Spinning retreat 2025, the spinning

 The 2025 spinning retreat in Bicheno was held in the hall and I just had to share a few photos of all the variety of spinning wheels that came together. 

I wonder which is your favourite?

Below are some majacraft wheels.

This is the new majacraft Luna wheel.

One of my favourite, the ever reliable traditional wheel.

Spinning retreat 2025

 Last weekend I went to the hwsd guild of Tasmania spinning retreat in Bicheno.  It was a great weekend.  Luckily the weather was good to us and I managed to walk to the lookout and here are a few photos of the town.

The local blow hole was only just a small splash this time, but still beautiful. 

I love a rocky seascape. The town is well known for its spectacular rock coastline.

Even maya loved it.

Sun dye workshop

 Last weekend I went to Nicheno on the east coast of Tasmania for a weekend spinning retreat with our local spinners guild.

While there I did a worshop using sun dyes. I have used eun paint before but this was the first time I had used sun dyes. We used both cotton fabric, below.

And also rice paper. Both were really interesting and so much to play with.

This was the dye we used.

Tour de fleece day four

 

Tour de fleece day four spinning. I have changed to my Hansen espinner so I can ply up my singles. 

I am so happy I am at the end of this spin and can finally move onto some wool.

Tour de fleece day three

 

Tour de fleece day three and I am still spinning my linen mix. 

Tour de fleece day two

 

Day two of tour de fleece and still spinning the linen/viscose mix. 

Tour de fleece day one

 

It is that time again am once again i have started spinning for tour de fleece.

Three weeks of spinning every day. I will start with a linen/ viscose mix.

Getting ready for tour de fleece

 As July gets closer it is that time of the year when I start to think about getting ready for the tour de fleece.  I thought I would start with some clearing of my bobbins which meant spinning up some plain colour to use to ply an existing bobbin.

All was going well until it wasn't.  My tension kept going slack and then....

My poor old band, which is the original one broke. I was trying to work out how old my wheel is but I am guessing the band has lasted close to 15 years. So I think it has done a great job lasting this long. 

It is just such a bad timing as I prepare for the tour. Luckily I have an electric wheel I can use as a backup. 

episode 61. May makings, eco dyeing, socks and animal crackers

Mothers day 2025

 This year I celebrated mothers day with the family at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hobart.  One of my favourite Gardens filled with lots of memories from my childhood and as a place I enjoyed with my children.

I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of my children but I did snap this one of the older folk.

This is one of my favourite sections of the garden. The Japanese garden. The reflections, the movement of water and all those colours. How could you not enjoy the relaxing beauty of this style of garden.

Tha duck pond has always been a favourite as well. I used to dream of having a pond of water lillies but my ducks had other ideas. 

Look at that reflection, so beautiful. 

Eco dye fun

I have been revisiting some of my eco dyed samples. Since moving I have been trying to remember where I had stored all my fabric samples. Luckily I found these pieces which I hope to use as some slow stitched projects.

I am always drawn to the variations in cc colour and pattern that are created while eco dying. Finding where to cut these pieces will be the challenge for me. 

 

Happy Easter. Episode 60

Oatlands by night

 Have I ever told you I love a Tasmanian town by night. I love the peace and calm of walking around towns at night, and I am lucky to live on a very safe island.

This is the Callington mill. It was built in 1837 and is a Lincolnshire tower windmill. It is the 3rd oldest in Australia. It is now part of the Callington mill distillery. I stayed next to the mill and found it full of atmosphere at night time. I was hopeful of seeing a past occupant while on my walk but nothing appeared. 

Maybe it was for the best, all was very peaceful.

Oatlands trip day 2

 One of the beauty spots in Oatlands is this lake. This is Lake Dulverton. It is always a stunning view, no matter what time of the year. And at the moment it is black swan time. 

I love black swans. And some pairs had baby cygnets with them.

Look at this amazing lichen growing on this bench. Beautiful pattern, I feel so lucky  to live with so much natural beauty so close by.

And if anyone was wondering, it is autumn.

A little holiday in Oatlands

 I had a little holiday in Oatlands. This is a town in the Midlands if Tasmania, full of lovely old houses and interesting shops.

There is a local history room and outside it is a little wool and sheep items. I love this clipped hedge scene.

Wool bale press.

Some of the gorgeous houses around town. I like to walk around and dream about which house I would love to live in. So many to choose from.

The mural at the local school. Just love it.