We (me and DH) had a great time at the festival. I dropped off a "CPW" with Dave Paul of Merlin Tree. He said he thought he could have it up and spinning pretty easily; excellent news! He's a worker of wonders for sure; he makes the Hitchhiker/ Roadbug line of wheels. I have a Roadbug and the thing is really pretty genius. He has also repaired and replaced parts and pieces of wheels for folks all over as well as making his own line of CPW's.
Of course, I had to get a fleece from Kisikanaree Jacobs. They give their animals the best names! Last year, I had fleece from Hector and Icepick (guess Icepick's father's name) and this year it is Lovely Jubbly.
We got some beautiful duck eggs that are the most lovely shade of green. I bought a couple of ounces of Angora bunny fur from the nice folks at Cobblerock Ridge farm and some luscious locks from Blue by Ewe farm.
The show seemed a little smaller than it has in years past but there was still plenty to see. We caught a little of the 4H sheep show and looked at all kinds of pretty fibery things. As usual, I regret failing to purchase a couple of things. There was a booth with most of the colors of Shetland and the fleeces were so pretty. There was some of the nicest Coopworth that I've ever seen at another booth. Oh well...........
We went to Bartlett, NH in the White Mountains for a long weekend. If you haven't been, go! We had a blast. Well, that's except for the part when we walked to the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch. I'd forgotten how terrifically afraid of heights I am and the torrential rain storm didn't help. It is funny in retrospect. There is a lot that we didn't get to do so we'll definitely go back. Here are some pictures:
I love wool and fiber festivals and so I'm lucky to live in New England. There are about eight shows that are within reasonable driving distance (including Rhinebeck!). This past week was the New Hampshire show. We (dear long-suffering husband and I) hadn't been to this one in two years so it was great to go. One of the nice things about this show is the fleece sale. The fleeces are from 4H kids and the two that I have bought in years past were clean, clean, clean. I didn't get to the sale this year because I had already reserved a lilac fleece from Kisikanari's Jacobs and just couldn't justify another full fleece (gotta hate it and yes, it was painful).
It was pouring rain when we got there so the grounds were empty. My dear Aunt Polly wanted some kid mohair so I got about a 1/2 pound for her from Cobblerock Ridge Farm and I also got her a pretty Jacob fleece as a surprise. For me, I got the most delicious lilac Jacob fleece. As usual my photos are terrible, few and mostly of sheep. The last photograph is of the fleeces.
I sure wish that I could take a better picture 'cause I think pictures would be the only way to really show what a wonderful farm we visited Saturday. Spring is here and it is time for sheep shearing. Sheep shearing means fleece and nothing makes me quite as happy as a nice new fleece, fresh off the sheep. My friend Lisa knew of this farm near Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire that raises Jacobs (just about my favorite looking sheep). I'd seen a fleece that Lisa had and ooooohhh. She was kind enough to put me in touch with the delightful Janet and Brooks and they welcomed us up on Saturday.
Let me say first that we love the mountains. This farm is in the mountains; in fact, it is surrounded by big mountains. It is down a long dirt road and longer dirt driveway and in a little valley all its own. There are heritage ducks and game fowl, a couple of adorable sheep guard dogs, a cat, a two inside dogs and a guard goose for the fowl. And sheep, lots of adorable Jacobs and thirteen lambs. The lambs......oh, there were about eight of them playing King of the Hill on a boulder and gamboling. Lambs really do gambol.
And the fleece. The smell of a fresh fleece is one of life's joys for me. Janet kept bringing out fleeces to look at and what lovely fiber. I ultimately chose (with their help) a ram's fleece from a fellow named Hector. Hector has some well delineated colors and my plan is to separate the fiber out between white and dark and spin them separately. I washed about a pound of fiber yesterday and I'm so happy with the results. It is super soft and springy and I bet it will be a lovely yarn.
