The Gift of Crafts

 

Among our knitting obsessions over here at the farm,

I picked up embroidery again in the recent months.

My mom did embroidery many moons ago, my grandmother also is amazing

at needlepoint. My friend, Quinn, has shown an interest in my new hobby

and so for her birthday I thought I would make up her own little started kit.

I embroidered a simple felt needle case with a "Q" on the front.

I blanket stitched two pieces of felt together, tucked in some needles,

thread and hoop and a yard of cotton fabric.

It's always nice to pass along a gift of crafts.

Hopefully she'll have some time to create and enjoy, relax and be creative.

For a great tutorial on embroidery, check out

Rebecca Ringquist on Creativebug.com

It's a great website for all crafty things!

I've taken her class and now I'm hoping to start designing my own

pieces with alpacas!!!!! Wouldn't that be cute?

Happy Crafting!

Hay is for the Animals

 

The arrival of hay is always exciting here on the farm.

It was a beautiful fall day and perfect for hay loading.

This hay will feed the alpacas for a while!!!

I wasn't much help because I had to watch Chase. (who likes to "drive" the golf cart...and as we learned we HAVE to take the key out when he's around)

The big hay truck was a welcomed sight yesterday

and as my Chase said 800 times, "hay is for animals."

 

 

 

Sweater Weather Yarn Along

Happy Yarn Along Day!

It's been a sweater knitting week over here for me.

I casted on this little sweater for my newest little neighbor, Ella.

I can't wait to go over and meet her and I don't want to go empty handed, so knitting as quickly as I can. Going to add a purple button band to the front and it still needs sleeves.

 

I made some more progress on my Bus Stop Cardigan.

I knit it mostly while I wait at the bus stop four times a day with my boys. 

It's also almost the exact same color as my minivan interior.

The leaves have begun to fall. It feels so crisp and cool in the mornings.

I should really order yarn more often. (if I could afford to I would!!!)

Pretty much the happiest mail delivery when some squishy new wool is in that mailbox!

This is my first ever Brooklyn Tweed yarn order.
I have a huge knitting crush on Jared Flood but haven't used his yarn.

I am going to make myself the new Bray Hat from his Fall 2013 Lookbook.

Using the two skeins on the left....

I plan on making a hat for my boys with the other two skeins and the leftover of mine if there is any.

And the littlest man...played in this shed for 20 minutes.

Picking up a rock, going inside and throwing it through the open window.

Kept him  very happy and busy.

And a quick shot of the alpaca barns, close to nightfall.

Happy Knitting.

Joining in with Ginny and the other great knitters out there.

Please swing over to my sister Andee's blog to see her amazing new

Stephen West shawl. Gorgeous. She needs to slow down with the amazing projects!!! She makes my project wish list longer and longer!!!!! If only I had the time!

Well, Hello there Fall

Brrr!!!!!! Fall is here!

 Time to wrap up in some alpaca gear and knit with alpaca yarn!!!

Hello Fall. Glad you're here.

It's not Wednesday

I just realized that I haven't posted since last Wednesday, which usually prompts my father to call me and ask me what day it is...because according to the blog, it's Wednesday.

So, no it's not Wednesday. Now it's Monday.

Thought I would share some random tidbits from the last few days.

We celebrated my little nephew, Wade's, 1st Birthday.

He is the cutest little guy. So much love for him. 

It's going to be an exciting year for him...so much to learn and see. 

It always amazes me how so much happens in their first few years of life.

 Lots of boys....All the grandkids on one couch.

 "feeding the dog"

We're still waiting for this lady and Spicy to deliver. Any day now!

(I rarely exist in photos...so here's a half of me)

Got the urge to make some cookies. Good old fashioned oatmeal cookies did the trick.

Celebrated the first full week of school for all the menfolk in my house.

 

 Forget all those fancy recipes...The Joy of Cooking book never lets me down.

Knitting for my newest little neighbor, Ella. I can't wait to go over and meet her. 

Whipping up a sweet little sweater for her. It's not often I get to make something for a baby girl!

This sweater will be a brown and purple one. I think she'll love it (at least her mom will)

Speaking of yarn...

Treated myself to some sock yarn (top skein) and

some fun sport yarn in a fun pink.

I feel so fortunate to have a few wonderful local yarn shops to go to.

It's fun to visit them all and spread the wealth. Buy a little from here and there.

These two skeins are from Chelsea Yarn in Colts Neck.

 

Working on some new farm advertising and banners...

Remember, National Alpaca Farm Days are coming up!

Sept. 28th & 29th at our farm. 10-4.

Ok...back to work!

 

Coop Knits Yarn Along

Today is always a day that is heavy on the hearts for Americans.

We all remember the day like it was yesterday.

To lighten the day, I am sharing some knitting projects,

joining in with the yarn along and celebrating two 1st birthdays.

On the Needles & Off:

 Casted on this cardigan. 

I made this same sweater years ago when I first started knitting. I made a ton of mistakes first time around, but loved the sweater. I wear it constantly. I thought it would be nice to try it again, with a gray wool, a structured ribbed edge and buttons all the way down. And reading a new Living magazine. Normally Martha intimidates me and makes me feel bad about myself, but this pumpkin carving....so me!!!!!

I knitted my first ever pair of socks!

I received some sock yarn in a genie swap from my swap group on Ravelry.

So, I thought...let's give this whole knitting sock thing a try.
I made them low, a bit too big but really enjoyed making them.

I'm hooked.

 

I also finished up the Just Enough Ruffle Scarf

using Ox's yarn. Love it. Super soft, nice drape and just the right size.

Made from the yarn of our black alpaca, Ox, spun with 30% grape colored merino.

 

And an Olivia hat with one PomPom

Originally knitted and made with two pompoms on the edges, but the menfolk in my house told me to put the corners together and just do one. Well, ok then.

 This hat is named after a cutie pie, Olivia, that often visits the farm and wears this hat.

(but with 2 pompoms on the corners)

Last knit from this week....

A simple little tweed fair isle beanie.

It should fit a baby from 6-12 months or maybe up to 18 months.

 

The scarf and hats will be for sale at our farm.

And for those birthdays....

Happy 1st birthday to our little alpaca girl, Aponi!

Named after the butterfly that landed on her right after her birth.

Aponi is native american for butterfly.

Born on September 11th, bringing new life to the farm.

And this was Lizzie one year ago today during the birth of Aponi. 

If I remember correctly, she went into labor with Wade that night....who was finally born on the 13th.

We will be gathering tonight to celebrate Wade's 1st birthday. A few days early!

Happy birthday little man!!!!!!!!!!! We love you so much :)

Joining in today with Ginny for the yarn along.