Days and Nights

Unbelievable but true: it is Friday already!!!   Although I am much better organized than last week Friday, I have to say this last week seems like at least 3 weeks with the amount of dyeing, spinning, carding, prepping, batting, packing  and designing that was done and that is not even counting the farm work and bunny care.

 I will give you a very small synopsis so you get an idea what my week looked like: All the March Club fibres that I dyed last week and were nicely dry and fluffy, were either mde ino tops and braided  or carded into "Funky Bunny batts" (about 15 to 20 kgs worth) then it was the  the sock yarn clubs turn to be  all labelled  , skeined and  accompanied by a pattern (another kilos and kilos load) and then all needed to be packed! (Thankfully Paul helped my with loads of packing so that’s a bonus! And everything needed to be checked, because some customers have special wishes or lay bys etc).

Then, after all that, you think: a breather and some time to relax..but eh..no: custom orders: I needed to spin and prep about 3 kilos of art yarn this week! And then you think: oh well, after all that surely  now is time for a breather then a little time to relax? Eh..no…update time ! LOL      and in between there is the care of bunnies ofcourse! Hilde is an ongoing patient because of her eye problems. Daily eye baths and cleaning up and medication time, together with daily grooming and making sure every bunny is a happy bunny ! Which is the most important thing !

This week has been super mental. And with that I mean days that stretch into nights. I did not go to bed before 3.30am. So, all in all, yep, it sure was a busy week! LOL

In between all that I have been busy planning and organizing new blends and fibres and dye stuff. Every day is a new adventure. Every day is like jumping down the rabbit hole. And that, my friends, is I think, why I can keep doing this. Adventure and Passion.
I am the first one to admit it is not entirely sane or even logic, but in the end, I would not be able to keep doing what I do , if I would not love every single bit, every stain and bloodshot eye moment, every back breaking excruciating moment of pain when you realize you have been standing at the dyepot for 8 hours straight or you were so caught up in trying to finish that special custom spinning job that before you know it, the clock tells you it is 3am and you suddenly realize THAT is the reason why you started to feel a bit drowsy. It’s that feeling you get when you say to yourself “ just one more row when you are knitting” or “ Just do a little bit more ..” and before you know it, the night has moved into day and you are feeling like a deer staring in the headlights. I’m sure it is not only me…or is it? It helps I am an incorrigible insomniac: I mean: when melatonin decides to leave you for greener pastures, what else is there to do? LOL

Next week the work starts on the finishing of all the Valais Blacknose fibre ! Never a dull moment here at the farm!!

The new club sign ups are open for another week only !! So if you do not want to miss out on some amazing monthly surprises : sign up ! There are big plans and fibre adventures planned for the next round!!!

For this blog update: Let there be Speckles and sock yarn!!!AND I go back to one of the oldest sheep breeds in the world: Icelandic! I am offering three different blends : white, a blend of three different natural colours and an amazing mid grey. I am also starting up and nurturing  a very special Japanese indigo dye bath this weekend, so if you would like to have your Icelandic tops dyed in a yummy Japanese indigo Dyebath: Let me know and I will dye them for you at no extra cost !
Enjoy tonights update and Thank you for all your support of a small fibre farm and a crazy bunny person ! Have Fun !!!!

IxCHeL Merino Nylon Sock yarn 4 ply Fingering Weight

Great yarn with fab stitch definition and drape

+/- 380 meters per 100g

Merino 90% Nylon 10%
100+gram skeins       AU$26

Zombie Picnic

Velvet

The Romantic Hulk

Purple People Eater

heartache and Vines

Heart Throb

Happy Rainbow

Asteroid Storm

Icelandic Sheep Dreams

Here is an amazing video of Heida with her 500 icelandic sheep: She is amazing and reminds me of Lagertha(from Vikings the TV series) in more ways & than one. Down to earth and also very gentle with her flock of exceptional sheep :




What I can offer you today is a beautiful “sorting hat” of natural coloured Icelandic tops that are amazing to handle and spin in all its natural glory !

Last year I offered you a beautiful silver grey Autumn shearing and this week I am very proud to offer you a silver and black lightly blended autumn shearing and a mid grey Icelandic top that looks and feels awesome ! You can ofcourse overdye this top and believe me there is nothing better than dyeing a top with all different natural tonal variations of silver and grey and black. It makes the end product look amazing and magical ! Don’t forget : I can dye your Icelandic sheep tops in a Japanese indigo dye bath this weekend of you like at no extra cost !

There are not many wild or domesticated local animals in Iceland, but the wildlife and farm animals Iceland do have are very special. Did you know there are more Icelandic sheep in Iceland than people?! Some farmers own nearly a thousand sheep of their own. The extensive farm land around Iceland's coast is full of them, and every summer they roam the highlands and mountains freely. They're tough, sturdy little animals, and grow lots of fluffy wool that the Icelanders use to make all their woollen goods. Icelandic sheep are a breed that has remained virtually unchanged for over 1,000 years, maybe the oldest and most genetically pure sheep breed in the world. Modern Icelandic sheep descend from sheep ferried by Vikings to Iceland during the 8th and 9th Centuries. Attempts to “improve” the breed by outcrossing generally resulted in increased vulnerability to disease, and so raisers on this island nation decided to keep their selective breeding attempts confined within the breed.

The Icelandic sheep is an ancient North European breed, slightly smaller than modern varieties, whose double-layered coat is uniquely suited to cold and wet conditions.

A few weeks after the lambing in May, sheep are sent to run free and graze in mountain pastures until autumn, feeding on the rich and nourishing vegetation. Many farmers formerly allowed their sheep to graze in outlying pastures over the summer months, but as a result of the recent reduction in flocks, animals are increasingly kept on home pastures. Farmers gather their flocks in the autumn. Usually, the round-up is carried out on horseback with assistance of sheepdogs. The process can take up to a week. During this time, participants stay overnight in mountain huts located throughout the highlands. Each sheep farmer has his own earmark in order to identify his livestock. After the gathering, the sheep are all sorted into designated pens, according to earmarks. Many people, farmers or not, come to watch or take part in this event on the last day, which is usually followed by a big celebration the same night. This is a tradition cherished by Icelanders.

Icelandic sheep are a beautiful and eye-catching breed of sheep with incredible colour variations and seventeen possible combinations of colours and patterns. Known around the world for their fibre, the Icelandic sheep provides a soft, lustrous dual coated fleece. Icelandic sheep come in a range of natural colours and patterns which provide lovely wool that is very versatile and easy to spin, making this wool a handspinners dream. There is heaps of information and even videos I put on my autumn shearing of the icelandic sheep on my blog  a while ago in case you want to have a look at the whole story and some more cute photos.(here's the linkie to the Icelandic Leadersheep blog I did. There is another adventure planned later in the year for these amazing sheep for which you can sign up)


Anyway, here I am, it is Friday again and update day and this week, filled again with Nordic Splendour Here are some of the Icelandic Beauties responsible for this weeks fibery update :

I love knitting these old icelandic patterns,

especially in yokes and in the natural colours. They give great stitch defenition and colour

Icelandic Black and Silver Tops

Icelandic Mid grey tops and cream white tops

Beautifully slightly blended black and silver grey Icelandic Autumn Shearing tops
100+gram tops AU$23

The natural silver and black Icelandic autumn shearing tops.
 When I took this photo I all of a sudden realised it looked
like the “sorting hat” of the Harry Potter movies….
or maybe my imagination is to blame and
 I am “seeing things” lol

Grey and silver tops

grey and silver icelandic tops

beautiful mid grey icelandic tops

close up of the mid grey icelandic tops

natural cream white Icelandic tops

Close up of the natural creamy white Icelandic tops

New IxCHeL Club sign ups are now open ! ONLY FOR ANOTHER WEEK !!!

for the months : April, May and June 2017 

(til quotas are reached or until march 31st)

For all our international club fans there is a possibility to ship all three clubs together to save on postage if you want :-) Just pm me and enquire about the options available.

IxCHeL Fibre Club April, May and June 2017

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$24 or more

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 #31 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months (April, May and June 2017) is AU$72 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND there are good value double serves available !!!

For Australia : single serve $72+$28 postage (parcel post), double serve $136+$28 (save $8) or triple serves $204 (save $12!) + postage

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$72+AU$56 (Airmail) double serve AU$136+AU$56

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$72+AU$69 (airmail) Double serve AU$136+AU$69

For Asia: Single serve AU$72+AU$50 (airmail) Double serve AU$136+AU$50

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #32 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! The April 2017 Club 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 Clubs  April, May and June 2017

Every month for three months (April, May and June 2017) 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+$28 postage (parcel post) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +$28

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$78+AU$56 (Airmail) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$56

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$78+AU$69 (airmail) Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$69

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

Numbers are strictly limited ! 

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 Funky Bunny Batt Clubs  April, May and June 2017

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$40 or more .

The batts will range in weight from 140grams to 180grams with luxury fibres like camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even wolf and bison and rare sheep breeds !!!! 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 2017.

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

For Australia : $108+$28 postage (parcel post)

For USA + Canada: AU$108+AU$56 (Airmail)

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$108+AU$69 (airmail)

For Asia: AU$108+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 ! 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

Dates to put in your Calendar !!

May

Saturday May 6th   10am-3pm

Healesville Spinners and Weavers Guild AGM and talk and shop (it is a general meeting and after 12am I will give a talk and there will be fluff for sale. It will be just me there though: not a spin in as such. So Please contact the Healesville spinners and bring a plate to celebrate !)

Please join me with the Healesville Spinners and Weavers on Saturday for their annual meeting and celebration.
I will be doing a talk about the IxCHeLbunny farm, fibres and yarns and lots more !!! There will be fibres to cuddle (and buy) and also spindles of all shapes and sizes.

The event is open to all but everybody is asked to bring a plate of food to share with the others to make it even more fun. The Hall opens at 11am with a group meeting and my talk will start around 12. After the talk there will be ample opportunity to browse, shop and mingle.

V.C. Mullett Hall (Badger Creek Hall), 358 Badger Creek Road, Badger Creek.
The hall is located next to the Badger Creek C.F.A. Station and opposite the Badger Creek Primary School. There is off road parking.

Sunday May 21st 10am-3pm

Victorian Hand Knitters Guild Show Coburg Town Hall

THE extra ordinary super fluffy yarny event in Melbourne !!!
I will be there with lots of hand dyed tops for spinning and felting and happy rainbow yarn and sock yarn, some extra special art yarns and much much more!!!!
As well as some amazing Lair of the Bearded Dragon spindles and bowls that are pure magic to spin with !

July

Friday July 14th- Sunday 16th, 9am-5pm

Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show

THE event of the year !!!! Not to be missed!! I will be there in the Flower (Power Bunny) Shed again with heaps of new goodies, hand dyed and hand spun, IxCHeL new blends and rare sheep breed adventures and much much more ! Including a world first of something AMAZING AND FUN!!!!! Shhh not telling ! but it is AWESOME !!!!

OCTOBER

date and venue info to follow soon.

Black n Coloured Sheep FIELD DAY  in Pakenham!

Landscape dyes 

 100g tubs   AU$11 
250 g tubs AU$26

Want to dye your own with easy to use acid dyes? I have been selling these Landscape dyes at my workshops and shows for a long time :  They are extremely easy to use and come in great shades.
Just contact me with the name of the colour you are after and I will get right back to you.

Have a creative week!

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 here:

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 
3. Message me on www.ravelry.com  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 !

 RABBIT ON !

((hugs))

Charly