SAFF 2014

We went off to SAFF this last weekend.  And, the klutz that I am, I fell off my bicycle on the way to work the morning we left.  The fall turned into a dive since I really did not wish to be tangled in my bicycle and preferred to land on grass then cement.  I reinjured my ribs and sternum that I injured in a skating accident years ago.  My whole torso and right shoulder are still hurting.  But I did not push my shoulder out again.  That is something!  Fifteen hours of driving on way is interesting when you really do not wish to sit up straight.

I forgot the camera to take pictures of North Carolina and SAFF.  I can say that being able to get out of Texas and enjoy the beauty of autumn in the Blue Ridge Mountains is very special.  Having the chance to go to SAFF as well is just another caveat.  See all those bags?  Sheep and alpaca fiber!  I am trying out different breeds to see what I like so we may have an idea of what we would like to care for some day. 

SAFF actually has a few animals.  My Beloved fell for this sweet little Icelandic ewe who was for sale.  I kept telling him that sheep were herd animals and we would need at least three.  Our Texas yard is not big enough for three sheep even though he would be more then willing to take the sheep for walks around the neighborhood. 

I told this tale to our neighbors.  Our neighbor J tried to figure out how you would get a sheep from North Carolina to Houston in a Subaru.  There was no question about the sheep, just logistics.  Our neighbors rock!  I did have a co-worker mention that the sheep could be a gateway animal so there would be much more livestock in my life! 

I do have a strange reality.

One of my favorite growers and dyers was there.  Since so much of the other fiber needs cleaning I started here with my carding.

And the spinning has started.

I am actually working on a sweater for the Small Mister.  I was trying to get it done for his birthday in November but I am using the last bits of yarn.  The problem is I think I am not going to have enough.  Some of this spinning is going to go straight into that sweater.  Since it is stripes, some of the other spinning I have been doing is going into that as well.  That is what you will get when you start making all your own yarn.

Maybe I can get a few more friends to go with me in 2015 or 2016.  Not just the instigator.  But my Beloved is plotting the making of a metal spinning wheel.  He was thinking about maybe using some motobike parts.  He has some of the other boys plotting with him so I will have to see what comes out of the shop.