Just what I need today.

An evil eye talisman from a friend. 

It's just what I needed today.

It's actually soap. I love it.

I used to be cool.

When I was a teenager I used to hang out at the best record store ever - Wax Trax! Chicago was the most exciting place to be. They had the best music, and it was the epicenter of the punk/alternative (before it was alternative) music scene in the early 80's (they advised John Hughes on music for the brat pack movies).

I was always welcome there, and everyone was really great and fun. 

The cake being assembled.

The back of the cake.

The front of the cake, a replica of the old Wax Trax! store front.

This is the cake made by the amazing Bleeding Heart Bakery, and not only did it absolutely capture the essence of Wax Trax!, it was delicious.

The stories I have about the things I did and the people I met are pretty incredible.

Anyhow, here are some photos of some of the people that meant so much to me when I was a young punk.

Joe Shanahan of Metro and Mark Clifton

The incomparable Julia Nash and Larry Crandus doing the best robot dance ever!

Get down Larry!

A photobomb attempt.

Bill & I

Larry & I. I wore my infamous vintage monkey fur coat as a surprise for him.

My rock & roll girlfriends, H and D.

The Wax Trax! gang.

So much fun, so many memories, so long ago.

Stephenson County Fiber Fest

 The Stephenson County Fiber Festival in Cedarville, IL was the first fiber fest I ever attended. It's a lovely little fiber fest with a nice variety, and it's not super crowded or overwhelming. The event is run by the Moonspinners and they have made this such a nice event.

 

Spinning everywhere

A variety of spinning tools, and spinners.

Lovely, soft fleece for sale.

A variety of items for sale, including 2 adorable antique spinning wheels, and a loom.

Isn't that lovely?

I love when the yarn label tells me the name of the sheep it came from!

More lovely fleece, looking at these just makes me want to learn to spin - almost.

Some beautiful laceweight being spun on an antique wheel.

A better look at the wheel. It looks so Rumpelstiltskin to me.

This was really fun, she was weaving a rug on a hula hoop, with loops of t-shirt fabric.

They thought of everything to keep everyone contented- and yes, it was occupied.

I felted some soap. Just getting started here.

A flower, I'm sure my kids will appreciate my artistic intent...not really.

Here's my friend B. being the felted soap spokesmodel.

Tadaa, ready for felting.

Here I go, felting!

B. and her felted soap. The baggies were genius, made it very easy and easy to transport.

Couldn't resist, it just looks like fun!

Tall Grass Fiber Jubilee Road Trip

I went on a road trip to the Tall Grass Farm Fiber Jubilee in Delavan Wisconsin.

I love this little fiber fest, it is really cozy and intimate. You watch the angora goats (they produce mohair) being shorn by the master shearer, close enough and quiet enough to ask questions and hear his commentary.

I ran into some of the Windy City Knitting Guild board members.

Isn't that a cute barn? I love the hex on it.

Shopping and food in here! They make the best mohair blankets, yes, I bought another one.

 

The view from the road. I wasn't leaving yet, just loading up some purchases and walking back.

 

Goats with haircuts.

Llama looking around at all the commotion.

 

Next victims of the master shearer.

The shearing station.

 

Special wool shearing moccasins, and wool pants.

Pre-haircut.

Shearing in action.

 

Not a very happy goat.

 

Very unhappy and vocal goat.

 

Done!

Get me out of here!