Seymour Alternative Farming Expo..

..is on next week

http://www.seymourexpo.com.au/

And I will be there. In the Craft room in the clubrooms at the oval. First aid will be there as well.

I have North East Yarns Products from Corriedale fleeces.. Natural coloured felt batts, natural coloured yarns, natural coloured tops, Jumpers (might be a bit early but worth looking at), ribbed ponchos.

http://www.northeastyarns.com/

My products include small amount of knitwear and accessories, handspun yarns, handdyed yarns, handdyed wool tops, Bamboo knitting needles and crochet hooks, Landscape dyes.

I have some of my products on my website.

www.colleenscraftsstore.com

www.etsy.com/shop/CraftbyColleen

Please come to the expo and introduce yourselves. Great weekend. With a little bit of luck we mightn't be too hot.

It has been a busy month...

...with buying a Ford Transit Van to get to the markets.
I have wanted to have a better way of setting up at markets, including the amount of time I unpack bags and boxes of yarn and handmade items. Looking on Pinterest I found my ideal solution, set up a Market stall/shop on wheels.
First step.. van, next..carpet, followed by ordering a rollout awning for the side of the van.
Next is a cubed bookcase for my yarns, and now all it needs is the backing and attaching to the van.
We are getting there. It won't be as elaborate as the ones on Pinterest but most people will be able to stand up in the van.

And we have to build safe steps and rails.

New handdyed wool tops have been added to my Etsy shop
www.etsy.com/shop/CraftbyColleen

OK here goes...

It, by no means has been quiet here. In fact , quite busy but have been neglecting this blog quite badly.

The new Studio and shed complex is up and running.
I have been to France for the Coloured Sheep Congress and post-congress tour.
Attended the Echuca Steam Rally.
Prepared for and attended the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.
And kept going with my regular 3 markets per month.

So will pop a few pics on and see how it loos for me.
I think I need a reminder to tell me when to post!!!

Wangaratta Wool Day...

...is on tomorrow, and I will be wearing my new wrap. I have dyed the fleece and spun the yarn from my own sheep, so it is very special. Also on my table some new thick and thin hand dyed yarn and hand dyed wool tops.

Winter is coming...

...so I have been working hard after the Harrietville retreat. Some new yarns and other items added to the website.
Harrietville was a relaxing and learning process, with lots of fun in between. The historical dyeing was fun and interesting to note that Indigo changes as the yarn hits the air (that's another photo I haven't taken yet).
How to make better drum carded batts, I also liked, something for all those add ins that are talked about these days. I made some batts but instead of using them for Artyarns I made 2 ply yarns plying with some of my hand dyed tops.
Weaving tips, and wool combing with English combs was something else I was happy to participate in.

Muliticolour wool/fibre batt plied with hand dyed wool top

Muliticolour wool top plied with solid colour wool top

Light colour semi-solids

Handspun jumper and woven scarf

So, now I have completed a machine knit handspun jumper in Natural dark grey, a scarf completed off the knitter's loom, and some hand dyed semi-solids in light colours for a change. I am also adding 50 gram carded dyed fleece batts to my market stall as I do them, unless I spin them first.

Hand dyed semi-solid

Hand dyed semi-solid

  This big beast obtained from a clearing sale. A Gardner wool press of unknown vintage but has been in the family for a very long time.