Fiber Arts Friday: Harvest Season

The dogs are blowing their coats, so I've been spending a lot of time collecting.

Alpaca shearing is next weekend.  The barn is just about ready to go.

Thoughts about what this year's harvest might become have been flowing through my head.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Cold and Wet Weekend

Last weekend was cold and wet.

Our yard, pasture and garden are looking great from all of the water.

With the day job finally replaced, I felt free to spend the time with yarn and tea.  I started a pair of socks, moved a hat into a more challenging phase and planned my next weaving project.  It was delightfully relaxing.

I also worked on my Alpaca Cape which is still very simple, but has gotten quite large.  The socks are small, easily portable and to the point of being a good Knit Night project.  The hat is borderline for conversational knitting, so I think it will stay home for a while.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday.

Fiber Arts Friday: Weaving Again

My Loom, she is warped!

I set up a simple plain weave structure using commercial yarns that have been in my stash for a while.

This project is about working through the process.  I have no real attachment to the outcome, other than improved technique as I go.

Obviously I prefer to do good work, but it's been a long time since I sat at a loom.  So I know this one will not be worthy of my ultimate standards.  It's a bit freeing starting out knowing that this one is going to be ugly.  :-)

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Dog Show: Terry-All, 2016

Gunnar and I entered the Terry-All Kennel Club Dog Show last weekend.  It's been a while since I've been in the ring and even longer for Gunnar.

He and I went to class a couple of times to make sure we both remembered how to behave in the ring and I spent a good amount of time cleaning him up... it has been mud season and he started shedding, so that was no small feat.  ;-)

Saturday was hot and he was not in the mood.  He was reluctant to move and refused to stack.  He just wanted to take a nap in front of the fan in his kennel.  So while he did stand politely for the inspection from the judge, he was naughty and came in dead last.  It was a frustrating day.

However, being the only Owner-Handled TM entered, we were promoted to the Owner-Handled Working Group later in the day.  It was cooler, he had his nap and another competitor offered her portable fan for him to use while we were waiting ringside.  So he was happier and performed much better.

Sunday was cooler, quieter and less crowded.  He moved well and held his stacks.  The judge moved us up the line twice as he was making his assessments, then awarded Gunnar Best of Breed.  I wasn't certain I understood at first.  Gunnar's breeder had a big grin and another handler congratulated me and it started to sink in.  :-)

The judge was then very gracious with his time and knowledge while we waited for the show photographer.

This was Gunnar's first BoB as an AKC Champion.  One of the other dogs entered is the current #1 TM... a Grand Champion with an excellent professional handler, both of whom I like very much.  They are experienced and polished.  Gunnar is a working livestock guardian and I am not a professional handler.  All of these together with our performance on Saturday make Sunday's win and recognition extremely special.

I say it often, the conformation ring is about judging breeding stock against the appropriate standard.  Judges make their choices from what is presented on that day.

Professional Handlers and dogs that are on the road are practiced and polished.  They know the standards and perform well in the ring.  That's what experience provides.

If a dog isn't behaving well or the dog/handler team are not in sync, the judge can not make an definitive assessment.  It is incumbent upon us as owner-handlers to know our standard and learn how to present our dogs effectively.  I am looking forward to working on the things we learned last weekend and seeing how we do in our next show.

Fiber Arts Friday: Setting Up My Loom

I decided that finishing the basement was no longer a pre-requisite.

I pulled all of the pieces out and laid them in the correct configuration then enlisted Hubba's help in putting her together.

I am the third owner of this 12 Harness LeClerc Loom and I am so happy to have her together again.

I've been studying my warping instructions and have measured out the warp for a very simple project.  I'm so excited to weave again.  :-)

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!