Back from North Country Fiber Fair!

Oh my GOODNESS, I had the best time I've ever had at NCFF!  I wasn't sure I wanted to come home, even though I was dead tired after it was over.

I taught 2 Beginning Nalbinding classes and a Beginning Sashiko class. The students really made it a pleasure to be there teaching!  I was also able to take 2 classes - Photography for Fiber Artists and Long Draw Spinning.  Excellent classes. Thanks to the spinning class, I'm starting to spin thick lopi style singles.  Love it!

At the dinner on Saturday night I participated in the fashion show with my nalbound poncho.  We found that I make a terrible model.  Must ask someone more flamboyant to model for me next time.  But many people seemed to appreciate the poncho.

So many of my friends came up and we were able to hang out and catch up with each other and I made many new friends.  This event can only be compared to a fiber arts party and sleep over (<- if you stay the 3 days).

I could not do justice to the event with my pictures.  But here are a few to give to the feel of this incredible little fiber fair.

The delightful bunch from my first nalbinding class. I wish I would have had the brains to take pictures of each of my classes.  Though, Johanna rescued me and took a picture of me teaching.  (I just don't have the picture yet.) 

Sweet little angora goat that was for sale.  He (and the white one behind him) found a home with one of the ladies in my spinning class.

Hidden Valley Farm - has the most wonderful coopworth and soysilk roving in blue called "Age of Aquarius".  I've been spinning it up today in lopi style singles.

The delightful gentleman on the left owns Rich-nes Alpacas.  I buy roving from him every year. (I didn't catch the name of the booth the of lady who was visiting with him.)

The booth my cohorts and I had.  Ruth and Meghan never let me get a serious picture.  Bless their hearts for letting me sell with them.  I was hardly ever at the booth.

Many vendors - I think we had more than 40 vendors this year.

These bunnies were so adorable!  I wanted to bring one home, but I can't be a good bunny mom right now with how busy I am.  So I will remember these sweet babies with pictures.

Here's the stash I brought home!  Enough to keep me spinning for a while, maybe...

Sashiko Beginner Class at NCFF

The Sashiko Beginner Class at North Country Fiber Fair (NCFF) has been confirmed for Sunday morning from 10am to noon. See workshop listings for more info.  Oh I can't wait!  I know the beautiful patterns will draw people in to learn more about sashiko and the Japanese culture.  I'll be getting the class info and projects together very soon.

You haven't heard of NCFF?  It's our local fiber festival.  Think yarn, wool, sheep, alpacas, mohair, spinning, weaving, felting and all other fiber arts goodness for the Dakotas and surrounding areas.

The Homefront

Our summer schedule seems to only have sped up compared to the school year.  Swimming lessons are the big favorite for activities, though we'll see how my son likes scout camp.  (I'm betting it'll be the new fave for him.)

I'm almost done with my Olympus course on Sashiko.  Waiting for the test materials and review of my work.  I'll be going through all the levels they have.

Looking at purchasing a manual treadmill.  Bentos and smaller meals in general are helping with the weight loss but I need to keep exercising!  I've been pacing the basement to walk and jog while relieving the boredom by listening to Japanese lessons.  The constant turning is not nice on knees.  So I'm trying all sorts of things to keep the turning to a minimum or slow it down.

This fall is quickly approaching.  It's just a little over a month until both my young 'ens are in school.  (Yes, my school district is insane as we start school in the best swimming weather...I can't begin to explain with out ranting so I'll not explain.)  I'll be working on my shop full time then.  I'm looking forward to it, but it will be a big change for me, the shop and my family!

That's all the news from here for now.  I hope your summer is fun and less hectic than mine!  What's happening for y'all?