Happy Halloween!

Barb and I will be at the Fiber Festival of New England (Booth 457 East) this weekend, located at the eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts.  Come visit if you are nearby.

The White Whale Made a Big Splash

The White Whale Tavern rug was a great centerpiece for the back wall of our booth at Rhinebeck.  I was floored (that's a rug hooker's pun) by its reception -- I was getting questions about it all weekend -- in person and via email!  Thanks to everyone who expressed interest.  I changed it a bit from my original drawing, so I had to redraw the master pattern so I can transfer it to linen more easily.  I'll be making patterns of it this week to sell at  the Fiber Festival of New England this coming weekend at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts (Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday 10 to 3).  If you can't make it and would like the pattern, I will put it in my etsy shop next week, or you can send me an email.

A Wonderful Wild and Wooly Weekend

I like to spend as much time with the livestock as I can when we are at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival -- those of you who read this blog regularly know I have a thing about animals that produce fiber, especially goats -- but this year was all about friends and family. I realized on the long drive home that many of our customers are now our friends.  They bring their children and grandchildren to meet us, along with stories and photos and projects to share.

My daughter flew in from the West Coast on the red-eye Friday night -- she has business in New York City this week and came a few days early.  Pete picked her up at JFK at 7 AM and they came up to the Festival for the day.  Pete has never seen our booth here and he was a little surprised by the crowds.  We heard that 45,000 people passed through the gates on Saturday, but that could just be rumor.  It seemed like 45,000.

A bunch of my pals from the Peconic Ruggers arrived via bus -- they left before dawn to get to Rhinebeck -- thank you Sue, Sally, Phyllis, and Judy.  (Sorry I had so little time to talk.)  Sylvia from Toronto, who sent us an email the day Obama was first elected, was back after a few years' absence.  Elizabeth from Ontario likes to hook leaves -- and actually reads my blog! -- so I need to design a new pattern or two with lots of leaves on them.   Frances, who lives in Rhinebeck all year round, stopped by.  Last year he bought a rug and realized it had some loose loops, so I met him in the parking lot with my hook and repaired it.  Alice came with photographs of her new home, featuring my large mermaid rug which she purchased last year.   (She once brought one of Barb's turkeys back for repair after her beloved dog got a hold of it.)  Pamela from Boston (via Tennessee -- she has the best accent and the best smile) came both days.  She and four friends rent a house in Rhinebeck every year for the Festival and make crafts together in the evenings after spending the day on the fairgrounds.  (We had an instant connection when she wandered into our booth a few years ago and I can't let her go home without a big hug.)  Diane and her husband came from the Bronx, with stories of their dogs, a greyhound and a coon hound.  Then there's Linda, who buys every back issue of Rug Hooking Magazine I can get my hands on.  She said she volunteered at the festival this year just so she could have first dibs at the magazine rack.  My sister Barb's best friends, Mary Ellen and Kathy, come to Sheep and Wool every year.  They make a great road trip out of it, stopping at thrift stores and often having lunch at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park.  I am indebted to them for all their help over the years, but especially for manning the booth Saturday afternoon with Barb so I could leave early to go to a cousin's wedding with Pete and Clara.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I know there's a passel of people I haven't mentioned, but you get the idea.  Our customers are special.  We may not remember your name, but we remember your face, and the project you needed help with or the question you asked --  and we appreciate each and every one of you.

First Ever Country Living Magazine HOLIDAY BAZAAR!!!!

Barb and I just heard, on the eve of the all-consuming Sheep and Wool Festival, that we have been accepted to vend at the newest Country Living Magazine Fair.  Here's the scoop:

Join us at The Country Living Fair's Holiday Bazaar in Tarrytown, New York, indoors on the grounds of the historic Lyndhurst Mansion, December 6-8, 2013. We promise great holiday shopping, book signings, and a chance to meet the editors!  Friday, 12 -6, Saturday, 9-6, Sunday, 10-5.

I am so excited!  We will not be doing the Wilton Historical Society Show this year because of a scheduling conflict (we will be at the Fiber Festival of New England that weekend), so I am tickled pink to have another top notch venue to sell our stuff.  If you've never been to Lyndhurst, it is a castle that sits high on the bluffs overlooking the beautiful Hudson River, right next to the Tappan Zee Bridge.  Its the perfect setting for a Christmas show.  Mark your calendars!

New York State Sheep and Wool Festival

My favorite show of the year has rolled around again: Rhinebeck, formally known as the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival.  I'll be heading up the Hudson on Friday, enjoying the autumn colors along the bluffs.  Here's the scoop:  The Festival is held at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Saturday, October 19, 2013, 9 AM to 5 Pm, and Sunday, October 20, 2013, 10 AM to 5 PM.  For more information, go to the website: New York Sheep and Wool Festival.

Barb and I will be in Building A, Booth 28, just like last year.  Come and visit and see my just finished rug, The White Whale Tavern.  I hooked this rug to look like an old trade sign, using 1 inch strips of fabric ripped by hand.  The texture is amazing.  I dyed up a new background color for this piece, which I call Blue Whale, and I'll have a few pieces available for purchase at the Festival.

Sale on Wool!

I received an email from the Dorr Mill Store in New Hampshire.  They are having their annual Columbus Day sale this weekend. I love their wool -- I use it in my rugs more than any other.  Here's the email:

Dorr Mill Store Annual Columbus Day Sale

We are celebrating this Columbus Day Weekend with our annual sale. This

year is our most extensive fabric sale ever and includes our signature line of Dorr wools, textures, Dorr bundles, textured bundles, rug hooking kits and wool applique kits. So join in our celebration October 10th - 15th by email, phone or if your in the area please join us at our store in Guild, NH for additional savings on our Menswear, Womenswear and Blankets.

(These items are unavailable on our website) We are open Monday - Saturday 9 to 5 and Sunday October 13th 11 to 4.

We would enjoy hearing from you!

The Dorr Mill Store

This Weekend: Southern Adirondack FIber Festival!

Barb and I are looking forward to another fun weekend at the Washington County Fairgrounds just outside of Saratoga Springs, New York.  We've been working away, hooking mats and dyeing wool and making all sorts of fiber folk art for our friends and customers.  It looks like it will be a warm weekend -- a great time to get out and peep at the leaves, pet some sheep, and pick some apples.  So come join us!  If you got to the Fiber Festival website (click here: Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival) you can print out a $1 off entry coupon.  Hope to see you there!

Just a note: If you are trying to get a hold of Barb, her computer died.  She's hoping to remedy the situation soon.