October 25, 2006
Here's the scoop!
I now totally understand why they call it a "red-eye" flight. Jeni and I flew on a red-eye to Boston on Thursday night. We arrived bright and early at 5:30 am EST, and dropped our luggage that we didn't need at Cynthia's place and headed out to grab breakfast and get on the road to New York.
We had to stop at WEBS on our way...because we just had to! It was everything that I thought it should be...and more. This place is huge! You literally have a shopping cart (like at the grocery store) at your disposal as you walk through the place. I actually didn't do too bad while we were there. I bought enough Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed (color 06) to make myself a sweater, 1 skein of Noro Kureyon for my Lizard Ridge, and some of their Vally Yarn Shelbridge to make a Falling Leaf shawl. From there we headed to our hotel about half an hour away from Rhinebeck. We tried to go to sleep early so that we'd all be rested the next morning...but we were all too excited. Of course, we got up way too early, but again with the excitement. The day of Rhinebeck was finally here!
The festival itself was huge. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this place was gorgeous. There were beautiful Fall leaves and colors everywhere. The weather was perfect, and then there was the part about being surrounded as far as the eye could see by fibery goodness. I think we were all in heaven...yarn heaven that is! We had arrived a little...ok, alot early...so we browsed around, scoping things out, and taking cute sheep pictures. They really are so cute, it almost makes me want to be a farmer, almost. Who am I kidding? I'll settle for cute pictures.
I met tons of fun bloggers at the blogger meet-up. It was total chaos though. A lot of the people were running around trying to find bloggers that they had on their bingo card. Some were trying to have quick converstions with people that they've only known online. I was trying not to get lost in the shuffle and at the same time meet some of the people that I had in mind to meet.
Like Sarah! I finally got to meet Sarah...she's the girl who was a huge blessing to me and especially my parents while they were down at the MD Anderson Cancer Clinic in August. She is just as sweet as my Mom described to me. Since I only got to talk to her for about 5 minutes...we're going to be planning a trip for her to come and visit me in Colorado! Fun! That wasn't the only person I met though, I met Ann and Cara, Carrie, Beth, and Adrian and too many others to mention them all and...I did get to meet Stephanie. I just happened to have my mittens (that she made, remember!) with me for a photo op. Dang camera malfunction. I asked if I could take a picture of the two of us, with the mittens, and of course she obliged. Twice, the camera didn't take the picture. Of all the times to not work! Ahh! So, I had to be happy with catching a shot of her later. It works...I still got to thank her for the mittens in person.
And a shot of the back of the wedding shawl. (thanks Cynthia!)
I hardly took any photos at the festival, I think due to being overwhelmed by it all. I had yummy food, tons of laughs, and made some memories that will last a lifetime. I'm so glad that I went. Here's a shot of the yarn haul...more details to come in the next post, along with my thoughts on Boston. I'm convinced that I would get more knitting done if I lived there. I'll explain that too!
Click to see a slide show of the trip to Rhinebeck!!
Posted by Stacey at October 25, 2006 11:01 AMWow! What a haul! Everything looks fabulous. Sounds like a good time was had by all.
Posted by: Judy at October 25, 2006 12:20 PMThanks for your great report of Rhinebeck. I`m happy to read it. And the pictures are totaly fabulous. So much yarn....WOW. You must have a lot of fun!!
Happy Knitting, Maartje :-)
Posted by: Maartje at October 25, 2006 12:44 PMIsn't the Hudson Valley gorgeous this time of year? In our pre-kid NY days we would literally skip out on work in the fall (leaving our offices lit and computers on) and head up to New Paltz for mountain biking or Rhinebeck for movies at Upstate Films. I love that part of the country...
Posted by: Brynne at October 25, 2006 01:28 PMStunning take! Should keep you busy and toasty this winter.
Fun to live vicariously...
Posted by: Leslie at October 25, 2006 01:29 PMTotally crazy and random comment, but, if you look at the last pic in the slideshow and somehow imaagine the ears of the cat looking like eyes, you'll see a scary old-woman face. I seriously thought you had a Halloween mask in the pic for a moment, and then figured it out.
Posted by: Melissa at October 25, 2006 02:17 PMohhh stacey what a haul! You definately have my taste in colours, the green, orange ohhhhh I love it all. Do tell about the bag with the wooden handles though, I love that!
Posted by: Kelly at October 25, 2006 02:47 PMFantastic to meet you finally! YAY for Rhinebeck!
Posted by: Cara at October 25, 2006 04:01 PMThere's a nice picture of you on Yarn Harlot's website!
Posted by: Leslie Richardson at October 25, 2006 04:31 PMWow looks like you had a fabulous time! Excellent yarn haul!!
Posted by: Jacinta at October 25, 2006 04:48 PMThat is a lot of yarn. I covet the two STR skeins on the left, though the pink and purple skeins are also nice. Cute cat too.
Posted by: Courtney at October 25, 2006 04:58 PMi'm so glad u and jeni came out... SO much fun. I can't wait to do it again!!! (just not next week, ok?)
Posted by: cyn at October 25, 2006 05:15 PMI'm so glad you guys came out and had a good time. Isn't it an incredible fair ground?
Posted by: Bookish Wendy at October 25, 2006 06:03 PMOhhh, the yarn and the sheep and the blog celebs. And the yarn! Lucky girl. We definitely need the details on that pile of love :)
Posted by: Vicki at October 25, 2006 07:22 PMLooks like you had a great time and met a lot of great bloggers! I saw a picture of you on the Harlot's blog (her post about Rhinebeck).....
Posted by: Allegra at October 25, 2006 08:51 PMDroooooool...
Posted by: shannon in oregon at October 25, 2006 09:57 PMSuch a great time! I couldn't go but it looks like you have some Puckerbrush Farm yarn just like what I bought at the Virginia Fall Fiber Festival. Lovely lovely haul- All of it!
Posted by: emmy at October 25, 2006 10:20 PMI can't believe I didn't even know you were there! We flew from the same airport to halfway across the country and didn't even run into each other... Looks like you got some great stuff!
Posted by: Anne at October 25, 2006 10:21 PMWow, you're branching out into more colors! I am completely in love with Elsabeth Lavold yarns. I'm currently working up two things in Silky Wool, and they are totally fabulous to work with.
It looks like you had a great time! I had totally planned on going this year, but then the unexpected move to Germany...I just tried not to think too much about it this weekend. But seeing pictures like yours helps me feel like I've experienced it at least a little. Thank you!
Posted by: Faith at October 26, 2006 05:14 AMOh, such a good time it looks like! I'm glad you and Jeni got to go. I can't wait to see the fiber haul in person!
Posted by: Wanda at October 26, 2006 06:42 AMWow, looks like you had an amazing time AND you got some fabulous yarns. Those colours are so beautiful!
Very cool that you got to meet up with all those other bloggers too.
Great pics!
ooh man! all that new pink yarn!! stacey - what on earth are you going to do with yourself?!
Posted by: KnottieKnitter at October 26, 2006 01:08 PMLOVE YOUR HAUL...and the pics, especially the "backside" picture of the sheep! That should be a poster!
How's the weather? I'd love to visit CO again!
What a horrible time for your camera to malfunction! Sounds like something that would happen to me. :)
I'm keeping an eye on what you do with your STR to give me ideas and inspiration! :)
Posted by: Suzanne at October 27, 2006 07:57 AMLove them sheep!! So happy you had a wonderful jaunt. Welcome home.
Posted by: Julie at October 27, 2006 03:33 PMI just love the Rhinebeck photos of the multicolored sheep butts! Sounds like you had a great time! I love your purchases - especially those pink and green skeins! The blogger meet up was chaos - but oh so cool chaos!
Posted by: Tamara at October 27, 2006 06:35 PMThose are beautiful yarns and I enjoyed your mother daughter pictures. My daughter has a sheep farm. The sheep actually belong to my 10-year-old granddaughter and she shows them for 4H. She got a spinning wheel for Christmas and spins the wool. I think she's just amazing!
Visit me at homelessgrammy.blogspot.com
Posted by: GrammyDeeBug at November 5, 2006 05:38 PM