Apple Hill Farm Shearing Day

Our guild was invited to demonstrate fiber arts at Apple Hill Farm during their annual shearing.  So Gail, Vivian, Nora and I headed up to Banner Elk.  A gorgeous day and such a beautiful place.

This is the view from the second floor of the barn.  We set up with spindles, spinning wheels and a loom.  We also demonstrated using hand cards as well as a drum carder.

Of course we showed off our knitting prowess.

Gail is smiling but could be dangerous with these giant knitting needles.

I fell in love with Basil, we had a long heart to heart. 

Baby Goats wanted head scratches.

Another shot of Basil, so handsome.

This fellow ruled the roost.

This is Mr. Pickles, I asked him about the skateboard but he didn't feel like talking.

Preparing to shear this alpaca.

Frosty the alpaca after his haircut.

Nora and Vivian spinning away.

It was a super day, the farm is beautiful and Lee and staff are so warm and friendly.  I can't wait to go back!

Guild Sunday

The Threads of Art and Science

A wonderful collaboration between a fabric artist and botanist.

Karen-Eve Baynes describes how accident and inspiration can result in destination and art.

Dr. Terry Ashley of Terry Ashley Botanicals describes her process of using cellular  photos to create art prints of botanical subjects.

Karen-Eve holds up fabric with  a cellular print from Spoonflower

A  small wallhanging incorporating Terry's cellular print and Karen-Eve's quilting and embellishments.

Terry used a linoleum cut to make this wonderful print on linen.

Our speakers

This table runner is another linoleum cut on linen.

Plants from Big Bloomers in the ground, coreopsis, eucalyptus, chamomile, lavender, foxglove and mint.

 

Weaving on Small Looms

Saturday, the Piedmont Fiber Guild held a small looms workshop with Susan Morgan Leveille.  there was so much interest in this workshop there was a second class held on Sunday.  We learned so much from Susan.  The pictures tell the story best.

Vivian and Susan getting us started

Susan shared examples of different effects with different weft materials

Choosing our fabrics for our rag mug rugs.

This is the chipboard loom after warping with carpet warp.

Working hard.

Susan demonstrates how to cut the weaving off the loom and tie the fringe.

Our potholders. 

My small woven things.

Vivian gave us a great suggestion for weaving on the go.  An eyeglass case holds the cardboard loom, needle, scissors, yarn, button and warp.  Everything I need to weave a tiny amulet bag.  Headed to Florida Tuesday so it is packed and ready to throw in my purse.