tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370103772024-03-19T03:02:10.609-05:00Romney Ridge Farm JournalA creative life on the coast of Maine inspired by a flock of woolies!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-42438688327831598732011-01-14T06:27:00.000-05:002011-01-14T06:29:04.388-05:00Moving Right AlongOn to bigger and better ....you can now follow our blog posts <a href="http://romneyridgefarm.wordpress.com/">here</a>. Thanks!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-78154433698665840572010-12-19T06:14:00.005-05:002010-12-19T09:18:56.352-05:00Knit, Design, Write, Repeat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6ILIWBoAKwW0hHRDLjcOAgdsstNZ7UKoc8AVQvpPkU2vjoi0tbMPUycVzVfInjwlEtNpjSaE48VzfOkTlIhLn9IgsT6NyebKjvqKCKc9U_NXWkcwqjBNOvJ4_3Vpb-P74MTp/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552396634239541826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6ILIWBoAKwW0hHRDLjcOAgdsstNZ7UKoc8AVQvpPkU2vjoi0tbMPUycVzVfInjwlEtNpjSaE48VzfOkTlIhLn9IgsT6NyebKjvqKCKc9U_NXWkcwqjBNOvJ4_3Vpb-P74MTp/s400/IMG_0614.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Occasionally</span> I give in to the little voices in my head that tell me I have bitten of more than I can chew .... but not very often. Though they do get my attention, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">utilize</span> them in a different way and rather than letting them tell me "I can't", I allow them to challenge me in to how, "I can".<br />knitting has not been one of my strong points until recently. I know, I know, that sounds really strange, sort of like the fisherman that doesn't know how to swim, but my lack of skill has come from lack of time. Sure, I can knit, just not fast, and not in intricate patterns. But that's about to change.<br /><br />While vending at The Fiber Festival on New England this past November, I was truly inspired by all of the creativity around me. I had just finished dyeing my new Kaleidoscope yarns and really needed to knit a swatch to show how the colors knit up on the needles. I knit and purled, the woolen spun yarn flowed smooth and wonderfully over the bamboo needles. The colors produced in each row left me excited to see how the next combination would turn out. I added <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ribbing</span>, and then some seed stitch. WOW! I needed more! The swatch measured about 8 inches long, and I bound off and reached for longer needles. With no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pattern</span>, I sat in my hotel room and cast on, guessing the number of stitches, measuring my girth with the length of the needles.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>As I continue to knit I am designing as I go. The process seems simplier to me as I keep assuring myself that I can. Writing the pattern down may be a bit of a challenge, but I have experienced friends to call on for assistance. You can follow the progress of this sweater on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/romneyridgefarm">facebook page</a>. </div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-54584318873167273352010-12-11T06:20:00.005-05:002010-12-11T07:50:50.853-05:00Baby It's Cold Outside!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGVbYrO8MKBiMW9yU8BZkFZepTE7ium_ayy4V3y-0i7jwYfqJqZz47X1tYYaP0L5Yw_pLKzJKgf0KiwymLbjYACxgkYKno-abXbIh-ePd30IW24BYmZ06A7V5011O-z4eKfu2/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 279px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549387148319838226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGVbYrO8MKBiMW9yU8BZkFZepTE7ium_ayy4V3y-0i7jwYfqJqZz47X1tYYaP0L5Yw_pLKzJKgf0KiwymLbjYACxgkYKno-abXbIh-ePd30IW24BYmZ06A7V5011O-z4eKfu2/s400/IMG_0513.JPG" /></a> It is time to build up my biceps again. The outside water spicket is once again challenged by the cold air. It is fussy, working only when the sun touches it with it's barely warm winter-time rays. My morning chores are now the basics. Everybody up? All is well? Here is breakfast, see you around 2:00. <br />During the summer months, I try to accomplish as many tasks as possible before the heat of the day sets in. But when the seasons change, and in the dead of winter, I wait for the "warm" part of the day when the sun comes over the tall pines and warms the barn in the afternoon. That is of course until lambs are born. Then I have no choice but to wrap myself in many layers underneath my stiff, insulated overalls and venture out at all times of the day or night. But that's okay ...it is worth it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ei8dVSygMRbPPoV-UnJH15GJa3NWFLNR2Krx22qQ5sX4oXbe7-XeMVQuJCyx9MxpKzxe2oK7EL9Z8b1_NZUbyr_yPcXsNDkyTjkyMPrFxpJOjmC6PUcE9f1h2ghJmJRN-3-L/s1600/IMG_0540.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549387145512166594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ei8dVSygMRbPPoV-UnJH15GJa3NWFLNR2Krx22qQ5sX4oXbe7-XeMVQuJCyx9MxpKzxe2oK7EL9Z8b1_NZUbyr_yPcXsNDkyTjkyMPrFxpJOjmC6PUcE9f1h2ghJmJRN-3-L/s400/IMG_0540.JPG" /></a> The sheep don't realize how much they are used during the winter months. Our colorful chickens<br />keep close on cold days, using them as wind blocks and the occasional foot warmers. It is not uncommon to find a hen or two nestled into the warm, thick locks of a pregnant ewe, especially on a very cold night. Seems the rafters of the barn are not the best place to spend the night when the temperatures dip below freezing. Mother Nature does provide for our creatures and if you think about it we humans are quite fortunate to have them and to benefit from their warm, woolly harvest.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuRF8Glvo2iX75EuFTWGKHkEt-SnTYyrtlcBR987Z85U5X_rQDipvHKL9QW-kktIPINQwNodCRFNSvYAQXVjyCM8gVGKtCku4HeacUjJ97xfEY5h8JI47EOJCEPT6Glkouunh/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549387140882136466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuRF8Glvo2iX75EuFTWGKHkEt-SnTYyrtlcBR987Z85U5X_rQDipvHKL9QW-kktIPINQwNodCRFNSvYAQXVjyCM8gVGKtCku4HeacUjJ97xfEY5h8JI47EOJCEPT6Glkouunh/s400/IMG_0553.JPG" /></a> Our new bunny Willow came inside for a haircut yesterday and then moved into the basement with our two other bunnies for the winter months while her beautiful fiber grows back. The bunnies move around quite a bit during the year. Inside from the winter cold, back outside in the springtime, up to the big cool barn during the summer heat, and back outside during comfortable autumn weather. Their cages are large but mobile, and I think they enjoy being outside rather than in. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIK2qYOdxGpqwMUJ-naFPjQjr2t-RwzAmscb3E6oDvsgs_soTO_GOCjyS8AbJhKbvyakOSyNjUDObaaT4WGtVchLmJnZzVg9TeGNq52dys4cSoABUsbTeMvUcVZRS_M4Fbt5wr/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549387130558641634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIK2qYOdxGpqwMUJ-naFPjQjr2t-RwzAmscb3E6oDvsgs_soTO_GOCjyS8AbJhKbvyakOSyNjUDObaaT4WGtVchLmJnZzVg9TeGNq52dys4cSoABUsbTeMvUcVZRS_M4Fbt5wr/s400/IMG_0565.JPG" /></a> Time for some BIG projects! After a season of traveling to shows, taking small, simple, "mindless" projects, I am ready for a challenge. This sweater ( which looks so much better in person ) has been a fun project. I am designing it as I go and having a grand time. I am using two different dye lots of my Kaleidoscope Yarn as well as Charcoal, Turkey Red, and now Licorice and White. I hope to have it done to wear to the Ag Show in January.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyAi4YuMRCfgyr7O4gPJ6SlBzyYtRBo3BHA7XbXtQg7PouUNytbkdIU_hez5ZuhQKt5X8aMUD8s7oqvX_2riJCq4PtD0Zl8DXkKJpQtELEjkeOp9wmv0Im1A2fl_bkToyyi6T/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549387120496045554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyAi4YuMRCfgyr7O4gPJ6SlBzyYtRBo3BHA7XbXtQg7PouUNytbkdIU_hez5ZuhQKt5X8aMUD8s7oqvX_2riJCq4PtD0Zl8DXkKJpQtELEjkeOp9wmv0Im1A2fl_bkToyyi6T/s400/IMG_0531.JPG" /></a> So snuggle in my friends, and enjoy the season! <br /><br /></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-92137674899395452112010-11-23T09:01:00.005-05:002010-11-23T10:17:43.673-05:00Giving Is Good!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbzaKWngnat9I78OKxS4TxFO8RciegOR6Z8s1IhfNDaRXeRQNFoHTr8KBM_12mvhbAqtfy94VIuDS-FkW280eugFKO_SYYF1nSLR_F94kIa7wZ6Ol_qRv_o-roQzNJ43Mh0xD/s1600/2010HolidayPROMO.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 395px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542745530526873634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbzaKWngnat9I78OKxS4TxFO8RciegOR6Z8s1IhfNDaRXeRQNFoHTr8KBM_12mvhbAqtfy94VIuDS-FkW280eugFKO_SYYF1nSLR_F94kIa7wZ6Ol_qRv_o-roQzNJ43Mh0xD/s400/2010HolidayPROMO.jpg" /></a><br />Time for some Holiday Cheer!! Beginning Dec 13th, Romney Ridge Farm Yarn Co. will be giving away a some fabulous fibery goodness every day until Christmas! Then on Christmas Day we will choose one lucky winner of our </div><br /><div align="center">Romney Ridge Farm Sampler Package containing:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">4 skeins of our unique yarns. </div><p align="center">A "bump" of our Angora/Wool roving. </p><p align="center">4 handmade stoneware buttons from Sunshine Pottery -Topsham, Maine.</p><p align="center">A handmade Mitten Pin from Sunshine Pottery -Topsham, Maine.</p><p align="center">A handmade sheep pendant featuring our sheep - Littleput Land - Portland, Maine.</p><p align="center">A Hooking Kit -Snowman Ornament.</p><p align="center">Our 2011 Romney Ridge Farm Calendar.</p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center">ALL MADE IN MAINE PRODUCTS!!</p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><br /> </p><p align="center">Orders placed from Nov 1st until Dec 23rd will qualify you to win one of the 12 give aways and put you in the running for the Farm Sampler. </p><br /><p align="center">Good Luck!</p><br /><p><br /></p>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-42185626834389120752010-11-16T18:18:00.022-05:002010-11-20T09:54:51.827-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11iKqPl2y5vEVczja-gtfZnJDykHcyZKXPt-3ChetzMITfbRkXkj4fvJRWvaqYkLQfs_BNhrSYiKvZznn0XyOB5S9wEDlPZMiLLWIirPXjOXQupxQo_pM2X1g5em02pzZl2s2/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541644867483431522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11iKqPl2y5vEVczja-gtfZnJDykHcyZKXPt-3ChetzMITfbRkXkj4fvJRWvaqYkLQfs_BNhrSYiKvZznn0XyOB5S9wEDlPZMiLLWIirPXjOXQupxQo_pM2X1g5em02pzZl2s2/s400/IMG_0224.JPG" /></a>So there I sat completely out of my element, strapped into the seat, looking out of the tiny round window at the bustling ramp agents. Fear and total loss of control had me in it's grip. Why? I hate small spaces and I always have to drive. I am a control freak after all, and I was totally without any. I felt very small and when the plane touched down and we made our way to the ship, I felt even smaller.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>I have learned a lot about myself these past few days. Excited to see a new world, and experience new things, I left the safety zone that I have created for myself over the past 13 years. I am confessing now, that I am phasing into the next step in my life. Not changing who I am, but beginning to allow myself to say "yes I can" a little more than I used to. And I am more inspired each time I step out into the world ....wow, life is good.</div><br /><div>Good friends always make life just a little sweeter. Especially those who understand that I march to the beat of a different drum. I love old engines, gardening, art, farming, cowboy boots, architecture, big hair rock bands, painting and fast boats. I can't make it much past 9 p.m. and I need to see the sunrise. I am what I am and I have good friends who are okay with that. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 381px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541644234889508194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjkKhiXhAk-_FXbSxh2eu5FfCUrb_eI98sxcHN7cKA8hM4EKyFcqLOOCork9Zrrfl3HngbuJJY5NDXdPd7SFTv9mN3FhC6H-laA0RcM8HEC3ydvy-a9ECfBTpWDniIIojH08a/s400/IMG_0222.JPG" /><br />Cozumel took me a little off guard. It wasn't anything that I expected it to be, though time limits kept me from seeing more of the island than I would have like to. The colors were spectacular, the people were friendly and smiling with their big toothy grins and beautiful skin. The water was a different blue than the waters of Maine, and the trees were fascinating. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541643643882633218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1TxIZ_UAGjXQrH4D7BxyDJIfDuv4qAz3DOGPROWLT39NvBhlLiP9gfLJzPpluV6A6zXsxBhQDo8vTYIQIo6nCfmV1EJUZQHqff_KqK3k8mL73CUcXFwyB_gNqr25vkgNoUGO/s400/IMG_0181.JPG" /><br /><br />My husband and I, and good friends Dom and Pam took a little off road excursion into the jungle. After several miles of rugged roads, rocks, flying mud and cow poo, we stopped at a deep underground cave where stalagmites and and resident bats were the main attraction. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541639489597160130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41JXfEkok4dO2GEgFc6j41Ka4s3s0N5XIVs6EUx3RW5mLOB1VTG1ZrO8SpARnPG72prcJTj8FRtROJDuI644mIVgXAqnruK2IdhVHEMZSIHoWPjSXVkDMoOnYnEx2CuEfOGMu/s400/IMG_0191.JPG" /> The boys swam in the bat poop soup, while Pam and I pondered the reasons why roly-poly women choose to wear bikinis.:) Our wonderful tour guides, R-R-R-R-R-Roberto and Danny Boy, explained how the high calcium content in the water affected the "structure" of the Mayan people. They were short, strong people with little dental issues or osteoporosis.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 331px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541640131469545266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgy_iU1ind9I02N1VtMYbGqS2Udvpm2Rz5btReuPqeOBhC-1jsYZ_feG5SKIVCL1tKOW8-TlZyHNlnUawmX6mh35wdpUDLhU_f91c-3ch7_7dkQcPkRCaFI1reBAhhQoFDWKx/s400/IMG_0194.JPG" />After a quick shower and clean up on the ship, we headed into the Marketplace for some shopping, then on to Margaritville for some fun and the best guacamole I have ever had!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 347px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541634536655405346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXY8Jni7VxnwGgSZQyz9LEIukCUt4ClvFXAyejGQ7mgP_3MMeggEPyOyag_6P_szSPUtBvGZgR5ivMrKhtBJxzYxdLffqHu1OIG4AU_5X6qmEp3cLe3jys_l-1EmIJKbJtyBbJ/s400/IMG_0205.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><br /><div>All in all it was a good trip. I really missed my family and my simple life. Too much hustle and bustle for me, too much rushing, and not enough to do on the ship. I knew sitting and relaxing would be a huge challenge for me. Next vacation I hope to be riding and roping on the range. Time to start saving.:)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 413px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541630281563434706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1eiUfx4wmPHwy9HeF-rYbJf6NTi7fFC3GFd5UBoPmZNuG2cjlzh91_tfeLtERhkxoYN7-gbJtitaHIqMY0c0k3eVPicU7SiGDuEFgX7FVukMaQMJLc-4Ca4QZ6Qb366HM3TD/s400/IMG_0156.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-11202754524219976692010-10-27T14:26:00.004-05:002010-10-27T14:58:36.320-05:00The Perfect Pot O' Color<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQbrYTcqmwpTMhjgyLC04X614oACr-YAbNql5T2OpTDlYn5nmFyfIJdUdoQ03zFj4J8pIGqFFt0zBxMpdm2hP7gT4a28CPDzJsztmn3YAbmRpahpUcyIx0T1Tlc204O7pGCL7/s1600/Rainbow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 388px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532813819910510242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQbrYTcqmwpTMhjgyLC04X614oACr-YAbNql5T2OpTDlYn5nmFyfIJdUdoQ03zFj4J8pIGqFFt0zBxMpdm2hP7gT4a28CPDzJsztmn3YAbmRpahpUcyIx0T1Tlc204O7pGCL7/s400/Rainbow.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdDvFszpgNpizSppuKNOMSKtffHM7Xac2stJHnd1nm0MxBqsOMhfAiBmkBs-7sgF4VvfeHixNuPTfZ9j3uU356y-WKRPVmeT2QhMEZBPhDjwSwGU2nTH_PDN2QBqBnJ3Igwjr/s1600/Pastel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 385px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532813813678147730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdDvFszpgNpizSppuKNOMSKtffHM7Xac2stJHnd1nm0MxBqsOMhfAiBmkBs-7sgF4VvfeHixNuPTfZ9j3uU356y-WKRPVmeT2QhMEZBPhDjwSwGU2nTH_PDN2QBqBnJ3Igwjr/s400/Pastel.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UVruojm8fqpKBGrgWoYwyXSy0AWzpKhSqcMKehjU4XCFDe5X5Pr8f9Ubjm-1YWlmzUMisIsNj_6gG4H8p-MAxJjkv10M88o5jZ2h66hl6YHMhcePeDSfW1-6vHlGWmJNt80V/s1600/Easter+Egg.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 354px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532813800243285058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UVruojm8fqpKBGrgWoYwyXSy0AWzpKhSqcMKehjU4XCFDe5X5Pr8f9Ubjm-1YWlmzUMisIsNj_6gG4H8p-MAxJjkv10M88o5jZ2h66hl6YHMhcePeDSfW1-6vHlGWmJNt80V/s400/Easter+Egg.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoxGiQB8sEjmh0wY2Ap9wy7NvYhB0sjg3Ajn2gszPyh7Yu7dEiqwZesqJkBdfA3TjhYcBtC-kUy1EsLis73ylR_q2mGi_PZEj-C556hNzATpDJ3rV7s03zt7j1A4OhIXTKJOC/s1600/Rooster.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532813792808430002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoxGiQB8sEjmh0wY2Ap9wy7NvYhB0sjg3Ajn2gszPyh7Yu7dEiqwZesqJkBdfA3TjhYcBtC-kUy1EsLis73ylR_q2mGi_PZEj-C556hNzATpDJ3rV7s03zt7j1A4OhIXTKJOC/s400/Rooster.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>If you "follow me" on facebook, you have probably seen these skeins already. They are a random act of color craziness that I had to get out of my system. What you do not see is the frenzy of designing, the how to do it this way, and step three and four shouldn't take too long as to leave enough pigment for step five, and I really should be doing something else today psycho -nutjob that I become when I think about new techniques and designs. I am after all, a super huge control freak ... I have accepted that. </div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><div>Only one dyelot turned out as I planed. But there are no mistakes, only a lesson learned and a new note to take. In my eyes, the perfect pot of color would be very boring. I don't believe in perfection, or normal for that matter. A normal day? No such thing. And if it did exist, it would not have been filled with any sort of surprises that make me say "holy cow, how did that happen?" I am as excited by my experiments in dyeing as I am in the day to day colors that need to be replenished. </div><div> </div><div>In the middle of my dyepot frenzy,</div><div> a mama hen arrived as proud as a peacock with her brood of 10 peeping chicks. You can imagine my surprise, then panic to find them all, then my surprise to find a second hen in the process of hatching out the rest of the clutch, sitting protectively over the last of the eggs, two of which had tiny beaks protruding through the escape holes that they were making. </div><div> </div><div>Normal day? Nope, but I'm not complaining. </div></div></div><br /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-89223657210860892102010-10-22T05:08:00.006-05:002010-10-22T09:03:08.245-05:00A Fashion Show Featuring Joe!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVsicL4Wnx7UTBi8D_HpL7zPcVFesPWIAvhRf3PXbHRSvFnsx9fG4kK5wppiZa8ynG9r6bDL-gR0ZvQM2AAZmOXkxcXNlZsRj1R6GEA0SbGZ1lFLYcCU3G_GutepWgGYgCYHW/s1600/IMG_7629.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 407px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530866956737407698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVsicL4Wnx7UTBi8D_HpL7zPcVFesPWIAvhRf3PXbHRSvFnsx9fG4kK5wppiZa8ynG9r6bDL-gR0ZvQM2AAZmOXkxcXNlZsRj1R6GEA0SbGZ1lFLYcCU3G_GutepWgGYgCYHW/s400/IMG_7629.jpg" /></a>Two years ago the realization that Joe was getting old hit me. I consider him the beginning of my shepherding adventure. I have learned so much from him over the years. So in early spring, when we sheared, I kept his fleece separate from the rest of the shearing and had my friend Nancy of Newaim Fiber Mill turn him into "just Joe" yarn. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 396px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530858957647328002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbyx70_RMKWiU2EUGtJA_buZ2kDqNg3HuGLRoder4JVzosIY3919AyL-Vk-qP8K3LWW_aJNqW7XtxqKhzIHIO814LJ6h4QvXptffaAgw0dVyO_b6vFWvq1gouIusv_APw4gQ5/s400/IMG_6794.jpg" />Over 3,000 yards of silvery- grey, worsted weight yarn was returned to me on cones. Then a friend, with incredible knitting skills, was hired to knit me a sweater of just Joe. I chose a pattern that I felt would serve the yarn well. Joe is a Romney -a long wool breed of sheep. Longwool is a bit heavier than down wools. Projects knit with longwools have a beautiful drape. So I chose the pattern for The Ursa Sweater and modified it a bit. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530866953704244322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsZWIt6OmOztbltbUuaWQvGSzTnF1hwldgw2nyCCdR_b1ZcFausg6ggNGK_uNMMJb-_Iqz_scHxZToTpDBKigDKLLbL13CI-HajoheLYWRMNvWPt-ybUBoSk3jHDXoDzNlNqK/s400/IMG_7635.jpg" /> <div><div><div>My Joe Sweater is a treasure to me. I pack it safely away when warm weather comes to Maine, but look forward to wrapping myself in it's warmth when the air turns crisp and cool.</div><br /><div>In a few weeks I will be attending the <a href="http://www.thebige.com/ese/ESEEvents/Fiber_Festival.asp">Fiber Festival of New England </a>in Springfield, MA. At 3 p.m. on Saturday there will be a fashion show. What fun! I am entering my Joe Sweater in the event as well as two other projects made from my yarns. This is the first year of what I hope will be a successful event. Check out the website for the dates and times, as well as the many wonderful vendors attending this event.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-64563594185233177472010-10-16T09:12:00.000-05:002010-10-16T09:13:20.334-05:00Autumn SALE!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20X9WFMn58nO3zr6GZ_vf2No484bs2gWIuDEy-Lqw_-9elC6BNdEkqlNmGWUPdEaVviE_2cod6wI5V2catHcX2RCGCURr-hBw70BiU_E1UOm1lnVzcNog1csrvByubnu_WkMZ/s1600/Harvest+Moon+SALE.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528646764924173314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20X9WFMn58nO3zr6GZ_vf2No484bs2gWIuDEy-Lqw_-9elC6BNdEkqlNmGWUPdEaVviE_2cod6wI5V2catHcX2RCGCURr-hBw70BiU_E1UOm1lnVzcNog1csrvByubnu_WkMZ/s400/Harvest+Moon+SALE.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-39240213109087853882010-10-01T05:45:00.017-05:002010-10-15T09:01:57.367-05:00The Right Stuff<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U0zF85LL4hmGS8N85sZIR3JU7NZp1Fv4tYoi-A4URzNP-B3uaSbV2boQE90gEG_HGUuZq8P2OFozwpNriqwq8kG_bT9KYkWttKiNznEvIUub2M29COAOBYaXn2eDY5bb4njn/s1600/IMG_9756.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 387px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525618732751036770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U0zF85LL4hmGS8N85sZIR3JU7NZp1Fv4tYoi-A4URzNP-B3uaSbV2boQE90gEG_HGUuZq8P2OFozwpNriqwq8kG_bT9KYkWttKiNznEvIUub2M29COAOBYaXn2eDY5bb4njn/s320/IMG_9756.JPG" /></a> "May I ask what will you be making with your yarn?" I ask my customers that question frequently. Yes I am being nosey, but more than that I am interested in making sure they are happy with their purchase, and if they are new to knitting, I want to help them to choose the correct fiber or combination of fibers for their project.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>There are so, so, so many things to consider when you purchase your yarn, with end product being the #1 factor. Our super-soft Angora and down wool blend knits into a wonderful hat, scarf, pair of mittens, sweater or vest. Sure it would make warm socks, but being composed of fine down fleeces, and even though it is spun at a worsted weight, they would be extremely thick. Without a stronger longwool type fleece such as Romney or the even stronger Mohair fiber in the blend, I would be concerned that it heels would wear out. So softness does not always lend itself to durability in a garment that would see the type of constant use as socks. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525619304856066514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0kJGCApAOVlkOqfYjtuDT5SD8U5DbTosNKDWKjo6LcrLAze0ohKw8eH762Q5UFCwxJfKO6eiEoi9x7KOkhNtzdA9HKGn5a7N30D-YjyJeA89VVRn5_SKf51p5K5FJEP8w7xb/s320/IMG_9705.JPG" /><br />Our Romney Mohair blend would make very durable socks. It is spun from adult and lamb fleeces and adult and kid mohair. Our Romney fleeces range from medium to fine grade as does our mohair. It has been spun into a light, almost DK weight, so - less bulk, and soft and durable. For some people though it might feel itchy. So a sweater or vest, more of an outwear garment might be a better choice depending on their skin's sensitivity. The heavier long wool and mohair give better drape to a knit fabric than the springy down wool. This brings us to what I consider the #2 factor. Your sensitivity to fibers.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>I get a little tickle from folks who say that wool is itchy. Well it is wool after all and it's structure, with it's tiny overlapping scales, can feel itchy to some folks. But it those little scales that can cause irritation to some, are important to the structure of the fiber. Wool is the only fiber with the natural structure of overlapping scales which allows the fibers to cling together and create felt. No synthetic equal has ever been created.<br /><br /><br /><div>Wool is flame resistant, warms and cools you, can keep you dry, and is just plain wonderful. If you are super sensitive to wool but love to knit and have woollen pieces in your wardrobe, then knitting outwear is a good choice. I suggest to my customers when they aren't sure of their own sensitivity to rub the yarn under their chin on their neck - a very sensitive part of your body. I also suggest that you sew a small strip of flannel around the neckline of a sweater or vest, or headband of a hat creating a soft barrier for your skin. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 362px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525620865333789682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnF7JqgJRyE3I9QVhuby5ERTSTRecsVFaFPDxHeLwJPEdfbmHzvqUXIPxWYtCPepkJ6wRy2TgWNnkASmQkF1mKBwtncmjTer00HN7QLr-RUEOf-MqWGV3dpvBTULvRkznzNVD/s320/IMG_9780.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The third factor that I consider very important to a finished piece is drape. The weight and content of the yarn determines this as well as the way the fiber is spun. Woollen spun yarns are "poofy" and "fulled". A mohair blend will lay much differently that a 100% wool yarn that has been spun from down fleeces. The weight of the mohair makes for more of a flowing garment, where the down wools knit into a lighter weight end product. Longwool fleeces tend to have better drape as well, but can be a bit less soft than the down wools. </div><br /><br /><div>So if you visit our farm and I seem a bit nosey, it is only because I want you to leave satisfied with your yarn purchase. Your satisfaction with your finished project it as important to me as your experience here. Leaving excited about the piece you are about to create means I have done my job well. And please remember to send me a picture of what you make with our yarns to showcase on our website!:)</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 349px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525624750081368114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6_AcAUUFhFYlNNud6-94xkA9Ur-SMbmTpZxT3kJ0sYPwwD6MegqoNMzhxADChnS1jRj39UpdyqkrmFRIfKStT4RoEdZ35joxT3mVH_-3aWlyoF0gvLHSRKLQLpOY7XSFw0Cq/s320/IMG_9788.JPG" /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-35071906761409754912010-09-27T09:00:00.009-05:002010-09-29T10:06:18.829-05:00Common Ground Madness!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8wZqpkAaK4Xz92Ml3xs7NiYdJ8i6N952vAAyyYVnGBfcenwSuMqiICNRIgVkYgw1ttTMWqta6WPZGFQs6e68enk8FU2fACm3n7Dy8_8i5dIpQllHtf27LqPRNbeZWk0kpMb2/s1600/IMG_9648.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522351075928851170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8wZqpkAaK4Xz92Ml3xs7NiYdJ8i6N952vAAyyYVnGBfcenwSuMqiICNRIgVkYgw1ttTMWqta6WPZGFQs6e68enk8FU2fACm3n7Dy8_8i5dIpQllHtf27LqPRNbeZWk0kpMb2/s320/IMG_9648.JPG" /></a> Wow. Let me say that again. WOW! What a weekend! As a first time vendor at the Common Ground Fair let me just say ..it was all I could hope for and more. The GREATEST folks on the planet run the Fiber Marketplace and I sincerely mean that! <div><div> </div><div>Like any show or even season for that matter, I find it very interesting what colors and weights of yarn are the most popular. Red and Turquoise shades were in high demand at my booth but the Double Dips in worsted and especially the bulky were my #1 sellers. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 355px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522349495847651202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY0j2I4aTfVh4r9jm1Qp14X-uVwfPgmARivFlzYOgci_BfZrAsHik1J8JJpoc_rFINLQS7COUhzDU8HYNg3TvBOxOVkVFhN_y9Rd9wsOsUcgBCajDS2VzZwEDYmkcV2DaDe10/s320/Doubledip.jpg" /></div><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sooooooooooooo</span> .......... I have decided to add the Double Dips to my Fall Line of yarns ( <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">in fact</span> I have several <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">dyelots</span> in the dye pots as a write this) ! The dye process puts a dark and light hue of the chosen color in to the yarn. I will knit up a swatch asap so you can see the result knit. </div><div> </div><div>A weekend filled with wonderful people, good wholesome food, and inspiration. What more could you ask for. Thank you to all of my friends, family and fabulous customers - old and new for a very <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">successful</span> weekend. Next up ...Sunday River!</div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-77625276902530884622010-09-15T11:15:00.004-05:002010-09-15T12:18:46.162-05:00Recycling Water PART II<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 361px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517176417020678274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8TtpiNcTu8idas4_hbD2nqaN-zTjPs9yFXmMQ3-pLX9Rq9iosBmU6Dg1HFIxRerfvNtL_8qg3wAdZoJXyypijXmBlBZlbzGsdhyphenhyphenW_f3e3UuW7VSSNIQum6WjLIhEFIHEFepp/s320/IMG_9582.JPG" />Once the yarn has been rinsed free from the spinning oil, I prepare my dye. The yarn is then weighed and my personal dyeing process begins.<br /><br /><br />After soaking up the color for the amount of time you desire, preferably until the dye is fully absorbed and the water runs clear, test the water in a jar and on a dry paper towel. The water will be murky and will appear to still contain color pigments. It probably does, but not enough to affect the next color to go into the water. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 336px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517176425370648258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lpDH5TAeY9OTPc2MaLZOd9ZB__HYDHsvuFU0NropBw8_MstUvS0yej1d15zf_nlB5EW_W3kwb3D3fYLEQPIkHzrRMU3hk79jgKEui5FoyuIZ3qdv8AwXm00mOBhtKJlwpzu7/s320/IMG_9576.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><p>The paper towel will be a good indicator of the pigment left in the water. This water, from Peacock Blue dye, is almost clear, but does not appear to be in the jar. The fibers of the paper towel do not absorb much color, and when rinsed holds no color at all.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 323px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517176436182038642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulsLL9cs1EZ6I3BePkp4p0yRWzzCdsIn0Ukupgs4GhGx_srp3GwTJGN0FHvPvG83YspdAa6LR5A6l-p_GigD0CqjAToczShx-Kvf0ZcIKl6Y0a5kSzh6cEhGJb8J8hUf3-JU7/s320/IMG_9577.JPG" /> Now, I pull up a skein out of the water and watch that the water runs clear from the skein. Most of the pigment will have been absorbed my the fibers at this point. So I feel safe to pull all of the yarn out of the dye pot. BE CAREFUL! The water and the yarn is still HOT. I use salad tongs and sometimes wear gloves. Place the yarn in a drainer.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517176440833815634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHQn8yxRFm-NQYVv93Lf5o8LHMRvjBMkAlFdLM1dq4LrZfjCeb7bBvu2yiR2wfejgUAAZiUmoDNpANAWRx4OQPK2N_evc6xPCboAK5Q6ikyXbUlgLhIb8GrwvAUtgW8N8i-L0/s320/IMG_9579.JPG" /></p><p> </p><p>The water in the pot will be lowered, BUT you do not have to dump all of that water down the drain. It is still quite warm and ready to be reheated. Fill up your pot to the "fill line" that you usually use, and add whatever mordant ( if you use one) you might need. ( This picture is deceiving, as I only add about an inch to the fill line). Put the pot back on the stove, cover, and reheat the water. It should take very little time to be hot enough to add your new color. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517180008254597890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_icqMKGwp-6HsNCULduDwpTf5OxedMgwadYEGQj76873mPDu4GmgRmokUdNEI5AOPnbXRJMdFikiWJW0xGk8l1m26r6gUZDFogbE6xdjPUZJv3DXpc3L4FLkY5ACfcLRf8EeC/s320/IMG_9580.JPG" /></p><p>Now, this is where you need to think out your next move. We all are familiar with the color wheel and what colors we can combine to make other colors. </p><p>In this pot I used Peacock Blue, a bright, "turquoisey" blue with green and gold tones. Because there is a slight bit of pigment in the pot. My safest choices of color to add next are in that family of colors. So a blue or green will work perfectly. If I were dyeing yellow, I might next change to shades of golds and oranges. Reds pretty much need to stay in the red family, as do purples. </p><p>This whole process is trial and error. Again, my methods will never be the same as yours. I usually try and run through 4 dyelots before I change the water. I figure that I save around 20 gallons of water per 4 dyelots using this method. So .... less water = less fuel to heat it. Rinsing the yarns in cold water saves fuel as well. Be sure and put covers on your pots when heating your water each time. The wide, open pots loose as much as 50% of the heat out of the top. </p><p>NEXT : SOLAR DRYING</p>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-32216636445245451852010-09-15T05:03:00.007-05:002010-09-15T10:49:47.157-05:00Recycling Water, Solar Drying & Minimal Packaging PART IFor a few years now I have been thinking about my dyeing methods and how to improve on them. It isn't that I wish to change the colors or even improve on the quality of my work. I am satisfied and confident that I am producing a high quality product, but the amount of fuel I have always thought I needed to heat my water and work with the fiber is not necessary.<br /><br />Now, that being said, this may not work for everyone. My methods of dyeing are not conventional. I do not "follow the directions on the package" so to speak, but instead I have developed my own methods that accomplish what works for my types of yarns, the amount I dye, my water quality, and my time schedule. In fact there are so many variables that apply to this method, that it may not work for anyone else, but I promised I would post it in hopes it will be helpful to my fellow dyers.<br /><br />First things first. If your yarn has been spun at a spinning mill. Most likely before the fibers were carded, they were sprayed with a light spinning oil. So before you dye your yarn, you need to remove the oil. For years I used very warm water to dissolve the oil, but I now have found that a diluted basin of cold water in the washing machine works just as well. So ....fill up the basin, add the soap, swish, then add the yarns. Let the yarn soak for 15 minutes, then spin out the load. <br /><br /><br />more in a bit!:)Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-51335239085439413642010-08-24T05:28:00.009-05:002010-09-06T11:01:06.989-05:00Dyeing, Dyeing and More Dyeing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDyAHEXDNlJMynApnCkN8oOA049PSuT1_WD1ceOqN-r6IH5eDe3uWuQ0ibmF0sE8ceESPOvfY1i2K8KbowdjM3j3MHS9r4s4h5tuW51ipBO-JkY2x7Q700Z0BxX6dKB1XDI70/s1600/Angus.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 405px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513827325116143330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDyAHEXDNlJMynApnCkN8oOA049PSuT1_WD1ceOqN-r6IH5eDe3uWuQ0ibmF0sE8ceESPOvfY1i2K8KbowdjM3j3MHS9r4s4h5tuW51ipBO-JkY2x7Q700Z0BxX6dKB1XDI70/s400/Angus.jpg" /></a> I am back in the dye pots today after a weekend of shuffling sheep and cleaning the barn for winter. Angus, our Romney ram who should have been a Romney wether ( long story ) has finally found a great gig on Roque Island. He leaves in October, so I decided to use him with at least two of my ewes maybe three as he has such a classic Romney build and a beautiful fleece, both traits I would like to pass on to my flock.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 377px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513829465930062274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnLu0xV3MDBHjLqZexI4dSlBSMupHO8M9MPFuEPbcBI0S3cw26sLsmU7VLV6EhEc_QlT_tVmO2Xc2RKwiHmk48mF5tyusiUOYjN5neAiXW-IDVhA-fD9dxJ-moAj-Trj28aDW/s320/IMG_9528.JPG" />Before the humidity kicked in last week the heat was perfect for quickly drying freshly dyed yarns, so I took advantage of the suns rays and worked on my supply of yarns for The Common Ground Fair. Over 240 skeins engulfed every inch of my deck, all four drying racks, deck chairs and railings. With kids and hubby off to a weekend fishing derby, I was a free to sprawl my work all over the house! <div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 431px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513012909892493922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtlSzjb36j6SBP8JbSSdI3Lh7ahpzgaicKeJJ6Vh7_8Exa30rge7_axwU9qQxCJkgmymH76LB4OxjNMN5zVhGPXw5ilT0RLBXrsl_nANAst7UbVqTF1jt219IMjNUSRC3WqJ6/s400/common+ground.jpg" /> I am excited to be accepted as a vendor to this year's Common Ground Fair, just not sure what to expect. How much do I bring? Do I need help? Do I camp out or drive home every night? I guess, like everything I do, I'll fly by the seat of my pants and everything will workout. :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513829473167172674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMjskypy8m0TQF3JYufG5JHjLveePm5impO1C0xIzB_1bdORNV28_WxhELEniwSqlnR0BAEncTRNvN_Cjx-Y9xdBAbKPR4-pvG87C8KPn67vlZTOE0aAQrUvXNcqMTn3S1eSJ/s320/IMG_9529.JPG" />With several shows ahead, I will be in the dye pots all this week. I love dyeing with leaves falling all around. The small amount of knitting I have managed to finish is only a drop in the bucket. I have so many plans for the cozy, beautiful, bulky yarns. In fact I am going to try my hand at a design that has floating around in my head for a few weeks. Stay tuned!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-8334479445762346042010-08-13T05:50:00.008-05:002010-08-19T10:45:51.300-05:00Au Natural<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEhha9PnTry5H0Yb5qL7pmvPK4Klr3FMu3KgFMfUVoZIzTI3U7TlUbgo-gs8VKQqBVdFgBjsQd3DyoZDT5AVu_FNmis_1wTPVSohl62_4y1pfGX80EFOBcn9x3fxbA5pFJbN8/s1600/IMG_9370.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 324px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507136047937994882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEhha9PnTry5H0Yb5qL7pmvPK4Klr3FMu3KgFMfUVoZIzTI3U7TlUbgo-gs8VKQqBVdFgBjsQd3DyoZDT5AVu_FNmis_1wTPVSohl62_4y1pfGX80EFOBcn9x3fxbA5pFJbN8/s400/IMG_9370.JPG" /></a>Over the past few weeks runs of natural colored yarns have been arriving back from the spinneries. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507139827553070738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOYV7Nh6_IcC42dwSEt0ockbqbP-qDUX3Yfs4To77E516zhICybsimfz-0VZ6j5nslOzDtvgDK0Gro47Cws3yILmcwAEod_JWXwpdDQL9xXINSlyGU_pT1wNGasKDFBX0Rwe0/s400/IMG_9363.JPG" />First the Babydoll Bunny Blend, then a portion of our Romney/Mohair ( which has almost sold out ...but more is coming!) Then on Tuesday I picked up the Bulky yarn I have been waiting for so long to have spun.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 373px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507131974300489650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcugXbWmgKOTMKCZFnq0Ios0ScZ_tM_42FNWMhyU5-pOIIqSH9PIbebyaVdnPJJjvcHrPSo2BIUG4-OdoEuBCouZ5XPwwXzbH3xzi7UbFivA-Ie0lxLDG-mDVcqc98V90_WBtp/s400/IMG_9357.JPG" />The Babydoll/Bunny Blend is a beautiful, soft, heathered grey. Our wool is down,the bunny is silky soft. It is a lofty yarn, wonderful for overdyeing , but beautiful as its natural color as well. </div><div> </div><div>The Romney/Mohair is also our farm blend, created from our Romney sheep's fleeces and our Angora goat's Mohair. The addition of mohair to the wool <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 358px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507133834593700162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL_bGwxRRWci6_mjczKCvrTZE6QStpKT4Ik2Z-h58InG-txu5KNsGP1I9u2Z3CDPT-lP5mCaGTX-oduKwIuTMVF1vCqOUEclEYPcHxWq0KoBzvp6OmPJdAOqIhg47KipJk0ZO/s400/IMG_9295.JPG" /><br /></div>is just enough as to not make the yarn "over-fuzzy" as mohair can do, but to provide a soft sheen which also over-dyes beautifully! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 351px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507139829653736978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtypflWhyphenhyphenREdIzCl4SMw7tv7ZPHB8l_FuJUHH9A2zQl3S1agRByBen1GSqk6Rp7DVnrybI-bXXVR3L32siuIyo0lQpPSDaTSbXf65PXAV03NUFlZa4j5rY32ce6oNe5l7XPEWc/s400/IMG_9367.JPG" />Then came the Bulky yarn. I had been holding off spinning the bulky until the crisp fall air arrived. I think my timing is right -at least here in Maine. This yarn is a real treat to knit with. Using sz 15 needles, I knit up this cowl from one skein in about an hour.<br /><br /><br /><div><div>There is a large amount of</div><div>Southdown in the yarn so it is super soft. I may actually start and finish a sweater using the Bulky since it knits up so fast! :) </div></div></div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-84766981992906102672010-08-07T04:42:00.002-05:002010-08-07T05:13:12.135-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbasKIHnFNdSyM5uG8L3UTLH2_oqBHpYlfyNG1SicV02qgWCbsfLgh9uOWnvCZDtE5PsjIlaE7jeVibTiuWTtjDQmYHUeICbDBpvJNDXHLoiDxzWk7gs5l9x6xNYOJKVscDup/s1600/FriendJoe.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502608751007874418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbasKIHnFNdSyM5uG8L3UTLH2_oqBHpYlfyNG1SicV02qgWCbsfLgh9uOWnvCZDtE5PsjIlaE7jeVibTiuWTtjDQmYHUeICbDBpvJNDXHLoiDxzWk7gs5l9x6xNYOJKVscDup/s400/FriendJoe.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am up. It is early and the sun is just peeking over the ridge. The sheep are divided. Some lay quietly munching, chewing, burping up their cud, others are wandering, searching, investigating. I am up. Thinking about the months ahead, excited about the traveling, guilty for leaving kids and farm behind. Knowing it will all be okay, worth it, fun. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I haven't left this farm much in years. A young family, responsibility, building a business, busy, busy life has kept me close to home and though I know my life is about to shift again, I fully embrace it. Doors are closing, but many more are opening, some just waiting for me to be brave enough, strong enough, excited enough to reach out and turn their knobs. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When your mind is full of thoughts, and ideas, not just the ones that get you through the day, but the ideas that come from inspiring objects, places and events, and when you are a person who finally allows yourself to let them consume you, a smile starts in the center of your face. It spreads like vines to not only turn up the corners of your mouth, but to pull your whole face upward. It pulls your spirit upward. And if that smile won't go away, when you are standing in a place of beauty, taking it all in, blocking out the noise and world around you, centered,</div><br /><div>focused, you are me. You know what it is like when</div><br /><div>your spirit is fulfilled. A creative mind and spirit needs to be recognised, not put away because life is to</div><br /><div>busy and does not have time for it. </div><br /><div>It will fight to be heared, felt and used. Free.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-15275646317726494202010-07-31T05:36:00.007-05:002010-07-31T06:25:50.521-05:00A Babydoll Bunny ?<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0Rts4PL230JMfGT4LaYVUvlHMh4wcfDWJH9eUJZ7RqUjnZEMaHnM48Fe-AETpXuYsfD90xi0NbJwz4nCc5loEAFL_EtfHq4Xny_s3_cOIaG9ofay-_XezmKlWUfPhyJfeyn6/s1600/KingJokerPS.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 415px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500023651089303042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0Rts4PL230JMfGT4LaYVUvlHMh4wcfDWJH9eUJZ7RqUjnZEMaHnM48Fe-AETpXuYsfD90xi0NbJwz4nCc5loEAFL_EtfHq4Xny_s3_cOIaG9ofay-_XezmKlWUfPhyJfeyn6/s400/KingJokerPS.jpg" /></a>Ooooooooo ...I can't stop touching it! It is soft, squishy, lightweight and cozy. I want to wrap myself up in it and take a long nap on the deck. What is it you ask?? It is the new Babydoll/Bunny yarn created by myself and my by good friend Betty of Spinnakees' Farm. Our combined Babydoll Southdown fleeces and Angora Bunny fiber have been spun together into this yummy goodness. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 413px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500029605087786050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToxgwTs-PZtV1jhYWALTCpK5TFtZpXouX9tdMhwKgJnH2vjNjsKv3a_J-jrYpqpg7Ks9dX-ckZfkE_qD2i9mUGOGKDMQ3cPP60fytgFDeDu4JxXaEjCSwbeRoou8JrK3s1Zcc/s400/IMG_7577.JPG" />Have you ever touched Babydoll Southdown fiber? It is unusual, springy and super soft ...especially on the animal. Once washed and ready to be spun, it's staple makes it best blended with other fibers. We focused on keeping this yarn blended with similar down type fleece, and added just enough of our Corriedale and Cormo to create a smooth flow. Then came the added silky, dreamy fluff of our German Angora rabbits. Though it is spun as a worsted weight, when washed and fulled, it blooms into the appearance of a light bulky weight yarn.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500024238131881346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzVNj_wRsZllHgEcO6jM1zGaNwYU75S719TUdv_OzSDossw_zNYwamoF8bmxQ1KCboUI7FruNEUw620x4rynQsEXfYzN93RGOXr2-0qzuaLYF_MU6Mr_-OLM91TwA1UpfzY3z/s400/100_2883.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>And did I mention the color???? Light, soft grey with flecks of white ...so soft and cozy. What to make first???? Hats, mittens, a nice throw for fall? A cozy Poncho? The possibilities are endless! Can you tell I am excited? This is a limited run so if you'd like a few skeins <a href="http://www.romneyridgefarm.com/">click here</a>.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-75355118064836182872010-07-24T08:22:00.002-05:002010-07-24T08:24:00.480-05:00MAINE OPEN FARM DAY July 25th!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzcmSfoFzLMd9mC2Lo8JROKJ7XGP8tG-YgTngclCvTJyaeTPKQUChqSEc4EGpVMaXY5rHtGt-fCn_-dQDSMv9w_3myLZWGcXYLDQ4EzN4goVDCdpV-Qkp9mQxEZ7-bCcG4wEt/s1600/OPENFARM2010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497462827082449714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzcmSfoFzLMd9mC2Lo8JROKJ7XGP8tG-YgTngclCvTJyaeTPKQUChqSEc4EGpVMaXY5rHtGt-fCn_-dQDSMv9w_3myLZWGcXYLDQ4EzN4goVDCdpV-Qkp9mQxEZ7-bCcG4wEt/s400/OPENFARM2010.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-35025353134400798132010-07-12T05:22:00.009-05:002010-07-14T18:52:04.299-05:00The Crazies<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ud6mLpF5MvOVx4V-eYYi1esz3j0pMB7_6E_lYJMU-tIarn_ckbX9qPSPBlbyrr82R_I8x9ubDlx7ptNpwgbgNX2h07QMZFzbt8rx-jGqCHDzXmH6EeEBwXHvbEjqMlzK9v_C/s1600/IMG_9017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 391px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493910922698358482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ud6mLpF5MvOVx4V-eYYi1esz3j0pMB7_6E_lYJMU-tIarn_ckbX9qPSPBlbyrr82R_I8x9ubDlx7ptNpwgbgNX2h07QMZFzbt8rx-jGqCHDzXmH6EeEBwXHvbEjqMlzK9v_C/s400/IMG_9017.JPG" /></a> It is crazy here. I am going to blame it on the heat. Looking back to last summer with the endless rain and wet days, I feel a little guilty complaining. Warm sun and clear sky's have out numbered the soggies. My garden is way ahead of the season, unlike last year as I watched with sadness as my tomatoes "drowned" in the puddles. The new raised beds are saving my back and my time, weeding is a breeze and actually the weeds are much less evasive. Life is good and getting sweeter.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 394px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493911680384500162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCgJYNzsP1gx49vrQLLMSMTuOJMgGqw-Nyq7K51aCGopOIpUNfzEVnhkUbrdBDK_UQXBU4Wxkuc0twPc52k3GW0l9NlBRqU7Tw1eVm7xfa2eO9XbO_89FW3Q7ZQDnZZzGFV4h/s400/IMG_9013.JPG" />For those of you who make the trek to our farm each year be aware ...this summer you will notice that my yard is a bit more cluttered with woolly beasts, furry friends and feathered foul all running amuck, pooing and eating, sleeping on the front steps, and invading your cars. The chickens have doubled in numbers, Romeo has a new apprentice -Tomday, and then there is Junior, Mister Longlegs himself who truly believes he is still 14 pounds and able to climb on someone's lap.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 374px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493909156235967426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uQtGw39ln6h61Rc2ax9iSps9FdP6n6_b-l5o6JWr_LDIcYVBy9ep57EJ4nFxHgo-_BJgo3PGuTS6oFZ_-H-epXVIVIgvQhzUATsT4XE_2ECxCrliZLZttu5NkBLz-LrC-RaO/s400/IMG_9023.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>Have you been here yet? Have you witnessed the chaos of the day when my yarn shop is full of visitors and two goats and one long-legged sheep invite themselves in?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493910107384344786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWRUw9UKsNmPJZaHUZvwza5RbYyWOvs2uOVWjylNEgjB5_ay_xBnC2nUlT0YCxK8DqLjcLyb5GagJnQSRwW_FHoLsOXeqpLzFJfh1MaataOGsjC8Tyb3LRjvUu2dSa-pGquGp/s400/IMG_9020.JPG" />Have you been entertained by the countless fluffy Silky hens and their fuzzy chicks, the spotted, the speckled, the cock-a-doodle-doodles???? Have you seen Comet the old grouchy bunny appear from out of nowhere and then disappear just as quickly???? It is crazy here! ...and I love it.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493912655810412514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxn2MGM8M8exisn9uJj1RRkzSULi4nLMFt4iF7hDHnNXgFA5OQwZxlp22B9o2oL1eKoUZ7tvKdtS2jvyFn9OeE-Orv49B5hmTz8qOD-fwddR5qz7qqioZxYnMNSbi_tjMbRF8/s400/IMG_9028.JPG" />I have been dyeing mostly in the later part of the day sometimes even after supper. The heat from the stove is just too much to bear first thing in the morning. This week I have been focusing on a few upcoming shows. The Harbor Arts Show in Camden is this weekend and the forecast is calling for sunny and hot. The harbor will be a great place to be, overlooking the majestic yachts and smelling the wonderful smells.</div><div>It may be crazy ....I may be crazy, but I cannot think of any place I would rather live. Come visit us this summer. And remember Romeo prefers Guinness and Lays Potato Chips! </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-4784380075508783942010-07-02T05:15:00.003-05:002010-07-02T06:40:09.099-05:00Freedom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgfcaSmTrEn9LnHnw6RQRhCxL4PK_NAjfye0Mc41xULb6wYeCV_fhgraBiuQsBYxN4g-w7hSG9lAlbVcaOoZOtW6S3amwW93AjaGtC82LVhBl2sXQbNEyj7fr08mm2yDba1AW/s1600/IMG_8947.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489271981452572882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgfcaSmTrEn9LnHnw6RQRhCxL4PK_NAjfye0Mc41xULb6wYeCV_fhgraBiuQsBYxN4g-w7hSG9lAlbVcaOoZOtW6S3amwW93AjaGtC82LVhBl2sXQbNEyj7fr08mm2yDba1AW/s400/IMG_8947.JPG" /></a><br /><div>My little mama hen leads her little brood around the yard seeking out tasty bugs and seeds. She is brave and keeps a sharp eye on every move the chicks make, even scolding the one straggler who is to brave for his own good. When the rain falls, she creates and safe haven for them under her wings. At night she brings them in to a safe corner of the barn and shelters them from the night air. Watching her is therapeutic. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As the lambs grow their mother's too, keep watch over them. They wander far and investigate all. But at the end of the day, they seek out the comfort only their mothers can give. Even Blizzard, the first lamb ever to be born on our farm many years ago, lays quietly with her mother every night just as she has done since she was a baby. Watching them is therapeutic.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>To be able to stop everyday and sit on my front steps for a few moments and marvel over nature grounds me. I would not be me if I did not have this life. I would not be happy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>Every hour of every day I know that I am free. I am free to wake up, eat cookies for breakfast, get in my car and drive to the light house, do kart wheels on the edge of the lawn, sing, shout, read any book I wish, listen to any kind of music I like, wear any clothes I desire ...I am free. Free because I was fortunate enough to be born in the greatest country in the world. I will never forget that I owe that freedom to the brave souls who felt so strongly about keeping me free, and to the brave souls who continue to dedicate their lives to freedom, mine and my children's freedom ...I am free. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy Birthday America! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-9501991306157976792010-06-07T06:41:00.006-05:002010-06-10T12:54:31.982-05:00Frolicking at the Frolic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSrWQjOxz8BuacuSA3sEDw0ix6ScUC83r3xbMERxcBOnMMGqe7P0kf_3ivYWtFCT66DPA4RHVqMxeAxUcMWa9OTvupWjPGellRMvFn9aPPI9Z1CWhO-o_ZGnCN43OaYWV0ekC/s1600/IMG_8832.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481204026874628210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSrWQjOxz8BuacuSA3sEDw0ix6ScUC83r3xbMERxcBOnMMGqe7P0kf_3ivYWtFCT66DPA4RHVqMxeAxUcMWa9OTvupWjPGellRMvFn9aPPI9Z1CWhO-o_ZGnCN43OaYWV0ekC/s400/IMG_8832.JPG" /></a>Although my past weekend as a vendor at the Maine Fiber Frolic was filled with frizzy hair, cold hands and wet feet, the rain would not keep me from seeing old friends and making new ones. <div><br /><br /><div>Each year, during the Frolic, we all gather and share our lives, that somehow get so far ahead of us, and laugh and cry over the happenings of spring ...lambing, mud season, struggles and gifts, all an importing part of farming and an important part of life.<br /></div><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481200793519081858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvxsSsKJjqFqrVVI4pKILa3W6Ko8pG3P2eCxyCaKoDWhUxcnE1o2MNlaX4y-TBnaIt-CcQRDIiJDtLWhre9Jb3SVTLsOyRqY8Pry_1ICzRCmVNgP6lgQFvgRZC7qQIiA7BKks/s400/nash+island+yarn.jpg" />This year I met the awesome ladies of Starcroft Fiber Mill. Owners of a terrific spinning mill in Monroe Maine, Jani & Leah spin the wool from several of the island sheep flocks here in Maine. One island in particular, Roque Island, located in Downeast Maine, is home to a lovely flock of island sheep as well as my brother Doug and his wife Amy. The Starcroft ladies, while visiting the island, met my brother and also my dad who was visiting for the day. It's a small world and connections in the sheep world can be made, it seems, just about anywhere. I was so happy to meet them, and find that they are right on the same page as me about the farming life and of course ....dogs! Sheep people rock!!!!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 451px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481203298356576978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlpdLMQacPIgYhJTQYye4dyQd2OVwdL4d78c2dXuXRrBQB5F6BwTBl5dCVKjuilmrbW6d0Mw18JdF_fA2m0lpSTK0m_1R5N2AAwJwPuTTvpyIqujlmrUYfj31VW90IYEj0aH9/s400/IMG_8823.JPG" />Hercules and Zeus were a big hit at the Frolic. Hercules, loud and demanding of attention from anyone that would stop and rub his chin, was told over and over again just how cute he was and Zeus was his pleasant quite little self, munching grass and allowing hands to fondle his soft lamb locks. </p>This week I have been unpacking and restocking my shop. The sheep are anxious to get up on the hill and begin their weed control jobs, and Mom Nature is being kind to us so far with only off and on rain ...unlike last summer which, well, we won't think about. Summer is here ...get out and enjoy it!<br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-82731610293669371192010-05-23T06:41:00.009-05:002010-05-28T06:28:38.527-05:00<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476269452984236210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBZltn_p1NHW124WQ8osrB_jHkTlOr4be1bq8OFcv2gc2pC_-TclQU7bZ4-bEZfvC28G7PHOFTWiAlz0mVRB-wpuYJ1QT2DStkIz31lMRsI9glC-Pb6TYOt6m_l-MRT5fdV0q/s400/IMG_8766.JPG" /> Well, it has been back to "work" this week. Over the past few weeks I have been gathering, sorting, skirting fleeces, and putting together blends of fiber. Last week I picked up 400 lbs of beautiful wool from several local, Maine producers and next week another 1000 lbs will be delivered to our farm for sorting.<br />Our own Romney fleeces and mohair were delivered a while back to Green Mountain Spinnery and should be arriving soon. Fresh paint, a new window and ceiling are being finished in our yarn shop, and sheep are being shuffled around for the summer months. I guess saying "back to work" sounds a little silly.:) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 370px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476270065946746466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaBHiSzuDtqVBtLvtV4JRGpbfpS8t5_fzVK8KNuxq36OETprBr2RayEtuCxarO04Wg1KCcUM2RMUEJkN8G4rV7LbWZvRwLe2gIVjz5SvlUD1FfN2wGyQFypGiiS1k-U5zmBfq/s400/Socks.jpg" />Our new <a href="http://www.romneyridgefarm.com/Doubletwist.html">Sweet Maine Feet Yarns </a>have been a big hit. This pair of socks was knit using the color Strawberry Jam. It is a light worsted weight 100% Maine wool yarn, that I have hand-dyed in some funky, eye-popping colors. This past spring, I found a sock pattern in an old cook book that had once belonged to my grandmother. After deciphering, tweaking and rewriting the pattern, a friend knit a test run of the socks and they turned out beautifully. With out even knowing the pattern existed, this yarn was spun. Funny how life works out sometimes.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476276037585856866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhIZQTOSMNvvhQ_PdSPT9vY_QncjbkRFscnij9pAc5dOPHRUOE1pNs36SU3hZ3lJtaAKsU3R9-g8qJbeGUGmLbZ4CSl4Ye6DliYV-rEwAh6QZvKXLPjRieZ22c7pmhgz9_oPy/s400/sockkitfront.JPG" />I have put the yarns into a<a href="http://www.romneyridgefarm.com/knitkits.html"> kit </a>with enough yardage for 2 pairs of socks, the pattern, needles and a few yards of nylon which can be knit into the cuffs to help with the elasticity of the socks. This kit will be one of several that I will be bringing to the <a href="http://www.fiberfrolic.com/">Maine Fiber Frolic </a>which is fast approaching. These kits are designed with a few folks in mind .... my traveling friends who take the time to stop in each summer. I also put my Shepherdess Scarf into a kit, as well as my Shepherdess mittens and the ever popular Joe Romney Bag. Each kit is R.T.K ...Ready To Knit with all needed needles and notions. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 323px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476276045296033698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbf7jP7ImvGgzteTTY12jZwLeRf0cOoyVMOlkBVMeQ83hIIZs5YnEGocjQRYcv5mAMN31YtE4ztfDvjl5176jliDm6wC_Lh9Vw4laQATXEAB_qgxhaN_CBtQCSEk30Mf626V0f/s400/RedGrapescarf.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 361px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476276054953011266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAngTG6Csl8yC4NVS0x3WjsU-JHNRu7Kg18_hpTbG3sBhQ0h0Pna7nOy5rlFI-A2aGrw-nS1O0m58Jl5L9hCaLvhIM_ohaUpBYURP80rq8NUz_0Ujw21031T4qVxiEhlEr6bqM/s400/scarfback.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>Speaking of the Frolic, This year I will be setting up on the lawn rather than in the barn. My buddy Hercules will be joining me with one of my Romney lambs. This is such a great festival that continues to grow each year but still remains a small and "cozy" event. </div><div><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476276058987819586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8MKGMYk8X04d1_erXqc6nQyrIPKKzi_EnV8gHO6zQ9-Q40MthrczObuC94PUr2w_llTCz9nmh_7O2aWoK_cCCQHpbABiZhdQewtmJzKhdzXkdY9f1J0lox0I5CKwINf2-lwF/s400/Knit+Maine.jpg" /><br />And speaking of events ...there is a HUGE Knitting Event taking place this august ...more info soon, I promise.<br /></div><div> </div><div>On a not so nice note. I have finally had to start taking the steps to legally copyright all of my work ..including my logo and tag line. Seems the person who cannot come up with her own ideas is after my tag line now. It is against the law to copy other people's work ....not to mention shameful. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-36322430754089986762010-05-08T08:44:00.004-05:002010-05-08T10:04:59.440-05:00This OPEN HOUSE is for the dogs ..and cats.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvTqJZ49UG_1Y_OTf5wG2i3aVgiG2BPmp0taKlcgTtyCSIzTRynjtGA3rkennSmM80NSLksmGbjlPdoYRepcFZFfIciCF5iGTGWrVmif6D_SeWNvqWqBrSeiy1dkUuB8JhA3z/s1600/SPRINGOPENHOUSE.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468911992944310722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvTqJZ49UG_1Y_OTf5wG2i3aVgiG2BPmp0taKlcgTtyCSIzTRynjtGA3rkennSmM80NSLksmGbjlPdoYRepcFZFfIciCF5iGTGWrVmif6D_SeWNvqWqBrSeiy1dkUuB8JhA3z/s400/SPRINGOPENHOUSE.jpg" /></a><br /><div>It is time for our Annual Spring OPEN HOUSE! Twice a year we hold these events to showcase freshly dyed yarns for the season, to "show off" our spring lambs or beautiful growing fall fleeces, and to help out our local Animal Shelters by collecting dog & cat food at our farm. </div><div>We encourage visitors to bring bags and cans of Pedigree Dog Food and Friskies Cat Food when they visit, we in turn will take $5 OFF any purchase from our Yarn Shop and will deliver donations to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Edgecomb. </div><div> </div><div>The Mighty Hercules ( pictured above) encourages you to bring a friend. Our goal this year is to fill the back of our Yukon to overflowing. </div><div> </div><div>Please join us on May 15th & 16th from 11-4. </div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-67939172666062263682010-04-30T04:43:00.009-05:002010-05-01T05:27:00.927-05:00The Wool Witch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoI3i9xRoUNY2HwhY8p6GyN66Qa0Y9f1X_CHI7exBVmjyWfCY6_NBXgUZ91i8BqVls_FueR9kL2D8CNbHuzysZGoUxALc1_m_Des6re80kNVy-dUI6NkNFd-JVCs3tpvmTvJc/s1600/IMG_8588.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466244637583971810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoI3i9xRoUNY2HwhY8p6GyN66Qa0Y9f1X_CHI7exBVmjyWfCY6_NBXgUZ91i8BqVls_FueR9kL2D8CNbHuzysZGoUxALc1_m_Des6re80kNVy-dUI6NkNFd-JVCs3tpvmTvJc/s320/IMG_8588.JPG" /></a> It is good to be The Wool Witch. Years ago when e-mail was making it's debut, my dad came up with the "woolwitch" as my email address. It suits me perfectly since I live in Woolwich Maine, and I spend my days stirring pots of color and making magic happen to plain white yarns. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 167px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466244627897472194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bo4DGXUkUUEgCzV4gLKnNjoEMqlXTObo6VEp7mKF7dgXDGEtM7VQchDG56a0Rq0kjrNjizNXxqOUuwoOU6G6YMT8EOIJgJe9MY2e9bZBP-qw5U3_IhrWAoThueFjWZ6QZASO/s320/IMG_8609.JPG" /><br />My latest "spell" has been cast on a terrific new yarn, just spun my my good friends at Green Mountain Spinnery. This past February, David, the Spinnery owner and my good friend who understands my crazy visions, stopped in and loaded up his car with over 100 lbs of carefully selected fleeces, took them back to the Spinnery in Vermont, and spun them into my favorite Double Twist yarns.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Dave has spun this yarn for me many times before but this time, he lightened the spinning count, and the yarns are much lighter and more of a heavy DK ...or light worsted, whichever you prefer. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 343px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465894492147389330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE8FYijcLU04tY6mjmumJabLeNY4dJJKrH0yhU-nTcjfN0_Uwaw3TR_ZuFXdFK9xlpTRiGW1qjzPyP5F-gr9aImtwS2SACJs7AuMEcXX7XFyAzZ8QPQLieCu4YiiZu0Cr1uTQ/s320/custom+blue.JPG" />It screamed "make me into socks!" when I pulled it out of the box ...and I agreed. But I wanted to make this yarn unique, I wanted it to be knit into socks that folks would look at and say "Hey, those are some sweet socks you got there." So out came the dye pots, on went my witch hat and after a little experimenting, a pinch of this and a pinch of that, eye of newt, hair of dog .... well you get the picture, I invented a new way to dye. </div><br /><br /><div>I am calling these yarns <a href="http://www.romneyridgefarm.com/">Sweet Maine Feet Yarns</a>. I hope to see lots of brightly colored socks on many warm, snug feet this fall. They will be just a bit heavier than traditional sock knitters knit, but we Maine folks like to make things rugged and durable. The Down fleeces make this yarn soft and springy and the Longwools make it strong. Of course they would also be great knit up as sweaters, hats, scarves, mittens ....anything you wish to be bright, bold and beautiful!!!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 336px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465894493389500354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7slPI2OLj3UiWDssALEEXr_LrqGkOH3pmaG3gO-_4SUDu7UVKxNgXROwNCPxGUCM0d7vdp81bnOc3Kzdlh48F8Y74zTospZV0EyOJvUTgxyce953BDArjjK5_6atrv2JCL1ql/s320/turkeyred.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-33154039210251376432010-04-06T05:20:00.011-05:002010-04-18T09:27:24.596-05:00Garden Preparations<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461478749000366098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmUKZJLHmrzkvyNYYMZHzloK1s7eOBnGrj1eiwW_apvTw31SdUuBZngNLRipp2nJqBm3wkoXsSdw0XQPGVAJFqpgY4xB_-yIRN3QDEyJUafsIuhhtHuFr-rJ4bXrGNuEWKJu5/s320/IMG_8564.JPG" />The best part of the day occurs in the early morning. The air only smells as sweet this the sun comes up. Quiet is broken as folks head off to work and the noise of cars begins to hum on Rte 1. When I was growing up on the island, the hum came from the lobster fishermen setting out for the morning to haul their catch. I enjoyed the early morning then, but I did not <strong>appreciate</strong> it as much as I do now. It is my zen time, my thinking time ....my thankful time.<br /><br />We spent Easter Sunday redesigning the front garden. For the past several years it has served as a small tomato garden and garlic bed. The garden behind the house was much larger and spacious making it perfect for vining plants. This past fall, I let my sheep in to clean up the left overs and decided to keep them there as the mud all around the paddock was so deep from all of the endless rain. Last week I picked up my raised bed materials from the local lumber yard. Rough cut 2 inch thick, 12 foot long planks weighted down the truck as it was loaded. My son and I worked all morning cutting, nailing together and positioning the beds, as well as turning and amending the soil. It was no small feat moving the heavy planks into the garden, I could not have done it alone. The onions had been planted as well as some mesculn. No peas this year, it is just too late and this garden is not big enough. Instead we will fill this sunny spot with tomatoes and cukes, scallions, herbs and some squash. I am calling it the Gazpacho/Salsa Garden.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 335px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461483393989122610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83MlkR_3hBKNWQMvTI-ahI1uKU-H9s0mjbqjHXumcXRk77o59kL5RTW8aoKOG6crkQ33FYRmsSxYyoigsUkh-BLZH_RNUlcJwhaBvyh9OFgLw1uBJR5fGbeOwxwbp0aI_ej1r/s320/100_2760.JPG" />The chickens helped out after the commotion of pounding hammers and grunting humans digging and tossing dirt around was over. This garden plot is full of worms, but the hens were more interested in the seedling weeds and any little bugs they could find. Once our vegetable seeds are planted though, the beds will be covered with chicken wire so these seedlings can not be scratched up and eaten by the hard working girls. They are the hardest workers I have ever seen, cleaning up the garden and tilling the soil. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461481782884129090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuMTQvCDk9TsqNyCe7dizYOgfTHxZ8eiLYBysPoz37KmCTJF_OrcaS71IYGtQDY-FAWU_6qFSQCJ6mpy30i64ICsSiSVk6fk5paPDXjAzvSj9GIT3Hfh7tdGrAUZVppEve_Kf/s320/100_2761.JPG" />I'll be working on some new dyeing techniques this week, and hopefully finishing up a hooking project that I started a few weeks ago.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37010377.post-2216474268932615082010-03-20T04:41:00.011-05:002010-03-22T19:51:31.191-05:00Fat Lambs, Rainy Days and Beautiful Sweaters<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451449294283457074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIDtbMpF2nBOaSX4jP9njVKl4VCIuid7qYY_vqbrlHe7QJfQRCbCtp91f2wMnCL0YkFzr3jMqFCTPw4ALhyphenhyphenCh0da1uxqw_Y5anv80zksy3f5c7V4bYkj39bzBsP9EkiNNWneB/s320/IMG_8505.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451449302474649538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldjaQLTgOxz6wn7Fd5oY4w_oa420HuNxEzvbDSa3hUbvcy3MMYeTR3ayk8A4IsQEan9oIrzc_4vzH35892ZzXRG80Sy0R6jTIIaj9P5cQmktT1APotjWlLFT0KOKi6S5nSB6H/s320/IMG_8499.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451449308083677538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoju7jijbc_N3w4RToBJiEOdE7lrijOwcCTYPcJ7vO5kAllftWKQ_GcxMtxWPSMHiVVwXesI-rbKgJ3kedVkCd_SWqsJdLEDNYz1m1pE8J9pnLKEdVkZLcqvQEqHvTof5DAv0/s320/IMG_8502.jpg" /><br /><div><br />This morning the robins chirped and sang during chores. The air is sweet and earthy smelling. My garden is waiting. Inhabited by sheep and goats at the moment, it sits under hay and straw while seeds slumber, awaiting the warmth that will urge them to seek the light. Hercules, Godiva and Athena, looking content and full-bellied, are resting by the barn. The air is damp and rain will drive them in soon.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div>With so many things to do this summer, I welcome this early spring with open arms. I left off fencing the hill in this past fall as the ground began to freeze and then snow began to fall. The barn needs the last of its siding put on, the rams need to be moved to a summer pen, and the paddocks need fencing repairs. </div><br /><div>I cleaned the yarn shop up this weekend, rearranged and restocked, the little building will serve us for a few more months as our yarn shop as we have outgrown it's size and new shop plans are being designed. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451449330594673442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_6DPF-8qwwwdkdjOPsibhPuQDgn3Y7nJtKIrrftdFHNQKImCqAWd77IMAF-thS9dzDRS5QSAYnQF6G1ZtReqdv2-OqeVTs1xNsblUZXvk3FNcNLxxi9SrnMfyk5C3zquDOyh/s320/IMG_8491.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451449325221856498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oLc-Z1cdCSQtQB6-H1bo1U9kcFXFY7Fnd_s09MNwfqm4rJ2SoH3u_tmWhgRHZuOf3vdhyphenhyphenHruthIHPJZPsQkWhR_2wEuf9oH_9RzK2U6Gc1TrSCK4rFsmJZVCdGehpbTnhFkf/s320/IMG_8489.jpg" /> I have wanted to share the beautiful work my knitting friends have been turning out, just been so busy ...so here are a few. I'll post more on my website this week. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451467479764543090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVtHsaw_ZXbfY7KiOVoux9fOfBjkxRLpw03jLqlTs2NbajSNjE6ZVtpYiqn3aJ7NGEsamRhLf7IBYpOOM0ztipVezS4FXhZrxZNeR3t8mR8tSdY_EID62qgWlFyB2vStJRzRm/s320/IMG_8496.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451467484597358402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-RZFM6vVWHfKBS3C1rrT2kQzLIZmea5bzeqNWzIvPWXVEilNuNsXl5tT2XXA9rxmNU9_8FtvyH-rNEjz0CrO_sglkv6l_hKIy6Mm564kDNrrwrHn4v2vAMD8Piuxo8GNLiJv/s320/IMG_8497.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>Mary Bird finished this sweater in record time for me to take to the New England Products Trade Show. The pattern is available in the Interweave Knits Fall 2008 Issue. It is The Mosaic Yoke Jacket by Veronik Avery. I chose some eye-popping colors rather than the traditional browns and whites of these types of sweaters. Nice work Mary! You can read Mary's helpful comments and view other versions of this pattern on this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mosaic-yoke-jacket/people">Ravelry page</a>. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451467469093282354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpPaDAdvBhwwQnItOCmtSgIk0HOCCmmgg4p1HhF3Dws7JPaN4GR9FBU1ckbGxT-bnAO5rOJ1qk_MlPIn2A7E2_l7QocBehxA5P20HcjYomGoc6qs1XLbN9Mkvw14WSJHWhR_s/s320/IMG_8493.jpg" /></div><div>Sweater Designer Aloisia Pollock left my house with a bag of my favorite colors and returned, also in record time, with this beautiful sweater, designed and knit by her very talented self. The pattern is available through <a href="http://www.blogger.com/thewoolwitch@yahoo.com">myself</a> and Aloisia on request. I'll post a "full view" pic on my website.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451467478628518258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVYX3fB26pTsGLbN9qSplE8IyJkytiZ_m_UkZWF3GiEj9GqS4LJgpoR1Cx5kw2td4Gg2NrdnXA86zQLAGhkzXQRbb3wGzM_GNmYAgV3xBowTRur6Xpw6drt_THCFJ_ssvqhPf/s320/IMG_8494.jpg" /></div><br /><div>Becca Huben ( fellow weenier dog mom ) knit two shrugs using two strands held together and size 17 needles. This one is done in Mulberry Red and the other in Navy Blue. You can read about her works in progress on her entertaining blog seek an occasional peek of Jackson <a href="http://nutmegknitter.blogspot.com/">here</a>. </div><br /><div>I also want to thank Susan Swanson for the great hats and finishing my vest for me ( thanks Sue!!! ....I was so far behind!!!! ) She is also an amazing knitter ( with a great dog ) check her work <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/bluffton1">here</a>. She is ahead of me with posting pictures. :)</div><br /><br /><div>The week ahead if full as usual. Mostly paperwork and orders to ship, but a much anticipated day of horseback riding is coming soon! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11279682067233521199noreply@blogger.com2