Choose from the Extreme Alpaca socks and the Terry Slipper Alpaca socks. Both pairs are made in the USA from North American alpaca fiber. Hip Hip Hooray for North American alpaca fiber! These socks are unbelievably soft and warm. Wear these thick, terry knit socks indoors as slippers. Wear them outside for hiking, hunting, wading, or working. They will keep your feet dryer and warmer, extending your enjoyment of outdoor Winter activities.

For years the Extreme alpaca socks have been our #1 best-selling alpaca product. We’re thrilled to now be adding the Terry Slipper socks to our farm store. Both versions make excellent Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. The Extreme Alpaca Socks retail for $24.00, and the Terry Slipper Socks retail for $19.00. The main difference is that the Slipper sock ends just over the ankle for indoor wear. If you’d like to order some, just contact Katy at katy@alpacafarmgirl.com.

Win a Pair of Alpaca Socks!

There are a total of 4 Ways to Enter to win, and everyone is eligible. You can enter as many ways as you like. Each method of entry = 1 entry into the contest. Here’s how:

1. Leave me a comment and tell me which pair of socks you would choose and if you would keep them for yourselves or give them away as a gift.

2. Subscribe to our RSS feed so you can keep up with what’s new on Alpaca Farmgirl. To do so, click the pink button on the homepage to subscribe to Alpaca Farmgirl. This means that you can receive updates from my blog each time I write a new post. You can choose to read them in a reader such as Google, or have them sent to your email account. Once you’ve subscribed to our RSS feed, leave a comment and tell me that you’ve subscribed.

3. Leave a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway. You can write whatever you like as long as you link to this post. Leave a comment that you tweeted with a direct link to your tweet.

4. Write a post on your blog about this Giveaway. You can write whatever you want, just link back to this post. Leave a comment that you did this with a direct link to your post.

* It is important that you leave a separate comment for each method of entry.* Winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends on December 19th at midnight CST.

Each day from December 1-7, I will be announcing new Giveaways. View a list of all the giveaways so far. Happy Holidays!

December 6th, 2008 | Tags: alpaca, alpaca socks, Extreme Alpaca sock, gift, made in USA, North American alpaca fiber, soft and warm, terry slipper sock | Category: Alpacas, Giveaways | Comments (101)

The Toothamatic

Did you know that alpacas’ teeth grow? Eating wears them down but sometimes the teeth grow too long on our soft pastures (rather than the rocky terrain of the Andes in South America). Occasionally we need to trim their teeth. Sounds scary, right?

That’s where the Toothamatic comes in. It’s a tooth trimmer. One that saves Alpaca Breeders lots of time and money, and makes teeth trimming much easier on the alpacas. Designed by an alpaca breeder, this tool can be used with lamas too.

• It’s lightweigth (4.8 lbs.)
• Easy and Fast to use (2-4 seconds). This eliminates the risk of overheating the tooth which occurs when using a dremmel tool.
• Reduces stress on the alpaca and the human.
• Offers the “option” to adjust the length of the teeth.
• Saves serious $$$ over veterinary teeth trimming.
  

  Before. Older alpacas sometimes need a trim.

  

  Dental work - over in seconds

After. I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Demille.

Here’s what trimming teeth is like with the Toothamatic: It’s a Thursday afternoon, I am running around doing lots of errands, tight schedule, deadlines everywhere, the whole nine. On my To-Do list is trimming teeth on 3 alpacas. I drive up to the barn only 15 minutes before I have to go pick up my dumplings at school. I hop out and run to the barn. It’s pouring rain. I run into the office and ask Jeremy (my farm manager), “Can we do teeth now?”

“Sure,” he says. Phone rings. Its my hubby, the Artist, who asks what I’m doing. When I tell him, he complains, “You’re not gonna smell like teeth on our date tonight are you?”

“Of course not,” I assure him. Jeremy assures me that any teeth aroma will evaporate quickly. It does smell bad and we are supposed to wear masks because tooth dust is carcinogenic. Did you know that? Yeah, but I don’t worry much about it. I’m such a rebel you know.

In less than 10 minutes, we had trimmed teeth on 3 alpacas without any blood, sweat, or tears. Soon I was off to pick up the kids, take them to their lessons, pick up the babysitter, etc. …And in case you were wondering… perhaps it was because I had distracted surprised the Artist with NBA tickets, but I never did get any complaints that night that I smelled of teeth.  (Thanks Toothamatic! *wink*)

Win Your Very Own Toothamatic!

I believe firmly that every alpaca/lama farm should have one of these. They retail for $195. It will pay for itself after 2 or 3 uses. If you don’t win, contact Don Marquette at The AlpacaRosa to buy one. Tell him that you saw the Toothamatic at Alpaca Farmgirl AND buy one by 12/31/08 he will give you 10% OFF! You will be so glad you did. There are a total of 4 Ways to Enter to win, and everyone is eligible. You can enter as many ways as you like. Each method of entry = 1 entry into the contest. Here’s how:

1. Visit our Alpaca Herdsires list and then leave a comment answering this question: If you had got to breed one of your females to one of our herdsires, which one would you choose?

2. Subscribe to our RSS feed so you can keep up with what’s new on Alpaca Farmgirl. To do so, click the pink button on the homepage to subscribe to Alpaca Farmgirl. This means that you can receive updates from my blog each time I write a new post. You can choose to read them in a reader such as Google, or have them sent to your email account. Once you’ve subscribed to our RSS feed, leave a comment and tell me that you’ve subscribed. (If you are already a subscriber just put that in your comment. Thanks!) Consider subscribing to the Alpaca Farm Business feed as well. That feed is different, and subscribing to either one will get you an entry.

3. Follow me on Twitter and leave a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway. You can write whatever you like as long as you link to this post. Leave a comment that you tweeted with a direct link to your tweet.

4. Write a post on your blog about this Giveaway. You can write whatever you want, just link back to this post. Leave a comment that you did this with a direct link to your post. If you don’t have a blog, email at least 3 people to tell them about this Giveaway. Leave me a comment that you did this.

* It is important that you leave a separate comment for each method of entry.* Winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends on December 18th at midnight CST.

Each day from December 1-7, I will be announcing 2 Giveaways per day. One prize will be unveiled in the morning and one in the afternoon. View a list of all the giveaways so far. Happy Holidays!

December 5th, 2008 | Tags: alpaca, Alpaca Breeders, alpaca teeth, alpaca teeth trimmer, Alpacas, Andes, dremmel tool, lamas, rocky terrain, South America, teeth, teeth grow, teeth trimming, tool, Toothamatic, veterinary | Category: Alpacas, Giveaways, Husbandry, The Alpaca Lifestyle | Comments (28)

Hooray! We are unveiled our new alpaca scarves at our Holiday Open House.  YOU got a sneak peek. It’s an alpaca scarf that not only looks like an alpaca, but is also made from alpaca yarn. They come in Brown, Grey, and White. And in case you are a knitter, we have kits for sale too! The scarf is 95% alpaca, the remaining portion is wool & nylon. It’s even softer and warmer than it looks! It is available for sale at $68. The kits are $46. These scarves and kits can now be purchased at our Etsy store!

Win an Alpaca Scarf (or Kit)!

There are a total of 4 Ways to Enter to win, and everyone is eligible. You can enter as many ways as you like. Each method of entry = 1 entry into the contest. Here’s how:

1. Visit our Alpaca Sales list and then leave a comment answering this question: If you had got to have one of these pacas in your backyard, which one would you choose? (Disclaimer: You actually cannot have only one alpaca. They are neurotically extremely herd oriented and must be kept with at least one other alpaca. This is just pretend. For kicks.)

2. Subscribe to our RSS feed so you can keep up with what’s new on Alpaca Farmgirl. To do so, click the pink button on the homepage to subscribe to Alpaca Farmgirl. This means that you can receive updates from my blog each time I write a new post. You can choose to read them in a reader such as Google, or have them sent to your email account. Once you’ve subscribed to our RSS feed, leave a comment and tell me that you’ve subscribed. (If you are already a subscriber just put that in your comment. Thanks!)

3. Follow me on Twitter and leave a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway. You can write whatever you like as long as you link to this post. Leave a comment that you tweeted with a direct link to your tweet.

4. Write a post on your blog about this Giveaway. You can write whatever you want, just link back to this post. Leave a comment that you did this with a direct link to your post.

* It is important that you leave a separate comment for each method of entry.* Winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends on December 17th at midnight CST.

Each day from December 1-6, I will be announcing 2 Giveaways per day. One prize will be unveiled in the morning and one in the afternoon. View a list of all the giveaways so far. Happy Holidays!

December 3rd, 2008 | Tags: 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways, alpaca, alpaca scarf, Giveaway, kit, knit, knitter, knitting, yarn | Category: Alpacas, Fiber Arts, Giveaways, Quotes | Comments (92)

Williams-Sonoma is fabulous! I am a huge fan of this store. Their chocolate croissants are divine. We have them for breakfast every Christmas morning. And Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day (brought to me in bed of course). Sometimes the kids will request them for their Birthday breakfast as well. They are a big hit! In fact, we gave some away here on the blog in September.

Recently, we purchased their potato ricer and the Calphalon Contemporary Multi Pot to make mashed potatoes. We loved them both. The ricer is large, but I found it very manageable and the potatoes came out so smooth with a velvet texture. Delicious! And the Multi Pot can be used to make pasta and other things. This is a great addition to our kitchen. I would eat pasta every day if the rest of my posse would let me.

Williams-Sonoma has great things for cooking with your children during the holidays. I especially loved Stained-Glass Holiday Cookie Cutters. You can pick up great stocking stuffers there, and don’t miss the Winter Forest hand and dish soap from their Pure & Green Collection. Perfect for this time of year. Their on-line store is easy to shop. Visit Williams-Sonoma and tell me, what would you buy with your $50 gift card?

Win a $50 Williams-Sonoma Gift Card!

There are a total of 4 Ways to Enter to win, and everyone is eligible. You can enter as many ways as you like. Each method of entry = 1 entry into the contest. Here’s how:

1. Visit Williams-Sonoma and leave a comment telling me what you think looks good OR if you can recommend a product from Williams-Sonoma, please tell me about it!

2. Subscribe to our RSS feed so you can keep up with what’s new on Alpaca Farmgirl. To do so, click the pink button on the homepage to subscribe to Alpaca Farmgirl. This means that you can receive updates from my blog each time I write a new post. You can choose to read them in a reader such as Google, or have them sent to your email account. Once you’ve subscribed to our RSS feed, leave a comment and tell me that you’ve subscribed. (If you are already a subscriber just put that in your comment. Thanks!)

3. Leave a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway. You can write whatever you like as long as you link to this post. Leave a comment that you tweeted with a direct link to your tweet.

4. Write a post on your blog about this Giveaway. You can write whatever you want, just link back to this post. Leave a comment that you did this with a direct link to your post.

* It is important that you leave a separate comment for each method of entry.* Winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends on December 16th at midnight CST.

Each day from December 1-6, I will be announcing 2 Giveaways per day. One prize will be unveiled in the morning and one in the afternoon. View a list of all the giveaways so far. Happy Holidays!

December 3rd, 2008 | Tags: Birthday, breakfast, Calphalon, chocolate croissants, Christmas, Comment, Contempory Multi Pot, gift card, Giveaway, mashed potatoes, Mother's Day, on-line store, peppermint bark, posse, Potato Ricer, Pure & Green, shop, Stained-Glass holiday cookie cutters, Subscribed, Twitter, Valentine's Day, Williams-Sonoma, Winter Forest | Category: Giveaways, Tending the Hearth | Comments (149)

The Alpaca Bean Coffee Shop is a “mom and pop” shop owned and operated by alpaca breeders, George and Judy Dick in Georgia. They were kind enough to donate this delectable gift basket so that we may thank you, our readers, for visiting our blog. The Alpaca Bean’s Coffee is freshly roasted “on the farm”.  They are an excellent provider of premium, affordable coffee.  They only ship coffee that has been freshly roasted.

George and Judy are so dedicated to their alpacas that they donate 20% of the net profit from their coffee sales to alpaca research. Visit their website and send a gift basket to a loved one this holiday season. Just contact them at bestcoffee@thealpacabean.biz and they will put one together for you!

This gift basket, pictured above, ($40 value) includes:

• 3 – 8oz. Bags of Coffee
• 2 – Bags of Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans
• 1 -  Bag Mixed Nuts
• 2 – Biscotti
• 1 – Bag Pistachios
• 1 – Bag Berry Medley Mix
• 1 – Bag Assorted Teas

Win this Alpaca Bean Coffee Gift Basket!

There are a total of 4 Ways to Enter to win, and everyone is eligible. You can enter as many ways as you like. Each method of entry = 1 entry into the contest. Here’s how:

1. Visit The Alpaca Bean Coffee Shop and tell me which coffee you think you’d like best. Or if you aren’t a coffee drinker, visit them anyway and tell me what you drink in the morning when everyone else is drinking coffee.

2. Subscribe to our RSS feed so you can keep up with what’s new on Alpaca Farmgirl. To do so, click the pink button on the homepage to subscribe to Alpaca Farmgirl. This means that you can receive updates from my blog each time I write a new post. You can choose to read them in a reader such as Google, or have them sent to your email account. Once you’ve subscribed to our RSS feed, leave a comment and tell me that you’ve subscribed.

3. Leave a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway. You can write whatever you like as long as you link to this post. Leave a comment that you tweeted with a direct link to your tweet.

4. Write a post on your blog about this Giveaway. You can write whatever you want, just link back to this post. Leave a comment that you did this with a direct link to your post.

* It is important that you leave a separate comment for each method of entry.* Winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends on December 15th at midnight CST.

Each day from December 1-6, I will be announcing 2 Giveaways per day. One prize will be unveiled in the morning and one in the afternoon. View a list of all the giveaways so far. Happy Holidays!

December 2nd, 2008 | Tags: alpaca, Alpaca Bean Coffee Shop, alpaca research, Alpacas, berry medley mix, biscotti, chocolate covered coffee beans, coffee, George and Judy Dick, gift basket, mixed nuts, on the farm, pistachios | Category: Alpacas, Giveaways | Comments (105)

Alpaca Baby Blanket

Wrap up in this scrumptious throw and feel the luxury of alpaca! Light, super soft, wonderfully warm, you will be amazed and fall in love with alpaca! Loomed by hand and brushed gently to create a soft and supple knap then finished with hand twisted fringe, this blanket is top quality. Our pure natural undyed blanket is perfect for your eco friendly and organic needs. This blanket (retail value $119.00) is brought to you by our new store at Alpaca Farmgirl which will be launching soon. If you’d like to order one of our blankets as a gift, contact me at katy@alpacafarmgirl.com.

Cuddle or wrap up a new addition with reassurance that it is as soft as soft can be! This blanket is sustainable, organic in nature, eco-friendly and a free trade product! Protecting the environment has never been so luxurious. This giveaway is for one blanket in your choice of:

Pink Plaid

Blue Plaid

Organic Natural Plaid

Generous Size: 50″ X 53″ + Fringe.

Win this Alpaca Blanket/Throw

There are a total of 4 Ways to Enter to win, and everyone is eligible. You can enter as many ways as you like. Each method of entry = 1 entry into the contest. Here’s how:

1. Leave a comment telling me which color plaid blanket you would choose.

2. Subscribe to our RSS feed so you can keep up with what’s new on Alpaca Farmgirl. To do so, click the pink button on the homepage to subscribe to Alpaca Farmgirl. This means that you can receive updates from my blog each time I write a new post. You can choose to read them in a reader such as Google, or have them sent to your email account. Once you’ve subscribed to our RSS feed, leave a comment and tell me that you’ve subscribed.

3. Leave a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway. You can write whatever you like as long as you link to this post. Leave a comment that you tweeted with a direct link to your tweet.

4. Write a post on your blog about this Giveaway. You can write whatever you want, just link back to this post. Leave a comment that you did this with a direct link to your post.

* It is important that you leave a separate comment for each method of entry.* Winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends on December 14th at midnight CST.

Each day from December 1-6, I will be announcing 2 Giveaways per day. One prize will be unveiled in the morning and one in the afternoon. View a list of all the giveaways so far. Happy Holidays!

December 2nd, 2008 | Tags: 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways, alpaca, alpaca baby blanket, alpaca throw, eco friendly, Giveaway, giveaways, luxury, organic, plaid | Category: Alpacas, Girl Stuff, Giveaways | Comments (135)

Got Hay? Need to take it somewhere without losing half of it between the barn and where you’re going? Want to take your hay on the road with style? Then you need this Hay Bale Bag from Useful Lama Items! ($80 value) This bag will hold a 30lb. “square” bale of hay. It has sturdy handles on the sides and on one end, allowing you to grasp it and carry it easily. It has a nylon zipper with a flap to keep it from clogging with debris.  Another added feature is the side pouch with velcro where you can put your toenail trimmers, clippers, or other accessories. I could have really used this bag at the La. alpaca show. I got hay all over myself carrying it from the trailer in to the alpacas!

We have been buying our alpaca supplies from Useful Lama Items for close to 10 years now. The people at Useful Lama are very professional and helpful. Many times they have come to the aid of myself or one of my customers when we were in a bind. They have everything you can think of for alpacas and lamas, as well as for fiber enthusiasts. Check out their wide selection of books as well as medication, wormers, and supplies. We use their hay bags (shown below). What Useful Lama item is at the top of your wish list this holiday season?

Fabric for giveaway hay bale bag

Win this Hay Bale Bag!

The one we are giving away is just like the bag at the top, except it is made from the Silver Fabric shown on the hay bag in the lower picture.

There are a total of 4 Ways to Enter to win, and everyone is eligible, except people I feed on a daily basis or write a weekly paycheck to. You can enter as many ways as you like. Each method of entry = 1 entry into the contest. Here’s how:

1. Visit Useful Lama Items and leave a comment telling me which of their products you like the best.

2. Subscribe to our RSS feed so you can keep up with what’s new on Alpaca Farmgirl. To do so, click the pink button on the homepage to subscribe to Alpaca Farmgirl. This means that you can receive updates from my blog each time I write a new post. You can choose to read them in a reader such as Google, or have them sent to your email account. Once you’ve subscribed to our RSS feed, leave a comment and tell me that you’ve subscribed.

3. Leave a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway. You can write whatever you like as long as you link to this post. Leave a comment that you tweeted with a direct link to your tweet.

4. Write a post on your blog about this Giveaway. You can write whatever you want, just link back to this post. Leave a comment that you did this with a direct link to your post.

* It is important that you leave a separate comment for each method of entry.* Winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends on December 13th at midnight CST.

Each day from December 1-6, I will be announcing 2 Giveaways per day. One prize will be unveiled in the morning and one in the afternoon. View a list of all the giveaways so far. Happy Holidays!

December 1st, 2008 | Tags: 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways, Giveaway, giveaways, hay bag, hay bale bag, Useful Lama Items | Category: Giveaways, Husbandry, Resources | Comments (32)

Christmas Cards from Sherri Conley

To usher in the holiday season, we are kicking off our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways with a set of 6 Christmas cards from photographer and fine artist Sherri Conley.

I discovered Sherri through Twitter, and I have become a big fan of her work. Have you ever seen infrared photography? Sherri does that and lots more! In her Etsy store, Sherry has wonderful prints and Christmas cards for sale.

She is having a SALE through December 7th. Visit her shop and tell me which is your favorite photograph.

Win this Set of 6 Christmas Cards!

There are a total of 4 Ways to Enter to win, and everyone is eligible, except people I feed on a daily basis or write a weekly paycheck to. You can enter as many ways as you like. Each method of entry = 1 entry into the contest. Here’s how:

1. Leave a comment telling me which of Sherri’s photographs you like the best.

2. Subscribe to our RSS feed so you can keep up with what’s new on Alpaca Farmgirl. To do so, click the pink button on the homepage to subscribe to Alpaca Farmgirl. This means that you can receive updates from my blog each time I write a new post. You can choose to read them in a reader such as Google, or have them sent to your email account. Once you’ve subscribed to our RSS feed, leave a comment and tell me that you’ve subscribed.

3. Leave a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway. You can write whatever you like as long as you link to this post. Leave a comment that you tweeted with a direct link to your tweet.

4. Write a post on your blog about this Giveaway. You can write whatever you want, just link back to this post. Leave a comment that you did this with a direct link to your post.

* It is important that you leave a separate comment for each method of entry.* Winner will be chosen at random. This giveaway ends on December 12th at midnight CST.

Each day from December 1-6, I will be announcing 2 Giveaways per day. One prize will be unveiled in the morning and one in the afternoon. View a list of all the giveaways so far. Happy Holidays!

December 1st, 2008 | Tags: 12 Days of Christmas, 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways, Christmas cards, Giveaway, giveaways, photography, Sherri Conley | Category: Giveaways | Comments (39)