August at the Ranch

OGA Luxor

Now that August is at an end it is time to get ready for the fall alpaca season. I am busy making a few shawls and jackets. I am also spinning alpaca yarn for a custom order. The resulting sweater should be very pretty. I have so much to do and so little time!

Meanwhile the alpacas, chickens cats and dogs are all enjoying the nice Michigan summer weather.

Strato's Special D'Vincent

Getting out of the heat for a bit!

Roosters Showing Off

And finally the spoiled dogs are hangin out in the house:

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Enjoy the last days of summer - it will be winter again before we know it!

Facebook | Your Photos - Taj Mahal, Agra, India

None Of the photos that I took do the Taj Mahal justice. It must be seen in person to fully appreciate it.

Michael, Annelise & I. The temp was well over 100 degrees during our visit.

Mom, Dad & Annelise

To see the rest of our pictures visit my facebook album:

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New Yarn!

Now that I am home for at least a few days it is time to get working! I arrived home to two giant boxes of alpaca yarn that has been made for me at a great Michigan yarn mill called Stonehedge Fiber Mill. They have created beautiful sport and fingering weight 100% alpaca yarn in white, beige, fawn and black. I have ended up with a whopping 61 pounds of it! I am imaginging all of the great products that are going to be created in the very near future.

Imagine that each of these cones has about 2 pounds of yarn on it. It should keep me busy for quite a while.

In addition to finally having my own yarn processed I also had the opportunity to locate a source of silk yarn in Bangalore. Shortly before returning to the US I paid a visit to my 'silk man' and purchased a few goodies. The combination of soft alpaca and shiny silk is a great mix that I use often. My silk purchases will surely not go to waste! I am considering creating a few alpaca/silk weaving kits - If interested send me an email at mvwaling@gmail.com.

Beaded and sequined silk - I have a few ideas for this already. It won't sit in the studio for long!

A few of the colors I purchased. I was trying my best to find colors compatable with my natural colored alpaca.

A shot of all my new silk

This is a multi color single. I'll find some use for it eventually!

Facebook | Your Photos - Mehndi

On our last night in Bangalore Mungala came over and put henna on our hands. She then helped us dress in our saris and fixed our hair in Indian style. We had a mother/daughter portrait taken at the photo studio. I didn't get pictures of us when we were all dressed up so I will have to wait until my mother brings the pictures to me August 1st!

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Facebook | Your Photos - Jaipur

After visiting Delhi we took the train to Jaipur. I really liked this city. There were amazing sights to see, great shopping, elephant rides and camels!
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Facebook | Your Photos - Delhi

Our stay in Delhi. I was ill and it was 115 degrees outside so the photos aren't the greatest. I took many shots of the countryside and people from the train that goes fron Delhi to Jaipur.

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Facebook | Your Photos - Ganga's village

A couple of Sunday's ago we were invited to lunch at our driver, Ganga's, village. We all had a great time!

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