The Animals Began to Arrive

Llamas gathering for supper are incredibly amusing.

I had always been fascinated with llamas. After seeing Doctor Doolittle as a child, the thought of a push-me-pull-you seemed incredible.  Obviously it was, but a llama is very real.

A dear friend had them and we farm-sat for her one week in the summer years ago. So many Crias (baby llamas) were being born. Such gentle creatures they all were. Crisp evening air would trigger excitement and we'd find ourselves looking on with laughter as they ran, sprang, and sort of bounced around the farm more for their entertainment than ours.

Llamas have fiber instead of wool, and that fiber comes in many colors, textures, and thickness. We have a group of llamas (called a cria herd) at our farm.  Each has its own unique personality and although some personalities are easier than others, we love them all. We shear our llamas only once a year (by contrast some of our sheep require shearing twice a year), and process their fiber in my laundry room!! There is no lanolin in llama fiber. So, while some feel they are allergic to wool, fiber usually proves to be allergy-free.

The fiber my llamas produce each year is what I use for my spinning and other crafts. Because animals produce different amounts of fiber, and because some have different weather tolerances, there have been some years when I haven't shorn a few them in order to ensure they remain warm enough for the winter.
On the average, although llama fiber is much softer than sheep wool, is also has less elasticity.  So, I keep that in mind as I choose what my yarn will be used for when it's completed. Llama yarn drapes very nicely and is beautiful for dressy evening shawls or scarves.    

Imax checking out the spinning wheel

Three years ago Imax moved into my yard so that I could manage his medical treatment easier than if he were out in the pastures. Well, he liked watching over the farm so well that he decided to take up residency full time among the fruit trees, garden, and dinner parties. He is our "guard" llama for all lazy afternoon pool activities, too!

From our yard, Imax patrols the grounds and keeps watch over the horses, llamas, and sheep. He is certain the farm would not survive without him.

And So It Begins......

Strauna, Stella, and Yerba
Three of our favorite sheep welcoming you to HeartFelt Farm.

Long before my family actually moved onto the farm, I had walked the fields, mapping out where I wanted the fruit trees to be planted, and falling more and more in love with the land; I thought I had never seen a more beautiful piece of earth. Every time I looked upon the gently rolling ground, the lush green fields, the spectacular sunsets, and the massive spanse of night sky that displayed incredibly brilliant stars, I felt we were blessed.  

While anxiously awaiting the completion of our home, we spent many hours at the farm cutting planks and building paddocks for the horses, run-ins for the llamas, and planting a fabulous assortment of trees.  


Originally, I had planted the trees for my family alone.  We love fruit, and I wanted a guarantee that no chemicals were ever used in their growing or harvesting. 

That next summer we moved in.  And, so did more trees,  assorted berry bushes, and strawberry plants.   


"The rest", as they say, "is history"

I have lived in and traveled to many countries, and frequently bring the flair of different cultures and cuisines to my business.  I make a lovely buttery Scottish Shortbread, authentic Italian Panetone and Biscotti, and delicious German Apfelkuchen that trumps all. 

I have dabbled in desserts and pastries of all sorts.  During time spent living in Sardinia, Italy, I was able to provide specialty cakes for every occasion for the U.S. military families stationed there. While in Spain, I felt honored to be able to fill a void for many Americans there with Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses, Easter breads, and other homemade treats througout the year.

For decades, family and friends have been savoring the contents of baskets filled with wonderful
baked goods fresh from my kitchen.  Through experience, I have learned that a gift basket well created, makes a lasting "heartfelt" impression for the person receiving it.   

A Felted Heart 

With all our farm-fresh jams, jellies, pickles, butters, and chutneys, only the very best produce are used.  Naturally grown and harvested in Kentucky's Bluegrass Region, where summers are known for warm days and cool nights, the fruit we use is juicy and bursting with flavor.

All the animals at our farm are pets; sheep included.  We have a small flock of  Shetland, Tunis, and Icelandic.  We spin their fiber and use the yarn for knitting and weaving.

We also use their fiber for felting; hence the name of the business.  HeartFelt gifts stems from making felted hearts and giving them as Christmas ornaments to friends.