New goat and a new "old" barn!

I cannot believe it has been a month since I posted last! It's been a busy time here for sure. Where to start......

We have a new fur baby that joined us here at Sunshine Oaks Farm. She is a little angora doeling named Annie. She is such a tiny little thing, especially when I see her next to my other angoras. We introduced her after everyone else was sheared so it was complete pandemonium here for a week or so while everyone established their rank in the pecking order. Since Annie is the baby, of course she came last.

The next bit of excitement for me around here was the conversion of an older pole barn on our property into a closed barn that became the goats new home, complete with stalls, water, and electricity! After much work, and excitement, the goats are in their new home and they seem pretty happy. They have access to 3 new paddocks and have spent their days foraging for just the right snack.

Thanks for stopping by!
Kelly

Felted Pods and Allergy Fun

Well I have a smaller project to share this time. I have been working on making wool pods to hang in the Oak tree next to my workshop. I started this project using a large teardrop shaped resist. I layered 3 layers of wool for each side. Then the rolling started. After snipping a hole in the front, I removed the resist and rubbed the edges of the hole to seal the cut edge.

I think this smaller project was just what I needed to keep the creative juices flowing while I battle the worst allergies I have ever had. I read that it is oak pollen that is at high levels...... My farm is called Sunshine Oaks for a reason.......so I guess I better find a good allergy medicine and learn to deal with it.

Felting Frenzy, Exciting News, and Crazy Goats!

HeHeFor the past couple of months I have been thinking about projects I would like to create.  But I never quite got beyond the thinking stage.....there was always an excuse why I could not get those projects started.  I finally jumped in and have been on a creative bender so to speak and for the most part, almost all of those ideas became completed projects!  Here are just a few that I wanted to share. Lot's more to share......soon.

   

The next bit I have to share is some SUPER. EXCITING. NEWS......

I will be teaching Nuno Felting and Wet Felting at SAFF this year! Here is the schedule and if you are in the area, please stop by, I would love to meet you.  

On the critter front, the Alpacas are getting their "hair cuts" on April 2nd.  It will be fun to have another load of fiber to create with.  I know they will feel much cooler without those fleeces on too. 

 

We will have 3 more goats joining us soon.  One, another Angora, who we have named Annie Oakley will arrive once she is weaned.  The names have started evolving around a theme of sorts....we have Bonnie and Clyde, Billy the Kid, and now little Annie. Poor Chessie must be feeling left out! The other two who are Pygora, are still "cooking" in their mommas bellies.  

And now finally some silliness from Billy my sunflower seed loving Angora.

Weaving with Hand Spun

I recently completed a peg loom weaving.  I bought this loom so that I could make rugs with the seconds from my alpaca fiber and from coarser wool fleeces that I have purchased over the past few years.  The weaving I completed in these pictures is not for a rug, but for a wall hanging in my workshop.

In the picture above, I am using a wool yarn for the warp of the loom.  Since this part is not seen, you could use any color.  For my future rugs, I will be using a thick cotton warp or a nice rugged hemp.  

In this picture I am starting the first part of the weave.  I was amazed at how quickly this part goes.  Luckily I had a basket of hand spun that I could grab from.  The entire piece was woven from my chunky yarn and because I was weaving around the pegs, I could use super chunky yarn without worrying about the thickness. 

Look at all of lumps and bumps!  What I love most about weaving with this loom is that I do not lose the texture of my yarn!  I cannot describe how squishy, yet solidly secure this piece is!  Okay, that was 3 exclamatory statements in a row.......that should show you how much I love how this turned out.  :)

The final piece is a bit over 24" wide and 30" long.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous weekend.

Kelly

Another Long Lock Bag

A few weeks ago I was in Asheville, N.C. taking a felted garment class.
I was able to hang out with some fiber friends while I was not in class and was asked to make a felted bag similar to the one I was carrying my stuff around in.  She sent me home with the long locks (an easy 10+ inches long) that she wanted me to used and Viola, here it is!  I added a chunky hand spun detail across the front to add a bit of sparkle, 'cause I know my friend loves her sparkle!

The seamless bag is finally finished and has been sent off to its new home.  I hope she loves it as much as I loved making it for her!

Scarves Using Batts

I have had many requests for scarves from friends lately.  I love most when I am just given a color and then told to make it fun.
Now that I have a dedicated workshop and am able to see all of my fibers in one place, making batts becomes a free for all!  The scarf pictured above is one that I kept.  I love these colors together.

Using batts to make scarves with tons of textures is a semi obsession for me right now.  For once I actually documented the process...well sorta'.

In this 1st picture above, the fibers have been layed out and wet down.

This next picture shows the scarf after a few hundred rolls. 

And finally the finished scarf.  This was the first felted project that I made using some of my own animals fiber.  I cannot tell you how thrilling it is to be able to do this!  

And here is a picture of my alpacas checking out Piper after her recent hair cut- she is not too concerned with them at all.  They get freaked out when she hops and take off out of their barn to pronk around their pasture.....they are big goofballs!

A Little Love....

For a quick and fabulously cute project, hop on over to Urban Stitch Studio Blog

I have made 1 1/2 of these sweet little hearts for my little sweethearts! I need to stitch and bead the second one tonight.

If you need something quick and fun for a special someone, this heart may fit the bill! 

 She (Pat) also sells a kit in her Etsy shop to make a much more detailed heart!

Felted vest class

Well I finally decided to try a garment. Living here in Florida makes it hard to justify felting clothing. We don't get cold enough to actually wear wool for more than a few days each winter. I saw a class being offered in Asheville for a nuno felted vest. I thought this would be my chance to make a garment I could actually wear! So off I headed to Asheville. The class was given by Suzanne Morgan, was lots of fun and I learned a lot. The long lock collar was the perfect addition!

Secret Stash Submission

I recently had a chance to participate in a secret stash challenge through Spin Artiste.

Here is my submission:

“When I first signed up for Secret Stash, I was super excited. Then, that excitement turned to slight feelings of pure terror! What in the world have I gotten myself into I thought?!
Needless to say, when I saw my stash package I was excited once again! Believe it or not, I had just been tossing about an idea of using neutrals for a project — what perfect timing for this challenge. I knew once I saw the locks, what I wanted to make. I decided to incorporate my two favorite fiber arts, wet felting and spinning, into this project.
I added the base wool for my bag to this project and used part of the fiber from the batts in the kit to add texture and color to the bag body. The locks were wet felted so that they would hang on the front flap once the bag was cut from the resist. I wanted the entire bag to be seamless, that included the bag handle, so when I removed the resist I actually cut an inside flap smaller (this became a pocket) than the outside flap, the extra felt from that flap became my handle and did not require me to sew one on after the fact.
Once the bag body was complete, I then had to decide how to incorporate hand spun that I made using the rest of the fiber batts and locks. I decided to couch down a rope of hand spun (using the yarn provided) along the top of the locks on the front of the bag. The extra hand spun was fashioned into a tassel that was added to the bag handle. On the smaller inside flap, I used more of the yarn to blanket stitch it to the body of the bag and then crocheted a simple chain stitch edge onto the blanket stitch. I cut a small area out of this section and it now is the perfect place to stash my cell phone. I had such a great time during this challenge, and loved the limited supplies. I think it forced me to think outside of the box and made me realize, sometimes less is much, much more! I hope this all made sense! I had a blast! Thanks for this fun opportunity!”

Messenger Bag

I have been on a bag felting frenzy. I decided that since we have such a short cold weather window here in Florida that I should focus on making felted objects that can be used year round! I do have a bit more to add to this bag, but wanted to share anyway.

The entire bag was wet felted over a resist and is seamless, that even includes the handle. I love the textures that the locks add to the bag and will be adding handspun yarn to embellish the front.  This is my 2nd bag like this and I really find it holds tons. It is big enough to carry folders.  I have found you can never have too many bags!

Spinning dresses, knitted shawls and wet felted journals....

I have been on a creative bender so to speak! It's amazing what being around positive creative people can do for a gal.

This week started with an idea that I had over a year ago while in a class at SAFF.   I decided to spin my wedding dress.

Now before you start freaking out about it, let me state that this dress has NO sentimental value to me.  It was a dress that I wore on my wedding day, but it was not what was important to me that day.  I had a wedding to appease family.   As a matter of fact, I was across the country the entire time my wedding was being planned!   I would have been quite happy having a get together with friends and a keg of beer...those were the military days. For the record, I am still with that same guy and the dress has followed us around for the last 20 years.....

I decided to deconstruct the dress and remove the lace, and beaded bling.  I knew I did not want to add wool, I just wanted to spin the dress material and then ply with a white chenille with the lace, buttons, tulle, and bling added to the plying chenille.  I core spun the material.  I was pretty amazed that it actually worked!

I finally have decided to work on a VERY SIMPLE knitted shawl, as in a knit stitch and yarn over is all I need to do.  I am using a commercial wool yarn that has really pretty colors in it.  I am enjoying the knitting and have some ideas on the next one using more yarn overs in the middle to open it up more.....

And finally, I am having so much fun making journals.  I have also finally realized why working inside out is go great, I can add all kinds of lumpy bumps to the felting and they get felting in nice and tight! You can easily see this in the cream journal and the rose color journals.  The purple journal was wet felted right side out and the ribbons are not felted in a well as the other two.  Also on the cream journal, I tried wet felting burlap pieces.  The texture is great, but as a warning if you want to try this, sew the perimeter of the burlap before you start, it will help keep the pieces in place once you start felting. I can thank Heather , she is my felting inspiration.

Whew, I have been busy, but have still spent the majority of my time with my babies- you know you couldn't get away without a few animal pictures!!!!

Have a fabulous day!

Kelly

A felted bag of curls and locks...

Yesterday I busted out the long locks. I decided it was time to try them out on a felted bag.

I used a resist for this bag and tried felting it inside out. I do have to say, I like doing it this way when adding embellishments such as locks, ribbons and pieces if pre-felts. At the last minute, I remembered to add a different color dot to the side I used the locks. I am happy with the results and am going to keep refining this shape. I have plans to work on a natural colored one today.

Also I had to add another picture of Toby! He is all puppy and when he snoozes, he snoozes hard!

Roos, Puppies and yarn!

Lots to share today.  It has been quite crazy around here.  Remember those roosters I posted about a bit ago?  Well they have been kicked out of the hen house.  They decided to start acting like roosters when I would go get eggs from the gals.  The last straw was when I opened the door to the coop to be met with a face full of rooster.  He cut my eyelid and I'm sorry to say I drop kicked him before I realized what I was doing.  Don't worry he is fine but my eye was pretty sore.

After talking my husband down from culling the boy, I decided to let them (both Frank and Paul) go free range in one of the open pastures.  May the odds ever be in their favor......(gotta love The Hunger Games!)

I have a friend who is a foster for puppies here in Florida.  She will usually post those heart string tugging pictures of her foster puppies on Facebook and usually I have an iron will and resist all ploys of these wonderful foster peeps......until I saw this face....

This will teach me to get on Facebook...... Now he (Toby) is home with us, we are in love,  we are worn out from puppy antics, and we would do it again in a heartbeat! He is a bundle of energy and loves following me around while I am taking care of the animals.

And finally, I will leave you with a yarn I spun last night.  I used my rainbow dyed BFL top.  Once I finished my single, I chain plyed it.  I really like the color blocking I was able to get.

Well that's it from me, I am off to spend my morning with my dear friends at our weekly guild meeting.  Toodles!

October already!

I cannot believe that October is already here!  I have been anticipating this month as much as a little kid anticipates Christmas.  At the end of the month I will be heading to Asheville for the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fest.  I have 2 classes scheduled this year, one is Traditional Rug Hooking, and the other is called Nuno meets Hand Spun.  I really had to think hard on whether to take a felting class. The class areas are not heated and I remember how cold it was last year- I felt sorry for the felters because they had wet hands.
I'm sorry, but this Florida gal froze last year- I  took a spinning class and remember my toes being numb with the cold! 

This past month has been a busy one!  I participated in Peace Felt for the 3rd year in a row, I will post my wonderful gift from my partner in a later post. :)

September also found me wet felting new shawls and scarves, and I even sold a few.  I also sold my first skeins of hand spun yarn and participated as a vendor in my first Farmers Market.
I took a class recently on embedding stones into felt and have made a few cuffs. The class was given by Pat Riesenburger from Urban Stitch Studio. I have slowly been embellishing them and have enjoyed the process, I also was able to use some vintage buttons from my collection.

I finally completed a knit bag from my handspun, and am looking for inspiration for the handles.  So far nothing I have come up with is making me happy.  I do remember seeing some nice pieces of leather at Earth Guild in Asheville, so I will check for some on my trip at the end of the month.  The batt used for this hand spun was made by my daughter.

The animals are doing well and we have been having fun with the silly goats.  We finished a pasture area for them and they have been enjoying the nice dry weather.  These two, Chessie and Billy will be sheared in November.  They are growing some beautiful mohair!!  Billy even has little curls growing at the end of his ears.  I am smitten with my fluff balls.

  

My little guy Clyde, who was so sick when we got him at 1 week old, has really done well over these past few months.  When he was sick, he would sit on my lap because he was very weak and it really seemed to calm him.  Now he expects to have his daily nap on my lap and I'm not quite sure what I will do as he gets larger.   He is such a sweet boy and forgave me for making him a wether.  His fleece is turning into ringlets, and has a beautiful sheen to it.  I will be shearing him and his twin in May.

The alpacas were not too sure what to think about the new next door neighbors and spend their time humming and rushing the fence, the goats, well, they didn't seem to care too much about them!  So funny to see how the alpacas react to anything outside of their "normal".

  Snow, one of our LGD's is such a sweet dog and loves hanging with the goats.  Peaches is still very wary of us but has also been a great guardian for the goats.  It makes me so mad at times to think that someone abused her.  I can get her to stay in the barn if I ignore her when I walk into it.  Then she will let me brush and love on her- it will take time.

Action shot of Snow, he loves to hit the ground with his paws and run around me!

I am still waiting patiently for cooler weather, but have noticed a drop in the humidity more over the past few days.  I want to do more of this.....

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!
XO- Kelly

Art Yarn Decorating

Back in early Spring we were packing our entire life to move to a new home.  I was and am not a fan of packing at all, and was overwhelmed to say the least!  When I finally made it to the garage and saw the amount of packing that was still left, I will admit I, for a millisecond, thought about tossing a match into the room and hoping it would all go away.  Instead, I had a garage sale.  When it came to the seasonal decorations, I decided I would sell it all, well almost all of it.....

Fast forward to the beginning of this week.  I decided I wanted to decorate my fireplace mantle.  Then I remembered....I sold most of my decorations......uh huh...sure did!  I knew my DH, who never complains about a thing, would not be a happy camper if I ran out and bought all new stuff.  So, I decided to challenge myself to decorate without buying anything new.  Tuesday evening found me in my fiber cottage making a batt that was chock full of texture and deep rich Fall inspired hues.  I decided to spin it uber thick, and then coil ply randomly.  What I ended up with is one of my favorite hand spun yarns to date.  I then when on a search throughout my cabinets and the little bit of holiday storage to decorate my mantle.  I am thrilled with the result!!  Art yarn can be used for more than weaving, crochet, or knitting.  It almost reminded me of my Christmas tree garland from last year.  Here are some pictures of the results!