Still in Shock. But a Good Kind of Shock.

Uh, guys?

I bought a loom today. A LOOM. A maple eight-shaft Baby Wolf. With stroller. And an extra reed.

I blame Stephanie. She was with me today at Shuttles' 18th birthday sale (15% off everything!) and was a complete enabler. Of course, I'd been saving for this moment ever since I took my first weaving class two years ago. I knew I wanted an 8-shaft Baby Wolf. So I kept an eye out on Craigslist and an ear out in my Guild...for two years. After telling this to Stephanie (who knows about such things), she confirmed my suspicion: eight-shaft looms just don't come up for resale very often. Usually they're snapped up very quickly.

That did it. I gathered my courage and waited my turn in the long birthday-sale line. Upon reaching Judy (who'd been my weaving instructor for multiple classes), I announced that I'd decided to buy a loom. She was so happy for me, gave me a hug, and rang me up. My heart stopped for a sec, but I reminded myself again about the money I'd saved for this very moment, and that buying a loom was inevitable anyway. That calmed me down a bit, and I went back into the secret bat-cave area where Sara was taking loom & wheel orders. And I ordered my loom. And it was good.

It should be another month before it comes in, so I have time to figure out where exactly I'm going to put it. Who needs a kitchen table, anyway?

Fiber Tourist, Right Here!

I know I haven't posted in awhile, but GUYS!

Excitement!

In April I'll be combining three loves (fiber + travel + anthropology) by journeying up to Forks, WA and taking part in a Judith Mackenzie McCuin workshop!

Here's what I'm talking about. The workshop is called "Tribal Textile Treasures," and will last for 4 days/3 nights. It will involve learning how to weave with cedar and spin wolf down and feathers, plus time with tribal textile artists and storytellers. I managed to squeeze in by the skin of my teeth. My friends Stephanie and Connie are going, and the organizer said that although the workshop was technically full, she could arrange for us to bunk in a 3-bed room at the B&B.

My deposit has been cashed, so it seems like it's really happening. Now all that's left is to save for the workshop and other expenses (air fare, etc.). Oh, and I s'pose I'll need a travel wheel. (Eeeep.) But it will all be worth it. This will be my first fibery trip, my first in-depth fiber workshop, and my first class with Judith. Freak out!!

Le Tour

Guess who forgot to join the Tour de Fleece yet again this year? Yup. I always do this kind of thing...get excited and promptly forget. But that doesn't mean I'm not spinning! Still spinning every day, though that's pretty usual. I figured Hey! I'll just be a late joiner. No big woo. But it turns out the Tour forum on Ravelry has nearly 3,000 members and the threads are eons long. So I think I'll keep track of my yarns on the blog here and pretend in my little fantasy world that I'm another treadler in the Tour.

So without further adieu, here's what I've been working during these first few days...

Interlude

Well, I should probably post all about the Estes Park Wool Market Sheep-to-Shawl contest (SPOILER! We didn't win, though the shawl is lovely & I'm really proud of us), but I'm a lazypants.

So. Here's a little pic of what I did during one of my days off back in maybe April.



Pretty colors! :D