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lucybug
Warming Up
USA
75 Posts |
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robinstephanie
Seriously Hooked
USA
870 Posts |
 Posted - 05/29/2012 : 5:46:06 PM
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Ah yes, Lucybug, I will be there! My bf and I are visiting his folks in Fort Collins for nine days. I'm taking a break from family to take an exotic fibers spinning class in Estes; bf and mom are meeting me a day later and we'll check out the market together.
Any particular vendors you would recommend I check out?
Thanks!
Robinsteph
Different is good. ~Matthew Hoover |
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lucybug
Warming Up
USA
75 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2012 : 09:14:37 AM
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| The class sounds fun -- there are some great resources as part of the festival. My favorite vendor is Lambspun from Ft. Collins - I love that store and since I live so far away it's my opportunity to check out their yarn. But there's lots of small businesses with lovely yarn. I bought some yak yarn last year and my friend bought buffalo. We had a fascinating conversation with the woman that sells the buffalo yarn about raising buffalo and how they get the fiber. |
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flicka
Seriously Hooked
825 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2012 : 1:26:11 PM
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I'd love to read about how you enjoyed this event. I was as close as Denver during that weekend but couldn't get away. I was sure thinking about it, though!
flicka |
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robinstephanie
Seriously Hooked
USA
870 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2012 : 11:02:51 AM
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Hi, Lucybug. How did you enjoy Estes Park? I see what you mean about Lambspun. They have such beautiful dyed fibers, in such variety. I rented a wheel there, and the employees were all super nice. I bought 4 oz of a beautiful cashmere/alpapa/merino/silk blend at their home in Fort Collins.
Flicka, I had a wonderful time, my usual at a fiber event. My class was so-so; we worked with several exotic fibers, but I was hoping/expecting the class would be technical, but the teacher was a self-confessed "non-technical spinner" and didn't go into technique at all. Huge bummer.
I enjoyed the Wool Market tremendously. I arrived early and watched Judith Mackenzie film footage for an Interweave DVD; I also caught some of the fleece judging, which is always educational and interesting, although slowly paced. I saw my first paco vicunas (adorable), and bought some (surprisingly) relatively affordable paco vicuna fleece. Also bought some bison, navajo-churro, alpaca, mohair, and some beautiful merino with 20% silk. I need to buy a spinning wheel to deal with all the fiber I bought. Too bad.  (I've been renting various models to see how they work for me, but that's getting old, and I'm ready for my own wheel.)
Estes Park itself is stunning. I had no idea. On a day off, I went up to Rocky Mountain National Park for a short hike (at 10,000 feet elevation, and I'm from sea level! ) I hiked by pristine and utterly beautiful glacial gorges. I cannot wait to go back.
On a more subdued note, I also saw the beginning of the High Park fire, so far the third largest fire in Larimer County history, and only 10% contained as of this morning. I could see the plume from the market and I've never seen a wildfire grow so quickly. It hung over Fort Collins like a bruise and rained ash down on us while we visited my boyfriend's mom. By the time we left it was threatening my boyfriend's dad's house, in the foothills outside of Loveland. A terribly sad ending to an otherwise wonderful Colorado vacation.
Robinsteph
Different is good. ~Matthew Hoover |
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lucybug
Warming Up
USA
75 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2012 : 11:10:13 AM
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Hi - We had a great time at the wool market. Spent some time looking at the alpacas. They're so sweet and their wool is gorgeous. It's so tempting to buy yarn from every vendor, but I was fairly good. I bought some yak / bamboo blend in a gorgeous teal and a pattern to make a summery-pullover. I usually make heavy Aran sweaters so it will be fun to have something light. We didn't get around to much else, but have done it so many times I think we've seen it all.
FYI on the fire -- as of this morning it was about 50% contained. Some people have been evacuated for 11 days now (an eternity) and many homes are gone. It's unimaginable what these people are going through. I heard a fire official a few days ago say that they expect it to burn until fall. I'm hoping he means in the far reaches of the forest - not around homes. There's a lot of beetle kill trees that need to be cleaned out by mother nature. |
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robinstephanie
Seriously Hooked
USA
870 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 09:16:13 AM
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We had wondered if some people were evacuated for the entire duration. How awful, and then to come home and find your home gone. I just can't imagine.
I think the months-long burn referred to the west, and I think I remember something about authorities planning to keep their eyes on the area at least until the first good rains had passed.
Dad's house/livestock still ok so far. We're keeping our fingers crossed that low winds, cooler temps, and higher humidity continue.
Glad you enjoyed the wool market, Lucybug. I'm a little envious you live close enough to go there every year. My boyfriend and I toyed with the idea of my trying to get a job at Interweave Press (I'm in publishing) and moving to Loveland or Fort Collins. We both have family there. Such great, funky old houses. Room for a garden, or a dog, or both. We have none of that here in San Francisco--or, really, it's far to expensive to find a place where we could. You even have seasons...
Robinsteph
Different is good. ~Matthew Hoover |
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lucybug
Warming Up
USA
75 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2012 : 1:14:49 PM
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Robinstephanie -
I'm glad to hear that your dad's property is still safe. Hopefully the worst is over.
Good luck in your job hunt with Interweave. I've often thought how fun it would be to work there, but Longmont is just too far. We moved to Evergreen from the Bay Area 13 years ago. California will always be my home, but I do love it here -- especially the change of seasons. My husband was a little concerned about how I would adjust to the winters (I grew up in San Diego) but I can't wait for the first snowfall.
BTW -- we're finally getting a Trader Joes here -- and hoping for In and Out.
Pam
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2012 Estes Park CO Wool Market - June 7-10
