Fiberfest 2011

When I first moved to Oklahoma I thought there was going to be tons of country festivals and farm markets. I love that kind of thing and unfortunately, they don't happen nearly as often as I like. I've been here ten years now and finally there seems to be more of a movement towards small markets and festivals. Not like the big state fair that is way too commercial - I like the "real thing" - the small town people showing and selling their stuff.
Today in Tulsa was Fiberfest in which there were a bunch of vendors selling handmade items along with lots of different "fibers" for knitting, crocheting and weaving. There were several free workshops but I didn't get there quite early enough to sign up for any. Fiberfest was held at this beautiful estate in South Tulsa that I never even knew was there! I would have liked to walk the entire grounds but I stayed pretty close to the area the festival was being held.

Some of the vendors were inside this cool barn. I didn't take pictures inside because the lighting wasn't that great. One lady had a table full of felted wool handbags that were beautiful. There were also vendors selling handmade soaps, jewelry, scarves, sweaters, and a vendor selling photographic art.

Lots of big trees and rolling hills. A beautiful location - serene and peaceful.

I purchased some wool and some alpaca fibers but the highlight of the day for me was seeing the two alpacas from JR Alpacas.

Janice Robinson is the owner of these two beautiful creatures and when I asked if I could take a few pictures she put them on a leash and brought them out of the pen so I could take some good shots. How awesome!
They made this cute little noise back and forth "talking" to each other and Janice said they are most definitely pack animals.

I loved hearing her speak about her farm, caring for the alpacas, feeding them, shearing them and the joy she gets from raising them. When she started her alpaca farm there were only about 13 other farms in Oklahoma doing the same thing. Now there are approximately 80 farms. They shear the alpacas once a year in the spring time and it takes one whole year for the coat to grow back in to the desired length for shearing again.

Did you know that alpacas don't have upper front teeth? Nope - just on the bottom and a hard palate on the top.

I'm not a farmer by any stretch of the imagination but I did find myself dreaming about having a little piece of land someday with some Alpacas on it.

Yarn Store and Knitting Lessons

I am so excited! I've had "learn to knit" on my to do list for about four years now. I bought a kit to knit a hat about 3 years ago and the kit is still sitting unopened in my craft room. I just couldn't really fathom trying to learn to knit from written instructions. I'm too impatient to sit there and try to figure out what the words are telling me and trying to decipher the diagrams. I do so much better if someone shows me how to do something.
Back in the winter, Doug and I were shopping at Utica Square in Tulsa and I came upon this cute little yarn store called "Loops". Loops had the most beautiful yarns in gorgeous colors and textures and I was dreaming of all the beautiful things I could make if I only knew how to knit. I picked up a schedule of classes but somehow never made it back to take a class. I got busy and honestly too lazy to drive all the way to Utica square (about 30 minutes from home). But imagine my excitement when I discovered Loops was opening a *new* location in South Tulsa! I could hardly wait for them to open their doors.
I went in last week to pick up a schedule with hopes to finally get around to taking a class. It was my lucky day because they were actually holding a free "happy hour" that evening to learn the basics of knitting. I've learned it's best to take action as soon as possible once you set a goal so I went back that very night and got started. I picked out my yarn, bought some knitting needles and now I actually can knit! I'm working on a scarf right now and it is a little lumpy and bumpy but I LOVE it. Where the stitches aren't the prettiest I'll probably cover the area with felt flowers or something. I plan to take Knitting 101 in October, then follow up with Knitting 102 immediately after. At that point I should be ready to knit the cutest little sweater wrap that they have displayed in the store. I've already bought the sweater pattern - you know - for inspiration!