Wisdom Begins In Wonder

Nerd Wars T4 - Team Precious

2012-01-29T12:27:00.000-05:00

Team assignments were announced on Friday and I got my first choice to be on Team Precious. Now the countdown to Wednesday when our first round of assignments will begin. Although I have a bunch of knitted items in queue with Hobbit and Lord of the Ring themed projects, I will be submitting more handspun and woven goods each month because I am planning on knitting a shawl this tournament.

I want to knit the Tuck Shawl. I am going to knit up a gauge swatch in the next day or two. Ooops! Sorry, I guess I should have told you to sit down first. Yes, part of the dissertation assignment during Nerd Wars is that you are required to gauge swatch and get approval for your assignment before you begin. I was hoping to use some of my stash for this but...wasn't finding quite the right color that I wanted. I've decided I need a shawl that has blues and greens because I simply don't have anything in those colors but I needed just the right colors.

Argh! A few tubs of beautiful yarn that I've purchase not even counting my own yarn that I create from my herd and not the right colors. I think I found the perfect skein at the Winter Wine and Wool Festival yesterday created by Happy Fuzzy Yarns. I plan to pair it with some of my Sunshine of Wonder tonal dyed yarn that I created here on the farm. Ah ha! The best of both worlds. Of course, going this route doesn't decrease my stash at all but...I will have an awesome looking shawl. Now...off to check gauge.

Fiber Arts Friday - Wine and Wool

2012-01-27T06:05:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! How have you been spending the first few weeks of 2012? Knitting, Weaving, Crochet, Felting, Dyeing, Sewing, Spinning...? There are so many wonderful ways to create with our craft of choice during the dreary days of January so share your adventures!

This week I spent my lunch hours knitting and my evenings knitting. I finished my Just for Him hat and even though my dear Grumpy didn't want to wear it, I found that it fit Brother Bear just as well. It's one of those patterns that fits a child or an adults head.

I spent all of last weekend at my drum carder creating new Alpaca blend Batts of Wonder for the first ever Winter Wine and Wool Festival at the Sandhill Crane Vineyard. I love the wine the vineyard creates and the location is great too with a newly added dining room. I have participated in the last two festivals they had during July and with the new addition, they now can hold an indoor event. Seriously, what's a better way to spend a January afternoon than drinking wine and enjoy Fiber Arts?

I will be adding some of these new creations to my Etsy Shop this weekend too. I have also been dying some wool and silk fiber and will be starting to carry some non-Alpaca fiber in my shop. I've been working with my test fiber to use in my batts and am now ready to let the products fly solo so look forward to some new changes in my shop in the coming weeks.

I said I wasn't going to knit another Journey hat but...I am. it's a fun pattern and I had some leftover hand spun that I thought would be perfect in a smaller hat. Go figure, I chose Orange as the main color. It is the color of 2012. Apparently I can't keep all of the hats I knit so I am making some for heads that aren't quite as large as mine ;-) Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts!

Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

WIP Wednesday - La Vitre Scarf

2012-01-25T06:59:00.000-05:00

I am still plugging away knitting my La Vitre Scarf. How is it that I don't think twice about knitting a huge cowl or a bunch of hats but with a smaller amount of yarn, I get overwhelmed with a scarf? It's going to be a beautiful scarf once it's finished. I knit another six inches or so this week. I've decided not to take it to work because apparently I make mistakes when I talk and knit while working on a pattern that has YO.

I am also wondering if I should have went up a needle size. The pattern called for fingering weight Alpaca and I am using a squishy sport weight Merino. It will be beautiful but won't have quite the same look as the pattern called for. Another reason to swatch for gauge. One of these days I will learn.

Fiber Arts Friday - Turning my wheels

2012-01-20T06:05:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Knit, Spin, Weave, Felt, Crochet, Dye...FIBER ARTS! Each week Fiber Artists from all over the world share their adventures so what are you waiting for? Join in!

The last two weeks, I have been spending my evenings spinning (especially since my lace scarf was put in time out). Last Saturday I met with my weaving/spinning group for an afternoon of fun. I got into a major spinning groove then spent the next few days filling all of my bobbins. Having an extra day off of work really added to the spinning time. The result...lots of beautiful Alpaca blend yarns.

My scarf is fixed now thanks to KellyJ so...I will attempt to stay away from my spinning wheel and finish the scarf for my friend. I am still very confused with fixing a dropped stitch when YO are in involved and no knit rows but I know as I continue to knit and become more comfortable with various patterns, I will get it.

I have been spending time with my Jacey Boggs Spin Art book and DVD. I really am digging how she demonstrates and explains the various Textured Yarn techniques. Now, share your adventures in Fiber Arts.

Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

WIP Wednesday - Just for Him

2012-01-18T06:55:00.000-05:00

I'm in between Nerd Wars Tournaments this month and I didn't want to start any major projects so I went through my collection of patterns and decided I needed to knit a hat that a man could wear. I thought Grumpy might like it but he said he didn't want to "mess up his hair" so he is holding out for a woven scarf. Alas, this hat will either be gifted or sold.

The pattern is called Just for Him written by KellyJ for Kalamazoo Knits. I am using my handspun yarn from my Pedro in Lime Roving and Ella Rae Kalemsoft yarn to created the stripes. I am not one for purling so the K1P1 ribbing is a good way for me to practice consistency before I start my next project that will require a lot of purling on tiny needles.

My Long Weekend here at the Farm

2012-01-16T12:08:00.000-05:00

I adore long weekends and this weekend was no exception. We finally got the Winter slow that we have been longing for here in Michigan.

The Cardinals make their appearance in my Pear trees when the snow is crisp in the air and the Alpaca barn just sparkles with the January sun reflecting on the snow.

I have been busy with my spinning wheel plying all the bobbins that have been filled and working on knitting projects using my handspun and various stash yarns.

Brother Bear is finally feeling better after missing a week of school so Grumpy hooked the sled up to the tractor and took the Bears on a Monster Sled Ride and we have simply enjoyed our family weekend together.

We sold Sweet Petunia of Wonder this weekend and she left for her new home. We will miss her dearly but at least her new farm isn't too far away. We have four more girls left to sell so take a look at our farm website if you are interested in Black or White Huacayas with Gray genetics.

Farm, Fiber Arts, Family and Fabulous Snow...what more can a gal ask for?

Fiber Arts Friday - Weaving in the New Year

2012-01-13T05:28:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Another week has passed with lots of knitting, weaving, crochet, spinning, sewing, felting and so much more. How do we do it all? Where do we find the time? Check out the amazing Fiber Artists who have linked in to share their adventures and find out. This week, I am sharing more of my weaving adventures.

During the Christmas break I warped my new 32" Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom with Mercerized Perle 8/2 Cotton in Red and Green with Silver Nylon. I am working on a project for Christmas 2012. Yes, you read that right. I've decided that if I wait for the holidays to get here, I will never accomplish any projects to enjoy. I warped about nine feet of length which will give me enough to make a towel (or two), maybe a pillow cover or a cloth for my fireplace mantle or maybe mats for my end table or...as you can see, the ideas are endless. Wait! I may even make a holiday hat out of the fabric. I don't know. I started with the 7.5 dent reed which won't create the tight weave that I would want for a towel so...I am going to experiment with this first part. I may weave a couple of feet then change over to a different reed. Who knows. What I do know is that I have a whole year to work on this...if knitting and spinning don't distract me.

I am enjoying the experimentation. Right now I am slowly working through a Spanish Lace Finger Weaving Technique. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

WIP Wednesday - Not a patient woman

2012-01-11T06:40:00.000-05:00

I have a scarf that is supposed to be completed before Friday so I can gift it...that's not happening. I have found that even a one row lace pattern has gotten the better of me. I dropped a stitch early on and couldn't fix it so I tore back the beginning and started over. At that point I had four inches knitted.

Now I have 29 inches which is about the halfway point and I have dropped another stitch. It's right in a YO (Yarn Over) and I have tried a few different ways to fix it and pick it up...and it's not happening. I went a couple of rows beyond just to see if what I did fixed it...but it didn't. Argh! This WIP is officially on hold until I can go in to see the Knit Doctor at my yarn shop. I sure hope KellyJ can work her magic because I don't want to gift this scarf with this in it. I thought about what it would look like once blocked and...it would be bad. Argh!

In the meantime...I put this away where I won't mess it up anymore and have cast on a new project. Yes, I know my limits.

Fiber Arts Friday - What Would Jacey Do?

2012-01-06T06:15:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Share your adventures in Fiber Arts...knitting, spinning, crochet, felting, weaving, quilting. I finally received my Jacey Boggs Spin Art book that I pre-ordered eons ago. As I continue to learn spinning techniques, I find yet more I want to try. I get frustrated when trying to learn from a book with photos because I want more details. You can never see all the angles from a photo or a pencil drawing. This book has beautiful photos plus comes with a DVD. Hooray!

So far I am really digging how Jacey has written the book. I have been spinning for a couple of years and didn't understand aspects of my wheel that she explained easily in two pages. I know more about my tension and the orifice that had been previously explained...and it makes sense. I am super excited to work my way through this book and DVD exploring new spinning techniques and finding new ways to understand and respect the fiber I enjoy.

In a spinning project unrelated to the Spin Art book, I have completed another beautiful Alpaca blend yarn. Back in October, dear Heather sent me a braid of roving that was beautiful but just wasn't the best for felting. She knew that I would spin it into something beautiful and...I did. I kept enough of it to spin a bobbin by itself and the rest I ran through my drum carder with some of my brown and fawn Suri Alpaca. I LOVE the muted rainbow of the batt I created and the intensity of the colors in the roving she sent me. Even in the singles, you see the bright color. What surprised me (and it always does) was how much the color ended up getting muted once plied. I am still working on techniques to make that color POP more. I thought by keeping one of the singles the pure color with no brown or fawn it would help but it didn't as much as I had hoped. It's a lovely yarn none-the-less and will knit into something amazing.

Now share your adventures in Fiber Arts!
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

New Year's Ramblings

2012-01-03T19:38:00.000-05:00

So...it's 2012. I have no clue how it got here. I just learned how to write 2011 but it's already a new year and I have some goals to set. 2011 was the year of being Positive, Productive and full of Wonderful Possibilities and I've decided that I need to keep that mojo up so 2012 is the year of being Awesome, Adventuresome and full of Wonderful Possibilities (Hey, I was on a roll last year, why stop).

I intend to learn more about weaving. Now that I have my new Rigid Heddle Loom, I am going to work on the the finger weaving techniques to create patterns plus I intend to buy I second heddle kit so I can create more colorwork.

I intend to continue my enjoyment of knitting...maybe attempt some lace. I am currently working on a pattern written by Denise at Voie de Vie called the La Vitre Scarf and really enjoying it.

I bought some crochet needles. I am going to learn to crochet. I have been practicing with the single crochet stitch this last week...time to take the next step.

I am still working on my spinning skills. There is so much to learn about spin control and I intend to work on making even and consistent yarn when that is my intention, art yarn when that is my intention, and all around any weight yarn...when that is my intention. Instead of letting the fiber take me away, I want to be in control. The yarn shown is my attempt at core spinning and coils...still not what I want but closer.

I will continue to experiment with wet felting and enjoy all of the amazing felting artists that I've come to know both near and far. I will also process the Jacob fleece I bought at the Michigan Fiber Festival in August. Geez, I started to clean it but...yeah, somehow the word clean just stalled me.

I will clean my fiber studio...and have it be contained to one space instead of taking over the whole house. (haha, that may not be a realistic goal but I can always hope)

I will keep promoting the Alpaca Fiber Industry and Made in Michigan. I have a wonderful herd of Alpaca and I will continue to enjoy my time in the barn with them so I can enjoy the complete Pasture to Product process.

These are my Fiber Arts Goals. First and foremost, I will enjoy my family, nurture my children and take time to enjoy the little things in life. In the last year I have started a path in healing that was long overdue. I have a long ways to go and I know the journey won't always be easy but I have finally learned that I am never alone and that...well, that's a whole different post. Anyways, Happy New Year! I'm ready for another great year of Fiber Arts Adventures.

Fiber Arts Friday - 2011 in Review

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

WOW! 2011 is almost over. It's hard to believe. As of Wednesday, I can truly say that I managed to Crochet, Knit, Felt and Weave while sneaking in a bit of sewing (of seams and buttons) into the year. I wanted to share the Fiber Arts creations that I have made throughout the year. I have really grown as a Fiber Artist and have truly found a passion for the various art forms.

Yes! I have officially learned how to crochet. My co-workers started to teach me during lunch and I am quite pleased with the results of two days work. I intend to explore this craft more during the new year.

Now I am going to share a few collages of everything I created during 2011. Well...almost everything. I couldn't believe how much I made and this doesn't even include all of the yarn I spun or batts I created. Yikes!

2011 truly was a year of being Positive, Productive and full of wonderful Possibility. I can't wait to see what 2012 brings. Now, share your Fiber Arts Adventures and have a very Happy New Year!

Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Fiber Arts Gifts

2011-12-28T07:26:00.000-05:00

On Christmas Eve, the mailman visited the farm with a few unexpected packages for me. It was like Christmas morning for me as I tore open my gifts. I received a very special and unexpected gift from Denise who write the Voie de Vie Blog. On Fiber Arts Friday, she had posted about her new napkin ring design and I ended up being the recipient of her first rings. They are simply beautiful and now I am compelled to weave some gorgeous napkins to go in them. She also made me a beautiful star using some scrap yarn leftover from another project that came from yarn from my farm. Serious, Pasture to Product to Awesome and Back. Thank you Denise for the special treat.

I also received a wonderful package from Karin who writes the vrouw hommel blog. We were both part of an ornament swap through Natural Suburbia blog hosted by Linda. Her little figures she made me are simply precious. I have also been enjoying her blog and her creativity. Thank you.

Finally, I won a contest over at Sheri's blog, Handmade by Sheri , and the package arrived. I got enough New Zealand wool to knit a shawl out of a pattern she wrote. I am currently looking for my larger circs so I can start knitting this shawl. Thank you.

Christmas Cheer!

2011-12-25T10:44:00.000-05:00

May your day be blessed with family, friends and all creatures great and small.

Merry Christmas!

Fiber Arts Friday - Santariffic

2011-12-23T05:45:00.001-05:00

Happy Fiber Arts Friday! Knitting, Spinning, Weaving, Felting, Crochet...what type of Fiber Arts gifts are you giving this Christmas? Have you finished? Have you already given your gifts? Whew! I must admit that mine are done! Yes, done. I have given pretty much all of them that I wanted to give and the last ones will be given this weekend.

First, I finished the Shelter Socks aka The Damn Socks! Dear Carolyn, a wonderful nurse that I work with, was the recipient of these socks. My second pair of socks ever and I gave them to a sassy lady who is a giver. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met and I gave them to her at 12:55pm yesterday. How do I know the time? Because I finished weaving in the ends at 12:55pm and spent the next five minutes watching her put them on along with the rest of my co-workers before we had to go back to work. She spent most of the afternoon in her new socks without shoes enjoying the feel of hand knit socks that I made. Two weeks late for her birthday but two days early for Christmas, her dual gift was well received. She asked that I only post photos of her happy feet and not her smiling face so...I granted that wish although her smile was worth a million gifts to me.

Next, I made a wine bottle cozy for another amazing person that I work with. I had some sparkly handspun Alpaca yarn that I just didn't know what to do with. Every pattern I considered was tossed aside when I thought about this cozy. It was perfect. I coupled it with a MADE IN MICHIGAN Wine because I'm all about supporting local. The best part about making these gifts is that they were truly appreciated. I have made some gifts where I feel that the recipient just didn't appreciate the hard work that I put in to the project. I know, I know...it shouldn't bother me but it does! Seriously, a nice thank you then never wear the gift really hurts. I know as we start giving the gifts that we labored over, that fear stays with us, even in the back parts of our mind. I am glad to know that my work will be enjoyed by these two people.

Wishing all of my Fiber Arts Friends the Merriest of Christmas and Holiday Cheer. Thank you for being here at Fiber Arts Friday and making this such a fun part of the week. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts!
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-18T20:55:00.000-05:00

It's becoming a tradition that I drag my dear children out in the snow to get the Christmas Card photo each year. What I neglect to tell them is that I haven't been mailing out cards...I simply post the photos on my blog then add the prints to their scrapbooks. This year, I actually found a somewhat mild day and two happy bears with a wee bit of sunshine to gather those special photos. Maybe I will actually send some cards out...

Merry Christmas 2011!

May your holidays be filled with family, friendship and Christmas cheer.

RIP Sante Fe

2011-12-17T08:40:00.000-05:00

I turned in my keys to my Sante Fe yesterday. It's officially at the junkyard. The insurance company decided it was better to total it than to fix it. I'm actually sad to see this vehicle go. Maybe it's because, for the first time, it wasn't my choice to no longer have the vehicle. I really wanted them to fix it but it was a 2003 and had over 200,000 miles. I knew I could get 400,000 out of the SUV though. The insurance company didn't feel it was worth spending the money the body shop quoted.

Tree that landed on the passenger side of my car

I never did get any good photos of the damage caused at the accident. I am thankful that Sister Bear and I walked away without a scratch. My angel up above was definitely looking down on us that day. I am still paranoid when driving down D Drive S. Will another tree "fall out of the sky"? Seriously, how freaky was that? We were just minding our own business. I was driving her to school on my way to work and all of a sudden we saw a limb fall and BANG! My windshield shattered. I stopped, it was pouring rain, and did the best assessment I could. It was still dark and I didn't see the damage in full. The vehicle was ok enough to drive although I couldn't see out of the window but I got it to a safe place. When the sheriff came to look at it and write up the report for the insurance company, he just shook his head and said it was going to get totalled. I am so thankful that we walked away unharmed.

So...now we need to make a decision about our vehicle situation. I no longer drive all over the countryside for work, which helps. Argh! I'm just still super paranoid about any roads with trees hanging over the road...and now it's snowing.

Fiber Arts Friday - Tis the Season

2011-12-16T06:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday!

Tis the week before Christmas or maybe it's two

Knitting and purling until my fingers are blue

Holiday Fiber Arts made to spread Christmas Cheer

Just hoping the projects are made before the New Year

Crafting madness ending in a rush

Of long hours spinning, knitting and such

I vowed I wouldn't do it, I'd give myself more time

But here I am again struggling to knit and rhyme

So I'll end this poem and get back to my knitted rows

Singing Jingle Bells and Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

Here I am two weeks before Christmas attempting to finish the socks that I started months ago from my friend's birthday which was two weeks ago. I should be knitting Christmas gifts but I am obsessed with finishing this particular gift. I took a break from knitting these when Nerd Wars began because part of the challenges required that the projects be brand new. Well, for Round three we have one challenge where we can finish a WIP so here I am spending half my month knitting the damn socks. I told my friend that's what they are now called and she just giggled. She tried one of the socks on today and it fits. Good thing since I am finally at the toe decrease on sock two. Remind me never to knit socks as a gift on size one needles until I am much more confident in sock knitting and small needles. I have totally enjoyed these socks but I am so ready for them to end.

I have also been working on a shawl for a friend. He wants it for his wife and I thought it was just about done...but I need to sew a bit. It's a nuno felted shawl that just needs some cleaning up on the silk. Now...knowing that I don't like to sew should be a big hint that I am totally ready for this project to end too. I loved the whole felting part of the process but not the sewing part. I listed to Water for Elephants on Audio while felting. Awesome book! I am now ready to see the movie.

Finally, one of my woven cowls is up for an award in Nerd Wars for the Nerd Culture catagory. I am currently in second place and would love some more votes. Stop by the VOTING THREAD and vote for me plus check out some other amazing projects. Voting ends today.

That's been my Fiber Arts Week. Knitting and Nuno-Felting. I hope to get my new loom warped this weekend. I am also renting the wool picker from the guild this weekend so I can see how I like picking my Alpaca fiber. I have tons of fiber already washed and ready so having some days off of work during the holidays will allow me some experimenting time. Don't worry, I will totally share that adventure too. I'm leaving you with Munchkin sleeping in his Santa costume. I think he was snoring, "Happy Ho Ho Ho to you!" Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts!
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Fiber Arts Friday - Holiday Weaving

2011-12-09T06:15:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Knitting, Spinning, Weaving, Crochet, Felting, Sewing...they all are a part of the wonderful adventures we share each week. I am in a weaving mindset right now so I am going to share with you a couple of creations I have made for the Buy Local Art Fair tomorrow. I am using the same pattern as the one's I've shared before but have used different colorways and a different blend of my yarns. I am excited to see which ones the customers are drawn to because I enjoy each one in their own way.

On another wonderful note...I have my "big" loom finally. I have decided to stick with the Rigid Heddle Looms for now because I really enjoy them and I'm not ready for the traditional floor loom. For some reason I just can't wrap my head around all the parts. I have purchased a 32" Ashford Rigid Reddle Loom with stand. SQUEAL! Isn't it Santariffic? Of course it is!

Once the sale is over tomorrow I will take the time to warp the loom for a larger project. Maybe a lap blanket? Maybe a shawl? hmmmmm, what do you think? Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Fiber Arts Friday - Buy Local

2011-12-02T05:59:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! December is here (way too fast) and Christmas is quickly approaching. While visions of sugar plums dance in many of our friends and family's heads, we fiber artist are busy knitting, spinning, weaving, crocheting, felting and quilting our way into the gift giving season. Many of us will give only or most only handmade gifts. Each year my goal is to spread the Wonder of Alpaca and Fiber Arts and get more people to give the gift of handmade.

Even though my children will get some whoseits or whatsits, they will also make and receive gifts made by hand.

"Maybe Christmas", he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!"

Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Next Saturday, December 10, I will be at my last show of the year. It's the Buy Local Art Fair at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Last year was a great year sharing the day with other local artists and I hope the same for this year. Melissa from Needle and Wheel Designs will be spending the day with me sharing a booth as we both bring the Wonder of Alpaca and Fiber Arts to the visitors. We have both been busy making finished goods to sell using our skills in knitting, weaving, spinning along with her beautiful bead work. I hope that people local to the area will consider these items for gifts instead of visiting a retail store. Made in the USA, Made in Michigan, Made Local is what I want and hope for.

Well, I know that most of you who are reading this post are busy making your own "local" creations to gift so I know I'm preaching to the choir but I hope you will help spread the word to all those around you to support local artists and businesses. I wanted to share this scarf I was planning on selling at the show next week but when I took it to work for show and tell a co-worker bought it. HOORAY!

I do intend on selling this beautiful cowl that I wove though.

and this one

plus this sassy hat using my handspun using a pattern written by my friend Lee from Knitting Is Gluten-Free.

Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts!
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Thanksgiving Reflections

2011-11-27T17:58:00.000-05:00

This Thanksgiving holiday has went by way too fast. Four days off from work was spent with my family. We didn't go shopping or go anywhere. We spent the weekend in our pajamas or sweats just being together. We played, we baked, we laughed and we simply enjoyed being with each other. I love my bears so very much and especially now that I am working full time, I cherish every single minute I get with them. This time together meant more to me than I thought it would. Over the last few years my life and my Thanksgiving holidays were always spent in ICU visiting my dad. It will be two years next week that he died.

I thought about him a lot this weekend. It wasn't in sadness or anger. If you look at the stages of grief, you could say that I have finally found the acceptance stage. I managed to sneak away to Fort Custer to visit his grave site. I started to freak out because I had remembered his grave number incorrectly. The panic that I felt really bothered me. I had lost my dad! Even though he is in my heart every day, I decided that I needed another visit to his resting place. Veteran's Day had a snowy mess going on and the weather was beautiful. When I finally found his grave, I thought about the panic and the fear of losing him. I could hear his voice in my head singing, "You are my sunshine" and I felt calm. Yeah, I took a photo so I wouldn't forget. I remembered 78 but kept thinking 278 and not 678. Never again!

I will miss him forever! He was my father and my best friend. I hear his voice in my head and I don't cry (as much) anymore. The anger has left me...and I am at peace. I know I alienated myself from many people during my grieving and there is no excuse for my actions. It is was it is and I handled my loss the only way I knew how. I am better now. I know I have an angel always looking out for me. We put his photo at the top of our Christmas tree. He is more than a Christmas Angel, he is our angel in heaven. On another note, I'm not as angry with God anymore. Oh, I still have issues but I understand, I think or at least I'm trying. I actually found myself praying the other day. It was the first time in a very long time. I now know that it may take a lifetime to heal from the loss but I don't have to be angry or sad and for that I am thankful to have finally figured that out.

I hope that all of my friends and extended family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope that you all found what you needed to be thankful for and have found peace.

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

The first photo in this post may be one of my all time favorites. It's my dad with my son (not long after brother bear was walking) going for a walk. This was taken about a year after his double lung transplant when he was in the peak of health. I LOVE THIS PHOTO! I am thankful for this memory that I managed to capture on film.

Fiber Arts Friday - Black Friday

2011-11-25T06:50:00.000-05:00

Gobble, Gobble! Welcome to the Black Friday edition of Fiber Arts Friday. Are you planning on spending the day knitting, spinning, weaving, crocheting or felting? Are you spending the day shopping for the latest and greatest bargains? Me? Well...pajamas are a number one requirement for my day of fiber arts. If I do go to the store it will be to visit my favorite yarn shop who is having amazing deals.

My goal this year is to Buy Handmade and Buy Local or better yet...make all of my gifts. I can't always do it but I will try my best. In the spirit of Black Friday, I am offering FREE SHIPPING on all domestic orders in my Etsy Shop of Wonder. Just use the coupon code GOBBLEGOBBLE2011 to save on shipping. This offer is good through 9pm on Sunday.

One of the best deals in my shop is if you purchase some of my Alpaca the Way it Should Be yarn, you will receive a crochet pattern written by Denise at Voie de Vie for her Le Chaud French Press Cozy. It's a gorgeous pattern and once the new year begins you will have to purchase it so here is your opportunity to get some great yarn and a beautiful pattern.

Now...I intend to spend the rest of my weekend knitting, spinning, weaving and felting while avoiding housework at all cost. Enjoy your family and fiber arts this Thanksgiving holiday. Share your adventures in Fiber Arts.
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Swaps...Received!

2011-11-22T11:56:00.000-05:00

I participated in a couple of my favorite swaps on Ravelry this Autumn and was beyond spoiled. Swaps are a fun way to get to know other fiber artists from other parts of the country and world. It's NOT just about getting a package full of goodies because the most important part of the swap is spoiling the person who you are "stalking".

At the beginning of each swap, we are required to fill out a questionnaire about our likes and dislikes. Throughout the swap, more questions are asked by both the moderators and the spoilers. Because these two swaps are centered around my favorite nerddom of Vampires, a lot of the same people are involved so from sea to shining sea...and across the pond, I have met some wonderful Ravelry friends. Even better, I have had the opportunity to meet some of these great ladies at fiber festivals. Of course, anyone that I spoil will always get a bit of the Wonder I create here on my farm whether it be a knitted, woven, felted, handspun good or even roving.

The first swap was the Love Bites Halloween Swap which required a Vampire/Halloween theme. My spoiler is from Nova Scotia and crafted an adorable project bag for me plus a bunch of adorable goodies. The prize in the package was the gorgeous Wollmeise yarn and beautiful roving. She did a great job getting to know what I liked and I love the package she sent me.

The second one was the True Blood Swap which required a theme of anything and everything we love about the HBO Show, True Blood. I was indeed spoiled. Custom buttons, a custom stein, an adorable flask, a blood drop necklace, beautiful stitch markers and my most favorite of favorites, the Vlad Shawl. Our group had a KAL which I didn't participate in because me, lace knitting and patience don't mix so I was truly spoiled when I opened this gorgeous shawl. I've already wore it a few time. I even have a project in mind for my buttons. Squeal!

Even though the swap is over, we are still chatting away. Many of us are participating in Nerd Wars together too. I really do enjoy the fun I have through these fiber arts activities and it's obvious, I truly was spoiled.

Nerd Wars Update - Scientific and Intellectual

2011-11-20T19:05:00.000-05:00

I've submitted two more projects for my Nerd Wars Challenges. This time they are both handspun yarn. With these two done that only leaves two more to complete before the end of the month to get full points. We'll see, because one challenge is going to require the use of acrylic yarn and I have issues with that. Oh well, that's another post.

Here is my Intellectual Challenge -

Your challenge is to select any element from the periodic table and craft something inspired by its properties.
Challenge--Select one element from the currently accepted Periodic Table of Elements and create a project that you can connect to the element via its properties (such as the structure, element number, common uses / location, atomic weight, atomic symbol, volume, etc).

Here is my submission:

For this challenge, the element that inspired me was Copper.
Brief description: copper is one of the most important metals. Copper is reddish with a bright metallic lustre. It is malleable, ductile, and a good conductor of heat and electricity
I have some gorgeous Suri Alpaca in my herd that have a reddish tone to their beautiful brown. The roving that I created from them especially after adding Silk really created this metallic look to add to the natural luster that the breed already has PLUS Alpaca is an amazing insulator and keeps you nice and warm ergo heat.
Now, we vampires have been known to make use of Copper. It helps enhance our psychic powers.
All I know is that psi-vampires will sometimes use silver and/orcopper to enhance or depress their own feeding abilities. It is important though that they wear it where it can get in contact with their skin, otherwise the effects are null. In that regard, a vampire who will wear silver will depress its abilities, which can be very useful for more advanced vamps who wish to be close to someone without feeding on them subconsciously. One that will wear copper will increase its powers since copper will act as a catalyst for its feeding. Weak psi-vamps will find copper a wonderful thing to have around…Jacynthe Durocher, The Vampire Project

This is my Scientific Challenge:
Anatomy of Nerddom
Anatomy and physiology are such amazing science subjects. They are also often manipulated in the fiction surrounding our nerddoms. Some characters have human features mixed with reptilian, others have an atypical circulatory system. This month, embrace the A & P!
The goal of this month’s topic is to narrow your focus away from the entire body as a whole, and pick instead a system: skeletal, muscular, digestive, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, or circulatory.

This project represents the intestines in the human anatomy. I used fushia wool that I dyed myself and spun coils to show the fluctuations in sizing throughout the intestinal tract. For Team Spirit, I have tied in the intestine spinning through some research on Vampire Folklore in Malaysia. Apparently, there is a Vampire called Penanggalan which is a Flying Head with dangling intestines. This vampire is a female. Here is a LINK to one version of how this Vampire came to be and of course, the WIKI Definition. I have included an artist rendering of this Vampire to show the intestines.

Now...I'm off to investigate Big Bang Theory. I've never watched it and I'm supposed to submit a project inspired by another form of nerddom. Apparently I'm not allowed to use my beloved Middle Earth so...a television show it is.

WAFA Sale - Last Day

2011-11-19T06:33:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day for the Weavers and Fiber Artist Sale. I know, I should have posted this earlier this week but I didn't so...you have to make sure you go today.

WEAVERS AND FIBER ARTISTS SALE
Featuring works by members of the
WEAVERS’ GUILD OF KALAMAZOO
Thursday, November 17, 2011, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 18, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 19, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Located at:
Kalamazoo County Expo Center and Fairgrounds
2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Admission is free and the location is handicap accessible.
This greatly anticipated yearly sale and demonstration draws shoppers and fiber enthusiasts from the Tri-state area of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, and features one-of-a-kind handmade items created by the members of the Weaver’s Guild of Kalamazoo.
Hand-woven table linens, shawls, scarves, and rugs; handspun specialty yarns and knitted garments; felted scarves, hats, and wearables; woven metal jewelry; and fiber Christmas ornaments will be available for purchase.
Guild members will be on hand all three days to answer questions and provide demonstrations of spinning, weaving, and knitting.

Fiber Arts Friday - Me? Love Orange?

2011-11-18T05:56:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Another week has passed in a flurry (yes, even snow flurry here in Michigan) of activity. Spinning, Knitting, Weaving are always on my agenda along with some new felted creations. So...what are you waiting for? Share your adventures in Fiber Arts and take a few minutes to enjoy all of the posts of everyone else who has linked in too.

This week I have been busy working on a few projects for Nerd Wars. Ah yes, I am still working on that. Round two is in full swing and I am thankful to have a holiday weekend coming up so I can make some progress on my challenges. I am working on a new pair of Bella Mitts using some of my handspun Merino in orange. Maybe it's because hunting season or maybe because I love the color orange...you can pick either but you know very well it's because it's a sassy color, I have chosen this yarn. It's so different from the Farkland Wool I used for my last pair plus I now understand the pattern so any mistakes, er, artistic adaptations,can be avoided. Progress has been slow but I am loving how squishy these are so far.

Over the last week or two I've been spinning up some of my Suri Alpaca Blend for a Nerd Wars Intellectual Challenge which involves the Periodic Table (more details in a future post) and the Scientific Challenge which involves anatomy (definitely more details to come). So...with these four bobbins can you guess what my inspirations are for both challenges?

I am working on another Saori Weaving Mobius Cowl using more of my handspun. This time I added a few more inches of warp to hopefully get more of the look I want. I went with more Gray in this cloth but added bits of Orange and Yellow to really make it POP! The last one was great but with each project I learn something new.

I have also been working on more felting. I created another shawl using the Nuno-Felting technique. I did learn something with this one. If you are going to use Panda Top, make sure you have some Merino as a bottom layer. I found that some of my roving didn't attach to the silk so...I am going to go back and rework a few spots. Again, with each project you learn something new. I do have to admit, there is no Orange in this project. hmmm, maybe that's why it didn't turn out the way I wanted right away ;-)

Now, share your adventures in Fiber Arts!
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Nerd Wars Team Spirit Challenge - Winter is Coming

2011-11-13T18:29:00.000-05:00

I finally finished my Bella Mitts!

I am super pleased with how they turned out. After knitting three mitts, tearing back part of one and now casting on the fourth, I got my stripes to somewhat line up and the colors to basically coordinate.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Now for the Nerd Wars submission, we need to write up how our projects tie into the theme. This is what I wrote:

Rav Handle - wonderwhygal
Team Bite Me
Knitting
Project: Bella Mitts - reVAMPED!
Winter is coming and although Vampires don’t need to keep warm, we tend to find teenage girls up in Alaska that are totally obsessed with us. They have serious sulking issues when we leave them and have spread awful rumors that we sparkle in the sun. WE DON’T! So ignore any nonsense you see in the movies about sparkling vampires, it just isn’t true. Anyways, Winter is here! So…I created these sassy fingerless mitts using the Bella’s Mitts pattern. I also didn’t want a solid color yarn so…I used some of my handspun of Farkland wool dyed by Kelly of Felting Sunshine to knit with. This mitts are worthy of any amazing Vampire, that doesn’t sparkle, who wants to have a cool look while keeping the fingers free.

Off to finish the fourth mitt so I can somehow tie the second pair into another challenge.

If you haven't guessed already, I'm having a lot of fun with Nerd Wars..and really am not a fan of the Twilight movies.

Fiber Arts Friday - Getting Technical with Nerd Wars

2011-11-11T05:57:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! My ultimate favorite time of the week is when I can sit back with my knitting and enjoy reading all of the blogs that link in. TGIFAF! This week I am going to update you on weaving with my Nerd Wars challenges. I submitted my first project for Round Two which was the Technical Challenge, From a Different Angle...

Angles occur where two lines, line segments, or rays meet. Measuring these angles (the space between the lines) is a major aspect of Geometry, and shapes made up of angles, such as triangles, squares, and hexagons, can play a major role in fiber crafting, such as modular knitting/crocheting.

Your challenge is to create something with an angle in it. This could be as simple or as complex as you choose to make it. The angle can be in the shape of the object, in the pattern on the object, wherever you can find it. Please include a picture where your angle can be clearly seen. Additionally, I want to know what kind of angle it is. Classifying it as acute, obtuse, or right would be a sufficient explanation, but it would be really cool if you actually measured the degrees :)

Of course, I had to submit a project that involved weaving so that is what I did. In the Saori Weaving Group on Ravelry, there has been a Weave Along to create a Mobius Shawl. I was totally up to the challenge and it was well worth it. I pulled out a variety of yarns that included my chunky, thick and think, two-ply and single-ply handspun plus millspun yarn from my herd in addition to some fun sparkly yarns that I had in my stash. It was so much fun and liberating to weave using the Saori form of weaving with all of these different weights of yarns. I was amazing how even the weaving actually turned out.

Of course, I had to connect this project to Vampires to get Team Spirit Points for Team Bite Me so I called the project Sunrise Sunset on Bon Temps (from the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood Series). The colors of this shawl have all of the beautiful colors that you can find at Sunrise and Sunset which, of course, are critical times for Vampires. (Yes, I am going to suck you into the fun of my Nerdom before this is all over)

I plan on warping my loom this weekend to make another one. I want to add a few additional inches to the warp but, overall, everything about this project is totally awesome and perfect. So...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.

Don't forget to take the time to Remember and Show your Respect for the Veterans who have fought for our country. My husband, Grumpy, served our country in the Air Force along with my father in Vietnam. I have grandfather's who both served during the Korean War and a cousin who is still Army and has been overseas more times than I can count (He is home now). At some point today, I hope to visit Fort Custer National Cemetery to visit my Dad's stone. Thank you to everyone military person who has served our country or is currently in active duty.

Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

WIP Wednesday - Bella's Mittens

2011-11-09T06:32:00.000-05:00

I am knitting a pair of mittens for Nerd Wars. It's part of the Team Spirit Challenge called Winter's Coming. Of course I had to knit the Bella Mitts from Twilight because it gives me a Winter time item plus totally ties into Vampires for Team Bite Me.

Now here is where it get's tricky. Instead of commercial yarn, I decided to use the lovely handspun yarn that I created using Farkland that Kelly from Felting Sunshine dyed. It was a dream to spin and I totally loved her colorway but somewhere in my spinning part of the yarn totally striped how it was supposed to and the rest did a more obvious barber pole/candy stripe look. Oh, all would be well if it were a hat or shawl because the stripes would gradually fade into each other but with mitts...well, I really don't look like I have a pair. PLUS I discovered on mitt number two that I did finish my top quite right. Oops! Must have been busy talking instead of reading the instructions. No issue there, I can tear out and reknit but...how do I make this pair match?

Fortunately I have (think I have) enough yarn to knit one more mitt. So I am casting on and whichever mitt it matches will become the other mitt in the pair and the third mitt will....hmmmm, either get torn out or become part of an oddball set. It's a fun knit and I am totally LOVING knitting cables. Woot! Now...to cast on again.

On a Felting Roll

2011-11-08T06:38:00.000-05:00

After spending a fabulous day felting with my friends Suzanne, Sharon, Char plus so many more, I was inspired to make more felt. I wanted to make another shawl but in a different colorway so I created this shawl which reminds me of Iris's in bloom. I absolutely LOVE dyeing silk. It is so much fun to watch the fiber soak up the dye. Actually, I really enjoy dyeing in general. The only drawback is that a day of dyeing means a day I can't be spinning, weaving or knitting. Alas, it's still a Fiber Art. So here is my newest creation, Iris.

Fiber Arts Friday - Nuno Felting, A Day of Healing

2011-11-04T06:06:00.000-04:00

Yikes! Another week has gone by and it's already TGIFAF! Yes, you guessed it, Thank Goodness it's Fiber Arts Friday. Now lay those knitting needles down and grab your favorite cup of coffee because some amazing Fiber Artist have been linking in to share their posts.

First! I must announce who the winner of last weeks prize is. Drum roll....Spinster Beth! Hooray! Beth will be getting a skein of my handspun in the mail unless...you choose to pick roving instead. I will give your that option since I know that you love to spin the wonder. Congratulation! Thank you to everyone who left comments.

Now, to share my adventures this week. First, check out my last post, if you haven't already to see the Mohair scarf that I finally finished from ages ago. I am super pleased with how it turned out and already gifted it to my aunt.

This last weekend, I spent the day with Suzanne Higgs from Hooked on Felt, who is an absolutely amazing artist and a truly beautiful woman. I really enjoy her company and whenever I get a chance to see her, I always jump at it. She has been the inspiration and the leading instructor in my felting education. On Saturday, I spent the day with her and many other wonderful ladies Nuno Felting shawls using Suzanne's techniques. Instead of slowing down this post with a bunch of photos, I will leave you a link to my Picasa Album so you can view them there.

Nuno Felting Class with Suzanne Higgs October 30, 2011

I am very pleased with how this shawl turned out and plan to make a couple more for gifts. Felting is truly addictive. Um, yeah, I've said that about every form of Fiber Arts I've attempted ;-) It really is, though.

One of the ladies that was felting with us, whom I've had a chance to felt with on other occasions, made a very astute observation that it was a day of healing. I like that...a lot. A Day of Healing. It's true. On so many different levels, the felting fun day heals the mind, the soul and even the body. Even though we tire ourselves out with over 3000 rolls (yes, that many) my back wasn't aching. I felt invigorated. Ok, I was tired and I did relax all the next day but for that evening, I had lots of energy. My mind is at peace. I don't think about the worries of my world because I am focused on my craft and the fun I am having. My soul was fueled by the fellowship that we shared. Is fellowship the word I want? I'm not sure but there is a spiritual element to the day. Anyways, whatever word you use to describe our gathering, it was wonderful and I look forward to our next playday. Now, share your adventures in Fiber Arts.
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

What happens in Lórien...Stays in Lórien? Nah!

2011-11-01T17:50:00.000-04:00

“Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes.”
--Celeborn, LOTR

I finally finished my woven scarf that I started way back in September. It turned out more beautiful than I had imagined and even though it was a complete pain to weave using Mohair, it was totally worth it. I named this project:

What happens in Lórien...

I found inspiration from the Lord of the Rings. I thought about the colors of the cloaks that the Elves of Lorien gave the Fellowship of the Ring. Of course, I made this as a gift. Ok, I should have waited until Christmas but...I didn't want to wait another two months so I presented it to my Aunt Janet. She is one amazing lady and has been amazing to me growing up. She has been more of a mother to me than the woman who really is/was. I hope she enjoys this scarf.
Unfortunately, I warped my loom before Nerd Wars so I wasn't able to count this in my work even though it took the whole October. That's ok, it was a bonus project. When she wears it, may she be met only with friendly eyes.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T21:50:00.000-04:00

Another wonderful year of Halloween Cheer!
Plenty of treats with very few tricks.
Giggles and goblins
Captain Rex too!

Spending time with my little bears
Precious, indeed.

Fiber Arts Friday - Nerd Wars and Give Away

2011-10-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Another wonderful week full of Fiber Arts love. I finished my first cabled project. HOORAY! My hat is super awesome. I am really pleased with how it turned out. Now I am ready to start knitting my next pattern with cables. I used this hat for the Nerd Culture Challenge in Nerd Wars. This month's challenge was Best Dressed and I know this hat totally creates the Best Dressed Look.

I have one more project to complete before Monday to complete my October challenges in the Nerd Wars Tournament and I'm over halfway done. I do like that Nerd Wars is helping me complete projects by creating deadlines. I have quite a few projects that I must complete before the holidays so this is very good.

Now, somewhere in the midst of sharing all of my Fiber Arts Fun, I have met many amazing Fiber Artists and Bloggers. I have received a lot of wonderful gifts (which I try to post and share when I get them) using all forms of Fiber Arts. It's been a long time since I've had a give-away so...today will be the day. To share in the celebration of Halloween (because I really do love the fun of the holiday), I am going to give away a skein of my handspun yarn. Yup! You read that right. 360 Yards of my Suri Alpaca blended with Blue Faced Leicester and Silk all processed by yours truly. You know you want it! All you have to do is leave a comment. I will draw a name before next Friday then post the winner. It's that simple. Thank you to everyone who shares their Fiber Arts Adventures here weekly. I love my TGIFAF (Thank Goodness It's Fiber Arts Friday) Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.
Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

WIP Wednesday - Knitting Cables at Fiber Expo

2011-10-26T06:15:00.000-04:00

While I was away at Fiber Expo this last weekend, I started knitting cables. My Antarctica hat just grew once I got past the first cable row. Why was I all freaked out? I LOVE cabled patterns and they are super fun to knit. Ok, this cable pattern is super fun to knit so they all have to be...right? Of course! Seriously, I have a cabled pattern wish list that fills a full binder full of projects I want to knit.

Since I have been home, I have vowed not to touch my spinning wheel (and poor Frodo is sulking) so that I can finish this hat. Only one more row then the decrease. HOORAY! This hat will be submitted as a Nerd Wars challenge and it will also become a gift...now to decide who the recipient will be.

While at Fiber Expo, I was able to spend a lot of time with fellow fiber friends who were also vendors. We were able to go out to dinner at night and chat at times throughout the day. I have learned that you have to be careful where you stall because if you are directly across from awesome, you tend to spend most of your profits. This time, I was stalled across from Jone and her amazing felted creations.
She owns Spectral Glass & Artworx.I walked away with a sassy felted tuxedo style vest and really wanted about ten other items.

Did I mention fun? Dreads felted by Suzanne Higgs of Hooked on Felt

I also had the opportunity to meet a couple of Ravelry friends who drove up from Ohio. It's always fun to put a face and a voice to the friend that you chat with in the groups, especially since we send and receive swap gifts. Now we have a personal connection if our names are ever drawn for each other.

Finally, I leave you with a few photos of my booth. I am constantly changing it up depending on space and what product I take plus I was sharing space with Mama Melissa aka Melissa from Needle and Wheel Designs.

Give so others can live...

2011-10-24T20:22:00.000-04:00

I was given this card for Halloween and wanted to share. I thought it was cute.
Give a great Halloween treat and register to be an organ donor.
It's the most amazing gift you will ever give.

Fiber Arts Friday -

2011-10-21T05:13:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Knit, Spin, Crochet, Weave, Felt, Sew...all Fiber Artists are welcome to share their adventures in Fiber Arts. So...what are you waiting for? Link in your Fiber Arts Blog and join the fun! This week, I've managed to get a bunch of knitting in during lunch and spinning before work and after the bears are asleep.

Nerd Wars has been keeping me busy with our October challenges. I still have a couple of challenges left. I am working on the Technical Challenge which is Colortastic. I am cheating a bit and using a pattern that I've already knit before instead of something new but I wanted one in a new color so it is a new project. Anyways, I am knitting the Mosaic Ornament written by KellyJ Knits. We are require to use more than one color so this is the perfect project plus I needed an ornament for another project I'm working on so win/win.

Next, I cast on my Antarctica and am on the row to begin my first cables ever. Dear Mama Melissa from Needle and Wheel Designs made me promise to finish pricing all of the yarns and batts for Fiber Expo this weekend before I continued with it so...my reward is that she is going to walk me through my first cable row. I am really enjoying this yarn, Waterlily, that I purchased and I am really loving the color. It's a nice Merino yarn and feels nice to knit with. I am hoping to use this for another challenge in Nerd Wars but not sure if it will be for the Giving Geeks or Nerd Culture Challenge. As usual, anything I create needs to be tied in to my team, Team Bite Me, which means vampires are involved. Oh yes, I already have my story figured out for the ornament once it's finished.

I have also finished a personal challenge to step out of my color comfort zone. I dyed a bunch of really bright colors and created some really fun batts to spin. I spun these last weekend at Mama Melissa's house during the Arts and Eats Tour. She opened her farm for the public and a few of us demonstrated spinning. It was a great afternoon and I learned spinning is even more fun when Ukalele are involved. I really felt like the bright colors hurt my eyes as I spun even with the added black but once I plyed the yarn, the colors calmed down a bit and I'm very pleased with the results.

Today I will be setting up my booth in Ann Arbor for Fiber Expo. If you are in the area this weekend, stop by and say hello. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.

Fiber Arts Friday !

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Fierce Mama Bear

2011-10-19T06:58:00.000-04:00

"NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!"
- Mrs. Weasley, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
written by J.K. Rowling

Those are strong words from a mother who will do anything to protect her child. In the context of that quote, Mrs. Weasley is protecting her daughter, Ginny, from the evil Bellatrix with all the fury that love can muster and the sacrifice of knowing that she puts her own life in jeopardy.

So...why am I quoting J.K. Rowling? Well, have you ever heard stories about how a mama bear will protect her cubs in the wild? Well, this Mama Bear is fierce when it comes to my Sister Bear and Brother Bear. For two years I have struggled with the school trying to get help because I felt that my daughter my have a learning disability. Last year, she was failing her elementary class. Seriously, she was failing elementary! She had a teacher who didn't seem to mind giving her "E" on every assignment and never thought twice about it. When I continuously asked how I could help her, I never got the support I needed.

At a parent teacher conference, her teacher flippantly had the nerve to say, "Oh great! Another Special Ed student!" I was in tears (of anger and frustration) because if, indeed, my child needed special help then help me give it to her. I had to beg for the school to give her a Child Study, which I felt wasn't handled very well. I kept saying that I thought she was Dyslexic and needed help to get her a screening (at the time our family was without health insurance due to a job loss) and their answer was to start testing her on items a grade level below where she was instead of helping me find the problem...I was beyond angry, frustration, and hurt. I didn't know where to go to find the resources to even begin researching. I was that parent without health insurance trying to help my child. I didn't have the money for a pediatrician visit. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know where to begin.

Fortunately, I got a new job last Winter where I met many amazing people who directed me where to go for information and to find a list of doctors to talk to. Finally, I had resources to work with. Once the benefits kicked in, I was able to schedule an appointment with a neuro-psychologist. Actually, I ended up doing this for both children because Brother Bear's teachers approached me with struggles that he was having. Now here is the "funny" thing about this elementary school...they got him a screening with the local dyslexia center with no problem and started the groundwork to have him screened for special education classes/help. Now how is it that within the same school this can happen? Apparently, it does depend on the teacher. ARGH! By all means, I am not knocking the profession of education. I know that it's hard for teachers to work with the limited resources (i.e. budget cuts) they have but when you have a parent that is willing to work with you...

Anyways, over the summer (because these doctors schedule way out in advance) they had all of their testing. The doctor and her assistants had the bears in for a day and they tested them where they could assess all quadrants of the brain. I have been working with the local Dyslexia center to get the tutoring help they need. I have a great group of teachers this year who are working with my children to give them the assistance that they need so that they don't have to struggle. My bears are getting the help they need...finally.

Sister Bear won't get the typical parent-teacher conference this year because her teacher contacted me and asked that we have a sit down with all of her teachers so we can discuss how we, as a team, can help her. They will work with me on any accommodations that need to be made. Why was this so hard last year? I'm thankful that it's not this year. I am finally getting cooperation. I do have to admit, if I didn't have my health insurance, all of the testing would have cost a few thousand dollars. Now...how are uninsured people supposed to pay this? Apparently, you don't get assistance until you get a diagnosis yet how do you get a diagnosis when you don't even know where to go? ARGH!

2011 is the year to be positive, productive and full of wonder possibility...

Just remember, we are our children's strongest advocates. We have to be active in their learning. We have a great educational system that is struggling with budget cuts . I am still disappointed that the school didn't give me resources to check out...but, we are working together now. Just be warned, I am a lot like Mrs. Weasley and I will protect my children with my life, if need be.

Nerd Wars - Team Spirit Challenge (You say it's your Birthday)

2011-10-16T13:47:00.000-04:00

I've completed yet another challenge in this round of Nerd Wars. This was the Team Spirit Challenge. Here was our task:

Your challenge this month is to craft the ideal gift for a character from your nerddom. This is a great opportunity to show fellow Nerd Warriors, and especially your teammates a bit about who you are and who/what you love in your own particular nerddom.

So...instead of using my typical vampire inspiration (Ann Rice, True Blood), I chose to use The Little Vampire as my muse and I created Batty, The Vampire Bat. Now my little guy didn't turn out quite like the pattern. I think it's because I stuffed him with too much Alpaca fiber which is totally different than poly-fill plus I used a merino/camel yarn for the bat and an angora yarn for the cape so I had very drapey fibers. I love him though. He totally has character and right now he is decorating my office at work.

Pumpkin Time

2011-10-15T18:36:00.000-04:00

All Winter long our neighbor requested that we bring our Alpaca poo over to his house so he could compost it for his gardens. There were times he even helped us scoop poo and being one that never turns down poo scoopin' help, we let him. Well, his secret mission was to improve the flower gardens and his pumpkin patch and it payed off. He had his best pumpkin harvest ever! He had so many pumpkins that he invited everyone on the road plus some to come and pick out their own pumpkins. Of course, Brother Bear and Sister Bear were eager to get their pumpkin carving groove on so...we had a pumpkin carving party.

Sister Bear looked in a Halloween Pumpkin book for her design inspiration while Brother Bear wanted to use a character from a game called Empires & Allies. Well, his drawing didn't turn out how he wanted although we thought it was awesome. Grumpy went ahead and cut it out while Brother Bear had a breakdown. I thought it was a super creative choice and one that was totally unexpected from my Star Wars crazed son.

I loved the pumpkins that the kids made and we have been enjoying toasted pumpkin seeds all week. I love that Grumpy also created his very own jack-o-lantern too. Halloween rocks!

Fiber Arts Friday - I Love Yarn Day!

2011-10-14T05:29:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Did you know today is "I Love Yarn Day"? I love that I Love Yarn Day falls on Fiber Arts Friday. So what do you love about yarn? Well, my answer falls on the line of, "Is the sky blue?" What is there not to love about yarn? Seriously, I can't walk past a skein of yarn without touching it.

Check out the website created by the Craft Yarn Council for suggestions on what you can do with yarn. Knit or crochet something for charity? Gather with friends to enjoy your favorite fiber art. Me? Well, I will be reading all of my favorite Fiber Arts Friday submissions (Thank you, in advance, for linking in) then heading to my favorite yarn shop to knit tonight.

I have cast on Antarctica. I am using this as part of my Nerd Wars tournament submissions and...conquering my fear of cables. Yes, I know, cables aren't that bad but I've chosen to make them scary and now...I will take that fear away. Seriously, I keep finding sassy cable patterns so I need to get over the intimidation and just knit it.

Finally, I submitted my Scientific Challenge aka the Prehistoric Challenge for Nerd Wars. I spun a yarn for this challenge. The challenge was to make something that pre-dated our history. Since I am on the Vampire team, I chose Ann Rice's Queen of the Damned for my Team Bite Me Inspiration since that was the beginning of vampires. In my submission, I wrote a bit of vampire history and why I chose the colorway I did. I think the yarn turned out great and soon it will be tagged and ready for me to take to Fiber Expo in two weeks. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts then go out and enjoy I Love Yarn Day!

Fiber Arts Friday!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs:

Where's my size 6?

2011-10-11T20:30:00.000-04:00

I have a new project I want to knit but can't find any of my size 6 circular knitting needles. I have their empty packages but the needles which should be in the packages are no where to be found.

I last used them while knitting hats last Winter so where did they go?

I even have a awesome green case to hold my needles yet they are not in their appropriate sleeve.

Does this mean I will have to clean my house? Oh please, say it isn't so.

Knitting needles, knitting needles...come out, come out wherever you are.

Harvestfest 2011

2011-10-09T19:42:00.000-04:00

For the second year in a row, I spent my birthday at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds for Harvestfest. The MI-ALPACA group gathers in the Goat Barn to display our Alpacas and goods made by Alpacas for the public so that we can educate them about our industry and also sell our products. This year Sister Bear wanted to bring Sexy Rexy so that she could use him for the Obstacle Course Demonstration with her fellow 4H Club members. I didn't have to scoop poo once during the whole day because she was in charge of our Alpacas. We had a nice day and I got a lot of spinning done as visitors asked questions about spinning and fiber arts.

The best part of the day was the kids in the arena learning about Alpacas. Many children who visited and had never seen an Alpaca before were able to walk the Alpaas through the course with the assistance of the 4H Club. In a time where sales might not be the best for breeding programs and many farms are getting out of the business, the sight of these children falling in love with Alpacas brings hope for our growing industry and that it truly why members of MI-ALPACA gathered for a beautiful October day in Marshall.

I ended up having a nice day, after starting out in not the most wonderful of moods. I will treasure all of the time I spent with Sister Bear and it was great to see friends old and new.

Fiber Arts Friday - Nerd Wars Intellectual Challenge - Done!

2011-10-07T04:55:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Another week has passed us by with a mixture of knitting, spinning, dyeing, crocheting, felting, weaving, spinning, knitting...wait! Did I repeat myself? By golly, I sure did but don't worry because each and every project is totally unique because that's how I roll. Oh, did you see I added crochet? Well, I am learning that too.

First up...remember all of those bobbins that I shared last week. Well, they turned into this yarn. Approximately 420 yards of 2ply yarn from 7.5oz. I am super pleased how this turned out and it will soon be part of a gift I am preparing to mail.

Next I've been busy knitting with an almost Vampire like speed to finish my first two challenges in Nerd Wars for Team Bite Me. This cowl not only acts as part of the Team Bite Me Team Unity Challenge (where all team members have to create something to cover our necks) but it also completed the Intellectual Challenge by a simple act of poetry. I needed to write a Haiku to accompany my project that fit the project theme. Yes, my post will be Vampire heavy for the next couple of months but...in a creative way.
Here it is-

Drink my blood dear heart
Live eternal life with me
Vampire way of life

This week was good because I actually finished a couple of projects. When we spend so much time working on projects that take a few months or more, switching gears and cranking out a quick and fun project really helps keep the mojo going. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Nerd Wars - Team Unity Challenge

2011-10-05T06:49:00.000-04:00

Barely in to week one of Nerd Wars and I have been busy working on a couple of projects. For Team Bite Me, we decided to all make a project that covers the neck since Vampires love the neck so...I'm knitting a cowl inspired by Interview with a Vampire written by Ann Rice. I chose the free Ravelry pattern, Dragonfly Fire Cowl. I am using a yarn that was gifted to me last year during a swap on Ravelry and it is delicious to work with. It's a beautiful hand dyed fingering weight yarn.

The pattern calls for you to knit with a double strand for this project and after getting my coordination in working order, I am no longer all tangled. Yes, that means that I was tangled quite a bit at first. I've even managed to work the challenge with a demonic dog as a model (ok, a cute little schnauzer who has flash eyes but totally works for the vampire story).

So...I'm off to continue knitting this cowl because I have a bunch more projects to create in the next few weeks.

Fiber Arts Friday - Nerd Wars, Yes, Nerd Wars

2011-09-30T05:30:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! What topic shall we share this week? Will it be knitting, spinning, weaving, crochet, sewing, felting...ah, the fiber arts ideas are limitless so I shall do what I do best and leave you wondering "why". I have joined Nerd Wars. After waiting for what seemed an eternity, I was chosen to be on Team Bite Me. Yes, my love for vampires apparently outweighed my love for Middle Earth and the vampire team got me instead of Team Precious (where I have kindly offered to be this tournament's Smeagle).

This is my new Ravatar.

October 1, tomorrow, begins the newest tournament in Nerd Wars. For the months of October, November and December I will be making projects that fit the theme of my team where we will earn points against other teams such as the Dr. Who lovin' Team Tardis, the Star Trek lovin' Team Enterprise, the Braaaains Team who love zombies, the Firefly/Serenity lovin' team called Browncoats, and...well, you get the idea. We will make projects that fit our team themes in categories such as charity, science, nerd culture, intellectual, technical and team spirit. Apparently we can also be very creative as to how our projects fit these categories while maintaining the theme of the team. What do I get out of it? Nothing more than having a bunch of fun with people who share my enjoyment of, well this time, vampire books and movies while making various fiber arts projects.

So, as I reach in to find my inner nerd (which apparently isn't a deep search) I will be sharing with you the fun of Team Bite Me. Wait! This sounds like fun? Well, hop on over to Ravelry and check out Nerd Wars. You might be inspired to knit cool projects like the R2D2 Beanie.

In the meantime, as I impatiently wait for my first Nerd Wars challenge, I am still busy working on my weaving, spinning and knitting. Sock one is done of Shelter and I am already a couple of inches into the ribbing of Sock two.

New yarns are in the works. Right now one ply of my Alpaca and one ply of gorgeous Merino hand dyed by CJ Kopek are ready to be plyed and I'm still plugging away on my weaving. I get a few inches done a night.

Spin, knit, weave is how I spend my unwind time each night. Now...share your adventures in fiber arts.
Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Wordless Wednesday - Seriously, me wordless?

2011-09-28T06:19:00.000-04:00

I love the beginning of Autumn on the farm. The trees are just starting to turn and the air is cooler at night. The Alpacas know there is a change in the weather too. They enjoy their last month of fresh pasture before the frost takes over and leaves them in the inner pastures for Winter.

Enjoy your Autumn Evenings too.

Happy Birthday, Brother Bear

2011-09-26T21:28:00.000-04:00

9/26/11

My Little Bear is growing up...

9/26/04

Happy Birthday!

Mystery's Shawl of Red Awesomeness

2011-09-24T19:13:00.001-04:00

This post was supposed to be shared a few days ago but the USPS decided that the distance from one end of the country to Michigan should take a full business week. Argh! Anyways, presenting Andrea's Shawl of Red Awesomeness crocheted by my blogging friend Denise who writes the Voie de Vie Blog.

For complete information on the pattern, the Critron (a free pattern on Ravelry), and the knitting stats you can visit her blog or Ravelry Notes. For the drooled over shawl...well, you will have to visit me. Earlier this year, we had talked about bartering for yarn and I really wanted a shawl that I would adore without having to find the patience to knit one. Denise had posted this shawl made in a lovely green and I fell in love with it so I asked if I supplied the yarn of my choice would she crochet it for me. Of course, I had to use my handspun so I picked yarn that I created during the Tour de Fleece 2011 from my herdsire, Midnight Magic's Mystery and paired it with a sassy Mohair yarn. I had no clue what to expect. About two weeks ago, I got an email asking if I would like beads added. I didn't know so I said, "Yesh!" I am so glad because those beads just make the shawl POP!

My dear Grumpy Bear brought it in to work for me yesterday afternoon because I was supposed to meet some friends after work for spinning. All of my co-workers LOVED it and all of the ladies that evening did too. I have been wearing it all day too. I love that I can pair it with jeans and go casual or use it with a nice dress or slacks.

It truly is the shawl of Awesomeness!

I promised Denise a few photos of me wearing the shawl with Mystery but he isn't at my farm right now because he is out performing his herdsire duties at the farm where he is co-owned so...as soon as I can make my way to their farm or he returns home, those photos will be taken.

Denise, you are a rock star! xoxo

Fiber Arts Friday - Addiction or Sanity

2011-09-23T06:35:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! It's amazing how quickly this week went. Somehow, with everything else going on, I did manage to knit, spin and weave my way through the week. I even plan to sort fiber tomorrow for another farm. Some people would call my love of fiber arts an addiction or obsession but I would prefer to call it therapy or sanity check. What about you?

When I first learned to knit it was in part because I wanted to learn about Alpaca fiber since I had my farm but it was also filled a social need. Indeed I have found a wonderful community full of fiber artists locally and throughout the world now that share my same interests. I am also learning to enjoy my own company and the quiet peace that comes with the gentle hum of the spinning wheel or the clicking of my knitting needles. For the first time in a very long time, I am enjoying the silence. I'll save all of the therapy talk for another post but I do want to say that I am finding that emotional wounds are healing and fiber arts have helped. I am learning to find reflection or meditation in my craft instead of focusing on the social and for now...it's working plus I am creating some amazing projects.

My newest weaving project- (Don't freak out but I'm actually providing yarn information for once)

Project Yet to be Named

Loom -Samwise Gamgee aka Cricket Loom
Weft - Alternating between Panda Silk Spruce yarn and the primary yarn, Mohair and Silk by The Gormet Collection, Douceur et Soie
70% Baby Mohair
30% Silk
25 grams - Approx 225 yards
Made in Italy

Warp: 7 feet of Panda Silk yarn alternating between the granite tones and spruce
52% bamboo
43% machine washable Merino wool
5% combed silk
204 yds/50 gr. 7-8 sts/inch

Anyways, my house is still a mess but...I have a happy, healthy family and beautiful creations from my spinning, knitting and weaving. Now before I get any more mushy, I am going to ask that you share your adventures in Fiber Arts.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

WIP Wednesday - Shelter Sock

2011-09-21T06:12:00.000-04:00

"True happiness consists in making happy."
Bharavi's Kiratarjuniya, Hindu

I'm finally making progress on my Shelter sock(s) that I'm knitting for a nurse I work with. It's so funny watching her at lunch as I sit next to her and knit her socks. She is simply giggling with anticipation which just makes me all the happier to knit them. Now that I've turned the heel, the first sock is really taking shape.

"In seeking happiness for others, you find it for yourself." Anonymous

I have to share this. I was at home Sunday not feeling so well with a sniffly sneezy sinus allergy issue so I decided that I would turn the heel and attempt the gusset without help. This being the beginning to my second pair of socks ever, I was scared to do it without KellyJ from Your Local Yarn Shop sitting next to me to cheer me on. I pulled up her page on Facebook all set to send her a message for help when all of a sudden it clicked and I remember to knit through the "V" and before I knew it I was knitting on the other side...all by myself.

I told KellyJ about it when I was in the yarn shop on Monday minus the Facebook part. She said that I should have had a photo of her which is when I giggled and told her I already had. Yes, the Knit Doctor worked her magic via Facebook. (Hope she doesn't figure out how to charge for that service --just kidding) With each new project, I gain confidence in my knitting skills and enjoyment. I truly enjoy knitting now and found when I'm not in the mood to simply not knit.

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort." Franklin Roosevelt
So here I am gaining confidence as a sock knitter while doing good for someone else.

"Be helpful.When you see a person without a smile ,Give him yours." Zig Ziglar

Fiber Arts Friday - Who's that Girl?

2011-09-16T06:11:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Knit, Weave, Spin, Crochet, Sew, Felt, Dye are all parts of the Fiber Arts Fun we share each week so what are you waiting for? Join in the fun and share you Fiber Arts Adventures. This week has been a tough one for me. The Neti Pot has been my best friend as I've battled the change of season allergies. Argh! When you don't feel good you typically don't want to do much. Of course, I'm not your typical gal.

I've been busy spinning every night before bed which really does relax me and put me in the happy frame of mind to sleep. Literally before I went to bed last night I finished plying 8oz of 2-ply yarn in my Suri Alpaca Blend which ended up giving me 452 yards. I have also been busy knitting at lunch each day. I am finally working on the heel for the Shelter socks I started awhile back. These are my on-the-go knit so progress has been slow. I switched from my Studio June Shelter yarn to Shibui yarn for the heel and toe since the red is almost the same and really puts a POP on the color. Once I turn the heel, I will simply knit the foot.

I did get a chance for some extra knitting on Wednesday night. I needed to visit the Secretary of State office for my driver's license renewal. Apparently I can't keep the photo from when I "really was 29" so I had to brave the crowds to get the renewal. When I arrived, they were just calling number 63. I picked number 97. Good thing I had my knitting with me. It wasn't long and I had a crowd of people around me watching me knit, asking me questions about knitting and giving me all of their excuses why they don't knit but do various other crafts even though I don't remember asking (yes, that was the sinus thing making me testy). I am so used to knitting in public that I just take it for granted that most people aren't exposed to knitters.

Of course, the lady next to me then noticed the socks I was wearing. Yes, my first pair of hand-knitted socks. MY SOCKS! It has finally been cool enough that I could start wearing socks. So there I was in the Secretary of State's office in my dress slacks and shirt with my hand-knitted socks and Birks. Yes, I'm not quite the picture perfect office professional but I sure am picture perfect. Oh yeah!

Now the conversation went from me knitting to what I have knitted. Before long I had completed quite a few rows plus kept everyone around me entertained and slowly all of our numbers were called. There was a day, not so long ago, when I didn't know how to knit and I would be the impatient gal waiting for my number to get called. Now that knitting is in my life I don't mind the wait...or the attention. Ok, I have always loved the attention but that's a whole different story. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!

Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs

Honk, honk? The Oboe Playing Bear

2011-09-14T06:47:00.000-04:00

With the start of Middle School, a few new beginnings have taken place at our farm. One of the most enjoyable rights of passage is Sister Bear joining Band. Yes, joining Band is a right of passage. Don't you remember your first instrument? I am very excited for Sister Bear.

My first instrument was the piano but my first band instrument was the Alto Saxophone. I eventually played the Tenor Saxophone for the remainder of my high school band career along with the tri-tom and base drum. I still get a rush when I hear the marching band preparing to go out to the field for the halftime show...especially if it's the WMU Marching Band. Go Broncos!

When Sister Bear said she wanted to play an instrument I was excited. I have been slowly working with her on learning to play the piano and read music but learning from Mom is never fun, apparently. Sister Bear wanted to play the Clarinet and that is what she told the school but when we went to try out instruments she asked to try a few different instruments. (Go Sister Bear for exploring the possibilities) I was excited when she asked to play the saxophone but within a second she decided no and asked to try the Oboe. The minute her lips hit the double reed, beautiful sound erupted. No, not a strangled goose sound but the sweet sound of a Mallard saying, "Hey, let's swim in this lake for the afternoon." So...Sister Bear decided to play the Oboe.

I am excited to see how she takes to learning her instrument and reading music. I am looking forward to Band Concerts. I am interested to see how music affects her life...

Fiber Arts Friday - Dye Day

2011-09-09T06:04:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Yes, it's Friday again and after a short work week, it's time to pick up that Fiber Arts Momentum started during the long last weekend. Knit, Weave, Spin, Crochet, Sew, Felt, Dye...are all parts of the Fiber Arts Fun we share each week and this week I am going to share a Day of Dyeing.

After the Michigan Fiber Festival was over, I realized that I had sold all of my colorful yarn and all that was left was the natural colors. I adore my natural colored yarns but...color sells so my daughter, Sister Bear, and my friend, Dawn aka Knitamazoo, helped transform my kitchen from the room that doesn't cook into one hot cookin' room full over colorful pans of yarn and socks.

I had a bunch of roaster pans that used to be my Dads which were the perfect size to heat up the fun. I typically use Vinegar as a mordant but decided to switch to Citric Acid and I am so happy I did. The kitchen and house didn't have the overwhelming vinegar smell. By the way, I use Jacquard Acid Dyes.

I did find that I have a few skeins I will need to fix. Unfortunately, the strings that tied them together were a bit tight which caused a stripe of the original color to pop through. Argh! I don't consider myself a dyer although I do enjoy dying so I have a lot to learn and most of that is through trial and error. Overall I am very happy with the results and now I have more color yarns to add to my shop and to sell at the upcoming festivals in October. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs:

Fiber Arts Friday - To Spindle or Not to Spindle Basket

2011-09-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! Boy, this week sure has flown by so...take a few moments to share your adventures in Fiber Arts and also catch up with other fun adventures by linking in to my post. This week I am sharing with you the Spindle Basket I wove at the Michigan Fiber Festival this year. I was super excited to make a basket because my friend Terri has created so many amazing baskets and I wanted to do the same. I was even more excited because I got to take the class with her so we had a morning to visit and weave together.

It really is amazing what you can create with a handful of reeds. I wasn't sure what to expect with basket weaving but...it's addictive! Once we got the first few reeds hooked together I was totally engrossed in the process.

It only took me three hours to make this basket. Can you believe that? Three hours! There aren't a whole lot of fiber arts where you can complete a whole project in just a few hours so I was super excited to create something that I could actually use...in just a few hours. Woot!

Now I know this post is photo heavy but I wanted to really show the process. By the way, I am totally going to make more baskets...in different styles.

Weaving...in any form is addictive.

I finally found a use for clothespins that didn't include a potato chip bag ;-)
Really, why would I use them with clothes? Just kidding.

One of the workshop participants was much faster at weaving that I was and she put her spindle basket to use right away. I have actually used mine already and it is great. I can put a few ounces of roving in the basket and just walk around and spin.

I missed out on the Whine or Wine Basket Workshop which totally bummed me out but it was my own fault for not registering in a timely fashion. I think that basket will be my next project. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs:

Bear Grows Up

2011-08-30T19:37:00.000-04:00

Sister Bear figuring out the combination to her first school locker at the school's open house.

I can't believe my little bear is in middle school.

When did she
grow up?

Just yesterday she was my baby girl...

Fiber Arts Friday - Michigan Fiber Festival 2011

2011-08-26T06:05:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday. Each week, fiber artists share their adventures in fiber arts by "linking in" and attaching their blog post. This week I am going to begin the recap of the 2011 Michigan Fiber Festival. I honestly don't know where to begin because it was five days of utter bliss for me between taking workshops, being a vendor and simply being around so many amazing fiber artists...I am still recovering.

This week I am going to share with you some photos from my vendor booth. It was a happening place with friends, new and old, visiting and lots of sales along with a great view of the Camel who, according to this photo I took, loves sheep. I am very pleased with my first year as a vendor. I have lots of notes for improving my display and my product. I was very fortunate to be stalled across from two amazing vendors. Liz from Macintoch Yarns who I met last year at the Fiber Expo gave me tons of advise plus she is one sassy lady. It's nice to have a seasoned vendor give you pointers. Coby Kopec from CJ Kopec was directly across from me. I met her for the first time last year at festival and it was great to get more time with her...if only we lived closer to each other. With both, we bartered for product on Sunday where I got some amazing roving from both of them to spin.

My friend Dawn aka Knitamazoo volunteered to be my assistant for the weekend and she was a rock star. We had a great time visiting, shopping, selling and learning. Thank you, Dawn, for all of your help.

One of the best parts about the weekend was that I had many customers bring me their yarns or finished goods that they created with my handspun yarn or roving. Carole took third place in the spinning competition with a skein of yarn she created with my Suri/Merino blend. It was a lovely yarn and I can't wait to see what she creates with it.

Photo taken by my friend Beth from Beth Pulsipher Photography

Another customer showed me her roving that she is spinning into a lace weight yarn on her drop spindle. It is unbelievably beautiful. I am always fascinated with people who spin lace because it's so delicate. I can't seem to spin it nor do I desire to especially because I am not ready to knit it either. I know...one day.

Finally, I had a chance to meet a bunch of friends from Ravelry including Lee. She drove a few hours to see me and visit festival. She created the group Knitting is Gluten-Free plus writes a blog about being gluten-free. She is an amazing lady and a truly beautiful person. I am very lucky to have finally met her in person and I look forward to getting to know her better.

Photo taken by my friend, Beth from Beth Pulsipher Photography
Well, that's the gist of all the fun that happened in my booth. I promise to share the creations I made in my workshops once I get my photos organized. Thank you to everyone who has inspired and supported me as I have started to build my fiber arts business. I adore all of you. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.
Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs:

WIP Wednesday - Weaving Bears

2011-08-24T11:31:00.000-04:00

Last week I shared that my little bears were weaving while I was away at the Michigan Fiber Festival. Instead of showing my WIPs which haven't made much progress since I was away, I thought I'd share what they are creating.

Sister Bear is busy with my Cricket Loom, weaving a scarf using a Lion Brand Wool Yarn as her warp and an awful fun fur as the weft. She is loving it and has already woven a few feet. She isn't using a pattern; just weaving back and forth.

Brother Bear found that the lap loom requires a wee bit more concentration so he managed to only weave a few rows. He is using some wool yarn that came with the loom kit when I purchased it. His real progress was all of the planes and Star Wars ships he has made out of his Legos.

I am just tickled that they wanted to weave when I wasn't around. I wished that I had more exposure to Fiber Arts growing up...or maybe I did and just didn't show an interest. Regardless, I am excited to see how their projects turn out.

Love from Home

2011-08-20T06:52:00.000-04:00

I called home last night to see how the Bears were doing and Sister Bear answered the phone. We had a delightful conversation about her happenings of the day with Grumpy and Brother Bear. I asked how her weaving was going and she said, "Mom, it is beautiful! The fiber is just amazing and I really love the handle." Hearing this from my Sister Bear just made my heart melt a million times over. Grumpy said that she had been working on her weaving throughout the week while I have been away. I can't wait to see what she is making. Now for the part that really makes me giggle. I warped the loom with a Lion Brand Cream Wool yarn and when I left home, she had been weaving using a fun fur. Not the two yarns that I would say are amazing nor describe as great handle but I got to give it to that bear for taking the terminology she hears from her mother and putting it to work. I also enjoyed her details of the day's events. She is growing up so fast and I love her more every day. Children are truly the greatest happiness.

I really do love my bears. I promise, when I get home I will share a photo or two of her creation. I hope Grumpy is taking some "in process" photos.

Fiber Arts Friday - While the Wonder Why Gal is away...

2011-08-19T05:55:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday. This week I've been away camping at the Allegan County Fairground for the Michigan Fiber Festival. The first couple of days I took classes and today through Sunday I will be a vendor. This is my first year being a vendor and I am super excited. (Can you imagine, me excited?) Anyways, pretty soon I'll be ready to scoot out of the camper to put the finishing touches on my booth so my post will be brief today.

I finally finished my Alpaca and Silk handwoven scarf that I created on my Cricket loom. It took me a couple of months to complete it but it's done and I am totally pleased. I wove this looser than I normally do which really allowed drape to come through plus I didn't lose a lot of length since the yarns weren't super tight. It has the drape that Alpaca and Silk should have. I wore it to work on Monday with a cute t-shirt and it totally rocked.

Since the loom is empty, Sister Bear requested that I warp it so that she could weave with it. She picked out a couple of yarns and I quickly warped the loom before work and even took it to work and finished the details during lunch so my co-workers got a mini-weaving class. Grumpy called me from home last night and said that she has been weaving. I told him to sneak some photos. I did get a cute photo of Brother Bear using his lap loom. The day that I finished my scarf, he asked me to warp his loom. I LOVE that my bears are showing an interest in fiber arts. I love that they are working on projects when I am not even at home.

Ok, I really have to get "dolled up" and ready to work my booth. Stop by the Michigan Fiber Festival this weekend. I will be in the Caulkin's Barn in booth C1 from 10am-6pm today, 9am-6pm Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs:

WIP Wednesday - Shelter

2011-08-17T07:18:00.000-04:00

Now that I've finished my first pair of socks, I have already embarked on the second sock journey. This pair won't have the beautiful chart to follow and will hopefully allow me more talk time (because I always need more talk time) while knitting. The yarn is a beautiful limited edition yarn called Shelter dyed by Jill June of Studio June in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She created this colorway as part of a fundraiser during WWKIP (World Wide Knit in Public Day) to raise money for the Haven of Rest in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Not only did I purchase a skein for myself but a wonderful nurse I work with asked me to purchase a skein for her too. I told her, in my excitement of learning to knit socks, that I would knit her a pair. Slowly the ribbing is coming along. It will be a simple knit sock so it should go much faster than before. I think the hardest part will be giving them away once completed.

Now I didn't make too much progress this week because my main focus was finishing my Walking on Sunshine Sock (see Sunday's post) and finishing my handwoven scarf (wait for Fiber Arts Friday for that) so it's been an amazing productive Fiber Arts Week (and it's only Wednesday).

Now...to finish my coffee and get over to registration. The Michigan Fiber Festival begins today! I am taking the "Lets Just Bag It" felting class with Suzanne Higgs of Hooked on Felt. SQUEAL!

I did it! I'm Walking on Sunshine

2011-08-15T07:13:00.000-04:00

After just over three months of knitting, I have completed my very first pair of knitted socks. I have overcome my "fear" of tiny needles, turning a heel and whatever other crazy notion I had in my head regarding sock knitting. I made a super sassy pair of socks that I will enjoy for a very long time.

The pattern I knitted is called Walking on Sunshine and it was chosen because I know the amazing pattern writer, Kelly of KellyJ Knits at Your Local Yarn Shop. The pattern has a great chart and since I like chart knitting, I figured if I focused on the chart, I wouldn't think about the size 1 needles in my hands.

In May a bunch of us gathered at Your Local Yarn Shop every Friday night for a KAL (knit along) where I finished the first sock in the pair. After our month long meetup ended so did my mojo. I started to knit only at lunch and an occasional Sunday afternoon.

The socks are officially done! I started my second pair about a week ago using a very simple pattern. I learned a lot from this first pair of socks and I am going to ask KellyJ to help me tear back the toe on my right foot sock so I can lengthen that sock a bit (if you look at the photo you will see the toes are slightly different) because I took the shorter length option on the pattern and only completed half the chart for the final sun. That made about a 1/2 inch difference on the finished sock. Once I completed my second sock with the extra length, I was totally pleased with the bit more give that it allowed. Since I adore wearing sassy socks, I want these to be done correctly and also be able to wear them for years to come.

I am going to knit this sock again in a different colorway. When I purchased this pattern, I did it via the StudioJune Sock Club where I also purchased beautiful yarn that was ideal for this pattern. One skein of the yarn is cashmere. Yes, yummy!

I am truly Walking on Sunshine with the excitement that I actually knit a pair of socks. HOORAY!

Goodbye, Dear Friend

2011-08-13T20:54:00.001-04:00

Friend has been missing for a few weeks. I fear the worst and we have explained to the Bears that we don't think he's on a long hunting adventure. Our neighbors have confirmed that he hasn't visited their houses for his in between meals nor has he helped take of their pesky vermin.

He's more than just a barn cat, he truly is a Friend. We adore this cat and knew that getting attached to an outdoor kitty was a chance we were taking but how could we not love Friend.

Anyways, I wanted to share some photos of our favorite cat. May he be at peace wherever he is chasing chipmunks and mice along with any other vermin that might get in his way. Although we hope for his return, we understand that he may not.

We'll miss you, dear Friend.

Fiber Arts Friday - Prep for Michigan Fiber Festival 2011

2011-08-12T06:11:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! This week I am frantically getting labeled, packed and ready for the Michigan Fiber Festival where I will be a vendor. SQUEAL!!!!! I am going to be a vendor at the Michigan Fiber Festival! Pinch me! Wait! Don't pinch me that would hurt. Really, after months of knowing that I would be a vendor the time has finally came for reality to settle in. I am going to be one of the booths that people are searching out because they want to spin, knit, weave and adore the WONDER OF ALPACA!

Fiber Artists are going to seek me out to buy my roving and yarns that I have carefully Certified Sorted so that they will get the best quality Alpaca products that is out there.

I have been busy over the last few months spinning yarn, creating batts and working with my favorite mills to create amazing yarn and roving to sell. The most recent blends arrived last week ( yes, just in the nick of time) from my favorite mill that has worked with me since the beginning of my farm to make the most beautiful Suri Alpaca roving out there.

Although I have a few colors that I always stock, I have a few new colors for 2011. I won't be listing any of these items in my Etsy shop until after I get back from festival but I wanted to share my my color blends.

Next week's Fiber Arts Friday will be posted right from the Michigan Fiber Festival. If you get a chance to make it to Allegan, Michigan next weekend, make sure to stop by my booth, the Wonder Why Alpaca Farm in the Caulkin's Barn. It's still like a magical dream knowing that I am a vendor at my favorite Fiber Festival. Aw, now I feel like a Disney Princess, "Dreams really do come true!" Hey, share your adventures in Fiber Arts! Thank you for visiting my blog.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs:

Yummy Banana Bread!

2011-08-11T16:33:00.000-04:00

It's been a very long time since I ate Banana Bread, at least a year. It's very hard to find Gluten-Free Banana Bread and I am not a baker so making it is a terrible chore for me.

Yesterday a couple of co-workers and I took advantage of the gorgeous humid-free weather and walked a couple of miles around downtown Battle Creek. Part of our walk took us past the Farmers Market where, to my delight, was a vendor selling Gluten-Free foods. She had a variety of cookies, pizza crust, breads and treats and I was in heaven.

I bought some Peanut Butter Cookies that were super delicious. Seriously, maybe it's because I haven't tasted regular cookies in a long time, they were amazing! I couldn't tell the difference between the gluten-free goodness and the wheat flour version but I'm sure my auto-immune system could. Hooray for not having the negative side-effects.

For dinner I warmed up a couple slices of the Banana Bread and spread a wee bit of real butter on them to enjoy the delicious taste of that wonderful bread. I think I may be taking more money to the farmer's market next time and maybe finding a bit of patience in the kitchen.

Hooray for Gluten-Free Goodies!

Fiber Arts Friday - Spinning is Happiness

2011-08-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! What is a week without spinning yarn, knitting or weaving? hmmm...that's a riddle I care not to answer so I shall share with you all of the wonderful creations I've been busy with this week.

Spinning is happiness! Really, I am totally happy making beautiful yarn with Frodo. Mr. Baggins and I have been on an experimental streak working on funky yarns. I had a request for a yarn using raw Suri locks so I played with that then I went thick and thin with some beehives. I was asked, recently how I relax. If I had a way to meditate or unwind...honestly, spinning is my relaxation. I just feel the weight of the world leave my shoulders when I spin.

I spun the whole 4oz of my CJKoho Jillian roving. I now need to decide if I should leave it as a single or ply it...and with what. I don't know if I want to ply it with Alpaca. If I did...what color? I just can't decide...hmmm

I did something very uncharacteristically of myself...I cast on a knitting project without finishing my current project. It's a second pair of socks. Yeah, yeah, I know. I haven't even finished my first pair but...here's the deal. My first pair has a pattern that requires concentration. I have been in situations where I really wanted to knit but could not concentrate so...I cast on a pair of ribbed socks using the Studio June Shelter yarn (which is delicious) so I can knit. So far this is working. This pair of socks will be a gift. Yeah, I know...I'm not even a completed sock knitter yet I'm giving away my knitted socks. Don't worry, I told the recipient that it may be years before the socks are completed. In other words...don't hold your breath.

I am still weaving my Alpaca and Silk scarf. It's taking forever to finish. I find that I can't weave this as fast as I do when I am using a worsted weight yarn so I only get a couple inches done at a time. I'm not sharing a photo because it really doesn't look any different than the last time I shared.

Finally, I leave you with our version of "Making of a Champion". Midnight Magic Mystery and Midnight Aire working on the 2012 version of Arwen. Arwen doesn't really know what to make of Mystery and her dam and Midnight Aire made Mystery scooch closer to the grass so she could eat while he created next year's offspring. Ah, I do love animal logic.

So...that's my fiber arts week. Same ol', same ol' ;-) Yes, I do sleep and spend quality time with my family. The key to my fiber arts time management is waking up about two hours before the rest of my family. I find my happy place and enjoy fiber arts before I need to get ready for work each day. Win/Win. Now...share your adventures in fiber arts!

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs:

Life on the Farm - August 2011

2011-08-02T20:22:00.000-04:00

Just a typical August here on the farm!

Rasberries almost ready to be picked.

Peaches ripening in the heat.

Gorgeous Flowers in bloom.

Kittens at rest.

Alpacas! Alpacas! Alpacas!

Wine and Wool - I told you so!

2011-07-31T19:17:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I had a wonderful day as a vendor at the Wine and Wool Festival at the Sandhill Crane Vineyard. This was the second year for the event and my second year being a vendor. It was a perfect day. I had great sales, stalled next to great vendors and tasted wonderful wine.

I have to admit that I did spend a wee bit of my profits on a couple of goodies. First was a felted vessel made by the Mid-Michigan Wooly Women out of Llama. As soon as I passed their booth my eyes were drawn to it and finally they had me bring it to my booth to "try it out". Obviously, their sales tactic worked and I purchased it. I am going to take it to work with me and dress up my office space.

On the other side of me was Carla whose fiber arts business is knows as cjkoho. She has gorgeous colorways in quite a few different fibers but I especially fell in love with Merino/Tencel blends named Henry and Jillian and since I had a successful sales day I rewarded myself with this purchase. I have already began to spin the delicious fiber.

I really enjoy events like this because you meet so many people. Sometimes it's a reunion of friendship and acquantences that you haven't seen in ages but mostly it's a chance to meet new people who enjoy fiber arts like you do. Over a glass of wine or two, we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the vineyard and supported my farm. I am always eager to see what my customers create with the roving and yarns that I have made.

Fiber Arts Friday - The cool down

2011-07-29T05:54:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday! This is my favorite blogging day of the week because it's full of amazing fiber artists sharing their adventures. This week...I am in Tour de Fleece withdrawals. I thought that I would be ready to take a break from my spinning wheel after a month of intense spinning during every spare minute I had but...it really is my favorite fiber art and I must create yarn magic. The first two photos are all of my Tour de Fleece 2011 yarns together. I created a nice array of colors, weights and textures which will be nice for sales in my farm store at upcoming festivals plus I am keeping a couple skeins for my own knitting. I tried to include the barn and pastures in the photo but the Alpacas decided to be in the back pasture so you can barely seem them.

I finished cleaning off all of my bobbins from the Tour de Fleece to prepare for my next spinning project which is...I don't know yet but I am going to be a vendor at the Wine and Wool Festival at the Sandhill Crane Vineyard in Jackson, Michigan tomorrow and there are a couple of vendors there that I am eager to purchase fiber from. So...if you are in the greater Jackson area tomorrow, stop by and see the Wonder of Alpaca at my booth, taste some wine and if you are still in the mood for good eats, stop at The Parlour for the best ice cream South East Michigan has to offer. Seriously, I have been going their since I was a little girl getting the same exact sundae each time...The Peanut Butter Cup --Yum, Yum! Super Seriously, the Sandhill Crane Vineyard has some great wines too. I have been visiting them and enjoying their wines for a few years now and I already have been telling you that wine and fiber arts totally go together.

I digress...sometimes I get sidetracked when think about peanut butter, ice cream and wine (not necessary together). Ok, back to fiber arts. During lunch, I have been making headway on my first pair of socks. Walking on Sunshine may actually get completed before Summer's end. Yikes. I only knit a few rows each lunch hour so they have been taking forever but I want to finish them because KellyJ has a new sock pattern coming out and I've had a sneak peak and it's AWESOME! Seriously, that lady know how to write a sassy pattern.

I am still weaving my Alpaca and Silk scarf too. It's taking forever. Using lace weight yarn for the weft and fingering weight yarn for the warp means that you have to have a whole lotta patience to weave six feet and that is something I struggle with. I know...it will totally be worth it once it's finished. Now share your adventures in fiber arts.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs:

Tour de Fleece 2011 - Day 23 The Finale

2011-07-24T22:10:00.000-04:00

Today was the last day of the Tour de Fleece 2011. I kept my spinning pretty light today because it was a super busy day. I did manage to ply Buddy, whose singles I spun last night.

Overall, during the Tour de Fleece I spun about 3236 yards of 2 ply yarn out of approximately 4lbs of fiber creating about 12 skeins of yarn. Whew!

Tour de Fleece - Day 21 and 22

2011-07-23T21:24:00.000-04:00

I had big intentions for my spinning yesterday especially since it was the challenge day but...I didn't complete the challenge nor did I attempt it. After work, I met up with a handful of members of the Team of Wonder so that we could spin together and share your Tour de Fleece yarns. I was having so much fun visiting that I didn't feel like attempting a new skill so...I worked on filling two bobbins of my Alpaca blends.

I really thought when I started to spin today that I would treat today as my challenge day but...I plyed the yarns the good ol' fashioned way which includes Bears in the pool and me with a sunburn. I actually cleared off a enough bobbins to create two separate yarns. I am very pleased with the results and the yarn weights.

I have also found that no matter what I do, I always end up with approximately 200 yards of two ply yarn. Whether I spin thick or thin or thick-n-thin, it always measures out to that. I need to seriously start researching projects that require 200 yards or less. Oh wait! I already have a bazillion of them queued on my favorite list...I will sell most of the yarns that I created during TdF this year because I just don't have enough hours in the day to knit with all of the yarns I spin. I will keep a few skeins back for my own use though. Seriously, look at the photo of me holding all of that yarn. That is all of the yarn I have spun in the last month on top of working full time, taking care of my farm and family and saving the world...I have serious spinning issue ;-)

I have decided that after the TdF ends tomorrow, I will take a short break from spinning so I can finish weaving my scarf and knitting my Walking on Sunshine socks...there definitely not enough hours in the day to complete all of my fiber art's passions.

Fiber Arts Friday - Tour de Fleece Challenge Day

2011-07-22T06:05:00.000-04:00

Yikes! Just a couple of days left for the 2011 Tour de Fleece. I have met my TdF goal and spun at least 15 minutes or more every day. The fun doesn't end until Sunday and today I expect yarn greatness to be created. In the Tour de France, today is the big challenge day where the cyclist brave the steep mountain over the Col du Galibier and finishing up on the Alpe d'Huez so as a spinner, we are supposed to challenge ourselves.

I realized recently that I have never plyed yarn using my drop spindle. I have always spun singles on the spindle but would ply using my wheel so tonight I am going to see how that goes. If I am really ambitious, I will attempt the Navajo ply again on my wheel. I only tried it once and it didn't go so well but I have grown a lot as a spinner since then so why not see how that goes.

A group of us from the Team of Wonder will be meeting in Hastings, Michigan at the Lady Peddler owned by one of our team members, Jill Turner, to enjoy an evening of fun and spinning. Hastings is about halfway between Grand Rapids and Battle Creek where most of our Michigan team members live so it's the perfect location to gather. Jill is an amazing spinner and every time I am in her shop I learn something new either how to spin the yarn or what to create with it.

It's been a great Tour de Fleece this year and I have really enjoyed all of the amazing yarn my team members have created using Alpaca. Hopefully everyone learned a bit more about Alpaca and spinning techniques. I sure know I did. Viva Tour de Fleece!

The photo collage I am sharing today is the finished yarn from my Sunshine of Wonder. I ended up with 360 yards. The yarn isn't quite as smooth as I had hoped. I ended up with quite a few "nubbies" in the yarn. I am not sure why. It was Suri Alpaca that I processed myself from a cria fleece which I blended with Silk. I used My Precious to create the batt and blend the fibers. It's a beautiful yarn and whatever I knit out of it will need to let the texture enhance the design. I do hope as I process more Suri on my own that I will get a smoother yarn. Maybe it's my spinning technique and not the processing so I will need to create more Suri Alpaca batts to practice with. Fortunately I have lots of fiber growing on the farm as I type. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts!

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs:

WIP Wednesday - Sunshine Takes The Lead

2011-07-20T06:42:00.000-04:00

The heat is on...literally, and I've lost count on how many times we have all run out to the barn to either fill up the water buckets, spray the herd down with the sprinkler or check the fans. Thankful for air conditioning in the house, I am keeping cool by spinning yarn for the Tour de Fleece.

I decided on Day 17, the day of rest, to card up some of Sunshine of Wonder's cria fleece. I added a bit of dyed silk and a wee bit of BFL, also dyed, to accent her gorgeous Rose Gray color. I am spinning it very thin and loving how the bobbins look. I have no clue what the final weight of the yarn will be until I finish because I am not putting too much twist into the singles which means I will have a bit more "bloom" once the plyed yarn is off the bobbins.

Over the next couple of days I will complete the second bobbin and hopefully shared the finished yarn on Friday. Today's mission is to keep the barn as cool as I can so that the Alpacas don't get over-heated.

Imagine that...more Tour de Fleece Spinning

2011-07-18T21:38:00.000-04:00

I recently had a funny conversation with a doctor who loves to bicycle for exercise where we were discussing the Tour de France. Quite often he will spin at the gym on stationary bikes or go for long rides on his road bike. I had a bit of fun with him and talked about all of the hours I've been logging on my spinning lately and he was really impressed...then he realized that I wasn't talking about the bicycle kind of spinning and a super quizzical look crossed his face. Of course, I had my drop spindle handy and I showed him some of my work.

Yeah, I'm not logging in the cardio exercise but the pure enjoyment and stress reduction that spinning yarn gives me is far more healthier than riding a bike plus I have barn duties on a daily basis that give me a nice workout. Anyways...I thought that was a funny story.

Over the last few days I have been busy creating Alpaca magic with my son's drop spindle called Starry Night (long story why I switched over to his spindle) and Frodo, my spinning wheel. I love the weekend because I get more time in with my family, farm and fiber arts. I am really pleased with the yarns I have been producing this year. I am finally starting to gain control over the weight of my singles and the consistency of my plying.

The hardest part about all of the lovely yarns I am creating during the Tour de Fleece is figuring out which one's I will keep for myself and which one's I will sell. Today was the day of rest for the tour...and I rested. Tomorrow I will begin spinning some Suri Alpaca donated by my Sunshine of Wonder mixed with a bit of silk. It sure is hard to take a break when you have such beauty waiting to be spun.

Fiber Arts Friday - Tour de Fleece Mystery

2011-07-15T06:07:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Week Two of the Tour de Fleece Fiber Arts Friday fun. Over the last week I have spun on my drop spindle and spun on my wheel at home, at work and even at the 4H county fair. First I am going to share with you the yarn that I have been working on throughout the Tour de Fleece this year. My goal was 600 yards of DK weight from Midnight Magic's Mystery. I actually thought it would be fingering weight as I was spinning it but after it came off the bobbins, I decided DK. I actually wanted DK so that is perfect except that I only have 480 yards so I will need to card up a couple more batts so I can reach my goal. When I weighed the yarn it showed 10oz so this project will be on the heavier side but totally beautiful. So I need to finish spinning the final yardage then I will be shipping it off for a super secret mission. Oops! I said too much.

I plyed this in the late evening hours of Day 11. I wouldn't go to sleep until it was completely plied although I did wait until morning to put it on my niddy noddy. I love the Natural Black with the flecks of deep purplish red.

Day 12 had me spinning during my lunch hour at work on my drop spindle and also demonstrating how to use the drop spindle at the 4H County Fair. Spinning was pure beauty and I enjoyed every second of it but when I went to transfer the yarn from my drop spindle to a bobbin I ran into a major problem and a big ol' mess appeared so it is off the spindle and in a mess...in time out. I don't have patience and fixing this tangled mess will require patience. ARGH!

On Thursday, Day 13, I spent the day at the 4H County Fair again watching Sister Bear rock the show ring. It was her first time ever in a show ring and I was so proud of her. Overall she took Third Place in Showmanship, Third Place in Obstacle and Fourth Place in Performance. I was proud of her and Sexy Rexy for working together and keeping their cool.

After she finished in the show ring, we spent the afternoon in the barn taking care of chores and talking Alpaca to visitors. I was able to spin and demonstrate what we do with the gorgeous fiber these animals produce by creating these two bobbins. It always amazes me to realize how many people have never seen anyone spin before so I was happy to demonstrate and explain my favorite fiber art. I started with a deep brown Suri Alpaca roving then decided to switch over to Orange. I had so many visitors asking if I dyed the fiber so I switched it up with color. I am curious how this yarn will turn out and what will be knitted with it. Now...share your adventures in Fiber Arts. You know I will be busy spinning my way through the Tour de Fleece 2011.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog i.e. you would submit

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html

NOT

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!
Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Check out these wonderful blogs: