Hi! I just finished watching “The Efficient Weaver” DVD by Laura Fry. I borrowed it from the Guild Library at the last meeting and will be returning it this month, so it’ll be available to another member at the meeting on the 27th. Even after weaving for almost 15 years, I still got some great tips from it, yet it was very understandable for all levels of weaving. Now off to the studio to implement some improvements!
You can see the list of videos and DVDs in the Guild Library pages.
Not weaving, and not my own work, but a workshop I am anxious to take this summer.
mycopigments.com dyes from mushrooms. A workshop I would love to take this summer!
Guild members had a great time making baskets at our 2 December meeting. 
Everyone was surprised at how difficult it was to make them! Krista found the kits online, and they were paid for through an education grant that the guild received from a past member. Carol made a prototype and prepared all the materials for the evening. Mine is a little lop-sided, but recognizable as a basket none-the-less.
Soldiers’ Angels blanket closeup
Several years ago, guild members wove this blanket during weaving demonstrations at Fruitlands Museums. It was intended to go to the organization called Soldiers’ Angels (http://www.soldiersangels.org/), who provide various services to people serving in the Armed Services, including blankets for wounded soldiers. We finally finished it this year. The photos are from the Guild potluck in June 2014. I sent the blanket off and got this response from Soldiers’ Angels:
OhMYGOODNESS!!! I have never seen a blanket quite like that…it is a work of ART!!!
I am so very thankful!!! Your GORGEOUS Blanket will go to one of our 45-50 Veterans of the Menlo Park Veterans Hospital, specifically in the PTSD Recovery Program.
These Veterans come from all over the USA to participate in this intense 3-4 month program. They all live in Dorms and they are far away from the support of family and friends. It is especially difficult for them a Christmas time, which is when I will be distributing them at our annual Christmas Dinner.
I promise you that whoever receives this very Blanket, they will treasure it and know in their heart, hat someone who they have never met, truly cares and supports them.
Believe it or not, some of these Vets with PTSD have tried to take their own live before they entered the program, because their heart were so scarred from war, acts of extreme kindness like this, especially at a very emotional time of the year, helps them to HEAL and to be at Peace, because they are remembered and appreciated.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!
North Brook Farm Alpacas is having an open house December 6th & 7th, noon to 4:30. Meet the alpacas face to face, then warm up by the fire in our Holiday Shoppe and see what Laura has going on the triangle loom! 96 South St, Berlin MA. Holiday Shoppe also open thru Christmas each Thurs thru Sun, noon to 4:30.
Our next meeting is planned for Tues, December 2nd, at The Fiber Loft. This is our combined Nov & Dec meeting, so as not to conflict with holiday schedules. Fellow member Carol Vales will conduct a hands on program on basket weaving. Everyone will be able to make a small “ornament style” basket to take home.
Here’s what you should bring:
paper towels or cloth to keep your space dry (The reeds will be soaked in water. )
Pencil
Awl
Scissors
Small weight or canned good, to hold spokes in place at the beginning.
Also at this meeting, member Dorothy Solbrig will have an assortment of items available for sale from Mayan Hands, a fair trade organization. Mayan Hands makes some wonderful woven and beaded items, great for holiday gifts! http://www.mayanhands.org/
Judith Shangold presents her new book
Weave-Knit-Wear
at the Fiber Loft, Harvard, MA
Join us as our own Judith Shangold presents her new book Weave-Knit-Wear, and talks about weaving clothing on a rigid heddle loom. You don’t need a large loom to make garments! Judith will be bringing along some of the items featured in the book.
Social time, refreshments and time to view guild library items begins at 7 pm. A brief business meeting, followed by the evening’s program will begin at 7:30pm.
Our own Dorothy Solbrig is featured not once but twice in the Sept/Oct 2014 issue of Handwoven!
First, in page 26, she is credited with the inspiration for a dozen towels.
Then in page 46, she has the by-line for an article about her double weave color block tea cozy.
Of course, we are all also famous, by association. 😉
Big congratulations to Dorothy!
If you don’t subscribe to Handwoven, it is available in our guild library.
If you haven’t already sent your dues, you can send a check to NVWG for $25 to PO Box 50, Harvard, MA 01451, or 96 South St, Berlin MA, 01503. Either address is fine.
We’ll be sending our membership list to NEWS very soon. Only paid members will receive the NEWS mailing.
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