Sunday, May 5, 2013

MDS&W 2013

When it's the first full weekend in May, every fiber fanatic knows what that means: it's time for the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival!
Everything at the Golding booth is a piece of art -- a feast for the eyes and nourishment for the soul.
The craftsmanship that goes into each piece is just breathtaking.
I didn't set out with any "must buy" preconceptions this year. However, when I got to the Bosworth booth, all of these spindles just started singing my name.
Those creamy white spindles are made with moose antler. They're a bit out of my price range, but that doesn't stop one from dreaming, right?
I was happy to see that the folks at Bosworth are customers of Moo! Where else can you buy business cards with a different image on each card? I'm in love with Moo.
Before I left the Bosworth booth, I took a long, hard look at this specimen of engineering genius. Love it!
And there's The Lovely Stacey (back to camera), who thought long and hard about what spindle she was going to add to her collection. She made a great selection ... of course.
This booth was full of Shaker artistry, as well as the luscious scent of wood polish. It took me back to my father's basement workshop. He was always crafting something wonderful with wood, and that scent of polish can trigger a flashback like no one's business.
This is about half of the fleece sale area. One year I might just have to buy a fleece, no matter how hard I'm sure it is to choose (just one!).
The festival has all sorts of things that I just can't live without. I vow that I will make myself a rolled brim hat of my own one of these days.
This was a very popular spot. I really want to add a "I knit so no one has to die" sticker to my car.
No, wonderful vendor. Thank you!
One of my favorite parts of festival was visiting all the livestock, like this wonderful guy. His name is Moe -- seriously.
Oh, and the lambs! I just wanted to climb right into the pens and cuddle each one.
Oh, you lovely sheep! I gave this guy or gal lots of skritches and ear rubbing. It was very hard to walk away from all the love.
Note to self: Find this book.
I've seen pics like this on the interwebz, but I thought they were Photoshopped. Sadly, this is what some shepherds have to do to convince thieves to keep their mitts off sheep that don't belong to them.
I desperately need a haircut. This gal was quite skilled with the clippers. Hmm ... naaah!
Hello, Deb Robson! She's the coauthor of The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook.
This kind of mind-blowing array of color and texture is everywhere at the festival. It can easily become overwhelming.
Say hello to my little friend. I do believe that this wheel will be part of my future.
Glad to see that I'm not the only one who doesn't always look my best in pics. Derp!
See that guy in the kilt? Well, that's none other than the handsome, talented, and crazy-smart Brewergnome! I stepped outside my comfort zone and actually introduced myself to him. (He's kind of like a fiber rock star in the LSG group on Ravelry.)
The Lovely Stacey was one happy camper with her new spindle and color-coordinated fiber.
By the time you've finished tramping all over the fairgrounds and are ready to find your car, this guy and his trailer comes along to make the trek just a little easier.

The weather was sunny and cool. The companionship was wonderful. The festival-goers were friendly and numerous. The food was messy and delicious. The day? The day was perfect.

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