Tuesday 24 August 2021

Learning new skills

 This month our Simple Living Toowoomba group held a Plarn and Yarn Workshop which was really well attended. Firstly Kate showed us how to cut plastic bags into Plarn. Then she taught us how to crochet the Plarn into tote bags. 

It was amazing to see different coloured plastic bags being made into something useful.



It is a bit like cutting Tshirt yarn out of Tshirts which Jane Milburn had taught our group how to do a couple of years ago in her workshop on finding meaning in what we wear. 








I particularly like the green bags. After Kate's demo we split up into groups where ideas where exchanged about crochet, knitting and loom knitting. There was a lot of chatting going on and hopefully we all learned something new. 




On the 11th September, Margy from Simple Slow Still will be presenting her ReSew2020 and Fabric Twine workshop. In 2020 she set out to refashion, repair and repurpose 20 items from recycled textiles and clothing and she is still going strong in 2021. 

Margy started off our group nine years ago after a visit to our local library by Rhonda Hetzel.  Margy asked if anyone attending would be interested in being part of a simple living group and the rest is history. You can read the story here How to start up a simple living group. In the above photo Margy is wearing an outfit made from a skirt and she knitted her socks as well....a skill she has only learned recently.





She will also be showing us how to use up remnants from projects to make fabric twine. It should be a great workshop and, if you are interested in attending the workshop, details are here on the Simple Living Toowoomba website. 


A few days ago it was 24C or so and I was wondering how the freesias would survive in the heat but I didn't have to worry as it has turned cold again after a storm passed through this morning and now it is windy and chilly...typical August weather. 



Over winter we have had some unexpected rainy days which has been nice after such dry seasons. The garden certainly loves the rain and I find all kinds of colourful fungi growing when it is wet. 


I hope everyone is keeping well. My hubby continues to improve after his open-heart surgery eleven or so weeks ago and has now started cardiac rehab twice a week. The wound has healed really well and nobody can tell us if the wire used to patch up his sternum will set off the  alarm when going through an airport metal detector which doesn't really matter as he never flies anyway. LOL! 


Have a great week!




9 comments:

  1. It looks like bags crocheted or knitted from plarn are getting popular. I see posts about these on my Facebook newsfeed often. :)


    I'm glad to hear that your husband is doing well.
    Take care Chel. xxx

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    1. Thanks Nil. He has much improved after the initial hiccups.

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  2. Sounds like a lovely day. Glad your husband is on the improve. Mum had her heart procedure yesterday and apparently it went well. She is only in hospital for one night so not major surgery however anything to do with the heart is actually major in my books. My friend and I went to a Library talk and met Rhonda and her husband years ago however I had been following her for a few years before we met. Her blog was the first simple living blog I found and I still read it and refer back to it a few times a month. Have a good week. Kathy

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    Replies
    1. Kathy, when Rhonda had the Down to Earth forum I was a moderator when it was shut down. Rhonda is a lovely person as is Hanno.

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  3. I love freesias and can almost smell their fragrance. I must plant some next year. Fresh flowers make such a lovely thing in the home. Cheers

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    1. They really are lovely,Bernie. I need to move them though as they are spreading over the path and the Ambos ran over them when they were taking my hubby to hospital 🤭

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  4. Chel I love all the wonderful crafts and skills that your group work through. It's warming up here on the coast. Last night we changed over from the doona to crochet blanket. I spent today(Sunday) in a cotton dress and have only put a light cardi on when the sun went down. Stay warm, enjoy all your learning.

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    Replies
    1. Jane, it is going to be 25C here this week so time to pull the summer clothes out for the warmer weather although I must say I do enjoy winter much more now as the summers are so hot. Hope you have plans to visit here one of these days.

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  5. Thanks for the update on the CEO's surgery. I'm late to see it, but still glad it was as straight forward as hoped. Looks like you had a great time at the last group meeting. It sounded great! I had a daughter to help move house, so missed it. Looks like we will be in Brisbane, every weekend, for the month of September too! Helping to finalise David's family estate. But I will look forward to seeing what the group accomplishes together, through your blog. Take care.

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