May 16, 2011

Washing Alpaca Fiber...

Cleaning alpaca fiber is not as hard as it seems...  It is always nice to have your fiber processed at a mini mill into clouds, rovings, top or yarn!  But  sometimes you need to wash it yourself, and it certainly is good to know how. 

Cleaning alpaca fiber in the kitchen sink or a basin is easy to do in small bunches if you have only a couple or even a few pounds of fiber, such as bought from the fair or online. This is also a flexible method if you urgently need a small amount for a spinning or felting project.  But, if you have literally pounds and pounds (and pounds) of this to wash,

Feb 1, 2011

How should one write without annoying others?.....

So, I say "I'm back" as if I was somewhere great!  Part of me thinks I should leave it as that, and add mystery to me, that layer of intrigue and glamour!  But, at the core I am actually a realist and frankly sometimes too honest.  That's me - honest, frank, loyal, a tad judgmental -- a Capricorn.

For a bit if interest, did you know that 'they' say the horoscopes are all wrong and that millions of people are 'not the sign they think they are' -gasp!  Not me, I don't care what they think, I'm a Capricorn.  (Now if you know anything about the descriptions of Capricorns, you find that statement funny!).

Anyway, though I did go to Amarillo, Texas and Shawnee, Oklahoma for two alpaca shows, I really didn't go anywhere.  They were great fun and we are glad we attended them.  But shows take a lot of time (& money) so we are taking a brief hiatus on them.  I also had some time off (forced vacation) at the end of the year; that should have been great fun.  But, the family brought home their own colds and shared liberally.  So I managed to get some required graphics done for the 2011 GWAS showbook, but no fiber sorting. Sigh.  That mountain of fiber has to get done! I just missed a discount special at Zeilinger Wool Co. but I think they have anther in Feb.  But that's okay, I just found another processor that looks promising.  That's when I reminded myself that there is often a 'silver lining' to every negative you experience if you remain open and flexible.  Do you not appreciate your warm alpaca socks that much more because you just got in from the freezing cold in the barn?

Well, I digress, again.  So, why was I suddenly inspired to write on the blog?

Nov 19, 2010

Mention this Ad and get 20% off!

Come to see us at the Alpaca Extravaganza in Black Forest, CO this weekend!



Mention this blog 'ad' and get 20% off regular price of any one item (clearance excluded)!

Where?  Black Forest Community Center in Black Forest, CO (north end of Colorado Springs)
When? Saturday Nov 20th from 9 am to 5 pm  AND Sunday Nov 21st from 10 am to 4 pm
Why?  We will have the perfect alpaca products for early Christmas gifts!!

How to get there?


Oct 29, 2010

Making Choices

Now, I'll be the first to admit that my thoughts can be somewhat circuitous with ones that seem random but are usually linked in some way... like a herd just let out in a field, they run around wildly but most thoughts always come back to the center to reconnect.
(Fine Fleece Alpacas pic)
 
So, as I enter my linked trail of thoughts, like Alice jumping in the rabbit hole, don't be afraid because I'm pretty sure that I'll end up somewhat close to where I started :).  I'm sure you will be 'back' lickety-split. Here we go...

Oct 17, 2010

Hay -- Lots Of It -- and Birthday Presents...



A good father puts his family ahead of himself. And a truly dedicated alpaca farmer puts the well-being of alpacas above his own personal desires. But, it is a stretch to move 18 tons of hay on your birthday!

Today is Michael's birthday - woohoo! And the old man decided to celebrate by loading a 42" trailer 7 rows high and 13 rows deep with hay. The remaining ~100 bales we loaded into the barn and, as temporary storage, in our large horse trailer!