Nearing the end of the guild season ~

It is hard to imagine that this year swept by so fast.  With a wonderful guild sale, spirited monthly programs, and exciting community projects, the Whatcom Weavers Guild nears a spectacular anniversary year in 2011 (that’s our 40th!).  What will we have in store, you ask?  It is still a mystery, but it is bound to be good!

As a recap, read below to get a taste of where we have been during our 2009-2010 guild year:

September started off with beads and crows when Seattle resident Rebecca Roush (http://rebeccaroush.com) shared her talents with us.

In October we were visited by tapestry artist Ruth Jones (www.ruthjones.ca).  Ruth opened up guild members eyes and hearts to her remarkable tapestries.

 

And then in November Kim Werker (www.kimwerker.com) got the party started. Her energy and ability to entertain the group made it an evening to remember…everyone when home and searched the web for the “Serephinas” crochet pattern.

Kim injected enthusiasm that carried over into December when our Yarn Bombing (www.yarnbombing.com) friends from up north paid us a visit. Leanne Prain and Mandy Moore seemed have great fun as they shared their new book with us and the story of Yarn Bombing.

January was a walk down memory lane for many guild members as we discussed a local hand weaving industry (Barber Hand Weaving) which became a trendsetting style in the 1950s for all high school girls.  It was exciting to see our members bring in their woven skirts and some were even able to wear some of their treasures.

In February of each year, we are never sure if the weather will behave. But with a select group of guild members coming together to create a program on different weave structures, we had a self-produced winner of a program (one of the best of the year!).  Each speaker provided drafts and shared knowledge with the group.  Handouts were prepared, and members had notebooks filled with information to take home.

Sample of draft prepared for member notebooks ~ Crackle: Twill Style Treadling

These members helped make this program a grand success.

• Jane Coombs: Traditional Diamond Twill Saddle Blanket
• Marcia Culver & Anne Lorgen: Krokbragd
• Candy Meacham: Double-Faced Twill
• Sheri Ward: Thick & Thin Weaves
• Sondra Rose: Crackle

Former Whatcom Weavers Guild member Linda Rees (www.lindarees.com) visited us in March.  Having Linda present our program was a great treat.  She shared her years of tapestry weaving and filled us in on what she has been working on since moving from the area.

For the guild, April showers brought Toby’s travels!  We all travelled the world from our little meeting room during our April program presented by Toby Smith.  As a fiberist and retired professor, Toby had a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.  She took us to Hungary, Norway, and India in just over an hour.

And if there were April showers, our May flower was a visit from sunny Ms. Sarah Swett (www.sarah-swett.com).  Sarah presented a three-day workshop for members and then gave an electric program held on Mother’s Day.  As a small fundraiser for the local YWCA, we welcomed visitors to hear Sarah speak and help support the Y.

June, well, the meeting in June is a programless meeting.  We will close the year with our annual stash sale where members trade, sell, and buy all sorts of items to inspire fiber creations to be made throughout the summer months.

It has been an exciting year! Although the summer holds warm promises, I’m already excited for cool fall evening guild meetings in September.