IxCHeL Fibres, Yarns & Art: March 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

An Epic blend : Bunny Bison Bliss

Today I want to offer you something so special and so amazing it is hard to keep from squee’ing and excitingly jumping up and down: a new IxCHeL blend: Bunny Bison Bliss Tops. And, because this special IxCHeL blend is so special and close to my heart, I have given each and every one of them a Native American name ..I just had to.

The American Bison,, so great that the scientific name for them is Bison bison, is the largest land animal currently living in the Americas and Australia ! (yes you heard right, there are bison in Australia! See this website for more information: http://www.dhtc.com.au/bison.php ) .

Enormous herds of bison once occupied the American Great Plains, and were critically important to Native American Plains tribes as sources of meat, hides, horn, bone and sinew. American Bison were hunted close to extinction by white settlers and the American military during the western migration, but they were given protected status and the population rebounded in the second half of the 20th century.

There are now substantial populations living in the United States and Canada; all the wild-ranging herds are found in state, provincial and national parks. In addition, there are several herds owned by private farmers and even some in Australia !

socialising with the Bison (Dungong Farm NSW)

As a spinner and weaver I love to play and experiment with all sorts of fibres and the Bison being so close to my heart and heritage, I could not resist to try and design a blend that would not only do it justice but also excel in its beauty, handle and all over amazing way to spin and use in our fibre art. If you thought that our camelbunny silk cashmere top from last week is out of this world, think again, this beauty is out of the universe…!

It has the following ingredients: Superfine 17micron merino, angora bunny , Bison, Baby Camel, cashmere and tencel. It spins like a dream!

I have managed to spin so fine on my Tibetan Spindle with that blend that it is finer than sewing thread! More importantly, the tops are extremely easy to draft even without pre drafting : it is like butter in your hands so to speak. It holds together beautifully while still open and super super soft. Especially when spinning with a support spindle it is very important to have a very fluffy open easy to draft top to work with.

I found that spinning on the support spindles that I prefer to spin with batts or fauxlags. Well, that time has definitely gone! I LOVE spinning with the Bunny Bison Bliss tops! Try it and you will never ever look back. This week I have the natural beauty of the bunny bison bliss tops on offer and some hand dyed bunny bison bliss tops as well.

”I was here before you”…

Here are some photos of some gorgeous Bison, the bunny bison bliss blend and the bunny bison bliss yarn in progress:

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable. All my contact details are to be found at the end of this weeks blog entry. Have fun !!!

BUNNY BISON BLISS tops Natural

A wonderful magical blend of Superfine 17micron merino (50%), angora bunny (10%), Bison (15%) Baby Camel (10%) cashmere (5%) and tencel (10%).
50grams+ (+/- 1.75oz) for AU$17

Bunny Bison Bliss Tops

bunny Bison Bliss tops braided up

It is amazing to spin this top on a support spindle (here you see it with my Malcolm Fielding Osage orange Tibetan Support spindle from Spun Out) but it spins just as beautiful on a spinning wheel or a drop spindle, anything goes, even felting

Bunny Bison Bliss tops close up

Bunny Bison Bliss Tops

Hand dyed with love

A supersoft epic magical top and an exclusive to the IxCHeL Fibre Farm!

50+grams (+/-1.75Oz); AU$17

Zihna (She who spins wool)

Wenona (name given to first born daughter) -sold-

Ogin (wild Rose)-sold-

Cheyenne( Tribe of the great plains) shown here with
A walnut Bristlecone Phang -sold-

Chaska (Name given to first born son)-sold-

Powaqa(Witch)

Pamui(Water moon) sold

Honiahaka (little wolf) -sold-

Cheseaqua (red bird)

Chenoa (Dove) -sold-

Aponi (Butterfly) -sold-

Algoma (Valley of Flowers) -sold-

Aiyana (eternal Blossom) -SOLD-
I have to say my favourite this week!
I am very attracted to these deep greens at the moment, don't ask me why..
and the combo with the reds and pinks just make everything pop!

Ahanu (He who laughs) -sold-

IxCHeL Club sign ups starting in April 2014 are Open until April 8th So don’t miss out !!!!

IxCHeL Fibre Club April, May and June 2014

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$22 , 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 #20 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months (April, May and June 2014) is AU$66 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND there are good value double serves available !!!

For Australia : single serve $66+$27 postage (parcel post), double serve $120+$27

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$66+AU$51 (Airmail) double serve AU$120+AU$51

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$66+AU$58 (airmail) Double serve AU$120+AU$58

For Asia: Single serve AU$66+AU$45 (airmail) Double serve AU$120+AU$45

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #20 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for fibre club #20 is April 8th! And the first instalment is going to be shipped out end of April. Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details

The IxCHeL Sock Yarn Club April, May and June 2014

Every month for three months (April, May and June 2014) you will receive: enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks or a lush shawl or scarf ofcourse! (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

For Australia : single serve $78+$27 postage (parcel post) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +$27

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$78+AU$51 (Airmail) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$51

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$78+AU$58 (airmail) Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$58

For Asia: Single serve AU$78+AU$45 (airmail) Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$45

Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB! is April 8th.

Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal . 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 April, May and June 2014

Every month I will be offering a monthly exclusive IxCHeL mini skein selection for Club members. In that monthly selection there are 12 hand dyed miniskeins that are hand dyed and or even hand spun and awesome to add to your mini skein projects.

Here are all the details for the sign ups for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club:

For Australia : single serve $69+$27 postage (parcel post) double serve $130 (=even a better deal!) +$27

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$69+AU$51 (Airmail) double serve $130 (even a better deal!) +AU$51

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$69+AU$58 (airmail) Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$58

For Asia: Single serve AU$69+AU$45 (airmail) Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$45

Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club is April 8th. The first Club mini skeins will be sent out end of April. Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details

IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt Club April, May and June 2014

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 wolf and bison! 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 !

Price to join the Ixchel Funky bunny for three months is :

For Australia : $96+$27 postage (parcel post)

For USA + Canada: AU$96+AU$51 (Airmail)

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$96+AU$58 (airmail)

For Asia: AU$96+AU$45 (airmail)

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY Batt CLUB now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the funky bunny batt club April 8th and the first installment is going to be shipped out end of April :) Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me

Badges!

Happy funny Badges to attach to just about anything: your craft bags, clothes, the perfect little gifts !

1 badge AU$2

10 for AU$18

20 badges for AU$35

30 badges for AU$49

Every badge has a nr so when ordering just mention the nr of the badge and how many you would like..easy!

newest additions : badge nrs 84-90

Badges 1-20

Badges 21-40

Badges 41-59

Badges 60-83

How To Order:

1. You can email me on ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au or ixchelbunny at yahoo dot com dot au
2. 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? Any custom orders for yarn or dyeing fibre? Please don’t hesitate to ask! Always happy to enable.

Thank you so much for your help and support !

IxCHeL Events to put in your Calendar!

Monday 14th of April
GrandValley Spinners and Weavers
TOYLAND SPIN IN
Tapscott Hall Cnr Cambridge and Montrose Roads
Montrose
Start 9:30 Am
Everybody welcome !
I will have a stall there with fibres, yarns, batts, clouds and much much more !!!!

Handknitters Guild Mini Wool show
To be announced Soon !

Friday 18th July-Sunday 20th of July
Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show
Bendigo Show Grounds
Flower Power Bunny Shed
THE event of the year with heaps of fun and super special fibre happenings!!

Friday 15th of August-Sunday 17th of August
39th Annual Country Conference
Camp Manyung Sunnyside Rd,
Mount Eliza
Im doing a talk there about the Navajo Churro Sheep project, Navajo Rug making, Navajo style spinning and more !
Lots of extremely special and hard to find fibres and yarns and SPINDLES will be available there !
Not to be missed!
There will also be a Special Navajo rug display and I will also have a stall there with lots of fluffy stuff to hug..enabling galore!!
To participate in the Country Conference please contact : Dot Vallence , email: dotv5@optusnet.com.au

RABBIT ON !

((hugs))

Charly

Friday, March 21, 2014

Sunny Side Up

No use me saying I have been more busy than an army of minions…it’s the usual…lol..what’s been different is that I have lost one day laid up in bed ..couldn’t move, get up ..no nothing..migraine extra strength..probably because I have been pulling all nighters getting orders ready and prepping lots of stuff for shows and forgetting to eat or drink... Yeah I know...not smart..

Although my friend Juleen told me there had been an earthquake…I admitted at one time that I was super sensitive to tectonic shifts and I could almost either “feel them coming’..lol..ofcourse nobody believes me and it is not an exact science, but at least Juleen didn’t laugh at me….so she told me there was one in the States that might have given me the migraine.

I normally don’t get headaches or migraines, especially not after the oncologist took my hormone producing centre out after a serious bout with cancer 4 years ago. So, it was a surprise ..

Lots of people tell me I should take it easier but I have to admit I am not one that can sit still easy..Im never bored and even while I was sick as a dog in bed..I came up with the most exciting ideas ever!!! lol and I do forget to sleep and eat and drink ...I mean, every now and again when I go passed my bedroom and glance at the bed thinking” Oh I could do with a little bit of extra Zzzzz time” and the bed looks so enticing, but then I go on and before I know it it's three in the morning and just like with getting over our hunger , I get over feeling sleepy. I tell you...sleepin tablets or energy tablets are nowhere to be found in this house..no need..it's the "energiser bunny" in me.. Unfortunatle I had a battery malfunction on Tuesday..oh well..Apart from feeling a bit like a zombie for the last couple of days I am back to my crazy me. Can't keep a fibre fanatic down..

So like I said, I stayed in bed all day Tuesday and even slept in on Wednesday..I know!!! It’s terrible! I must have needed it ..so Im getting over the guilt..lol..I was a bit late sending the orders out and the clubs because if that little adventure , my sincerest apologies. The rest of the week has been filled with lots of fluff and blending and dyeing and I had a ball !!!!!

Last week I got the scare of my life saying that the huge Bendigo show is only 4 months away !!!! It only seemed a couple fo months ago I was there ! Again, time flies when you are having fun they say ! First of all I have a fun spin and meet show coming up organised by the Grand Valley Spinners and I always LOVE being there in that gorgeous setting they have there and I must admit : They have the most yummy food there too. So come down and enjoy a fab day out surrounded by fluff and like minded fibre fanatics ! (for the date and address please scroll down to the borrom of this weeks blog and you can ready all about it and put it in your calendar !). I have lots to do for this show but I can assure you my new blends will be there in all their glory for some fun cuddling and smooching !

This week something very special and something I do not offer that many times just because it is so special and luxurious. It definitely is on the top of my list as the fibre drug of choice ..lol…it's the IxCHeL blend of Camel Bunny Silk and Cashmere !!! Yesssssss!!!!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable. All my contact details are to be found at the end of this weeks blog entry. Have fun !!!

IxCHeL Camelbunny Silk Cashmere Tops

A supersoft organic all Australian Top, an exclusive to the IxCHeL Fibre Farm!
Baby Camel, Angora Bunny, Australian Cashmere, Mulberry Silk

50+grams (+/-1.75Oz); AU$19

Not in Kansas anymore …(2 left)

Zombies and Mermaids (2left)

Zen(2 left)

Wild Rose(2 left)

Vogue (2 left)

Soft Rain (sold)

Platypus (2 left)

Natural-sold-

Revolution (the reds were so hard to photograph but it is the deepest true red that you have ever seen! Vampires would attack you in the street wearing a scarf made out if this red camelbunny silk with a bit of dashing dusky purple. probably not the best selling argument for a colourcombo ..lol..but you get my drift..)-sold-

Renegade -sold-

Goldilocks (sold)