socks

This is what I've been doing over the last week. two pairs even.

Apart from these which were made from all the odds and ends hanging round here (and there are plenty more too), I have had a clean out of my general wool and sent half a box of oddments to the kindy. There are also two boxes of cloth scraps for the patchwork group for community stuff and a box to be sorted for small pieces for me. So I have been rather busy.

Then there was the day trip we made to the Catlins which was really good. There were only three of us as James decided not to come so it was a peaceful trip for once. I might add that James by himself is also fine - its when you put them together!!!

We stopped at the bridge at Balclutha for lunch on the way there as we were a bit late leaving. Then we went on to the Matai Falls which I haven't visited since I was 12 and that wasn't yesterday! There is now a proper path and a bridge over the gully we slid down on our backsides. The falls were pretty much as I remember but we went about 2 minutes up the track to the horse shoe falls this time. We didn't know they existed last time. They are pretty but not spectacular - I think the water level was fairly low which kills things a bit.

William got up close and personal with this waterfall :)

Then we decided to carry on to the Purakaunui Falls where we used the public toilet and got a fancy hot chocolate from a stand run by a couple of local ladies - very nice - before wandering down to the falls themselves.

This was on the way from the waterfall.

Then we made our way back to Balclutha where we decided to take a short detour to Kaitangata which I'd not visited before. We took photos of two bridges just because they were interesting.

Matt made a panorama of this one but I can't find it on here...only the pieces.

We just had to go over this bridge...

After that we stopped at Waihola for the best fish and chip dinner and got home after 9. A lovely day for all.

viv

ps Had to add this -

Taken at the Purakaunui Falls viewing platform.

The blue lake

Part of the trip we did at christmas was to an old haunt of mine and a very favourite place (although it has become sadly touristy recently. The blue lake is actually the remains of an old gold mine which got so deep that the pumping system broke and the whole thing filled with water. The reef they were following went under the township of St Bathans so there was no further work done. The white clay base made the lake look very blue indeed when I was young but there was a creek overflow with agricultural run off which mostly destroyed the base and now the colour is rather green instead but it is still a very beautiful place despite being man made. So here are some pictures taken by me, Matt and the boys.

And a gratuitous cat pic because I don't know how to delete it :) Yet!

Steampunk

We did a trip to Oamaru last year and I have a heap of interesting photos so I thought I would post a few here. The exhibition was very good.

We had a really great day :)

viv

whew

And now back to normal transmissions :) I killed the comments section by trying a new widget. Very bad! Took a while to get the comments back again but they are now working properly (I hope).

We did a short trip to Milton the other day to visit the wool factory shop. I got quite a bit of wool and a new pullover for Matt. Amongst the wool, I got some noodles (half spun wool) which I am going to make hats out of as it knits quite well. When I had finished untangling and winding the wool into balls there was a bit left over so I decided to try a needle felt object. I've done a lot of felting but I've never tried needle felting before. I only had black and white so I ended up with this.....

He is under 2 inches high and cost me a lot of finger pricks because I am new to this but I thought he came out quite sweet :) He is now sitting on my keyboard. I won't be pricking my fingers so much next time :) If there is a next time......

Morris dancers

A whole crowd of Morris dancers morrised their way up the street the other day. There was a convention in town apparently :)

So there you have it :) A little bit of interest for the day.

viv

Cut away pieces

The Art fibre Dunedin site has a couple of photos of me and my things but I thought I would post a couple of my own pics as well because I did two of them and Pat got the photo the wrong way round:)

The orange and blue thing was using a piece we did at the marbling event earlier along with a few bits of plain commercial stuff. I was rather pleased with the outcome as I have struggled to use this fabric in other directions (there's a derelict piece hiding in the corner looking at me mournfully right now!). Then I got keen and set out with a piece of fake fur in lurid yellow, a piece of old curtain net. part of an old blouse and a bit of reject dark brown stuff. The result was definitely interesting. Somehow there are animals in that set of random shapes :)

I think I might explore this type of design a bit more.....

viv

ps the yellow is much brighter in real life - I should have used the flash or something :)

viv

small pictures

I got keen for a bit last week and decided to finally quilt up the four little pictures I made a month back. They have been sitting in a dejected heap since then so now they have nice new clouds and waves. I had thought I might keep one but now I don't know which as they all have their good points. The rest are to go for sale eventually - probably on 'Felt' where I have already put a few bits and pieces.

Someday I'd really like to have my own shop site just to display stuff and sell the odd thing.

See what you think is the best:)

viv

And just for good measure - a small felted picture

viv

Christmas bells

Its been Christmas bells all the way round here. I think over half the kindy and school have already gone there and so have a selection of adults. I have to admit that they do look good. We have used ex kindy paintings this year (the ones either not named or done by teachers/helpers) as they are on pretty good quality paper and cut up really well.

The bells are easy to make. The kindy ones I make with three sides and bells around the bottom edge. Even the three year olds can tie a few knots and cut a bit of line when encouraged :) The senior kids and adults make the eight sided ones. I have found that pegs are great for holding things in place whilst knots are tied.

I tried lining one with gold paper but it was a large amount of work getting it together and it was really stiff to fold. I didn't think it was worth the effort so won't go there again. If anyone would like the pattern, leave me a note on e mail and I'll get back to you :)

viv

Ballet

William got a part in the Royal Ballet performance of The Sleeping Beauty. It was more than a walk on part this time. The four boys had to actually dance with the big people this time and they all did very well indeed.

William was the Arabian Prince (junior) so without further ado, here are some photos.

(I made him take off the socks under his tights after this!)

The last image was taken during the technical rehearsal. Very impressive sets!!!!

viv