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FAF: Fiber not Politics

Hi Fiber Arts Friday Folks

To Hades with politics let’s do fiber!

First the Ugly Square has grown 2 more rows.  Finally away from bright colors and back to natural.

The election has me all rattled and I had started and frogged about 10 different projects until I found this Pineapple Shawl.  I think it will look awesome done up with my home grown white alpaca/tencel yarn and perfect for a my New Year’s Eve party.   At least that’s the plan.  We’ll see how it turns out.  Since I’ve been in a frogging mood it might not actually make it that far but we’ll see!

I’ve extended our Lollypop Skein giveaway… be sure to check out the Giveaway post on https://www.facebook.com/DutchHollow for details.

 

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FAF: Spinning at the Hunt

Hello Fiber Arts Friday Fans

Last Saturday was the Genesee Valley Hunt Races.  I got to spend the day in the Ag tent with 2 great spinners Jennifer and Anya.  The morning started off with the season’s first hard freeze and thank goodness we are fiber freaks.  All 3 of us dug through our stash of wears to sell and covered ourselves in anything we could to keep warm.    Jenn had mittens on her feet to spin and I capped off my toes with wine bottle Koozies.    We made for an interesting looking group until things warmed up by lunch.  FYI, it’s really hard to take photos of people who don’t want their photos taken!  HA got you anyway!

It turned out to be a great day too, LOTS of folks stopped by to ask questions and watch the process go from raw fiber, carded and spun up into yarn.  I was rather amazed to see that we could actually continue to spin even though our fingers were dark purple and stiff with cold.  Being the sissy I am I even took one of my hides off the table and wrapped it around me like a big alpaca hug.  Thanks to the alpaca’s long neck it ended up looking like an alpaca toga party!

Braiding seminar is tomorrow!  Despite crazy work hours, my drinking habits and farm chores I’ve been busy twisting up cord and getting ready for Saturday.  All the extra cord work means more scraps for my psycho square blanket.  I think I’m ready to start on the pop colors now.  I’ve been refraining from adding them but I think it’s time.

So, what have you been up to this week?

 

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Roulé de Viande

Ingredients:

Loaf:
2lbs – Ground Alpaca
1 tsp – Better than Bullion” – Beef
1 Egg
½ c. seasoned bread crumbs
½ tsp onion powder

Filling:
1 package frozen spinach, thaw and drained
½ c. Blue Cheese crumbles
¼ c. Feta Cheese crumbles
½ brick Cream Cheese (room temp)
¼  c. Shredded Italian cheese blend
1 tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp salt
½ c. Sun dried tomatoes (opt)

Balsamic Glaze:
2 c. balsamic vinegar
¼ tsp “Better than Bullion” beef

Directions:

  • Preheat oven 350
  • Combine Filling ingredients (less the blue cheese and feta crumbles) in a medium bowl and mix well (set aside)
  • Combine Loaf ingredients in large bowl and mix
  • Place loaf mixture on waxed paper lined cookie tray and pat the roll to the rectangle shape of the tray.
  • Spread filling over the loaf leaving a ¾ inch border around all edges, sprinkle blue cheese and feta crumbles evenly over the filling.
  • Starting on the shorter side of the rectangle roll the loaf (use wax paper to help start the roll) press the loaf mixture onto itself at the end to seal in the filling
  • Place seam side down on the rack of a roasting pan
  • Bake @ 350° for 1 hour. Top with shredded mozzarella or other cheese of choice and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes
  • Store bought balsamic glazed warmed is ok or make your own by reducing 2 cups of balsamic vinegar over low heat for 20 minutes.  When reduced to ½ c. taste and add ¼ tsp of “better than bullion” Beef and mix in.
  • To serve: Cut roll into 1 inch thick slices and drizzle with balsamic glace.

Click here for PDF

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FAF: Fall Colors

Good day Fiber Arts Friday followers.

I’ve actually been able to enjoy some of the fall recently.  The turning of the trees,  the smell of fallen leaves, and crisp morning air has put me into a fiber mood and it’s reflected in my work.

Mr Pumpkin
In an effort to promote the rest of the Lollypop Yarn I made up this little guy.

He eventually was crochet up into a curly scarf and matching pumpkin koozie.

His cute little face did inspire someone to purchase some lollypop yarn and their own twirly scarf.  Here’s their finished project.  Remember, every skein of Lollypop Yarn that is purchased goes to help the Rochester Humane Society!

Projects = left over yarn scraps so here’s how my crazy granny square blanket is coming.

Last but not least!  If you’re in the area be sure to stop by the Genesee Valley Hunt Races on Saturday!  10am til 4pm.   Lots of great fun to be had by everyone and the weather is shaping up to be good for it.   Stop by and say hi, I’ll be in the NYFB Ag tent doing spinning and fiber demonstrations.   I’ll also have some of those tasty Ch’arki and Snack Sticks for sale!