05 May 2008

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival 2008

I'll just jump back in and pretend I didn't take an impromptu break from blogging...

This Saturday, I attended my second Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival with my knitting friends. We had a two car caravan, which really saved on gas and left more to spend on yarn.

Speaking of yarn, I was not in the mood to buy a lot this year. I've mentioned that I'm a knitting anomoly, one who doesn't love to hoard stash yarn. It's not that I don't love yarn, but I get sick of things quickly. I'd rather have a project in mind, buy the yarn and start it immediately. If I have yarn or fabric sitting in my house for a year waiting to become something in particular, it haunts me. It makes me feel guilty for not starting that project, for crossing an item off of my list. It also helps my budget for now too.

On the other hand though, I love helping my friends spend their hard earned money on yarn. My catch phrase is,"Do you want me to rationalize the purchase, or tell you that you shouldn't buy it? Let me know so I can change my argument."

Original Crew

Our regular crew came this year, as well as some new friends we have made. I was worried that my hard core knitting friends would scare off my "normal" knitting friend, Olivia. But everyone had a great time and enjoyed the festival, despite the 45 minute lines for food and lack of water pressure in the restrooms.

I loved seeing the baby goats, including this little diva who kept stealing her owner's seat and making it her throne.

Prima Donna Goat

Another highlight was seeing the newly shorn and manicured alpaca. Isn't this guy cute? It was also fun to point out basketball sized sheep testicles to the newbies. Hey, this is a livestock fair!

Alpaca

At the last hour of the day, I stepped into the Tilli Tomas booth. She has gorgeous yarn with sequins and beads sewn in. They're usually way out of my price range, but she surprised us by discounting her yarn as a thank you her fiber supporters.

I left with one skein of green silk with sequins.

Till Tomas Sequined Lace Amazon

And two skeins of iris blue with glass beads.

Tilli Tomas Flurries

Ah, nothing like some bling, sequins and bold colors to make this girl happy! Thanks for a great trip, girls.

6 comments:

Wendy said...

Don't forget the kettle corn and the icecream!

W

Anonymous said...

yay for photos! that yarn looks great- what are you going to do with it?

Vanessa said...

Sounds like a blast! I agree on the project-specific purchases, and I'm having fun now using up leftover yarn from xmas presents- I like the challenge of finding something that lets me use it ALL up. Can't wait to see what you do with the bling yarns!

kat | Taylor Made designs said...

sounds like you had a wonderful time.

I am with you on buying project specific stuff. I have learned not to buy stuff unless I have a project in mind to do NOW... no more months later :)

sulu-design said...

You have "normal" knitting friends? All of the ladies who I used to knit with (myself included) were pretty much anything BUT normal. Good to know there's one out there.
And that sequined yarn rocks.

Nic said...

A cute bag would be worthy of such jazzy yarn, doncha think?!