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Peterborough Weavers and Spinners Newsletter

February 2024                                                                               

TRIBUTE to long time guild member ANNE GALLANT

. . . with thanks to Darlene.

Anne Gallant passed away on December 30, 2023, following many years of illness with cancer. She was an integral part of our Guild and will be sorely missed by all. A great and enthusiastic encourager of all things fibre related, she brought forth her creativity to all who would listen. Anne was our sounding board for programs and creative challenges for numerous years. When she was able to join in regularly, before her sickness made it hard for her, she organized such events as the ‘library’ scavenger hunt, Mystery bag challenges, Kool aid fluff dyeing, and various speakers. Our older members may remember her segment called ‘TATs’- Tricks and Tips for Weavers and Spinners alike, and her ability to send us into the world wide web of podcasts, websites, and articles she found on the Internet.  Anne was a spinning teacher and mentor to many of our members, but this was a small portion of her influence.  She enjoyed all sorts of things: weaving, felting, dyeing techniques and she was great with refurbishing old bits into a reusable and fun manner.  We have a list still available to us packed full of ideas she had for our Guild members to explore/play with fibre. We are sad to have lost such a valuable member but grateful for the time and energy she gave us.

Anne making ornaments with Terri, Donna and Sheila at the October 2023 Guild meeting. Anne gathered the ideas, materials and instructions for all the ornament making stations. It was a very enjoyable evening for all of us!

Guild Challenge: Our guild challenge (“Reuse and Relove”) was issued at the December meeting. Darlene created grab bags for each member, full of bits and bobs to fuel your creativity. Show and share for the challenge will be at the March 18th meeting.

Next Meeting: Due to Family Day being February 19, our next meeting will be held February 26. The program that evening will be given by Twin Pines Alpacas! They will be bringing items to sell as well, so bring a form of payment if you desire anything alpaca.

FAFS: Darlene is doing another amazing job organizing this year’s Fibre Arts Festival. It is confirmed for Saturday, April 13, at the Wellness Centre, and you have all received a copy of the poster. Please share it far and wide with your contacts. Darlene will need helpers that day, so don’t hesitate to let her know how much time you can volunteer, and what sort of task you might like to do.

ACP Classes: If you would like to learn anything new this winter and spring, such as gourding, woodturning or pottery techniques, be sure to check the ACP website for classes that are being offered. As a guild member, you will receive a 10% discount on any classes. Hey, maybe you’d even like to do something different with fibre or take a refresher course on a different facet of fibre work.

And on the ACP classes note, if you have an idea for a class, or a technique or skill you’d like to share, talk to Darlene about how that could happen. She’ll help you schedule, write up a description and set up your invoicing, among other details.

Show and Share

and a warning – I may have mixed up some of the photos! If so, please accept my apologies!!

Denise knit a pair of cozy socks she made from Briggs and Little yarn that was dyed with lobster shells.

Sheila shared a shawl she made while fighting with her loom. She showed a second one made of bright jewel-toned yarn. And the third one that used the same warp but different wefts.

Douglas showed off some new bookmarks and some mug rugs made using a huck lace book. He worked on them during his volunteer time at ACP.

Lois brought a knitted scarf that was made lengthwise. It’s a great project to use up scraps, and Lois will happily share the pattern.

Darlene brought a commission she made- felted arctic grayling, a fox and a sloth. So adorable! She also shared her Level II Spinner homework about natural dyeing.

Melinda brought a canvas-weave baby blanket she made for a friend’s little one. She also shared some acid dyed yarn she made with her mother shortly before her passing.

Joyce showed some projects from her loom, including a cowl and two scarves made from mercerized cotton and tencel.

Marie M. shared a miniature of her art room, made by her daughter. The attention to detail is incredible!

A wee pup visited the meeting too, courtesy of the Humane Society and its foster mother, Carolyne. Anyone knitting tiny sweaters?

Sorry, no photos:

Julia made a linen shoelace for her winter boots. Matching lace coming soon. And a shoelace weaving class too for those who think is a really cool idea!!

Apology from Gillian: Some of you will know that I am involved in helping my elderly parents who went into a crisis in the middle of December. It involves my living in a different city 4 days a week. Those days are surprisingly busy, and I am not finding much time for pursuits that I committed to previously (hence this very late newsletter). However, I am determined to continue to do the best job I can as your President, until I step down in June 2024. I won’t be seeing you at Guild meetings for the foreseeable future but hope to do everything I can behind the scenes. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the wonderful women who make up the Guild Executive! They are organized, creative, energetic and devoted to making the Guild a place to learn and have loads of fun! Without them, I would be unable to fulfill my responsibilities. All the best to each of you and keep well!