WALKING WOOL

Awesome Knitgrrl . . . Shannon Okey

2012-01-30T16:32:00.003-05:00

If you don't yet know of her, check this fiber femme out!

Exciting Promo Developments . . .

2012-01-29T16:59:00.001-05:00

Christmas at the end of January!

New items just received from the printer:
postcards
note cards
posters
sticky labels
magnets
decals
assorted configurations of the calendar concept

I used these images and others:

Needless to say, I am quite excited for feedback and plan to get going this week with showing samples around.

Have also been working with Blurb.com and have a number of ideas in the works utilizing this online self-publishing service:

Maine Sheep
Celebrating the Divine Ovine by Walking Wool Copyright 2012 | Make Your Own Book

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T18:01:00.000-05:00

Things are looking very green still here on January 1, 2012. Nevertheless, thoughts and activities turn to sheep and wool, constantly. A late December visit to the Salty Ewe Farm flock found no snow but very woolly and warm looking ewes, wether, and new-ish ram Hercules. Camera and fingers not functioning as well as I would have liked for this shoot, so I expect to return when there is white on the ground with equipment in better shape.

Next weekend is the annual spinning bee at the Westford Museum in honor of St. Distaff Day. This homage to spinners of yore is a great way to kick off a fresh new era of all things fiber. My spinning teacher from the Textile History Museum, Penny Lacroix, is the director of this museum and, presumably, the organizer of the event. Not sure if I will make it this year, again, as it always falls on my husband's birthday weekend.

Linen Sweater Project finally done!

2011-12-25T13:28:00.000-05:00

Looking good in Louet linen yarn. Finally finished this project (years in the making) and seems to be getting good use in Florida. I love linen, and this yarn was fun to work with.

2011 Northeast Handspinners Open House in Pawtucket RI

2011-12-07T12:13:00.001-05:00

Chris ventured with me to the Slater Mill in Pawtucket on Saturday, where we attended the every-other-year Open House produced by the Northeast Handspinners Association. This time Rhode Island got to pick a site, and they chose well! Slater Mill is an historic site, actually the first textile mill built in the United States (Or North America? Not sure on that factoid.). Not necessarily easy to find if you've never been to Pawtucket, located just north of Providence.

The mill was beatufilly restored and cozy and filled with examples and memories from days gone by. Wonderful enlarged photos of young women and men reminded us of how fiber and clothing was produced, and how the workers looked and lived.

Chris and her prize

A small selection of local fiber product vendors tempted us with new rovings, handmade jewelry, soaps, and gorgeous drop spindles.In true form, Chris won a prize during the raffle drawing. A pouch of lovely angora rabbit fiber to add to her stash

Raffle drawing

Ann Hood

The RI planning committee really lucked out in securing our guest speaker. Author Ann Hood -- that's right, of The Knitting Circle fame -- regaled us with life stories, both hysterical and heartrenching. A native RI-der, Ann spoke as fluidly and poetically as she writes. She seemed to enjoy being there as much as we did. Her good news was the book has been optioned for a feature film starring actress Katherine Heigl, one of my favorite animal-loving celebrities. And, Ann has more wonderful projects in the queue.

The organizers informed us that the 2012 The Gathering (the 3-day weekend of fiber/spinning workshops, shopping, talks, and more) will be held in Southbury CT. Again, not at all inconvenient for my local fiber pals. Start saving those pennies now!

For me it was a wonderful, overdue outing with a fiber friend I have come to appreciate very much, and a poignant reminder of how our spinning guild is in transition.

The Salty Ewe Farm in November

2011-12-02T17:27:00.002-05:00

The pictures speak for themselves. Another lovely day of visiting with the flock, this time with a new stud on display. Hercules came down from Romney Ridge Farm in Wiscasset, ME. Big Bill moved on to Shearbrooke Farm, due west of Portland, where he will surely keep a new group of ewes happy, and lend his glorious cocoa coat to the farm's fiber production.

Big Bill

Big Bill is indeed.

Hercules is handsomely mottled over his face and body with browns and creams, and has a long tail. Two of the Babydoll Southdown ewes have enjoyed his company in the specially-created "love nest" -- three is definitely not a crowd for this bunch!

Little Hercules

The other light and dark ewes munched peacefully in the groomed field, keeping a wary eye on me and my cameras. Though I brought apple slices to lure them in, they are tough to convince that I am harmless.

See more images at the Walking Wool facebook page.
Maybe this is the winter when I will shoot sheep in snow. Fingers crossed.

Slater Mill and Northeast Handspinners Association

2011-11-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

http://www.slatermill.org/
http://www.nehandspinners.org/forms/Open-House-registration2011.pdf

Looking forward to December 3rd. Heading down to Pawtucket RI for the 2011 NE Handspinners Assoc Open House. Lots of luscious fiber fun. Here's a taste of the program:

Main Speaker: Ann Hood
The author of the bestselling novel, THE KNITTING CIRCLE, and the memoir,
COMFORT: A JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF, which was named one of the top ten non fiction
books of 2008 by Entertainment Weekly and was a New York Times Editor's Choice. Ann has
been a welcomed speaker at Fiber Events- combining her story telling skill with the healing
respect for fiber related arts and crafts. A R.I. native- she is very excited to have been invited to
this event and looks forward to meeting members of NHA. She will have her books available for
purchase during the afternoon spin.

Local Rhode Island Vendors will be on site at the Jencks Center.

Something to follow

2011-11-13T10:30:00.002-05:00

http://fiberartnow.net/

Hot off the press

2011-11-06T18:16:00.001-05:00

Just returned a few hours ago from the 2nd Annual New England Fiber Festival at the Big E in West Springfield MA. Met lots of very nice people (typical for fiber festivals in my experience) and shot another few hundred photos for the portfolio -- see below, and more at the Walking Wool facebook page. Also, got a front row seat for a shearing, and learned a little more about that skill, which I covet and hope to learn one day. Some helpful vendors gave good feedback on the sample Walking Wool Calendar I brought with me.

It was worth the reasonably short drive.

Border Leicester

Finn

Shetland

CVM/Romeldale

Corriedale, before and after shearing

Shearing demonstration

I'm a blocking novice

2011-10-29T15:05:00.000-04:00

No, that's not a new curse word.
I meant I've never "blocked" a knitting project before. And, it's about time I learned.
Just finished a sweater that desperately needs some resizing so that it can actually be WORN by the intended recipient. Wouldn't that be nice.
I knitted it in linen, and really enjoyed the yarn. It's a sweet design that has been in my knitting basket a LONG time.
So, I am grateful to knitty.com for this article on how to "wack" my linen project into submission. http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/FEATdiyknitter.html

Calendar on hold

2011-10-28T09:11:00.000-04:00

As much as I have longed to make this a reality, the calendar must wait until next year. Too much research on printing options needs still to be done in order to make it possible to offer a 2012 edition. The initial investment will be well over my budget, and so I look forward to more LUCRATIVE times early next year when I can revisit the project and make it a reality, for sure. In the meantime, I get good and positive feedback about the concept and the content.

Shipment #1: Calendars Arrived!

2011-10-17T15:53:00.000-04:00

This is pretty exciting. So exciting I was afraid to open the package!
I ordered two versions of my calendar from Vistaprint -- one b/w and one in color.

I LOVE the cover images and the way the titles look. The BFL ewe in color with her one gentle eye looking upward is stunning.

cover of the color version

cover of the b/w version

The paper stock is a little thin, but I think it will help to keep the price point down, an important consideration in this economy for all concerned. Some of the images were not the best resolution, so they have to be exchanged. The data in the calendar date grid looks good, and just needs a few edits. All and all, am pretty excited. They also sent me sticky return address labels. More promo vehicles is a good thing.

Calendar and other random thoughts . . .

2011-10-13T17:04:00.001-04:00

Waiting anxiously for the arrival of the sample calendars I designed to feature my sheep portfolio. The images were chosen from a group of new and older shots, black and white. I'm learning so much about online resources like Picassa, but the time spent on the project is astonishing. Suddenly hours have gone by. What have I accomplished? A little bit more confidence and that is worth it, I suppose. Off to feed hungry boys now, one of whom talks to me about the delay in getting the dinner together. The other rests patiently, knowing I can be relied on to provide the victuals. Today saw another honey colored chow in the current issue of DownEast Magazine. That one lives with Martha Stewart, who is the subject of the feature article (she has a home on Mt Desert Island and has promoted Maine businesses and products for years). You can be that's one lucky dog.

Summer Weather in October Lures Me Outdoors

2011-10-10T12:19:00.000-04:00

We've had days of 80-degree temps here which keep me longing to be outside instead of working on the calendar project, spinning, knitting, and other urgent tasks. I've tried to do them all outside, some with better success than others. Wifi fails me beyond a certain distance from the office. The Boys are enjoying the flurry of fall activity on display: squirrels and chipmunks and rabbits gorging themselves on the season's harvest. Igby is super quick, and Jeric is very vocal, especially when his "favorite" bunnies come out of hiding to much on the green grasses just steps away from his confinement (on the porch). I am lucky to have large picture windows in Suite 1 (the LSPR office) and down in Suite 2A (the Walking Wool studio). But, there's no comparison to the warm, fresh air these last few days have provided. They are especially sweet, as I know the chill will arrive soon. Today I must harvest the last of the basil (it's still growing!), one of the highlights of vegetable gardening.

Ordered samples just now of the calendar, in B/W and in color. They should arrive within a week, and then I'll know what they look like in the flesh. Very exciting to be moving this long-in-the-making task forward. Next up, a letter and samples to Interweave Press, and also to Brown Trout Publishers.

Meanwhile, I pass out my calling cards where ever I go, and am updating new images on in my etsy store.

SOAR So Close, Yet So Far

2011-10-06T10:31:00.000-04:00

I am not making it to SOAR 2011 in nearby Manchester NH this week, but two dear spinning friends are. Hope for a report soon from Betsy and Chris, who are a devoutly fanatical about spinning as I am. A week of spinning in New Hampshire! What a way to spend National Spinning and Weaving week this year! Meanwhile, I plug away at my 2012 calendar and upload new images to my etsy store. At night I keep at my knitting projects, and during the day I steal a few minutes here and there to spin up some random fiber from my too vast collection, or pick open dyed fleece that requires this step before carding or combing. Doesn't really matter what I work on, as long as my hands are busy, touching the fabulous materials and feeling myself relax.

Two events coming up in New England I expect to get to: The 2nd Annual Fiber Festival of New England at The Big E in West Springfield early next month, and then the Northeast Handspinners' Association Open House in Pawtucket RI. Both are easy day trips and hopefully a fiber friend will join me.

Sheep Handling 101

2011-10-04T16:14:00.000-04:00

Me here fulfilling a fantasy at a CT Sheep & Wool Festival -- one of my favorites -- a few years ago. "Who wants to help me hold the sheep?" the lecturer asked. "ME!"

Found these while perusing CD files for my 2012 calendar, a first and hopefully the launch of a series. Hard to decide on just 12 images! Thanks to Betsy for capturing my few minutes of bliss.

A Week for Us

2011-10-02T14:43:00.000-04:00

HGA Celebrates Spinning and Weaving Week

October 3-9, 2011

2011 International Wool Week

2011-10-02T13:51:00.000-04:00

http://www.campaignforwool.org/themes/wool_usa/images/logo.jpg

Apologies to Hungary

2011-09-28T19:11:00.001-04:00

Some time ago (this spring???) I discovered an etsy seller from rural Hungary who had local sheep and their fleeces for sale. Here is the documentation of the shipment that arrived, just one week after I ordered it (my how things have changed since I was a student and shipped things to and from Europe!). The white and black fiber samples smelled richly of the beasts upon opening the envelope. That too was a treat!

But the staple! Sooooo long. Like, 8 inches? More? After taking these photos of the still dirty fiber I did wash it. Then, I got a combing lesson from my friend Chris and learned how to get these exotic long lengths into order for spinning. Only now am I actually working up the little birds' nests of roving into yarn on my wheel. It just slips through my fingers. I think it will be very strong, not much spring, but lush and special.

Now, I have to find someone selling german sheep fleece online and so satisfy that side of my family tree.

Not exactly woolly

2011-09-28T16:44:00.001-04:00

Unrelated but important to me, a few scenes of my Mom enjoying Acadia National Park this month with some friends. On the water and on land, having a grand time.

Summer from &*()^%

2011-09-27T17:26:00.002-04:00

I'm probably not alone in feeling this way, but a little self-pity now and then is normal, no?

Posts to this blog have been nonexistent since July . . . that should tell you something. My wheel was down, my family was in chaos, storms were strange and menacing, and fiber time was on the back burner.

The good news is there are new portfolio photos, new business cards and postcards, a few fiber excursions made, and a revitalized spinning wheel. Plus, collaborating with the Salty Ewe Farm shepherd on promotional materials has kicked me back into gear.

Living so close to OSV (Old Sturbridge Village), I escaped for a couple of hours last Sunday and hung out with the Gulf Coast Native sheep, the dyers, the herb garden, and a couple of exceptionally handsome and friendly Randall steers. Really nice to have such a charming resource 1/2 hour away.

The Gulf Coast Native sheep,which would have been popular, along with Merinos, apparently, in New England during the 19th Century.

Woad!

The Randalls, heritage breed steers who like attention.

A friend spots sheep in Mallorca

2011-07-26T09:36:00.000-04:00

Daniel, a german friend I've known for a long time, recently travelled to Mallorca and sent back a few shots of sunny images from this magical spanish island.

Coming up this weekend in Maine

2011-07-19T12:45:00.000-04:00

I highly recommend this lovely annual July fiber workshop produced by Saco Valley Fiber Artists. Two days of great teachers, pastoral setting in Maine, wonderful home cooked eats, and a community of like-minded fiberistas. Have done it 2x and if not for "mi vida loca" this summer, I would be there again. One of my favorite sheep shots, My Maine Ewe, was taken at the hosting farm. Do investigate.

http://www.sacovalleyfiberartists.com/shearbrooke.html

Teaching friends to knit

2011-07-19T12:38:00.000-04:00

http://e1.interweave.com/dm?id=B9F4ED11FA996A57930D9530122AF82D77AE180CF45FB311

Olde English Babydolls' Summer Look at The Salty Ewe

2011-07-09T17:43:00.000-04:00

Halcyon Yarn in Bath ME

2011-06-08T07:59:00.001-04:00

The Halcyon Yarn store is just down the SAME street from where we are staying in Bath this time. Met some nice ladies at Knit Night of all ages and life experiences. Could easily slip into that social group in no time!

Purchased a couple of ounces of Black Welsh Mountain and Blue Faced Leicester (separately) roving to try spinning on a store wheel. Only just tapped the vast browsing selection at this destination fiber store.

Spun some of this guy's hair during Spin In night last week at Halcyon. (Isn't he handsome there, posed with the Bath bridge in the background?) I aligned the fibers first with his little grooming brush, then rolled them off into a mini rolag. It spun up rather well. I used a new Louet S10 double treadle that was shiny and quick! A nice group of Mainers attended and the conversation was fun.

Although this guy is shedding up a storm right now, I'd need to blend his hair with something else to spin it. Oh well, he's a looker, not a fiber provider.

And this guy, definitely a looker, but those white facial hairs won't be tested out on my wheel. I prefer them exactly where they are.

Meadowcroft Farm | For a future with a pasture.

2011-06-07T23:54:00.000-04:00

Meadowcroft Farm For a future with a pasture.

Saw Nanne again today in Bath at the Markings Gallery, just celebrating its 1st anniversary. Her wool garments are absolutely stunning. The gallery is delightful and full of marvelous Maine made objects. More reason to love Bath.

A Kindred Soul

2011-05-24T09:49:00.002-04:00

http://henrythefelinefiberartist.wordpress.com/

March 18, 2011 at Overlook Farm/Heifer Project International

2011-05-05T14:53:00.000-04:00

Before things got too crazy here at the home base, I managed to trek over to Overlook Farm/Heifer Project as the ewes and nannies were in their last days/weeks of pregnancy. No new babies, but plenty of expectant mothers . . . and rather sedate boys club of fathers off by themselves. New to me this year was the appearance of a large, older looking guard dog. I couldn't get to the llamas and piglets, but a couple of sows were lounging in their pen. I'm sure now there is plenty to capture there and I hope to get back soon.

Magyar Racka Tenyészet

2011-05-05T08:47:00.000-04:00

Magyar Racka Tenyészet

More great info on the Hungarian Racka Sheep from my esty fiber resource. Eagerly awaiting my shipment from the motherland of this exotic fiber, due any day now!

New Sheep Breed to Love (Hungarian like me!)

2011-04-01T08:07:00.000-04:00

From Sheep 101:
The Racka is a unique breed with both ewes and rams possessing long spiral shaped horns. The breed is of the Zackel type and originated in Hungary. The breed is used for milk, wool and meat production. Mature males may have horns as long as two feet or more. The minimum standard length is given as 50 cm (20 inches) for rams and 30 cm (12-15 inches) for ewes.

The cork-screw horns protrude almost straight upward from the top of the head. The Racka has been described as a hardy animal and is often used in crossbreeding due to its ability to pass this survivability to its offspring. The breeds unique appearance and quiet disposition would make it a desirable animal for hobby situations.

Breed category: long wool, dual-purpose

Distribution: Europe

WOW!

Showing Off

2011-03-24T09:05:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite shots from the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival was chosen for the 2011 Biennial at ArtsWorcester. Here's the proof. Nice to see it in the company of lots of very professional works of all shapes and sizes.It fired me up to get out in the mud and early spring air and head to Overlook Farm/Heifer Project to shoot sheep, goats, and bovines. 216 images later I have some editing work to do!

Getting Photos Some Exposure (!)

2011-03-16T17:29:00.001-04:00

Ha. Must be the coffee that's giving me the clever edge this morning.

In the past few weeks, Walking Wool portfolio images have been getting the attention I think they deserve. ArtsWorcester chose four works for inclusion in a photo installation at UNUM's corporate offices here in Worcester.

And, just this past weekend, a juror selected the favorite of mine -- Blue Faced Leicester Ram Up Close -- for inclusion in the upcoming Biennial 2011 at ArtsWorcester (over 200 submissions, and only 90 some selections made). So, feeling good about the public reception and further exposure my work is getting this spring. Onward and upward.

Feline Fiber Fun

2011-03-07T18:10:00.000-05:00

Betsy took home a sample of the CVM I purchased at Common GroundFair in Maine last fall. This is exactly what is so much fun about Guild membership -- we get to share our discoveries and learn about fleeces and sheep we might not ever get to see.

So, of course she needed to card and spin it up right away. While letting it dry near the heating vent in her home, the freshly spun yarn blew gently in the breeze, providing irresistible entertainment for her 19-year old Growlbert. Wonder what his secret to longevity it. Perhaps . . . fiber fun?

A good fiber weekend

2011-03-07T15:18:00.000-05:00

The news from The Salty Ewe farm was exciting this weekend. On Saturday, March 5th at 12 noon Bella gave birth to Mercy and Grace, two apparently very small black ewe lambs. The report is that all are well. Very lovely.

And, the spinning guild came to my home on Sunday. It was lovely to have the living room full of fiber women. New and old friends came and ate, talked spun, knitted, and felted. Igby said his hellos, as did Jeff. Jeric remained in seclusion, which is what he prefers. Got some nice feedback the on farm animal enlargements now hanging on our walls. I managed to do a little picking while visiting with everyone. It was what this home is meant for, to be filled up with good people and good times.

Today I am Signing Up

2011-03-04T12:06:00.000-05:00

Argh.
Thought I would get to the free Sheep Shearing Clinic held annually at UConn in April. Well, seems it was in February this year! So, no more fooling arouond. Today I am joining the CT Sheep Breeders Association, Inc. for $20 dues fee and will get myself on a mailing list once and for all!

Our Guild really looks forward to this group's annual Sheep and Wool Festival, the first big one of the spring each year. April 30, 2011 is the date we'll be driving down to Tolland CT high as a kite on fiber love. You can bet there will be documentation of this outing to follow!

This is a photo taken at a previous festival. One of my personal favorities. Love the raw material I find at festivals.

Hosting a Guild Meeting

2011-03-03T07:27:00.000-05:00

Oh, fun! I get to host our next Wachusett Spinners Guild meeting this coming Sunday. Very excited, and a little stressed. Housekeeping is not one of my strengths, and we have a sizable home for just two humans and two dogs. The canines keep us in plenty of dog-hair tumble weeds, and we humans are rat packers. Stuff is everywhere. Signs of intelligent minds, right? So, I've warned a few of the ladies, and Betsy commented that the Guild members were sure to leave plenty of fiber matter behind so who really cares? Okay. I can do this.

Samples of natural dyeing experiments from last year. Note the hot turmeric yellow! Who knew?!

Have been picking my naturally dyed fiber collection while watching news and movies with Jeff in the basement home office. Multitasking in this way makes me feel very productive. Handling the different fleece fibers is fascinating. Border Leicester compared to Southdown compared to Finn/Suffolk compared to Mohair. So satisfying. Hmmmmm, maybe today is a fiber indulgence day after all!

Barre Ewe gets published in NOFA/Mass enewsletter

2011-02-21T09:34:00.000-05:00

It was a pleasure to hook up Guild friend Betsy with Mindy Harris at NOFA/Mass. Mindy was looking for a story about wool and spinning as the editor of this monthly publication. Betsy has a knack for capturing the joy we all feel about the subject, and has written a number of articles already on spinning and more. Mindy also asked for photos, and I was pleased she liked Barre Ewe so much as to put it on the cover this month's issue. Other photos in the article of Betsy spinning and our Guild members showing off naturally dyed fibers were happily supplied to Mindy as well. Nice commentary by Julie Rawson about her love of knitting, too.

http://www.nofamass.org/news/pdfs/newsletter02_2011.pdf

Spay Day 2011 Online Pet Photo Contest

2011-02-11T21:49:00.000-05:00

Spay Day 2011 Online Pet Photo Contest

Not a fiber source, but love 'im anyway!

Spay Day 2011 Online Pet Photo Contest

2011-02-11T21:37:00.000-05:00

Spay Day 2011 Online Pet Photo Contest

My canine fiber source wishes to invite everyone to vote for him and help support Spay Day 2011. Please participate.

Colin's Creatures | Collectible Porcelain Animal Figurines

2011-02-07T16:38:00.001-05:00

Okay, Sara in ME told me about this artist weeks ago and I am only now looking at his sweet and oh so charming work. Very happy to gaze on these creations today, one of the gloomier ones weather and mood-wise. If you need a smile, visit this link.

Colin's Creatures | Collectible Porcelain Animal Figurines

Cornell Sheep Program - Shearing school

2011-02-07T16:32:00.001-05:00

Oh, to be able to go! In my dreams I'll get there someday!

Cornell Sheep Program - Shearing school

January 22nd Visit with the Shepherds at Orchid Patch/Andes Alive

2011-01-31T12:16:00.001-05:00

A beautiful ride in southern Worcester County brought our Guild members to the Orchid Patch/Andes Alive homestead. Alpacas, llamas, Peruvian Hairless Dogs, exotic birds and a tropical plant-filled greenhouse awaited our visit. Ellen and Mike toured us through the sights and sounds, and warmed us with their wood stove and wonderful hospitality. I am definitely in love with llamas. What's more, the shepherds plan to bring Blue Faced Leicesters to the menagerie. I volunteered to help with llama shearing this year if I'm needed. What excitement!

Weekend in Punta Gorda, FL

2011-01-31T10:32:00.000-05:00

Snowstorms be damned!

Thanks to DirectAir, a Family Ties flight gave me save passage for a weekend visit with Mom far from the maddening winter weather at home. What's more, I managed to combine Florida creek kayaking with sightings of fiber animals. Who knew?!

Lovely llama along the creek bed.

Not sheep, but impressive and very shy.

Barbadoes Sheep (?) . . . I can only guess, but looks like what I found on Sheep 101.

Definitely not a fiber animal type, but very LARGE.

Lady Kayakers

Magnificent flora.

More Snow

2011-01-21T15:48:00.000-05:00

This week has been amazingly wintry. Good for staying in the studio. And so, much accomplished. Washing, sorting, putting projects together, weighing hanks with my new food scale from Culinary Underground, organizing binders of patterns and research materials, all the while enjoying the company of peaceful dogs.

I (heart) etsy

2011-01-17T21:54:00.000-05:00

Worked for the past two days on uploading new images to my etsy store. It's very exciting to see the work posted in this very public forum. I relive the experience of being out on the shoots and hanging with the animals. Haven't done any real cold weather outings yet, although I have sheep-in-snow images as a goal for this year. Somehow bundling up while still having fingers exposed enough to operate the camera hasn't enticed me sufficiently to give it a go. Maybe there's still hope.

So, on a very chilly day like this one I make do with perusing through file after file and making selections such as these above. Many uploaded today were from Heifer Project International/Overlook Farm in Rutland MA, just 20 minutes from my home. It is such a resource, and each year provides new faces for me to see.

Friendship

2011-01-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

Had a nice breakfast at The Friendly Toast in Portsmouth with my dear Sara yesterday. Some laughs, some tears, and comfort food on a chilly but sunny day. She has interesting plans for the Babydoll Southdown flock at The Salty Ewe Farm this year, and it is great fun to share thoughts and ideas and encouragement.

Last year's mother and child duet.

Peeking into the sheep barn at The Salty Ewe.

Olde English Babydoll Southdown roving I have spun.

A little pee stop.

Washing Wool

2011-01-14T17:53:00.001-05:00

Swore I wouldn't get the soap and buckets out during the winter, but I have five assorted fleeces or partial fleeces -- all dirty fibers -- to transform into clean play stuffs, and just don't think I can wait until the springtime! Cotswold, Ramboullet, llama, CVM, and Blue Faced Leicester all sitting on the floor and begging for attention. Started some yesterday and will keep up with small batches as much as possible this weekend. Really wishing for a local mill to take them away and turn them around back to me ASAP, but that ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

Surprisingly, the little guy Igby shows no interest in the fleeces, in spite of his nasty fecal habit tendencies.

Jeric, however, periodically likes to shove his nose into a pile of fluff, sniff, and sometimes rub his head in the fibers. Yes, this is the guy who will roll in deer or some other wild creatures poo when found out on a stroll.

Tomorrow is NOFA/Mass' Winter Conference and Guild members Betsy and Lisa will present a workshop on carding and spinning. I'm missing it, but so glad that our wool world is making inroads at NOFA.

Last weekend we learned to use a hackle, and I made carded batts, at Chris' home during our Saturday Guild meeting. I loved blending my hand washed, hand dyed with natural dyes, assorted fleece fibers into unique fiber "roll ups."

Now, looking to my LARGE collection of handspun to put some projects together for the future.

And, hoping to get some sheep in snow photos together soon, taking advantage of the 16 or so inches we had fall this week.

Full time fiber fun.

Incredibly Snowy December 27th

2010-12-27T12:22:00.000-05:00

Have finished a few knitting projects with new tools (size 17 and 19 needles!) and chunky llama hand spun. Hoping to see some sheep in the snow this week for photographing. Lots of thoughts for the New Year. A pensive time.

Some favorites shot last year

2010-12-02T16:00:00.000-05:00

Have I posted these already? Good grief, can't remember anything anymore. No matter, I like them alot and am getting good feedback on them, too.

Belated Thanksgiving weekend report

2010-11-30T22:05:00.000-05:00

After Thanksgiving, we drove with dogs to NYC to meet up with Zoe and brought two projects along to make a serious dent into, hopefully. And, perhaps stealing off to a fabulous yarn shop or two. Not sure what exists in NYC anymore, as I now feel as if I almost never lived here for eight years. So much has changed, and that includes me. I am inspired to find some new discoveries while taking care of business here. Doing more knitting lately has been very comforting.

We managed MoMA, Guggenheim, two great meals (Spanish tapas and Becco for Bastianich delights), and I finally got to the magical Japanese yarn store Habu. Dogs did well with two canine parks and good training opps. Ink48 hotel was superb as usual.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T20:41:00.000-05:00

Spent nice days with mom visiting and knitting together, as we watched/listened to silly movies and made a few holiday dishes side by side. They include the following captured in photos:

Gift for a special friend

2010-11-27T22:41:00.000-05:00

Carmel is our friend in Montreal. She had baby Finnegan in September. I was finishing up my handspun llama yarn knitted teddy bear and thought that he should go to little Finn. Here he is just before shipping off to Quebec Province, a big trip to reach a little person.

An accounting of the weekend at The Gathering 2010

2010-11-15T11:30:00.001-05:00

http://wachusettspinnersguild.blogspot.com/2010/11/oh-joy-of-it-all.html

Join me in acknowledging National Shelter Appreciation Week by sending a contribution to Worcester Animal Rescue League today!

2010-11-08T11:46:00.000-05:00

No pics from Sheep to Shawl, but plenty of excitement about The Gathering

2010-11-04T13:21:00.000-04:00

I was too busy staying warm and instructing folks on wheel and drop spinning to get the camera out! But, it was fun to talk to the public and meet some interesting new enthusiasts. The others claim attendance was up from previous years, and all presenters had good feedback to share. Dave Niles and his wife Jen came by; Jen edits Massmoms.com and Dave made a nice little newsy video for the Telegram & Gazette.

Tomorrow I'm off to Wilmington VT for the 2010 The Gathering, a 3-day handspinners conference. Oh, joy! Betsy and Chris will meet me there. I'm signed up for Natural Dying, Needle Felting, and Spinning with Mohair. A sauna, heated outdoor pool, and other creature comforts await us. Bet the food is good there, too! Hands on fiber for three days in a row . . . can hardly contain myself.

Tomorrow is Sheep to Shawl, Llama to Pajama in Worcester

2010-10-22T17:42:00.000-04:00

Packing my bags for tomorrow's participation with Guild members at SSLP 2010. Where has the month gone? Find myself repeating such expressions lately. Got some good dye days in with marigold, carrot tops and different metal pots. Broke a part of my wheel (a first!) and had to send to Louet for a $7 replacement. Whew! Arrived in time for the weekend. Have been knitting more and will post one recently completed project. Moving on to some glorious roving that's been long awaiting my hand.

Sheep to Shawl, Llama to Pajama 2010

2010-09-30T08:06:00.000-04:00

Save the date for Sheep to Shawl, Llama to Pajama 2010, a free festival on Saturday, October 23, 2010, 12 noon to 4PM, rain or shine at Green Hill Park Farm in Worcester. Watch a llama get a haircut, learn to weave, meet some sheep, try spinning, and knit some stitches! Enjoy games, music, giveaways, and more. Learn about fiber farms, fiber artists, and fiber businesses found throughout Central MA. For all ages and wheelchair accessible, this fun outdoor fest is sponsored by the City of Worcester and VSA Massachusetts, and made possible by a grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. For more info, visit the event facebook page or call (508) 757-4646.

Ode to The Common Ground

2010-09-26T09:38:00.000-04:00

Finally, I experienced The Common Ground Fair in Unity ME. It was exquisite. Friday was a good day to go, with a smaller crowd allowing for space to see and experience it all. Best of all, I made the trip with Sara and for two hours up and back we chatted, kvetched, laughed, and shared. That's precious one-on-one time. Long though the journey was, it is most highly recommended. Just consider the photographs. . .

I can't stop time

2010-09-22T17:29:00.000-04:00

Where did September go? Today's unseasonably warm temps (very high 80s, with a register of 90 in the Matrix) do not make it feel like wool weather. But, it certainly makes for continuing to work outside; all month I have been experimenting with new natural dye stuffs -- Purple Loosestrife (yes, a purpose for this nasty yet pretty invasive!), sunflower heads, sumac leaves as mordant (they are loaded with tannins), plus more Golden Rod, my own grown Marigold flowers, and the wild yet elegant Queen Anne's Lace picked at Mom's. I love the smells of the cooking botanicals, and plan to do more experimenting with pepper plants and Black Eyed Susans. I have my own copies now of Rita Buchanan's excellent books, plus a copy of Jenny Dean's Natural Dyeing. I feel well educated. My little Madder plant has thrived in the front flower bed near the giant sunflowers, zinnias, and marigolds, and I am not sure what to do about it as the cold weather approaches. Dig it up and pot it? Harvest the roots (the source of the dye) but in doing so, kill the plant?

The lovely days of summer 2010 included relaxing moments with my flowers and vegetables and volunteer plants and other visitors. All good stuff for my soul.

Natural (dyeing) High

2010-08-24T20:16:00.000-04:00

I am smitten with this practice of taking wild and cultivated plant matter, cooking it in water, adding a little wool and a little mordant (alum, vinegar, salt), and discovering the hidden rainbow hues from the most unlikely places. New dog Igby wants to taste anything that falls to the floor, so I am quickly whisking up stray fleece and leaves, hoping that I get to them before he does. He's so quiet I often don't know that he's there. For me, it's pure heaven when two dogs are dozing on the studio floor and I am absorbed with my dye pots or sitting down to the spinning wheel. Life truly is good at these precious times.

Mother and Igby

2010-08-23T00:11:00.000-04:00

We made the introduction this weekend. Igby was a hit. He also displayed a new physiological issue we will be keeping an eye on . . . reverse sneezing. When it occurs, it looks like he is having an asthma attack. Very unsettling. Maybe he's allergic to . . . us?

What a month!

2010-08-18T15:22:00.000-04:00

I will let the pictures do the talking. Family and friends in Hillsdale, new dog (Igby), new experiments with washing and dyeing in the studio, and much more still to come.

Here we go. . .

Nino, Elaine and Mom.

Oliver and mom play a board game.

Mom and Adam (does he look like Dad?)

Silhouette of Oliver in the tree house.

The young Indiana Jones?

This is Igby.

The boys are getting along quietly.

Carrot tops are easy and fun to work with.

Testing out different dye bath recipes.

The stash is growing, and growing, and growing. Looks nice in mom's handmade baskets.

Drying calendula flowers.

SO EXCITED! The new picker! Chris and I are sharing it, and the fun of using it.

Self portrait.

Just love this book.

During a break, we played Jeric's favorite game -- Shred the Twig!

Food coloring-dyed mohair freshly picked. Note the before and after samples.

Off to NOFA's Summer Conference

2010-08-12T21:37:00.000-04:00

Four of us from the Guild met last night to discuss our presentation -- For the Love of Sheep -- at the annual NOFA Summer Conference in Amherst MA this weekend. On Sunday we'll give 1 1/2 hours of demonstration, discussion and encouragement to anyone interested in working with fiber. Betsy is our workshop leader, as she has had many opportunities to give demonstrations . . . and, she's good at it! This is the largest venue we will have appeared at as a guild. We've got the fiber map, a new business card, and plenty of samples and stories.

Old pics

2010-08-08T22:20:00.000-04:00

Found these on my mother's computer from last summer at NOFA Summer Conference in Amherst MA. The sheep workshop had some hands-on opportunities, and I took advantage. REALLY need to look into finding a sheep shearing mentor. I just love being around the beasts.

Oh, just a few more . . .

2010-08-05T13:24:00.000-04:00

Couldn't help but post a few more scenes from recent wool-and-dog fun-and-games.

Here's Jeric with new-ish friend Beate in ME, and Jeric keeping an eye on our dye pot.

More sheep shots from the visit . . .

And, volunteer work at Worcester Animal Rescue League. Liz is a great dog adoption coordinator. Tulip and Zeus think so, too.

Ok, this is so bad . . .

2010-08-05T11:17:00.000-04:00

My friend Sara's new blog The Salty Ewe is a wonderful read. Puts me to shame. Here it is AUGUST, and I actually have been fiber-busy, but who would know it? So, back to posting.

Some of my July and, now early August activities have included:

Meeting with the Guild women and experimenting with a new large drum carder, and a rather intimidating (think medieval!) wool picker. We made beautiful batts as you can see . . .

And, some nice mother-daughter time at the Hillsdale farmers' market . . . something we both enjoy doing together.

Of course, spending a few days a week volunteering at the Worcester Animal Rescue League remains important to me, and so rewarding. One of my favorite girls is Bobbie Lee, a banshee in her kennel and a doll on the leash. Just a gorgeous girl.

And,yes, time with dear friend Sara in ME last month was heavenly.Jeric and I slept in her camper, went for nice walks with Sara and Beate, and enjoyed the sights and sounds and smells of the sheep and their wool. Dyeing and washing on her porch in some the nicest summer weather we've had, was, in my opinion, a gift of a day.

Big plans for August include another dye day with Sara, giving a workshop with the Guild at NOFA/Mass' Summer Conference 2010, and much more picking and carding!

Change of Plans

2010-07-19T20:30:00.000-04:00

Today was supposed to be spent with Sara in Kennebunkport playing with sheep, dogs, fleece and garden. Maybe even a dip in the OCEAN. But no, forecast said thunderstorms and Jeric doesn't do well in them. So stayed put.

In spite of disappointment and mood, had a very good day of positive work results for clients, a little spinning, dog walking, healthy fresh lunch, and garden play. Here are some of the garden sights I enjoyed. I'm so proud of my little patch of joy.

My good boy wanders around the garden.

My first garlic crop.

It's jicama!

Canada 2010

2010-06-15T07:45:00.000-04:00

Our trip to Montreal and the Eastern Townships (North Hatley) was restful and good for what ailed us. The photos tell it all. Got much knitting and eating done, and no spinning, or sheep photography. But, relished good times with Jeff and Jeric walking and contemplating. It was a true escape for a couple of weeks.

Anniversary

2010-06-02T08:23:00.000-04:00

My husband pointed out that our "official" anniversary was May 22nd, the day I volunteered to serve at the Adopt a Pet event for WARL. The date came and went without me realizing it's significance to us (and it did to him as well!). We seem to be more focused on the anniversary of our first date, March 29, then on the day we signed the marriage certificate. That makes sense to me.

Just finished Animal, Vegetable, Miracle here in Montreal where we are vacationing. What an inspiration! Both the city and the book. I am looking forward to living and eating more locally and responsibly, and looking forward to bringing home some of the spirit of this city with me as well.

No spinning here but getting some much neglected knitting done with linen and Noro sock yarn. Dog walking in the park is also a lovely activity here, in such a canine-friendly city.

Good Dogs Make Good Ambassadors

2010-05-23T08:58:00.001-04:00

May 22nd: Volunteered a few hours at a Pet Event hosted by Long Subaru of Webster MA. Fantasia (AmStaff) and Mandy (Coon Hound/Black & Tan) are great girls up for adoption at Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL) and made a terrific show of themselves and their fabulous social skills. Playing with the rubber ducky in the kiddie pool, greeting the visitors' dogs, and giving plenty of hugs and kisses to all rounded out the day. Thank you to the host for giving these great WARL dogs a day in the limelight.

Fiber Animals are Shorn at Green Hill Park Farm

2010-05-23T08:46:00.000-04:00

May 17, 2010: a visit to Green Hill Park Farm to see the freshly shorn fiber flock included viewing the llamas and Romneys in a much more comfortable state for the warm summer months. The green vegetation was very, very green, and the air was fresh and clean. Who knew, in the center of Worcester, such an experience could be had?!

Fun at RI Fiber Fest May 15, 2010

2010-05-23T08:36:00.000-04:00

Coggeshall Farm in Bristol, RI is a lovely place to host this annual event. A living history museum, the sites provides interpreters who dress up in period costume and discuss shearing sheep, processing flax into linen, and dyeing fiber with natural materials. They specialize in Gulf Coast sheep, which were commonplace in New England during Colonial times.

More good news from the flock in Maine . . .

2010-05-18T23:19:00.000-04:00

More black lambing this spring in Kennebunkport. Sara's latest arrival is Dandylion.

I need to catch up!

2010-05-10T22:34:00.000-04:00

Been dyeing and dog walking and consulting and census-working. No time for blogging? Have photos to take and talk about. Lovely dyeing experiences to relate and display. Oh, and add gardening to that list as well. Though, with tonight dipping into the 30s, who knows what will be left of my efforts. Will take the camera down to the studio and get caught up this week. I promise.

Oh, here's proof of my work today with the shelter dogs. Fantasia was our model,and I was prop master/canine stylist. We're going to feature WARL dogs in upcoming publicity for benefit events happening in June and July, and beyond hopefully. She was mostly cooperative. A nice photo by Lois Bourget, dog foster-er and pretty savvy canine photographer.

Yesterday with the new lambs . . .

2010-04-17T18:01:00.001-04:00

Though it was only 40 degrees, damp, and generally miserable weather, I was bound and determined to see the new lambs in Kennebunkport. And, so, that's what I did on Friday. IT WAS SO WORTH IT! The little ewe and ram Tulip and Hendricks are doing well, and didn't seem to mind the attention nor the climate. Outside, they chased one another and jumped clearly for joy, then took a break and sampled random vegetation. The Mamas kept a wary eye on me as I switched off from one camera to the other. Jeric and Beate took a nice walk with us, and didn't seem to even be aware of the sheep. Looking forward to watching the lambs grow and develop their personalities.

Spring is here

2010-04-12T14:51:00.000-04:00

More news from Kennebunkport: Sara's ewe Callie had a black ewe lamb last week. That made two in just 7 days or so. Great timing for her birthday on the 9th of April!

Made a visit to Green Hill Park Farm, Worcester's own urban ag center on top of one of our seven city hills. It was so unseasonably warm on April 5th, and all the animals were out soaking up the Vitamin D. The fiber creatures were looking quite heavy with fleece. The chickens demonstrated their scratching prowess, and presented their gorgeous plumage. The goats were typically curious, friendly, and goofy. The farm will host the 2010 Sheep to Shawl, LLama to Pajama on Saturday, October 23rd, 12 noon to 4PM.

Good news from Kennebunkport

2010-04-06T18:32:00.000-04:00

A little ram lamb was born early Saturday morning in Sara's barn. Mother ewe and baby ram did well, enjoying the unseasonably warm temps all of New England experienced over the weekend. We congratulate the shepherd and the Babydoll Southdown flock!

70 Degrees + at Overlook Farm/Heifer Project, Rutland MA

2010-04-04T19:49:00.000-04:00

Oohhhh, definitely feel like I got my photo mojo back this afternoon. Who needs Easter Dinner when there are amazing shelter dogs to train in the morning, and highly animated sheep to photograph in the afternoon! And, with the temp reaching mid 70s, the day could not have been more beautiful. (Oh, I forgot the strawberry shortcake Ben & Jerry's ice cream at 4:30PM outside in the backyard, while discussing marketing WARL with Jeff -- he had plain 'ole chocolate.). Also took out the little video camera purchased a long time ago that I am still getting acquainted with. Will be crash training myself tonight and tomorrow to start filming the shelter dogs in need of video storytelling. Ahhh, why must I sleep! So much to do!

Mass Local Food

2010-03-31T20:21:00.000-04:00

Joined this great new food co-op last week and expect to pick up my first month's order on Friday in Holden. Got locally raised pig, beefalo, and lamb for Jeff, and bread, flour, grains, and jam for both of us. Also looking forward to the MHOF Spring CSA share starting in about one month.

In the meantime, I managed to get a few of my own seeds into my four raised bed boxes on the FIRST DAY OF SPRING, which was certainly a "first" for me. Not sure if last week's deep cold was too much of a problem for the little seeds, but certainly all the rain of this week, and the sun promised for the weekend, should be beneficial. Also, am starting basil, dill, and parsley seeds on the porch, which heats up like a hothouse during the day. Fingers crossed on that experiment, too.

And yes, still thinking about city chickens after the inspired read of FARM CITY (mentioned last week; read this great review by Dwight Garner for the NYTimes ). I would love to have just six layers and could easily fix up the potting shed to host them. A little covered outdoor run onto the back lawn, and I think they'd be quite happy. Found a great chicken photo book today published by Abrams. Inspired photography; studio shots of the birds, unlike my outdoor sheep shots. But, the concept is similar. I'll keep hoping and praying for my turn in the publishing world!

New Excellent Book

2010-03-22T21:30:00.000-04:00

Farm City: The Education of An Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter.
Just so witty and captivating.

EATING ANIMALS

2010-03-14T14:49:00.000-04:00

Okay, I am all over this book today. Just read another 50+ pages and feel so fired up about the author's creative presentation and analysis of words and the urgent mission at hand. Viewed interviews with Ellen and Martha from Nov 09 with author Jonathan Safran Foer and need to DO SOMETHING beyond my current lifestyle commitment and community activism. Join a CSA (done), buy organic and local whenever possible (doing it), give up meat altogether (15+ years and counting), encourage friends and family to do the same (trying!).

Really nice spring day at MHOF!

2010-03-10T17:35:00.000-05:00

What a nice visit with the farmers at MHOF. Lunch consisted of FRESH baby greens salad, fresh eggs scrambled with FRESH baby tatsoi and onions, sauteed beans and peas frozen last summer, rhubarb and apple sauce . . . ahhhh. EVERYONE seemed quite content there today.

Important Film for Fiber Fanatics

2010-02-25T17:39:00.001-05:00

http://sweetgrassthemovie.com/screenings/

Check out this website -- a recently released documentary on sheepherding and some of the last cowboys in America.

DVD Preview: Drafting - The Long and Short of It by Abby Franquemont - Spin-Off

2010-02-22T18:35:00.000-05:00

I loved this :46 sec little piece of encourage to "multitask" while practicing the Long Draw. I'm gonna try it!

DVD Preview: Drafting - The Long and Short of It by Abby Franquemont - Spin-Off

Volunteer Time

2010-02-22T16:28:00.000-05:00

(These photos courtesy of the WARL website!)

I am committing to giving hours each week to the dogs at the Worcester Animal Rescue League. I walked on Friday and again today for two+ hours each day. The dogs are so diverse, and so great. I wish more people would spend time with them.

Friday I was especially impressed with Sandy, a tall, long and elegant girl right out of an 18th Century European painting. Brindle colored and with one mangled ear, she is a real ball dog, and would catch snow or tennis balls expertly with every toss I made. And, today, it was the last dog I walked, Juan from Puerto Rico (Little Juan, I like to call him), a SATO rescue dog. He is a "noodle" dog, a mix of basset hound and maybe pointer or other bird dog. Cute and small and very shy but wanting to love and play. Had to coax his collar onto him, but then we had a nice walk.

I leave dripping in sweat from the exertion, but satisfied by the experience of helping.

This weekend's photos as promised

2010-02-21T23:20:00.000-05:00

Nice Fiber Weekend

2010-02-21T22:40:00.001-05:00

The spring thaw this week (temps into the 50s! Yesssssssss!) must have been the impetus for extra nice fiber experiences. They included:
1. Finishing one of Jeff's two socks -- the wool is a beautiful handpainted skein I picked up at the Sheep Shack in December.
2. Viewing Maile's beautiful hand-hooked rugs at her Guild's show in Northborogh. What variety! What skill! What creativity!
3. A terrific inaugural meeting of the planning committee for the 2010 Sheep to Shawl, Llama To Pajama slated for Green Hill Park in Worcester MA on October 23rd, 12-4PM. After this meeting, also a first-ever tour of the farm barn and introduction to the residents (two llamas, three Romneys, four assorted goats, and a flock of laying hens).
4. A lively and satisfying Guild meeting at Elaine's house, featuring first-time attendee Kate from Great Rock Alpacas in Barre MA. We learned so much from her stories about alpaca farming, touched some beautiful product, and enjoyed yummy treats. Thanks Elaine!
5. Began a swatch with (gasp!) my first hank of linen from Louet.

Photos will be forthcoming!

Loved this little article for art yarn inspiration!

2010-02-12T11:17:00.000-05:00

Novelty Plying - Spring 2008 - Knitty

As I become more intrigued about experimenting with multiple fibers all at once, I found this short but sweet little piece by another (clearly) fiber fanatic.

The Complete Guide to Natural Dyeing - Interweave

2010-02-12T10:46:00.000-05:00

The Complete Guide to Natural Dyeing - Interweave

This book looks like a must-have!

Lunch at Many Hands Organic Farm

2010-02-11T16:30:00.000-05:00

Today was so sunny, and just a perfect day for a drive to Barre to meet the farmers for lunch at Many Hands Organic Farm. We have been members of this CSA for several years, and enjoy all the fruits of their impressive labor: me the veggies, flowers, herbs, eggs, and fruit, and Jeff all of the above plus the pigs and chickens that lead very happy lives before their final day. We love getting our weekly share of veggies starting in the spring and lasting until December if you sign up for the Fall CSA membership.

Today I picked up eggs, pork and chicken after our lunch meeting. Looking forward to doing some serious baking with those beautiful fresh eggs! Plus, they have lots in store for 2010! Workshops like Pruning Trees and more start in March and run through the fall, culminating with their 2nd Annual Farm Festivus. I'm also looking forward to learning a few more skills from Julie, Jack and their gang.

Here are some of the happy critters that were out to say hello . . .

Snowy Day In MA (and just about everywhere else!)

2010-02-10T14:12:00.000-05:00

Jeric and I made it out for our walk today before the snow really took over. We expect over a foot, maybe more here in Central MA. Jeric's long coat is just perfectly suited for the weather, which also makes it a great source of fiber for my projects. Speaking of which, this is what his fluff looks like as a Navajo-plyed hank, and as a partially completed scarf.(Note the little bit of black detail that came from Marsh . . . a little bit of her to accompany us whenever we will wear it.)

More about Jeric . . . have been lusting to learn to make needle felted animals, and here's my first pass at making a little Jeric with his fluff. I think I need to take a lesson.

Also caught up with the "art yarn" Maile and I experimented with and here it is, ready for knitting up into something small and cute. It was plyed with black Tencel.

Looking forward to an outing on the 24th to Greenwood Hill Farm in Hubbardston with Guild members to view the new Merino lambs and finally take some new PHOTOS. Love fiber projects, but need sheep contact.

Yikes, where does the time go?

2010-02-09T23:17:00.000-05:00

Me in Florida, definitely not knitting.

I HAVE been spinning in spite of the silence on the blog . . . January was, well, a month, and ten days were spent trying to put it all behind me by kayaking the waterways of southwestern Florida with mom, the Kayak Queen of Windmill Village. Five knitting projects were packed in my suitcase, and guess how many were completed? One. Gee, paying the extra $20 to check my bag each way was REALLY worth it!

Nope, no knitting got done here, either.

Spinning has been really good for me during the start of the New Year. Almost done with the fall natural dyeing samples, and thinking about finishing up Jeric's fluff so that scarf can be finalized, once and for all. It is soooo warm and soft, at least the 1/2 I've completed.

Waiting to hear back from Storey about my book proposal. It just makes so much sense to me, so why shouldn't it to them?

Lots of great stuff going on with Wachusett Spinners Guild. We are really gearing up for the scheduled 2010 fiber season, and creating new events of our own.

If you haven't yet discovered it on your own, this is quite the little blog: http://www.fiberfarm.com/blog.

NOFA Winter Conference 2010

2010-01-10T16:40:00.000-05:00

Exciting happenings in Worcester this weekend. The annual NOFA-MA Winter Conference comes to our Technical High School on Saturday. It's a day-long marathon of intriguing workshops, speakers, vendors, educational displays, and the most awe-inspiring potluck lunch ever experienced. Last year approx 700 folks attended, so you can imagine what feasting was like at mealtime! Check out www.nofamass.org for all the details. I will be looking into Cheesemaking in the morning, and then be very torn about the afternoon's offerings -- so many good ones!

Spinning Up Hand Dyed Experiments

2009-12-28T16:58:00.000-05:00

Here are the hanks of Jacob wool I dyed in the September workshop. They're Navajo plied (so, three-plied) and come from Sara's first flock in Kennebunkport. We used Indigo (the bluish hank) and Marigold (the yellowish hank) among other dyes during the day-long dyeing event. I also have some yet to do in Sumac, which turned a rusty orange.

This is a Jacob ram that resided at Overlook Farm/Heifer Project in Rutland MA. They are black/brown and white, and can sport two or more sets of horns!

2009-12-27T18:37:00.000-05:00

A Recent Getaway . . .

We've been in Rhinebeck NY recently (home of the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival) and have a wonderful B & B to recommend. Whistlewood Farm on Pells Road is operated by Maggie Myers and is situated on a gorgeous 30+ acre horse farm just a few miles outside of Rhinebeck Village. We had a gorgeous room in a guesthouse, fully loaded with Adirondack/Montana style decor and extremely comfortable. Walking the grounds with Jeric and visiting the six horses, donkey, chickens and two resident dogs was a delight. The village of Rhinebeck has WONDERFUL dining options and entertaining shopping. All decked out in holiday lights for the season, it was all extremely picturesque. Plus, Maggie makes an awesome breakfast!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-25T12:10:00.000-05:00

Making the rounds with the holiday phone calls, I was updated on Sara's new handknitted hat venture. She just delivered her first bulk order of 10 locally-grown, hand spun (and in some cases, hand-dyed with natural dyes), and hand-knitted Maine wool hats to her customer. A chief contributor to the Babydoll Southdown wool knitwear was this guy, Rollie the Ram, chief sire of the growing flock, the guy who started it all with Sara's Southdown's.

Rollie's flock are producing a beautiful fleece in colors of cream, oatmeal, and chocolate brown. His offspring are sweet, fuzzy creatures (including Little Bill in the photo above with me). So exciting to see Sara manfest yet another facet of her creativity and shepherding skills.

Christmas around the corner . . .

2009-12-23T18:31:00.000-05:00

Slow start to this blog but there's no shortage of photo and fiber activities happening. Experiments with "wild wool" or spinning with a multitude of fibers, colors, and textures is underway with my friend Maile and it is VERY liberating. New books borrowed from the local library including spinning, Teva Durham designs, and sock patterns. Mailed off hand dyed and knitted socks for Mom -- in Florida colors of yellow and green -- today to arrive in lieu of "three French Hens" or whatever day of Christmas they get there. She too, has been eyeing fiber animals and sent this photo to me of a llama she spied in the Buffalo NY area.

And, back to dog hair . . . have been mourning and trying to move on after Marsh's death, and so found myself looking at her brother Jeric's spun fluff that was an early attempt at my spinning. Needless to say, it was a very fragile hank at that! So, gave it a whirl with Navajo plying to attempt to spin it up into something relatively bulky and strong. I think it worked.

Here's the boy himself (thank you, Erika Sidor, for the beautiful portrait).

Chow Chow fluff is softer, I think, than alpaca and I'm told extremely warm. I haven't finished my first dog yarn scarf yet, so can't confirm on the heat factor.

Hope to shoot some sheep and horses next week at Sara R.'s farm. Cameras and the cold are a tricky mix!

2009-12-04T14:33:00.000-05:00

Pining for Signs of Sheep

It's December and so unseasonably warm that it makes me think I should be outdoors tracking sheep with my camera. Spinning and knitting are the typical activities this time of year. I've been getting to some of it, as I've been home much of this fall, regrouping on personal and professional levels. Lots of loss to absorb, and new directions to focus on. So, nothing like fiber to comfort the mind, body and soul during a stressful time as this.

Here's a photo taken at Overlook Farm/Heifer Project, Rutland MA.

Thanks to my friends in the Wachusett Spinners Guild I have twice-monthly meetings I plan to get back to. I miss their company very much! For four or five hours on a Sunday afternoon we enjoy spinning, show-and-tell of new discoveries, and tasty eats at one home or another. I haven't seen my gang since our early September natural dyeing workshop with Ellen Stone of Rhode Island. It was a superb long day at Dorothy's Shetland sheep farm, cooking up goldenrod and marigolds, experimenting with indigo, and learning about traditional dyeing practices as we perused Ellen's vast fiber sample rack. Our group has also done much work toward producing a Central MA Fiber Map, and I look forward to seeing where that stands and how we can share it with the general public in the near future (2010?).

In the interim my friend and teacher Christina at The Sheep Shack has kept me inspired with new yarns from Berroco and I've already whipped up some neat new projects. And, my spinning wheel has seen some action again just in the last week or two, as I've been working to ply the wool we dyed in September.

Early this fall some exciting news came in. Wearhouse, an upscale retail store in Great Barrington MA, expressed interest in selling my farm animal photographs. I am so grateful to Carrie for taking an interest in my work, and taking on a dozen or so enlargements of pigs, sheep, goats, and cows up to 20 x 26" framed and displayed in this beautiful setting. Sales are happening already, so I'm very encouraged!