Next Meeting - Feb. 4th

Feb. 4th Program

Locker Hooking

Kathleen Carpenter will be doing the program on locker hooking. Be preparedto learn some new things about an old technique. Lunch is potluck. The meeting will start at 10am.

Photos from our January Roc Day meeting:

The Stone Soup:

You can view the January newsletter by clicking here.

Happy New Year!

January Meeting – Jan. 7th

We will celebrate Distaff Day at our January meeting. Distaff Day, also called Roc Day, is the day after the feast of the Epiphany. In many European cultural traditions, women resumed their household work after the twelve days of Christmas. The distaff, or rock, used in spinning was the medieval symbol of women's work.

For lunch we will create a stone soup. Everyone should something to put into the soup pot and while it cooks we will have fun spinning. There will be some competitions created by Georgean with prizes for your efforts. So do bring your spinning wheels.

Clean out your stash of unwanted items and bring your things to sell or give away at the meeting. We all have some things that are no longer needed and can be used by someone else. Yarns that we had too much of, books that are no longer needed by you, but a new fiber person can use them – so bring them along.

December Meeting Notes

We rented a new post office box and the new guild address is PO Box 606, Milton, WA.
Mary Lowery as volunteered to create a historical record/notebook of the Guild’s CAMEL projects and theh Sheep to Shaw Project.

Drafts sent in along with the newsletter will also be posted on the blog, however, Holly hasn't found a simple way to do it! Stay tuned!

December Program

Micro Macrame Holiday Ornaments, taught by Georgean. She recommends “Micro-Macrame: 30 Beaded Designs for Jewelry Using Crystals and Cords” by Annika deDroot for more ideas.

Next Meeting December 10th

December Meeting Date:
Dec. 10th:Please note the meeting date for December is Dec. 10th. If you show up on Dec. 3rd, we won’t be there!

Dec. 10th Program:
Micro Macrame Ornament Georgean will demonstrate how to create these terrific ornaments. There will also be holiday gift exchange for those who want to participate. $5 limit so be creative!Lunch is focus on the holidays. You interpret it how you want.

Overshot Project:
The CAMEL project for this year is Overshot. The 8 shaft table loom is traveling with an overshot tie-up. Attached to your email newsletter were three holiday named drafts in overshot for you play with, in interested. In March, those participating in this learning segment should bring their woven samples and projects for display.

2011 ANWG Conference:
It’s never to early to start thinking about the next ANWG conference. It will be held in Salem, OR on the Willamette University Campus. The theme is “Exploring Fiber Horizons” and the dates are May 29 – June 5th, 2011. We will need a “creative director” to develop the theme for our booth (maybe overshot?), organize it and set it up at the conference. If you didn’t see our photos from the 2009 conference, follow this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34283070@N06/sets/72157619298475046/

Convergence 2010:
Convergence 2010 Albuquerque will be held at Albuquerque Convention Center, July 18-25, 2010. Convergence is organized and sponsored by the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. Convergence is an outstanding conference for everyone who loves and works in fiber. It is the biennial, international conference sponsored and organized by the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. (HGA), with the help of many dedicated fiber enthusiasts.

Convergence features special lectures, workshops, one day studio classes, super seminars, seminars, exhibits, tours, special events, and a commercial vendor hall full of fibers, fiber-related equipment and an artist market. Classes include novice to advanced instruction in a variety of fiber techniques, including weaving, spinning, dyeing, basketry, feltmaking, knitting, garment construction and sewing with handwovens, and more! Check out the registration booklet on their website. http://www.weavespindye.org/c/?loc=8-117-00

Show and Tell:
There were too many show and tell photos to post in the newsletter, so please click on this link to see them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34283070@N06/

September Meeting Notes

Meeting called to order this day by President Betty Bell at 10:15 AM, Mountain View Lutheran Church, Edgewood, WA. There were 18 members attending.

Mail and Announcements:
· Handwoven magazine subscription due April 2010.
· ANWG having their subscription drive $39.00/2 years or $20.00/1 year on any of 14 magazines. This is available to individuals.
· 21st Annual Bead Bazaar September 12 and 13, 2009 at the Lynnwood Convention Center. Sat 10 to 6 and Sun 11 to 5.
· Cheryl Laruenzo has AVL loom for Sale/Partial Trade in Tacoma. Contact 253-973-3488 or cclaurenzo@aol.com.
· Holly Haynes announces this will be her last year as Secretary/Newsletter/Blog Editor. Looking for replacement.
· Linda C. Smith’s husband in hospice care since June. Froggie (Carol Anfinson) volunteered to send a card on behalf of the guild.
· Welcome to visitor Susan Winter who discovered our guild on the ANWG web site. She is an expert knitter, new weaver, ex-spinner, mom, and likes to travel. She teaches accounting part time.
· Betty passed on the 8-shaft folding loom to Kathleen Carpenter. Betty and her daughter completely dismantled, cleaned, and re-mantled the loom this summer. This will be our Sheep to Shawl loom and will be loaned to Moonspinners Guild for their Sheep to Shawl. Kathleen will do a test warp, evaluate the operation of the loom, and make certain it is delivered to the Puyallup Fairgrounds for the contest.

Programs: Georgean Curran and Toni Smith reporting: The overall theme for 2009/2010 will be Overshot Weaving. Toni will be shadowing Georgean to take over Program Chair next year.
· October program will be discussion and demonstration on Overshot weaving by Georgean. She will be starting a CAMEL on overshot (She and Rocky will be dressing the loom at the Arachne Sep 18 4X4 demo) at the completion of that program.
· November will be Kathleen Carpenter on Locker Hooking.
· December is Holiday gathering and Cathy Brooks will present the felted soap project.
· January – Rock Day – Bring an ingredient for the soup or to go with the soup; your give-aways, saleables, tradeables to share.
· February – May – researching programs such as Amelia Garipolli’s carding/blending class (at a very low cost); Ron Antoine from Amity, OR on spinning wheels, and possibly another felting program. Program chairs will also consider requests and volunteers to do programs. They will consider video presentations, etc.
· June – Dyeing

Betty announced that Fran Drohmann has moved to Eastern Washington and we require a replacement Treasurer. Rosalie Nast nominated herself for the position. Toni Smith moved to accept the nomination. Motion seconded and passed unanimously. Treasurer Nast’s duties are to commence immediately. Betty reported that there is currently $862.00 in the Frontier Bank and we expect income from the Sheep to Shawl and two 4X4 demonstrations at the Puyallup Fair. All who have not renewed their membership should do so now. Send your checks to Arachne P.O. Box or Rosalie Nast. Rent for the church is paid in January.

Status of guild equipment: Rasmussen style looms: Hildy Gettinger purchased one of the looms. The other’s status is uncertain. Betty Bell will review and report next meeting.

Sheep to Shawl and 4X4 Demos – Rocky Wisniewski reporting:
As of this meeting we have 6 volunteers for each of the 3 shifts of the Fair on Thursday September 17, 2009. THANK YOU! The new rules allow for up to 6 persons in the contest area at one time. This will be adequate to provide breaks and achieve the shawl in good time. Evelyn Miller is shadowing Rocky to prepare for being Sheep to Shawl manager next year.

4X4 Demos are Friday, September 18, 2009 and Monday, September 21, 2009. We are reminded that we must have 4 people on stage for 4 hours demonstrating any fiber arts craft in order to receive our money. We need 1 volunteer for Second Shift (2 PM to 6 PM) on Friday the 18th and 2 volunteers for Third Shift (6 PM to 10 PM). On the 21st we need 1 volunteer for Second Shift and 2 volunteers for Third Shift. Please contact Rocky Wisniewski at rockyspins@hotmail.com or 253-394-3964 to volunteer and receive your parking/entrance tickets. Remember to give time for the tickets to be mailed to you.

C.A.M.E.L. – Georgean Curran reporting:
The C.A.M.E.L. will be an 8-shaft overshot sachet 5” square. The weaver will make two and join them. Based on input from the members on interested parties, Georgean will dress the loom for 12 participants. Georgean briefed the uninitiated into the details of the program and reminded all that it is the responsibility of the weaver to complete the project in the one-week time frame and pass it on to the next weaver. If weaver is unable to complete the project when time is up, they must still pass on the loom at that time. If called and can’t do it right away, decline and go the bottom of the list. For further information contact Georgean Curran.

Camp Burton – Georgean Curran reporting:
Camp Burton retreat on Vashon Island will take place Friday PM, all day Saturday, and Sunday AM, October 2, 3, and 4, 2009. The cost is $115.00 for lodging and food all days; $61.95 Friday dinner, lodging, Saturday Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; $30.50 for Saturday only. We will be in the New Conference Room. This is unstructured fiber arts retreat time. Bring sleeping bag, personals (like pillows), and craft stuff. For further information contact Georgean Curran georgean_curran@msn.com.

Meeting adjourned 11:20 AM.

Respectfully submitted by:


Rocky Wisniewski, for Secretary H. Haynes

Show N Tell: (see slide show at left)
Betty: Early weaving – scarves.
Jean: Handwoven blouse. Fabric – stash yarn, rayon, acrylic, cotton. Getting hip surgery in Oct.
Georgean: Handspun knitted sweater wool and silk her own design in cables inspired by Sarah Anderson. Small adult shrug (same fabric – fits Rosalie). Head band/warmer inspired by June Spin-Off article wool, silk and cashmere. Lace Guild – mini macrame jewelry – earrings and necklaces. Circular knitted vest – saw in shop in Kimberly BC took pix copied pattern done in varigated-self striping yarn.
Rocky: Inkle bands with beads, knitted hat handspun Samoyed fur, alpaca, and commercial boucle yarn for color effect.
Kathleen: Went to Fairbanks, Alaska where Mom-in-Law works with large animal research station. Returned with Quiviut to spin, while there worked with Nuno felted silk scarves, knitting kid mohair scarf which was lost and then returned by nice soul via mail, beading and crochet.
Kate J. – reported on her TV show and video.

Get Ready for Fall!

Sheep to Shawl:
It’s Sheep to Shawl and 4X4 season at the Puyallup Fairgrounds! Rocky has received the tickets to cover these events at the Fair for Thursday, September 17, 2009 (Sheep to Shawl); Friday, September 18, 2009 (4X4), and Monday, September 21, 2009 (4X4).


On each of these days we need volunteers to represent Arachne in three shifts: 10 AM to 2 PM; 2 PM to 6 PM; and 6 PM to 10 PM. The Sheep to Shawl contest will bring in $175.00 and each of the 4X4 days will bring in $120.00 (3 shifts @ $40.00 ea). Each volunteer will receive an entrance ticket to the Fair and a parking pass.


In addition, for each four hour session you volunteer on the Sheep to Shawl contest, you will earn one credit toward the drawing for the Shawl in October. We will be giving the tickets out at our September 3rd meeting but if you are unable to attend that meeting and wish to volunteer, you may contact Rocky and she will send you tickets. Please indicate which day/shift you wish.


Yes, you may volunteer for one or more shifts.


At the Sheep to Shawl our duties will be to pick, card, spin, and ply the wool for the weft yarn and to discuss with the public the processes involved in taking the garment from Sheep to Shawl. Georgean is our weaver.


The 4X4 demonstrations are 4 people demonstrating any fiber-related craft for 4 hours. In order to earn our $40 all four people must be there for the four hours. You may spin, weave, knit, crochet, felt, etc. You may display yarns/articles you have made, equipment, books, etc. There are display grids on the stage from which to display. The shifts for both S 2 S and 4X4 are from 10-2, 2-6 and 6-10.


Camp Burton

Don't forget to get your reservations in for the Fall Retreat at Camp Burton It will be Oct. 2-4. Great time to kick back and relax or get that Christmas spinning and knitting done. The Native American Flute players will be there again and we get to enjoy there program on Sat. evening. Past few years we have been serenaded by some of the players at different times. We can get there any time the afternoon on Fri. We usually go for lunch on the island and it ends after breakfast on Sunday. You can stay and spin after that, but there will be no lunch served. Good time to get to know the rest of the guild members that there is just never enough time to do at guild meetings. Food is fantastic as past retreats have proven. Any questions call or Georgean email.


Here is a list of costs to go to the Burton Retreat Oct. 2-4
Full weekend includes 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, one lunch, 2 nights and facilities fees for $115
Fri. dinner through Sat. dinner $74
Sat. lunch and dinner $30.50

Remember to bring your toiletries, sleeping bags, and whatever you want to work on for the weekend. To reserve a place, send a check to Georgean.


2009-2010 Programs
This year we will be having a theme on Overshot. And the many ways it can be used. Georgean will be doing the Oct. meeting to get us started. The rest of the years programs are not all set in stone yet, but we will be having a good variety. Ron Antoine will be coming in the spring and hoping to get Amelia from the Bellwether in Sequim to come and do a program on color carding. The June meeting will be warp painting.


Puyallup Fair entry dates are Aug 28-29-30, details online at theFair.com

May Meeting Notes

Business Items:
Treasurer’s Report: $1312 on hand. Dues will be payable in June. Please pay your $20 annual membership fee to Fran.

The 2009-2010 Officer slated was nominated and approved. They are as follows:
Betty President
Fran Treasurer
Holly Newsletter/Secretary
Georgean Programs
Sheryl S. Member at Large

The 2009-2010 Shadow Cabinet will be:
Kate President
Hilde Treasurer
Toni Program
Mary Newsletter/Secretary
The shadow cabinet to work with 2009-2010 officers in preparation for holding the office in the following year.

Sheep to Shaw:
Sign up for working at the Sept. Sheep to Shawl event will be during the June meeting. The event date is Sept. 17th. Georgean will have the tickets at the Sept. meeting. Rocky has prepared a checklist for the next person to manage our Sheep to Shawl activities. Evelyn has agreed to shadow Rocky and manage it next year. Those who worked on the project this year will receive credits toward the shawl drawing. The guild approved a motion to let those who did not work on the shawl buy drawing tickets for $10 each.

Study Groups:
The first study group meeting was held at Toni’s on May 11. If you want to join the group and were not able to attend the first meeting, contact Betty Bell.

ANWG Booth:
Cary and her team set up the booth and it was lovely – pictures from the conference will be posted on the blog next month.

Table Loom Replacement:
The guild voted and approved selling the two Rasmussen looms and replacing them with a more portable 8 harness table loom. A budget of $600 for the new loom was approved. The existing looms will be offered for sale to guild members for $125 each. If no Arachne member wants to buy them, they will be offered to the Tacoma guild members for $150.

Show and Tell:

April Meeting Notes

Business Items:
Treasurer’s Report: $1312 on hand. Dues will be payable in June. Please give your $20 annual membership fee to Fran. Officers will be elected in June. Betty suggested that we adopt two-year terms for president, treasurer and programs chairman. We would also add a member-at-large position. There will be further discussion on this topic at the May meeting.

Study Groups:
Betty suggested we form two study groups. One study group would be for beginning weavers and those who want to refresh their skills and the other group would be on weaving structures and include exchanges. The board will develop a plan to present at the May meeting. If you are interested in either group and did not sign up at the April meeting, contact Betty and let her know which group (or both) you are interested in.

ANWG Booth Update:
Items for the booth need to be turned in on or before the May meeting. If you have the CAMEL loom with the transparency on it, please contact Rocky.

Sheep to Shawl Prep Report:
Please let Rocky know when if you turn your spun singles into Georgean so that she can update her list.

8-Harness CAMEL Loom:
For April, the loom will be used by Kathryn C, Mary L and Betty B.

April Program Recap:
Carol Goodwin’s program presented a fascinating program and slide show on history of Kumihimo braiding including marudai, takadai and ayatakadai. She also showed slides of her own work and others who do kumihimo with beads. Kumihimo is a Japanese form of braid-making. Cords and ribbons are made by interlacing strands.

After lunch, we did "hands-on" braiding under Carol’s supervision. Many of us went home hooked on another way to weave! Thanks Carol!

Show and Tell: