Merry Christmas

Hello Everyone!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year!
I would like to first thank everyone for their support over 2013 and we look forward to growing in 2014!

The store hours for now will be by appointment or by chance, Thursday thru Sunday.  You can call the farm at
705-778-2070.

We still have fibre products, ranging from hats, to scarves, socks and insoles as well as yarns, wool and Alpaca and other blends.  I am finding people really appreciate the time and effort put into hand spun yarn and I will continue to create more!  Because the hand crafted stock in the store is hand made, it is always changing!  You can also visit us on the Esty Store under Elmlea Farm

We of course continue to have farm fresh eggs and there is assorted sausages as well as different types of burger ranging from beef to lamb to goat.

I will be in Maynooth on February 15, 2014 at the library and the time will be 10-4 pm. 

We are keeping a close watch on our girls...Alpacas, Goats and Sheep to see who might be pregnant. 

That's it for now! 

Continue to be safe over the holidays!  And Enjoy!

Perfect Stocking Stuffer

It's a snowy day on the farm.  Snow is beautiful that is true and it does get one into the holiday spirit!

It was so nice having people drop in to the store all weekend, just what we like!  Always nice to visit.

The response to our new products has been great!

I have shown one of our core products today, because this is a perfect stocking stuffer!   There are a range of sizes available from 5-13. The insoles are 50% Alpaca, 50% Wool.  Absolutely ideal for inside your boots to keep the 'ole toes toasty warm whether you are walking about or tobogganing and with this snow that doesn't seem too far fetched...heck even snowmobiling!!!!

The store is open 7 days a week until December 24, 2013 from 10 am to 5 pm.  We have lots of fibre products ready, from batts to roving to yarns.  As well as our one of a kind knitted, woven, crocheted products there are hand woven baskets and refurbished barn boards!

There are farm fresh eggs, poultry and assorted local meats available too

Bear Barn Board

A new creation!  Bear Board!  The selection of barn boards plain and motif has grown!  We are truly excited by these newly handcrafted products.  The prices range from $ 20.00 to $ 50.00.  These wall coat racks are not only functional but a good value for your dollars.

The store continues to grow in hand spun yarn as well!   This yarn is hand spun from 80% Mohair and 20% Wool.

Elmlea Farm Store is open 7 days a week, 10 am til 5 pm until December 24, 2013.  Drop by and see our growing selection of products.  Don't forget, we have eggs, poultry, and assorted meats.  Also don't forget to place your order for your Christmas Turkey!  We have a limited supply!

Want a flock of sheep without the work?!  We have a group for you! 

Aren't they cute?  These little guys are available at the store and would fit nicely on your tree or on the dash of your car!

We are also setting up the wall coat racks.  Here is a sample of our nature motif.  There are also plain barn boards with hooks and old oxen boards with hooks and other added motifs.

Remember the store is open from 10 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week until December 24th.
Order your turkeys now....limited quantity!

The snow has started to fall and the season is certainly upon us.  Today is December 2, only 23 days until Christmas 2013!  Where has the year gone?  It seems like only yesterday we were complaining of the heat....ah life in Canada.

The Farm Store is now open 7 days a week from 10 am-5 pm until the 24th of December.  The store is filled with a new handmade selection of hats, scarfs, and shawls along with our regular supply of insoles and comfy warm socks.  As always you will find your Wool, Mohair, Alpaca and blends there of, in our yarn selection.  Colours are natural and hand dyed.   Rovings in a wonderful assortment of colours are available for those who wish to spin their own yarn.

Something new to the store is barn board wall hooks.  They come in various sizes.  The hooks are mounted on authentic old barn boards, some boards are over 75 years old.  The boards add both character and warmth to any home's entrance way.  Their practicality make them an unique "one of a kind" gift as well as a nice addition to your own home!

The Store will also have available eggs, poultry, assorted sausage and meats ranging from beef to lamb to goat.  Our turkeys are maturing nicely and we are still able to take requests but we have only a limited supply. So order yours now by calling 705-778-2070.

Besides the Store, fibre and barn board product will also be available at the craft show in Maynooth, Ontario on December 14th, from noon to 6 pm.  Hope to see you there!

Lee just got back from her initial set up at Wendy Mahoney's for this weekend's Christmas Show and Sale!  I heard that the place is certainly taking on the Christmas Wonderland feel!  Lee will be there spinning on Friday and Saturday.  Other vendors will be there with an assortment of product and Wendy's yummy baked goods.  The dates again are November 8-10th look for the signs saying Wendy Mahoney Christmas Show and Sale located at 292 Concession Rd. East, Warkworth 5 km north of Warkworth on Godolphin Rd.  Fri./ Sat. from 9-7 pm and Sun. 10-4 pm.  

Lee is looking forward to seeing you and has a nice assortment of finished product as well as yarn, batts and roving.  Oh and don't forget the insoles!!

Although the store at Elmlea farm is closed the month of November should you need anything from the store with regards to fibre or food just give us a call, 705-778-2070.  There are eggs, poultry and meat always available.

Today's Animal 

Is Omar, he is an Angora Goat.  From Angora goats you get a fibre called Mohair!  Don't ask I am just a sheep, actually you get Angora fibre from Angora Rabbits but we don't have any fluffy bunnies here.  Omar is referred to as an "exotic" when it comes to fibre as are the Alpacas and Llamas, more about them another day.

The qualities of Mohair are as follows:

Positive:  It has a nice shiny, it is warmer than wool, it is strong, there is a nice crimp to the fibre.
Negatives:  Can be itchy for some, not as warm as Alpaca, has some memory but not as much as wool.

Hello Everyone, it's me ....Patrick Babydoll, today I will start to tell you about all of us fibre bearing animals at Elmlea Farm!  Each day I will tell you about a breed of animal and post a picture.  You will learn about our fibre, it's strengths and weaknesses.  When you have met everyone I will tell you about the process of how this fibre is gathered and made into a finished product!

First here is  some housekeeping.

The store will be closed the month of November due to the fact that Lee will be participating in a few shows.  However, if you would like to drop by the store and maybe see me too!  Just send us a note or call 705-778-2070 to arrange a time to browse the selection of fibre goods.  Eggs, meat, poultry are ALWAYS available.  It is also a good time to order your fresh Christmas turkey there is a limited number and we sold out at Thanksgiving!

This weekend November 8-10th is the Wendy Mahoney Christmas Show and Sale located at 292 Concession Rd. East, Warkworth 5 km north of Warkworth on Godolphin Road.  Friday and Saturday from 9-7 and Sunday 10-4.

Today's Animal Lesson

There are four sheep at Elmlea farm.  We are all Olde English Babydoll Southdown and we are registered just like one of those show dogs ya hear about!  What is great about us babydolls is that we are calm in nature, we are grazers, we are smaller in size compared to a regular sheep and we are great pets!   Wineries and orchards are starting to use babydolls to clear the weeds and keep grass "cut".  As for personality well I myself am exceptional! Baaa
Babydolls are considered a multi-use sheep...meaning we are good for wool and (PARISH the though) meat....psst...not here though!

Our wool is considered medium quality.  
Properties of wool in general:
Positives...good memory, inexpensive(relatively speaking) wool has strength, and warmer than synthetic, usually not as soft as exotic fibre
Negatives...sensitivity of wool for some people, not as warm as Alpaca or Mohair