Linda Rees and her Tapestry

We were so lucky to have former member and tapestry artist Linda Rees visit the guild in March to share her work and stories with us.  Linda has been a force within a number of local, regional, and national arts groups over the years.  With exhibits, tapestri es, and books under her belt, it is exciting to know that she will showing in the area this fall. 

Linda will be participating in a exhibit at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum in La Conner, Washington opening on September 29.  The exhibit called Constructed Inquiries will run through the end of 2010.

Visit the museum’s website for more information.  Also, so there will be Linda Rees website (www.lindarees.com) ~ keep an eye out to see when it goes live.

Above is a photo of one of Linda’s past exhibits in Eugene, Oregon.

Textile Travels with Toby ~

 

On April 14, 2010, the Whatcom Weavers Guild welcomes Vancouver, BC resident and retired Western Washington University professor Toby Smith as she presents a program on how her travel [both worldly and armchair] influences her textile practice.

Smith’s talk will show the progression from inspiration to textile product. Part travelogue, part lecture on creative process, and part textile show and tell, Toby's presentation will appeal to anyone who enjoys the aesthetic that textiles provide. Special emphasis will be on India, Eastern Europe, and Norway.

In her own words ~

"This presentation will be about my travels and how they have influenced my weaving and other textile practice such as embroidery. For example, I have been fortunate to have taken two textile tours to India. Since I love colour and acres of fine cloth flowing like water, I really felt like I had come to my aesthetic home. I am particularly attracted to the textiles of the people who live in the Kutch desert, with their sometimes rough weaving, sometimes fine weaving with supplementary weft. I also love the amazing embroidery with mirrors. As well, I have taken a weaving course in Norway where we made traditional vadmal cloth, fulling it in a water-driven fulling mill. Part of this course was the design and construction of a garment using traditional methods. I have also spent time camping around Eastern Europe, specifically, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. These countries have wonderful outdoor museums in the countryside. In the buildings brought to these sites we see the textiles of humble people. In the cities are marvelous ethnographic and applied art museums which focus on the finest craft commissioned by the aristocracy, as well as a range of other classes. I shall show slides and some gorgeous textiles from some of these places. I’ll also bring a few of my own pieces that illustrate how I have integrated these travel experiences into my own creative process. This process begins with my fat, worn design journals that I always have on me when I travel. I will use these to illustrate how I get from inspiration to finished textile. See you on April 14th."

For those of you who frequent the guild’s annual sale, Toby is known for her fabulous ruanas and sampler cards.  Below are just a few images to give you a taste of her work.

      

An open letter ~

I never intended to post anything to the group like this, but I really need to say something to the whole Whatcom Weavers Guild.

Last Wednesday evening’s program felt iffy to me back in the planning stages.  Iffy only because I wasn’t sure if there was going to be enough to see and touch.  My attempts to secure the video about the Barber Hand Weaving business from the Museum didn’t pan out.  I was concerned….but then, Marcia C. called and e-mailed me saying that she had spoken to an old friend who was employed by the Barbers for years.  When she told me the person’s name, I said, “I think I know her.”  Sure enough, I did. 

That’s how dear Mary Ellen became an important part of Wednesday evening. 

I, or should I say WE, are indebted to her for sharing such wonderful artifacts.  As the trusted guardian, she has preserved a treasure trove of history from such a successful weaving business located right here in Whatcom County.  Thank you Mary Ellen.

As for all the rest of you guild members, thank you for your active participation.  I left that evening thrilled that the meeting became an open forum for all.  Thank you to the folks who brought items to share, and thank you for simply filling the room with so much energy.

It was way cool! ~ Julie

Here are some images of garment from Barber Hand Weaving.

Amineko (the sleepless kitten in Seattle) ~

Inspired by Kim Werker’s guild program this fall, guild member Nadine went on an adventure to find a special Amigurumi book Kim brought to the meeting. Amazingly, Nadine found more than the book ~ she found a wonderful bookstore and adventure ~ read below.

Worth a Special Trip or Detour in Seattle:

Kinokuniya Books, at the Uwajimaya Center, in Seattle's International District/Chinatown.

Kinokuniya is Japan's largest bookstore: we are lucky to have one in Seattle. (There are only a few in the U.S.: Los Angeles, Portland, and New York City, as well as one in Vancouver, BC.) This outpost is in Seattle's Uwajimaya Center, at 600 Fifth Avenue South, in the International District. It's open daily.

Park in the Uwajimaya lot (parking validated for up to two hours: don't forget your receipt, the validation is a terrific deal), then stroll in through U's fab grocery store, and towards the back you'll enter a court with Kinokuniya to your right. The place is packed with Japanese books--including a fiber/craft/sewing section that will knock you out--as well as Japanese stationery, and an enormous and inspiring collection of Japanese magazines. Ask the staff to direct you to the fiber/craft section. I guarantee that you will go crazy.

When you are exhausted, head to Beard Papa's in the courtyard for Asian-style cream puffs (try green-tea flavor), or do what I always do: go to Jade Garden, several walkable blocks away (704 South King Street, between S. Seventh Avenue and S. Canton Alley) for dim sum. There are also many, many food vendors in Uwajimaya. Feel free to contact me if you would like additional information. --Nadine, WWG member

Barber’s ~

Getting excited for the next guild meeting!  Al Currier will have a great presentation on the Barber Handweaving business that was on the Lummi Reservation. 

Over the weekend I stumbled upon this Barber outfit at a local antique shop (see below).  Do you have any Barber items?  If you do, be sure to bring them as a show-and-tell item for our meeting on Jan. 13th.  I know that members will be anxious to see what was produced in Whatcom County 40-50 years ago.

Caught a glimpse of this “get up” and knew instantly that it was a Barber. 

Shot a picture of the Barber’s tag and the shop’s sales tag ($80!).

A close up of the pattern.

delightfully bombed ~

One of the many moods of Mandy ~ Yarn bombing wear.

What a blast ~ the bomb!  December is always a questionable month for Whatcom Weavers Guild programs.  Many things seem to get in the way ~ holidays, shopping, parties, or snow!  But this year’s December program went off with out a hitch.

Yarn Bombing authors Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain visited us in Bellingham last Wednesday and shared a thoroughly entertaining program.

Leanne (below) worked the PowerPoint presentation while Mandy (above) hammed it up while showing off the items that were featured in their book.

Leanne Prain sharing a sweater designed for and included in Yarn Bombing.

     

One of the ways I’ve learned to judge a good program is by laughter.  Mandy and Leanne scored!  The room chuckled, chortled, and snorted ~ yep, good meeting!

The girls also sold plenty of books and happily complied to the many requests to have them signed.

Thank you so much for coming down to Bellingham to share Yarn Bombing!

On hooks and needles ~

Can’t wait!  Can you?

On Wednesday, December 9, 2009, Mandy Moore and Leanne Prain will be coming to Bellingham to talk bombing ~ Yarn Bombing that is!

What marvelous timing (serendipitous even) to have the Yarn Bombing gals for a visit and program just days after Handmade Nation (the indy film) played at the Pickford Theatre. 

For those not in the know, Yarn Bombing (it isn’t just the title of their book and website yarnbombing.com, it’s an activity – a verb!), seems to be finding its place in the fiber world.  Take a look below ~

 

From the spooky to the functional (ever been cold in a phone booth?), yarn bombing is for all ages and abilities!

Most important of all, keep a sense of humor and have fun.

To learn, hear, and absorb more about Yarn Bombing, be sure to come to the Whatcom Weavers Guild meeting this Wednesday, December 9th beginning at 6:30p for a social time before the official meeting start time at 7p.  We meet in the same place each month, St. James Presbyterian Church’s lower-level meeting room located at 910 14th Street in Bellingham, WA.  Visitors are always welcome ~ plus it is free!

For more information, contact me directly ~ Julie Barnes at mabelswish@msn.com.