Winter is coming

Doesn't seem that long ago I was enjoying the sun and heat of summer and now it is just two weeks until Christmas.
We have our Alpaca rugs in store and all of our delicious coloured mohair.Ice Blue,Sage green,Cranberry,Royal purple,
This Saturday and next come and see us at the Lindsay Farmer's Market Christmas Craft Sale.At the Armories in Lindsay.

Summer

Well it was 7 out when we got up this morning.I'm in the middle of finishing up some wild apple butter in the slow cooker. After we pour some more cement this afternoon to try and get closer to finishing the stone wall that collapsed this spring,I think I'll spin this afternoon. There are some alpaca/cashgora batts that I want to finish and also a light fawn very fine alpaca fleece that when knit looks pink.
I'm finally catching up and getting all this year's fibre looked after. This fall I will have some awesome felt rugs and a good selection of batts,rovings and socks.
Come and visit us at the Norwood Fair on Thanksgiving weekend.

New puppy pics

Well we only have 3 puppies left. 2 males and 1 female.

Shearing

Shearing is done.Even better,I can walk again to-day.Now the fun starts. We have 70 bags and 1 barrel of fibre that needs to be grouped,skirted,and then I need to decide outside processing,for sale as raw fibre, or do I process it myself.Don't think I'm ready for that to-day.
We also confirmed that we will have at least 3 more babies. Yeh!

Old English Babydoll Southdown

My new babies are arriving tomorrow. Inkspot is a little black ram and whiteout is a white girl.

New kid on The Block

Another new baby. Our first coloured angora. A very healthy little boy,faded red with a wide white belt. Can't tell what his fibre is yet,but if it has the Angora characteristics I'm one happy goat owner.
Our puppies are going to get their initial vet visit to-day and then Watson will go to his new home. The litter is in the process of being registered and then I can list the remaining babies on the CKC website.

New puppy pictures

The puppies are growing by the day and are finding that their favorite thing to do is play in the grass. They have discovered kibble and Mom only feeds them once or maybe twice for short periods of time each day.
They will be ready for their new homes after they have had their first shots.

KIDS

The first kids have arrived!These two Angora x Cashmere bucklings are everything I had hoped for. They have the mohair fibre characteristics with some cashmere finesse. They are healthy,happy and sooo much fun. But because we 3 bucks already they are for sale $150.00 each.

Mohair rovings

I tried spinning fat mohair rovings last night with the bulky spinner on my Ashford Traditional. They are soft,lofty and what a shine! I can't wait to make a big huggy scarf with it. I'll post a pic when I get it made.

Babies

The windstorm passed and we only lost our power for a couple of hours. Just down the road they were out for 4 days.
Almost finished shearing the goats. One left. The first Cashgorra babies were born yesterday and at the same time Mama Muscovy brought her flock of 12 ducklings out. Over the next month we will be busting out babies on a regular basis.
Looking forward to doing a felting demo at the Celebrate Havelock show on the 14th. of this month.
The puppies are now on puppy kibble and water. Mama really doesn't want anything to do with them unless she can play with them outside.

Spring puppies

Emmi,Maggie,Nessa,Kenna,Duff,Watson,Hamish are looking for their new forever homes. They are now 4weeks old and will be ready to go in another 4 weeks. They will have had their first shots,be de-wormed,registered and come with a full medical history. We also give a one year health guarantee excluding environmental circumstances. They will bring with them their own puppy packs.

Spinning Cotton (Download) - Interweave

The sun is shining and tomorrow my granddaughters are coming to visit. Perfect Easter weather,which now leads me to think about lighter fibres. I'm intrigued by cotton. It is so fine and soft and to be able to take those little bolls and using the spindle or the charka or maybe your spinning wheel is quite amazing. I've found an e-book download that looks like something I might be tempted to give a try.

Spinning Cotton (Download) - Interweave

Herd update

Spring is here! Well maybe. The shearing has started and we are now looking forward to the new babies. This also means we need to evaluate our fibre needs and decide what we want to do this coming year.
We have decided to offer for sale some good quality animals whose fibre and conformation is above average and compatible so you will be getting the most for your money.

PIPPIN: Reg.# Can. 28174..... fibre:07 / 25.6 ..... light fawn........proven herdsire........ $800.00

ELMLEA MARY: Reg.# Can. 34288-H Fancy/Multi.... fibre:08/22.2.....multi-rosegrey....... $1200.00(preg.)

TRU DIAMOND: Reg.#Can.34187-H White ...... fibre:10/22.8 ........ $1200.00(preg.)

KRINGLE: Companion Silver grey............$400.00

SILVERMAN:Reg.#Can.39274-H Steel Grey........gelded male..........$400.00

ELMLEADIAMONTE MOCHA: Reg.#Can.36199-H Brown.....mahogany brown.....fibre:10/22.2....$1200.00