Bambino Alpaca

I finally finished this lovely shawl. It was supposed to be done way back for the Holiday Studio Tour at the beginning of December. Oh well, knitting shouldn't be stressful, so I just took my sweet time on this one. I don't think I've ever knit anything in a cream color, but since this was such a luxurious yarn, I didn't mind. 

This is 'Herriott' by Juniper Moon Farm and it comes in natural grey or cream. It is 100% baby alpaca....yum!

This is the Winter Berries Shawl, available for purchase on ravelry.

The yarn is available on my website. Happy knitting!

Side to Side Vest Knit Along

Last week I packed up a heap of kits to send over to Two Rivers Yarn shop in Brunswick, Md. The owner, Mary, is featuring my kits and pattern for her monthly knit along. Info is below.

January Classes and Events SIde-to-Side Vest The holidays will soon be past, and it will be time to indulge in some of that knitting or crocheting you'd been hoping to get to for yourself! We've got classes, free workshops and a couple ofKnit-Alongs to make the winter hours fly by, so have a look and see what catches your fancy... All month, we'll be featuring Dancing Leaf Farm Side-to-Side Vest kits. We love how this simple pattern highlights the colors and textures of the yarns, and bringing it altogether in a kit makes this a quick, easy and very satisfying winter project! We've got kits in a variety of dazzling colors - or put together your own special combination. Once you've chosen your yarns, join us for aKnit-Along at the end of the month.

All month, we'll be featuring Dancing Leaf Farm Side-to-Side Vest kits. We love how this simple pattern highlights the colors and textures of the yarns, and bringing it altogether in a kit makes this a quick, easy and very satisfying winter project! We've got kits in a variety of dazzling colors - or put together your own special combination. Once you've chosen your yarns, join us for aKnit-Along at the end of the month.

 The vest is easy to do, with simple instructions, leaving the patterning up to you. Change yarns and patterning randomly. It's fun to do with a group as you can see how each person creates their own garment.

So if any of these strikes your fancy, head on over to Two Rivers Yarns and get yours while the gettins' good! I'll have many more kits available in my shop if anyone is interested in doing the vest and isn't near Brunswick. 

White Christmas

We have a friend, Reed, who works as a science advisor in the White House. He was nice enough to give a few of us a tour the night after Christmas. It was a rainy night in the city, although we had gotten snow back at the farm. We all met for dinner at Founding Farmers (yum!) along with Reed's wife, Jen (who I hadn't seen in 10 years!) and their two daughters. 

The Executive Office building directly across the street from the White House, all decorated for the holidays.

We weren't allowed to take any photos inside, but we snapped away at the doorway. We got to see the Oval Office (smaller than I thought) and all the recent photos of Obama and family by the presidential photographer. 

The press room was very quiet, not a creature was stirring.

Such a nice evening in Washington, spent with family and friends, visiting the house of our president, where big decisions are made for our country. May Peace be with us all.

Christmastime Down on the Farm

On this most magnificent of Christmas Eves, I want to wish you all a most festive holiday. As luck would have it, it's snowing! It wasn't predicted which makes it all the more enchanting, a total surprise. And I'm so glad because that would have been all the talk, with people fretting and canceling everything in their lives, except to rush out and get toilet paper and bread. 

I went out with my camera as the snow was beginning to fall. The white stuff makes the Christmas displays more festive. I gathered up lots of my cool, rusty stuff for this outdoor display on my back deck.

I bought this old minnow bucket this summer, along with the chippy red lantern.

Walking out the back field, I saw the sheep grazing. The snow doesn't bother them, as they have on their winter wool coat. 

Sparkleberry still has her studio tour holiday ribbon on. 

She is such a sweetheart!

She has provided the best wool for our winter blankets this year. Thanks Sparkleberry!

Hugs and kisses

Come on up and have some grain.

Mocha (aka Rasta Girl) just loves the snow.

I don't know why Casey has his eyes closed, maybe it's snow blindness or his best 'Zoolander' look.

The retrievers told me they were getting cold butts posing for so long.

So, come on in for a look-see around the house.

This little book was written by Houston's aunt, "Christmas at Thunder Gap."

I decided to stick with the white mantle again this year.

This candelabra is from my German cousins from Nuremburg.

From the studio window

The Chirp booth at Ginger & Spice

I found this old window at our local dump, cleaned it up and now it's sold. Booya!

I decorated just a wee bit up in Cumberland. I was up there last week and hosted a little get together with girlfriends so had to throw a bit of greens around.

This was taken just an hour ago, a beautiful greeting for Christmas Day. What a treat to have a white Christmas! 

From my home to yours, have a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Eat, drink and be merry!