I Frolicked!

On June 5th and 6th, at the Windsor Fair Grounds in Windsor, Maine, I attended the Maine Fiber Frolic! This is the first time I have ever gone to a fiber event of any kind. Previously, my limited mobility has kept me daring to even try to enjoy such things, but with my weight loss has come some new freedom. (still waiting on the new hips)

Windsor is a small, rural town in south-central Maine with approximately 2200 population. This was my first time to Windsor. Other than for the fair grounds, the only other place in Windsor appears to be Hussey's General Store. My mother and I stopped there on Saturday to buy umbrella's, BECAUSE IT RAINED ALL WEEKEND! Which means that my arthritis complained the whole time.

On Saturday I was blessed to be accompanied by my mother. She isn't a crafter, but she is an avid supporter. She wandered the fair grounds while I took a class and even purchased a kit for herself. Perhaps she is just a late bloomer to crafting?

I attended a Tapestry Weaving Class taught by Eileen of Mill Point Emporium. It was wonderful and my fellow classmates were fun. I learned a lot and laughed even more. I forgot to take a picture of the sampler that I worked on. Since I didn't complete it and needed the loom for Sunday's class, I just took the sampler off the loom as it was.

Sunday, my sister joined me, and we both went to Weaving for Relaxation, also taught by Eileen. She told us it is weaving without rules. It was very free-form and I love the artistic freedom that it permits. I can tell that this will be my preferred way of weaving. I actually wove a rock into my project and another person wove in a pine cone! I would show you my project, but when I took it off the loom, the rock fell out. I am trying to figure out how to fix that.

Heather, of Highland Handmades, had a booth at the Fiber Frolic. I visited her booth both days, but showed restraint the first day by keeping my money in my tote. Her fibers were glorious, as usual, and despite the rain, she had a steady stream of customers. On the 2nd day, I couldn't resist asking about the bunny fiber she had so, of course, Heather gave me a little pouf to touch and I was a goner. I got some bunny fur to spin. I have never worked with this, but I think my spindolyn will be my tool of choice for working with it.

TUESDAY'S TEMPTATION

I am coming out of hibernation! I think I was in crafting overload after Christmas. I tried to keep connected to the crafting community, but eventually I just stopped doing any crafts for a few months. Slowly, I am getting back into it and my spirit is renewing.

Today, I would like to introduce you to Highland Handmades. (I feel I should disclose that the proprietor/fiberista, Heather, is a very beautiful friend of mine.) Highland Handmades features yarns and fibers that are creatively dyed by Heather's hands. Also, you can find handmade drop spindles, that are crafted by Heather's talented and supportive husband.

My favorite color is green and I have a lovely skein of Heather's "The Greener Side" colorway in fingering weight sock yarn. It is 100 grams, a generous 462 yards, 75% SW Merino & 25% Nylon of squooshy goodness. This skein is waiting for Heather to finish her latest sock pattern so that my needles can enjoy the fibery goodness too.

Next, I have some incredible 50/50 SW Merino/Tencel blend in Heather's "Neptune" colorway. It drafts like a dream and has incredible shine that a picture just doesn't do justice.

Do your stash a favor and head over to Highland Handmades and check back there often. I don't think she really sleeps, because amazing new colorways keep materializing from the recesses of her incredible mind. Also, she is one of the busiest ladies I know with "regular" jobs, PLUS her fibery business AND a podcast. Yes, she even does a podcast. You can get to know Heather better, learn how she is growing her business, and be tempted by her latest creations if you go check out "The Fiberista Files".