My Fiber Bin Runneth Over: Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival 2010

From the looks of this fiber bin, I am not kidding too.

As many of the spinners and knitters around the area know, last weekend was the annual Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival in Canby Oregon, and I just had to go. We even got lucky too because after a couple of weeks straight of rain and all around yuck, we got a reprieve from the fiber gods, and the sun came out on Saturday.

My Mother, who tagged along with us spotted these really awesome baskets right off, and had to buy one to store all the supplies needed for her quilting projects, I even liked hers so much I ended up buying one too because it was so pretty. Mom even commented on how so many people were walking about carrying these baskets for their purchauses. They did come in handy despite my beringing along a few reusable market bags.

In order to please my son, and give him some time with things that interseted him, we then went straight to the barn to see all the animals and to give him a chance to pet some of the beautiful creatures. However, if I were one of these critters, and I were surrounded by people who wanted my fleece, I would be a bit nervous too.

Of course though, I told my son that he had to ask the owner of the animal before he petted them. And he could not run up on them, as it made them nervous. My mother commented on how sweet and gentle eyed these Alpacas were, and she could not get over how soft their fleece was.

However, there was much more to do and see at the fiber festival, and I had some shopping to do, and my son's college fund to blow (sorry Nick).

The lawn area was full of vendors and I really did not know where to start, so I just picked the outermost booth and worked my way to the other side of the lawn. There was so much to see that I couldn't help but take my time and just peek in each stand.

Between the lawn and the buildings, we decided to give our eyes a rest from the sensory overload and see what was going on in the penned off area near the spinning circle. What we saw made us laught so hard (no the dog is not hunting the ducks), that we had to stop and watch a while. The working dogs had their work cut out for them competing for top honors, and because of the size of the pen, and the anxiety it causes the lambs to be seperated from their mothers, ducks were used to show off the dogs skills. This dog was really good at his job, and managed to herd all six ducks into their pen, despite some dissention and bad duck words from his "flock".

After our rest, we decided to go into the two buildings, and found more treasures than our arms could carry. We had such a good dat in all, and made pland for next years festival along with a trip to Sock Summit next August.

One last treasure I managed to snap up was this knitting/spinning bag from Slipped Stitch Studios, along with some of their hilarious buttons, however I did not have a hard time finding goodies from other vendors too. I found treasures from : Sunset Fibers, Dicentra Designs, Chameleon Colorworks, Crown Mountain Farms, WoolGatherings, and Blue Moon Fiber Arts.

Looks like I have my work cut out for me now, spinning up all that fiber and making it into something amazing.

Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat

I know I should have posted this blog a few days ago, but I got a bit busy with other things and it slipped my mind. However, I am very happy to say that I made it.

We all woke up early on Feburary 14th, the last day of the show, and some of us were happier than others to go, but eventually we all got motivated. (One of us is definately not a morning person)

And I think John for telling me that I am number one when it comes to knitting and finding the best yarns out there.

Anyhow, we all arrived at the Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma and were immediately greeted by many knitters and spinners all taking in the day, and treating themselves to some Valentines day happiness. with needles, yarn, and fiber.

Anyhow, as soon as we walked into the Fiber marketplace, I was overwhelmed by all the wonderful colors and textures I saw. I even needed some help in picking out the fibers that would be the most fun to work with.

It is a good thing I brought my little partner in crime (He helps me hide all the yarn and fiber that I buy) with me, or I would have completely overlooked that wonderful orange pencil roving at the Crown Mountain Farms booth. Good eyes Nick!

I eventually ended up buying from Abstract Fibers, Lollipop Cabin (I found some really fab sock yarn there) Linda's Knit and Stitch, Herndon Farm (I got a new spinners control card there), The Village Weaving and Spinning Shop (I got a new Niddy Noddy to replace my old one that I accidently cracked), Chemaleon Colorworks, and I got to browse some really great booths. I really wanted a skein of Goth Socks from Rainy days and Wolly Dogs, but they were all sold out by the time I got there. I at least know where to order it from now.

However with the yarn that I bought, I am still in a negative total for my goal to knit 10 kilometers by the end of the year. I am now currently left with -1394 knitted so far. I really need to get to work.

Oregon Flock and Fiber. Canby, Oregon

I attended Oregon Flock And Fiber Today. It was well worth the long drive from the house and was filled with great things to see and do.

We got an early start from the house and made very good time for what it was worth. (Of course we had to stop for a coffee.)

However, once we arrived, it was well worth all the driving.

After setting up and organizing ourselves, my son and I got to walk around and see everything that was there.

We saw this beautiful, old fountain and I could not resist snapping a picture of it with my son sitting in front of it with his "Shopping Bucket". Too bad I forgot my Claritin, my nose was itching from all the animal dander, and pollen.

This proud fellow was hanging out in the barn with all the other Aplacas, there were also several breeds of Goats, Angora Rabbits, many diffrent breeds of sheep, and a few dogs running around.

I even bought myself an Angora Goat Fleece that had already been washed, I just need to card it before spinning it into a nice yarn for something.

There were also many great stands and booths to look in. Some were well set up and organized, others were just so stuffed to the max with products and it was a bit hard to find anything. I ended up buying from Dicentera, DragonFibers, Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Knitted Wits, and Carolina Homespun. I got a new set of Hand Carders, and a new Drop spindle to work with tool wise, and a ton of dyed rovings and top to spin later. Looks like my winter will be busy.

Next show for me will be Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat in Tacoma, Washington. This way I have time to put some money away for it since it is Feburary.