There's More Pretty Grrls Than One*
The mountains of Estes Park are imprinted on my brain and so, 'my' mountains look somewhat new and foreign.
The trip was over so quickly (sigh). It wasn't so much about fiber...it never is. I wouldn't travel that far (8+ hours by car) to buy even the most precious of spinning/knitting fiber...ever. I would drive longer than that to meet up with the best group of grrls on the planet.
Laura, Karen, Jane, Cheryl, Mim, Imbrium, Chris, Val, & Anne (in no order)
Laura & me, Cheryl, Karen, me, Val, Mim, Val
Imbrium & Mim, the whole group at The Stanley for cocktails, Karen
Julie (in red) and friends, llama parade, Kristi avec her Spin Off Socks
Michaele, Stacey & Kim, grrl with llama, Erin & Lisa
It was so wonderful to spend extra time with Laura and Chris, both who stayed in the 'Luxury Log Cabin' with us, the Utah Grrls, and to see so many more friends at the festival. As it turned out, I was a lazy shopper. Not much spoke to me and I came home with little fiber, a bit of yarn, two spindles and a head full of wonderful memories.
The only yarn to come home with me was from Grayce of Plain and Fancy Wool Co. It's Sage Green with Mixed Reds and it is a colorway that has been on my mind since last years Estes! The only fiber I bought (for myself) was a gray cashmere blend, along with a pink 'everything' blend, from Bonkers. I had to have something to spin on my new polymer spindle. The other spindle is from Tracy Eichhelm and since Val, the hummingbird whisperer (they follow her everywhere) was with me, that's what I got, in her honor. Both spindles spin like heaven.
There wasn't much in the way of fiber that was different or unique. With the wealth of fiber shops in Blogland and the amount in my burgeoning stash it's hard to find something I 'had' to have. So, that's it...more memories than fiber finds, which is just perfectly fine.
*Lyrics by Woody Guthrie
Silly You-Tube version by the Avett Brothers
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! You're right , fiber festivals is more about the friendships made and solidified. Pretty fiber and spindles.
Posted by: Manise | June 19, 2007 at 04:59 AM
Beautiful spindles. And I love the fiber festivals simply to share my love of fiber with others.
Posted by: Alison | June 19, 2007 at 05:01 AM
Sounds like a wonderful time!
Posted by: Laurie | June 19, 2007 at 05:10 AM
Glad that it was a fun and friend filled weekend! Beautiful spindles too.
Posted by: jackie | June 19, 2007 at 05:37 AM
Oh man! You guys went to the Stanley this time! I wish we had done that last year. Sigh.
Sounds like such fun. I was there in spirit, you know.
Posted by: Carole | June 19, 2007 at 05:41 AM
sage green mixed with reds; aahh...thanks for the sharning lovely mountain. beautiful as always.
Posted by: marie in florida | June 19, 2007 at 05:49 AM
Sounds like a very good reason to drive 8+ hours!
Those are beautiful new spindles.
Posted by: Kirsten | June 19, 2007 at 05:54 AM
The memories are worth far more than any fiber you could have bought!
I am hoping to get to Estes one of these years.
Posted by: Sarah HB | June 19, 2007 at 06:07 AM
Beautiful yarn! I agree friends at fiber festivals is the best part of going....so much more than the fiber :-) It looks like you had fun!
Posted by: Kim | June 19, 2007 at 06:21 AM
What beautiful new spindles you have to add to your collection! It looks like you had fun!
Posted by: nova | June 19, 2007 at 06:33 AM
That's what I was disappointed about missing...the friends, not the fiber. And, I would have loved to visit Rocky Mountain National Park again. Love those spindles.
Posted by: Wool Winder | June 19, 2007 at 06:33 AM
I love your Tracy spindle. Was he there in person? I'd love to meet Tracy and Jean.
Posted by: Tan | June 19, 2007 at 06:39 AM
Yay for wonderful memory-making!! I'm so glad y'all had fun -- never a doubt in my mind that you would, but still...
Posted by: Vicki | June 19, 2007 at 06:46 AM
It sounds like a perfect weekend. Glad you had fun!
Posted by: Karen | June 19, 2007 at 06:56 AM
We're glad you're back, whether you brought lots of loot or not! Glad it was such a good time...maybe next year.
Posted by: Marcia Cooke | June 19, 2007 at 07:11 AM
It really IS all about the people! Oh, and the mountains:) I am so glad you had such a good time.
Posted by: Birdsong | June 19, 2007 at 07:11 AM
Oh, it looks like it was so fun!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 19, 2007 at 07:27 AM
You are SO lucky to have so many wonderful friends!
The hummingbird spindle is gorgeous and I am loving that sage green and mixed reds yarn.
Furthermore your photos of those mountains are making me homesick for mine. (The Cascade and Olympic ranges in case you were wondering.) London is woefully short on mountains. And while we're at it...let me just say that the things they call mountains out here really don't even come close to some of the foothills where I come from. Le sigh.
It's really nice to read about such a lovely time had with lovely women (grrrls!). It makes me miss everyone back home, but also quite happy remembering the times I have had.
Thanks, Margene! You brightened up my day, even if I am a bit homesick. :)
Posted by: Arianne | June 19, 2007 at 07:30 AM
Tracy's Comet spindle is probably my very favorite. I'm glad to hear Sir Spindle is still making 'em!
Posted by: claudia | June 19, 2007 at 07:40 AM
Ah, you are lucky to get one of Tracy's spindles! Every time it occurs to me to check his website, the workshop is closed. ;-)
And I know exactly what you mean about the memories being more important than the purchases. But I'm still glad you got to enjoy a bit of both! ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. | June 19, 2007 at 07:49 AM
Thanks for the memories - sounds like a song to me. I love the 'hummingbird' spindle!
Posted by: Peg | June 19, 2007 at 07:55 AM
Free Joho, pleeese.
Posted by: Olga | June 19, 2007 at 08:02 AM
Friends and fun is what it's all about. So sorry I didn't get a chance to hang out with you all this year, but definitely next year! P&F is the best! Some of my CO grrls were all over this year, after I've gushed about the yarn enough, I suppose :-)
Posted by: Wanda | June 19, 2007 at 08:16 AM
you are a spindaholic. but it sounds like fun.
Posted by: Kathleen | June 19, 2007 at 08:26 AM
Looks like you had a blast and that hummingbird spindle is exquisite.
Posted by: CindyCindy | June 19, 2007 at 08:57 AM
Sounds like you had a wonderful time, and I can see why that sage/mixed reds yarn had been on your mind. It's beautiful.
Posted by: Brenda | June 19, 2007 at 09:14 AM
It was great seeing you! Do you think we could get them to devote a whole day of the festival to knit bloggers? It's always so much fun to see everyone and there never seems to be enough time.
Posted by: Kim | June 19, 2007 at 09:23 AM
It sounds like a great time. Thanks for sharing the pics!
Posted by: Rachel | June 19, 2007 at 09:30 AM
I was thinking about all of you this weekend. I've been to the Estes area once. The first day it was bright and sunny, the second, cloudy and drizzly, the third covered with snow. And that was in the summer. Maybe someday I'll get up there again, this time with you all. Sounds like you had a blast.
Posted by: Pat K | June 19, 2007 at 09:37 AM
Wow, it sounds like you all had so much fun! And I really love the two fibers and spindles you bought. Especially the polymer. Cool!
Posted by: Katherine | June 19, 2007 at 09:57 AM
I love Tracy Eichem's Spindles!
What a great time it looks like you had.
Posted by: Amy Boogie | June 19, 2007 at 10:28 AM
What a great group of classy dames! Wish I was blessed with more knitting friends. Most of mine are muggles. Glad you had a good time. Good to have you back.
Blessings,
Posted by: Susan P | June 19, 2007 at 10:28 AM
looks like so much fun with grrrls! i love your spindles....
Posted by: debbie | June 19, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Great shots! I am totally going next year. I love Estes!!
Posted by: Ann | June 19, 2007 at 10:53 AM
I am waaay jealous! I purchased my first wheel from Tracy and first wool from Jean on the net and would love to meet that character in person.
Your mountains are beautiful.
Posted by: Leah (Agile Knitter) | June 19, 2007 at 11:15 AM
I'd love to go to Estes Park sometime. Are there flights there from SLC? We just got direct service to SLC but I don't really want to fly and drive 8 hours....
Posted by: Kim | June 19, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Looks like you had a great time.
Love the humming bird spindle.
Posted by: Tonia | June 19, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Sounds like the perfect time!
Posted by: Julie | June 19, 2007 at 12:04 PM
meeting all those bloggers definately sounds like a great time to me! Glad you got to enjoy them!
Posted by: Kelly | June 19, 2007 at 01:08 PM
What beautiful birds! I'm sure your spindle will hum with memories of that day.
Posted by: Lucia | June 19, 2007 at 01:10 PM
oh, what fun you all must have had! And you got to meet Laura!!!!
Posted by: christine | June 19, 2007 at 02:12 PM
What beautiful spindles! I especially like the humming birds.
Posted by: Opal | June 19, 2007 at 02:34 PM
I like the new spindle!!!
Posted by: Mia | June 19, 2007 at 02:47 PM
Sounds like a wonderful time. I've wondered about the polymer drop spindles, but thought that they might just be pretty. Glad you like yours and the gorgeous new hummingbird one.
Posted by: Sarah | June 19, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Okay. Now I'm jealous I didn't go. DAMN!
I'm glad you had fun though!
Posted by: scout | June 19, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Beautiful spindles! What a great time with friends.
Posted by: Asaknitter | June 19, 2007 at 05:03 PM
OOOh - I would have brought home that Sage with Mixed Reds, too. Just the kinds of colors I go for lately. Do you have a plan for it?
Posted by: KarenJoSeattle | June 19, 2007 at 07:55 PM
looks like fun! and i'd take memories over stash anyday!!!
Posted by: amanda | June 19, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Wow.
Just...wow.
Posted by: stephanie | June 19, 2007 at 08:36 PM
that is one lovely spindle! Sounds like you had a great time with some great friends :-)
Posted by: amanda cathleen | June 19, 2007 at 09:26 PM