JessaLu Knits (and Spins!)

…I have been trying to think of how to post about Sunday for three whole days. Each day that has passed has made it that much harder to put into words the fun we had. I’ve decided, therefore, to just jump in headfirst and hope for the best…

There was fiber, there was fun, there were rides in ‘velocipedes’ to go get coffee (for those who were dirty stay-outs the night before *cough* Becky *cough*), there were wheels galore (okay there were five but that’s a lot, considering this wasn’t a ‘fiber’ event), there were spinners, there were knitters, and best of all, there were astonished muggles. Oh and a hailstorm, can’t forget that.

Pictures? I have a couple:

That’s Tina, the wheel to her Right is blog-free Becky’s and next to hers is Amelia - my Ashford is hiding on the left. Michelle was there late which is where I get the ‘five’ count of wheels. ;o)

My perspective for most of the day…

Tina - enabling.

My mother and my sister also put in a late showing - they arrived just in time to help us pack up as that dark cloud you see behind Tina and her victim er, student hit us with all of nature’s fury. I never thought you could throw four wheels, a table, four chairs, a buttload of fiber and three spinners into a Jeep in less than 30 seconds, but we did it.

There was quite a bit of interest in our booth, which was very cool. A few people have told me that we were the busiest one there. Yay spinners!

…on a Saturday when it’s 86 degrees out and the air is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife?

Why, spin outside, of course! ;o)

This past Saturday was the Hudson River Knit & Spin 2008 in Catskill, NY. It was also the second hottest day of the year so far (the hottest was the day Dobby graduated and we had her graduation party in the back yard). My day began with an email from RR:

too hot. can’t breathe. stay inside with a/c if you can.

I wish. I wrote back:

can’t stay - promised Tina! Must be with my people!

…and in the end, I was glad I went. There was a very good turnout and I had a great time! Here are most of the attendees (huddled in the shade, thankful for the breeze coming off the river):

What was I spinning?

80/20 Merino/Tencel purchased at Rhinebeck ‘07 from Clover Leaf Farms in the colorway Jungle Fever. Isn’t it pretty?

Late afternoon we ran into some showers so we had to adjourn to the Muddy Cup coffee shop:

Through all this excitement, Tina’s husband Steve managed to retain an air of cool detachment:

Honestly, I don’t know how he stayed so calm. ;op

…might be a personal record or something. Lately I haven’t been able to think of anything to post about and trying to come up with my usual three a week was kind of a struggle. Apparently that is not the problem this week - I can’t seem to shut up! Today I’m covering a few things - Cummington included. ;o)

First, Jazz would like me to thank you all for your well-wishes. She is feeling much better and is LOVING the chicken and rice diet (so much for it being a punishment) and can’t WAIT until Momma lets her off the string (she gets walked on a leash until the vet says otherwise. yay.) so she can maybe catch those stupid birds who are mocking her…

Second, I wasn’t very clear on Tuesday’s post. That peony blossom is the first one that particular plant has given up in the five or so years since I bought it as a bare root plant (cheap!) at Walmart.com in 2003 - or it might have been 2002 - and planted it. I thought for sure it was yellow…I am so very happy it’s not. You see, the other peony (the one on the right) is also a light pink:

This year it looks like she is going to give me six (!) blooms. Amazing!!

Last but not least, we have Cummington. It happens to be my favorite fiber festival - and it is also where I learned to spin two years ago. This year I went more for the people than the ’stuff’ (at least, that’s what I told myself after I found out that Foxfire didn’t have any batts left) ;o)

I witnessed the birth of a fleece:

Dave in fine leg (and Marcy looking very confused - and some woman who I don’t know but wouldn’t sell me her Canadian Production Wheel so I blurred out her face…hehe):

…and I’m calling this one “BUSTED!” or “Now We Know What Laurie Does When She Thinks No One is Looking”:

After some fine wine at lunch (thanks Carole and (blogless) Sharon for feeding me!), we stopped by Amy’s booth - which is where I did the most damage to my wallet:

Then on to the next…

and finally, a bit of yarn.

Overall a good day that ended with me spinning on my Golding spindle at the first car club cruise of the year in Canaan, CT and falling into bed, exhausted, at 10:30 which is completely out of character for me. I think it might have been the getting up before 9 - which is early for me, I’m a night owl and have trouble sleeping before 3am - and wine at lunch (I’m a cheap date - ask RR) ;o)