Convention 2011

Every year there is a rabbit convention somewhere in the United States where thousands of rabbits converge to compete in the ultimate rabbit show.  Usually I do not attend as it requires 5 days in which your rabbits must remain cooped, I find it hard to stay in one place that long!  The people that do it year after year are true rabbit warriors so my hat is off to them for getting there by whatever means necessary.  Fortunately, this year it was in Indianapolis, Indiana which was a short 2 and a half hours away from home so I entered Donny and made plans to meet up with my friend Betty.  Betty flies in from California with all her rabbits so that is no easy task.

Wow!  What a rabbit.  This is Betty and a Lilianna. 

Donny checking out his temporary home.  I could not get him to sit still as he investigated all the new smells.

A backside view of the judging area.  The place was just filled with people.

Judge Cliff going over the white rabbits.  Lots of fiber on that table!

There were so many beautiful rabbits, it was nice to walk up and down the isle and see all the competition.  The spinner in me envisions lots of hanks of yarn! 



More angora baby booties

I just finished these oh-so-tiny angora baby booties, I can't imagine feet tiny enough to fit in them!  I think they will go nicely with the matinee coat.

Portsmouth RBA show

John and I spent a great day attending the Portmouth RBA show in Piketon, Ohio.  I couldn't believe how packed it was considering this is the week before the convention.  Aside from the thick fog on the way to the show, it really was a perfect fall day for the buns to be out.  The show crew ran a great show and seemed to keep all the judges busy all day long.  Job well done!
We did not leave the show disappointed as Marie acquired her elusive third leg.  It can be hard in a rarer breed like English Angoras since there isn't much competition out there.  Donny also did well with 2 best opposite sex of breed awards.
Side note, I think my camera died:( I used John's which I also think needs to be put to rest, perhaps there is a camera shopping trip in the near future.

If you get to the show REEELLY early, this is what you will see.

A blur of Donny and Marie after going best of breed and best opposite sex of breed with judge Jacinta.

Judge Joe checking out Donny.

Judge Joe checking out Marie.

Donny guarding his and Marie's trophies of the day.  Very nice awards, Portmouth RBA!

Matinee Coat

A finished project!  I have been working on this baby sweater for way longer than I want to admit but I can finally consider it a finished project.  This adorable little sweater is from a Debbie Bliss baby pattern book called a matinee coat made out of baby cashmerino.  I have knitted it for a friend due in December.  I can't wait to see the baby in it!

This is the photo found in the knitting pattern book by Debbie Bliss, "Baby Cashmerino."

Donny and Marie all grown up



4 shows in one day!

This past Saturday we had the opportunity to attend a quadruple show in Marietta, Ohio.  How can you pass up such an opportunity even if it is 3 and a half hours away?  John and I left the night before and spent the night at the Magnusen Inn where we were enthusiastically greeted by a gang of cats.  Too bad I didn't get a picture of it but apparently the cats have trained the hotel guests to feed them and we were no exception.  We were strong armed into sharing chicken nuggets and french fries.  I could see that this is a frequent occurance as all the cats looked well fed.  Now someone needs to work on getting them all spayed and neutered.
The show was well attended with 23 English angoras.  I am happy to report that Donny acquired 3 legs, 2 of which were for best of breed.  Marie also did quite well taking 2 best of varieties and 1 best opposite sex of breed.  She acquired 2 legs towards her grand champion title.  Unfortunately, we lost a fifth white rabbit for the last show otherwise she would have had the elusive third leg.

Marie getting the once over from judge Glenn.

Donny is the rabbit on the left competing with the tort doe for BOB.

Nope, no webbing here.

Judge Stacey gets her turn to check out Donny.

Marie meets Stacey. 

Stacey decides she likes Donny best.  He wins best of breed and Marie takes best opposite sex of breed in this show.