A Gift from Snickers

So, here it is.  the gift fiber, and the beginning of the journey into

making something interesting out
of the gift.   


Snickers (aka Becca) from Rave was moving so she offered a bag of fleece (variety unknown) up for whoever wished to claim it.  Since the origional claimant was a no show (3 times) I was able to grab the bag.  Today I started working with it.  She had put all the fiber in a leaf bag.  Didn't really look like that much.... that is until I started to take it out of the bag.  2 layers deep and it filled a 3x8 foot table to overflowing.  I sorted through the stuff for hours, and barely made a dent.  The fiber is really soft (I suspect it is the same variety as my mystery fiber).  I took a bunch of pictures.  If you recognize the variety, please let me know.  Bummer the fleece wasn't covered so I'm really dealing with a LOT of VM.  The fleece is also VERY VERY GREASY!  Some of the locks aren't bad at all, but I'm thinking fermented suint for the gross stuff.

Concert on the Meadow - Von Trapp Family Lodge

Every year since I moved to Vermont, our 4th of July Weekend has consisted of  Fireworks at the waterfront on Lake Champlain, The big booksale on July 4th and the Winooski Chicken Barbque, and on July 5th, the Concert on the Meadow and fireworks at the Von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.  As usual, I always bring some fiber work with me.  Today it was spinning dyed cotton sliver on my beloved Orenburg Spindle from The Spanish Peacock ( he turns all his spindles by hand, and they are works of art!), and finishing a lacy shawl for my youngest daughter.  I was working on fringe, when an elderly woman came over to look at what I was doing and chat.  Turns out she's a crocheter and a spinner as well.  Her wheel is very old, and came from Holland, and she's just recently discovered spinning in the grease.  (A friend had given her a Jacob fleece) and she was having a blast "despite the fact that it is VERY dirty work".  She liked the fact that the grease slowed down her drafting just a bit and it didn't get all fuzzy or blow away.  We chatted a bit more, and before she left we exchanged names,  mine, Leah Rosenthal ("Oh, are you Jewish?  I've always loved the Jewish people"), and hers, AnnMarie Von Trapp.  Wowza!  The Von Trapp Family, made famous for their escape from Austria during WWII rather than fight for them, has been a part of life and lore my entire life.  I've been to the Lodge more than a dozen times, and never met anyone.  Fiber was the tie that brought us together for a brief moment.  I'll remember meeting her always.  (She asked if I'd be back for the concert next weekend so we could chat some more.  I hope I make it back from the family Reunion in time.

L.