Buttercup - Rich

Buttercup is one of our smaller ewes, but she is also built beautifully. I would like to replicate her several times with a better fleece. Her fleece is very dense and full, but lacks softness. It does spin up nicely, so it meets that part of our strategy. I just like her a ton. Maybe it’s because she was our first spotted ewe or maybe it’s because I stepped on her foot when she was two days old and still feel bad about it. She was fine a few hours later, but I still feel guilty about being a lumbering Sasquatch in the barn. Most lambs don’t get under your feet, but she was always naturally very friendly like her mother. Buttercup is bred to Leyland for obvious reasons. I don’t know if we’ll get a lamb with his fleece and her conformation, but it’s not impossible. His conformation isn’t too shabby either, however. He is actually maturing very nicely. Had I known he would be so nice, I probably would have gambled and bred more ewes to him. Of the ewes he was with, Buttercup is the only one that looks pregnant. It’s a bit early to make that assessment, however. Maybe it’s wishful thinking. When I stated that Cor de Nuit was one of the nicest shetland ewes I’ve seen, I should’ve mentioned that Buttercup was in the discussion as well. She might not be the prototypical sized shetland, but she’s built as well as any I’ve seen! Cor de Nuit has more width in her back legs, and is larger, but that’s the main difference in the conformation department. Buttercup actually has a better topline that Cor does! I wanted to breed her to Cihat badly, but I also wanted to try Leyland out on a few really nice ewes, so that made more sense. This was one of those breedings where I probably gave up spots for something that could be really nice! Leyland could carry spots though, so this might help to determine that. I know his father carries spots.

4h Needle felting class - Jen

The fiber crafters met last Saturday at the Niagara county 4H building to learn about needle felting. I supplied a batt of white wool, and a small kit of 6 colors, plus a needle and with a quick lesson, the group went to town! All but one of us did a cookie cutter on foam, one talented member did a free form egg, (because I ran out of foam blocks). No serious pricks, and wonderful results. Look forward to seeing these as fair exhibits this summer!

This makes me long for June and fresh strawberries!


The free form egg. Easter is just around the corner!

Sisters working quietly, elder made a gorgeous tulip, younger made a cute owl!

K. took to it like a fish to water, she left with a cute heart!

The boys did really well, they made a decorated circle, and apple, a train and a pretty maple leaf. I made a worm for the apple, we'll see if it finds it way to the apple!

It was so nice that everyone left with a finished item. Such a pretty flower!

I love this little lamb, precious!

Queen Anne's Lace - Rich

Queen Anne’s Lace is out of a ewe from our original flock. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, she’s one of only two that we have left. Buttercup also links back to our first flock.

We’ve always liked QAL. We almost sold her as a lamb, and again as a yearling. She also has a very nice conformation. Her fleece feels very soft even though it doesn’t have a fine micron reading. We’ve liked the garments that Jen has made from it. It feels pretty soft on the skin. QAL is bred to Leyland this year (we hope). I’ve been told that a few of our more primitive ewes might be tough to improve in the fleece fineness department, so this will be interesting if she has lambs this year. She isn’t a spectacular ewe in any one area, but she is very good in all areas. She also has that delicate facial structure that we like, which I expect is the reason we haven’t sold her. Her first lamb was a pretty fawn ewe, so we’ll have to see what she does this year. Last year, she had two white ewes. I wouldn’t hate a nice fine, white ewe lamb out of her, but I’m not sure how likely that is. She also carries spots and may be spotted underneath that white coat.

Onyx Velour - Rich

Onyx Velour is my favorite ewe for sure! Does that mean she’s our nicest? Not necessarily, but I think she is most like what I’m after in a ewe in terms of the total package. First off, I really think she would do well in the show ring. She’s not as wide in the back as Cor de Nuit is, but that’s about her only flaw. Her fleece is more intermediate than single, but it’s in between. I’m very interested in what she throws this year. The good ones sometimes disappoint because their lambs don’t typically live up to them, but we’ll see. She was also bred to Cihat for some of the same reasons that I gave for Cor de Nuit. Onyx also would’ve worked with Leyland , but there was a substantial size differential and I didn’t want to risk leaving her open this year.

Pyrennees Morn - Rich

Pyrenee might have the best conformation in our flock and I like the look of her fleece. I would say that she’s our largest ewe. We don’t have micron tests on her, but it’s a nice looking fleece on the hoof. She’s also quite dense. She is bred to Clover. I couldn’t really decide who to breed Pyrenee to. I felt she was too tall for Leyland and Black Walnut this year, and she isn’t a spot carrier (I don’t believe). I felt Clover got shortchanged last year, so we went with him. I expect her to have a nice lamb. Whether it will be a gulkat or not, who can say? She also has mioget in her pedigree, so that would be a bonus.

Cour de Nuit - Rich

Cor de Nuit is quite simply a spectacular shetland ewe. I’ve only seen one or two that are better, to be honest. She has an excellent conformation and a very dense, crimpy, single coated fleece. Boy is that one nice fleece! I can’t wait to see how it spins up! I said that I personally prefer Sparkles fleece, but a fiber person would probably question my sanity (like most people do). She’s not our friendliest ewe, but there’s not much wrong with her that I can find. She’s also very wide in the back, which is something I value. We bred her to Cihat this year because I feel they complement each other from a structural standpoint. I could’ve used Clover on her as well and not gone wrong, but the allure of a striking spotted katmoget was too much for me, and to be honest, I think this combination will give us the best overall lamb. Who knows? Having said that, I really wanted to breed her to Leyland , but I felt he was too small. That would’ve made for an interesting lamb, but so will this one.

Violet - Rich

Violet is looking good as a two year old. I’ve always wondered what the standard meant by carriage, but now I know. She has it (whatever it is). I always characterize her as our most alert ewe. She’s not friendly, but she’s not a wild spazz either. She’s also one of our nicest overall ewes. She is bred to Leyland . So, we have our finest ewe bred to our finest ram. That was my easiest breeding decision last year. Of course, a monkey could’ve figured that one out. Her fleece is more intermediate, but has excellent density and luster. Here is roving and yarn from her lamb fleece, very soft and bouncy.

Her ram lamb from 2008, Black Walnut, looked nearly identical to her.

I felt she had one of our nicer fleeces heading into 2008 and I haven’t changed my mind about that. We have a few that I like better now, but that’s only because I really like those fleeces. There’s not much wrong with this ewe, to be honest (and I’m very critical of our sheep).