Tall Green Grass and Carroll County Times

 When I got back this evening from the Sugarloaf show in Timonium, Marc and I put up the fence around the front yard. Who wants to mow, when the goats are so happy chomping down? The picture above is looking in one direction. The head of the goat in front was so busy grabbing grass that her head was in motion in the photo.

This is the view in the other direction from the same position. I took a video since the kids were so funny running around. It was the first time that most of them left the playground.

In other happenings, I was interviewed yesterday for the Carroll County News. They had a really good article in the paper today and the photo of me was actually attractive. I was holding the stuffed dog with my latest design - a dog coat. I designed it to also fit a goat, but doubt I will do more than let one model it, since onsies are so much cheaper. You can find the article by going to www.carrollcountytimes.com and doing a search on Kathy Withers.Tried to put a link to the article itself, but I could not get it to copy. Sorry!

Freeform Yarn and Green Grass and Timonium Show

 I dedicated this freeform skein to spring flowers. Even dandelions, the harbinger of spring and a nuisance to many, has a redeeming value. The sheep and goats will eat them!

 I have been experimenting with letting a select few of the sheep and goats out to browse on the grass in front of the house. It is tall and gorgeous. It would be a shame to use a lawnmower on it. The dairy goats hang close to each other and do not wander, so they were among the first. We have discovered that Rose Mary produces a few more cups of milk when she is allowed on the green grass. Guess hay, grain, and water just don't do the trick. Of course, the angora goats have figured out what I am doing, so they are crowding the gate and escaping. Marc and I are going to use our electric fencing (minus the electric) to enclose this area. Anything to not have to mow!

If you are following me on Facebook (Kathy Withers) or Unique Designs By Kathy, you will recognize this picture. Pearl and her two boys were also let out to roam. One of them was a bottle baby, but he is not quite as much now. Mom's milk and the green grass are a lot more satisfying.

I set up my booth at the Maryland State Fairgrounds for another show. I am hoping to make enough to cover my feed bill. I am going to keep this year's kids on pellets and hay till they are six months old. I want them to be strong and healthy. I am in business to keep them fed. Such hungry critters. They sound like locusts when they are eating.

Finally! Shetland Lambs and My Class Schedule

 Shetland lambs have been popping. Six  have been born so far today. They are all really cute and worth the wait. Shetland moms are so much easier than the angora goat moms. Babies are stronger and their instinct to drink is more developed.

I have already set up my booth for the Sugarloaf show at the Gaithersburg Montgomery County Fairgrounds. I have already met up with several of my friends and my booth neighbor is a friend, so it will be a fun weekend. Hope to make some sales of course. I have displayed my yarns in a different way, so you will be seeing them as new.

This is the front area with the art yarns. It will change first thing in the morning, since I forced myself to price three pounds of new yarn. More fun to spin than to do the administrative stuff. If I could transfer what is in my head easily to someone else, I would hire someone to do it for me!

Classes here at the farm for the next month are listed below.

April 18—Nuno Felting 10-12:30 $80


April 20—Nuno Felting 10:30-1 $80

May 8—Pleats 10-11 $15

May 10—Crazy Lace 10-noon $75

May 11—Nuno Felting 10:30-1 $80

May 14—Freeform Art Yarn Spinning 10:30-2:30 $100

May 18—Wet Felting 10:30-1:30 $25 instruction plus supplies

May 25—Freeform Knit and Crochet 10:30-2:30 $75

June 1—Drop Spindle 10:30-noon. Free with purchase of drop spindle and 3 ounces of fiber.

Nuno felting and wet felting classes are limited to 5 students, unless you are able to bring 6 foot plastic tables. 
You may also schedule a class for yourself or your group at a different time.