Friday, January 27, 2012

Hello and Goodbyes


First of all some sad news: Max, our oldest , gorgeous smoke grey angora bunny passed away last Tuesday. She was the sweetest, silkiest angora bunny I have ever had and she will be sadly missed. She had been off her food for a day and I had given her some critical care just ion case, but she did not seem blocked at all nor was there any sign of the feared calici viral infection that had caused so much death and heartache last year on our little farm. On Tuesday midday when I went and checked up on her again, she looked at me , while I was trying to make her comfortable and give her water and then, with a few gasps and a silent little scream, she said goodbye. She will always be a special bunny in our hearts. RIP sweet Max.
Her sister Pippi (a year younger than Max, who was 8 and a half) has been with Max her whole life and although she was okay on Tuesday and Wednesday , I think it has really kicked in yesterday that she misses her a lot. She looks very sad , even with two sweet little girls , Sugar pie and Angel, that live with Pippi in her condo. She has not touched her food this morning so I will have to intervene and give her some critical care today and try and cheer her up with some nice treats and lots of cuddles. Fingers crossed Pippi will be strong enough.

The excitement of the week, apart from our wedding anniversary outing on Monday!, was ofcourse the official Sydney Royal go ahead on April 9th and web info on what is going on at the Easter show for us Rabbit fans ! Here is the link to what is going to take place but more will be announced by the Royal Sydney show next week and heaps of media will be contacted as well: it is going to be so exciting !!!!!

http://australianshowrabbit.tripod.com/id61.html

Now all we need to do is get our act together, train for fast spinning and knitting and for me as well, getting as much fluffy bunny yarn and fibres together for dispay and sale at the Sydney Royal Show ! (Trying not to panic…lol)

Also the race has already begun to organise and plan the Sydney Royal Show in April AND the Bendigo in July ! it is all going to be AWESOME !!! So much to do , so little time, but oh so much fun !


There have been some amazing nice yarns on my wheel and in the dyepost again : this time some lace weight pure angora yarn and last but not least the offering of this week! A SUPER SPECIAL 3 ply yarn that is just too amazing for words: last Saturday the bunny spin in visitors each had a feel of this yarn and there were lots of oohs and aaahs..lol It tales me a while to do but the result is stunning and sooo soft! It is spun on the Schacht Sidekick wheel, on a medium ratio and more importantly, plyed very relaxed: meaning there is flow, drape, super softness and a halo that is out of this world ! The blend? Here it is: 70% long dehaired mink and 30% super fine angora bunny ! one word: AWESOME! Now there is ofcourse only a very limited supply but I am working on more and there will be other colours available: I will be taking orders! So if you want this yarn in coal black or purples or greens (see colour list later on) let me know and I will put you on the order list and start spinning and dyeing. Again, this is super special yarn with an amazing yardage of +/- 350meters per 50 grams ! it is light, it is super soft, it is fluffy BUT because long fibres have been used the amount of pill or shedding will be 0 to hardly any ! Always a positive !

Last week I promised you information on classes in May and June as well: here it is:

MAY Classes

Beginner Spinner classes Tuesday May 8th, 15th and 22nd 10am-4pm $150




Learn 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 $150
Learn 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 !

How To Order and reserve a spot for your classes:
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


Bunny Mink 3 ply Yarn 70% Long dehaired mink, 30% angora bunny rabbit
+/-50 grams AU$23 (this is an introduction price! Orders will be taken and those who pre order enjoy this low price for this stunning yarn as well !)



meterage: +/- 300meters/50 grams ( ndls 3.25-4mm) you will only need one to two skeins for a stunning scarf or shawl !




Natural



yarn overview jan 2012



a gorgeous trio



Olive



Dusky Puple -sold-



Icy Heather -sold-





Romance

Tasman Sea -sold-


pre order solid colours in the bunny mink 3 ply yarn. Pre order now and enjoy a lower price




Blue Faced Leicester Bunny + Seaweed Tops Hand dyed
(30%Seaweed, 5% angora, 65% Blue faced leicester)

100+ grams AU$23
can you tell I have watched Dr Who? lol



Novice Hame -meditative colour combinations to purr by-




The Tardis -it's much bigger on the inside- SOLD



River Song -free spirited zest for life-




Weeping Angels -the scary angel grey stone but combines with ochres and blues of happy endings-



the Silence -dangerous and I promise you will remember this combo! even after you look away-



Cassandra-just plain velvetty gorgeousness-





Alpha Centauri -sophisticated evil..lol-



Beep the Meep -just funny with some orange zestiness!-



Amy Pond -a gorgeous colour combination of dusky sensual colours..yum!-




Rory the Roman -happy chaos with love-


Mini Skein Selection January 2012
10 supersoft hand dyed miniskeins with an extra smiley face hexapuff chart !

AU$23


the January mini skein selection + some of the hexapuffs I made with this selection !


Close up of the mini skein selection January 2012

ATTENTION! ATTENTION !!!
I will be sending out all the clubs on Monday morning so if any of you club members want to order something it will go with your club shipment and you will save on postage ! yeah !



Dates to Remember:
Bunny Spin in at the Ixchel Fibre Farm (11am-4pm)


There will be BUNNY SPIN INS again in February 2012 !! Yeah!




Saturday February 18th, 11am-4pm
Bring 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 February 23rd 11am-4pm

February 14th, Warragul Spinners and Weavers Group, Gladstone street
The Fireshed will be filled with fibre ! I will do a bunny talk and bring a bunny with me to “show and tell” and perform a bunny haircut !

April 9th, Sydney Royal Show
THE Angora Bunny Event of the year!!
Back to Back Bunny World Record
Join 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 Syndey show website and here later !

April 28th
Mini Wool Show of the Hand knitters Guild
Time and place to be confirmed later.
I am preparing heaps of new yarns for that event that will be amazing !!!!!


MAY and JUNE: keep your calendar free for exciting workshops !

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 J
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

1 comment:

catsmum said...

my goodness what a long post ...
I shall treasure the small bag of Max fluff from Bendy last year

[[hugz ]]