It's been a long time between blogs....

Been on holiday to New Zealand, came home and finished some more projects and now preparing to go on holiday again! This time we're going to the UK and France. I hope to revisit my roots and catch up with family and friends - some of whom I haven't seen for over 30 years.

We might notice a few changes!

Here are some pictures of some projects, and the latest newborn alpaca who was sooo tiny born, only 5.5kg, but is doing just fine now.

This jacket is made from natural black alpaca and acrylic yarn

A new year and new projects.....

I got a loom for Xmas and this is my first attempt at weaving. The warp is commercial wool 8 ply and the weft is natural handspun alpaca - it's beautifully soft.

The loom is an Ashford rigid heddle 60cm.

This is a stole I made on my new loom. The warp is commercial wool 8 ply and the weft is various commercial textured yarns from my stash. I added beads to the fringe.

I started this wall hanging for my son about 3 years ago and only finished it for his birthday in January! For a long time it was in the too hard basket. It's very satisfying to have it finished!

Nearly Christmas....

Nearly Xmas and the weather is hot and very dry. Our family of alpacas is growing with another little girl born a few days ago. She's having a few problems feeding from her mum at the moment so is having bottles, but hopefully things will improve .... fingers crossed! She is called Portia.

Birth of the First alpaca of the season......

"Indiana" was born 26th Nov. early in the morning weighing 11 kg (which is pretty big for an alpaca baby!) She's solid black and very quiet. So quiet we started halter training her and took her for a walk with her Mum yesterday! She's learning fast.



Here she is just 10hrs old!
















Here she is with her Mum (Arizona)















...and first time with a halter on!

Loomed bootees and things in the garden...

What a glorious sight! Fresh from the garden broad beans and peas - and boy do they taste good!













This is just one of about five baby canaries that have hatched so far. This little guy is about two weeks old...









These are two pairs of bootees made on the FG bootee loom. The pair on the right was made with ewrap 1 over 1 and came out too loose for my liking.
The pair on the right was made with ewrap 1 over 2 which is a much closer stich and I also got rid of the holes at the heel shaping as I made them.

Shearing the alpacas...

Today was shearing day for the girls, and boy do they feel better now! They might not look better now but with warmer weather coming they will be much more comfortable. Eleven done and just four to go!

The spinning wheel will be running hot for a while.

If anyone in Australia wants some alpaca wool please visit my website for prices and postage www.westnet.com.au/bluegumalpacas

Today it's Summer...!

Suddenly it's Summer. The last couple of days have been very warm and I've put the long pants and sweaters away!
These are some sweet peas from out of the garden.