Shenandoah Fest (wahoo!) and Fall Frolic...

Well, no sooner am I back in Easton, MD I'm getting ready for another show -- this is really, really going to be the last one of the season for me. Seriously.

Fall Fiber Frolic:

Bitsyknits and I are headed north-like to get in one last burst of autumn fun and fibre. We got into this thing because the two awesome women from Two Wool Crazy Ladies mentioned it and well, we're game for anything fibrey and festivaly.

So off we head next weekend. This weekend, I am on Trick or Treat duty here in Easton while the parentals are off at their halloween party. Like, a gazillion little treaters invade the neighbourhood. This year, dad decided to be serious and bought real lollies. Last year, it was some sort of evil crackers and I told him, don't be daft, you'll be the laughingstock of the street without proper lollies.

So this year, it's Tootsie Rolls and Pops at the parental abode. Yay. I have tested them and they are a-ok.

A big -- enormous -- gigantic -- humungous (sp?) thanks to the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival crew who did an amazing job at this year's fest. Next year is a few weeks earlier (bummer, as I love the fall Shenandoah folliage). But we'll be there.

The vendors and fibre addicts of all descriptions were there and it was so much fun. I splurged on a Debra's Garden needle gauge pendant for lace/sock knitters in, yes, olive green.

Why do I love the Shenandoah spinners and knitters? Cuz they love green. All the green yarns and fibres I've been painting magically disappeared over the weekend. It made my heart glad. Now, I have an excuse to paint more green! Yes, that's right V. More green.

Special thanks to Mary Beth -- the Yarn Mag fan -- can't wait to see Mary Beth knits up from this year's batch.

Of course, B and I couldn't resist stopping at our fave mid-atlantic mill and indulging in some dyer's stash. Look out! I see a pile of alpaca/wool (really lovely twist on this one) that is ready for the dyetable.

After the Fall Fiber Frolic, SIOz heads back to Easton for the Annual Waterfowl Fest, where I will be doing a weekend trunk show at Yarns and Co, Easton, MD. Come on by and chat about hand-painted yarns and fibres, tips for using hand-dyed yarns of all types, and general good fun with yarn to get you ready for the winter. Thank you to Gail and Ann for inviting me to share my hand-paint madness here on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake.

To all SIOz customers re mag orders: the rest of the backorders have been shipped, except for issue 4, which will be temporarily delayed from me. If you are itching to get your hands on Yarn directly, please check out their website at http://www.yarnmagazine.com.au/

If anyone is still wanting a copy of A Coloured Sheep Shawl pattern, the new prints are available for US customers -- $5.00 including US postage until Nov 15th.

Knit in good health.

On the Road Again. Again!

G'day from MD -- heading to Berryville, VA for the Shenandoah Fiber Arts Festival this weekend. Just in time for the rain that's been forecast! Not to fear -- B and I are in the indoor venue again. Nice and dry.

For this festival, I've dyed some lovely laceweight and also hemp and wool (5ply/sport equiv.) for the event. There's a new stock of patterns and yarns, so if you are in the area and your fingers are itchin' to spin, knit, felt, crochet........ head on out for a fantastic festival. I love this fest and this year, it'll be the die-hards, as it is the same weekend as Stitches East.

Specials for the festival? You bet.

For SIOz customers in Oz, get ready, because a mountain of fibre and yarn (some very special hanks reserved for you!) in time for the holiday season. When the dust settles on the fests, I'll be heading home to Richards, Lyta (the kelpieweiler princess) and the fab fibre addicts of Adelaide.

On the road again.... Melissa

Pit Stop before Shenandoah Fiber Arts Festival

G'day from Easton.

Well, the travel finally caught up with me -- I'm a bit under the weather, but not to worry. I'll be in Easton to recuperate and to work on designs and new colours before heading to VA and the Shenandoah Fiber Arts Festival, third weekend in October.

It was a fantastic show last year -- if you live in the DC area, it's incredibly close, just a drive not far beyond Dulles Airport, or so it seemed to me last year.

New SIOz yarns have arrived in Australia -- you can check them out at Stitch Culture, VIC as well as Near and Far, TAS.

As I promised, I've collected some incredible yarns and fibres during my travels all of which will head back to Oz very soon. Included in the shipment -- some amazing merino/tencel spinning fibre and some hard-to-find, independently-produced yarns. I'll be posting availability of these lots when they are ready for sale.

Thank you to everyone who purchased SIOz yarns and fibres at the VT Sheep and Wool Festival, Tunbridge VA. When I'm not coughing up a lung, I'll be writing more about what an incredible experience it was.

Happy Spring to my Aussie customers. Happy Autumn to my American customers (and Canadians, who were so nice to meet at VT). I'm gearing up for my annual Halloweenfest!

Keep knitting -- spinning -- crocheting... Mel, in Easton, MD