More lambs, More Giveaways, Another Winner

The lambs are loving their new creep pen. I thought you might like to see them having fun in their new giant play pen, complete with toys. And food. In the background a lamb is entering through a slot the creep panel from the adjacent pen where we keep the mothers. I love watching them explore for the first time. At first they're hesitant and spooked by a new place. And then they let loose and start bouncing around. Party time.

The green ball is for the boys to practice head butting. Quite rammy for such a young age. See that ram lamb giving the ball the evil eye?

One curious observation, now that we've had our third set of Chai lambs. They are all born with brown noses and brown skin pigment under their white wool (except for the black ewe lamb, Euphemia). The Teaberry lambs have pink noses or sometimes pink with black freckles. The one below, right, is Franklin with the characteristic Chai face.

So far the brown wool coloration has eluded us but if you see a lamb with a brown nose, you'll know who the dad is. How funny that Stella's lambs born yesterday are both white yet she is black and Chai is a moorit. Color genetics are such a crapshoot.

Ursa still hasn't lambed but last evening her sister Star delivered a pair, one ewe, one ram. Once again,

1 black ewe + 1 moorit brown ram = 2 white lambs.

I loved reading your comments last week. Lambing season can feel isolating. Mike and I haven't been out in weeks (well, I guess that's not true if you count Easter brunch). But I do miss contact with the outside world. So thanks for stopping in and saying hello.

I also loved your ideas for last weeks big prize – 5 skeins of my hand-dyed Cormo Alpaca Lace yarn. I have my own winter share – still undecided about what to make, though Marnie MacLean's designs are speaking to me. I am also checking out some of your leads.

The lucky winner of last week's giveaway is Laura B! Congrats Laura – and I hope we get to see Damask by Alison Green Will when you finish it.

Time for a New Contest-Giveaway

Since lambing and spring is a time when nature re-creates itself, this week's giveaway celebrates creativity. In that spirit I'll be drawing names for 3 very special prizes:

Prize Numero Uno – An author signed copy of Amanda Blake Soule's latest book: HandMade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures (Trumpeter Books/ Shambhala Publications 2009). This is Amanda's second book full of inspiring ways to up-cycle found materials. Amanda's first: The Creative Family celebrates ways to bring craft and simple creative activities into the life of a young family. If you've never seen her blog, Soule Mama, go check it out. She's a great photographer and the shots of her kids and dogs are priceless.

Amanda is working on a third book for release in 2011. How a mother of 4 who home-schools, crafts, and blogs finds time and energy to crank out three books is one of the wonders of the universe.

Prize Numero Dos – 2 skeins of Cormo Alpaca Lace from my personal stash in a not-likely to be repeated hand painted colorway (since I was playing at the time and don't remember how I did this). I came across these beauties when I was re-arranging stash. One of my winter dye-day projects. I love these colors, a melding of smokey plums, violets and intense blues.

Prize Numero Tres – A set of little lamb notecards featuring the adorable lambs of my farm!

To enter for a chance to win one of this week's 3 prizes, leave a comment here on this post. Tell about your own creative endeavor either past or ongoing.

One entry per person please. I'll draw 3 names from the list of commenters to this post by midnight on Thursday, April 15. On Friday, April 16 I'll announce three lucky winners. Be sure to include your email address in the space where it asks for it on the post, so I can reach you.

Time for bite for breakfast then heading out to check on Star and her new lambs. I'm way behind in the naming department with three sets of twins to name. We're up to the letter "J". If you have suggestions, let me hear! (Remember our theme is fonts/typeface styles.)

Happy Friday.

(edited to fix link)