Just a quick post to show off a bit.  We went to the CT Breeders Festival in Vernon a few weeks ago to shop and have a family weekend, but mostly for these beauties, stuffed into the back of the car on Saturday Afternoon:

On the left, my antique parlor wheel that Dave of the Merlin Tree accepted at NYSWF in October and refurbished for me.  I blogged it, here.  I never thought this former box of parts could look that good.  On the right, my brand new Ashford Country Spinner, also purchased from The Merlin Tree.  Super bonus--he put it together for me, which I never expected--thanks Dave!  I haven't tried the antique wheel yet, but I have already spun over a pound onto that whopper of a bobbin on the Country Spinner, and it's not half full.  I think I have a lot of extra bulky yarns in my future.  I can't wait to finish it and start spinning large, strange stuff into some yarns.

I didn't buy much fiber at the fair, but did pick up a beautiful Icelandic Fleece at the fleece sale, from Hope Hollow Farm.  This is a fiber I haven't worked with before.  It's a double-coated breed, so it should be an interesting experiment.  The fleece is multi-colored (mouflon--dark brown though light tans) and looked great, had long fibers (I swear some was 6" or more) and seemed clean and soft.  I'll try to wash some of it soon to show it off.

I'm sure to post more on my two new wheels as well.  Now I just need to name them.  Suggestions welcome. :)