It's Raining Shetlands

As I've said before, my Shetlands keep me entertained. Yesterday I checked the barn to find 2 Shetland moms cleaning off their newborns. It was apparent that one mom was not happy with situation as it stood. When I got behind both moms one still had her lamb stuck in her. Only the feet and nose were out. She had obviously claimed the other ewe's twin. After I pulled her lamb and placing it in front of her,she quickly allowed the lamb she had cleaned so carefully to return to her mom and accepted hers. Every year we have a Shetland mixing of the lambs and it always amazes me how they sort it out. Their mothering instinct is so strong and wonderful to watch. That makes 17 Shetland ram lambs and 10 ewes. Lopsided but better than last year. Now what am I going to do with them? shetlands are not exactly a hot commodity here in York,Co. PA.

This Is For Stacey, My Crafty Niece

About 5 years ago I decided to make quilts for Tim and Molly with each block representing a facet in their lives.For 3 years I collected fabric pieces depicting things they liked, trips we took, sports they enjoyed (no swimming fabric at all...had to resort to bubbles.)Finding the fabric was sooo much fun, but I had never quilted in my life so I signed up for a class in June 2008. You should have seen the instructor's face when I told her what I planned to do and that my intent was to give 2 finished quilts as Christmas gifts. I learned how to make log cabin squares and sewed all summer hidden away in the basement. Top secret project. I loved matching the fabrics. My friend JoAnn, a super quilter for years, helped me plan the layout when the squares were complete. Of course I used woollen batting from our sheep to make this great work of art more significant. The woollen batt also made it more poofy and harder to put together but how was I to know. I never think of consequences when I undertake a project. Full steam ahead is my motto. Tim's quilt top was the first to get attached to the backing, a loud red white and blue fabric with all the states on it since it's a Byrne family thing to visit all 50 states. After hours of work it was a lumpy, puckered disaster. I called JoAnn asking how she put the backs on her quilts so beautifully. Her reply was,"I take them to the Amish and pay to have it done right." Great...now she lets her secret out. It was November and these were Christmas gifts. No time for Amish workmanship. Tim's quilt was ripped apart and redone. By the time I got to Molly's I had things fairly well figured out. Her's was better AND they were ready for Christmas. They are not great works of art, but I hope they will remind the kids of some good times and things we have done together. I also hope it will give them a smile or a good laugh remembering a mother who had more ideas than talent. I have turned half-assed into an art form.

Darn That Sophie

Molly was home for spring break and every day she'd go out to check to see if Sophie had lambed. Nope. Well just hours after Molly's flight left this morning, Sophie finally lambed. Molly is my web photographer and since she is gone this picture taken by me will have to do. This ram lamb is very unusual for us. We tend to get just ordinary Shetlands.
Having Molly home was great but it will take me days to recover since she keeps me busy all the time. We are always going someplace. Of course, a trip to see gymnastics in State College was a must. Although the trip is over 2 hours each way, we HAVE to go. Penn State vs Nebraska. We route for Nebraska. They need a couple red shirts in the bleechers.
Molly helped me with the Yarn Party sales yesterday....or should I say lack of sales. It was not a good show for some reason. Guess the economy is finally hitting those with fiber addiction. Hope Maryland Sheep and Wool has a better crowd.

Getting Ready For Yarn Party Show

March 21st is the Ravelry Yarn Party in Savage,MD near DC. It was a great show last year! I am frantically dying BFL yarn and spinning Shetland skeins for the sale. Molly will be home on spring break so this year,so hopefully I'll have an assistant sales person. Lisa from Feederbrook Farm, who also has Shetland yarn, does the show with me. It's good to partner with an energetic young woman but she exhausts me! I come home feeling my age. Great thing about Lisa is we always end the show with a glass or 2 of wine. Raising sheep has gifted me with some of the best friends. It makes getting up every day exciting.

Tiny BFL Ewes

These 2 were born to a BFL yearling on Sunday. Wish mom had had one 10 pounder instead of 2 just barely 5 pounds each. They get cold easily so the felted sweater sleeve jackets keep them warm.

Baby Shetlands Everywhere!

Triplets this morning and twins this afternoon. Beautiful day to be born in the sun. Mom of the triplets helped clean the other ewe's twins off then tried to take them. Guess 3 wasn't enough for her. It was wonderful to be out there with them, sorting newly sheared fleeces and watching the activity in the pen. One of the triplets was leaping around the pen within 40 minutes of birth. Shetlands are great comic relief.

Sunny Shearing Day Finally 50 Degrees

Beautiful day for shearing the Shetlands. I let another shepherd take my original shearing date and this date was a little too close to lambing to suit me but my shearer, Nathan, is very gentle so I forged ahead. We saw some pretty full bags and breathed a sigh of relief when each ewe was done. With 2 more to go (21 sheared total) it happened. Half way through the shearing a water bag popped out. AAHH!!! Nate finished the job and the ewe wandered off. We watched her while we sheared the last 2 ewes but she was not pushing at all. Eventually, I had to pull the lambs but they were lively and strong. Up and nursing in minutes. Little shetlands are so cute and amazing. The Shetland lambing has begun!
Thank you Garrett for the suggestions about getting better results this year. Last year we had 20 Shetland ram lambs and 4 ewes. Another Shetland ewe lambed this AM and she also had a ram and a ewe. We are 50/50 so far. That's a lot better than last year.