A sweater in the making

This lacy sage sweater was started in 2010 as a Christmas gift for my mom. I’m not sure what I was thinking starting it in early November! Mom lives in California and I had planned to visit right after Christmas giving me a bit more time. However, I felt frenzied trying to get the lace pattern down and realized early on that I didn’t have a prayer of finishing. I decided my sanity was not going to hold up through this process so instead I whipped up a chic little sweater for mom. I felt rather invested in the lacy sage having finished the entire back so stuffed it into a basket with a few other aggravating projects. 

 This past winter I was determined to finish some of those partially finished projects and pulled the sweater out with a grimace. It had given me anguish the first time around (most likely because I was in a time crunch) and the thought of picking it up again didn’t give me a warm fuzzy feeling. However, having allowed that much time to pass, I decided I would try working on it and, if it proved to be another painful experience, I would just unravel and use the yarn for something else.

Guess what?? The lace pattern felt familiar and not too difficult at all. I enjoyed the pattern and it knitted up rather quickly. Sometimes one needs to take some time off and address an issue from a fresh point of view!

So, here it is … my masterpiece! 

Jaxson and I getting suited up for a cold March day. We are R-E-A-L-L-Y looking forward to spring!! I'm thankful for my warm clothes but I can't wait to tuck them away and get out my shorts and flip-flops!

Our shearing day is less than 6 weeks away and, with it being so cold yet, it's hard to imagine that it will be warm enough for naked alpacas. :)

Have a great day!

Liz

Spirit Shawl

This shawl is hand-made from Royal Baby Alpaca in a lacy pattern from one of our boys, Spirit of Don Quijote. The color is light fawn although it appears a bit on the creamier side. It's medium weight and scrumptious! 

For sale at www.turkeycreekalpacas.com/shop

Fire & Ice Carving Festival

This past weekend we traveled to Columbia City, Indiana for the Fire & Ice Carving Festival with our mobile shop and 2 of our handsome Alpaca boys. The people of Columbia City and surrounding areas have been very welcoming to us over the past few years as we also vend at the Autumn Juried Arts & Craft Festival. The Fire & Ice Carving Festival was no exception – we were treated wonderfully and given a great spot right in the center of everything. The boys were on their best behavior and were well photographed throughout the day. The weather could not have been nicer with bright sunshine and clear blue skies, although it was a bit crisp!

We sold plenty of socks and hats, yarn from our herd, and miscellaneous items. The ice sculptures were exquisite and we all hoped the weather would remain cold enough to keep the sculptures from melting for at least a few days! I’m guess that wasn’t the case because we had a downpour on Sunday night. 

A big thanks you to our repeat customers and new ones as well. See you next year!

Warmest regards, Liz

Our fall line-up

Introducing our last 3 cria for 2011:

Bullet's Thunderbolt (Silver Bullet x ChiChi) arrived October 15 while were at a nearby Farmer's Market participating in the Harvest Festival. ChiChi was meant to give us a girl this year, but hey, we'll take this one - he's adorable and we love his color and markings. 

 

November 16 brought us Bullet's Jolie (Bullet x Maya) and we couldn't be happier with this little gal! With all the grey in Maya's background we hoped for grey but this true black beauty has made us very happy! She's loaded with presence and has spring curls galore. 

Last to arrive on October 18, but the most exciting was Royal Izabella (Royal Crest x Cloudy) ... why?? Because she's Cloudy's 4th cria and her first GIRL!! She's perfect from head to toe and sports absolutely luscious fleece thanks to both parents, just as we expected!!!! Yippeeeee!! 

We are thankful for all of our cria this year and cannot wait until spring to have a few more. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Warmest regards, Liz

First cria this Fall

Meet Fusion's French Vanilla! Born October 5 while it was still warm and sunny (smart mom!) to Atomic Fusion and Shimmer. She's simply gorgeous!

Beer Gloves

Here is my version of Kurt Fausset's Beer Gloves from the Son of Stitch'N bitch book - patterns for guys. Made with Alpaca with a Twist Highlander yarn, this pattern was very enjoyable and directions were great. Husband, Lee tells me however, this is not a very good "guy color" (but doesn't his hand look handsome in them??). 

 

My next pair will be much more guy-like in chocolate brown. :)

Warmest regards, Liz

Garden Art

Lee's painting of his pumpkin patch now graces our front porch. More time for painting would be nice ....  

Talented brothers!

And brother, Scot is just as talented. He's also an architect in southern California. I'm proud of them!

Talented brothers!

Take a moment to visit my brother, Mike's website. He's an architect in southern California and very good at what he does!