Fair Isle, Fair Weekend

I'm still beaming from the all the fun had, friends made, learning begotten and fabulous time we all shared at the Madrona Fair Isle Workshop last weekend. Those lovely sweaters are the mindspring and handiwork of our awesome instructor, Janine Bajus.

This is the designer and teacher whose fearless approach inspired our class to form a new Rav group called, what else? Fearless Fair Islers :)


Just a portion of Janine's shetland stash:


Day 1: We learned about color inspiration and how to combine color effectively. (My speed swatch.)


Day 2: Charting motifs in combination with backround and foreground color.


Day 3: Janine covered sweater design and construction. (I was so in awe of the talent of my classmates. Some of our completed motif swatches--- mine's the wonky bird one.)


All that, and food, glorious food, three banquets a day! Organic and mostly vegetarian ... 'twas delicious.




Guest quarters:


"Diva" di Madrona:


Suzanne's spinning and weaving supplies and artifacts made for inspiring ambience:


A loom with a view:


More handspun eye candy:


And all sorts of fiber-love in between: Our classmate Susan sharing one of her lace FO's.


Some photo booth mug shots with Nancy and Marie, my spinning friends:

Shout out to my girl Steph from Hermosa, and Janine:

With Steph and our hostess Suzanne:


Our experienced co-hostess knew to park herself by the front door on the last day *sniff* of the workshop to bid us adieu.


Marie set up her tripod for a final group photo before our departure: (Diva, front and center)


My 'Little Birds' swatch marks the end of an incredibly rewarding weekend and the beginning of new possiblities... now if only the swatch could magically turn itself into a sweater. ;)