Day 71 of the "hat a day" challenge

So after not blogging for ages -- here I am with two blogs in the same day!

This is about day 71 of the "hat a day" challenge. So far so good -- I'd like to report. I have managed to make a hat or headwarmer every day since Nov. 14, 2011. The variety of my hats amazes even me.

Some are ski style; some have flowers; some are two or three colors; some are made from alpaca; some are made from llama; some are acrylic or wool.

Sizes have included infant to children's to adult size hats. It's been an adventure so far. I've even added a couple of scarves to the mix -- with both crocheted scarves and tube-knitted scarves (on the loom).

My grandkids remain delighted to come over and pick out hats when they need something new. It's great.

My youngest grandson, Lincoln, is now wearing the hat I made for his older brother -- a soft, black and white alpaca cap. It is adorable on him. My granddaughter, Isabella, is wearing a blue hat -- that brings out the color of her eyes (if they were open).

So I'm excited, still, about this adventure into hat making. Let's see how I feel about it on Nov. 14, 2012!

New animals

I recently traded 314 pounds of fleece for some animals. The "trader" was generous with the animals that no longer fit into her breeding program, so I was delighted with two gorgeous suri female llamas -- Sumertime Santana and Silvia Rose. They are straight, correct llamas and look like show girls at the IL State Fair to me. I can't wait.

I also came across some wonderful alpacas -- both suri and huacaya. There's Amber, Bess and her boy Indie, Lucy (a part llama/part alpaca crossbred), and several others. It is really nice to add new bloodlines to my herd through trading. No money is involved -- and that is good for both of us.

The new animals are settling in nicely -- and they will soon be officially welcomed into the girl herd. They now can roam on 33 acres of pasture and are pretty happy about that. I saw them bouncing around a couple of evenings ago and the joy in their leaps was evident.

I'm a sucker for these wonderful camelids. I can't help myself.

The Mad Hatter

Just call me The Mad Hatter.


I have crazily decided to challenge myself to make a "hat-a-day" for 365 days. I'm on Day 31 of the challenge.


I am addicted to knitting on the Knifty Knitter Hat Looms. I can whip out a hat in a short period of time -- and the feeling of having "gotten something DONE" is extremely rewarding.


So -- you ask -- what am I going to DO with all these hats?


1. I tend toward having a generous soul. I want to gift people with hats that have been lovingly made from my own animals.


2. I have 8 grandchildren -- ALL of whom have one of Grammy's hats. Several of my daughters and daughters-in-law also have my hats. Two of my sons have hats. I have a big family.


3. I will sell some of the hats to support my herd. Buying winter hay this year is no joke. Grain, dewormers, halters, leads, blankets for the old girls -- all of these things cost money. Selling some of the hats will support my wonderful herd of llamas and alpacas that gift me with their fleeces each May for the purpose of making my hats.


4. And then there's the other reason: 11 years ago our granddaughter, Ashley, was born -- and she was a twin. Her sister, Jessica, didn’t survive -- and actually stopped growing 2 months before birth. I will never forget the beautiful hat/sweater that Jessie was dressed in when we held her for the first -- and last time. It was the kindness of strangers to gift the hospital with those beautiful little hats and sweaters. Time to pass it on, "pay it forward" -- if you will.

Challenge: A Hat a Day

Hmmm. Maybe I've bitten off more than I can chew. I decided to challenge myself to this deal: I will make a hat every day for the next year. Yep. That's the plan.

I started on Monday of this week. I made the bigger white and multi-colored ski hat first. Next came Tuesday - and the smaller ski hat. Then it was my daughter-in-law's birthday and I made the white hat with mustard-colored trim (I made the scarf last week). Then it was the blue swirly hat on Thursday. And I ended with the natural brown alpaca hat. Plus I made a white/black little girl's hat for today.

I like to stretch myself. I like to reach a goal. This may get really old -- but as long as I "switch it up" a bit with different sizes/types of hats I think I can hang in there.

And yes, some of the hats will be for sale on my Etsy site - www.grandmotherscomfort.etsy.com

I'll try to give you all an update from month-to-month. It'll be easy in the winter -- it's the summer that might deter me.

NAMI Walk 2011

Saturday was the 8th Annual Walk for Recovery held in Russell Commons Park in Alton. NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) was the organization that sponsored the walk. This year they added a 5K run for Recovery to the event.

It was beautiful weather and the breeze off of the Mississippi River was just the right touch of fall.

I was proud to provide the llamas and alpacas for the event -- 4 llamas: Autumn, Punxsutawney, Pebbles and Valentina -- and 4 alpacas: Eileeen and Polka-Dot Patty, Punchau and Brook.

Random participants were able to walk the animals along the path in the park. There was a huge bridge that spanned some water, but the animals only hesitated for seconds before trekking over the bridge. The quiet, gentle souls of the animals brought a calming effect to all who participated in the walk.

I have been associated with NAMI for 8 years now. The young man who drew the "NAMI llama" shared the history of "how this came to be" with me and it was interesting listening to his own personal story -- and that of the "character" that would become his creation.

Llamas historically carry burdens -- and that is what families can do to help those struggling with mental illness. When you visit their website: www.namiswi.org you can read about the "connection" that has developed over the years.

The photos tell the tale of the walk -- groups of individuals forming teams to fight for recovery. My son, Ben, is shown with Valentina -- and one youngster even dressed as a llama -- the Dolly Llama -- to be exact. She was adorable.

Llamas posed for photos for a donation to NAMI of $5. It was a great way to raise more funds.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people -- especially when they are struggling with depression. NAMI can help -- and we are proud to be associated with such a "stand up" organization.