Simple Gifts Farm

Merry Christmas! Simple Gifts Farm Book!

2011-12-18T05:43:00.000-08:00

Yes, I finally wrote a book about our animals. It is written from their point of view. You can do an e-read online or you can order the book from: www.bookemon.com. Simply go to the site and select the title: "Simple Gifts Farm". Enjoy! The book was written for our grandchildren but I decided to share it with all of you! The animals and Ray and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Sheep Pondering!!

2011-12-18T05:27:00.001-08:00

Fall 2011

2011-12-18T04:58:00.000-08:00

Back to spinning and drying on my antique drying rack! This year am spending more of the fall with family. There is chopping to be done with expert help and of course time to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Now here is nature's trick! The sheep are wondering too! Could this be a snowstorm in October?

Summer Retreat 2011

2011-12-18T04:45:00.000-08:00

Ray and I love Maine. We get to spend time with family and friends at "a beautiful place by the sea". Watching sunsets and being thankful for our blessings!!

Summer Road Trip to Notre Dame!

2011-12-18T04:35:00.000-08:00

As an "retired" baton twirler it was a thrill for me to finally get to Nationals at Notre Dame where my granddaughter and her team competed day and night for nearly a week! The Red Star Twirlers are so talented taking home over 150 metals. Emma placed 3rd in the USA in 3 baton within the 13-15 year olds!! That is huge!!

We have been dyeing for Saturday, 4/30th CT Sheep & Wool Festival!

2011-04-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Beautiful natural, hand dyed, hand spun yarns, new knitting projects, made in USA alpaca products, maple syrup from our farm! We have been working hard for CT Sheep & Wool Festival 2011! Come by this Saturday, April 30th to the Gold Building. Food is at one end, Simple Gifts Farm is at the opposite end. Support all of our small farms, see sheep shearing, border collie trials, spinning contests, activites for kids and much much more!!

Spring Is Just Around The Corner...

2011-02-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

A Basket Full of Spring!! Hand dyed alpaca yarns with more on the way. Check out the rest of our Farm Blog for projects. And, remember to save Saturday, April 30th for the CT Sheep & Wool Festival. We will be there with lots of new ideas and yarns for your knitting and crocheting pleasure. If you can't wait, and like something on the Blog, call me at 203-378-0893. In the meantime, we here have much to do with the trees dripping maple sap and the syrup to be boiled down and packaged. On this, hopefully, last storm of the season day-a stash of yarn (see my color mix) is just waiting for an idea to emerge and the needles are itching to be used for a New Spring Look!

Here is where the work happens...

2011-02-21T11:04:00.000-08:00

Our home and familyroom are perfect winter hideaways for spinning, and creating. The incentive is a cozy spot where all the worlds problems disappear and you sit at the wheel and feel the alpaca and wool run thru your fingers knowing that you will enjoy the yarn a second time when you knit with it and enjoy it a third time when you gift or keep your creation. Winter is almost over. Has it really been that bad?

Scarves are the Chocolate of Knitting....

2011-02-21T10:13:00.000-08:00

Here are two delicious versions! Natural off-white Lace Pattern Handspun Alpaca Scarf. Only 8 pattern lines repeated to give you this Victorian look! Our Suri Alpaca is just perfect for this pattern with its luster and silkiness! Buy the yarn and the pattern is free. Also, for years I have been searching for a double-sided cable. Thanks to Samantha, here it is! And the secret is so simple, stick to the pattern and it works perfectly! This scarf is beautiful in natural or hand dyed (isn't the purple gorgeous?) worsted alpaca. I know you will all want to try this one!

Cable Mania

2011-02-21T10:03:00.000-08:00

Cables are fun and not too difficult. Cable hats are made in natural alpaca-Ray & I both love ours! Earwarmer is from our Babydoll Southdown Sheep spun in bulky for extra warmth. Handwarmers are knit flat for ease but look complicated with an awesome cable. Knit in light worsted alpaca with one skein either in natural or hand dyed alpaca. All of these patterns are available free with yarn purchase!

Spiral Neckwarmer for the Brrrrr Day

2011-02-21T09:57:00.000-08:00

Joanne is enjoying her neckwarmer on this very cold mountain day. Designed for one skein of alpaca hand dyed or natural.

Supplying Our Warmth!!!

2011-02-21T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hanley likes to eat snow! (He isn't the only one.) The alpaca and sheep hang "in" while we are outside cleaning and filling water pails. And they say these animals are not high up on the chain!

Winter Warmth

2011-02-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

Knitted and delivered! Shepherd's Handspun in Ray's choice of blue. Joanne's comfy cardigan-all spun from our sheep and alpacas! Michelle's special birthday-alpaca lattice work!

Merry Christmas!! Happy 2011!!

2010-12-24T04:40:00.000-08:00

Hope all of our family and friends have a beautiful Christmas. We are grateful to all of you year round but as winter settles in, we think of you often with great joy! Thanks for being in our lives!! The sheep, alpaca, llama, pony and Scooter thank you too!

Sometime it is not what you are doing.....

2010-10-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

But, it is when you are doing it and where you are doing it!! Peace and contentment!!! And yes, we painted our trim purple!!!!

Halloween 2010-10/31/2010 Come to Simple Gifts Farm

2010-10-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

We will be open on Sunday, October 31st from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Come on by to see our handspun yarns, yarn kits, knitted gifts etc. Pick up some yarn to make a gift or maybe you'll find a knitted gift for that someone special!!! Join us at our favorite time of the year on the farm. We love welcoming our old and new friends! The animals will welcome you too! Let's make an apple cider toast to this wonderous time!

Here are the farms open to you this Alpaca Weekend!

2010-09-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

ALPACAboose Farm, 12 East St, Oxford, CT; Alpaca Hill Farm, 8 Willow St, Seymour, CT; Coon Hollow Frm, 156 Punkup Road, Oxford, CT; Dream Come True Farm, 82 Freeman Rd, Oxford, CT; and lastly us at Simple Gifts Farm,1135 James Farm Rd, Stratford, CT. Come out and support your small farms September 25th & 26th from 10am until 5:00pm! We all look forward to sharing our farms with you!!!

September 25th & 26th Alpaca Weekend!!

2010-09-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

The animals are ready, the kits for knitting, the alpaca yarn & small knitted gifts are ready! We just need you! From 10 to 5pm. Stop by and visit. Sit and knit if you wish while watching the alpacas grazing in the field. See yarn being spun. Learn about the animals. Enjoy a beautiful day at our farm!!

Celebrate! Natural Hand Spun Alpaca Yarn 9/25 & 9/26

2010-09-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

Spun for you from the sweetest most curious animals you will ever meet!!

Knitted gifts for you or someone special..

2010-09-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

Personalize your own handknit Christmas Stocking. Mine has an embroidered fish from my China trip this summer! Try on an alpaca handsewn hat. Check out millspun gloves and socks made from alpaca my friend, Pam and I banked last fall. The entire process from alpaca to product was made in the USA!

For Your Browsing Pleasure...

2010-09-21T18:33:00.001-07:00

We set up some new shelving for you in Ray's Barn & Garage to make your browsing easier! Take a look at our hand spun natural alpaca, try out some hand dyed yarn, make up a kit and check out our knitted items for sale...

Look who is wispering about Alpaca weekend at Simple Gifts Farm!

2010-09-21T18:05:00.001-07:00

They are getting ready for visitors and can hardly wait until Saturday, 9/25 and Sunday 9/26 from 10-5!

Alpaca Farm Weekend 9/25 & 9/26!! We are ready!

2010-09-21T17:23:00.000-07:00

So they tell me that people are going to celebrate alpacas this weekend. What do you think of that! We like watching people, it should be fun!!

Come for a visit National Alpaca Weekend 9/25 & 9/26

2010-09-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

We will be open from 10am to 5pm. So come on over and see what we are up to! The animals always love company and we enjoy these fall days being outdoors with you! Check out my new projects from hand dyed yarn which are kitted up for you knitters. See our alpaca gloves that my friend Pam and I ordered from the alpaca we banked in the fiber pool. This is fiber grown and product manufactured here in the USA! Raspberries both red and black found their way to the cookpot and are set up in jams for you to purchase. I will do some spinning and Ray and I are always glad to tell you about our alpacas, llama, sheep, pony and dog!!!

Ray baling our hay field...

2010-09-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Twice a year our hay field puts forth for our animals. Here is the field and here is Ray working on his baler. It is always a BIG job. The twine doesn't always tie. The weather doesn't always cooperate but this hay came in just fine with no major difficulty! Yeah!!

Celebrate being home in the USA!!!

2010-09-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

Ray always makes mealtime special! Having friends over and a good meal too, priceless!!!

Marti goes to China!!

2010-09-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, believe it! My granddaughter, Emma and The Red Star Twirlers went on tour in China and I got to go with them to Shanghia, Wuxi, Suzhou and Beijing!!! They performed four times and my favorite was at The Great Wall of China! We did so much in 9 days and The Red Star Twirlers (check out on Facebook) did an amazing job in 90-100 degree temps!!! Very appropriately the music,"We are the world, we are the children"....as many young Chinese children joined The Red Stars on stage at every event! Great cultural and good will exchange!!

Tulips In Custody and CT Sheep & Wool Festival

2010-04-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

These beautiful red tulips are in protective custody!! That is right. This is the first time Ray was able to plant a tulip garden that wouldn't be gobbled up by the deer!!! Brilliant!! Spring is here and so is the CT Sheep and Wool Festival to be held on Saturday, April 24th at the Tolland Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Avenue-Rte. 30 Vernon, CT (Just off I-84 exit 67). Hope to see you all there!!!

Some folk dye Easter Eggs; We dye yarn!!

2010-04-18T04:06:00.000-07:00

Spring is a wonderful time to light up your life with color! We saved the egg dyeing days for our grandchildren but I couldn't help but dye up some Spring colored yarns!!

Sugar on Snow-Maple Syrup Time!

2010-03-13T05:53:00.000-08:00

We have had a wonderful time this year making maple syrup. Friends and family came by to watch the sap evaporate into the liquid gold we call Maple Syrup! We will have some maple syrup available at CT Sheep and Wool Festival end of April! Great effort is made to boil 40 gallons of sap over several days to net one gallon of syrup! Nathan and Colby, our grandsons savored the Sugar on Snow that we made. A nice reward for them for helping carry sap and wood for the stove!!!

Valentine Wishes!!

2010-02-15T07:12:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was so beautiful! Hiked with good friends to Southford Falls! The sound of the brook and falls soothes the soul!!! Yummy pizza after didn't hurt either!! Thanks for a beautiful day!!!

Alpaca Cable Pillow Kit!

2010-02-15T07:04:00.001-08:00

What could be sweeter than fudge and Valentine's? A soft Alpaca Cable Pillow!! This is a great way to utilize a simple cable design with our hand spun alpaca. The pillow is 16X16 and is included in the kit with the hand spun yarn from Simple Gifts Farm and instructions. Treat yourself or gift this cozy pillow to someone special!! (You can double click on any of the photos to enlarge the view!)

It Really Is Simple Gifts Farm!!

2010-02-10T13:30:00.000-08:00

A snowy day is quiet on our farm! There is a fire in the hearth and beautiful views surrounding us! We are busy within our home but stop often to soak in the beauty of the snow! Enjoy your day!!!! Remember to make us a favorite....

Happily Spinning Through Winter!!!

2010-02-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

A little sleigh full of hand spun alpaca to fill kits or offer as skeins!! Lovely to work with alpaca from our flock of five!!! Heavenly!!!

Two Tone Alpaca Shawlette

2010-02-10T13:17:00.000-08:00

This shawlette spices up any outfit. Notice the button on the shoulder and the drop stitch design! Made this design for the holidays. You, too, can make your own hand knit accessory! This is so likable and looks good over most clothing! It is so versatile you can wear it anytime and probably can use through three seasons!!

Oatmeal Alpaca Tunic with Cowl Collar!

2010-02-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

Have received so many compliments on this comfy tunic. Designed for Medium or Large. Notice how softly the alpaca falls in folds from the bodice. You like? Kits for sale!!

Alpaca Tunic in Two Versions-Big Hit!!!

2010-02-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

My friend and I sent some beautiful alpaca to a fiber pool and had them spin up this DK weight alpaca which we have been playing with ever since! This is the brown jewel neck version that has been designed and made kit ready. The style compliments all shapes!!!

Solution to a bad hair day!!

2010-02-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

This alpaca hat is handmade from felted alpaca. Will be making just a few more for Sheep and Wool Festival in April. As you can see it not only keeps you warm but hides what may be a not so good a hair day underneath it!!

Happy Valentine's Day from Simple Gifts Farm

2010-02-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! Winter is upon us. Our farm animals actually enjoy the snow and cold temps. Here is a close-up of The Man! My wheel has been spinning lots of alpaca and by the looks of Man there will be more fiber to come this Spring!! Have been designing and knitting too! We will feature the following new designs at CT Sheep and Wool Festival. Of course, you can contact me if you want to start on one of these kits....

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

2009-11-30T12:21:00.000-08:00

Last week we took a wirebrush to these old sleds and then spray painted them to give them new life as Christmas decorations for our families in New Hampshire. This is decluttering and reinventing all in one! Have a very Merry Christmas from Simple Gifts Farm to you!!!

November Farm Day--Great Group!!!

2009-11-24T06:37:00.000-08:00

Well just couldn't pass up a few good weather days, so added two more farm days!!! Ray and I loved this day as these brave souls trooped around in mud to enjoy our flocks!!! We set up store in our Yarn Loft and we send a great big THANK YOU for supporting our small farm! Happy Thanksgiving!! We here at Simple Gifts Farm (sheep, alpaca, llama, pony, dog and Ray & Marti) have soooo much to be thankful for! Sharing our little farm is at the top of the list this fall!!

Thanks for a great fall on the farm!!!

2009-10-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

We have had a great month of October at Simple Gifts Farm. Thank you all for the support and interest you show on Farm Days! Going to hibernate for a few months and spin up some beautiful yarns!!!

2009-10-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

October Farm Dates!

2009-10-02T11:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 4th and Sunday, October 25th will be Open Farm Days weather permitting from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We will have spinning and needle felting demonstrations. Check out our beautiful hand spun and hand dyed yarns. We have patterns and knitting kits too! Holidays are just around the corner so plan your farm visit and pick up some yarn to make your gifts!

Sunday, October 25th, Ray will show and tell about our animals. Today the animals had their annual examinations by our large animal vet, Sarah. Sassie, our llama, was sheared! Wait until you see how pretty she looks! When our grandson Nathan was 7 years old he designed the needlefelted sheep you see in the picture. We have made up some kits and I will demo how to needlefelt from Nathan's design! Hope you can make one of the two dates we are open!!

Alpaca Days!!! Hobby Farm Days!!!

2009-09-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

We will be open weather permitting September 26th and September 27th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Gov. Jodi Rell has proclaimed Saturday, National Alpaca Day in Connecticut. Come and celebrate these wonderful animals with us!!! Stop by for a quick visit or bring some knitting and hang out. My Big Button Alpaca Shawl is made from our alpacas. The Alpaca Shawl Kit will be available for purchase along with a selection of yarns etc. Wanted you all to see the Big Button Alpaca Shawl and the Big Pumpkin we grew in the alpaca p--p pile!!! We only harvested the two pumpkins you see here but both are splendid!! Don't forget to check back for our October Farm Day dates. Be sure to visit your local small farm this fall (I have a list of farms open for you when you come by). Fall is in full swing here at Simple Gifts Farm!!!

Farm Days Are Here!

2009-09-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

Don't you love all these new natural fiber projects? Finished the woven ruana. Made some beautiful alpaca pillows. Spun up some two tone natural wool and knitted the vest for someone special in our family. Am now working on an off-white alpaca scarf/shawl with big buttons. Never run out of ideas for our beautiful fiber--- or stories about the animals--- or Ray! We hope to see you this September and October weather permitting! Check blog for upcoming dates!

Peach Harvest!

2009-09-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

Although we only have one peach tree, it is very good to us! Made (3) peach cobblers, (1) gallon of peach ice cream, (1) peach pie and (2) batches of peach jam! For awhile I was dreaming of peaches!! Small jars of peach jam and raspberry jam will be available at our farm days.

Our Beautiful Farm!

2009-07-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just could not resist showing you how beautiful it is here in summer! This is the photo I like to look at when the snow flies and remember.....

Thinking of you!

2009-07-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

So often you are in my thoughts as we bale hay, shear, spin, dye yarn and create new designs. Now with a little patience I am beginning to learn how to share these activites with you. This was an experiment overdyeing gray wool. It came out more colorful than I could imagine!

Shearing Time!

2009-07-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

Lin is being sheared. He is a heavy one. Ray sits him against his knee for leverage. His fiber is abundant for a babydoll southdown. This year I combined Lin with Tom (our black sheep with brown/grey fiber) as a swirl roving and am now spinning up the lovely multicolor yarn to show you in the future! (note in the cover photo Lin and Tom are in the background)

Updating farm news and projects!

2009-07-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

Sassie is our guard llama. We love her and dare anyone to mess with her along the fence line. She will have a nasty surprise in store for you. Did I say we love her? We do but we will wait to shear her when our vet can help us! (7/26/09)

Passions

2009-05-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

Passion lives in a pile of soft natural hand spun fiber! Like the birth of a baby! I am able to nurture growth, spin, knit and create designs to foster my spirit! The connection and completion of life slips thru my fingertips. Natural yarn never fails to tweak the imagination!!!

Updates

2009-05-05T22:03:00.001-07:00

Remember to save us as a favorite so you can drop in anytime. Some of us have been sheared and some of us are waiting our turn!! (not really)!

Educational day on the farm

2009-05-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

Showing the Drop Spindle at our Farm Days. I volunteer at and teach wool processing and spinning from sheep to shawl to 2nd and 5th graders. The old crafts help to ground us!

The "Man" our Huacaya alpaca

2009-05-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

This is Man! He is really a boy and our one and only puff ball!!! His fiber is soft and white and a joy to spin!

The Suri

2009-05-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

What can I say about Yanni? Curious and silly? Likes the camera! Really, Yanni is a suri alpaca. His coat is like dreamy silk!

The Babydoll Shrug

2009-05-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

This Shrug Kit made from our Olde English Babydoll Sheep was a big hit recently at Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival. Ray made the button. When worn you feel wrapped in love

Yarns to dye for!

2009-05-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

Marti's hand dyed and some hand spun yarns. See the stove? Ray installed his Mom's old coal/wood stove and we have been eating gourmet all winter and spring. My favorite meal was shrimp and pasta!

Bandit our beloved pony, the oldest and wisest....

2009-05-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

Bandit has been at Simple Gifts Farm the longest. He is the oldest and wisest animal here. If only he could talk! All of our grandchildren love this pony!!

Scooter is our new Border Collie.

2009-05-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

Scooter is our new Border Collie. He saved our hearts after we lost Simba a year ago to a heart murmur. How great the love we have in our hearts. Scooter is totally loved and adored!!!