Alpacamundo Monday: Improving Barn Access

Over the summer, we removed most of the dead and mostly-dead trees from our new property.

One in particular was near the door to the Alpaca Barn.

I still need to remove the stump, but having this tree gone improves access to the barn for our Hay Supplier.

I had been told by the previous owner that the barn could store 150 bales.  So I ordered 147 bales last winter, which did not leave the aisle accessible.

  

So this fall, we also removed one of the cabinets the previous owner had installed.  The first being just inside, so it prevented the door from being fully opened, which made it difficult to bring in hay bales.

Hay Delivery occurred over the weekend and my Hay Supplier agreed that access was much easier this time.

After picking up the spilled hay near the entrance, we have a full barn (126 bales) and an accessible aisle.

Alpacamundo Monday: Winter Water

Keeping the water free from ice is always a concern for me, especially until we get past the first real test... which happened last week, Thursday-Friday.

We got both a little snow and a hard freeze.

In the morning, everyone's de-icer had worked.  Hooray!!

We have simple sinking de-icers for the alpacas and goats, that I put in place about a week earlier.  No one has pulled it out or messed with it, which often happens when I first put them in place.

Ruby, the barn cat, has an electric water bowl.  The dogs have access to everyone's water along with several buckets that are indoors.

The chickens got a completely new watering system.... I introduced this to them about 10 days earlier, using this method, in order to ensure they all understood how to get their water.

The six birds are drinking about a half-gallon daily, which is consistent with what they were consuming prior to the new waterer.

Hopefully this solution keeps the water both clean and flowing.

Happy Almost-Winter!!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Market 2022, part 3

So with my homework having been (re)completed in March, I double-checked my supplies and tools for each class and spent a long weekend at the Estes Park Wool Market in June.

This was my first time taking a class at a Wool Festival... and I took two. :-)

I have attended talks and watched demonstrations before.... but it was really quite special to be able to focus two days on improving skills and knowledge.

Our new place is a little further away, but still extremely convenient for day trips to Estes Park.

Exploring the Drum Carder

My first class was Exploring the Drum Carder with Henry and Roy Clemes.

Prior to this class, I had only seen short demonstrations of carding in my initial Learning to Spin class.

I do have a second-hand half-sized carder that I have been using for several (11!) years, but now with this full-day class, I think my output will be much nicer to work with.

I'm looking forward to taking the next class in their series.

I also picked up a couple of tools that will help me use my old carder better.

Finishing with Excellence

This class was everything I was expecting.

Like the Carding Class, I have finished projects, but now I know a few more techniques to make those joins and weave-ins even more invisible.

We also spent some time talking about blocking techniques.

I truly enjoyed taking Paula's class.

Shopping

In addition to the tools listed above, I did buy some yarn and roving.

So while I have said that I generally don't like crazy dyed yarns, when I do buy yarn, it is often dyed.

I like that the colors at Estes were more muted than other markets I've been to in recent years (Yarn Fest, Stitches).  I especially loved the work of the Apothefaery.  Her work is very earthy.

I actually bought quite a bit of yarn this trip.... mostly because I wanted to pair against some out-of-character crazy yarn that I bought at Stitches West in 2019...

Aside from the last few SE2SE breeds (which I did not find) and the yarn to pair with the crazy above, I wasn't really looking for much.  However, I am always looking to add interesting or unusual fibers to my stash.... and per usual, Estes Park did not disappoint.... Valais Blacknose roving!

This ranch near me has possibly the first Purebred Valais Blacknose born (via embryo transfer) in the US.  This is quite exciting.

Valais Blacknose is a carpet wool, and should go nicely with some of the other stuff in my stash.  As I was leaving the shopkeeper asked what I would be making.... and I just said, "yarn."  :-)  I really don't know what it will become beyond yarn, but I am very excited to try it.

The second bag is Scottish Blackface, which is also a new breed for me.

Demonstration

Unplanned was a spinning demonstration.  Henry Clemes ask if I would be willing to spin on one of their wheels during the market over the weekend... to which I replied, "Absolutely!"

I spent about an hour on Saturday afternoon showing people how yarn works.  Really fun!!

Animals

I stopped by the Sheep and Goat Barn... One of these years I'll actually make it to the Cashmere Goat Show.  

Cashmere Goat Show Results

I spent a few minutes speaking with a Shetland Sheep Farmer who was getting ready to show.

I snapped only a couple of photos... none of which are composed well.  

Valais Blacknose

Jacob Ram

"Cashmere" Goats

There is so much more to see, such as Herding and Shearing Demonstrations, Sheep-to-Shawl Competition, Llamas, Alpacas, Paco-Vicunas, Rabbits, Food, equipment demonstrations, and talks.

I love that we are close to this excellent show and always look forward to focusing a little differently each time.  I especially love that this show is more geared toward spinners and not just knitters and crocheters.

Yes, I wore a mask the entire weekend... and will continue to do so.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Estes Park Wool Festival, 2012

Ahhh, the Estes Park Wool Festival where two of my favorite subjects collide.... Estes Park, Colorado and all things Fiber-y.  :-)

I had a few things on my mind for this festival... especially the cashmere goat show.  I happened upon the end of it a couple of years ago and missed it completely last year.  I could not find the schedule of events, so I missed it again this year.  :-/  But I did spy a few of them snoozing.

I was also looking for some specific yarn for a specific project.  I didn't find it, but I did find this...

wool + silk + viscose

I think it will turn into something wonderful.  :-)

I also found some special roving for the Tour de Fleece.

Corriedale Top

cashmere + silk

camel + merino

alpaca

llama

I will be spinning with the Team of Wonder again.   :-)  Of course, I just realized that most of the rovings are very nearly the same color...  lol.

The High Park Wildfire started that day, which I wrote about here.  So it was difficult to relax and spend time enjoying Estes Park, as I typically do when I'm there.

As of about 6:30 last night the fire looked like this from our place....

I think this photo is optimistic.  The fire is estimated at 52,000 acres (larger than the cities of Fort Collins and Loveland combined) and about 15% contained.  At the time I was taking this photo, the fire was racing to the north and had crossed the Poudre River.  That being said, last night was the best air quality we've had in nearly a week.

I am pleased to note that our Governor issued a state-wide ban on all open fires and private fireworks yesterday.

I hope you are enjoying your Fiber Arts Friday.  Please join us over at Wisdom Begins in Wonder.  There's always a lot to see.  :-)