President’s Column
Hello Fiber Friends!
As
I compose this, I am sitting in the chaos of my sewing room! So much of
what we love to do creates such a big mess! Doesn't matter if it is
fabric, fiber or yarn! You find yourself pulling out baskets, books,
folders, and the supplies needed for the task at hand. I have always
considered myself a very orderly person.....until I start creating! Pia
and I always used to laugh because we would get the urge to clean our
studios as we embarked on a new project......what an exercise in
futility!
I
have an old treadle sewing machine that is in my sewing room and ,even
as I watch Olivia Walton sew on hers, I often ponder how hard this work
we do once was! Our great grandmothers would be amazed wouldn't they?!?
Planning a project on a computer, electronic sewing machines with
zillions of stitches at our finger tips, embroidery machines, dyeing
with easily accessed chemicals, melt and pour soaps.....the list could
be endless.
But,
you know, we still pursue the old crafts for the satisfaction and
pleasure they give us...just not so much the need. As my husband always
points out to me....what once was hard work, we now do for fun!
So
that said go pursue some fun! The meeting this month will be a blast!
Can't wait for Gale's presentation on color theory and to shop her
glorious wares! Hope to see you at the meeting!!
Karen Ford
June Program: Color Theory
Saturday, June 13
10:00am - noon
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church
2061 Patton Chapel Rd
Birmingham, AL (205) 822-4480
Our
meeting this month, on Saturday June 13 at 10:00, will feature a visit
from Gale, of Galesart. Many of us have worked with this Atlanta-based
fiber artist’s hand-dyed yarns, sock blanks, and fiber. This time, she
will present a brief lecture on color theory, and then guide us in
small groups through a hands-on exercise in color mixing using acrylic
paints and paper. All supplies will be provided. If time allows, we
will also get a chance to develop color palettes based on old-master
paintings. After the program, Gale will have yarns and fiber for sale
to guild members. Gale is donating the door prize for this month as
well, so that’s a great incentive to attend! Please join us for a
stimulating and inspiring color experience!
GBFG Sock Blank Dyeing Workshop
Saturday, August 8
Always
wanted to dye? The guild is offering all fiber guild members an
opportunity to dye and paint sock blanks with acid dyes on Saturday,
August 8 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, beginning promptly at 10:00
a.m., in an adjacent room to where the regular guild meeting is held. A
sock blank is an already machine knitted wool sock in a blank form
ready for dyeing. You will be able to take home 2 painted sock blanks,
ready for that perfect pair of socks or painted yarn for knitting up a
scarf. The guild will purchase 2 sock blanks per person for those who
sign up for the dye workshop. The guild will also be buying the acid
dyes, miscellaneous supplies, and offering you an already catered and
paid for lunch.
If you are interested, there will be a sign-up sheet for registration at
the June guild meeting. You can also send a check for $40.00 to our
post office box –
Greater Birmingham Fiber Guild
P.O. Box 660723
Birmingham, AL 35266
If you are mailing please make checks out to The Greater Birmingham
Fiber Guild. Include your name, phone number and email. Our treasurer,
Nancy Lavender, will handle all checks.
All
sign-ups are NON-REFUNDABLE. DEADLINE FOR SIGNING UP – JUNE 30, 2015.
If you are mailing a check, please get it to the P.O. Box by June 30. Thank you. We look forward to having a fun-filled fiber-dyeing day!
Debbie Scott
GBFG Workshop Chairperson
Bring Us Your Best for the Homewood Show
It’s
not too early to begin thinking about our annual guild exhibit at the
Homewood Public Library, during the month of September, 2015. Our theme
this year is “Bring Us Your Best.” Please consider displaying your
best work from the past year, or any work you’re proud of that hasn’t
been seen in public. For the past ten years or more, the library has
welcomed us to use the two large glass cases in the entrance foyer, as
well as three table-top cases in the central hallway. The exhibit will
run through the month of September, and we will collect your work at the
August guild meeting, returning your work at the October meeting. This
is a great opportunity for guild members who do not sell their work to
shine in a museum-quality setting, and it’s also a way for professional
fiber artists in the guild to reach a wide audience.
Interesting Fiber Items to Read and Check Out...
Emily found this blog that might be of interest to you: www.meredithwoolnough.blogspot.com
Saori
Weaving Studio which is located in Huntsville, Al offers classes in the
basics of Saori weaving. In Saori weaving there are no rules to follow
and no mistakes. If you are interested, contact them at sarah@handmandesaori.com or www.handmadesaori.com
Arrowmont
School of Arts and Crafts , located in Gatlinburg, TN offers workshops
taught by working professional artist in a variety of fiber, textile,
and basketry projects. For more information, go to www.arrowmont.org
The Guild on the Web
Between newsletters and meetings, keep up with the guild on the web at:
If
you don't want to miss new posts to the guild blog, you can choose to
receive new posts by email. Go to the blog and look for "Follow by
Email" on the right hand side of the page. Type your email address in
the window and click "Submit." If you want to have something posted on
the blog, send it to blog@greaterbirminghamfiberguild.com.
You
can post to the guild's Facebook page yourself! Emily shares
information and posts that she receives on the guild's Facebook group
page and keep Facebook users up to date on what is going on in the
guild.
Ravelry isn't just for knitters anymore. Crocheters, weavers, and
spinners all upload photos, project information, and patterns. Kathryn
is managing the GBFG group and has posted helpful information on
participating in the Ravelry guild group on the blog, find it at http://greaterbirminghamfiberguild.blogspot.com/2015/04/gbfg-on-ravelry.html
Next in our series of craft mysteries
Knitting Mystery Series by Maggie Sefton
Protagonist: Kelly Flynn, a corporate CPA from Washington, DC
Setting: Fort Conner, Colorado
Number of books: 12, with #13, Purl Up and Die, coming out in June
First in the series: Knit One, Kill Two
Kelly
Flynn never picked up a pair of knitting needles she liked — until she
strolled into House of Lambspun. Now, in the first in a brand-new
series, she learns how to knit one, purl two, and untangle the mystery
behind her aunt’s murder.
Why we love it: We
were all beginners at one point, making Kelly’s journey into the world
of knitting very relatable. Well, minus the murders, of course.
Study Groups Meet Monthly
- Spinning Study Group: 4th
Wednesday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Peter’s Church in
Hoover. Please check out the GBFG Blog for cancellations or schedule
changes.
- Nancy
Clemmons is interested in sharing her love of tatting with others by
teaching one or more in her home. Please contact her if you are
interested.
- More
groups may meet in the future. Watch the newsletter for more
information and let a board member know if you are interested in a study
group.
Newsletter News...
Each
month, I am planning to have items coming from YOU, our Guild members.
These will include short book reviews related to any fiber art; a tip
you have discovered and used that make your fiber art a little bit
easier to execute; any fiber related articles; and a fiber question you
would love answers or suggestions from other guild members. Please send
your ideas, suggestions, book recommendations, questions to me (Deborah
Kattus ) by the 20th of the month to go into the following month's
newsletter.
Email me at dkattus@charter.net and put GBFG Newsletter in the subject line.
Greater Birmingham Fiber Guild
The Greater Birmingham Fiber
Guild is comprised of individuals dedicated to the dissemination and
preservation of fiber arts. Meetings are the second Saturday of the
month, 10:00-12:00 (no meeting in July). Visitors are welcome. The
Guild offers programs almost monthly, focused workshops several times a
year, and equipment rental (see below).
2015 Officers and Board
Karen Ford – President
Mary Kaiser – Program
Debbie Scott – Workshops
Emily Levitan - Membership
Nancy Lavender – Treasurer
Janice Weinstein - Secretary
Mary Spanos – Website
Deborah Kattus - Newsletter
Janelle Zorko Schultz - Past President
Rental of Guild Equipment & Materials
The Guild has available, for rental to members, the following:
There
will be a $30 deposit per DVD (Lucy Neatby) and $100 deposit for the
drum carder. Deposit for Laura Fry's materials still to be determined.
The rental fee for all items is $5 per month rented.
Equipment
can only be checked out at Fiber Guild monthly meetings and a check-out
list will be posted inside the door of the cabinet. Deposit checks will
be held by Nancy Lavender, treasurer, until returned in original
condition.
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