Something different

This past Christmas Al and I bought a loom. It is a 4 harness jack loom which while not exactly a style current in the middle ages none the less will reproduce the textiles commonly found in the period.

My good friend Nina has been patiently giving us both lessons and to date we have made three scarves.

The future plan is to start to weave projects using wool from our own sheep and homegrown dyes.

I had been learning the weave on a rigid heddle loom, perhaps a slightly more period contraption and certainly far more portable, so the jack loom seemed the next step up for us. This picture was taken last summer at our first Regia event at the long hall.

Cherrington Esther

Cherrington Esther and her family.

This is Esther ( Reg#.S8786) Though registered as a black she is presently all of the soft greys you get on tarnished silver, though she still has a black ruff.

Esther came to Earendel last September. At 9 years old she is another one of our seniors enjoying our full service retirement package

( home grown hay,special dinners, hugs, and of course treats) .

Although Esther is somewhat skittish she is making progress and is taking treats now from our hands.

This is Esther's daughter Kalwa Taure Esme (Reg# S15398) and her twin boys Cindread and Cinwulf whom are both weathers they were sired by Cherrington Merlin June 2007

The boys don't look at all like that anymore, here are the boys now:

They are both silver greys and have lovely crimp and whew, all those spots have gone!

Esme's boys have an awesome temperament and run to us when they see us for hugs and scratches. My husband Al confesses that Cindread and Rose are his favorites while I just love our little Grainney who will curl up with me when I sit in their pen.

More girls this time Cherrington Alice's kin

This was Cherrington Alice ( 1997-2008), a classy grand dam, well beloved and now sadly missed by our good friend Tammy of Kalwa Taure shetlands.

Alice's legacy here is very strong as she is the mother and grandmother of three of our most personable girls and a major influence for our white fleece line


This is our Kalwa Taure Minnie ( Reg#S16839) Alice's most mischievous daughter.


Minnie has it all great personality, a sense of humor, awesome fleece and a lovely daughter our Earendel Rose ( S # 26107) out of Cherrington Merlin

Rose is a treasure, friendly, hugable and true to her heritage with a good strong crimpy fleece.

The last one of Alice's family to reside here is her daughter Cherrington Jessie (S#10028).Jessie is a cream with beautiful crimp and handle to her fleece. I will have a picture of her up soon

Currently Minnie and Jessie are visiting Cherrington Merlin (Rose's dad) for a romantic winter break.

Introducing some of our girls starting with Brandy

This is one our grand old lady Cherrington Brandy ( Reg#S6030) she will be 12 years old this March and shows no signs of slowing down. She is a beautiful dark moorit with a fine fleece very suitable for drop spindle work.





This is one of Brandy's Morrit baby's (Reg# S16844). Kalwa Taure Elly.
Like her mom she has a fine fleece though is a lighter Morrit




This is Brandy's last baby Earendel Grainney ( S26108), as black as the darkest night.
Grainney has no white hairs through her fleece and has inherited her moms softness and good crimp. Her first adult fleece is long and luxurious and holding great promise.
She is a little camera shy so we must try again for a more current picture. Grainney is a darling and would rather be hugged that eat. We also have Grainney's identical twin brother Foote.

This is the view from the back door during yet another winter storm. Its all there howling winds, near waist high snow drifts and really disgruntled looking horses and sheep.
The only one happy about the weather is Milton who just loves the snow and cold.
All the animals are safe a warm in the barn. My husband plowed a path for the sheep so I can let them out for a little fresh air break ( NOT something they appreciate, believe me)
So far we have had almost continual snow since Nov.15!

On another note we will be taking some of our girls up to our friend and mentor Tammy's farm over the Christmas break to vacation with two of her boys, Cherrington Merlin and Cherrington Harry. We are taking Cherrington Jessie and Hopeful Gwinnie for sure maybe Esme (also Cherrington lines and mother of the beautiful boys out of Merlin who will be two on June)
All this in keeping with our hopes to continue to create a second generation of Skerryvore/Cherrington babies to carry on these lines for us.
Keep your fingers and toes crossed for a nice white ram lamb, hopefully out of Jessie!!!

Happy Halloween

It is a beautiful warm day here about 19C not at all like the Halloweens of my childhood where we would get snow, cold or rain. We don't get any "trick or treators" here at the farm. So plans tonight are to have a 'campfire supper' and bonfire to enjoy the unseasonably balmy evening.

Sheep and all are fine not doubt enjoying the lull in the weather.

So to all have a safe and happy time,enjoy all the candy especially the chocolate!

Frost on the air

Burrr, last night it was 3c here and there is indeed frost on the ground. The seasons are changing faster than anyone really wants or is ready for.

Our little Shetland flock has topped out at 16 baaas. We have lovely solid colours and happy healthy sheep ( OK well they are a bit tubby)

The flock is almost all Cherrington/Skerryvore (either both parents or one)

Comments from the hand spinners have been very favorable and that is what counts for us.

It is really important to us to preserve the genetics of these lines but not at the expense of the quality. Years ago when I bred and showed champion Afghan Hounds we would only breed a litter if there was interest from qualified individuals. We are likely to adopt the same philosophy where it comes to breeding our sheep. So our flock will stay small and well loved.

Besides I couldn't bare to see one of our sheep come back to us in compromised health condition it would break my heart.

Oh and for those asking Our Minnie is just fine and recovering well from her bloat. Her rumen completely shut down for three days and we feared to lose her. At work here we have a fistulated cow who donated some rumen juice for us. Minnie and I were drenched in the stuff ( really stinks) and the next morning she was her ole self. We are really happy and also pleased that she isn't moooing!

This is our Minnie on her "southern"vacation at Tammy's. It was January and Brittany was a bit chilly but it was great fun! Just can't loose a baa like that!