Friday, July 7, 2017

~*Spin Me Round and Round and Round*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Thank you for the overwhelming response to my previous post.  Your kind words and comments have been so touching.  My goats have already brought so much joy to my family.  I'm glad their sweet faces have brightened your day too!  I hope you do make some lovely things with the freebie.  Remember, share those finishes!

Yesterday, I mentioned the thoughts, hopes, and dreams of spinning my own yarn.  When the goats are sheared, they will provide me with lots of glorious mohair.  It will be used for spinning.  My goal... thick, bulky rug yarn with lots of variation and texture!

Well, it has been YEARS since I have tried to spin.  In fact, it was only briefly (VERY BRIEFLY!)... way back in high school.  My fiber teacher was the famous Jean Bass.  She was super talented and kind.  She had so much information to teach and was so willing to share her knowledge.  If only I hadn't been such a kid at the time ~ not fully ready to listen and learn.  If only I could go back in time and have her as a teacher again!  She was my weaving teacher for two years.  She taught me how to use a frame loom, floor loom, how to felt, how to dye, and touched on how to spin with a drop spindle.  For the hour long class each day, I would dive into these activities, but only during school.  Rarely would any of these fun things take place outside of that classroom.  Looking back, it makes me sad that I missed out on all the knowledge Mrs. Bass was trying to share with me.

All these years later, I'm wanting to try again.  In fact now, being older, it is something that I really want to try to perfect... or at least learn enough to be decent at it.

Beginning my venture of spinning... I purchased this book and a top whorl drop spindle online.  I've also watched many videos on YouTube.


This bundle of roving was something that has been around my craft room for years.  It might be wool.  It feels like it anyway.  So, time to try.

My first attempt has not been very successful...

Over~twisted!  Comes un~spun!  Breaks apart!  Frustrating...

BUT!

I will not give up!!!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Thursday, July 6, 2017

~*Goat Farm Freebie!*~

Hello Dear Friends!  Yes, once again, it has been forever and a day since my last post.  As the days go by, I continue to find BALANCE.  Someday it is my hope that will be the case.  Until then, no promises.  However, I will continue to try.

Rather than go on and on about all the changes and going~on's around our home... I will post about the most recent!  Last week we adopted five, beautiful, Colored Angora Goats!  I have plans to raise and breed them.  My dream also is to shear and spin their lush, mohair to use with my weaving.

Please meet Carly and her baby Fiona...

On the left is Prissy and taking a sip of water is Missy...

And this is the beloved Chloe...
 Chloe seems to like to pose for the camera...

I have been spending a lot of bonding time with them since bringing them home.  It seems there isn't a day when the camera isn't in my hands snapping pictures of them.  It is like I have five newborns and am a new Momma!  *smile* 

Prissy is always trying to reach the green on the other side of the fence.  She has learned (for the most part) how to pull her head back in.  However, there have been a few times I've had to help her.  This particular time, she was good.  She pulled her head back and followed me to the other side of the pasture to start grazing in the shade.

Momma Carly will celebrate her 2yr birthday this month.  The others were all born this past March~May.


With this post, here is a FREEBIE DOODLE inspired by my love of the Kansas Flint Hills and Prairies... and my love for my new goats...
You are free to enlarge/reduce/print the doodle/pattern for your own use.  Please do NOT sell the pattern!  You may create handworks for resale of a small amount only.  Minor alterations to personalize are also welcomed, as long as credit for the doodle/pattern is given to Primitivebettys/Betty Dekat.

Enjoy and be inspired to rug hook, needlepunch, applique, or create with another form of media!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty