We’re ba-ack! Mom, Dad, Aunt Geri, Uncle Jerry and I spent the weekend communing with fiber denizens of all stripes. Alpacas, goats, paco-vicunas (a breed of alpaca), sheep and llamas were all represented. In addition to the displays by various ranches and stores, there were animal judging, fleece judging, sheep dog demonstrations, shearing demonstrations, animal training competitions, and handspinning competitions.
The alpaca tent had products (including fleeces) for sale, the alpaca fleece contest, and of course, alpacas!
We spent at least half of Saturday in the alpacas tent, chatting with old friends and making new ones. The alpaca ranching community is small enough, we’ve met many of these folks before, and it’s nice to catch up. We strolled the aisles of the vendors’ barn for hours, scouting out the best deals. Then, on Sunday, we returned to make a few purchases (much more on that tomorrow!!).
Bags of fleece for sale. We did buy three, in colors that we never have enough of.
Sunday was much quieter, which was nice for us and probably frustrating for the vendors. The results from the handspinning contest were in, so Aunt Geri and I talked with the judges and examined the excellent work on display. We quickly decided that we could totally enter that contest next year; we are both perfectionists to the extreme.
We learned a ton, and hopefully gained the confidence we need to be more active participants next year. At least we know we’ll enter the handspinning contest.
I have a few more posts lined up from the show. I can’t wait to show you what I got!
The Alpacas are such gorgeous colours. I am new to Alpacas having first come across them in America where we bought a couple of covers for the bed and a critter made from an offcut. I’ve never felt such soft fibre before. I recently started hand spinning and tried some Alpaca. It felt just wonderful. Looking forward to your future posts about this visit. Please visit me if you have time. I’m new on here.
Well, welcome to wordpress! I think blogging actually makes me a more active participant in my own life. I have to remember, and reflect on, the things that happen to me for the blog.
We do love our alpacas, and I’m one of the family handspinners. It can be a bit more “slippery” than wool, but it’s so hard to argue with that softness.
Good luck with your blog!
Thank you 🙂 Today I have posted about Ely Cathedral in the heart of the Fens. Take a look if you’re interested in cathedrals.
Thank you – you say I am a perfectionist but I will openly admit to being totally anal retentive:) I think we can give them a run for the roses, so look for us to come up with some spectacular fiber creations!!
Evil grin. We’re going to kick butt.
WE can do this!!