Well, well, well. It seems that Zoe had a bit of fun while I was gone, didn’t she? (And can’t you just tell what a character she is?) She had a great time reading all of the lovely comments that you and your pets left on her blog (and she quickly pointed out to me that apparently people ARE interested in a blog all about her, despite what I had told her in the past.) I’m sure she’ll get a bit of an attitude about it.
So – TNNA was fun! My good friend Janice went with me, to serve as someone to bounce ideas and advice off of. 🙂 It really does help when you’re walking around that big exhibit hall, to have someone to discuss things with and give opinions. We’ve been friends for over 25 years, so she knows me well and was a big help. (And of course it was just fun having the weekend with her.) Here she is, posing with Loopy and one of the TNNA signs. 
That first morning, Janice took a Moebious Basket class with Cat Bordhi and I took an intarsia class with Lucy Neatby. Here’s a photo of Lucy demonstrating something in our class. I wish I had taken a close up of her intarsia vest, as it was unbelievable. It was a good class and Lucy is fun to listen to. 
I also met Clara Parkes in the class. Clara is the founder and head of Knitter’s Review and is just as nice as can be. She graciously posed with Loopy, too. (More on that Loopy in Wednesday’s post.) After the morning classes, we met the Cider Moon gals for lunch. (Oops – Cider Moon gals plus Jackie’s husband Travis, Cider Moon Webmaster.) 
You know how much I love their yarn, and it was a lot of fun to spend time with them in Ohio. I’m a bit disappointed that I somehow missed the Twilight Zone bathroom at TNNA, though. You’ll have to read the story on the Cider Moon blog.
The rest of Saturday and all day Sunday was spent walking among all of the booths. (And OH how I wish I could share that with you in pictures! Unfortunately, cameras are not allowed in the exhibit hall.) I had a lot of fun connecting with all of the people behind the companies who do so much beautiful work on the yarn we have here. Most I had met last year already, but it’s very different meeting them when you’ve put in one order with them and don’t even have a shop yet, compared to having ordered from them and talked on the phone with them WAY too many times over the past year! One new person I met this year – Cookie A! You have bought lots of her patterns, so she loves us here at The Loopy Ewe. It was really fun to sit and talk with her, and see all of her amazing socks in person. That night, we attended a special Customer Appreciation Happy Hour with the gals from Dream in Color. (And you know? I could’ve taken pictures there and just didn’t think about it, for pete’s sake!) We will have that gorgeous Smooshy sock yarn in in about 2 weeks. (Want to know what they said when they met us? “Ohhhh – you’re the one that ordered ALL that sock yarn, right?”) 🙂
I learned about new sock yarns coming out that I’m really excited about, and of course we’ll be right on top of ordering those. One new yarn line that we have added is Fiesta, for their Boomerang Sock Yarn. I am so in love with all of the Fiesta colorways. They keep all of the yarns in stock, so we will have them in just a week or two. I’ll keep you posted. (And watch for Baby Boomerang to come in the late summer.) I ordered some new accessories from a couple of different companies (and still thinking about a couple more.) I also have more yarn lines that I am testing and considering from the weekend. You’ll be seeing and hearing about the new stuff as we get it in over the next couple of months. All in all, a very productive three days. (And College Guy and Knitting Daughter seem to have done very well in packing up all of your orders and getting them out over the weekend, so a big YAY for them!) I did think this side-of-the-building advertisement in Columbus ought to win a “most creative” prize. See how the paint flows down across the cars below and into the parking lot? (Click on the photo to make it bigger.)
Of course I came home to boxes and boxes and boxes of yarn to be unpacked. (Leading one to question why I just ordered more. But I know all of you – no matter how huge the orders are that we get in, they leave the shop almost as fast as they come in. That’s why there is always more on order.) What arrived while I was gone for the weekend? All Things Heather (new lace yarns – yippee!), Lorna’s Laces (remember the dishwasher sized case the last time? This one was two of that size, plus another – I put most of them up this afternoon. We have 15 more colorways that need photographing and will be up later.), Seacoast Merino, Yarn Pirate (including 2 new exclusive colorways that are probably my two favorites ever from Georgia), Misty Mountain Farm, and a brand new sock yarn from Cherry Tree Hill. Cheryl, of Cherry Tree Hill, emailed me last week to see if I wanted to offer the first 100-skein run of their brand new sock yarn, Sockittome – and of course I said yes! (This is an 80% superwash merino/20% nylon sock weight, 480 yds, 100 g skein.) And not only are you all going to be the first ones to be able to order it (because they won’t come out with this yarn until the end of June or early July), you’re also going to get it at a special price. Why? 
Because they are looking for patterns out of this yarn, and Cheryl is hoping that some of you might be interested in whipping up a pattern or two for them. (But of course you can buy it at the special price, even if you have no interest in doing a pattern.) They had this yarn at TNNA to show, and our order arrived today. I’m not sure if it will be in this week’s Sneak Up or next week’s. (Yarn Pirate will probably have to wait until next week. I know that you all will email me and ask!) But Zoe said to tell you that she likes this new Yarn Pirate colorway so much that she’s not sure I ought to put it up for sale.
And the winner of the May Blog Contest? Cheryl! (And guess what? We’ve decided from now on instead of picking out something to ship to you, we’re going to add a $35 credit to the monthly winner’s Loopy account. That way, you can immediately pick the Loopy Loot you’d like, or save it for the next Sneak Up – how’s that?)
Sheri sorrythispostendedupbeing”goodgrief”longtoday
oooohhh!!! first comment!! I’ve been to many a trade show for textiles so i know what it’s like to come home with your head whirling and so many, many ideas. I used to take copious notes and then when I got home I would wait a few days, then review them. It seems my brain needs time to assimilate the data first, then process it.
I’m looking forward to all the new stuff. Any Pony’s on order? Just want to know if I wait for yours or just order them elsewhere (you *know* I love to give you the money).
AnnaMarie
Welcome home! Your kids did a great job getting stuff out. My most recent goodies arrived today. YUM! 🙂 And I’ll see the Cider Moon gals at Knitters Connection on Saturday. yay!
You torture me so with all the yarn pirate talk but none to order!!
😛
Welcome home!
Zoe is too cute, sitting on that bag of Yarn Pirate! She did a great job manning (or catting) the store while you were away.
Your blog entries could never be too long, Sheri! I always enjoy reading them.
Can’t wait to see all the new stuff!
LoopyLoot de yay!
C’mon Zoe. Give up the Pirate! Your adorableness will not save you from yarn-mad stitchers 🙂
BTW, that is the best building advert I’ve ever seen. So creative!
We have to wait for the Yarn Pirate after that teaser picture….no fair.
Zoe – if you’re reading this, if you convice the LL to put up the Yarn Pirate this week, there just might be some catnip in it for you….nothing to see here, move along….
Sounds like you had a great time with Janice. I need to thank her for introducing me to you in a internetshoppingkindof way.
Oh gosh…I’ll just have to order some more yarn! Nawwww….yeahhhhh….
Sheri,
So you got to take a class from Lucy? Yeah! Wasn’t she wonderful? So are we still on for Oct. 2008??? 🙂
Looks like a fun weekend.
Welcome back Sheri. Glad you had a good time.
zoe has such great taste. that is probably my all time favorite colorway. it’s so cute and perfect for summer (if i do say so myself)!!
Oooh looks like some fun stuff coming up. I gotta get knittin’ so I can finish something so that I will have an excuse to buy more. Not that I need much of an excuse. “Oh look it’s Wednesday, that means I can go shopping at the Loopy Ewe,” being one of the more common ones for example.
I’m glad you had fun and found more fun goodies for us.
Welcome back Sheri!!
It makes me smile to know you were in my “backyard” this weekend…
I ran a story on that advertisement in my newscast just a couple of weeks ago!! so cool 🙂
I got my latest order today- GORGEOUS!!
How could I resist a colorway called “buckeye”???
Oh my gosh, I just found out I won the credit! I was frightened at first when I got the email saying I had a $35 credit because I didn’t remember ordering that much yarn recently, having just used a credit. I thought I must be sleep shopping!!! WooHoo. thank you so very very much. You know that won’t burn a hole in my account. Oh my, this is such a thrill… Thank you thank you, Sheri….WOW
Zen String is this week, though, right??? I’ve already started obsessively checking…..
Welcome back! Looks like you had a *great* time! 🙂
Sheri, you are KILLING me with this stuff! I just went in this morning for a new cast…three more weeks….and you post all those amazing colors………*sob*…How am I supposed to stick to my decision to use everything in my stash FIRST? (yeah, yeah, I could just stop looking at your website….where’s the fun in that?!?)
Welcome back, Sheri. I missed you, although Zoe’s blog was very sweet. I’m so green with envy! Wish I could have attended TNNA and been surrounded by all that gorgeous new yarn. All the new lines coming in sound very exciting. Can’t wait to see!
Welcome home! I hope the mail guy helped bring in the two huge dishwasher sized boxes again.
That advertisement is too cool.
Congrats Cheryl! Welcome Home Sheri! Can’t wait for the next sneak up! I bet the new yarn is great and a design challenge?! Heck yeah! 🙂
Yeah for the Zoe pic (she’s really adorable). Lots of teaser pictures of Zoe with upcoming yarn works for me 🙂
From the looks and sounds of it, you had a really good time. 🙂
Oh you’re killing me, new yarn pirate. 😉
Welcome home, Sheri! And don’t apologize for the long blog! Especially when it is so tantalizing! So much yarn, so little time…! You do realize that I will be stalking The Loopy Ewe like a hawk, don’t you?
Zoe did such a great job, maybe you could let her have just a little Yarn Pirate for her very own. But not too much, there’s a long line of knitters waiting to get their hands on it!
Welcome Back! Seems to me that everywhere you go you have a great story that goes with it! It’s amazing to me what you have done is a year’s time with the Loopy Ewe – wish I lived closer so I could work in the Loopy Ewe with your great staff!
Can’t wait to see all the new yarns…You really are the best…this past weekend at a soccer tournament I had my Loopy Bag from the sock club with me (great to take on the field with the threat of rain)…and someone (actually a father on the team) said “cute” look Martha (no not socks, his wife’s name) Loopy Ewe how clever….and I chimmed in and ‘I’M A LOOPY GROUPIE” …..they got a kick out of that…..
Blogless Diane
Hi Sheri, So glad you made it to Ohio (you were in my neck of the woods) and back home safely. My 3 cats loved Zoe’s blog. You should watch it or Zoe will be taking over your blog…she’s a star now…just like Sumo 🙂 Looking forward to meeting the Cider Moon gals at the Knitter’s Connection this Friday. Can’t wait to see all the new yarns and accessories. The paint ad is too cool….I’m going to look for this weekend. Kristi
Welcome home Sheri! Oh gosh, TNNA sounds so fantastic. I’m so glad you go each year and scope out all the wonderful knitting goodness. You are the best “yarn dealer” I know! (Always supporting my addiction, I might add.)
Welcome Back!!!
I wish I could go to Knitter’s Connection this weekend…but alas, I have to tend to sick hubby….drat….
Glad you had a great time in our state…and it looks like you did a great job shopping for us.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!
So glad you had a wonderful time on your trip! Looks like it was great fun. I look forward to seeing the new items as they sneak up… : )
Welcome back, Sheri! (Even though Zoe did a great job while you were away.)
You’re going to be carrying Boomerang!! There’s going to be a Baby Boomerang! I have to go have lie down now and try to remember how to breathe normally. I love Boomerang!
I was able to go to TNNA last year in Indy, I loved it. I was walking around with a grin on my face for three days. It was better than seeing Santa for the first time. Can’t wait to see the new yarns.
Welcome back. All this talk with TNNA this past week makes me want to go next year.
Hopefully I won’t miss the sneak up before I take off for baby girl’s graduation – I may just break the diet for this one (if the one I want is in this sneakup that is!)
Hi Sheri! I used to go to those shows with my mom, who owned a needlework shop (All together now – The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!) They were a great time for both of us; I got away from my kids for a girl’s weekend and my mom got a navigator and personal assistant who kept track of her orders. Much fun.
BTW, your Cherry Pecan cookie recipe was such a hit that I had to make a second batch last week, to satisfy my husband, who wailed, “Where did all the cookies go?!?!?”
Gotta keep the boys happy. Watcha gonna do?
Blessings!
It was so great meeting you!!! I’m sooooo sorry about dinner. I’m still feeling extremely bad about it. I wish I could have hung out with you more. 🙁
Your weekend sounds so exciting! Thanks to Zoe for keeping up the blog while you were away, and please let her know that we are quited impressed with her writing skills. Our pets were also happy to get their first chance to leave a blog comment. We were busy this weekend, too, buying a house (It’s really gorgeous. Yay! ), so the pets must have taken over the computer while we were out. Now there may be no stopping them!
welcome home sheri. i had to read about your very fun trip with janice. had to read her version of it too! sounds like such a great time had by all. loved zoe’s blog although i didn’t comment on it. she is such a pretty girl and i always love seeing photos of her. i’ll be looking forward to seeing all the new yarns, etc. you have picked out for our temptation. ( : good job KD and CG on all the packing and sending. also, i’m almost ready to mail the Q2 challenge items to you, sheri. i think i need you to give me your address. thanks so much. hugs to you, dynna
Sounds like you had a great weekend! I should be resident in the USA soon and then it will be all yarn, all the time and I should be able to order from you (no point now, I already have a LARGE, bigger than dishwasher size, box of yarn and fleece to bring…) 🙂
Welcome home. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I’ve been wanting to go to TNNA for a few years now, but I think I’d pass out from sensory overload! And thanks for teasing us so. Like I need more incentive to buy yarn, having just placed another order today!
I was just looking through your past blogs, hoping to see your new post for today, or at the very least, what yarns might be in this week’s sneek up. In the process, I ran into this one. I meant to tell you before that your kitty, Zoe, looks SO cute, with her front paws on the bag of yarn, looking up at the camera, as if to say, “This is my yarn, Mommy. It makes a great pillow, so I claim it–it’s now mine!” (I am not normally a cat fan, primarily because I’m allergic to them, but cats (and dogs, too) all seem to like me, wherever I go; maybe it’s because they smell my dogs, but other people have dogs, and the cats aren’t normally attracted to the others. I guess animals can sense who likes animals?)
Anyway, I just had to tell you how cute Zoe looks, gazing straight at the camera, with her big, pretty eyes!