The view from here.....

It is November 1 and undeniably Fall.  The rainy spring and summer has created a most spectacular display this year in Kentucky to rival any I've seen in my life in the North East.  Whatever season I'm in is my favorite, I admit. The lovely Earth as she changes her costume through the wheel of the year is a reminder to stop and take notice, to breathe and reflect on the joys and blessings in my life here at All One Farms. 

The cottage shop, though not quite finished, is lovely in the evening sun amidst the ancient maples and willows.

The sheepie girls still have green pasture to enjoy right outside my upper office window.  

Their plump sillohettes display the lovely wool they have been growing all summer.

Soon after their Fall shearing next weeek, they will be selectively bred and carry their new lambs till the spring .

As the business of Blueball Mountain Spindle and Needleworks continues to grow, the farm has changed and developed as well.

The Old Work Barn is being outfitted for processing the wool more efficiently.

The house renovation took a big leap a few weeks ago with the painting of the living room. I finally found a color that I didn't get tired of before it got onto the new walls. 

The House now feels warm and cozy 

filled with my favorite collections.....

and does double duty as the shop till the cottage is done.

 

As the house is more and more finished, I've been able to host a number of Spin Ins and Knit Ins as well as GurlFrenz Craft Gatherings with local friends.

One guest room is now ready and served as accommodations for visting Spinning Teacher, Jacey Boggs (www. Insubordiknit.com) during an early Fall Workshop which I had the honor to fascilitate at our local Extension Office. 

opportnities to learn from great teachers

and relax during down time

 

and share good food and good company in the cozy kitchen, comfy porch and sunny side yard.

Finally, since today is Dia de Los Muertos, I remember and honor my Mami, who passed away this Summer after a long illness. Her gifts to me include personal strength, perseverence and steadfastness in your goals, creative energy, and a love of beauty.  Blessed be.

Fiber, Fiber, Fiber! In Stock! No waiting!

Does your breath catch at the thought of fiber goodness? Filled with color and lushness, warmth, sheen and beauty? Well, fiber addicts, here is your fix!

Now available for you is the full line of

ASHLAND BAY MERINO TOP in over 50 colors and blends!

If you love fiber you know that there are few things more gorgeous than fine merino top alone and blended with SILK, BAMBOO, AND TENCIL and its all here available also in SUPERWASH and in special sock and lace blends some containing nylon for the discerning sock yarn knitters out there. And if you like to dye your own, all manner of ecru blanks are here for you too. I've selected a nice rounded group of blank yarns in several weights and plys and fiber blends to thrill and tempt your creative juices.

And yet there is more! Every week will bring more temptation: As i get my inventory system set up, i will be ordering more and more from various sources both large and small. Things will change regularly.

And did I mention price? The prices will be amazingly affordable. It is my goal to make your addiction possible by bringing you the best that I can find at the best prices that I can negotiate from the suppliers. I have and will be seeking arrangements with smaller suppliers of wool and yarns that are unique and local. I intend to be not only competitive but superior in setting price points that cannot be beaten for the highest quality available.

The Event at Greencastle

After some delays due to travelling to NJ (again and again), things are starting to come together.

The 4oz drum carded blended batts are tied into bundles with a pretty brown ribbon and stacked in my big green vintage basket. More of these are coming in lots of colorways. I will be adding silk noil, angora, angelina, bamboo and mohair to a variety of natural Shetland colors and other base fibers as I get them in.




Two groups of roving so far have been labelled and sorted by colorway. Jewel toned Shetland is a contemporary color group



and Country Colors Shetland is a more muted colorway. The darker natural colors overdyed with diluted dyes creates a soft, more natural effect. I did use acid dyes on these using vinegar only.


I've also started experimenting with hand painting on the roving to create a range of color patterns that seems endless. This group is my own Shetland roving, acid dyed in random color patterns.



This week I will be hand painting merino top in long blended repeats and continuing experimenting with creating more artisan yarns from my Shetland and othr fibers. I am just having a blast here and hope that all y'all will come to Greencastle on April 10 and 11 to see it all. There will be so many other great fiber related vendors as well as workshops.
Check out the website for all the details at: http://www.thefiberevent.com/

Next time: More yarns both handspun and hand painted.