'Twas the Night Before TDF 2011

What is TDF 2011?  If you aren't really into spinning or ravelry, then this will be your very first question.  Tour de Fleece is the annual spin-along during the Tour de France.  It starts on July 2nd and runs through July 24th, just like the Tour de France.  There are various teams and some people are committed to spinning on more than one team.  I usually just join Tempe Yarn & Fiber's team - Fred's Fiber Fiends.  A group name, by the way, which is totally fitting. 

I started spinning in 2009 and got my first wheel right when the tour started, so for me it's a very personal thing.  I can't say I've ever really set goals for myself.  Mostly, I just do a LOT of spinning during this time.  I decided to set goals because my mindset about goals has changed.  If we don't have goals, then we don't push ourselves and experience the utter joy that comes when a goal is reached.  My goals are pretty lofty and I am still subscribing to the fact that it IS about the journey. 

Here are my 3 Goals for TDF 2011:
1) I want to finish spindle spinning 56 grams (almost 2 ounces) of tussah silk.  I am spinning this incredibly thin, so this is probably one of the hardest goals.  I plan to wheel ply it. 
2) I bought some stunning black alpaca, mentioned in this blog post, from Peaceful Prairie Ranch.  I have about 12 1/8 oz. of this gorgeous stuff and I would like to spin it at a 2-ply fingering weight.  Here's some info about yarn weight for those of you that are scratching your head.
3) I have some BFL+ batts, mentioned in this blog post, which I'm hoping to spin into a thick/thin single (no plying) with some beads and glittery thread.  I haven't made an art yarn in a while, so this ought to be fun!!!

I hope to post a few blogs about my progress, but with all of the spinning, that is a very optimistic statement.  Ready?  Set?  Spin!!!

Fiberin' Around in Flagstaff

This blog is a bit overdue.  A handful of us headed to Flagstaff a couple of weekends ago to enjoy the cooler weather and check out the fiber festival at the Pioneer Museum.  We made this trip last year; here is the blog from 2010.

While it was nice to be able to see a couple of demos, hang with some alpacas and check out the limited number of vendors - the trip was really about enjoying the company of friends.  Friends that don't think you aren't paying attention whilst knitting/spinning and communicating with them. 

When we arrived, we had dinner at Brix.  The meal was great and the wine was delicious.  I was appreciating the night sky.


Sam, enjoying her tea...


Debi and Jodie enjoying their wine...


Theresa and Janet enjoying their wine... notice Theresa's sweater, she is such a rockstar!


The cabin was just gorgeous.  We stayed at Arizona Mountain Inn; the cabins were great, affordable and close to town.


Friends enjoying the cooler weather.


I was really interested in the fact that there was a metal playground.  It reminded me of my youth. 






We headed over to the fiber festival on Saturday.  We checked out the alpacas, chatted with the vendors, hung out to spin/knit and oh yeah... we shopped.  I walked away with a handful of the most silky alpaca I have ever had the luxury of knowing.  It came from Peaceful Prairie Ranch and I can't wait to spin it up!!!
A handful of vendors at the event.


Hanging out.


My wheel (Ms. Suzie aka Suzanne) in the woods.


As some of you know, I have overcome a weight issue that I've been battling for decades.  Here's a blog for reference.  Because of my size, I am anxious to do things that daunted me in the past.  Horseback riding is one of those things.  Sammy and I went on a wonderful ride while we were up in Flagstaff. 

I love this picture of the woods that I took from my horse.  My horse's name is Maverick.  Maverick is a red-head.  I had never seen a horse with such pretty red hair.  


Maverick's pretty red hair; the picture doesn't do his hair justice.


Here's another of the woods that I am fond of.


Sam had the guide manage to get a photo of me after our ride with her phone.


On Sunday, we tooled around downtown Flagstaff.  The buildings were of particular interest to me and the sky provided such a rich blue backdrop that I couldn't resist snapping a few photos.




I was really digging this mural.


Getting up close and personal with my new buddy.


And, of course, we stopped off at Macy's before heading home.  No Flagstaff trip is complete without a whiff of their roasts.  I'm looking forward to doing it all again next year.