On the Farm | GnomeAcres

Category Archives: On the Farm

Fiber Fun Fest

October 21, 2011 GnomeGal No comments

Not only is it a fiber fun Friday, but it is the beginning of a big fibery filled weekend for GnomeAcres.

Tonight, I will be having my “Night with the Artist” reception (6-9pm) at the Lost Arts & Antiques shop in downtown Edwardsville, IL to celebrate being chosen as the featured artist for the month of October. There will be wine, food and live music provided by two of my very good friends, Adron Buske and Gene Kelly.

On Saturday and Sunday, I will be selling at the first ever Fiber Fun Fest. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’m one of the co-founders of 3 Sisters’ Workshop. The other 2 “sisters” and myself decided to create this event so we can offer all of our goods in one place.

Some of the things we’ll have available:
- Hand dyed & hand spun yarn made from various fiber blends.
- Various fiber/rovings that are great for spinning, felting, dyeing or blending.
- Knitted & felted goodies.
- Louet spinning wheels.

Here’s the fun part. While the Fiber Fun Fest is happening, there will also be the annual Native American Pit Firing taking place in the next pasture. Lots of potters come out and fire their pots in the ginormous pit. The pottery stays in the pit overnight, then we take it out on Sunday and stare in amazement. It is SO MUCH FUN!

For all the details, check out the Fiber Fun Fest website.

Hope to see you there!

Friday Farm Fun

October 07, 2011 GnomeGal 1 Comment

As I was out and about running errands this morning, I stopped by the farm to drop off something for my good friend Julie. I had no intention of staying long, but the words, “A baby was just born!” flew out of her mouth and I knew right then and there I was pasture bound.

By now, I have seen hundreds of brand new baby llamas and alpacas. But, here’s the thing, that’s not enough. It takes 11.5 months of gestation to get one of these little munchkins. There is something so incredibly magical and exhilarating about seeing these animals within their first moments of life. Their moms could have never been moms before, but they always know what to do. The babies are able to walk within the first hour — something that takes us humans almost a year, or longer, to do.

The best part? They’re so stinkin’ cute!

Baby K

See what I mean? This little alpaca guy was born about 20 minutes before we got to the farm. He was still in a state of, “What are these four sticks under me for?”

This little llama gal…under a week old. Look at those spots on her legs. Gasp…

Rudolph

This is Rudolph, the white nose alpaca. Barely a week old. He’s just a lil guy.

Polka Dot Patty

This is Polka Dot Patty. She was born just a month ago and she is already HUGE. She’s a playful little thing that comes right up to you.

Lumina & Ava

And this, well, this is my baby. She has no fear around these animals. She walks right up to them in the pasture and acts as if though they’ve been friends all of her life.

Kind of like her mom…