Okay, I didn't visit the actual moon, I went on a little trip to visit Tina and Kaci at Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Do I really need to tell you how fabulous the trip was? You know it was.
First, they put me in the cutest little room at the Inn. Look at this quilt:
But, the best part of the room was the view:
What are those strange creatures? LLAMAS!!! This is the first time I've ever seen a llama, so I was really excited. Did I mention that this is what I got to wake up to? Unbelievable. I'm sure Tina and Kaci are laughing at how excited I was about the llamas, but I'm just a suburban bumpkin who's never seen the real world.
The other view was the chickens, and if you're an STR/BMFA fan you probably know that the current theme is fowls. Fricking brilliant, people. Have you seen how beautiful chickens are? Here, let me give you a look at the chickens that live at the Inn.
I tried to get a good picture of the rooster, but he seemed the most scared of the camera. Here he is trying to get backed over by the car, so he can avoid me.
Isn't he a handsome cock?
Tina, of course, is obsessed with them. There were chickens EVERYWHERE.
Oh, did you want to see pictures of yarn? I think they had some of that. Here's a wall of yarn:
Some drying hanks:
Boxes upon boxes of yarn with the occasional Sheep 2 Shoe kit:
There were lots of projects too. Here's the Urban Bubble Scarf and the Berry Berry Scarf:
They're made using wooden balls:
And of course there were lots of socks. This isn't even a tenth of all the socks they've got:
I also LOVED this masterpiece. It is ginormous. And not only is is well knit and crafted using fingering weight yarn, but it is also HAND SPUN.
Here, take a good look at the sitches. Did I mention HAND SPUN?
I wish I had a picture of Tina and Kaci to put here, but they don't do pictures. And contrary to what you might think, I didn't spend most of my time swimming in yarn (though I did get distracted by all the yarn surrounding me and stared quite a bit at it). We had lots to talk about! I've been feeling a little sluggish about knitting with all the job stuff going on right now which has been distracting me. Generally when I think about knitting designs, I start with shapes or textures, and it goes from there. This can be bad when I get distracted for long periods and then try to come back to a thought process that's fairly free form. It was really cool to sit down with Tina and talk to her about how she's been going with themes (like fowls) lately because they keep her focused. So we brainstormed, swatched, talked ideas and shot the shit. We worked out a bunch of project ideas that I think are going to be awesome. And I think the best thing about this is that my brain got whipped back into shape.
Tina and Kaci are awesome! And I'm not sure how else to go on about them without gushing. Let me just say - best knit thinking weekend I've had in a long time, and that means a lot to me.
Well I'm officially green with envy. I've seen llamas before, been spit on by a llama before, oh yes, they spit. Chickens, well I grew up in northerastn Iowa, there's not a livestock animal I haven't seen, one farm even had ostriches. But no matter how many times you see something, it's just as exciting. Animals are wonderful.
But now a farm with yarn, well that's just heaven on earth.
Posted by: Rebekah at November 20, 2006 2:52 PMKaci said you guys had fun! One of these days I'll get to meet all of y'all!
Posted by: scout at November 20, 2006 3:44 PMWell, there we go, you got me completely hooked on this blog! Sounds like it was another great experience, and I just love the first big picture of the llama! So sweet these animals!
Posted by: Veronika at November 20, 2006 3:49 PMo.m.g. I just had a yarngasm. Wow, and it was a good one too =)
Posted by: Wendie at November 20, 2006 4:10 PMI just got the shakes looking at all that yarn.
I met alpacas over the weekend, pictures on my blog!
Posted by: Jill at November 20, 2006 4:12 PMWhew.....I think I need a cigarette now. That was definitely good for me. ;)
Posted by: Sarah at November 20, 2006 4:36 PMThank you verrrrryy much for the pics - I've been really curious what the BMFA site looks like. And to see that yarn all lined up - amazing! Hey you come back down to earth? (just kidding)
Posted by: Terry at November 20, 2006 5:06 PMWhat a great trip! The yarn is fantastic. I know what you mean about work getting in your way of knitting. I am in a little slump right now too. Sleep and dream of knitting.
Posted by: Sheila at November 20, 2006 5:07 PMMan! You're so lucky! I wish I could visit BMFA. I need some more STR. I grew up in out there, it's so neat that they've put Scappoose on the map.
Posted by: aimee noel at November 20, 2006 5:20 PMllamas and roosters and yarn..oh my!
what a fun trip! i love the photos of all the yarn hanging up to dry :)
Posted by: gleek at November 20, 2006 5:50 PMJealous. That's what I am. Completely and totally. 'nuff said.
Posted by: Janice at November 20, 2006 6:27 PMholy cow, look at that yarn! I mean the llamas were cute and al, but man....look at the yarn!!! :)
Posted by: courtney at November 20, 2006 7:42 PMLooks like a fabulous time! I love llamas, they are so cute. I've seen them several times, but once at the zoo, we were warned about the spitting, and also told that if one spits on you once, he'll do it again... apparently it leaves a smell they can sense even after you think you've washed it away... or something like that. It was awhile back, and I don't recall all of the details.
You once posted a pair of fingerless gloves someone had made from your Pomatomus pattern. Do you happen to remember the blog? I want to knit some like that, except shorter, but I lost all of my old bookmarks. I loved that idea, but I don't know how to go about it.
Posted by: Crystal at November 20, 2006 11:01 PMwow those chickens are surprisingly pretty. i mean, handsome. studly. i guess a rooster would be upset at being called "pretty."
i would love a cabled sweater made of some of that yarn on the wall. i love hand-dyed yarn but as i don't make socks, it's hard to know what to do with it!
Posted by: al at November 20, 2006 11:34 PMYou know, I think you have All The Fun™. Seriously. I think you might even have a monopoly on Fun, especially when it comes to yarn.
If you can't tell, I'm quite jealous. Again.
Posted by: G. Knerd at November 21, 2006 12:04 AMWhat a fantabulous trip! I love the pics, Cookie! and what a cute room too! It looks like a wonderful time ;)
Posted by: Lolly at November 21, 2006 4:46 AMThat looks like a wonderful trip! The inn alone would have been great, but adding all that yarn and fiber to it! Sounds like you got a great brain jump start and had a productive time too!
Posted by: stacey at November 21, 2006 5:51 AMWow! how fun is that!! That wall of yarn is making me drool...:)
Posted by: Emily at November 21, 2006 6:40 AMWhat an awesome time you must of had! Beautiful place, critters and fiber. Is it green in here, or is it just me? ;)
Posted by: Carol at November 21, 2006 8:33 AMHey! Hey! I'm editing Yarnival! this month and was wondering if you gals would consider submitting this entry and the one about your trip to the museum as companion pieces. Wouldja?
Posted by: JulieFrick at November 21, 2006 12:33 PMI am rendered totally speechless!
I can't wait to see what inspired designs you come up with after that trip!
The first thing I thought when I saw the llama pics? "Mmmm. I haven't had llama in a while." My grandparents raise them for meat, and they're pretty good.
And while cute looking, they are vicious, nasty creatures that will chase a person down and kick their dog. They deserve to be eaten as much as a chicken does. (unless you're really into not eating animals at all. then, by all means, abstain!)
I'm just rambling in an effort not to get wrapped up in a serious serious yarn craving. :)
Posted by: JennaKate at November 21, 2006 5:12 PMThis post will be fun for google. Especially considering the rooster, bubble scarf stuffing, exclamatory words, and the llamas.
Thanks for the gorgeous photos and I hope you have fun in Germany!
It sounds like a wonderful weekend. Were you able to resist buying up all the yarn and fiber? ;)
Posted by: Karen at November 22, 2006 7:16 AMWhat a wonderful weekend. It was definitely inspiring for me!
Posted by: Opal at November 22, 2006 2:00 PMDying of jealously. Or is it dyeing, where Blue Moon is concerned? Incidentally, L-B and I sent the bucket of mini-chickens. We are hoping it will get us a tour of the barn some time!
Posted by: Tan Summers at November 24, 2006 5:45 PMOMG, where is this place? Please call them and tell them I'm moving in. Permanently. They won't mind five extra cats and two horses, will they? This is my dream home! *sigh*
Posted by: Jeanne Berry at November 24, 2006 6:56 PMJust discovered your blog and will become a regular reader!
I love chickens. If you want to see more pix, and more colors! look here:
http://www.roosterhillfarm.com/journal/
Thanks for posting pix of BMFA :)
Posted by: Mo Barger at November 25, 2006 3:58 AMHi there, I was in the barn that day with Tina, and she told me you'd be there at night! (So I figured I'd have to wait a bit longer to call you in person). It sounds like a wonderful trip. I'm so glad you got to experience Scappoose. And I'm jealous of your pictures. When I was there a month or so ago, Tina told me if I took any photos she'd have to kill me. :-) I think she had some new colorways laying around.
Posted by: larissa at November 25, 2006 9:43 PMK those shoes are killer! You have been having wayyyyyy too much fun of late girl! At least one of us are! hahahaha
Be good to yourself and have a great holiday season!
Posted by: Che' at December 9, 2006 10:52 AM