Where Am I?

I am here, just not posting much.  I'm going through one of those lulls.  I'm not writing much, and I'm not reading other peoples' blogs.  Sorry.  It is partly the nice weather and all the yard work and trying to ride my bicycle more often, and it is partly getting ready for classes and shows.  It's all good, but I've been absent.  

I have a couple of new designs ready, which I will have this weekend at the Long Island Fleece and Fiber Fair at Hallockville Museum Farm this weekend.  I love this show -- because it is close to home and I get to see all my friends and neighbors and because I love Hallockville.  It is a sweet, small museum run by the tireless Executive Director Herb Strobel and his trusty sidekick, Assistant Director Beth Motschenbacher and lots of volunteers.  I have been a member for years, and I have demonstrated rug hooking there in one manner or another for the last two decades.  It feels like home.

Here's the information for this year's Fleece and Fiber Fair:

THE LONG ISLAND FLEECE AND FIBER FAIR

Hallockville Museum Farm  6038 Sound Avenue  Riverhead, NY 11901 631-298-5292

May 16 & 17, 2015 10am- 4pm both days- Rain or Shine!

The Long Island Fleece and Fiber Fair is the first of its kind in the region to bring together the diversity of fiber arts activities! Visitors will see and learn how local artisans craft wool and other animal fiber into beautiful finished pieces of clothing and art. The fair provides two fun-filled days of demonstrations and hands-on learning that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Visit both days for a variety of demonstrations, workshops and local artisans selling their handmade supplies and products in the Naugles Barn Fiber Market! There is something for everyone.

The setting for the Fair is like nowhere else on Long Island- the various activities and demonstrations take place throughout the picturesque Hallockville Museum Farm campus and in the historic buildings that date back to 1765.  Food vendors sell a variety of freshly-prepared lunch items for guests to enjoy while relaxing in the picnic area shaded by apple trees. If you are visiting from New York city, you may purchase tickets to ride on the private charter coach by following the red button at right. Sit back and relax as the bus takes you door-to-door from Manhattan to the Fair!

For the safety of all animals on display at the event, please leave your dogs and pets at home. Thank you for your cooperation.

Admission rate per day:
$6 adults/ $4 ages 5-12, ages 4 & under are free. Family rate of 2 adults+2kids, or 1 adult + 3 kids is $15.
All admission fees directly support the not-for-profit educational mission of Hallockville Museum Farm.

Demonstrations and Activities Include:

Animal Displays- Meet the sheep, llamas, alpacas and angora rabbits that provide the fleece and fiber needed to make fiber goods like yarn!

Basketweaving- Learn how plant fibers are woven into baskets and other functional pieces.

Sheep Herding- Watch expert herders and their trained Border Collies move a flock of sheep across the pasture.

Llama Obstacle Course- The Long Island Livestock Company Youth Showteam will lead the llamas through the paces of various obstacles in a display of fancy footwork!

Sheep & Llama Shearing- Learn how fiber is harvested during informative demonstrations by an expert shearer.

Carding and Spinning- See raw fiber being de-tangled and teased apart to prepare for the next part of the process, spinning. Watch spinners at their wheels turn fiber into spun yarn!

Dyeing- Learn how natural and chemical dyes transform fleece and wool into every color under the rainbow.

Knitting- Watch knitters up close as they work on a variety of wearable pieces. Plus pick up new techniques you can use on your own projects.

Needle Felting- Learn about how you can create sculptures from wool felt with this interesting technique. NEW! this year we are offering a one-hour workshop on May 16 at 11:30 during the Fair. Details and sign up here.

Rug-Hooking- Watch and learn as skilled rug hookers demonstrate this craft.

Weaving- The Hallockville looms will be on display to see how fiber can be woven into cloth, and other pieces such as shawls and tapestries.

Quilting- Quilting artisans will demonstrate this technique and you can even try it out yourself!