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Category: Fairs and Shows

Sheep Keychain

Sheep Keychain

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I started working on this a while ago and have managed to do one. I can hardly wait until school’s done at the end of the month. I don’t seem to have any time to do anything at the moment. Oh well, enough griping.

You may remember that for my Guild’s anniversary exhibition, I made a little flock of sheep. What to do with them now? I could just put them away or make a display, not that I have room for that.

In the past, I made key chains by threading a cord down and back up through the sheep and then adding a split ring. It worked, but the cords wear too quickly. Then I saw some cool headwear for keychains. They seem to just put beads on them, but what do they know? I bought a multi-coloured pack.

Of course, I also had to buy some new beads for this. Really, I did, I didn’t have any large hole beads that would fit on the pole. Sorry about the bad picture, way too much reflection on the left one, and I didn’t want to dump them out. The one on the left is mixed, so there are solids, stripes, crystals and some different textures.

I picked a green keychain to go with the green sheep.

 

The first thing to do is to make a hole in the sheep. For this, I used a leather awl. It worked quite well; I only had to fiddle a little to get the post through the sheep. You can see that the beads unscrew at both ends. This makes it easier to add the beads on the top and bottom after adding the sheep.

Then add some beads and and screw the ends back on.

I like the way it looks. I need to give him some eyes and probably a nose. None of the sheep or the shepherdess had facial features for the display.

The other thing I want to do is fix some of the ears. I was running out of time, and I knew they wouldn’t be handled, so I didn’t worry about some of the ears not being as sturdy as I would like.  Some of them are too fluffy and underfelted, so they will not last as key chains.

The other thing I bought was a little stand and some cards to attach the keychains to. I hope that it makes them look a little more finished and worth what I want for them.

They are too big to fit in the little bags that came with the cards. I will have to look for some different ones.

P.S. I have not picked a name for the little ram lamb yet. Nothing has really jumped out at me as the right one, yet.

A Knight’s Helmet

A Knight’s Helmet

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Along with the Ottawa Valley Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guilds 75th anniversary Show in Almonte that Jan told you about here https://wp.me/p1WEqk-hG9 we also had a smaller exhibition at our guild sale with the theme of Diamonds. I told you about making the diamonds here https://wp.me/p1WEqk-his   They needed something to make them more relivent so I enlisted Jan to make a dragon hand. I am sure she will tell you about it.  Then I thought I should make a bowl for everything. That seemed a little boring so I decided a Knight’s Helmet would be much more dramatic.

The helmet needed to be sturdy to hold the shape so I decided to use some Tyrollean wool batt I got before the pandemic, I think. It makes a nice sturdy felt. I think it is a type of Bergschaf. I am told bergschaf just means mountain sheep and not a particular breed. It would be a different breed in different places.

It had this helpful chart on the back.

It is a very nice grey, the batt is fairly consistent and I didn’t need to add many extra bits to thin spots. Most batts I have tried have been very inconsistent in thickness.

Next was laying out wool for the top, bottom and nose peice of the helmet.

At this point, I decided I didn’t want the nose piece attached. it was going to affect the shrinkage in the spot so I removed it and made it a separate piece along with the strapping that will go on later as well.

After that, it was a lot of rubbing and rolling and bashing until it was shrunk to the right size.

then it needed to dry in the right shape. I wanted it to be round. No idea why, it was just what I had in my head as the idea. I found a bowl the right size and stretched it into shape, fine-tuning the edges by using small tugs until the edge was “straight”  Sorry for the bad picture, it was on the dining room table and windows or glass fronted cabinets are the only options for backgrounds.

Next time I will show you the extra pieces being added and the finished piece.

Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte, Ontario Canada
2024, 75th Anniversary exhibition at the Almonte Textile Museum Part1

2024, 75th Anniversary exhibition at the Almonte Textile Museum Part1

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Welcome back to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte, (Ontario, Canada),  today is the big day of the vernissage!

You have seen glimpses of the show as we were setting up, (2024, Set up for 75th Anaversery exhibition at the ALmonteTextile Museum October 16, 2024), but let’s have a quick look around before anyone arrives, a private tour for you! Don’t forget to bring your glass of wine and nibblies, so you can join the Vernissage after our tour!!

the door at the top of the stairs, with the exhibition in the background6.1) at the top of the stairs, our exhibit is to the left

6.2) Part of the permanent exhibit

As you come up the stairs to the second floor, the permanent Museum exhibit is to the Right but if you turn Left you will be in the temporarily exhibit space and our local guilds show.

As I said before there are examples of weaving, spinning, basketry and felting. I will try to show you the big picture of the exhibit, as well as close ups of some of the pieces so you can appreciate the work.

two swaged yardage, and panel 1 6.3) Two swags and panel #1

As you come through the door at the top of the stairs you will see the two long woven pieces and panel #1 which has a large weaving of the ocean and a lap blanket.

Close ups:

Diane Dillon, Saori Runner, Handwoven Mixed fibres6.4) Diane Dillon, Saori Runner, Handwoven Mixed fibres

We Lost Diane, unexpectedly, this summer. She had recently, in the past year, purchased a beautiful Saori loom and was having a blast weaving on it. You will see her hand woven top later in the exhibit.

Bernadette Quade, Banquet Table Runner, 2024  Recycled rag rug weaving cotton Warp and Cotton Rag Weft6.5) Bernadette Quade, Banquet Table Runner, 2024  Recycled rag rug weaving cotton Warp and Cotton Rag Weft

Panel 1; Jaws and blanket6.6) Panel 1; Jaws and blanket

Marianne Heggttveit,  Jaws, 1980 8-shaft satin weave Linen6.7) (Mandy) Marianne Heggttveit,  Jaws, 1980 8-shaft satin weave Linen.

Mandy used multiple strands of different colours to create this woven fabric. There are many sublet changes in colour giving the ocean it incoming waves.

OVWSG Members, Handwoven Plaid Blanket, Handweaving Wool.6.8) OVWSG Members, Handwoven Plaid Blanket, Handweaving Wool.

This lap blanket has been fulled to a lovely fuzzy nap.

7.1) Panel 2;  Colour gamp, novelty Yarn, tapestry, Felt tulips7.1) Panel 2;  Colour gamp, novelty Yarn, tapestry, Felt tulips

Panel 2 has the first of the felted items in the exhibition, as well as the only examples of spinning that were submitted.

Close ups:

Ann Sunahara Diamonds, 2019 Twill Gamp Cotton warp and weft7.2) Ann Sunahara Diamonds, 2019 Twill Gamp Cotton warp and weft

A Gamp is a way to sample various threading, treadling and colour options.  There is a coverlet, that is actually a gamp, later in the exhibit too.

Molly Underhill, Vase of Tulips 2019 Wet felt, Needle Felt, Embroidery,  Merino, silk and embroidery floss7.3) Molly Underhill, Vase of Tulips 2019 Wet felt, Needle Felt, Embroidery,  Merino, silk and embroidery floss

This is the first felt item you have seen in the exhibition! Molly has done a rather 3D picture, look at those fluffy tulips. She used a shadow box to frame her still life.

Laine Thiry-Smith Fruit of the Loom: not your Underwear!, 20177.4) Laine Thiry-Smith Fruit of the Loom: not your Underwear!, 2017

This is one of the 12×12 squares from the guilds exhibition celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Merilyn Mulligan Hand Spun Novelty yarn 2024 wool (Pollworth Fleece) Plied with silk7.5) Merilyn Mulligan Hand Spun Novelty yarn 2024 wool (Pollworth Fleece) Plied with silk

Merilyn Mulligan Hand Spun Novelty yarn 2024 wool (Rideau Arcott Fleece) spun with scraps of yarn7.6) Merilyn Mulligan Hand Spun Novelty yarn 2024 wool (Rideau Arcott Fleece) spun with scraps of yarn

Black display case8.1) Black display case

Closw ups:

Ann McElroy, Shepherds’ Spring Farm Ceremonial Helmet, 2014 Wet Felting Sheep’s Wool (Coriedale and Wensleydale) close up of horn 8.21-8.22) Ann McElroy, Shepherds’ Spring Farm Ceremonial Helmet, 2014 Wet Felting Sheep’s Wool (Coriedale and Wensleydale)

This is the second felting we have seen.  We had a little trouble with Ann’s foam support head, the hole in the neck had enlarged over time, and now enjoyed leaping off her stump and plummeting to the table. This could have been very disconcerting for visitors. Ann suggested “add a nail”. We added two to the perch and she now sits happily again.

Janet Whittam Swept Away. 2023 Rib Basketry Rattan, Mylar Fragment, Skate egg Cases, Wool roving, and verginia Creeper Janet Whittam Swept Away. 2023 Rib Basketry Rattan, Mylar Fragment, Skate egg Cases, Wool roving, and verginia Creeper8.31-8.32) Janet Whittam Swept Away. 2023 Rib Basketry Rattan, Mylar Fragment, Skate egg Cases, Wool roving, and verginia Creeper

Janet is a long time weaving, if you look back through some of the shopping posts I’ve done, you will see her booth filled with Handwoven tops and Ponchos, rag rugs and fabulous baskets. She gives a workshop on how to make the baskets which involves a walk to collect some of the materials. I have fond memories of dragging wild grape vine out of trees along the country road.

Nancy Ingram Polka Dot Bird, 2000’s bent wire and needle felting Mized media-wire, wool and wood base with stone accents8.41-8.42 ) Nancy Ingram Polka Dot Bird, 2000’s bent wire and needle felting Mized media-wire, wool and wood base with stone accents

Nancy is a Weaver and Felter. I love her use of exposed wire-work, it is so delicate but suggestive of the feature it is representing. You will see one of her Theo Mormon technique transparency tapestries a bit later in the show. Some of her other tapestries were much bigger. If you are curious, I can try to find a picture of some of them.

Janet Whittan Untitled, 2024 Rib Basketry Grapevine, cordage, rattan and antler Janet Whittan Untitled, 2024 Rib Basketry Grapevine, cordage, rattan and antler8.51-8.52) Janet Whittan Untitled, 2024 Rib Basketry Grapevine, cordage, rattan and antler

This is Another example of Janet’s Found Object baskets, this time including antler! I should have taken the picture before it went into the display case, the glass is obscuring the details. You may also have seen this in the shopping at Spencerville earlier this summer. (https://i0.wp.com/feltingandfiberstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/3.2-1.jpg?fit=450%2C600&ssl=1)

While I berate myself for my bad photo choices let’s move on to the next panel.

9.1) Panel 4 Scarves9.1) Panel 4 Scarves

Close ups:

Carmen Deschenes Fall Burnt Orange, 2018 Shibori weaving, hand Dyed  Raw silk. 9.2) Carmen Deschenes Fall Burnt Orange, 2018 Shibori weaving, hand Dyed  Raw silk.

Carmen has used woven shabori to create this crinkled textural scarf. Extra threads are used as the fabric is woven, then tied to create the wrinkles. The fabric is then steamed to set the texture. The crimp can be increased by using fibers with differential shrinkage as are used in Nuno felt.

Linda Perrier, Scarf X’s and O’s (Original Pattern by Elizabeth Hill), 2022, Defected Double Weave, Hand dyed silk by Natalie Shumovski  9.3 Linda Perrier, Scarf X’s and O’s (Original Pattern by Elizabeth Hill), 2022, Defected Double Weave, Hand dyed silk by Natalie Shumovski  

9.4 I think this may be Mandy’s but cant find it in the list.

9.5  this one may also be Mandy’s when I find out more I will add the info.

There will be an exhibit of diamonds at the Guild sale Nov. 2-3rd. these may have been sent to the wrong exhibition, Liane is checking about that and i will update if the display gets changed.

Elizabeth Watt, Christening Shawl, 1995 2-Ply Hand Spun Knitting, Shetland Wool 10.1) White shawl

Elizabeth Watt, Christening Shawl, 1995 2-Ply Hand Spun Knitting, Shetland Wool Elizabeth Watt, Christening Shawl, 1995 2-Ply Hand Spun Knitting, Shetland Wool10.2-10.3) Elizabeth Watt, Christening Shawl, 1995 2-Ply Hand Spun Knitting, Shetland Wool

11.1) Panel 4  - Nuno Felt11.1) Panel 4  – Nuno Felt

 11.2-11.3)   Diane Dillon (In Memoriam) Nuno Wrap, 2018-2020, Nuno Felting, Wool, Cotton, and silk  11.2-11.3)   Diane Dillon (In Memoriam) Nuno Wrap, 2018-2020, Nuno Felting, Wool, Cotton, and silk 11.2-11.3)   Diane Dillon (In Memoriam) Nuno Wrap, 2018-2020, Nuno Felting, Wool, Cotton, and silk

another example of Felting, this is a large shawl created with Nuno felt. even as we were setting up it was getting a lot of interest.

12.1)  Panel 5 Hanging, felt, felt and scarf12.1)  Panel 5 Hanging, felt, felt and scarf

Carole Leroux, Falling in Love/ Tomber eh Amour, 2023, Plain Weave with Inlay of overshot, 8/2 Cotton.12-2) Carole Leroux, Falling in Love/ Tomber eh Amour, 2023, Plain Weave with Inlay of overshot, 8/2 Cotton.

Liane Thiry-Smith, Walleye/Dore: Sander vitreous, 2017, Dyeing, Weaving, Needle Felting, Wool and Lichen.12.3)  Liane Thiry-Smith, Walleye/Dore: Sander vitreous, 2017, Dyeing, Weaving, Needle Felting, Wool and Lichen.

Here we have 2 more felted items in the show, the background of the fish is woven. the Sylph is very delicate and has nice use of different fibers to give different effects.

Liane Thiry-Smith, Sylph/ La Sylphide, 2017, Wet Felting, Nuno Felting, Needle Felting, Stitching, Wool, Silk, Mohair, Cotton, Cheesecloth, and threads.12.4) Liane Thiry-Smith, Sylph/ La Sylphide, 2017, Wet Felting, Nuno Felting, Needle Felting, Stitching, Wool, Silk, Mohair, Cotton, Cheesecloth, and threads.

Judith Rygiel, Shawlette. 2020 8 shaft Twill, Silk12.5  Judith Rygiel, Shawlette. 2020 8 shaft Twill, Silk

13.1) Blue Shawl13.1) Blue Shawl

Judy Kavanagh, Blue Shawl, 2020, Handspun yarn Hand knitted, wool.Judy Kavanagh, Blue Shawl, 2020, Handspun yarn Hand knitted, wool.13.2-13.3)  Judy Kavanagh, Blue Shawl, 2020, Handspun yarn Hand knitted, wool.

14.1) Panel 6  Rug hanging sun flower computer inspiers wire weacing14.1) Panel 6  Rug hanging sun flower computer inspiers wire weacing

Catgerube MacFabe  Rag Rug, 2024, Woven on a 4-shaft loom (after Tom Knisely’s weaving rag rugs) Brassard Cotton (warp) and Repurposed cotton cloth (weft) Catgerube MacFabe  Rag Rug, 2024, Woven on a 4-shaft loom (after Tom Knisely’s weaving rag rugs) Brassard Cotton (warp) and Repurposed cotton cloth (weft) 14.21-14.22)  Catgerube MacFabe  Rag Rug, 2024, Woven on a 4-shaft loom (after Tom Knisely’s weaving rag rugs) Brassard Cotton (warp) and Repurposed cotton cloth (weft)

Nancy Ingram, Three Sunflowers, 1990’s, Transparent Tapestry Inlay, Warp-line Linen, Weft-Tow Linen, Glass and frame.14.3) Nancy Ingram, Three Sunflowers, 1990’s, Transparent Tapestry Inlay, Warp-line Linen, Weft-Tow Linen, Glass and frame.

Many years ago in a former life i showed Nancy how to frame between 2 sheets of glass to show off both sides of her transparency tapestrys. if i remember correctly i used trunbucles to secure the glass to the frame. i would like to take a quick peek at the end of the exhibit to refresh my memory! it realy was a very long time ago.

Nancy Ingram, Three Sunflowers, 1990’s, Transparent Tapestry Inlay, Warp-line Linen, Weft-Tow Linen, Glass and frame. Nancy Ingram, Three Sunflowers, 1990’s, Transparent Tapestry Inlay, Warp-line Linen, Weft-Tow Linen, Glass and frame. Nancy Ingram, Three Sunflowers, 1990’s, Transparent Tapestry Inlay, Warp-line Linen, Weft-Tow Linen, Glass and frame.14.4-14.6) Sylvie Faucher, Computext Board, 2022, Rep Weave, Linen, Cotton, Copper Wire, and Metallic Thread

Wooden display cabinet  DNA, Ice dragon and friend, Shepherdess and sheep, Woven mini blanket15.1) Wooden display cabinet  DNA, Ice dragon and friend, Sheperdess and sheep, Woven mini blanket

Sylvie Faucher, Double-Twisted Strands, 2022, Deflected Double-weave, Cotton15.2) (DNA weaving), Sylvie Faucher, Double-Twisted Strands, 2022, Deflected Double-weave, Cotton

Jan Scott, Ice Dragon, 2021, Needle Felting 3-D sculpture with full armature, Wool (Shetland, Mixed wool with Silk) armature in steel floral wire, and seed beads for eyes. (Visiting Sheep by Ann McElroy, Wool) Jan Scott, Ice Dragon, 2021, Needle Felting 3-D sculpture with full armature, Wool (Shetland, Mixed wool with Silk) armature in steel floral wire, and seed beads for eyes. (Visiting Sheep by Ann McElroy, Wool)15.31-15.32) Jan Scott, Ice Dragon, 2021, Needle Felting 3-D sculpture with full armature, Wool (Shetland, Mixed wool with Silk) armature in steel floral wire, and seed beads for eyes. (Visiting Sheep by Ann McElroy, Wool)

you may recognize this little felted guy and his purple friend.  the Ice dragon and his frosty breath are from the collection of Glenn Martin. i will tell Dragon he cant take his little sheepy friend home at the end of the show!

Ann McElroy, Dyed in the Wool, 2024,  wet and needle felt, Sheep’s wool (Various Breeds) Ann McElroy, Dyed in the Wool, 2024,  wet and needle felt, Sheep’s wool (Various Breeds) Ann McElroy, Dyed in the Wool, 2024,  wet and needle felt, Sheep’s wool (Various Breeds)15.41-15.43 Ann McElroy, Dyed in the Wool, 2024,  wet and needle felt, Sheep’s wool (Various Breeds)

This may look amazingly familiar….. as if you saw it maybe yesterday…. those sheep you cant get them out of your head…. don’t try to count them, its never good to face plant your keyboard! (ok its getting late in my working on this blog, this one took a long time trying to match names to pieces some being very trickily not on the list after i went through it multiple times. i hope i don’t get too strange as the hours gets later, and there are more photos to add!) OH! I had not noticed but if you look at 15.41 you may notice an odd ethereal presents behind the sheep, no wonder they are staying close to the shepherdess!

Jean Sharp, Hudson’s Bay Mini , 2017, Frame Loom Weaving, Wool15.5)  Jean Sharp, Hudson’s Bay Mini , 2017, Frame Loom Weaving, Wool

this is another of the pieces from the 150th show, it was so amazingly Canadian!

Guild Tapestry project Guild Tapestry project signs Guild Tapestry project16.1-16.3) Guild Tapestry project

Guild members project, you have seen this a few times in the blog posts, we have representations of quite a few of the fiber arts in the squares, Felting is well represented!

17.1) Panel / wall #7  Wier weaving17.1) Panel / wall #7  Wire weaving

Sayword Johnson, Presomnial No. 12, 2021 Handweaving, Copper wire, Green Patina, and Embroidery on linen canvas.17.2) Sayword Johnson, Presomnial No. 12, 2021 Handweaving, Copper wire, Green Patina, and Embroidery on linen canvas.

Sayword weaves with Copper wire in Warp and Weft.  she then adds patinas to react with the copper and finally adds embroidery to finish the piece. some of her pieces are quite large, others are free standing and some are small and delicate. the Guild was very lucky to have her teach copper weaving, hopefully she will do another workshop in the future.

Slide show and guest book, and small landscape in the background18) Slide show and guest book, and small landscape in the background

 This is the slide show I updated for the guild anniversary party.  There are over 900 slides so if you want to take a brake and watch them, we can wait, but i wont inflict them all upon you, if you only want to paws a moment. There are still a few more things to check out in the exhibit before the Vernissage officially gets started. Why don’t you take a seat in my walker (it is quite comfy) while you check out the slide that is showing, and then you can sneak downstairs and top up your glass of wine.

We have still to see one more woven piece on this wall then 3 items on the end wall, the Quilt stand and plinth, and then we have to look up and see the Mer’s.  I am sure you caught brief glimpses of them having fun in the background of a few of the exhibition shots. Since we are on page 21 of this blog post, there may be validity in the rumors I am verbose, let’s give you a rest,  you can enjoy the slide that’s up, (i can add more if you want, no, that’s not a threat!) and we will finish the exhibit and crash the Vernissage next week? (it will let you do that sneaking downstairs from more wine!)

Have fun and keep felting (but after the wine wares off!! those needle are sharp and the wet felters you don’t want to drop your bar of Olive oil soap, then slip on it!! the floor is always lying and is probably also wet.)

 

Finishing and Displaying the Shepherdess and Sheep.

Finishing and Displaying the Shepherdess and Sheep.

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It is time to finish and get it all together.

You may remember I had to redo the Shepherdess’ cloak. I didn’t like the way the hood on the one peice cloak fit, so I made another one making the body and hood separately.

I sewed the hood to the cloak and it looked much better but, naturally, I did not take a picture of that. I immediately moved on the decorating the cloak. I thought if she had multicoloured sheep she would want to show that off on her cloak and so I decided to add some nice fuzz to her cloak to help her show it off and keep warm.

 

Next, the shepherdess needed some hair, up to now she has been bald. It’s a look that works for some but I thought she would be cold or might get sunburn so she needed some hair.

Very quickly she became a lovely brunette with some naturally coloured Teeswater.

trying on her new cloak (ignore the messy background, there is no time for housework when cloaks must be made.)

Time to be put together. Off to the guild studio for a photoshoot.

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And lastly, they got installed at the gallery for the guild show. Jan will have more pictures on Saturday. I stole these from a guild post she made because I haven’t made it to the show yet. Thanks to Lianne for giving them some grass to stand on.

You may think this is the end but there is more. Someone’s Dragon raided my flock

She says he is just lonely but he looks a little hungry to me.

Twist 2024; Part 2 – Demos!

Twist 2024; Part 2 – Demos!

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HAPPY HOLIDAY MONDAY to those who are enjoying the long weekend!

Last post we drove out to Twist Fibre Festival, in the heavy rain, and checked out some of the booths. https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2024/08/23/twist-2024-part-1-shopping/

As you saw, this year there was a reasonable distribution of different vendors for weavers, spinners, sewers/Quilters and yarn for knitting and crochet. for felters I only found one that had felt things (boots and slippers) and two that had tools and one had needles.

DEMOS At TWIST

At 1:45 pm, I arranged with the workshop people to get a table and a couple of chairs for our demo space. it was the best spot for demoing, right outside the main arena, where everyone would pass. Since there was no demo box, which had tablecloths and other demo supplies, I was left with whatever I had in the car and the felt pieces I had brought to choose from, as a display. I went back out to the car, to drop off shopping (we will look at that later) and see what I had to work with.  I found an old sign I had made for the carp fair in 2017. (No idea why it was still in the car)  It was in a plastic sleeve, on card stock. It had our web address, a bit of info about workshops and our name. OK, signage covered? I have a number of lightweight black car blankets to cover stuff in the back of the car, which will work to cover the table.  I also grabbed the bag of felt pictures, the bag of wool I had brought to work from, and 2 of the braids I just purchased. With the walker loaded, I rolled back through the rain, off to set up a demo.

As I was setting up I had people dropping their stuff on the table, to get organized before going out in the rain. So I only used 2 of the black blankets to allow space at the end of the table, in case more people needed to prep for the weather. I set up all the felting I had brought and pulled out the Dragon hand (more about that even later too!) to add the first colour layer. I didn’t actually get much done on that, but I had a steady stream of questions about felt pictures, sculptures, armatures, needles and wool.

French was my favourite class up to grade 7 when our new teacher decided to teach us to read and write in French. I was very optimistic and had a working hypothesis, that I was enthusiastically testing; maybe I am not dyslexic in French! That did not work out as well as I had hoped and was proven to be a false hypothesis. While I was enjoying French, my English teacher was not. It seems my English spelling worsened and I was kicked out of French, by my English teacher….. I have since lost most of the vocabulary I had acquired before my ignominious removal.

So I was very pleased when another guild member dropped by at the end of her shopping as she waited for a friend to finish a workshop she was in. She had a sweet little support spindle and fibre to demonstrate spinning and spoke French! She was able to chat with many more of the people who stopped and was able to answer their questions or translate what I said. I was so happy that she was there to help!  By the time she left, the crowd had decreased and I was able to chat with most of the remaining people.

This was a great spot and I hope they will ask us back next year.

demoing of felting, pictures, and a few sculptures with armatures
It was very busy, and these pictures, as I set up, were the only ones I got during the demo.
Friday demo space, the table was beside the the door going into the area of the Arena.
The demo spaces at the end of Friday are all ready for the Saturday demo teams.

Sunday Demo teams Spinning, Weaving, Fiber prep with a swing picker10.1- 10.3) Demoing Friday afternoon, demo space at 6 pm, and Sunday demo teams

Now should we check and see if we bought the same things during shopping?  What did you select?

braids of fiber, spindles, silk, a small bat of green, a breed study kit from World of wool, 2 bags of locks, a small bag of cashmear, battery pack for EEW6. Book The Techniques of Tablet Weaving.
Friday’s Shopping
close up of braids most are combed top, 2 plastic spindles,
Close-up of Friday’s Shopping
Sunday's Shopping, 2 more braids of top, 2 twist angle guides,2 more of those spindles i got on friday, a pen holder for a note book, extra parts for the EEW6.
Sunday’s Shopping

10.4, 10.5, 10.6)Shopping!! braids, wheel parts, spindles, fibre, Book, Silk, Cashmere and twist guides!

On to The Shopping!!

On Friday: I found 7 Braids of combed top, most were BFL, Targi and a Romni cross in deep tones. Many were dyed over grey wool. 2 large top whirl 3-D printed drop spindles, I was crossing my fingers there would be a few remaining on Sunday since they spun like a dream, holding their spin for an extended period of time.  In the top picture (10.4) you will notice I found the Collingwood tablet weaving book I was about to order, and beside it is a mysterious cardboard box!  That is holding my new battery, it will make my EEW6 spinning wheel free of electric plugs!!  I had purchased a bag of these locks before and liked them enough to get 2 more bags this year! I was intrigued by a breed discovery pack from World of Wool (I was inspired by the upcoming workshop on Sunday), a green batt, a small bag of cashmere from the Black Lamb, and a small bag of grey/silver silk that may wind up on the dragon hand.

On Sunday after the workshop, I finished my shopping. First I was off to find 2 more of the spindles I had liked so much, then off to look at a couple more braids of combed top. (Batts are easier to needle felt but the colours!!! I could not help myself!!!)  Yes, I did cave and get a braid with Merino, bamboo and silk, it was the colour! and it will likely hang out with one of the spinning wheels. I found 2 twist angle guilds for the spinning wheels to share. I went back to get info on how to hook the battery up to the electric spinning wheel and also got an extra parts bag, just because I had not seen them available anywhere and it’s good to have spare parts when you need them. Lastly, I also found something for Ann, she has been looking for one for a while but she will tell you about the item in the paper bag (no it isn’t a knotty nostepinne!!)

Although my shopping skills are not up to Carlene’s ability, I did try my best! I hope your vicarious shopping has inspired your next felting, spinning or weaving project!

Thanks to Glenn for carrying loot and wheels on Sunday (he did not shop, since there was a serious lack of blacksmithing related items at the fibre festival, maybe he will have more luck next year? He did enjoy a nice day of reading a book.)

Still to come: Twist 2024; Part 3 – Breed Study Workshop, but first a quick trip to an impressive tapestry exhibit! that will be for next week! Have a wonderful long weekend for those who are partaking!!

Eleanor Shadow vending booth at Tangled Galashiels 2024. There's a table in the middle with fibre and yarns in wire cubes, plus one yarn rack on either side and a large basket on the ground
Becoming an in-person vendor again after 7 years

Becoming an in-person vendor again after 7 years

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For those who read this blog but aren’t familiar with what I do, I sell fibre and hand dyed yarns under the brand Eleanor Shadow. For a while, I was happy simply doing my thing of selling online only, until I moved to Edinburgh and started receiving emails via my site from people asking to come to my shop and buy in person.

I can’t allow customers to come into my studio for contractual and insurance reasons and so had to turn people down, which made me really sad. I hate disappointing fellow fibre lovers! This turned out to be a great thing because it lit a fire in me to start vending again in person. Enter Tangled Galashiels, a new fibre festival that two lovely ladies named Naomi and Samira decided to create near the Scottish Borders.

I had been to Tangled last year for their debut and had a lovely time, accidentally buying two fleeces in the process. When I found out they were taking applications for this year, I decided to apply.

 

Instagram post by Tangled Galashiels where I am seen with three friends at the door, just having bought two fleeces and smiling broadly
From left to right: my friends Si, Liz, me and Lisa. Just look at our smiles!

 

Having not done any in-person vending in years, I was slightly apprehensive about the whole endeavour. My friend Liz was super supportive and offered to help me out in any way possible, which included the most important step in this whole thing: transportation. I can’t sell if I can’t get there with my wares, right?

Well, my application was unsuccessful! I was obviously sad, but also very relieved; this meant I wouldn’t have to do any prep and overthink things. I was off the hook for potentially feeling stressed for 6 months as I got ready for the occasion! Life went on.

Six weeks before the event, I receive an email from Samira – one of the vendors had to cancel, would I like to take their place? Panic. Mode. ON! What to do? If I was already convinced I’d be stressed having to get ready 6 months ahead of time, how would I feel with having only 6 weeks? They gave me a few days to decide, so obviously I agonised over it, asking my friends what they thought, asked Liz if the offer of help still stood, asked my husband if he was willing to put up with a frazzled wife and fibre in the flat everywhere (ok, more than usual)… Everyone was super supportive, so I had no excuse to say no.

After replying positively to Samira and questioning my sanity, I got to work. I ordered more yarn and fibre, planned my dyeing schedule and colourways, prepped my marketing and watched videos on festival vending for booth ideas. If this sounds like a well organised me, trust me, this was done with a lot of sighing, swearing and wanting to dig a hole and disappear.

After six weeks, I was ready! Things just slotted into place: the stuff I had just about fit Liz’s car, my husband was my trusty sidekick, my ideas for the booth worked out almost exactly as I had envisioned, and I still had time to do last-minute adjustments on the first day.

Eleanor Shadow vendor booth at Tangled Galashiels 2024. Leonor is standing in front of it, smiling, waiting for the festival to start

Luckily I didn’t have time to feel nervous, I just went into meeting-and-greeting mode, talked to people and was grateful when they bought something from me. Some of the things I thought would fly off the shelves weren’t too popular, and some I didn’t think would garner much attention sold out!

Most of all though, I was so happy to hear people say nice things about my fibre. Being a one-woman band hidden in my studio means I don’t often get feedback on my work, so having fibre-loving strangers telling me they loved my sense of colour or my yarn bases was just soul-lifting.

The event was only two days, perfect for me to get my feet wet and not get too overstimulated. By the end I was exhausted but oh so happy! I loved the whole experience and couldn’t have asked for lovelier people to have met, talked, or sold to.

Now I’m looking into refresher driving lessons (I’ve never driven in the UK and am unaccustomed to driving on the left) and car rentals. I might just start applying left, right and centre to all the fibre festivals!

Tell me all about your experience at yarn festivals, be it as a vendor or buyer – I’d love to hear it! Thanks for reading.

Spencerville fiber festival, For the Love of Fibre, 2024

Spencerville fiber festival, For the Love of Fibre, 2024

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Ann suggested you might want to go shopping again. This time we are going a bit closer, only about 45 minutes south of Ottawa, to the small town of Spencerville Ontario. As she mentioned, this one was called “For the Love of Fibre” (but it’s basically a fibre festival with lots of distracting things to look at!)  it’s a much smaller hall than the one I showed you in Peterborough but it is also a lot closer to get to (it was even closer for Ann since she is starting south of Ottawa!) So now that you know where we’re going today, let’s meet in the parking lot just before it opens at 10 am. From where you get off the highway (the 416), there are small (ok, Tiny) signs directing you to the hall, in the fairgrounds so you won’t get lost. If you get there early, there is one outdoor vender, we can check out first.

banner saying For the Love of Fibre tied in front of the brick exterior wall of the hall1) When you reach the building, you are greeted by this banner, (so you know you have found the correct location).

Somehow, we got there before Ann, so Glenn and I sat in the car and were ready to wait a bit. I watched vendors going in and out with last minute stuff. I noticed a tall, black, fluffy, dog, taking himself, or herself, for a walk. The dog was mellow, friendly and quite happy to be wandering around on its own. The dog also watched various people going in and out of the automatic door to the building.  After considering for a moment, the dog strode up to the door, it opened, as it had for the person who had just entered, and the dog proceeded to wander in.  ah, well, maybe the dog has some shopping to do? By this point, if they were letting dogs in, I probably should go in to line up and Ann would find me.

Glenn started getting the walker out of the car and I noticed a panicked-looking person looking around franticly. AH,  the dog’s lost owner? Yes, I pointed at the door and said the dog had gone shopping so she hustled off to collect him/her before he/she could spend all the kibble money on fibre and yarn! The Dog, now accompanied, emerged looking resigned, I guess the shopping trip had been cut short.

Dog folowing woman back towords display of baskets and Man standing beside truck close of baskets staked in a display, blues, teals, oranges blacks and creems in bands and checkerbord patterns2.1-2.2) Here is a picture of the missing dog, who is being sent back to work In the outdoor booth with all the lovely bags and baskets. As well as a close-up of the bags

It was at this time I realized something Horrible!! My camera battery was almost dead (the guild meeting had eaten the life out of one on Monday…. did I recharge it when I got home? Because this second one is now dyeing… no the backup is totally dead. Oh no….. this could be a very short blog post…  So I asked at the entrance if they had an outlet I could borrow. Why Yes let’s go in and see if we can find one. Luckily, Janet Whittam had one at her booth. She had a power bar for the lights to illuminate her booth, so I shared her wall plug. Now don’t let me forget it!!!

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3) Three shots from Janet’s Booth, she has garments, rugs, placemats, and basketry.

It was fun to watch the vendors finishing set up for a moment, but I better leave the battery to recharge and go back to start the line to pay and go in. Just in time, there are more people arriving! But still no Ann!  A bit before the 10am the organizers let the Hordes enter!! And we are off!!

Across from the entrance was Kelly’s booth, you will like Kelly she has nice sheep. She is also a member of the Ottawa Guild. Check out her beautifully painted Louet Spinning wheel!

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4.1-4.2) Kelly’s booth, Yarn, Fiber, pelts

The next booth was also Ottawa Guild members, they had turned yarn bowls (check out the little blue one that is being admired!) there was also weaving, handspun and shall pins as well as a few second-hand books.

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 5.1-5.3) Luna booth, woodworking and weaving

Across the aisle, looking back towards the entrance, was a booth of Yarn, lots of colour and seemed quite popular. I was looking for felt ground and interesting fibre so enjoyed looking for a moment then continued on.

a small crowd in front of booth dispalying yarn 6) Crazy About Yarn booth

 On the other side of the door is a booth you may recognize from the drive out to Peterborough, Twin Pines Alpacas. There was that lovely sample you saw last time, some fibre I had not noticed, the palm washboards, some interesting batts as well as stitch markers and yarn.

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 7.1-7.2) another colourful booth, Fiber, yarn tools and stitch markers

Oh, do you see what’s in the next booth? It’s the booth with spindles that was at the Guild Sale and Peterborough! They had lots of different drop and support spindles, more Naalbinding needles, support bowls, spindle cases and Fiber!

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8.1 8.2) Top of the Whorl had spindles, nalbinding needles, spindle cases and rolags

As I turned to check out Jane Macmillan’s booth with artwork (lots of Cute Sheep!) and cards. I found Ann. She had turned Right and I had turned left when I entered.

shot of artwork most have a sheep theam9) Paintings, prints and cards

 Ann and I checked out what we had found so far

Ann showing off 2 of her new batts there tones of blue and green and could be sky or water 10) Ann has been shopping!! She has a Star Wars shirt since it was May the Fourth Be With You day!!

Ann had found a couple of very nice sky /water bats as she had wandered around in the opposite direction than I had. She showed you them in her last post. I wonder if there are any more of these blue batts, and where did she find them?

We zipped past a few more booths, I took a few shots (I don’t zip as fast as I used to but Ann still does!) let me show you a few things that caught my eye

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11.1 –11.4) Ann spotted this tiny emotional support chicken it’s for really small issues

We found the booth, Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly, which was the source of the pretty batts Ann had purchased.

felted ball shaped purrs12.1 Felted Purse There were felted purses that looked like they were made on a ball.

skaines of died yarn12.2) There was a selection of dyed yarn but I was quickly distracted by the batts on a shelf next to them

a shelf basket full of mix fiber batts 12.3) There were a couple interesting ones left but not as sky-like as I had been hoping for.

Ann spotted a selection of Maori short fiber carded fiber in colour collections. Each is labeled with their colour name so I can get more if need it.

SHort staple Maori batts selections of a colour way i each pacage, blues, greens, reds, black to white.12.4)Maori short-staple batt sample packs different shades and tints of a single colour

Now much more encumbered with packages we moved on.  Look! Black Lamb’s booth was directly in front of us! I checked to see if she had more of the size of thick felt backgrounds I wanted, but no luck the pieces here are not the right shape.

Oh, those tempting balls of hand-dyed super wash merino, the colours are so enticing.

balls of hand died super wash marino, lots of fun to spin 13) Supper wash Merino wool

Let me pull you away from the wool as Ann and I drift over to look at the Yarn based on bird colours (what a cool design idea!) Songbird Yarn and Fibers.

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14.1 -14.3) oh there is that cool hat again!!

Next was another booth of yarn, Yarn seems to be the theme this year! Check out the samples, what cool knitting.

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 15.1 -15.2) I have no idea how this was created, self-striping yarn? Complex colour changes? Still looks cool, and makes me think of a bed of little tulips with tiny leaves occasionally interspersed.

OH MY those tapestries look familiar. I saw similar ones being Jurried for the guild show in November. Yes! it’s the same person, I have forgotten her name, but I bet Ann will remember.  She had some very pretty tapestry landscapes with fringe bottoms. I am looking forward to seeing what she has woven by the fall.

booth of landscape tapestrys16) Booth of landscape tapestry’s

There were a few more booths, more Yarn and this one had felt key chains

flet key chain decorations17)  felt Key Chains ornaments

husband reading in huband wating area18) By the time I got to the Husband-waiting-spot, he was reading a book (he may have been snoozing earlier and I missed it?)

It was a fun event, a bit more yarn than fiber but still lots of interesting things to look at and I did come home with 2 bags of loot.  I did remember to go back and get the camera battery and charger before heading out, but I almost forgot!!

Would you like to see what followed me home?

2 bats a bag of lavender and 2 naalbinding needles19.1)  2 batts, a sachet of Lavender and 2 more Naalbinding needles

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19.2-19.3) Dark blue batt close-up  

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19.4 – 19.5) Light batt

gotland curls (locks)19.6  Gotland fibre Locks (Curls)

Maori short stple batt sample colour packs19.7 Maori short-staple fibre batts  

3 colours of silk hankies19.8 Silk hankies

There is one more item that followed me home,  but did not get to come into the house.  As I was about to leave I looked again at the fleeces in Kelly’s booth, the white one had been sold but the really pretty grey/beige coloured fleece was still there. I was trying to think of who I could split it with and finally caved and bought the whole fleece. It’s out in the side yard so let me take the camera out and see if I can get you a shot. It has a lovely crimp. And the staple length looks like it will be fun to spin or felt. It is a large fleece so it will take me a while to sort and wash each section. Hummm, we have had so much rain this spring, do I really dare wash a fleece we know what happens when I try to dry fleeces!!

BLue Faced Lester/ Romny cross good staple lenght19.9) this is Cupcake, she is a 6.4lbs/ 2.90299kg  BFL (Blue Faced Lester)/Romney cross

I have to find the little Shetland fleece that I purchased at the April (?) guild meeting. I guess this means that there will be fleece washing in my near future! (I will just warn everyone to keep the Umbrellas handy!)

PS: Ann, I see your inspirational garden Violets (did I send you the speckled ones? They look like the ones I got in Oakville) and raze you an inspirational Purple Sand Cherry Blooming!

close up of flowering purple sand cherry branch20) Inspirational Purple Sand Cherry Blooming

Have fun and keep felting!!

Plans, Shopping, Lambs and Flowers

Plans, Shopping, Lambs and Flowers

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Spring is so busy and we have a lot going on. First, even though it is already the 13 of May I have just picked out a piece of felt for my May slow stitch page. It is thin and soft so it will probably need some stabiliser on the back when I am done. There is a little sparkle that the camera is not picking up.  I have picked some things to stitch on it but I will keep that for when it’s done.

a rectangle of multicoloured handmade felt

Also only in the planning is another spiral. I am thinking of using some locks on this one.

Next was shopping. The first fibre show of the year for me was last weekend.  Well, if you don’t count the shopping at the spin. It’s called For the Love of Fibre.  It’s a small show but lots of great stuff. I picked up a small amount of 2 colours I don’t have, just to have them. What better reason could there be? I am sure Jan will have lots of pictures to show you

blue and purple fibre top

 

and 2 art batts. this first one just screams summer beach and will probably get used as is with a few embellishments.

a fiber art batt for spinning or felting.

 

This one I don’t know. I may deconstruct it and use it in a picture or spin some. I don’t know yet.

a fibre art batt for spinning or felting, blues and greens

 

And some lovely dark brown Gottland locks because I can’t resist locks. Well, actually, I resisted a lot of locks, despite Jan’s best efforts to get me to pick other colours too.

Next, we have lambs, there are about 20 in the barn and maybe 10-15 sheep waiting to have their lambs. We now have 2 in the house. 2 I showed you  Sven and Henna and now we have Jett. Poor Jett. his mom likes him but won’t let him drink. he has sharp teeth or rather he had sharp teeth. We used a fine emery board to gently file them but Mom was not willing to take a chance, so he had to come in. He has only been in a couple of days and hasn’t worked out drinking from a bottle yet. We are working on it.

 

A black lamb

Here the 3 of them are in their outdoor pen.

And now for some inspiration. Spring is so inspiring. My front yard has very little grass, mostly it has violets. Most are the standard purple ones.

violets

But also some white and purple ones, and some purple speckled ones.

 

white and purple violets

I think the speckled ones are my favourite.

And soon there will be lilacs. I can’t wait to smell them.

Lilac budds

I hope your spring is going as well as mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibitions

Exhibitions

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In my previous blogs this year, I’ve charted my progress in preparing for a big exhibition of my work in a Michelin starred pub/restaurant (The Sportsman, Seasalter) along the coast from where I live.  Making the work was a big undertaking. Since I last wrote, I’ve set up the six-week exhibition and as I press the button on this blog, it still has a few days left to run.

I confess I’ve done no felt-making since I set up this exhibition so I’m going to show you what I have of this event, plus a few photos of another exhibition I had at the same time.

I’m apologising in advance as these aren’t great photos.  I took them more as a record for myself rather than trying to capture the feel. The light is very yellow and they don’t do the venue justice. Once I’d set up the pictures, I had a lovely private view with about 35 friends and family.  Alas, I took no photos of that as I was thinking about being the host.  I did, however, get a nice picture of my daughter and husband in that uncomfortable space when you’re waiting for things to start and worrying in case no one comes to your party

Waiting for the party to start

The Sportsman has 3 linked dining areas & a corridor

These are some images from room 1

Room 2 is the largest room

Room 3, which backs onto the kitchen garden

And finally the corridor

Looking at these, I haven’t included everything but I hope you get the idea.

I’m delighted to say that 6 pictures have sold.

While the Sportsman exhibition was in progress, I also had a week in the hut in Whitstable harbour. I was a bit short of felt pictures so I included some 3D work and some of my photographs.

I’ve been thinking about what to do next and pondering some more 3D work. For now, I’m really happy to have got these exhibitions done.

close up of sign for Peterborough fiber arts Festival and Sale 2024
Peterborough Fiber festival 2024 Part 2

Peterborough Fiber festival 2024 Part 2

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part 1 can be found here: feltingandfiberstudio.com/2024/04/15/peterborough-fiber-festival-2024/

Welcome back to the Peterborough (Ontario, Canada) Fiber Festival, 2024. I hope I have not left you sitting too long. So before you develop a numb butt let’s go look at the inside group of booths. I hope you have saved a bit of window shopping money since I think you may need it!

map showing Peterborough between Ottawa and Toronto 25) Map showing the location of the sale in Peterborough. Located between Ottawa and Toronto to give you an idea of the scale of the drive. approx 270km/167miles

While we are still by the windows, let’s look at what else is here. Next to the sitting area, where we are leaving Glenn to continue reading his book and hold my shopping, there are two more booths. The first is the display by our hosts, the Peterborough Weavers and Spinners Guild (ptbo-hwsg.com).

display of Peterborough Weavers and spinners display at 2014 sale table loom in display of Peterborough Weavers and spinners display at 2014 sale 26.1-26.2) The Peterborough guild booth display, And close up of the display with rug hookers display in the background.

As I pull you away from the guild display let’s fill in our door prize ticket and we can check back to see if any of us won before we head home.

door prize table and sign with winners names27)Door prize table and list of winners for the hourly draws.

Did you see the booth with the chickens as we came in? Let’s start there with the inner group of booths. this should be Earth and Vines.  There was a distracting display of emotional support chicken wire legs! This prompted a chat about wire armatures and wire acquisition (aliexpress had aluminium wire, in a large range of gauges. For toes the coated steel floral wire worked well when needing a finer gauge but with greater strength than aluminium.)  She also had an interesting neck armature idea, which I may investigate later.

Earth and Vine booth, has chickens and armature chicken legs! 28) Earth and Vines had Chickens, Chicken armatures and baskets.

The next booth, What’s Weft, it seemed quite busy most of the day. It had fibre and felted items

 29.1 What’s Weft pictures, bags, purses and bags of colourful fibre (I think it’s silk and merino)

29.2 felted scarves and wraps, fibre to spin or felt.

Although the next booth should be the Embroiderer’s Guild with hand-stitched items, I don’t remember seeing it. I was likely distracted by something fluffy. So we will keep going. I think this next photo is at A River of Yarn which lists Luxury Knitting and Crochet yarns, tools, and accessories. When I see these knitted shawls I wish I could knit. Oh well, maybe someday.  

Knit shalls displayed in booth 30) Colourful knit shawls

You may recognize this next booth from photos from the Ottawa Guild sale last year!! Top of the Whorl I didn’t get too far into this booth, I was distracted by nalbinding needles. One had two holes, the rest had only one. Did you know that the two-hole needles allow you to work with longer lengths of yarn, so less splicing as you work?

Check out the spindles (both drop spindles and support spindles) and see if you pick out a spindle case with built-in support spindle bole! I spotted them down on the bottom shelf! Ann will be sorry she didn’t come too when she sees they had all the little boxes of rolags she enjoys spinning.

Top of the Whorl booth with spindles, casses, rollags, and naalbinding needles31) Top of the Whorl; spindles, nalbinding needles, spindle cases and rolags

Lanes End Farm was the next booth, I was distracted by the cute little wheel but was being good and just admired the little Saxony. Looking down I noticed needle felting kits with lots of coloured fiber. I also spotted more of the blue needle felting fake clover tools. They usually work well but are a bit noisier and not quite as smooth as the green actual clover tools (but are also a lot cheaper than the clover tools). If you have tried the blue tools, like the concept but not the feel of it, try the green Clover version before giving up on this style. they are different.

Lanes End Farm booth had felting kits and a small saxony wheel 32) kits with balls of fibre for felting and a little Saxony wheel.

If you picked up the wheel and one of the fake clover tools, let’s go see what is in the next booth.

Eakoworks Fashions- (Quilts) I was distracted by the display of through pillows at the end of the booth and there was fibre in the next booth calling to me!

Eakoworks Fashions Eakoworks Fashions pillows at end of booth 33.1- 33.2) pillows, is that a black moose on a green background?

Oh no is that fiber? yes, definitely fibre! I am distracted by Shepherd’s Hill Farm – raw fibre bags and locks as well as knitting yarn, books,

yarn, books, locks in booth34.1) Shepherd’s Hill Farm, Yarns, books and locks mostly dyed

2 bags of raw fiber and sample of staple staple in palm of hand34.2) 2 bags of raw fleece BFL X Coridale and “Marsha” who had even nicer crimp I think she was also a BFL cross.

The fleece named Marsha had tiny tight crimp and more lanolin than the other bag. I was very tempted but needed to check a couple more booths before making an extra purchase. I did not see it when I went past a second time!

We now are going to turn the corner and start heading back towards the comfy window chairs. I must apologize, I was distracted at this point by felt backgrounds in the Wool for Ewe booth and missed a good shot of the Indigo Dragonfly – “luxury yarns dyed in small batches”. If you look behind the Shepherd’s Hill Farm booth, you can see some in the background. I remember deep rich colours, but the quest for wool felt background overcame my documentary photography tendencies.

a breef glimps of the yarn in this booth from the nabouring booth35) Indigo DragonFly lovely yarn

Mostly Mohair – fibre bumps in bags, I got some! When I tore myself away from the felt that had distracted me, I headed across the aisle to Mostly Mohair, which had Bumps in bags fresh from the mill! Three bumps of top were wool, the others were blends of wool 60/ mohair 40.

table drape and bag of blended fiber fresh from the mill36.1) The plastic bag above the table is the fibre blend fresh from the mill, the bags on the floor are state wool.

a bag of white fiber with knit sample on top. the bag of fiber is sitting on a handwoven colourfull cloth.36.2) white fibre with knit sample

teddy bare beside bags of kid mohair which was used on the felt bare too.36.3) Felted Teddy bare with mohair locks

papler bags with fiber and handwoven sample above them.36.4) Bags of 60/40 wool/mohair blends in bags100.gr/10.00canadian.

By the time I got home, I had buyer’s remorse for not getting a few more bags. The colour does not show as well in the photo. It was lovely and should spin or felt very nicely. I will try it out on the new wheel (we will talk about that later) once it’s all clean and ready to go.

Once you have picked out a couple of bags for yourself, let’s go on to Songbird yarns.  I was quite fascinated by the knitting of these hats. Knitting is so different I do wish I could figure it out. I will keep working on one needle and maybe, someday, I will be ready for two.

yarn hat kits with sample knit tooks37.1) Fancy knitted tooks and yarn for hat kits $60.00

close up of second sample took pink and yelow on a grey background37.2) colourful knit took.

By this point, I was starting to get snide comments from my back about too much standing and bending forward and buying things.  So I am pretty sure this was Sweet Pea Cottage Fibre –  I got distracted by the fibre box in the corner. it was a sampling of local fleeces. let me read you the tag;

” All-Ontario Sheep Breeds Sample Pack”

  • Polwarth roving 40g
  • Babydoll Southdown Roving 40g
  • Icelandic lamb, Washed
    • Black/white 60g
    • Black /charcoal 60g
    • White 60g
  • Cotswold Lamb, Washed
    • Ewe, white 80g
    • Ram, Brown/Grey 80g
  • Cotswold Ram Locks washed and picked;
    • Light Grey 10g
    • Mid-Grey 10g
    • Dark 10g

(Price $45.00 Canadian)

There were also some individual bags of various fibre all well labelled. I probably should have dug around in that bin a bit more!

Ontario sheep study fibers and baged and labled asorrted fibers38) A study of Ontario breeds and some well-labelled samples in another bin.

I must apologize again I can’t remember either of the next two booths that were listed, Lisa Rideout Jewellery and Hek of a Knit – Knitted items and patterns. I suspect I may have been rushing by to see the double booth of the Olive Sparrow. I was able to pick up some more felt backgrounds for picture felting from Monika, as well as get distracted by all the colours (some of which were not Merino!)

colourful displays of felt sheets and fiber39) Olive Sparrow Felting supplies as well as other interesting offerings.

I am not sure if I can drag you away from all the fibre but we only have a couple of booths left to peruse so let’s keep going!

We are back across from the bake sale table, but they have sold out! so we will have to go on without a sugar boost! Maybe we can stop for a treat on the way home?

Fabric Art- is at the end of the aisle across from the window chairs. It was quite busy and it took me a bit to get a clear shot of this booth. It was around 2:30 when I finally got a shot down the far aisle with this booth and the alpaca booth beside it visible.

Fabric Art Booth still has people in it but we can get a glimps of some of the landscapes40.1) glimpses of landscapes made with fabric

a shot down the far isle at the show. Fabric art booth is now visialble40.2) the far aisle, notice the empty bake sale table across the aisle from fabric art.

part of Fabric arts and the booth next to it with the alpaca banner40.3) the edge of Fabric Art and the last booth we will see Twin Pines Alpacas

This too had been a busy booth each time I had passed it. I had spotted fibre in one corner and then a palm washboard hanging further down from the fibre. (unfortunately, it was priceless).

busy alpaca booth41.1) I may be able to get into the alpaca booth now!

a vew from the outside of the booth across from the rug hooking booth41.2) This is from just before opening as vendors were doing their final setup

scains of yarn and knit samples41.3 I have finally made it inside the booth and there are some very nice knitting samples as well as the yarn that made them.

clsoe up of sample of knitting41.4 here is a close up of one of the samples

We finally made it all the way around the sale! Now don’t forget to pick up your packages that were dropped off with Glenn. I will also remember to collect Glenn!  I hope everything will fit in the car.  Check the board with the door prize draws before we leave, to see if we were lucky.  (I was not this time, maybe next year?). oh my, the clouds and rain seem to have wandered further east so maybe we will have a nice drive home?

blue sky over the parking lot as we leave the sale42) the sky has blue spots and white fluffy clouds it may be a nice drive back.

If you will accompany us for a bit longer I wanted to point out to you something that quite shocked us on the way down.  I remember hearing about tornadoes touching down along Highway 7, around Madoc – Tweed, but I don’t remember seeing them the last time we drove here. It’s really quite traumatic, so you may want to pull over and stop along the worst section. It looks like the last time we made the trip was May 2022 and the tornado hit July 25, 2022 (which would account for why we had not seen it yet).  If you google-search “Ontario tornado highway 7 2022”  you should find more information. It was rated as a high-end  EF-1 tornado with wind near 175 km/h, but the swath of damage looks like it had a friend with a grudge and was a bit more aggressive. It picked up a big pickup truck on Highway 7 tossed it across the highway, over the power lines, and dropped it in a farmer’s field, the driver was shaken but relatively fine.

As we drove, you will see, we quickly caught up to the sombre weather, which seemed correct for the distressing sensory.

tornado destruction still evident from July 2022. 3 examples on with a close up of the ridge of broken trees43) tornado destruction is still evident from July 2022.

more tornado destruction still evident from July 2022. 2 shots of snapped and flatend trees44) There are sections, that have basically, been flattened. Some spots have the odd tree, now bent, trying to stand. Many trunks have snapped like twigs.

I don’t want to leave you feeling stressed so let’s take a quick peek at a few of the shots Glenn took which were not horrifying.

gard rail, in front of beaver creek flooded and bever loge in the distance. 45)Beaver pond east of Peterborough

marsh with gard rail and hidden Mcdonald sign, brige with small river near tweed ontario. 46) Above: Marsh with bridge and unfortunate McDonald’s sign hidden in the trees. Below: one of the small rivers with spring runoff just west of the Tweed turn off not too far after some of the devastation.

The rest of the drive was full of more rocks, trees and beaver ponds. We arrived safely home before 7 pm. It was a fun day. Did you want to take a peek at my loot? I am sure you will recognize most of my shopping!

It was getting a bit dark for photos.

my shopping displayed on a black coverlet47.1) I was being good but I have a weakness for cool new tools. I will review in the next photo what I came home with.

close ups of most of my shopping, showing felt sheets, combs and knitty knotty, nostapin, naallbinding needles, 2 bags of fiber and missing is the felting book.47.2)felt, combs, Nitty-knotty, nostapin, 2 nalbinding needles, 2 bags of fibre and not shown in this group is a second-hand felting book Fabulous felted scarves.

I hope you have enjoyed the trip and are very happy with all your virtual purchases.  If you want more physical purchases, there is a vendor’s contact list here:  http://www.ptbo-hwsg.com/events/fibrefest/  If any of the landscapes inspire you, please enjoy felting them! Although the later shots may be less stressful, than the former ones.