Monthly Archives: July 2012

Cue the tiny violin

Posted on July 30, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

It took me all weekend to spin one skein of yarn. There’s no way to say this without it sounding stupid: I knew my fingers were important, I just didn’t realize how important. They are all doing a different and … Continue reading →

Posted in fiber art | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

New product alert: woven yarn baskets

Posted on July 27, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

I may be down and out, crafting-wise, but the rest of the team is still working overtime. Aunt Geri has been making another new product! I got the first prototype of for my birthday: I’m not sure what she’s calling them, … Continue reading →

Posted in fiber art | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

That dreaded word: shots

Posted on July 26, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Duhn duhn duhn! Guess who needed a checkup? Well, everyone needed a checkup; it’s Farm Check! time. But Vanny really needed to get his teeth and nails trimmed. Cici also got the full spa treatment. Bravado and Merlin got their … Continue reading →

Posted in animals | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summertime sunsets

Posted on July 25, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

I know the cats have it good, but I don’t think the dogs can complain either. Bobbin, on the far left, is the ranch beagle. Derby, the black dachshund in the middle, is mine. Iggy, the poodle mix on the … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, completely unrelated | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Vanny joins the herd, permanently

Posted on July 24, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Yesterday, as usual, Dad and Mom let the boys into the “exercise paddock”, and then let Vannny out to join them. Bravado and Vanny had a spitting match or two, also par for the course, then everyone settled down to … Continue reading →

Posted in animals | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Hay, lots of it

Posted on July 23, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

It was a BUSY weekend down at the ranch. The family picked up, drove home, and then unloaded 200 bales of hay. That’s 5 tons of hay that had to be moved by hand from the truck into storage in … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, business | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Race to the finish: Artists for Wild Mustangs Show

Posted on July 20, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

With only 2 weeks until the Artists for Wild Mustangs Show, production has gone into high gear at the Ranch. Literally all the horizontal surfaces, and some of the vertical ones, are covered by a scarf or hat, and Mom … Continue reading →

Posted in business, completely unrelated | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Drop spindle types

Posted on July 19, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

I have a not-so-secret love of drop spindles. I sometimes ply on one even after spinning the singles on my wheel. It takes longer, but I’m practically guaranteed to get a balanced yarn since I check the twist every three feet or … Continue reading →

Posted in fiber art | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Yarn – Swirly tweed

Posted on July 18, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

If there is a yarn that captures that “classic alpaca yarn” look, this is it. It’s made by plying together one single that is two different colors (it’s called marling, see here for an explanation) and one single that is … Continue reading →

Posted in fiber art | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow

Posted on July 17, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

I slammed a finger in one of my heavy 1920s windows 15 minutes ago. After walking around in circles for a few minutes repeating the title of this post and trying not to throw up, I got out an ice … Continue reading →

Posted in animals | 2 Comments