More Felting Fun

I've been having a fantastic time with felting lately- check out my latest projects here:

http://locolindy.blogspot.com/2009/06/all-inspired-with-no-time-to-play.html

New alpaca owners!

I always love delivering a new owner's first alpacas, and try to never forget our own first days of having alpacas. It felt soooo special just seeing our first 3 alpacas out in OUR own fields, and although I now pass our farm's 100+ alpacas several times every day, I still feel very lucky.

The Gillespies had purchased two young maidens last winter, and they (Frazierlene and Black Beauty) were ready and confirmed pregnant. These owners had done a beautiful job of preparing an excellent space for their animals (safe, cool, and lovely with guardian dogs coming soon) and we did our part by providing a little extra training since we knew it was important that they be gentle with the Gillespie's young grandson, Ben.

As always, I showed them how to trim nails, give shots, and check for correct halter fit. I also provided them with a New Owner information packet and made subtle suggestions about the alpaca's stalling area (ie. no shavings, as they get caught in the fleece). I think that these are going to be two lucky and well cared for alpacas, and I hope that Rod and Bette are feeling as lucky as we did on our first foray into alpaca ownership!

Manic felting

I'm not always the most motivated or self-disciplined person in the world (not news to those who know me!), and I've been needing to make some felted soaps for the Truly Bluegrass shop for some time. Dropping off fiber for processing at Flaggy Meadow last week got me excited about working with my fiber again and boy did I get a lot done on Sunday!

I made felted soaps galore. Cat balls with a bell in the middle.

Mirian and I made a prototype for a Cat Mat. Sushi loved it but Munchie felt that it would be great for dogs, too. I was excited about a new, original idea I had... felted coasters using space-dyed rovings. They look nice with a bit of zigzag stitching around the edges. (Those newly-acquired sewing skills are coming in handy).

I also figured out how to make Bird Nesting Balls (to hang in the trees for the birds to take tufts of fiber for their nests!) These and other items will be available soon at Truly Bluegrass,here at the farm, and at my Etsy store. I hope I can keep this groove going for a while!

Report from Nationals

I've been wanting to write about Nationals here, but have gotten so busy that I'm going to bring over the summary from my other blog. Read about it all here:

http://locolindy.blogspot.com/2009/06/summertime-routine-not.html

Nationals inspired me to get off my duff with my fiber, so check back soon to see what I've been doing! Have a great day.

Off to AOBA Nationals and World Alpaca Conference!

Today is the big day when we head to the IX Center in Cleveland, Ohio for Nationals! After missing it last year (Salt Lake City is a loooonnng drive), I'm excited to be a part of the action again. We'll be taking one for the auction, Lunar Light, (Lot #49) and five to show in full-fleece.

"Luna" (she got her name for being born on the night of the lunar eclipse, which we saw vividly), is a very special female with one of the nicest pedigrees we've ever offered at auction. Her sire is none other than 6Peruvian Accoyo Elite. Elite is behind some of the industry's best farms top stars! These include Snowmass Quechua and his son Snowmass Matrix (both of whom have been Futurity Herdsires of the Year MULTIPLE times), DDF Rico Suave, The Elite Maximus, and Crescent Moon's Shiftin' Gears, to name just a few!

Luna herself earned a Reserve Color Championship her very first time out, at the Heartland Classic, placing second and reserve behind a Michelangelo daughter! Hmmmm, that tells me that a Michelangelo mating might be just the thing! (Yes, it's included with purchase, or choose from any of our other sires! Sinbad would be a wonderful possibility as well, adding Nautilus, Caligula, Hemingway, and Sunipani to the mix!). Luna's dam is a daughter of THE Accoyo Legacy (now deceased), also a Herdsire of the Year and foundation behind many top animals in the industry! Legacy's Lexi is a gorgeous dark fawn, and was a great mother for Luna, her first cria.

Luna possesses excellent conformation and structure, a darling head, gentle personality, and a super fine fleece with lovely crimp and density. What more could you want? If you won't be able to attend the AOBA Auction of Friday, arrangements can be made for phone bidding. Questions? Call Tim Vincent at (503) 704-9229 to arrange absentee bidding, or feel free to call me at 859-983-8808.