Like I need more roving (or when has that ever stopped me)

Got some goodies at the Post Office. First is this lovely by Chimera:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s named “Dreamy”- very appropriate don’t ya think? I also got this from her:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s “Morning Dove”- very pretty. I’ll stash these and figure out how I’m going to spin them later. She included this oh-so-cute stitch marker:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, while you’re at her etsy site, do check out her felted play mats- too cute- enough to make you want to pull out your felting needles and foam pad- don’t forget to get a tetanus booster! (mine is up to date thanks to a certain fiesty hamster).

There were also a few rovings from Black Bunny Fibers (no, really!). First is one she sent me as a challenge- and I love a good challenge. She named it Swamp Thing. Here it is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Carol said to make a pretty yarn out of this roving (which I think is gorgeous). So, I’ve decided to spruce it up a bit, I will divide this into the colors, and the grey. Then into the grey I will blend in Enchanted Forest Angelina (see, get to play with my new drumcarder).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More details as I get to it.

Now, this just makes me happy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn’t that make you smile? It is the first installment of the 2nd round of the BBF Fiber Club- where she sends us 4 types of fibers- 1 about every 6 to 8 weeks. This is 8 oz of Corriedale. I’ve split it in half- since I usually make 4 oz skeins. This first skein I split in half again to make a 2 ply yarn, and the colors will just fall wherever they will. For the 2nd skein I will Navajo ply to keep the bright happy colors intense. I’m totally in love with this colorway, and the corriedale practically spins itself, so I should be ready to ply this soon.

This is what 2 week old guineas look like when they have been well played with all day:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for goatie mischief, here I am contributing to the delinquincy of Fluff. I don’t think he minds- he had a tough day leading all the other goaties around.

Some new stash

I reckon its about time I showed you what I picked up at the goat show. Only a few things. I got 2 rovings from Kid Hollow Farm. They’re both mohair/borderleicester. The first is a lovely blue with darker blue noils in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other is Blue Ridge Heather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty, huh? Now, the final thing I picked up at the show is …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my brand new still in the box Strauch Drum Carder. Soon (hopefully) I will get it out and card- maybe some roving Carol sent me to play with, maybe finally get some bunny blended- we’ll see.

I also got a roving from Carol a few weeks ago that I can’t wait to spin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn’t that gorgeous? This will probably be a 3-ply, and I’m going to stagger the color changes so they offset each other in each ply- so some parts will be all one color, others 3. At least, that’s the plan.

Now, if you don’t already know about this, Carol is listing a bunch of bamboo blend sock yarns on her site tomorrow around 2:30 EST. I highly suggest you check it out- though you can’t take any of the colors I want… 

I did get one of my yarns off the wheel. This is Sirius’ Moonlight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This photographed more blue than the purple really is. The black in this yarn is from sweet Sirius Black.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 oz. 299 yds. 50/50 mohair/borderleicester with a bit of sparkle fiber thrown in there. It will be on the website, which will hopefully be up and running in a few weeks.

The silly keets are growing. This morning I woke up dreaming about them. Then I realized I could hear one of them down here peeping his silly head off. He had hopped out of their bin and couldn’t get back in. Tomorrow they get a bigger one. (it got washed off tonight and is drying).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aren’t they getting bigger? There is one on top of the water bottle, another is roosting on the wires under their light. Their feathers are coming in nicely- I’ll try and get a close-up of that next time.

I didn’t take any cute goatie pictures today. Lemme go back and find one to leave you with…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is my pretty Rosie Supposie when she was just a baby. Feel free to ooooh and awwww.

(almost) Instant gratification

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a 2-for-one picture. The handsome model is Fluff. The teeny baby sweater was an extremely quick knit that I designed for my soon-to-reopen website. This little sweater probably could have been knit in a day or two if I had really concentrated on it. The yarn is Pima Paints by Blue Ridge Yarns in the color Berry. It took just one skein for a size 12 mo. I’ve placed an order for more of this yarn, and hope to have several of these little sweaters made up by Thanksgiving when the Holiday City Market starts in Charlottesville. Maybe one of these days I’ll try my hand at downloadable patterns with this, too.

The new baby keets are growing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And growing spoiled…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yup, the little things will eat out of our hands. The big girls are still laying in the nest I know about, so I’m getting 5 eggs a day. Carol of Mad For Knit had mentioned wishing we lived nearby- we could swap eggs for produce. She does have a magnificent garden and I would love to give her eggs for garden goodies. She is also doing the Boston Half-Marathon for cancer research- which is now very dear to me and I’m greatful that she’s doing this. As it draws nearer, if she decides to do a raffle, there will definitely be some Puff (the Magic Rabbit) handspun there.

Current knitting is mostly something I need to keep quiet about (sorry) with a sock & scarf thrown in there- when they get exciting I’ll show you. I’ve got 2 set of singles ready to be plied- so I’ll show you those yarns tomorrow or next day. Still haven’t photographed what I got at the goat show, but did I tell you I got a Strauch Drum Carder????? Yippee!

It’s been pretty hot, so took the kids to the pool twice this week. My parents live in an apartment complex- and since they’ve been there about 15 years the management there is kind enough to let me come. The kids have a blast, and they’re such little fish that I actually can lay on a lounge chair (if I pull it right up the the edge of the pool) and can read about 3 words before scanning the pool. Not a bad time (once you get over constantly saying, “No running, no diving, don’t dunk your brother, I saw that, I said stop running!”).

Everyone is fine at the other farm. Baby Jasmine (the donkey) has started eating grain and treats, and is getting very playful. Really need to remember my camera.

The goats always make me smile. I had to have the driveway regraded this week, and they immediately set about to show me just whose driveway it really is…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isabella is convinced that if she can stand on the tallest hutch then she can rule the field…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yea, I’d listen to her.

Trying again

The new keets (baby guineas) hatched Wednesday. So Thursday the kids (including C’s friend) and I drove to Terri’s to pick them up. Somehow the girls talked me into 14. I had originally said a dozen, tops. (really, they didn’t have to twist my arm too much).

Again, its hard to find O w/out a keet.

They will go down into the field with the others in about 2 weeks, and I will definitely modify the pen- hopefully no more accidents.

I’ve been a terribly negligent blogger. Haven’t read much, haven’t written lately. Was at an angora goat show last weekend and didn’t take any pictures. I’m really kicking myself about that- there were some wonderful goats there and I learned so much from listening to the judge. My poor goaties are paying for that- I’ve spent the past week analyzing their fleeces- parting the hair to check the consistency of the crimp, the fineness of the hair, density, etc. It’s also given me alot to think about as I chose the buck to put Rosie and Genevieve with this fall (more babies in March- yippee!). Next year I may actually take the plunge and show a few goats- and I promise I will take pictures then.

I thoroughly enjoyed the break, and next time I’ll show you pictures of the goodies I got (because of course, I haven’t taken pictures yet).

So, after a few days of being gone, it feels like it took me almost the whole week to get the house (and kids) back in order. I guess it wasn’t really a whole week though- took the kids to see WALL-E, we all loved it. Then Thursday was keet pick-up, and yesterday we went to my sister’s. We cooked hamburgers on the grill, but then it rained, so we watched fireworks on tv. We thought we might be able to see the ones from the nearby town- but going there would have been past her 15 month old twin girls’ bedtime, plus for the next year or 2 they are at the age where the fireworks would scare the diapers off of them. Plus I’d been missing them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one is looking a tad cranky, isn’t she?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(its just because I was holding her sister)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My kids had a ball making them giggle and I got lots of good baby cuddles in.

I really do knit and spin. I even design a bit once in a while. I’ll show you sometime. Not that I’m trying to distract you or anything, but here are some of my favorite distractions.

Heading to the goat show

I’ll be leaving in a few hours for Lewisburg WV for the annual Virginia Angora Goat and Mohair Association show. Along with the goat show, its also a fiber festival, so I will be there vending. It will also be a much needed break. I get to go by myself and spend a whole weekend with other goat people.

Not much has gone on on the knitting and spinning front. I’ve tried, but just couldn’t get too motivated. I’ll be taking my wheel with me- demonstrating during the festival- and a 2nd sock or two. Maybe try and finish up a baby sweater. I’m guessing by the time I get home, I’ll be ready to jump back in and knit like a fiend. Just in time to have a major clean-up/reorganization of my chaotic house. I’ll give it about 2 weeks and see how much I can improve…

Look at what was in my yard this morning:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two big, beautiful cows. The wonderful guy that I buy my hay from (he’s referred to as Aksel-the-hay-god) runs some of his cows in the field behind my property. If its hot and they go down to the lake, they can cross over, then come up front and visit. I never mind, especially since my goats go through the fence and the cows are pretty generous about sharing their grass. I do let him know, though, just in case he’s worried.

The new lambs at the other farm are growing like weeds- I keep forgetting to take my camera back out there, though.

Just a couple of cute goatie pix, then I gotta start packing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jewel is working hard at becoming cuter and cuter- I think its working.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s Fluff, goat-in-charge and king of the front stoop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sirius Black thinks I should pay attention to him instead of reading. With eyes like his, he is hard to resist. Have a great weekend!

Just some pictures

Thank you for all your kind words and thoughts. I am very greatful to have known her, and am glad she’s no longer in pain. Her family seems to be doing okay, and I’ll just keep wishing them peace.

The weather has been beautifully cool- we’ve spent lots of time outside. You can always count on smiles from my zoo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is Rosie grazing along with the funny guineas. (by the way, have found the new nest- under a chair in the goat’s field- hope they keep laying there- collecting the eggs couldn’t be easier)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s Stuff, Rosie’s twin. There really is a goat under there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surprise and Baby Jewel hanging out by the in the sandbox.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pikachu the hammie climbing around.

At the other farm yesterday I saw the most beautiful butterfly. I’ve seen both orange and blue monarchs, but this was blackish/brown with this incredible blueish/green. If BBF were to do a roving in these 2 colors, I would be all over that.

The most wonderful thing happened at that farm today. The last sheep lambed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One black and one brown boy, and a little white girl. My kids have been thinking of all sorts of names.

Coffee, Cocoa, and Cream

Licorice, Chocolate, and Marzipan

You get the picture…

For Erika

My friend, and pet-sitter extraordinaire, Erika Gardner, passed away today. Not sure exactly how old she was- just between 50 and 60. She came over here from Germany when she was 16. I loved her accent. She had a battle with pancreatic cancer. Almost 2 years ago was her first diagnosis with it. Her round of chemo then knocked it out. A few months ago, that same cancer came back, just not in her pancreas- pretty much all over. Her battle with it this go was fairly quick. Until 3 weeks ago, she was going about her business as if nothing were wrong. Once she got really ill, she was able to be home, with her husband taking wonderful care of her. He loves/loved her- and he did everything for her that anyone would hope someone would do.

She was an incredible force. She had a daughter, 4 grandchildren (maybe 5), and a relatively new great-granddaughter and loved all of them dearly. She was stubborn, did things her way, could always be counted on, and when she was watching your pets, you never doubted for a minute that they were well cared for. She never seemed to mind that neurotic me would call her several times during that week, and she was always up for whatever new members I’d add to my zoo each year. My kids thought she was wonderful- and so did I. I will always think she is wonderful, and a very bright light went out today.

She sent funny e-mails around- never the bleeding heart ones, always the ones that would make you laugh out loud. So, here is the very last one she sent me. Hope it gives you all a chuckle.

Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl ‘Will you marry me?’ The
girl said: ‘NO!’ And the girl lived happily ever after and went
shopping, dancing, drank martinis, ate chocolate, always had a
clean house, never had to cook, did whatever the hell she
wanted, never argued, didn’t have to worry about her weight,
traveled more, had many lovers, didn’t save money, and had all
the hot water to herself. She went to the theatre, never
watched sports, never wore friggin’ lacy lingerie that went up
her ass, had high self esteem, never cried or yelled, felt and
looked fabulous in sweat pants and was pleasant all the time.
The End.

Safe journey, Erika.

That’s the end of THAT nest…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See that buldge in that rotten snake’s neck? That’s an egg. Eventually he slithered away, and the other egg was retrieved- but that was yesterday, and needless to say, the girls did not lay there today. Sigh.

What else is going on? Baby Jasmine is growing- and growing sweeter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She will now walk right up to you for love- my kind of donkey. There is still one more ewe left to lamb at that farm, but she’s not having any of it. I’m hoping for this weekend so her owners will be there.

Still haven’t blocked anything I was supposed to block- oops. I finished my first skein of yarn for my friend’s shawl, but haven’t taken it off the bobbin or washed it yet- gotta do that tomorrow so I can start knitting Friday.

In spite of having a bzillion things I should be knitting, I decided it was time for some happy knitting, and pulled out a yarn I had been wanting to try, along w/ these so so pretty glass needles from here that I got while at Stitches, and have been waiting and waiting to use. Pretty, huh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The needles are cobalt blue glass and they just make me smile- I love pretty glass things. The yarn is Sylph Fine Fingering by Spritely Goods. The color is Marble, and I got it from The Loopy Ewe (love that place!).

If you happen to be anywhere near the Lewisburg, WV area the weekend of June 27-29, the Virginia Angora Goat and Mohair Association (VAGMA, but I don’t want any weird search engines finding that… we are working on changing that acronym) is having their annual goat show and fiber festival. Admission is free, and while its nowhere near Maryland proportions not a huge festival, all the vendors are wonderful- and this year we are offering classes by Margaret Radcliff of Maggie’s Rags. All this is serving to remind me that its in almost 2 weeks- I better get to knitting, spinning, and carding- yikes!

Leaving you with overwhelming cuteness tonight. While I was hanging out laundry, Baby Jewel decided to play some lovely music for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then she decided she liked having her picture taken. I’ve turned another one rotten. Heh.

 

Too hot to cause mischief

At least that’s Izzy’s story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pitiful, isn’t she?

The guinea girls were a little unhappy with the heat, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every once in a while something causes them to switch where they are laying their eggs, and I didn’t find the newest nest until yesterday- actually, my daughter and her friend found it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s 42 eggs sitting in the 95+ heat. I did the usual mark a few thing, hoping to get eggs today. The girls looked for me, and they were all gone- ugh. However, I caught the guineas going into a potentially good nesting spot earlier, and went back an hour later, and voila- 5 eggs. Good guineas.

Carol of Mad for Knit asked what Black Bunny Fiber yarn was Izzy trying to thieve. Actually, it’s not. (gasp!) It’s from one of my other favorite dealers yarn sources, Kid Hollow Farm. It’s their Silk’n Kid yarn- 40 silk/ 40 kid mohair/ 20 merino. I’ve done an open-work stole and the Frock Camisole in this. I love this yarn- you can feel it soften as it goes through your fingers, and its not as heavy and dense as some spun mohair yarns can be (brushed mohair is a different story- that stuff is lighter than air). However, for the Frock Cami it may not have been the best choice. If I were going to wear this by itself (not gonna happen- the braless option disappeared w/ the first child) I would want something with more drape. Since I’ll be wearing it w/ a t-shirt, though, its going to be fine. I’m pretty happy with it. I’ll try to wash/block it tonight and get a shot of it on me to show you next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did just take something BBF off the needles though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s her 100% silk in color “Gilt”. That stole had been on the needles so long though, I was starting to think of it as “guilt”. I’ll get a finished shot of it all stretched out in a day or 2.

Been doing some spinning. Thought I would do a simple shawl for my friend who is ill made from mohair from the goats she would “babysit”. She likes lavenders and light blues, so I chose this roving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lavender and blue are mohair, and they are swirled around gray borderleicester. I’m hoping for something close to worsted weight once I ply, and the shawl itself will be a very simple triangle.

My daughter and her friend have been… how shall I say it… there’s really no nice way to say it- they’ve been mutating her stuffed animals. I’m wondering if I should be scared?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last photo- something way less disturbing. The sweet baby goaties (who are now 3 months old). Griffin in the front, Jewel in the back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The goat days of summer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can actually feel the weight of the air when you walk outside. The sky is no longer crystal blue, but that kinda non-descript whitish/greyish/bluish/hazy color. It’s summer in Virginia. Today was a half day of school for the kids- and their last day. I think I sent them upstairs about 30 times. It’s gonna be a long summer.

Isabella is being…well, she’s being Izzy. Earlier today I had feed delivered, and little miss goat decided it was funny that she could literally stand up under the truck. I know the guy had set the brake and everything, but still! Unfortunately, did not have the camera out for that one. She has also taken a liking to the Frock Camisole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She’s determined to get it one way or another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(see how humid it is) I bet she’d be willing to model for Interweave. Speaking of Frock Camisole, I’ve divided for front and back, and am just about to switch to reverse st st for the front. Real photos soon.

I got Black Bunny Loot in the mail yesterday:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That always makes me happy. No plans for it yet.

I also promised I would show you what I got at Sedalia, so here we go. First are these lovelies from Rock Creek Yarn. It’s their “Simply Sock Yarn” superwash merino. Very soft. Can’t wait to play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there is this beauty from Blue Ridge Yarns. Pima Paints- a beautiful pima cotton boucle. Probably gonna be a baby sweater for the shop (the one I’ll have up and running someday).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And for spinning fun I have this happy looking blend of jacob/angora from I See Spots. (incidentally, Godiva the bunny came from them).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also picked up another little baggy of Angelina sparkle fiber, cuz you can never have too much sparkle waiting around to become roving. And, 2 sets of size 1 and 2 sets of size 2 Addi Turbo Circs. Nothing more frustrating than wanting to cast on your 15th pair a pair of socks and not having the right needles.

Rather than fight Izzy over the Frock Cami, I think I’ll stay inside and spin. Thanks for all your well wishes over the sad things.

I’ll leave you with Stuff chillin’ in his mud-spa.