Friday, March 31, 2017

April 2017 Newsletter







Greater Birmingham Fiber Guild
P.O. Box 660723, Birmingham, AL 35266-0723
 
                                                                                                                                           www.greaterbirminghamfiberguild.blogspot.com


Newsletter of the Greater Birmingham Fiber Guild 


 President’s Corner   


 

I’m sitting here on a lovely spring day, watching my daughter play on the playground.  I keep thinking things like: How did she get big enough to do that?  When did she stop needing my help to reach this?  Spring and children constantly remind us of change, growth and learning, aspects our Guild also fosters in all of us.  How beautiful that we are a fiber community that encourages each other to try new things, learn new skills, and develop new friendships.   This month in our meeting, we will learn about tatting, something I taught myself out of a little book when I was in grad school.  In my entire life, I’d only known two tatters and I was one of them!!  Thanks to the Guild, however, I’m now friends with nearly a dozen and they are plotting to convert more!!  We really have so many talented folks in our midst!  Let’s all keep growing together.


April Program
April 8, 2017

10am--2pm
Hoover Church of Christ
Our wonderful Crochet and Tatting Study Group is going to present a program on integrating crochet and tatting with other fiber arts and crafts, followed by a hands-on tatting demonstration.  If, like me, you have dabbled and gotten nowhere, bring your shuttle.  if you have never touched one, come on down, and the Guild will have shuttles to share.

As usual, bring your works in progress and show-and-tell items to inspire and be inspired.

 

 Resources from March Meeting
Jennifer Lackey writes that she has posted all the resources discussed on the following link  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxkBy-btE2nGd0lUckFNcFZCRHM/view?usp=sharing   It is also on our revelry page. 
 
 


Don't forget these  outreach opportunities

Farm Day at the Zoo, April 8th, 10am-2pm--If interested in spinning, knitting, etc contact Jennifer Lackey. Note this is our regular meeting day.  

Earth Day at Botanical Gardens, April 22nd--The theme this year is "cotton" so if you want to demo  spinning, carding, knitting, etc with cotton, contact Jennifer Lackey.

 

Upcoming Visit to Al Chanin
We are tentatively set to visit Al Chanin on May 12.   Detailed details to come, but for now we’d leave here rather early, maybe 8-9 ish, tour their facility, have lunch then do a notebook workshop. Will be $100 each with “Family style” farm-to-table lunch provided. For those of you that are still working, we wanted to let you know so you could make arrangements to go.  Number of persons that can attend is not determined yet.  Watch Facebook page and blog for the latest information.  
 


Ruth Truett's Beginning Four Week Four Harness Weaving Workshop

DATE AND TIME:
April 20, 27, May 11, 18 (no class May 4)
Thursdays, 6-9pm.

PLACE:
Hoover Church of Christ, basement room

COST:
Materials fee due at first class covers the first warp and weft yarn - $15.
Materials fee due at last class covers the warp you make to take home - tba.

CLASS SIZE:  no more than 12 students.

REGISTRATION:
Respond to Kathryn (
kjpitt@gmail.com) with your intention to take the class and tell her if you have a portable loom, intend to buy one, or need a loaner.
 

Students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by time of response by email.  Those who responded to the survey Jen sent out had the first chance to register with a deadline of April 1.  After that, registration will be opened up to all guild members, then to the public until the 12 slots are filled.


EQUIPMENT:
We have located 5 (possibly 7) table looms that can be loaned out to students who don't have their own (again on a first-come, first-served basis).  If you are not one of the lucky ones, and don't have a 4-harness loom that can be carried back and forth to class, then you will have to purchase your own.

It is fine to use an 8-harness table loom for the class, if you happen to have one.  Even a 2-harness loom will suffice, although the weave structure you use will be limited to plain weave.

An email listing other equipment you need for class (loom accessories, etc.) will go out to registrants.


Membership Dues Renewal
Several members have not renewed their memberships for 2017.    Dues for 2017 will be $25. You may now pay using PayPal. 
Use  this link paypal.me/GBFiberGuild or use our gmail account  gbfiberguild@gmail.com
 

 If you prefer to pay by check, please give to Nancy Lavender or mail to :
Greater Birmingham Fiber Guild
PO Box 660723
Birmingham, Al 35266-072

Also, please fill out the following application:


 



Member information form 2017


Name:                                            


Email address:                                    


Ravelry name:                                     


Phone number:                                    


Address:                                        


                                            


Fiber crafts you do:      Spinning         Knitting         Weaving         Crochet         Sewing         Tatting         Quilting     Embroidery      Other (please describe):




Are there any programs or workshops you would like to give?






Are there any programs or workshops you would like take?
 

How not to miss out on guild news:
 
    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! Janna 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



         Study Groups Meet Monthly

We would love to have some information on what each of these groups is presently pursuing.  Please email me (dkattus@charter.net) with anything you would like posted.
  • 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 hosting a tatting and crochet group at her home.  Please check the group discussion thread on Revelry for more information. 
  • Weaving study group: Second Thursday of the month at 6 pm at Hoover Church of Christ.  Contact Kathryn Pitt for details or check the weaving study group thread on Ravelry. 
  • Join us for First Friday Spinning Study at Jen Lackey's house.  We meet around 6pm.  Feel free to email Jennifer for directions and parking information.  Email: jeekeehoo@gmail.com


The Guild on the Web

Between newsletters and meetings, keep up with the guild on the web at:

 


Newsletter News...
Each month, we would like to have news from you to share with all of us.  If you have a favorite blog, website, book, etc that you would like for us to feature, please 
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, 10:00-2:00 (no meeting in July). Visitors are welcome.  The Guild offers programs almost monthly, focused workshops several times a year, and equipment rental (see below). 
 
 2017 Officers and Board 

President:  Jennifer Lackey
Programs:  Jennifer Justiss
Workshops:  Shira Robinowich-Miller
Treasurer:  Nancy Lavender
Secretary:  Maddy McLendon
Social Media (Blog): Barbara Gower
Membership:  Janna Ford
Newsletter:  Deb Kattus
Past President:  Mary Kaiser

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Spinning wheel for sale

Spinning wheel for sale: made by Anthony Cardarelle in California, 1965.  The wheel belonged to Betty Simpson.  Asking price is $350.  Call Susan Hanson, (Betty’s sister) at 256-820-6156.  The wheel is at 918 Cherokee Trail, Saks, Alabama.

March Program

Please join us Saturday for a tour of current "fiber-space" favorites!
Come to our usual room for coffee and treats (home-made carrot cake this week). The program will be just down the hall (directions will be provided when you get there) so that we can have access to AV equipment.
See you Saturday!


From the newsletter:

March Program
Get Connected to the W.ide W.ide W.orld of Fiber

Join us Saturday March 11 at 10:00 at the Hoover Church of Christ for a discussion and presentation of the digital resources available to fiber enthusiasts.  Come prepared to share ONE of your favorite webites, Ravelry or Facebook groups, podcasts, apps, etc.  bring a notebook, analog or digital, to jot down whatever inspires you.  We will break for lunch around noon, followed by the always inspirational "show n tell" session and fellowship.  Come to our regular meeting room for coffee and snacks and then be directed to meeting room. 

March 2017 Newsletter

Newsletter of the Greater Birmingham Fiber Guild 

 

                      President’s Corner   


 

On March 4th, I’ve been invited to join some spinners in Madison, AL to spin on Great/Walking Wheels.  I’ve never met them, I’ve never been to that shop, I’ve never even been to Madison, but I’m willing to pack up my huge wheel and take off into the unknown because that is the power of our fiber community.  I know that no matter what the event is like, I will be right at home with people who were never really strangers to begin with, they are fiber friends.  This power of connection, of course, is being fueled more and more by our digital  technology.  These spinners found me through Ravelry and reached out to me.  I’ve been contacting local fiber guilds through their websites so that we can reach out to them.  Our resources are gloriously abundant now that we can connect so easily to people, nearby and around the globe.  Who would have thought we’d have a renowned, world traveling, weaving teacher from Bolivia coming to our Guild in AL? But the internet worked its magic (helped by wizard Mary Spanos) and we will be welcoming Laverne Waddington later this month for not one but two workshops! So, in a celebration of all the wonderful resources on-line our meeting on March 11th @ 10am will be a round table discussion of our “life on the web.”  Every member who wants to will be able to share a favorite resource with the group.  If you don’t have one, that’s even MORE reason to come.  Learning from each other is what we do best!



March Program
Get Connected to the W.ide W.ide W.orld of Fiber

Join us Saturday March 11 at 10:00 at the Hoover Church of Christ for a discussion and presentation of the digital resources available to fiber enthusiasts.  Come prepared to share ONE of your favorite webites, Ravelry or Facebook groups, podcasts, apps, etc.  bring a notebook, analog or digital, to jot down whatever inspires you.  We will break for lunch around noon, followed by the always inspirational "show n tell" session and fellowship.  Come to our regular meeting room for coffee and snacks and then be directed to meeting room. 
 

A message from Ruth Truett

 
The National League of American Pen Women Art Exhibition will take place  at the "Artist on the Bluff", Bluff Park (address:) 571 Park Ave, Hoover 35226.  It is mostly paintings but the craft division has 2 or 3 of us fiber artists.  It happens once a year and is usually really good.  This year I  (Ruth) will have a quilt and a screen-print in the show which will be up all the month of March.     
   
 


Don't forget these outreach opportunities

Farm Day at the Zoo, April 8th, 10am-2pm--If interested in spinning, knitting, etc contact Jennifer Lackey. Note this is our regular meeting day.  

Earth Day at Botanical Gardens, April 22nd--The theme this year is "cotton" so if you want to demo  spinning, carding, knitting, etc with cotton, contact Jennifer Lackey.

 


 
Membership Dues Renewal
Several members have not renewed their memberships for 2017.    Dues for 2017 will be $25. You may now pay using PayPal. 
Use  this link paypal.me/GBFiberGuild or use our gmail account  gbfiberguild@gmail.com
 

 If you prefer to pay by check, please give to Nancy Lavender or mail to :
Greater Birmingham Fiber Guild
PO Box 660723
Birmingham, Al 35266-072

Also, please fill out the following application:


 



Member information form 2017


Name:                                            


Email address:                                    


Ravelry name:                                     


Phone number:                                    


Address:                                        


                                            


Fiber crafts you do:      Spinning         Knitting         Weaving         Crochet         Sewing         Tatting         Quilting     Embroidery      Other (please describe):




Are there any programs or workshops you would like to give?






Are there any programs or workshops you would like take?
 

How not to miss out on guild news:
 
    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! Janna 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



         Study Groups Meet Monthly

We would love to have some information on what each of these groups is presently pursuing.  Please email Deb (dkattus@charter.net) with anything you would like posted.
  • 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 hosting a tatting and crochet group at her home.  Please check the group discussion thread on Revelry for more information. 
  • Weaving study group: Second Thursday of the month at 6 pm at Hoover Church of Christ.  Contact Kathryn Pitt for details or check the weaving study group thread on Ravelry. 
  • Join us for First Friday Spinning Study at Jen Lackey's house.  We meet around 6pm.  Feel free to email Jennifer for directions and parking information.  Email: jeekeehoo@gmail.com


The Guild on the Web

Between newsletters and meetings, keep up with the guild on the web at:

 


Newsletter News...
Each month, we would like to have news from you to share with all of us.  If you have a favorite blog, website, book, etc that you would like for us to feature, please 
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, 10:00-2:00 (no meeting in July). Visitors are welcome.  The Guild offers programs almost monthly, focused workshops several times a year, and equipment rental (see below). 
 
 2017 Officers and Board 

President:  Jennifer Lackey
Programs:  Jennifer Justiss
Workshops:  Shira Robinowich-Miller
Treasurer:  Nancy Lavender
Secretary:  Maddy McLendon
Social Media (Blog): Barbara Gower
Membership:  Janna Ford
Newsletter:  Deb Kattus
Past President:  Mary Kaiser