Monthly Archives: January 2012

Spinner’s block

Posted on January 17, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

I swear, I’m not bipolar. I just go through these dramatic swings in interest level, commitment, and mood about spinning. At the moment, I’m not interested, committed or happy about it. I can’t even blame a “Christmas rush” like I … Continue reading →

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Farm check!

Posted on January 16, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Last week, our vet, Dr. Balch, came by for what she calls, a “Farm check!” (the explanation point is required). She looked at each of our alpacas, checking their body mass indexes, their teeth, and their toenails. I think of … Continue reading →

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Our holiday trunk show

Posted on January 13, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

We have been very, very fortunate to have such good friends. I can’t say that often enough, from our vet to our customers, everyone we talk to about our animals and our products is or has become a friend of … Continue reading →

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Dad’s new barn cat!

Posted on January 12, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Mom is prone to adopting animals in need of homes (as you can probably tell). So when a friend who’s moving out of her ranch needed a place for her barn kitties, Mom brought home two of them, and set … Continue reading →

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Spinning lace weight yarn

Posted on January 11, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

I enjoy the sound of Aunt Geri’s wheel as I spin lace weight yarn, so I thought I’d share it. I’m still working on that bag of Archie’s roving. It’s becoming, one ounce at a time, a strong, light-weight yarn … Continue reading →

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Clouds over Tuscany

Posted on January 10, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

I love love love Tuscany’s fiber. It’s fluffy, soft, and makes beautifully plump yarn. Over the holiday I got to spin my first medium weight yarn from just Tuscany’s fiber. We’re filling an order for a blanket’s worth of yarn … Continue reading →

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Food fight!

Posted on January 9, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

As a general rule, the alpacas are mild-mannered, sweet-tempered animals. The only exception is feeding time. Can you guess which alpaca is the pushiest? Yup! It’s Brittany! And though getting caught in the crossfire between the girls is “all part … Continue reading →

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Stonehenge Solstice

Posted on January 6, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Although I’ll never, ever complain about special orders, sometimes it’s fun to be inspired by a color or a texture, and just see where that takes you. Several months ago, I picked up a delicious spring green Frog Tree Yarns roving from … Continue reading →

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A piece of history

Posted on January 5, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Even though it was made by a third generation wheel maker, my spinning wheel is brand new. It was made when I ordered it, for me. Anyone in my family will tell you: I’m not a great share-er. But there’s … Continue reading →

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The Great Escape

Posted on January 4, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

When you have animals of any species, you seem to develop some odd sixth sense that instantly recognizes when something is out-of-place or out of the ordinary. I imagine it’s much like the eyes in the back of Mom’s head, invisible, … Continue reading →

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