Lancaster, Ohio rabbit show



I've been a little slow to update my blog due to some computer issues, mainly upgrading to Windows 8 which entailed a bit larger of a learning curve than I'd like to admit to.  I really hate change but I think I may be getting the hang of it.

 

A couple of weekends ago we attended the Lancaster, Ohio double show which was Eve's first big outing since I acquired her.  I was really excited to see how she would do.  In show A she placed an admirable 3 out of 6 colored junior does who were more mature than her.  In show B I was thrilled to see her take a first in her class then go on to Best Opposite Sex of Breed over the colored and REW does which included several seniors.  Every judge has an opinion, some better than others depending on how you look at it.

 

 

Eve peaking out of her box.

 

 

Judge Lynn going over Eve.

 

 

 Debating on where she will place her.  Eventually, Eve took best opposite sex of breed in this show.

 

 

Eve decides she is done with the beauty pageant.  Exit, please!

 

 

OK we are done at the show, can we go home now?

A new hobby

So.... I was saying to myself the other day, "Gee, you don't have enough to do with your free time.  Why don't you take up sewing again?"  So I responded and got my old Elgin sewing machine a tune-up and delved into up cycled mittens that a friend told me about.  I really like just about anything that finds a new use for an old object and in this case it is wool/cashmere sweaters that you cut up and sew into hats, scarves, and mittens.  I have been having a great time searching for just the right sweaters at the Salvation Army that you can get dirt cheap around $1 or $2 a sweater.  You then take them home and do the unthinkable- wash them in really hot water AND then dry them in the dryer!  To see the process check out Roman cake designs on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9D-CPdGi5A 

 

 

The first pair.  Not too bad.

 

 

 

 

The second pair turned out much better, I love them!  This is what can become of a J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, and Ann Taylor if you dig deep at Salvation Army.  Or your closet;)

New dyes

It's always fun to get a fiber related package in the mail.  I ordered these four Country Classic dyes from Paradise fibers at  http://www.paradisefibers.com/ on Sunday and received them this Thursday.  Considering Monday was a holiday I think the response rate was great. 

 

Did you know that it is cheaper to use Country Classic dyes than Kool-Aid?  As much as I love the safety and convenience of Kool-Aid, sometimes you need a color a little less vibrant and I find Country Classic to be just as simple to use.  There is a large variety of colors to choose from as well.

 

This certainly inspires me to finish the spinning on my wheel and add a little color.

 

 

Sweetpea

My dear Sweetpea passed away yesterday. My love of black angora was spawned from her.   She was not an award winning rabbit but was quite priceless to me.  She will be missed at Big Times Kennel.

Sweetpea was spayed at a young age.  I believe it helped her live a long, quality life of over 8 years.

 

 

My signature black mittens were all from Sweetpea.

Morty meets BCW3D

Far be it from Morty to let an opportunity to greet a new rabbit go.  BCW3D (no name yet) is unsure of her new found friend but Morty has a tendency to grow on the rabbits.

 

"Well, hello there!"

 

"Is it just me or do we have the same inherited broken gene?"

 

 

"Hey, why is she ignoring me?"

 

 

"I'll just give her a minute or two.  We'll be good friends in no time."

 

 

"I hate to be pushy but... Well, I am pushy so that's the way it goes."

 

 

A French Angora? Why not!

I have had the pleasure of living vicariously through my friend Betty in her recent endeavor of raising a litter of French Angoras.  It has been such fun watching and hoping for them from conception until the time came for them to find homes.  I didn't really envision one for myself since my heart is in English Angoras but there are some advantages to owning and showing French Angoras like less grooming and a longer show life with the same benefit of fiber for spinning.  It didn't take too much arm twisting to get me to agree to take one, who doesn't love a new bunny! (All photos taken by Betty Chu.)

 

 

 



It all starts with a twinkle in the eye;)  Mr. Broken Tort meets Ms. Chocolate.  What colors could we possibly make?

 

 

After the appropriate number of days (which seems like an eternity) you get your bundles of joy.  I see 5 broken torts in the daddy's likeness, a black, a broken blue, and a broken black.

 

Family photo time.  Everybody look this way!

 

 

And when it's all said and done you become the proud rabbit parent of a beautiful broken tort doe.  I look forward to showing this beauty in the coming months.  Can't wait!