I'M OBSESSED! CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF NATURAL DYES

Potassium Aluminum Sulfate - Cream of Tartar - Madder Root

So, I've been playing around with natural dyes for a while now, mostly just for fun little projects like Easter eggs or small pieces of fabric. But, I'm a spinner and knitter, and it finally dawned on me that I should try dyeing my own wool yarn. I started with a small 50g skein and some madder root, and wow, I'm totally hooked! The color was absolutely stunning, and since I have a ton of wool from years of going to the Shepherd's Harvest Festival, I'm diving headfirst into this new adventure. My plan is to spend the next few months learning everything I possibly can about nature dyes, experimenting with all sorts of plants from nature. Once I've got a few go-to recipes, I want to offer classes for homeschooled kids. When my youngest was homeschooled, I was so thankful for the moms who shared their creative talents with us, and now I want to pay it forward. If you have any favorite natural dyes you love to use, please share them with me! I'm always looking for new ideas and inspiration. 

Mordanting Wool Yarn

Creating Dye Bath

Dyeing Yarn

Finished Product!

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FROM CHICKENS TO ALPACAS: EXPLORING THE DELIGHT OF SPENDING A DAY WITH FARM ANIMALS

Nestled in the picturesque landscape in a rural part of Prior Lake, MN, is Whispering Oaks Alpacas where they offer a delightful escape into the world of hobby farming. This charming farm invites visitors to engage with a variety of friendly farm animals, from curious goats to soft, fluffy alpacas. One of the most unique experiences is taking an alpaca for a walk - a joyful activity that brings both laughter and a sense of connection to the animal. The alpacas, with their gentle demeanor, often have minds of their own, and I found it a bit hilarious to negotiate walking terms with my fleecy companion. Initially, he was set on stopping every few steps to munch on the grass; however, after a little persuasion, we struck a deal that kept both of us happy as we strolled along the trail, I'd stop every 10-15 feet to allow him to eat only if he kept the pace and not stop every foot to eat grass. 😂  That agreement worked out well and kept us moving along.

In addition to the interactive experiences on the farm, Whispering Oaks boasts a quaint little shop located inside the owner's home, filled with goodies crafted from alpaca fleece. From warm hats to soft mittens, each item reflects the quality and comfort of this unique fiber. Visiting the shop felt like unearthing hidden treasures, and I couldn't resist the charm of these handmade products so I bought my daughter a Christmas gift. As I wandered around I also spotted the enchanting little goats for sale, whose playful antics warmed my heart instantly. Mojo was my favorite. His adorable face and lively energy reminded me of how much I wished I'd been a hobby farmer. 

Growing up I had often fantasized about becoming a sheep farmer, inspired by episodes of Little House on the Prairie. The dream of harvesting wool and spinning it into clothing painted a vivid picture of a life intertwined with animals. Although that dream remains unfulfilled, my visit to Whispering Oaks Alpacas reignited that childhood passion. It serves as a reminder of the simple joys that farm animals provide. Whether you seek a peaceful retreat or a fun outing with a stubborn alpaca, Whispering Oaks Alpacas caters to both. It's a beautiful place to appreciate the connections we share with these wonderful creatures and to create cherished memories, even if it's just for a couple hours on a lovely Minnesota day. 

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TRANSFORMING OUR GARDEN INTO A PARTY PARADISE

After years of thinking about it, my daughter and I finally transformed our forested backyard into a space for a potluck garden party. With lush native plants and winding trails, our yard had always been enchanting, but the abundant pollinators, stinging insects, and overall natural chaos made hosting a gathering seem too complicated. For some time we wondered how we could invite friends into our wild sanctuary without the interference of biting bugs or the need to keep a watchful eye on our food. This year, however, brought a unique turning point. The ongoing drought meant that our usual influx of wasps was absent, with the blooming schedule of the Joe Pye weed and goldenrod slightly delayed. This unexpected change presented us with the perfect opportunity to carve out a little party nook.

With determination and a bit of elbow grease, we cleared a spot by removing some overgrown mint and chives, relocating them to a sunnier area. Soon, our makeshift tables were nestled among the vibrant foliage, and the excitement of finally hosting was palpable. When the day arrived, the atmosphere was nothing short of delightful. To our surprise and joy, not a single mosquito dared to join the festivities, and only a few curious insects made a fleeting appearance to inspect our delicious spread. It was a perfect blend of nature and friendship, a testament to how even the wildest spaces can be transformed into inviting settings.

The highlight of our gathering was undoubtedly the crafting, as we shared laughter and creativity under the open sky. Surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors, we felt a deep gratitude for the wonderful friends who joined us, each contributing their unique touch to our creative projects. In that moment, amidst the vibrant plants and gentle breezes, we celebrated not just our shared friendship, but also the joy of creating and enjoying life in harmony with nature. Our potluck garden party was a beautiful reminder that with a bit of flexibility and a love for the outdoors, even the most intricate plans can come together seamlessly. 

Painting by Maya Valadez

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CANDLE MAKING FUN, THANKS TO MY DAUGHTER

 I've wanted this candle making kit from Bramble Berry since last Christmas. I was happily surprised when my daughter gifted it to me this year. I enjoy making candles and this kit takes all the work out finding the right wick to go with the wax and size of container. They came out beautiful!

The best part is the fragrance and eco glitter. The fragrance is heavenly and the glitter adds that bit of sparkle that every candle needs. Now I need to stock up on everything in this kit to keep making these. I'm sure that's the point of the kits, right?! They want you to love it so you keep buying more. 😂 Nice work Bramble Berry, nice work! 

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WHEN CHRISTMAS SNEAKS UP ON YOU

 Oh my gosh! This is the first year that Christmas has snuck up on me. I'm usually done shopping for prezzies by the last week of November and at this time I'm watching Christmas movies by the fire and nibbling on the cookies I baked, but I'm sooooo behind. I thought I had at least a week and half beforeChristmas but realized over this past weekend how wrong I was. I finally finished making my Christmas cards so hopefully they make it to everyone on time. I'm relieved I got the cards done because it's the one of the things I really enjoy doing making this time of year and I think people really love receiving them.

I'll start my shopping tomorrow.  

P.S.

I did manage to decorate for Christmas the first week of November though so I'm not a total failure this year. 😀

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I'M FINALLY GOING TO LEARN HOW TO SPIN ON A WHEEL!

I am so excited to finally have my own spinning wheel. My friend Susan gifted me this Ashford Traditional spinning wheel a couple days ago. It just needs a few minor repairs and then I can begin spinning. I've been spinning wool for several years on a top whorl drop spindle but it has always been my goal to learn the wheel. Wheels are quite spendy and they look kind of complicated so I've never purchased one. Now I have my own and can't wait to make the repairs and get spinning. 

Today I'll be ordering the pieces I need to get it up and running and I'll make sure to share my progress.

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ETSY... DANGEROUS PLACE TO VISIT

I need to stay away from Etsy.  Just a few seconds on there and the next thing I know I have a dozen new knitting patterns, a few sewing patterns, some incense, a new shirt... Oh my.  I am NEVER going on there again.

But, in the meantime I bought and made THIS cute little penguin rice heating pad pattern.  It is super easy and the instructions are very clear.  I'm just not great at sewing so I'll need to make a few more to perfect it.  I came close though, right? 

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THE NON SEWERS GUIDE TO MAKING A DOGGIE BELLY BAND

I like to pretend I know how to sew but truth is I'm really no good at it.  I wish I could make fancy clothing or a nice set of drapes but my skill level only allows for sloppy doggie wraps and maybe a tiny hand bag that small children will like.
Doing this post for my friend Julie, my sewing "lingo" is my own, I have no idea what the proper verbiage is for those that actually know how to sew.


The best type of fabric for the belly band is a thin fleece because it is soft against your dogs skin.

Cut two pieces of the same size fabric.  The size will depend on your dog.  I cut two pieces that measure 17" long and 6" wide (remembering the seam allowance of 1/4").

Then I line the two pieces of fabric up together (right side in)

Next, I sew three sides of the rectangle (1/4" seam allowance) leaving one 6" end open to flip right side out later.

After you flip the sewn piece right sides out then you'll bend in the edge of the open pieces of fabric and sew closed.

Then when you are done with that you can apply velcro to each end of your belly band.  I use velcro with adhesive and although the package says it does not need to be sewn on I have found that to be NOT TRUE.  If I don't sew the velcro in place it comes off in the wash so definitely sew it on.  

I sew one line on each side down the full length of the belly band so it goes over the ends of the velcros and then I sew across the width of the fabric through the velcro also so it remains firmly in place.

This is what it looks like when all finished.

P.S. Don't forget the pantie liner that goes inside the belly band to absorb urine.

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CHRISTMAS TREE CANDLES

It's always fun to see what people do with their Christmas trees after the holidays.  If you ever go on Pinterest you'll find some really cool ideas or just surfing the web you'll find some interesting ways of making your tree last.  This is one thing we've done with ours.

Step One: Cutting the tree trunk

Step Two: Decide where to drill cavity for candle.

Step Three: drill candle cavity

Step Four: drop in candle and you now have a rustic, natural candle holder and it took less then 15 minutes :-)

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DIY VANILLA EXTRACT

My daughter and I made some vanilla extract again this year.  We'll be giving these bottles away at Christmas time. 

Last time I made vanilla extract I purchased beans from Beanilla, I really wanted the Mexican vanilla beans at the time but they were all sold out so I bought the Madagascar beans instead.  I found that I really loved the way the vanilla turned out so I ordered the same this year.

I learned I could make my own vanilla from someone on Twitter.  Prior to that I would always buy the McCormick brand from the grocery store.  What I don't like about the cheap commercial vanilla extract is the ingredients tend to be vanilla bean extractives, alcohol, water, and corn syrup.  Why eat corn syrup when you don't have to?

So...I figured if I didn't know I could make my own then maybe others didn't know either, so here is a little tutorial.

What you need: vodka (40%), 4 oz. bottles (mine are from Specialty Bottle), and vanilla beans (mine are from Beanilla).  Beanilla also has instructions on making vanilla extract 

Once you've opened your vanilla beans cut them in half.

Then slice each one down the middle (do not cut all the way through, just slice the first layer)

Open the bean (the inside is where the good stuff is).

Put 5 of the cut beans into each jar.  I had a package of 10 vanilla beans so I ended up with 20 pieces after I cut them in half so I made 4 jars of vanilla extract)

Fill each jar with vodka, make sure you cover the beans.

When you are done filling the jars, cap and label them.  Put them in a dark cool place to sit for 6 weeks.

Here are the labels I made for my vanilla extract.  If you want to use them just CLICK HERE, print on sticker paper and cut out.

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PROCESSING WOOL: PART 2

I finally moved on to washing the raw wool. The first bag was pretty clean. I wish I knew who I bought that particular bag from because that person takes immaculate care of their sheep. The second bag was pretty awful in terms of lanolin - maybe it has to do with the type of sheep??? I have no idea.

So... part one: pick through raw wool to get rid of particles like hay or poop. Part two: wash wool. 

I thought I ruined my first bag of wool because it looked felted when I removed it from the wash basin but once it dried it was absolutely fine. A few felted spots but not too bad.  The second bag I didn't poke at as much so it didn't felt at all but I have to admit that I really don't like the color. I wanted wool I could dye and the second batch doesn't seem suitable for that.

First bag of wool washed

I used a mesh bag to put the wool in. I learned quickly that I put too much wool into the mesh bag, should have just used a few ounces or else a larger bag. 

I filled the basin with water at a temp of 130 F and added the fleece scour solution.  Lastly I added my little bag of wool and watched as the water turned fro clear to a yucky yellow. The whole house smelled like sheep butt thanks to the steam coming off the water. That's ok though because I love sheep butt :-)

I turned the bag a couple times in the 30 minute soak and then transferred the wool to another basin full of clean water and fleece scour and turned once in 15 minutes. To finish I put the wool in a clean rinse basin and pushed it around a few times until I felt the wool was free of the fleece scour solution.

When done I just let the bag sit in the sink and drain out, when it drained as best as it could I dumped the wool onto a towel and let it sit until it was no longer wet. Once dry I pulled it apart. Now, I have no idea if pulling it apart will make it difficult to card since I am new to all of this but I'll soon find out.

Carding will be part three :)

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I DID IT! I MADE MAPLE SYRUP!

After 30+ years thinking about it, I finally made some maple syrup. Don't laugh but here it is. This came from a silver maple tree in the city so we get the added taste of pollution too. Haha!

I boiled down nearly 2 gallons of silver maple sap and what you see above is what I ended up with (there would have been a little more but I ruined the 2nd half I boiled by getting distracted on the telephone - note to self: don't answer phone when boiling sap). 

My husband drilling a hole for the spile.  If you look closely you can see the clear sap rushing out of the spile as soon as we put it into the hole that was drilled.

I don't really care about the quantity this time around I'm just excited that I was finally able to do it. The syrup came from a single tap of my sisters silver maple so if I were to tap that thing several times I'd probably have had a whole bottle. This year was just a little experiment to see how the whole process went, next year I'll be on the hunt for sugar maples and I'll extract much more.

It took one week to get the bag as full as you see it in the picture. It would run ok for a few hours in the day (mostly dripping) but it was just too cold of an early spring to really get going. On the right I'm boiling it down. Next year I'll do it outside.

Since I only had about 2 gallons to work with I boiled the sap inside the house on my electric stove. It took a couple hours but it was fun. Aiyana was the first to sample the end result and her response was "it needs more sugar." My husband was the second person to sample and all he said is "it sure tastes different than the high fructose corn syrup version." 😂

This is my disaster. I'm starting to think disasters are a common theme of my blog. LOL! Of my life. LOL! With every new adventure I start off with a disaster. I thought today was going to be perfect, I should have known it was too good to be true. Second batch of syrup smelled good but turned out yuck and I wasn't sure how to keep going with it to turn it into maple sugar. For the record, I've learned to love disasters... it helps me learn quickly what not to do next time 😉

I'll be eating it (not the burnt stuff) over french toast this weekend.
Happy Friday Everyone!

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