Purling Oaks

Part Two of Wis S&W

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool is a great fiber event.  Big enough to have a lot of vendors, classes, events, and animals but small enough not to overwhelm a person.  I didn't take any photos in my spinning class (shame on me) but here are the photos from the Ravelry Afterparty in Rome. 

Beth, the organizer that made the party happen and dessert-maker extraordinaire, and Cathy-Cate.

Jenny/Tua Bella shows off her Pomatomus by request. 

Maisymae (Ravelry link) spinning some lovely batt, my DSIL Anne (seated) and Jenny.

More spinners

More spinners...fiber is silk, spinners are from Iowa!

Jenny, Cathy-Cate, and Brandy.

Kath, a back of a nice lady who works at Yarns By Design and I should remember her name considering the time spent at that establishment.), and some other folks 

A very fun event.  It was so nice to be in the same room with so many fiber-lovers.  I don't remember names so let me know if you spot somebody you know and can give me a name.  (ETA some names and blog links)

Part One- Wis S&W

Carrie was right.  It is a very good idea not to be home when the drywall guys are working.  Unfortunately, I am.  Yes, I am definitely thinking of a sedative and earplugs.  My plan to work, um, normally, was thwarted by a schedule change so I'm teleworking.  I've found a place on the front porch that is relatively quiet so as long as the weather stays nice, I'm good.

I had a great time at Wisconsin Sheep and Wool.  My beginning spinning class with Deb Jones was great.  She was a super instructor and I even made yarn, plied yarn!  The yarn is far from perfect but I feel I have a better grasp of *how* to spin and will be practicing to cement that in my brain.   I met some really nice classmates, which was an unexpected bonus.  I highly recommend the class.   I shopped the vendors during lunch and after class but didn't buy more yarn.  I did get a nice roving and a lovely pattern.  Here's the loot which includes my first plied yarn and a door prize from the Ravelry Afterparty. 

I've got more photos to share later.

Happy Wednesday!

Sunday siftings

Today was a productive day without a lot to show for it. Well, I could photograph my dresser drawers that I inspected, organized and tossed appropriately worn-out garments. But, I'll spare you. I laundered, picked up piles of stuff around the house and put those piles of stuff in their proper places. The kitchen counter is now visable! I unpacked and repacked my suitcase. I fixed the TV in the bedroom so the satellite feed comes through. (How I did that is a mystery....I'm just happy it is working.) In general, it was a day of catching up and organizing.

I read blogs, today, as well. There is a lot of secret knitting happening. Well, folks, there is no secret knitting happening at Purling Oaks this year. My knitting speed and time have to increase before anybody will see knitting gifts. Perhaps I'll start in June if I'm going to gift any knitting next year. So, dear family members and friends reading my blog........, we should both be glad no knitted items were on anybody's wish list this year. *g*

Speaking of knitting, TanyaTho on ravelry invited me to an informal KAL for Williamsro. This KAL will keep me motivated to keep on knitting. I didn't re-start Williamsro today but it is in my take-along bag of knitting so I'll be working on it this week. I hope to make some decent progress on this sweater in December so I'll be able to finish it during my Christmas vacation. Thanks, Tanya!

Here's another photo from the past week of me with my DB. It was a good vacation.

Time sinks

What a lovely time sink is Ravelry! There are still a few bugs (it is still in beta!), especially if you don't use Firefox for your browser...ask me why I know. *sheepish grin* (Yes, I was too lazy to download it at first since I was excited to get started.) However, it is a most clever site and I'm sure I've seen only a small portion. I was way at the end of the list so I'm surprised I received my invitation so quickly. They are really working through the waiting list. I still wasn't ready since I need to upload more photos to Flickr. Yes, it is a time-sink, but a very nice one.

So, between work, dinner, and organizing myself, I've done no knitting today. Dan will be driving tomorrow so I'll get in a short hour's worth of knitting on Sonnet's last sleeve while I'm in the passenger's seat. Yes, we work together often. I'm glad...otherwise I wouldn't see him as much as I would like.