By popular demand

A better shot of the sheep:



I think I'm going to name the little black one Nibbler after the pet from Futurama. I've yet to see him stop eating.
-- Post From My iPhone

Bock! Ererooo!

One thing I forgot to note- as we are dragging Dudley down the hill, Noodle the rooster decided to greet his wooly new friend with a series of loud gusty crows. It was awesome :-)



-- Post From My iPhone

No free range sheep for me!

So I'm sitting there folding laundry when I see a sheep peeking in my living room window. Now I admit I had been thinking it'd be nice to fence in that area and have sheep peeking in the window but the key word is 'fence'.
Anyhow, since I've had more exercise in one day than a fat lady needs, I will spare you the play by play and give you the short version:

Bad news: sheep are loose!
Good news: they trimmed up the grassy spot near the swing set that hubby hates to mow.
Better news: after much todo and hulaballoo and chasing around they moseyed back into their pen all by themselves.
Awesomest news: looks like our organic insect repellent worked- after all that Mucking around in the bushes I didn't pick up a single tick!!!

Phew.

Am I a real farmer yet?


-- Post From My iPhone

The sheep have arrived!

My two wethers are here! And what an adventure it was to get them here. Imagine, torrential pouring down rain. Two wet sheep. My aforementioned awful steep driveway. The sheep lady shows up and can't get her truck up the drive. So, I drive down the hill in my SUW, load the first sheep into my trunk as I sit with him holding him down by the horns as my husband drives is back up. First sheep is Dudley, a two year old morrit wether who weighs about 175lb and is no wimp. No wimp, who is now sitting in my lap pooping away as I hang onto his horns for dear life as we bumpity bump and get air hauling tail up the grand canyon that is my driveway.
Next, we have to get him into the sheep pen, which is halfway back down the hill.



See barn to right, garage, upper left. Imagine hurricane force rains, dragging an angry national geographic looking big horned mountain type Icelandic sheep by the horns from said garage to said barn. Thankfully after a brief scuttle getting out of the car, he offered no resistance heading into the pen and immediately started noshing on the foliage.
The littler sheep was caged and thus a bit easier to get in. Both seem to be enjoying the grasses and weeds after a cursory exploration of their new digs.
Any name suggestions for the black lamb?




-- Post From My iPhone

Mm fiberlicious

I spent a few hours today blending 3oz of honey tussah into 7.5oz of white merino.
Ohhhh I couldn't have dreamed how pretty this wouldve turned out. It is awesome. And soooo soft. I have no idea yet how I want to spin it but I'm planning for something close to the skin. It's that soft.












I wound up with a big huge soft puffy bagful. I am sooo excited.
-- Post From My iPhone

Drool

Project flaming rabbit has dried to a far more vibrant and beautiful shade than I could've dreamed.
I wish your screen had feel-o-vision because it is SO soft.







-- Post From My iPhone

Pheonix yarn, Harry Potter inspired

Here's a quick how to for dying your own yarn with koolaid.
First off, I HIGHLY recommend wearing gloves for this:


Ok so first you want to get set up. I'm using a skein of 2-ply white angora (from Princess). Set your fiber to soak. Wet wool really takes the dye easier. If you're using a lanolin-y wool wash it first with a mild soap.
Get your color packets, two cups, and a microwave steamer.












You may also want a syringe and some plastic bags.
So next put each color in a cup and add a few tablespoons of water.



If you are doing a large batch of yarn and want a really specific effect I suggest doing a test swatch; this was originally supposed to be gryffindor yarn but the orange wound up far more orangy than the goldish color pictured here.

Lay your skein out on some plastic and get ready to paint!



I like to start with the syringe to define my color boundaries, and then soak if it's not a super absorbant wool. (note: koolaid is very acidic you don't necessarily need vinegar for this.)






This is where you put your gloves on (whoops) and really smush the dye in. Check for white spots especially under the ties. Be careful not to agitate the wool or it can felt.

When it's ready put it in the steamer with some water and nuke for about 2 minutes on high. Let rest a few minutes and nuke again for 2 minutes on high.
Let cool and rinse completely in water the same temperature as the yarn. Sudden cold water can shock the wool and felt it.





When it's done and rinsed lightly roll your yarn in a towel and hang to dry.

Tada!



I will post again when this is dry and knit. This photo really doesn't do the variegation justice.

-- Post From My iPhone

Do you twitter?

I'm loving this networking tool. Follow me @sheepmama.


-- Post From My iPhone

Grand opening!!!

Now presenting my farm store! Please take a look and tell me what you think!
Www.woolandwingsfiberart.etsy.com

Thank you for looking!


-- Post From My iPhone

Back from NH with three stowaways

Phew what a long crazy trip!! I went on a gorgeous farm tour in Barrington, and picked up a cat and two chickens! 

The chickens decided to get in a scuffle during the long trip home resulting in my first animal rehab situation. The little araucana is hanging in there despite her wounds and seems to be a good natured little birdie. The banty that attacked her is settling into the coop with no further issue and has even given us our first egg!! 

Some pictures from the trip: