James' birthday afternoon tea

And after a long drive home, the boxes were opened and the toys enjoyed.
Granma and Grandad gave him a shed for the trains to 'sleep' in which was very well received as they were sleeping in the dolls house while at the farm.

Lolly/biscuit cups of coffee and a Thomas candle on the cake for afternoon tea.

Getting ready to blow out the candle.

And cutting the cake!

Happy 2nd Birthday James!

James' birthday at the farm

He's two today, but this was 4 days ago before they went back to Sydney.
We had presents and a cake so Grandad and Great Granny didn't miss out.

If it says Thomas the Tank Engine you are on a winner.

The books were read, and we tried to keep the boxes unopened for the trip home.

Grandad helped to look at all the goodies in the 'Thomas catalogue range'.
I mean to say, a boy can't go anywhere without his Thomas trains can he?

Washer and soap swap

I joined in a washer and soap swap as I have never ever made a washer before. This is the one I made and sent to my partner. I called it the Blackout Washer as I started knitting it by the very poor light of a gas lamp during a 4-1/2 hour blackout!

And this is the one my partner sent to me. It is called a Tribble and I love it.

I crocheted an extra washer to send to someone whose partner could not get theirs done.

Bendigo Woolshow 09

I took my camera to the Wool Show at Bendigo, but only had time to get it out of the bag once as there was just sooooooooo much to see and do. But this pic shows Georgie enthralled by the fashion parade. She clapped extra hard when she liked something and not quite as hard if she didn't like it as much. And when one of the young models came out at the beginning, she told Maree she "didn't like how that actor walked".

This was the loot that Penny and I came home with from Bendigo Woollen Mills and the Wool Show. Penny has mostly yarn and dyes and I have a little bit to add to the fibre stash as well as some equipment bits.

Even the cat enjoyed a play with the bags. He loves these paper bags and jumps in and out till they are ruined.

Picking the Kiwis and there's Wally

I have been saving the kiwifruit for Georgie to pick. So while Dan was here we used his height to good advantage and got most of them. Even the Tiger joined in.

Georgie held the big basket to collect some,

then James had his turn, although it took all his strength!

And we were able to stand on the back verandah and take photos of Wally the Wombat nibbling the nice grasses around my garden bed.

Spinning Monday 13th July

Here is my finished scissor fob, with rosebud in the corner. I made this as a birthday gift for one of my birthday swap partners. You could also use it as a little pincushion.

These are some beautiful flowers given to me by Tim's friend, Caroline. They have looked beautiful on the windowsill in the kitchen.

And the wheels keep spinning, even though there are only a few of us around.

And while Penny was visiting in the school holidays she managed to do a bit of knitting too. Georgie chose the colours for her vest as she loved the one made for her little brother.

Stitched Up meet up

Our internet group, the North East Vic Yarn Lovers, took advantage of the Stitched Up Festival in Wangaratta and arranged a meet up at the Idyl Book Cafe. This is such a caring and friendly group and it is very rewarding to have meet ups. As usual a few people came and went during the morning, but we also enjoyed a look at some of the Festival exhibitions.

This is a lovely rainbow bag made by Annie

And I must show you the other beautiful bag that Annie had with her

It is always so inspiring to see what others have been creating so beautifully!

The wheels spin on...........

It's July and several spinning group friends have gone north while the weather is cooler, one is moving house and 2 have work coinciding with craft. But I believe in keeping things on track as much as possible, so even with only a couple of us we've been using our spinning group time to advantage and filling up the bobbins.

And finishing off the embroidered scissor fobs.