Just as you all predicted, I had a terrific time this past weekend. Hillary is loads of fun and we really enjoyed getting to know each other. We spent lots of time in Washington, DC and I’m going to tell you all about that tomorrow but today is all about Maryland Sheep & Wool.
We arrived around 9 am after sitting in a long line of traffic. Honestly, that line of traffic set the tone for the day because this festival, while terrific and satisfying, is all about the lines! For instance, look at this line:
This is the line for festival swag. We stood in it for over an hour and a half. And yes, that’s a long time. But, it was worth it. For one thing, the sale of festival merchandise is what supports the festival financially. It allows for free admission and free parking and I’m all for keeping that sentiment going. And for another thing, this may be the only time I ever get to attend Maryland Sheep & Wool and I wanted stuff to prove I was there. I loaded myself down with a t-shirt for me, a baseball cap for Dale, a bunch of note cards and some festival pins.
There were also lines for buying yarn and roving, lines for the restrooms, lines for the food. You get the idea, I’m sure. Thankfully, Hillary’s friend Felicia had the wherewithal to suggest that we bring lunch. As much as I wanted a corn dog, I wasn’t willing to wait in a long line to get one!
Now, don’t think those lines stopped me from having a good time. Honestly, I love a fiber festival for one very special reason: the PEOPLE. I bumped into old friends and made a few new ones.
Here is Risa and Jessica. Risa was a huge enabler help when I was first learning to spin and Jessica and I have emailed so many times throughout Summer of Socks that it was great to meet each other in person.
And here is Dave. Like his new outfit? I think he’s stylin’. He has promised to be sporting this same get up look at New Hampshire Sheep & Wool this coming weekend so many of you will actually get to witness this for yourself.
Then there was this guy, whose name I do not know but I just had to take a picture of him because of this shirt. I think I know what Dale is getting for his birthday. Hee.
Finally, I got to meet Lolly! She and I have corresponded through our blogs for a few years now and I was so happy to get to hug her and chat for a few minutes. Lolly, you need to come up here and visit one of our festivals!
I am proud of myself for not just wearing my camera around my neck but for actually remembering to take photos. I knew you’d want to see some yarn
And sheep.
And what I bought.
This is all that came home with me. The thought of packing fiber into a suitcase and lugging it on the plane kept my spending to a limit. Not to mention that most of my favorite vendors at this festival will also be in NH next weekend (potluck picnic plans are underway – stay tuned for details!) and then I’ll have Dale with me to carry around all my stuff. Ahem.
We did not make it to the Ravelry meet up or the Ravelry party, which was definitely a bummer. But you can only fit so much into a day and we crammed in a lot!
So, Maryland in a nutshell: long lines, great people, good fun.
Awesome photos and restrained haul. See you this weekend where the lines will be very small. 🙂
One year, one year…
That’s an adorable picture of Risa! See you in a few 🙂
What fun! Lines are a bummer but it looks like you made the best of it. Looks like you have some spinning ahead of you, too!
so the lines … maybe i don’t want to go to MDSW after all.
and that’s a maryse sized haul. i’m a little disappointed in you. 😉
see you this weekend!
It sounds like another wonderful fiber festival! I’ll be in NH in spirit!!
Glad you had fun. You brought home some very pretty fiber!
Sounds fun, but Carole, I question your commitment to worthy food if you wouldn’t stand in line for a corn dog.
fun! meeting friends is always the best part, isn’t it?
I hope to see you this weekend. If I go I’ll have to take the three youngest children, so I need to check the weather.
Sounds like a wonderful time. I’ll get there one day.
Wow – what restraint! I am so proud of you. I’ll be at NH on Saturday so hopefully I can catch up with you at some point to say Hi. Here’s hoping to some nice sunny weather for the weekend!
AWESOME!!! …but I have to say ‘AN HOUR AND A HALF?” Whew…
I think I squealed when I saw you! SO happy to meet you! You are right – I need to hop a train and come up for one of the New England fests… so much fun! (I have to agree with M though – that’s all you got? i got *a bit* more than you!)
It looks like you had a fun time! I don’t know if I could deal with those crowds and lines, but it is always fun to see familiar faces 🙂
I can tell you had a good time by the smile on your face. The crowds would have spoiled it for me, I’m afraid. It makes me appreciate our small festival in Boerne where there is also nice yarn and fiber, but not so many people.
It was nice to finally meet you in person too! Glad you enjoyed the festival. And I totally loved that guy’s T-shirt too. Wish I had thought to take a pic myself. 🙂
Oh my gosh I love your people pictures. You didn’t say a thing about how much Knitting you got done while waiting in the Festival Swag Line!! heh That was good for half a scarf or something, right? 🙂
Choice haul! And you looked fabulous, if the photo Jessica posted is a fair representation!
I hate the thought of all those lines, but I’m glad you had a great time!
I can’t believe I missed you! I was there, both days too. The lines were long. Sunday was much lighter and easier to take.
I spied that Gale’s Art roving and bought one of the BFL. Loved her stuff. I hope it spins as good as it looks.
Will you be at Cummington? I have no plans to go as of yet, but who knows what will happen.
Glad you had a good time at the fair. Maybe we’ll bump into each other next year!
At first I thought that one hank of fiber was labeled “Dale’s Art”. Oh well! 😉
I’m glad you had such a great time. 🙂
Looks like a great, if overwhelming, day!
Great Photos! One day I’m going to run into you live and in person at one of these festivals, then my world will be complete…ok maybe I need a bit more coffee 🙂 Looks like great fun!
Fun! I think we have the same glasses, btw.
Aww.. you say the nicest things. I’m so happy you enjoyed MDS&W even with the lines. We’ll definetly have to do this again – maybe I’ll head north.
I am so glad you had a great time although the line ups would get to me after a while; meeting all the people you did would definitely help. I LOVE the t-shirt!
You showed incredible restraint although the reasoning is good (I am soooo jealous!). I hope Dale does some weight training in advance..lol!
I am a long time lurker, but I wanted to let you know that I love how you sumerize a huge event like that. I am glad you had a good time. Hopefully, I will leave FL just once to see some of these things in person. Thanks for always sharing!!
looks like you had a great time. Love that photo of you and Lolly – all grins 😀
I’m so glad you had a good time. Although, the lack of corn dogs does make a little sad. I think you’ll do much better with the shopping when you have Dale with you. ;^)
Ooh! Ooh! Potluck picnic! Um… which day are you going? I can’t go Saturday and am hoping to get there Sunday.
Oh, and great wrap-up. Here I thought Rhinebeck was crowded. What’s that roving on the upper right?
Looks like you had another great time an another festival. But, come clean- what new spinning wheel did you get this year???
Ah, I can almost smell the animals and hear the bleating. Only a little more than a month until Estes!
Hi Carole! It looks like you had the best time! Blessings on your week ahead!
Glad you had such a great time! And that you are home safely too.
WHAT FUN!!!!
For a second, I thought you had bought a sheep!
Naturally, I find Dave’s outfit quite fetching. I’ll have to remember to compare notes next time I see him.
I’ve been going to MDSW for so long that I’ve got all the tricks figured out. If you take classes, there’s always a bathroom available in the building. If you go on Friday evening, they will not turn down money. If you get there at 8 on Saturday or Sunday, the line of cars is barely anything and you can park right by the gate. Otherwise, you pee when you see a short line, ditto eat when you see a short line, and generally wait till mid-afternoon on Sunday to really enjoy the whole thing! Oh, and they get pretty decent state subsidies that actually support the whole thing…the swag is gravy.
I attend festivals purely for the people. I actually enjoy crowds and the abundance of interesting conversations and that sparkle when you meet an email friend in tangible form for the first time.
Love the colors of sliver you bought!
It sounds like lots of fun! I’m glad you had a good time. :o) I recognize some Brooks Farm yarn in one picture and that top hank o’ roving of yours looks like the one I made a scarf out of recently. You don’t happen to know the vendor you purchased that from…do you?
OMG! I love that 33 rpm tee! I think DH may need one too! He’s a huge vinyl collector, though he did jump on the MP3 player movement before iPods. I still think it’ll fit. What fun! I hope to make it there sometime!
Glad you had fun!
Oh what fun! Did you knit while waiting in all those lines?
The fiber you acquired looks beautiful. I especially like the burgandy colorway.
How much fun! And you met Lolly! I am really enjoying your DC pictures on flickr too.
Fun, fun times! I’m glad you were able to go and enjoy yourself. Good times. I wish I could attend NH S&W this year.
I’m glad you had a great time!
Sounds like a great time! There will always be those lines.
What’s the potluck?