Sandi's Spot

Media Commitments...

2011-06-02T11:34:00.000+10:00

Back in February at the height of the floods here, we did an article with the George Negus program 6pm (now known as 6:30).

This was the one of the first in a looooong list of media reports/interviews/articles that the Benjeroop community have had since the January 2011 Floods.

Crikey!!

2011-04-15T17:44:00.006+10:00

Oh my Goodness, has it really been that long since I posted on my blog??
I have been neglecting it a little, instead posting and wasting a LOT of time on Facebook instead.

I see my last post was August when the Loddon River came up nearly to the bottom of the bridge here at Benjeroop...well...that's nothing!!

January 2011 will always be remembered for disasters...Flooding in QLD, Cyclone Yasi...and Flooding in northern Victoria and we copped it big time!

Our entire farm was inundated.

This is an aerial shot of our house.....

Fortunately, our house was saved, Hubby spent many long days and nights checking the levee bank and even had another 2 feet added because the water was rising so much and so fast.

Unfortuantely though many houses were inundated including my inlaws, the levee around their place just had no hope & there was simply not enough time to add more height to it when they realised the water was coming their way.

Hubby is starting to get back on some of the ground and is madly trying to get some seed sown so we can get some stock feed growing and get our sheep back on our own property again...

Anyway, that'll do for now, I promise when I have more time one day, I'll post heaps more pics!
Here's one of our hayshed...see those round bales, they're floating!!

IT'S FLOWING >>>

2010-08-26T09:19:00.002+10:00

This is a pic of the Loddon River at the Benjeroop Bridge, near where it meets the Murray River...it is the highest I have seen it in YEARS.

AND it's FLOWING...I think in 10+ years of living in the area, I have never seen it flowing towards the Murray...usually it goes up and down with the Murray as the water flows up into it BUT this time the water has come down the river from good rains in central Vic.

We have even been warned to check that our levee banks are water tight as they are expecting it to flood a little too...

We live in the area between the two rivers, we own land on both and it's FANTASTIC to see all this water flowing past...The Murray River is also the highest it has been in years, lapping at the top of the banks...

Oh My Goodness...has it really been that long??

2010-07-05T10:45:00.003+10:00

Oh Dear, it's been nearly two months since my last blog post...WOW!
I guess I have been busy sewing for Squeeky Cheeks and trying to get my site organised and stocked! Check it out @ www.squeekycheeks.com.au !! I am still working on the site as I'm not yet 100% happy with it. I have a new logo for my business now, so I need to update the site with it.
I have also been spending WAY too much time on FaceBook...that place is addictive!! I have set-up a fanpage for SqueekyCheeks...Check it out and become a 'liker', I'd love to see you there!! www.facebook.com/squeekycheeks

Sewing wise, I have been sewing Crayon rolls for a Charity called 'Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids', here is just a few of the ones I have made so far:

they are so easy to make so are great to do when I don't feel like thinking too much!!

Anyway, that's just a fraction of what I've been doing, I will post again soon with some more pics of my creations...

A Quiara for Ella

2010-05-13T08:51:00.004+10:00

Yesterday, I made up this top for Ella. My first ever 'Farbenmix' pattern. I wasn't too happy with it while I was making it and I was sure it was going to be WAY too big for her. BUT, now it's finished, I am happy(ish) with the finished article.

The fabric is from Spotlight and it's not good quality at all.
Ella is delighted with it though and that's the main thing...
It is a very nice pattern and easy to make up, I will definately be making more.

Please excuse the blue pants, pink gumboots and scruffy hair...she had just got home from school!!

This is what you get when you stuff up an embroidery!!

2010-05-06T14:53:00.004+10:00

Doing some embroidery yesterday and was going great till I got this one off the machine. I had caught the 'wing' of this nappy cover underneath and it got sewn onto the bottom. I was so disappointed and just had to laugh or I would have cried! Luckily, I was making it for Harry anyway, so was just going to bin it and start again.

Anyway, Mum is visiting at the moment and when I showed her, she said why not just cut it off and add a bit on...SO I did.
I'm actually really pleased with the finished product.

I'ts kinda 'tacked on' but I don't think it looks too silly.

So...Do I jump???

2010-05-05T10:48:00.003+10:00

Saw this little guy in the overflow of our tank last night...I wonder how he got up there!
It's only about 2 metres from the ground!

May Sewing Challenge

2010-05-03T17:31:00.002+10:00

I'm going to have a go again at the 12 months, 12 sewing challenges challenge for May...I missed a couple of months.

This month is ZIP month. I really have no idea what I'm going to do. I have Hubby's Jacket that needs a new zip put in AGAIN! I replaced it last year and now it's gone again...grrr...AND it's not just a little one, it's 30 inches long, open ended! I'm not sure though if that will qualify.

Maybe I will make a knitting bag for the knitting I have in the car. At the moment, it's just sitting in the console. I have it there as something to do when I have to wait for the bus in the arvo after school. It's just a dishcloth but it's something I can simply pick up and away I go, I don't have to think about it much. A nice little bag to put it in would be great.

Locusts...

2010-04-22T13:38:00.007+10:00

EEEEEEWWWWWW!!! They are disgusting.

Walking across this paddock, the noise is amazing, they flit up and woosh they're off...millions of them...They are doing damage too. There are patches where they have eaten it down to bare dirt.

Knitted Dish Cloth

2010-04-14T13:50:00.003+10:00

My dishcloth had enough the other day and has now gone to where all good dishcloths go, to that great dishcloth Heaven in the...ummm...well, let's just say it's gone (Don't want to go upsetting anyone!!)
So...I decided to make a new one...I'm really pleased with the end product and will be making many more, I think!
I'm no pattern composer, but, the pattern is simply:
Cast on 46 stitches
Knit 3 rows
k3, (k5,p5) rep until 3 sts remain, k3
Repeat for 5 rows
k3, (p5,k5) rep until 3 sts remain, k3
Repeat for 5 rows
Keep alternating in rows of 5 until desired length is achieved.
Knit 3 rows to finish and cast off.
There you have it.

Now it's a shame to have to use it, but that's what I made it for isn't it!!

A pair of Pants...

2010-04-08T15:51:00.002+10:00

This one is not very exciting, but since I haven't posted for a while, I thought I'd better post something.
Wow, kids grow well over summer! Al has barely any pants that fit him, so I have set about making some for him. These were made using a very old NewLook pattern that was discontinued well over 7 years ago as it's one I kept from when I had my shop. It seemed to take forever to make, next time, I don't think I'll put all the pockets on the outside and I will be doing the waistband differently too.
I went to Spotlight yesterday and bought some corduroy to make another couple of pairs for him...He should be right then.

KF Everything Wallet

2010-03-08T11:29:00.003+11:00

Here is yesterday's achievement...

A KF Everything Wallet. My first ever Etsy purchase, and I literally had the pattern in my inbox minutes later...all the way from the US. Wow...modern technology eh?

I'm quite impressed with the finished wallet, the fabric I had in my stash, left over from my Shop.
The pattern is so easy to follow with nice clear instructions. I did however manage to stuff up a bit though, my own stupid fault. I miss measured some of the pieces and didn't cut enough of others so got a bit confused a couple of times. It's a great pattern, I highly recommend it.

I have a few thoughts for 'improvements' for my next one but I won't tell you about them until I've tried it out!! It might not even work!

I've done it this time!!

2010-02-26T16:24:00.005+11:00

Phew!! I picked up my overlocker this morning from the courier depot and got stuck into my challenge project. It didn't take long once I knuckled down and got into it. I would have been extremely disappointed in myself if I failed to finish this one too.

Here's the finished top. I'm hoping it will look better on my model but she's at after school daycare at the moment. I will post more pics another time.

It turned out ok, I probably should have used contrast fabric for the neck band, but didn't have anything here that would match properly.

By the way...my overlocker has never sewn so smoothly!! Amazing what a 'grease & oil change' will do. It hasn't been serviced since I bought it about 8years ago...naughty me!! No wonder it siezed up on me!!

Aaarrrrrggggghhhh...

2010-02-20T22:07:00.002+11:00

...my Overlocker seized up, and I have had to send it away to be fixed. I won't get it back now till late next week. Really, it was only a matter of time, it has never had a service, and I have had it nearly 8 years.
Seems I'm just not meant to commit to any challenges! I only have one reliable overlocker...unlike my sewing machine collection...so I might just have to try and do my 'something in knit' all on the sewing machine...now that will be a challenge. I don't often use the overlocker but I do rely on it to sew knit fabric.
I do have my old 3 thread Elna Contessa here, it hasn't been used for many many years...I wonder if it will work?

How Cute is This?

2010-02-16T17:39:00.004+11:00

Here's the finished hat I was talking about in my last post. This is so cute.

I had no hope getting Harry to model this one...even though it does have the John Deere Logo on it!!

I've 're-discovered' a goldmine - AND - It pays to make your kids wear your creations!!

2010-02-15T16:32:00.003+11:00

When in town last Saturday, I dragged the kids to the local patchwork shop "Miss Sampson's Drapery"...WOW...I haven't been in there for ages, trying to be good!! She has so much fabric in there, all the designer names, including Michael Miller, Saffron Craig and more. They have the biggest range of 'John Deere' prints I have ever seen - craft cotton, flannelette and polarfleece and in PINK too. She said they had just got that lot in direct from the US.
Anyway, I will be going there now before I look on the net for my craft cottons and if she doesn't have what I'm after, I'll be suprised.

AND... while I was there, I got talking to her about the kids hats I make, Al & Harry were wearing theirs, she was very interested and wants me to make some for her to sell! I bought a couple of gorgeous Michael Miller prints to make up and said I'd bring them in next week to show her. Then we decided the pink John Deere fabric would make up nicely so she gave me a piece to make up for her.
I'll post a pic when I've finished it.

February Challenge

2010-02-10T11:04:00.003+11:00

I just recieved my parcel from CraftyMama's. Now I have no excuse at all for not getting the February Challenge done for the "12 Months 12 Sewing Challenges". The February challenge is "Sewing with knit fabric"

I'm going to make this top for Ella from this material.

Oil Cloth Swimming Bag.

2010-02-07T15:58:00.004+11:00

I got inspired this afternoon by some other clever ladies who posted pics of their swimming bags they have made on their blogs and the craftymamas forum, . I have had some oilcloth here for a while and have been meaning to make it up into a bag for Ella...well, I needed to do something today that I didn't have to think too much about so this was the perfect project.

I simply sewed up the sides, boxed the bottom, hemmed the top and added handles...and there you have it!!
I had grand plans originally of adding a zippered pocket to hold things like shampoo, hair brush, ties etc...but I didn't have enough fabric and just couldn't be bothered at the moment to mess around with that...maybe the next one!!

I'm off now to find some more oilcloth to make a couple of boy bags...

Ok, I'm gonna try harder this time!!

2010-02-04T14:29:00.003+11:00

I just signed up for the February challenge...Sewing with Knit Fabric...Lets see how I go with this one.

Not sure what I'll have a go at. I do have a pattern here for a cute top for Ella...will just have to find some gorgeous fabric to make it up in. So maybe, I'll have a go at that one.

Oh Dear...I didn't quite get there...

2010-02-04T14:10:00.003+11:00

Well, I had good intentions and I almost got there...Here is my 'Something for Me' for the '12 months, 12 Challenges' Sewing challenge...
I got stuck into it on the last day of January (Nothing like leaving it to the last minute eh??) But unfortunately, this is as far as I managed to get. We went away for a couple of weeks in January and by the time we got home and I got my mind back into 'home' mode (as opposed to 'Holiday' mode), I simply ran out of time. I will finish it soon and post some pics...promise!!

Our Beach Holiday!

2010-01-27T16:25:00.001+11:00

We went to the beach for a week recently, here are my two boys watching Dad make a sand castle...much easier watching than helping!! I'll be posting more pics soon...I'm in a hurry right now!!

2010 Sewing Challenge

2010-01-05T15:19:00.004+11:00

I just signed up to have a go at a Blog Sewing Challenge (the link to it is on the left). Should be a bit of fun. I might not get all 12 projects done but I'll give it a go anyway!

The first challenge is "Something for Me"...I have been going to make myself a top for ages and I'm thinking now is the time. Stay tuned for updates!!

We put the Christmas Tree up...

2009-12-13T17:36:00.002+11:00

We put the Christmas tree up yesterday...Just thought I'd share this cute pic. We went out to a BBQ for tea so I grabbed the opportunity to get a photo of them with the tree while they were all dressed up.

It's Raining...It's Pouring!!

2009-11-26T20:48:00.004+11:00

We have had so much rain in the past few days, about 65ml so far and it's still raining. We just had another thunderstorm go through not long ago. All our tanks are near enough to full, which they haven't been since we put them in 5 or 6 years ago. The orchard and vegie garden are just sheets of water, at least I won't have to water anything for a while!

Alister got out in it this afternoon, it took a bit of convincing him that it was OK to get his bike dirty...there's plenty of water to wash it in!! He had a ball riding through the puddles, then he got bogged...

...and WET...

...and ended up totally SATURATED from head to foot!! After this pic, he decided to have a swim in the puddle...lying down...

My memory card filled up so I couldn't get a photo of how he finally ended up but you get the idea, it was straight into the bath then!!

Finished another knitting project...

2009-11-14T15:32:00.003+11:00

Yep...another Vanilla Soaker. This one was made using 12ply BWM 'Rustic'.

Finished!!

2009-10-25T13:34:00.003+11:00

How's this? I love this pattern and I'm impressed how my dyeing job worked. I think I may have done an extra couple of rows in the body of it...oops...doesn't matter. And I also knitted less rows on the leg bands than the pattern says (I meant that). I will get a pic of them on a bum, they look much better on a 'model'.

Knitting it up!

2009-10-18T11:54:00.012+11:00

Thought I'd better show you how the wool I dyed is knitting up...I am knitting a soaker called "Vanilla". It's such an easy pattern, although I was a little daunted by some of the techniques when I first read the pattern, especially the PCO (Provisional Cast On), but I did a practice and it wasn't as scary as I first thought.

I love how the red & yellow is knitting up together. Now I am up to the bands and realised I don't have the right circular needle for them, so...I have started another one!!
This one is in 12ply Bendigo Woolen mills 'Rustic' & the colour is 'Midnight Tweed', it's a very nice wool to knit with and is knitting up quite quickly...only catch...I don't have the correct circs to do the body for this one...so...when I finish doing the bit on straight needles, I will just have to...

...start another one!!
Yes, I have ordered the needles I need and hopefully will have them this week.

On another subject completely now...
I made a new nappy for my tractor mad little boy the other day and took some pics.

Pity it needs a cover to go over it though...not to worry, I do have some John Deere fleece sitting here too waiting to be made into a cover, they'll make a good pair!
Look closely at the second photo and you can just see some of Hubby's model tractors in the cabinet behind!

I've been Dyeing!!!

2009-09-29T15:32:00.003+10:00

How easy was that!! This morning I dyed these shorties that I knitted from some wool I have literally had since 1990! I was originally going to make a cream coloured Aran jumper out of it and do have some of it knitted up but I lost interest (I think it actually went out of fashion before I got to finish it!!).
Anyway, all these years the wool has been sitting around (attracting moths!), so I thought I'd use it to make a pair of shorties for Harry...just to try out the pattern (this one) before I got some nicer wool to knit up. Mum actually knitted up a pair for me, just to see how easy the pattern was, and then I had a go...this is the result...

I wish I had taken a pic before I dyed them...you can just see some of the original cream colour on the cuffs (yes, I meant for them to be a bit mottled.). I must say, they were VERY boring before I dyed them. I love them now.
I used this method using food colouring and the microwave. Very easy and you can just do small quantities at a time.

...Then I decided to have a go at some other colours with a couple of unused balls...

The colours came up so nice & bright, now I can't wait to knit something up with this lot.

It's finished...almost!!

2009-09-26T10:17:00.003+10:00

I've just finished sewing the ends in. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out, and still have to get some buttons for it.
Only problem is it's ended up too small for Ella, the couple of extra rows of pattern added extra length, which is great, but it needs to be larger around the middle for her.
I keep forgetting that she is a growing girl!!
Not to worry, I have more cotton to make another one (in pinks) so will just have to have a go at upsizing it...Perhaps I'll tackle that one another day...stay tuned!!

Still Knitting

2009-09-24T13:38:00.003+10:00

Just thought I'd post a progress report on my knitting...I'm up to the back ties now. Wow, I'm loving this project...

I went to the Bendigo Woollen Mills yesterday...WOW...I was impressed to say the least. I loved the Bargain room where they have heaps of wool on special, I came home with some 12ply in odd size balls for a fraction of full price, it'll knit up nicely into some shorties for Harry.

My next knitting project...

2009-09-19T15:09:00.003+10:00

Here's a sneek peek at my next project. It's another pattern by TiKKi called 'Tropical Lily'. Hopefully it will fit Ella. I'm using Anchor magicline 10ply cotton, really nice to knit and is kniting up very quickly. I'll post more picks as I go along.

It Rained Last Night...

2009-08-30T13:31:00.008+10:00

It hasn't rained enough here to form puddles in a long time. Last night we had it all...Thunder, Lightening, Hail & rain. The kids decided to have some fun in a puddle in our driveway this morning...

...needless to say, they needed a bath afterwards!!

Yet another 'Milo' Vest

2009-08-26T14:53:00.004+10:00

Here we go again...another 'Milo' vest.

This one is knitted using 'Sirdar Baby Bamboo' 80% Bamboo and 20% Wool. It's nice to knit with but there were at least 1 or 2 joins in each ball and you can't splice it so I ended up with several ends to sew in and it's really hard to get it to look neat on the right side. It drapes really nicely and would make a nice cardi or top to wear. I think it'd be nice for that in-between weather. This one's actually going on display for a while at the local craft shop as a sample to hopefully help them sell the yarn...

Our New Chooks started Laying...

2009-08-22T15:05:00.011+10:00

About a fortnight ago, our new pullets started laying...yay...this was our first egg (the big one) I do feel sorry for the poor young chook who had to squeeze that one out...enough to put her off laying ever again I reckon!! I cooked it for lunch today and yes it was a double yolker.

Here's a pic of Meg & Kif...Meg (in front) is nearly 12 years old and Kif is her son, he's nearly 10, they're mini fox terriers. They are both in desparate need of a bath...but they are farm dogs so as soon as you bath them, they just go off and find something else dead to roll in...ick!!

I also have another 'Milo' vest to show off, knitting's finished but I just haven't sewn the ends in or blocked it yet...I'll post here as soon as I get around to doing that...I have also started knitting another one too...

Another Milo for Harry...

2009-07-28T19:09:00.008+10:00

Here's my second Milo vest for Harry.

I'm having fun knitting these and soon he's going to have a whole wardrobe full of Milo vests!!

Harry's Milo

2009-07-11T09:25:00.003+10:00

I just finished sewing in the ends on my latest project. It's a 'Milo' vest for Harry. Knitted on circular needles it's such an easy pattern...I'm keen to do another one now, just need to get some more wool...and give my wrists time to recover!!
Here's a link to the pattern : Milo Vest ...created by the very talented Tikki

Knitting Counter Bracelet

2009-06-23T10:25:00.000+10:00

Went to craft yesterday at the Benjeroop Hall. We meet twice a month and just take along whatever we are crafting at the time. It's just a great social meet-up with other women in the area. Usually there is about 5 or 6 ladies there but yesterday was only 2...not to worry, this is what I managed to make for the morning:

It's a Knitting Row Counter Bracelet. I reckon it's not bad for a first effort and with just beads I had in my stash!
Now I'm keen to have another go with some different beads...stay tuned!!

Alister's Bitrthday

2009-06-15T09:36:00.001+10:00

Alister turned 4 yesterday and here's a pic of him on his flash new bike.

Old Sewing Machines at Jeparit

2009-06-13T21:15:00.000+10:00

Last weekend (Queens Birthday) we went over to Jeparit to have a look at the Museum. Just thought I'd share this photo of some old sewing machines they have there. This is only a few of them, there were heaps more...
The one at the front is a Werthiem, there were a few of them...there are also heaps of Singers + lots of other brands.
It was hard to take the time to look at everything with 3 kids in tow...I'd love to get back there and have a much better look one day.

Sew-Along Fabric Bucket

2009-05-31T16:16:00.000+10:00

Just finished another item for the NC Sew-Along. This month (June) we have the option of 2 projects, a fabric bucket and/or an apron. I know it's not June yet, but i just couldn't wait...

I made my bucket to match my pincushion...

Here's the link for the Fabric Bucket Pattern

A Recipe for All Mothers...

2009-05-20T14:46:00.000+10:00

I got this at an ABA meeting ages ago and have had it on the fridge door, just thought I'd share it...

Today I seft some dishes dirty,

The bed I made at 3:30,

The nappies soaked a little longer,

The odour grew a little stronger,

The crumbs I spilt the day before,

Are staring at me from the floor.

The fingerprints, there on the wall,

will likely still be there, next fall,

The dirty streads on the window panes,

Will still be there next time it rains.

"Shame on you old lazy-bones," I say,

"And just what have you done, today?"

I nursed a baby till he slept,

I held a toddler while he wept,

I played a game of hide & seek

I squeezed a toy, so it would squeak,

I pulled a wagon, sang a song,

Taught a child right from wrong.

What did I do this whole day through?

Not much that shows, I guess it's true...

Unless you think that what I've done

Might be important to someone

With bright blue eyes and soft blonde hair

If that is true, I've done my share.

(Joanne Green)

That's my house all over...right down to the blue eyes & blonde hair!!

Sew-Along Pincushion

2009-05-12T10:22:00.001+10:00

I just finished a pincushion for the Nappycino 'Sew-a-long' - Here's my attempt at it. It turned out huge (approx. 18cm across) It'd be nicer if it was a little smaller though but I'm not going to make another one...it was quite fiddly so if the pattern was smaller, it'd be even fiddlier and I don't want another one that desparately!!

Here's a link to the pattern if you're interested:
Wild flower Pincushion

The Kids went fishing with Dad...

2009-05-10T21:07:00.001+10:00

Here is Ella & Alister with a Murray Cod they caught with Dad this weekend. Only about 30cm...not big enough for the pan!!
Ella caught a nice Yellow Belly last weekend...haven't got the pic of it on this computer, I'll have to find it and will post it another time.

Welcome

2009-05-10T20:46:00.001+10:00

Hi,
Welcome to my new blog page.
This will be interesting as I really have no idea what I'm doing here!!
I'm not even sure what I will write about or what I will post but I guess time will tell...
Now I'm off to see what else I can do here...
Cheers,
Sandi