Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Great Taste Since 1905

So.

I have been busy, you all. Yesterday was and today is dye day. Witness this fiber drying. (Note to self: Clean outside of window.)



And witness this fiber cooking. Kind of gross looking, isn't it? A witch's brew of lizard innards.



I'm not going to say too much about what I'm doing, except that I am creating three color ways in two fiber blends, which would be exclusive to the Web Presence. So, I have decided on the color ways I wanted, the fibers required and in what amount, and the number of dye pots needed. I have weighed fiber and dye, made solutions of dye, and dyed fiber. (Made notes, even! I know!) By tomorrow, I will be able to begin drumcarding the samples and the goal is to ship them off on Friday. Very workman-like, I am.

Otherwise, it suddenly became Spring. The hummingbirds have been back for over a week but just now got the feeder up.







I was a little late corralling the banties last night, in fact, it was after dark, and so found all five of the little buggers roosting in a tree. Three were scooped up and placed in the coop, but the other two were almost on the top branches. They did fine, as I found them on the ground and inside the fence this morning.

Also, they are almost crowing. At least, trying to.

The little chicks are doing fine, too.

Monday, April 27, 2009

First Class Mail

Back from the Upper Valley Fiber Fest in Troy, Ohio. The weather was beautiful, and Saturday was a good day. I almost made my sales goal, I made enough to cover my expenses. It has been an awesome month for Fuzzarelly Fibers.

I am sending off six FF samples, yet to be created, but fairly concrete in my brain window, later this week to a Web Presence.

I may be going National, you all.

It may be awhile until you hear from again, or it may be tonight. I'm just sayin' is all.



Holy Moley.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Bake for 23-27 minutes.






So.

I bought two pullets at the Tractor Supply Store Tuesday. Pullets are female chickens and they cost more. $5 for the two. I'm not sure what breed they are, but there were hundreds of the little cheep cheeps calling my name and I felt righteous coming home with only two.

They made me realize how grown the bantys were when I got them (the last five left,) because these new chicks were all of one or two days old, all fuzz and no feathers. They are doing fine so far; eating, drinking water, staying under the lamp. They are living on the front porch in the bunny hutch.

The bantys are so grown up! I placed a small tub and a discarded cabinet drawer in their tractor today in case they wanted to nest or something. They loved it! And I love the little noises they make. Sat out in the sun with them this morning, listening to them and soaking in the rays.

Tomorrow, I leave for the Upper Valley Fiber Fest in Troy, Ohio. Just south of Peek-wah. Also spelled Piqua. I have set my sales goal at a mere $400 gross. Sometimes, one just has to Show Up.

Just to inform you as to how behind the times I am, I heard a great song on the radio the other day, and all I understood of the hook was, "lim bull of asher on the 45." It took a few minutes to search youtube and google, but I found the song! Bless these interwebs! And pop music lives!

Brimful of Asha.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Safe to Use Around Cats and Dogs.

April showers bring May flowers.

It is raining today and the same is forecast for the next couple of days. When the sun comes out after that, look out! The world will explode. In a good way.






Li'l Bit is recovering well. He is still caged with AnnaBelle's orphans (bad mama!) until his man juice is more dilute. I was quite pleased with the vet service, as my friend Shay-ron picked him up and brought him home. She offers this locally. I tipped her, but she demurred as nobody had ever tipped her before. Imagine! She saved me so much in time and gas, and in the end, she accepted.

My rule has always been that if some one offers you money, take it.

And now, Chickens!







Friday, April 17, 2009

Kills Germs Instantly!

Great Newz! Li'l Bit is home, safe, and sans almonds!

Sometimes you feel like a nut.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Apply after shower.

Again with the no pictures. Seems like I shoot my wad for the Back Roads Harrison County blog and then have nothing left for this one.

I have been actually working. I know! Strange! First dyeing merino and angora for batts, then making batts. I hope to create at least 150 one-ouncers, and would love to have almost twice that, by next weekend for the 3rd Annual Upper Valley Fiber Fest in Troy, Ohio. Also, The Spinning Bunny has requested more product as she has also had great sales of my stuff.

Oh, what a problem it is to be popular.

I released the chickens today from their tractor/coop into the fenced part of the back yard. They fluttered around and flew a little, then scratched and pecked and did like chickens do. And they arelike real chickens now with real feathers, not like little chicks. The kids, they grow so fast.

Then there has been the wee rabbit called Li'l Bit, the one with all that testosterone and the urge to fight all comers. I called around for neutering quotes and was appalled at what I heard. The figures ranged from $178 to $250. For 2.8 pounds of bunny. I mean, really, because a tom cat or a male dog costs maybe $50 for the ol' snipperoo and so I was not pleased. Or willing. Good ending, though, because this past weekend I connected with an old friend that just happens to work for the vet that does the low cost spay/neuter program for this county, and an appointment was made for tomorrow, for $60. I can deal with that.

I was reminded that bunnies are fragile and that every operation is a serious thing, but I am so happy that it is likely that Li'l Bit will join Heizen as a Permanent House Bunny.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Pure and Natural

Back from the Fiber Event in Greencastle, with nary a photo on my camera.

The worst parts: booking a room for three on Thursday night, and spending it alone. Stuff happens.

Hippie Art Chick punked out on us for the weekend. She is forgiven.

The best parts: taking 99 batts of beautiful angora blend, and coming home with 7. (Squee!)

My goal was to gross $800 and I beat that.

The wonderful customers who came looking for me.

Wearing full costume, especially Saturday. A red linen Coldwater Creek outfit from the Goodwill, 6 knit flowers in my hair, the festive shawl, etc. etc. One person remarked that "Anywhere else, you'd be considered exotic!"

(For a person who usually shuns the limelight, on festival days I really get into the spirit. A costume helps.)

Being with Lynne of Blue Acorn, who also had great sales. Yay!

Being with Helena Handbag on Friday. Double yay!

Seeing lots of other friends.

And finding a vet to neuter L'il Bit!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Do not ingest.

It's Easter. Whatever. Lady with pet rabbit here. From 1911.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

NEW! Taser Cam!

It's not easy being green.

Especially in a Big White Suit.

Monday, April 06, 2009

This is not a toy.



The Crazy Lady is Locked and Loaded.

(And probably should be locked up because she is loaded.)

Now in Extra Large!

I want to thank everyone for their support over the dog incident(s.) The whole episode has taken its toll on me, emotionally.

Sweetie is not taking away my revolver after all, but he has gotten me a battery powered, plastic pellet, semi- and fully-automatic weapon that looks like an assault rifle. That is to be my everyday, run the dogs off the property weapon.

The revolver is only to be used in dire circumstances.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Vented Wide Mouth

A ha! My name is cleared! Even though I am still Carazeee.

The dog I shot at was a boxer type. The dog that Sweetie saw with the two wounds was - a pit bull. Things have come to light and I feel much better. There are witnesses that say my shot was two feet over the boxer's head anyway.

Apparently, another irate neighbor shot the pit bull at about the same time that I had my little adventure with the boxer.

Life in a small town. I tell ya. Too much damn fun.

30 Day Warranty

Do you ever have those moments when an idea firmly held, events known to be facts, turn out not to be true and factual after all?

Remember the dog episode of a few days ago?

Turns out I did shoot the damn dog, after all. A flesh wound that is healing nicely, I gather. But still, I would have sworn on a stack of encyclopedias that I shot over its head. Guess he was hauling ass faster that I allowed for, and the shot aimed over his head actually entered and exited one side, a quick in-and-out just under the fur.

Long story short, I feel terrible. I didn't mean to hurt him. I just wanted to scare the snot out of him. Which I apparently did.

On the bright side, the incident has added to my Crazy Lady reputation, so maybe people and their animals won't fuck with me, my cats, my dog, and especially my bunnies anymore.

Also, Sweetie is taking away my gun.

Payment Method: Bill Me

This is all true! I seed it.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Topical Analgesic

Sometimes I knit. Rally, I dew! I am putting the finishing touches to the last free scarf pattern. The way the pattern ends looks fine, but there is that funky little flap at the beginning that needs to not be there. I know, oh so technical.



I may not have time to knit a new scarf without the flap, but I hope to have the flap-less pattern available as a freebie w/purchace at The Fiber Event next Friday and Saturday in Greencastle, Indiana. (April 10-11 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.)The earthy colored one was spun, plied with itself, and knit from one ounce of Bunny & the Beast.



The turquoise was spun and plied with thread from only a half ounce of Fuzzy Nuggets.






Best joke(?) I heard today, from Nikki Payne: "I put on my crazy suit to see how it fit."

I don't feel like am a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown all the time anymore, (thank you pharmaceuticals,) but I felt like it for a long long time. Say, like from age 12 to 44. It was like always being hauled up that first big hill on the roller coaster, clack clack clack, with all the intensity and anxiety and thrill and anticipation, but never quite going over the top. Somehow, I never lost control to take the deep dive into lala land. Well, hardly ever.

Anyway, this chick crackers me up.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Use daily.



Call me a narcissist, but this is one of the most flattering snap shots ever taken of me.

I was at my old store, with my arm around a dress knit by Shay-ron and a shawl I wove on a tri-loom. The shawl now lives in Australia. I used to be so damn cute!

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Own it Now!

Hi!

So, the chicks are thriving and I am working on a Chicken Tractor (Google it) type of housing for them. It should be complete by Sunday and I will have photos of the process.




This is Saber, the yard rabbit with the angora coat.






Here he is with friends.



I kept him caged in the barn over the winter, but he really, really wants to be an outside bun. His sister, Sidney, aka Furby, is also about.

World Ass Snacks.