A Short Retreat

In a far off land, that isn't really that far away...just seems far away, a coven of  group of spinners gathered together for several days of communing with nature, the fiber they love, and with each other.  They stayed in a meadow surrounded by aspen trees and lived in a makeshift shelter that kept the summer rains off their tools and the delicate fiber. It was truly a magical time whether one was there for a day (like I was) or for four days (like most everyone else).
There were prezzies and prizes, good things to buy and friends to sit with while chatting, spinning, eating and/or drinking wine.  Elizabeth, a spindle maker of excellence, was there with a wonderful selection of new spindles and I just had to bring home this lovely one with a mushroom shaped top.  (I've yet to give it a spin.)  Deb  and I sat and spun together much of the day and here she is lifting a glass to Marcy. Hey, Marcy!  Marge wanted to me say hi to Teyani as she spun a big bump of "Say a Little Prayer". Blogland is with me even when I'm spending a day with 'real' and not 'imaginary' friends.

A little princess, her name is Tara, introduced me to drum carding.  This is something I've been very interested to learn more about and Tara kindly walked me through the steps.  She helped me create a wonderful batt that was the color of the sky.  I spent the day spinning it (it wasn't the best of wool) and came home with a bobbins worth to ply.  It made a very lovely souvenir skein and one that will always remind me of this charming young lady who already has fiber fever.

Next year my plan is to spend the entire weekend camping and spinning in this magic place with many delightful fiber friends.  Everything is so well planned, so well executed, so much fun.  Too much of a good thing is never enough. 

Comments

[Laurie]

Sounds like a wonderful day! I like that the next generation is learning so young.

[Lisa]

Sounds like a great get together! It's always fun to share time with friends who enjoy the same things you do.

[Carole]

What a fun idea for a retreat. Camping would definitely make it even better.

[Kirsten]

Sounds like a perfect day!!

[Beth S.]

Sounds like paradise to me! :-)

[minnie]

i'm so jealous!

[Manise]

Now that looks like a great time! It must have been hard pulling yourself away while the others stayed. I love Tara's vest with the ends yet to be woven in- what a cutie.

[Laritza]

Retreat is a wonderful experience, it never changes but it is always different and special. Glad you had a chance to be there. Too bad I could not make it this year :(

[Wool Winder]

I like the picture of everyone in the tent. Looks like good fiber fun!

[Michelle]

Sounds like a great day!!
You can make some beautiful batts and roving with drum carders, great for blending beautiful colorways too! Doesn't sound like your experience was all that encouraging to you.... Hope you get another opportunity to give it a try! (and with some better wool)

[Marcia Cooke]

Oh, ho....drum carding now? I see your home filled with raw fleece by this time next year! What else did you learn? Glad you had a great time...sounds wonderful. Well, maybe not the camping.

[susan]

I foolishly picked Saturday to go visit Kristine, completely forgetting about Retreat. Was it hot in PC??

[Marcy]

Now that's my idea of utopia! Hiya, Deb! Hiya, Elizabeth! And is that Judy off on the left in the group shot? Hiya, Judy!

Pout. Pout. Pout.

Aren't you glad you're a spinner now? :D

[Kelly]

Sounds wonderful! Glad you had a good time.

[Norma]

Sounds like a blast. That little girl Tara is such a sweetie!

[Kathleen]

very cool.

[Tan]

I'm glad you got to go. And it looks as if you had nice weather. I hope next year my brain will let me go.

[Cheryl]

What a beautiful setting!

[Roxie]

Very close to heaven. It's just that nasty camping stuf that puts me off. But it gives me ideas. . .

[Chris]

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day!

[elizabeth]

What fun! I spent the weekend spinning too, but in the comfort of my well-airconditioned home!

[knitnana]

What a neat idea for next year! Glad you had fun and that sky blue skein is gorgeous.
(((hugs)))

[Cheryl]

What a great idea! That sounds like so much fun.

[Dave Daniels]

A coven of spinners? Made me laugh out loud. Really. It fits.
And I love that meadow grass photo. it's been years and years since I've roamed through tall, cool grasslands.

[Rachel]

Sounds to me like an excellent plan for next year!

[Birdsong]

What a wonderful time you had! It looks like it was absolutely beautiful there in the outback...I think your coven could easily share a few drum carders; maybe a workshop in the making?!

[Vicki]

Lovely. Just lovely. Do you think you'd get tired of it if you could do that EVERY weekend?
; )

[Donna]

You can't get any closer to heaven then sitting in nature with friends and playing with fiber.

Glad you enjoyed yourself. We all need a few days to sit and enjoy!

[Leah]

Green with envy here!

[Tonia]

Looks and sounds like a wonderful time. Wish that there was something like that around here.

[Erin]

Looks like a fun day. I love the idea of being under a tent of craftiness!

[Rachel H]

Sigh. That looks so much nicer than the butt-kicking canoe/camping trip I've got coming up...

[Carol]

Now that's Heaven on Earth!

[claudia]

I am *so* not a camper, but I can understand the attraction.

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

That sounds like a dream! Beautiful batt and yarn!

[Cookie]

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a weekend.

[--Deb]

I love a story with a happy ending!

[Judy]

Sounds like a magical time.

[Rachel H (the other one)]

Absolutely wonderful! I am so jealous that you got even one day! What a beautiful experience that would have been!

[Teyani]

HI back to Marge (and thanks for the howdy!)
It sounds like a fabulous day - drum carders are fun, aren't they (grin) do I sense a new tool that is on your wish list?

[Wanda]

That's right, never too much of a good thing. Sounds like a wonderful day, you should definitely go back for longer next year.