update # 14

greetings to all from sydney. i am currently staying with my parents and madly trying to see friends while i am here, as i know that probably no one will be able to make it to the west next year due to other commitments in life.

i've been having a great time while i am here, and have managed to fit in some time for craft - i made a table runner for my aunt, and a few things (beanies and gloves) for friends in cold countrys. which reminds me that i need some cardboard for pom-pom making.

i have managed to do some op-shopping and when i get home i will share my treasures!

we visited my dad's parents yesterday in wollongong, and came back with a lot more stuff that we brought down - including for me: two hand-painted mini portugese soup dishes, a small glass pot (a gift my grandma got for here 21st), and a glass jug. my dad came back with a pile of books, and glass panels from his grandfather's front door (this is a hint to flo that hoarding is a genetic disease and its not my fault). and mum came back with an old singer sewing machine. mum summed up their place quite well by stating it is like "Aladin's cave". honestly, everytime you go down you think it can't be possible for more stuff to appear, but then "poof" out of nowhere things just seem to appear!

i'd better go as we have to head up the mountains soon.

happy christmas.

update # 13

before i head off for a few weeks, i thought i should share what i
have been making and buying recently.

i was very excited to discover a shop selling japanese goods in
Subiaco - most of the stuff is rather ordinary, but they have a large
collection of kimonos, and (my favorite) a $10 bin. of course most of
the stuff in the bin is rather plain/ordinary, but i found this half
cut up one: light, semi-transparent cotton, but ideal for craft!

i have recently started volunteering at the Vinnies in Fremantle (its a retro store), as Flo's aunt's friend runs the store. I was there last monday to help sort out the new (second hand new) stock which had come in. I really enjoy helping out with that, as you get to see all the unusual clothing items that come through. some of the monday highlights included: an orange and white stripe play suit, a bright ruffled beach skirt, a cute 3 piece outfit - skirt, boob tube top and jacket, and a few 80s items. the dress above also came through. it doesn't have any buttons, but that can easily be fixed

the yarn above are christmas presents yet to be made. my "local" knitting shop is not very inspiring, which i was a bit disappointed about, and really made me appreciate how lucky i was to have tapestry craft in sydney. while it wasn't cheap, the shop had a great lay-out, the yarns were all neat, tidy and well organised by weight and by composition - wools, cottons, mohairs/fancies/unsual yarn etc. and at the back was a table where you could have a look at the many pattern books they stocked.

the crochet bag is something i have just finished. made from recycled cotton from my Grandma. i have had this cotton for a few years now, and have finally found a use for most of it! i am a bit worried that the handle won't be strong enough, so i am thinking of reinforcing it with some tape, lace or ribbon. i'll see how i go and post some more photos later. i am really happy with the yellow fan stich around the top it provides a pretty, but subtle contrast, and the button works well also (though it might need to be cleaned!).


i made the doll a while ago, from One Red Robin's Ruby doll pattern. I haven't named her yet, nothing seems to come to mind so if you think of anything please let me know.

update #12

today was market day.

i am now tired.

i had a great day, met some other talented, crafty people, bought a few bits and bobs (photos will follow) and enjoyed some groovy music.

there were chickens which made me happy, and a lonely rooster who secretly wanted to be onstage with a microphone.

this all happened at City Farm Perth. there will be 3 more markets on the next 3 following saturdays.

if you haven't already done so check out my website (link on left hand side). everything in the gallery (except the green paper mache tray - which i sold today) is for sale. if you are interested - send me an email (through the website) or leave me a comment here.

thanks for your support

Update #11

Milky and Rosie are off to the markets this saturday! i have been
slaving away over a (hot) sewing machine, and finally i have just
about enough stuff to be happy with to sell (hopefully).

so, for those in Perth here is the place to be:

City Farm Perth (next to claisebrook train station)
1 City Farm Place, East Perth
http://www.cityfarmperth.org.au

from 9am - 3pm

bring an umbrella and come and say hi!

here is a sneak peak of what i have to sell (a few things in the
photos are not quite complete):

Update # 10

i have been chained to the computer and will not be released until i
update this blog.

so here is a brief update of what i have been occupying my time with:

1. knitting
2. sewing
3. crochet
4. panicking about the stuff i will be selling a market coming up soon
5. thinking about what i will make to sell
6. panicking
7. thinking
8. working
9. cycling
10. occasionally catching the bus

expanded:

on thursday night we went to a pub and saw a free gig - it was
pointed out to me that it really wasn't free as i bought a drink. BUT
as i would have bought a drink if i had paid to see the gig, then the
money spent on the drink is irrelevant and its still a free gig,
which is excellent. the same musician is going to be playing this
week as well, so i'm going back - like i said its a free gig! i will
also be taking my knitting/crocheting much to the dismay of any
friends who may come along.

i have bought some really beautiful hand dyed yarn, the colours of
which were based on WA wildflowers. i haven't decided what i am going
to make with it, but i think it will be a circular shawl i have seen
in one of the many knitting books i possess.

the week before last i bought the quokka (WA equivalent of the
trading post), and i found a lady giving away free spinning wool
(i.e. wool which has not yet be turned into yarn to knit with).
Unfortunately someone else had called before me and had taken most
of the wool, but this lady had 1 bag left and was deciding whether
to give it away. luckily for me she decided the wool needed a new
home, and i became the proud owner of a small (translation quite big
if you ask me) bag of NZ wool (light brown). i'll put up some photos,
as the yarn has a lovely natural colour which will be awesome when i
actually learn to spin! plans are in place to join the guild next
year, and i have been told of a group that meets on tuesdays and
spins, and would be happy to teach me for free (gold coin donation to
get in), and they have wheels.... i'll have to look into it and find
out the catch!

i have told a few people my plans for the market and what i am going
to sell etc and i am a bit frustrated by people's responses (but of
course everyone is different and most likely a lot of people won't
like what i am making - thankfully they are not the people i will be
selling to (i hope...)). One person struggled with the idea that i
can't make and sell stuff using someone else's pattern as that is
effectively cheating/plagiarism of their idea. Another suggested that
i make singlets for babies/kids with motifs sewn on them like
butterflies/flowers etc (just like everyone at almost every market in
sydney.....). to clarify for anyone reading who doesn't get it - i
want to design my own stuff to sell. rather simple. it's not going to
be christmasy as there is too much of that stuff already, and it's
not going to be for babies - as a) i don't have a baby and clothes/
stuff for them doesn't interest me & b) everyone else is doing stuff
like that. of course there might be people out there doing stuff like
me. who knows, i might find out at my market stall. see how it goes.

i'll share some photos soon of what i have chosen to make.

until then
cheerio

Sophie Jennings
sjennings@elmweb.de

milkyandrosie.blogspot.com

Update #9

I had an awesome time knitting, the Red Bull Airrace is really
interesting and I need more yarn.

update # 8

some comments on photos below:

these are from our wave rock experience
i would like to upload more, but the images are quite large so they are slooooowwww to upload

i think that is all that needs to be explained
there was 1 stage, 1 bar, 1 rock that looks like a wave, 1 salt pool, and 1 cinema,

cool bananas

update # 7

a brief update i what has happened since i last wrote:

our new couch has arrived

i have joined a book club, but as of yet have not actually read the book - its not at the local library, so i might join the next local-ish library and see if they have it.

i have been to fremantle and it hasn't rained - this IS an achievement, as so far up until yesterday it had always been wet.

i have discovered (thanks to my mum) some excellent cider at Little Creatures Brewery (which includes a bar) called Pipsqueak. the name alone makes me want to drink it.

i have made a groovy doll based on this pattern: http://www.oneredrobin.com/wp-content/blogimages/rubydoll_nbr1.pdf
i have not named her yet, so any suggestions would be great.

i have used my new overlocker, and fallen instantly in love. how did i live without one....

i have joined facebook (i am not sure that this was a good idea, but its a bit late now)

i have worked

i have enjoyed sitting on our new couch

i have done some knitting and made a felted bag which i am really happy with

i have procrastinated over filling out an application form for a market in december

i am going to fill out said form tonight

i have been on a brief holiday to MR (margaret river) with my mum. we saw some beautiful places - caves, cliffs, beaches, and a few wineries.

i have watched a bit too much of the chaser, and now we have been lent both DVDs of season 1. this is not looking good

i am thinking of changing sites as blogger is absolutely useless - i just spent 10 min trying to use another useless program (i-photo - mac only), and then this stupid site can't upload 5 images.

ggrrrr

on a happier note - flo and i had a great time at wave rock. wonderful music, great people (well 6 that we met, the rest were a bit ho-hum), a really cool salt pool - man made and not a good sign for the environment but still cool, and an interesting rock formation that looks like a wave and has interesting sound amplification/reflection properties.

mum is flying over RIGHT THIS MINUTE to visit perth and WA for the first time ever. we're going to head down to margaret river next week, and get sloshed at a few of the many wineries. if this program decides to behave i will have some photos.

not much else to report, but i would love to here from all of you over in sydney, or wherever you happen to be reading from.

over and out

update #5

i won the lucky door prize at a trivia night on wednesday. i was quite surprised when i turned my chair upside down to find that it had a sticker saying "lucky door prize". i hadn't heard what the announcer said (bad sound dynamics in this hall), and i wasn't quite sure what to do, but luckily someone came and brought me my prize - an orchid. in bloom. which now sits in our entrance hall. its excellent!

i am tired from working and thinking too hard. my first 5 weeks at where i am working now were rather relaxed at times and leisurely (sometimes on the verge of dull). but this last week has been quite busy, and on the verge of hectic. which is good as it makes the day go by. today was busy, and i am now frazzled.

tomorrow flo and i head off for the wave rock weekender. pictures will follow next week.

other pictures will follow soon when i can get them to upload.

over and out

update #4

1. i would like to draw your attention to the links list on the right hand side of this page. please see elmblog for a different perspective on the perth situation.

2. i would like to announce my enthusiasm for domestic machines. i bought a second hand food processor (with juicer attachment) called oskar. he is made in france, about 10 years old (at a guess but i might be ageing him), and he works well. flo made apple juice tonight. i will put up some photos of him soon, but he's not much of a looker.

3. flo and i have bought a new phone (as the old one was on it's last legs). it's cordless and causing a bit of trouble as it needs power but there is not power plug near the phone plug, and so in the middle of our entrance way/hallway there is a power cord to trip over!

4. flo and i are going to a music festival at wave rock - about 4 hours south east of perth. its a rock that looks like a wave and we're going to be camping near it for 2 nights. more details will follow.

over and out

update # 3

while sitting at my sewing desk i thought of many inspiring and interesting things to tell you about, but now here at the computer i find myself with nothing to say (write).

yesterday i went for an explore around part of perth, and was a bit disappointed, but i did find a great cafe:



good coffee, and a cute place to sit and read

not much else to report, but i will share with you the posters on my sewing room wall:

update #2

i am currently doing a great job of avoiding household tasks!

i have a blob of dough currently rising in my sink, which will eventually be transformed into bread rolls. i tried to make chocolate pistachio whirligig buns (that is what they are called), but i don't think i let them rise for long enough, nor i did i add the correct amount of yeast. but not to worry they still taste good, and i will try and make some again soon.

i am quite proud of myself, as i managed to tidy AND vacuum my craft area, but as i can't work out how to get my photos onto this computer, you will have to wait to see the results.

yesterday i started making myself a dressing gown. when i bought the fabric i didn't have the pattern with me and as a result i didn't buy enough. No drama, i have cut the front yoke (for the dressing gown) from an apple print dress i bought for $1, and the back yoke out of grey wool from a skirt i have (the dressing gown is darkish pink flannel). while it may sound a bit scary, i think the end result will be awesome as i have some super groovy big blue glittery buttons to finish it off. photos will follow soon.

flo and i bought a washing machine yesterday, a very exciting purchase, and i now i feel like a proper domestic goddess (although i lack a dishwahser)! i am amazed at how much water it uses... and i think i might keep away from the laundry when it is on, otherwise i might feel quite guilty about water wasting.

at the place i am working at the moment we have a fish tank - about the same size as the one my mum has, for those who have seen it . when i started there were about 8 gupies, 2 strange white fish, 3 catfish, a several neon tetras (who have all now died as they kept getting caught in the air pump). last week someone bought some extra fish - 2 yellow things, 2 blue things, a few more gupies, another catfish, and 2 ugly white fish (who were found belly up the next day in the tank). then on thursday another lady brought in more gupies from her son's fish tank - so now from having about 10 - 12 fish in the tank, the number has doubled and its getting rather busy in there. i have offered to buy some fish weed and snails, and a cleaning pump thingy as the tank is full of fish poo and gunk.
i'm not sure why as i am getting so involved with these fish, seeing as i have spent years trying to avoid my mum's fish...!

below is a little birdy i made for someone i used to work with. it's the only crafty thing i have a picture of at the moment, so it will have to do.




over and out

update #1

i have nearly finished a 5 week period at my current job. monday will be my last day with them for the moment (i might be working for them later on). i have put Flo and i down for a position on their trivia table, and i'm going out to a staff dinner, so while i may no longer be working for them, i will be socialising with them.

aside from work, not much has occured that is worthy of note.

i am keeping myself up to date with sydney news on smh.com.au, and have enjoyed reading about the stupid yet extremly amusing pranks of the Chaser team!

i hope you all enjoyed your public holiday, as while you lazed around (in what i am guessing was probably good weather) we (as in perth) got pounded with rain and hail.

happy birthday to Kate, and many aplogies that i have not written that sooner.

over and out



ps - some chickens i met when flo and i were in WA on holiday.

The adventures of Patsy and Arthur (or: what i have been doing for the past 6 weeks)

i have been working
i have done some exploration by bike. perth is a great place to cycle - it has bike paths. its flat.
i have found somewhere to live (ok Flo and I found somewhere to live)
we have moved into said place, and filled it with all the stugg we dragged (well, not personally) from sydney
we have recieved a new oven/stove and hotwater system
i have started to organise my sewing space
we have bought a new couch (but must wait 7 weeks before we can sit on it)
i bought a knitting machine at a garage sale
i have found some great op-shops
i have bought some great things at above mentioned great op-shops
i have done some baking, and cooking (and tonight i made slightly-crunchy-creamed-rice - yum!)
tomorrow i have work
i have discovered that i really like chai tea - with milk and sugar
i want to cut my hair short, but am will continue to grow it for the moment as flo likes long hair
i have planted herbs in our back yard, and soon i will plant a few more things
i have decided that i really miss watching sunday night tv on the abc (often the only channel worth watching)
surprisingly, i really enjoyed watching the tour de france this year, and luckily in perth the live stages start at a more convinient hour
i have joined my local library, and feel a lot better for having done so
i have already borrowed as many items as you can in one go (12)
i found a dvd of the good life (which flo didn't enjoy)
flo discovered that you could borrow dvd's from the library
i have not seen that much of perth yet, but when i do see something exciting i will let you know
not to say that perth isn't exciting - i just haven't been to those parts yet
we now have 5 bikes between the 2 of us
patsy is a bike - can you guess what arthur is?
patsy is red, with white grips and cables, and a smattering of rust (if it were a person i would say the rust is freckles)
patsy is fun to ride
when i take a photo of where i am (which i have not done yet, although i have been here 6 weeks) i will share it with you