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! 

Fiber Arts Friday: Gift of Fleece

I met a long time Suri Alpaca Breeder last week.  We talked about day job and farming pursuits and became friends.

She was kind enough to gift some fleece to me... a raw fleece and 5 different rovings... all 100% Suri.

Even though I've been involved with alpacas for more than a few years, I am always impressed by the difference in weight and volume between Suri and Huacaya fleeces.

I started spinning the white roving.

My cup continues to runneth over.  Happy Fiber Arts Friday and a solemn Good Friday.

Fiber Arts Friday: Decision Made

I decided to spin Bison+Silk. :-)

The bison down is very short and the silk is longer so it took a little bit to get in the groove, but not too long.  I think I might be becoming pretty good at this spinning thing.  ;-)

Spinning is good for the soul.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: My Cup Runneth Over

It's been a while since I sat at my wheel and I want to spin.

I have a vast supply of lovely fibers in various forms, but just a few in roving... Bison+Silk, Navajo Churro and Green Cotton.

For the last few years, if I didn't have a specific plan I would spin the cotton, but the kitten has done some work of her own and I'd have to fix it first.

So do I spin the Cotton, or Bison+Silk which is very soft but possibly challenging or Navajo Churro which drafts easily but will be rough on my out-of-practice fingertips?

Hmmm.... off to ask Hubba for his opinion.  :-)

Enjoying the bounty of Fiber Arts Friday.

Planting Hope

The weather has been gorgeous the last couple of weeks.  So when I saw my stash of seeds on the shelf I realized I could likely get a garden in this year.  It's been a few years, so this was a nice revelation.

Hubba mowed the overgrowth when he cleaned up our pasture last week and I spent Saturday with the tiller.

I'm so happy with this soil.  What was only clay when we moved in has become a nice soil with lots of humus.  Amazing what manure and spent hay can do over a few years.

Sunday, I pulled out the early-season seeds and put together a rough plan for planting.

A few hours later, one third of the garden had been planted.

• Onion, Cortland F1
• Onion, Redwing
• Leek, Scotland
• Onion, Long Red Florence
• Shallot, Ambition F-1
• Parsnip, Cobham Improved
• Carrot, Red Cored Chantenay
• Beet, Colorful Mix
• Beet, Bull's Blood
• Beet, Shiraz Tall Top
• Greens, Spicy Mix
• Greens, Elegance Mix
• Cress, Upland
• Lettuce, Lettony
• Lettuce, Nevada
• Spinach, Renegade F1
• Arugula
• Lettuce, Encore Mix
• Lettuce, Seed Savers Mix
• Radish
• Brussels Sprouts, Long Island Improved

I've had all of these seeds for a while, so I'm hoping for a reasonable germination rate.

I have more early-season seeds, so I am considering a second planting in a couple of weeks.  Then I plan to plant the warmer-season seeds closer to Mother's Day.

I think gardening is the epitome of risk-taking and optimism.

I am looking forward to weekends of weeding,  as well as rain (but not too much), sun (but not too much), and an abundant harvest this year.

So here it is.  Nearly 600 square feet of hope, one third planted.