go adopt her, and that wouldn't happen till she was of weight and had her needles and lady operation.
A few days later we picked up our new little baby...( I also picked up some "keep off" cat and dog deterrent so I never have to go through this again!).

She is beautiful, purrs every time you come near her, always at your feet ( which makes it hard to move), and is just learning to play. My little man-kitty, hisses and growls at her, which was totally un expected as he is usually so friendly. She is kept in the back room for now, till her stitches are out and so we can gradually introduce her.

I don't know why, but I think we were just supposed to have her. The day before I said about something come into your lives for a reason, for better or worse, you have to give them a chance to show you.
Also, it seems so strange that only 1 single Kitty show up in our backyard, usually they are like in a litter aren't they? And the last is she is just so friendly, loving and not afraid one bit, and has been since we got her.
I think maybe that Mr Tocks new he was sick and went and found her, she has his beautiful eyes, maybe she is his daughter from before he was de-sexed?
Either way, she is home, she is loved and hopefully she will be part of the household soon.
Now for pictures! :)

This is how most of them turned out, when she is awake she likes to move about!

I used props for this ( she was staring at a spidey)

This is why we called her Cleopatra, she has like the Cleopatra eyeliner going on.

Looking a little sassy here, she used to meow alot, now hardly ever. You can also see her (prawn tail), the rings along it look like a cooked prawn he he

Hello? can has kiss please?

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Souvenir Turtle

2011-01-19T06:25:00.000+11:00

I don't know how old this is, it was my Nan's. Not that I look but I haven't seen little souvenirs like this for a long time.

Just a quick show and tell, and maybe an idea for someone for ideas to do with shells.

Held together by wire and glue

Cute isn't he

Hopefully I will get some pictures up soon of our new little baby girl kitty and a little more about her :)

Turtle message for today: Slow and steady :)

The cycle of life continues

2011-01-18T08:12:00.000+11:00

I don't know really where to begin but I wanted to post something.
For a couple of weeks now Mr Tocks has had the runs. I was in the process of trying all sorts of different foods, but it was driving really and trully crazy cleaning the litter box every few hours, so I started to let him go outside for awhile each day to poo.
The gorgeous beautiful gentleman that he is did.
He was staying in the backyard and not wandering so I thought that I could leave him out longer each day and bring him in of a night, which was working also, and disrupted everything a whole lot less.
I couldn't have him inside with the other two kitties.
Well one of those nights he didn't come in, and I woke up at 2 hour intervals to see if he was there, finally at around 3am when husbie got home, he decided to come in.
I was a little wary of him for a fewdays after that, but he was ok, in fact he slept a whole lot more.
Well, on I think Friday night he didn't come inside again and I was checking at 2 hour intervals through out the night, not because I was setting my alarm clock, just because I couldn't sleep and was so worried about him.

At around 6am, I looked out and saw him sleeping curled in a little ball up the far backyard. When he saw me he came running ( stumbling a little), but still in his beautiful "so happy to see you momma", run.
It wasn't till he got close that I saw that he was limping, had like a little hole (bite mark?) in teh top of his head and one eye was all red and weeping.. like he had been in a fight, he needed care.

We had tried everything, I couldn't keep him inside with the other kittie babies and couldn't keep him outside, I knew that it wasn't me that could help him, with a really horrible heavy heart I called the RSPCA and explained.
The animal ambulance came and picked him up, and the time we were waiting for them I was sitting with my beautiful gentleman holding his hand.
I explained again to the girl how much a gentleman he was and that he would be perfect for a single cat household, how sweet and loving he was.. he just needed to be somewhere that people were looking for animals.
She said that he looked like he has a disease, and I explained that he was fine the day before, that it had happened over night as he didn't come in.We filled out a form and she took him and the teenie kitten ( a story I will tell soon).away...

I don't need to probably say how much it hurt and how much I was crying, to have even the ambulance girl comment that people are not usually as upset as I was... verging on hysterical anyone? ( and yes I am still crying as I think of him, but this is me (letting it out).

Then I was having 2nd thoughts.. I knew that we had tried everything we Mr Tocks, we couldn;t have him inside and couldn;t outside, he needed a proper home that we couldn't give, but I thought that the little kitten was still young enough to try and intergrate and not be a risk to the other babies.. so many phone calls later ( as she was "in teh system now"). And tahnks to a wonderful landlord that because I take care of his home, allowed me to have a 3rd baby, we are going to pick her up today.

Whilst on the phone yesterday, I also wanted to find out how MR Tocks went at the vets, they said he had to be euthanised because he had too many cat fight absesses and feline aids, I asked the girl how he had that as I had, had him tested twice.. and I think she thought I was going to argue with her ( I wasn't, just curious), adn answeres rather curtly, I am just reading the file.

It is so unbearably, hurting,I loved the little gentleman as one of our babies, and everytime I start crying ( like now), I just remeber that he is not burdened by having to "defened his territory", or his sick little body, I am sure he is surrounded with love and is running free as part of my familt gone.

I wanted to add, you know this is just heresay and I was talk more about the kitten on another post, but a few days before I wrote on my twitter about how "things and people come into your life for a reason, good or bad you have to give them a chance". I really didn;t want to adopt another baby, we are not rich, and renting I didn't want tp push or take advantage of our landlords goodness. But everything was saying this little girl should be ours.
I don't know why but I think it was Mr Tock's way of making us not hurt so much.
I think he knew he was sick ( and looking back, I did see signs that I didn't know to put together at the time), I think he broght this little tiny baby girl kitten to us. She had his eyes ( he could have fathered her before he was de-sexed), and while I know that it is not unusual to fine a little of stray kittens, but one only turning up in your back yard... purring her little head off everytime you come into the room she is in...
I think she was a little gift from Mr Tocks, and he will live on in her.. her eyes.

I think that all people and things come into your life for a reason, good and bad, you have to give them a chance to show you why.

We love you Mr Tocks, you are and will always be a part of our family, and you will be missed my little gentleman :)

Knitting machine drum seized, now fixed

2011-01-12T11:26:00.000+11:00

I finally got around to start to clean up a knitting machine I bought a little while ago, now that I have the spare room re-arranged.
I just couldn't bear to set another up in there, I can't stand clutter and needed space, so I am getting rid of the double bed that was in there, and in it's place will be this neat trundle type bed that hotels use; That way I have room to sleep 2 people while also having room to move when no-one is staying over.

So, the first thing I did was to "try" to slide the carriage across the rails.. negative movement. The drum had seized up almost totally on on side.

Long story short, it is working excellent now!
Here is what worked for me... NB: I have no training nor been told/shown what to do, this I just experimented with and worked. Please be aware before trying yourself and check into it maybe with a qualified person.

Undo these two screws at the back of the carriage and keep safe somewhere.

I did a boo boo here. About in between the front of the carriage and the lever on the side, is a little clip of sorts that clips under a lip on the inside.

It looks nothing like this, but is how it works, so you understand how I got it off.

I broke one of those clips because I didn't know they were there and couldn't see what was still holding it on.

Next time I would, squeeze the area in that spot above and slide forward.

So now I had good access to the drums, after fiddling around I found that spraying an electronics cleaner (the ones that practically evaporate on contact),in and around the drum gave me a little movement.

From there I sprayed a little more till everything looked tip top, then just started turning, adding some sewing machine oil, turn, add, turn add.

Now it glides just about as sooth as the other.

The turning is a must to work the cleaner, then the oil into the mechanism.

Just a reminder... this could be totally wrong... I have to stress constantly that I am just experimenting and don't know what I am doing, so please, ask your friends, guild, etc, but this worked for me and just thought I would share because I didn't like the prospect at first, of pulling the carriage completely apart, nor buying a new drum :)

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Little Horde Logo scarfette

2010-12-31T10:42:00.000+11:00

I am just going to post pictures for now, and post the pattern when I make it properly and well.

For the most part it worked, it was only that I was very tired ( I was making it for an Xmas present) and I kept forgetting to check that the yarn was in the right spot after each sweep of the punchcard pattern which made for annoying jams etc...
As you can see the pattern didn't turn out right, I had to do a little embroidery in the middle to make it look a little more like what it is supposed to be, but it doesn't properly, AND it is upside down!

I didn't give it as a gift and will instead sell it off in my Etsy shop as a 2nd or MISTAKE.

It is more suited to men ( there isn't a whole lot out there when looking for men's gifts), I wanted to make something less bulky and "cute" and more streamlined, less "fuss" and more manly.

Here are the pictures... when I get a proper one out I will post the pattern :)

Happy Anniversary to my gorgeous husband and Happy New Year to everyone else! I hope it is a special, wonderful one :)

Machine Knitted scarfette - sneak peek

2010-12-28T22:13:00.000+11:00

My slackness at posting is getting terrible, I have been sorting through and trying to get rid of the things I don't use... don't think I will ever finish!
I need to take some pictures of the things I have done and start on my bloggie again, I do enjoy it.

Here is a sneak peek of my next post once I get another sample knitted up and know that it works OK.
I had a little problem with the punch card and tiredness...it was only supposed to take an hour or so... LOL yeah right!

I bet you know what it is already!.. I will show you my mistakes etc in another post and hopefully get a good sample knitted, then a pattern, punch card pattern and all!

On a sombre note, I wrote about a lady that I had a problem with awhile ago on Ravelry... this lady passed away 10 days ago.
It doesn't matter whether people are your best friend or worst enemy ( she was neither), it is still sad when they go, they were someones best friend, mother, sister, daughter and they will be missed.
The sadness is for those they left behind and I like to think that they are in a place so much better and are finally at peace and blissfully happy.
I did not post anything on Ravelry under the thread as what I know of people, would not believe my sincerity anyway :(

Another note, my beautiful ~~little~~ huge stray gentleman, kitty boy whapped at my little small, tiny boy they other day, in fact it wasn't a whap but a jump on top and bite his neck.
It surprised me greatly as my stray gentleman, is just that, such a gentleman to my husband and I, he is a gorgeous kitty who just loves to be near you, happy to just sit in your presence.

Because of the size difference, we have decided not to inter grate them, we have to think of every ones safety and happiness.
I did list him on Oztion ( I just about cried doing it, actually would have if husbie wasn't in the room).
I had a lovely lady email me offering suggestions, which I was grateful for, but, sounding daggy, I am a big believer in life shows you what to do, just watch for the signs.
For now, all I am seeing is to list him in the one place... I would prefer a quality enquiry over quantity. I can't let him go unless I know he is going to a good home... so hard, see what happens; Like I said to husbie, one step at a time :)

Quick treasury link...

2010-12-15T10:24:00.000+11:00

Just a quick post because I am so neglecting my blog lately, and I have done some thing, just need to get photos and post.
So just a quick filler.. I was looking for everything red not long ago and just saw a post here FASHION GONE ROGUE .about "the power of red".
Well, I have changed and am really loving deep greens. See if it makes a splash in 2011?
here is a little Etsy Treasury I put together, there isn't a whole heap to choose from though :(

You can click on the picture to follow through. As you can see I really like tassels and feathers also!

On other news, I am hoping to get stray, now loving gentleman kitty into get a FIV shot, the vet said to wait as long as you can, but as the air conditioner is in that end of the house it has made for some very hot days. I am hoping that it is long enough ( 3 months now), and that there aren't any problems integrating them... I am a little bit in the "had enough" enough stage.. I know it will pass as they always do though :)

Old Pictures in a new age. and lots of babble!

2010-12-04T11:57:00.000+11:00

O wow, I have been away for a little while, never said I would post everyday, but didn't think so long in between.
This time of year, my gorgeous husbie works constantly, sleep is very lacking and will be till after new year ( I hope he gets a holiday!), so when he does get sleep I try and make sure there are no tramples ( from Miss kitty girl) and no opera singing (from Mr kitty boy), that means momma (me), has to stay awake and keep them quite, which means momma ( me) is a walking zombie! ha ha
It's OK though, I can take lots of short naps to make it up, husbie can't... that's what I tell him when he worries about my sleep.. but we all know that tons of short naps never makes up for a good REM sleep..but not to whine, that is a tiny little things in the grand scheme of things.

OK Jo.. babble off! HAH

So the post relates to what I have been doing in all my craft time.
Scanning in very old pictures from Great-grand parents, Grandparents and parents.
I was in a hurry because that side of the family is getting old, not that age has anything to do with not being around, but you know what I mean,... just wanted to get them scanned in and onto discs, and sent out before Christmas.
...all done, just have to send them now!

I have to say that if you are reading this, that you should get out your old photo albums, or whomever in the family has them and scan them in.
I found that most of the really old ones, are these really little pictures, but after having been scanned in, and being able to zoom in on the computer etc, these little "detail-less" pictures take on a new life... it's a must do.. plus, now each member of the family can share in the wonders of old family pictures instead of waiting to see them from whomever keeps the album.

Anyway, this post is TOO many words long, I just wanted to say that I will be sharing some of these old pictures, not just of the people, as while I think it it neat to see my family, I am sure a non-family member would be bored crazy!
Also, I have been watching for a Singer/Silver reed/knit master knitting machine for awhile, I like the punch lace and the idea of only one carriage to do lace rather than the two with my Brother... I have seen some, stupid prices and some too old to do lace (hard needles), husbie, as always says to just get the expensive ones, but me, "no, when I am meant to have one, I will".. well!!.....

The other night I thought I would do just a quick check on EBay (really thinking it was a waste of time), and I must have just caught the listing as soon as she listed it. It was for a Singer Memo-matic machine, no model but says in excellent condition with table, original cards , ribber etc etc..
I first sent a message to find out what model it was, but straight after, just bought it. It was $45 bid and $50 buy out. I figured that for $50 even if I couldn't use it, I could still pass it on to someone who can.

The girl selling it doesn't know the model, it is her mums and she is bringing up this weekend, and I am going to pick it up on Monday night... (So EXCITED)... By the picture of the manual in the listing it looks like a 327 or 700.. that more streamline look... however it could be anything, they could have just found that picture online and used it... but it does say excellent condition, so hopes are high!
Either way I am going to take some extra money with me, in case it is worth more than the $50 I paid, I know that's all they asked, but it wouldn't seem right.. and not everything is about making a buck and bargains to be had... honesty and fairness first!

Blah! anyway.. too much babble!I will end the post with one of the old pics, because every post needs a pic!

This picture was called : "5' Squ Bush Desert " my grandfather was in the air force.. to give and idea of how old it is. Imagine flying these planes back then in combat?!? compared to what they have today! :)

Work Cristmas pressies done!

2010-11-14T21:31:00.000+11:00

I totally was going to make some coffee cosies on the knitting machine, even did the punch card for it, but when you stretch them out (to slide over the cup) it doesn't look right.

So instead, hubbie said what about some sunglasses holders. And that's what I did!

I didn't line them as the material is fleece and soft on the inside and that way they are easier to fold up and put away when not in use.
Each has the persons initials on it for whom it is for. Though, I am a little annoyed that my wonderful sewing machine that could do all these wonderful things, can only do the one size when it comes to the alphabet in it.. GRRR..
Some of the initials are hard to read, but the small size does look classy in my opinion.

Anyway, show and tell!

I had to add my little helper at the end! His head is almost healed up now... a whole lot of work.. a whole lot...

For my little patient anyway... the cases only took about a day all up after I had planned what and how I was going to do :)

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Wonky World of Warcraft fan, T10 Warrior boot applique

2010-11-08T08:18:00.000+11:00

I worked all day at this pattern, mind you I can't draw as you have seen, but it was so hard to get it just right that they all fit together properly as they go inside and all the different pieces as you can see on the picture below.

I have been hanging onto this for ages as I have been waiting to get the right felt, but do you think there is much around here where I live.. I don't think light blue felt exists!

Anyway, just because I want to start clearing out folders, here is the applique pattern for anyone that wants to give it a try... it's a puzzle to put together!

T10 Warrior boots applique pattern

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Winged heart of ugly colours!

2010-11-06T13:07:00.000+11:00

Love the iridescent glass I used for the wings but the heart colour should have been bolder.

The pattern is from a book "Crystal Catchers" by Linda Bjornson. There is supposed to be a crystal hanging from the bottom.

It was done in copper foil.

lol in case you are wondering, they are snow peas to the right of the picture ;)

Monthly Donation November part 2

2010-11-04T09:38:00.000+11:00

This is why we are still renting I think!!
So we did do a donation to someone other than our credit card (that needs it).

This is a wonderful cause, men's health is so overlooked by everyone, including men themselves, just the old strong male thing... which is how I like them, but I like them healthy and alive!!

I won't go into it a whole lot, but it is so funny to see some of the "Mo's" that the guys grow over Movember. MY gorgeous husbie did it one year, and his hardly grew at all in that month he he

Here is the worldwide website, just pick your country or go have a look at some of the funny Movember blogs!

MOVEMBER FOR MENS HEALTH

I love knitleaders. knitradars

2010-11-03T07:14:00.000+11:00

Just a quick post to link to a great website in my reader!
I love the knit leader/ knit radar. I love to follow schematics rather than K1 P1... probably why another reason I couldn't handle knitting.

Anyway, Steelebreeze just sums this little awesome tool up nice and simple... as it should be.
Even mentioning drawing the intarsia on it rather than a graph.

Using the knitleader

On my Brother built in knitleader I use coloured pencils for this reason, it's quicker and easier to follow the knitleader than a graph, but you say " if I draw it onto my knitleader it won't be there for future use", you're right! But depending on the pattern you could photocopy it? or draw it onto your graph paper first then trace it onto your pattern sheet?

As for patterns, just start out with a basic pattern and change it to the way you want it, ie: measurements, shape etc.. just like a regular sewing pattern!

I haven't tried the air knitting yet, but I like the idea!

Anyway, from what I see, the knit leader is so under used by the online knitting machine community.

Monthly Donation - ME!

2010-11-01T10:27:00.000+11:00

How bad is this post?
At the beginning of each month I set aside a take away meal (cash value), and donate it to some here, it's only a little bit for us but plenty for the many places that need it out there.
I also put some money into a different bank account which is my DIY pet insurance. I researched how much pet insurance was, and having it on two kitties would take a HUGE chunk of our pay, therefore I put 1/2 that amount away each month for it, a do it yourself kind of style!

Well this month, I need to make a charity!! The stray kitty man I have been talking about has cost us close to 1k. this month; So they say that charity begins at home... I am listening to them!

This month, my donation is my myself.. well not really, catching up on the credit card after all stray kitties Vet bills. But I have to say we were so lucky finding this Vet, he was wonderful! It's a little bit of a drive for us, but with the knowledge, care and professionalism he and his team have.... it's worth it.. so a big thank you to Struggletown Vets. If you are a Sydney sider like myself, they are worth the travel, let alone the hours they are available, are awesome in itself!

Because it doesn't look so gross anymore, in fact it is almost healed up compared to what it was... here is our little gentleman!

He is just such a gentleman and for a feral, stray he is learning things so quickly! I would never have him around children as he is still very skittish at things, but you can see how sorry he is straight after, he is really trying. Such a beautiful boy, such a shame that there are strays in this day and age :(

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Witch in a door frama aaahhhhh

2010-10-30T10:07:00.000+11:00

Halloween isn't really that big in Australia, everyone sees it as "an American thing", but where we currently live, there are so many kids that come around doing the trick or treat thing, that it's hard to avoid.

My husbie being a Yank and all, has always loved the dressing up for the holidays, so this year I did just a little something for Halloween...
I also spread that fake cobweb stuff over the front door, but most people do that I imagine.

It just needed something extra with what I had at home...

All I did was paint some cardboard pieces ( old book covers I kept)black, the traced around my hands in different positions, and traced what I was "hoping" would look like a scary face then cut it all out and stuck it to the inside of the windows at the side of the door.
LOL even though I put it there, it still shocks me for a second every time I walk past it ;)
I love what you can do for free and a little imagination! :)

One of the first Glass lampshades I made... old old

2010-10-24T00:57:00.001+11:00

Just a quick show and tell, this is one of the very first lampshades I made after learning how to do lead light.
This is not lead light but the copper foil technique, but if you don't really know your glass, most people don't know what the difference is.
The difference is, instead of inserting the glass into the "lead came", and then having to putty etc etc, you put this sticky copper foil tape of the edges of the glass, which gets more fiddly and more time consuming in the end because all of your pieces of glass have to fit perfectly where using the lead came, you can cut and fit, rather than cut, grind then fit.
You can create all sorts of different effects with the acid stuff I have in the garage. I like the vintage look!

Anyway, here are the mega old pictures scanned in from old photos.. as you can guess I no longer have that lamp :)

I also made the cabinet it is sitting on with some paint and contact.. how daggy eh? What can I say... had to save some money and a little DIY always helps... just don't laugh too hard at it ;)

...

Oooo it's been forever and no show and tell! Just babble!

2010-10-23T00:49:00.000+11:00

It's been forever, I know. Just not really into the whole online thing. I have been going to Ravelry, just to keep up on the nice people and see what is happening, but strictly not posting!

I have also been working out and looking after a very sick stray, he has a home in my laundry at the moment and for a stray kitty he is the most lovable well behaved gentleman, he learnt to use the litter box the 2nd day!
(thank goodness! his poo is that of a medium sized dog!)

Also, in my silly anal way of liking things organised, I made a separate blog where I could babble etc, well now I am going to keep it all on the one blog... here.
Sugar and spice will be no more. Still unsure of the others, as I have not done any new backgrounds or cooking for ages.. dam eating this healthy, boring food! he he

Anyway, just wanted to check in... and because a blog post is so boring to me without a picture...
Here are my newest most favourite shoes... I tell you, if someone were to tell me they were going to make a pair of shoes especially for me and want to know how I would want them made... there are THE shoes!!

They are even mega comfortable.. even with my "hard to find comfortable shoes" fat feet!

Don't you just love the red colour graduation... drool worthy!

...

Ravelry shitiness

2010-10-09T22:22:00.000+11:00

I am going to have a big old whine right here right now, because it is my blog and I freaking can.

I wasn't angry at first but now... let's hope curses are not real!!!

Story thus far...
Long story short, there is one lady that likes to debate things with me, like everything I say, I have played nice and excused many a thing she has said horrible (husbie agreed on horrible things when he read them also), but I played them off like I didn't see the intent and tried to lighten the subject.

On the other hand, I am an honest person and WILL NOT lie and say I was wrong with something or they are right if they are not... I will not lie just to make someone happy.

Anyway, this person is obviously emotional, as you can see different emotions coming through on different days, I liken it to a a lady permanently on PMS... you know baby steps.

So, jump foward today, said lady makes a remark to a person to make sure they use the right yarn etc and that "other people" buggering up their machine etc... which was VERY clearly diected at me as many post previous to this one on the same thread was this lady trying to tell me what I did on my machine didn't happen... umm duh.. anyway... I posted this:

The first thread is actually pushed to one side to have the other knitted beside it… if you read the schemeatic in the above link I provided, you would see this.
My machine is not buggered, in fact it is very Hetro.. no buggery for it!
I agree, as I said above, I recommened anyone NOT to do what I did my first time(fat yarn).
I however will continue to experiment.
You see there are sheep and shepherds…. I myself,never learnt how to say BAAAH
That is all.

And received a big old reply about how I give instructions like a wizened guru and she can't say anything right with me, but doesn't want us to argue as anything other thamn friends etc etc you know... making me out to be the bad person again...
So I reply, because I will NOT be the matyr here and fall on my sword.. why should I?

I was on the debate team.. and Chess. and… LOL but I wasn’t a geek, just bored… The point I say this is I know how to debate, not argue. I tend not to argue with people, it’s not worth it, I do however retort to something reffered to me or put to me.. well until I can’t be bothered with it.
Life is short, I can’t be bothered making enemies, but also I am a VERY hosnest person, a whole lot of people just can’t handle that, so I am used to people either liking me or not, if not, who cares… at least of they DO like me, they like me for me, no charade.
The diagram and shemeatic provided was of the “previous” way plating was done ” ie the current machines”, further down was the person creating the patents now idea on this OLD idea. So it doesn’t really matter who this person is, because I don’t care about their particular patent, just the diagram they provided as to how the usual way of working is. ;) So, very relevant;)
Every post where I offer “advice” or really “m,y experience”, I have made VERY clear that I am learning and I am a newbie, I also do not usually say anything unless the post has been sitting there for quite while, it feels rude NOT to say anything, so I try and say something so the person doesn’t feel like they have BO or something. Point being: I always make it very clear as to my status on the knitting machine world.
Don’t worry, you would never squelch the way I do things… been pulling things apart and putting them back tgether since a tiny tot.. and as you can see by now, while I listen to what people have to say ( only way you can learn), I also do what I want… maybe as you can see stop posting stuff on here, but that is just from lack on intrest from here, not from me having fun with things. If you have ever read Plato and seen how he thinks… welcome to my head… nothing you or anyone else says is going to make me differ from my course unless it is logical and makes sense down the tree of things. :)
This is certainly not being horrible, but I am trully interested on where I have given instructions on something. Just for my benefit, so I don’t repeat it. As I said earlier I thought I made it always vERY clear that I am a newbie and what I say is from my experience. Just an example or post of where I have done this, so I know what constitutes as giving instruction. ;)
It wasn’t rubbing me the wrong way, it was an offhanded metion at how other people do things and might buggertheir machines etc etc… whatever it was, was VERY clearly directed at me, so I just had to retort, nothing more, nothing less, if you met me in person you would probably understand this.
I used to try and dumb myself down and sugar coat things etc etc… you know play the little happy social butterfly, but it never seems to work, so now I am just happy old me.
People always comment on how happy I am etc etc, even strangers (embarressing), but some people feel… see here I am trying to think of another word for a word I need to say here, to sugar coat it but can’t.
Either way, I find people with a little bit of learning behind them, (they know how to do things they have been taught), maybe a few letters after their name etc, but no real logical thought don’t get me, because I go outside the way they were taught to think. Sorry bor that, but like I said, my thought process is like Plato… I break things down.. don’t listen to what people say because EVERYTHING is relative… everything… you have to work things out for yourself…provided you know the basics of course.
Either way, as you have hopefully noticed, I have stopped posting to a point, I thought it would be cool to fit in here, but I don’t. It’s all cool though, lots of nice people so still stick my head in now and again, but just working things out formyself as I go… never had any problems learning from books… hell I learnt mechanical engineering because we couldn’t afford a tutor for my ex, so I could tutor him.. atop of the zillion of other courses and self learnt things I have done, but it’s of course not as social is it ;)
I am not your enemy Aunty Sue, but I will retort, never lost a debate yet, probably because I don’t say I am sure about something, unless I am. Anything else would be lying and I don’t lie… in anything.
So never mistake my retorts for an attck, you would know it if it was ;)
Besides, you owuld be amazed at what you can learn and discover between two people debating.
How big is the Universe is a crazy bad question for me, I break it totally down and used to debate the point with a friend of my Ex’s for hours… really hours, but it was wonderful!! How do you think they get the ideas which lead to experiments, then to new discoveries or inventions… from debates with philos…etc etc..
Debtaing is a powerful and wonderful tool! ;)
Anyway… this is a whole big story book, but maybe you understand me a little better???? I dumb myself down greatly, but without telling you my iq, please be assured I am not stupid… just spell and type that way LOL

Hoping I explained myself full well... I was still happy at this stage.

I come back to check later and see that the post has gone.. check my postings and find that whilst I was writing a forum mod had "archived the post", I did not see her two postings till after it was archived and checked back on it.
Because I am now worried that maybe this emotional bane of mine on the forums was right about me comming across as actually knowing stuff I start a thread :

Just a short note.
Apparently when I have posted things, I have not made clear enough that I am a newbie.
Apparently I have also posted instructions for things.
For safetys sake I have removed all posts (that I was able, I can’t remove the ones on the archived thread) that I have done on any forums.
If you have read something posted by myself and taken it for an instruction or assumed I am a wizened hat at this, I am sorry for giving you this impression. As I stated in every post about the way I do things, I am a newbie, learner, I didn’t think I could make it any clearer.
Please ignore anything I have posted, as I AM NEW to machine knitting and am learning also.
I will not be posting further :)
Thanks, and happy knitting!@ ^-^

Just to make sure that no-one mistook anything I said and in-case she was right about people thinking I knew stuff, even though I said I was a newbie.

I come back later and find it also has been removed... now I am sooooooooooo pissed off. Especially because I spent like an hour removing every forum post I made inacse something was misconstrued, and I do a post to explain myself and my removal of posts and IT is removed...
Now I just look like a crazy fucking woman... Pissed off NOW, but I don't think crazy... as yet... the only fucking thing crazy of me is trying to do the right or good thing by people all the time and getting shunted for it.

That's it..... stuff it all... I was going to delete my account on Rav but there are nice people still, and I have a whole lot of faves that would take me a gazillion years to find again.

Will someone please tell me other than laying down and letting these people pull the strings ... how can you do anything right?? I should have known never to get involved... it always ends up shitty...

Emergency Card - Credit card size - template Micrsoft works

2010-09-23T15:32:00.000+10:00

This has been on my list forever to do! I mean what would happen if something happened to you while you were out and about, you would want everyone to know asap important details, including contact names etc.

I had a quick look but could only find ones where you paid for them, or pretty plain information, I wanted mine to stand out and be easy to recognise in ones wallet or purse as needed.

So here is the result:

You can find the download information etc here : CREATED BY JOKOWLO

Please let me know what you think if you use it, if I have left out any information or not made the instructions clear enough. This helps other people wanting to use it also!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Horde Intarsia Chart for Green Knifty knitter Loom

2010-09-05T16:54:00.000+10:00

This was completed awhile ago ( what I was doing while on the treadmill). I just had to wash it and steam it flat.

It was done with cheap 8 ply acrylic double stranded and didn't turn out the way I envisioned but you can still see what it is.
Another 1/2 finished project out of the way!!

If you want to see the little hard drawn chart you can find it via a link from here: Created by Jokowlo

I haven't started my coffee cosies yet... husbie didn't get any coffee on our treat day so have to wait till next Tuesday to get one ( no bad food till treat day!).
That is really no excuse as I could have kitted up a swatch and experimented a little with the 8ply and fair isle.. never mind, there is no hurry eh?

Yes you can do 8 Ply on a standard gauge knitting machine!

2010-08-30T20:40:00.000+10:00

My manual said you could knit with thicker yarn and I believed it, I just had to try it.
I left every alternate needle out of action and loosened the tension on the mast.
I started at tension 7 on the dial and ended in tension 4. The carriage was still easy to move, so you probably could to a smaller stitch again, but I liked the tension 4 stitch.

This is wonderful news for new machine knitters IMO as you can buy the sport weight or 8 ply 100gms for like $1.99. No need to worry about throwing away money on more expensive yarn when learning... anyway not going to blabber on. here are the pictures "after":

This is the purl side

This is the knit side

And just because I can, a poor quality video showing the experience... sorry I only used the crappy camera rather than the video camera as husbie is home on holidays and I needs his computer for the fire wire card to download the video camera... anyway here tis :)

As you can see my voice is still all silly like from the thing I had.. yay! for things hanging on in there! he he

Video blog entry- Topsy Turvey doll fail

2010-08-30T17:38:00.000+10:00

This was from 2 weeks ago, but I forgot to post it.
My husbie drew what I asked for onto my knit leader, and I started my idea, but never finished.

Miss Tabbie Completed -

2010-08-28T13:07:00.000+10:00

Pattern from Machine knitting Monthly June 1997 - Lady Tabitha Doll design by Betty Meeds, changed around a lot by me :)

Just a picture post mainly, as I have posted previously my mistakes and the making of her.
As you can see I fixed up the face a little and in the process learnt how to do a chain stitch.
Here are the many faces of Miss Tabbie, the kitty with hairstylin' goodness!

here are the links to the making of Miss Tabbie ( or just scroll down and click on the older posts button):

120 year old knitting machine... and you thought yours was old!!!

2010-08-27T16:19:00.000+10:00

And I look at the 30 -40 year old knitting machines as being old... check out this sweet little story!

Les Mananov with the 1890 knitting machine he has restored.
LES Mananov will often stand in his Brunswick East factory and ponder the wonders of the 120-year-old knitting machine producing his trademark beanies now stocking Melbourne’s most hip boutiques.
The 65-year-old veteran ragtrader lovingly restored the machine - made in England in 1890 to produce baby singlets - he found in several parts in an unused knitting mill.
According to Alasdair Mackinnon, creative director of Mananov’s new fashion label Otto and Spike: “Les likes to stand in front of it and hum.”
The machine not only symbolises Mananov’s reuse-and-recycle ethic, it represents an ingenious knack for adaptation that has seen him survive the ragtrade’s tumultuous changes wrought by cheap imports.

You can click on the story to be taken to the original FULL LENGTH story :)

Mistakes I made on machine knitted Lady Tabitha Doll

2010-08-26T15:57:00.001+10:00

I haven't finished her properly yet, and in truth have made so many changes that it feels wrong to call her such, but as the pattern was based and followed, I really want to give it credit.
Also, wow, I can't believe it has been 10 days already since the last post and since the last update.
This doll is so quick and easy to do, if you follow the instructions, it's just that this sick thing I STILL have, has really hit me for a six, on more antibiotics, pleeeeeease let it go away today.
I feel for people with chronic illness as a staple, and always when sick say to anyone that feels sorry for you, that it could be worse, and it could, but wow It's like I get an insight into feeling sick every day.

Oh well enough of the whining.. I will look back and read this post and say to myself " wtf Jo you whiny puss, pump up!"

So here is the picture heavy, almost finished, all my mistakes post. :)

This is the front of Miss Tabbie, yes! I sewed the arm on with the seam facing the front on the right hand side.. duh?

This is her face. I was going to do it in that Swiss darning/duplicate stitch, but just could not see the stitches enough to do it, so I got out books on embroidery and used that, in the pink mouth it looks terrible! This is something that I have to undo and re-do in order to finish her.

This looks so funny, but it is the backside, underside of her hair.

In the pattern she has no hair and is wearing a hat. I didn't make the hat and opted for hair. I was going to do a full weave, but opted out after an hour of putting the hair on what you see. I used the latch tool from the knitting machine, which reminds me I have to write it down to get more, that is one handy little tool, not just for knitting machines!

So the hair, at least can be styled somewhat, ponytails, to the side etc etc, just like a wig made of wool! :P he he

This is one of the things I am in love with!! The picot hem!

Another mistake, the mistaking of how wide the stitches would be. I drew the pattern on with a sharpie.. OOPS, now you can see the drawing behind the embroidery, but it looks funny if you embroider thicker. Also, instead of the knitted white spot "sparkle in her eye", I was going to use beads or rhinestones. The rhinestones wouldn't stick to the wool and the beads ( all sizes I tried) looked funny, so I still have to add the boring knitted sparkle.

As you can see from this picture and previous posts, her duds did not line up because I cheated and serged the body seams closed. But this was my first fair isle, which was just a line of dots punched out one row on a punch card and kept in the holding position. I love that idea! You can have several designs on the one punchard! At least the skirt worked... till the next picture.. lol

As you can see here, I sewed up the skirt with the wrong colour. I was going to unpick it and re-sew, but I am telling myself it is like the vaudeville lace ups lol

I am also unsure weather to cut her hair straight at the back, I kinda like it textured.. any opinions?

So here she is so far. There are only little things to do to her now before I declare her done.

All in all it was such an easy pattern to do, the machine knit side where I actually followed the instructions was perfect and had no problem at all, it was when I started playing around with things was when all the fuss came about. It would have been also very quick to do, I would estimate about 4 solid hours total in a newbie stage like myself, IF you follow the pattern and not be all sick like I have been.

Next post of Miss Tabbie (not right to call her the pattern name), will be of her, after declared completion. :)

ooh PSS, and because my baby girl helped my take the pictures,here she is in her beautifullness:

Update on Lady Tabitha machine knitted toy

2010-08-16T23:23:00.000+10:00

Just a quick one, because I can barely see, just tiredness ;)

I have done with the Machine knitted part, actually I was done with that last night. I decided I didn't want the hat and will probably go for hair or something else for the top of her head.. thinking...

I also thought I would cheat when the pattern called to sew up the legs and back... I used the serger... bad huh? and totally don't match!!

Isn't it terrible, my husbie was like " wtf happened to craftsmanship".. I said " I have a bloody serger I may as well use it" he he we laughed.
Luckily it will be hidden, for the most part under the skirt. But I think next time I will not be so quick to just machine sew it up.

So this is where my little kitty stands as of writing this... stands today. :)

Don't laugh too much! Everyone starts somewhere.. and prolly keeps starting and starting some more :P he he

Just a quick machine knitting Troubleshooting link

2010-08-14T09:40:00.000+10:00

I have machine knitting on the brain! argh! I am a little bummed that I missed out on a day with with the Mach knit guild.. but can't risk making older ladies sick... next time eh? :(

Either way, here is a quick link I found, it's actually from an EBay shop that sells knitting machine gear, he has a little trouble shooting page.

Reviews & Guides by: arohaknitting

Personally I can never have enough info in my machine knitting favorites. it reminds me I should get onto posting all my favorites like I said I would.. hey starting it counts somewhat right?

Lady Tabitha, My "quick" project update

2010-08-12T20:31:00.000+10:00

I did start my crawling before walking project, but unfortunately since the day I started I haven't been back to it.
Had a stupid sick, I thought was maybe a chest infection so relented and went to the docs because it wasn't getting any better, and doc thinks it is most likely whooping cough or something called walking pneumonia.
Either way it has floored me, and I hate so much, to be sick.

So, the whine did have a purpose, it meant that my little Lady has not been touched, what you see in these pictures was done in less than an hour, have to love a knitting machine!

" OK momma you can get back to doing this now!"

" oh I see, maybe you should start here momma"

So, there is proof it has been started and for my record, why it is taking so long to finish ;)

Knitting machine manuals

2010-08-10T16:49:00.000+10:00

I know everyone wants everything for free now days, well so it seems. But for those of you who are happy to pay for what you get here are a couple of websites that still sell manuals that everyone seems to be looking for ( for free) at Knitsings.

Studio / Knitmaster / Silverreed / Singer website

Brother and Toyota manuals Ebays shop

They even have the service manuals, which I am going to have to get myself a copy of to diagnose things. :)

Hand exercises for knitters

2010-08-10T07:09:00.000+10:00

Just a quick link to some hand exercises, beneficial to hand knitters.
I know I don't hand knit, but I just wanted to file the link incase one day I needed it :)

Your most important knitting tools

Learning to crawl before I can walk on the knitting machine.

2010-08-09T18:53:00.000+10:00

Just a quick voice blog entry, to show the head and neck I completed from the Topsy Turvey doll I had planned to make.
PS: did I say it was a fail, or a " can't be bothered"? he he

I have decided, for the time being anyway, that I am going to do it the old fashioned way. Only for the fact that it is just so hard to find information on how to do things that you want to do. Not to say that it isn't there through blogs, books and wonderful helpful people, but it certainly isn't just " grab that book and see"

For instance, last night ( after figuring out that the stupid rubber wheels were out), I had to find how to do multiple increases.
In the manual it says to put all the needles into E, ewrap the increases on the side of the carriage then knit. It also says you should pull the needles out the next few rows.

Well, as you can see in the video I was using a pattern from the knit leader, so I wanted to increase on both side per swipe and looked everywhere for a video or any information on it.
Doesn't mean it isn't out there, but I couldn't find it. There was lots of info on single and even double increases/decreases, full fashion and hook... those are easy..
I did find an awesome video about hand manipulated stitches from http://www.Guagliumi.com it relates to long stitches for a different effect, but I did notice the use of putting needles in holding position and flicking the lever so they would not knit. I thought I would try that, but decided, even if it did work, 2 swipes and ewraps per line of pattern.. it would take me forever.. that's when I made the little video blog entry and decided when I do it, I would just knit a rectangle of fabric and cut and sew it.

Come today, I decided that there is so much to learn, and for the time being I should stop jumping ahead with all the things I want to do and watch, try and follow other people.
As I said in my title, I am going to try to crawl first, before walking.
We will see how this goes, as it is totally not me! he he

So at the moment, I have half a "Lady Tabitha cat", on the knitting machine; A pattern from an old magazine I picked up at the Epping day.. OHH I love those magazines, I just want to be so greedy and offer to buy the lot! ha ha

As usual I will post Lady Tabitha when done :) And try and get over this silly cold.

Blah and gah @ my knitting machine... just a little whine

2010-08-08T16:39:00.000+10:00

I must admit I am not feeling the best, silly hecst, cold and that time of the month all rolled into one, now the whine like a little girl is over, I'll whine about how things are not as easy as they seem.

If you read the knitting machine manual, and the steps, they are so easy to follow, so me being the person that has a zillion ideas just wanting to come out, just hooks straight in.

Like everything else I have learnt, usually the best way has been to pick something to make ( within reason of course) and read and learn what you have to do to make it.

So my current project is a topsy turvy doll that I got my husbie to draw onto my knit leader sheet, did my tensions swatch, set up all the rulers etc as per instructions, worked out the increase and decrease ( full fashion mind you :p).. easy right?
I just spent like 2 hours trying to cast on... wtf?....
You know all it was? just the stupid tuck barrel cams.. those big rubber things were out and making it impossible to go over the cast on comb... that's what I assume anyway, as I found in the manual they moved, and that in another part of the book ,they showed they should be brought back when not in use.

I wish that I had a manual that actually showed what everything was for, so I could look at the diagram like they have on your TV, Video or other equipment, and see a number pointing to a particular part, then look to the corresponding number and see that.. oh hey " number 11 is a rubber tuck cam, this level should be in position A for regular knitting and is only brought out for tuck and weaving", or whatever it does.

I can actually remember now that the CR is to remove the K carriage from the machine and I saw that when you moved it to the KC switch, it moves the timing belt...

No, instead the manual only tells you things when you are ready to do them.
bah, I just don't know where to start, maybe I should just work my way through making swatches as part of lessons in the book.
I must say though that there are some really helpful people in the forums in Ravelry , but I don't like to run to it every time I have a problem, I think there is a saying about pushing the friendship too far, on the other hand I don't want to be making swatches and scarves for the rest of the year...
Do I have a case of too much too soon? :(

Plating and un-ravelling or frogging on knitting machine

2010-08-05T19:55:00.000+10:00

Just a quick little note.
Way back ( OK a couple of months ago), when I first got my knitting machine. I did a couple of videos showing the fabric from the plating setting and a video on what I thought was easiest for frogging... mind you I had only had the machine for like a week... silly huh?
But in my defence ( in case I need one :P) I have always said I am just learning, and this is what I am finding :) Probably more for people to giggle at huh? :)

So you say " OK stop the blabber Jo and get to what you are posting about."

A lovely lady left a comment on both of my videos, about each one respectively, with some REALLY good advice. I am going to try both out as soon as I get my act together and actually fix my sponge bar ( a week on the dining table and not touched is NOT good).
I will try and make a daggy video, but you know how many things I want to show and how much I have so far.
Either way, if you are interested, the links are PLATING and UN-RAVELLING.
I am sorry I am not posting them here, I figure it would be nice that, if you did get a little knowledge from this lady that it would be nice to say thank you, under her comments :)

Rant on:
Not that I ever expected it or assumed that it would happen, it is such a wonderful, wonderful community, with so many machine knitters so freely sharing their knowledge, they don't have to, they are not expected to, they just do.
I hate it when you see a post in a forum of someone asking something that they haven't even bothered to try or understand, they just expect people to help them, then someone does, and they expect them to do everything else for them as well, and you see a curt "thanks", or usually nothing at all to show appreciation.
I think that when knowledge has been shared with us freely, and of good will, it should be thanked and appreciated, not just "expected", like so many people now days.

OK... rant off... lol can you tell some things get a little on my goat? :P

Just a little re-fashion on a cardi, nothing much here

2010-08-02T20:34:00.000+10:00

I haven't been doing much at all, the stingy in me has been putting off having a heater on, however that leaves my fingers so cold that it is hard to do anything other than rug up under a blankie.

All is well though, the heater has made it's way on, it's still cold ( it has a big area to heat up), but certainly not as frigid.

So just a quick share of some knitting machine books I found at an OP shop... I love to OP shop!

They are old, but there are surprisingly a whole lot of things I think are so cool!
On a knitting machine note also. I was lucky enough to be taken by my husbie of gorgeous to a NSW Machine knitters guild open day.
We couldn't get there till it was almost over, and I have to be honest 1/2 way there I was telling my husbie to turn around and go home, as I was so frightened.
I have to say also though, that from the minute we walked in the building, you could hear genuine laughter and chatter, and when inside was welcomed so warmly, by such lovely ladies.
Other than the knowledge of these ladies and the presence of like minded people,; I just had a wonderful time, and went away with such a warm feeling.
I joined! not that I will be able to make many meetings due to only having one car, but the sweet lady I was talking to said it didn't matter.
I could rave for ages about how great this group of ladies is,even the newbies like me, also!
Instead I will just say, if you are a Machine Knitter in NSW you simply MUST belong to the group... or even someone interested, come along for an open day, it is wonderful.

Next I have a little cardi I rescued from an op shop.. what can I say I am a sucker for chenille.
It was just a little bit plain to wear with anything so I made a little plan of attack... here is the before pictures, notice those UGLY UGLY buttons! he he

The plainness of it just made me look so much bigger than the big that I am at the moment; And the buttons just had to go!
First thing was to go through my nanny's stash of buttons and find something I liked... yes, as you can see below just plain old gold buttons. Thank you Nan.
Next, I did a little diagram of the idea I had for it: (less the white surrounds of course)

First I tried to add the design via Tambour work, but the powder puff yarn I had and the chenille... well lets just say I have no patience!
So I remembered seeing in my knitting machine manual a page for tubular cord, so I made a few lengths as you can see in previous posts.
I tried to get it similar to the idea I had, but my little kitty boy wouldn't leave me alone, and even sat on the pins I had in the cardi keeping it in place(he was not hurt or stuck, I checked...luckily), that was when I just came to the " it will do" mindset, as I wanted it done and out of the way.
LOL remember to wait till kitty boy is sleeping next time!

Here are the after pictures:

It looks a little more like a Octopus huh?

Just for a little bit of sweetness, here is my kitty girl inspecting mommas camera:

I love this girl!!
Hope you have a day of sweetness and fun!
Jo :)

An example of a large company claiming the creative use of ribbon as their own

2010-07-30T18:13:00.001+10:00

This does not directly effect me, however I just thought it utterly disgusting, and more so it scares me that it may create a precedent for other large companies to "patent" creative uses of buttons, or maybe fabric... wtf?
I can understand maybe if it was a direct copy of a design, but simply being told that they weren't allowed to use folded ribbon.... grrrr

Anyway here is the post, in the comments section there is a link to the so called patent it concerns and also there is a tute.. so anyone with babies in their lives one way or another... giveaway giveaway...

RAINBOW SUNSHINE PLUSHIE

I just don't understand how 2 women can be so... i don't even know a word for it... I guess like they say, there is a special place in hell for the mean and greedy. ;)

PS: I had a little look around the Taggies brand site, and on their "Why Choose authentic", it reads to me, that not only will they make a donation on your behalf for dobbing people in (my words), but also they will add your first name and where you live to their "tags of love page" as a sign of appreciation... ha ha that is so funny.. is this what they call a "name and shame" list,? does that mean this list is a list of all the people that dobbed other people in for selling items with ribbons on them? sweet lol I wonder? It's what it reads as to me anyway, go take a look for yourself and see if my interpretation is wrong? who knows? he he

OH it just makes me so mad! OK rant over.... It's so freaking scary to use any creativity now days... it's crazy that everything we make we have to live in fear of shit like this.... I just look at those two women in disgust. ick! my tummy!

Tube knitting witgh Powder Puff fancy yarn on standard knitting machine

2010-07-27T21:58:00.000+10:00

I know I have been quite a bit. Probably will for a lot more, as my husbie of gorgeous is having holidays soon and will be at home a lot more... we know what that means, as much as I love my crafty fun, I love my little family much more.
But sometimes do you feel a bit funny about blogging, I have my moments, I think because we visit peoples blogs and get to know them, but really we have no idea who they are. You see a post and with no comments at the time and think yourself to cheer up this persons day and leave a comment, but then wonder how it is received, wonder of they think "who the ^*&& are you?" hehe

Oh well... back to the matter at hand. I wanted some knitted cord for a chenille jumper I picked up at an op shop but didn't want to sit there all day knitting or crocheting (trying), so I thought i would try it on the knitting machine.
I know it is not a bulky one (one day I will have one... one day...), but it does say in the manual for bulky yarns to use every 2nd needle. I think I might have to really look at the parts one day to really understand how they all work, it will make it much easier to know what the machine can and can't do.

So I though I would experiment and it worked! Here is a little video I did.
Don't laugh too much :P hehe

Matching hand puppets for the "biggun's"

2010-07-22T07:14:00.002+10:00

These are some little puppets, made with the same fabric as the big ones.
I decided to make smaller ones, so the big ones did not go to waste.I do not know of any adult that plays with hand puppets, but this way the child can role play with the adult, as they shouldn't be played with UN-supervised anyway :)

The Cow

The Kitty

You can find the link for the large one on a previous post, the mini one was from here:
ONE HOUR CRAFT
They took me longer than " an hour", but I am still a newbie and I did sew all the fiddly bits by hand, but it would have been no longer than 2 hours from cutting to finish.
Easy tutorial also! :

Now the goofy pictures I put on my other blog:

Polyester Cotton - on my do not buy list or how do I stop fleece shedding everywhere?

2010-07-21T07:37:00.001+10:00

Look at this floor!! Horrible isn't it?
This is NOT how my floor usually looks, this is the result of buying cheap $10 track pants.
I knew I shouldn't skimp out, but hey, they are only worn around the house and if they keep me warm does it matter how much they cost? OH hell yeah, apparently it does!
The top picture was just from taking one leg out of the pink pair I bought, and the bottom picture was just from shaking one leg of the black pair.
They both have been washed 3 times ( I gave them the benefit of the doubt and let them have a few washes), so they should NOT do this.
They are both different manufacturers, but they both have the same fabric, " Polyester cotton". They are both going to the charity shops.
The black pair are those cheap $10 ones they have in the big bins in the walkways in Big W and the Pink pair were purchased from a stall at a market.

I searched the Internet for a way to fix this and couldn't find any, most were just about fixing piling.. nothing to do with this,so How do I stop them shedding everywhere?... I can't! And no-one else on the Internet seems to know either, so unless I can think of something else... OH wait.. maybe hand puppets? I mean the fabric is still new, only been washed 3 times and tried on (not worn because of the mess it leaves around my house).. herrrm
Anyway, lesson learnt! No more Polyester Cotton for me! :)

Tip for making button holes line up correctly and new pretty blog found

2010-07-20T07:30:00.001+10:00

This tip was part of a post from Nefertari Creations .
Quote:

What I did was to chalk up the button hole on one side. Layed the front sides together and hit it with my hand over and tadaaa I have the exact same mark on the other side! There, I fixed the buttons with tape and sewed

I am posting the quote here for my reference and I thought it was such a neat and logical thing to do.. just love it!

Her blog is only new, but the things she had made already are fantastic! It's worth the look... so far it's all sewing related for those interested in only certain types of blogs :)

Please go take a look and leave some encouragement, this lady is talented! :)

re-fashion - pirate shorts

2010-07-19T11:07:00.000+10:00

BEFORE

AFTER

Just a little fabric paint, some stencils for the front, and a husbie drawn picture on the back (which I coloured in), a little old denim I frayed for the flag and some size 3 shorties re-claimed... now just to hope our nephew likes them... and they fit he he

oh this was meant to be a little teaser post, but I didn't do it because it seemed stupid.

This is my husbies doodle page before he drew on the pants :)

I just love the way my husbie of gorgeous draws :) Even his ultra quickies.

Microscopic fibre

2010-07-18T11:02:00.000+10:00

This link is to a post in Portuguese, however if you look at the title of each section it's not hard to determine what it is.. Vegitata? he he

I find this really interesting and want to check it out further, hence posting it here for future reference, and for anyone that likes to know "how, what, where and when".. lol Hey isn't being "here" what it's all about, learning? :)

As usual, just click on the picture to be taken to the blog :)

PS: this is Nylon, neat huh? And now knowing what it looks like you have an idea of what project it would be good for :)

Patterns, things etc made from Licensed images? Just a rant...

2010-07-17T12:54:00.002+10:00

So I just read this post at (CRAFT GOSSIP), basically saying that " I will never knowingly point to a design that infringes on the rights of an image’s creator."
The thing that I am thinking about is the whole " infringes on the rights of an image’s creator" bit.

I am not up on all the laws, those copyright things are a mountain to read through, but I would have imagined that common sense prevailed.
I mean, it is one thing to take a design of someones knowingly and call it your own, but I think it is a WHOLE other issue, for someone to be a FAN of your designs and make a pattern etc with reference to an image giving full credit of the image.

Like for example, my horde logo scarf. Is it bad that I liked the look and even though I called it a Horde Logo from world of warcraft scarf, still be infringing on the images creator?
Damn, I thought it would have been a compliment.

How does it work then for things like celebrities? I mean they create their imagine... would it be infringing on a image copyright to make a scarf with Lady gaga"s image on it?
Would it be wrong to paint scenery with a licensed premises in the background... ie: main street of a lunch time (and like there is a Gloria jeans coffee shop on the street view).

Basically, where does this silliness end? When did law forget about common sense and logic and get caught up in all this BS.

I am not talking mass produced products etc, but when did it become a crime for someone to be a fan of something and make something in their honor.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry, or just stay in this state of confusion. Of course I don't want to do anything wrong, but I would like to still make the ideas I have in my head without fear.

What a crazy awful world we live in... Can we just get rid of money and go back to the barter system or something? :)

If something I have done is wrong and you feel it infringes on something and you do not find it a compliment, and you are the owner of said imagine, please email me and after confirming who you are, I will remove it.

Sharing with Google Reader

2010-07-16T11:11:00.000+10:00

I use Google reader, I don't know how I would survive without it! I follow so many blogs, and just adore logging onto my reader each morning while eating brekky and checking out new posts.

There are so many neat things that I would love to share, but I am afraid that my blog would just be full of other peoples posts and not my own. I started to list them in a separate blog (Re-Illy's Other stuff), but it's a lot of work and I wanted to try and spend not so much time on the computer.

OH boy, I just discovered Google sharing. Each post I think is extra neat, I can just hit the share button and share it with whoever comes to my share page.

Jo's Sharing page

This is so neat! It's also great because it saves me from the zillions of bookmarked stuff that I find, and like and "to try later" or " to show hubby" etc etc

Anyway, just a quickie as I really like finding new things, so just in case others are of the same mind. :)

Drawing or What I can't do

2010-07-16T03:59:00.000+10:00

I have been working on a gift for a nephew, which I will post pictures of when finished.
I wanted it to be something from the knitting machine, but opted for what I was going to give him last Christmas, and ended up buying something.

Anyway, just because I have been slack on posting, I thought I would just share some of my drawings and my hubbies.

This is to prove that I can not draw. This was done another day while waiting for my husbie of gorgeous to get home. It is supposed to be him with our two kittie babies either side, doing the

"Kissies in stereo", that they do allot.

This is to prove that my husbie can draw, and so well, I will share more of his work for fillers as I think of it, but this is a quick 5 min drawing that he sat down and did when he got home after seeing mine :)

I would really love to be able to draw, it would make it so much easier for so many of the other things I want to do, for my ideas and just as another hobby, but I can't.

I bought a few kids books on learning to draw, like farm animals and fairies etc, but I have never really gotten into them, always something else I want to do he he

This one night we had a little tiff, which is so totally unusual for us, and I ran off with some pencils and drawing book to the bedroom.

This is what I tried first. IT is from a kids book to learn to drawn farm animals and I had to copy the cat on the other page... woeful huh? I followed all the instructions too!

I tried 2 more times on the left of the above picture and the top and thought "stuff it", My little kitty boy was sitting besides me as he usually is, and I just looked at him and drew, and Holy mac moley look at what happened!! YES, that kitty in the bottom right of the picture is my kitty boy, and I drew him.. even when hubby came in a little later and we were laughing and joking about our silly tiff, I showed him, and even he was like "wow", because he knows how I usually draw he he.

Not long after doing these, hubby and I drew each other. LOL here are the drawings below.

ha ha my husbie has a sense of humor :)

What ever I did with my kitty boy had obviously gone by the time I tried to draw my hubby. LOL as you would imagine he looks nothing like this.

It does look familiar though, even my hubby said so, but for the all the googling we did, we could not find what it was it looked like .

Golden Hands, the complete set!!

2010-07-15T15:34:00.000+10:00

You can click on the picture to be taken to the link (Gumtree classifieds)

I am not selling these, but every morning I have been doing my search for an affordable computerised and bulky knitting machine, I see this set.

I have this set and I love it! They are old, but there is just so much information and different things, I can't believe they are still not sold.

Only $45 too! I guess this is only a heads up for Aussie residents, as I would hate to imagine postage overseas ( they are hardcover), but just letting anyone know they are out there, for a bargain.

Because you have to say this now days... I have not be solicited to sell this product or know this person selling. I just see it every morning and am trying to show a bargain available out there :)

Color loving - Greys, silvers and blacks

2010-07-12T21:55:00.000+10:00

I haven't done one of these for a little while and because I feel like window shopping here are some pretty things I am liking :)

Ok thats about it for ETSY sellers, the links are within the pictures. Lemme have a quickie look through amazon and hopefully be done with my window shopping for tonight :)

Bah, barely anything. I mean there is a ton of blacks and greys and silvers, but just not the right tones, boring, horrible tones that say nothing.

Moo's and meow's heard all round

2010-07-11T20:43:00.000+10:00

"Meow and Moo to you! I see you!"

"Meow and a Moo, please move that stick because I have to poo!"

"Moo and Meow, we are friends even though you're a cow"

LOL I guess I am not the best at the whole rhyme thing, but I tried!

As you can probably see, I am trying to get rid of all the half done things I have laying around. That way I can "hopefully" focus more, only having the one thing going.

I cut these out ageeees ago, in fact I think it was last year for the same boys birthday, and have only gotten around to stitching them up for his birthday THIS year.

I found and used this pattern "Puppet Pub".

The patterns are so so cute, but I don't know what I did wrong printing it out as they turned out huge; Too big for my hand, let alone a 3 year olds.

Also, the pattern (if I read it right), says for your hand to go in the front... I am old fashioned or something, because it just doesn't feel right.

I love the patterns, and am very grateful for them being available and the hard work that was put into them. I can't see myself making more in the future, but I am not throwing away the pattern either.

Next time I will definitely print it out smaller some how and also have the hand going in the backside rather than the front.

Just as a little smile, or "out take". This is my little man-kitty trying to run off with the cows tail, can you see how the whole puppet is distorted, he really tried to grab and run with it, while I was taking the pictures for here.

Last night while I was sewing, I had the pieces behind me waiting, my little man-kitty often just sits with me while I do things for company, cheeky little man though, found the end tail piece, grabbed it and ran off through the house with it in his mouth!.... I did catch up with him and retrieved it, but it was so cute and naughty. I am sure that little kitties are made from big bundles of love. :)

The lacy shawl is finished! My first.

2010-07-06T14:57:00.001+10:00

yay! My first lacy shawl /wrap is finished. It really didn't take that long, I just hadn't been near the machine for a few weeks while husbie was on holidays.

It is going to an Auntie for her 50th Birthday. I hope that she likes it. I would have liked to have had the time to embroider little random beads to catch the light when being worn, but I left it too late.

here tis: lots of pictures:)

I know I said I really want to use all natural yarns etc, however I must say that I really like the feel/look of this yarn, it has like a little shine to it, really pretty.

YARN: Tamm Estilo
TENSION: 5 (what was recommended in book)
PATTERN: This is all a best guesstimate, as I didn't write anything down.
cast on 60 0 70
knit 10 rows then hem up
knit another 20? the start lace pattern card 420
got 1/2 way through card and was having too much trouble with lace carriage
swapped to pre punched lace card 412
Knit till loose measurement was about 170cm
swapped back to lace card 420 and knit 1/2 (till it gave me trouble again)
Knit around 20 rows then small hem again
cast off via hook tool (pain in the ass! I will try the tapestry needle cast off next time), plus it leaves a taunt horrible finish.
NOTES: Needs LOTS of weights attached

TO FINISH: lay a damp cloth over and using a cool iron, iron with little sweeps, never leave iron in one place too long or let wrap heat up too much, keep the cloth damp. :)

I know this is pretty goofy and lame compared to what i see being done, but I am excited and so was my gorgeous husbie.
Also, I figure, if I start recording what I have done, I will be able to go back and make it again.
You know like you make a recipe and someone asks for it again and you can't remember what you did. :)

The 420 punchcard lace is evil

2010-07-05T08:41:00.000+10:00

This is an old picture from the other day, but it is the pattern I am talking about. The pre-punched lace no: 420

As you saw in previous posts, it was giving me trouble when I was doing it at this end, so I changed to a different punch card and had no problems at all, well except for needle 25, but I just watched it every swipe and it was fine.
WELL..... I get to the length I want it to be and to make it a bit more even, thought I would do that same 420 lace at the end. BIG mistake;
It works fine until it starts the next pattern, which you can see on the picture is just a few rows before where I am up to.
IT was a bitch! Just about every needle got stuck when going over the lace carriage, I thought I was going to break the machine. The yarn was getting caught on the pegs... NIGHTMARE!!
I think the 420 lace is officially dead to me.. grrr

On a plus note, the shawl is off the needles and ready to be "blocked"? ha ha I am never successful at this, but I am going to try a different way today. Will post pics of completed when done :)

Tapestry bag

2010-07-04T12:40:00.000+10:00

Just a quickie.
When I was on the quest to make a kitty bag for the kitties to sleep in, I made a bag that was similar in shape to the "green" shopping bags. Because I thought the kitties would for sure use It, seeing that they can't jump into them fast enough, when I get home from shopping.
Well they didn't, but I kept it, trying to figure out what to do with it so it wasn't wasted.

Well I found my solution!
See, I don't like leaving anything around that the kitties could play with that would strangle, choke or get tied up in their intestines. That is why all my threads, wool, string, little bits and pieces are all put away safely.

The only huge plastic bag I used to keep my tapestry in was falling to bits, so I thought I would make a more permanent one, but it had to be no handles (kitties can play in handles and get strangled by them).

I thought.. hrrm, lemme see if there is enough material in the kittie bed I kept, and sure enough, it fit without any modifications. All I did was add a drawstring, so I can close it up tight so little naughty kitties can't get into it.

Also, as an added find, it is great for when actually doing the tapestry, as you can hold it with the bag still on, that way you are holding the material of the bag, and not getting your hands on the actual canvas. cool eh?!

Anyway, no instructions as REALLY straight forward. Just a couple of pictures :)

The bag, that is now my tapestry bag. Note how tightly it fits, that way I can hold it via the bag while I am working on it,so I don't have to touch it as often. Also note kitty boy working how he is going to beat it.

" I can has insides please momma?"

he he there is a whole series of pictures I took of my little man trying to get into it, he was trying for about 10-15 Min's, and this is why I have to keep things kitty safe! I just thought this was the sweetest.

I guess, you have to baby proof homes don't you, kitty proofing is crazier as kitties can jump! babies can't lol

How I organise jewellery

2010-07-03T08:51:00.002+10:00

How I organise my everyday type jewellery. You know the kind that you wear... every day. The kind where you are always running late and just trying to hurry and get ready.

Not that I have a whole lot of "good jewellery", but I like to keep that separate. But I love to wear happy, shiny things, I dress to feel good, not to look good :)

Anyway, me being the neat freak I am, and having to "kitty baby" proof everything, (kitties like to play with and swallow small things)I have been on the lookout for these little bags forever to tidy up my everyday wear, but keep forgetting to look, or when I do they have never been around. Today I found them!

First up, here is my earring organisation; It has been like this forever and a day, but I thought I would include it in this post seeing I was on the subject hehe

How it looks sitting on my drawers

On the inside! I just kept some of that foam packaging that comes in most electrical appliances and shoved it in the box. Waste not, want not eh? It works great though and because the foam being what it is, doesn't get dull, and all my earrings are safely tucked away from my kitty babies that like to play.

This is what I have just finished, only took like 10 Min's ( prolly because I don't have that much). I just used some small jewellery bags that I picked up from my local Lincraft store. :)

A horrible mess! Whenever i wanted to wear a necklace i would have the mega untangle, no matter how neatly I tried to put them away.

And what a difference a few little baggies makes! Now they are all protected (not that it matters because it is cheap everyday type stuff), and so easy to see through the bags what it is. Also, and a big plus! It is not going to take you half an hour each time you want to wear something to untangle it :)

I am so happy!!! I know i know, small things and small minds and all :)

Nefertiti Tapestry / Needle point finished yay!

2010-07-02T14:40:00.000+10:00

Just a quick show and tell. I still need it framed but at least it is done.
I have been hanging out with my hubby every chance I can, so while he is doing his thing on the computer I have been doing my tapestry, it's mobile! :)

And for the obligatory cuteness shot!

"whatcha doing momma?"

Ladies things...

2010-06-26T21:23:00.000+10:00

Just a quick post as I haven't posted for a little while. What can I say? My hubby is on holidays and I really enjoy just being close to him, that means less doing other things... lol yes even housework.. and you should see my house! argh! hehe

I have read a whole lot, on a few blogs about how much better the cloth pads are for ladies. I am not grossed out by blood etc, so I didn't think I would have an issue with using them.
I also read how they were so much better for you, that your period was better in so many ways.. you know just lots and lots of good things about using them, let alone the being better for the earth thing which is always a seller!

I have been meaning to make some and try for ages, and bookmarked plenty of sites, but the best one, (it looked to me in theory) was this one:

Cloth Circle Pad

After getting out the material etc, I decided that I would just make one and try it first.

Well I made one, but haven't tried it, just can't bring myself to yet.

You see... it's not the blood etc that grosses me out, it's just that I love fabric etc so much that it seems wrong haha

Anyway, also it seems bulky, I am just not sure.. but it is made.. OOH and I rushed ahead without reading the instructions first.. I had to SEW on the line, NOT cut it, so it is way much smaller than it should be. LOL Always read the instructions first hehe

OK pictures:

The STILL UN-used sanitary pad

And just because he is so gorgeous; My handsome kitty boy "helping" momma take pictures

And a little bit more "helping". Everything is so much more fun with beautiful kitties around :)

Horde Intarsia Chart

2010-06-20T10:54:00.001+10:00

Remember this? My first thing on the knitting machine. Well I finally posted the daggy intarsia chart I made for it. It was done with DK yarn. Just inacse any relatives like World of Warcraft like we do :)

You can click on the picture for the link. :)

I would love to post links to anything you make using this chart for others to see, so if you do, it would be really cool if you could send me a pic or a link (email in side bar or just a comment). :)

Knitting machine Punchcard lace, first time

2010-06-19T19:06:00.000+10:00

After I finished one cycle of the first lace pattern, I decided to change the pattern to a "less" lacy one for the main body (not only so it would be quicker, but also a little bit of warmth.. you know less holy).

Oh my goodness! what a difference it made! I am having next to no problems with this, other than needle 25, which is bent and I will have to fix when done, but I am just keeping an eye on it.

One thing I noticed is that you need a whole lot of weight attached to the lace to make sure it gets pulled down properly, other than that, easy sailing... oooOO I better touch wood quickly first, I haven't finished yet.

I also noticed that you can jiggle the needles a little bit from side to side, I pulled out the sponge bar a little bit to look at it and compared to what I saw for sale as replacements, mine for sure needs it! I looked at it when I first bought it and thought it was ok, I mean it is still spongy, I guess it should be more. I found a great Tute to make one, I will have to get on that next.

Here is my Lacy Stole so far :

Knitting machine - First punchcard lace mistakes

2010-06-19T07:11:00.000+10:00

Just a quick show and tell of my first attempt of punch card lace.
I think after I finish this project I am going to pull the machine apart and give it a good going over.. well, if I can find a schematic for it.

The silly carrige kept getting jammed, because the needles were getting stuck on top of one another, which I doscovered that it was because the yarn was getting stuck on the pegs.
When I watched this video for upload, I noticed that at one of the points it was getting stuck, the needle was really bent (something you can't see as much in real life), in theroy, if the needle wasn't aligned right, the lace carrige wouldn't be able to transfer the yarn far enough so it went onto the next needle, therefore landing on the peg... in theroy. It could just be that the needle got bent in the process of getting stuck... This is so annoying!!! hehehe

Some pictures:

How the needles were after removing the lace carriage

The big holes, because I wasn't watching what I was doing as I went along (lots of stitches to pick back up!)

The lace before I unravelled it; I am about this far again and a little bit more, but I am watching as I go and trying to correct mistakes as they happen, It's tedious and annoying and the lace carriage still keeps jamming. I did find though that if I make sure the lace carriage travels the full distance along the bed ( until the timing belt stops moving), it works a little better, not much but a little... could be just a coincidence though.. lol fun fun!

The little video I did:

How to use the Big ass Brother yarn winder (you tube video)

2010-06-18T09:34:00.000+10:00

Just a quick post for me, and for any others out there that have a big ass yarn winder like I have, but can't get it to work properly. ( There are two big antennae that attach to it, I have them in my boxes but didn't know what they were for.).

Also a HUGE big thanks to Jemajo from My brother and I, who found this for me, I am so melted that she took the time to help me, ok I am a dag, but a very thankful one :) Such an awesome lady! :)

I went to the video, which was great! (and cute too!), but it didn't show close up how to thread it, but on the little box that pops up after he video is finished, I saw this video. It is an electric one, but same set up, just with a motor; It shows you how to thread it and all!

here tis! :)

First visit to the Knitting machine shop

2010-06-17T20:45:00.000+10:00

Oh my! Lucky the car parking was only 1 hour because I could have been in there for a week or more looking through everything.
I think it is the only shop here that sells knitting machine things, and to walk in looks kinda small, but full.
There are quite a few old and new looking machine on a wall, and there are sewing things as well... that's on first look...
I asked the lady for the things I could remember ( I didn't take my list), and all but one of the things she had, but said they usually have the other.
Then I asked for wool, and she said do you want to see it...

Well on their website it looks like they don't have that much but oh my goodness, I could just spend hours and hours... and knitting machine books, pamphlets, magazines... my hubby said he could see how excited I was, I know for my eyes I just didn't know where to look first, and wanted EVERYTHING, but of course couldn't have :( It's a freaking treasure chest of delight!@)I am going to try and save all my pennies to have regular visits, so when I go for wool I can pick up other things.

So what did I buy?
Well..

I finally got the little wax balls to go on the yarn holder ( I just got 2 to begin with)
I got a 1KG cone of black acrylic to practice with
I got these printed punch card things that all you do is put in behind a real punch card and punch out the dots.. and Egyptian one
I got a Wendy phillips cats designs book and a Design studio by White Magazine

The choices. There was even a book that I ended up putting back and will get as I save up more. A Japanese translation for knitting machine books, book. Oh those Japanese books they had there.. drool... actually drool for them ALL!@... now just to win the lotto so I can buy one of everything and a bulky and an electronic... hahaha yeah I am laughing too :P hehe

Can you tell I loved the intarsia! I can't wait to try the fair isle and motif! At the moment I am doing a Lace one for an Aunties Birthday coming up. Oh boy is that annoying..but more about that another post when I can show an "in progress" picture.

The knitting machine pictures, what I got for $150.00

2010-06-15T13:06:00.000+10:00

I was reading past posts and saw that i said I would post my new,only and first, knitting machine... I still haven't! How slack am I? So here it is :)

I am so thankful that I found this advertisement, the lady I bought the knitting machine off was so nice, and was getting married soon too ( so many many good wishes to her). Not only did she give me what she had, but also gave me her cousins number incase I needed to know how to do anything (her cousin was the machine knitter and gave the one I bought to her). Of course I didn't call her cousin, but it was such a sweet thing to do. Lovely lady!!
Anyway, this is what I bought, other than having to clean it (just from a smoking house to a non-smoking, you can notice it), it is all in wonderful condition.
I hope that I can find a bulky one, one day for the thicker yarns! anyway.. here they are:)

It is a Brother KH-881 knitting machine

The actual knitting machine,with the table it came with, also a transfer carriage? and 3 yarn winders, one I have no idea how to use (the big one)

The ribber that was attached, but i disassembled it, so I could learn to use the knitting machine first. Steps, it's all about steps.

2 of the 3 yarn winders that came with it. If anyone happens to come across this and knows of a link on how to use the big Brother one I would greatly appreciate it. I can't find anything on the net, but I haven't spent ages and ages looking :)

The books that came with it,the red folder under the Creative knitting book is full with typed out, old patterns, but no pictures. I can't wait till I know what I am doing more and try some, it will be like a little surprise as to what it turns out to be :)

PS...Kitty boy was there first, he was in the sunlight that I needed to take the picture so I spread them around him, he was like "wtf is this momma?" hehe

And the wool/cotton. the little picture in the corner is just another bag of yarn that I added into this picture to save having another picture of just yarn.

All in all I am just so thankful and happy with what I bought. I hope one day when the crafty gods think I am ready, they will send another wonderful deal my way with an electronic or bulky. :)

Yarn burn test or Is it Wool? OR Why NOT to wear acrylic; especially for kids

2010-06-14T18:38:00.000+10:00

I finally got out all the un marked yarn I had and tested it... I just happened to have the video camera with me.
Sorry up front for the quietness of my voice, I had to keep quite otherwise next doors dog would have started barking and you would not have heard a thing.

From You Tube description:

I have a whole heap of different yarn and don't know what it is made from.
I read plenty of different posts from around the interenet and tried to combine all the information into one and test some of the yarn I have.
Some say to smell, but I found some that burnt like acrylic and left the oil residue that acrylic is made out of still smelt like hair burning, but there are lots of different mixes and spun yarn available.
I certainly didn't like the way the acrylic burnt and can't even imagine being near an open flame wearing it... don't let your kiddies wear acrylic! As you can see...

This is what I had written down:

If it acts dead it is a natural yarn
If it acts alive it is a man made.
If the yarn smells like burning hair - it is a natural fibre from an animal - it is also easy to put out- the residue will be an ash you can crumble (I found some that smelt this way, still had the left over oil residue, so I assume that there are plenty of "mixes" out there).
If the yarn smells like a bonfire = it is a natural plant fibre -if it burns slowly after you take it away from the flame you probably have silk
If it practically ignites itself you have a rayon, rayon is made from wood pulp
Acrylic and Nylon are man made fibres, made from petroleum products. They burn hot, smell like chemicals and melt like plastic, and hard to put out.

Links kept that I found some of the above information:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EeYdvDm4zE
http://jemajo-knitting.blogspot.com/2010/02/burning-issuebuyer-beware.html
Oh no! there were a few others but I don't know where I put the bookmarks.. sorry :( There is more information out there though :)

Here is the Video if you are interested to see the different yarns burn... In the end I was still unsure of a few, all I can put them down to is that different yarns had been spun together?

As always, would love to hear any further information/input :)

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My little hat.

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Arm full of kitty love.

Ideas that don't work (or need tweaking)

Used needles

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