Posted under MDSW
Finally, a chance to sit down and blog. What a whirlwind weekend it’s been! We got to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival on Friday and we volunteered at the fleece sales. I don’t think I was of much use as I was completely bewildered and confused. But it did give me a chance to get the lay of the land and see what the festival was all about as I was able to see the grounds on the way there.
I was also able to stop by the Golding Spindles booth after we were through, since Shelly had to pick up a spindle she had specially ordered. Oh, the beauty.
And Tom Golding has to be one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I had a great time chatting with him, while soaking up the beauty of his art work. I managed to get a picture of him with Carole and Shelly, but I neglected to get one of myself with him. It must have been the spindle fumes.
Moving on!
On Saturday morning I actually got to meet Alison of Alianne Knits. We’ve been commenting on each others blogs for about 2 years now. I had a wonderful time shopping with her and her friend Melissa. You wouldn’t believe how much the three of us enabled each other.
In the afternoon, I got to meet even more blogging friends, Patrick and Roseann. They took me to a booth where I got to spin on four different spinning wheels. Four! I could have camped out in that booth for the rest of the day. Talk about spinning heaven! The two of them are pushing me to purchase the Lendrum as my second wheel, but I’ve also got my eye on the Schacht Ladybug.
After that, Roseann went off to help with a festival event and Patrick and I went on to shop. Patrick and I did quite a bit of damage together on our own. I wish the three of us would have had more time to spend with each other, because I had such a fabulous time.
What really kills me is that I didn’t get a picture of the fabulously handsome Patrick and myself. Although I did manage to get a picture of myself and Roseann, as you see here. :-)
At the end of the day we ended up at the spin-in. I’ve never seen so many spinners in one place! Finally, I was amongst my people!
There was a really fun competition where whoever wanted to participate could race to see who could spin the longest thread/yarn blindfolded. I’m not sure who won, but Alison had a great time trying!
I went back the next day, but I didn’t take as many people pictures. If you want to see all my pictures, you can see them on my Flickr page.
As for what I bought? I think I need to recuperate a little before I get to photographing them and blogging about them. You wouldn’t believe how sore my legs are! I really got in some good exercise.
Another thing, I’m having such a good time here in Altoona, that I’ve pushed my return flight to a later date. I’m not sure how much later, but I’ll be here for at least another two weeks. Whee!
blogless michelle on 05 May 2008 at 8:59 am #
thanks for the update. glad to hear you’ve been having such a good time, but then again, we all knew you would. ; ) let us know when to expect your return to alohaknitters!
fleegle on 05 May 2008 at 9:02 am #
Oh, I am so envious!
And you are welcome to go home via Atlanta…we’ll pick you up and take you back to the airport :)
Rachel on 05 May 2008 at 9:03 am #
Glad you had such a wonderful time! Looks like a lot of fun!
David on 05 May 2008 at 9:17 am #
Wow that’s awesome you’re having such a great time :)
Holler if you stop off on the west coast on the way home.. hehe
Meredith on 05 May 2008 at 9:57 am #
Two more weeks! Wowee! I’m so glad you are having a wonderful time. I’ve been thinking about you every day. I think I get to order my Lendrum around the middle of the month. Mr. Lendrum himself was at MDS&W…I read about a spinner who bought a wheel there and he assisted her. If you want to check it out, go to “The Cult of Lendrum” group on Rav. I don’t remember, alas, the name of the thread, but I doubt if it would be too hard to find…it was one of the most current ones.
Keep on having fun!
immense hugssssssssssssssssssssss
from
mer and the two catgrrls
.: tani :. on 05 May 2008 at 10:45 am #
my goodness girl you know how to make a girl jealous! sounds like you’re having a blast! can’t wait to see your haul!
Christine on 05 May 2008 at 10:47 am #
I’m glad you had such a blast at MDS&W! Two more weeks? You’re welcome to stop by Florida on your way back home!
Cookie on 05 May 2008 at 11:17 am #
Woo!
I’m so glad you’re having a good time. Just don’t forget to go home sooner or later. ;^)
chris on 05 May 2008 at 11:22 am #
Sounds like a wonderful time! Sorry we didn’t get to meet this year, but I think it sounds like this won’t be your last trip to that festival!
tiennie on 05 May 2008 at 11:28 am #
Glad you had a great time!!
Hattie on 05 May 2008 at 12:13 pm #
Wow what a fun time! Those spindles are gorgeous. I would love to have one. Wish I could have gone, it sounds like a blast. Man if ONLY I still lived on the east coast lol.
becky on 05 May 2008 at 12:34 pm #
I’m so glad you are having fun! One year, maybe I’ll make it up there!
hakucho on 05 May 2008 at 1:25 pm #
Sounds like you had a great time. Looks like if you have only one fiber fest to go to…it would be this one. Maybe someday :)
Roseann on 05 May 2008 at 1:49 pm #
I had so much fun with you, too! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the main land well enough to extend your visit. I can’t wait to see photos of your purchases!
loribird on 05 May 2008 at 2:35 pm #
Wow, how cool! The spin-in looks amazing, and I’m so glad you have been having a good time. Be sure to update us as much as possible!
Shell on 05 May 2008 at 4:08 pm #
Yeah! I get to keep you here - teach you how to cook, what Pa Dutch food is like, and all that fun stuff.
I am so glad you are staying longer!
Dee on 05 May 2008 at 5:05 pm #
Those spindles are a work of ART!!! Did you get one too?
Hope you enjoy your extended vacation! I look forward to seeing your new stash acquisitions!
Veronica on 05 May 2008 at 7:29 pm #
Oh Opal, I’m soooo happy for you! After all that nervousness before hand you are now having a grand time! Yippee!
Although - I do miss you. I’ll just have to enjoy your pictures until you get back. Then I can oogle your new yarn and roving in person!
Stay safe and have fun. Hugs!
Kim on 05 May 2008 at 8:32 pm #
Oh my gosh, this all sounds like too much fun! We miss you, but there’s no fun like mainland fiber fun, right? Enjoy!
Barb and I are having a “Kibakichi” (Samurai Werewolf film - imagine that!) viewing on Wednesday, which should promise plenty o’ geek fun + knitting up here in Nuuanu, but we’ll make sure to invoke your name lovingly at knit club on thursday…only Barb, Jill and Meghan attended last week; I stopped in briefly with Ms Ella, but was on non-knitting errands and didn’t stay.
Enjoy, and I’m looking forward to the next installment.
bockstark.knits on 05 May 2008 at 9:52 pm #
I am SOOOOO jealous! I wish I could’ve gone too!
lilikoiknits on 05 May 2008 at 11:03 pm #
Glad to hear you are having a good time (not that I’m surprised - how could you not with out all that goodness around!). We miss you!
Kelley on 06 May 2008 at 1:04 am #
Wow! That’s so exciting! Next year I have to get to MDSW, absolutely!
textillian on 06 May 2008 at 1:22 am #
She called me Handsome! Woohoo!
It was great seeing you in person, as well as helping you get over your phobia of yarn. What? You had no such phobia? Ok, helping you stimulate the economy, how’s that?
Enjoy the rest of your stay (and go Lendrum!)
Alison on 06 May 2008 at 1:49 am #
I see you haven’t posted any of the “enabling” :-)
Hey, if you happen to decide to come down to see some of the DC sights, we’d try and meet you at one of the museums. (Just a thought.) Anyway, enjoy the rest of your stay and I’m so glad we finally got to meet in person!
Lisa on 06 May 2008 at 4:19 am #
I’m so glad you’re having fun and that you’re in the “right” time zone for a while longer lol!
knitnana on 06 May 2008 at 4:25 am #
Oh!!! I’m so glad you got to go…and had so much fun! Wish Altoona was closer.
:(
((((Hugs))))
Jeanne on 06 May 2008 at 10:48 am #
Well…it’s good to hear that you are having fun.
Karen B. on 06 May 2008 at 12:32 pm #
Hooray for you! Stateside after 10 years and you’re having a blast and a half, girl. I am proud of you. So glad you didn’t let nerves stop you!
KnittinDoula on 06 May 2008 at 2:00 pm #
Well, I’m thrilled you’re having a blast! I can hardly wait to see the yarn/fiber pr0n.
And you have a photo of a friend of mine at the spin-in. Her name is Diana and she’s right there in front. Did you get introduced? I think she would’ve gotten a kick out of knowing that we know each other. So, you were amongst “my” people, too.
Oh, those Golding Spindles. I think I got a bit lightheaded from all the shiny in the photo. Ooooh, shiny!
Hey, if you make it to Michigan (or Ohio or Indiana), give me a holla!
Jeanne on 06 May 2008 at 2:41 pm #
Looks like you are having a great time - and if you make it to NJ, let me know!
*karen on 06 May 2008 at 6:19 pm #
Ah ha! I knew you’d have fun. I told you so :op
hetty on 08 May 2008 at 1:32 am #
Wow! Sounds like a great trip! I am so envious of you at the moment! Glad you are having a terrific time!
Jane on 09 May 2008 at 1:49 pm #
I’m so happy you are out there. You deserve it!It looks like lots of fun and I’m really interested to hear what you think of the ladybug. I have a Lendrum already but you never know :-)I can’t wait to see what you got.
Patrice on 14 May 2008 at 1:54 pm #
Oh, I am SO glad you got to go to the MD Sheep and Wool Festival. It brought back a lot of memories viewing your Flickr photos. Looking forward to seeing photos of what you bought!!