Rows Red

Yesterday ended up being a 16 hour day for me, from the time I work up, till the time I got home. To say that I overdid it would be an understatement. So, onto the recap!

Cummington was all about friends for me, top to bottom. Serendipity ruled the day, from ‘Chelle and I meeting up with Wendy and her husband I was picking Michelle up (and then carpooling), to all the faces, new and old, that I was privileged to meet.

I think I kinda freaked out Dan from Gnomespun, in my ever classy manner I pointed at him while yelling “Oh! Gnome!” and then telling him I was just an overenthusiastic new reader and he could go on his way now, unmolested. Seriously, I quote, I really said it just like that. I’m glad I got to make up for that later. I saw Jenny and Adrian, Carolyn and Joe, Habetrot (?), Lisa and Jennifer from Tsock Tsarina & Holiday Yarns, Laurie (from SOAR!) and that awesome Scottish lady, also from SOAR, whose name I can’t remember. Of course there was Risa and Jess, and many, many other folks. In one particular barn I couldn’t move five feet without tripping over Ravelers and fiber friends. Cummington was “filthy” with them, as one person said. I was blown away by how many people, many of whom I’d only met once, gave me big hugs to say hello. *warm, fuzzy*

The shopping was wonderful, and much to my joy, the VERY first booth I walked into housed Buckwheat Bridge. I had previously despaired, as they weren’t on the vendor list handed to us when we entered. There wasn’t much variety in roving, but Dan told me that I could come to the barn and custom dye and mill my own roving, with their help! I just about fell over. I mean, once they told me I could come by off season and pick up something if I wanted, but this is a whole ‘nother realm of HELLS-YEAH!

I was a good girl and wherever possible limited myself to 1/2 lb quantities. So, here we have Spinner’s Hill, BWBA, and Surdy Run Woolen Mill. I was so pleased to find dark fiber to spin, it’s harder to find than you think. My first purchase of the day was actually an armful of Spin Off back issues, at $2 a pop! Oh, sweet rapture! I left one behind, not because I already owned it, but because it seemed wrong to buy every last one. I love it when I can score them at good prices, back issues are just awesome, every one full of interesting goodness.

As I suspected, Wendy gave in and decided not to wait till Fall. She is now the proud owner of a Kromski Sonata, proud and somewhat shocked. Even the M&M on her check looks shocked. We were so happy for her, especially Jess… when she found out Wendy had bought a Sonata she almost peed herself she was so excited. I can say there was jumping and shrieking involved.

We left around 1:30 because we were pretty much done and made a few stops for lunch and party food, as well as a stop at Twin Hearts Yarn Shop in Pittsfield. What a great shop! I had no idea it was there, Michelle had never mentioned it that I remember on previous trips. The owners were wonderful, the stock and selection was great!

Last, but certainly not least, the day ended at Jess’s house. Jess says to me, as I sprawled in her recliner pre-party, “Tina’s tie-tie.” (That’s CuteOverload.com speak for “tired”, a term I too have used on occasion.) Yes, Tina was in fact, tie-tie. I perked up some when everyone started to show up, but I know I wasn’t my normal self. There was, however, plenty of good food and company! I even met Spincerely Yours, who dyed up some lovely roving I bought last summer. It was really funny when we realized almost everyone in the room had a Stitched by Jessalu bag. Hey, friends support friends, you can count on us!

I’m glad I went, but by 9 I was ready to go. What a day!