Carding some of my Jacob fleece in graded rollags. I plan to spin everyday during July joining all the spinners round the world who spin as much as possible during the Tour de France/Fleece. I hope to have enough to make Jonny a winter jumper.
Here’s some of my Rollags, wheel and Jacob sheep with two surprise lambs in the background.
Fantastic Pottery exhibition in Barnstaple. So lovely to see the varied creativity, wonder what the name is for a collection of potters? anyone?
Happy with our purchases from a dear old friend who happens to be an amazing potter.
He’s called John West and can be found at Landsdown Pottery in Stroud along with his lovely wife Penny. Here is our new vase/jug and mugs, arn’t they just wonderful.
Thank you to whoever organised this wonderful event, more art and craft needed in North Devon please.
Spent the day in the sunshine putting up the yurt overlooking the small lake in the wild meadow full of flowers and grasses. It looks amazing and will be a chill out zone for our guests staying in Ruby and Lilly. An area to stop, unwind, digitally detox and watch the swallows dive into the water to drink. Check out airbnb for availability. Devon Valley Glamping
With all this glorious weather and promises of a golden summer, J has a burst of energy. Recycling the wood from our son’s wedding, it’s last life was a platform for the band. It’s going to have the wee yurt on it with games and comfy cushions, in case we have any inclement weather, never ? Surely not. It’s down in our meadow besides a the pond a favourite place to sit, listen and watch and just slow down. The evenings bring the swallows swooping through the air taking a snack then diving low over the pond to quench their thirsts, what could be more peaceful and life affirming.
Ruby, our Safari 1972 caravan is gleaming having had a spring clean and repaint. She is still sitting in the Orchard and looking like a wee haven of tranquility with all the apple blossom around. She awaits her visitors and Jon has made our Air b&b live for booking.
He has also made an amazing new eco shower and compost loo in the upper barn. The shower is heated by solar thermal energy and don’t worry he has cleverly put a back up electric emersion heater so hot water should be there all the time. The compost loo is a clever Swedish design, also powered by our solar energy. There is a mains fridge and freezer also available for your use.
We are still working on Lily, our Carlight Casalette 1978 and she is going to be the meadow by the river. She should be on line for booking soon.
Come and relax and unwind away from technology in our valley. Listen to the woodpeckers and owls and watch our Jacobs sheep across the meadows
Jon continues to run drawing and painting lessons if you fancy and I can help you with any knitting or crochet problems. I also teach beginners spinning.
dizzy enjoying her new bed
I grew many flowers in the valley for our sons wedding, collected lots to dye my Jacob fleece, mixed with onion skins and a sneakily bought Cochineal, alum mordant. Art yarn spun on my Ashford county 2 (still getting used to it), woven on my Brinkley Loom. Fabric needs finishing and will then be made into cushions for a lovely lady who commissioned them.
well we thought we’d give the girls a rest this year. Although we do eat our own stock the primary reason we keep a few sheep is for their lovely fleeces oh and as lawn mowers otherwise the valley would return to scrub land. One of the boys last year matured rather early we think, this wee one is so cute, a little girl, always a relief.
looks like my chain plying is improving. This yarn is made by me from our own small flock of Jacob sheep. It was mordanted with alum then dyed with dyers chamomile, onion skins and three exhausts of cochineal. It amazes me how strong cochineal is, so few wee dried beasties. I then spun on my Ashford and chain plyed. Think I will crochet some new cushions for Liy and Ruby our retro caravans which we are spring cleaning ready for the season. They should be up on air b&b in May, watch this space.
It’s all go in the valley, new shower room using recycled wood and anything else we can find. Ruby and Rory about to have a spring clean, hope to be ready for bookings mid May.
Meanwhile Jonny has been painting, having spent time in Cornwall at our cottage Mellow Cottage in Perranporth. These paintings are all large! and all for sale. Jonnys paintings
Nothing like a grandchild brings a the urge to create.
Cornwall's Hidden History Blog
Living and creating on a Greek island
Musings on the great outdoors in time of lockdown
Earthenwear handwoven in the Celtic Crescent by Eloïse Sentito
Karren K. Brito: spinning, weaving and dyeing textiles with passion
a shared passion for handspun yarn
little house in a field
I knit. I spin. I live. I write about it.
Celebrating WOOL for what it is.
devon's social fabric
Award-winning Scottish publishing and design
Exciting Hand Woven Fabrics on your Rigid Heddle Loom
Storing & sharing favourite recipes & food information
Designing, making and teaching woven textiles
Comment & Share with Mikey of The Crochet Crowd
Holidays Vintage Crafty Retro Caravans Devon
The Art and Craft of Blogging
Devon Valley Glamping 