Ahh, Spring at last!

We've made it through another shearing season and, as usual, they all look fabulous, healthy and happy. It's great starting over each year and watching how they change and "grow" as the year moves on. Plus we have an entire stash of fresh fleeces!!! Exciting!!

I'd like to share this photo of our log house underneath the blooming dogwood. Spring is my all-time favorite season and it's entirely too short.

Let's see, I've started a new project on my floor loom. I'm using up yarn (cotton/acrylic blend perhaps?) and making some colorful placements as my next practice pieces. I used the yarn in it's "white" state for the warp, and dyed the 4 remaining quarters in yellow, orange, blue and green. I'm about 1/4 into my 2nd matt and they are looking very cheery with fringe around each side. I'll be sure to include pics of the loom all dressed up, and the finished projects soon.

We've only had our first cria so far, a 21# baby boy to Mohana. He gave his mom quite a time during birth and we've decided to name him Spirit because he sure showed his during the rigamarole of birth!

Talk soon ... Liz

Turkey Creek Outfitters Grand "Re-opening" !!

Yes, we have reopened our farm shop and it's grand opening will take place on May 2 during our Shearing Day open house. Most of our products are hand-crafted, and all of our natural yarns are from our herd.

For the spinner, don't miss out on the luxurious rovings from last year's fiber crop. We have solids and gourmet blends available at $4/oz. (pictured in the right-hand column).

Andean Chullo

This hat was one of my recent projects. I learned Fair Isle knitting while creating something alpaca-related. Although the hat is made from 100% Andean Wool (versus alpaca) it's very soft with bright, eye-appealing colors for winter. I loved working on it and will be attemping some in the near future using alpaca!

Where has time gone?!

Wow, time flies!! Spring is here and with that comes shearing time! Yeah!! With 20+ animals this year, we'll be shearing all weekend with our open house landing on Saturday May 2 from noon till 5 PM. The general public is welcome and the event is free of charge. You can expect to see lots of alpacas - some fluffy; some shorn, fiber arts demonstrators taking fleece from raw to finished product, and of course plenty of finished product in the farm shop.

As for this fiberist, I've been working with friend and teacher, Maggie Schnaars to learn several types of knitting, tips, finishing, etc. It's been a wonderful experince and I've come a long way. I'll photograph and share some of my recent creations soon, I promise.

I also took a day-long one-on-one weaving course at White Violet Alpaca Farm. That was loads of fun and I met several wonderful people. Now I just need some *time* to put my creative juices toward my loom!

Husband Lee has been creating birdhouses out of gourds plus a few uniquely painted dipper goards just for the fun of it. Even though Winter seems to be hanging on this year we have kept ourselves busy with plenty of artwork and creativity during these long months.

Our sad news is that we were forced to close our shop at the American Countryside Farmers Market in January due to the downturned economy. However, we have reopened our farm shop and look forward to serving the public there. Pics to follow ...

Ah, if only the days were twice as long!

Liz

Oh, those muggy days of summer!

Hello friends,

Those muggy days of summer have arrived and I find myself only wanting to go outside during morning or evening hours. That hot, heavy afternoon weather is just not my cup of tea any longer!

I just finished a really pretty capelet using Highlander grey yarn and an old retro-looking button I had on hand. Since I don’t have someone to take a picture right now, I’m putting in the photo from the pattern found in the “Wrap Style” book on page 38 “Chanson en Crochet” by Mari Lynn Patrick. Her version is gorgeous!

I’ve decided to veer from the norm and am trying a crocheted vest using Vickie Howell’s “Love” yarn made with 70% bamboo and 30% silk. This yarn is “to die for!” and you can find it in our shop compliments of The Yarn Cat. I promise I’ll get a photo when it’s done (but don’t hold your breath!).

Partner Leann and I had a fun little excursion earlier this month by taking yarn, product and a few alpacas to Hubbard Hill Retirement Center in Elkhart. The residents enjoyed an hour-long visit and had many questions about the animals and products. One lady even tried on a very warm sweater made from my herd in very hot and humid weather, and she didn’t want to give it up! Now there’s someone who has great taste! :)

The crias are doing great and all the females are enjoying their “summer camp” in lush green pastures. We now look forward to our fall crias and receiving our yarn back from the mill!

Enjoy these sweet summer months. Warmly, Liz

The Yarn Shop

Happy summer!

"Fiber friend" Kim Freel will be joining Leann and I at the American Countryside Farmers Market as "The Yarn Cat". Beginning July 3 she will have her yarns for sale in our shop. Kim will carry many varieties including bamboo, cotton, silk and some fun and funky yarns too. Stop by and welcome Kim to the market and check out her wares!

And we are STILL waiting for Cookie to deliver that cria. It MUST be a girl!! :) Liz

Spring into summer

I’ve finally finished my Central Park Hoodie, wool version. Ta-da! I’ve also got both arms done on the “Mavic” alpaca version plus 2/3 of the back. I have quite a bit to go! We’ve been too busy with crias and shearing events to work on other projects. I’m looking forward to trying out some new patterns and learning new knitting and crochet stitches.

We have had one more cria – guess what! Another boy. Tess really “owed” us a girl this year (with the last 2 being boys) but she only gave us 50% of our wish. We had asked for a silver girl. Little “El Vaquero” is a gorgeous silver male with the cutest personality – like a curious little jumping bean! We still await Cookie’s cria … coming soon!!

Our final shearing event was held at the Shepherd’s Harvest Fiber Fair at the American Countryside Farmers Market last weekend. This is the first year for the fiber fair and it was small but the market plans to make this into one of their major events so we look forward to being part of it again next year!

Alpaca Outfitter’s partner, Leann and I have been talking about some new classes and workshops for this summer so stay tuned! If you’d like to sign up for our events or workshops list at the shop, please email me at liz@alpacaoutfitters.us with your full name and email address. We are once again making changes to the shop and it should be an exciting 2nd half of 2008!!

Watch for cria #4 this spring and then we start thinking about fall crias!! My favorite times of year spring and fall – shearing & crias!!

Warmly, Liz