Louisville, 2010

Jerry made his annual trek to the NAILE in Louisville last week along with 6 white and black sheep (including 2 yearling ewes, 1 ram lamb, and 3 ewe lambs). The natural-colored ram lamb, the first banner-winner we raised from birth (mother was the 2008 champion ewe and father was the 2009 champion ram), won reserve champion ram. Every year we learn more about how to prepare the sheep and their fleeces and we also learn how different judges look for different things! All in all, it's a great experience and fun to reconnect with friends. John Guffey is helping Jerry out in the picture above with the reserve champion.

Now it's time for shearing, which happens tomorrow. We will have a lot of fleeces (lamb, white, and natural-colored) available. Let us know if you're interested, spinners - only $5 a pound!

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.

I've been 'baad'

How did September get here already! I guess summer was pretty busy, and I am really terrible (baad) at keeping up with this blog. I vow to do better! Maybe if I ever get more followers, I will be more inspired. Well, here is an update on summer:

1. I survived the one-day lavender festival. It was a beautiful day in Champaign County, and I was lucky enough to have a view of the lavender fields all day. I didn't sell a lot, but I still made more than I usually do at the winter market. Not a great time of year to be selling wool products!

2. We spent the weekend of the fourth in Missouri with Zac, Rebecca, and Lucia - I presented Lu with her July hat, a red, white and blue beret for celebrating Bastille Day.

3. I started teaching a class at Wright State at the end of July, while Jerry prepared sheep for the Ohio State Fair.

4. We showed the white border leicesters - 1 ewe lamb and 1 ram lamb on Sunday, August 2nd. The ram lamb was third in his class, and the ewe lamb was first in her class and reserve champion overall. On Tuesday Jerry showed Othello and Sporty Spice (black yearlings) in the natural-color show. Each received first in the long-wool division.

5. Mid-August was the Michigan Fiber Festival in Allegan. I headed north with Eileen and Ruthann for 3 days of spinning workshops before Jerry came on Friday with 6 head. Othello was the champion natural color long-wool ram. The ram lambs were first and second in their class and also won first as a pair of lambs. I also got a first place for a skein of yarn, which made me feel like I must be doing something right.

6. Lucia received her August hat - an OSU football helmet.

That brings us to September. This weekend is Labor Day and I will have a booth at the annual West Liberty Lions Park Festival. Hope to see you there!

Time to get serious!

I am ashamed to see that I last posted in November! I had good intentions, but being both very busy and a bit technologically challenged, I kept putting off adding to the blog. Here is an update on our sheep-related activities:

• We were in the Louisville area the day after Christmas dropping off wool at John Guffey's for processing. We stopped in to visit with Diana Anson and take a look at her BL's.
• Lambing is done. We lost 3, and ended up with 10.
• We bought a black ram after traveling to Wisconsin in April to check him out. He has a nice fleece.
• I have continued to go to the Worthington Farmer's Market at least twice a month. I haven't sold much, but there seems to be a lot of interest in my spinning, yarn, and knitted projects.
• We went to Maryland for the Sheep and Wool Festival (huge affair!), but Sporty (our black 'champion' ewe only came in 5th place (more on this coming up).
• Next we have the Border Leicester show and sale coming up in Wooster on the 23rd of May.

Off to Market

Last year I joined friends Steve and Eileen at the Worthington Farmers' Winter Market (they were kind enough to share a spot). While Steve sold his delicious cookies and pies (and yummy cinnamon rolls), Eileen and I spun our wool, sold a few knitted items and yarn, and chatted with passers-by. Today the winter market kicks off and we are trying it again. I have in the meantime, sort of created a new business - Fern's Fiber Studio - and with the help of Sue Iseman, my inventory has increased greatly. More on Fern's later. Unfortunately it is a nasty day weather-wise, so who knows how many people will turn out for the market. If you happen to be in Worthington, stop by at the Griswold Center on High St. If you can't make it today, the next market will be on December 13 and then every Saturday after the first of the year.