Basking in the afterglow

After waking early the last few days due to excitement and anticipation, I was really looking forward to sleeping in today.  That never did happen, because my mind is still busy re-living the most wonderful weekend in Victoria at the Fibre Fest.  I almost opted out of this year's event, but am so glad that I didn't.  It was a fabulous weekend filled with friends, fiber, and fun.  Fiber people really are the best, and I almost feel bad that non fiber people don't get to experience this!

I arrived in Victoria for a late dim sum lunch, one of my favourite things.  I then set off on foot to wonder around downtown.  It was a warm sunny day, and there is nothing nicer than Victoria on a nice day.  Soon it was time to go check in at the hotel, in anticipation of the arrival of Uli and family.  Later Uli and I set off for the weekend's kickoff event, a fashion show.

On Saturday we combined kid friendly activities for Uli's family, with our need to find spinning and fiber supplies.  We headed out to Sidney, and eventually found ourselves at Honeysuckle Fibre Arts.  Honeysuckle is owned by Diane Cross, who is a very lovely and knowledgeable spinner and weaver.  Her studio is located in the front of her home, which is surrounded by the most beautiful gardens.  I wish I'd thought to take a picture.  While there, two other Ravelers came into the studio, and we kept running into them throughout the weekend.  Always neat to meet other fiber enthusiasts and realize that we had already "met" online!

I had in my mind that I would like to get another wheel this weekend.  I love my Louet S71, however am finding that it has some limitations.  Well at Honeysuckle, I met and fell in love with  a Lendrum DT Folding Wheel.  Almost immediately, while trying it out in the studio, I was able to spin thinner than on my Louet, with almost no effort.  After lots well really just a little bit of mulling, I decided to bring her home with me.

I already fired her up last night, and I think we will be very happy together.  I am going to keep my Louet, I still love her as well, and with her bigger bobbins, she will be a great plying wheel.

Saturday evening was a talk by renowned lace designer Sivia Harding.

I feel privileged to have met Sivia.  I learned that she has only been knitting for about seven years, yet she is one of the most amazing designers in the knitting world.  She is also modest and unassuming; truly a wonderful person.

Sunday was the biggest event of the weekend, the Market and Knit out at Saxe Point, a beautiful setting on the ocean:

The ocean made a lovely backdrop for Sivia and her Harbour Lights Shawl, designed especially for this event. 

I believe the pattern will be available for sale today on her website.  I'll edit this post with the link when it is up.

I wish I had taken more pictures of the vendor booths, however I was somewhat preoccupied by all the fibery goodness.  Here's one shot:

And yes, lots of fibery goodness came home with me!  It's going to take me a while to photograph it all, LOL!

And finally, I had no idea how cute llamas are:

Well I'd best get on with the day.  I'm off today, back to work tomorrow for what is going to be a crazy busy week both at work and personally.  I need to get some errands done today, and a nap just might be in order too.

Comments

[Uli]

Nice post......... and I didn't help enable you when you were buying that wheel... no, no, no. :-)

It was so great that we both came this weekend......... thanks for all your help, too.

[~Jo~]

A Lendrum!!! Now we are wheel buddies! LOL! ;) I can only imagine how nice the fibre fest was with the ocean view. :)

[sivia]

It was nice to meet you too, Brenda! I appreciate your blogging... your photos bring back such nice memories of the weekend.

I loved the llamas too... way cute!!!