McMahon Fiber and Rabbitry

Has it really been this long?

2010-12-07T08:36:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it has taken this long to post to my blog. Well - I guess I can - so much has happened.

Horses - as soon as the horses came home I forgot how to cook and clean. Good thing I bought all those frozen pizza's :)

Pgh Knit & Crochet

2010-02-15T17:59:00.004-05:00

YAY! First show of the year was a hit :) I hosted a ravelry meeting - that was fun - even with the snow the turn out was tremendous! The show was busy - and first rate as is the norm for Barb G.

Kathy drove up from Scottsdale to help me get the rav meeting together - then a group of us went to dinner - Tami was a hoot!

The ride home in the snow was horrible - it was snowing and blowing - just what it's doing today- I am tired of it now!

Shows Starting

2010-01-08T16:25:00.004-05:00

In less than 1 short month the first show of the year will be here! I am hosting the Ravelry Meet Up and I am very excited about it! There has been a to of interest - lots of RSVP's! Hope the weather behaves. In mid February it's anyones guess as to what it will do :)

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T13:14:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I intend to eat, shop and sleep - hope you all do the same.

Beach in the fall

2009-11-14T17:30:00.004-05:00

This year we took another trip down to the beach - we were there in June and decided to go back down in October. It was really fun. There were no crowds, shopping at the outlets was better than could be believed. They now have a Yankee Candle outlet - can you imagine? I went there - twice :) Let those lights go out - we have tons of candles :) Mimi had to have a coat - she's allowed on the beach as it's off season - she loved it! Except for the little mishap with the wave - she did great.

A friend and I went to a day spa and had a massage and a manicure - talk about paradise! I think that could be a habit :)

1st Snow

2009-10-16T12:57:00.002-04:00

Today is the first real snow - we had flurries yesterday mixed with rain - but today - it's snowing :) It piles up then melts and repeats - nice day to knit and spin!

Mimi has a brand new coat

2009-09-23T13:37:00.002-04:00

About 2 weeks ago my chihuahua name Mimi was diagnose with cushings disease. She started her meds two days ago - found a pharmacy to compound the right pill for her size. Yay! She’s still bald on her side - so this is the first coat. There is no pattern - I just started knitting - by the time I was finished she was a bit miffed because I kept trying it on her :} DH said she looks like a watermelon - I hope she didn’t hear that! I started in the back with 10 stitches - increasing made it form a semicircle around her tail - very cool - then I worked up to the front - worked a band around the neck. Went back in with a crochet hook and did the collar and the belly band. I like the pattern - wish I wrote it down so I could do it again :)

Farm News

2009-09-21T17:04:00.003-04:00

I wish this blog could write on auto pilot :) Since it can't (yet) I will fill in the blanks from the last date.

On one of our walks up the old well road - we met a porcupine. Gert (black lab) had quills on the side of her muzzle, Eddy (yellow lab pup) had them on her nose, and Boy (shepherd/collie mix) had them on his tongue (licking the porcupine maybe?) That little meeting cost the full day at the vet, not to mention the vet bill at close to 300.00.

Two days after that walk, we were on the same well road and met up with a black bear. All eyes met and we turned and ran our separate ways.

Did I forget to mention the bat? Hmm.... terrified of bats. Laying in bed reading and caught the bugger out of the corner of my eye - flying up the stairs and around the light. My husband was out of town - so I did the brave thing - I grabbed my little dog and pulled the blanket over my head and creeped down the stairs - scooping up the phone on my way to the bathroom. I called my husband who is in another state - and told him about it. He called a friend who lives about a mile or two and he came, wife in tow, net in hand (this is 10pm -late by farmer standards) Yes, those are good friends! I was waiting on the front porch in my husbands robe and little dog under the arm- (which I thought was a better fit than the blankie as I couldn't go up and get dressed with the giant bat up there) Within minutes the bat was caught and the neighbors left - with only a little remark about the robe :)

Went to two fiber shows - one will be a repeat and one will not. I had the chance to spin yak. It is very short and springy (techie term) and very warm - I really like it. I have an ounce that I think I'll blend and make a hat or half mitts.

Weedeaters run on sweet feed

2009-09-07T15:08:00.003-04:00

My chickens are the best weed eaters! Where I have weeds (around poles, by the barn, around the stone walkway- I throw down some sweet feed and the chickens scratch out the weeds to get to the feed. They weed and fertilize in one easy step :) How green are we?!

Happy Fall!

2009-09-07T06:57:00.002-04:00

Went for a walk yesterday - it was cool and breezy - and there are some leaves falling already. I love fall - my favorite time of year. Not sure if it's the cool weather or the festivals - but both are great in my book. It's also easier to spin and knit :)

Tattoo

2009-08-30T17:18:00.005-04:00

Getting ready for the fall shows. I have 3 in September and one in October. Today I did some tattoo's on the newer kits that are going to shows - I noticed that there was a lot of foot stomping this evening at feeding time - guess I made a few buns mad. They'll be fine in a day or two.

I am taking to the first show - an ermine, a grey and tan, a black and three rews. Very nice colors - I usually only have rews.

The weather is getting cooler - love that! Fall is my favorite time of year. Great for walking in the woods - when the leaves are changing and falling :) Okay so it's still a couple of weeks away - but I can't wait!!

EZimmermann Sweater

2009-07-23T07:49:00.003-04:00

This is finished except for the buttons. Love it - but should have made a smaller size.

ETA: I am going to frog this - it's just too big now. I've lost 18 pounds to date - couple that with the fact that it was already to big. We are going to the beach in October - so I'll work on it them - in between shopping and napping!

We have taters!!

2009-07-23T07:44:00.002-04:00

Woohooo! We have taters :) This is from two of the 4 stacks - it has been so wet that I am very surprised that we got any at all.

Summer in all her beauty

2009-07-20T17:06:00.004-04:00

I wish my blog could write itself during the summer - it is so busy here! I've put up beans and strawberries - have corn waiting for the morning. After I do the corn if it's not raining I'll go and pick blueberries to freeze for the winter. My cucumbers are just putting out the best cukes! I will be doing relish this week also. I took the picture of one of the cucumber flowers - they are a nice pale yellow.

The sunflower was a volunteer from the past year - isn't it grand?!

Fish in a barrel

2009-07-05T18:13:00.003-04:00

Last year we put rain barrels by the studio and the barn. We had a terrible time with mosquito's. This year I was thinking to put clorine tablets in the barrels - (yikes - more chemicals!) not really wanting to do that I was dragging my feet. A friend of mine was here and we were talking about it and she suggested fish. Fish? Yep, plain old goldfish. I bought a few for each barrel and a few more for the stock tank - and what do ya know - no more mosquito's!

Fuzzie Veggies

2009-07-03T17:48:00.002-04:00

So this year I tried something new - I was going to get control of the weeds once and for all! I read somewhere on the net that scrap wool (2nd cuts and dirty wool) was a great weed barrier. Hmmm....I have scrap wool I thought to myself in the spring - I will put it down like a weed cloth and then I won't have to weed so much :) Great idea! What didn't blow away the birds took to build nests (really - there is a nest in the barn that has black fiber in it) - so I put more on. It did help keep the weeds down - but here is the bad side - when I picked my garlic, beans, carrots, onions - I also had bits of wool on them...ugh! I washed every veggie really well - scrubbed with a veggie brush even - but when it's wet you can't see those two or three fibers stuck on the beans like cement - not until it dries and then you can see it. I will not be using the wool next year - I only hope that I can get it out of there so that we may have less fuzzie veggies in the future.

Woolfest

2009-06-29T08:45:00.002-04:00

I went to a fiber show this week - it was just for vendors - it must have been just for vendors only because there were no customers. Mark this one off the list.

Back in the spin of things...

2009-06-11T14:10:00.006-04:00

Well - after a much needed vacation we are home again. The weather was perfect with the exception of the last day that poured - so we packed up and went home. Nice to pull up stakes when you have a camper - easy peasy!

I hit the outlets down there- QVC outlet rocks - I got clark shoes, an electric blanket (14.00) can you stand it?

Joe fished - and got a citation (awarded by the state for the largest fish) it was a rock bass - 44 inches and 27.5 pounds - lots of nice steaks from that one in the freezer.

I stopped at a yarn shop called Ginger Moon in Lewes - lets just leave it at that.

I am working on a sweater - took that to the beach with me - I'd work on it inside in the air as well as outside - there is always a breeze at the beach and it really never get too hot there - on the one day that it did I took a beach chair and sat at the waters edge with a friend - very nice until high tide comes in and the cold water hits your butt - I never knew I could crab walk backwards with a beach chair on my butt :) We camp at the same place each year and have made many friends over the years - we both (dh and I) enjoy and look forward to going there.

Joe and Mimi sleeping in the camper....neither one is very spoiled.

Great Lakes Fiber Festival

2009-05-25T14:10:00.005-04:00

Hot - is the best way to describe this weekend. We didn't get a drop of rain which was nice - but boy was it hot! Saw some vedor friends and some return customers - always love catching up! Made a new mill contact as well. My friend Kathy drove up Saturday - we shopped while DH watched the stand - gotta love a guy like that! Nice visiting with her - and I think she single handedly helped the ecomny get back on track - if I remember correctly she made more than a few trips back to the car to unload :)

We are unpacking and packing - off to the beach for 10 days - woohoo! I have two new yarn shops to visit down there- and the outlets to browse - lots of good eats and drinks - laying in the sun - napping - spinning and knitting - does it get any better?!

Fiber Festival

2009-05-10T08:41:00.003-04:00

Counting down the days til the sheep and fiber fest in Wooster. Love that show. Last year the weather was fabulous - hope this year is the same - but even if it's not it is still a fun time. There are more than a few buildings that have vendors in them - we are outside with the alpacas - we bring the rabbits. This is the link. My husband goes with me - we camp there and visit with the other vendors and watch the sheep judging at night. It's fun time - stop by if you can!

My motor pooped out

2009-05-07T13:06:00.003-04:00

I purchased a drum carding motor from Nels at Babes Fiber Garden I used it about 6 times - and it went poof - done - not moving any more - ever. I wanted to throw myself on the floor and cry - I loved that thing - it made life a whole lot easier for me. I emailed Nels - no answer - I called the next day - today - and told him what happened - he is sending me a new motor in the morning :) They are very easy to deal with - that's the 2nd purchase I have made from them and won't hesitate to deal with them in the future!

Rabbits for sale

2009-05-04T15:04:00.002-04:00

We have three litters - two litters available now - the 3rd litter available the end of June. They are rew's, giant angoras.

Our prices are as follows:
A jr doe is 175.00, jr buck is 150.00, sr doe 200.00 sr buck is 175.00. A proven doe is 250.00 a proven buck is 225.00. There is a 10% discount with the purchase of 3 or more.

Please email if interested - can send pictures.

Spring really is here!

2009-04-29T08:43:00.003-04:00

The weather has been great the past few days - so in addition to being out side from dawn to dusk - we took time out to sit on the porch and watch the animals. It's our hillbilly version of the discovery channel - with no commercials.

There is a huge hemlock off the side of the porch - and for the past 3 years we have watched a nest of robins - and this year is the same - I am going to try to take pictures as they develop. We watched them take turns sitting on the nest and looking for worms. Once they are hatched they dive bomb us if we walk under the tree - but as soon as the babies leave the nest we can walk without holding a hand over our heads :) It's a small inconvenience compared to the hours of joy they bring us.

Dye Pot

2009-04-21T12:56:00.005-04:00

Last week was shearing for our alpacas - so in the dye pot it goes. I've dyed a mix of alpaca and dorset - alpaca will give it a nice soft feel and the dorset will make it strong. Great fiber for socks or gloves - anything that takes some wear.

The First two are out of the pot and drying. The second two are still in the pot.

I also have some dorset soaking in a pan of black walnuts. It looks like a medium brown right now - maybe I'll give it a day or two to get darker.

My alpaca vest is almost finished. In the morning before the sun is up I sit and drink coffee and knit - my chihuahua sits by me - mostly sleeping and snoring -her not me- I got up this morning and found that I had covered her up while I was working on my vest: it must be warm because she didn't wake up for the pictures.

Wool Carder

2009-04-10T11:52:00.004-04:00

I sold my Louet Roving Jr Carder and bought a Kitty Carder, and I also purchased a motor from here - I am carding up a storm and very pleased with both. I first ordered the carder - I didn't like the 120 card cloth - traded it in for a 90 and had fabulous customer service too! I even received a hand written thank you from the owner - that's unheard of! I highly recommend either of these or both!

Working on Stitch Markers

2009-04-10T11:47:00.004-04:00

I've been working outside - until the snow and now the rainy season. Now I'm inside so I made some stitch markers -here are a few:

Garden

2009-04-06T07:26:00.004-04:00

This year I put in more raised beds - and tire stacks for potatoes. Usually we wait until mid May to put in plants and seeds - only because the ground is frozen or wet up until that point - it all depends on the weather and when my DH can get out the tiller. I thought with more raised beds I could put seeds in sooner. I did get the beds in and put in seeds - and now it is going to snow. Inches of snow. Hmph!*&$%!!! I had one raised bed already there - I grow garlic in that and this year added asparagus. I like to try a different veggie each year. Some work out well and some don't. Like the year I planted carrots and they came up like grass ;) Kinda planted them too close. Or the year I planted radishes and they tasted like fire! Radishes need lots of water ;) Live and learn I guess - I do a lot of the latter.

I'm planting peas this year - I will freeze the peas and the rabbits love the vines - it's a win/win.

I covered the beds and tires with plastic and added a bit of bunny poop before I put the plastic on - hoping that it won't get so hot that it cooks my 'taters but keeps it warm enough to get thru the cold snap. Wish me luck ;0)

Garden Humor

The best way to garden is to put on a wide brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand and a cold drink in the other, tell somebody else where to dig.
Compost is best aged a little like a fine wine. I mean, would you prefer to drink a nice 97, or something that was made last Thursday.
When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.
A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.
Spring does not arrive until the ice is out of the compost heap.
Winter does not arrive until the ice is IN the compost. Until then, all bets are off.
Any self respecting rock will break at least one shovel before accepting its new home.
Gardening requires a lot of water most of it in the form of perspiration.

Rose Grey Alpaca Vest

2009-03-26T19:03:00.004-04:00

I've started my Oat Couture Oregon Vest. I found the pattern at the PGH Knit and Crochet show. The minute I saw it I knew I wanted to use the rose grey alpaca/dorset mix. I spun it lumpy and bumpy. I am adding angora in the pockets for warmth. I plan on wearing it at my ourdoor fiber shows that can become really chilly in the mornings. So far it seems easy to understand and follow - even for me (who hates to follow directions - much better to change things and make it my own ....mistakes..er ...patterns ;) So far so good.

The spring rain has started. The tree's have that spring cast to them - and my allergies are in full swing! There's a gabillion (more than a trillion) things I want to do outside - like get that 4 tons of topsoil into the garden - that would be the same 4 tons of mud sitting at the top of the driveway where the delivery guy dropped it off in the RAIN! I love spring ;)

Socks finished!

2009-03-24T07:15:00.003-04:00

I finished the two at a time toe up socks. I love them. They fit well - and they were easy to knit. This is the first pair I have made two at a time and from the toe up - I usually do one at a time and from the cuff down. It's very cool to finish both at once! No more 2nd sock syndrome!

I finished my Adult Chest Warmer (pattern by E Zimmerman) some time ago - but forgot to post pictures :) I didn't put buttons on it - like it open. I use it when I spin - keeps my warm but isn't bulky.

Spring Chores on the Farm

2009-03-20T10:55:00.002-04:00

Spring is a busy time here. We clean up after the winter - the barn gets mucked out - the sheep run-in gets cleaned, fences get mended. This year my DH hired a few Mennonites (also known as Amish, Dutchies) to help - it seems the down economy has even hit them - they are usually very busy with construction jobs - but this year they have maybe 3 weeks of work total. After all the spring clean up is done we may have them put the new roof on the garage too. Works out well for all involved :)

The Sheep are shorn, the goats are next, and the rabbits are on going. Last night we met a fellow from Tennessee - he picked up three of our rabbits, a proven breeding pair and a young doe.

It is the first day of spring and it's snowing - yes - snowing. It puts down a quick coat then melts - just enough to chap my...well lets just say I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE! I want tulips and lilacs and even bee's! ::slinks off to pout::

Socks two at a time toe up

2009-03-13T06:31:00.003-04:00

I bought this yarn when we were on vacation last year - hoping to get to them over the winter. Hmmm... it's spring..only one season behind :) I like the toe up pattern - but I'm not crazy about the square toe. We'll see how they turn out - maybe I can change the toe on the next pair.

Moccachino

2009-03-11T08:33:00.004-04:00

Monday morning Diane from Rainbow Mountain Alpacas and I took a two day trip to New Jersey. We were going to look at fleece and alpacas. We ended up taking 3 huge boxes of fleece home and three alpacas. I have one of them - his name is Mocachino. He's a dark rose grey.

Diane was visiting Flutter - a girl that is at the farm for breeding - and picked up two boys named Thunderstorm and King Midas.

A day in the life....

2009-03-03T13:17:00.002-05:00

After taking my hike thru the woods (I try to do it daily since I quit smoking and took up eat) - my two tired dogs layed out in the yard. They can see all the animals from where they lay - nice peaceful moment.... now on to the cold snap and everyone is inside - be it barn - coop or house we're all in!

Shetland Rooing

2009-03-01T07:14:00.006-05:00

I didn't know what Rooing meant. It's not a disease - it is when a shetland throws/blows/sheds it fleece and it can be hand pulled or rooed. I started noticing that our Farm Ambasador - Clem (he does a meet and greet to anyone that comes to the farm including but not limited to the UPS Guy who now gives both the dogs and the sheep treats upon arrival)- was looking a bit ragged. He was leaving little tufts of fiber around the pen. I pulled at a lock and it came right out! I went to the net and started looking at my shetland newsgroups. I found that some shetlands will do that in late spring or early summer. I put him on the stand and started plucking - it is easy to do if it's ready - and it leaves about an inch of new fiber or rise.

Full coat :
Starting at top of back:

Section of back done:

Backside and down legs almost done:
Backside and legs done and cleaned up with scissors:

He has about and inch of new soft fiber. There is still a bit around his head and neck - I'll leave it for a few weeks and check it - hopefully it will pluck off - if not then I'll shear the rest. The fiber is very soft - I've start washing it :) Clem is a spotted shetland - the fleece is white, with spots of rose grey :)

Rose Grey Alpaca

2009-02-26T09:18:00.004-05:00

I have two alpacas, one is true black and the other is dark fawn almost brown. I don't have a rose grey - yet - but I do have some rose grey fleece - started washing it today - I just love that color! It's like a warm grey/brown.

I have plans to mix it with Dorset wool - to give it some memory. Once I card and spin it (drum carded - by hand - still looking for an electric carder) I'll be making a vest from Oat Couture - called the Oregon Vest. Since most of my shows are outside - I thought this would be a great way to showcase my fiber/yarn.

Cranberry Mint Alpaca Handspun

2009-02-26T09:04:00.003-05:00

I have been spinning some white alpaca - two ply. Decided to keep a few skeins white and dye a few. Here is a picture of the first dyed bunch:

I call it cranberry mint. It has for the most part cranberry - with a few hints of green. It starts at a very light cranberry to a dark green. I love to dye yarn - you just never know exactly how it will turn out. Most of the time my dyes turn out well - even if it wasn't what I had in mind :)

Knitting Snob

2009-02-23T07:16:00.005-05:00

I learned to crochet when I was young - then learned to knit. I've gone thru plastic needles, aluminum, and now nickel plated circular. I have never used a knitting loom. Knitting loom....hmmmm....that's not real knitting is it? My friend said she had an extra set of knitting looms and that I could have them - I didn't want to say No thanks - I can knit with big girl needles - so I took them. She provided a ton of patterns too - I eyed them up - thinking "Hey - I can make that on these?" I made these for Joe (DH)

I'm now working on a pair for me - different design but still on the loom :)

Call me the humble knitter :)

Spring is Here!!

2009-02-23T07:10:00.003-05:00

Spring is here - I snapped this picture of a hummingbird - LAST SPRING!! Okay - so I am in denial - I'm thinking that the snow has melted and the mud season is here (that's the time between winter and spring that every farmer hates/loves) I would welcome some mud right now.

Now back to reality - time layer up and go out and feed :)

Angora Dyes

2009-02-20T09:48:00.005-05:00

I sold out of carded dyed angora at the show this past week end. So - I am back to the dye post this week :) I use Pro Chem and Jacquard- they are acid dyes. When I first started dying angora - I could never get it dark enough. I learned to leave it in the pot over night - that seems to do the trick. Currently in the pot is pink - it looks like hot pink but will rinse out to a soft pink.

This is national blue out of the and drying on a screen.

Diane from Rainbow Mountain Alpacas is on her way down for a farm visit - a fiber play date and a cup of tea- what could be better on a cold snowy day?

Weather vane

2009-02-19T06:51:00.003-05:00

This is Don King the rooster. He sleeps on top of the chicken coop - he kinda hooks his head over the peak and stays there all night. He won't go in the chicken coop because the hens peck at his long white feathers on the top of his head. I am sure I have the only living weather vane :)

Pgh Knit & Crochet Show

2009-02-17T13:34:00.002-05:00

This show was moved from the spot it was in last year - what a great move!! The show was packed with new and old faces - vendors and customers alike. I had a few friends stop by - was nice chatting with everyone!! I was a solo act this year and really appreciated all the help. Special thanks to Sara , Kathy, Rachael & Diane. For those of you who couldn't make it this year - be sure to put it on your list for the next year - it's a must. There is every type of yarn, roving, kits, books and hand knitted items.

Spider vs Blind Person

2009-02-08T08:05:00.002-05:00

I wear glasses - at night when I go up to bed I leave them downstairs because I will forget to pick them up in the morning on the way downstairs. I am fairly blind with out them - I can see close up but not any further than 5 feet. As I walked into the bedroom I saw a small black thing moving across the ceiling over my bed. I know it's a bug - probably a spider - that I don't want to share my bedroom much less my bed with. I stand still - not knowing what to do. If I go down to get my glasses and come back he will surely be gone - then I won't be able to sleep in my bed with both eyes closed - one eye will have to be open to look for the bug all night. I turned to the book shelf to get a book - even if I can't really see it I can still whack it. As I turn I hear a "tink" noise - it fell off the ceiling and on to the comforter. ON THE BED! YIKES! I can't see it - I stand in my flannel pj's - book held high above my head for the whack if I spy the bug. It's a waiting game - blind person vs bug. I started to move a fold in the blanket and there it was - a black spider - I whacked 'em - a bunch of times. Even a blind person gets a spider once in a while :)

DSL

2009-02-07T14:11:00.001-05:00

WOOOHOOO! I am now a high tech hillbilly! We finally, FINALLY have dsl out here! It's so fast I can't believe it. I can send and receive pictures and not have to wait at least 20 minutes per meg. I'm doing the happy dance around the farm!!

Adult Rib Warmer Corner

2009-01-31T09:42:00.001-05:00

I have to admit - when I started this project- I cruised thru the pattern just to get an idea of how it was put together - I did not understand. I figured if I was into the piece maybe the directions would make sense. They didn't. I got to the part that says "turn the corner" ?! What corner - there is no darn corner - oh wait - I have to MAAAKE the corner - huh - so here is the corner I am turn/making.

Now that I can understand it a bit better - I love working on it. I think if I have time I will trim the edges with a row of single crochet in my hand spun black alpaca. I also have a basket of vintage buttons - I could work a few up the front for accent.

Adult Rib Warmer

2009-01-30T09:19:00.003-05:00

I'm currently working on an Adult Rib Warmer. I'm using the pattern by Elizabeth Zimmerman - with a few adjustments. I wanted it to be a bit longer and the arm holes bigger - just increased the stitches a bit - which changes the whole pattern by what ever number of stitches you increase or decrease. In this picture I am ready to turn the corner. The yarn I am using is my own hand spun - shetland/suffolk and alpaca/dorset. That solid grey in the middle is the shetland/suffolk - I was going to frog it out but decided it added character ;)

Let it snow but keep the ICE!

2009-01-28T09:11:00.004-05:00

Starting last night around 11:30 the weather changed from snow to freezing rain. What fun! I went to feed the animals with a pole (I poked it thru the ice to get good footing) Feeding took close to 2 hours - everyone is tucked in and fed. I need a raise - or hazard pay - or a vacation - yeah that's it - a vacation!
Ice on the hemlocks.

Let it Snow

2009-01-27T05:28:00.003-05:00

The snow doesn't seem to bother the sheep - but then again they don't have to shovel it - or tromp to the barn and the coop and the sheep pen to feed twice daily either!

Spinning Angora

2009-01-26T12:21:00.002-05:00

I am spinning some dyed angora today. I kettle dyed and then carded it. I found that it sticks a bit when spinning even though I carded it. I rubbed my hands on a dryer sheet - that helped - I also sprayed a fine mist of water with a drop or two of fabric softener in it - that really works if you don't spray too much. I put a towel across my lap to catch the stray fiber - it really helps keep things neat.

Tampa bound!

2009-01-20T12:59:00.000-05:00

YEAH!!! The Steelers beat the dirty bird Ravens!!! And a fine job they did - we are on the way to the super bowl - can you stand it?!!

Half Mitts

2009-01-20T08:39:00.005-05:00

These are so versatile! I wear them in the fall, and then in the house in the winter. I've also put a pair of those stretchy gloves under them for winter - they are very warm when you put in a bit of angora. I've used hand spun as well as a seriously loud hot pink acrylic (yikes!) don't laugh it stopped my husband from taking them :))

Womens size med/lrg

2 oz of any dk yarn (use up those left overs from other projects.)
Adjust size to fit by increasing or decreasing by four. Pattern is worked flat then sewn up the inside.

Cast on 42
Work in rib stitch (knit 2 purl 2) for 2" This is the cuff - you can make it longer or shorter if you prefer.
Work 3" in stockinette stitch. For left mitt end with rs row, place first 12 stitches on a holder to be worked later - this is the thumb. Continue working in stockinette stitch for 2 1/2 inches.
Work in garter stitch for 1/2 and bind off loosely in pattern.
Go back to your 12 stitches, pick up and work for 1/2 in garter stitch, bind off loosely in pattern.
Work right mitt the same except: for 12 thumb stitches end on a ws or reverse of what you did for the left.

Finishing: fold thumb in half, sew seam weave in end. Starting at the bottom sew up to top weave in ends, turn right side to. This is a great pattern for a fast gift made out of any 2 ounces of yarn.

This is a pair I made in shetland and angora - using a black stretch glove underneath.

Rabbits for sale

2009-01-20T08:27:00.006-05:00

SOLD ALL 3 I have a litter of rew's with 3 not spoken for. 3 doe's. Each has a 3 generation pedigree they are 225.00 each. This is a picture of one of the doe's born 10/31/08:

This is a doe from an upcoming litter - how sweet is that? They will be ready the first week in Febuary. Email me at mcmahonfiber@verizon.net if you are interested.

Tri Loom Project #3

2009-01-11T11:52:00.001-05:00

I've given it a 3rd chance - the 1st was a disaster, the 2nd so/so, but this latest is fabulous! I made this one using my own handspun along with an acrylic/wool blend - I used mohair plyed with white alpaca from my yarn. It's very warm, I'll be taking it to the show in Febuary.

Hiking

2009-01-07T12:35:00.002-05:00

I decided in the beginning of December that I would stop complaining about the size of my butt and start doing something. I watch what I eat - I stink at it as I have no self control - but I still try :) I also started walking. First it was a 20 minute walk, then the next day it was 30. Now I am up to an hour and it is a hike instead of a walk. Thru the woods on old logging roads - around a corn field that is 40 acres and a good grade uphill - in the beginning I had to stop at one point to make sure my lungs stay inside where they belong - that's always good :) Now I can do it without stopping :) My husband - works 12 hours then come home and eats breakfast - helps me feed the animals and then goes on a walk with me. You have to love a man like that :) He has never said anything about my ever expanding bottom - I think he just likes to take the walk with me and the dogs. I try to go every day - at the very least I go every other day. I dragged my feet at first - but now I look forward to the hike, over the river and thru the woods to thinner thighs I go :)

Show Schedules

2009-01-07T08:30:00.005-05:00

Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival
February 13 & 14 2010
Cranberry, PA
http://www.pghknitandcrochet.com/

Great Lakes Fiber Festival
May 22 & 23 2010
Wooster, OH
http://www.greatlakesfibershow.com/

Giant Angora Rabbits 4 Sale

2009-01-05T14:25:00.001-05:00

We raise Giant Angora Rabbits - if you are interested and don't see any listed here - please email me at mcmahonfiber@verizon.net for the latest info.

Websites

2009-01-05T14:20:00.003-05:00

One and One Internet Hosting has made me crazy. I have received a total of 5 invoices in 3 days - all because I wanted to downgrade my 3 sites into one. Some of those were credits - some were crazy charges. Hmph..................needless to say - now I don't have a website - just my blog :)

New Websites

2009-01-03T07:12:00.004-05:00

It's a new year and I've decided to Simplify. I am revamping my websites into one - the main site being my fiber site. Not sure where it's going - still a work in progress - will post links when it's updated.

Angora Rabbit Fiber

2008-12-09T14:55:00.002-05:00

I sheared three doe's today. Sheared only the top prime - left the rest long for the winter. I ended up with over a pound of fiber! If interested email me for a price per pound. mcmahonyarns@att.net

New rabbits

2008-12-06T14:30:00.007-05:00

Two of my Giant Angora rabbits were due to have kits - I bred them both at the same time because I know that one of them - Frankie - is a bad mom - and I could foster her kits with PH if she still decided to be a bad mom. Ph had a litter of 8 - in the barn of the coldest day of the year - and all were fine. She pulled enough hair for a litter of 30 - there must have been half a grocery bag full! Both of her front legs, her chest and her belly are completely bald! She's a good mom :) Frankie has been known not to cover her babies and also not to feed them. I put her in the house - (yes my house can you believe it?) after a few days of doing the hay dance (she gathers hay in her mouth and wonders around the cage - her version of nesting) she had a litter of 8 - 5 made it - she didn't cover them - I had fiber from her last shearing and covered them - I put her back in the cage with them and hoped for the best. After a few minutes she began pulling the hay out of the nest box and eating it - she had no concern for the kits. I took her to the barn- put PH and her babies and frankies babies in the house. So far pretty good - we lost the runt from ph's litter and I suspect the runt from frankies may not make it either. I have been giving ph plenty of food - and calf manna sprinkled over her food - she loves that and a piece of stale bread. All 12 are doing well and look like they are being fed. The father of ph was from a litter of 14 - so I'm hoping she will follow suit.

It's been so cold the eggs are freezing and breaking before I can get them collected! It is going up to 48 tomorrow - yipee!

Hillbilly

2008-12-05T15:37:00.002-05:00

I am a hillbilly, as if there were any doubt! I washed laundry and hung it out to dry on the coldest day of the year. It blew in the cold 10 degree day and presto - freeze dried clothes :) I threw them in the dryer for a few seconds to fluff them up.

Black Friday

2008-12-05T15:31:00.002-05:00

I would like to announce that the economic downward spiral is now over. I brought it back with my spending on black friday :) Much to my husbands dismay. It seems like every thing broke or slowed down or needed fixed - like the tv, the sweeper, the dryer, the microwave - and then there were things that I had to buy - like the down comforters, the candles (yankee at 30% off - can you stand it?!) All with cash!!

So rest easy - I got it covered :)

Fulling a triangle shawl

2008-11-21T13:16:00.002-05:00

I spent many hours on my shawl - close to 20. I took it off and put it in the wash to full it. Well - it came out the size of a diaper. So much for that Christmas present. I am now moving on to a knitted shawl :)

I will try the loom again - after Christmas!

Etsy

2008-11-11T08:36:00.001-05:00

I listed some of my fiber in my etsy shop - I haven't listed there in over a year! It's so much easier to list there than it is to change my website. Check out the colors :)

Bunnies

2008-11-06T17:37:00.001-05:00

We had a litter of 4 born 10 days ago. They are from Clara & Hoey. The are just starting to peek out from under the fluff in the nest box.

I sold an angora buck, he is pictured on the left. He will be moving to a place called McAsterville Pa. He just had a trim a day before this picture. Doesn't it figure that someone would want to see him after he was sheared - not two days before when he was in full coat :) Busy bunny week.

Sad Day

2008-11-04T18:42:00.001-05:00

I am sad today - the election did not go as I had hoped. I wasn't happy with the way the economy was going - but I also don't want to be taxed to death. I guess I'll have to work a lot harder so that I can cover my additional taxes that are sure to come and so that my wealth can be spread around. Hmph!

Egg Snatcher

2008-11-04T18:29:00.004-05:00

Every evening when I feed the animals I check the coop for eggs. I usually put the eggs on a wall near the house to be collected when I finish feeding. Last night I thought I put two eggs on the wall - but when I went to collect them they were gone. I checked the barn, my studio, everywhere I could think of - twice. I didn't want to find the darn eggs days or months later by the smell of them. I was stumped - thought I was losing it - getting old etc etc. This morning I checked the coop for eggs, I got two. My saved stray dog Boy followed me - showed great interest in my hand with the eggs. That little bulb popped on on top of me head - I gave boy the hairy eye - and knew I had to test him. I put the eggs on the wall and went into the house. Boy sat by the wall and watched the house for a minute, then went and put his paws on the wall and collected his eggs. UGH!!! I yelled and he ran, with the egg. Now I'll have to find a new place to put them - a place that he can't get and that I can remember ;)

I voted this morning - keeping my fingers crossed! I made ravioli this afternoon. When I was on the last strip (I have that little tray that you lay the dough in and put in the filling and then lay the dough on top) my husband sat down to watch. He said that the machine was amazing - and that he thought I made each one by hand - filling and pinching it shut. Shoot - I could have milked that one for some points had he not seen me in action! Live and learn and hide your eggs!

First snow

2008-10-29T13:05:00.002-04:00

The fiber show went well - considering we had 1.61 inches of rain on Saturday - Sunday turned out much better. It is a growing show that I hope to do next year too.

The first snow is here - and it seems no one is happy except me and the dogs :) This rooster is called D. King - he has that white hair tuft thing going. This is his first snow too.

The snow is a heavy snow - the hemlock is touching the ground it's so heavy. It makes for a pretty snow scene but the electric usually goes out.

The trees behind the barn and the old coop are draped in snow - very pretty - cold. All animals are tucked away and warm :) Good day to stay in and spin!

Knitting Needles

2008-10-22T09:40:00.002-04:00

I ordered the Options needle set from KnitPicks.com I also ordered a 40" long cable so I could make socks on one round needle. I loved the 40" cable and needles - sock making is very fast and easy now - really enjoyable!

I opened my Options set and found that the cable ends came right off when I picked them up! I called knit picks customer service and thought sure I was in for a bad time. I told the gal what happened and without any hesitation she said "I will be glad to send new cables right out" - no charge!

With customer service like that why would anyone shop anywhere else?!

Alpaca Wonders

2008-10-20T13:26:00.004-04:00

The more I get to know the alpacas the more I love them. They are big but gentle, I can harness them myself, and walk them two at a time. They watch everything - really. They eat from my hand and spit on my husband :) They know who feeds them :) Getting ready for the show - weather looks cold for Saturday - Sunday is better.

Alpacas

2008-10-18T16:51:00.007-04:00

My fiber farm is growing - we've added two alpaca fiber boys. They are named Poncho and Toby. They came from my friends Diane's alpaca farm, this is the link to her site: Rainbow Mountain Alpacas They are gorgeous boys! Poncho is a true black and Toby is a medium fawn. They are two years old - I've spun their fiber for the past two years - and when they came up for sale I had to have them - the fiber is just fabulous!! The black is very fine and soft - unusual for a black alpaca. Toby, the fawn has a great shine and nice crimp. I can walk them together on halters and they behave very well. The chickens threw them off a bit - they are free range chickens - something they'll have to learn to like I guess.

Fiber Festival

2008-10-15T07:21:00.005-04:00

The trees are so pretty now, the leaves are starting to fall. On October 24, 25 and 26 we will be at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival. It's in Va, should be nice chilly weather - great for wool and yarn buying - the chill just puts you in the mood to knit :) I am in about 7 shows a year, this is the last on for the year. Joe is coming with me - we'll be taking the trailer - yippee!! When we take the trailer it's kind of like a mini vacation :)

Green Weed Eaters

2008-10-13T09:11:00.000-04:00

When I hung my clothes out to dry - I was considered a hick, hillbilly or hay seed. We heat with wood and grow a garden too. NOW we are considered green and everyone wants to know "the secret" Ha Ha Ha!!! I guess it's true - what goes around comes around :) There is no real secret - it's just that most people who live in the country are conscious of what they do and how it will effect the rhythm of it. What you put on the ground comes back thru your food in some way, as well as what you put in the air. Okay - off the soap box now :)

This week I figured out another way of going green .... I have a wash tub by the barn - near the rain barrels - I use the rain barrels to catch rain water - I use it for the animals, garden and washing animal bowls, pans etc. The weeds were getting high around the tub- I threw some bird seed in the weeds under it, and let the chickens have at it. In no time the weeds were gone, the chickens were fed AND they not only weeded but they fertilized too :)) Am I green or what?! Tee hee - I now put bird seed somewhere I wanted weeded once a day - no loud and smelly weed eater and no gas used!

Easter Eggs all around

2008-10-11T06:09:00.000-04:00

We ordered chickens this spring - a few rainbow layers and a few speckled sussex. The speckled lay large brown eggs - the rainbows lay green, blue and pink eggs. Really. I was so excited when they started laying. It's nice to go to the coop to get eggs - you never know what color will be there. We turned an old outbuilding into a coop - it doesn't leak and has a window - added a few perches and and a nest box - instant coop. Now if I could just keep the sheep out of it.

The Boys

2008-10-06T11:37:00.000-04:00

This is part of my fiber on the hoof so to speak :) They are 5 angora goats. They are all wethers - now just over a year old. From left to right names are: Hoss, Spanky, Rufus, Buster and Clyde. Their favorite game is to see where they can crawl out from under the electric fence. When one gets out the others cry until he's back in. I think they are telling on the one that's out. We sheared them twice since we've had them. The first year was almost comical if it wasn't for the tears - mine! The second year I put them on a lamb stand instead of the way we learned at shearing school - it went much easier and I could do it by myself. When they were up there I also trimmed hooves, wormed and vaccinated - all at one time - less stress on them and me :) I've spun their fiber straight and mixed with wool - I like it mixed better. I mixed it with dorset wool - dorest is really a meat breed sheep- but the fiber is nice. It has a staple of about 4" - it's crimpy- almost springy - I love it. Try it if you get a chance.

Here we go....

2008-10-04T09:07:00.000-04:00

Hi all!
I've been asked to start the blog - again :) I will try to blog more often - really! Hopefully I can give you an idea of where I will be for show's and what news there is on the farm. There is much to report on the animals - have been adding to the fiber flock - much to my husbands dismay. Shows are winding down - one to go for the year.