New colors from the dye pots

I got so busy at the looms I failed to update you on all the recent colors from the dye pots. It has been a productive time spinning and dyeing all the beautiful Cotswold wool and the colors have been outstanding. Pictures to follow show a rich brown from pecan husks, light browns from oak galls and many shades of red and mahogany from eucalyptus leaves and stringy bark. I recently completed a blanket for Marilyn Golden in Centennial, Co. using all those colors. I also finished a blanket for Emily Kitching using natural tans and browns accented with orange derived from marigold flowers. This a favorite time of year at the dye pots so I have many more colors "brewing." Walnuts, fruit tree leaves, dried tomato vines...the possibilities are endless and the colors from nature never clash so it's great fun trying new combinations. Check out the photos.

Back to work!

Where does the time go? It's been five months since my hand surgery and I'm just getting back to the looms. In the meantime I have accomplished major amounts of spinning and at this time the dye pots are boiling and producing many great colors. I've acquired some outstanding fleeces from the Cotswold sheep breed and the wool is thick and lustrous. Combined with the natural plant colors I have a good supply of beautiful wool and I'm excited about creating all my orders. I'm slowly getting back to my looms and appreciate all your good wishes and incredible patience! For those of you waiting for your blanket you'll be personally hearing from me soon. In the mean time take a look at the new fleeces in their natural state right after shearing, spun wool hanging to dry, and look for dye pot pictures coming soon. For those of you wanting to place new orders...give me a call.

Bringing you up to date!

I'm sorry it's been such a long time since I posted any information from Hayden Ranch. We've calved out, grown some nice big calves and just recently weaned them all! We'll go to market in a month and hope for some good prices. Right now we're just relieved to have the gathering over, not an easy job in this rough country.It's a big accomplishment to get every last one in!

We've been to the Californio's and had a great time with all our friends from all over the country! What a great week-end with such outstanding horses and horsemen plus the added bonus of seeing, (and buying!) such terrific gear made by such incredible artisians. I'm thrilled to tell you that I sold all my blankets and meet more nice horsemen and woman from across the country who ordered new blankets. Of course, the biggest compliment comes from previous buyers who order another blanket. Proves that they work and you can't have too many! I am sorry to report that my progress in finishing orders and weaving new blankets is going pretty slow right now due to a hand injury I received in April. I'm undergoing physical therapy and hope to be able to use my hand again in a few months. Oh, the frustration of not having a right hand in working order!!!! I thank you all for your patience and promise to get to your orders as fast as I can. I'll report back soon and let you know how I'm progressing.

Enjoy the beauty of this incredible spring.