Frolic, Creativ and Alpacas, oh my!

And...she lives!

Okay, catch up time.


Here is my booth at Knitter's Frolic, circa April 26. It was good times. One of my "neighbours" in the room I was in turned out to be one of my actual neighbours Michelle from Sweet Sheep . She lives in Newcastle! Right across the marina from me! This could be dangerous.Yes, that is my antique spinning wheel you can see there in the corner - still available (you know you want it!)

And yes, I did go to Creativ Festival the next day and I have to say that the knitting scene there suffered somewhat from the scheduling of the Frolic on the same weekend. I dropped by the Rose Haven Farm Store booth, who carry Fur Yarn, and treated myself to some Hand Maiden Sea Silk yarn in a beautiful grey-green/silvery colourway, and some of that wacky sock yarn Tofutsies in a fun mix that reminds me of springtime and flowers. It's got that crazy "Chitin" in it. I just love that word:"Chitin". It sounds a bit like a swear, don't you think? For those of you who aren't aware (that would be my relatives and the parents of my son's friends) Chitin is fiber made from shrimp and crab shells (ew!) and is naturally antibacterial (you don't say?!).

My next blog-worthy adventure was to Spinning Wheel Alpacas Open House and Shearing Day. I packed up my son and drove 20 minutes north of my place to the farm. Ruben had a nice little nap on the way. I drove through torrential rain, cursing the fact I hadn't headed up earlier in the day before the weather hit. But when I arrived, I was pleased to find this. The lady at the admission gate said I brought the sun with me. I woke Ruben up and we discovered some beasties fresh from their haircuts.

These fellas are in the "waiting room" waiting for the next available stylist(s). Note the one on the left who is looking to sneak back out.

Here is the crew who do the 'do's. The table you see has a top that pivots so it is sideways and the "client" is sidled up against the table and the whole thing is tipped back upright so the beastie is lying on its side. There is a bit of trussing up (for the safety of the client), but try telling that to the critter on the table! Many hands go to work keeping the client calm and still, trimming off the fibery gold and doing a bit of routine maintanence as well. Then it's 'flip'.... and the client is released transformed!

Here is a mama and her cria (baby) having their photo taken with a mama and her cria (baby). You decide which is which. Only one of the mama's has recently done some table time and has had her spring clip. The other is wearing a hat.

This is a farewell shot of one of the alpacas (and friends) who I believe to be one that I will buy fleece from. She's the chocolate brown one in the foreground and her name is Ebbie. I'm still waiting for a quote.

I also ran into Michelle from Sweet Sheep yet again, sharing booth space with the owner of Kniterary in Whitby. My son made his momma proud by trying desperately to convince them both to give him free yarn. When that didn't work he convinced me to buy him a yummy hank of part Alpaca/part Superwash Merino sock yarn.

Next post? I took the Fur Yarn by Paula Lishman show on the road to TNNA, a gigantic trade show for all manner of needlearts, down in Columbus Ohio. I was in awe. I love my job!