| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Oct 21 2008 : 9:19:12 PM
I had hoped to get my silly computer to let me post the pictures of my Tail Spun Yarn but no such luck.. I would love to hear what you think of it, if you have a chance it is on my blog - www.larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com under "Selma and Son" 
Now that I have another wheel spinner in the ranks we all should be having fun making art worthy yarn, try new things and showing what we have created.
Thanks for taking the time - keep those fingers and feet busy ladies.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Nov 09 2008 : 07:09:45 AM
Hi Grace
Hope you've had a little time to rest and get back to the real fun of being on the farm ... I think this is a great idea to have a s thread just for theese type of questions. I've been away since Wednesday night at a show in Ohio and haven't gone over there to checkthe thread yet but I will later today and add my questions and see what else has been going on there.
And thanks so much for the reference sources when you find them. I guess you'll probabloy put them on the other thresad so I'lllook there too. See you at the Banyard this afternoon!
Luna
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| grace gerber |
Posted - Nov 07 2008 : 07:33:21 AM
Hi ladies - sorry for the delay - Thursday is my day to go into town and by the time I arrived home I was so tired I just put the food away and crashed on the couch. I do not know about you but going into town makes me more tired that putting up fence all day.
Anyway, I started this convo over at the Barnyard Buddies under the title "All things Sheep and Goats" Let dare to ask the questions and share the answers of all wonderful fiber animals - we have a ton of knowledgable folks here - what better way to make all of hard work pay off. Luna if you might start the ball rolling with your question that way we can get folks to join in. (By the way Luna I have several really good books on the subject and today I will located them and get back to you) So don't be shy - let the sharing begin. See you over there....
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 9:30:31 PM
Sarita, I just left your blog..I love your knitting needles. :0)
Stephanie
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com ~~~Crochet, Sewing, Life Collections & Recollections Blog
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com Vintage & Modern Fabric, Fiber & Yarn Blog
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com ~~~~~Go Shopping at my Website Catalog!! |
| Keeper of the Past |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 06:50:23 AM
I will be watching for that post. White Knight is very attracted to my ladies and he is such a gentleman! He is just lucky that I am not out there with my scissors cutting off some of his beautiful lock.!!!!
Grace, I also love the silk...I have never spun silk....But I think I may need to learn.
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care. |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 8:14:48 PM
Luna, works for me!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justuducky48.etsy.com |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 6:35:02 PM
Hi Grace
Either way would be fine with me. Moving it might open it up to others who are not necessarily following this post. We could just put a forward post here. Does that work for you Monica. I think it's great to have questions from more people cause it opens up the discussion into broader areas. That being said, i want to thank you, Grace for being so generous with your time and knowledge. I do have so many questions about all aspects of this busines. They are all interrelated.
About the breeding. I'm guessing that there is a mathematical arrangement of how the various colors in various unrelated rams and ewes are crossed to produce offspring that could then be safely bred. Did I guess right? If so this sounds like an enormous record keeping and animal management project. I have questions about space and houseing and rotation and tracking and culling and etc, etc. So you see i could keep you busy for a long time. Is there a reference that I could go to get some background first?
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 6:06:02 PM
Grace, I won't be bored! I am finding all of this very fascinating! I have a feeling one day I may end up with my own animals!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 3:21:37 PM
Hi Luna
Would love to talk breeding stat's but I feel the rest would be bored. Just email and I will gladly talk to you about it and answer any and all questions.. Either that or we could move this portion to the barnyard buddy section. Hope that is O.K.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 08:37:42 AM
Hi Grace
I was asking what color you had dyed your Icelandic but i love your answer even better! The more you speak the more I want to know, girl! I have so many questions that I don't know where to begin. The immediatel formed question (among many unformed, uninformed questions) is how you plan 8 years out for your stocking of animals. I'm sure there is a book here somewhere. You either need to write it (in your spare time) and steer me to some guidance. I am just fascinated. You have a wonderful history in this business and no doubt in life. Thank you for sharing it here.
Generating more questions.......
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| grace gerber |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 08:10:29 AM
Thanks so much Luna - I finished dyeing yesturday, some wonderful yarns - a handspun 100% silk which I then dyed " Raven Wing" is it name. I finally got to dyeing an alpaca laceweight yarn that has been sitting here waiting on me "Dried Rosehips". I also finished my handspun Alpaca and silk in a fingerweight then dyed it "Frosted Lavender". I have finished about eighty dozen silk rods. It looks like something rainbow threw up in my house - wonderful days...
Not sure what you asked about the Icelandic, if it was "What colors did I raise" I spent 8 months picking a sheep to represent each of the 38 recognized color patterns. We had it all. I also made sure that we had the genetic pool to breed here for 8 years without having to bring new stock on - it was a great ride but I no longer raise sheep - when I sold my folks part of the deal was to receive several years of their shearing - that way I helped them get into the business of fiber and so I still have a supply for a while.
I have skeinging to do today - we had a bit of snow plowing out the windows. Great day to fire up the dye pots again and warm up the log house. Play with color today ladies.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 06:30:42 AM
Luna, there is never a dull moment at my house! I am always working on something, but sometimes I wish things would slow down just a bit so I didn't have to fight to make time to spin or sew!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 10:34:55 PM
Hi Grace
Love that purples silk...what a great color!
I like your system for shearing day. It does get hectic. I did do my record keeping in a notebook but the reality is if the notes are not with the fleece they will be forgotten. I am happy to say that my fleeces seem to have passed the crinkle test. i did them all this afternoon in the quiet and i don't think I heard anything. One of my fleeces from the spring did though. I have had mixed feelings about it so the test confirms it for me.
Can't wait to see more of your dye work. I had icelandic on my wheel tonight. A natural dark silver grey. I'm wondering what colors you did your icelandic.
I agree that being active is what makes it interesting. Different ages and stages keep is active in different ways. Having young children like Monica and Saritat will definitely keep you hopping, right! I loved being with my children and sharing their discovery of life. Later, the activity is different, and if we are blessed, it is of our own design.
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 6:47:42 PM
Grace, I thought I would be safe to click on your blog! I guess not! Oh my gosh I love the purple silk!!!!!!!!!!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 4:30:31 PM
Sarita
Loved looking at your needles - great talent at work - I am sure they are a pleasure to knit with. Sounds like you are going to be working hard off the farm - enjoy and soon you will be back in fiber land.
How is White Knight settling in? I remember the feeling of bring home new animals - it is like the butterflies you feel when you are dating someone - giddy excitement. Can not wait to see pictures of him - I know you are busy so I will sit on my hands, not pushing the button on you blog every 10 minutes. I should be back to the dye pots - off I go...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| Keeper of the Past |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 12:01:27 PM
Thanks for the nice comments about my knitting needles. I am on fiber hold a few days...just got the new ram home yesterday. I love his wool. But the real reason I am on fiber hold is that I do my school nursing and then I am a Parents As Teacher Educator and I will be doing visits and making sure all those charts are in good shape for a mini survey this week. This is usually no big deal but I have several parents and children that I see of an evening.
Thank you for your inspirations...you keep me going.
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 10:31:42 AM
Slowing down - I keep thinking that would be nice but then what would I do - really figure out that I am totally nuts..
The sound of plastic wrap is a good description - I know what you mean about the noise - in a barn with everyone milling around, and talking (animals and people alike) it is a hard time to evaluate. I have a card that I have designed so the moment the fleece is in the bag or on the skirting table I fill out the blanks on the card and then place it in the bag. That way I know the animal, inpression, and even what I plan to do with it. It has the weight, stable length, age, color, and prep work needed. I do this because my shear day on average have 40 animals or so and this old brain really can not be bent over shearing all day and then expect it to think...
I will be visiting blogs tonight, I have the very slow dial up too so I do that at night while I can spin, crocheting, or do labeling while things are loading - can not wait to see the needles....
Have a great day ladies - I am back to the dye pots today - dyed Icelandic yarn Sunday, Alpaca yarn, Saturday and today is a couple of special orders of alpaca felt that I make for the farm shop. See it will never slow down and that is just fine with me.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| Bonne |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 07:44:39 AM
They're gorgeous, now I want a lathe~what a fabulous idea for hubby's Xmas gift (you know, one of those things that's intended for them, but you get the benefit from! lol)See what you start Sarita!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qlwYgosoTU
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 06:42:47 AM
Sarita, I just checked out your blog and I love the knitting needles! They are really beautiful!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 06:40:17 AM
Sarita, Oh my gosh, I will never give up on you! I don't have any sheep (yet!!!!),but I have 3 kids and it is a never ending zoo at my house! I often think it will slow down at my house, but it seems to only be a momentary lull!
Luna, I love the pictures of your sheep! How beautiful they are!!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 05:53:22 AM
Sarita
Thanks for checking out my blog. I'm working toward making it more informative about the sheep and wool. Still figuring out some of the blogger features. I have a feeling, thought that part of the problem is that blogger is limited in what can be done with it. I think I may start another one, not sure yet whether to add it as a companion or switch. I love yours too. The knitting needles are so pretty! Love the woods and tops. And you had to go and mention turned ink pens! Of course I must see these sometime also. If you decide to get into making more and selling knitting needles,let me know.
Also love your Shetland Ram. He looks like just what I would need to bring some more variety of color to my little flock. I just cannot take on another ram until I do something with all my ram lambs and my main sire Lincoln. He is a two year old beauty of multi colored black and silver grey. The ideal thing for me, would be to find someone nearby who would trade with me for a season.
And loved looking at your countryside. It is indeed beautiful there. How is White Knight doing?
Boy, do I understand about it never slowing down. It's always going. Yesterday's shearing left me with 15 new fleeces to work with. I spent hours also trying to get a slide show of pictures up on the blog to then have it fail. To me, that was missed spinning time!
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| Keeper of the Past |
Posted - Nov 03 2008 : 02:08:48 AM
Monica, did not get any wool out...I will this week. Don't give up on me yet.
Luna, love your blog...I keep thinking it will slow down here but it just gets more hectic every day lately. I put up a few pictures of my knitting needles last night. I will try to get time at work today to look at your blog and pincushions...on this slow internet and it takes me an hour to look at anything with pictures...
Grace please do keep your eyes open for a larger carder.
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care. |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Nov 02 2008 : 8:33:57 PM
We are all a little nuts aren't we????? :-)
I'll let you know if I decide to sell some off. I probably will.
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| oldfashioned girl |
Posted - Nov 02 2008 : 8:24:53 PM
Luna, Let me know if you decide to sell any of the raw fleeces! I would be interested! I am excited to see pictures! I got to see Bam Bam, the Dorset sheep down at the farmers market, today and I still could bring him home! I am really fascinated with the whole process! I am hoping to get some wool from him when he is sheared! And yes I have my hands full with the cotton, but I was able to get a good amount before the plowed the fields under! I was actually out there today gathering cotton after church and grocery shopping and I had to laugh because I was out there in my long skirt and clunky high heel shoes getting all dusty, wishing I had my apron with me to gather up the cotton! Oh well I had fun! My hubby thinks I am nuts! He adores me, but still thinks I'm nuts! I don't mind!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Nov 02 2008 : 8:12:37 PM
Grace
I'm going around crackle testing every fleece and I tried to listen to the girls fleeces before they got sheared but it was too noisy. I did hear something on one fleece that I think I might have overwashed. Does it sound sorta like crinkling cellophane very softly?
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Nov 02 2008 : 8:08:24 PM
Hey Monica...so happy you love the wool...I really do too. And as it turns out, unexpectedly the shearer that I wanted was available and came today and gave my sheepies their fall haircut. So now I really am swimming in fresh fleeces. This shearer is very experienced and did a wonderful job on my little crew. And since they havent had a chance to do their hay diving yet, the fleeces are virtually free of all VM, yay! This was a first shearing for my spring lambs so it is also amazingly soft. The crimp varies from crinkly tight to soft curly waves. And I have a range of colors from creamy white through shades of tan and brown to grey and black. A few have mixes of two or three colors on one fleece. I am just loving it. I'm now deciding whether to keep it all and work it up or sell some off.
I'm trying to upload a slide show of the girls onto my blog. Hopefully, it will be on there later tonight. They all look little kids getting their picture taken at school. I'll also post a picture or two of the raw fleeces.They are really beautiful.
Don't worry about cleaning up the cotton for me. It will be ages before i get around to working with it. I think it will look nice just to have the bolls sitting in a basket. That sounds like quite a job you have on your hands. A good winter activity. Alternating withw Spinning of course...
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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