Way back when I was about 14 years old my parents bought me a crystal set. It wasn't much and didn't have the range of modern radios but it sparked an interest in electronics that stayed with me for quite a while.
Some time after leaving school I started to develop this interest further, buying magazines, looking for circuits that I could build and all that sort of stuff. I found a circuit for a one transistor radio which seemed to be the perfect enhancement of my crystal set so I went and bought the parts and put it all together. Unfortunately, I was living in an area that had poor reception at the time and it didn't work. I wasn't sure if I had done something wrong or if it simply couldn't pick up any signal. Later I moved to an area that had better reception and eventual managed to pick up one of the local stations. It worked!
Reading through all my magazines I realised that there was so much about the projects that I just didn't understand. I could put together the projects but I didn't really have any clue as to how they worked. I can't remember if it was at someone else's suggestion or if I decided on my own but I decided to go to college and study. I even managed to get some time off work so I wasn't doing all my study in the evenings, but it still took me 5 years to finish the 4 year course.
I had hoped that this course would enable me to get a job in the industry but all it did, at first, was make it easier for me to make things and gave me some understanding of what I was doing. I think having the certificate did help in getting me a couple of the jobs that I had and I enjoyed putting the projects together anyway.
I'm going to tell you about the other course that I've studied next week.
Richard.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Sunday Sermon - Become Like a Child
We had a dedication in church this morning and the sermon was about children.
The reading came from Matthew 18:12-14 which says -
12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Babies - soft, cute, bundles of joy. They can change people more than anything else. People that used to smoke, drink and party have been known to give it all up in order to become responsible parents.
Children can get away with making mess while they play because of their innocence. They can lose themselves in their imagination.
Adults are expected to be responsible and hard working in order to be seen as great in the eyes of our neighbours.
Being among great men doesn't make you great. Judas was with Jesus for a few years but still sold Him out.
Christ says we should come as little children, meek, submissive and reliant on others, trusting them to provide all their needs. We need to trust that God will supply all our needs. Greatness in God's eyes has nothing to do with riches, power or accomplishments, but in humility and submissiveness to His will. We don't have to earn God's love.
May God bless you richly this week.
Richard.
The reading came from Matthew 18:12-14 which says -
12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Babies - soft, cute, bundles of joy. They can change people more than anything else. People that used to smoke, drink and party have been known to give it all up in order to become responsible parents.
Children can get away with making mess while they play because of their innocence. They can lose themselves in their imagination.
Adults are expected to be responsible and hard working in order to be seen as great in the eyes of our neighbours.
Being among great men doesn't make you great. Judas was with Jesus for a few years but still sold Him out.
Christ says we should come as little children, meek, submissive and reliant on others, trusting them to provide all their needs. We need to trust that God will supply all our needs. Greatness in God's eyes has nothing to do with riches, power or accomplishments, but in humility and submissiveness to His will. We don't have to earn God's love.
May God bless you richly this week.
Richard.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Saturday Shenanigans 27.04.2013
This week started off a little chilly and damp and as a result I didn't go for my usual morning walk. Maybe I should have but I have never felt compelled to walk in the rain.
There were a couple of other things that happened this week also. Thursday was ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day is a big day here in Australia. Most of the shops are closed for at least half a day. One of the problems with ANZAC Day is the dwindling numbers of veterans. I don't think we will ever forget what war is about as there seems to be several ongoing conflicts going on all the time, but I do hope we don't forget those that have lost their lives fighting for the freedoms that we now enjoy.
Friday morning I was back in Crochet class as we kick off another term. There are still only a couple of ladies coming and one of those doesn't really need lessons so it seems that the tutors almost outnumber the students. We are expecting a couple more to come back next week so we will have to wait and see.
Today we went to a birthday party. One of the ladies from church (I almost said "girls" as this particular one is a bit younger than I am) had a birthday during the week and a few of the people from church joined her family and other friends for a picnic in the park.
That's been my week this week. I hope you all had a good one.
Richard.
There were a couple of other things that happened this week also. Thursday was ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day is a big day here in Australia. Most of the shops are closed for at least half a day. One of the problems with ANZAC Day is the dwindling numbers of veterans. I don't think we will ever forget what war is about as there seems to be several ongoing conflicts going on all the time, but I do hope we don't forget those that have lost their lives fighting for the freedoms that we now enjoy.
Friday morning I was back in Crochet class as we kick off another term. There are still only a couple of ladies coming and one of those doesn't really need lessons so it seems that the tutors almost outnumber the students. We are expecting a couple more to come back next week so we will have to wait and see.
Today we went to a birthday party. One of the ladies from church (I almost said "girls" as this particular one is a bit younger than I am) had a birthday during the week and a few of the people from church joined her family and other friends for a picnic in the park.
That's been my week this week. I hope you all had a good one.
Richard.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday FOs 26.04.2013
After reading the responses to my Wednesday WIPs post I have come to the conclusion that my readers wither don't pay much attention to what I type and just look at the pictures or they know me too well. I had expected that someone would point out that while I said that I had worked on all 8 major projects I only showed 7 in that post. Maybe everyone realised that the 8th would show up today.
Anyway, here are my FOs for this week.
This is the project that I didn't show on Wednesday as it is now finished. He stands about 45cm (18") tall.
I'm finding that this is a good way to used up scraps of yarn.
Just one of these this week. Since I didn't sell any at my last market and there is plenty of time until the next there is no big hurry to do these at the moment. I will keep doing them anyway as I have plenty of towels left to work on and I think it will be good to have extras.
If you want to see what everyone else has been making this week just check out the links in the sidebar.
Richard.
Anyway, here are my FOs for this week.
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| Alien Guy Doll |
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| Trauma Teddy #5 |
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| Hanging Towel |
If you want to see what everyone else has been making this week just check out the links in the sidebar.
Richard.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thursday Thoughts - Lest We Forget
Today is ANZAC Day here in Australia. A day when we honour all those that have fought under the Australian and New Zealand flags. We are not honouring or celebrating war, just those men and women that served their country to earn the freedoms that we now have.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget
Richard.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget
Richard.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Wednesday WIPs 24.04.2013
I think I managed my time a little better this week. I actually managed to work on all 8 of my major projects and both my side projects. So, here are my current WIPs.
This was the one project that didn't get worked on last week so I made it a priority this week.
I managed to make another square but I didn't get all the ends sewn in. I hope to fix that on Friday morning but my success will depend on how much teaching I need to so.
Tommy now has a tail and some parts of his shell have been made. I shouldn't take long to make all the other hexagons and join them together so it won't be long before this one is finished.
Progress is a little slow on this. I don't seem to be able to do Tunisian for very long before my fingers, wrist and shoulder start to complain, not that that stops me.
A couple more rows have been added to this and only a couple more to go before I start on the border.
I'm making good progress on this. Just a couple more rows before I stop increasing and start working on the body.
I've started on the pants now. I haven't finished off the jacket yet bu it's only a matter of sewing in ends and sewing on buttons. I kinda messed up with the button holes though, they should be on the other side.
That's all my WIPs for this week. Check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been doing.
Richard.
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| AustralianaV2 - designed by me. |
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| Baby Blanket - Square 51 from "99 Granny Squares to Crochet" |
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| Tommy Turtle |
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| Tunisian Spiral Blanket |
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| Crochenit Cot Blanket |
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| Toddler's Jacket - Zoom by Ellen Gormley |
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| Baby's Jacket, Pants and Hat set. |
That's all my WIPs for this week. Check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been doing.
Richard.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Monday Mayhem - I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go
I left school at the end of 1973 and started working for The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Ltd. It started off being an OK job, nothing to write home about, but after only three months they decided to move me from my home branch and put me on the counter at on of the busier branches in a major city, without proper training, and I struggled. I made plenty of mistakes and the management didn't seem to understand why. After about three months I was moved again, this time to a small sub-branch where I was in a jack-of-all-trades position, relieving the teller when he needed a break, updating the savings account ledgers (which was done by hand) and the cheque account ledgers (which was done by typing the information on a machine). I still hadn't had any real training and I still kept making mistakes. The crunch came when I said the wrong thing to one of the customers (I didn't realise it was wrong at the time) and I was asked to leave.
As first jobs go, it wasn't a great start.
My second job wasn't great. I was filling boxes and packing shelves in the grocery section of a local department store. It kept me busy and paid the bills, so it wasn't all bad. While I was working there I did get to opportunity to work with the TV technician, who was looking to take on an apprentice. I was kinda hopeful that I would be looked on favourably for that position but I think he already had someone else in mind, and when they became available I was sent back to the grocery department.
After getting my drivers license I started looking further afield for jobs and got a sales assistant position at a jewelry store in Canberra. There were times when this job looked pretty good but I was encouraged, by friends and family, to sit the Public Service entrance exam and my employer got wind of this and I was once more asked to leave.
I did eventually get a position in the public service and worked in one department for almost 5 years. I got moved around a couple of times but never seemed to be able to get a promotion. I just wasn't getting anywhere fast. I did eventually get a job in a different department and it looked for a while that I might be getting somewhere. I even got some acting experience at a higher level. My heart wasn't really in the job as there are a lot of Public Servants in the Public Service and very few people that worked for the government. The trouble is that the Public Servants were generally promoted while those that were there to work weren't.
While working in the Public Service I gained an interest in home computers. These things hadn't long been on the market and there were opportunities for enterprising young people to get in on the ground floor. I had a friend who was interested in computers and computer games (especially the games) and we decided that we wanted to try our hand at selling computer software. It was decided that one of us would need to quit their job in the Public Service in order to run the shop and I, not being particularly enamoured with the Public Service, volunteered. Unfortunately, we were way under capitalised and the business went under after about 9 months. I made enough sales to pay the rent on the shop but not enough to pay me a wage and I just ran out of money.
Then came a succession of jobs, I spent some time as a cleaner, sales assistant for an electronics components shop (I still had a thing for electronics) and storeman for manufacturer of electronic equipment (again with the electronics).
While I was working as a storeman, a friend of mine was acting as something of a go between, trying to convince me and another of his friends that I would be good for the company that he worked for as branch manager, so I quit my job and went working for him, first as an operator and then as a programmer. Unfortunately, the company decided to close some of its branches and consolidate and I was once again out of work after only 8 months. My unemployment lasted all of three days before I got a call asking me if I would be will to relocate in order to continue working for the same company, and so I moved to Melbourne where I worked as an operator for about 4 years before quitting to move back to Canberra.
When I got back to Canberra I found that the two people that had conspired to get me my previous job were now working for another firm doing much the same work as the company that I had just left and they convinced me to take up a casual operator position with this company. When I wasn't busy operating the machines I was in the computer room helping the programmer with some of the simpler programming tasks until a somewhat difficult job came in. My experience programmer my home computer gave me an idea of how to tackle the task and I was given the go ahead to try. Shortly after I successfully completed that program I was employed as a full time programmer and things started to look up. The branch grew and the IT section went from 3 people up to about 7 and we were kept busy most of the time. Sometime before the WFC the company was sold off, but we kept working just as before. After the WFC business began to fade. Our customers were reducing the amount of work they sent us by increasing the period between mailings or just sending out cover sheets instead of full bills. This meant that there was less work to go around and the parent company decided it was time to let a few of its employees go and I was one of the first.
I haven't worked since so that's the end of that story, at least for now.
Richard.
As first jobs go, it wasn't a great start.
My second job wasn't great. I was filling boxes and packing shelves in the grocery section of a local department store. It kept me busy and paid the bills, so it wasn't all bad. While I was working there I did get to opportunity to work with the TV technician, who was looking to take on an apprentice. I was kinda hopeful that I would be looked on favourably for that position but I think he already had someone else in mind, and when they became available I was sent back to the grocery department.
After getting my drivers license I started looking further afield for jobs and got a sales assistant position at a jewelry store in Canberra. There were times when this job looked pretty good but I was encouraged, by friends and family, to sit the Public Service entrance exam and my employer got wind of this and I was once more asked to leave.
I did eventually get a position in the public service and worked in one department for almost 5 years. I got moved around a couple of times but never seemed to be able to get a promotion. I just wasn't getting anywhere fast. I did eventually get a job in a different department and it looked for a while that I might be getting somewhere. I even got some acting experience at a higher level. My heart wasn't really in the job as there are a lot of Public Servants in the Public Service and very few people that worked for the government. The trouble is that the Public Servants were generally promoted while those that were there to work weren't.
While working in the Public Service I gained an interest in home computers. These things hadn't long been on the market and there were opportunities for enterprising young people to get in on the ground floor. I had a friend who was interested in computers and computer games (especially the games) and we decided that we wanted to try our hand at selling computer software. It was decided that one of us would need to quit their job in the Public Service in order to run the shop and I, not being particularly enamoured with the Public Service, volunteered. Unfortunately, we were way under capitalised and the business went under after about 9 months. I made enough sales to pay the rent on the shop but not enough to pay me a wage and I just ran out of money.
Then came a succession of jobs, I spent some time as a cleaner, sales assistant for an electronics components shop (I still had a thing for electronics) and storeman for manufacturer of electronic equipment (again with the electronics).
While I was working as a storeman, a friend of mine was acting as something of a go between, trying to convince me and another of his friends that I would be good for the company that he worked for as branch manager, so I quit my job and went working for him, first as an operator and then as a programmer. Unfortunately, the company decided to close some of its branches and consolidate and I was once again out of work after only 8 months. My unemployment lasted all of three days before I got a call asking me if I would be will to relocate in order to continue working for the same company, and so I moved to Melbourne where I worked as an operator for about 4 years before quitting to move back to Canberra.
When I got back to Canberra I found that the two people that had conspired to get me my previous job were now working for another firm doing much the same work as the company that I had just left and they convinced me to take up a casual operator position with this company. When I wasn't busy operating the machines I was in the computer room helping the programmer with some of the simpler programming tasks until a somewhat difficult job came in. My experience programmer my home computer gave me an idea of how to tackle the task and I was given the go ahead to try. Shortly after I successfully completed that program I was employed as a full time programmer and things started to look up. The branch grew and the IT section went from 3 people up to about 7 and we were kept busy most of the time. Sometime before the WFC the company was sold off, but we kept working just as before. After the WFC business began to fade. Our customers were reducing the amount of work they sent us by increasing the period between mailings or just sending out cover sheets instead of full bills. This meant that there was less work to go around and the parent company decided it was time to let a few of its employees go and I was one of the first.
I haven't worked since so that's the end of that story, at least for now.
Richard.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Sunday Sermon - The Lord's Prayer
The Bible reading today came from Matthew 6:9-15 which says:-
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Often people recite this prayer, which is repeated in Luke 11:1-4, without understanding what it means.
"Our Father" - We acknowledge God as our creator and father.
"who art in heaven" - we acknowledge that God is our heavenly father.
"hallowed be thy name" - we recognise that He is to be honoured.
"thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" - we desire to see God's kingdom and to see that what He wants done gets done.
"give us today our daily bread" - we recognise that God can provide our daily needs and show that we trust Him to do so.
"forgive us our trespasses (some texts translate this as "sins" or "debts") "- we need to ask God to forgive our sins as a way of showing that we recognise that we are sinners.
"as we forgive those who trespass against us" - if we don't forgive others then we can't expect to be forgiven.
"lead us not into temptation" - keep us away from those things that lead us to sin.
"but deliver us from evil" - if we do overstep the mark and succumb to temptation then helps us to return to the right path.
"for thine (yours) is the kingdom" - we acknowledge that God is in charge.
"the power" - all power comes from God.
"and the glory" - we need to allow God to take the credit.
"forever and ever" - God doesn't change.
"Amen" - so be it.
Parts of this prayer are a little more difficult than others. It would be much easier to forgive others for what they had done to us if we could also forget the events. Most of us don't need anybody to lead us into temptation, we can find it all by ourselves, but if we ask God, He can lead us away from it.
I had a bit of trouble keeping up with the sermon this morning so I hope I have captured the essence of it. I have seen similar dissertations before and I think I may have had a copy of one of them at one stage. I sure I could find one on the internet if I wanted to try.
May God bless you richly this week.
Richard.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Often people recite this prayer, which is repeated in Luke 11:1-4, without understanding what it means.
"Our Father" - We acknowledge God as our creator and father.
"who art in heaven" - we acknowledge that God is our heavenly father.
"hallowed be thy name" - we recognise that He is to be honoured.
"thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" - we desire to see God's kingdom and to see that what He wants done gets done.
"give us today our daily bread" - we recognise that God can provide our daily needs and show that we trust Him to do so.
"forgive us our trespasses (some texts translate this as "sins" or "debts") "- we need to ask God to forgive our sins as a way of showing that we recognise that we are sinners.
"as we forgive those who trespass against us" - if we don't forgive others then we can't expect to be forgiven.
"lead us not into temptation" - keep us away from those things that lead us to sin.
"but deliver us from evil" - if we do overstep the mark and succumb to temptation then helps us to return to the right path.
"for thine (yours) is the kingdom" - we acknowledge that God is in charge.
"the power" - all power comes from God.
"and the glory" - we need to allow God to take the credit.
"forever and ever" - God doesn't change.
"Amen" - so be it.
Parts of this prayer are a little more difficult than others. It would be much easier to forgive others for what they had done to us if we could also forget the events. Most of us don't need anybody to lead us into temptation, we can find it all by ourselves, but if we ask God, He can lead us away from it.
I had a bit of trouble keeping up with the sermon this morning so I hope I have captured the essence of it. I have seen similar dissertations before and I think I may have had a copy of one of them at one stage. I sure I could find one on the internet if I wanted to try.
May God bless you richly this week.
Richard.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Saturday Shenanigans 20.04.2013
This has been one hell of a week. Bombs in Boston, an earthquake in Iran, an explosive fertiliser factory somewhere else and a dusting of snow on the mountains here in Australia (yeah, I know it's not on the same level). The most significant for me is the snow. Not just because it's close by but because it's about 6 weeks early. This could mean that winter is going to be as long and as cold as summer was long and hot. This isn't something that I'm looking forward to and I'm quite glad that I'll be away, up in the northern hemisphere, for half of it.
There really hasn't been anything exciting happening here at Rose Manor this week. I walked around the park a few times, I did quite a bit of crochet and I watched a bit of TV. Pretty much a standard week.
I did go to a market today but there wasn't much action there. I only managed one sale but that sale means I need to adjust my to-do list (which I'll publish next week). I have a few months until the next market as I won't be doing any more now until at least October, and I'm not sure I'll be ready then so I may wait until November to venture out to markets again.
That's about it from me for this week. I hope you all had a good one.
Richard.
There really hasn't been anything exciting happening here at Rose Manor this week. I walked around the park a few times, I did quite a bit of crochet and I watched a bit of TV. Pretty much a standard week.
I did go to a market today but there wasn't much action there. I only managed one sale but that sale means I need to adjust my to-do list (which I'll publish next week). I have a few months until the next market as I won't be doing any more now until at least October, and I'm not sure I'll be ready then so I may wait until November to venture out to markets again.
That's about it from me for this week. I hope you all had a good one.
Richard.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Friday FOs 19.04.2015
Well, my FOs this week look much the same as last week, except that there is an extra towel. These 6 items bring my tally for the year up to 26.
I needed these to make up for the 5 that I sold last Saturday.
Another Trauma Teddy ready for duty.
Check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been up to.
Richard.
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| 5 Hanging Towels |
 |
| Trauma Teddy #4 |
Check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been up to.
Richard.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Thursday Thoughts - Love
I think the Bible says it best in 1 Corinthians 13
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Enjoy.
Richard.
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Enjoy.
Richard.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Wednesday WIPs 17.04.2013
It was another busy week here at Rose Manor, and again there was one piece that didn't get worked on. Ah well, it will be the first item I work on tomorrow. In the mean time, here are all the things I worked on this week that are still WIPs.
There are a couple of ends to be sewn in and a few buttons to be sewn on and then this part of the ensemble will be finished.
I'm still working on the yoke. A few more increase rows to go before I start on the body.
He is missing a tail and a shell as well as facial features but he is taking shape.
This guy needs some eyes and other facial features before I attach the head to the body. With the amount of yarn this pattern called for I was expecting it to be bigger.
It's taking much long to get around now so progress seems to be slowing a bit.
One more square finished. I think the only way I will get this done in time for the show is if I work on it exclusively when I get back from my trip.
I didn't manage to add as much to this as I would have liked, but I did add a little bit.
Come back on Friday to see what I have finished this week, but while you're waiting, check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.
Richard.
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| Jacket for Jacket, Pants and Hat Ensemble |
 |
| Toddler's Jacket #5 - Zoom by Ellen Gormley (GoCrochet) |
 |
| Tommy Turtle |
 |
| Alien Guy |
 |
| Tunisian Spiral Blanket |
 |
| Baby Blanket - Square 51 from "99 Granny Squares to Crochet" |
 |
| Crochenit Cot Blanket |
Come back on Friday to see what I have finished this week, but while you're waiting, check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.
Richard.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Tuesday Tutorial 16.04.2013
Sorry but there is no tutorial this week. I do have plans for a couple more tutorials but I have to set a couple of things up before I can post them so watch this space.
Richard.
Richard.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Monday Mayhem - Growing up a Christian?
I grew up in a semi-religious family. I can't remember my parents going to church, except for wedding and the like, while I was growing up but they made sure that all us kids went to Sunday School.
Once I got into High School I stopped going to Sunday School and pretty much stayed away from church except for the odd wedding and funeral. It seems that I was like most young people, I didn't need God in my life, going to church was just a waste of a Sunday morning.
When my mother got ill Mum and Dad started going to church and I started feeling the pull, but I only attended when I was visiting them. It wasn't until I met this crazy woman who seemed to want to do some very pleasant things to me and wanted to get married and have the Salvation Army marry us that I started to attend church regularly. When my first wife went somewhat cold on me and eventually kicked me out I could have easily stopped going to church but decided to keep going and see where it took me.
I can't say that there was a defining moment when Jesus came into my life but there are definitely times when I'm glad He did.
Richard.
Once I got into High School I stopped going to Sunday School and pretty much stayed away from church except for the odd wedding and funeral. It seems that I was like most young people, I didn't need God in my life, going to church was just a waste of a Sunday morning.
When my mother got ill Mum and Dad started going to church and I started feeling the pull, but I only attended when I was visiting them. It wasn't until I met this crazy woman who seemed to want to do some very pleasant things to me and wanted to get married and have the Salvation Army marry us that I started to attend church regularly. When my first wife went somewhat cold on me and eventually kicked me out I could have easily stopped going to church but decided to keep going and see where it took me.
I can't say that there was a defining moment when Jesus came into my life but there are definitely times when I'm glad He did.
Richard.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Sunday Sermon - Jesus is Alive
I haven't taken much in the way of notes today as most of the sermon was retelling the scripture using different words.
There were three scripture readings today. The first was from Acts 9:1-6 which says :-
Saul’s Conversion
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The second reading came from John 21:1-9 which says :-
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
And the third comes from John 21:15-19 which says :-
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
John believed when he saw the burial cloths (from last week's sermon) and he led the disciples to Galilee.
Peter believed when he saw the Lord on the shore after catching a load of fish.
Thomas believed when he saw Jesus in person and put his hand into Jesus' side.
Saul (who became Paul) needed a much more direct approach to be convinced.
Will you accept the testimonies of the witnesses or will Jesus need to use less subtle approach.
May God bless you richly this week.
Richard.
There were three scripture readings today. The first was from Acts 9:1-6 which says :-
Saul’s Conversion
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The second reading came from John 21:1-9 which says :-
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
And the third comes from John 21:15-19 which says :-
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
John believed when he saw the burial cloths (from last week's sermon) and he led the disciples to Galilee.
Peter believed when he saw the Lord on the shore after catching a load of fish.
Thomas believed when he saw Jesus in person and put his hand into Jesus' side.
Saul (who became Paul) needed a much more direct approach to be convinced.
Will you accept the testimonies of the witnesses or will Jesus need to use less subtle approach.
May God bless you richly this week.
Richard.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Saturday Shenanigans 13.04.2013
We come to the end of another busy week and it's time to look back on what I've achieved. Not much, really, but I'm going to tell you about it anyway.
I still have quite a way to go on most of my projects, especially since one was only just started. I think I've managed to perfect the Trauma Teddy although I don't expect that any two will be alike, even if I used the same colours. Alien Guy is now stuffed, ready for his eyes and other facial features as well as having his head attached to his body and I should have a naked turtle to show by Wednesday. It won't be too long before I need to pick out the next toys to make.
Today was market day in Myrtleford and I have been doing some extra work this week in preparation. Some of the feedback I got from my last couple of markets indicated that I didn't have enough signage around my stall and some people even thought that my stuff wasn't actually for sale but just there on show, so this week I made up a few signs to hang around the stall so that anybody passing would know that I was actually selling the stuff. It didn't work particularly well but one lady did buy five of my hanging towels and I think that was mainly because of the sign that said they were $5 ea or 5 for $20. The other thing I did this week for the stall was to make up tags to attach to the items so that the buying had something to remind them of where they bought the items.
A friend of ours has been talking about opening up a craft store and there may be a possibility of selling finished items there. If that comes to pass the tags I made this week will help to identify any items that I've made and also let the buyer know where they can get more information about me as I have the blog address on them. You never know, maybe I'll get more followers this way, if I don't scare them off with my Thursday Thoughts.
I can't say that Myrtleford was very successful as I only had the one sale. It means that I have had two months in a row where I haven't passed my "break even" point. I have already stopped going to one market because I was going backward in a big hurry but I don't want to stop going to this one. Now, due to other activities, the markets stopping for winter and going on holidays, I won't be going to this market until October or November. We will be back from our holiday in time for the October market but I'm not sure if I'll be able to go as we will need time to find a place to live and it just may not be convenient.
That's pretty much my week this week. I have another market to prepare for next Saturday so I plan to make a few more signs. I also need to review my prices and make sure that they are clearly displayed around the stall.
I hope you all had a good week.
Richard.
I still have quite a way to go on most of my projects, especially since one was only just started. I think I've managed to perfect the Trauma Teddy although I don't expect that any two will be alike, even if I used the same colours. Alien Guy is now stuffed, ready for his eyes and other facial features as well as having his head attached to his body and I should have a naked turtle to show by Wednesday. It won't be too long before I need to pick out the next toys to make.
Today was market day in Myrtleford and I have been doing some extra work this week in preparation. Some of the feedback I got from my last couple of markets indicated that I didn't have enough signage around my stall and some people even thought that my stuff wasn't actually for sale but just there on show, so this week I made up a few signs to hang around the stall so that anybody passing would know that I was actually selling the stuff. It didn't work particularly well but one lady did buy five of my hanging towels and I think that was mainly because of the sign that said they were $5 ea or 5 for $20. The other thing I did this week for the stall was to make up tags to attach to the items so that the buying had something to remind them of where they bought the items.
A friend of ours has been talking about opening up a craft store and there may be a possibility of selling finished items there. If that comes to pass the tags I made this week will help to identify any items that I've made and also let the buyer know where they can get more information about me as I have the blog address on them. You never know, maybe I'll get more followers this way, if I don't scare them off with my Thursday Thoughts.
I can't say that Myrtleford was very successful as I only had the one sale. It means that I have had two months in a row where I haven't passed my "break even" point. I have already stopped going to one market because I was going backward in a big hurry but I don't want to stop going to this one. Now, due to other activities, the markets stopping for winter and going on holidays, I won't be going to this market until October or November. We will be back from our holiday in time for the October market but I'm not sure if I'll be able to go as we will need time to find a place to live and it just may not be convenient.
That's pretty much my week this week. I have another market to prepare for next Saturday so I plan to make a few more signs. I also need to review my prices and make sure that they are clearly displayed around the stall.
I hope you all had a good week.
Richard.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Friday FOs 12.04.2013
Well, I've managed to finish a few more items this week. Nothing major, just some smaller pieces. Here they are.
I think I've now got this pattern down pat.
I had hoped to get more of these done but I didn't want making them to interfere too much with my other projects. I still have plenty more towels to work with so expect to see lots more of these.
That's it from me for this week. Check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.
Richard.
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| Trauma Teddy #3 |
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| Hanging Towels made from Hand Towels |
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| Hanging Towels made from Tea Towels |
That's it from me for this week. Check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.
Richard.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Thursday Thoughts - Politicians
We're heading towards an election here in Australia so I thought I would share my view of politicians. It's a view that I've adopted after reading it the web. I did have to think twice about sharing this with you as, while most people will find it homourous, some may find offensive and contoversial.
Politicians are like nappies (diapers for you Americans), they need to be changed regularly and for the same reason.
Hope you enjoy this one. :)
Richard.
Politicians are like nappies (diapers for you Americans), they need to be changed regularly and for the same reason.
Hope you enjoy this one. :)
Richard.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Wednesday WIPs 10.04.2013
Trying to fit 10 projects into one week has proved to be quite difficult, and this week I failed. I really need to cut back on some of these but there are so many projects that I need to get done and so many others that I want to get done. Well, the ones that I need to get done are getting done so I suppose that's a good thing.
Here are the WIPs that I've worked on this week.
Finished the crocheting the main part of the jacket. Now I just need to sew it up and crochet the fancy edging.
I've already made four of these and have the yarn for a couple more. I'm almost at my target of 5 of these on the stall.
That's a possum and koala done and a galah started. I'm still making good progress on this so I still hopeful of entering into the show later this year.
All the pieces for the body have now been mad. I just need to sew them together and add some stuffing and then I'll be ready to start on the shell. I still haven't figured out what colours I'm going to use on the shell yet.
I've made my last colour change on this. Just a few more rows then I start on the border, which is going to be more of the same but just using white.
Another square complete, only 24 more to go.
I'm quite liking the process with this one. It's coming out quite nicely.
Alien Guy didn't get worked on this week but you can rest assured it will be the next one I work on.
I did get a few items finished this week so check back on Friday to see what they were. In the meantime, check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.
Richard.
Here are the WIPs that I've worked on this week.
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| Baby's Jacket - part of a Jacket, Pants and Hat ensemble |
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| Toddler's Jacket - Zoom by Ellen Gormley (GoCrochet) |
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| AustralianaV2 - designed by me |
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| Tommy Turtle |
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| Crochenit Cot Blanket |
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| Baby Blanket - Square 51 from "99 Granny Squares to Crochet" |
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| Tunisian Spiral Blanket |
Alien Guy didn't get worked on this week but you can rest assured it will be the next one I work on.
I did get a few items finished this week so check back on Friday to see what they were. In the meantime, check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.
Richard.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Tuesday Tutorial 09.04.2013
This week, I thought I would tell you how I made my Squares in Squares Blanket. As a reminder to everyone, this is what the finished article looked like.
As usual, I will assume everybody know how to do Tunisian Crochet and has read my previous tutorials, especially the short rows square.
I've kinda put off telling people how I made this because dome aspects are a little difficult to describe, but I will do my best.
The first thing I did was to make a short rows square. This was so that the centre square had the same look as the triangles that surrounded it.
For the first triangle I joined the yarn at a corner and made 2 chain. The first forward pass I picked up a stitch in the second chain from the hook and linked to the first row on the centre square (2 loops on hook), then did the reverse pass as normal. The next row I picked up a stitch before the next bar then tss in the next stitch and linked to the next row of the centre square (3 loops on hook) the did a normal reverse pass. I repeated the last row until I got to the centre of the side of the centre square, then I started to reduce the number of stitches by tss2tog at the start of each row. Slip stitch into the corner, 2ch and make the second triangle in the same manner as the first. Repeat again for the 3rd and 4th triangles and slip stitch into the starting corner and break off yarn.
This is where it starts getting tricky. Anybody that knows math really well will know that each square needs to increase by a factor of 1.41428 (square root of 2) in order to stay flat. For this project I thought that 1.5 would be close enough.
The next set of triangles was started in much the same way as the first, attach the yarn at the corner, make 2 chain, pick up stitch in second chain from hook, link to the centre row (that's where the corner is) an do the reverse pass as normal. The next row, increase one stitch, tss in the next, link to the next row, reverse pass as normal, is the same as on the first set of triangles. The third row differs in that it links to the same row as the previous row. This is how the triangles end up getting bigger, every 3rd row links to the same row as the previous. I continued increasing one stitch per row until I got to the centre (the corner of the first square) before starting to decrease each row. I only put one row in to the centre row no mater where it fitted into the sequence. I continued with the remaining triangles in the same manner.
The border used the same math to increase the number of rows but the number of stitches remained constant.
Those of you that are observant will notice that the blanket doesn't actually sit flat. This is because each new set of triangle actually had too many rows. 1.5 (3/2) simply doesn't equal 1.41428.
If I were to make this again there are several things I would change. For starters I would make the centre square bigger. I originally intended to only use 6 colours plus the border but the blanket wasn't big enough at the point so I had to add a couple more. Increasing the size of the centre square to about 15cm (6") would have produced a better result. The second thing I would do is not increase 3 rows for 2. I think 7 rows for 5 (1 row into the first, 2 rows into the second, 1 row into each of the next 2 and 2 rows into the 5th) would have been much better (7/5 = 1.4 which is closer to 1.41428 than is 1.5).
I hope I've explained this clear enough, but if I haven't and you want something clarified, drop me an email (link is in my profile) and I'll try to clear things up.
Richard.
As usual, I will assume everybody know how to do Tunisian Crochet and has read my previous tutorials, especially the short rows square.
I've kinda put off telling people how I made this because dome aspects are a little difficult to describe, but I will do my best.
The first thing I did was to make a short rows square. This was so that the centre square had the same look as the triangles that surrounded it.
For the first triangle I joined the yarn at a corner and made 2 chain. The first forward pass I picked up a stitch in the second chain from the hook and linked to the first row on the centre square (2 loops on hook), then did the reverse pass as normal. The next row I picked up a stitch before the next bar then tss in the next stitch and linked to the next row of the centre square (3 loops on hook) the did a normal reverse pass. I repeated the last row until I got to the centre of the side of the centre square, then I started to reduce the number of stitches by tss2tog at the start of each row. Slip stitch into the corner, 2ch and make the second triangle in the same manner as the first. Repeat again for the 3rd and 4th triangles and slip stitch into the starting corner and break off yarn.
This is where it starts getting tricky. Anybody that knows math really well will know that each square needs to increase by a factor of 1.41428 (square root of 2) in order to stay flat. For this project I thought that 1.5 would be close enough.
The next set of triangles was started in much the same way as the first, attach the yarn at the corner, make 2 chain, pick up stitch in second chain from hook, link to the centre row (that's where the corner is) an do the reverse pass as normal. The next row, increase one stitch, tss in the next, link to the next row, reverse pass as normal, is the same as on the first set of triangles. The third row differs in that it links to the same row as the previous row. This is how the triangles end up getting bigger, every 3rd row links to the same row as the previous. I continued increasing one stitch per row until I got to the centre (the corner of the first square) before starting to decrease each row. I only put one row in to the centre row no mater where it fitted into the sequence. I continued with the remaining triangles in the same manner.
The border used the same math to increase the number of rows but the number of stitches remained constant.
Those of you that are observant will notice that the blanket doesn't actually sit flat. This is because each new set of triangle actually had too many rows. 1.5 (3/2) simply doesn't equal 1.41428.
If I were to make this again there are several things I would change. For starters I would make the centre square bigger. I originally intended to only use 6 colours plus the border but the blanket wasn't big enough at the point so I had to add a couple more. Increasing the size of the centre square to about 15cm (6") would have produced a better result. The second thing I would do is not increase 3 rows for 2. I think 7 rows for 5 (1 row into the first, 2 rows into the second, 1 row into each of the next 2 and 2 rows into the 5th) would have been much better (7/5 = 1.4 which is closer to 1.41428 than is 1.5).
I hope I've explained this clear enough, but if I haven't and you want something clarified, drop me an email (link is in my profile) and I'll try to clear things up.
Richard.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Monday Mayhem 08.04.2013
Last week I told you about how I came to be in Australia. This week I thought I would tell you something about my school years.
I went to 7 different schools as I was growing up. I started at Queanbeyan Public School but had only been there for 6 months when we moved to Cootamundra. My father had managed to get the job of foreman on the construction of the abattoir so we all moved and I spent a year at Cootamundra Primary before moving back to Queanbeyan Public School.
Before I finished primary Queanbeyan South Public opened up and we had the choice of continuing at Queanbeyan public or switching to the new school because we were on the borderline of the areas served by both schools. We chose to go to Queanbeyan South because it was actually closer. Toward the end of the year there was talk of making me repeat year 6 because it was thought that would be too young to start High School at the begining of the next year, but I made it difficult to justify such a move by coming Boys Dux of the school. My father wasn't particularly impressed by this though because I actually came 9th in the class, letting 8 girls beat me.
This is where things get a little interesting as I had a different High School for each year. I did most of 1st Form (Year 7) at Queanbeyan High before we move to Warramanga. There was no High School in the area at the time so I attended Melrose High for the remainder of that year and all the next. At the start of my 3rd year of High School Warramanga High opened up and I was transferred to there for 3rd Form (year 9). Towards the end of the year my father had decided he had had enough of the rat race that was Canberra and started arrangements for moving the whole family down to the south cost of NSW. The nearest school was a 45 minute bus ride away in Moruya, and this is where I completed 4th Form (year 10).
At the end of 4th Form my parents decided to pull me out of school because I was too lazy and not doing the work that was required of me, so that's where my schooling ending for a while. I think I'll leave the rest of that for a later day.
Richard.
I went to 7 different schools as I was growing up. I started at Queanbeyan Public School but had only been there for 6 months when we moved to Cootamundra. My father had managed to get the job of foreman on the construction of the abattoir so we all moved and I spent a year at Cootamundra Primary before moving back to Queanbeyan Public School.
Before I finished primary Queanbeyan South Public opened up and we had the choice of continuing at Queanbeyan public or switching to the new school because we were on the borderline of the areas served by both schools. We chose to go to Queanbeyan South because it was actually closer. Toward the end of the year there was talk of making me repeat year 6 because it was thought that would be too young to start High School at the begining of the next year, but I made it difficult to justify such a move by coming Boys Dux of the school. My father wasn't particularly impressed by this though because I actually came 9th in the class, letting 8 girls beat me.
This is where things get a little interesting as I had a different High School for each year. I did most of 1st Form (Year 7) at Queanbeyan High before we move to Warramanga. There was no High School in the area at the time so I attended Melrose High for the remainder of that year and all the next. At the start of my 3rd year of High School Warramanga High opened up and I was transferred to there for 3rd Form (year 9). Towards the end of the year my father had decided he had had enough of the rat race that was Canberra and started arrangements for moving the whole family down to the south cost of NSW. The nearest school was a 45 minute bus ride away in Moruya, and this is where I completed 4th Form (year 10).
At the end of 4th Form my parents decided to pull me out of school because I was too lazy and not doing the work that was required of me, so that's where my schooling ending for a while. I think I'll leave the rest of that for a later day.
Richard.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sunday Sermon - Ta-Daaaah
Today's reading comes from John 20:19-31
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
A Sunday School teacher asked the children in her group what they thought Jesus' first words were when he stepped out of the grave. One young girl jumped up and said "I know, I know" so the teacher asked her to go ahead and tell every one and so the little girl jumped up with her arms outstretched and said "Ta-daaah". While this may not have been entirely accurate, the resurrection of Jesus was a real "Ta-dah" moment.
When you tell someone not to do something because they will get hurt, most of the time they will do it anyway, especially young people. It's how we learn. We learn more from experience than we do from having people tell us.
It wasn't until Jesus appeared to them that the disciples truly believed. Thomas wasn't the only one that doubted. Even though they had seen the risen Lord they still hid in locked rooms for fear of the Jews.
The Christian life is a journey, not a destination. It has its ups and downs. Some people don't "get it" and until they do will never believe. Even John Wesley, who had believed int Christ all his life was known to call out "Lord, help my unbelief".
In Verse 29 Jesus says "Blessed are they that have not seen and yet believe". Those that have seen the Lord go on to do great things in His name. I believe in Jesus and am willing to help spread His message of hope to the world, but I have not yet seen Him so I call out withe Mr Wesley "Lord, help my unbelief".
May God bless you richly this week.
Richard.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Saturday Shenanigans - 06.04.2013
Another busy week has come to an end and I think I may be overloading myself with projects. I now have 10 projects on the go. I may have to think about not starting any new ones until I finish a couple of these, but I have so many things I want to make and quite a few that I need to make.
I've tried to organise my time so that I spend a couple of hours on each of my main projects, make one Trauma Teddy and as many hanging towels as I can manage each week. I'm not sure if I can manage to work on all my main projects in one week but I'm sure going to give it a good try.
In other news, plans for our trip are slowly coming together. This morning we were looking at our route through Ireland. I'm not sure how much we're going to see in the short time we're there but we're going to see as much as we can.
The rest of the week has been pretty much as normal. I stopped going to the gym 3 time a week, mainly because Sue hasn't been going to the pool, and have been walking around the park instead. I don't know yet whether it's doing me any good but I'm sure it's not doing me any harm. No markets this week and I haven't sold anything in my Madeit store for ages. On the bright side, my to-do list hasn't grown this week so this is probably as god a time as any to review it.
My to-do list currently looks like this:-
Current Work In Progress:
Rose Clan Dress Tartan Rug
Crochenit Cot Blanket (trying a method for doing rows that are longer than the hook)
Toddlers Jacket
Tommy Turtle
AustralianaV2
Things I'm itching to get started on:
Crochenit Knee Rug (same as Cot Blanket and will also use up some of my stash of 8ply)
Crocheted Slocks
Something in Tunisian Crochet Lace (I'm thinking of modifying Ellen's Jacket pattern by substituting a lace stitch in the main body of the pattern)
Something from Ellen's new book.
A doily from an old pattern book I bought.
I've tried to organise my time so that I spend a couple of hours on each of my main projects, make one Trauma Teddy and as many hanging towels as I can manage each week. I'm not sure if I can manage to work on all my main projects in one week but I'm sure going to give it a good try.
In other news, plans for our trip are slowly coming together. This morning we were looking at our route through Ireland. I'm not sure how much we're going to see in the short time we're there but we're going to see as much as we can.
The rest of the week has been pretty much as normal. I stopped going to the gym 3 time a week, mainly because Sue hasn't been going to the pool, and have been walking around the park instead. I don't know yet whether it's doing me any good but I'm sure it's not doing me any harm. No markets this week and I haven't sold anything in my Madeit store for ages. On the bright side, my to-do list hasn't grown this week so this is probably as god a time as any to review it.
My to-do list currently looks like this:-
Things to make to replace stock for my
market stall:
Bottle Cosies in more team colours
Bottle Cosies in more team colours
2 String bags
Teapot Cosies
bag holders
Koala
Small Bunny
Dragon
Current Work In Progress:
Rose Clan Dress Tartan Rug
Crochenit Cot Blanket (trying a method for doing rows that are longer than the hook)
Toddlers Jacket
Tommy Turtle
AustralianaV2
Baby Blanket using Square 51 from “99
Granny Squares”
Alien Guy
Trauma Teddies
Tunisian Spiral Blanket
Hanging Towels
Things I'm itching to get started on:
Crochenit Knee Rug (same as Cot Blanket and will also use up some of my stash of 8ply)
Crocheted Slocks
Something in Tunisian Crochet Lace (I'm thinking of modifying Ellen's Jacket pattern by substituting a lace stitch in the main body of the pattern)
Something from Ellen's new book.
A doily from an old pattern book I bought.
Banner for Stall
Table Runners for each Australian state
and territory (currently trying to design the ACT one).
Tunisian Crochet Intarsia Table Runner
Dinosaurs (bought the pattern from
PlanetJune)
At the rate at which I'm getting through these things I should be busy until I'm 90, if I should live that long.
Well, that's my life this week. I hope you all had a good one.
Richard.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Friday FOs 05.04.2013
This is the second week in a row that I've had finished objects. It almost feels like I back to what I was doing last year, having at least one item finished each week. I only managed that for a little over half the year last year and I know I can't do it this year. Apart from the fact that I've already failed, I will be taking 12 weeks off to go on holidays.
I think this is the fourth one of these that I've made. I find it interested that the others I've made the colours in the variegated yarn pooled in quite interesting ways but this variegated pink didn't. I quite like the effect of the pooling, but I also like it when it doesn't pool. I will have to wait a little bit to see if the colours pool on my next one which I started today.
You will be seeing quite a few of these over the coming weeks. I found that I was running quite low on stocks when I was setting up for my last couple of markets so I'm going to try and make up every towel that I have bought for this purpose.
Some of you will already know what at least one of my FOs are for this week. Here are FOs #11 to #15 for 2013.
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| Toddler's Jacket - Zoom by Ellen Gormley (GoCrochet) |
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| Hanging Towel using a terry toweling tea towel |
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| Hanging Towels using hand towels |
 |
| Trauma Teddy #2 |
I think I got the proportions on the body right this time but I may have gone a little overboard with the arms.
As usual, check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.
Richard.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Thursday Thoughts - The Logic of Belief
I thought I would use Thursdays to put down a thought for the week. Some thoughts will be humourous, some serious and some may even be controversial. Today's thought has a somewhat religious aspect.
Everybody believes in something and will use all sorts of arguments to justify our beliefs. Truth is, we all believe what we want to believe whether or not there is any truth in it.
I have made no secret of the fact that I'm a Christian, that I believe in God, Jesus Christ His son and the holy spirit. Since my background is in Computers, and I spent some 20 years programming them (something which requires a great deal of logic), some people might think that believing in God is a little odd as it doesn't seem logical to them. Belief is a heart thing and heart things are generally not logical.
Some time ago I came across a story of a man who was involved in Watergate and was put in prison for his part in the affair. He came to believe in Jesus because he and his cohorts were unable to hide the truth. Hi figured that if he and his cohorts couldn't hide the truth and keep themselves out of prison then the witnesses to Jesus' resurrection must have been telling the truth even though it got them put into prison. If all they had to do to stay out of prison was to recant their story then the reason they didn't do so indicates that they thought that the story had more value than their freedom.
I personally can't believe that anyone would stick to a story that got them imprisoned, tortured and killed if they had made it up, it is therefore logical to believe that they were telling the truth, that Jesus rose from the dead and showed himself to them. This tells me that God exists because only God could raise someone from the dead.
Richard.
Everybody believes in something and will use all sorts of arguments to justify our beliefs. Truth is, we all believe what we want to believe whether or not there is any truth in it.
I have made no secret of the fact that I'm a Christian, that I believe in God, Jesus Christ His son and the holy spirit. Since my background is in Computers, and I spent some 20 years programming them (something which requires a great deal of logic), some people might think that believing in God is a little odd as it doesn't seem logical to them. Belief is a heart thing and heart things are generally not logical.
Some time ago I came across a story of a man who was involved in Watergate and was put in prison for his part in the affair. He came to believe in Jesus because he and his cohorts were unable to hide the truth. Hi figured that if he and his cohorts couldn't hide the truth and keep themselves out of prison then the witnesses to Jesus' resurrection must have been telling the truth even though it got them put into prison. If all they had to do to stay out of prison was to recant their story then the reason they didn't do so indicates that they thought that the story had more value than their freedom.
I personally can't believe that anyone would stick to a story that got them imprisoned, tortured and killed if they had made it up, it is therefore logical to believe that they were telling the truth, that Jesus rose from the dead and showed himself to them. This tells me that God exists because only God could raise someone from the dead.
Richard.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Wednesday WIPs 03.04.2013
After another busy week with 2 markets and plenty of opportunity to crochet there has been plenty of progress and a few finished items. This is what my WIPs look like as at 3:00pm.
Just another couple of rows on this colour and I will change to the final colour.
The top half of the body is now finished. I still have the head gussets, feet and shell to go.
I think this one is looking quite good.
A bit more of the head has been done. The pattern calls for a paler green at this point so I need to go stash diving to see what I have.
Finished one side of the front, now to start on the other side.
Another half a dozen rows done on this one. Progress is good but I'm not sure if it will be finished in time. I plan to enter it into this year's show.
Another couple of square has been added this week. I used some of the time at each market to make one square in an effort to make up a bit of time. I still have 25 squares to make in about 12 weeks.
As I said at the start, plenty of progress has been made. Astute people among you may have noticed that one of my projects is missing from this lineup. Come back on Friday to find out what it is. In the mean time, check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.
Richard.
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| Crochenit Cot Blanket |
 |
| Tommy Turtle |
 |
| Tunisian Spiral Blanket |
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| Alien Guy |
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| Jacket for a Baby's Jacket, Pants and Hat ensemble |
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| AustralianaV2 |
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| Woollen Baby Blanket - square 51 from "99 Granny Squares to Crochet" |
As I said at the start, plenty of progress has been made. Astute people among you may have noticed that one of my projects is missing from this lineup. Come back on Friday to find out what it is. In the mean time, check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.
Richard.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Tuesday Tutorials
Some time ago I showed everyone how to make a Tunisian Shorts Rows Square. Today I going to tell you how I used that technique to make this blanket.
I don't have any close up pictures of the corners so I hope my description of how to do them, along with the previous tutorial will be sufficient.
I started this by making two sides of the border. This was so that I had a base to work the the first squares onto. For this tutorial I am going to assume that people already know Tunisian Simple Stitch and have read my tutorial on how to make the short rows square.
To start, I did 5 chain, picked up a stitch in the second chain from the hook (2 loops on hook) then worked a reverse pass (yo, pull through 1 loop, yo, pull through 2 loops). The next row is made by doing tss in the next stitch and picking up a loop in the next chain then work a normal reverse pass. Continuing by picking up one more stitch in the chain with each row until all chains have been used (5 loops on the hook for the forward pass). Work 150 rows of tss.
After I did the 150 rows I turned the corner by first shortening the rows (leaving the last stitch unworked) then lengthening the rows in the same way that I did for the square washcloth. I then worked enough rows to enable me to start making the first panel. You could go the full 150 rows across if you want but I chose to do just enough to give me a base for each panel. You cannot complete the border until the main body of the blanket is complete.
The first panel is made by picking up 25 stitches in the ends of the rows nearest the corner then 25 stitches up the side (ie count 25 stitches from the corner along the base, pick up a stitch on the inside edge and work towards the corner then pick up 25 stitch up the side working away from the corner) (50 loops on hook). This is the base row for the first square of the panel. Work a standard reverse pass. Work 22 tss, tss2tog twice, 23 tss then a standard reverse pass. Work 21 tss, tss2tog twice, 23 tss then a standard reverse pass. Keep reducing the number of stitches in this manner until only 2 stitches remain. Insert hook in the second stitch, yo, pull through all loops on hook (1 square finished).
The second square is made by picking up stitches across the top of the square and the next 25 stitches up the side of the border. There should be 50 loops on the hook. Work a reverse pass as normal. Continue is the same manner as the first square.
Repeat this process for the remaining 4 squares of the first panel.
The second and all subsequent panels are made in much the same way except the stitches are picked up on the side of the squares in the first panel.
Once all panels are made (150 rows on each side should give 36 squares in a 6x6 grid) it's time to complete the border. Turn the corner in the same manner as the first corner was done. for each row of the border, pick up the stitches in the normal manner. Put the hook through the end of the next row of the adjacent square, yo, pull through the row and the first loop on the hook (this is just and extension of the yo, pull through first loop on hook that is done in the standard reverse pass and just links the row with the adjacent square) then continue the reverse pass as normal.
When the last 2 sides of the border have been completed, having turned the 3rd corner in the same manner as the previous 2, it is necessary to shorten rows, linking with the appropriate row of the start of the border in the same manner as the border was linked to the sides of the squares (this is probably the trickiest part of the whole blanket). The border can also be completed by shortening the rows as normal and sewing the 2 halves together if that is easier (I've never really liked sewing seams).
If you do try to make this blanket and have any problems just send me an email to the address associated with this blog (there's a link in my profile) with photos and a description of the problem and I'll try to help.
Richard.
I don't have any close up pictures of the corners so I hope my description of how to do them, along with the previous tutorial will be sufficient.
I started this by making two sides of the border. This was so that I had a base to work the the first squares onto. For this tutorial I am going to assume that people already know Tunisian Simple Stitch and have read my tutorial on how to make the short rows square.
To start, I did 5 chain, picked up a stitch in the second chain from the hook (2 loops on hook) then worked a reverse pass (yo, pull through 1 loop, yo, pull through 2 loops). The next row is made by doing tss in the next stitch and picking up a loop in the next chain then work a normal reverse pass. Continuing by picking up one more stitch in the chain with each row until all chains have been used (5 loops on the hook for the forward pass). Work 150 rows of tss.
After I did the 150 rows I turned the corner by first shortening the rows (leaving the last stitch unworked) then lengthening the rows in the same way that I did for the square washcloth. I then worked enough rows to enable me to start making the first panel. You could go the full 150 rows across if you want but I chose to do just enough to give me a base for each panel. You cannot complete the border until the main body of the blanket is complete.
The first panel is made by picking up 25 stitches in the ends of the rows nearest the corner then 25 stitches up the side (ie count 25 stitches from the corner along the base, pick up a stitch on the inside edge and work towards the corner then pick up 25 stitch up the side working away from the corner) (50 loops on hook). This is the base row for the first square of the panel. Work a standard reverse pass. Work 22 tss, tss2tog twice, 23 tss then a standard reverse pass. Work 21 tss, tss2tog twice, 23 tss then a standard reverse pass. Keep reducing the number of stitches in this manner until only 2 stitches remain. Insert hook in the second stitch, yo, pull through all loops on hook (1 square finished).
The second square is made by picking up stitches across the top of the square and the next 25 stitches up the side of the border. There should be 50 loops on the hook. Work a reverse pass as normal. Continue is the same manner as the first square.
Repeat this process for the remaining 4 squares of the first panel.
The second and all subsequent panels are made in much the same way except the stitches are picked up on the side of the squares in the first panel.
Once all panels are made (150 rows on each side should give 36 squares in a 6x6 grid) it's time to complete the border. Turn the corner in the same manner as the first corner was done. for each row of the border, pick up the stitches in the normal manner. Put the hook through the end of the next row of the adjacent square, yo, pull through the row and the first loop on the hook (this is just and extension of the yo, pull through first loop on hook that is done in the standard reverse pass and just links the row with the adjacent square) then continue the reverse pass as normal.
When the last 2 sides of the border have been completed, having turned the 3rd corner in the same manner as the previous 2, it is necessary to shorten rows, linking with the appropriate row of the start of the border in the same manner as the border was linked to the sides of the squares (this is probably the trickiest part of the whole blanket). The border can also be completed by shortening the rows as normal and sewing the 2 halves together if that is easier (I've never really liked sewing seams).
If you do try to make this blanket and have any problems just send me an email to the address associated with this blog (there's a link in my profile) with photos and a description of the problem and I'll try to help.
Richard.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Monday Mayhem
In an effort to give my readers a little more content I would tell you all a little more about myself.
I was born in a little place call Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, England. My parents decided to emigrate to Australia and I was too young to argue (not that I would want to anyway). After a long voyage we arrived in Australia just before I turned 6 months old.
My first memories are of growing up in a country town in NSW called Queanbeyan and this is the place that I came to call home.
My father was a carpenter by trade but his first job here in Australia was as a security guard on the construction of Snowy Mountains Hydro. He told many stories about Canberra before they dammed the Molonglo River to create Lake Burley Griffin. Dad also worked on many construction sites around the area.
That's enough about my life for this week. I will continue this next week.
Richard.
I was born in a little place call Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, England. My parents decided to emigrate to Australia and I was too young to argue (not that I would want to anyway). After a long voyage we arrived in Australia just before I turned 6 months old.
My first memories are of growing up in a country town in NSW called Queanbeyan and this is the place that I came to call home.
My father was a carpenter by trade but his first job here in Australia was as a security guard on the construction of Snowy Mountains Hydro. He told many stories about Canberra before they dammed the Molonglo River to create Lake Burley Griffin. Dad also worked on many construction sites around the area.
That's enough about my life for this week. I will continue this next week.
Richard.
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