This weekend was the wonderful Estes Wool Market up in Estes Park, and despite me looking like I'm 7 months pregnant in this picture I had a GREAT time! All of us girls stayed in some cool cabins for the night, and then headed out in the early morning for some coffee and shopping. I like Kelly's picture of us the best though. It makes us look so much more fun!
This year I was on the lookout for a couple of good fleeces that I'm going to send away to Morro Fleece Works for processing. They do an amazing job! So I can show you one of the fleeces, but the other was brought home by my friend Michaele who had more room in her car (thank goodness) Thanks Michaele!
So here is my favorite.... It's Casper from Sheepfeathers Farm (no link, but they are here in Lafayette, CO) phone # is 303-665-2618. This is a CVM/Corriedale cross with incredible crimp and WAY soft. Casper won 2nd place in his class and only because it was a smaller fleece than that of first place. But, when I say smaller, it is a 7 lb. fleece. Nothing to sneeze at. I think once it's processed it'll be about 4 1/2 lbs.
The judging was amazing. A lady from Taos (apparently very famous in the wool business) came out to Estes to do the judging. I'm sorry I don't have her name, but I do have a photo. According to each class of wool there were different characteristics to look for. I really learned a LOT. And, despite the fact I saw about 10 more fleeces I wanted to bring home, I got the two I really wanted. I see some amazing spinning in my future. For some reason I'm really into the natural colored fleeces and yarns right now, and that could be because I'm a dyer and use BRIGHT colors all the time.
Does anyone here know her name?
She's judging my white fleece here in the foreground which won 1st place in it's class. I think there were about 7 other fleeces but I can't remember. Micahele, you CANNOT have this fleece! Hee!
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I also got to go down to Karlene and Gunter Schultz's house, spend the night, and spend some time working on my antique sock knitting machine. I got to go down and spend the night last year before the big broken foot happened and work on my machine. These things are harder than you think, but sooooo dang fun! I'm going to figure this thing out if it kills me! And, as she did last year Karlene had a room all ready for me, and made amazing FOOD with Gunter's help. This family is all about the hospitality!
There is a lady from New Zealand who makes a new machine based on plans from the old antique machines and she is absolutely amazing. She came out to stay with Karlene as well and worked on all of our machines.
Wanna buy one? Here is an original ad from Good Housekeeping, October 1920. She makes it look so easy. HA!
But, here is Jacquie's Site where she makes them new, and pretty and the support is great on these. I'm saving up for one of these new ones...
But the best, and most interesting part about Jacquie is she has been awarded
the New Zealand
Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth
II for adopting and fostering over 70 kids. And she is a Transsexual. Woah. And, if you know me, I want to pick her brain all about that aspect of her life. What's funny is that if I hadn't been told, I would have NEVER known. Seriously. And, that part of her life is VERY secondary to the real her. Anyway, go read here for some more of her background. I think she's had about 7 lives already..... I really want to know her. And after spending an afternoon with her, you can tell she has a heart of gold and has a gentle spirit. Ok, enough sappy stuff. She's cool and she makes a cool product. It's always great to support the little businesses.
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I have SLAVES - or should I say INDENTURED SERVANTS. My new workers are over-excited to make the money I'm paying them, so I have to fight them to stop. Slave-1, I mean Kid 1 has learned to re-skein and is a wonder at it. Thank goodness.
Slave 2, Kid 2 is a labeling wonder. I have a lot of yarnage. Go Girls!!!!
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My Friendship Blanket (Barn Raising Blanket) is going fast. I've done 7 squares so far, and I finished two in the last day. Here are 4 that are already blocked. One is blue for those that don't like pink, or I'll put it in my own blanket. The pinkish is Red Rocks Fiber Works Aspen Sock in Boleyn Girl , and the blue is Shibuiknits. Not sure of the name of the yarn.
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And, last but not least was Kid 2's Dance Recital. This place means business. They push out about 15 pre-professionals every year who go to all the top dance schools around the nation. They do a very professional show which was held at Columbine High School. The place had about 500 people each night packing the place out. Kid 2 does Tap, and Jazz, and next year, we'll be adding in Modern and Hip Hop. They like her and think she's pretty good, as since she is a "self-proclaimed" non-sportswoman Dance is right up her ally. We haven't yet told her that Snow-Skiing is a sport, and that skiing on the Breckenridge ski team is sporty. (GASP!) Please, no one break it to her!
And, after that LONG post, that is all she wrote! Have a GREAT week!
