Roo and Katy

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of meeting a fiber diva, Roo of Moonwood Farm whom I had long admired – in the flesh! I had heard about this incredible lady and I had almost gotten the chance to meet her at SAFF. But every time I had gone past her booth, she was mobbed with admirers. It’s true. She is so charismatic, and her fiber is to die for. When I heard she was coming to my farm, I knew I was in for a real treat!

My dear friend Pam Pullins, of Sweet Home ALApaca was bringing some alpaca girls down for breeding, and she was bringing Roo with her. Roo is someone who is well-known in the fiber world, to which I am a novice. And Roo is newer to the alpaca animal world, to which I am not. So this was a joy for us both.

It was so much fun getting together! We talked alpacas, fiber, and girl stuff. We got to giggling so much that Pam and I couldn’t stop.

I was doubled over laughing, we had so much fun. I wish they lived closer so that we could get together more often!

Pam and I really couldn’t get our serious face on for the camera, oh well.

Roo and I had a lot of fun getting to know each other and talking alpacas, fleece, and drum carders. I’m hoping to get a chance to learn from her in the future. She is an awesome talent. You can see some of her fiber art in her Etsy shop.

Moonbeams

Above are strips of fiber from Roo’s Moonbeam Club – 4 months subscription – long ago sold out, of course. Color me gorgeous, aren’t they to die for? Now do you see why I just had to meet this woman! She is an Alabama treasure. (Oh, yes, she is in Alabama!)

And, for an added bonus, how sweet is this, it was Roo, who went home with the sleepy Loretta from the How To Put Your Alpaca To Sleep Post. What a fun day we had. Makes me motivated to start playing more with fiber!

I met them on Twitter. Then had a chance to meet them in person at SAFF. “Sheep Incognito” is an art company comprised of the wonderful and funny artist Conni Togel and her husband, Peter, who takes care of the marketing side of things. They are both delightful, and it comes through in the artwork.

This cute painting hangs sideways for a reason. It reflects its caption. Yes, I did try to straighten it before I realized this. (how embarrassing. lol)

Visit their website to see more fabulous, humorous sheep artwork. They even have a great calendar for 2010. Hear that, Santa? And you can become a Fan on Facebook if you like. This artwork is sure to make you smile.

Dyeing Supplies

Immersion Dyeing

Dyed Roving

What’s your favorite way to dye? Any cool techniques that you have to share? Leave a comment and tell us.

Time to share what you’ve been up to with your fiber this week.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

1. Add the permalink to a specific blog post that features something Fiber Art related, rather than your general blog address and not your Etsy store. (Please DO put a link in your blog post that takes us to your store though.)
2. Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Use the button or a text link to http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com.
3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

Angora Goat

These were some of the animals that I saw at SAFF last weekend. It was difficult not to bring some home with me.

Jacob? Sheep

Rather intense looking sheep

Child with her Angora rabbit

Young Llama at the llama show

Angora bunny with carrot

Check the horns on these guys

Romney sheep Layla and Sally - my favorites!

Shetland? sheep

Angora Bunny

Girls with their Llama transportation

Participating in Wordless Wednesday!

More from SAFF 2009:

SAFF – Friday

SAFF – Saturday

Airy Fairy scarf and button

On day 2 of the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF), I took two dyeing classes, and fell in love with sheep. Here are some of the pictures I captured with my phone at SAFF last Saturday in Asheville, North Carolina.

Dyed boucle yarn

Young girl spinning

Banana Fiber and Recycled Sari Silk

Dyed braids of fiber

Dyed fiber locks

Sparkly, shiny, colorful yarn

Alpaca crochet purse cover

More from the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair:

SAFF Day 1

The Animals from SAFF.

Bundle of Yarn at SAFF

SAFF (Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair) is the first fiber fair I have ever attended. My reaction?

WOW! I didn’t know there was that much yarn…

(I took these pictures with my phone so please forgive the quality. Hoping to bring my real camera tomorrow.)

view from the "stands" - which is a great place to eat banana pudding btw

Shiny fiber at SAFF

Cute alpaca needlefelting ornaments at Frostglen's booth

I tried hard to meet up with some Twitter buds today. In fact I managed to accost a nice red haired lady with glasses and the right aged baby – mistaking her for @PixiePurls. Yes, I was mortified. Fortunately she (and her friend to whom baby belonged) were very gracious and I made a new Ravelry friend. One who likes alpaca fleeces.  Good thing fiber lovers are such a nice bunch.

(Fiber growers – I’m not suggesting you accost strangers in order to sell fleeces, but…whatever works.)

This booth was all about felting supplies!

I took an all-day needlefelting class today called “Painting with Wool”. It was super fun, I learned so much, and I’m now exhausted. Blog post on that coming up soon…

Artistic Skeins

For wannabee artsy spinners like me – THESE are fabulous. They spoke to me. They said, “We want to go home with you. We love alpaca, and we will fit in your carry-on luggage quite nicely.” They have ribbons and feathers and all sorts of “crazy” stuff. In love….

Dyed Mohair locks by the ounce

Dyed Merino top

This was my favorite picture of the day. I love colorful fiber! Don’t you? Gorgeous and full of possibilities….

See also:

SAFF 2009 – Saturday

The Animals from SAFF

This weekend I am at SAFF (Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair) in Asheville, NC. Today I am taking a class called “Painting with Wool”. Doesn’t that sound romantic? I will be taking pictures and posting them on Alpaca Farmgirl on Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and eventually – here.

Now it’s time to hear what you fiber divas have been up to – Share your fiber adventures below in the Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival.

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival!

To participate:

1. Add the permalink to a specific blog post that features something Fiber Art related, rather than your general blog address and not your Etsy store. (Please DO put a link in your blog post that takes us to your store though.)
2. Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Use the button or a text link to http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com.
3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!