gibknits

The Sheep in the Foothills event held this last weekend was a success, as far as the kid’s activities went. Jocele of Knitting On Call single-handedly handled the “learn how to spin on a wheel” booth, bless her heart! I was hoping to get to yak at the old girl, but every time I glanced in her direction, she was being bombarded by kids, wanting to try her Rose wheel. I did manage to get a picture of her, and her first student of the day. I’m sure she’ll be SO excited that I was taking photos. Heh.

Since this event was held mainly for kids, sales at Cleo’s booth were dismal–but her husband, sheep rancher extraordinaire Duane held everyone’s attention during his sheep-shearing demonstrations. I wanted to watch him shear one ewe in particular–a beautiful Merino. Here’s a shot of her before the shearing:

Can you even stand it? All that gorgeous Merino wool? Gads, I’m drooling just thinking of it. This particular fleece, however, was already sold. It’s probably a good thing, since I already have a garage full of wool to wash, card and spin. Like I need more. But oooooh, she’s so pretty. Here’s a head shot:

Duane made the shearing look so easy! The ewe was so docile, I had to ask if she’d been given of x*an*ax beforehand.

All the other sheep, penned up and waiting their turn to be clipped, kept a close eye on things. and bleated their sympathies every once in awhile.

We had a great time, as I knew we would, and I even managed to get a little pair of Socks that Rock gift sockies made for a friend’s grandson who turns one this next Saturday. I’m not going to be at the birthday party, as I’ll be partying with Margene, Carole, Susan, Woolen Rabbit Kim, Miriam and other fiber grrls at the Great Basin Fiber Arts Festival in Salt Lake this weekend. Yahooo!