Happy St Patrick's Day !!!The grass is always greener on the other side, you always want what you can’t get…and when you have it, well, somehow it doesn’t seem that important anymore., because other things take over, like life and getting things done, work, life in general. It is like we are so eager to get happiness by acquiring things or doing things or trying to please. It is the pursuit of happiness ..always running to get there and when you get there, you realise that it was somehow the hunt for happiness, not the acquiring of it. What brought this on? Well,, as you know last week I was without internet or phone while having to organise heaps etc. I was totally going cold turkey not being able to do anything on the word wide web. Mind you , I had heaps of other things I coud have done instead of stress about it and getting angry , but I chose not to. I chose to be guided by that what I did not have. Stupid eh? So I ran around like a mad woman and lost valuable time finishing what I needed to do: custom spinning jobs and preparing lots of nhandspun and fibres for the shows coming up. Now, I knkow you can’t win. You can’t do everything at once, but this week, when I had all the electricity and phone lines and internet I wanted and needed so badly last week, I hardly used any of it. I was spinning yarn..spinning…and spinning…and spinning. I made a steampunk art yarn for a birthday present that Dr Stip commissioned me to do (see photo below) , I finished art yarns in all shapes and sizes (very exiting!) for Ok!Charli for her baby garment art works and more. Long days and nights of spinning ! and I enjoyed every second of it. I must say, making those art yarns I recognised a couple of things:
1. I am absolutely certain I will never ever want to become a watch maker!
Trying to disassemble old non functioning watches with all their teeny tiny,
wibbly wobbly , timey wimey bits and pieces is really not my cup of tea!
2. Boucle yarn looks absolutely awesome, but it is extreeeeeeemely time
consuming to get it done. Forst you have to spin very fine,, high ratio
singles, then you have to push the singles onto a very fine plying thread
spinning in the opposite direction and then, in order to lock the curls in,
you have to py it again with very fine thread.
Steampunk art yarn with watch face and a tiny steampunk book I made titled H G Wells Tales of Time and Space
Steampunk art yarn with watch face and a tiny steampunk book Open
Core Spun yarn “wood elf”with tawny frogmouth and parrot feathers, paper bark, silk, angora bunny, merino, cashmere all handdyed with natural dyes
Baby 2 Boucle yarnDoing all different art yarns does give you a sense of accomplishment and kind of gets you out of that brainwash spinning mode you can get in when you do your “normal”spinning..you know the spinning that your body and mind tell you to do because it is so natural to you. Like 4 or 8 ply. It is amazingly energising to do something else in between. It totally gives you a new perspective on spinning and, well, life in general.
By the way, apparently there was a spread in the Sunday Telegraph Sunday about our little fibre farm and bunnies, but since I did not get my hands on that Sydney paper here where I live, I have no idea what was in it..I will nag the photographer for copies of the photos.
Anyway, without keeping you too long: here is this weeks update! A new blend ! Again ! A gorgeous oatmeal blue faced leicester : a mesmerising silvery natural coloured sheep, blended with mulberry silk and angora bunny ! An awesome blend to spin and felt. I love the natural colours but with the base not being white, it also creates beautiful effects when dyeing !
Also some bamboo bunny blend sock weight yarn this week: one skein will do a pair of socks with its amazing yardage of 400meters per 100grams.
Enjoy!
How To Order:
You can email me on ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au or message me on facebook or ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny. I will email you right back with all your order details and payment methods. Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask! Always happy to enable.
Thank you so much for your help and support !
(((HUGS)))
Charly
IxCHeL Oatmeal Blue faced Leicester Silk Bunny Tops 100+grams AU$22Ingredients: Superfine Blue Faced Leicester 70% , 5% angora, 25% Mulberry silk
Excellent for spinning the most luscious yarns and felts beautifully! The silvery base colour of this blend makes dyeing it extra special. The colours are deep and mystical, especially when using natural dyes like I have done for some of these hand dyed tops you see here.
Secret Place-2 left-
Natural-sold-
Under Stars -sold-
Drunken Lullaby-3 left-
been there Done that-sold-
A Mhuirnin O (My darling Love in Gaelic) -sold-
The Fairy Queen
IxCHeL Bamboo Bunny 4 ply – sock weight yarn 100+grams +/- 400meters AU$23 SPECIAL PRICE (instead of $26) !!
Ingredients: Bamboo 50%, 10% angora, 25% Mulberry silk, nylon 15%
1 skein will do a pair of socks or a scarf !
Whiskey Kiss-2 left-
Limerick-2left-
As I roved out-2 left-
Life’s a jig-2left-
If I ever leave this world alive-2 left-
Carolan’s Draught-2left-
IxCHeL Club Sign ups for April, May and June 2012 are now Open!
IxCHeL FIBRE CLUB April, May and June 2012
The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed top/roving per month to the value of AU$20 , and as all of you past members know you get tops that are usually around $24 ! so it is a great deal!
All the tops will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel Fibre Club ! Price to join the Ixchel Fibre Club #13 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months is AU$60 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND double and triple serves are available !!! So in short:
For Australia :
single serve $60+$18 postage (parcel post)
double serve $120+$24
triple serve $160+$33
For USA + Canada:
single serve AU$60+AU$35 (Airmail)
double serve AU$120+AU$60
For UK,Europe, rest of the world:
Single serve AU$60+AU$38 (airmail)
Double serve AU$120+AU$58
For Asia:
Single serve AU$60+AU$28 (airmail)
Double serve AU$120+AU$39
If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #13 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for fibre club #13 is end of March! And the first installment is going to be shipped out end of April:)
Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :)
IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt Club
Here are all the details and just pm me when you have any questions or want to be part of the funky bunny batt club Movement ;-) Welcome to the blingy dark side ;-D
The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed funky bunny batt per month to the value of AU$32 or more . The batts will range in weight from 100grams to 150grams with luxury fibres like camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even Yak this time !
All the batts will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel funky bunny Club ! Every month you will receive a HUGE luxury funky bunny batt !
Sign up now and you will receive an Ixchel Hand dyed , super luxurious funky bunny batt for April, May and June 2012 !
Price to join the Ixchel Funky bunny #13 :)) for three months is :
For Australia : $96+$18 postage (parcel post)
For USA + Canada: AU$96+AU$35 (Airmail)
For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$96+AU$38 (airmail)
For Asia: AU$96+AU$28 (airmail)
If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY Batt CLUB#12 now.
Numbers are strictly limited !
Deadline for signing up for the funky bunny batt club #12 is December 31st! And the first installment is going to be shipped out end of January 2012:)
Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me
IxCHeL Yarn Club
What is the deal? hmmm it is sooo good and fun and sockaliscious you just will HAVE to join :)
Here are the details:
Every month for three months (april-may and june 2012) you will receive:
enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks; (the hand dyed yarn will be exclusive for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB and will range from a sockweight yarn or a 3ply or a 4 ply);
Every month a new sock pattern, tips and instructions ! Now is that GOOD or is that GOOD ??! :)
I will even offer a double serve for those of you who like their socks extra long :)
Here is the nitty gritty:
For Australia : single serve $78+$18 postage (parcel post)
double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +$24
For USA + Canada: single serve AU$78+AU$35 (Airmail)
double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$49
For UK,Europe, rest of the world:
Single serve AU$78+AU$38 (airmail)
Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$57
For Asia: Single serve AU$78+AU$28 (airmail)
Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$42
Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB! is end of March.
Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :))
By the way: you don’t HAVE to knit socks if you don’t want to.. the hand dyed yarn is amazingly nice for scarves, cowls, beanies and even tops ! Anything goes :)
IxCHeL Mini skein Club
Every month I will be offering a monthly exclusive IxCHeL mini skein selection for Club members. In that monthly selection there are 10 hand dyed miniskeins that are hand dyed and or hand spun not available anywhere else and awesome to add to your mini skein projects. Once the Monthly mini skein collecction is announced anybody can order as many as there are available and they will receive a nice colourful pack of FOURTEEN miniskeins for $23+post. That is 14 miniskeins for the price of 10 ! Now how can you say no to that??
Here are all the details for the sign ups for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club:
Here is the nitty gritty:
For Australia : single serve $69+$18 postage (parcel post)
double serve $130 (=even a better deal!) +$24
For USA + Canada: single serve AU$69+AU$35 (Airmail)
double serve $130 (even a better deal!) +AU$49
For UK,Europe, rest of the world:
Single serve AU$69+AU$38 (airmail)
Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$57
For Asia: Single serve AU$69+AU$28 (airmail)
Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$42
Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club is end of March.
Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :))
Wokshops in May and June :
MAY Classes
Beginner Spinner classes Tuesday May 8th, 15th and 22nd 10am-4pm $150Learn how to spin in a day ! You will receive a bag filled with fluffy goodies to learn with and the use of a wheel! Different types of fibres will be covered from merino, to Shetland, to rare sheep breeds , angora , mohair, yak and alpaca !
Enjoy the relaxing environment of our little fibre farm and cuddle a bunny on your breaks from spinning. Lunch and drinks provided. Brochures on techniques etc will be handed out as well. Limited places available !
Art Yarns Saturday May 26th and Tuesday May 29th 10am-4pm $150
Make art yarns, dive into the world of creative yarns! Learn how to make the nip n tuck, coils, slubs, core spinning and adding fancy extras!
Lunch and drinks provided. Bring your own fluff or additions or dive into our shop to get your supply. Every student will receive a bag of surprise goodies to work with aas well.
JUNE CLASSES
Wire Core Spinning Saturday June 2nd 10am-4pm $150
Learn how to use jewellery wire in your spinning to make fibre sculptures , baskets, wearable art and more. !
Its an amazingly nice way to make adventurous, multi functional yarn !
Handouts , lunch and drinks will be provided a dn a bag of goodies, wire core and fluff to play with !
Plying Adventures Tuesday June 5th 10-3pm $100
Learn how to ply a balanced yarn, Navajo ply, flower power ply or do fancy boucle! Lots of new adventurous yarns !
Every student will be given a bag of goodies and lunch and drinks will be provided as well.
Tailspinning yarn Saturday 9th of June 10am-4pm $150Learn the spinning technique in a day. You can create your own tailspun super soft mohair curls (fibre provided!) or even angora ! anything goes! It’s exciting to create yarn like this ! aand now is your chance to learn!
Every student will be given a bag of goodies and lunch and drinks will be provided as well.
Flower Power Art Yarns and Fancy Additions Tuesday June 19th 10-4pm $150
Learn how to make art yarns with your handspun that look like little flowers or beehives ! and how to add little bits and pieces, feathers, bling and more to your yarn to make it extra special !
Your imagination is the limit !
Every student will be given a bag of goodies and lunch and drinks will be provided as well.
To reserve a spot in any of these classes, email me or message me on Ravelry. I will send you all the details. It’s going to be FUN !
Dates to Remember:
Bunny Spin in at the Ixchel Fibre Farm (11am-4pm)
Every Third Saturday and every fourth Thursday of the month!
Saturday March 17th, 11am-4pmBring a plate to share your wheel or spindle, knitting or crochet, yourself and a smile and have a fun day out amongst bunnies and friends ! Please contact me to secure a spot ! Bunny food like cabbage, bok choi or broccoli is always welcome as well ! : the bunnies will cuddle you more for it ;D
Thursday March 22nd, 11am – 4pm
April 9th, Sydney Royal Show
THE Angora Bunny Event of the year!!
Back to Back Bunny World RecordJoin the fun and what better way to do it than visit all the Easter bunnies at the Royal Easter Show! Promoting the angora rabbits in Australia for the very first time ! and how ! More information on the Royal Sydney show website !
April 16th
Flower Power Spin in
Grand Valley Spinner & Weavers
Tapscott-Milbourne centre, Cambridge road, Motrose (melways ref 52 C5)
10am-4pm
It is going to be heaps of fun with lots of new fibres and yarns !!! and lot sof spinning
April 28th
Mini Wool Show of the Hand knitters GuildTime and place to be confirmed later.
I am preparing heaps of new yarns for that event that will be amazing !!!!!
The Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show 2012
Friday 20th-Sunday 22nd of July
I will be in the Flower (bunny) shed again this year with heaps of new fluffy stuff and in full bunny regalia
This year it is even going to BIGGER and more HUGE than ever !!!
Join me in the fun !
The woolcraft schedule is published and the IxCHeL Fibre farm is sponsoring a catergory this year in the handspun yarn classes in Natural Animal Fibres class 23 and 24 !!! We feel it is very important to get the word out . Angora fibre and cashmere and mohair and alpaca and baby camel is amazing to spin, felt, weave, embellish and crochet with! Start planning and working on your entry for the show and get your art work out there for everybody tot admire and win prizes !! yeah ! What could be better eh?
Check out the website here for more details : www.sheepshow.com and for questions relating to the woolcraft schedule and ore contact Dot Vallence at Dotv5 at optusnet dot com dot au
Contact me on Ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny, message me on facebook or email me on Ixchelbunny@yahoo.com.au or ixchel@rabbit.com.au
RABBIT ON !
((hugs))
Charly
Sometimes you just want to hide in a cup...
Biohazard meets Barbie
Tasman Seafoam
Biohazard
Summer Dreaming
Dolphin Cove
Circus Clowns meet Royalty
Ocean Sunset
Hobbitland
Bushrangers Party
Food imitating Bear
or how about these awesome knitted QR code gloves !
Highland mist
Orchid
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