Sheep to Sock Sunday and SPANL!

What would Sheep to Sock be without one of our main stars, sheep! SPANL, or the Sheep Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be attending Sheep to Sock Sunday with some sheep waiting to be sheared. #SheepToSock

The Sheep Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (SPANL) represents the interests of NL sheep producers - big and small. They achieve this by supporting and promoting the growth and profitability of sheep production, by identifying and addressing producer needs, by strengthening partnerships with governmental and agriculture agencies, by raising public awareness of the sheep industry and increasing the market demand for sheep products, and by removing barriers to expansion and growth. 

More information on SPANL is available here: https://www.nllamb.com/

Sheep to Sock Sunday: Presenting Shona Stacey

Curious to learn more about our Sheep to Sock demonstrators? Heritage NL is excited to present Shona Stacey, who will be demonstrating felting. #SheepToSock

Shona Stacey is a textile artist and educator in Newfoundland and Labrador. She has a studio and farm in Trinity East where she creates original hooked rugs, felted landscapes and other mixed media fibre art. Shona is passionate about the practice and preservation of heritage art and craft in her province and strives to honour and connect with her ancestors through her traditional practices. Shona has a deep love for working with wool and other sustainable fibers. Her work is inspired by the strong winds, the salty air and the resilient generations that came before.

Learn more about Shona here: https://www.wildirisnl.com/

Sheep To Sock Sunday: Presenting Corinne Reid

Heritage NL is excited to highlight another of our Sheep to Sock Sunday demonstrators, Corinne Reid from Seaspun Yarn and Coffee House. #SheepToSock

Seaspun Yarn and Coffee House in Carbonear is a place where different crafts converge, with a shared love for knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, pottery, and beading. Corinne and her team are driven by a deep desire to give back to their community, offering a chance for individuals to learn new skills and hobbies while providing unwavering support and essential tools. Seaspun, under the inspired leadership of Corinne Reid, is not just a business; it's a community, a journey, and a celebration of creativity that continues to weave its magic on the rocky shores of Newfoundland. Corinne will be joined by two of SeaSpun’s knitting circle regulars.

Learn more about Sheep to Sock Sunday here: heritagecraft.ca

Sheep to Sock Sunday: Presenting Amelia Reimer

Heritage NL is so excited for next Sunday's #SheepToSock! We're presenting another one of our upcoming demonstrators, Amelia Reimer.

"Amelia Reimer hails from the Pacific Northwest Coast, but has made her home in St. John’s since 2012. Involved in various fibre arts (knitting, crochet, spinning, basket weaving, and even shepherdessing) and other art mediums (painting acrylic/watercolour, beading, leatherwork, singing, storytelling, etc.), Amelia finds joy in “making”. Amelia has also been known around St. John’s for her voice and work as an advocate on Indigenous rights and cultural celebrations, and issues like Women’s empowerment, homelessness, prison in-reach, etc. She currently works as community chaplain with Bridges of Canada with adults on parole. "

Learn more about Sheep to Sock Sunday at heritagecraft.ca

Sheep to Sock Sunday: Presenting Emily Denief!

Less than a week until #SheepToSock Sunday! In preparation, check out another of our presenters, Emily Denief.

My name is Emily and I love wool! While I’ve been knitting for most of my life, I recently started spinning my own yarn last year and it’s quickly stolen my heart. Spinning has made me feel more connected to my craft and it truly makes me appreciate the amazing qualities of the wool I’m working with!

Learn more about Sheep to Sock Sunday at heritagecraft.ca

Sheep to Sock: Presenting Brenda Aylward of Aylwards Farm

Heritage NL is excited to announce another demonstrator for the upcoming #SheepToSock Sunday, Brenda Aylward of Aylwards Farm.

Aylwards Farm and Meat Shop is a family owned business located in the scenic ocean village of Port Kirwan, just off Route 10 on the Irish Loop, Southern Shore NL approximately one hour outside St. Johns. Aylwards Farm is primarily a mixed commodity sheep and vegetable farm. The meat shop operates year round and is well known for its specialty sausages and burgers.

Learn more about Aylwards Farm here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093557289714

Are you curious to learn more about our Sheep to Sock Sunday demonstrators? Meet one of our spinners, Alison Simms!

Are you curious to learn more about our Sheep to Sock Sunday demonstrators? Meet one of our spinners, Alison Simms!

Alison is a MUN student, studying Biology and Earth Sciences, but in her limited free time she loves to work with wool. Her interest in fiber arts began with crochet and knitting. After many years of interest in learning to spin, she found herself with the opportunity to buy a second hand wheel, and a connection to a local farmer with fleece to spare. With help from members of the local Weavers and Spinners Collective, she quickly learned to use her wheel and spin her local wool. A hobby that she finds both relaxing and rewarding. She loves the entire process from sheep to sock, and is happy to share her knowledge of this process with others. #SheepToSock

Interested in learning more about Sheep to Sock Sunday? Check out this link: heritagecraft.ca

Sheep to Sock Sunday: Presenting Christine LeGrow

Are you as excited for the upcoming Sheep to Sock Sunday as we are? #SheepToSock Heritage NL is featuring another of our upcoming demonstrators, Christine LeGrow.

Christine LeGrow was born and raised in Newfoundland, and has a keen interest in the people, places, and things that make this island unique. A life-long knitter, her company Spindrift Handknits produces over 30 regular hand-knit wool products across a diverse product line. The business is supported by rural knitters throughout the island who make extensive use of traditional patterns that have been handed down through generations. Christine believes to extend the life of handknits, the basic knowledge of darning skills is essential.

Learn more here: https://www.spindriftknits.com/

Heritage NL Celebrates 40 Years

Saturday, May 18, 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (Heritage NL). Heritage NL is a provincial crown agency with a mandate to stimulate an understanding of and an appreciation for the province’s built and intangible heritage. Since 1984, Heritage NL has been doing just that - through programs that recognize the province’s built and intangible heritage, by providing financial support for built heritage preservation, and by supporting intangible cultural heritage projects and practitioners.  

"We have accomplished so much in the past 40 years," says Heritage NL chair Dr. Lisa Daly. "We continue our commitment to highlighting the varied heritage of our province and protecting it into the future."

To date, Heritage NL has designated over 340 Registered Heritage Structures, 6 Registered Heritage Districts, and has disbursed $3.5M towards the preservation of heritage structures. Heritage NL has also supported countless community oral history and intangible cultural heritage projects, ensuring that valuable community resources are preserved for future generations. The organization also facilitates the transmission of our province’s heritage skills through inventories, workshops, and mentoring opportunities.

During this anniversary year, Heritage NL will be highlighting its accomplishments on its social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (@hfnlca). The website www.heritagenl.ca includes a heritage property search and a large collection of intangible cultural heritage material from across the province.