Saturday, May 03, 2008

Maryland Report: quick & dirty

Quick and dirty is a good way to describe my trip to Maryland since I drove down with my co-author Laura and kick-ass lace knitter and tat diva Jen, and they have quick wits AND dirty mouths. In other words, it was hilarious.



The day started out overcast and kind of cool, but by the afternoon, the sun came out and it got warm. In the morning I bought my first fleece (and my second, too) and handed them over for processing into roving. If all goes well, I shall have some Rambouillet and some Romney rovings for sale at BBF later in the summer.

The festival seemed less crowded in the morning and late afternoon, but really crowded midday. The Socks That Rock line again was lo-o-o-ng, stretching out for quite a ways out the door of the building and into the midway. Although the Koigu ladies, alas, did not come, there was a mini-frenzy as Koigu millends were available at another booth.

I ran into many, many wonderful people, like Knitty D and her mom (Knitty D, I want your mom's address so I can send her something, 'kay?)



and Knitty D and Alison:



and once I got Knitty D to move out of the viewfinder of my camera, I met some blogreaders, like Anne from NJ and Alerievay, and BJ the M&M lady who ROCKS.

The Ravelry get-together was huge:



but I got to meet Noel and see Joann again:



and I also got to meet Turtlegirl and her amazing vest, but forgot to take a photo of her. (She's rather beautiful, so it's a shame I didn't get a picture.)

I saw unique objets d'art like this spinning wheel chair



and what appeared to be felted fetus, which I confess that I found rather disturbing even though it was masterfully done,



and I saw way more of this sheep's personal parts than I cared to,



and some inexplicably-clad guy dressed like, um, a guy in a sampan hat,



and some handspun that incorporated shredded Sweet-N-Low bags:




And now I am exhausted, and must go to sleep, and dream about my excellent day. More tomorrow. . .

8 comments:

Misstea said...

One year, I'm going to rent a car, do some driving, and show up at MDSW. I am incredibly jealous right now.

I know there's a good bar (or six) in Wisconsin. That's on the way, right?

laura said...

I am so fortunate that I live only 30 minutes away from MSW because today was probably the longest I spent there, and it was only 2h 40mins. And I am not heading back tomorrow!

But I am pleased as punch with my haul and tired out to boot. Maybe my shopping is just short and intense?

turtlegirl76 said...

I'm so thrilled to have finally met you! It's always nice to be able to put a face with a name. =) And my friend Jeanmarie is thrilled with her squooshy blue yarn she got from you.

Aponia said...

I had so much fun! You are so wonderful and awesome Carol, and seriously...how could I not want to hang out with a woman who swears as much as I do!
Thank a million times for the wonderful company and skillful use of the automobile through traffic!

I look forward to seeing you again soon! After all I am the Knit So Fine Stalker! =)

Valerie said...

It was great to meet you! I'll definitely say hi at Rhinebeck this time. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, Carol - Good to meet you at Maryland. I told you I read your blog but never leave a comment so here's one! Waiting to get my hands on your book.
Regards from the Jersey Shore,
Anne

Sherry W said...

All this time I thought I was the only one perturbed by the repeated Hustler like exposure!

I hope I actually get to talk to you guys sometime soon, not thru a car window!

the hanged man said...

I really like the spinning wheel chair but I wonder if it's only one step away from a floor lamp that looks like a lady's leg.