Kiparoo Farms Yarn for Knitting/Crocheting

We went to Kiparoo Farms and met Annie Kelley and saw her beautiful studio. It's on a working farm of sheep and cattle. She has 150 head of sheep and if you raise sheep you know the work that involves. Annie is as petite as a clothes pin, but has more energy radiating from her than the lit White House Christmas Tree. She is a fine example of hardwork, a love for what she does and a super personality! We had such a good time there.

This is Annie's helper who lived on the farm before Annie did and now lives royally. Friendly as can be. The lacey crocheted tablecloth...gorgeous. When can we move in?

This is Annie above on the left. Her studio is in several rooms of the old farmhouse. She refinished the floors and the walls are white with high ceilings. It's decorated in her beautiful scandinavian-heritage style. Lots of bright whites and beiges with a little pink here and there.

She sells her own wool yarn from her sheep in every texture and color combination imaginable. A real bonus is that there is the actual handmade item next to each of her patterns which really sells them. Some with more than one color variation to show the possibilities. Look at these little cute purses above.

I didn't begin to capture the ambience of her shop, Kiparoo Farms, you have to experience it yourself. Then you will know what a joy it is. Her website is here.

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival part 2

For one hundred twenty five dollars you could have purchased one of these angora kids/goats. Aren't they adorable and look at their fleece. Or if you want something smaller ...

The cutest angora bunnies were one hundred twenty five dollars each as well. French Angora rabbits with papers. The lady holding them purchased one and my son was a little jealous.

These yarns looks like dreads, but look at the colors. Forget about crocheting the scarf I could just put the yarn around my neck and it's an instant accessory without stressing over directions.

This yarn was so delicate...every inch there was a dainty circle..just like some crocheted a circle flower. How they spin it to look like this I don't know but I'll find out soon. Kelly of Kiparoo Farms is not that far away and has a studio she sells her patterns and yarns from. I want to go there!

The Sheep Are Out

Jolting words woke me this morning, "The sheep are out." In my tired mind I thought well it is winter and there's nothing left for them in the vegetable garden to steal. "Yes, I'll make coffee first," I told myself since I couldn't see them anywhere. (A bad sign right there.) As the coffee was brewing they showed up on my porch as if it were a starbucks drive through, mind you. Did they need coffee to make their way back down to their pasture? Cream? Sugar?

One of the ewe's, Ella, is the ringleader who leads them all up here to a more luxurious standard of living. She is so big with lambs that I believe she might have triplets. Usually you have to bottlefeed one of them and it makes for a wonderful pet. Now Ella herself was bottlefed and she is a wonderful pet, but she is not fond of fences. She wants to come back up near the house where she played with us as we worked outside when she was a wee spring lamb.

I noticed there are some original Tasha Tudor watercolors from one of her books up for sale on ebay for 3,750.00 Amazing. I love how Tasha lived in Vermont. Surrounded by her favorite animals...corgi dogs and cats inside and outside goats. I wonder if she had trouble with them getting out?

I have a new painting to list on ebay and will post a picture here as soon as it is up.