Convicts and bonnets

The craft group I belong to are making Convict Bonnets as part of a living sculpture called "Roses from the Heart".

Conceptual artist and Artist in Residence at the Cascades Female Factory, Hobart, Tasmania and Christina Henri have designed this as a tribute to the convict women of Australia.

The "Roses from the Heart" project aims to have 25,566 bonnets made, one for every woman transported to Australia between 1788 and 1846 when tranportation ceased.  To date about 20,500 have been collected from all over the world.   Many of the bonnets already made have been adorned with a convict woman's name, the ship in which she arrived and the date of arrival.

This link will give you more information. 

http://www.christinahenri.com.au/index.php?/ongoing/roses-from-the-heart/

There are 3 convicts in our family from my husband's side (must have been a bad lot! LOL) however they were all male so to honour a convict woman on my bonnet I have chosen a person with the same surname.  She was Elizabeth Double who was sentenced to transportation on 14 January 1818 and sailed in the "Maria" to Sydney in NSW.  She was in Sydney until 1820 when she was sent to Tasmania and shipped on the "Princess Charlotte" to Hobart. 

It's been a really interesting exercise for me to check out not only this woman but the three rellies who were sentenced two years apart - Joseph in 1842, Edward in 1844 and John in 1846.  Although from the same family name of 'Double's', none were directly related however Edward was a nephew of Joseph.

It's hard to imagine what life must have been like in those days - so hard - most of the crimes punishable by transportation then, would not even rate a mention today - although one of the above was charged and sentenced for arson - burning down a barn of hay! 

Some of the records make interesting reading!

Blessings!

WHERE ARE THEY?

I see such beautiful Christmas pictures and photos on many blogs at this time of the year but I wonder where they come from. I've looked around 'the web' and find either stuff that's not suitable or they have royalty or copyright attached. Can someone tell me please 'where are they'?

Meanwhile thought I'd give a gllimpse at the church banners I've been busy finishing during the past week. The first one has been 'hoisted' up and is now hanging in our church with the other two to get hung over the next two Sundays. Unfortunately the quality of the photos is not good - I had them pinned to a curtain to take the shots so the colour has been affected - but it will give a bit of an idea of what they look like.

I've been making 'patches' towards making a 'pioneer' quilt for about 3 years. It has been a slow process as I've really only been using bits and pieces from my fabric stash as well as using applique to make 'pictures' of aspects of our ancestors arrival from England in the mid 1850's to New Zealand. After finally being motivated to get it finished, I've now stitched it together with borders and yesterday spent almost the whole day machine quilting the various blocks. I've a few to go yet but am on the way to being able to finish it. When that's done I'll post a photo.

Today is Wednesday - my day for looking after E6 (before and after school) and L4 (all day) however as it's almost the end of our school year, E6's school has made arrangements for them to be transported to a local high school for a large EOY assembly. To have little 5 and 6 year olds sitting in a massive school hall for the morning seems a bit unreasonable to us so he will not be going. Therefore I will look after the two nippers at their house today instead of mine - so I'd better move myself and get over there so their mum can get herself off to work.

Must run - have a good day!

Blessings all!

THIS AND THAT

The 'bird' was not an owl at all. Having done a bit of investigating, have decided it must be a tawny frogmouth. A much harsher face than the soft features of most owls, this bird reminds me of a very stern 'old fashioned' school master perhaps weilding his cane in an attempt to coax his students into behaving. Anyway I haven't worked out a pattern for its appearance yet - it seems to come for a whole day, just sitting on the same branch, seeming not to move, then doesn't appear for a day or so, then back it comes - unusual. It definitely seems to have 'booked' the particular branch in the particular tree for now anyway. Time will tell as the weather gets hotter whether that will continue. Maybe it will seek out the more cool conifers which grow not far away.

Have been doing quite a bit of reading in the past week - I normally read a book a week but two I got from the library were very light reading and I got through them quickly - Anna Jacobs writes light historic romantic stories, often set in England however both these I read were modern in time quite enjoyable. Not long ago I read Ken Follett's "The Pillars of the Earth" which was definitely set in historic England and once into it, couldn't put it down. I have just finished his 'The Hammer of Eden' which also held my attention. I have one more to read before I return them to the library and its Follett's "World Without End". I'll begin that one tonight.

The red dust storm which hit Sydney in the early hours of yesterday morning was a very unusual sight. I woke at 5.45am just after the sun began to rise and an eery orange/red light coming through the window forced me out of bed to get my camera. A strange phenomenon which apparently hasn't occurred here for about 70 years or more. It happens when weather conditions are right - high winds coming from the north west, heat and apparently time of year. The centre of Australia is almost all red earth and the wind had picked up tonnes and tonnes of it and swept it across the country and out to sea. I guess New Zealand may get a sprinkling of it in a day or so. Traffic bedlam reigned, road tunnels closed because of the ventilation problem, harbour ferries stopped, hospitals emergency departments filled with people suffering from asthma and chest complaints triggered by the heavily polluted air. Kids were kept home from school (including my E5 grandson) and those who did go were kept inside the classrooms for most of the day. Not pleasant. We are promised the possibility of another similar dust storm on Saturday!

A couple of weeks ago I fancied doing a little bit of smocking so pleated up some light apple green cotton fabric which I'd had in the cupboard for a couple of years. Got the little baby dress finished this week and have made a frilled lacy coat hanger to go with it. Have no one in mind at this stage to give it to, but I'll just put it by to use when the right occasion comes along.

Have had two baby girls born into our extended family in the past couple of weeks. A 'trendy' name for girls at present must be Ruby. One of the babies has been named Ruby Mae, the other Ruby Rose. Cute!

Here's the pattern for the knitted childs coat hanger if any of you are inclined to try it out.

CHILDS LACY KNITTED COAT HANGER COVER

1 roll Knitting Nylon (in Australia it is Knitlon or sometimes Arbee brand)

1 pr size 4mm (or English 8) knitting needles

2 - 3 mtrs (or yards) nylon lace which has insertion holes through the centre

Wooden coat hanger

Small piece hobby plastic tubing to cover metal hook.

1. Cast on 58 stitches and knit (garter stitch, knit every row) 2 rows

2.Next row knit one stitch and with the lace at the back of the work insert the needle into the stitch and into the hole in the middle of the lace. Continue to the end of the row. Cut off lace at the end of the row.

3. Knit 3 rows garter stitch.

Repeat steps 2 and 3, 3 times (you will now have 4 rows of lace)

Knit 2 rows of garter stitch then cast off.

Thread the metal hood with the plastic tubing. Find the centre of the cover mark with a pin. Sew the short ends of the cover together. Slip the screw in end of the hook through the centre of the cover and screw into the wooden hanger. Holding the edges together, sew the cover on to the hanger along the long ends. If you wish you can tie a satin ribbon bow around the base of the metal hook. I used a double length of the knitting nylon to form a little bow for a nice finish.

These covers can be made to fit an adult size wooden hanger by casting on 68 stitches and following the same instructions. 1 cover uses about 40 mtrs knitting nylon and 3 mtrs nylon lace.

Have fun trying one out and have a blessed week!

NEARLY A MONTH?

I can hardly credit it's almost a month since I put something here. Silly thing about it though is that I really have no good excuse! I have been busier lately its true but somehow I didn't get to writing in this way.

What have I been up to?

Since I began to feel much more human again after surgery I decided to try to find something more constructive with my time rather than sitting around trying to keep warm. I got in touch with the U3A (University of the Third Age) again having tried to find vacancies in classes a couple of times before without success. This time I was able to secure a place in two group which interested me - family history and calligraphy. I think I mentioned a while ago that I had missed the first calligraphy class - another story.

I have since been a couple of times but am not entirely sure it's 'my' thing. It is quite difficult but doesn't phase me - everything new has an element of difficulty at first - I think I like to work at a slightly faster pace than this particular class. I don't mean to sound 'righteous' or 'better than the rest' but I just don't see myself practising the letters of one particular style for the rest of the year. I think I might be able to do that at home - and at the same time try out some other styles along the way. I'll see how it goes as the term comes to an end.

The Family History group doesn't bring me much joy either (am I sounding a misery?) - they are all except one, interested in Australian families and early history. I do enjoy the history bits that members bring to the group but I had hoped I would be able to get some assistance in my own research - which although I've been 'into' for well over 20 years now, still holds my interest and curiosity.

Oh well - I'll see what other groups have vacancies early next year and perhaps try something different.

What else have I been doing? Knitting squares - I think I'm about half way towards that rug I started earlier in the winter. It's becoming a little too warm here now to knit for much longer so I may need to put it away until next autumn/winter. I"ve done some smocking on a baby frock I intend to give away. Talking about baby stuff - there have been two new baby girls born into our extended family this week - one is Ruby Rose and the other is Ruby Mae! I guess names go through trendy periods and Ruby seems to be the flavour of the month just now! A third bub born to a young friend from church earlier in the week weighed in at 10lb 4ozs and has been named Isabelle. That's another name that seems to have had a revival over the past little while - variations of it as well including Bella. It's certainly been a week for the little girls!

My E17 grand-daughter is getting a puppy in a few weeks time. She has visited the pregnant mum and last week after the birth, went and chose Texas and took photos of her. A tiny bundle of brown and black dachshund - only just fitting in her hand. What a gorgeous little pup - shame they have to grow so quickly. E17 will be taking delivery of her when she's 8 weeks old. She's so looking forward to it.

Have been doing a little gardening also - not too much bending yet (actually I'm finding it difficult to get down) so have been making use of a small stool which we brought back with us from Zambia - most useful and low enough to make weeding a much more comfortable exercise - beans are up - both climbing purple and dwarf yellow butter - silver beet is doing well - blueberries are looking fabulous and just beginning to get a pinky tinge to them - a new variety of tomato plant, the oval fruit is said to have twice as much of the anti-oxidant Lycopene - is doing really well and has little flower buds already. I also purchased some alstroemeria corms and they have begun to shoot little green leaves. I will have to check out how long it takes before they flower. I really love the way they last for so long in a vase. Have done some tidying up and pruning back some shrubs but still have a long way to go. The garden gets away so quickly when not attended doesn't it?

Fathers Day here in Australia today. We are having lunch with family and friends at a brand new restaurant attached to a brand new golf course not far from where the family live. As I write, the sun is shining and it's predicted to be a very nice 21 degrees this afternoon. I'm looking forward to it.

Till next time - blessings!

AUTUMN - SUCH A LOVELY TIME OF YEAR

Autumn in Sydney is such a lovely time of the year. The heat of summer has now past and more gentle temperatures are here for a while before the cold of winter sets in. In this part of the world Easter is often the time we consider summer is over but our warmer days have persisted this year but evening and morning temperatures have certainly taken a dive down. Well, not that cold yet but it won't be long before the firewood will be brought in to warm the house.

Easter weekend was a blessing in many ways this year. Having spent the weekend before away in New Zealand for a reunion, I missed the beautiful wedding of our nephew but many of his rellies were still here in Sydney so it was great to catch up with some of them. Dinner out at a Greek restaurant on Thursday, and brother-in-law and his wife here for dinner Friday were lovely treats and a good time to catch up with each others news. On Saturday there was an unexpected phone call from another brother-in-law who had driven to Sydney for a couple of days so had the opportunity for him and his lady friend to come for a BBQ tea.

Easter Sunday was a celebration of the Risen Christ in our morning church service. How wonderful to know we serve the Risen Lord!

Last week E5 and L3 were here for two full days as it's school holidays here. This week will be the same before they return to school and preschool next week. Busy active days they were and I was pretty well pooped at the end of them but it was good to share with them - helping with jigsaw puzzles, going to the park, playdough, lego, draughts, drawing, Reader Rabbit - only a few of the things we got up to! And I guess we'll do it all again this week. But before that I'm off out today to see if I can get fabric to cover my rocker. It's only 6 years old but in constant use - if not by me, then by the grandies. Since today is a little cooler with showers predicted it seems a good day to make a start on it.

Better go before I lose the enthusiasm!

THE WEEK THAT WAS - OR IS

Sometimes I feel as though I haven’t really achieved very much in a week but tonight I was going over in my head the things I’ve done this week.

Sunday worship began the week followed by our monthly Bible study at our friend’s home. Nine or ten of us meet and take something towards lunch and spend a pleasant afternoon in each other’s company.

Monday I took my two finished cross stitch pieces to be framed and met with my D-I-L and grand-daughter E16 for lunch. It was good just sitting and chatting and catching up with news. E16 has begun a Business Certificate course this year at a technical college, instead of going back to school and she seems to be enjoying it so far. She has 16 hours each week of lectures which allows her to work her part time job for 3 days.

Tuesdays are regularly my ‘other’ Bible study day but this week it was a ‘study break’. At present we are studying 2 Timothy so while I had the morning ‘off’ I did a bit of preparation for next weeks lesson. I also went and bought a new pair of jeans for myself. I’ve attempted to do this a few times in the past few weeks but after trying on my regular size and finding it too small, got rather disgusted with myself and didn’t go any further. Any way I did find a nice pair made from a stretch material which seemed to fit nicely so I went ahead and got them.

Wednesday E5 and L3 arrived bright and early as usual and after dropping E5 off to school, we came home and L3 ‘helped’ me trim some shrubs in the front garden. Me with the hedge clippers and he with an old pair of scissors and my gardening gloves on. “Ganma” he said, I need your pink ‘glubs’ – so cute! The rest of the day was spent amusing him, and he amusing me at times by blowing bubbles which he got tired of fairly quickly then proceeded to ‘cut’ the grass with the bubble ‘blower’ which has a tiny fan run by battery. He has a great imagination when it comes to gardening activities!

Today I returned my books to the library and chose a few more along with some DVD’s. I hadn’t really thought of borrowing DVD’s before until recently when I discovered there was quite a good selection. I brought home “Mrs Miniver”, and “Come In Spinner” an Australian mini-series, the story of 3 young women during WW2 who worked in the beauty salon of a large city hotel, following their families, their loves and their lives.

The books I borrowed today? A Barbara Delinsky, two by Anna Jacobs and an author I’ve not read before whose name escapes me – think it was Katie Flynn. And a DVD “Against the Wind” another Australian mini-series which I’ve never heard of before.

This afternoon I shortened the length of the new jeans and took the waistband off a skirt which has become too tight. Do you get the feeling that I’ve gained weight recently?

My week so far has been quite busy when I actually analyze what I’ve done and tomorrow will be another day of activity. E5 and L3 are here again early in the morning but tomorrow will just be ‘dropping off and picking up’ for them both. Laundry is on my ‘to do’ list and probably a trip to the supermarket for a few groceries and I hope to finish off the sewing I started today. Hmm… should think about some housework too while I’m on the job – but that usually seems to come in last on my list!

BULL BY THE HORNS?

Well - at least scissors cutting thread!

I did it - I 'bit the bullet' as we say here 'down-under'. (In other words I gritted my teeth and did it - even though I was nervous of making a mess of it)

Here's the result.

IT'S JUST AS GOOD REHEATED

That pizza I talked about recently - the bits that were left over got frozen. Usually those 'think I'll save that' leftovers have a habit of ending in the garbage eventually, after lying in the freezer till they get 'burned', but after deciding to see what it was like when I couldn't find inspiration for a quick meal, I have to say that this lot tasted as good as it did the day it was baked. I'll be using that recipe again sometime soon when the tastebuds are yelling for pizza!

Meanwhile today in Sydney is a public holiday – Labour Day! I’ll be doing my small bit towards ‘labour’ by mending DH’s trousers! Three pairs have been waiting for my inspiration but now its getting to the point where there’ll be no pants to wear if I don’t do it today. So I must get busy and get the sewing machine out – I’ll probably have to blow the dust off it as it’s been a long time since it saw daylight – but hey – it’ll be something different to do on an overcast, grey, showery Monday.

Oh! My tomato plants are going crazy! As you can see from the pic, they are now past the top of my fence which is 6 ft tall. I’m not sure how I can contain them if they go any higher as the stakes holding them up are also only 6ft tall. After a fairly rugged very hot day last month when the tops of them got quite burned, they have survived the ordeal and grown another foot since then. There’s a bit of fruit there but not as much as I thought there might be. You can also see the little fabric bags I've made to contain the fruit - trying to stop bugs and caterpillars from attacking!

They’ve been in the ground 10 weeks now so I’m hoping it won’t be long before the tiny fruit starting to form on the many flowers that are sprouting at the tops of the plants will begin to swell and ripen. Hopefully we’ll get to eat some of them before any stray caterpillars do!