Full Steam Ahead!

Well I have been really busy since I last blogged - we have been full steam ahead here!

First of all a quick update on all matters sheepy - rams are again with their ladies and they certainly seem to be smiling a lot!  We are later tupping this year because of the worry of Schmallenberg virus - those in the know recommend that we put our rams in later to avoid the peak midge time as the ewes are especially susceptible in the early stages of their pregnancy.  It may mean therefore that our lambs will be smaller come showing time but I would rather the lambs arrived safely!  So lambing this year will be March rather than our usual end January.....

My 2 young Golden Guernsey girls are also in with my new billy Velvety Brown - much to their disgust! However I think things are a-happening! Watch this space .....

I have also taken on the role of Membership and Registration Secretary for the Wensleydale Longwool Sheepbreeders' Association.  Am really excited to take on this new role and look forward to making a real contribution to the future of one of the oldest sheep societies.  Seem to have my work cut out though!

Finally an update on my work with Emily-Rose Debenham.  We have chosen our colours ......

Emily-Rose has produced some samples which I have to say are just gorgeous!  Lovely cosy chunky handknits for those long winter walks .....

All that is left now is to produce some patterns, dye enough yarn, look at the possibility of producing some knitting kits, take some lovely photos and then get knitting ........ doesn't sound much if you say it quickly!

Watch this space for the photo shoot ......

A new adventure ......

I thought I would just share with you the dawning of a new adventure.......

Over the last year I have been supplying a lovely young designer with hand dyed wool for her degree work.  Well she has now graduated from Norwich University College Of The Arts with a 1st class honours classification in Textiles, and has agreed to help me create some designs and garments especially for Gedgrave Wensleydale Wool.  Her name is Emily-Rose Debenham - here is some of her work http://emily-rose-debenham.blogspot.co.uk/

This will be a new journey for us both, as she is currently establishing herself as a freelance designer in Suffolk and I am wanting to take my wool forward - exciting times!

We are concentrating on my lovely handspun chunky yarn, handspun especially for me from my own fleece, by another true artist from the Western Isles, my friend Sheila Roderick - check out her Scalpay Linen blog http://scalpaylinen.blogspot.co.uk/

We have chosen some gorgeous colours Wild Raspberry, Dusk, Azalea and Kingfisher, plus the natural cream and black of course!

The first design is underway - you will be able to purchase the finished garment plus buy it also in kit form for you to knit yourself!  Kits will come complete with needles, yarn and any other accessories required for the finished look.

Watch this space for a sneak preview shortly ..............

T x

Where has the last month gone?

I can't believe it has been a whole month since I last did my blog - where has that time gone to? If that happens again we will be in December with Christmas just around the corner! Help!!

Anyway back to business. We spent last weekend at Sutton Hoo taking part in their Christmas Shopping Weekend which was fab. The weather on Sunday admittedly wasn't great but we had loads of visitors and I had such nice comments about my woolly things - aren't people lovely?

Feast your eyes

We have also been dying like mad to keep up with knitting yarns as everyone is thinking about those special Christmas treats - and for wrapping up warm in these cold frosty nights. Really pleased with the results of the wool - what do you think?

Have taken some of our lovely wool over to Nic at Halfpenny Home - my favourite haberdashery shop in the whole world! Do catch up with her blog at http://halfpennyhome.blogspot.com/2010/11/every-other-thursday-evening-sam-and-i.html

Well must get cracking now as getting ready for the 'I make fun stuff' fair at St Peter's Street, Ipswich on Sunday - check out their site at http://www.imakefunstuff.co.uk/ or here are the details of the fair

Hope you can catch up with us there! If you can't make it we will be back to normal from now until Christmas as Orford Country Market Saturdays 9.30 - 12.30 in the Town Hall http://www.orfordcountrymarket.blogspot.com/.

Love for now

T x

Second blog of the day!

I couldn't contain myself any longer - I was going to call this blog 'They have arrived (2)' but that doesn't express how excited I am about the arrival of my new dyed wool! Feast your eyes on this yarn lovers ...............

Don't you want to just eat it!

Alas, there won't be any at the Orford Country Market on Saturday but it will be making a guest appearance very soon! Start saving your pennies now! T x