Barn Quilt

We live in Champaign County, Ohio. The chamber of commerce started a barn quilt program several years ago, where businesses and farms could design a quilt and display it on their buildings/barn. We decided to join the group of over 60 barn quilts this year. Since we raise both white and natural-colored Border Leicester sheep and I (Dena) spin the wool, we designed a quilt that includes the sheep and a quilt pattern called "spools." Here is a picture of the quilt on our barn.

Michigan Fiber Festival

I'm finally getting around to posting on the Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan. Every year the third week of August, I (Dena) head to the MFF for a few days of workshops that include spinning, knitting, basket-making, and numerous other crafts. This year I came home with a rib basket and skeins of painted yarn. Eileen and Ruthann always join me for this annual trek. Of course, one of the highlights is eating at a couple of great restaurants...the London Grill in Plainwell and Salt of the Earth in Fennville. They are both worth the trip!

Jerry has been bringing sheep to show on the weekend for the past few years. The people are great, the atmosphere is pretty laid back, and we've had success. This year wasn't any different. We won several classes with the 6 sheep Jerry brought. We had first place white yearling ewe, first place natural colored yearling ewe,

first place natural colored ewe lamb, second place white ram lamb, second place natural colored yearling ram. We had reserve champion white ram, champion white ewe, champion natural-colored ewe, and best fleece of the show.

We topped off the weekend with dinner at Tim and Janet's, friends of ours who live in Kalamazoo, just a short drive from Allegan. A great way to end summer!