Setting Up Shop

One of the suppliers I have been buying from no longer allows the sale of their products on Etsy, so I've decided to set up an online Farm shop on this site.  It is just over there (imagine an arrow pointing to the right side of your screen...yes, there you can see it!), and is still under construction.  I'll have to take a day off to get it completely set up and populated with goodies.  I started out with the "Knitting Tools and Supplies" page and the fiber page will be next in line.  I'm not going to abandon my Etsy shop- I just love the Etsy philosophy so much- this is in addition to it so I can sell the full line of supplies available to fiber artists.  After all- you are worth it!  :)

On another note; the snow is GONE, the rogue roosters need butchering, and the wee babydoll sheep had thier coats changed.  Fiber is growing under there! 

Goats at my Hotel

This work conference that I'm at this week is at a place called "The Riverwood" and it is in Otsego, MN.  There is a small fenced in area on one side of the conference center that was empty last night, but when we were let out for a break (like small children running out into the sunshine) I grabbed a plate of veggies and dip and went outside. 

There were goats behind the fence.  Six of them.  They were Boer goats.  They were hungry.  My plate was empty somehow, though lots of dip remained.  I received goat communication and then realized I was so hungry for vegetables and went back for more.  No camera.

Daylight "Savings" Jetlag

I'm not a big fan of day light "savings" time.  Just when the morning was getting light enough to complete chores before work (sans flashlight), some one gets the bright idea to mess it up, and make it light outside when it is time to put the kids to bed.  Brilliant!!! 

This week I'm in Minneapolis MN for a conference for work (Northwoods Climate Change).  A magical time zone change was crossed driving from MI to MN so I am back to pre-daylight savings time again.   I have no idea what time it actually is.  My laptop says 11:13.  My cell phone says 10:13 (and I don't know how to change it!).  The clock in the hotel says 10:13.  The clock in the travel car was off by an hour and fifteen minutes which was extra confusing.  And, the ride from Curtis MI to Otsego MN took ELEVEN hours minus a 45 minute hiatus to Duluth- it rained all the way.  Garlicky Alfredo at 8:30 and a Newcastle brown ale.  No veggies with dinner- I feel deprived, and I need to brush my teeth.  Maybe the garlic counts for veggies.

I think with all this warm weather and rain when I get home there won't be much snow!  Hopefully some sap is falling into those buckets though....could be a maple syrup rationing year!

Marching in like a Lion

I've always liked the March weather predictability mantra "in like a lion, out like a lamb" or vice versa.  It seemed to work when we lived in Southern Michigan, but it doesn't work in the UP at all.  It is always "in like a lion and out like a lion".  We've come to accept that; it is March in the UP after all and it does mean that April is on its way and maple syrup time and spring ephemerals.  So, even if the weather is not rosy our thoughts and hopes are.

I've been spinning a bit all winter and had accumulated a few skeins of yarn I didn't have plans for so put them in my Etsy shop yesterday.

This is a skein of BFL/Tussah (75/25) that I dyed with leftover dye from the kids Fiber arts class.  I didn't want to waste the dye and I was pleased the way the fiber drank up the dye.  The silk gives it such a lovely sheen, and it is VERY soft.  I have some of the undyed fiber in my Etsy shop for sale also.

When we take our annual trip to New Hampshire, I like to visit River's Lee Farm which is just down the road from Josie and Alis's house.  This is border leicester lamb and alpaca.  It reminds me of gazing across a freshly plowed field at a very blue horizon.

This roving too was from River's Lee Farm.  More Border Leicester and alpaca.  It is a pretty blue with purple flashes here and there.

This was roving I purchased at the Chippewa County Fair last summer from Maple Row Farms.  I call it "Strawberry Fields".  It is Romney lambswool.

This is also Romney Lambswool from Maple Row Farms- it reminds me of Mardi Gras colors.

Moorit Shetland from our own farm- Liz and Fallon donated the fiber for this skein.

Recycled Sari silk and black Shetland from our farm.  This is VERY soft and flashy.

The bunnies have been working hard all winter making fuzz also.  The torts (chocolate, black and blue) have such a lovely cream colored fiber.  I had been hoarding a bit of it and finally got it in the shop along with some new fibers from Ashland Bay.  When that box came I dove in and didn't come up for air for some time.  There was silk (both Honey tussah and bleached), cashmere (!!), baby camel down, baby camel & silk, alpaca & silk, mulit colored merino, ecru merino, and Bfl & silk.  Yumm.  Check them out at the Etsy shop or come on over and give them a feel at the farm.

I've also picked up a few knitpicks items to try my hand at:  the options Harmony Wood circular needles, ball winders (for $21.00!), birch yarn swifts and various knitting tools.  They are going over well here at the farm shop and online. 

Having Fun!!!