'SheepFest'

Great excitement in the Sedbergh area! As part of Farfield Mills heritage weekend on September 13th and 14th, there is going to be 'SheepFest'. There will be lots of things going on to try and lots to see. For instance, there will be over 100 life size sheep around the town and Mill - as schools, clubs, shops and businesses and voluntary organisations and some individuals are making sheep - that sort of reflect their group. A Technicolour dream coat has been made by 700 local children, each contributing a small woven square with their dream woven within it. There will be photographs, recordings and poems and something I'm looking forward to viewing at the Mill - a new exhibition by felt artist Andrea Hunter - you can read all about the fun here. It sounds like a brilliant weekend if you happen to be in the area.

What I thought I would share with you today is the development of the 'Farfield Mill Knit & Natter group' sheep. The Mill have put on lots of workshops for people to go along and experiment and have a go at making their sheep. There has been a real community spirit. We went along I suppose, about 3 weeks ago and started to make ours. As the sheep is supposed to reflect the interests of the group - the Mill thought it would be a very good idea if we actually knitted a sheep - it would have been a lovely idea, but really we as a group felt we didn't have time to do that and involve everyone as people were on holiday etc etc. So, we made our sheep from an old single duvet and a pillow!!

It was bound around with wool to keep the shape and then we have covered it with paper mach strips. It was great fun - getting absolutely covered with PVA glue.  I used to do this sort of thing with Molly and Clara when they were little, we used to make all sorts of things.

With the first layer on, it was left to dry over night and I went back the next evening to collect it and take it home so I could add another layer and get it dry so we could paint the sheep at K&N the following week.

It was taking ages to dry as the glue had soaked right into the duvet! so it had to go out into the sunshine and sunbathe for a while!!

Then the painting. I'm not sure what our breed of sheep is, but it is white with black ears and hooves

Again the paint had to dry, and this Tuesday at K&N the features were added and and 'she' was dressed - we may play around a little more with it, but basically it is done. 

I'm not sure what we were trying to say about ourselves as a group, and if she really reflects us!!! But it has all been good fun and a laugh. I think our sheep with be in the Weavers Cafe at the mill on the lowest floor - where we meet as a group each Tuesday, so do pop down and have a look if you are near, or come and join us one week if you are visiting the area - people do!

Some of the sheep other groups have made are fabulous. There are some made from wire and covered with paper mache or have fleece added….

 …. and I love this one, its so pretty….

 ….and this one is so inventive!

I will no doubt take lots more photo's over the SheepFest weekend and add them later on.