Weekend Event! The Sassy Ewe Will be at The Osceola County Expo This Weekend!!!

Last minute Christmas shopping?  

Need to replace some of the stash that you used making 

all those knit and crochet items for your loved ones?  

Perhaps you simply need some time to yourself after a hectic Thanksgiving week? 

Or - better yet - some time out with the girls!!!

Now is the time!  

The Sassy Ewe will be at the Osceola County Expo this weekend!  YES!!!

One Day Only!!!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

10am-3pm

Sue Ann, AKA The Sassy Ewe has a wonderful touch with wool dyeing.
Known for her bold, true colors. Sue Ann's Hand-Dyed and Hand-Spun Wool is a
favorite with our local Spinners and Knitters.

Remember, The Sassy Ewe specializes in both Karakul and Southdown fibers.  

Karakul is a soft, super fast, felting fiber.  Southdown is a decadent, hugable, wool.

Don't miss out on the fun!  Come on out and join us!

You will find The Sassy Ewe at:

Osceola County Fairgrounds
101 Recreation Avenue
Evart, MI  49631

The Life of a Shepherdess - Seasons... and Ewes for Sale

Summer passed quickly.  As time goes by the summers seem shorter and shorter.  The wisdom of the "Old Timers". Yes?  It isn't as though they didn't warn us!

I sent some of my "gals" for a visit to another Southdown Breeder last fall.  (Wink. Wink.)  Had a friend stop by her place to see the kids.  She snapped this photo, along with others, to let me see my sheep. I really missed them. Sheep really do know their Shepherds - and Shepherdesses.

Now the year is drawing to a close.  The holidays are rapidly approaching.  

Things are quieting down.  Well, a bit.    

Herd management is an important part of raising sheep.  I work hard and am proud of my herd.
With that said, I am offering some of my Southdown Ewes and lambs for sale.  All of them are eligible for registration with the American Southdown Breeders Association.

The one year old Ewes are $250/each. They have not been exposed to a ram, yet. 

Bred Southdown ewes are $325/each.

Ewe lambs are $200/each.

The Sassy Ewe is located in Barryton, Michigan.

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I've also been busy knitting custom orders for clients.  Many of my items are made from the wool of my Southdown Sheep.  Hand-spun and Hand-Knit.  Sometimes hand-dyed.  Each item is made to order. 

Hand-spun, Hand-Knit Baby Set made from beautiful, soft, Southdown wool. 

Consists of Sweater, Hat, and Booties. $50/per set. Each set is made-to-order and requires a 50% deposit. Hand-dyeing is available for a charge of $10/set.

Made especially for the precious baby in your life. Heirloom quality.

Examples of some of the hand-spun, hand-knit, and hand-dyed items avail from The Sassy Ewe. 

Each item is custom made with beautiful, soft, Southdown wool. 

Wrap your precious bundles up in wool. Heirloom quality.

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Thank you for stopping in for a visit!  Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Eddie, my trusty herd guardian, wishes to send you his regards, as well! 

A Woolly Summer

The Sassy Ewe has been one busy lady.  Spinning and knitting her way through events all summer long!

You can find Sue Ann, The Sassy Ewe, next weekend working her woolly magic at Hartwick Pines in Grayling, MI.  The annual Black Iron Days will be going on and The Sassy Ewe wouldn't miss it!

 Here is an excerpt from the Grayling Visitors Bureau:

"Hartwick Pines State Park will host the annual Black Iron Days Festival on August 23rd-24th, 2014; the largest annual gathering of blacksmiths in Michigan. Over 50 craftsmen and women will be on hand demonstrating their trade at the logging museum located at the park.

The two-day event, taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, also will recreate the sights, sounds and scents of an historic sawmill cutting logs into boards. Watch woodworkers, weavers and wool spinners as they show how their crafts were done in the era before power tools. Full Moon Jam will be performing a mix of traditional and original music.

The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum is a field site of the Michigan Historical Museum that interprets Michigan’s white pine logging era of 1840-1910. Black Iron Days is sponsored by the Friends of Hartwick Pines. All proceeds go toward interpretive and educational programs at the park.

The park is located at 4216 Ranger Rd. in Grayling in Crawford County. The event is free, however, a Recreation Passport is required for vehicles entering Hartwick Pines. For details on the program, call the park at 989-348-7068." 

Come on down and meet Sue Ann and see her beautiful Wool andHandspun Yarn.  

You'll also want to see her lovely hand-knit items! Beautiful, Quality Knits!

Karkul Wool.  Charcoal and Dark Oatmeal.  Yummy!

Pretty Wool from Sheila Lingle of Lingle Lane Farm. 

Processed by Ohio Valley Natural fibers and spun by SA.

 More winter hats to add to inventory. Be prepared! ;)

Dyeing fun! Roving in roasting bag and then spun.

More roasting bag dyed roving and then spun.

Roasting bag dyed yarn. Wool from Sheila Lingle of Lingle Lane Farm. 

Processed by OVNF. Spun and dyed by SA.

Corner view of 2014 “Stars” Afghan. Measuring 52” x 41”. Weight: 29 ounces.

Handspun southdown wool from The Sassy Ewe. The afghan will be auctioned at the American Southdown Breeder's Association annual show/meeting with proceeds going to scholarship fund.

“Eddie” The Wonder Guardian. 

.Newest addition to The Sassy Ewe.

 Dyed Southdown Wool blended with Natural Alpaca.

Grinch Green!  Are Ewe Ready for the Holidays? 

Natural Brown Wool blended with a blend of Natural Colored Alpaca.

Lucious! ...and Soooooo Soft!

100% Wool.  Natural Grey with Dyed Southdown Wool.

A Great Color for the Man in your Life.

This wonderful hat was is the creation of a Sassy Ewe customer.

Isn't it GREAT!?

Thank you for stopping by!

Sue Ann is looking forward to seeing you soon!

The Season of Rebirth

After the long, long winter we have had here in Michigan, comes the welcome time of rebirth.  For a shepherdess, the "birth" part is the main focus.  With spring comes the welcome birthing of lambs.  One will find them, literally, springing up around the farm!

This past March 26th was Shearing Day at the farm.

Shearer, William Ricks, Shearing my Karakul Ram

Who can resist a new lamb...or two?

Certainly not Janet and Yvonne!

The Sassy Ewe, Sue Ann Carpenter with 2 new Karakul lamb twins.

They know the voice of their Shepherdess already!

The Shepherdess and 2 new Karakul twin lambs.

The lady loves her sheep and lambs! 

Farm Fresh Karakul Fleece

Farm Fresh Southdown Fleece

Southdown Lamb born March 2014

Southdown Twins born in April 6, 2014

Karakul Twin born March 2014

Southdown Twin born March 2014

Karakul Lamb born April 2014

I love this little lamb!  It looks as though he is saying "Who? Me?"

He steals the show!!!  :)

Keeping Busy

Even during the coldest days of winter, a Shepherdess has plenty to keep her busy.  The sheep still need to be cared for.  During the especially cold days we've had recently, that included carrying water to the sheep.

What a blessing it is to come back inside to a warm pot of soup, my dogs, and my spinning!

What do I have on my bobbin?  Currently I am working with a combination Southdown roving in Tranquil Sea Color combination.  It should be finished and off the bobbins sometime this weekend.

Here are some of the hand-spun, hand-knit hats that I made with my hand-dyed yarns.

CVM and Blue Face Leicester Roving and hand-spun yarn. This was processed for my by Ohio Valley Natural Fibers.  They do an exceptional job!

This roving and hand-spun yarn is a combination of 73% Mahogany Alpaca, 25% Brown Merino Wool, and 12% Silver Tussah Silk.  So Sweet!

This photo is of my dark brown wool combined with alpaca. I've spun this beautiful yarn into a Heavy Knitting Worsted-Weight Yarn.

This lovely, unique fiber is a combination of dark brown wool and alpaca, which I've combined with hand-dyed salmon-colored wool.

Made especially for U of M Fans!  

This is made using my Southdown wool.  I hand-dyed it Blue with just a touch of Maize.

Here are a couple of the batts that I had made up at Ohio Valley Natural Fiber.  

They are just wonderful!  Toasty Warm!  Thick and Rich 100% Southdown Wool.

You'll notice that they are much thicker than common quilting batts.  These make wonderful Comforters and Mattress Pads.

All of my Batts have SOLD OUT!

I have these Custom Made using my wonderful Southdown Wool.

If you are interested in purchasing a custom made batt, please contact me.

Auction at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE)

~ Sunday, November 17th, 2013 at 6:30pm ~

North American International Livestock Exposition

Louisville, Kentucky

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? How about this pure Southdown wool baby blanket hand spun and knitted by Sue Ann Carpenter from Michigan.

The blanket will be auctioned off at the annual banquet at NAILE to benefit youth activities. Size is 37 by 41 inches value is $160. If you can't attend the banquet, send your bid with another Southdown member!

Sue Ann will be happy to share care instructions for this wonderful baby blanket.  Proper care will extend the life of this item.  Turning it into a multi-generational keepsake.  

She hopes that the recipient enjoys it, as much as she does the entire process of creating it!

Sassy Samplings...

 YUMMY!  Violet & Pink Southdown - Hand Dyed, Handspun Yarn - 17 oz

SWEET!   Hand Dyed, Hand Spun, Turquoise Southdown!

SOFT!!! 8 oz of Black Alpaca.  10 More ounces to be spun!

UNIQUE!  Natural Brown Wool / Alpaca with Salmon colored dyed wool.