Farming and Felting

This past weekend was National Alpaca Farm Days and CT DOAG's "Tour de Farms" (too bad it rained!). One of the participating farms is just a half mile or so from my parents' house, so Mom and I took the boys on Saturday.

They got to meet sheep, alpaca, a llama and a goat and the woman who raises them. They asked a lot of GREAT questions! they asked about what they ate, where they slept, how they were sheared and did it hurt (it doesnt - they look forward to it. wool gets hot in the spring!). Perhaps the best question was from Ryan. He asked her why there were thermometers all over the barn. I didnt even notice them! She explained where the animals come from (mountains!) and that their coats keep them very warm - especialy in the summer - so she has to make sure that the animals are cool enough and if it gets too warm, she gives them baths - even 2 or 3 a day. ALso, in the winter, she needs to make sure they are warm too.

Since I was chasing an over-stimulated toddler, I didn't get any pictures..

I picked up a needle felting kit for the boys and I to do together. They picked out a ghost kit. I made one to figure out how it worked then showed them.

That is Ryan felting his ghost. Mine is the one on the left in the last picture. Andy's is on the right.

They had SUCH a blast that I may have to get more roving and let them make some Christmas ornaments for gifts. I can show them how to thread a needle and sew on a hanging loop - maybe even some beads! (ooh and they can caount that towrd their Cub Scout Electives!)

SAFETY NOTE: This is a really fun activity, BUT it is for older, school-aged, kids with a LOT of supervision! The felting needle is sharp and it is barbed. Proceede with EXTREME caution!

Camp from a kids perspective (cross post)

I gave Andy and Ryan each a disposable camera (yeah.. the kind with film. now you know why this post took so long!)


The highlights from Andy's perspective (I'll spare you t he dining hall, the rock and the puddle!)

our Cabin:



at the beach:




From Ryan's Perspective:
self portraint:


Andy from the treetops:


Look closely, there are people swining on ropes in those trees!


I took these of the boys on the low ropes course.






What did I do at Camp? Well, I found a few minutes to knit here and there and started some longies for Colin. I'm calling them the "HiRock Longies" (Ravelink here ) because the colors reminded me of the trees. see (wooden tree painted by Ryan at Arts & Crafts):

Back to School!

It's that time again! I'll be keeping posted with any cool craft ideas we come up with - think holiday gifts! and keep an eye on the sidebar - some great ideas in those blogs!