June 2013 Minutes

June 8, 2013 in Marilynn’s garden

Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers Guild

Meeting called to order at 11:10 am.

Introductions

Correction to May meeting minutes:  The June 8th meeting is listed for June 15th not June 8th.
May meeting minutes: motioned for approval with correction by Nancy and seconded by Max.

Treasurers Report: (Sharie substituting for Doris who is out of town) Two members paid their dues for a total of $50.  Four spindle kits were sold for a total of $20.  The Guild received a donation from Eileen of $15.  Eileen made a sold cell phone cases.  Paid Virva $28 for CDs for the library. 

The CSSW Retreat is Friday, September 13th to Sunday, September 15th, 2013 at the group campsite at Davis creek. 

Library Report: Librarian was absent.  Sherie is looking for a book on drum carding. 

Old business:

Making more drop spindle kits: Sherie looking at a company called Bare Wood for wagon wheels to use as spindle whorls.  The wagon wheels would be more expensive then the solid originals (which sell for $5 per kit), but would be lighter and still have a good size.  Nancy volunteered to assemble spindles and will get dowels and hooks for the project.  Sharie will order approximately 30 or 40 wagon wheels to make into spindles.

Marilynn’s Natural Dye Class is scheduled for September 21 and 22, 2013.  Payment for the class needs to be made by July 13th.  For members, the cost of the class will be approximately $60 to $75.  Payment can be made at the CSSW meeting on July 13th or by mail to Doris.  Marilynn’s Natural Dye Class will teach participants to dye with all sorts of plants.  At the end of the class, each student will leave with samples and instructions.  All materials are included in the fee.  Marilynn is in need of stainless steel pots and burners for the class.

CNCH at Squaw Valley Report: So much stuff was donated that the silent auction became a raffle to raise money for scholarships and to put the conference on.  The keynote speaker was Anita Mayer.  The parking lot sale turned out well.

The June meeting weekend was also the Spindle Retreat.

Blacksheep will be June 21 to 23 in Eugene, Oregon.

Freelace Update: Max did a workshop to work out glitches.  The plan is to do freelace at the CSSW Retreat in September.  Will need to bring tissue paper to put over the lace pieces and a paper towel roll (minus the paper towels) to roll up the project for transport.

Fashion Show of garments we’ve made (knit, crochet, weave, freelace, etc.) will be during the May Arboritum Society’s Party in the Garden in 2014.  After August 17th, a committee to organize and plan will be formed.  Marilynn will give an update on how this year’s party goes.  The plan is to get kids from local school involved to sell tickets and model. 

The library is not available for CSSW to use for the October meeting.  Nicole Kelly offered her house in Blairston near Greagle, weather permitting.  There were concerns are how far away it is.  Nicole offers a room for a few overnight guests.  Vote taken and approved October’s meeting location at Nicole’s house. 

Celtic Fair is the first weekend in October at Bartley Ranch.  This is a big event for us.  We set up for demonstrations and sales.  Dress up if you want. 

New business:

Mim reminds everyone that the guild has a lot of equipment, books, DVDs, etc.  If you would like to borrow something, just ask.  Check your spam filter for emails from CSSW.  And if you have changed for contact information (email, phone number, etc.) since joining the guild, please update your information. 

Leslie brought a lot of donated yarn and requests that everyone looks through and takes what they want.  She doesn’t want to have to take it home again.

Marilynn has books and small looms for sale.

Sharie read a letter of thanks for participating in Farm Days in Carson City.  They hope that we will participate next year.

Nancy recently visited Reno High School to help demonstrate the whole process of raw fleece to yarn including dying.  The teacher had made spindle out of pencils and used dog brushes as combs.  The students made ceramic whorls.  The art and science students involved were excited about the project.  It is wonderful that the teachers are willing to teach the process and the students are interested. 

Show and Tell:
Susan – recently took a trip in Kona, Hawaii where she watched a man making tapa.  After a conversation with her, he gave her a piece to show the guild.  Susan also shared a knit picks needle holder which is two interlocking tubes with a slot in them so the project sticks out and the needles are protected and stitches don’t run away.
Mim – shared her beaded spiders.  She saw the project on Pintrest and just had to make them.
Nancy – shared a drawplate with progressively smaller holes made out of plexiglass.  The drawplate is helpful in turning a bat of fiber (like from a carder) into something easier to spin from.  Nancy explains it is also good for predrafting and animal disturbed roving.  She sells them for $10 each.
Gina – has dyed more tencell roving in shades of blue.  It is nice and soft and apparently tries to float away during rinse out.  She also dyed some hemp roving as an experiment.  The color took well. 
Kendra – showed her 880 yards of single yarn that she spun on her drop spindle.  She also dyed the roving with instant indigo.
Max – is working on a Peaks and Valleys skirt.  She changed the waist band to a drawstring.  Max will be teaching a class at Jimmy Beans at the end of June.  She is also working on a jacket from a pattern from Interweave Knits Spring 1997 magazine.  She is almost done with the jacket front and has been spinning the yarn for it as she goes.  Max changed the pattern a little from the published version.  Max is also working on a slip for a crocheted skirt.
Sharie – showed a fluffy baby blanket she made for a friend.
Marilynn – shared that there is ice and water in the ice chest and ice tea on the tray.
In Attendence:
Sharie Jones, Maxene Harlow, Marilynn Clarke, Jan Mayberry, Eileen Cornwell, Kiera Mayberry,
Kendra Iwahashi, Gina Iwahashi, Nicole Kelly, Nancy Peyor, Judy Wells, Mimi Bullard,
Margie McConaghy, Leslie Godbe, Linda Ryssman, Susan Palwick.

Next Month: Indigo vat at Mim’s house

 Driving Directions:

Mim Bullard is in Rancho Haven:  From Reno, drive north on Hwy 395 to the first Red Rock exit #78, after the Stead Blvd exit.  Drive 20 miles to the Sierra Ranchos Valley, and take the first left (after Jeanette Miller’s alpaca ranch ) onto Arabian.  It’s a dirt road but has a county sign.  Drive up into the valley and turn left on Rancho, then continue several hundred yards and turn right on Thoroughbred.  Mim is about two miles up and on the right – 455 Thoroughbred Circle.  If you are coming in from California, the north Red Rock exit is 13 miles past the exit for Hwy 70 at Hallelujah Junction and only turns right.  Continue four miles from the State line, past the volunteer fire house and turn right on Rancho, at mail box central.  There is a cell signal at the mail boxes.  Mim’s number is 775-969-3249.  You must use 775.  Drive to first right and turn right on Rancho a second time,  then continue several hundred yards and turn right on Thoroughbred.  Mim is about two miles up and on the right – 455 Thoroughbred Circle. 

May 11, 2013
Meeting Minutes
Sharie L. Jones and Maxene Harlow, Co-Presidents

The May meeting was held at Doris Woloszyn’s ranch where members got to see her prize-winning ram and all the new lambs.  Thank you Doris!

Minutes of the last meeting were corrected:  Spindle Camp is June 7-10.  Minutes were approved, as corrected, by general consent.  (Toni will take the minutes at the June meeting while Marilyn is off on vacation, again.  Thank you Toni!!)

Treasurer’s Report:  Treasurer Doris reported we have $3174.21 with 36 members.

Library Report:  Virva has purchased the “Three Bags Full” DVD by Judith McKenzie for the library for $28.89.  She highly recommends it.  The DVD features how to pick a fleece for different needs and how to process and spin different fibers.  We may watch portions of it for an upcoming Learning Tree.

Old Business:
1.  Mim suggested we make 100 more drop spindle kits and that we need to order the supplies for them.  Virva showed a sample of one style of spindle that was easy and inexpensive to make.  Doris will purchase supplies with the guild’s debit card.  We need volunteers to help put the spindles together.  Contact Doris if you can help.
2.  Sharie announced new dates for Marilynn’s dye class: 9/21 and 22. The cutoff date for signups is 7/13.  We need to advertise this class more.  Marilynn would like flyers to go to other guilds.  She will put together the wording and Mim will send it in PDF format to so people can print the flyers themselves.
3.  Virva, Sharie, and Annabelle attended Carson Farm Days.  Toni took her alpacas too.
4.  CNCH is May 31-June 1 at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe. CNCS is asking each guild to provide a raffle basket for their scholarship fund.  We need donations from our members.  The basket needs to be ready by May 31st.
5.  Our annual retreat is 9/13,14 &15 at Davis Creek.
6.  Doris announced the “Trailing of the Sheep” Festival in Idaho is 10/10-13 in Ketchum near Sun Valley.
7.  Max and Sharie showed their lace scarves as samples of what we’ll be doing at the retreat.  Kits are $15.75 each for our group.  Please start saving yarn, lace, silk flowers, appliqués, ribbons, edging (lightweight) and other bits and pieces for your scarf.  If you have a pop-up tent, please bring it to the retreat.  There will be an alternate activity if you don’t want to make a scarf.
8.  Marilynn reintroduced the idea of participating in the “Party in the Garden” event next year.  It will be held on 8/17 at the Arboretum this year and costs $50 per table with a % of your sale going to the Arboretum.  The annual plant sale is 6/1 with over 3000 plants to choose from.
9. Next month’s meeting is at Marilynn’s house with an indigo dye class for the Learning Tree.  Bring your own fiber to dye.

New Business:
1.  Virva reports we can’t have our October 12 meeting in the school house at Bartley Ranch so she suggests we meet at the South Meadows library.  She will reserve that date for us.  We could watch parts of the Judith McKenzie DVD there.
2.  The July Learning Tree at Mim’s ranch will be another indigo dye class and with instruction on how to prepare a whole fleece.
3.  Sharie suggested we invite Carolyn Thompson for our November Learning Tree.  She makes coiled fiber baskets.

Show and Tell: 
Long-time members Judith and Lawrence Romiti surprised members by attending and showing several of their beautiful natural colored rugs from their work in Mexico.  One rug in particular was made from eight different animals including llama, alpaca, and yak.  Max showed her cheerful hexagon wrap done with a modular knitting technique.  New member Myna showed her darling assortment of animals she’s been knitting including a very clever “cat bus”.  Margery brought an assortment of gourd seeds for members to grow.  Contact her if you’d like some seeds.  Another new member (sorry, didn’t catch your name) brought a lovely hank of yarn, her first!  Nancy Pryor showed several rainbow colored cotton scarves along with some yarn she dyed and some urine-dyed yarn.  No, that’s not a typo . . .ask Nancy for more info! 

In Attendance:
Virva Porcelli, Toni Strassburg, Nancy Pryor, Shari Jones, Maxene Harlow, Jenny Munger, Eileen Jacobs, Mimi Bullard, Margery McConaghy, Pam Sutton, Myna Fiannotti, Ashley Thibedeau, Nicole Kelly, Marilynn Clarke, Doris Woloszyn, Marilyn Pearson, Judith and Lawrence Romiti.

Next Meeting: June 15th at Marilynn Clarke’s home.
Marilynn will have an Indigo dye pot ready for anyone who would like to bring some fiber for dyeing.
Bring your chair!

Driving Directions:    From the South-- Take HWY 395 to the McCarran off-ramp, turn left and follow McCarran WEST to Socrates, turn right and follow Socrates NORTH to Greenstone, turn left (WEST) for one block to Comstock, then turn right (NORTH) to the end of pavement. We are the second driveway (left) off the pavement.  From the North-- From HWY 395 take the North Virginia off-ramp and follow N. Virginia street southward just past McCarran Blvd to Comstock, then turn left  (NORTH) up Comstock to the end of pavement. We are the second driveway off the pavement. Address:  3503 Comstock Drive  - Telephone: 786-1709

April 2013 Minutes

CSSW April 2013 Meeting Minutes

Meeting started at 11 am with introductions. Minutes for March were approved. Doris was absent, so Sharie presented the treasurer information. $200.00 was paid in dues, $5.00 was profit for sale of books, $32.86 was reimbursed to Virva for the purchase of hand dye books. $434.00 was paid out in liability insurance, Davis Creek Park camping space was reserved, leaving the Guild with a total of $3174.21 on account.
No library report as Heidi was not present, however a very generous donation of spinning and weaving items were donated by Lane Magnin to our Guild. It was decided these items which include out of print publications will reside in our library.
Sharon Campbell wants to donate 2 spinning stools (Ashford and Kromski) to our guild. It was decided to accept her generous offer, and save the stools for the silent auction at our annual retreat.
Virva purchased a DVD set from a sale at Interweave, Judith McKensie Three Bags Full. The sale price was $29.00, regularly $40.00. A motion was made and approved to purchase the DVD set from Virva for our library. Discussion followed regarding a viewing of the DVDs at a later date.
Old Business: Marilynn Clarke’s dye class, scheduled for May 18,19, was moved to Sept 21,22 due to low sign up numbers. Only 5 people signed up. Discussion followed regarding advertising the class to a broader audience. The cut off date for sign up for the September date will be July 13th. Cost of class (cost of class covers Marilynn’s out of pocket expenses) dependant on number of sign ups).  Celtic Fair still scheduled for the first weekend in October. No new updates at this time. Carson City Farm Days at Fuji Park April 18, 19, 8am to approx. 1pm. CNCH May 31, June 1 1pm to 4 pm at Resort at Squaw Creek. Apparently there was some issue with sign ups for classes at CNCH. You can contact Suzanna Woodhead to see what classes still have seats available. Spindle Camp June 25, 29. CSSW retreat September 13, 14, 15. Learning tree at the retreat will be presented by Max. She is planning on instruction of a free lace shawl or wrap. Max is planning on putting together kits with the stabilizer needed for 1 project along with the instructions. Discussion followed regarding the Guild reimbursing Max for the cost of a bolt of stabilizer. Max will be able to determine the cost of stabilizer and will provide information at the next meeting for Guild vote. She will also bring samples of what kind of items might be appropriate for you to consider gathering for your free lace project.
New Business: The Pioneer Yarn Co. has moved to 1653 Lucerne Street. It is in the strip mall, with a sign out front on the street. The new owner is very receptive of ideas for classes, along with promoting hand spinners in our area. Monday April 15th is shearing at Anna Harvey’s ranch in the Calpine area on A-23. Items and fleeces are available for sale. Discussion regarding learning tree experiences followed. Max and Sharie presented a really interesting idea regarding a community fashion show. Think about the possibilities! Discussion followed regarding realizing this lofty goal.  Western Heritage Fair to be held this year on Victorian Square in Sparks. The date is May 11th. We realize this co insides with our meeting at Doris’ home that day, but perhaps some members might want to set up and demo spinning etc. after the meeting. The Heritage Fair runs from 11am to 6pm. Today’s learning tree is about Merino sheep breed in America and  is being presented by Ellen Fenn. Ellen is heading back to Vermont for the season. Thank you Ellen, for sharing your knowledge.
Show and Tell started with Sharie. She showed off her un-birthday present from Max, a cute apron decorated with pies. Seems Sharie has quite an apron collection, and loves to bake pies! Max showed off her Mother’s day potholders (remember giving those to mom when you were young?) aprons, and her Maxi skirt, knit from her pattern, drop spindle spun modular knitted wrap, crochet dress with under dress fabric designed by Todd Oldham. Nancy shared her painted warp she is offering for sale. Mim explained her accident resulting in a torn heel tendon in her foot. Mim has of course found a great fleece alternative to the discomfort of the ’boot’ she has to wear during her recovery. She has been house bound, and is very grateful to her friends for helping her with her animal related chores. Robin shared her own hand spun hand knit owl hat she admired from a previous meeting during show and tell. (seems to me that show and tell goes a long way in the process of our guild members trying something new) Toni shared the woven bead bracelet her kind sister Robin made for her. Carolyn brought a couple of examples of vintage 70’s basket weaving using jute, a tapestry needle, and leftover yarn she felt suitable for a travel project. The patterns were found in the Basket Magic Booklet. Connie brought her beautiful finished bamboo sock yarn tank top. Leslee showed off her batt made from fiber bought from fellow member Mim. Batt represents springtime theme colors. Ashley shared her green shawl, and lovely lavender cowl. Sue shared some information regarding the Lace Guild bulletin for the exhibition and convention with one of her own patterns. Though the pattern was not credited to Sue in the bulletin, our members know her talent is legendary.
Meeting ended at 12:45 with lunch and learning tree to follow.
Those present included: Toni Strassburg, Robin Gallagher, Mimi Bullard, Nancy Pryor, Marge McConaghy, Ellen N Fenn, Maxene Harlow, Sharie L Jones. Virva Porcelli, Barbara Hunt, Janet Schueller, Carol Lopez, Gina Iwahashi, Kendra Iwahashi, Ashley, Thibedeau, Leslie Godbe, Marilynn Clarke, Connie Vann, Carolyn Thompson, Eileen Jacobs, Sue Gottsacker.

Directions below to our May meeting at Doris's Ranch

Doris Woloszyn’s in Chilcoot, California.  Hwy. 395 north from Reno, past Bordertown into California.  Exit 395 at Hwy. 70 to Portola/Quincy, turn left on Hwy. 70 going west for about 2 miles.  Turn left on Scott Road after crossing Long Valley Creek, before going up Beckwourth Pass.  Scott Road is dirt, and after 4/10 mile to the railroad crossing you’ll pass 2 homes(stay left on main road, not right up the hill), the railroad tracks and creek will be on your left.

Continue south on Scott Road for one and a half miles to a small bridge over Scott Creek. 

Another 4/10 mile to a large Cottonwood tree and the 3^rd home, this is where the county stops grading the road so it’s a little rougher.  Another 2/10 mile to several buildings on hill with SPRAGUE sign, but stay to left and pass the driveway.  Next 3/10 mile the road curves from left to right up a small hill.  Stay to the right at the fork, going up the hill and look for my 404-185 sign on a “rock jack” fence corner.  This is where you turn right onto my driveway.

My driveway is 4/10 mile,  first straight with a wooden fence on the left and barb wire fence on the right, then at the next group of rock jacks curve right, down over the culvert and up hill to my house …cedar siding with a dark green metal roof and large wooden barn in back.  Sounds complicated but there are very few places out here.  I’ll try to put up some signs to help.  Call 530-993-4296 if you have questions or need help.

March 2013 Minutes

Spring?

Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers Guild
March 9, 2013
Meeting Minutes
Sharie L. Jones and Maxene Harlow, Co-Presidents

Minutes of the last meeting were approved by general consent.

Treasurer’s Report:  Treasurer Doris reported she’s collected dues from nine members, spent $90 on the warp/weft materials, and that we have $3436.07 with 28 members.  She expects to pay our insurance this month but, because of a long-standing mix-up by the company, our premium may go down.

Library Report:  Librarian (Keeper of the Books) Heidi reported she has two new books:  “Color to Dye For” and “The Spinner’s Book of Yarn Designs”.  She has $70 left to spend this year.  Email her if you have suggestions.

Old Business:
1.  Max’s Peaks and Valleys skirt workshop at Jimmy Bean’s is March 23.  Only 10 spaces are available.
2.  Upcoming events:  Farm Day, 4/18-19 @ Fuji Park, 8:00-2:00; Marilynn’s Dye class 5/18-19, six people have signed up so far but she needs a minimum of nine; Spindle Camp 6/5-9 in Lake Francis near Marysville CA;  Conference of Northern CA Hand weavers Tailgate, 5/31-6/1, Resort @ Squaw Creek.  Must be pre-registered; Black Sheep Festival, 6/21-23 Eugene Oregon.
3.  Raffle continues to be suspended.  Doris may have some items from Nancy G. in the future.

New Business:
1.  Mimi tore her Achilles’ tendon right before sheep shearing.  She is wearing a boot and is getting around.
2.  A woman in Max’s Tuesday knitting group is looking for people to demonstrate spinning for an upcoming Girl Scout Camp in Sacramento.  Members advised her to have them contact Magnolia Guild in CA.
3.  Looking for Learning Tree ideas for the CSSW retreat in September.  Max showed a fiber scarf kit that can be purchased for $18.  Members were interested and will vote on this idea at the next meeting.
4.  Learning Tree for April – Ellen will talk about how the Merino sheep came to America.  Doris will bring a Merino fleece.  Please contact Sharie or Max if you have topic ideas for a learning tree.

Show and Tell:  Max finished her connect-the-dots sweater and phone animals.  She also made a shrug out of her own homespun.  Virva made handwarmers for her husband and said they were easy to knit.  Amy showed her handpainted red and yellow spinning wheel.  Marilynn showed a magazine article on a woven silk panel that former member Diana Ballard printed.  It won third place at Convergence.  Gina showed some silk noil she will be dyeing.  Kendra showed a hexagon shawl she is working on and her wire wrapped spindles.  Ashley made a cute owl hat with cables for the first time.  Toni brought books that show how to knit cat and animal hats.  Heidi finished two projects, a linen stitch scarf and a baby blanket for her nephew. Connie showed a book of sweaters and a size one baby boy sweater she made.  Nancy showed her purple heart yarn that continues to change color and some woven shawls she made.  She also brought old books and magazines for a donation to the guild.  Judy showed a crocheted necklace her sister made.  Sharie showed a mobius hood/cowl she made and her homespun yarn with “texture”. 

In Attendance: Jo Van Winkle, Margery McConaghy, Ellen Fenn, Connie Vann, Nancy Pryor, Mary B., Sharie L. Jones, Maxene Harlow, Leslie Godbe, Virva Porcelli, Libby Hejny, Barbara Hunt, Carol Lopez, Janet Schueller, Amy Shannon, Kristin Little, Marilynn Clarke, Doris Woloszyn, Gina Iwahashi, Kendra Iwahashi, Ashley Thibedeau, Sheila Young, Toni Strassburg, Janet Drozd, Eileen Jacobs, Robin Gallagher, Judy Wells, Heidi Ericson, Marilyn Pearson

Next Meeting:  April 13th

Bartley Ranch:  Drive .8 miles west from the intersection of McCarran Blvd and Hwy 395.  Turn left (south) on Lakeside Drive and continue .4 miles.  Bartley Ranch is at the north base of Windy Hill.  Turn left on Bartley Ranch Road and continue several hundred feet to the main parking lot.  Cross the covered bridge and turn right into the parking lot for the School House. 

February 2013 Minutes

Shearing Time

Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers Guild

February 9, 2013

Meeting Minutes

Sharie L. Jones and Maxene Harlow, Co-Presidents

Minutes of the last meeting were approved, with corrections, by general consent

Treasurer’s Report:  Treasurer Doris reported 11 members have paid their 2013 dues and that dues are due.  We have 19 members and $3311.04 in the guild account.  Nancy submitted a bill for $90 for table loom/weaving supplies, for the Learning Tree today.  After discussion whether or not expenses needed to be pre-approved by the members, a motion to do so was canceled.

Library Report:  Librarian (Keeper of the Books) Heidi asked members to let her know if they had any books or DVDs that needed to be purchased for the library.  She asked that you “go ahead and buy it” after checking with her.  The budget for the year is $100.  Heidi is working on getting all our materials catalogued on librarything.com.  Members can check out the guild’s library any time at Heidi’s house.

Old Business:

1.  Raffle – Barbara reported she doesn’t have any items for meeting raffles and asks members to donate items as they can.  The raffle is on hold until enough items are collected.  Eileen asks, “make it a quality item”.

2.  Learning Tree – President Sharie asked if we have a list of themes and dates for our Learning Tree sessions this year.  Mim will post what we do have scheduled on the website.  Mim is teaching indigo dyeing at her home in July and will send out more info soon.  Marilynn asked members to sign up for her natural dyeing class May 18-19 at her home, $60.  A sign up sheet went around today.  Contact her if you’re interested.

3.  Display/Sale Opportunity – Mary reported Ottumwa Bank on Moana and Virginia has a display area in their lobby where members could leave items for display and sale.  The bank will handle the sale and send a check.  They also have rooms available for projects Monday through Fridays although they’re not open on the weekends so couldn’t host a Guild meeting.  After discussion regarding security, sales tax issues and inventories, members voted to have Mary get a spot on the list for members who’d like to display and sell their items.

New Business:

1.  Sacramento guild – Max wondered if our guild could get together with the Sacramento Weavers and Spinners guild at their event.  Nancy reported each of our members would have to be a member of that guild in order to participate.

2.  Wool gathering – Virva got a card from Bonnie in Cedarville.  She is having a wool gathering September 13-15 and invites our guild members.  See Virva for more info.

3.  Sale opportunity – Pam reported two events, Reno Open Studio in September and Art Tour in North Tahoe are opportunities to demo and sell items.  See Pam for details or Google either event.  Both are juried shows.

The March meeting is at The Bartley Ranch School House on Saturday the 9th

January 2013 Minutes

CSSW Minutes 01.12.13

Treasurer’s Report:

We have received $ 75.00 in dues, $ 8.00 for raffle tickets, $ 40.00 for silent auction items.

We spent $ 69.46 for CDs for our library.

We had a total of 48 members in 2012, and 6 members have paid their dues for 2013.

We have $ 3035.04 in our account.

Library:

We have 5 CDs of Interweave magazines.

Heidi will research to buy for the book Dyeing in the Kitchen. The request for this book came from Virva.

Old Business:

Correction for November newsletter- Cotton Spinning With a Takli by Joan Ruiz.

Marilynne reported that Zephyr Books is going out of business and they have many nice weaving books.

Virva reported that Beryl emailed her that there are still openings for the Tailgate Market at CNCH in May.

Mimi reported that Allison Judge invited the Guild to participate in a Cotton Spinning Workshop to be held in October possibly, as not enough people signed up for the one scheduled for May. The workshop will be $150 per person.

Maxene reported dates for Stitches are February 21-23 in Santa Clara, CA, at the Convention Center. Please contact Max at maxenteriors@yahoo.com for more information.

Virva already reserved Bartley Ranch for our November 9^th meeting.

New Business:

Nancy reported she has the Guild’s two Dorothy looms and has one of them warped for double weave.

Sharie suggested we have a Learning Tree on double weave and that we get DVD’s on simple weaving.

Virva will get information regarding the fleece from Judith McKenzie.

Virva reported that Sandy from the Cooperative Extension Service and Carson Farm Days will be on April 18-19 at Fuji Park, from 8:30-2:00. If anyone would like to participate with Virva, please contact Virva for more information.

Doris reported that the Black Sheep Gathering will be held June 21-23 in Eugene, OR. For more information, go to their website: www.blacksheepgathering.org ,or contact Doris.

Show & Tell:

Marilynne shared her spindle case basket , a gift from Doris. She also shared a story about losing her bracelet off the top of her dresser. Three weeks after she noticed it was missing, her husband kicked something in the Persian carpets and realized it was her bracelet. It had blended right in!

Eileen shared the Dickie she made from 4 oz. of Mimi’s roving. The pattern is from Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting in the Round.

Kendra shared the beautiful, wire wrapped stone, drop spindle she made because she got bored!

Margery asked that if anyone came across “quail” sized dipper gourds to please get them for her and she would pay for them.

Nancy shared a Cowboy Cowl from Pam Power Knits.

Virva shared the yarn she made from the “punis” she made from Leslie Boeger’s yarn workshop. She also showed some takli cups and will bring in her silk label shuttle to share.

Heidi shared 5 skeins of wool and wool blend yarn she had made using the takli with the “spoon” anchored under her leg.

Sharie shared her circular double-ended knitting needles and a knitting needle holder that hangs on the wall with the needles going thru the spools. She shared a shawlette she made from yarn from Leslie Boeger’s yarn workshop. She shared the first cotton yarn made with her takli.

Max shared a sock monkey backpack, her chevron up & down skirt pattern, and told us she is going to make the skirts to sell instead of offering kits. Coats & Clark wants to hire her to create a downloadable pattern for the skirts!

Jane Gaw, a former member brought in yarn to sell and a loom as she’s downsizing and can’t weave anymore.

In Attendance:

Virva Porcelli, Jane Gaw, Maxene Harlow, Sharie Jones, Judy Wells, Sue Gottracher, Sheila Young, Sarah V. Corrasao, Natalie Huynh, Janet Drozd, Eileen Jacobs, Kendra Iwahashi, Connie Vann, Margery McConaghy, Nancy Pryor, Heidi Ericson, Jo Van Winkle, Mimi Bullard, Doris Woloszyn, Marilynne Clarke

Our next meeting will be February 9th at:

Bartley Ranch:.  Drive .8 mile west from the intersection of McCarran Blvd and Hwy 395.  Turn left (south) on Lakeside Drive and continue .4 mile.  Bartley Ranch is at the north base of Windy Hill.  Turn left on Bartley Ranch Road and continue several hundred feet to the main parking lot.  Cross the covered bridge and turn right into the parking lot for the School House.

November 2012 Minutes

Our January meeting will be Jan 12th at Bartley Ranch School House Dec minutes coming soon!

 The November 10, 2012 meeting of Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers was to have been held at Bartley Ranch in Reno but the facility was locked so the meeting was moved to Vice President Connie Vann’s house. Thank you Connie! Connie also ran the meeting as President Virva Porcelli was attending a workshop. Minutes of last meeting: adopted with no changes. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Doris Woloszyn reported the guild’s bank balance is $3339.40 with 48 members. Library Report: Librarian Heidi Ericson has put all the guild’s books and media on a website, librarything.org, where members can read descriptions and then email Heidi with items they’d like to check out at the next meeting. Further details coming soon. There are two new DVDs in the library: “Color in the Kitchen” and “Spinning on a Top Whorl”. Old Business: Connie reported President Virva has nominated Sharie Jones and Max Harlow to be co-presidents next year. Connie asked if anyone else was interested. Nancy Pryor expressed interest. Marilyn Pearson nominated her and Doris Woloszyn seconded. Members voted to accept both nominations. New Business: Heifer International: President Virva suggests the guild donate $370 to Heifer International ($120 for sheep, $150 for llamas, and $100 for Women’s Empowerment). Nancy Pryor so moved, Susan Palwick seconded, and the members voted to approve the motion. Llama Fleece: Sharie Jones has received 3 bags of llama fleece from a fellow who would like the guild to evaluate it for use in spinning and weaving. Sharie says they are a little dirty and she suggests combing them first and then carding. She’d like someone with experience with llama fleece to evaluation them. Please contact Sharie if you can help. Show and Tell: Linda Lindsay is moving to Medford Oregon and this was her last meeting. She will miss everyone but will have an open house for Black Sheep next summer. Leslie Godbe brought a bag of Spin Off magazines donated by her guest from LA. Susan Palwick showed her first yarn spun on a Jenkins and plied on a wheel. She also brought a box of acrylic yarn to give away. Heidi Ericson showed her technique for “unspinning” silk scarves and knitting them into an interlock stole. Jo Van Winkle showed a scarf her daughter made from Mimi Bullard’s hand dyed BFL wool and silk blend. Mimi Bullard brought lots of fiber and some Fire Star to sell. Sharie Jones showed her new spindle, gifted to her by Virva, and recommended the book “The Natural Knitter” which is great for dyeing and knitting. Kendra Iwahashi showed the yarn she spun on a spindle but needs help plying without entangling her cat. Nancy Pryor showed different yarns/preps from the same fleece. She also discussed and later demonstrated seaming versus washing yarn. Yellow Wool Mill makes woolen yarn. Marilyn Pearson showed the alpaca yarn she spun and dyed with KoolAid to make her granddaughter a stocking cap. Doris Woloszyn showed the Reserve Champion Natural Colored banner her Merino sheep, Yola, won at a recent event in Monterey along with several ribbons. Members asked if they could buy that fleece but Doris reports they sell at shows for quite a hefty price. Learning Tree: After lunch, Heidi Ericson gave a presentation on her 7-day SOAR (Spin Off Autumn Retreat) experience at Granlibakken Conference Center in Tahoe City recently. She attended a 3-day workshop, “Color Works”, given by Deb Mentz. Heidi showed the various solid color fibers and what happens to them when blended with a drum carder. Several members discussed the possibility of purchasing a bulk order of solid color wool from the Ashland Bay company. Heidi also took Judith Mackenzie’s “Wild Downs” workshop and showed various fibers from that class including bison undercoat, yak down, a yak-merino-silk blend, and cashmere fiber. Her third class was an Andean Spinning class where she learned about a women’s coop of spinners and weavers who work to ensure the survival of Incan/Peruvian textiles. More at www.textilescusco.org. Lastly, Heidi attended a class on spinning cotton where she learned techniques to spin yarn fine enough for 6100 yds per pound!
 Attendance: Marilyn Pearson, Mariann LaMonte, Doris Woloszyn, Connie Vann, Elaine and Dale Magnin, Linda and Mark Lindsay, Leslie Godbe, Susan Palwick, Mimi Bullard, Jo Van Winkle, Margery McConaghy, Sharie L. Jones, Heidi Ericson, Gina Iwahashi, Kendra Iwahashi, Marilynn Clarke, and Nancy Pryor.
December 8th Meeting: will be held at Bartley Ranch and includes a potluck and ornament exchange. If you’d like to participate, please bring a wrapped ornament and your favorite dish to pass. Bartley Ranch: Drive .8 mile west from the intersection of McCarran Blvd and Hwy 395.  Turn left (south) on Lakeside Drive and continue .4 mile.  Bartley Ranch is at the north base of Windy Hill.  Turn left on Bartley Ranch Road and continue several hundred feet to the main parking lot.  Cross the covered bridge and turn right into the parking lot for the School House.