Farmy Things and Knitting

 What do you do when you need to collect fecal samples for testing? Have a poop party. That's what!

Hanging out on a Sunday afternoon, waiting for alpacas to poop, enjoying the sun and having a cocktail. That's a typical afternoon on the farm!

 Dalton was very proud of himself that he got up in that tree by himself.

New knitting project on my needles: Stole for Fall

I needed a mindless knit for all the baseball games I will be going to this spring and summer.

I'm really excited about this project for two reasons. One, I got this yarn at 75% off. Yeah...I said it.

It's Shibui Pebble (merino, lace, cashmere blend) in 8 different colors. I bought it at the last day of business for a local yarn shop. The owner was closing up shop to stay home with her girls and I scored a great deal. I bought it without a project in mind.

When I got home and started looking at projects made with this yarn, I came across Stole.

And then I quickly remembered a photo I had taken last fall on our trip to Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool!

I was stalking this girl's project and it was the Stole pattern and knew that I had to make one.

Turns out I had the exact right kind of yarn, the exact yardage called for it and it was meant to be!

So here goes....mindless knitting and hopefully I can have it done in time to wear next October on a return trip to Rhinebeck!

My bookclub picked The Kitchen House for the new book.

I Love it!!! Full of drama. Reading while the crazy little man takes a bath.

Ugh...the drama of bathtime! Why???

 Baseball season is here...so if you need me I'll be at the fields. 

In the picture of Chase riding the golf cart, we were selling raffle tickets for my oldest boy's upcoming trip to Cooperstown Dream Park tournament. We would ride around the fields and Chase started yelling to everyone, "Do you have any money?" Guess what? It worked! Maybe he'll be a millionaire one day!

 And it's warm out. Finally. Hoping it stays this way for a while!!

Yarn Along Wednesday

Thank you for all the kind words about the new baby in the family!

My sister Liz and Nick are doing great and Baby Grant is soooooo cute!

Big brother Wade loves him. They come home from the hospital today.

Such an exciting part of life :)

On to some knitting....

I designed and released the pattern for this little dress

earlier this week. It's so sweet and cute!

If I only had a girl....oh well. We only make boys in this family,

so I'll get my girly out with knits.

I called this dress the Flower Bud Dress.

It's for sale on Ravelry by clicking the link here:

 Flower Bud Dress pattern

I knitted this with alpaca yarn that my sister Liz dyed.

We sell it on the farm. It used just under 1 skein of the green

and left over white alpaca yarn for the flower and edging.

I also finished up the little purple dress I was working on last week.

This is my pattern, "Her First Dress"

It's also for sale on Ravelry.

This dress is knitted with Shibui Merino/Alpaca yarn in the Velvet colorway.

I love this dress.

After years of knitting, I'm excited to be designing.

It's a new adventure for me and I love it.

Hope you all have a great week! (Joining in with Ginny for the yarn along)

Our farm is closed today (Wednesday April 9th). We're sorry for the inconvenience.

We are welcoming the new baby home today, so we'll be busy with family.

Again, God Bless my new little nephew, Grant. You are so handsome and perfect and we all love you so much and are so happy you are here!!!

Happy Knitting,
Leanne

He Has A Name

Welcome to the family

Grant Donald Alvino

8lbs 8oz, 20 1/2" 6:48pm 4/7/14

Born on his due date just like his big brother, Wade!

A huge congratulations to my sister Liz and my brother in law, Nick.

You make beautiful babies!!!!

A New Baby

Welcome to the world little boy!

Congratulations to Liz and Nick and big brother Wade on the birth of their new baby.

He is perfect and healthy and loved.

8lbs 8oz, 20 1/2"

No name yet....

I am a sap and there truly is nothing in the world like a brand new baby.

It's a miracle every time and as I get older I realize how lucky we all are.

My sisters and I have all been blessed with our own children.

Healthy, happy, beautiful sons. Not a girl in sight....but it's ok. We take what we get, right?

The only job I ever wanted in life was to be a mom and I am lucky to be one.

And I enjoy being an aunt just as much.

We're lucky girls.

There are some very special people looking down on this new baby boy.

We miss them terribly but I know in my heart they see everything.

These two little boys have a very special uncle that looks over them. 

We are blessed.

Welcome to the world newest farm boy :) We love you!!!!

-Love, Aunt Lee and everyone else on the farm!

It's Baby Time!!!!!! (the human kind)

It's baby time!!!!!!

Liz and Nick are on their way to have their new baby boy.

He didn't want to come out on his own, so it's time to force that little man out.

Wishing them good luck, healthy and speedy delivery!

We'll keep you posted :)

Her First Dress pattern for sale

Yay! I've joined the knitting pattern publisher's club.

Leanne's new pattern, Her First Dress is now for sale on Ravelry.

You can purchase by clicking this link for the pattern store page.

Arrow Acres Knits: Her First Dress

I have caught the designer bug and have many ideas ready to go!

Thank you for all the kind words and encouragement.

-Leanne

Yarn Along

Happy Wednesday

No human baby yet.....we'll keep you posted!

I am joining in with Ginny and all the knitters out there this week,

sharing what I'm knitting and reading at the moment.

Here goes....

I knitted up a little alpaca vest for the farm store. I love little girl things.

As the mother of all boys, I get my girly knitting out for customers.

This little number is for sale in the coop.

Our dear family friend delivered a baby girl over the weekend.

Yay! Molly is a cutie. She lives in the wild west, but her mom is from the Jersey Shore.
I thought Molly needed a little summery dress that would remind her mom of the beach.

It's an original design by me and I'm writing up the pattern now so I can sell it on Ravelry.

Keep your eyes out for it!

And some more finished knits...

My Goldfinch Cardigan is all done.

It was a pleasure to knit and I have worn it every day since it's been done.

I know my family is sick of looking at me in it, but hey, it took a long time and was a lot of work and I love it. So for now, I'm the girl in the yellow sweater.

Here are some proper pictures of it.

For new projects this week:

I casted on my sister Andee's newest pattern.

PostCard Cardigan

I also casted on another baby girl dress so I can check my pattern.

Making this one in a dark purple alpaca merino blend.

I thought it would be adorable for fall with a little onesie under it.

I am reading Guests on Earth by Lee Smith

It is a story based on the mental hospital that Zelda Fitgerald was a patient

when it burned down. Based loosely on the hospital and patients there.

So far it's very good.

So for now, that's my knitting.

We're all hoping for a little baby boy's safe and healthy arrival any day.

I can't wait to meet this little man!!!!!

Happy knitting and reading.

Hope to see you at the farm soon!

-Leanne