Fleecewood Farm & Woolcraft Workshops

04/09/2026

About 2 weeks ago we had a wind storm that caused a eucalyptus tree behind the house to take on a distinct lean. Today, while we were in town, the tree must have fallen. It took out an alder tree, but missed all the hazelnut trees! It couldn't have been planned better. I haven't yet measured the height of the eucalypt, but I'm guessing 35-40 m.

29/08/2026

As of yesterday, we were up to 31 lambs, all but a handful are female and twins. This gorgeous guy is about to be tagged. As one of only a few males, he could be destined to be saved as a ram.

29/08/2026

Was up at 3 am giving these girls a fed (Yes, those legs under the ewe belong to a second lamb). Mum is very attentive, but not so good in the milk department, so I'm helping her out.

22/08/2026

While I was in Christchurch earlier this month I ran a Diagonal Weaving workshop at Linwood Resource Centre. I will be running a felt ball Christmas Decoration workshop in the first week in November (not sure of actual date at this point), but feel free to contact LRC if you are interested. The class will involve making felt balls and decorating them using needle felting techniques.

Fleecewood Farm & Woolcraft Workshops thank you! And for the wonderful mahi you did in the front garden! 💐

20/08/2026

First lambs of the season born yesterday, and so another sheep year begins. Abby provided the photos and does the lambing rounds. She brings the mums and bubs down for me to record and put out in the front paddock where it is easier to keep an eye on them.

11/08/2026

I have been working on the front garden of Linwood Resource Centre. I still have a way to go, but it is definitely looking better than the knee-high weeds of a year ago.

28/07/2026

I have just confirmed a rug hooking workshop for next Monday (3 August) - 10 am to 1 pm at the farm. Space for a couple more if anyone is interested. We will cover making tufted, loop-pile, and combination textures, on a rug canvas base using fleece locks and sliver - not spun yarn. These rugs are extremely durable, less expensive than the conventional latched hooked rugs, and can have a great range of textural interest. Please message me if you are interested in one of the remaining places. Photos are of previous students' work.

18/07/2026

What fun! I've spent the last couple of days washing and dyeing English Leicester fleece locks to restock supplies for my Rotoiti Retreat stall next weekend. Rotoiti Retreat is the annual Winter retreat weekend for Creative Fibre people in the Nelson-Marlborough-Buller-West Coast area.

15/07/2026

I was up in Taranaki teaching workshops last weekend - Fleece selection and preparation, Space dyeing, Beginner spinning. I'm still recovering from the travel, which was driving up and back so I could get everything up there. It was 2.30 am before I got back on Tuesday morning, though it all went according to plan with that trip. I had to deal with ferry cancellations and delays on the way up, but luckily I had allowed an extra day to make sure I got there in time.

02/07/2026

See what it is like working in a shearing shed.