Tuesday, November 26, 2013

So much to tell, Golden Fleece Journey, new critters, shop updates, new friends!

Where do I start with what has been going on in the last 2 months? I have been happily busy here on the farm. A tiny bit of sadness visited us this past weekend so I guess we can start there and get it over with. We lost our sweetest sheep Hershey Kiss. She was 14 years old and a happy sweet sheep that loved me dearly. I know this for a fact by the way she stuck to me like my shadow whenever I was out in the barnyard. And I loved her as much. We had such a routine together daily.  Because of this I will miss her dearly. She showed no sign of illness of distress, I went out one morning and she was gone. Gone to greener pastures, a new flock with a new shepherd to care for her. I like to think she dyed of old age and it was quick and painless. It did seem that this was the case   RIP Hershey Kiss I will miss you dearly......

Now for happier subjects. We have 3 new sheep in our flock. Rosie the Finn, she is a lamb with a fleece to die for. 8 months old now, a sweetheart. She still acts like a lamb so she makes me smile quite often.

They there is Tomasina the Wensleydale 3 years old and Shira the Teeswater 3 year old. Tomasina is plain old sweet. Sweet as could be. She is a big girl with the biggest kindness eyes and lots of fleece. Accept for her size you wouldn't even know she was out there. Sweet. sweet, sweet. She allows me to pat her, give kisses and admire her curly fleece daily.

And Shira. Well I'm not sure how to explain Shira. She is a quick moving bull in a china cabinet!! A big sheep too, she makes me laugh daily with her crazy antics and her silly ways. But keep and eye on her. She'll knock you right over with her bull in the china cabinet movements. She doesn't mean it, its just who she is. Not a mean bone to her. She will allow kisses but at some point, enough is enough and she's done!

Both these girls are from an awesome breeder, Virginia from Yellow farm in NY
We visited her lovely farm, spent the night, talked fibery talk and enjoyed her critters including her Scotish Highlander cow, Bubbles!  If you have the chance google Yellow farm. These sheep are taken sunch wonderful care of and her breeding program is tops! Not to mention Virginia's Fiber arts talent...

So now to talk about the 2 new goat kids.   Tiny Tim and Mr. Bojangles. Tiny Tim has the best pygora goat fleece out there. He is giving Chip a run for best fleece!! Mr Bojangles, a character, a people person, a goat clown and sweet. They have added a lot of personality to the goat barn. Never a dull moment. My grandson Luke enjoys the goat games that they allow him to par take in.

So as you can see we've grown here at Dream Come True! Loving each and everyone of them   I'm blessed to be among such beauty each day. My Babydoll sheep don't quite know what to make of all the new family members but they have adjusted just fine. The llamas love the new company. And the ponies just shake their heads. Mike my DH just goes along with it all smiling. Its a wonderful life.

Ive started an on line course through Spin Artiste and Wool Wench, called The Golden Fleece. Its a wonderful spinning and weaving course that is opening my mind and getting my creative juices flowing. Its for 10 months and I'm in month 1. Looking forward to the many assignments that will come. I'm meeting people from all over the world! All in the course too. I think there is about 100 of us. What a cool thing to be involved with. We are keeping a journal on the entire course with samples and photos. There is a workbook that we receive pages of for each assignment called Modules every 6 weeks. We network, we share, its awesome. Part of the course is a circular loom made especially for the course, logo and all. Lots of thought and planning went into this course and these ladies are very busy working with all of us. This will be a large part of my work over the winter months that I'm looking forward to. I'm grateful to be involved in such creativeness. Ill share as we go along some of my work.

Hmmmmm, what else! as if this is not enough. I had over night guests that were passing through on their way to shows.Shepherdess  Kelly from Romney Ridge Farm in Maine. Who I call Master Dyer of yarns. You should see her work.  She  stayed a night on her way from a show. Girls night of yakking and wine drinking! Very Late!  It was nice to share some time with her. Check her yarns out on the net. She always has some awesome ideas for her yarns, patterns etc. Oh and did I mention her adorable artistic needle felting kits! Romney Ridge Farm, Maine

And there was Kathy Withers from Creative Designs by Kathy. She is an angora goat breeder. She was on her way to a show and spent the good part of a day and over night here. We spun, shared ideas, spun some more, spread her wonderful goat fleeces out all over my kitchen in bags, invited some of the girls over to make some fiber purchases! Great time, great angora fiber and a new friend for sure!

Earlier this year I participated in Spin Quest in VA. While there I visited a FB friend Candy and Bill. Calluna Farm. Candy is Shepherdess to Navajo Churro sheep, alpaca, horses a mini donkey and some beautiful chickens.  AND soon, Navajo goats will join her farm.  She is a talented fiber artist who shared her home, farm, ideas and fleece with such joy. We had an awesomely special time.

Our farm is having our annual OPEN HOUSE December 1 12-4pm. You can meet all the new critters and visit with the old one's, have a cup of hot cider, visit and meet new friends around the camp fire, shop our farm shop and visit with Mr. and Mrs Claus. Yes,  I said Mr. and Mrs. Claus!! Santa will be be here once again making a list and sitting for photos. Come on out and enjoy some good old fashioned farm fun.  A gathering of friends to bring in the holiday season. What could be better. We need gatherings like this just to remind us of the simple things in life that should be cheerished.

My weaving has taken off in a big way. That and my spinning are daily activities for me that I thoroughly enjoy.  Lots of both in the farm shop. Oh and Ashly from Ashlyannshands has brought me an entire new line of pottery for the shop. The shop is surely full with holiday gifts for all. Mike has some woodworking in it, I have woven wall hangings, shawls, scarves, hats, mittens, art yarn lariats, cowls are my big thing this year. Of course handspun yarns galore! So much color and texture when that shop door opens.   So come take a peek. Call anytime, email or FB for an appointment.   Or come to the open house. 12-1 12-4pm. We will also be open most Sundays through Christmas, but give a call to make sure we will be here. 203-218-0508

I took a saori weaving class that was awesome. I learned so much. It was so freeing to weave the saori style. I'm taking another in 3 weeks. Cant wait.

My studio is organized for the winter, so that is where you will find me most days. Spinning, weaving, creating, reflecting and enjoying life while I look out of the studio window on the second floor over the entire barnyard. A room with a view for sure.

Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday season with a grand New Year!

Woolly Hugs from all of us on Dream Come True Farm xo

RIP Hershey Kiss
 2012 Holiday Open
House! A gathering
of cheer!





 Some woven items in the
shop

 Handspun yarn galore!
 New Friends from
Virginia. A great
visit!
 Some hand knits
in the shop




                                  
So come on out on December 1 12-4 for our Open House Day here at Dream Come True Farm 82 Freeman Rd Oxford Ct. Or call for an appointment most anytime!  Hope to see some of you.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Fiber Art Event Here On The Farm

Ive been spinning using wire and elastic as a core for a while now and I'm enjoying creating wearable fiber arts with this technique. I have been asked to have a class on the techniques so I have put together an event that will be a lot of fun here on the farm.   Click the link below for the details of this farm event and class.

https://www.facebook.com/events/250292428453791/







Sunday, October 13, 2013

Classes offered on the farm:

Fiber Art Days On The Farm class description. Hourly or full day experience
I teach spinning to beginners or to folks that are ready to go on to the next spinning experience:
beginner spinning 
art yarn techniques
 drop spindle spinning,
art batt carding
fiber board techniques
washing fleeces
carding and picking fleeces
dyeing fiber
beginner knitting
I can supply the drum carder, picker, wheels, drop spindles, fiber and pretty much everything needed if you're a newbie.
My fee is 35.00 an hour or 155.00 for a full day of classes on the farm which includes lunch.
I welcome and encourage you to bring your own fiber but I can supply fiber for an extra fee as well. I also have lots of fun add in's for purchase if needed. 
 So if you have an interest in learning to spin, a fiber arts technique or a particular art yarn technique that you need some help with, lets talk.
I will travel to your guild, shop or group. Cost depends on where and what your request are
 



             For more information email me or call the farm at 1-203-218-0508
                                                dctfyarns@aol.com


                                                    Give us a call!
 

Friday, October 4, 2013

Etsy shop update! I have a new look and new items!

www.pamsiber.etsy.com

 I have been working hard over the summer to offer new and different items in my Etsy shop. My passion and Zen is to spin art yarns. Non traditional full of fun, unique in fiber and full of interest and texture. Not everyone knits or crochets so I decided to start to design textile art wear. So I now have more to offer in the way of wearable fiber arts. So check out my Etsy. I have lots more to add, and will each week.  Its a matter of photographing it all.....Thank you ahead of time for taking a peek.  Feedback is welcome.


 Textile fiber arts neckwear
 Boot toppers or leg warmers
Mohair spun on to elastic
for a unique fiber arts
neckwear

Please click on the link above to visit my Etsy and see more of these unique textile fiber art designs

xo

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Reflections

It has been an extremely busy summer. Both Fiber arts wise and farm activity wise. I had the opportunity to do some traveling with friends that brought me to new fiber friends and ideas. As I sit and contemplate on my journeys I relish in the friendships that were made or in some cased renewed. Fiber arts is a funny thing that has a way of bringing folks together. New ideas are created, ideas are shared and new thoughts and creations emerge. I return home, busy my mind with ideas, remembering the beauty in each person I spent time with and joy floods my soul. I then begin to create with a feeling of abundance and gratitude through my fiber arts. As I reflect on my journeys my heart feels full, my eyes open and unexpected creativity flows through me.
I'm busying myself with plans for a show this weekend and a spinning workshop idea is dancing in my mind. I have also decided to give my Etsy shop a face lift and offer more finished wearable fiber art accessories. I look at my yarns and happiness over comes me so I thought, why are you not creating more with these beautiful yarns? So that has brought me to the new ideas that are unfolding for my Etsy shop. I have also worked hard over the summer on some spinning techniques that I now feel I have all the kinks and bugs out of.  A workshop is in order to share these ideas and bring us all together once again to work on what we love to do. So keep it in mind and check back for a date and the class description.
So for today these are my thoughts.......I hope you all have enjoyed your summer and are ready for the fall months. After all its when we get to fashion our hand knits!
My ideas are in the works and I cannot wait for you to all here about them as they unfold.


                                       Some of my summer spinning!

XO

Friday, July 12, 2013

Something new! Fiber Arts Day on the farm

I have just scheduled my 3rd private all day fiber arts class here on the farm. I'm finding that folks have an interest for these type of class days. So I'm adding Fiber Art Days On The Farm to my class description.
I teach spinning to beginners or to folks that are ready to go on to the next spinning experience:
art yarn techniques
 drop spindle spinning,
art batt carding
fiber board techniques
washing fleeces
carding and picking fleeces
dyeing fiber
I can supply the drum carder, picker, wheels, drop spindles, fiber and pretty much everything needed if you're a newbie.
My fee is 35.00 an hour or 30.00 and hour for a full day of class on the farm which includes lunch. .
I welcome and encourage you to bring your own fiber but I can supply fiber for an extra fee as well. I also have lots of fun add in's for purchase if needed. 
 So if you have an interest in a fiber arts technique or a particular art yarn technique that you need some help with, lets talk.
 
 
 
 Carding art batts


 2 ply traditional yarn


 drop spindle spinning


 small batch dyeing


 What I call ruffled yarn


 coil and beehive yarn


fabric yarn spinning



traditional and art yarn spinning


 
If you're interested in taking an hourly class, a day on the farm class or a group class give me a ring or drop me an email dctfyarns@aol.com or 202-218-0508 and we can discuss your interests. I also travel to teach group lessons, we can discuss those fees if you're interested.

Happy Fiber Days!
xo

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Over due farm and fiber update!

Well, well, well. Where to start? I am so behind in my blogging that I don't know where to start. I'm going to try not to make this to long with a bunch of boring details so I think I'll download some photos with a brief description of what has been going on with fiber and farm activities.


Weaving has become a passion of mine .I'm using The Ashford rigid heddle looms. I have the 8" 12" and 32" looms. I'm using all my handspun yarns and enjoying every minute of featuring them in my weavings. I'm exploring traditional and saori weaving. These are just a few of what has come off of my looms.

 
Im also  in the Tour de Fleece spinning which is through FB. Threeravens yarn and fiber studio is hosting seventy something spinners! I'm sharing a couple of my favorite yarns that I've spun during the "tour" Its been a lot of fun seeing everyone's yarns. And such inspiration. Thank you Christiane Knight from Threeravens!
 
 
 This red yarn was a fun project that was thrown in the Tour de Fleece on Sunday night. We were asked to spin a Dexter yarn or a True Blood Yarn, from the shows. Mine was from the show Dexter. Creepy????   YES CREEPY!

 
 Fabric spun yarn.  From vintage fabric. My plan is to knit a market bag.

 
 I hosted a weaving project at a celebration of life for my dear friend Scarlett's son who was killed in the Sandy Hook Newtown school shooting. We all came together on Jesse Lewis's 7th birthday to celebrate his wonderful but short life and wove this saori style weaving throughout the day. It was then given to his Mom as a community of sharing and weaving love for little Jesse and his Mom and brother JT. It was a huge success. Thanks to EVERYONE who wove that day. Especially Ashly, Suzy, Annie and Leslie.


 
 
 
 The goat kids got a new bench built for them in their stall area. They love to climb and jump so they are in their glory..Thanks to Mike!

 
 BIG farm news! These two kids (pygora) will be arriving here on the farm to join the other kids in October. They were born in April/May and will make the trip from Oregon when the summer months end. To hot to make the cross country trip this summer. Are they the cutest? I'm in love.  Thank you Lisa from Hawks Mountain Ranch in Oregon who keeps me up to date on the kids personalities and updated photos.


 
In June Esther Rogers from Jazzturtle made the trip from NC to come and teach on our farm her mad creative batt techniques. It was a great success. Twenty women in all, lots of fiber and food and so many laughs! Thank you Esther for a wonderful inspirational weekend. We had a blast.
 
This is a quick update for now. This is not all the news I have to share so I'll be back in a few days with the rest of what has been happening! Its been a busy few months! Not to mention the heat we have had! I won't even go there!
Stay cool and enjoy life!
xo