Author Archives: cliffhousealpacas

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About cliffhousealpacas

Once upon a time, my dad drove by some funny looking animals standing on little dirt hills in a field. Thus, the dream of an alpaca ranch was born. Now, we are embarking on a grand adventure of raising alpacas and becoming fiber artists.

Bravado goes on walkabout

Posted on November 7, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

Bravado had a bit of an adventure last week while Mom was cleaning. She had just taken a manure bucket full of snow out of the boys’ paddock, and dumped it in the manure wagon. She decided the wagon was pretty full, so … Continue reading →

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On low impact stock

Posted on November 4, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

Seven years ago, long before the alpaca ranch was even a twinkle in Dad’s eyes, I went to Ecuador. It was part of a travel class. We studied some aspect of Ecuadorian ecology for a quarter, and then spent about … Continue reading →

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Snowflakes that stay on your nose and eyelashes

Posted on November 3, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

Winter seems to have come to us a bit early this year! We had our second big snowstorm yesterday, and it kept Mom and Dad hopping. Wow, right? Talk about a winter color palette. Dad took this picture from the … Continue reading →

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Tripoli has a goatee

Posted on November 2, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

Little man Tripoli is growing up, as all babies are wont to do (“…are wont to do…”? I think I’m living in the wrong century. I say good people, have you seen my monocle?). He’s got this funny little patch of … Continue reading →

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Skele-paca (Marseille)

Posted on November 1, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

In honor of Halloween (I know, I’m late) I give you pictures of Skele-paca! Mom always objects when I call her Skele-paca. She says that Marsy looks more like Groucho Marx, which really isn’t much nicer. What do you think?

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Product spotlight: Hat types

Posted on October 31, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

My Aunt Geri makes most of the hats. Mom and I are very basic knitters, still using looms for the most part. We’ve been getting orders, and we always have to go through the obligatory, “Well, do you want a … Continue reading →

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Rake looms: knitting for beginners/the lazy

Posted on October 28, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

I’ve been making all sorts of crafty confessions lately. Here’s another: I knit on a rake loom. It’s not that I can’t use knitting needles, I’ve done it that way too, it’s just that for a standard double or single … Continue reading →

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A few of my least favorite things

Posted on October 27, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

The sigh my bike tire makes as it goes flat, people who step on the heels of my shoes, and having to go down three flights of stairs to take the dog out are a few of my least favorite … Continue reading →

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Studded snows

Posted on October 26, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

Winter has decided to smack us around a bit. They’re forecasting 4-8 inches of snow for us today and this evening. It’s hard on the animals, because on Monday it was 80 degrees F, and today it’s snowing with a forecasted … Continue reading →

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Spinning in the dirt

Posted on October 25, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

It’s a great visual right? When I tell people “I spin”, invariably, there’s a long pause. I can see the wheels in their heads turning. Most of my hippie bean eating friends (love you guys) have a visual of me … Continue reading →

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