Sydney Soiree

It hardly seems that a week has gone by since I was at the CWA in Sydney learning how to make these lovely beaded tassels ...


I was very pleased with the result and the picture really doesn't do it justice. The most difficult part for me was threading the needle but then I always have trouble doing that anyway. The next day we learnt how to do spiral crochet. I chose three rather strong colours for the class and because a big piece might look a bit much in these colours, I think I'll finish it off soon and use it for a placemat. A row of crab stitch around the edge will finish it off nicely.


I am thinking of doing a spiral baby shawl using white with maybe pink and a variegated for the other colours.

Here's another version of spiral crochet - this one is done in all trebles ..


The two days were very enjoyable and its always nice to meet new friends. I returned home on Friday which was a big day in the NRL footy and special trains were running from Sydney Central to Olympic Park to transport the thousands of eager fans. Two of the country train platforms were being used and as you can see, CityRail certainly got into the spirit of things for this big event. There was certainly excitement in the air but not for me as I awaited the departure of my train and a long, four and a half hour trip home ..

Google unfortunately

I've just read something funny on Kylie's blog "The Lazy Knitter" so thought it would be fun to try. You do a google search on "Unfortunately (your name)" eg. "unfortunately dorothy" .. Pick the ones you like. Here are some of mine.

Unfortunately Dorothy isn't very bright and she's a terrible bore, as I'm sure you'll realize when she calls on you. And such awful taste in hats!

Unfortunately Dorothy hasn't written very many novels, so I am left to reread the ones she has. But for those few I am extremely thankful

Unfortunately Dorothy seems to have stayed on the Yellow Brick Road like many other mobile browsers and does not support Flash at this time.

More importantly, her sister's enchanted slippers are now on Dorothy's feet and the Witch wants them back. Unfortunately, Dorothy can't take them off.

Unfortunately, Dorothy's health began to deteriorate about a year after this move. Even as her health declined, Dorothy continued to enjoy church suppers

Unfortunately, Dorothy's dog Pluto chews off Brian's fingers before they can do anything with him

Unfortunately Dorothy's bloodlust continues unabated, with many customers falling prey to her crafty work with power drills, pokers, and sharp kitchen objects

Unfortunately, Dorothy's sexual and emotional awakening proves to be something of a sleeping pill for the viewing audience.

Unfortunately, Dorothy was at an age that she did not work with stallions.

... because the breeze blew it between the seats, but unfortunately Dorothy did whilst rummaging for something or other and all hell broke loose. ...

Unfortunately, Dorothy isn't cured and begins luring victims to the farmhouse through her tarot card readings.

Try your name and let me know how you go.

Can't finish a post without an "awwww" for the day

He's the Voice

Jack’s back but he sure isn’t whispering !!! If you get the opportunity to see John Farnham’s latest show “Live by Demand”, go for it.


My friend and I experienced this amazing event on Tuesday night at the Lyric Theatre, Star City in Sydney. The place literally rocked and this 60 year old man had the entire audience in the palm of his hand throughout the whole performance. In addition to the string of great songs, the staging was amazing. It was totally AWESOME.

I have to tell you about the lobby of the hotel where we stayed. A big section of the floor is glass and under it lots of goldfish lazily swim around in their huge home.


Its a weird feeling walking on the glass and having the fish underneath.

After studying all the brochures we picked up in the lobby,



it was off to one of the hotel's restaurants for a light snack. Can you imagine our surprise when all this arrived ..




and it was only three hours to dinner at the Casino !! Oh my ..

Yesterday we had all day to spend in Sydney before catching the 6.15pm train back to Canberra. It was a lovely day in spite of the very overcast weather. The whole place had a grey tinge but I still manged to have a bit of fun with my camera. Here’s a few pics so you hopefully can enjoy the day with us ........

After spending an hour or so at the shopping centre above Paddy's Markets we decided Darling Harbour would be a better option, so off to the Monorail for a quick lap of the city ..




Following our very quick stroll through the shops we decided to take a ferry to Circular Quay. There were quite a few jettys and, obviously looking like lost 'tourists', we were wandering around trying to figure out where we should wait for the ferry. The driver of this people mover was kind enough to point us in the right direction.



I can remember as a child, riding across the beautiful harbour in this ferry on the way to Manly. It was considered a rather majestic ferry in its day but is now permanently moored at Darling Harbour having been converted into a restaurant. She's looking a bit old but not too bad.



I think this lighthouse and ship must be something to do with the Maritime Museum which we passed on the way to the ferry wharf.



Eventually we found our way to the ferry and just in time



No need to explain this next pic. Probably two of Sydney's most famous landmarks -







And after a wander around Circular Quay we stopped off to socialise with some seagulls. This little guy tried very hard to steal a Big Mac right out of the hands of a man - just missed by a whisker - or would that be a feather ?



Without further comment I'll leave you with a few more pics of this beautiful city.

Don't worry, be happy ......

I often say to people "don't worry about things you cannot control, or things that may never happen". Well, I should take my own advice! I finished that baby's jacket I was stressing about regarding running out of the yarn and the 2 x 50g balls of Baby Lustre 8ply were plenty. Here's the completed jacket ....



I would have liked to stitch a little pink rosebud on each side of the yoke but didn't have any so this will have to do for now. If I manage to find any I'll add them.

This jacket was a pleasure to make - such a quick and easy pattern from JustCrochet in the UK. I think I might try another one in a different yarn and colour.

Why was email invented ?

Its only 113 days till Christmas so here's something for all you animal lovers ...



Keep those cards and letters coming !!

I now have everything organised for my trip to Sydney in three weeks time. Tickets booked, accommodation booked and classes booked !! CWA are holding classes on spiral crochet and read tassel making and I'm particularly interested in the spiral crochet. Here's what it looks like, with the tassels we're going to be doing in the foreground.



In the meantime, I'm hoping to finish a baby's jacket I started a few days ago. I thought I had enough wool(2 x 50g balls) but am now starting to get a bit worried. Started the second ball today and I still have 6 rows of the skirt part plus both sleeves to make. Oh well, fingers crossed !!!!! Here's how its coming along



The picture is a little dark - sorry 'bout that !

The Memory Lingers On

I was reprimanded by my daughter the other day for not having any of her wedding photos on my blog. So, here are just a few of my favourites.

The ceremony was held at St Johns church, Reid ACT on 5 July 2008.

This photo was taken in the middle of Anzac Avenue, Canberra with the Australian War Memorial in the background.

Sunset on Lake Burley Griffin then off to the National Press Club at Barton for the reception.

Did you notice the wrap my daughter was wearing for that last photo? I had three weeks to knit two - one for the bride and one for her bridesmaid (my other daughter). Each wrap was 15 inches wide and 65 inches long. It was a rush but I guess it took my mind off worrying about other things !

I've decided to take a break from knitting for awhile and go back to my favourite craft - crochet. Here's a little cardigan I started last Friday and had it finished by Saturday night. Almost instant gratification - that's the good thing about crochet vs knitting.



I got the pattern for this cardi from JustCrochet in the UK. I must say this lady's patterns are such a delight to use - well written and easy to follow. She has some lovely patterns from Premmie to 12 month sizes plus some beautiful blankets and shawls. Well worth a look if you like to crochet for babies.

If anyone reading this has a spare ball of Panda Baby Lustre 8ply (Col. 52B, Lot 742729) lying around that you don't need, can you please contact me. I'm halfway through a jacket and realise I'm going to need another ball of yarn. I'd be very grateful for your help.