Wednesday January 26th, 2011

Well, today we had more snow, with more expected tonight. Most likely a total of possibly another 14 inches! I must admit I'm getting quite use to it. Its very pretty, with mounds of snow and paths shoveled all over the farm. In the first picture I'm sharing my winter arrangement scene of snow covered pine trees that sits on my mantel. I just love this little arrangement. Its Wednesday and Luke my grandson was here sharing in a very productive day! We had a fire in the wood stove which kept things warm and toasty. I made a big pot of chicken soup, worked on some crochet jewelry, spun and completed some yarn and spent some time out with the animals. I just love their snowy little faces, they eat the snow like it was a treat! They have heated water buckets but they enjoy shoving their little faces in the snow! This evening Mike went out to plow the driveway to get a head start on the pile up that is predicted. The barnyard is quiet and peaceful with no signs of the animals, but with all that straw to lay in and hay to eat why would they come out into the cold night? As I look at my little shop in this snow I wonder when I will be able to open it again. The driveway is just to dangerous to have folks up. But when I do re-open be assured it will be filled with lots of new items. I'm planning a crochet jewelry party at my daughters house this winter with some of her friends to see how they like the new jewelry. I have lots of fun choosing glass and stone beads for making this jewelry, there are such beautiful beads to choose from. I'm spinning lots of alpaca up for the shop. I have not done much dyeing lately but will get to it soon. So today, January 26th was quite a wonderful day. It ended with me toasty warm and relaxed in my fleece snowflake slipper socks! Happy sledding, snowshoeing or skiing to you, whatever your winter pleasure may be.....
















THE END TO A WONDERFUL DAY!

Winter Class Crochet And Bead A Necklace

I have decided to offer the crochet and the beading as a mini session. I have had a few request and thought the winter would be a good time to meet and make necklaces. So my idea is Wed. evening of your choice 6:00-7:30. We will meet here in the kithen because the shop is just to cold and the heater cannot do its job with these temps. You will learn to crochet the chain and add the beads as you go along. You will make a crochet single strand choker necklace, add beads, and learn how to attach the closure. We will use cotton for our chain which is the beading 101 class. I also use wire which is great fun and changes up the look of the jewelry. That can be jewelry making 102! I will supply everything you need for the evening. You will also learn exactly the supplies needed to go home and start adding to your crochet beaded jewelry.

Below is a picture of some of my favorite items, some in wire and some in cotton. I use glass beads and natural rocks such as volcanic rock, quartz or maybe turquoise (which is my next project) Mix and match your beads to go elaborate or use all the same for simpler look. There are endless possibilities. Lighter colors with glass for the hot summer months, go darker with a heavier look for the winter. I know you would enjoy this. No crochet or knitting experience necessary.......

The cost of the class is 25.00 Wed. eve. 6:00-7:30
Call to choose your class spot 203-736-2630

Storm 2011!

Well, here we go again. This is the first storm of 2011! We had at least 12 inches if not 14! And that was on to of a foot we had from last week! I have to say while it was snowing and now this morning, it is beautiful out here on the farm. The animals are all out eating snow as if its some kind of great treat! Mike shoveled all the path ways so that my poor short legged babydoll Southdowns can get around (poor Mike) Not all husbands would shoves paths all over the paddocks so that the sheep can get around! He is a good guy....I had to share ALL of these pics and of course there is about 20 more, but Ill spare you..Everyone is happily eating or playing in the snow as I leave to go inside. Now that I know everyone is taken care of I can go in and knit by the wood stove. Hmmmmm ? what shall I make for a snowy night diner? I hope you all made out A OK if you had snow. Oh believe it or not we are to have more snow tonight with an accumulation! Ill let you know how we make out...Stay warm, Pam

Newest silk and merino handspun

I have completed two more or the silk alpaca blends(3 color blends in all) The shades of pink with purple, some gold and natural silk is my favorite. Well then again I love the ocean colors too! Oh heck, I love them all. I also completed a sweater for my water bottle. My New Years resolution is to drink more water daily. So I though a sweater for my bottle to sport would be nice. So this is made on a knitting loom that was hand made for me, it represents my first lambing season, years ago. It was made by Noreen Crone-Findlay. I love the little loom it makes the most wonderful bags that you can really jazz up with buttons beads or just use some wild yarn like I spun for this bag.
The yarns That I completed this week will be added to the shop, they have been washed and are setting while they dry over the wood stove. I have started another water bottle sweated to put up for sale in the shop as well. I guess Im still on a roll!
I hope everyone's New Year has started out nicely and all is well.

Happy New Year! Projects, projects, projects!

I back in the groove of things here on the farm. Lots of ideas floating around in my head. I started spinning over the weekend and completed this absolutely gorgeous bulky handspun in merino wool and 40% silk! Its really to die for. Its got to weigh 8 oz! I have not weighed it as of yet but it will be up for sale this week. I'm working on another combination in alpaca, merino and silk in natural colors a and a heavy worsted weight. A caplet kit is completed as well as a caplet. All ready to be put into the shop. A little reminder: to the left are the winter shop hours....


Gorgeous ever so soft 40% silk, merino bulky handspun yarn, ocean colors, this is just the greatest blend to work with. This will work up great into a wonderful garment.


Turquoise caplet kit available, yarn, pattern, button and needles 38.00






Completed caplet in olive green 55.00 I had so many request for the caplet that I made for myself that I decided to make another for the shop. Its a great size, just enough to warm you, not to much as to be in the way. The Dream Come True Yarn Caplet. Or you can knit your own I have a kit in handspun, hand dyed turquoise available.

Storm Adrian 2010!

This is New England after all. Last night storm Adrian came through with a blast! The winds were howling with such force that at times it was scary. I'm always worried about a tree coming down. The animals stayed inside for the most part. There were not to many foot prints in the snow this morning when we went out to dig them out. Thankfully Mike had taken today as his last vacation day of the year. Unfortunate for him he spent the better part of the day digging us out! All of the woollies were so grateful to have the all terrain vehicle drive up and down and all around their paddock to make paths so that they could get around easier. Its mostly done for the sheep. My Babydolls have extra short legs and couldn't get around this kind of snow.We had at least a foot with 2-3 foot drifts in some areas. All in all everyone was happy to get out and do some running around in the snow. Well, the alpacas ran and kicked up their heels, the sheep kind of just strolled around eating snow, covering their faces with it! Tonight everyone was quite content when I fed them, tucked inside the barn where the wind cant get at them. We all survived storm Adrian. I guess 2010 wanted to go out with a blast! So this week snow shoeing is on the list of things to do! I hope everyone came through the storm as well as we did.

Happy holidays from our farm to your home!

Well, I do believe the holiday is upon us. I sure hope that all of you are ready and waiting for the Night Before Christmas, and hope that all of your stockings are hung by the chimney with care. We are ready here. And truth be told what I may have missed will just have to be missed. I'm taking the time to enjoy the holiday and not stress out on every little detail. After all its about family, right? So my wish to all of you is to enjoy your family and friends this holiday season and take time to enjoy the true meaning of this holiday, whatever your belief is. With that being said I say to you all Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy healthy New Year! See you Next year.