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! 

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. 

Weidman Craft Show Trifecta !!! Saturday, November 2nd, 2013

The Sassy Ewe 

will be at:

Weidman Eagles Club 

Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 from 9 am - 3 pm

Three area Weidman groups are hosting local Crafters & Artisans!

Saturday, November 2nd, 2013

Weidman Community Building (Bridge Street behind the bank) 9 am - 4 pm

Weidman Eagles Club (Weidman Road behind the Fire Dept) 9 am - 3 pm

Weidman Methodist Church (3200 N Woodruff Road ) 9 am - 2 pm

All 3 shows will be serving lunch.

There is a Bake Sale at the Eagles Club.

A Cookie Walk at the church.

Table Spaces are Still Available!  

Please call: 989-644-3257 or 989-506-2647

Shearing Day

Today was shearing day at the farm.  One escapee, and all the others were shorn.  Unfortunately, taking pictures while wrestling sheep is impossible.  Really pleased with the quality of the fiber, here at the farm. Here are a couple post-shearing shots.

White Karakul ewe lamb.  Freshly shown.  Showing wonderful breed characteristics.

Fleece from White Karakul ewe lamb is at least 6".

Fleece from the Black Karakul ram is a good 6", as well.

Black Karakul ram lamb fleece is about 6" long with sunburned tips.  

Upcoming Events!

The Sassy Ewe will be at the Craft Show at Brooks Corners Church in Evart this Friday, September 13th through Saturday, September 14th.

On Sunday, the 15th, you can find her at SW Michigan Harvest Festival at Tillers International, Scotts, MI.

Stop in and take a look at the wonderful, natural, wool roving, hand-dyed roving & yarns, and more!  

Visit awhile.  Learn about the life of a Shepherdess, dyeing, spinning, knitting...and More!

Blooming Roses. Hand-Dyed by the Sassy Ewe from Southdown Sheep. Processing by Frankenmuth Woolen Mill.

Little Girl's Favorite! Pink & Purple Southdown Roving.  Fresh from Frankenmuth Woolen Miill.

U of M Colors for the coming season. 

Wool, Mohair, Shetland, Alpaca, Llama, Dog Hair, Wool.
Handspun Yarns in Natural Colors

 Handspun, Hand-Dyed Southdown