February Meeting Minutes 2012

The February meeting was held at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in the school house. We opened with introductions as there were many guests present. Guests included Lisa, Julie, Sharon, Matthew, Ashley, Kendra, and Myna. Welcome to all who joined us for the first time, and we hope to see you again.

January meeting minutes were approved with one minor change. That change was in regard to a dollar amount of $850. Instead of $850 it should read $350. Thank you very much to Jo Van Winkle for taking care of the January minutes.

Treasurer Report: The guild has a total balance of $2921.85 on account. Please be advised, liability insurance will be due in March. A new check endorsement stamp was approved at a cost of $33. The old stamp had to be retired after ten years of faithful service.

Heidi brought several items from the guild library. Please contact Heidi Ericson if you need something from the guild library.

Weaving Study Group: If you are interested in learning about your loom, please contact Nancy Prior to set up a lesson.

Old Business: Please sign the card for Nancy Grundy. As many of you know, Nancy has been undergoing some health issues, and our thoughts and positive energy are with her.

Discussion followed regarding the Living History day at Miguel Ribera Park on May 19^th. Please contact Mimi Bullard if you are interested in selling items at the history day, as there is paperwork to be filled out and signed.

This year Spindle Camp will be held at Lake Francis June 13^th through the 17^th. The camp is located near Dobbins, California. Please contact Virva Porcelli if interested.

Black Sheep Gathering is coming! This year’s date is June 22^nd through the 24^th. Plan on making your hotel reservations soon, as there is usually a track and field tournament in Eugene Oregon the same weekend, so hotel rooms fill up fast.

New Business: Discussion regarding the blog and removing some of the old information.

There was discussion about changing the format of the monthly meetings. Do you prefer shorter meetings? Learning tree every month? It was generally decided that there might be some changes to the learning tree portion of the meeting, with the meeting format to remain the same.

Farm City Days at Fuji Park in Carson City will be held May 9^th and 10^th this year. Guild members are welcome to come and spend both days inside the building to demonstrate fiber related activities to elementary school age children. Lunch is provided by the Nevada Cattlewoman’s Association.

Good news if you are a fan of the Celtic Highlands Fair. There is a bus to Woodland this year! If you are interested in attending, please contact Mark Lindsay , and do it soon as seats on the bus should fill up soon. The Highlands games will be held April 28 ^th.

There is a viola for sale - Please contact  Susan for info. There was an electric spinner donated to the guild by Lorraine. Nancy will take it home and make sure it is in working condition.

Show and Tell: Virva -skein holder made by a friend, books, magazine. Libby - shawl from a crystal palace straw.com pattern made from panda silk. Barbara- shawl using small needles, short row scarf from a ravelry pattern. Mim - felted dreadlocks and dreads with emu feathers. Marilyn P - alpaca gloves, bag. Janet - vest. Susan - hand woven scarf auctioned off as a fundraiser . Sharon and Julie- knitted and fulled bags.  Sheila - knitted baby sweater. Linda - socks from Mim’s fiber. Sharie - I cord scarf using size 30 needles, scarf made from hand spun art yarn. Max - scarf made from blank dyed at the retreat, socks made from yarn leftovers, skirt knit from her and Heidi’s design pattern, and a sweet story regarding Valentine Past and Present.

Max also had a Valentine gift for all present! Thank you very much Maxine, for such an nice surprise.

Gary and Malinda Parks also put in a request for assistance regarding finding hosts for the upcoming student exchange program at Sageridge School in Reno Nevada. If you think you are interested in being a host family, or know of someone who might be interested, please contact Gary or Malinda for more information. Thank you!

Those in attendance were: Mimi Bullard, Jo Van Winkle, Carolyn Thompson, Sharon Rajki (sp?), Julie Smith, Lisa Grigg, Janet Schuler, Carol Lopez, Barbara Hunt, Libby Hejny, Virva Porcelli, Sharie L. Jones, Maxene Harlow, Myna Giannotti, Kendra Iwahashi, Ashley Thibedeau, Sheila Young, Heidi Ericson, Linda and Mark Lindsay, Connie Vann, Susan Palwick, Eileen Jacobs, Janet Drozd, Judy Wells, Marilyn Pearson, David Armer, Matthew Moses, Toni Strassburg


Our next meeting will be March 10 th at the Skye Peak Rec Hall 

Sky Peak Ranch: Sky Peaks in Northwest Reno.  A map is available here: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1520+SKY+VALLEY+DRIVE+RENO+NV+89523+(775)747-9555  You can access it from 4th street a little west of Truckee River Nursery or from a road you can enter on McCarran going south turning to the right like you wanted to reach Home Depot. At that stop sign, turn right, keep going for awhile through a light and go another few blocks and Sky Peaks is on the left. The community room is on the back or NW side.

January 2012 Minutes

Minutes 1/14/12

Treasurer’s Report: We have $2853.85 in the account and 47 members. Doris will reserve the Davis Creek campsite for $350.00. The Guild donated $500 to the Heifer Project.

Old Business:

The December minutes were approved. Everyone thanked Maxene Harlow for doing the Reindeer Games at the December meeting!

If anyone is interested in starting a Weaving Group, please contact Nancy Pryor. She will come to your house to lead it.

Marilynne Clarke sent flowers from the Guild to Nancy Grundy and Virva will get a card for everyone to sign to send to her.

January 27^th-29^th-Spinning Intensive Workshop with Abby Franquemot, put on by the Foothill Fiber Guild. The cost for the workshop is $225. Contact Virva for more information.

New Business:

May 19^th- Living History Fair at Miguel Rivera Park on Neil Road, for more information contact Virva.

June 13^th-17^th- Spindle Camp, put on by Foothill Fiber Club. It will be held at Lake Francis, near Marysville, CA. For more information contact Virva.

Please contact Virva with feedback on what you would like to see in the meetings. Format changes, length of meetings, suggestions?

Any ideas for Learning Trees to submit? Please contact Mim or Virva.

Show and Tell:

Barbara shared a Universal Acrylic/Wool Shawl, a Banded Silk Shawl in Module Knit. Patterns and information may be found at straw.com

Judy shared a knitted vest she had made.

Linda shared the “Felted Tree” dream catcher, her niece had made her for Christmas, after Linda had introduced her to felting. Linda showed the 3-toed and 6-toed socks she had made for another niece, the toes number is an ongoing joke between them.

Mimi shared pieces of colorfully dyed felt to be used for felted flowers made by her niece. She also shared felted “Noodles” to be used as hair ornaments/dread locks, necklaces or bracelets.

Mary shared her sage green scarf using Stephanie’s pattern and a Pi r² Shawl in cream.

Max shared several commission items. A knitted jacket she is making for a horsewoman in Alabama. 

  A December Lights Tam Kit hat that she made for Phyllis in Berkeley, CA. She used an embroidery hoop to block press the crease in the hat. She shared knitted earrings she had made. She reported that Rudge, a cotton grower in Clarksdale, Mississippi, will send her a quantity of cotton sliver for us to experiment with.

Nancy shared several hats, the jester type hat pattern can be found on the Vogue knitting site.

Janet shared a funny excerpt from the book The Shipping News by Annie Proulx.

Heidi demonstrated how to use the charka and inkle looms kits that are available to be borrowed from the Guild.

In attendance: Mary B., Janet Drozd, Eileen Jacobs, Marilyn Pearson, Connie Vann, Victoria Klasch, Barbara Hunt, Susan Palwick, Virva Porcelli, Sharie Jones, Maxene Harlow, Mimi Bullard, Jo Van Winkle, Mark and Linda Lindsay, Marilynne Clarke, Doris Woloszyn, Heidi Ericson, Nancy Pryor, Judy Wells, Janet Schueller

Our next meeting will be on February 11th at Bartley Ranch School House.

Driving Directions:

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.

December 2011 Minutes

Pray for Snow

December meeting minutes 2011

The meeting opened with introductions as we had a visitor, Ashley. Thank you for joining us Ashley!

Doris followed with the treasurer’s report. She had received two dues, and money from the raffle. Money was spent on flowers for Nancy Grundy, and the Heifer Project. She also got the un cashed check back that was intended for the space rental at the Living History event. The guild balance is currently $2603.85. There will be expenses due shortly for the guild liability insurance premium, and the deposit for the retreat at Davis Creek Park.

There was no weaving study report at this time.

Library report: Heidi is putting together some “learn to” kits using books from our library along with some of the guild equipment. This gives members the opportunity to try something new using tools WITH the instructions on how to use them!

Old business: Meeting places are scheduled as follows: January, March, and November meetings will be held at Sky Peaks Community Center. February, April, October, and December meetings will be held at Bartley Ranch. May is at Doris’ home, June, at Marilynn’s house. July will be at Mim’s house. August will be held at the arboretum at Rancho San Rafael Park. September will be the retreat at Davis Creek Park. Please check the website for directions for each meeting.

We will be attending the Living History Celebration at Miguel Ribera Park on May 19^th 2012 as guests of the Celtic group. Period costume is encouraged, but not necessary.

New Business: There is a loom for sale, an Oregon Trails 45 inch 8 harness with supplies.

Show and Tell: Libby - entrelac and trellis scarves. Susan - work from her Hazel Rose Loom, also discussion regarding a Mirrex Loom. Sheila - cowl. Janet - sock monkey. Toni - alpaca scarf. Carolyn - cross stitch bunny with hand spun yarn. Heidi - tote bag by Too Cute (made in Fallon Nevada) hand spun socks for her husband, baby hat and socks. Linda - Knitted bag pipe, knitted Christmas Tree. Sue - introduced her father, Alfred as a guest. Max - knitted string of lights (knitpicks pattern), mitered vest with her very own handmade buttons. Sharie - felted bag. Nancy - blue knit shawl, dyed skeins. Mim - handmade oatmeal soap.

After the meeting, we were treated to a game by Maxene and Sharie. We all ended up with bags of nice little Christmas gifts! It was great fun, and we appreciate both ladies for taking the time to treat us all to a nice surprise. A potluck lunch followed.

Those in attendance were: Toni Strassburg, Carolyn Thompson, Heidi Ericson, Linda Lindsay, Maxene Harlow, Sharie L. Jones, Nancy Prior, Connie Vann, Mimi Bullard, Virva Porcelli, Barbara Hunt, Libby Hejny, Mary B. Susan Palwick, Janet Schueller, Ashley Thibedeau, Doris Woloszyn, Eileen Jacobs, Janet Drozd, David Armer, Sheila Young.

Our next meeting will be on January 14th meeting at the Sky Peaks Rec Hall

Sky Peak Ranch: Sky Peaks in Northwest Reno.  A map is available here: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1520+SKY+VALLEY+DRIVE+RENO+NV+89523+(775)747-9555  You can access it from 4th street a little west of Truckee River Nursery or from a road you can enter on McCarran going south turning to the right like you wanted to reach Home Depot. At that stop sign, turn right, keep going for awhile through a light and go another few blocks and Sky Peaks is on the left. The community room is on the back or NW side.

November 2011 Minutes

November 2011 Meeting Minutes

The meeting was held at Sky Peaks in Reno. There were no introductions, as there were no new people present. The previous month’s minutes were approved without corrections.

Treasurer Report: Doris reported on some small transactions, with a guild balance of $3080.85.

Dues for the upcoming year are now due! Please consider continuing your membership for 2012, and give your check or cash to Doris. Dues for the year is $25.

Weaving study group: There was no meeting last month. If you are interested in working on your loom with some help and guidance, or would like to host a weaving study group, please contact Nancy Prior.

The guild library has added the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook to it’s collection. Thank you Marilynn, for your help in getting this publication into our library. Heidi Ericson is the person to contact if you would like to borrow something from our extensive library of books and videos.

Barbara Hunt brought in some really cool ( or rather warm really!) raffle items! The sweater was a much sought after item. Thank you Barbara, for continuing to provide us with the raffle, and we look forward to your selections each month.

Old Business: Meeting places for the 2012 year were discussed. With the exception of the months of May, June, July, August and September, the meetings will be held primarily at Bartley Ranch, or Sky Peaks. There was discussion regarding holding a meeting in the Carson City area. Please see the website for scheduled meeting locations. Discussion regarding the warping wheel and storage.

Discussion regarding the use and storage of the fair boxes. Much of what is contained can be used at the Celtic Fair. There was discussion regarding dispersal of those items that may no longer be needed by the guild.

New Business: Virva presented a need for sweaters for penguins. Sounds odd, but knitted wool sweaters are needed for penguins caught in oil spills.  If you are interested in knitting for a cause, please go to the website - skeinz.com.nz/newsletters  for instructions on how to participate.

There is an opportunity to participate in the Living History Fair to be held May 19^th, at Miguel Ribera Park. The event goes from 10 am to 4 pm, and set up is at 8:30 am. Costume may or may not be necessary. The cost is $15 per space. There is a planning meeting on November 17^th, that Mary will attend on the guild’s behalf. It was decided by members present, to send a card and flowers to Nancy Grundy. Nancy has been undergoing some health concerns, and we want to let her know we are thinking of her and wish her well. Marilynn Clarke will take care of ordering the flowers, and the card.

There was discussion regarding the Heifer Project. Those present voted to donate $500 on behalf of our guild for placement of fiber animals, with any leftover dollars put to use wherever  needed.

There is another alpaca spin off coming up. If you would like to participate, please contact Mimi Bullard for information. The learning tree for this month will be a question and answer period after the meeting.

Show and Tell: Virva; alpaca show info. She attended the Alpaca West Extravaganza in Grass Valley California. Said it was much fun, informative, and the camping and fairgrounds were really very nice. Max modeled her spiral jacket knit from a pattern in Vogue Knitting magazine with handspun yarn, a necklace made from vintage costume jewelry, a sweater for a client, presentation of the chevron skirt pattern she and Heidi have been working on, and a pair of flaming boots . Mim brought in dyed items. Mary: a pattern for a top down raglan sweater that is easily adjustable to individual size and type of yarn used. Nancy: a modular knitted shawl, hats and scarves, and a capelet, also skeins dyed with Lanaset dye. Amy brought in several skeins dyed with iron, coreopsis, Russian sage, leopard plant, red cabbage, tea, and dried fennel. Linda shared a really neat story and picture regarding her niece and her spinning lesson. Seems the young lady has really taken to the craft, and has produced beautiful yarn in a matter of just a few days! She also brought socks knit from a sock blank, and a card from the folks at the Celtic Fair. Sherrie brought core spun yarn, and yarn with beads. Toni: blended batts from BFL fiber she bought from Mim. Barbara shared her knit socks made with handspun kool aid dyed panda fiber bought from Mim. Gary and Belinda shared their recent experience at the Taos Wool Festival in New Mexico. Gary took some instruction on Navaho weaving, and brought in some beautiful sample weaving he has been working on. Janet modeled her vest knit from yarn that was given to her by her mother in law. She over dyed the yarn with kool aid for a very pleasing peach color.

Those in attendance at the meeting were: Janet Drozd, Eileen Jacobs, David Armer, Nancy Prior, Toni Strassburg, Amy Shannon, Linda and Mark Lindsay, Marilynn Clarke, Doris Woloszyn, Mim Bullard, Mary B, Maxene Harlow, Sharrie L. Jones, Barbara Hunt, Libby Hejny, Malinda and Gary Parks

Our Christmas Party is being held at the school house at Bartley Ranch
The Christmas party is a pot luck. Also if you'd like bring a wrapped Christmas Ornament for the ornament exchange and a White Elephant item for the Silent Action.

October 2011 Minuets

October 2011 Meeting Minutes

Meeting started at 11 AM, with introductions. There were two ladies present as guests, Rachel Roden, who found out about our guild at the Celtic Fair, and Susan Pelwick. We are very glad you two found us, and we welcome you to our guild.
The September meeting minutes were approved with only a minor correction regarding the Gold Country Gathering Alpaca Show being held in October in Grass Valley, Ca. A big THANK YOU! goes out to Jo Van Winkle who took care of the minutes for September in my absence.
Treasurer Report: As of 10 -7- 11, we have $209 from the retreat, $100 refund from Davis Creek Park, $20 from a new member, for a total of $2927.44. There are currently 45 paid guild members.
Weaving Study Group: Nancy Prior heads up our weaving study group. Interested members meet at a designated home, and are invited to bring their own looms of any kind for individual help. If you are interested in hosting a weaving study group, please contact Nancy Prior to set this up. There is no weaving study meeting currently scheduled at this time.
Raffle: Marilyn Clark brought in a beautiful Mum she purchased at Dry Creek Garden Company in Reno. The mum was put up for silent auction after the meeting. Thank you Marilyn! If you are interested in donating anything for the raffle, please contact Barbara Hunt, as she is currently our (very successful) raffle  coordinator.  There was also discussion about the great deal on the mums at Dry Creek Garden Center!
Old Business: Discussion regarding the Celtic Fair. Our guild was awarded a $200 honorarium from the Celtic Celebration, and there is a standing invitation for our guild to participate next year! From the sound of the discussion, many of our members had a great time participating. There seems to be more to the story regarding the ‘Pirates’, and the fact that we need more of the drop spindle kits was discussed. The spindle kits that were available were quite popular, and sold out.  Mark Lindsay spoke regarding signage and a request for more vendors for next year’s event. If you have suggestions or questions regarding next year’s Celtic Celebration, please contact Mark or Linda Lindsay. 
Sharie Jones had checked in to the availability of the Valhalla Historical Site at Lake Tahoe. The cost, $500 per day, with a $500 deposit was discussed. It was determined that the cost of using the site might be too expensive for our guild to manage alone. Discussion  followed regarding some sort of multi guild event, something along the lines of the jamboree the guild used to host in Carson City.
Doris Woloszyn brought up the fact that it is almost time to reserve the group camp area at Davis Creek Park for next years retreat. This was approved by those present.
There was discussion regarding the equipment list. It was made up by Doris, and soon will be added to the website. It was agreed that an additional list of supplies for each item of equipment will be provided too. It was agreed that the warping board would be added to the equipment that goes with the looms. The warping board was purchased by Heidi Ericson and donated to the guild. Thank you very much Heidi! If you are a member of the guild, and would be interested in borrowing a piece of equipment from the guild, such as a spinning wheel or loom, you may do so for free as long as you are a paid member.
Discussion of officers for 2012. It was decided that many of the current members will agree to continue with their positions if agreeable to the membership however if you are interested in acting as guild president for 2012, please let Virva know. Elections are coming up!
Don’t forget the guild library is available to members. If you are interested in something from the library, please let Heidi Ericson know. She will assist you with this. Marilyn has suggested adding the Fleece and Fiber Source book to our library. She has a copy, and all in attendance agreed it would be a great book to add to our library. The cost will put our library budget of $100 over by $5 but it was decided the overage was within reason. Marilyn Clarke will contact Sundance Book Store for our guild library copy of the book. Thank you Marilyn!
Meeting places for 2012 was discussed. Dates for both Bartley Ranch and Sky Peaks are tentative. There are a few months where we will be meeting at member’s homes. According to Brian, the park ranger, if we have booked Bartley Ranch and they end up renting the building, we will be given 2 weeks notice in order to find another place to meet. It was decided that the Christmas or December meeting will be held at Bartley Ranch. This will be a pot luck meeting.
New Business: The Gold Country Gathering Alpaca Show is being held in Grass Valley, California on October 22nd and 23rd.  If you would be interested in going and would like to carpool, please let Virva know as she would be going.  The Red Rock Community Center is holding a fundraiser on October 22nd, and is looking for vendors. If you are interested in participating, please contact Mim Bullard. Red Rock is north of Reno approximately 30 miles. Spin Off magazine is offering a spinning weekend in Southern California November 3rd through the 5th. Info can be found on their website. SOAR, or the annual  Spin Off Annual Retreat will be held once again at Granlibakken Resort at Lake Tahoe in 2012!
There was discussion regarding the boxes of stuff used during state fair. Virva is currently providing a home for them in her garage, but would like to find those boxes a new home. Suggestions were made to inventory the contents, eliminate what is no longer needed.
The learning tree for this meeting was two ended knitting, demonstrated by Mim. Thank you Mim!
Show and Tell: Doris: Books and programs from her recent trip to Colorado and the Border Collie Sheepdog Trials. Ribbons won for sheep fleeces from Monterey Wool. Black Sheep, and Mendocino Wool Shows. Good job! Congratulations! Toni: hiking story. (as promised, the mailing address for El Dorado County Search and Rescue is PO Box 721 Placerville, Ca. 95667). Sue G: Beautiful tatting accomplished while attending the Celtic Fair. Susan: Christmas Story resulting in a creative gift by her husband of the penlight and  Bobby’s whistle…yes, I was paying attention : ) Linda: Sock blank socks made from the Wilton dye happy face dyed blank. Mim: Two ended knitted hat. Virva: Dyed roving from the retreat in September. Max: Drop stitch scarf and hat from a blank dyed at the September retreat, circular jacket beginning, Knit Swirl book (Happy Birthday Max!). Sharie: Entrelac book (Happy Birthday Sharie!), Panda sock yarn dyed at September retreat. Mary: Roving for a knitted earflap hat, beautiful roving of different colors, knit sweater beginning. Heidi: Kool Aid dyed sock blanks. Nancy: Lanaset dyed green and yellow roving.
Attendance: Toni Strassburg, Janet Drozd, Eileen Jacobs, Rachel Roden, Doris Woloszyn, Nancy Pryor, Heidi Ericson, Marilyn Clarke, Judy Wells, Mary B, Sharie Jones, Maxene Harlow, Virva Porcelli, Mimi Bullard, Mark and Linda Lindsay, Connie Vann, Sheila Young, Susan Pelwick, Sue Gottsacker, Carolyn Thompson
Here are the directions to our next meeting at Sky Peaks:

Sky Peak Ranch: Sky Peaks in Northwest Reno.  A map is available here: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1520+SKY+VALLEY+DRIVE+RENO+NV+89523+(775)747-9555  You can access it from 4th street a little west of Truckee River Nursery or from a road you can enter on McCarran going south turning to the right like you wanted to reach Home Depot. At that stop sign, turn right, keep going for awhile through a light and go another few blocks and Sky Peaks is on the left. The community room is on the back or NW side.

September 2011 Minutes

CSSW  Minutes  9/10/2011
Treasurer’s Report:
Doris reported that 2 people had paid dues and we have 1 new member,  bringing our total to 44. No money was spent this last month, our balance is $2573.44.
Weaving Study Group: Nancy needs someone to host the group on the 3rd or 4th Saturday of the month.
Old Business:
Celtic Fair, Oct. 1-2-Linda reported that since the Celtic Fair and the Guild were both non-profit, we could sell small ticket items at the Fair and hand out business cards. Large ticket items though, should be sold outside of the Fair.
They requested a biography of the Guild, so Linda will give them the one from our blogspot.
Period costumes are encouraged but not required. We will be in the same area as last year and Mark said the Heritage Society is there all night so we could leave our equipment, etc. overnight with no security issues.

The October meeting will be held at Bartley Ranch.
The November meeting will be held at Sky Peak.
It is undecided whether the December meeting will be held at Nancy Grundy’s house or Bartley Ranch.

New Business:
It was agreed that White Elephant/free items that are not claimed at the meetings will be donated to the Assistance League as suggested by Janet Drozd.
Members were encouraged to attend the Nevada County Fair in Grass Valley, CA, held October 22-23. Some of our members are doing the judging and placing of the Alpaca samples for this event.
Re-election of the officers was discussed and the following members volunteered to continue in their positions.
Virva Porcelli-President
Connie Vann-Vice-President
Doris Wolosyn-Treasurer
Barbara Hunt-Raffles
Heidi Ericson-Library
Mimi Bullard-Website, Learning Tree
Nancy Pryor and Marilynn Clark will continue to house most of the Guild’s equipment.  Doris Wolosyn and Heidi Ericson will continue storing the Library and other items. Doris has a partial equipment list that will be put on the website and added to as needed. It was decided that a “contents” label would be put on equipment, such as looms, listing all pieces.
Nancy Pryor requested we purchase 200 more texsolv heddles to complete the Guild looms. The approximate $40 purchase was approved.
Sharie Jones reported that she stopped in at Valhalla by Camp Richardson in Tahoe and talked to the owner about our Guild. The owner was very enthusiastic about our holding an event there. Rental of the building is free to non-profit organizations or $500 for others. It could be rented for 3-5 days. Sharie and Doris will discuss all the details to be brought up with the owner. Sharie will get back to us with that information. The group discussed having a Guild Jamboree weekend there in late August or September. We were all very excited about this idea! Valhalla is a large building and has an Art room. The setting is gorgeous with beautiful views of the Lake and Valhalla does the advertising for events. The Guild will form a committee to invite other guilds, fiber groups and vendors to participate, as well as, handle all the other preparations needed.
Black Sheep Gathering, June 22-24: Doris reported that the Olympic Field Trials will again be going on during the time of the Gathering. This causes a room shortage in Lane County and Eugene, Oregon.  Please contact Travel Lane County at http://www.travellanecounty.org. 1-800-547-5445 for motel reservations.  Camping space is available. This area does not have water or electricity available and no campfires are allowed, so cooking must be done on stoves. There are showers available in the County buildings.
The Foothill Fiber Guild is holding their Spindle Retreat May 30-June 3. More details on this event later.

Show and Tell:
Mimi showed a beautiful hat she knitted from her Shetland sheep, Marin, and talked about the “two end knitting” she used.
Libby Hejny showed the beautiful Irish Linen bag her friend brought her from Ireland. It has lavender embroidered on it and is filled with Mimi’s lavender.
Mary B. shared a book , Sock Knitting: Teach Yourself Visually
Sharie shared a story about the top she is making, she hackled merino and alpaca fibers with a cake fork while on vacation in Ohio. Not only beautiful but very inventive as well!
Nancy showed her famous  “fish stringer” with helix scarves and Weave-It loom items displayed on it. She shared that she came by weaving honestly, as she showed us the exquisite covering that her Great-Great-Grandmother made. She spun the wool and then wove it on a 6 heddle loom that her Great-Great-Grandfather probably built. They came here in 1849 from Kentucky.
Sue Gottsacker showed her beautiful tatted doily and shared  tatting books.
Virva opened a discussion of next year’s meeting places. She asked if we wanted another “DVD Day” at the library also. Final meeting places and information will be posted later.
In attendance were: Virva Porcelli, Libby Hejny, Barbara Hunt, Mary B., Sharie Jones, Jo Van Winkle, Mimi Bullard, Linda and Mark Lindsay, Connie Vann, Marilynn Clarke, Doris Wolosyn, Janet Drozd, Eileen Jacobs, Heidi Ericson, Carol Lee Lopez, Nancy Pryor and Sue Gottsacker.
The Silent Auction was concluded at 2:00 and many of us went home with wonderful treasures! Thank you!

August 2011 Minutes

August 2011 Meeting Minutes
The meeting started a bit late with introductions. There were a few new faces present. Thank you to all of those who decided to visit, and we hope to see you again.
July minutes were approved.
Treasurer Report: Doris took in money for dues for two members. Nothing was spent since last month leaving the guild with $2456.44. We have 42 paid members. There are six spindle kits ready for sale. One was recently sold. Thank you goes out to Nancy Prior for putting the spindle kits together. Heidi Ericson has promised a donation of some medium wool roving for use in the kits. Motion was made and approved to give Doris ok for future purchase of materials needed for the spindle kits.
Weaving Study Group: Members met in July at Doris’ home. No weaving study group planned until September. If you would like to host a study group meeting, please contact Nancy Prior.
State Fair: Seems that many counties are canceling their county fairs due to lack of funding. Nevada’s University Co-operative Extension personnel are being scaled back or in some cases eliminated, so this will have bearing on future 4-H, or ag related programs. There was talk of California county fairs, with a consensus agreeing that Nevada county California fair was the best so far in attendance.
Raffle: Barbara Hunt is presiding over the raffle and raffle items. She says she has lots of things currently ready for the raffle, and will let the guild members know if she needs more donations of items. Please keep in mind, if you have anything you think others in the guild might like - gift certificates you won’t use, skeins of sock yarn you bought and don’t like, roving or fiber you decided you don’t want to spin, anything really, let Barbara know so she can plan on adding it to the raffle stash. The raffle money goes directly into the guild account.
Old Business: Denise Quirk from the local Soroptimist International Reno was at the meeting to update the guild regarding the upcoming Cowboy Poetry Reading August 20, at Bartley Ranch Park. She said due to the lack of vendor participation, the Saturday marketplace has been canceled. This means the guild will no longer plan on setting up demos as a group. The poetry reading will still go on as planned, along with a company picnic, and guild members are invited to attend and to sit and spin. There are shade trees, but a larger group might warrant using a pop up shelter for shade.  Denise brought some really nice cupcakes as a consolation offering, and said she would let the guild know if there are plans for the same type of opportunity next year. Retreat at Davis Creek Park is coming up in September. Please remember there is only 1 ranger available for the park, so things like toilet paper, soap, etc. might be in short supply. If you can bring such items along it might be a good idea. We plan on leaving our area cleaner than we found it. Also, if you want to be proactive and see trash elsewhere in the park, please pick it up. The ranger can use all the help he can get. Camping is encouraged, and is a lot of fun!  Entrance to the park has changed due to road construction. Enter the park on Parker Ranch Road - located in front of the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory. Directions will be posted on the guild blog. The meeting Saturday September 10 will include a potluck, silent auction, and white elephant sale. Please bring ice! If you want to bring firewood, that would be nice too. Fire pit use will depend upon park guidelines.  Auction items include things donated by Pat Ecdall, and will be advertised prior to the auction. Please bring your alpaca challenge items and last year’s dye day items to share with the guild. Learning tree will be dye day hosted by Mimi Bullard. She will provide dye. If you want to participate, plan on bringing black plastic bags, baggies, vinegar, kool-aid, syringes, yarn or fiber, plastic wrap, jars, buckets.
Celtic Fair is October 1 & 2nd. There was discussion regarding vendor opportunities at the Celtic Fair. More info will be available later.
New Business: September 4th will be the Sample of the Sierra event. It is held at south Lake Tahoe, on Ski Run Blvd. There will be vendors and demos, some of which will involve members of our guild. Reno Fiber Guild is offering a workshop. Extreme Warp Makeover will take place October 7 - 9. Cost is $260, and you must bring your own loom. Location is Wolfrun Golf Club in Reno.
Goats were being offered for sale on the yahoo list.
There is an opportunity to work with children in a fiber animal related manner. If you would like to teach the kids about fiber prep, spinning, knitting or crochet, please contact Linda Blackwell at horsesforthespirit@gmail.com
Show and Tell
Mim- dyed skeins, scarf, and e reader bag done with expert assistance from Carrie and Jo, also hat from Sharron’s pattern. Jo- donated yarn backpacks knit and fulled. Marilynn- dye class scarves dyed with rusty bits, skeins dyed with iris flowers and alum mordant. Nancy- display skeins on fish stringers and pvc piping. Sharie- carded roving made on the drum carder she bought from Nancy, Woolie Winder, Turkish

Our September meeting will be at Davis Creek Park on September 10th. There is some road construction at the Bowers Mansion turn off.
So for those of us who come from Reno take the Parker Ranch  Road turn off just before you get to the Chocolate Factory

• Make a right and go under the new freeway - then left on the frontage road - it ends at the road going into Davis Creek - then right on that road and you're there
• Linda says "no promises - but I'll TRY to mark the 395 turn off"
• For folks coming from Carson there's no change - all the construction is on the north end of Washoe Valley
  (original directions for those coming from south of Bowers Mansion)

Driving Directions:  Take 395 south from Reno or north from Carson City to the turnoff to Bowers Mansion. Turn west (the only way you can turn) and shortly (quarter mile maybe) down the road you will get to Davis Creek Park. It will be on the right. After you pass the bathrooms, proceed through the dip and the road to the group area is on the right.  We will also have a sign up.  The retreat will be in the "RV Group Camping" area at the north end of the park