I can't believe another year has flown by. It is twelve months since we had our last garden party/fashion parade here at Nickelby At Darnum and we are just putting the finishing touches on the 2015 gathering which is next Sunday April 12, 1.30-4.30 here at Nickelby.
We always have a great day with music from Sue & Colin Parrish who have a huge following and are great at events like ours where people want to sit back enjoy a wine, a platter of cheese and the wonderful views. Speaking of wine we have Kouark Wines again here this year with their lovely wines and they are always great fun to spend an afternoon with.
What I have been working hard on is a fashion parade mainly consisting of my own Nickelby Designs but we will also be showing some of the lovely garments that are starting to come into our shop. You really do need lots of alpaca in your wardrobe and natural fibres are so much better for the environment so it is a win win for everyone.
But I digress. Our Garden Party does require you to book and pay for you tickets before the day, just helps with catering and helps with the amount of running around on the day so if you would like to come along then give me a call on 0419550301 anytime with your credit card details. The cost per person is $25 and the wine if available at "bar prices. There will be lots of tasty local cheeses etc for you to eat so we hope you can make it.
After the garden party is over I then focus on our large Creative Yarragon Arts Fest weekend with workshops in the arts being held in Yarragon May 16th 17th but more about that later.
As it is Good Friday today I hope you are all having a wonderful Easter break and are taking extra care on the roads.
The alpacas say "hi"
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
A busy November
Well it is nearly the end of November and the weather is finally hotting up. It would seem that we have gone straight from Winter to Summer and completely missed my favourite season of the year; Spring. Spring is such a wonderful time, the hint of the warmer days to come, the blossoms blooming, the grass growing and the cattle fattening. But never mind, I am very lucky to live in a beautiful part of Victoria so every day really is beautiful. Well as the title says "A Busy November". As we all start to rush towards thinking about Christmas we finally have sorted out our online shop but don't think when you look at it that these are the only products we sell. It is a huge job setting up a site and it now means that I run two shops but I can promise you there will always be more available in the bricks and mortar by way of garments than on line mainly due to the issues around the sizing of ladies clothing - really need to try it on! The other big milestone we pass each November is alpaca shearing. This year our day went off seamlessly with a band of helpers and a happy shearer which is always a good thing. We started at my farm at 7am and sheared 43 alpacas and 3 very fat sheep and then moved onto two other farms so it was a long day in the end and I am always glad when it is over, all the animals are back in their paddocks with shelter or whatever they need and I can put my feet up with a glass of wine. Little Nickelby Gatsby and Nickelby Darcy had a huge day. Not only did they get shorn, they had their brass ear tags put in their ears and they left their mums to go and live with the big boys. I am pleased to announce that they have settled in very well but do look rather funny as they are so much smaller than the others but they are holding their own. The other exciting development is that we are dying our own yarn now using 100% alpaca and having a great time playing around with colours. These are available instore and some come on line. They are great for freeform work or scrumbling as it is also know or to put trims on jumpers or to knit up a hat for next Winter.
This one I have called Dusk and is available on line and in store
This one I have called Dusk and is available on line and in store
Well that is about it for November so good luck with getting ready for Christmas and I plan to blog again before then xx
A busy November
Well it is nearly the end of November and the weather is finally hotting up. It would seem that we have gone straight from Winter to Summer and completely missed my favourite season of the year; Spring. Spring is such a wonderful time, the hint of the warmer days to come, the blossoms blooming, the grass growing and the cattle fattening. But never mind, I am very lucky to live in a beautiful part of Victoria so every day really is beautiful. Well as the title says "A Busy November". As we all start to rush towards thinking about Christmas we finally have sorted out our online shop but don't think when you look at it that these are the only products we sell. It is a huge job setting up a site and it now means that I run two shops but I can promise you there will always be more available in the bricks and mortar by way of garments than on line mainly due to the issues around the sizing of ladies clothing - really need to try it on! The other big milestone we pass each November is alpaca shearing. This year our day went off seamlessly with a band of helpers and a happy shearer which is always a good thing. We started at my farm at 7am and sheared 43 alpacas and 3 very fat sheep and then moved onto two other farms so it was a long day in the end and I am always glad when it is over, all the animals are back in their paddocks with shelter or whatever they need and I can put my feet up with a glass of wine. Little Nickelby Gatsby and Nickelby Darcy had a huge day. Not only did they get shorn, they had their brass ear tags put in their ears and they left their mums to go and live with the big boys. I am pleased to announce that they have settled in very well but do look rather funny as they are so much smaller than the others but they are holding their own. The other exciting development is that we are dying our own yarn now using 100% alpaca and having a great time playing around with colours. These are available instore and some come on line. They are great for freeform work or scrumbling as it is also know or to put trims on jumpers or to knit up a hat for next Winter.
This one I have called Dusk and is available on line and in store
This one I have called Dusk and is available on line and in store
Well that is about it for November so good luck with getting ready for Christmas and I plan to blog again before then xx
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Happy Memories
Today was a day to remember a dear friend of Nickelby At Darnum. Two weeks ago our friend Jo Butters died in her sleep aged 63. Jo was one of the ladies who started Nickelby Nutty Knitters over 4 years ago. Nutty knitters is a group who meet here once a month to knit and crochet and originally it was to undertake free form / scrambling work, throw all learning a and patterns to the wind and just do whatever. Over the years it was really only Jo and myself who stayed true to this concept and others went back to safer territory which was fine as we all had such a lovely day it didn't really matter what we did.
However after Jo's death I made the announcement that we were all going to spend the next two nutty sessions scrumbling and putting together a piece which I would then have framed and display in the shop in honour of our founding Nutty Knitter.
Well today was the day. I wished Jo had been here to a) help me answer all their fun complaints about how they like straight lines, patterns and to know what they were doing at all times and b) to share in the laughter and fun that was had making all the pieces and discovering that it was actually fun and they were good at it.
Jo's funeral is tomorrow and we will all miss her very much but in a few months there will be a fun piece of work hanging in the shop honouring her and that will continue to keep her love of all things creative in our hearts. RIP Jo and may their be the biggest stash of yarn in heaven that you never run out.
Here is the start of our piece
Friday, June 28, 2013
Wow! What a wonderful couple of years
It has been such a long time since I did the blogging thing and it is not because I haven't been thinking about it. It is mainly because I have been caught up getting my head around the world of social media whilst still trying to run the farm, expand my own clothing and accessory range; Nickelby Designs, and for most of 2011 and 2012 travelling all over the state of Victoria speaking to women as the 2011 RIRDC Victorian Rural Woman of the Year. I clocked up over 37 engagements and they are still continuing but I have stopped counting!
I know, I hear you say, whow, you should have been blogging about all those wonderful events like the time I met the ladies who were hit by devastating floods in Charlton and we shared a wonderful day or the time I spoke in South Gippsland to the business group and of course of the wonderful experience of being the Australia Day Ambassador for the Baw Baw Shire in 2012 and again in 2013. But hey, I am slack and these days, quite disorganised!
So life has settled down a little bit more, I picked my first harvest from my olive trees this year and everything is brewing nicely so I have my fingers crossed that it turns out to be yummy as I already know it will be healthy.
On the alpaca front we have 40 something animals on the farm and I also currently have 14 steers which I purchased late last year to eat the grass and of course we have one of the driest Summers so we didn't have much grass anyway so I was left just shaking my head and saying "why?". I also have my uncles 4 horses and 3 fat sheep on the farm who came early last year for 3 months and who are all still here. Families! If you follow Nickelby At Darnum on Facebook you can read about the antics that this menagerie undertake each day.
As my own range of alpaca garments and accessories comes to life under the banner of Nickelby Designs I have decided that the blog will not only share life on the farm but also my successes and not so successes in the world of textiles as there are so many lovers out there of all things natural and hand made Australian product it just might be of interest to some.
The other scary piece of work I am working on at the moment is getting the online shop up and running!!!!!!!!!! It is such a lot of technical work that my poor IT guy has to tell me what to do in small bite size pieces so I can remember it all, but I am enjoying doing the work with his guidance and not just paying someone to do it. The next step is to "talk" to the bank about all those fees they charge for the privilege of using their merchant facilities.
Well another beautiful cold winter's day is drawing to close here at Nickelby At Darnum and the alpacas are looking to be let out of their day paddock and the 3 fat sheep have escaped from their area again so I have some talking to do with Geraldine - thankfully she has a collar so I can drag her back to where she and her "babies" Jase and Joee belong.
Until next time stay safe and smile every day. I read the other day that those who knit are happier people so get knitting!!
Best Wishes
Angela
I know, I hear you say, whow, you should have been blogging about all those wonderful events like the time I met the ladies who were hit by devastating floods in Charlton and we shared a wonderful day or the time I spoke in South Gippsland to the business group and of course of the wonderful experience of being the Australia Day Ambassador for the Baw Baw Shire in 2012 and again in 2013. But hey, I am slack and these days, quite disorganised!
So life has settled down a little bit more, I picked my first harvest from my olive trees this year and everything is brewing nicely so I have my fingers crossed that it turns out to be yummy as I already know it will be healthy.
On the alpaca front we have 40 something animals on the farm and I also currently have 14 steers which I purchased late last year to eat the grass and of course we have one of the driest Summers so we didn't have much grass anyway so I was left just shaking my head and saying "why?". I also have my uncles 4 horses and 3 fat sheep on the farm who came early last year for 3 months and who are all still here. Families! If you follow Nickelby At Darnum on Facebook you can read about the antics that this menagerie undertake each day.
As my own range of alpaca garments and accessories comes to life under the banner of Nickelby Designs I have decided that the blog will not only share life on the farm but also my successes and not so successes in the world of textiles as there are so many lovers out there of all things natural and hand made Australian product it just might be of interest to some.
The other scary piece of work I am working on at the moment is getting the online shop up and running!!!!!!!!!! It is such a lot of technical work that my poor IT guy has to tell me what to do in small bite size pieces so I can remember it all, but I am enjoying doing the work with his guidance and not just paying someone to do it. The next step is to "talk" to the bank about all those fees they charge for the privilege of using their merchant facilities.
Well another beautiful cold winter's day is drawing to close here at Nickelby At Darnum and the alpacas are looking to be let out of their day paddock and the 3 fat sheep have escaped from their area again so I have some talking to do with Geraldine - thankfully she has a collar so I can drag her back to where she and her "babies" Jase and Joee belong.
Until next time stay safe and smile every day. I read the other day that those who knit are happier people so get knitting!!
Best Wishes
Angela
Monday, January 17, 2011
Babies Babies everywhere
Hi
I feel very bad as it has been such a long time since my last blog and I have had many visitors tick me off for this and quite rightly so.
Such a lot has happened since I last wrote but to jump ahead to this week we are welcoming new cria's into the Nickelby family.
So far Miam has given birth to the very handsome Hans, Gracie has had a lovely little girl, Miss Potter and today Bronte, 17 days overdue, gave birth to Harrison. We still wait for Juliet who was due last week and then we have another four to go between now and April. So if you were planning a visit now would be the time.
I also have some exciting news. Today it was announced that I am one of five finalists in the Rural Business Women's Award for 2011 which is very exciting. I am enjoying my 15 minutes of fame.
We have an event coming up March 19th here at Nickelby which is a twilight soiree with fashion parade of the new Nickelby Design range which I plan to release that evening as well as other local textile artists. $20 per ticket which covers finger food and drinks are at bar prices. You will be able to check out details on my website under the events section.
I am also in the process of talking to our local council about enclosing my outside cafe and starting to offer light lunches so keep your fingers crossed on that front as our views etc are the perfect place to enjoy a quiet glass of local wine.
Well until next time and I promise it won't be as long next time,
take care
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
What a busy time
Hi
Well it has been awhile (again) between posts but believe me we haven't been sitting still here at Nickelby At Darnum.
As many of you know I am chair of our local tourism association; West Gippsland Gourmet Country Tourism and a couple of months ago another member and I decided that since our shire won't open an Official Visitor Information Centre then we should!!!
It is now open with a paid staff member and hopefully soon a lovely group of local volunteers to support the running as the shire are still not coming to the party. It has been a very busy time but totally worthwhile.
As everyone has seemed to become climatised with this wet weather more and more visitors are coming to Nickelby At Darnum and it has been great to see some familiar faces again.
Next week I am off to "Fibres Geelong" and I am participating in a week long felting workshop which I am really looking foward to. Mum is looking after the shop so you are sure to leave Nickelby At Darnum after having a few laughs next week.
Gardivalia our festival of gardens is about to kick off next week and Nickelby is again participating. October 16th and 17th we are doing a cupcake afternoon tea with the alpacas and you have to wear your favourite gardening hat!!! $10pp and we would appreciate bookings but check out our website to see all the details.
Also for those who love a shopping outing, Nickelby At Darnum is holding a Christmas shopping night on Wednesday December 8th 5.00-9.00. Come along and have a glass of bubbly, start or finish your Christmas shopping.
We will have our wonderful alpaca accessory range available, our body products, hampers and all sorts of wonderful things. The best part about shopping at Nickelby is that there is plenty of parking, no traffic, no crowds and you can have a break and enjoy the wonderful views and the lovely alpacas. Why not get the friends together and make an evening of relaxing retail therapy.
Well that is about it for now, the alpacas are looking quite fluffy with all their fleece and I think a bit sick of the rain. Most have had their toe nails cut but some just said "no" so they have to wait for shearing in November. Pip and Humphrey are all grown up and we are looking foward to our next drop which is due to start New Year's Eve.
I shall post again when I return from my week of creativity and share with you my successes and I am sure disasters but as long as you can laugh at yourself then nothing really matters.
Live every day as if it is your last and give someone you love a big kiss!
Until next time
Ange
Well it has been awhile (again) between posts but believe me we haven't been sitting still here at Nickelby At Darnum.
As many of you know I am chair of our local tourism association; West Gippsland Gourmet Country Tourism and a couple of months ago another member and I decided that since our shire won't open an Official Visitor Information Centre then we should!!!
It is now open with a paid staff member and hopefully soon a lovely group of local volunteers to support the running as the shire are still not coming to the party. It has been a very busy time but totally worthwhile.
As everyone has seemed to become climatised with this wet weather more and more visitors are coming to Nickelby At Darnum and it has been great to see some familiar faces again.
Next week I am off to "Fibres Geelong" and I am participating in a week long felting workshop which I am really looking foward to. Mum is looking after the shop so you are sure to leave Nickelby At Darnum after having a few laughs next week.
Gardivalia our festival of gardens is about to kick off next week and Nickelby is again participating. October 16th and 17th we are doing a cupcake afternoon tea with the alpacas and you have to wear your favourite gardening hat!!! $10pp and we would appreciate bookings but check out our website to see all the details.
Also for those who love a shopping outing, Nickelby At Darnum is holding a Christmas shopping night on Wednesday December 8th 5.00-9.00. Come along and have a glass of bubbly, start or finish your Christmas shopping.
We will have our wonderful alpaca accessory range available, our body products, hampers and all sorts of wonderful things. The best part about shopping at Nickelby is that there is plenty of parking, no traffic, no crowds and you can have a break and enjoy the wonderful views and the lovely alpacas. Why not get the friends together and make an evening of relaxing retail therapy.
Well that is about it for now, the alpacas are looking quite fluffy with all their fleece and I think a bit sick of the rain. Most have had their toe nails cut but some just said "no" so they have to wait for shearing in November. Pip and Humphrey are all grown up and we are looking foward to our next drop which is due to start New Year's Eve.
I shall post again when I return from my week of creativity and share with you my successes and I am sure disasters but as long as you can laugh at yourself then nothing really matters.
Live every day as if it is your last and give someone you love a big kiss!
Until next time
Ange
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)