Christmas and icing

Christmas fruit mix for mum 2012:

250g sultanas
250g currants
150g dates - chopped
150g figs - chopped
1 stick of cinnamon
2 tsp cardamom
tsp allspice
tsp ground cloves
125ml brandy

World's most amazing icing ever for Jayne:

110g white chocolate
45g flour
250ml milk
-make a roux, whisk until very thick, beat until light
225g butter
1.5tsp vanilla
250g castor sugar
-cream, add the completely cooled roux, beat until amazing.

Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show. 2012.

I went up to Bendigo on an early(ish) train with a friend and her son. We cleaned up nicely. I left with a supported spindle (which, several attempts and youtube videos later, I still can't make work). A banksia tree drop spindle (beautiful, it would make a great Australian present for a non-Australian spinner). Both spindles were made by Ron West the wood turner/spinner from (SA, QLD? not sure). The tag says 'From the shop of Ron West. Phone (08) 8554 1882'. Does anyone have any web info for him? I can't find him.

I also bought two skeins of jitterbug from Sarah Durrant to make 'Bigger on the inside'  . A skein of blue bijou malabrigo to make Gretel. 


Also, I saw a woman wearing the cabled turban and I'd like to make it, but I fear it would make my head look even bigger than it is.

And there is 1.3 kg of Wendy Dennis fleece. It is a lovely pale marbled grey. I have to decide whether to wash it or just to spin it in the grease. It is beautiful. I like it a lot. I am keen to get my other fleece finished so that I can start on it.


















Some spindles I did not buy.

Woman's Weekly Knitted Cosy

I only got one side finished before Christmas, but I got the other side finished before the new year.






















It is enormously dense. It keeps the tea super warm.