January 22nd Visit with the Shepherds at Orchid Patch/Andes Alive

Ellen and Mike Zepp invited the Guild to come to their homestead. They have llamas, alpacas, Peruvian Hairless Dogs, exotic birds, and a tropical greenhouse. It was a wonderful escape into their warm South American world in southern Worcester County. Delicious refreshments, a toasty wood stove, and good conversation while spinning about llama and alpaca fiber, festivals, shlepping camelids to NYC for photo shoots with Susan Sarandon, and more made for a memorable afternoon. Visiting with the the fiber animals in their respective pastures on the sunny day did much to chase away the cold. Ellen informed us that BFL are due in the springtime, much to our pleasure. As the Guild grows, so do the experiences and inspirations. Thank you to our hosts, and see you again soon when the snow melts and you welcome new arrivals.

Tomorrow's the Day for Worcester's Sheep to Shawl, Llama to Pajama 2010

Think we have nice seasonable weather in store for our Guild's appearance at the SSLP 2010. Betsy, Dottie, and maybe a one or two others will help show how do card, knit, spin and more. Loads of publicity will hopefully have reached curious minds and we'll  see all ages come for a look and hands-on. Will have my camera at the ready to document much of it. Can't wait to observe the llama shearing at 2PM, when Oberon of Orchid Patch in Southbridge MA will get his "haircut" and share his fabulous fleece with observers. Then, Elaine is hosting our next Guild meeting on Sunday. Lots to do!

Mark Your Calendar!

Prepare to meet these two fellows and more cloven hoofed fiber beasts at the 2010 Sheep to Shawl, Llama to Pajama Family Fiber Event slated for Saturday, October 23rd, 12 noon to 4PM at the Green Hill Farm in Green Hill Park, Worcester MA. The event was first held in 2004, then again in 2005. It is being revived under the awesome organizational leadership of a planning committee headed up by Nat and Mihoko of Saori Worcester Freestyle Weaving Studio. Fun fiber-related games, contests, songs and other activities along with plenty of demos by area fiber farmers, spinners, knitters and dyers all to education young and old about how we end up with the clothing on our backs! Should be a fun fall fiber day!