Probably my most favourite show of the year, it's Wonderwool time again. 
There are many reasons I love going to Wonderwool, partly it's the close distance, there is something very nice about packing up on Sunday evening and being home before it gets dark! It's also an excellently organised show, all the behind the scenes things that you don't necessarily see as a festival attendee are done really well. I also love my big, light, airy stand, and that the aisles are huge making it by far the easiest show to walk around. 

Getting ready for shows is a huge amount of work, but it's the one time I get to see my fibre en-masse, and to talk to people about using it in person. It's an even bigger task than many realise because I keep a completely separate stock of hand dyed fibre for shows, and everything that's sold online is kept at home. 
Now I don't bring everything to shows, but I do try to have a really wide stock of bases, and dyeing styles. Here's what will be on the stand this year-

Corriedale, Yak & Rose 
BFL & Baby Camel 
Romney, Silk & Linen 
Cambrian (BFL x Welsh Mountain, this is local wool) 
Merino & Silk 
Rambouillet 
Superwash Cheviot, Silk & Nylon 
Silk Bricks 
Camel, Seacell, Faux Cashmere 
Silk & Kid Mohair 
Silk, Yak Down & Royal Baby Alpaca


And then there are all the lovely little packs of goodies that are great for Drum carders, Blending boards and felt projects. I've just finished doing some small scale felting for a new product we're bringing this year, and they're great for transforming a very ordinary looking piece of wool in to something really pretty. 

Pin Cushions. 
The base is made from wood supplied by our local timber merchant, Dad turns them on his lathe in the shed at the end of the garden, and polishes them using beeswax polish from our beehives. I made the felt that goes on the top, and then Mum fastens them all together. The stuffing inside is British wool. 

Right, preparations are not complete, next up, going through the stocks of Tussah Silk, and making sure I have enough of all the different shades packed up. 

If you're coming to Wonderwool I shall see you there... looks like being a chilly one. 
My top clothing tip... A hat and pair of fingerless mitts help you feel considerably warmer, and are a lot easier to carry than a thick coat if the weather warms up.  

I really did vow that 2018 would be the year I blogged more...
However this spring has been full of snow, kitchen fitting, and lots of exciting new business things, and writing a blogpost always seems to fall to the bottom of the list. Note to self, must do better!

So, in an effort to get back in to the swing of things I've got a giveaway...
I've been a longtime fan of Ply magazine, and occasionally write an article for the magazine. 

In actual fact I've written an article in the latest edition. It's all about a workshop held at our guild where we spent the day learning to spin linen. 

I get my subscription from The Threshing Barn, but as well my subscription copy I also have a contributors copy, so I thought we'd do a giveaway.

This edition is all about Linen, so I'm setting you a little challenge based around my Linen containing blend- Silk Road. 

You need to leave a comment, with a link to a pattern that would be ideal for this blend. 
Remember it's one with high drape, and low elasticity. You can use a single colour, or multiple shades. 

Check the rest of the comments, because only the first comment suggesting a pattern will count. If someone else has suggested a pattern before you then you need to go and find a different pattern!

You have until Midnight GMT (UK time)  on Saturday 14th April to leave a comment which counts as your entry.

So remember, it needs to have a  link to the pattern, and it needs to be a pattern that no-one else has posted before you. Rather than a random drawing the winner will be the pattern I like best, so choose wisely!

I'll post the magazine out internationally, and will contact the winner by email, so you need to leave your email in the box that says "email address" when you leave your comment.