A new venture.....Dungog by Design

Last blog I made a passing comment about a new venture. Many of you are aware of my love of sewing, quilting and other handicrafts and I am very happy to say that my new venture relates to sewing.

Every Christmas I love to give my girls a handmade gift and last year I searched for something a little different. I came across handmade rope bags. I watched the technique on You tube and decided to give it a go. The bags were a huge success with the girls and they have been using them regularly when they go to the markets. I quickly became addicted to this technique and have had orders for my bags from friends. I also did a quick workshop at the quilting group I am a member of to show the girls how to make them. I love making items that are practical and use natural fibres.

Another friend suggested I approach Dungog by Design - an artisan cooperative in my nearby town- to see if they would be interested in selling my bags. I am delighted to say that after a friendly interview, my rope bags, bowls and other items were well received and are available for sale at the local shop. It is lovely to have an outlet for my work with such a friendly and supportive group. The cooperative is committed to local artisans making work which is "Original, Handmade , Inspiring". If ever you come through Dungog the shop is worth a visit - 224 Dowling Street, Dungog (opposite the IGA). It is open on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Members of the group take turns in the running of the shop during opening hours so I am also going to have loads of fun promoting all the lovely items in the store to locals and visitors to our small local town.
Dungog by Design also has  a facebook page which features the different artists and their works.

So my busy life has just become a little bit busier but with lots of fun to come. When you love doing something it really isn't work is it?

Until next time.....

Carol

Hay and silage making, three day sickness and moving children......nothing new!!!!

As usual life on the farm has been very busy. The past few weeks has been hay and silage making season. After all the rain and great pasture growth we had experienced the past few months it was time to mow, rake and bale all that surplus pasture into hay and silage. Feed for the cattle to be stored on farm for a time when grass is in  short supply or the dairy cows need extra protein. Taking the excess feed off our paddocks also makes it easier to prepare for autumn sowing of winter pastures which is just round the corner.

The past couple of weeks has also seen three day sickness (bovine ephemeral fever) in some of our cattle on the farm. This virus is spread by mosquitoes or march flies biting cattle and spreading the virus. The sickness lasts for around 36 hours. The cattle develop a high temperature of 41 degrees celsius, milkers suddenly drop milk production, they stop eating and drinking and become depressed. Cows heavily in calf can abort their calves. Often they become lame, joints swell and the cattle refuse to move. By the third day they stand again and begin to eat though they still can appear lame for a couple more days. Last year we didn't have any three day sickness and so we expect that this year a lot of our young cattle will come down with it. We actually prefer our heifers and young cattle to catch the virus so that when they do get in calf they are immune to it and won't lose their calves. It also means that if they are dairy cows and they have already had the virus then their milk production is not affected. Rarely do cattle catch the virus twice.

The weather has turned very dry very quickly and the lush greenness of the past few months has turned to dry and brittle brownness. There is plenty of bulk feed for the cattle and most importantly good water in the dams and creek. A few weeks without rain does not hurt us so long as it doesn't turn into months of dryness. It also means that the new mower has not been getting as much use as was expected.

 In the past month not one but two of my children moved houses in the same week. I spent more time helping my eldest daughter move than I did my son and his family as it is not  humanly possible to be in more than one place at the one time (though I wished otherwise). There have also been sick grandies to help look after, as like all littlies, they seem to pick up whatever bugs are doing the run at their childcare centres. Saturday afternoons is filled with a French for Travellers course which is running in our local village through community education and has been loads of fun. We have a wonderful holiday to France coming up later in the year which DH Farmer and I are quite excited about some of which is farm related. I also have a new venture about to begin. I will tell all very soon. A busy 2016 ahead!

This busyness is the norm and happens in all households in one way or another and days fly by I am sure.

Until next time....

Carol