Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival May 7&8 2005

[HollyM]

Anyone going?
<a href="http://www.sheepandwool.org/index.htm" target="_new">www.sheepandwool.org/index.htm</a>

I've never been before, but from what I've heard it's one of the biggest and best festivals out there. They haven't updated the class/event schedule yet (what's listed there was for last year).

I'm going for sure this year. I have a few fibery friends that live in the general area so we are going to get a hotel room and have a no-kids, gab session, fiber filled, relaxing weekend! I told DH that the hotel room & spending $$ can be my Mother's Day present <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/angel.gif" />

Holly<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheep.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheep.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheep.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheep.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheep.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheepjump.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheepjump.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheepjump.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheepjump.gif" />

[threeolivemartini]

wow that sounds like alot of fun and not tooo far from here.. i m ight have to check it out

[HollyM]

It really isn't too far from NC, maybe you southern gals can start a carpool (psssst Julie, got a car smiley????)

I was reading some of the event descriptions. There is one called From Sheep to Shawl. You have to have a team of 5 people, 1 shearer, 3 spinners and a weaver. Oh, and your own sheep You have 3 hours to shear the sheep, spin the wool and weave a shawl of specific demensions <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/faint.gif" />

Holly

[threeolivemartini]

omg.. no way..

but i would liek to go to get some fleece and stuff..

and it would be an experience!

maybe i can round up a few ppl and we can come!!

[HollyM]

Oh, I'm not entering it! It would take me 3 hours just to catch the darn sheep <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sheepjump.gif" />

I bet it's a hoot to watch though!

Holly

[threeolivemartini]

i bet it would be.. i know how slow i am with my little spindle..

LOL

[Donna]

Oooh, that is tempting! That's my stompin' grounds, ya know. Well, not exactly, but close.

[threeolivemartini]

ok Donna you hop in your car and pick me up on the way up LOL...i know lots of fun car games!!

[Julie]

:drive careful and tell us all about it!! :D!

[threeolivemartini]

julie you can come too .. come to my house donna can pick you up too !!

[HollyM]

Hehehe
Thanks Julie <img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/steeringwheel.gif" />

Georgia isn't *that* far from MD <img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/lildevil.gif" />

Holly

[Julie]

Oh man... is this that 'peer pressure' I grew up hearing about in school? You guys aren't going to make me smoke too are you? :D!

[threeolivemartini]

only a cigar if you want LOL ....

as i see it GA isnt that far from NC and NC isnt that far from MD

[HollyM]

Smoking?? You are worried about smoking???

The real dangers lie in the bad girls that spin...and needle felt...and buy yarn off of ebay :::muahhahahahaha::::: I've heard rumors there are even people out there that...weave.....<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/wha.gif" />

Holly

[Donna]

That sounds pretty good, Elizabeth! (Except the cigar part! :D! No cigars in my truck, k? :rotfl ) I'm seriously tempted, but I'm toying with the idea of going to the CGOA Spring Regional Conference (http://crochet.org/2005conf/index.html) in PA, March 31 - April 3. I don't think I could justify two trips within one month of each other. :thinking1 Let me think about it! :sherlock

[rebeccav]

hmmm, all of it's a bit far from Texas....:(

BUT - there is a wool festival coming up in new mexico - that's not too far.
i have a big fat suburban... if i take the 4 car seats out (yes, all of my children are still in car seats :eek2 ) and vacuum up the petrified french fries... i can comfortably seat 8! who's coming my way???
:tex

[Julie]

Truth to tell, IF I'm able to get away from home for a weekend, I'd best visit my parents and sister in Florida before I do anything else. However, it is VERY tempting, plus I'd get to hang out with you guys. :)) I will definitely keep it in mind.

[HollyM]

Rats! I'll be in FL when the CGOA event is going on. My sister is getting married...again (she's getting into Liz Taylor territory)<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/oops.gif" /> Otherwise I'd be there for sure, it's only a little over an hour from here.

If you are even considering going to the MD show, I'd suggest making a room reservation now, I've heard some hotels are sold out already. Make sure it's one that is cancelable though! You have to watch the online rates, sometimes you can't cx.

I got a good rate here <a href="http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/sb/1/en/hd/balco" target="_new">Staybridge Suites</a> with AAA. $106 a night for a 1 br suite which is 2 double beds in a bedroom and then a seperate living room area with a pull out couch plus a kitchette. It's 12 miles/15 minutes from the fairgrounds per mapquest.

Holly

[xantha]

I'm planning to go; it's only about 40m from where I live. I think I might pick my mom up (she lives in MD) and drag her along since I infected her with the spinning bug this past weekend and she loves sheep anyway! <img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/rotfl.gif" />

[threeolivemartini]

Donna.. i promise no cigar in the truck.. i cant smoke them going down the road.. ......makes me sick LOL besides a cigar is to be savoured and enjoyed.. and in a car driving isnt the ideal enjoyment factor to me!

I would love to go and I am planning on it.. it would jsut be fun to have some one go with.. and Donna.. you can always come get me and I can drive my toy car LOL that way there is less room for temptation.. like bringing home a sheep!

[Donna]

So, Elizabeth... you are definitely planning to go? Are you going to make hotel arrangements? Because I need some more time to decide if I will go... I'm not ready to commit to it, LOL! I'm waffling. I probably should make hotel arrangements but if I wait I guess it will be too late. I also have friends and family in the area I might be able to impose upon for somewhere for me to crash, but I kinda don't know if I want to do that. And if I am your ride, I don't want to be too far away from you. What do you think, Elizabeth?

[threeolivemartini]

its not a total definate yet.. but probably by the time i get back home from my family trip i will have a solid answer.. I will be making hotel arrangements.. i am waiting to see what one more person says.. hehe.. i am trying to make this a big group can you tell? .. and Donna if worse comes to worse .. we can just convoy.. i dont mind driving ...just want this to be totally fun!

will keep you posted on hotel.... cause i would have to make reservation that is one thing i will not fly by the seat of my pants on LOL

[Donna]

I hear ya... I do not want to fly by the seat of my pants on lodging arrangements either. Driving together would be more fun. :hyper Of course, if I go up to MD, I would have to visit my mom... so I may need to have my own transportation. *sigh*

[HollyM]

Yay!! Looks like we'll have at least a few C'ville members there <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/bounce012.gif" />

Now, if the Cafe Press store is up before then...we can all wear C'ville buttons!!! And put our purchases in our C'ville tote bags......<img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/Loco.gif" />

Holly

[Donna]

Oh, yes! The C'ville store will be up very soon! I'm workin' on it! :wink

[froggy]

You know what, That sounds like loads of fun! Guess what, It's only 40 minutes from my house. :bad I might see about going with my daughter or a friend from here. Wouldn't it be great if a couple of us could meet when we all get there?!?!?

I just now saw this, guess I better start reading all catogories!

[Yarnmistress]

I wanna go! THat sounds like so much fun!

[HollyM]

The more the merrier!!!!! <img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/steeringwheel.gif" />

Holly

[cinfulkarmah]

If it was closer to Western MD (ie. Hagerstown) then I could talk hubby into letting me go. (My inlaws live there.) But it's in Eastern MD. Sigh.

[Donna]

K. Anne ~ when you said eastern Maryland, I thought... huh?? :p Because to me, eastern Maryland is the Eastern Shore, the bit on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay. :lol But I can see how someone living where you are might consider the Frederick/Columbia area eastern. The good news is, Mapquest says Hagerstown is ony about 50 minutes/50 miles from West Friendship where the festival is. And it's all Interstate travel!

[xantha]

Hah! Donna, I had the same reaction as you when I read K. Anne's comment! :D!

[also grew up in MD, currently live just barely on the other side of the Potomac.]

I am so excited because they updated the site (http://www.sheepandwool.org) the other day and now they have detailed schedules and vendor lists! :clap

I can't wait for the festival! Now I'm not sure if I am going to make it to King of Prussia in April for CGOA Regional...

-jess

[xantha]

So... who is going to MDS&W? What day[s]? What are you most looking forward to?

I'm all excited about it again (can you tell?) ... I need to make up a budget and a list of things I want. I realized that I am going to be very, very tempted to buy a wheel while I'm there and I am not allowed. :lol

[HollyM]

I just confirmed with my friends, so I'll be there for sure!!! :yay

We're going to be staying at the hotel Friday & Sat night. We'll be there all day Sat for sure, then we'll make up our minds if we want to go back on Sunday or not.

This is my first time going, but 2 of the friends I"m going with have been before so they know the ropes :sweat

Being Mother's Day weekend is perfect timing, I told DH he doesn't have to worry about buying me any presents for once :devil

Holly

[deneen]

Darn it! I wanted to go and thought it was the 21st. I'll be in Disney that weekend.

[HollyM]

Awww!
Well, if you can't go, at least Disney is the 2nd best place to be:yay

Holly

[HollyM]

From today!!! Woohooo!!! :clap

So who's definitely going? Jess, you are, right?
Donna? Elizabeth? Are you guys going to make the trek?

I'm there for sure! I'll be carrying my Crochetville "Hungry Husband" tote bag so I should be easy to spot :hi My friends & I are staying Friday & Saturday night.

I'm going to be scouting for a new wheel. I don't have my heart set on one particular kind, I'm just keeping my eyes out for the one that says "You must have me!!!" at a price that says "You *can* have me":lol

I want to see some of the sheepdog competitions and I want to watch the sheep to shawl competition. DH is terrified I'm going to come home with a sheep :2sheep I think I'll make him nervous by leaving out some research on livestock keeping rules :devil

Holly

[xantha]

So who's definitely going? Jess, you are, right?

Sure am! I'm so excited, too! :clap

I'm only going up Saturday -- it's not too far from where I live (just over an hour away), but I am planning to be there all day. I love to watch the sheep and the herding and the shearing demonstrations ... I really can't wait!

DH also wants me to pick up some lamb meat/cheese and if they have it, goat. We'll see what happens with that (it takes away from my space for roving and yarn and spindles!).

I'm going to be scouting for a new wheel. I don't have my heart set on one particular kind, I'm just keeping my eyes out for the one that says "You must have me!!!" at a price that says "You *can* have me":lol

I'm going to be wheel shopping as well. I do have a few in mind, but we'll see what happens. I may just pick up some spindles and a ton of new stuff to spin. :devil

I plan to be in one of my new Crochetville shirts and carrying the fulling tote... :D

[noricum]

I'm jealous, jess! ;)

[threeolivemartini]

I would like to say for sure I am going.. I have had some stuff come up here that has to be taken care of.. and it looks like its going to happen .. i would just hate to commit then have to bail at last minute.. so my going will be a lst minute surprise.. just know I am doing every thing i can to try to make it !!!

[HollyM]

Cool!
Hey, a definite maybe is better than a no, right? :heehee
Let us know when you know for sure!

Holly

[threeolivemartini]

will do!

[chickpea67]

I really need to get friends that are into this stuff! Cause I wanna go! *L* and the hubby would definitely not be keen on going with me!

shoot, I bet my Uncle will even be there (he raises sheep).

[xantha]

I really need to get friends that are into this stuff! Cause I wanna go! *L* and the hubby would definitely not be keen on going with me!

Where are you in NoVA? :)

[I'm in Arlington.]

It's only about an hour and fifteen minutes from here... :)

[chickpea67]

Jess--


I'm in Ashburn (although A Frederick, MD transplant).

[xantha]

I'm in Ashburn (although A Frederick, MD transplant).

Ah! [I'm a Rockville/Germantown, MD transplant by way of Atlanta and Seattle... DH refused to move to MD when we moved back here.]

Hope you find a way to make it! I think there's a SnB group in the Ashburn area, I'm sure some of those people are going... :)

[chickpea67]

Actually I haven't checked for an SnB out here. We jsut moved (from the Annapolis area) 3 weeks ago. I always wanted something to go to Annapolis-and there wasn't anything!

*l* We should be in Arlington thugh! Since both the hubby and I work in DC and out in the Fairfax area (we're both contrctors so we work in 2 locations)-but we're country fans--so we bear the commute

[xantha]

Sheep and Wool in one week! (less than a week if you're going thursday or friday). Woohoo! :woo

[Donna]

I forgot to reply to this. I'm not going to make it. :cry

[HollyM]

Bummer Donna!
Sure you won't reconsider??? My friend Joy is packing the makings for the *meanest* mudslides you have ever tasted :lol

Hehehe, just kidding. Well, not about the mudslides....

Maybe next year!

Holly

[Donna]

Mmm... mudslides! Maybe I will reconsider! :lol

[xantha]

For anyone going who hasn't gone before, Jodi posted a list of tips here (http://savannahchik.typepad.com/knitting/2005/05/mdsw.html). Useful ones !!

Donna, so sorry you're not going to make it! :(

Elizabeth, looks like you're not going to make it either from your latest blog. :(

I am working on my lists -- what to bring, what to buy, what to look at. I think it is going to be really difficult to get anything done at work this week as I am that excited. Heh.

[threeolivemartini]

I sadly regret to tell you all that i am not going to make it.. if by some miracle.. i can pull th emoney out of some where to make it i will let some one now .. but at this moment .. life has gotten the best of my "fun" money ..

[crochetaddict033]

Ah...i am green with envy at you all who are going.......I wish I lived close enough to go or had the $ to get out there.........one day...one day...lol

[jpr54_]

both my son and i are going to travel to the event-
will ppl be meeting from the group?
joanne from northern new jersey

[HollyM]

Bummer to you too Elizabeth! Maybe next year....

I'm traveling with 3 friends so I'm not making any specific plans to meet up with anyone online, just too hard to coordinate. I will be carrying the "Hungry Husbands" crochetville tote so if you see me, feel free to come over and say hi!

Holly

[xantha]

I'm traveling with 3 friends so I'm not making any specific plans to meet up with anyone online, just too hard to coordinate.

Ha! I know what you mean! Between here, spindlers, and a bunch of different lj communities, there is no way I can meet up with every group of people meeting up! heh. It's very cool though!

I'll be there carrying Donna's fulled crochet design tote and a Tomb Raider tote and most likely in my crochetville tank (or a sheepie t-shirt). How thematic of me! Feel free to say hi, I'll be the crazy girl falling over due to the huge bags of fiber-related goodies on her arms and back!e :lol

Is there anything anyone who can't go wants me to keep an eye out for? ;)

[already on that list for other friends: cool dyed sock yarn, dark red koigu, black cherry colored laceweight alpaca and goat meat (DH).]

[sudsysuzy]

DH is bringing out the suitcases today. This is my romantic Mother's Day weekend! Sheep and wool Saturday and Sunday and then Hagerstown outlet shopping on Monday. WOOHOO!


I don't have any C'ville gear but I will be on the lookout for other members. Even my DH will help. I swear I married the perfect man. He is actually interested in my 'crafts'. He states he is going along to carry my bags and look for C'ville folks. So if you see a short, 'fluffy' lady with a long, tall drink of water wearing a doo-rag (to cover up the 'missing and presumed lost' hair), come on up and say Hi.

Penny
(Hoping for great weather)

[xantha]

(Hoping for great weather)

It's a little cool and overcast today, but reports for tomorrow/Sunday are that it is going to be sunny and high 60s/low 70s. :)

:woo

I can't wait! :D

[xantha]

Well, that sure was fun. Sorry to those of you who couldn't make it... it was quite overwhelming, though. And I sure spent a lot of money... :eek

http://www.xantha.org/gallery/albums/mdsw2005/DSC_1987.thumb.jpg (http://www.xantha.org/gallery/mdsw2005/DSC_1987)

Holly, did you find a new wheel??

Donna, I wore my Sheepie t-shirt and carried the fulled crochet tote and got many, many comments. I pointed a bunch of people to yarntomato + crochetville both. ;)

[sad thing? I think I lost one of my soft touch hooks, the 3.5mm I use for socks. :( ]

[HollyM]

Well.

I'm here at the hotel kicking back with a cocktail, wool, and my new wheel :D
The festival was awesome!!!!! Gorgeous day, lots of incredibly friendly people and gobs of fibery goodness. I'll say, we are a great bunch of folk. The place was jam packed yet everyone was plesant, chatty and just overall fun to be around. At the hotel, I can spot another fiber person even if they don't have any external evidence.

We watched the herding demonstration. Those dogs are incredible to watch. It's like there is a psychic connection between them and the shepherd. Well, all except the 4 month old puppy they brought out. He was clearly the class clown of the litter and had much more interesting things to do that bother with those wierd fluffy things. Including trying to chase one of the big dogs. He quickly learned that was *not* a cool thing to do.

I did cave and buy a new Lendrum double treadle wheel. Ha ha, had to twist my arm for that one. I didn't see any used ones around anywhere. I didn't want to wait for the auction tomorrow, we're going to be hitting the road in the morning. I absolutely adore this wheel. I've found that I am definitely a double treadle kind of gal! I have a lot more control and it's a joy to use. I've already filled up 3 bobbins!!!!

I was very restrained fiber-wise. I bought 1 1/4 lbs of this fabulous wool/silk blend roving in mixed shades of teal/blues & purples. I also got a pound of "mystery" roving. Literally it's a mish mosh of what's left on the machines after processing. I never would have trusted buying something like that online, but when I could touch it and see how gorgeous the colors shifts were, I snatched that right up. That's what I'm playing with right now and it's working up a lot like Noro Silk Garden.

I saw a few gals from my spinning group, didn't find any online people though.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. I can't wait until next year!!

Holly

[xantha]

I did cave and buy a new Lendrum double treadle wheel. Ha ha, had to twist my arm for that one.

that's too funny -- the lendrum dt is the one i almost bought today myself! after spinning on it and the kromski minstrel, i know which one i want... congrats on your new wheel!!

I didn't see any used ones around anywhere. I didn't want to wait for the auction tomorrow, we're going to be hitting the road in the morning.

spinning + weaving auction was yesterday actually. today is livestock and farm equipment, I believe. I went into the auction house and there were a lot of old asford traditionals up for auction and a few really cool looking antique wheels, but nothing amazing that i wanted to bid on.

I absolutely adore this wheel. I've found that I am definitely a double treadle kind of gal! I have a lot more control and it's a joy to use. I've already filled up 3 bobbins!!!!

Woo! I am so happy for you! :) :) :)

[I'm tempted to go back today and buy the lendrum dt though I think I am going to restrain myself. ]

[Donna]

Donna, I wore my Sheepie t-shirt and carried the fulled crochet tote and got many, many comments. I pointed a bunch of people to yarntomato + crochetville both. ;) Cool, Jess, thank you! :clap :cheer

sad thing? I think I lost one of my soft touch hooks, the 3.5mm I use for socks. :( :cry That stinks!