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

Find Fibers by The Sassy Ewe at Wisconsin Sheep & Wool !!!

September 6th-8th, 2013 will find many of my favorite people at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival ! While I will not be able to attend in person, some of my fibers will be available through Maple Row Farm at E 963 & 694.  Maple Row Farm is owned and operated by Bob & Deb Cline in Sherwood, Michigan. You will not find better folks anywhere!

The Sassy Ewe... Hand-Dyed Southdown roving. A recent shipment from the mill.

 Another beautiful Southdown Hand-spun yarn by The Sassy Ewe.

 Tunis Wool, Fawn Alpaca & Dyed Mohair. SWEET!
Processed by Ohio Valley Natural Fibers. Exceptional quality.

A Combination of Hand-Dyed Southdown, plied with a Natural Colored Wool/Alpaca Blend.

 Natural Colored Wool & Black Alpaca. This combination creates a very rich, dark brown shade. Wonderful hand.

 Natural Colored Wool, combined with Hand-Dyed Southdown Wool/Mohair blend in Turquoise. This is a dream to spin. 

Some of my Color Combinations...