Me and My Blue Bucket

Yesterday I washed most of my remaining Angora fiber, nearly the entire fleece, in the washing machine.  It worked well to get it sort of creamy colored, but it didn't remove the vegetation from the hairs.  I am really struggling with that portion of the process.  Help!

This is what it looked like after washing it. Nice and clean looking...except for all the pine needles and leaves and such!

 Then me and my blue bucket mixed up some dye (ok the bucket was for the soda ash soak before dyeing.)
Look at that pretty burgundy color!  I was really hoping if I mixed the lime with the red I'd get a more orange look as I'm going for felting pumpkins first.  But if it stayed this color, I'd be very happy with it!



Placing it on the paper towel (with plastic under it to prevent counter stains) is kinda gross.

 I started rinsing it but ewww! It really looks like... brains. Until I got it done!  And now look!  Too bad I didn't want PINK and a very light limey color!

Ok, now what.  Hmm.  Well, off to dry it, and then maybe on my NEXT day off, I can card some of it.  I hope people will buy pink and lime pumpkins to support special needs orphans in Russia!  <3

Shame On Me!

It's been nearly a YEAR since I hit up my blog?  I'm blushing in shame.

In my defense, a LOT has happened this year!  Let me outline the highlights.

• We moved in December of 2010 (to a place that turned out not to be great.)
• We got two dogs from the shelter (they're still happy!)
• We bartered for a goat in milk (she's still in milk)
• We bartered for a mess of chickens (they are JUST starting to lay for me) AND we hatched some from our original three that were given to us when we moved in
• I did a lot of building around the place (fences, shelters, movable pens, milking stanchions)
• We had a huge garden/labor of love which all died in the drought (oh so sad!)
• I stayed sick at that house a LOT (combination of putrid cat urine permeating the house and tension due to the owner's daughter who lived across the street and made my life tense)
• I bought two goats for fiber and was given a rabbit for the same
• I moved again (to a place that is turning out to be absolutely lovely)
• I started school (more pre-reqs toward a degree, some of it online, some on campus)
• I got a job outside the home (care-taking)
• And I started getting counseling.

Now, am I forgiven?  Because that is  A LOT of goings-on!

I promise to update you more as to specifics on nearly all of it if you're interested... just now I have to go do chores!
Ciao!