Finally. I've been so eager to meet Jen ever since I first found her Etsy shop...and then her blog. It's only recently that I've made connections with local bloggers and it's so nice when I get to meet them in person. Jen was my first link to Anna.
About a month ago Jen made arrangements for a wool dyeing party and invited me to join in. I was thrilled! As anyone who reads this blog knows, I love to work with wool but had never had the experience of dyeing it before. So this past Sunday we all met at Birdie's farm where she raises sheep. Birdie was Jen's neighbor when she was growing up.
I arrived to the farm late and with the baby in my arms so missed some of the steps, but tried to get my hands into it as much as possible (for more details see Jen's post about it here).
Anna carding the wool.
Anna again, showing me how to pull the wool from the carding machine.
Dye samples.
Dyeing the wool on the open fire.
Rinsing it out.
Dyed wool drying in sun.
Anna's mom spinning some wool into yarn.
And then we got to meet the beautiful creatures who gave us their wool.
Birdie is an incredible host. She was constantly on the move. Teaching us as she went through the entire process of dyeing the wool, checking on the coffee, putting on a video of the sheep being sheared so we could see how that was done. She moved on to getting lunch served, (she makes a mean rhubard cobbler and has graciously shared her recipe with us-click here and scroll down to the comments) then passed around her books on wool projects so we could all get ideas for the functional felt swap. And on top of all that, she even had time to give lots of love to Julen.
Thank you so much Birdie for such a great day! And thank you Jen for inviting me! It was wonderful to meet you both.
That looks like a lot of fun. Hels wants to plant a dyers garden this summer and begin to experiment with dyeing. She has even chosen an "Earthworks" camp this summer that will spend part of the time exploring ways to dye from foraged plants. Who knows where this will go!
Posted by: sarah | May 20, 2008 at 04:31 AM
It was so much fun! I love how you documented each step of the process.
Posted by: Anna | May 20, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Wow, what a neat experience! I've always loved seeing how things go from life to usefulness. The colors are really nice too. Glad you got to have such a good time, looks like Julen was a welcomed distraction :)
Posted by: katiek | May 20, 2008 at 07:00 AM
What a wonderful day! That does look really fun, what a fab host!...I love rhubarb and I love cobbler, I will check out the recipe, thanks :)
Posted by: amy | May 20, 2008 at 07:50 AM
it was so good to finally meet you kristen! i'm glad you enjoyed the day, and i'm excited to see what you make with the roving.
Posted by: jen | May 20, 2008 at 07:59 AM
What a fun day!
And Julen looks gorgeous (and so does his blanket)!
Posted by: Mirre | May 20, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Wow, what fun! It's so cool that you get to see the sheep and work with their wool directly. I just saw Jen's pictures on her blog, and now yours. And it's awesome to see Birdie (shhhhh, she's my FFS partner)! And Julen looks so content in her arms.
Posted by: jackie | May 20, 2008 at 09:17 AM
So fun!! I LOVE to dye wool and spin and all that. I used to take classes over in Berkeley. It's all very zen! Sounds like a great day and how sweet is that baby!!
Posted by: Jackie | May 20, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Looks like a fantastic lot of fun and dang that baby is so cute! I might have to stop reading your blog or I might find myself having to give up my sewing room for baby number 3.
Posted by: Josie | May 20, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Oh! que chulada, me parece genial...parece que lo pasaste estupendamente. tengo una amiga que me ha propuesto algo parecido pero tendria que ir a Walles...no sé si podré pero me encantaria.
Julen se parece cada vez más a su padre, verdad? Está guapisimo.
Te envio un beso muy fuerte, querida amiga!
Posted by: RID | May 20, 2008 at 12:26 PM
After Sunday, June 20th I will have pretty much the same post. That's when we have sched "Dye Day."
Posted by: shona~ LALA dex press | May 20, 2008 at 12:55 PM
That looks so fun - and educational, too! One more thing I need to learn...
Posted by: Rachel | May 20, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Look at that little bundle! And can I tell you how much I covet a drum carder? Insane.
Posted by: Sonya | May 20, 2008 at 11:16 PM
looks like you had a super sunday. your younger man is growing so fast and looks like he loves to snuggle. were all the knits he is wearing/swaddled in, made by you??
Posted by: Anna Y | May 21, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Wow! Looks like you had a lovely time. Can't wait to see all the goodies you produce from this new-found, passed-on, shared knowledge.
Posted by: Ellen | May 21, 2008 at 07:48 AM
What at fun day...I'm jealous I don't live closer!
Posted by: carolyn | May 21, 2008 at 11:11 AM
glad you had so much fun. wish i could have spent the day with you ladies. your little pumpkin is so cute all bundled up. i just want to hold that snuggle bug in my arms.
Posted by: jen b | May 21, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Wow it looks like you had such a great time!
it looks like you made someone's day by bringing you're little one along too.
Caroline
X
Posted by: Caroline Inckle | May 22, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Best blanket/sweater!
Best baby too!
Posted by: Juliette Lanvers | May 22, 2008 at 04:47 PM
"...Dyeing the wool on the open fire." — very cool. wow. sounds like such an incredibly relaxing and creative day. must have been so much fun.
Posted by: kristin | May 22, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Hi Kristin,
Looks like you had a wonderful time! Wool is an amazing fiber. Julen is so cute :-)
Thanks for the comment on my blog. I'd love to swap ATCs with you but I can't seem to find your e-mail anywhere.
Posted by: Annica | May 24, 2008 at 02:11 AM
Looks like such fun! Your little one is divine.
I have tagged you when you have a moment!
Enjoy your Sunday..
Posted by: Belinda | May 24, 2008 at 04:25 PM