President's Note
Hi Spinners,
I hope if you give hand made presents you are well into making your gifts.
I've been spinning for mittens and socks. The mittens are for Amelia and the
socks… well, the yarn is pink and hasn't laid claim to a recipient yet.
We don't have an advertised program set for November. I will bring a Montadale
fleece donated to the guild. We can open it up and I'll give a program on
the breed and its characteristics. If you would like to make beaded yarn I
will show a 3 ply technique. Bring your own fiber or spun singles, coordinating
beads prestrung on a coordinating sewing thread, and the thread. We will do
a several yard sample. If you want a fatter yarn, use fatter beads so they
will show up.
I'm looking forward to seeing all my spinning friends, for whom I'm very
thankful.
Mary
Minutes from October 19, 2008
Members attending: Angela, Joann, Karen, Kaaren, Marie, Mary and Sylvia.
Joann brought pin cushion gifts. Karen brought several lovely skeins of colorful
yarns with observations about fiber and feel. Marie regaled us with stories
from her Denver trip and her moving due to a fire in her apartment building.
Sylvia had made two wonderful sheep sculptures and a beautiful baby hat with
Pumpkin’s fur. If I missed something I apologize, I should take notes…..
We celebrated the 10th anniversary of Spinning on the River Guild. We were
able to party with Birthday cake thanks to Karen. We had loads of goodies
that added to the party. Thanks everyone.
At the meeting Mary passed out samples of all the colors of the Alpaca Roving
available from the Alpaca to Shawl Mid-South Fair project. The fibers were
different in quality and it is hoped everyone had a chance to try it out.
I’d love to have your thoughts on your experiences.
Mary
The Great Wheel Adventure
On a recommendation from Sylvia, I contacted Jerry Jensen in Mountain View,
AR. My niece Lori and I borrowed my son and DIL’s truck and hauled the
wheel up on a day with perfect sky and perfect fall color. Lori got a wonderful
first view of Arkansas-both flat as a table and beautifully mountainous. We
ate dinner overlooking the White River. The next day we spent several fun
hours in Antique and collectable shops. I'm pleased to say we helped the local
economy and some of the family now have Christmas gifts put away. I went back
10 days later on another perfect day with perfect fall color on the delta.
I had a wonderful visit with the Jensens and picked up my wheel. Both trips
I was impressed with the beautiful color combinations for dyeing/spinning/weaving/knitting
projects blanketing the hills. I now have a working walking wheel with a new
post and spindle that will mellow out over the years to look like the original.
Anyone who needs work on their spinning equipment? I whole heartedly recommend
Mr. Jensen.
Mary
Lambs
Two new ewe lambs made their debut at Nichol Treuil's farm on Sunday, October
5.
Library Update
The Spinning on the River library has purchase the DVD Cotton Spinning
on the Charkha by Eileen Hallman, owner of New World Textiles and
importer of book charkhas from India. The charkha is a very small and portable
spinning wheel perfectly suited for spinning cotton and other fine, short
fibers.
This instructional DVD is divided into two sections: Charkha 101 covers the
basics: setting up the charkha, adjusting it (Bosworth owners, remember you
do not oil yours), basic spinning and common problems. She includes some simple
exercises to get your hands used to the motions of charkha spinning before
you pick up the fiber.
Part 2, Charkha Proficiency has lessons to help you make better, more efficient
yarn. You'll learn to spin faster, more evenly, and avoid that annoying little
lump that tends to happen at the start of each draft. She spins novelty yarns
with color and discusses weaving with your singles.
Contact Mary to check out any of the guild's library materials.
Calendar
All meeting refreshments are Pot Luck.
Meeting - Sunday, November 16, 1:30-5pm -
Program: Beaded yarn with an easy 3-ply technique. Bring fiber to spin or
spun singles, beads prestrung on sewing thread, and extra thread.
The return of Breed-of-the-Month: Montadale
Meeting - Sunday, December 21, 1:30-5pm - Winter Solstice
and guild holiday party
Open House!
Please join Jackie and Dan McNamara
Sunday November 23
2 pm to 6 pm
8644 Old Brownsville Road 849-5807
A group of talented friends have joined together and will have on display
(for you to admire or purchase) an array of handcrafted items... Jewelry,
Pottery, Quilts, Knitting, Weaving, Woodwork, Painting, gift baskets and more...
Just in time for the holidays!
Visit with friends, treat yourself to an instant manicure and enjoy a variety
of treats!
