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.

Lively program presented by Kim Werker of Crochet Me fame ~

 Kim Werker was a load of fun last night when she presented the Whatcom Weavers Guild’s November program.   Travelling down from Vancouver, Kim and her two friends enjoyed Bellingham’s Fairhaven district by visiting Village Books and having dinner at Dos Padres before the meeting.

It was great to see that we had a number of guests for the program, and we sure hope that a few new members joined last night.  If you haven’t been to one of our guild meetings, be sure to check out next month’s program speakers ~ author’s Leanne Prain and Mandy Moore will talk about their new book Yarn Bombing!

Thank you Kim!  Your presentation was delightful and made us all rush home to look up crochet patterns on the internet ~ I know I went looking for the seraphina’s shawl.

For more about Kim’s great program, go check out her blog.

Fibers & Beyond-Hugely Successful Show

Another gorgeous show ,well and truly finished. Sixty fiber artists filled the hall with amazing works - hand dyed,hand spun, hand knitted, hand woven, hand felted warm and woolly creativity. This once a year show and sale was very well attended, very nearly sold out in spite of the two day downpour. Just another Puget Sounder does not discourage the best of shoppers. Scarves, shawls, wraps,

Baskets-

more baskets-

Rugs- bright, colourful, woven ,hooked- large-

and small.

Socks hand knit by Juliet whose fingers must be so tiny!
These were SO adorable- I had to have two- one for each thumb...or mouse feet.

Beautiful felted Tea cosies by Donna-

Little beds for pine cones-

And a bunch of felted people that showed up ready to party and to eat loads of the home made cookies that were on the back table.

There were things woven to wear in your hair especially if you happen to have glorious long hair like the creator of these barrettes.

And MANY hats, knit , felted, fulled, like this one by Sooby.

One entire section of the room devoted to splendid jewelry, beaded, woven, strung

Loads of fiber from Kathy Green. Cushions, pin cushions, ornaments, socks, gloves, all done exquisitely by guild members.

So, THAT was the show for this year. If you missed it, bummer, you must wait until next October. mark your calendar now.
On behalf of the Whatcom Weavers Guild, this happy elf wishes you all a happy holiday season- started out with one big bang of a show!

CHEERS!!!