SAFF 2013

I never remember to take pictures during my classes any more, but trust me, we had a blast. SAFF, as always, was amazing and exhausting fun. I got a few pics of the general melee.

Here's where I stood for a half day on Friday. My other classes had lots of students, but the steeking class had no takers, so I volunteered as a greeter. It was great fun- and I learned very quickly the most important answer: The bathrooms are that way! Next most: where the workshops were (I knew that without looking it up), and third: What to do with the ticket given at the gate (Answer: nothing, keep it to get back in if you leave the Ag Center Campus). I really enjoyed greeting everyone- maybe there's a career in it for me.

This was the souvenir/real information table. My job was to run interference by handling the easiest questions. Mostly I took this pic because I loved those shawls. SAFF is Shawl Heaven.

Sensory overload. Pure sensory overload. I gasp every year. Not only are there vendors on the floor of the arena, but an equal number around the upper level, and maybe 35 more in a different building.

Want.

Want.

Want. Are you sensing a trend?

My friend Pat, who was on the first cruise, makes and sells these tutus. She's every bit as amazing as this picture.

In the afternoon on Friday, I volunteered to sit the front table at the Fleece Show and Sale.

Man, I wanted to buy this Lincoln/Tunis/Romney fleece- it called my name so very clearly. Only the look my husband would have given me at the baggage carousel kept me from doing it. A very lucky and smart spinner snatched it up almost immediately. It went to a good home. Not mine, but good nonetheless.

Oh, lookie who's on the back of the 2013 Program Book!

More sensory overload.

Sunset, even from the parking lot, is beautiful.

Baby Alpaca!

Oh yeah- I did buy something... a teeny little tahkli spindle for cotton. There is a learning curve involved... (no kidding). I have about 30 homegrown cotton bolls to spin at home, which is not enough to get out the wheel and change all of the adjustments. I thought a little tahkli would do the job- and it will, though there is a definite trick to spindling cotton.

In general, I think SAFF attendance was up, and I didn't see a cranky face all weekend! Volunteering gave me a peek at the organizational side of a huge festival like this- the amount of work it takes to put it together is staggering. I bow to each and every one of the Board members and all of the bazillion volunteers (who did a whole lot more than a single day of work). Brava!