Colorful, Artsy Afternoon

Steel reproduction of a wooden sculpture by Marvin Finn in Louisville, KY

I know I said I'd be posting more fibery stuff, but the other day was just too fun not to mention and archive here! My husband needed to go to Louisville, and I was glad to go along since our friend Marti was going to be there. (More on that....)

I had just read about an art garden along the Ohio River waterfront that featured reproductions in steel of a favorite Kentucky folk artist's work, so we went to check that out first. My husband and I had the opportunity to visit Marvin Finn in his apartment many years ago, and I was really pleased to see the recognition that the city of Louisville has given his legacy.

Then we walked to the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft to see Marti and her art car on display. Not JUST Marti and the car, but also her rather-famous miniature horse, Iota McHippus (Io for short, and yes he has his very own popular facebook page) that rides along in his own colorfully-painted mini horse trailer!

Io's trailer, sorry I forgot to photograph the Happy Art Car!

Marti loves to spread joy with Io and his colorful personality as a catalyst, and as you can see everyone loved them both!

We had fun looking at the other art cars, and went through the awesome exhibit at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft.

Gourd art by internationally-renowned Frankfort artist, Jennifer Zing

Before we headed off to her favorite Peruvian restaurant, our daughter had her face painted. It was such a fun and lively afternoon!

Pin It Now!

Alpaca Farm Days at Seldom Scene Farm

We were looking forward to going to Shaker Village for Alpaca Farm Days again, but alas the weather has been wet and mucky-ducky so we're going to stay right HERE.

Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27th- 12-3, come to our New Barn at Seldom Scene Farm!

Come see the newest cria (above), with more possible by then (we think we've got rare TWINS due!) Enjoy interacting with the alpacas, learning about them, shop for beautiful fiber products (handmade scarves, hats, shawls, yarn, fiber, teddy bears, etc.)

At 2:00 PM each day, I'll give a short demonstration of felting.

For more information or directions, call 859-428-8883. Check out our farm blog at http://www.seldomscenefarm.blogspot.com/. Hope to see you Saturday or Sunday!

Pin It Now!

Fall.... Festivals and FIBER!

Hand-dyed and homegrown alpaca yarn

Yesterday I started a day of working in my fiber studio early, having anticipated some quiet time in which I hoped to get a lot of felting and dyeing done (and I did!). I've got a few days to catch my breath during the week now, with the kids well back into the school groove, but weekends will be nuts for a while.

Hand-dyed and hand-felted silk and alpaca shawl

This coming weekend is the Midway Fall Festival and I always like to have a lot of handmade inventory ready. I'll have alpacas there, along with yarn and fiber, felted hats, woolly soaps, cat toys, nuno felt scarves and shawls, socks, purses, sweaters, blankets, etc. Please introduce yourself if we haven't yet met! In addition, next weekend (the 25th and 26th), Seldom Scene Farm will be at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill for Alpaca Farm Days. We'll be set up with about 15 other Kentucky alpaca breeders to celebrate Alpaca Harvest Weekend and National Alpaca Farm Days at Shaker Village. This is a beautiful setting and always a lot of fun, and I'll have lots of products and alpacas there as well.
Hand-dyed and hand-felted alpaca and silk scarf

As you can see, my colorways have a decidedly fall theme. I love fall for many of the reasons that my friend Dianne does! Hopefully there'll be a bit of crispiness in the air this weekend to get everyone in the fall spirit!

Pin It Now!

Kentucky yarn and wine, a great combination!

The delivery I was expecting yesterday arrived, a Wine Club shipment from central Kentucky's Talon Winery and exquisite alpaca yarn from... Seldom Scene Farm! I won't elaborate, as I have decided to branch out with another blog more focused on alpacas and the farm (though I'll still mention them here from time to time, since they're such a big part of my loco life!) Be sure to check it out! Pin It Now!

Alpaca Farm Days

This week I've been getting ready for Alpaca Farm Days, including Kentucky Alpaca Farm Day at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill on Saturday from 10-5 and an Open House here at Seldom Scene Farm on Sunday from 12-4.

Saturday's activities at Shaker Village include animals and products for sale and display from about 20 alpaca farms, an Alpaca Fiber Arts Show, demonstrations and free seminars, and Alpaca Games. It's also Apple Harvest Weekend and the weather is supposed to be perfect, so come on out!

Sunday we are having an informal Open House, a great time to tour the farm and see our new crias. Last year, Maisy delivered her cria just as the first guest arrived, and guess what? She's about 4 days overdue right now and just may make a similar presentation this year!

We'll have light refreshments (cookies, apples, and cider) both days. I'm making several batches of the famous Wicked Good Ginger Snaps, a recipe given to me years ago from Carol Cassedy of Whitestone Organic Farm. (My Mom and I always called her Superwoman, as she homeschooled about 5 kids, gardened, quilted, baked, ran a mostly-sustainable farm, gave lectures, etc. and seemingly did it all really well!)

These cookies seem to taste extra good this time of year, and I used Woodford Gold Sorghum that I bought last weekend at the Midway Festival, making them even more tasty. I hope you like them as much as I do!

Wicked Good Ginger Snaps

1 1/2 cups shortening

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup sorghum (I've used molasses as well)

4 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons ground ginger

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons cloves

Additional sugar and cinnamon

Cream shortening: gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs and sorghum. Beat well.

Combine flour, soda, salt and spices in medium mixing bowl, mixing well. Add to creamed mixture, mixing well.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls, and roll in additional sugar and cinnamon. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 9 minutes. Cool on cookie sheets for 1-2 minutes, remove to wire cooling racks using a spatula and cool completely. Yield: approximately 7 dozen.

Pin It Now!