IT’S FIBERUARY IS COMING

GREETINGS

Sunny and glorious today.  The chickens are out  and it may be in the 50’s on Sunday.  Not normal winter weather but I do love it and on top of  that oil prices are low.

IT’S FIBERUARY IS COMING

I have been reading Wovember for the past 3 or so years and thoroughly enjoy everything about it.  I have learned many new things. met many new people and learned about fiber life in The British Isles.  British Wool and Farmers are promoted in each article.  

We here in our local, Western Massachusetts area have such a diverse farming community but its relatively unknown.  I had been thinking of something for us to do in the cold winter months to promote the same thing here.  I spoke with Liz of Sheep and Shawl Shop in South Deerfield about my idea of It’s FIBERuary and its a go for this year.  

In the month of February we hope to have an article each day about people who work with fiber and animals.  Some of the articles will be Rug Hooking, Raising Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Alpaca’s, Pygora goats and other fiber animals, Shearing, knitting and weaving, needle felting, dyeing  and so much more.    Please join us on FIBERuary on WordPress.

Sheep and Shawl Shop will offer speakers on each Sunday of the month of February.   Times  and directions will be announced.  There will also be a Valentine contest made out of fiber at Sheep and Shawl  and information will be forthcoming .

The following is a list of the talks.

Sunday, February 7th

Stories From The Farm – Carole Adams

I have raised sheep for over 20 years and have a book full of interesting stories and have lots of experience in farming with sheep in a small way.

Sunday, February 14th       Three presenters that day!

Chris Pellerin – Dunroamin Farm

Pygora Goats

 

Hilary Woodcock-Woodcock Farm

Hilary will give a talk on Alpaca to Yarn

 

Jenny Atkins Angora Rabbits

Jenny will talk about her beautiful Angora Rabbits

 

Sunday, February 21st

Margaret Russell

Weaver of Rare Breed  Wools

Be Sure to put these events on your calendars.

Many thanks for reading my blog today and I hope you will be able to attend some of these events or read about them on the blog.  Have a wonderful day.  Carole

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE POP UP SHOP-HELEN-EDDIE- SHIELS SPINNING WHEELS

GREETINGS

The weather here has been wonderful,  for the past 5 nights it has not gotten below freezing.  I can’t remember a time in mid December that it has happened.  the temps will dip this coming weekend but then warm up again for the holidays.  

Last week I got the flu shot.  I have been doing it for years.  Now having Lymes disease it seems more important to keep myself away from the flu. There are two flu shots one for people under 65 and the other for people over 65.  I got the one for over 65 and have not felt well since.  I will think twice next year and check with my clinician at The Wellness Clinic before getting it.

THE POP UP SHOP

What a wonderful idea from Christa.  Its worked out so well for all of us.  People just love a place that sells locally made things..  Everyone’s things are different and wonderful.  Wish  we could do it every year.  Thanks Christa for setting it up.

HELEN

She is laying eggs again and is perky and bright.  Its been a long haul but so worth it.   It will be great for her to be outside this next summer.  I will be changing all the side area around.  The large tree was cut down and a new tree to give them shade will be planted in one of the chicken yards.  Which means that another yard must be made.  A fun project.  

EDDIE

Eddie has been showing his powerful (so he thinks) rooster self lately.  He is only about 8 inches tall!!!!   Yesterday he jumped out of the coop and was flying around the bottom of the barn.  he had gotten himself stuck between rolled up chicken wire and dog crates.  It took me about 15 minutes to find him.  I am more cautious now when opening the door.

SHIEL’S SPINNING WHEELS

I had a delightful surprise in the mail the other day.  I small package from Ireland.  It was a handmade wooden tree made by Johnny Shiels.  It is so beautifully made and will go perfectly with my Christmas village.

He is hoping to see where all the  Shiels Spinning Wheels are located.   Do you have one???   I will be trying to locate owners here in the states and in Canada.  If you own one of these wonderful wheels please let me know.

PRIM SANTA’S

I am making more Prim Santa’s for the Pop Up Shop and for gifts.

Many thanks for reading my blog on this spring like day.  Carole 

MURPHY AND THE GIRLS ARE SO HAPPY TO BE OUTSIDE

 

 

 

EVERY DAY IS A SURPRISE-MINNIE BISBEE-MORTICIA UPDATE

HELLO,

EVERY DAY IS A SURPRISE

Yesterday was spinning day at Jane’s.

Jane on the left and Jan on the right

 

 I packed  up my  knitting, my beautiful Irish Wheel doesn’t like to go anywhere .  It was a beautiful day and we spun outside.  It was delightful to feel the sun.  We were talking about wheels and Jan asked me what kind of wheel would I get and I answered an Ashford Traveler.  I have had one for years and wore it out.  Its easy and lightweight , great for taking places.  Jane went inside and came out with the wheel pictured below.

 She said I have too many wheels and you can pay me when you do a show.  I was speechless.  It is a beauty with Celtic designs painted on it by an artist.  We all agreed it fits me.   I never expect to be bringing home a new wheel.  Thank you Jane.  Pictures of the beautiful art work.

 

MORTICIA

The nest is cozy and every day I am taking out the extra egg.  She will be a wonderful Mom .  I am now looking for a used 100 gallon galvanized waterer to put Morticia and the chicks.  That’s what they use at tractor supply and it works well.  I don’t want them outside till they are 2  months old or more and after having some chicks killed it would be better to have them in the house..  Less chance in something happening to them.

Barn Cleaning

I am still at it and should be done the beginning of the week.  I have to call my shearer and get him lined up to come after Easter.  Tomorrow I am going to a friends who recently moved to town to watch her shearing day.

MINNIE BISBEE

Minnie and her basket, she has had it since she came here and it has a woolen blanket inside to keep her warm on cold nights.

I have made an appointment with the vet for Minnie on Thursday.  She needs a check up and is really not taking care of her coat.  I am trimming mats all the time and combing and brushing her.  I am trying some different food as fancy feast is not really good for a cat with kidney disease.  But she needs to eat and cats that have kidney problems tend not to want to eat.  So far so good.  My friend Deb said to make her some chicken and rice so I have that going in the crock pot.  She likes people food much more than cat food.  I suppose that was all she ate when she lived in the streets of Puerto Rico.  I wonder what her life was like.  She is terrified of a soda can opening. 

Thank you for reading my blog today and I hope you enjoyed your day.

Carole

 

 

 

THE SPINNING WHEEL-MRS. BROWN

HELLO,

THE SPINNING WHEEL

Enjoy the sound of  the wheel.  This wheel makes one slow down.  It will not be spun fast, it must have a slow pace to spin the best yarn

      (i HOPE THIS WORKS)

I love my Irish spinning wheel. In the mid 90’s a trip was planned to visit James Shield of Carndonagh, County Donegal to pick up a spinning wheel.  The arrangements were made by calling James and ordering one, the butcher shop took the call and got James on the phone, he only lived across the street.  He told me to come along, he always had wheels going and I could pick the color of wood I liked.

I had found his name in a crafts book I had picked up on an earlier trip.  In the book were names of three people making wheels including James but sadly James was the  only one left making them.  Now I found out that he was the last Master Spinning Wheelwright in Ireland.

The shop was in the back of his house, a wonderful well light shop with wheel parts everywhere ready to assemble . I met his wife and son and had a delightful visit and picked out my wood.  My wheel happens to be made of a mahogany Church Pew.   He scoured the strands (beaches) for parts of boats and wood washed up on shore  Two days later my wheel was done and I had spent those two days enjoying the time touring the Inishowen Peninsula and would do that for longer periods again on other trips.  WHen I picked it up you could still smell the polish on the wood.  Another visit and I was wisked off to the top floor of the house to visit with their son weaving on a large loom. it took up the whole  room.  He was weaving to sell to the local store.  Beautiful work.

In those days you could bring anything on a plane, the bottom part and legs were packed in my suitcase but the wheel itself was too large for a suitcase so I brought in onboard and put it under the seat. James is gone now but on my next trip to Donegal I plan to stop in the shop and visit with his son.  Check out their website at johnny@apinningwheels.ie

SPINNING THE WOOL

THE PLYING IS DONE

READY FOR A PROJECT

MRS. BROWN 

Mrs. Brown and I made a quick trip back to the vets to get some eye ointment and I watched Dr. COnnor give her the meds.  I was having such a hard time getting the meds into Hazel and Mrs. Brown.  I think I have got it now.  She is glad to be home.

Many thanks for taking the time to read my blog today and I hope you have a wonderful day.  Carole