November 13, 2013

NEXT MEETING: Nov. 20 2013, 7pm

PROGRAM:  MORE ABOUT SPINNING COTTON with Kate & Will Taylor


Kate and Will are going to expand on what Stephanie began about the "art" [trial] of spinning this wonderful, comfortable, wearable, frustrating fiber. They keep saying all it takes is a sense of adventure and and a bit of practice.

Bring your wheel, a set of cards [cotton cards if you happen to have some], and some cotton fiber. The packs that were given out at the August meeting are just fine, plus we will have a bit more at this meeting to give everyone for experimenting. If you have and want to try spinning on a charka or spindle, bring one.

If you are interested in ordering some more flax for yourself, here is another place other than The Woolery to check: Halcyon yarn has some that is labeled "short" fibers that are perhaps like the roving Vilija had which is actually easy to spin in that form. They have it both in bleached white and natural. halcyonyarn.com The finished thread you get will be slightly hairier than with fiber from a strick, but many find it much easier to spin, plus it doesn't need any kind of preparation.

The warp for the woven towel project has been finalized. Each towel will be 16" x 24" in the loom, which means it will be smaller after cutting off the loom. You will need approximately 150 yards of weft [yarn to weave with]. Linnie will have samples of spun fiber to show at this next meeting. We are hoping to set up the warp sometime in January, which means you will probably be able to begin weaving in February. The details of scheduling are still to be worked out.

Parking Issues
The Ygnacio Valley Library has once again requested that we try to carpool to the meetings. The rules for room use specify only 20 parking spaces for meetings, and we have been using up to 30. If at all possible, please carpool or try to park off-site, which we know is not easy. The library closes at 8 pm, so perhaps if you park off-site, you can go out and re-park in the parking lot during our snack break. While the room is not ideal for our size group, it is free and we don't want to loose it.


UPCOMING DATES AND EVENTS

Saturday, December 14, 2013  
Treadles to Threads Christmas Luncheon and Ornament Exchange
12 pm. at Vilija's home.
Please email me directly if you need directions vilijad@me.com 
Bring a food dish to share and a sheep ornament for our annual exchange. Handmade little sheep would be really great, but not mandatory! [no room for spinning wheels at this event]



November 18, 2013  Walnut Creek Civic Arts Classes The online catalog for the winter quarter will be viewable Nov. 18th at http://www.walnut-creek.org/cae/ Registration start Dec. 2 and classes begin the week of Jan 13.
Besides Lou Grantham's ongoing weaving classes and, our own, Reba's great Rigid Heddle classes, three featured artists are:





Pattee Townsend, Jan 19 and 26th Card weaving (using your RH -optional)










Julian Bransom, March 1, Continuing the handwoven clothing series with her geometry jacket or blouse  www.fashioninharmony.com









Sara Lamb, March 22, Silk Spinning









IMPORTANT MEETING DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
January 21, 2014  Treadles Meeting [WEEK AND DATE CHANGE]

February 19, 2014  Treadles Meeting [WEEK AND DATE CHANGE]




CNCH CONFERENCE NEWS
Branch Out With Fibers - CNCH 2014
A Fiber Artisans' Conference
April 25 - 27, Oakland Marriott Convention Center

 Registration is now open.
For those new to our Guild system, this is the next annual conference for all northern California member guilds. This includes weavers, spinners, dyers and basketmakers guilds. You can look at the info online at the link to the right:  Conference of Northern California Handweavers, under Bay Area Guild Info.



Merry Christmas from Junior
". . .while visions of catnip danced in his head" 

For those who asked:
APPLESAUCE-SPICE CAKE
at Pam's Monday Spinning
  • 2 1/2 c. flour
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp. ground allslpice
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 1/2 c. applesauce
  • 1/2 c. water
  • 1/2 c. shortening
  • 2 fresh eggs from Carol's hens
  • 1 c. raisins or Craisins
  • 1/2 c. chopped walnuts
Heat oven to 350 deg. Grease and flour a pan [one 13x9x2 or 2 cake pans or a bundt]. Beat all ingredients in a large mixer bowl on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds. Beat on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 3 minutes. Pour into pan. Bake till wooden pick comes out clean. 50 to 60 minutes depending on pan. Remove from pan after the cake has cooled for 10 minutes.