There will be tons of pics in this post, but as I haven't learned yet how to work our video camera a as a still camera well enough yet, so be prepared for lots of overexposures.
Tess and I had a heck of a day yesterday. We went out to the farm I have been getting fiber from and picked up two more fleeces. An Oxford/Romney in silver which I will overdye, and a white Romney, totalling about 15 pound unwashed. Neither is a high grease wool, but they do have their share, so I'll lose at least a third of that weight in the cleaning process. I also had another 11.5 pounds that I dropped off with the fleece I just bought at the processor.
That house is just massive and amazing and oh I have house envy. Seriously... neither of my grandparent's farms were this ostentatious big.
Tessa being horse crazy of course was unhappy she could not have a saddle thrown on the Percheron so she could ride across the farm like a princess on a white horse...
She really was in heaven there and was even more delighted to be asked to hold one of the week old piglets.
The piglet was not so thrilled to be held by a small child, and as Tessa put it, "it was very scared and was crying or it's mommy..."
The mill is close to this farm, and the guys that own the mill are associated with this farm (one appears to be a caretaker, or foreman on the farm and it is almost a given if you buy the wool from the farm that you will let these guys process it) - but their turn around time is slower than molasses, so I the bee was set in my bonnet that I just needed to find another shepherd and another mill to work with because what I dropped off yesterday will not be ready until January. What I dropped off earlier this summer, well that's on their calender for an October pick up - it was supposed to be in September. Not too happy there lemme tell ya...
I've also had a bit of a problem finding a supplier or Acid dyes in the area and had to drive up to Northampton Mass yesterday. It's a lovely little town, as Tess and I got lost trying to get to WEBS.
We eventually got there, and did try out some spinning wheels before Tess discovered they had a toy box there. Tessa drew a crowd, and I wish I had the camera with me when I went into WEBS because my three year old was schooling people much older than her in how to spin yarn. She sat infront of a Schacht Ladybug and treadled her little heart out, drawing the fiber out to a spinnable level with only a small amount of help from her mommy. She now has decided she wants her own wheel and she wants a LadyBug. She tried pulling the "My fourth birthday is coming soon mommy, I want this." People got a good chuckle when I asked her if that meant she didn't want the new Barbie doll anymore. Of course she wants them both.
Not really planning on being dependent on my present source for raw wool in CT, I have made some connections while at the Terryville fair today , for a consistent breed of fleece that produces a lovely yarn - baby soft and at the same time not overly pilly. I'll be following up on that this weekend.
I'm still waiting for my jumbo flyer's whorl to return... when that comes back from Ashford I'll be able to really get to a custom order that has come in. I'm going to weigh out the roving I still have and see if it is going to be enough to fill the order or if I need to order more on line. Of course if I can convince the guys at Still River Mill to hurry up then I might be able to use the Southdown I bought in June for that order. It's for a fellow OD'er and as it's going to be used for a baby blanket I'm going to want something sturdy enough to be washed frequently without too much attention to care.
As mentioned about the new wool connection and where I made it, today we went to the Terryville Country fair. Much sunburn was gained by yours truly on my face, and a little on the face of the diva. Garret however was sunscreened everywhere, including the top of his head as I couldn't keep a hat on him. Here are some pics from the day.
Starting the day out right as far as she was concerned.
Then practicing her back seat driving.
Waving at his sister on the Airplane ride
Wishing he was tall enough to go on the ride
She watches MXC with Gaelon and told me it was her "Challenge"
She didn't know what to do with this first and then I told her that she jumped like she wasn't allowed to on my bed.
Screams of delight came from one young girl I tell you.
Ending her day the way it started.
and a couple of you tubes to finish things up. One being her driving.
and on that note - I'm sleepy. Hope you all enjoyed the pics and videos.
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