Frisian Frillies

Bliss went with us on tour last Sunday. With 4 wheels in the car and a roller girl in tow, I set off for Westerlee, for the Alpaca Show. And even though we knew we were heading for an alpaca farm, the sight of a field full of alpacas is always a suprise... The Alpaca Show was all about shearing... ... judging... ... and, in our case, spinning alpaca! Bliss enjoyed her first outing! And quite a few people got to try her out. The reviews were mixed. The spinning was lauded by everyone.  Like me, people found the spinning smooth, comfortable and light. But the type of wheel just doesn't appeal to everyone. People who prefer the old-style, romantic wheels, just won't go for a modern, light wheel in laminated wood like Bliss as quickly... But why were we there? Mainly to promote the Landelijke Spingroep. It was great fun showing people that yes, we still spin, and no, it's not silly or old-fashioned or dreary, but a useful skill. We sold...

After an afternoon of running up and down the street, to see whether the neighbour where my Bliss had been delivered (just when I went to school to pick the kids up - go figure) was home, I finally got her in after she had walked the dog after work. Tadaaaaaa! A big box!!! A big flat box. Me and the box went to the spinning group. I was looking forward to opening it up with the girls... But, the group was very lonely tonight :(, just me... And when I opened it, this: I put all the parts on the table, rang DD to ask her to come over and give me a quick hand... As a true IKEA fan, this pack didn't phase me at all. A great detail was the inclusion of the screw driver and all the necessary assembly tools. Nice touch, people at Woolmakers! Within the hour, Bliss was assembled and ready for action... So, back home we went, to put her to the test... Thin spinning, check... Plying, check... And a skein done! The next morning, Bliss had a wee tea party w...

After receiving a free wheel from a mom at school, I found Gloria in a thrift shop superstore last week. She's a Wernekinck Gouda, I've heard from reliable sources. The only thing wrong with her was a loose foot peddle. And that was easily sorted. She is getting on well with Rapunzel! They are exchanging some exciting spinning stories at the moment... Me and Gloria are still trying to figure each other out. She's a puller, and I'm a low-pull girl, so let me say that we haven't really 'found' each other yet... There will be a few more days of testing the waters, but if I'm not happy with how it's going, she'll be coming to Westerlee with me on Sunday with a For Sale-sign... The reason I am thinking about selling Gloria on is this : I'm getting a Woolmakers Bliss! This is so exciting! I get to test a brand-new type of spinning wheel, together with another dozen lucky bunnies, all around the world. My Bliss is in the post at the mom...

After the trade show in Zwolle, a few weeks ago, where I helped out at the Wereldwol stand, last weekend it was time for another yarn and fiber event, the Brei- & Haakdagen, held in Nieuwegein. This time, I decided to split myself up between both the National Spinning Group and Wereldwol, plús giving workshops on both days. Luckily, my work schedule worked out just right, and I had an entire afternoon left over to pack, get the house sort of organized, try out the workshop in my head and write down what I had to take with me. At the last minute, a 10yo girl was added to that list, as Mermaid really wanted to help out at the stand, when she heard I was mostly going to be demonstrating the blending board. So, instead of me, passing visitors were greeted by this beauty playing about with fibre and sparkles. And be honest, if a wee girl looks at you like this... Who can resist... She sold quite a lot of rolls, and spent a bit of her takings on more Zpagetti yarn, which she ...