Dutchess County Sheep and Wool AKA Rhinebeck

Oh boy! Did I have a great time with Cal Patch and Jill Draper and all the other lovelies at NY Sheep and Wool Festival this year!

Since there are so many blog posts about how amazing the event is - I'm going to say it with pictures!

Cal and I in our finest - Day 1.

Cal and Chris from Into the Whirled!

Cal spinning in her Spinning Guild's booth!

The first tea and scone.

Cal doing some Saori Weaving - I am obsessed...

Cal and Jill!

A sheepy terrarium...

In our finest - Day 2.

Testing out HAND TUNED crochet hooks at the Willette's booth!

Award winning Cotswold Ram.

This is a close up of his gorgeous fleece.... ahhhh....

A funny sign.

Judging some Angora Goats.A toasty pile of Shetlands.

The next two pictures I love because the sheep look so smart.

The next few pictures are especially for Sel et Poivre. She really wanted to see the new Hodgepodge Farm chickens. The first picture is of the "older girls" roosting - notice the black blob under the branches? Those are the "new girls" (well one is a rooster!). They are not welcome to hang with the big kids just yet. The bottom picture is just of the newbies. Two hens and (what was supposed to be a hen) one rooster. He has a very teen-aged and crackly "cock-a-doodle-doo" going on.

In other news... there is still availability in some of my classes at Greenwood Quiltery - check them out for info.

Also, I'm going to be starting to teach at the most amazing new art space for kids! It's called, "The Children's Art Factory" and they are amazing. Some really great people and some great ideas! I will keep everything posted! In November, I'll be teaching Beginner Knitting and Beginner Drop Spindle Spinning for kid-os ages 6 - 9! I'm also going to be doing a Monster Making workshop there in a few weeks - I'll post more very soon.....

September was busy.... I'm back!

Me doing a demo at the Wellington County Museum and Archives!

Wow! I'm glad that things have calmed down a bit and I have time to post!

First of all I'm going to be teaching several classes over the next few months at the beautiful Greenwood Quiltery! Beginner Knitting, Entrelac, Sock Knitting and Drop Spindle Spinning! Please contact them for more details : 519-822-2790.

I will also be offering some children's classes though The Children's Art Factory. I met with Melissa, the amazing owner of this new space for kids. The space is inspiring and so much fun. I will post more when the details are all worked out! In the meantime, if you have a little one, please bring them to this creative space!

This past weekend was the Harvest Home Festival at The Wellington County Museum and Archives. It was a celebration of the history of the area and of fall! There were antique tractors, delicious pies, sheep shearing, lace making, candle making, music and wool preperation and spinning (by me).

Showing the kids how it's done:

Drumcarding up a storm:

Creepy Museum Doll:

I had a great time talking to people about the art of spinning and how wool is taken from a sheep and made into something you can make hats, sweaters and socks out of. There were many children that were so interested which made me very excited for the future of spinning! My father even got into the festivities by being pulled into a square dancing demo - he did well!

I also sent in my OHS homework. Second due date and one more to go. The October due date is sneaking up on me and I have to get a move on it!

S and Z homework before and after:

In The Grease homework before and after:

Grist homework before and after:

Next? I'm off to the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY..... I can't wait to see my friends Cal Patch, Jill Draper and Christine Eschback.

I'm taking the train down to the Hodgepodge farm and I'm so excited to watch the county zip on by! I'm sure I'll have many pictures to share.