Things Spun

Here are some of the yarns I've spun since getting my wheel in July...

Merino/silk, sooooft.

BFL, there's over 200 metres of this one!

Some very tightly Navajo plied merino (all a learning experience!)

Masham still over plied but better than the previous!

This one is superwash merino and is super smooshy, it's also my first Navajo ply that I didn't overply Yay!

Whiskey in the Jar Merino, the colours in this make me feel warm inside!

These ones are fresh off the wheel and sparkle in the sunlight, the fibre was in batts so that was a new spinning experience for me.

I'm looking forward to spinning a lot more in the next year, my goal is to spin enough yarn to knit a garment for myself!

Jen

We Survived Christmas!

Christmas has been much easier for us since we decided not to try to be everywhere in one day! Coen left out some milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and was thrilled to find them consumed! Lego was the toy of the year, which is brilliant because we all like to play with lego!

Merry Christmas!

Jen

What can you get for $5?

Lots!

This is what $5 can get you from one of my local op shops: 4 metres of fabric, a silk scarf, half slip, short sleeved jacket, 3 knitwit patterns (swimmers, raglan t-shirts and undies!), tights with diamantes still in their pack and a darning mushroom! There were also a couple of matchbox cars, and there was still room for more in my bag - Fill a bag for $5 is one of my favourite sales!

Jen

Another Christmas Party!

This time it was my work party at Funfields, which has changed a bit since I was there last. I remember basically a toboggan in a paddock and that was about it! We all had a go on the toboggan and I got in trouble for making the pirate ship ride more fun, but I think the most fun was had on the go carts. The severely speed limited, backfiring, stinky little vehicles were a blast!

Coen thinks that his uncle Tim is super cool!

That made passing him in a race very exciting!

Tim and Beck were very brave and had Coen for a sleepover the night before the party! During the party they learned that playing mini golf with Coen can be a bit tricky!

It's nice to see Santa in climate appropriate footwear!

Jen

The Plan

This is The Plan: Darron and I will not buy any new clothes for ourselves in 2010!

The Rules:

• All clothing and accessories must be hand made by me, bought second hand from a charitable organisation, or borrowed/stolen from the wardrobes of friends and family. This includes, hats, bags and coats as well.
  
• The exceptions to the above rule are: underwear, namely bras because once you get over a certain size they're less a garment and more industrial scaffolding; tights/stockings because I can't make them and the thought of second hand tights is just a little off.
• Shoes will only be replaced if they are broken beyond repair (little bit of a loop hole there).
• Essential athletic equipment (running shoes and socks) are an exception for Darron as he needs them for the miles and miles he runs!

This is going to be a challenge!

Jen

I'm probably going to regret saying this

but I'll do it anyway... I don't need to buy new clothes.

I have the skills and knowledge to make my own, I have had great success finding 2nd hand bargains at the op shops (including heaps of fabric for a dollar a metre!) and there are far more important things to be bought with the money!


So in an effort to stop emotional spending of the "All my clothes make me look huge, new jeans will make me feel better" variety, I have a plan. It will save us some money, and challenge me to be clever and creative and think about what I really need rather than what I want want want!

Lots of people are doing it. I've been reading blogs and articles about it for a while now, thinking "yeah, I could do that" and then proceeding to not do it!

In 2010 I will not buy any new clothes!

Details of The Plan coming soon!

Jen

Girls

Bumper cars and egg fights! These girls know how to have fun!

Jen

PS - Dear Dayle, please stop growing up so fast, you're making me feel a little bit old xx

Coen is a Thrill Seeker!

This time last year we would have struggled to get Coen on any ride with a bit of speed or bounce.

At the Maryvale Christmas party he rode everything he was big enough to get on!

He loved the bungy trampoline, rode horses and a donkey, had a go on the 'dodgy cars',

ran a race, rode the rollercoaster, quad bikes and kiddy rides and went down the giant bouncy slide! I can't wait til he's big enough for theme park rides!

Jen

Oh Christmas Tree...

Oh Christmas tree, something something something something!

Does anyone actually know the rest of the words to that Christmas tree carol?

Anyway, ours is up!

Let the silly season commence!