Friday we started off with breakfast at McDonald's, a traveling tradition for us and since we thought we had time actually dined in instead of doing drive through. As we were leaving, we saw my Mom's sister so we sat and talked for a bit until my Uncle came back from dropping off their car for an oil change (or something). We then continued on to Jefferson, picked up or campsite post and picked out our spot. Having only camped in state parks, how Jefferson Fairgrounds did things seemed very loose. They have a general area for people to camp with the only restriction is that the areas near electric plug-ins were for those who paid extra. After a bit of debate on how to set up the tent, we got everything arranged in camp and had a quick lunch and then I was off to class. But wait I had forgotten to bring yarn for class, so I stopped at Mo's booth (owned by one of the owners of The Cat and Crow and her sheep/yarn business if called Four Crow's) and bought some handspun for class. We won't discuss how I was cutting it super close on getting to class on time or maybe it was fashionably late?
Once at class, quickly realized that I missed the part about your yarn needing to be in two balls if you wanted to do two mittens at once so I purchased a kit from Liz (class was taught by Liz Sutter of Sutter's Goldn' Fleece fame). Had a great time learning the technique and while I know they are going to be extremely warm mittens, I need to sit down and work on them and finish them soon! After class I did do a bit of shopping as I wanted to get some yarn from Sun Valley Fibers that I have been lusting after. Last year by the time I made it back around they had sold out of it and same story when they were a vendor at knitting guild. Was able to pickup two skeins of the Oriole colorway. Oriole is this wonderful black and orange yarn that is a great color combo for someone who counts Halloween as one of her favorite holidays and school colors were black and orange. The plan is to make Stephen West's Daybreak with this yarn (picked up the contrasting color called Kent from Sun Valley as well).
Mom and I planned on eating all of our meals at either the vendors on the fairgrounds or going to restaurants so we didn't have to lug around ALL the camping gear, trust me we had more than enough as we do not pack lightly! Supper was at a bar that served pizza. While the pizza was good, the bar was a bit noisy as there were young kids running around amok and doing things like spilling their soda on the pool table. Once back to the peace and quiet of our campsite we worked on our respective projects, Mom plastic canvas and me the mittens (never did touch my other projects the entire weekend).
Saturday morning we had breakfast at the activity center and then on to shopping. Did I mention that we/I tend to overpack? Well I brought along my backpack and after one vendor asked me to please take off my pack as I was bumping into things, Mom held onto my pack when I went in a booth until I found the green bag in the right hand corner of the picture. It is the perfect project bag holding the yarn necessary for a smaller project like a scarf or mitten (though with my two different skeins of yarn for the thrummed mittens plus roving it did get a little tight in there). Missing from the picture of my purchases is some Miss Bab's yarn that goes with the yarn in the center of the photo. I'm going to make a tweed jacket with the two yarns.Things are fuzzy (it has been over two months) but I do know that we were at the Miss Bab's booth, LOVE her colors, when Erica and Branden caught up with us. They had come up from Chicago and set up camp next to us. We had a bit to eat and then I went to Mo's booth to help her family while she was teaching a class. Think Mom hung out by the food vendors waiting for our friend Walker. He had planned on arriving earlier but his house guests were slow starters so that delayed his morning. Walker and Mom spent time together while I tended booth but when things slowed down at the booth, I was able to catch up with Walker & Mom (who had been watching the auction) and Erica & Branden (who did shopping), for sundaes.
I had registered Mom and I to attend the Ravelry Unwind party long before I knew that Erica and Branden would be camping by us and since our supper was paid, we put in an appearance. I think we were one of the firsts to leave but as it was crowded and loud in there, I for one didn't feel too badly leaving. We spent the remainder of the night having an enjoyable time talking with Erica and Branden and leaning about geocaching from Branden.
Sunday was taken up with the weaving class and me taking down the tent after class. Dad had come to pick up Mom so they could attend an annual picnic that his job hosts every year. I know I know not very chatty but figured I've bored you enough with the details of the weekend so I will leave you with a pictures of my weaving.
