Monday, May 23

Carolina Fiberfest + A Blogger Meet-up

Vicki, of A Mark on My Wall, teaching this pretty young lady how to dye a silk scarf, at the Carolina Fiberfest, held last weekend at The NC State Fairgrounds. This is the third time I have started this post - only to have it partially disappear - so I sure hope this time is the charm!  Apparently, it is not to be, my last two paragraphs disappeared before my eyes. Suffice it to say I was very pleased to meet and spend time with Vicki, and you would do well to visit her blogs posts and read back into the archives. You are sure to be glad you did. I have to leave now - so I will try to resume this post later.

3:30 pm:    Dare I try again?

When I went to the fairgrounds, I was surprised to see hundred of cars and a whole bunch of people. I didn't know that in addition to the Fiberfest, there was a NC Festival going on there all weekend. It was almost as busy as the state fair in October;  there were rides, food vendors, displays, a tractor parade, etc. and it was 90* in the shade - which didn't seem to dissuade people from attending.I had to park about 1/2 mile from the gates, so I was very grateful when a shuttle picked me up in the parking lot. I found Vicki's building, and walked up while she was teaching the young girl how to dye the silk scarf. It was an interesting demo. There was a basket of finished scarves, and I found a beautiful one I couldn't live without.

Vicki took a break; we got something to eat and walked around the building looking at all the beautiful wool, mohair, alpaca for sale, as well as items made with all these things. There were knitters, weavers, spinners, felters and dyers, and I got a lesson in alpaca fibers. She is so knowledgeable about all things wool. I used to weave, so it was interesting to me. I never learned to knit, but Vicki says she can remedy that in short order! I would love the opportunity to learn.

If you have had a long-time blog friend, you know how badly you would like to meet them in person. From almost the first post I read of Vicki's, I felt we could be kindred spirits. I have 'known' her for over five years now, and we have quite a few blog friends in common. Being able to meet her in person was never thought to be a possibility, until she moved to NC last year. Although she is over 4 hours away, she had the connections to attend this fiber fair, making it possible for us to get together. I have admired her for her savvy, her intelligence, her wit and her expertise in so many things. I have known few people who have their fingers in so many different pies. Vicki gets an idea and acts to make it happen, while so many of us (me included) just wish it could be. I have now met quite a few bloggers; some local and some from afar, but I will always be grateful for this opportunity. Now if I could just have remembered two things:  to have remembered to ask all the questions I had in my mind and to have someone take a photo of the two of us together!








13 comments:

Looking to the Stars said...

What a treat for you. Glad you were able to meet Vicki. Will pop over and pay a visit :)

Kay Dennison said...

What a lovely shop and a very talented lady!!!! I can't wait to hear more!!!!

Pat said...

Is that Vicky who was a friend of dear old Hoss?

kenju said...

Yes, Pat, Vicki was Hoss's friend too.

tiff said...

Hooray for new blogger meetups! She sounds fascinating. :)

amarkonmywall said...

It just wasn't long enough! I wanted to see photos of all the children and family and talk about flowers and cats and Hoss and everyone we know in common via the world of blogging. The best part for me was seeing being able to meet you in person and share a hug and plan for a porch sit in the very near future. We need to do it soon so you can have a hat and scarf finished by cold weather! Rich's plane got in around 9 pm so we are just now back in Asheville. Enjoyed a lovely day with Abby. Thank you again, Judy, for coming out in the heat and the crowds to accommodate my schedule. Can't wait to see you again!

Tabor said...

Blog meet-ups. Always interesting and usually fun.

LL Cool Joe said...

How great that you got to meet! Yes I've become friends with some people on-line that I'd love to meet. You being one of them!

Granny Annie said...

I can't believe you guys didn't get a picture together either! What a fun meet up and I will go get acquainted with Vicky right away.

Arkansas Patti said...

Especially that last sentence.
So glad you had a great meet. The fair sounds really fun also.
Aw, I miss Hoss.

Anonymous said...

Now that's a blogger meet up I would have loved to have been a part of!

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

I just love it when we get to meet our cyber friends in person. Sounds like a lot of fun, BUT a lot of people. I'm finding, in my old age, that I'm not as eager to be out among 'em if there are more than about 20 at a time. Having said that, the Hermosa Beach Fair is this weekend. Shall I go or not go, I'm asking myself.

Nance said...

The Fairgrounds (by my Meredith!) and textiles...does it get better?! And aren't blogger meet-ups the best? We should try it sometime. I have an acquaintance a florist shop in W-S and a cousin there, too.