Fractured Diamond Myreshka matt by Rosemarie Hanauer

Well I have finally finished my large Myreshka matt which I have been working on for about 1 year.  It is not really that slow to stitch but as usual I have been working on a bag and a Hardanger bell pull at the same time so each project grows slowly, but what is life and stitching without variety.  This is my own design and I would love to hear your feedback on it.

Gumnut Yarns new colours 2012

We have just heard from Gumnut Yarns that she is adding new colour families to her range of Blossom 2 ply wool threads, she has deleted some colour families that used to have similar numbers.

Autumn Rose

Previous Coral Sunset colours 033, 035, 038 deleted
039 has been re numbered 019 in all weights of thread, while the old 019 which was Blossoms only has been deleted.



Dusky Pink

Previous Heather colours 133, 135, 137 have been deleted







Sarsparilla

Previous Charcoal Blue colours 305, 307, 308 have been deleted

Sage

Previous Peacock colours 485, 486, 488 have been deleted






Kiwifruit

Previous Fern colours 564, 566, 567 have been deleted




Thyme

Previous Pistachio colours 594, 595, 596, 597, 598 have been deleted







Mushroom

Previous Terracotta colours 883, 885, 887 have been deleted






All the deleted colours have other families that are very close to them in shade, and most come in all Gumnut Thread weights instead of just Blossoms.  I will post some conversion ideas directly.

Tour Downunder stage 1 - here today

Well the Tour Downunder went past the shop today, glad it was not me riding, it was already about 34C when they started the race and they were heading into a hot Northerly wind for most of the way.  Bet you didn't know that kangaroos could ride a bike
 

Here comes the peloton

 

And 2 seconds later there they went

 

We decided to dress the front of the shop up in streamers and we had the ideal vantage spot, complete with airconditioning  and drinks on tap.

Goldwork Bicycle - you can almost ride it

Well Monika's Goldwork bicycle is getting there, it now has 1/2 a handle bar, as well as a front wheel, but not yet ready for the Tour Downunder.
Even though she has not finished this project yet, she is already planning the next 2 or 3.  There are some beaded projects and a carrier for your drink bottle in her head, just waiting there time to become reality.

Tour Downunder stage 1

The Tour Downunder stage 1 will be leaving from just up the road next Tuesday the 17th of January, there also will be a street party on the Monday.  Because of this parts of Prospect road will be closed to traffic from 10am Monday the 16th until 2pm Tuesday the 17th.
If you are thinking of visiting our shop Christina's Craft and Gifts and are coming from the south we suggest taking an alternate route.  Our section of the road is not affected except for when the race starts at about 10am, the riders will be heading north along Prospect road and then turning East up Regency road and then onto the Main North road on there way to Clare.
We will be dressing the front of the shop for the event and I will post some photos of my handywork.

Hardanger Bell Pull - the next instalment

Well here is the next look at my 4 seasons Bell Pull, worked on hand dyed Primke fabric with Primke handyed threads the bell pull is now at the stage were I can start working the needle weaving.
I have started with  "Spring", the flower is done and I have worked 1 leaf, Summer will be next and I have thought of a design for the filling stitches, Autumn is straight forward but at the moment I have no ideas for Winter yet.  I will keep posting updates as I go along.

Regency Stripe Bag

Two years ago the Government in South Australia banned light plastic shopping bags, so all the supermarkets started selling heavy, ugly plastic bags for you to take your shopping home in which are not environmentally friendly either.  As everyone forgot to take them out of the car before going shopping and slowly collected a boot full of them. 

Over time we have all got better at bringing something to carry our shopping home, this includes clothing and other things as everyone suddenly was not providing bags (only some smaller shops still do).  Below is my take on a bag that you can be happy to be carrying which is also quick to stitch.

Happy 2012

We got back to work on Tuesday after our 10 day break and we are all recharged and ready to do some great stitching.  During our break we went on a day trip into the Adelaide hills to Hahndorf via Chain of Ponds, Lobethal, Woodside and Verdun, it was a lovely drive and you could still buy Cherries straight from the Growers.  The Chain of Ponds reservoir was still quite full, so hopefully no water restrictions this summer.

We stopped of at the Chocolate Factory just outside Lobethal and had a look at how their chocolate and lollies are made, we had to taste some, just for research of course.  Also the Dark chocolate Almonds that went home with us were for research only and we ate them only so they would not spoil ha ha!


 

Then it was on to Hahndorf were we rambled up and down the main street and had a look through some of our favorite shops, no craft supply shops but lots of finished goodies such as wool and possum jumpers for winter  and of course lots of lovely food to enjoy.  Then back home after a relaxing and enjoyable day, I have added some photos of the quaint shops and signs on main street.