YOU KNOW YOU WAANNA

hmm... Le Tour de Fleece , come on, join in. You KNOW you WAANNA......

Ok I'm game. After all this seems like a much more civilized challenge than actually powering the "pedal" variety wheel for a month straight! Since I am in the throws of picking and washing fleece at the moment my goal will be to card (blending with mohair) and spin "Lolly's" fleece (in it's entirety). The end product - super soft sock yarn. Oh, who's Lolly? As seen above Lolly is a founding member of the London-Wul family flock. An adventurer, member of the homestead jet set, a marvel in mixed company, at ease with sheep and goats alike. Undeniably attractive, of prestigious Lincoln, Romney and Shetland heritage, she remains always a lady. Though now somewhat more grey than in this picture, she is aging gracefully.

......... let the games begin!

back to the London-Wul Homepage: www.thewoolworks.com

FODDER FOR FELTING?

Lately I am wanting to piece together (like patchwork quilts) the images that I am contemplating for felted panels. I have a large landscape felt in the works now. It represents a Fall field. I have been toying with the idea of segmenting it.
While walking one of the local beaches this week images like these ones reaffirmed the idea.

return to the London-Wul Homepage: www.thewoolworks.com

SEAFARING HOUNDS

After their annual vet exam Angus and Finn spent a leisurely afternoon by the seashore.
(and for those of you who are following his adolescent progress Angus weighed in at 163lbs this week though he is still handsomely trim as you can see).

back to the London-Wul homepage: www.thewoolworks.com

AFTER A LONG DAY

Five of us worked the shop today. Well, eight if you count Osira, Finn and Angus.
We had such fantastic people visiting, some by coach tour and some on their own steam.
At the end of the day we sat, exhausted yet revelling in the energy that had come back to us through the enthusiasm of others. Everyone excitedly chatted about their own unique encounters.

Once in a while I need to be reminded to relax and take it all in rather than running at full tilt. Today I took it all in. Thanks for the reminder Odette.
... I took this picture of Finn who was taking a deep breath along with us as we recapped.
He's resting in front of our Museum panels which depict the tradition of hand spinning and textile production (how fitting).
Here he lays, after a long day, in front of Mrs. Penny and her Flax breaker (Clara Dennis collection, courtesy of the NS Archives).

back to the London-Wul Homepage: www.thewoolworks.com

SPIN SOFTLY

Lately I have been working with the book Spinning for Softness and Speed by Paula Simmons.
Partly because I have been spinning allot of gorgeous polwarth from NZ and it would be a shame to loose it's super soft handle. Also because I am always interested to read what Paula Simmons has to say (Storey's Guide to raising Sheep by Paula is an excellent book as well).

There has been ALLOT of rain in New Brunswick as of late. Visitors to the shop are pouring in with umbrellas folding. Rain makes for a nice day in a wool shop. A nice day to chat with friends and to meet new faces. A nice day to sit and spin softly in this crazy world. - Thanks for the book mom, I'm really enjoying it.

GOOSE WHISPERER

Ah yes, one of Finn's many and varied talents.
In between the twice daily goat trek from upper to lower pasture and home again Finn hones his skills on "September" and "Lainey" our resident goose duo (leading them down the garden path as it were). Oh, and the stick he carries? Think of it as the ultimate Border Collie stress ball, suggesting authority and relieving tension brought on by a world that moves in painfully slow motion.

back to the London-Wul homepage: www.thewoolworks.com