tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85119676588754353552024-03-05T03:02:33.468-08:00Janet knits & stitches a creative lifePeriodic postings of my liturgical stoles, thoughts about my knitting life, and posts from my occasional travels!Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.comBlogger297125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-12250478685898603912019-06-30T21:42:00.001-07:002019-06-30T21:42:43.788-07:00Knitting the Temperatures....June 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
June 1st was 30 degrees Celsius (Red), and June 30th was 27 C ( red-orange). In between we had a low of 13C (yellow) on June 20 but the first day of summer was a pleasant 24 C (orange).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 2019</td></tr>
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May and June 2019</div>
Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-1213491643769614472019-06-16T20:39:00.001-07:002019-06-16T20:39:10.919-07:00Knitting the Temperatures...May 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We've had a couple of hot spells...so hot that I had to start using red-orange (25-29 C) and red (30-34 C)<br />
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Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-90300976673833695152019-05-09T11:27:00.003-07:002019-05-09T11:27:21.207-07:00Knitting the Temperatures...April<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is<br />January to April!</td></tr>
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Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-54032061244680523332019-04-28T09:54:00.002-07:002019-04-28T09:54:54.105-07:00Knitting the Daily Temperatures...March 2019 Finally!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am keeping up with the daily knitting practice even if I'm not posting here in a timely manner.<br />
Here's the March segment:<br />
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As you can see, we suddenly experienced high temperatures well above freezing, and into the double digits. April is proving to be just as beautiful.</div>
Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-24215766123875029762019-03-01T15:38:00.001-08:002019-03-01T15:38:42.686-08:00Knitting the Daily Temperatures--February 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As per the long range forecast, we have had an extraordinarily cold month, and I got to use some blues and blue-violets! Yay!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February 2019</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rPY-SKMZyD7ygF9zKbgu4iNuXlE2lzMOh-LjQBIHQlhod3igGJdNLwUCg7UjJZZWsyhr3c18AXifz92LX7CPrCWQZS6IIMbUxcH9PCyUraOHebSilegrRaIh-_kz1GRPSaiUpVqDqVMV/s1600/IMG_3101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rPY-SKMZyD7ygF9zKbgu4iNuXlE2lzMOh-LjQBIHQlhod3igGJdNLwUCg7UjJZZWsyhr3c18AXifz92LX7CPrCWQZS6IIMbUxcH9PCyUraOHebSilegrRaIh-_kz1GRPSaiUpVqDqVMV/s400/IMG_3101.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February's record of high temps for Vernon, BC</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colour chart with corresponding temps. I developed this back in January and didn't consider how unlikely it will be to use violet! Even if we have lows below -15 C (and we did this month), the daytime highs are above that.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blanket schematic showing January and February completed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZGmbKx3bxE7akfXtsGwpvOwpAQAlfo42Rm1zW1istRhWUPpGy8nxANHXvE3KJytfF9TEzsh6mYV_v0IUBt7c4VL2lJlI_tB7x9_UR9nYuVQYtjJt0RaLKgDzKJFiks8Dprj-FfKFcSQh/s1600/IMG_3100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZGmbKx3bxE7akfXtsGwpvOwpAQAlfo42Rm1zW1istRhWUPpGy8nxANHXvE3KJytfF9TEzsh6mYV_v0IUBt7c4VL2lJlI_tB7x9_UR9nYuVQYtjJt0RaLKgDzKJFiks8Dprj-FfKFcSQh/s400/IMG_3100.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed January and February</td></tr>
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Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-4371847123565966932019-02-05T22:50:00.000-08:002019-02-05T22:50:55.537-08:00Knitting the Daily Temperatures: January 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">Sometime in December I started noticing knitted and crocheted scarves and blankets worked according to the daily temperatures in a year. A colour scale is developed and every day a row or two are worked in the colour related to that day's high temperature. One of the most notable is the <a href="http://www.tempestryproject.com/" target="_blank">The Tempestry Project</a>, "visualizing climate data in a way that is accurate, personal, tangible, and beautiful." While intrigued, particularly with the underlying purpose to demonstrate climate change, I chose not to participate in this particular project mainly because of having to purchase yarn. (I have an enormous stash and my ulterior motive is to make a dent in it!) The Tempestry scarves are worked using the same yarn and the same scale so that they can be compared at some point. There are people using historical weather data and knitting several scarves so as to create a very tangible comparison.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">I also decided that to make a serious impact on my stash I would make a blanket of mitred modules, approximately 3" square. After playing around with some sketches on graph paper, I settled on an arrangement like a calendar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">This will eventually create a blanket about 54" x 63", probably more with a border.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selection of yarns from my stash</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temperature scale and the module for January 1st.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 1 and 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN7Z7AFiRRe-ewc71V3_fSPB8xqDmhOQeRfhyCy8OOhyJBcZAEjrPJuQ09CUeSJgHixDDfmvtmTH6U0wWwNwuU3zTdVuI3zqwFX6VuZXN0Ywf53sx9AUutycaQbSpruOYbsJbb7w9eaEP/s1600/IMG_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN7Z7AFiRRe-ewc71V3_fSPB8xqDmhOQeRfhyCy8OOhyJBcZAEjrPJuQ09CUeSJgHixDDfmvtmTH6U0wWwNwuU3zTdVuI3zqwFX6VuZXN0Ywf53sx9AUutycaQbSpruOYbsJbb7w9eaEP/s320/IMG_2983.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First week of January</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">And the rest of the month, extraordinarily mild, hence all the green (1-5 degrees C) and yellow-green (6-10 C) with a little blue-green (-4 to 0 C).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpg4DSqyyfpU67PD8GkUZ08saUPZ_MwXv-1ATlBdA9RmgvzKAH956127YvupRQ1IIx8SZzgucqOOb4YD5nYF1X-NLoTun1LStXXluIXUXfcfHzOSq69j2qK-bodVBWqx7C8d4_R3DuFXC/s1600/IMG_3078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpg4DSqyyfpU67PD8GkUZ08saUPZ_MwXv-1ATlBdA9RmgvzKAH956127YvupRQ1IIx8SZzgucqOOb4YD5nYF1X-NLoTun1LStXXluIXUXfcfHzOSq69j2qK-bodVBWqx7C8d4_R3DuFXC/s320/IMG_3078.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The month of January</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Display"; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;">I was quite excited late last week to see the extended forecast called for high temps of -14 C. Yay! I would get to use blues (-9 to -5 C) and blue-violet (-14 to -10 C). Here is an image of the work so far which includes the first five days of February.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd-MNcPpguRNuhYtZQfypn1Hqu3jCP-0rR4zFnHupLarI1AfyJuDVIOzzavU3pfDtTYgoZ-aXsx1FxqgqEhyphenhyphen-maaX5q1ktLU4ExG0WfqWXJprPjhzMXgZCndbvrzpGna69uECyAh5UC7e/s1600/IMG_3079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd-MNcPpguRNuhYtZQfypn1Hqu3jCP-0rR4zFnHupLarI1AfyJuDVIOzzavU3pfDtTYgoZ-aXsx1FxqgqEhyphenhyphen-maaX5q1ktLU4ExG0WfqWXJprPjhzMXgZCndbvrzpGna69uECyAh5UC7e/s320/IMG_3079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These past three days have been our coldest yet this year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuidisplay"; font-size: 23pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-47626674127923604212017-07-07T14:02:00.002-07:002017-07-07T14:02:50.772-07:00Rob's stole...finished and shipped!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji17CGIqkkvMygs97tAdOjExzZl4NIlfgZvPedTJsbPp5e_mVZXUpXB0cjT-fpGydA4p4hpeLnIY45wKynPUxr1il29pfv-ZWMG1fEN_pX5rYXD5V4TA3Cy3fUWuGI8kHHuFW6_zmQ2C-O/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji17CGIqkkvMygs97tAdOjExzZl4NIlfgZvPedTJsbPp5e_mVZXUpXB0cjT-fpGydA4p4hpeLnIY45wKynPUxr1il29pfv-ZWMG1fEN_pX5rYXD5V4TA3Cy3fUWuGI8kHHuFW6_zmQ2C-O/s320/IMG_1840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWnuyszkXHOlx18sfEFBdV727UfhXIwFe2bUk1xu0rvyThyIZldjCdlRyprQDRx2VxVMeyy2dEMu2-KBzY4cu3UyxkAeCigXvRFN6APxN_ZgEX5ZM2Vo-fZlFKvZAtQJlvNxdqbm76a1h/s1600/IMG_1839.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWnuyszkXHOlx18sfEFBdV727UfhXIwFe2bUk1xu0rvyThyIZldjCdlRyprQDRx2VxVMeyy2dEMu2-KBzY4cu3UyxkAeCigXvRFN6APxN_ZgEX5ZM2Vo-fZlFKvZAtQJlvNxdqbm76a1h/s320/IMG_1839.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40hFWnXQcjIOlv_Y8mvrRjIRaOzKljonYy_ajNv3_sVT63xFSerXfWHq3FbcNBuITK9ErA7ovOZok_EvWnqXJx0LU93LUrtW3l4YAtIJDslWVdJsN6_xNfLtk9EOnm3DvNCj00LVjmpV6/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40hFWnXQcjIOlv_Y8mvrRjIRaOzKljonYy_ajNv3_sVT63xFSerXfWHq3FbcNBuITK9ErA7ovOZok_EvWnqXJx0LU93LUrtW3l4YAtIJDslWVdJsN6_xNfLtk9EOnm3DvNCj00LVjmpV6/s320/IMG_1838.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30X-KEb4X69ZKVF2ndWDeCg4hnobL9sV5YgXimwNmXrxgQ_HBM8Te6buFoGONhF21AoBLfEw9ZBJtDDHfCwQgiSzYZUxehX4PU7AyD4jG3nXsFzzFD6fjMBpup1IQ4-UPEfFRH5PAzEfd/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30X-KEb4X69ZKVF2ndWDeCg4hnobL9sV5YgXimwNmXrxgQ_HBM8Te6buFoGONhF21AoBLfEw9ZBJtDDHfCwQgiSzYZUxehX4PU7AyD4jG3nXsFzzFD6fjMBpup1IQ4-UPEfFRH5PAzEfd/s320/IMG_1834.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-74719545991800256382017-06-15T19:27:00.000-07:002017-06-15T19:27:44.498-07:00A Stole for Rob<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A new stole is taking shape... The request is for a blue stole, but not just any blue. It has to be Carolina blue, the colours of the University of North Carolina. The client, Rob, is officiating at a wedding in August, and the groom has requested he wear a stole in the colours of his alma mater. Rob will also be able to wear this stole for Advent.<br />
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I have pulled the appropriate blues from my box--fortunately Rob sent me a card with paint swatches so that I could attempt to get the right blue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2xuFQaRQtiVYA-XVA4GPUkB7AZXb2HkmR2LhgNiPRoIDjOlvrJv0Jvo2349rMEZiS3nNxnyDCbrpfsmgVrJwaM_2qnTKHp7duN6zYY1JD4XmWtuNM-f8DuOoE6Q0Jjeeg4oxY_bc2U5e/s1600/materials+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2xuFQaRQtiVYA-XVA4GPUkB7AZXb2HkmR2LhgNiPRoIDjOlvrJv0Jvo2349rMEZiS3nNxnyDCbrpfsmgVrJwaM_2qnTKHp7duN6zYY1JD4XmWtuNM-f8DuOoE6Q0Jjeeg4oxY_bc2U5e/s320/materials+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The design possibilities...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTHW3TTF6IpwvI3aHnWYO_8HWQ_AWgdafgIxMCRhezDzc0HsS4_0P2K7u-bK-yUlW_YVEgNw0iaCmRAI_4AcNS98ypzG0AsRW7vwOC51714mj3c3TZLwOrUnV4nnuap5Ukf9d2RJ7ngJV/s1600/Sketches+1%25262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTHW3TTF6IpwvI3aHnWYO_8HWQ_AWgdafgIxMCRhezDzc0HsS4_0P2K7u-bK-yUlW_YVEgNw0iaCmRAI_4AcNS98ypzG0AsRW7vwOC51714mj3c3TZLwOrUnV4nnuap5Ukf9d2RJ7ngJV/s320/Sketches+1%25262.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob is partial to the flow of line in #2, on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The ties cut into strips and waiting to be piecing...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0Qo1LsVV__NO2M23em3vjcqGQf3FIKsJGu251J8SM3ozlaxONf8D5VYvBilvgsKZHIcAjy6mWqGFmV9YVEWbcpI1n2a7qtndDRhpAiI128yHvcnyGRRGSpr5Hl8XuJ2uUFSgWyx4bJ71/s1600/prepared+strips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0Qo1LsVV__NO2M23em3vjcqGQf3FIKsJGu251J8SM3ozlaxONf8D5VYvBilvgsKZHIcAjy6mWqGFmV9YVEWbcpI1n2a7qtndDRhpAiI128yHvcnyGRRGSpr5Hl8XuJ2uUFSgWyx4bJ71/s320/prepared+strips.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And the first piecing....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB8uDyA0inDcqMoOfrh1STJHL9M5yW-jMtglB-AXjCK0PTCX5gZJ01V61jW9vMxRiGddogNvP21M_edWrK8t7j81sPllQV2aq2EF9FhPlo6efNxuSRPcNLHhF_8ozpbCEq5nWhUF5We2I/s1600/first+piecing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="359" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB8uDyA0inDcqMoOfrh1STJHL9M5yW-jMtglB-AXjCK0PTCX5gZJ01V61jW9vMxRiGddogNvP21M_edWrK8t7j81sPllQV2aq2EF9FhPlo6efNxuSRPcNLHhF_8ozpbCEq5nWhUF5We2I/s320/first+piecing.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am going to have to look for more light blues!</td></tr>
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Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-22651398120212014872017-01-20T16:42:00.002-08:002017-01-20T16:42:44.791-08:00The Lenten Stole has been received<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What a relief to hear that Jann received her stole today and is excited about it as I am. Here in part is her e-mail... "it is even more beautiful than I imagined! Strange to say I can't wait until Lent. Your work is so creative and so spiritual...it just feels sacred. I thank you so much and I will treasure this for the rest of my life, remembering the beginning of my ordained ministry."<br />
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And now, here are images of the finished stole...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBLgkufsYu7WkioclaOyBu8sFMYvljy7hFzZHgvXMGczFJ06SHcb9xtpngSWtbwrqbqrzBN_Hazgy_vVm3qW6VY-b-7b4LztCEfnv2l8gYq5I9iyqyj-9HdRVrsmoST8Ed3pMTw5KQgTz/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBLgkufsYu7WkioclaOyBu8sFMYvljy7hFzZHgvXMGczFJ06SHcb9xtpngSWtbwrqbqrzBN_Hazgy_vVm3qW6VY-b-7b4LztCEfnv2l8gYq5I9iyqyj-9HdRVrsmoST8Ed3pMTw5KQgTz/s320/IMG_1603.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lower edges with the Celtic cross on the front</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMpebOrW8SpA0XfAKdOU68wE_j1oBQMHw_4aONYYp2OEVM3iylXZ4oNexbPzdYUhVkMvEeVZWucUs4QXXncwHxLI4IqJBPKS8RXNudo3pHBFG67K20MSmUPaWEgpJb1GwPz5cTdRgRBkP/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMpebOrW8SpA0XfAKdOU68wE_j1oBQMHw_4aONYYp2OEVM3iylXZ4oNexbPzdYUhVkMvEeVZWucUs4QXXncwHxLI4IqJBPKS8RXNudo3pHBFG67K20MSmUPaWEgpJb1GwPz5cTdRgRBkP/s320/IMG_1604.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two halves at about hip level</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ACcVEpn7Qolz9Fn95cTfSSXEfzJBBfcYGfA5_8feJ45K_sNEwEMxb_Xl2UYIEgoHuNWvqx8o3lIFdXS4LKObYmLguCrKQ0KwUh8JsjlgsU6rlwINB8SOm7wYOB2PGLig55tpLeodo_ba/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ACcVEpn7Qolz9Fn95cTfSSXEfzJBBfcYGfA5_8feJ45K_sNEwEMxb_Xl2UYIEgoHuNWvqx8o3lIFdXS4LKObYmLguCrKQ0KwUh8JsjlgsU6rlwINB8SOm7wYOB2PGLig55tpLeodo_ba/s320/IMG_1605.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lining with labels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2mi6SZX4jORZc71Tyq2JZSSvcW6u-aCUXiC0VP_zUBrsiPa3qAGh-xM_6Wn71eCq-WJiUTW85tXyIJDzD7FUNtK73Vgh2qhnyqQIH3kaEbs06z3SgoWfeU6a_haZRm0CnQgqXtcXnvLW/s1600/IMG_1611+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2mi6SZX4jORZc71Tyq2JZSSvcW6u-aCUXiC0VP_zUBrsiPa3qAGh-xM_6Wn71eCq-WJiUTW85tXyIJDzD7FUNtK73Vgh2qhnyqQIH3kaEbs06z3SgoWfeU6a_haZRm0CnQgqXtcXnvLW/s320/IMG_1611+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tri-spiral over the shoulder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_umOsqg20J6yEmo-FbyuN_PURLEf4_AUlzXrII91ke35gxSwD1EKjU58IgYkrHSGb_BR0PFwpvaPrzqeeRky3da2i3oAMhkoMRxX87MnojJlFvWQx_1ZJwpMpaoorA2f4XOpnHjAZ71B/s1600/IMG_1615+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_umOsqg20J6yEmo-FbyuN_PURLEf4_AUlzXrII91ke35gxSwD1EKjU58IgYkrHSGb_BR0PFwpvaPrzqeeRky3da2i3oAMhkoMRxX87MnojJlFvWQx_1ZJwpMpaoorA2f4XOpnHjAZ71B/s320/IMG_1615+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="118" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full view, front</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBU63ch2UoRnn5I_cb-3PTq40QP339jleXnDLTCvyj2jtzjTnWgJlmzw08bGrs33cz2UZKCcUNJqN1QLSXtpzwZqr-NSTJKg0G7UQtqpAMZ-e-JdvlzrEgfPsA1HYtCMWfmpSJFWG4hiQD/s1600/IMG_1624+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBU63ch2UoRnn5I_cb-3PTq40QP339jleXnDLTCvyj2jtzjTnWgJlmzw08bGrs33cz2UZKCcUNJqN1QLSXtpzwZqr-NSTJKg0G7UQtqpAMZ-e-JdvlzrEgfPsA1HYtCMWfmpSJFWG4hiQD/s320/IMG_1624+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full view, side</td></tr>
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Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-88188223431120807272017-01-01T15:39:00.000-08:002017-01-01T15:39:12.242-08:00Continuing to stitch by machine and hand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Jann suggested a tri spiral at the shoulder, a nod to her Irish heritage. My source of inspiration was the very famous entrance stone at the neolithic site <a href="http://janetknitsandstitches.blogspot.ca/search/label/New%20Grange" target="_blank">New Grange</a> that Lloyd and I visited in 2012, and where Jann has spent a lot of time.<br />
I decided the best way to create this spiral would be covered cord, and found the perfect grey Thai silk necktie in my collection.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTsl9a2JaPk/WGmQGCHR6AI/AAAAAAAAFWw/kfdv26YDG6AoNKW01MXzQqm5l8zwiF6yACPcB/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTsl9a2JaPk/WGmQGCHR6AI/AAAAAAAAFWw/kfdv26YDG6AoNKW01MXzQqm5l8zwiF6yACPcB/s320/IMG_1539.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The easiest way to attach cording is by hand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aCF-6KdutA/WGmQGDrE53I/AAAAAAAAFWw/LJX2CCE1ogoq84qEU6_CBUbE02gKheSagCPcB/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aCF-6KdutA/WGmQGDrE53I/AAAAAAAAFWw/LJX2CCE1ogoq84qEU6_CBUbE02gKheSagCPcB/s320/IMG_1542.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stitching is complete and pressed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fq3OoZ05Oyo/WGmQGNNzZlI/AAAAAAAAFWw/7MQeeNupSaoJhRM5eIcupZrUQYk9wGuEwCPcB/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fq3OoZ05Oyo/WGmQGNNzZlI/AAAAAAAAFWw/7MQeeNupSaoJhRM5eIcupZrUQYk9wGuEwCPcB/s320/IMG_1543.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jann also suggested a Celtic cross on the lower front.</td></tr>
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The next task is to line the stole and then it will be ready to ship!</div>
Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-18077684455155981002016-12-28T15:37:00.001-08:002016-12-28T15:37:26.627-08:00A Deacon Stole is Taking Shape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am thrilled to be back in my studio creating a Deacon stole for Lent.<br />
At the end of November I was contacted by Jann Brooks, asking if I made Deacon stoles. Here is her inquiry in part: <br />
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<i>"Hi Janet! I saw your work on line and had tears in my eyes I loved it so much!</i></div>
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<i>I am to be ordained a Permanent Deacon into the Anglican Church of Canada (Diocese of Niagara) on Jan. 29. I too love fibre--I love to spin my own yarn from fleece and then MUST spend at least an hour knitting per day or I get the shakes!"</i></div>
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In a subsequent email, Jann told me a little more about herself, namely that her ministry is to The Mission to Seafarers in Southern Ontario, and she is Chaplain to the port of Hamilton. She goes onto the big ships in the harbour, and that her work clothes include a pink hard hat and pink work boots! </div>
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So, we're off to a good start. Not only do I get to work in my favourite colours (purples) but I am creating this for a fellow fibre enthusiast.</div>
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I pulled out my purple boxes...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfKZ881LB86pB_JQFBiCumHDAi9iRJXiTBidl8u_Otx7xDijugBd1pOBTBLuAV5hav6crcH6B2-IaOfkfT2JkvH3JDYXgBNAm619KPEivBfMghhpPt1mhwYMjbAhKP3iWnKdeC06VFV2O/s1600/1+Purple+ties.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfKZ881LB86pB_JQFBiCumHDAi9iRJXiTBidl8u_Otx7xDijugBd1pOBTBLuAV5hav6crcH6B2-IaOfkfT2JkvH3JDYXgBNAm619KPEivBfMghhpPt1mhwYMjbAhKP3iWnKdeC06VFV2O/s320/1+Purple+ties.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And selected some likely candidates...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Qp9SAZwUkuDbid0d5DavZ5dVIMnES0pWK9A79Dgu5kDv7ZNeV6ryV2BnrL9dXquoUSSJMXtLFHKkez7w2kOUc5uHlmejA2HGgAajQJYxAC5_xOe-mhJrZafLU2qmg2UOK0579kr0qv07/s1600/3+Choices+made.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Qp9SAZwUkuDbid0d5DavZ5dVIMnES0pWK9A79Dgu5kDv7ZNeV6ryV2BnrL9dXquoUSSJMXtLFHKkez7w2kOUc5uHlmejA2HGgAajQJYxAC5_xOe-mhJrZafLU2qmg2UOK0579kr0qv07/s320/3+Choices+made.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ties at upper right are potential piping materials.</td></tr>
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Then created a couple of designs...</div>
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Jann chose the more dramatic version on the right. I started work yesterday, cutting the strips in preparation for piecing...</div>
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Then started piecing....</div>
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Today, I finished the piecing, and will soon trim the edges, and sew the shoulder seam.</div>
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Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-28454804361952898852016-11-24T13:57:00.000-08:002016-11-24T13:57:21.240-08:00Playing catch-up! Images of the finished stole<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I finished Jodi's stole several weeks ago, and mailed it off. Here are images of the completed piece!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGKz2Lk7zP2GKCLsh2RTJlHK6eTcypzqxMWUX3FeMf74lQK4bmlRahusU4IIzm7n7QhVwa02eZSOX-dgtFZ2_ojQbnSeCN4RHNc3QTZpdyyWSEyHWrn-XaInTlJhptfQweHMS0bfuLxG6/s1600/IMG_1411+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGKz2Lk7zP2GKCLsh2RTJlHK6eTcypzqxMWUX3FeMf74lQK4bmlRahusU4IIzm7n7QhVwa02eZSOX-dgtFZ2_ojQbnSeCN4RHNc3QTZpdyyWSEyHWrn-XaInTlJhptfQweHMS0bfuLxG6/s320/IMG_1411+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="171" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMuybEyhHvpCdnbfl4aY7qsGFFUMkiB2nkfzvjZOgQ21puiy8ZuqC85-xlzNInC953mESCVYKSK7cmKsPyjWswWNg4X5Li5klviTRXXRsGGNH9bqyaMcDSXcTb4waUk-U_bU0kwXVJyYJ/s1600/IMG_1419+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMuybEyhHvpCdnbfl4aY7qsGFFUMkiB2nkfzvjZOgQ21puiy8ZuqC85-xlzNInC953mESCVYKSK7cmKsPyjWswWNg4X5Li5klviTRXXRsGGNH9bqyaMcDSXcTb4waUk-U_bU0kwXVJyYJ/s320/IMG_1419+%2528Edited%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdvpejBr93DdtVBJXti9sXHDsBedN-puRainpbG86ILynwzHeVBi_3hS5q1eiSY9fo8ZcxzDnmrHfCojC1-NPuUxtN3fzycmKvglRfFnjMnwQRJ0DxnYsbH4c2iUsVth2Yvl65N-_ShiK/s1600/Jodi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdvpejBr93DdtVBJXti9sXHDsBedN-puRainpbG86ILynwzHeVBi_3hS5q1eiSY9fo8ZcxzDnmrHfCojC1-NPuUxtN3fzycmKvglRfFnjMnwQRJ0DxnYsbH4c2iUsVth2Yvl65N-_ShiK/s320/Jodi.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A joyous Jodi on her ordination day </td></tr>
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Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-28255323607835732772016-09-19T17:55:00.000-07:002016-09-19T17:55:14.742-07:00Continuing to stitch...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Jodi's stole is coming together nicely. After deciding on the general flow of line, the first strip was laid down on the foundation fabric. I chose to start with one of the gold ties.<br />
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Next step was to stitch down the subsequent strips of ties...<br />
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And to continue stitching with the variety of reds...<br />
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And at this point, I considered the front to be almost completely pieced. Here are some detail views showing how I managed to incorporate some interesting motifs from a couple ties, notably one of school kids and their teacher, and another of nutcrackers...<br />
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...and a tie with a motif of candles and another of tonic bottles...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo6w-kZLBog-Qo1wWBXyCyZUuBFiViLXtHFIxJNrMGIS47Cp_4oN88WxnRneyoGJNZtz4Fzes0vmff0e2i3BM4jjEhcFguIcHlNlvmD-3DwDWA1xtQNtjp7vOTzzkwC7AndMRTt1U858p/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo6w-kZLBog-Qo1wWBXyCyZUuBFiViLXtHFIxJNrMGIS47Cp_4oN88WxnRneyoGJNZtz4Fzes0vmff0e2i3BM4jjEhcFguIcHlNlvmD-3DwDWA1xtQNtjp7vOTzzkwC7AndMRTt1U858p/s320/IMG_1359.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
At this point, I left the piece on the table while I pondered how to approach the centre back design. I knew I wanted to incorporate the candle motifs, and the technical challenge was how to integrate the back with the fronts. I am on the way to resolving this technical issue, and today worked out the centre back design. I was pleased to incorporate a very tricky fabric, Jodi's grandfather's tie which is falling apart. I covered it with a fine netting and used it to frame the candle motif at centre back.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwYd17speg-zInaSBExr6vThEO7cCEzByovQ_kKpSsUgNk1nwyLZ0Rs8wWJRFz2-sW6S-6dZQcruG8urRmrNq6LBhJ692RoNTuW5H4XA_U7oMzu8eb4tupz0UoM9Fo2A557Gqz3ohFCF5/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwYd17speg-zInaSBExr6vThEO7cCEzByovQ_kKpSsUgNk1nwyLZ0Rs8wWJRFz2-sW6S-6dZQcruG8urRmrNq6LBhJ692RoNTuW5H4XA_U7oMzu8eb4tupz0UoM9Fo2A557Gqz3ohFCF5/s320/IMG_1377.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the edges of the striped tie that is framing the motif to see the netting covering the damage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The piece for the two fronts is now cut in half, ready to work on the next challenge of completing the piecing.<br />
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Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-80533620584684230252016-09-13T14:37:00.003-07:002016-09-13T14:37:44.727-07:00A New Stole is Designed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few weeks ago I received an inquiry from Jodi Keith of Cincinnati, OH (see <a href="http://www.pastorjodi.com/" target="_blank">Pastor Jodi's Blog</a>) asking about a red stole for her upcoming ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. After a few emails back and forth about how many ties to collect, her ordination date was confirmed and the commission was set in motion. Jodi collected ties from her family and friends, and I received them last week all neatly packaged and labelled. <br />
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I love to know where the ties have come from, and if some have more significance than others. This helps guide my design process. The ties aren't always a great fit for either the colour or design of the finished stole, however I can always find a place for that special tie. For this project I have a unique challenge--working in a navy striped tie that was Jodi's grandfather's. He wore it when he and her grandmother were married on October 20, 1930. The special challenge is that it has started to fall apart--I suspect the silk is weighted and thus deteriorates over time. <br />
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Even though this doesn't fit the colour scheme (red) and is damaged, I have an idea of how to deal with this, and will write about solutions in a later post.<br />
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Here is the collection of ties, washed and pressed. This also includes a gorgeous pieces of red shantung silk that is a great addition.<br />
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My ideas for the design start to percolate while I'm washing and ironing the ties. This is a good opportunity to look at all aspects of the tie, from the condition (stained? holes?) to the fabric design. Often a motif on a tie will suggest a design--two of the ties in this collection have potential in that regard, for example this tie with candles...<br />
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and another with school kids...<br />
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I then get my coloured pencils out and start playing with lines of colour, in this case red, red-orange and gold. Here are sketches #1 and #2...<br />
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And #3 and #4....<br />
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Jodi prefers the flow of line in #1 and the back from #4, so that's where I'm starting. <br />
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Something new in this process is that Jodi will be responding to my posts on her blog (<a href="http://www.pastorjodi.com/" target="_blank">Pastor Jodi's Blog</a>). Jodi is also a knitter and has in fact knit a couple of stoles for friends. Stay tuned and join us on this creative journey!</div>
Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-56713810156679438522016-05-21T21:35:00.001-07:002016-05-21T21:35:53.402-07:00The stole is about to be shipped!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzYQMWmrtMe9HTikDgv6OQU2UedO9go2GC8Vns9jNdAQJhXmYW1xd2H6ovAOhRoVvvkjraYOHVECnKtgb7d5mT0lyrDkymDSM5FBnxalMWvNjGbGdTVKp4bc00U4d7_J5sQNjwxZrldsf/s640/blogger-image--678098404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzYQMWmrtMe9HTikDgv6OQU2UedO9go2GC8Vns9jNdAQJhXmYW1xd2H6ovAOhRoVvvkjraYOHVECnKtgb7d5mT0lyrDkymDSM5FBnxalMWvNjGbGdTVKp4bc00U4d7_J5sQNjwxZrldsf/s640/blogger-image--678098404.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhQWhf1TS4MT2NwYzTWWkbINO8PQprLfxyfrnjPxAwuH4JGwklFxD0rkWoPpRuX8ZVs9LL0TH9EvI_Dg7KpRns7UlHnrBhgU_mpZ9ALp0IyFH86LJ4LyIHMgXecfqNoNiSay6nEkfgi55/s640/blogger-image--1338309920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhQWhf1TS4MT2NwYzTWWkbINO8PQprLfxyfrnjPxAwuH4JGwklFxD0rkWoPpRuX8ZVs9LL0TH9EvI_Dg7KpRns7UlHnrBhgU_mpZ9ALp0IyFH86LJ4LyIHMgXecfqNoNiSay6nEkfgi55/s640/blogger-image--1338309920.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL-FlXrtuwkGazu1htIkewUtpGRavijIeW0cBhhAHa6Hog7Gord4JcM04wLsqxQ7Fg5p90g3QFoUPa6U5sneAfMd1u6naRDyAj5hpgtcreUK03cNtcPVr6-Q5B-ap77eDChhVmS0KZore/s640/blogger-image--1059483437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL-FlXrtuwkGazu1htIkewUtpGRavijIeW0cBhhAHa6Hog7Gord4JcM04wLsqxQ7Fg5p90g3QFoUPa6U5sneAfMd1u6naRDyAj5hpgtcreUK03cNtcPVr6-Q5B-ap77eDChhVmS0KZore/s640/blogger-image--1059483437.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yJWGCZ4ukyzv8SNqDnJ3kAPwrNp34Tcefmlg6YV6-6I_X6chCorYrZjOpzQ0aux35iwh5OVJ4Ck_mifG6qjW3ed1zdnD-XYfzjDF30krdAVg0yqxlk9tb0FFIwTJq54NDYeroD8AtB6V/s640/blogger-image-1667694858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yJWGCZ4ukyzv8SNqDnJ3kAPwrNp34Tcefmlg6YV6-6I_X6chCorYrZjOpzQ0aux35iwh5OVJ4Ck_mifG6qjW3ed1zdnD-XYfzjDF30krdAVg0yqxlk9tb0FFIwTJq54NDYeroD8AtB6V/s640/blogger-image-1667694858.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm happy with this, and look forward to seeing a photo of the pastor wearing it! It will be given to him on June 5 in honour of his 25th anniversary of ordination.</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-91024414816959329942016-05-11T20:26:00.001-07:002016-05-11T20:26:04.535-07:00A TriquetraThe triquetra and cross on the centre back have been stitched down....<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SUk6FSnLv4dse_heJMvpXdESSmIGW98RFXSIF1RiV2sLMBXFo0TJzC9q6g4CIVTLq2OIolrIcH2RtrBtgTiXrneA-Ex_U3wN1B0o6P1bbjOhVvFfEClzzd_TuUPSFAWrXcbW_1lifpc/s640/blogger-image-2107678999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SUk6FSnLv4dse_heJMvpXdESSmIGW98RFXSIF1RiV2sLMBXFo0TJzC9q6g4CIVTLq2OIolrIcH2RtrBtgTiXrneA-Ex_U3wN1B0o6P1bbjOhVvFfEClzzd_TuUPSFAWrXcbW_1lifpc/s640/blogger-image-2107678999.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>(The triquetra pops up in many different cultures. Christians adopted it as a symbol of the Trinity, and a circle weaving over and under the interconnected loops is a sign of unity. For more info on this ancient symbol see <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triquetra" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triquetra</a>)</div><div><br></div><div>...and now I can turn my attention to the finishing...piping and lining. These two striped ties have made great piping!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCQ2hesEiV1mmU38RkOzJkjxkQQAAxQvSpuLQkM0mx8ZVJBYeMqfU1HtDQ8GTNvy9Js6G6qPnJ3YHf8B0A1zWr9CAVjwV4WzwjSypyVT9UiBpNrJn09WPArdiEQxxNTfOQAqbRdq4cYI/s640/blogger-image-1649420347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCQ2hesEiV1mmU38RkOzJkjxkQQAAxQvSpuLQkM0mx8ZVJBYeMqfU1HtDQ8GTNvy9Js6G6qPnJ3YHf8B0A1zWr9CAVjwV4WzwjSypyVT9UiBpNrJn09WPArdiEQxxNTfOQAqbRdq4cYI/s640/blogger-image-1649420347.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorZDnEqmZMCBRnDYUo5kLHtU84KiLMlAq42a_LcCOw_NRU9D5x9mn1OPWoWv2JkctlvQN5i2O3cT5TNw7PZ1e9QISSa24hyQNYsc7enmfKgbl4pisQVreZWmhzrZYEendX7pu6dhoOMU/s640/blogger-image--1134910946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorZDnEqmZMCBRnDYUo5kLHtU84KiLMlAq42a_LcCOw_NRU9D5x9mn1OPWoWv2JkctlvQN5i2O3cT5TNw7PZ1e9QISSa24hyQNYsc7enmfKgbl4pisQVreZWmhzrZYEendX7pu6dhoOMU/s640/blogger-image--1134910946.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next step will be to stitch the piping to the edges...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtfvzq8Ga2X-d0pVGaA-BFWQLNGlo3n3VAaV8g_0yj_2mzmimIrbLziBrpkWo3F5wvrZzG-2wP0HtUNgDDas5VkdYU46P1ohkbDxV9HmWGE6xVLd2rYvB-qBc_xPdoRyw2hQQDtRYGQw/s640/blogger-image-1820033471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtfvzq8Ga2X-d0pVGaA-BFWQLNGlo3n3VAaV8g_0yj_2mzmimIrbLziBrpkWo3F5wvrZzG-2wP0HtUNgDDas5VkdYU46P1ohkbDxV9HmWGE6xVLd2rYvB-qBc_xPdoRyw2hQQDtRYGQw/s640/blogger-image-1820033471.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-82722057319262031842016-05-10T13:30:00.001-07:002016-05-10T13:30:56.582-07:00A Stole For Ordinary Times, continued...This is a great collection of green neckties. Here's a view of the pieced fabric and a detail shot...before cutting into the two halves of the stole.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4D7-ZMo9-DzcA8zfh84QYC_oMy4IuvehWCZY7lKB2e4_WBiT6on28jBr9CGtLzSJky7PY-qT4hL_mXiEmyyjniNijszONHy9AWqNI7KxNpjqfLLn9gp6GekwwqEP1s2yAms_2z4SP7g/s640/blogger-image-1191233855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4D7-ZMo9-DzcA8zfh84QYC_oMy4IuvehWCZY7lKB2e4_WBiT6on28jBr9CGtLzSJky7PY-qT4hL_mXiEmyyjniNijszONHy9AWqNI7KxNpjqfLLn9gp6GekwwqEP1s2yAms_2z4SP7g/s640/blogger-image-1191233855.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3TEWZ2LfftyOVZb2czka1oP7THqUyEp9JMW0PACj8IhVeqW_b4tLx6Uo5aA8E-6-165GT43JrCkudkHb8tiSVNK5ozVEzUBWE0OTQFl61UzxJWV-RaUUte1B78zFbvFaNkctOROsnn4/s640/blogger-image--1789618688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3TEWZ2LfftyOVZb2czka1oP7THqUyEp9JMW0PACj8IhVeqW_b4tLx6Uo5aA8E-6-165GT43JrCkudkHb8tiSVNK5ozVEzUBWE0OTQFl61UzxJWV-RaUUte1B78zFbvFaNkctOROsnn4/s640/blogger-image--1789618688.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Ignore the tape measure across the fabric!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-WVH6oF1sNC-rb0v65MYQAfV278XWJVVMSZaN8gZ5zeQb0sP08TxnUr4hiTR19vyte0M-DhjK1eK9YZnnseYvdxZkojQbHQ17O3O7fHAr_kHjBYgAcCiRMmcoGGGm1l5rS_hyphenhyphenQMFmVI/s640/blogger-image--2040295221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-WVH6oF1sNC-rb0v65MYQAfV278XWJVVMSZaN8gZ5zeQb0sP08TxnUr4hiTR19vyte0M-DhjK1eK9YZnnseYvdxZkojQbHQ17O3O7fHAr_kHjBYgAcCiRMmcoGGGm1l5rS_hyphenhyphenQMFmVI/s640/blogger-image--2040295221.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The client has chosen a pointed back which allows a little more room for the cross. A "triquetra" background was requested, along with a type of Celtic cross. Here are some images where I tried out the arrangement. The cross will be created from gold metallic fabric, and embellished with stitching.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nKeXyinfrpPJFMDuZmvRbCpX_OXyiLV8ck9M9PFOpXo8cMH5OLvjXSAc5jrOL69IqME8xacNGdKYCy-Q0N2bjhDf_a1ce3NjSimWH_ftQqekEBHlJLnJVp38-mHzYriZCeAjlDdFdLU/s640/blogger-image-2029993311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nKeXyinfrpPJFMDuZmvRbCpX_OXyiLV8ck9M9PFOpXo8cMH5OLvjXSAc5jrOL69IqME8xacNGdKYCy-Q0N2bjhDf_a1ce3NjSimWH_ftQqekEBHlJLnJVp38-mHzYriZCeAjlDdFdLU/s640/blogger-image-2029993311.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The triquetra has been created from bias strips of a soft gold necktie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH1PbgMFAQrXoIr3Aj0pm0cMgyCRHGsUDXAFkdpa8Qi5yy9hjeRgxuU3zkeAxI5lJSz5rWxbEn0Gr142_6ohKDVIM3-1N0dNEjdi06u5Vm10cbgz6452dIQFQbosImFY919u0TLVU7_k/s640/blogger-image--1149113818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH1PbgMFAQrXoIr3Aj0pm0cMgyCRHGsUDXAFkdpa8Qi5yy9hjeRgxuU3zkeAxI5lJSz5rWxbEn0Gr142_6ohKDVIM3-1N0dNEjdi06u5Vm10cbgz6452dIQFQbosImFY919u0TLVU7_k/s640/blogger-image--1149113818.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-64592876145046291142016-05-01T15:16:00.001-07:002016-05-01T15:16:01.411-07:00Stitching a Green StoleI had a good day in the studio today working with these wonderful materials...<div><br></div><div>A good start:<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8LyOan7pQdVB1Ue5_vcg_BT_y-9iDzFZX17_r-os86axFDtLg3lpP8w_X4Ge5gavUtYdghYJdIXfZcAtftCOIg5RBjqslg8vyCsmBVsscnIyyMG1hxL9PPpgvCwT-bqasIq67joO-EE/s640/blogger-image-1192342212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8LyOan7pQdVB1Ue5_vcg_BT_y-9iDzFZX17_r-os86axFDtLg3lpP8w_X4Ge5gavUtYdghYJdIXfZcAtftCOIg5RBjqslg8vyCsmBVsscnIyyMG1hxL9PPpgvCwT-bqasIq67joO-EE/s640/blogger-image-1192342212.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Midway:<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitROa8USji13z3KUvsbKm9WD_zbqpmPxd1vPzkRWRm3rg3f4gtN2xZ6-T8_IGfz2y90SLldpAf5UiehtaZAR0MHnBbBOCCxSFVOzMCXojdkzSbSoyKPvETcJ8NWEjgdqU55qJzi1JnDoU/s640/blogger-image--1023004611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitROa8USji13z3KUvsbKm9WD_zbqpmPxd1vPzkRWRm3rg3f4gtN2xZ6-T8_IGfz2y90SLldpAf5UiehtaZAR0MHnBbBOCCxSFVOzMCXojdkzSbSoyKPvETcJ8NWEjgdqU55qJzi1JnDoU/s640/blogger-image--1023004611.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The piecing is almost complete:<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlm1FU5xgdcGcCd9Z9WcSHTOP8B4MA6EloCpZnQrYqUzK4yW-o4IfZXAeVecSexqG5byKahHqrOp5Hvag1sVkg5z7X-JmXjBUpoiStZFnnNNHFMy4lYj_I6s3govYdv90f1Yrt0W8aVI/s640/blogger-image--570479970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlm1FU5xgdcGcCd9Z9WcSHTOP8B4MA6EloCpZnQrYqUzK4yW-o4IfZXAeVecSexqG5byKahHqrOp5Hvag1sVkg5z7X-JmXjBUpoiStZFnnNNHFMy4lYj_I6s3govYdv90f1Yrt0W8aVI/s640/blogger-image--570479970.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next decision to be made is whether or not the back will be triangular or round. I am waiting to hear back from the commissioner.</div></div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-2462823755341701072016-05-01T07:03:00.001-07:002016-05-01T07:03:05.535-07:00A Green Stole for Ordinary TimesA new commission is underway. This stole is in honour of a pastor's 25th anniversary with the church, and will be made from neckties collected by the congregation. The first step in the process is to take the ties apart and wash them...<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhnAbPe7ZxuAXZ0YMZ_z7n0ZbyH-f7p8-ZuzpbDTyxk3vUm65k_eUp8HbIXGP3LqHJCKesp0KvR_Jns47FDOdi90mRb6gIsiMydf0kaIkEm2KeQKTCg_g0EyQKaIRe66LDTehjLaJGN0/s640/blogger-image-953688195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhnAbPe7ZxuAXZ0YMZ_z7n0ZbyH-f7p8-ZuzpbDTyxk3vUm65k_eUp8HbIXGP3LqHJCKesp0KvR_Jns47FDOdi90mRb6gIsiMydf0kaIkEm2KeQKTCg_g0EyQKaIRe66LDTehjLaJGN0/s640/blogger-image-953688195.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And meanwhile to think about the design....</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU6ROqHXsjM6MqAAoU0pwDWYEaIAiAiFv25KfrS_ARaGmKXDt0Cfkv2nkIDUivf29RIQ3V4t2iXD3nTYZGCqr3ODj468qKZ1oODMymfy_Gij_ABTlVK9ZOkHax7r3kgVxDzH7C8UK4Mg/s640/blogger-image-78103294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU6ROqHXsjM6MqAAoU0pwDWYEaIAiAiFv25KfrS_ARaGmKXDt0Cfkv2nkIDUivf29RIQ3V4t2iXD3nTYZGCqr3ODj468qKZ1oODMymfy_Gij_ABTlVK9ZOkHax7r3kgVxDzH7C8UK4Mg/s640/blogger-image-78103294.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Design #2 has been chosen, and now it's time to get to work!</div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-84955942543175266472016-03-03T18:55:00.001-08:002016-03-03T18:55:17.866-08:00The Ultimate PostWe're home now after a 14.5 hour flight from Sydney to Vancouver, and thanks to crossing the International Date Line, we have had a very long March 3rd. I've had a three hour nap and am hoping to go to bed at my usual time tonight.<div><br></div><div><div>Random reflections upon leaving Sydney, Australia</div><div><br></div><div>Australian slang and nicknames.... </div><div>-"septic tank" = Yank</div><div>-"budgie smuggler" = male speedo swim suit</div><div>-"bonzer" (pronounced bonz-uh) = fabulous, excellent, great</div><div>-"Nuns in a scrum" = Sydney Opera House</div><div>-"Bucket on a pole" = Sydney Tower</div><div>-"Coat Hanger" = Sydney Harbour Bridge</div><div>-"The Toaster" = the apartment buildings beside the opera house (Google "Toaster apartments Sydney" for images)</div><div>-"Sydney Lace" = the elegant and elaborate wrought iron railings on Victorian and Edwardian terrace houses</div><div><br></div><div>British influences in architecture and town planning...</div><div>-innumerable streets named after royalty (Kent, Clarence, George, Victoria to name just a few) and military officers...the name Flinders has kept popping up...streets, roads, university, schools, hospitals, and geographic landmarks such as the Flinders Range north of Adelaide and Flinders Island north of Tasmania. Matthew Flinders was a British naval officer who was the first to circumnavigate Australia around the turn of the 19th C, often in a row boat, mapping the coastline. "Macquarie" is another one--he was the governor in the early 19thC.</div><div>-London place names, e.g. Paddington, Piccadilly, Hyde Park (including a Speaker's Corner), St. James</div><div>-statues of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, King George and others</div><div>-early Victorian row housing made of bricks, and very unsuitable for this climate. This is Susanna Place Museum...these four houses were built in 1844 (two rooms up and two rooms down, kitchens in the basement, with flush toilets and bathrooms added on at the back more than 60 years later) and were occupied until the 1980s.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNylAAXC1hYSsV22Ir5z10e-G6Pyq9nK24F_cUWK1aaWU1lK_NHpz0RMdp8t3DYIrhfD5XTScWmRmCYfCjDQBVrRnVaGIbvlhy35pg2CHD_weM7f7MLA0DNfa-7MZkpO9I3aiVYZvsc48/s640/blogger-image-1364446217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNylAAXC1hYSsV22Ir5z10e-G6Pyq9nK24F_cUWK1aaWU1lK_NHpz0RMdp8t3DYIrhfD5XTScWmRmCYfCjDQBVrRnVaGIbvlhy35pg2CHD_weM7f7MLA0DNfa-7MZkpO9I3aiVYZvsc48/s640/blogger-image-1364446217.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Terrace houses were later modified by adding verandas with curved roofs, and elegant wrought iron railings. Suburbs close to the CBD are still full of these terraces. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick3C7JH5Xm_70dsNrmz3zmmSRERSNk-UA_hlUk0NiB7QibkqA1V6G9mhL-UcVem2-m83POmY6upuRoVcY06zjcWowAPuYPU3gWcwSInqeHABCbi1ENgpWVmSQA758Zkg7f0eZmnIMoYM/s640/blogger-image--1984189491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick3C7JH5Xm_70dsNrmz3zmmSRERSNk-UA_hlUk0NiB7QibkqA1V6G9mhL-UcVem2-m83POmY6upuRoVcY06zjcWowAPuYPU3gWcwSInqeHABCbi1ENgpWVmSQA758Zkg7f0eZmnIMoYM/s640/blogger-image--1984189491.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Along the harbour, they are being threatened with demolition because property values have skyrocketed. This is particularly evident in The Rocks, an inner city neighbourhood which has long housed people of low socioeconomic status (originally dock workers).</div><div>-Grand buildings in the CBD made of honey-coloured sandstone with elaborate carvings above the doors and windows. This is the former Post Office built in the 1860s. On the left is a very well dressed city woman buying stamps and on the right is a country woman excitedly greeting the postman (letters would arrive infrequently)...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmsbVNihTET_1RO5l5xLs1jc-kDt48Qg9JoWFtAzEgfnTevCAbcrrh7KXTu2w8Tr7fL6DcmPQ1NVzMZUic5EikMPEIzDwusY-yFJ0ULxW4Q7tBoiLQoOfuoT1mhu6RW5eo62yHN8EaKM/s640/blogger-image-1215935982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmsbVNihTET_1RO5l5xLs1jc-kDt48Qg9JoWFtAzEgfnTevCAbcrrh7KXTu2w8Tr7fL6DcmPQ1NVzMZUic5EikMPEIzDwusY-yFJ0ULxW4Q7tBoiLQoOfuoT1mhu6RW5eo62yHN8EaKM/s640/blogger-image-1215935982.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Birds that whistle, chirp, laugh and squawk...Kookaburra, Gullah, cockatiel, cockatoo, pigeons, parrots, and Ravens... Even in the city they woke me up just before dawn.</div><div><br></div><div>Sydney traffic!! In spite of what appears to be a complex public transport system of ferries, buses, trains and light rail, there are huge numbers of cars driving into the city every morning. The cement infrastructure--flyovers, bridges and tunnels--is immense.</div><div><br></div><div>Wednesday was our last day in Sydney, and we took the bus out to Bondi Beach...lots of surfers in the water, but few swimmers--currents too strong...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR18h9gvcCh6IuYpDlu1IQpCGpmkoKvHYrKs-NcHoG5MX067Wmb3AOC7imcKUGe-hxl-dDGXuhh-LcSmSMIql4CSy25lBhGH3bxsn6jDP3hYfSSlMV1uGgC15qkofAAqthyphenhyphenNO-u2TwRqc/s640/blogger-image--1575382191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR18h9gvcCh6IuYpDlu1IQpCGpmkoKvHYrKs-NcHoG5MX067Wmb3AOC7imcKUGe-hxl-dDGXuhh-LcSmSMIql4CSy25lBhGH3bxsn6jDP3hYfSSlMV1uGgC15qkofAAqthyphenhyphenNO-u2TwRqc/s640/blogger-image--1575382191.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>...and walked a couple of kilometres around the headland to Bronte for lunch. The sandstone formations are very reminiscent of the Gulf Islands...we could be at Malaspina Galleries on Gabriola Island!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKhhmSz5mBVsSgHbkznyTYxRJ3TJaat1QuzRLmQvHmEzUQ0vmfaapAmpaoNoBDypk0_8la6bZb8pH-Stjgua0KVXF3UdzIWGjr1Novou32w8quDQ1UBEvbPaIMuNOCK1tzasNW2mqBWg/s640/blogger-image-451783465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKhhmSz5mBVsSgHbkznyTYxRJ3TJaat1QuzRLmQvHmEzUQ0vmfaapAmpaoNoBDypk0_8la6bZb8pH-Stjgua0KVXF3UdzIWGjr1Novou32w8quDQ1UBEvbPaIMuNOCK1tzasNW2mqBWg/s640/blogger-image-451783465.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Farewell Sydney!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimijFV-0oVyquQMtZwH2E7MGxeKUvghEE9PIGOl13H1AJ0jws51mguLHyJgg3J4KJMkJ4SLk5qBLS_bsMkIOIwaWmSmHUV9a5LILy7rm_JbTedvkfxlacqKHEJu-78ydagXTOg9mr5wIE/s640/blogger-image--1135274315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimijFV-0oVyquQMtZwH2E7MGxeKUvghEE9PIGOl13H1AJ0jws51mguLHyJgg3J4KJMkJ4SLk5qBLS_bsMkIOIwaWmSmHUV9a5LILy7rm_JbTedvkfxlacqKHEJu-78ydagXTOg9mr5wIE/s640/blogger-image--1135274315.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-75475690021255394022016-02-29T14:49:00.001-08:002016-02-29T14:49:22.666-08:00Sydney<div>We have been staying at the Admiral Collingwood Lodge (http://www.admiralcollingwoodlodge.com.au/) in the suburb of Drummoyne since last Wednesday, our longest stop in any one place for the last three months. It's a great place...less than 10 minute walk to the ferry and less than 5 minutes to major bus routes and grocery stores, etc., a lovely neighbourhood for an eight day stay. The Lodge is a Victorian "Italianate" mansion and has been nicely renovated. Bathrooms and kitchen are shared facilities, and all is in good order, unlike some places where we've shared kitchens with people who don't have the same eye to hygiene as I do! I have been able to get up every morning just after 6 AM and sit on the first floor veranda, behind the bougainvillea...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlwFBh6sb2C0Kb5och_GLQFHN7Ome3xzZ64wZwIrg8_ru7zv9xerxlO5oTSy1QfG0BlcteGfuBEHYdYHMOiXkF5S5iGGcN7FOXvntiTPpo9rjlONX8KeaBdfaCRO1bzJKoyFWoLxZ72I/s640/blogger-image--166165413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlwFBh6sb2C0Kb5och_GLQFHN7Ome3xzZ64wZwIrg8_ru7zv9xerxlO5oTSy1QfG0BlcteGfuBEHYdYHMOiXkF5S5iGGcN7FOXvntiTPpo9rjlONX8KeaBdfaCRO1bzJKoyFWoLxZ72I/s640/blogger-image--166165413.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>...with my knitting and watch the sunrise over the centre of the city (aka the CBD)...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJI9Dhnc6qxOrizzUZAUEZoX2umeBGA4NfUwibqF57zR8QhIOusFygLOTPLiQfT4l9sHgerAjo_k_bY9HBkWe2VxVz7RcrBigvD20s_C64ktdLHkEcjsOynLTMYIbG22-latT34DnIow/s640/blogger-image-2083335727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJI9Dhnc6qxOrizzUZAUEZoX2umeBGA4NfUwibqF57zR8QhIOusFygLOTPLiQfT4l9sHgerAjo_k_bY9HBkWe2VxVz7RcrBigvD20s_C64ktdLHkEcjsOynLTMYIbG22-latT34DnIow/s640/blogger-image-2083335727.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We have enjoyed the ferry rides to and from the city...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiIsU7MD24acPzZCXjOmDtFfbRU_GtGwz-ON144pvXYhMF0DzNdPyfZAOkG6Z_TodAqe6UpPF5-VdQ4lkxZwGkGE3XPYASbNreffja5RyO27JtWLIdDQvbQcOIIUmgNIxslKqEKHbmDw/s640/blogger-image-1623835239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiIsU7MD24acPzZCXjOmDtFfbRU_GtGwz-ON144pvXYhMF0DzNdPyfZAOkG6Z_TodAqe6UpPF5-VdQ4lkxZwGkGE3XPYASbNreffja5RyO27JtWLIdDQvbQcOIIUmgNIxslKqEKHbmDw/s640/blogger-image-1623835239.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>And have learned a lot about the European settlement (convicts, free settlers and other immigrants) from 1788 and on. The museums here are wonderful, and we have also enjoyed a couple of walking tours, both on our own and escorted. The architecture is eclectic, from 19th C sandstone buildings (quarried nearby) to Victorian terraced housing, <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">modern skyscrapers and towers, shorter Art Deco buildings, cathedrals, and of course the iconic Opera House...</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzQ-7Gkiuy0U43At1OtU0ezCB3HReQTWjcMrkuNjmACvNIdNHyTK2Qh_IkCQraIKF5z4nUisqycoF72TLehMkcduneWd5YMNmce3pt50tlAgbQ8W88C1_cLYxUUE8eB3lnY8-IHQJNuQ/s640/blogger-image-1835198142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzQ-7Gkiuy0U43At1OtU0ezCB3HReQTWjcMrkuNjmACvNIdNHyTK2Qh_IkCQraIKF5z4nUisqycoF72TLehMkcduneWd5YMNmce3pt50tlAgbQ8W88C1_cLYxUUE8eB3lnY8-IHQJNuQ/s640/blogger-image-1835198142.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNREjGd4elCHTfwR0Dgt910q4asIUr0kloqxAf4yTZyA-Pj07TazxzDKSRll3_E4BKdiTJUx8GRPaynT82r6gGbxi2Yr0GDKj3Kt9K4XLWR8-a4ieu1rkDX7gKiOeO8Or2Vrv3VWO_S58/s640/blogger-image-1388249161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNREjGd4elCHTfwR0Dgt910q4asIUr0kloqxAf4yTZyA-Pj07TazxzDKSRll3_E4BKdiTJUx8GRPaynT82r6gGbxi2Yr0GDKj3Kt9K4XLWR8-a4ieu1rkDX7gKiOeO8Or2Vrv3VWO_S58/s640/blogger-image-1388249161.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>...where we enjoyed both a tour in and around the complex...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KFKkbgqOYCR4r3Z08CzKOFbRCXY7MMqzPt38DFNrRdIV0vJuLTjCzLwWizSWRDncRjUCeEfhFUaQbYwjkWWxemwT9mYlbxknqDUowSEK3z7swSLZhbPanmBi50djZW6g4qIlC08uUdY/s640/blogger-image-1242141610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KFKkbgqOYCR4r3Z08CzKOFbRCXY7MMqzPt38DFNrRdIV0vJuLTjCzLwWizSWRDncRjUCeEfhFUaQbYwjkWWxemwT9mYlbxknqDUowSEK3z7swSLZhbPanmBi50djZW6g4qIlC08uUdY/s640/blogger-image-1242141610.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>...as well as a performance of "The Pearlfishers" Saturday afternoon. The story of the design and construction of the Opera House was almost as dramatic as an opera. The Danish architect submitted the winning design without being certain that it could be built, and it took him three years to figure it out (using the geometry of a sphere), and meanwhile construction had started on the base. Cost overruns were enormous,and the architect either quit or was fired before it was done. However it really is a magnificent building with multiple small and large performance spaces, and a diverse program. Scheduled this week were two operas, symphony and jazz trumpet (Winton Marselis), Romeo and Juliet, an X-rated cabaret, a family Disney program, and more.</div><div><br></div><div>Being so close to the ocean, we took the ferry out to Manly Beach which is as close to the mouth of the harbour as you can get on a ferry. It was a very hot day and we were looking forward to jumping into the water, but it was cold! We didn't stay in long. For warmer waters, we would have to go further north to Queensland...that will have to wait for next time.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxNyvE8tlwHUZOWDy50ZAFn3H0RPeaUUNQE7SFqoGTsT1qhF28iUGQG7-DYnAupZFV-Jnu7OSop6jsNkH7e6hdajU1mlMCLBLu5a2p8a9M_w71uzPFf0638Q4EW9udPhXdOyl1gkkEf8/s640/blogger-image-443392602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxNyvE8tlwHUZOWDy50ZAFn3H0RPeaUUNQE7SFqoGTsT1qhF28iUGQG7-DYnAupZFV-Jnu7OSop6jsNkH7e6hdajU1mlMCLBLu5a2p8a9M_w71uzPFf0638Q4EW9udPhXdOyl1gkkEf8/s640/blogger-image-443392602.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Today we are travelling the opposite direction up river as far as we can go by ferry, and then take the bus or train back. We have Opal cards for public transport...it's a smart card that you load up with funds, then tap on and off. Makes getting around very easy, and we're hoping to get out to the airport on Thursday with very little $$ left on the cards. We will see... </div><div><br></div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-41866892954888493672016-02-23T13:31:00.001-08:002016-02-23T13:31:46.529-08:00Canberra<div><br></div><div>We had thought we would be making the rounds of the national museums and galleries, however instead we immersed ourselves in the parliamentary culture and history of Australia. We stayed two nights with new friends and ATC hosts, Susan and Duncan in a suburb about 13 km south of the city. They live in a townhouse overlooking a lake, complete with backyard garden of tomatoes, squash, raspberries and three chickens named K, F and C who each lay one egg a day. When in this very private back yard, it was difficult to remember that there were neighbours close by.</div><div><br></div><div>Canberra, the capital of Australia, is a planned city developed in this location in the 20th C because of the rivalry and competition between Sydney and Melbourne. Australia became an independent nation in 1901 when all the former colonies joined together in a federation. Have a look at the map of Canberra and environs... (This is a screen shot from a map app, Maps.me)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7A7o2thSyFwpe7pjOriu2OLPRVsrC1J60R-K4h1OLTho_nHymH0kVIvdUibHbhEiba5fuhVNzunq_Gcq3aVgtgaQ-HU24JZNVik5co-re93vSWrbLe3wETqtJkBzxGOnonWvMqMDji8/s640/blogger-image--449941792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7A7o2thSyFwpe7pjOriu2OLPRVsrC1J60R-K4h1OLTho_nHymH0kVIvdUibHbhEiba5fuhVNzunq_Gcq3aVgtgaQ-HU24JZNVik5co-re93vSWrbLe3wETqtJkBzxGOnonWvMqMDji8/s640/blogger-image--449941792.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It is a web of interconnected Expressways, Parkways, and Drives lined with lots of trees, with two concentric circles around the Parliamentary buildings on Capital Hill. There are lots of trees, most of them recognizable to us as deciduous trees from the Northern Hemisphere. The trees effectively screen the suburbs, neighbourhoods and towns from the expressways, so it's not until leaving these main roads did we get a sense of how the neighbourhoods are laid out...in pods of curving streets.</div><div>We parked in the "Parliamentary Triangle", a large leafy and shaded space, first stopping into the High Court to enjoy its majestic architecture and then walking up to the "new" parliament (dating from the 1980s) on the top of the hill. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGpsFHsw58TUHc-W9JOclv-WZphPjvXig1RvWQr7I674S4kU6o1AwiuBuePRdV1RO_ul7aaKCCwUVaD15ds6fcDoqUmldfwQJoSYqH_soj-eKMNCPaQ_yHeYx5Y7e9hdDY0y_cZROFUg/s640/blogger-image--2050020618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGpsFHsw58TUHc-W9JOclv-WZphPjvXig1RvWQr7I674S4kU6o1AwiuBuePRdV1RO_ul7aaKCCwUVaD15ds6fcDoqUmldfwQJoSYqH_soj-eKMNCPaQ_yHeYx5Y7e9hdDY0y_cZROFUg/s640/blogger-image--2050020618.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We were in time for the free 11 am tour, and one of its highlights was seeing this enormous woven tapestry of a bush scene hanging in the Great Hall. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2771f8Zi5PFnqJ4WkA1pD9cYPz7SEBytm2atatdWyB4AycVLHY5IQWCT1Xtz_pMgjdKE_bKk1ERWyyA4zjCUDWm0Nz1AcxCalQsrjm6F9fEzorIhOV8Z66N1jms23I4BczhB9yOv4MBc/s640/blogger-image--341798940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2771f8Zi5PFnqJ4WkA1pD9cYPz7SEBytm2atatdWyB4AycVLHY5IQWCT1Xtz_pMgjdKE_bKk1ERWyyA4zjCUDWm0Nz1AcxCalQsrjm6F9fEzorIhOV8Z66N1jms23I4BczhB9yOv4MBc/s640/blogger-image--341798940.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We enjoyed the tour so much we signed up for the paid "behind the scenes" tour at noon, getting a good dose of Australian history. And in between we also went up by the roof for a good look, then to the cafe for lunch, and finally Question Period at 2 pm which was just as raucous and unruly as the BC Legislature and Canadian Parliament. We'd had enough within about 15 minutes. </div><div>Out the front doors looking towards the "old" parliament (now a fascinating museum of Democracy including a good section on the Magna Carta and why it is important)...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICSDzePpeIqqRMKGg2U4_mfgU4d-LmcCxPF0x_Eqq4kkvdPcNYoZ83Mmx_EpkfVGXknb1vJtbFKNaTncJZeRqT3ShSKzzAONKu3PxyxhkVM3AzfxvUh1ymt0aUlqOZhSWZd1FTu3nj6Q/s640/blogger-image-988514032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICSDzePpeIqqRMKGg2U4_mfgU4d-LmcCxPF0x_Eqq4kkvdPcNYoZ83Mmx_EpkfVGXknb1vJtbFKNaTncJZeRqT3ShSKzzAONKu3PxyxhkVM3AzfxvUh1ymt0aUlqOZhSWZd1FTu3nj6Q/s640/blogger-image-988514032.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>In the background is the War Memorial just below Mount Ainslie, and so we drove up there next to get a good view looking back...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kprAcya0zB-vlgpozq1fkvs5tbBNE8uOZBuHZXyEYQyuo7o_PwRlJlusGiS8tsK1oJbQJZVsL_Mx_vw516Rkg-AkZBsDJnj_b53QI_d_oBcE3bmGs-7flJKvWfjg9PgIbyaN41CR_DM/s640/blogger-image--1258189619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kprAcya0zB-vlgpozq1fkvs5tbBNE8uOZBuHZXyEYQyuo7o_PwRlJlusGiS8tsK1oJbQJZVsL_Mx_vw516Rkg-AkZBsDJnj_b53QI_d_oBcE3bmGs-7flJKvWfjg9PgIbyaN41CR_DM/s640/blogger-image--1258189619.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Yesterday we drove through the hills to Wollongong which is on the coast about an hour and half south of Sydney. We wanted to be within striking distance because we have to drop the car off by noon, but first want to drive into the city and leave all our stuff at the hotel. It's hot here! Yesterday the temp was in the mid 30s and one of the first things we did was go to the beach, a five minute walk away. I then sat in my damp bathing suit with my knitting in the shade...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz2djxxRo_YqWvh0_SKk3fTc12YaP-t2Cmc6LmuCIKsm7LYiZoc4jbzHan-3-1NPs7KEicc2R2z1yKBbPGJIWVa03TiFX_Ukps2avgtyLZU94eg_4eK4fJdt5yOdmnk4yHSZhpCg-JJk/s640/blogger-image-871464814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz2djxxRo_YqWvh0_SKk3fTc12YaP-t2Cmc6LmuCIKsm7LYiZoc4jbzHan-3-1NPs7KEicc2R2z1yKBbPGJIWVa03TiFX_Ukps2avgtyLZU94eg_4eK4fJdt5yOdmnk4yHSZhpCg-JJk/s640/blogger-image-871464814.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Next posts from Sydney!</div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-42788858633273017132016-02-20T17:52:00.001-08:002016-02-20T17:52:40.354-08:00In the Snowy Mountains<div>We booked in for three nights in a cottage in the village of Khancoban on the eastern slopes of the Snowy Mountains and near the headwaters of the Murray. We were at the river's mouth just over a week ago, and now here we are near its origin. It has felt a bit like tracing the Fraser or the Columbia Rivers in BC...similar stories of navigation, resource extraction, irrigation and agriculture, hydro power, fisheries, and environmental impact.</div><div><br></div><div>We are definitely off the tourist track here in Khancoban. Constructed in the early 1960s to provide accommodation and services to the people building the Snowy Hydro dams nearby, Khancoban is a shadow of its former self. In its heyday, the population was well over 5000 people from all over the world (much like Kitimat, BC attracting workers from war torn Europe). Now it's way less than 500 ("including the cats and dogs!", said my informant with a grin). There is a large hotel complex which has been shut down and abandoned (across the road from our cottage behind the rose garden)...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08DcgNJDTCXgJzOI8yGTsJ1dYTwzEp_vUFegp1si8evq_PXipCD3ku1dfPic06LW2I_E6Xj7hzn4lliMfHhxceNQ09SY-V7ZpgszgMTo-uqS2VB2ZnBaGu33PcUG3BxUX7oqDea91tDQ/s640/blogger-image--907659132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08DcgNJDTCXgJzOI8yGTsJ1dYTwzEp_vUFegp1si8evq_PXipCD3ku1dfPic06LW2I_E6Xj7hzn4lliMfHhxceNQ09SY-V7ZpgszgMTo-uqS2VB2ZnBaGu33PcUG3BxUX7oqDea91tDQ/s640/blogger-image--907659132.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>...which had been built to provide accommodation to single men working on the dam. There are empty store fronts, and large grassy expanses with no buildings (where there might once have been?) The general store has recently closed, and there's a sign in the window of the cafe next door that they now sell bread and milk. The next town of any size is Corryong about 25 km away, and this is where people shop and find other services. There's a small elementary school (called "primary" in Australia) for kids ages 5 to 12 and it struggles to stay viable, and the high school kids are bussed to Corryong. Once a dam is built it doesn't need a lot of workers to run it. There was probably hope that Khancoban could reinvent itself as a tourist hub because a big ski hill is about 75 km away, however we went over that narrow, twisting road (The Alpine Way) yesterday and I would hate to do it in snow! Apparently coach tours used to stop here,but that road proved too dangerous. It is extremely popular with motorcyclists.</div><div><br></div><div>Hydro electric power is the big deal here in the Snowy Mountains. Just like on the Columbia River in the BC Kootenays, in the 1950s and 60s dams were built on rivers, and other rivers were diverted through long tunnels into the two main watersheds on the western slopes. There are several power stations that are mainly used to provide peak-demand electricity. Towns that were once on the riverbanks were re-established on higher ground next to the new lakes. Snowy Hydro is required to release a certain amount of water to be used for irrigation each year--this is stored downstream behind a series of dams and weirs and is controlled by the irrigation authorities.</div><div><br></div><div>On Friday we drove right up into Mount Kusciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains and had a pleasant walk beside the Thredbo River.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C8yKJBIASl4JEMjfLVjciwT-ifRZ2u_sjYLfCJgWcRHoC-HkbR2_a_epdgTZ_W1J0Gd0naxLjjcGhwVJnadtK02kmQTFYgGtHaf-X91NlndtOLwqO1GT_ufA2r1h9_HF2E12kxQlhPI/s640/blogger-image-1042109534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C8yKJBIASl4JEMjfLVjciwT-ifRZ2u_sjYLfCJgWcRHoC-HkbR2_a_epdgTZ_W1J0Gd0naxLjjcGhwVJnadtK02kmQTFYgGtHaf-X91NlndtOLwqO1GT_ufA2r1h9_HF2E12kxQlhPI/s640/blogger-image-1042109534.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A fire swept through this area about 13 years ago, killing the Snow Gum trees but causing their seeds to germinate. The white snags remain and there is abundant growth coming up around the trees. This is yet another reason these mountains are named Snowy! (At least IMHO)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbXmqgsoFqHaxRMFDUNn5Vup-piiHkKPrA7pulU17faC8rh_Rb4ST7RgI1XrJk6L5_vDxPUJ4EwZcgWWzfy9LauOR-5sC7mcCae0C6F21V0FCeEbgfLcegfnQbrrWviBp2snGzc13fqs/s640/blogger-image-711244473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbXmqgsoFqHaxRMFDUNn5Vup-piiHkKPrA7pulU17faC8rh_Rb4ST7RgI1XrJk6L5_vDxPUJ4EwZcgWWzfy9LauOR-5sC7mcCae0C6F21V0FCeEbgfLcegfnQbrrWviBp2snGzc13fqs/s640/blogger-image-711244473.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This has been a relaxing three days, complete with knitting on the deck every morning and evening.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYflVI5tTc_IkPnQ6rBIrUai27VGIo3dBaPxZfGtdT28irwGs2SZ_RwdYKVi3RcsjkJe3PJ5yWYwQmxkysTjsT_1N2NQxnYrQrADncexegMfuyOf_U1nxZmxj1Uhr2SXRA2ZqadkY-wz0/s640/blogger-image-1236831012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYflVI5tTc_IkPnQ6rBIrUai27VGIo3dBaPxZfGtdT28irwGs2SZ_RwdYKVi3RcsjkJe3PJ5yWYwQmxkysTjsT_1N2NQxnYrQrADncexegMfuyOf_U1nxZmxj1Uhr2SXRA2ZqadkY-wz0/s640/blogger-image-1236831012.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>An added bonus are the kangaroos which come hopping through the grassy stretch beside the cabin around sundown. I had hoped to include a photo of them but you'll just have to use your imagination!</div><div><br></div><div>Next stop, Canberra, the nation's capital where we will indulge in museums and galleries.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-68752006290947787432016-02-19T16:07:00.001-08:002016-02-19T16:07:20.477-08:00A pleasant lunch stop in the Murray valley<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Thursday, on our way here, we had a delightful lunch stop near Rutherglen. Around noon we started looking for picnic spots, and I suggested to Lloyd that we look for a winery to do some tasting at the same time. We had great luck. We turned into a winery named "Olive Hills". As we drove up the long dusty driveway, I wondered if it was even open for tasting and sales. We passed vines that appeared to be neglected and dried up.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KcUY04fX7LW5ZB65KWQGe3Mi1p_bV1PrFNd6C7XNNdlWkwbX2mp6GPeByc6Dmp8oRs3oFFyQ1YXxvySYVvxmoKMZFn1et_KR0Yms-7JiVofNdQv-vMDKLWNmqKeXrOoCVs_EOBBU9gM/s640/blogger-image-1003340771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KcUY04fX7LW5ZB65KWQGe3Mi1p_bV1PrFNd6C7XNNdlWkwbX2mp6GPeByc6Dmp8oRs3oFFyQ1YXxvySYVvxmoKMZFn1et_KR0Yms-7JiVofNdQv-vMDKLWNmqKeXrOoCVs_EOBBU9gM/s640/blogger-image-1003340771.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We arrived at the cellar door...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnp5OH1612L_DDUYJU-8QNIp8HM52VO4r1Heppf8l4aZVlDQdbJjHLEUzhNx8Xedqjxt66LX7KcjuaiU1NUPPfNCoSsS2nSqM6IWUBB2MZxgFSkPOaDTemRXXQkau3hyfrSNgstyIy434/s640/blogger-image-2002442452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnp5OH1612L_DDUYJU-8QNIp8HM52VO4r1Heppf8l4aZVlDQdbJjHLEUzhNx8Xedqjxt66LX7KcjuaiU1NUPPfNCoSsS2nSqM6IWUBB2MZxgFSkPOaDTemRXXQkau3hyfrSNgstyIy434/s640/blogger-image-2002442452.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>...and went in, to find no one in sight. There was a note on the bar saying to ring the winemaker, Ross, for assistance. We could hear a tractor out back. We decided to eat our lunch on the patio out front and to phone him later. He appeared soon after, and invited us in after lunch. This is a very small family-run vineyard. The historic house--which appears to be solid brick like many of the old homes here--was built by one of the original Europeans in the late 1800s. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU2TIXWbxAHdClX-9IXY1cM8FH6kDFw67JMZZS2trSrIbHNUTu-9X7VGlxGjnKnVV4l1hk974Z1CcyfHIXcrnuNQRkLqILHHdpCkZCv-KBSjBPtx3y5MRf6DrOIQE0697tanEApHTCAw/s640/blogger-image--1092663754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU2TIXWbxAHdClX-9IXY1cM8FH6kDFw67JMZZS2trSrIbHNUTu-9X7VGlxGjnKnVV4l1hk974Z1CcyfHIXcrnuNQRkLqILHHdpCkZCv-KBSjBPtx3y5MRf6DrOIQE0697tanEApHTCAw/s640/blogger-image--1092663754.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Just over a hundred years later in 1996, Ross and his family bought the property and established one of the few dry land vineyards in Australia. He prides himself on not irrigating his vines, but as a result his yield is less than half of his neighbours. The average annual rainfall is about 23 inches per year and one of his biggest challenges is a late spring frost, for example his 2014 vintage was wiped out by a frost just after the fruit had set. What keeps this winery afloat are weddings. The cellar is a fabulous location, very reminiscent of Italian and French cellars...dark and dusty with a long table down the centre and crystal chandeliers above. They are getting ready for a wedding with 180 guests in two weeks time. </div><div><br></div><div>We enjoyed the wine tasting...I even liked the red "Durif" which was smooth and velvety (white wines are my usual preference)...and bought a couple of bottles of his Chardonnay and Rose for later. See the website for some lovely photos...www.olivehills.com.au</div><div><br></div><div>More about the Snowy Mountains in the next post.</div><div><br></div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511967658875435355.post-86604389115385063422016-02-17T15:46:00.001-08:002016-02-17T15:46:00.228-08:00Moving East Along the Murray River<div>We are now travelling east towards Sydney, and it feels like we're on our way home. We fly out of Sydney two weeks today. This has been an amazing journey, and the last week has been no exception.</div><div><br></div><div>When Vernon friends of ours heard that we were planning to be in South Australia, they said, "You must meet our Aussies!", friends they'd made while on a teaching exchange several years ago. We were in touch by email, and the outcome was fabulous. We were hosted for three nights by one couple, and toured around Adelaide by another, ending up at a beach cafe for dinner and a sunset Friday night...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZL2Fi6sHoOLZS8fL0DxRelzVH-v44FUnspif1BGEedccPAC8ntlOtdH9Kdv51MPikvuxixJjni9F1BZ2ruxyRdE8qBdD9QVkm7WtwEjKjJQKl5mNbvu9UDo3zwe96AgcR9rqENQ-eSUk/s640/blogger-image--492805007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZL2Fi6sHoOLZS8fL0DxRelzVH-v44FUnspif1BGEedccPAC8ntlOtdH9Kdv51MPikvuxixJjni9F1BZ2ruxyRdE8qBdD9QVkm7WtwEjKjJQKl5mNbvu9UDo3zwe96AgcR9rqENQ-eSUk/s640/blogger-image--492805007.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>...and then Lloyd took over the kitchen to cook his famous ribs, roasted spuds, and "Imam Bayildi" (eggplant) meal Saturday night accompanied with lots of Aussie wine. </div><div><br></div><div>A view of the city of Adelaide from the hills...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKkaHQjCl2UGO2e8qmFafwMMZ8-mUpyEaZlV9DnDDGzSOrJQ8TdCbS9fdeNsR-tB0IdK7_lWgWvoVcOFpc4T8AGo6wxqcVhnjgvyjY7gA7G0twmWjYeGM-rPqfUamH0XVVzr-Gc0wM1Y/s640/blogger-image-1855795434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKkaHQjCl2UGO2e8qmFafwMMZ8-mUpyEaZlV9DnDDGzSOrJQ8TdCbS9fdeNsR-tB0IdK7_lWgWvoVcOFpc4T8AGo6wxqcVhnjgvyjY7gA7G0twmWjYeGM-rPqfUamH0XVVzr-Gc0wM1Y/s640/blogger-image-1855795434.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We now feel we have many new friends and hope they come to Canada so we can return the hospitality. We left Adelaide on Sunday to travel a short distance to the Barossa, a wine region abut an hour and half north east of Adelaide. The purpose of this visit was to meet one of my stole commissioners! When Lloyd suggested Australia as a destination last year, I said yes, on condition that we meet the folks who commissioned stoles (one in the Barossa and another in Sydney). Kirsten Due commissioned two stoles for her husband Noel in October 2014 and December 2013 (See http://janetarmstrong.com/testimonials at the bottom of the page, and for even more info see the blog posts for those dates). Especially thrilling was our timing...Noel was installed in his new position Sunday night, and we were able to attend the service. It was a real privilege to meet Noel and Kirsten and members of their community. And of course very exciting for me to see him wearing the first stole I created for him, The River of God stole. We stayed overnight with Kirsten and Noel, and the next morning Noel took us on a little tour around the valley. This was settled by German-speaking immigrants in the mid 1800s, and has morphed into an important wine region, for cool climate wines. (I have had some difficulty with this adjective of "cool" because it's not like the Okanagan cool climate! Here, they get a little frost in the winter, but the "cool" refers to the nighttime temps, not the daytime.) it's a very attractive place, relatively green with all the vineyards, with many villages of old stone houses and churches, mainly Lutheran. Here we are overlooking the valley...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w_6Va8S8mqzcW6yZWopauxABcyi7Iuj-GY47yJtFmOq38Ii1xBrktsJiccF2p3N9QAfmu3yyHGutqRY6KOy1bMA3xtjwicsnDT8kNdRPLdcBcWbtVC8_yGTgJUlkaU_vcuVMQjqpgWs/s640/blogger-image--1335858813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w_6Va8S8mqzcW6yZWopauxABcyi7Iuj-GY47yJtFmOq38Ii1xBrktsJiccF2p3N9QAfmu3yyHGutqRY6KOy1bMA3xtjwicsnDT8kNdRPLdcBcWbtVC8_yGTgJUlkaU_vcuVMQjqpgWs/s640/blogger-image--1335858813.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>It was a short, sweet and intense visit to both Adelaide and the Barossa, and I look forward to maintaining these friendships.</div><div><br></div><div>We left the Barossa around noon, heading east along the Sturt Highway and then the Murray River Highway. The Murray River is hugely important to agriculture in South Australia and Victoria states. An irrigation scheme was first developed in the 1880s by a couple of Canadians who had done something similar in Ontario. The river is navigable for most of its length, and this was the only way to get to the Australian outback until highways were constructed in the 20th C. There are still some paddle wheelers plying the waters as cruises for tourists, and we went on one at Mildura Tuesday afternoon. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkEHzWSvWYlRr1C5fTZeP3JuyAvRZCW-eKmUXUvXoMERg8eOHR4vGxeC_QhroH5f9M-Bghmj43NPualga8rYX-BGDubk4Bx6mCqqYwDDJ7lqz-ocSn-xk5BDgQzI-TVWMdAikJOnt7lc/s640/blogger-image-708449745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkEHzWSvWYlRr1C5fTZeP3JuyAvRZCW-eKmUXUvXoMERg8eOHR4vGxeC_QhroH5f9M-Bghmj43NPualga8rYX-BGDubk4Bx6mCqqYwDDJ7lqz-ocSn-xk5BDgQzI-TVWMdAikJOnt7lc/s640/blogger-image-708449745.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This boat is over 100 years old, and is lovingly maintained. Wood is burned to provide the steam energy. The paddle wheels are on the sides. We went through one of the many locks on the river...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFfQGYAzPeDNqQy93MRi-gC4ZkziS7h26kZQLJnmCEk7ML57UaAiSO4k2FSjY0ph3DXxWTxerlnI_LpwsMcInsOINS19EndrzzpEa9HMypAqOl5ENTVn_-Xk8jYcgPlsYRGaZXwYNawE/s640/blogger-image-96279476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFfQGYAzPeDNqQy93MRi-gC4ZkziS7h26kZQLJnmCEk7ML57UaAiSO4k2FSjY0ph3DXxWTxerlnI_LpwsMcInsOINS19EndrzzpEa9HMypAqOl5ENTVn_-Xk8jYcgPlsYRGaZXwYNawE/s640/blogger-image-96279476.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The water level remains fairly constant throughout the year because of the weirs holding it back, and thus there are several locks for boats to move from one level to the next. </div><div>The captain in the wheel house...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUw1Q69gCX8pRte0qYrHHE4j-mzRp0FNOxfA6xB1JTGzGfbbGKIPvkl65PXFejs1jSlqphD6i9GtXEtaXtFjiWnaJUQpatQkb_MmXMsuMidPIWVu0btP0xr89dVm5Im4Sa0bsBiqWRjI/s640/blogger-image--1102370945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUw1Q69gCX8pRte0qYrHHE4j-mzRp0FNOxfA6xB1JTGzGfbbGKIPvkl65PXFejs1jSlqphD6i9GtXEtaXtFjiWnaJUQpatQkb_MmXMsuMidPIWVu0btP0xr89dVm5Im4Sa0bsBiqWRjI/s640/blogger-image--1102370945.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The original steam engine...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvaUwnml8v8jXkIQSy0fRh40AYemq99n_JABsMGOppxmg33bCYS-qz5jp2kru4VRe8QEo5zTd2ZyeewKFGU1oC0cGFy9V3wR0YlhXgk677YXYjhHRtpTdD_ydJObqMGO0ZnwZrc2L9TU/s640/blogger-image-100483629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvaUwnml8v8jXkIQSy0fRh40AYemq99n_JABsMGOppxmg33bCYS-qz5jp2kru4VRe8QEo5zTd2ZyeewKFGU1oC0cGFy9V3wR0YlhXgk677YXYjhHRtpTdD_ydJObqMGO0ZnwZrc2L9TU/s640/blogger-image-100483629.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Without this water for irrigation, there would be no agriculture (grapes for wine, table and raisins; citrus, avocados, and almonds; and market gardens). The native scrub land is dry and sandy, very arid and desert-like, and we have been driving through lots of that. We happened to catch a radio interview about the Murray-Darling River basin, and it's a huge challenge to maintain a balance between competing needs for water...agriculture, tourism (river cruises, fishing, houseboats, ski boats) and ecology (maintaining wetlands for native flora and fauna, especially at the mouth of the river). The Murray rises in the Snowy Mountains to the east and the Darling rises in Queensland to the north--both are dependent on rainfall and that is dropping with climate change. </div><div><br></div><div>Today we are continuing the journey east to spend three nights in the Snowy Mountains before going to Canberra and then Sydney by the 24th.</div><div><br></div>Janet Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13362394766090956935noreply@blogger.com0