Monday, June 23, 2008

The Dangers of Multi-Talented Friends

As I was griping in my last message about mojo, I also mentioned the upcoming, now past, Black Sheep Gathering. I've totally got my mojo back now, but haven't posted much cuz I have lots of real life stuff going on and just haven't had time....nor blocking room. I'll explain about that on my private blog in a few days. Those of you who haven't been invited to it, but want to be, email me. So, back to the topic at hand...

I had classes (which were wonderful, by the way) both Saturday and Sunday of BSG. Saturday was all day, but we were given a two hour lunch break to shop...oh, yeah, and to eat. My friend, Pat, had planned to come hang out during the break, but hadn't made it there yet when we were let out, so I took a quick trip through the vendors. I really hadn't planned on getting much. I just knew I wanted enough of some kind of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Raven series yarn to make a shawl...didn't even care which one, just one. Nothing else really sucked me in, having just recently repacked and moved my entire stash...good lord, I've got a lot of yarn!!! I didn't even buy that without Pat with me, though I managed a quick look (I ended up with a gorgeous skein of Laci in Valkyrie later in the day). Just as I was near the end of the last building, I saw my friend, Shannon the talented.

Shannon raises Jacob sheep, trains herding dogs, used to run agility, felts wool, spins, and now knits, I understand. She saw me coming down the aisle and lit up. She knew I'd be sucked in by the wool fumes, too, so brought something with her that she said I absolutely had to see. I immediately thought, 'Oh, crap!,' but willingly followed her to her other booth. As we walked over, she told me she'd been asked to create prizes for the upcoming Cardigan specialty in September. I really had a feeling that was probably bad news for me. I haven't ever gone to that show and don't really plan to this year, though I've been encouraged to. She told me she'd decided to do some felted wall hangings, but she said that when she'd finished the first one, she knew immediately it shouldn't be sent up there. Just then, we came around the corner of her booth to fully view what she meant. There, hanging on the wall, was this:




Can you believe that?!? My three dogs, plain as day. She said she knew it right away and thought to herself, "Those are Richelle's dogs." She knew I'd want it, of course, and, of course, I did. I'd have bought it no matter the cost and no matter who'd made it, but it is more special knowing the artist and knowing she thought of me as soon as she'd finished it. Here are some details:

Ethan with one of those great Celtic buttons she found



Savannah



Libby




Cool, huh?