I said 'Smile' and it did! How cute. Alpacas just make me want to fling my arms around them and give them a big squishy hug. They would not like it though. Today I went over to the NEC in Birmingham to visit
British Alpaca Futurity 2012. This is the biggest annual gathering of Alpaca in the UK. I had a lovely morning wandering around chatting. . . to the animals not to people. Some of the animals chatted back, which was adorable. I went on my own and caught a shuttle bus with an alpaca farmer from Somerset, we got chatting and she offered to send me some 'free' alpaca fleece to play with. . . it hurt but I declined! I need to use the sacks in the shed first! This has been a great motivator to spin some of this fantastic fibre.
I was really interested in the results of the spinning contest. Wouldn't it be great to think I could make something worthy of entering next year. I am getting delusions of Grandeur again! One of they Rosettes would look helluva lovely on my wall though!
Dyed Yarns to die for!
Show Fleece in a wide range of fantastic natural colours.
More Fleece, this was about half of the fleece.
Tis the stuff that dreams are made of!
Lots of knitted Alpaca.
Lots of Crocheted Alpaca.
Needle Felted Alpaca.
Alpaca shows. This was very interesting and I watched the final of the 'Best in Show Black Female'. I just think they are all winners and all lovely. The junior classes were very cute too. I think the boys are being judged tomorrow.
There were lots of trade stands and stores for me to have a thoroughly great time mooching around. I draw the line at £30 for a pair of socks though, they were soft and luxurious, I know, but I would only wear holes in them! I looked at spinners, weavers and felting. You could also take workshops but I was not that organised. The Workshop in 'Advanced Spinning Techniques for Alpaca Fleece' sounded just my cup of tea. There is always next year.
At the end of the Morning, after talking to the animals, we were all very tired and in need of a lie down.
Now I am off to make plans. . . . if I don't win the Lottery. . . how can I find a field to pop my Alpaca in? My garden is barely chicken proof and three chickens take up all the room!
I hope you are all set for a great weekend filled with fun stuff. I am having a very fun day, as I am off to the 'Basketry/Weaving Workshop tonight. I wonder what I will make and how I will get on? In my head I am already very good at this! XXX
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