Remember last year, I blogged about a lovely spinning retreat that I attended? Well this past weekend I attended this year's version of the retreat. Once again, I had an awesome time, and learned so much from the experienced spinners there. I learned how to prepare my fiber better in the drafting zone, and as a result, am spinning much much thinner. It also helps that I now have the fast flyer for my Lendrum, purchased a couple weeks ago. It got a good workout this past weekend. I haven't yet finished spinning the fiber I took with me (spinning thinner takes so much longer, obviously), but will hopefully be able to show it to you in a few weeks time. It will eventually be navajo plyed and I think will be light fingering weight, yay! Next up will be three ply sock yarn, something I've desperately wanted to spin for a long time.
This year's retreat was the 25th anniversary celebration. I think it is totally awesome that many of these women have come together annually for that many years. The resort the retreat is held at is renowned for their food. Seems that we ate all weekend and spun just a bit in between meals. Let's just say I'm NOT looking forward to getting on the scale tomorrow! One of the highlights of the food was the 25th anniversary cake:
The wheel is CHOCOLATE people! Isn't it awesome?
Every year there is one vendor at the retreat, and a chance to participate in some fiber acquisition. I actually showed some restraint I think, don't you?
A book I've been wanting, and some fleece artist braids. The two on the bottom are mohair and I think I will ply them with thread. The brown ones are one mohair and one BFL which I will ply together.
There was also a swap sale this morning, and I purchased all these old weaving magazines/book:
I'm already looking forward to next year's retreat!
I love the fleece artist braids and the book looks great. The cake is just fab!!!
Posted by: Uli | Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 04:32 PM
That certainly is an amazing cake!!
Posted by: Chrissy | Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 04:35 PM
oh my goodness - that cake is amazing!
the fleece is beautiful as well.
Posted by: melissa | Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Sounds like you had fun... And yes you were VERY restrained. :-)
Posted by: Lorraine | Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 05:43 PM
Oh, looks like you had such fun. :)
Posted by: bethanyg | Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 06:20 AM
That cake is awesome. I thought the wheel was made of wood and I am trying to figure out how they wove the icing.
Posted by: Melina | Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Hi Brenda :) It's so good to come back to viewing your blog. Last year my computer broke and I lost everything including the list of my favourite blogs.
I have to ask you if you know any great places for a honeymoon couple to visit in B.C. My son and daughter in law got married in June..at the courthouse in Ohio. They are having a church wedding on October 30th and want to travel to B.C. for their honeymoon. They're both sort of country lovers...vs. city lovers. Do you know of a great place to stay for about a week that is beautiful and secluded hehe..of course eh? I hope you can help.
I saw your beautiful shawl and it's really awesome..you did a fantastic job...lotta work went into it. :)
If anyone else reading this knows of a great place to honeymoon..maybe you could comment :) thank you in advance.
Jan
Posted by: Jan | Friday, October 23, 2009 at 03:57 PM