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Alpaca farming or ranching is a great lifestyle change from the hussle of the corporate world.
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FAF: And They’re Off!

Happy FAF and Happy Anniversary to my hubby! Together for 10, married for 5.  Little did the poor guy know in that short time we’d own a farm, raise horses and alpacas and I’d turn into a fiber nut like his mother.  Shhhh I didn’t say that last part.

This weekend the weather is supposed to be totally awesome and I haven’t scheduled any vendor shows so this weekend is all free! (kind of)  Tomorrow is the 83rd running of the Genesee Valley Hunt Races.

I’ve either volunteered or vended at this races for the past 5 years so this time I’m going to enjoy it.  Best part this year is the NYFB got involved this year and has incorporated a lot of farming aspects to the event.  They will even have a fiber area where you can learn about fiber animals, processing of fiber and spinning into yarn and garments.   I think I’ll stop over and check it out.  Especially because the lady running it just bought 2 alpacas from me!  Fontina and Parcella D’oro will be going to their new home on Sunday!

Because I choose not to pedal my goods at the Races this year I have to make it up in other shows.   Instead I’ll be attending the PTSA Arts and Craft Shows for both the Victor and Nazareth Schools.  Which means I need more inventory!

I’ve set a pretty strict spinning schedule for myself to get 8 skeins spun and dyed before next Saturday.   So far I have 5 done.  I haven’t done any more since Wednesday (slacker) but in my defense I’ve been teasing and breeding alpacas. Good news, my breeding between Albina and Phoenix took!  Gosh I can’t wait for that cria, the genetics cost me small fortune, even in this alpaca economy, I’m actually hoping for a light colored male in hopes of a new stud for us.

Well that sums it up for me.

 

 

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WIP: EZ Blanket 5

So I’ve finally finished my first turn in the EZ blanket after many naughty words.  This knitting thing is hard!  Crochet is so much easier and faster.  But, I’m committed to this blanket and I’m going to finish it, someday.

T’is the season for shopping and I’ll be going to a few local Arts & Crafts shows over the next 2 months so my stash needs to grow considerably.   My goal is 8 skeins spun, dyed and dried per week.  It’s only Wednesday and I’ve actually done 6 skeins so far, the other green one for some reason isn’t dry yet so I didn’t photograph it.

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FAF – Addi Express King Size

Hi y’all!

I got my new toy in the mail yesterday.  The Addi Express King Size from Paradise Fibers.   I wanted something where I could crank out some hats, scarfs and blankets to sell at shows.  Folks like the stuff from Co-ops and Fiber Pools but always want items that are made from our own alpacas and by me.

Of course hand made goodies cost $$$ because of the time that goes into them.  This is where the Addi comes in.  I can now crank out a hat in about a half hour.   The thing does have a learning curve to it though.  I spent a while trying to get it so the darn thing doesn’t drop stitches but after figuring out the right speed and tension I managed to do a lot.

Here’s a few photos of the Addi, 2 hats I made and a close up of a panel to a baby blanket I’m working on.

Be sure to stop by and say hi to all the other Fiber Arts Friday folks!

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WIP: Spinning and Dyeing

Well I have 2 stories to share.

1. It has been a stressful week so I spent my time in front of the wheel.  I spun up about 400 yards of this beautiful alpaca/merino and dyed it in fall colors.  It’s now up on my Etsy Shop if you’d like it.

 

 

2. Don’t read further if you’re a vegetarian.

One reason my week has been stressful is I’ve made the decision to cull one of my boys.  He’s been such a snot and beats everyone up until they are bloody and I have to keep him separated which is no good for him mentally.   So, this morning we made the trip to a butcher.  Bless the hearts of the company I’m using, they asked what his name was, gave him a very nice stall to rest in and enjoyed petting him and giving him a treat.   They made me feel very comfortable that he will be treated humanely during the process.  So, next week I’ll be picking him back up again but in a totally different form.  I guess I better start brushing up on my cooking creativity.

I’ll be spending some extra time with all my alpacas tonight watching them and giving them extra treats to curb my gilt.

 

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FAF: Babies!

I hoped and prayed and wished and was blessed with 2 beautiful girls this week!  Both are half sisters out of Rubio’s Ramon and are fiber rich!

First came on Monday and we named her Calypso of Dutch Hollow because it was Talk Like A Pirate Day.   First cria I’ve ever seen come out and was up and running in under 20 minutes.  After 6hrs her IgG was already at 2400!  She has the tightest and most dense little curls all over her body.   This one is going to be a show stopper!

   

I have a theory, when one alpaca has a cria all the others within 2-3 weeks of their due date follow shortly after.  Crystal decided to have her little girl 2 weeks early on me.  Little Liberty at Dutch Hollow was born yesterday.  I shouldn’t say little because she weighed in at 21 lbs but you could tell she needed to cook just a little longer.  She was a bit shakey on her new legs and tendons aren’t tight yet in her hind legs, but everything else was good.  Good heart, lungs, suck reflex, HUGE ears, and teeth already erupted.

   

Unfortunately mom didn’t have milk yet because she went so early.  Her bags looked full but when I milked her just dribbles came out.  *sigh* Thankfully we have a HUGE milk farm next door to us and gave me a gallon of fresh bacteria free colostrum.  Liberty didn’t want anything to do with the colostrum until I mixed in some vanilla yogurt though, boy for being only a few hours old she sure had fussy taste buds.  She drank down 3 bottles for me throughout the day.  This morning I made up a bottle and checked mom before feeding her cria.  Squirt, squirt! Milk came out of her as if I was milking a goat! She’s got tons of the stuff now.  WOOT! No more bottle feeding.

Well that wraps up my week.

Remember this weekend is National Alpaca Farm Days so visit a local alpaca farm.  

It also happens to be National Hunting and Fishing Days so if you’re in the WNY area stop by the Avon, NY DEC Headquarters and come say hi to us.  I’ll have a booth set up as well as some of our alpacas.