Jubilee was born on May 22, 2015. Her fiber is consistently soft, and she is one of our friendliest girls. She was bred with Onyx and gave birth to Aurora on the 4th of July 2021.
She produces a wonderfully soft fiber that is well suited for knitting and spins up like a dream. I tend not to use her fiber for felting because it is too soft and requires a lot more work.
“When I wandered out to the garden last week, I didn’t expect to leave with hands that were suspiciously stained blood-red.
It’s all in a day’s work, I suppose. I have been preparing for my upcoming Farm Day.
Though it’s months away, I had planned to have my fiber scoured and ready to dye before the end of June. For all my planning, I am just beginning and it’s the last day of the month.
Summer days are long but there never seems to be enough time to get all of my work done. I find myself filling baskets with berries, looking out for the fawns that skip along the banks of the lake and just soaking in the sun.
Alas, the month is almost over and I have yet to complete the task that I have put off all month. (Thanks, ADHD!) Today I will…
✓ DYE WOOL WITH AMARANTH…or at least I will tell you how I’m going to do it!
First, the acquisition of my materials
This spring I planted the amaranth seeds that I was given by a local potter. I had visited her studio last fall during an art studio tour. She was gracious to give me a handful of amaranth that was barely clinging to life in a pot outside her studio door. The plant came with a warning that I should not plant any seeds directly in the ground unless I was okay with an invasion.
This is my first time using Amaranth and I have loved the bright color it has added to my garden. I love that it will provide color that will hold a hint of summer in the wool that I will use over winter.
Materials & Tools
To begin the process I will gather a few supplies. It is important to note that I never use items from my kitchen to dye fiber. I keep an eye out for large crocks and utensils whenever I am in second hand stores. I find the quality is far better than new pots purchased at discount stores.
Here are a few items that I gather before I start:
For a breakdown on how to make Amaranth dye for bottling click here
As stated before, I have to scour the wool as I go since I did not manage to finish the process as planned.
| Trick | Result |
| Add iron (rusty nail water) after dyeing | Darkens color |
| Add vinegar | Shifts color toward red/pink |
| Add baking soda | Shifts color toward blue/green |
| Use rainwater | Softer colors, less mineral interference |
| Use fresh vs. dried plants | Fresh often gives brighter shades |
 |  | |
| The little things matter | Made with care | |
| Take pride in using high-quality materials and time-honored techniques to create sustainable dyes that are both safe and aesthetically pleasing. | The greatest step is the one that leads you to doing what you love. I love to garden and I love fiber. This process is a marriage of those passions. |
Freya: End of Watch 4/22/25
On April 22, 2025, we said goodbye to our beloved livestock guardian, Freya.
Freya was more than a protector—she was a calm, steady presence on our land, watching over every creature in her care with quiet devotion. Whether it was a watchful gaze over the herd or her soft, reassuring presence beside us, Freya brought a sense of peace to every corner of the farm.
Freya was a gentle girl. One snowy morning I found her on the hill and she refused to come down when I called. This was unusual for her. I fussed at her as I climbed the slippery slope to see what she was doing. I found her nestling a little lamb. I don’t know how the lamb got out of her birthing place but Freya was so proud of the new life on the farm. She looked at me with the happiest eyes. That was my girl.
She crossed the rainbow bridge with the same grace she lived her life.
I made this portrait as a remembrance of her—a way to hold onto the spirit she carried so effortlessly. We miss her deeply, but we carry her legacy with us at every sunrise.
Run free, sweet girl. Thank you for your friendship and protection.
While color pencil is not a medium I use very often, I felt that it would be best to capture her thick coat and sensitive eyes. It made me slow down and appreciate just how beautiful Freya was.
If you’ve lost a beloved animal companion and would like to preserve their spirit in a custom portrait, I would be honored to help. These pieces are more than artwork—they’re a way to hold on to the heart of a friend who will always be part of your story.
Contact me if you’d like to discuss a memorial pet portrait.
My experience with this process has been wonderful. Eleanor did a beautiful job and we enjoyed watching the process unfold with her photo updates. She captured Buck’s essence. It was an emotional experience. We are going to frame it along with his collar and favorite toy.
Liz, / Buck’s grandma
Email: Eleanor@eleanortillmans.com
Meryl Sheep at the Woolly Bobbin. Photo credit: E.Tillmans
We invite you to immerse yourself in the warmth of our Alpaca Farm Day & Trunk Show, happening this September 27th from 12 noon to 3 PM.
This year’s theme, “Seasons,” celebrates the ever-changing beauty of nature and the artistry it inspires.
Enjoy a rich array of autumn colors as you drive along Scenic Highway to our farm in Bigfork, MN.
Experience the magic of fiber arts and farm life with interactive demonstrations, unique shopping opportunities, and a chance to picnic alongside our friendly alpacas and sheep. Whether you’re a seasoned fiber artist or just looking for a peaceful day on the farm, there’s something for everyone!
Get up close and learn about traditional and contemporary fiber arts techniques.
Garden Tour
Learn how alpacas add valuable nutrients to our sandy soil.
Kick wheel demonstration
Herb and Dye Garden
Zinnia. Photo credit: E. Tillmans
Our onsite shoppe will feature one-of-a-kind, handcrafted treasures, including:
Ceramics – Earthy, functional, and decorative pottery pieces. From the moment the clay is wedged to the final glaze firing, each step in the process is undertaken with meticulous care.
Watercolor Paintings – Artistic expressions capturing the essence of the seasons. The Fall 2025 Collection is inspired by the Seasons of Northern Minnesota. A snapshot in time to serve as a reminder of the passing seasons.
Fiber Art – Beautifully crafted textiles, garments, and accessories.Every piece tells a story. Made from the fleece that is harvested annually every Spring, the products take shape with the specific fiber animal in mind.
You will not only learn about how specific garments are made, but will likely meet the animal who helped make it!
Felting workshop in Marcell, MN. Photo credit: E.Tillmans
Alpacas love a picnic, so bring a blanket and enjoy the peaceful company of our gentle alpaca and sheep. It’s the perfect way to soak in the sun and unwind in nature.
Get a head start by early registering for upcoming workshops, including:
Eleanor is a fiber farmer and multi-disciplinary artist living in Bigfork, MN. She hosts various workshops at her studio and in the Grand Rapids area.
Don’t miss this one-day-only event filled with artistry, inspiration, and the serene charm of farm life. Whether you come for the demonstrations, the shopping, or simply the joy of being around alpacas, we can’t wait to welcome you!
We’ll see you this Fall!
For more information or to register early for workshops, contact us today!
For Inquiries, please contact:
Families navigating mental health challenges often face a mix of uncertainty, emotional exhaustion, and the weight of unspoken worries. Whether it’s supporting a loved one through depression, anxiety, addiction, or trauma, the journey can feel overwhelming and isolating.
Family support groups offer a place to connect, share experiences, and find comfort in community, but what can you do to support yourself and gain clarity between group sessions?
One simple yet powerful tool that can complement group support is journaling. Accessible to anyone with a pen and paper, journaling offers a private space to untangle thoughts, release tension, record our ideas, and note what works best for us individually. This makes journaling a valuable companion in the healing process.
1. Stress Relief & Emotional Processing
Writing things down helps release pent-up feelings, allowing you to process difficult experiences in a safe, structured way. When emotions stay bottled up, they often show up as stress in the body, like fatigue, irritability, and other physical symptoms. Journaling gives those emotions a place to land, helping you feel lighter and more centered.
2. Improved Self-Awareness
Over time, journaling helps you recognize patterns—how you react in certain situations, what triggers strong emotions, and what helps you feel better. This kind of self-reflection can lead to healthier communication, stronger boundaries, and a clearer understanding of your needs and values.
3. Science-Backed Mental Health Benefits
Research has shown that journaling can lower anxiety, improve mood, and even support physical health by reducing stress-related symptoms. Studies suggest that expressive writing—especially about stressful or emotional events—can improve cognitive processing and lead to more effective problem-solving. It’s like giving your brain a chance to untangle the knots.
4. A Non-Judgmental, Private Outlet
One of journaling’s greatest strengths is that it’s yours alone. You don’t have to filter your words or worry about how they’ll be received. You can be messy, raw, honest—or reflective, hopeful, and grateful. There’s no “right” way to journal. The simple act of showing up on the page can be healing in itself.
Not everyone journals the same way, and that’s the beauty of it. There’s no single formula—you can experiment and find what fits your style and emotional needs. Here are a few journaling approaches that can be especially helpful for caregivers and family members navigating mental health challenges:
1. Free Writing or Stream of Consciousness
This is one of the most accessible ways to journal. You simply write whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about editing, filtering, or grammar. It can be rambling, messy, emotional, or even repetitive. The goal is to let your thoughts and feelings flow freely, just as they are. A timer can be set for a 5-10 minute session of free writing. If you get stuck, write “I don’t know what to say” until something else comes.
Why it helps:
It clears mental clutter, helps you identify what’s really bothering you, and gives your emotions space to breathe. In Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way, she suggests that the process of writing whatever comes to mind helps to circumvent our inner critic. This allows us to gain insights from a deeper part of our subconscious.
In difficult seasons, it’s easy to focus on what’s going wrong. Gratitude journaling helps gently shift your attention toward what’s still going right—no matter how small. Each day, jot down 3 things you’re grateful for. They can be simple: “a warm cup of coffee,” “a quiet moment in the car,” or “my friend texted to check in.”
Why it helps:
Regularly practicing gratitude has been linked to improved mood, better sleep, and reduced depression and anxiety. It can bring perspective and resilience, especially during emotional ups and downs.
Sometimes, a blank page can feel intimidating. Prompts give you a gentle starting point to help focus your thoughts. These are especially helpful in support group settings or when trying to reflect on caregiving, relationships, or your own emotional state.
Prompts:
Are you interested in spending a little time learning and creating together? I am working on this new project and I have decided that Patreon is the best forum to use. Social media can move too quickly to really engage with my followers and the website is a good homebase but Patreon allows for all of the things that I was looking for.
It will house my Tips and Tutorials in nice categories and it allows for you to chose the level of your participation.
I upload content in three main areas of my work. Pottery, Watercolor and Fiber Art. Chose one or all three to follow and get reminders when I go live by signing up below!
Join me for some fun watercolor practice. I post new content every Wednesday. You can follow along with me and create something beautiful while sharing our creative inspiration.
The tutorials are found on Patreon and membership tiers vary depending on your interests.
I hope to see you there!
Felt Like Making Hats with Alpaca Fiber from Our Spring Harvest! ( see what I did there?)
This spring, we took on the fluffy mission of harvesting alpaca and sheep fiber, transforming our farm into a scene straight out of a Pixar movie. Think Cloudy with a Chance of Woolballs. Now, it’s time to put that fiber to good use: making fabulous, one-of-a-kind felt hats!
Picture this: You’ve just spent a solid hour shearing an alpaca who—let’s be real—is giving you some serious side-eye and yes, some of them do spit.🤢 Their fleece falls in tufts, and you suddenly wonder if there’s enough coffee in the world to get through this. But then, magic happens! You look down at the fiber—soft, luxurious, and you see all the possibilities.
Here’s how we’re turning fluff into fashion, and I promise it’s easier than talking an alpaca into a haircut:
Want to learn how you can create your own felted fun projects with fiber? Join me on Patreon for behind-the-scenes videos, tutorials, and insider access to special deals on all our creations. Plus, keep up with sales and new fiber-related shenanigans by following me on Instagram.
So, whether you’re into DIY fashion or just want to stay cozy this winter, grab your fluff, follow along, and let’s get felting! 🎩
Don’t forget to sign up for updates and exclusive offers on our upcoming sales! You won’t want to miss our next trunk show or fiber drop!
Hello! Hope you are enjoying this wonderful day! I am glad to be sharing this quick view of my latest Patreon tutorial upload.
The scene is a beautiful reflective water near a shore and a distant crop of trees. It feels like just the place I would like to sit and relax for a bit.
I invite you to head on over to my Patreon to see the full tutorial. Whether you are a painter or not, I think the process is really fascinating to watch.
While you’re there, be sure to take a look at the other projects I’m working on. Fiber art, watercolor and pottery are the mediums I focus on but you will also find a variety of added benefits like how to organize a yarn stash, how to use old books to create sketch books and how up to make your own mats and frames. These are all the things that are waiting for you to discover at Patreon.
Also known as the Greek goddess Demeter, Ceres was the Goddess of the harvest and was credited with teaching humans how to grow, preserve, and prepare grain and corn. She was thought to be responsible for the fertility of the land.
One autumn day her daughter, Persephone, walked with friends among the bountiful fields.
When they reached a field of flowers, Persephone called to them.
“Come here quick and we can gather all the wildflowers we want. ”
They filled their baskets with herbs and clover each selecting among the variety of crocuses and lilies.
Persephone wandered away from her companions and it was then that Dis, Lord Hades of the Underworld abducted her.
There was no place on earth that Ceres did not look for her daughter Persephone.
Ceres wore a crown of grain on her head and wore white for “twice three months”. The time that Persephone would remain dormant in the underground.
With the promise that her daughter would return again, she waited.
Mourning/Searching, Joy, and Belief are the three phases of September.
I find myself fully immersed in the Joy Phase as my mourning and searching have led me directly to my path of unbounded Joy. Relationships that were strained and dormant have reemerged as the fruitful seeds of hope.
I enter the final stage of this Equinox with the BELIEF in the powerful relationship and bond between a Mother and her Daughter. I celebrate us and you in this season and as we rest to rediscover ourselves again, I remain eager to see what we become when we bloom again in the Spring.
Make an oak leaf crown or create a special table topper with two items that represent the mother and daughter relationship. You can also start a gratitude journal and include intentions (seeds) that you can focus on while the snow covers the ground and see how they develop after months of your belief.
Don’t forget to sip on a warm honey tea as you acknowledge the end of a season and prepare for rest.
To see what my Equinox table scape will look like, visit my Patreon channel.