Lambtown USA

Last weekend I went to my first ever sheep festival, which happened in Dixon, about 65 miles west of San Francisco. Somehow I had completely missed out on all the great events that had been happening so far this year in California, I wasn't going to miss this one. BF and I got up early, dressed in very little with warm jackets on top ('cause it's barely 60 in the city but probably 90+ out there) and set off for a day of watching sheep, eating lamb (BF) and buying yarn (me). They had a special pavillon filled with fiber vendors and I have to admit that I was completely overwhelmed (though I'm sure that seasoned fiber festival people might have found it small). There were heaps of fleece, gorgeous yarns, spinning wheels whirring, a teenage boy needle-felting and this little cutie:

I had to keep an eye on BF so he wouldn't sneak the little guy back home with us. We petted sheep and watched the sheep dog herding competition, chatted with an ostrich and emu farmer and just hung out. Dixon is a small town and this festival had a very smalltown feel to it. In another building, the local library sold off old books for 10 cents, and I found some vintage children's books with beautiful illustrations. Because I freeze up when I'm bombarded with a lot of pretty stuff I didn't end up buying very much. One booth I couldn't resist though, Janet Heppler of Nebo Rock Textiles had the most beautiful hand-dyed mohair, and also some gorgeous woven scarves. I bought this from her:

32 oz of the softest mohair dyed in dark plums with hints of caramel and grey blue shining through.

I'm not quite sure yet what I'll use it for, most likely a scarf or wrap. Right now it just sits happily on my desk where I can fawn over it. I also bought something else....but I'll leave that for another post. Janet also gave me flyers to some upcoming events which I won't be missing:
* The 8th Annual California Wool& Fiber Festival in Boonville, Sept 16-18 (www.fiberfestival.com); and the
* Natural Fiber Fair in Redway, Oct 1&2. If you need more info let me know and I'll email you.