12 in 11 September Update

Baby done a bad, bad thing.

Blew out the challenge in September while we were in NZ.

No defence, no excuses, just did.

Quota Used 15/12

Op shopping in a new country is fun.  Some of the brands were familiar but not all of the specialist sizings that I look for. It was a bit of a test of my ability to assess quality and cut based on the garment rather than the label. 

This challenge has led me to assess what it is I need in clothing and my preferences for colour and shape.  If I couldn't just have it, I had to assess each item.  It's a good skill to acquire and hone. 

So, what did I get that was worth blowing the challenge for?

• 1 pr Blundstone steel cap boots, new in box from Salvos $10 (we have some major landscaping and gardening ahead of us and these are perfect to protect my tootsies from falling pavers etc.)
• 1 pr strappy sandally heels to wear to this accursed ball $6 from Salvos. 
• 2 jumpers; one is a tunic style that has seen some wear already and another in a henley style which has replaced my baggy saggy, pre-weightloss winter favourite (already gone to the op shop).  Both are in green shades, one a light gumleaf olive, the other a bright kiwi green.  Both are medium guage.  $23 the pair from Save Mart.
• 1 moleskin shirt for football and outdoor wear next autumn/winter replacing the way too large pincord shirt I have been wearing for years. $6 Salvos.
• 1 jacket for work.  I am expected to travel more for work in the next couple of years, so I picked up a dressier jacket in non-crushable knit.  $20 Vinnies.  Yes, a lot more than I usually pay but this is an excellent brand and fit and slips in the my mix and match wardrobe really well.  Retail it would be about $200, so I'm pleased.

Exempt

Knickers bought just before we left for NZ.  These replace the daggies worn and abandoned in NZ. 

Bra, new with tags from Save Mart in Invercargill.  $15.

Hosiery - found 5 pairs of new in packets stockings and tights in op shops including electric blue stockings for an average $1.50 a pair.  Given one pair of pantihose retail is $12, I'm a happy hosiery freak.

We left most of our travelling clothes and shoes in NZ, returning only with our "new" purchases and a change of shirt and undies.  Fate handed us a woman of size at the caravan park the evening before our departure.  She was in town to watch her brother play for the Fiji Rugby Team.  She gladly took our clothes for her family and we were delighted they went to a welcoming home.

Since we've been back wardrobe culling continues with several bags full off to op shops as new items were washed and put away and the winter wardrobe turned over to spring and summer.

Bonnet

What 7am looked like yesterday.

Working on a commission to be delivered on Sunday.  A soon to be born grandchild is in need of a bonnet and better-than-boottees socks. 

The socks will take 6 hours to complete so I'm working on the bonnet first.  The design and yarn was left to my discretion, as long as it was white.  The vintage Patonyle (60% wool, 40% nylon in 25g balls) has been in stash for some time.  It was purchased second-hand and I have 3 balls. The bonnet is going to take just over one ball and I'll get the socks out of the remainder of that ball.  A lovely set for 50g of yarn.

The pattern is vintage Patons and written for for 3ply, but using smaller needles in a ribbed/lacy ribbed garment means sizing won't be an issue.  This will fit from about 3mos on. As we don't know the gender of the baby, I'm figuring lemon ribbons for the ties.  All materials are from stash.

Traditional Fathers' Day

I nearly burst a pfooffa valve the other night watching an advertisment.  Can't remember what it was advertising, but the gist was "don't give Dad socks for Fathers' Day".

I am happy to report that TOF doesn't think socks are a naff present for Fathers' Day.

He loves his handknits and knows how much love they represent and appreciate that the animals cared enough to commission me to make them.  He likes his new Wallabies jersey and the bottle of whiskey as well.

12 in 11 August Update

Quota Used 10/12


I bought a frock for the ball in October.  More a maxi than a formal frock, but for $6 from the Salvos it's long and floaty and will do.  I need to take it in a bit, but will wait until we return from NZ.

Given the big freeze in NZ a couple of weeks ago, I bit the budgetary bullet and ordered a down jacket from Canada.  I can't get one to fit here, and I've tried.  Less than $200 including postage and I will be warm.

Exempt Items

The silk thermals I bought to wear in NZ come under the heading of underwear so they don't count.

Treats

TOF hit the jackpot this week and brought home a lovely book -  Simply Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free by Grace Cheetham.  It's has some interesting takes on traditional treats and desserts as well as meal recipes.  Between us, we can eat neither gluten, dairy, mushrooms nor beef. We don't really have a problem with meals, but treats, oh treats....

Today's treat is our take on Grace's chocolate and fig biscuits.  As we couldn't find our stash of dried figs from last year's plunder of public fig trees in Canberra, we subbed dried apricots. The chocolate called for was a 70% cocoa solids, but we used Whittaker's 50% bitter sweet because it was open and is still dairy free.

Total win.  The resulting biscuit was moist but not mushy and we got 15 biscuits.  A darker chocolate would give a richer result and I can't wait to try it with figs.

12 in 11 July update

Nothing at all to report this month.  Nothing new came in either by purchase or by gift.

QUOTA USED 8/12

Not really wanted much, although we have a ball to go to in October, and I have nothing to wear.  I got rid of all the evening wear when I lost weight and it's the last thing to be replaced.

Finding a ball gown is impossible and I haven't the inclination to sew.  I suspect it will be cocktail length rather than formal length this time around.

While I was on leave in June I threw a few pale and/or stained items into a dye bath.  I now have several indigo coloured revamps - just like new clothes.  Hope to turn a few of my navy shoes black this month as I've had to get rid of some old favourites recently and the work shoe situation is getting dire.

12 in 11 May and June Updates

Shitty couple of months and I did not resort to retail or op-shop therapy.

QUOTA USED:

I bought a pair of fake pony skin leopart print pumps late in May.  Brand new Kumfs for $20 at Vinnies.
I followed up with a dress in June to wear to my mother's funeral.  Half price but retail.

Quota used 8/12.


EXEMPT ITEMS ACQUIRED:

2 prs pantyhose 30% off at DJs.
2 bras on 30% off at Target.  Still looking for another couple and badly need undies.
12 summer t-shirts.  New t-shirts cleared from Mum's cupboard.
5 pairs hand-knitted socks.  Socks I knitted for Mum which I have now reclaimed.
Jacket for gardening in, gift from TOF.
Cotton cardie/cover up thing for work, gift from TOF.

Packing up

I am writing this from Mum's hospital room.  Yep, again.

This is her third hospitalisation this year.  I am waiting for the medical staff to finish their meeting with the nursing, physiotherapy and social work staff who are deciding Mum's fate.

As soon as a place is available she will be moved to respite care, pending a nursing home.  It's not going down well with Mum, although she's so sore and tired at the moment the fight isn't really there.

This morning before coming to the hospital, I started looking at the house with an eye to packing it up.  Fortunately Mum is a neat freak so it's not going to be a task like on the tv show "Hoarders" as a friend on Facebook imagined.  It's just going to be emotionally difficult and physically challenging.

The kitchen and linen cupboard look like the best places to start.  Fewer items of sentimental value and I cleared out the extraneous from the linen cupboard in January.  I'm going for easy wins in the first few days. 

The craft stuff, too, has to be dealt with.  Again, I've culled this fairly well in the last six months.  Moving things on will be easy enough - I know lots of people who can use craft supplies - but there will be things I want to keep such as the length of tartan in the family pattern bought in Scotland and a gift from a dear family friend (long dead); the Brussels lace bought for me by my grandmother for my wedding dress (poor deluded but well-meaning woman); and the vintage vyellas and batistes.  I can't and won't keep it all, but some of it will come home.

Green Tomato Sauce

We were the grateful recipients of several loads of green tomatoes this year.  Just as well, our entire tomato yield was 3 ripe tomatoes and a balancing amount of green ones.

I keep forgetting where we get our recipes from so this will be the first in a series of posts recording what we made, where it came from and any deviations from the original recipe.  I probably should have recorded yield etc, but I didn't.

RECIPE:  Green Tomato Sauce

SOURCE:  The Australian Women's Weekly Home Library. The Book of Preserves. Australian Consolidate Press, 1990.  p. 106.

DEVIATION 1:  used our own red wine vinegar instead of brown vinegar - softer, sweeter, more complex flavour as result.

DEVIATION 2:  in second batch added a couple of sliced green chillis. 

NEXT TIME:  Add more chilli.

12 in 11 April Update

This month I appreciate, very clearly, the value of thrift.

With one of the dogs requiring several surgeries and associated costs, having savings to fall back on was immensely comforting.  Doesn't make parting with more money than I've ever spent on anything apart from real estate any easier, but it is comforting.

I'm also glad of the extra discipline the 12 in 11 challenge has given me.  In order to replenish the savings, I'll need to be more careful than ever, and as op-shopped clothing is a particular indulgence of mine, this challenge is now an economic necessity.

QUOTA USED:

1 fine wool black jumper (Maggie T brand for the Aussies).  I know I'm a knitter, and that's what makes it possible for me to know that this fine knit in a quality brand was an absolute bargain at $4.  Mixes and matches with my work wardrobe for winter layers and cared for properly will see many more seasons.

Quota used 6/12.  Half my quota used in 4 months.  Sounds a lot but is less than I'd buy on a good op-shopping day normally.  I'm happy with my progress.

EXEMPT ITEMS ACQUIRED:

Last year I bought a man's wool and silk blazer at Salvos.  It fit well around the hips and was a good length in the body, but the shoulders were too wide and the sleeves too long.  I'm a good home dressmaker, but I'm know my limitations and resetting the sleeves in a lined jacket of this quality is beyond them.  I had a local tailor recut and reset the sleeves. The jacket cost me $25 plus  $85 for the tailoring.  $110 for a tailored to fit wool and silk jacket that looks great with jeans and boots to dress up a casual outfit.  Love it. Worth it.

Creating has been for other people this month and will continue for a while yet.

Thanks for all the fish

Thanks to everyone for the kind wishes. Rosie is out of hospital(s) and appears to be on the mend. We are waiting to see what the weekend will bring but are very hopeful.


I won't be around much for a while and the seven things challenge has been put on hold.

Mum's been in hospital and is out now but requires a little more care at the moment and another family member is very unwell and I need to be present for the family and not worrying about inconsequential things like my clutter.

Everything will be fine, I just need to concentrate on the family right now.

Back soon xxx

This is our lovely Rosie.  She's in need of your healing thoughts, prayers and wishes right now, having just had her second lot of abdominal surgery in a fortnight.

Seven Things Week 21

Calming down on the "ins" after the last couple of weeks.

IN
1 porcupine quill to use as a shawl pin GIFT
2 DVDS.  Popped in to buy a gift, ended up with a copy of Don Juan De Marco for $7 and something else for TOF.  Johnny Depp films under $10 are part of the collection development policy.
1 book.  Went to Lincraft for fabric dye.  No dye but ended up with Naughty Needles from the sale table for $8.  Impulse buy fail.

OUT
2 cup top coffee filter holders RECYCLING
1 glass coffee flask RECYCLING
1 plastic brooch RECYLING
1 old bag strap BIN
2 back packs OP SHOP
7 video recordings OP SHOP
1 skirt OP SHOP
1 jacket OP SHOP
1 pr jeans OP SHOP
1 shirt OP SHOP
1 riding helment OP SHOP

SIAA
2 pairs socks for gift giving.

IN 4

OUT 19

NETT OUT 15

SIAA 2

12 in 11 March Update

End of the first quarter and tracking a bit high.

With the change of seasons, though, comes a reckoning in the wardrobe.  I'm pretty ok for casual gear, but my work wardrobe was a little low and the going out clothes very patchy.  That's fixed now.

Also, the planned sewing didn't happen.  I need to get back into a routine with the sewing machine. I'm incredibly proud of my discernment in shopping, though.  I've brought home in three months what would have come home in a day previously.

QUOTA USED:

I picked up fine wool blend charcoal grey trousers and skirt. Quality fabric and well designed, cut and made garments.   The trousers (Lisa Ho) set me back $5 and the skirt (Basque - the Myer larger sizes label) $2.   I couldn't leave either behind at that price.  I have also culled a lot of tatty garments from last winter's wardrobe, so no nett gain; a nett loss in fact.

Then there was the black stretch satin evening skirt for $2.50.  I was missing a black evening skirt or pants. The purchase of this one skirt means I have five going out outfits. We don't go out much, but it's good to know I have options when we do.

Running total 5/12

EXEMPT ITEMS ACQUIRED:

GIFTS

1 dress.  TSS bought it for me on the sly but I was going to buy it anyway.  A black and white spotty sun dress in vintage style that fitted for $3, you bet it was coming home with me.  Although it's not outstanding quality, it is well designed and matched all the other criteria for inclusion in the wardrobe where there is a lack of fab and fun frocks.  I would not have been able to make this - no patterns and the fabric would be difficult to source and certainly not for $3.

CREATED
1 pair socks.  Created from the scraps of other hand-knitted socks.  C'mon- triple bonus points on this one?
1 pair socks.  Yarn recycled from jumper TOF bought at an op shop for $1. (I''ll get at least 6 prs of socks from this jumper).

OTHER EXEMPT
There was an attempt to buy new underwear, but bra shopping when Target had a 30% off sale ended in a mixture of rage and self-loathing.  Of course there was nothing left in my size in the one style they sell that I can wear in the colour I wanted (black - not exactly unusual).  Plenty of all the other sizes and one to fit in granny beige.  What does this tell you Target?  OK, not quite calmed down yet.  Nothing purchased.

My only pair of summer sandals died in January.  I replaced them with a pair from the Vinnies Monster Sale (brand new) for $3 and added a pair of new pair summer sports shoes for another $3.  I've decided to exempt these as they are replacements / necessary exercise equipment.

ADDED TO THE SAVINGS JAR
Nothing added and while I came close a couple of times I resisted all but the good quality gear that coordinates with the current wardrobe.

Seven Things Week 20

20 weeks!  Good golly.  Another big week for ins thanks to the Lifeline Bookfair and Vinnies Monster Sale.

This week the summer clothes were put away and the cooler weather clothes disinterred.

Naturally I took the opportunity to remove anything not worn over the summer and to reassess the winter stuff.  There is a small pile of items ear-marked for wearing in and abandoning in New Zealand and a very small pile for the dyepot to make them useable next season.  Not looked at yet - knitwear and accessories.

IN

• 1 pr fine wool blend trousers for work $5 OP SHOP
• 1 fine wool blend skirt for work $2 OP SHOP
• 1 black satin evening skirt $2.50 OP SHOP
• 2 Tupperware items $3 OP SHOP
• 1 bags - replacing 6 with 1 is not bad. $6 OP SHOP
• 1 pr sandals $3
• 1 pr sports shoes $3
• 12 vintage patterns/knitting mags $15 LIFELINE BOOK FAIR
• 10 books - LIFELINE BOOKFAIR

OUT

• 3 skirts
• 8 tops/shirts
• 4 prs trousers/shorts
• 2 jackets
• 6 hand bags
• 1 pr hiking boots
• 1 Tupperware container

IN 30

OUT 25

NETT OUT -5

Seven Things Week 19

Hmm, so the cross-border raid on the Goulburn op shops resulted in a few ins.

We did take the advantage of dropping off some outs at the Smith Family, though.  Canberra no longer has a Smith Family Op Shop (and I still miss it badly) so we can be assured of not accidentally buying back our own stuff, or buying back an something to present to the original owner (this has happened).  On that note, anyone shopping at Vinnies in Dickson - please don't buy me any knitting wool.

Also a week of ferrying dogs to vets, work and a weekend spent in family celebrations and support team for World Naked Bike Ride, Canberra - not much time to identify any outs.  TOF locked his wardrobe just in case, though.

IN
5 knitting patterns for the collection OP SHOP
1 battleaxe OP SHOP
1 Bodum coffee plunger OP SHOP
6 items Tupperware OP SHOP
1 dress GIFT
1 ball yarn GIFT
7 lots of buttons OP SHOP
1 scarf (Wallabies official merchandise) OP SHOP
2 shirt for TOF OP SHOP
1 pr trousers for TOF OP SHOP
1 mincer attachment for the Kenwood Chef OP SHOP
1 sausage filling attachement for the Kenwood Chef OP SHOP

28

OUT
1 hand bag

SIAA
1 pr socks

IN 28

OUT 1

NETT OUT - 27

SIAA 1

Seven Things Week 18

Another odd week.  I'm now required to work every second Saturday.  The upside is I have every second Monday off.  I may have spent rather too much time in op shops last Monday.  Then two days in the last weekend at a course in Sydney and no time to shop or cull.

We have a public holiday in Canberra today, so TSS and I are taking Mum and heading over the border to Goulburn who do not have a public holiday today.  I'm just the driver, though.  Promise to try to be good. ;)

TOF has done the traditional Canberra Day long weekend thing - he's gone to the coast.  He will be op shopping the south coast today - look out Bermagui!  I suspect there will be a problem with the "ins" in the coming week.

IN
1 Tupperware jug $2
1 cake tin $3
1 pastry container $2
1 hat for TOF $2
1 scarf for TOF $2
1 charm $5
all op shopped.
OUT
100 balls yarn 
7 tops

IN 6

OUT 107

NETT OUT 101

Seven Things week 17

It's all about the yarn again this week.  Craft supplies, particularly yarn, cause most of clutter here.  If it's not sitting around on chairs like a sulky teenager, it's taking up all the room in cupboards that could be used for other things which also perch on chairs and in corners waiting to pounce on unsuspecting visitors.

I just want to put it all away.

The assessment process for yarn is evolving.

I rarely knit for garments for myself and I prefer lighter weight wool to anything else when I do.  Mostly this is thinner wool (5 and 4 ply).  It is  may also be light as in not heavy - so my beloved Patons Jet with its alpaca content is safe for the moment.  Similarly, TOF doesn't feel the cold much, so should I ever knit him a jumper (and I am not saying I will, why tempt fate with the sweater curse?), I'd use a 5 or 4ply.

I went through the 8ply first and took out anything in colours I wouldn't knit for myself or the ones I love, dividing into jumper amounts and smaller amounts. A jumper amount is 20 balls or so.  If there was less than 20 balls, most of that went.  Some smaller amounts in good colours for accessories for TOF, Mum or I stayed, but most went. All they hand-dyed stayed. Some jumper amounts stayed just because I couldn't bear to part with them yet.  That's ok.  I'm allowed to keep stuff, I just need to make sure that I love it and/or can actually use it (sometime).

Then I went through the 5 plys and did much the same thing.  I was less rigorous with this category because TOF prefers a 5 or 6ply sock, so in this case I got rid of colours I wouldn't use.  I know I can overdye, but given the quantity of yarn, I don't really need to.  The charity knitters were very happy.

Novelty yarns were next.  Some of it was the muppet variety, others were lovely blends and textures.  There was an amazing amount of this still hanging around, although I'd obviously kept only certain colours and shades.  I think I intended a textured blanket in black, white and greys with this, but as I'd forgotten the exact plan, it was bagged up and taken to the op shop from where it disappeared within days of arrival.

This week the 12 ply and bulky yarns set aside for hats for the homeless etc.was the focus.  I've not knitted many of these in recent times but I'm not ready to get rid of all of this particular stash. Other assessments were mostly about colour.  This one was about feel.  I fondled it all and decided that if I couldn't stand the hand, the yarn went. It's not about softness, so much as whether I could stand to knit with it, some harsher outerwear yarns still feel good.  I haven't finished assessing this yarn, but so far it's about 50/50 keep and go.  All of this went to the op shop.

I've exhausted my usual, and a couple of new, yarn heirs recently.  As most of the yarn came from an op shop, it seems reasonable to send some of it back.  Any yarn given to me for charity knitting has been given to other charity knitters.

The cottons and sock yarns are quivering in anticipation.  It's their turn next.

IN

• 1 framed painting.  Landscape in oil. $3.30 TIP SHOP
• 1 metal rack to be repurposed as a mini greenhouse $3.30 TIP SHOP
• 1 clothes airer, large, new and solid (not small and flimsy like the ones in the clearance shops. $3.30 TIP SHOP
• pr gym shorts for TOF

 OUT

• 125 balls wool.  OP SHOP
• 1 leather purse - mouldy BIN

SIAA

• 1 more pair of green cotton sports socks HAND KNITTED
• 1 pair of pink and green socks from the scraps of the last 6 pairs HAND KNITTED

IN 4

OUT 126

NETT OUT 122

SIAA   2

Verdant

Football season has started.  We've  been to two Brumbies home matches so far.  Last night the only thing in the stadium more colourful than these socks in progress was the language of two blokes in front of us.

These are using up the leftovers of the socks I've been making since the beginning of the year.

So far I've made 5 pairs of green and one pair of pink socks.  I should finish these today and that will be the last of the pink (from an unravelled scarf) and the last of the  the lime.

Almost.

TOF picked up a jumper at Salvos recently.  It was completely knitted from lime green Bendigo Harmony.  It cost a dollar.  There's enough yarn there for exactly 10 pairs of athletic socks.  I'm going to try some longer socks and will overdye them.  Neither Mum nor TOF will wear the green.

I really do have a great job

when I can combine my love of knitting with my passion for documenting our community.