Here are a couple of picks of the new colors I am playing with. The rolag and bit of fiber on my spindle are the first I have  blended with these new colors. I plan to add a bit of light green to  get the summer garden theme I am working towards. I will dye some up and do a second  sample. I am  very happy with this one so for. I can't wait to do a second try with a few more colors.
          Gail is coming over to help blend this one up on Feb 14th. If anyone els want in on a blending party. Drop me a line or put up a post on the Fae Ridge Farm Ravelry group  thread about this party.
Back to the dye pots.

       Freezing rain this morning  and I am thankful I am not having lambs like so many  of my friends. I am  happy every time I go out to see the flock that I have  decided not to breed anyone this year.   I will miss lambs and kids but the girl's fleeces will be so much nicer, softer and silkier without  being breed. We will not be listening to the barn channel, I can get away for spring shows without  endless worrying. On days like today I  do not have to lock the pregnant ones in with extra food. Life is so much simples with just a spinning flock rather than a breeding flock.    
      The new weathers  are such a nice addition to my barn yard. Ebony has one of the most beautiful  chocolate fleeces I have ever seen, and he is such a sweet boy. He loves to eat out of my hand and get his neck scratched.  Teddy is going on three this year and still produces a wonderful fleece. I  can't wait to see the next few years in the lambs from this last spring.
         I got back from the Des Moines Metro knitters winter retreat yesterday afternoon. I  had a great time reconnecting with folks I only see at that show. I guess if they get stranded in this weather they will just happily knit away until the roads clear up.
         I will be heading down to the studio later today to start dyeing on a new fiber blend. I like to stretch my color world every so often, so I am going to try to create a summer garden of fiber this next round. I will work with pinks, oranges, yellows with just a bit of olive green and purple splashed in.
 My friend Gail who loves these tones loaned me several balls of yarn and a stunning shawl she has woven. I have them laid out in a big basket so I can meditate on the interaction of these  colors. I will keep posting my progress on this new blend.         Janette
     

The new blend just got back from the carder! These are fibers I sheared, washed , dyed and blended back in November. I have a  dream and a plan how they will turn out when I dye and blend, but there is always a bit of  a mystery of how it will all blend up on a big carder.  The Blue blend is one of the nicest I think I have ever come up with. It has bits of purple along with 6 shades of blue, and a  wonderful gray from Ebony's baby fleece. I can't wait to  see how they spin up.  I will get at least a few bags weighed up for the store on Saturday. Here is a  sneak  peak.

Basket Weaving Class

Dianne Mockler  will  teach a Basket Weaving Class at Fae Ridge Farm

                                     on March 10th  9:00 AM-2:00PM
                             $45.00 includes all materials and use of  tools

        Dainne lives in Good Field Illinois and  has been teaching basket weaving for  over a decade. In this class students will learn the basics of basket weaving. Continuous weaving and traditional rimming/lashing techniques make this the perfect project for beginners.

            A variety of sizes and colors will be available. Fibers will be included as part of your kit . You can also bring  something from your own fiber stash. $45.00 includes all materails and use of all the tools for this class. Class is limited to 10 students ages 16 and up.  A deposit of $25.00  is due by March 1st to hold your place in this class. Please make checks payable to  Dianne Mockler  and mail to Fae Ridge Farm  5140 Rapid Creek RD NE Iowa City Ia 52240.
        For more information contact Janette at 319-643-5873 Or faeridgefarm@lcom.net