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Next meeting will be May 31st 6:00pm at Carol C's house

Fiber Frolic is Saturday, May 27th!! See important reminders in the minutes below. Our online post is HERE.  (Go ahead! click it!!)

The May 31st meeting will be held at Carol C's house. We will review the Fiber Frolic, and <drum roll>  have a stash exchange!!  Money may change hands.  Feel free to bring treats and spinning wheels and/or spindles.  We will review the Fiber Frolic, and proceed to have lots of fun. See y'all there!   Please note:  THIS meeting will begin at 6:00PM.

Minutes of April 26 2023 meeting

TREADLES TO THREADS GUILD

YGNACIO VALLEY LIBRARY 7:00 P.M.

April 26, 2023 hybrid meeting

President Vickie started the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with 15 in person and 2 by Zoom. There had been a glitch in the Zoom link and some may have given up joining.

Treasurer Pam was home with visiting family and sent word that there is no change since last month.

President Vickie thanked Reba S. for her two plus years as blog manager, photo

share contact person and ongoing tech support as evidenced by this evening’s Zoom save. Sheila P. has volunteered to step into this position. Sheila took the floor to present her ideas on our internet presence. We have been on blogspot.com for decades. She feels we can have better understanding and communication with a web site. Sheila told us of her reasoning for the change and her expertise doing this. We will have our activities and news of interest on the site and this will be available on CNCH’s website, too. Our membership list, meeting minutes and treasury reports will be behind a password protected area on the site. Treadles “To” Threads.org domain name is available for purchase.

Sheila will explore the free web hosting companies. GoDaddy is one example. Wordpress, also free, is a word processing method of entering content on our website. The purchase of the domain name lasts 5 years and runs about $100. Most of our past information can be ported over. 

Reba motioned to pursue website hosting and to allocate $150 from treasury to cover expenses. The motion was seconded and the vote passed. We can review the efficacy of a web site at that point and decide to continue or not. Sheila, Reba, Wendy and Vickie will serve as a committee on this matter.

Guild Business Cards: President Vickie addressed the possible need to update/reorder our guild business cards. Vilija D. had 500 printed in 2017, possibly by Costco. Vickie has 108 remaining. She passed some around for taking. Wendy handed her cards out at Forest Home Farms public day. Vickie will pursue checking with Vilija about printing more with the current design. It may be that we need to begin all over again. If so, we may use the “happy sheep” logo from Fiber Frolic advertising. We

can discuss this at the May meeting.

CNCH: Carol C. has offered to serve as the guild liaison as we have to be represented there. She also serves for Mother Lode. She didn’t get the Zoom meeting link for 4/22, but did email our guild’s responses to the membership and conference price increase to Nancy. Discussion mentioned that $1000

registrations are not outlandish nowadays and a $5 increase at prescribed intervals is easily understood.

Shave Em to Save Em (SE2SE) project: Vickie distributed a brochure provided by SE2SE that we missed at the cancelled March meeting. She and Sheila are interested in taking part in the Fiber Artist Passport at Rarewool.org. Each passport costs $20 which goes directly to the Livestock Conservancy. Participants order their preferred rare wool directly from a participating shepherd. Shipments must be 4+ ounces and will arrive with the SE2SE passport sticker. There are social media groups for sharing project notes. There are prizes to be had for working through the breed types. Passports are sent biweekly, so we need to allow 3 weeks for delivery. Reba has already signed up. If others are interested in buying a passport, Vickie would be interested in joining a group in hopes of getting a better price on larger amounts from the shepherds. Vickie suggested a T2T passport group could start as soon as May or wait until September, when there may be new members or visitors interested in joining.

Forest Home Farm Shearing Day report: Wendy, Amy, Roxayn and others reported the day was perfect, weatherwise, and LOTS of people stopped by the spinning circle to observe and question. Wendy handed out her T2T business cards. It was noted that Patsy G. could be available for fiber purchase at other times during the year. Wendy asked that no tags be put on social media picture posts.

Fiber Frolic, May 27, 2023, Soul Food Farms, Vacaville, CA

Please take raffle items to Carol C. or Pat E. by 5/19. Members are expected to donate even if they are not attending. This is the MAJOR fundraising event for the guild. Raffle-ready items may be brought the day of the event. Tickets will be sold at $1 each or 6 for $5. Mary B. will be bringing all “change money” that day. Pam M. is the contact for all ticket sales. Vendor names were read off by Wendy. She

and Amy have arranged for many of our favorite business people to be present. It was noted that Morro Fleece and Valley Oak consider themselves as complementary, not in competition.

Volunteer sign up sheets are available on the blog and were passed at the meeting. Most jobs and hours to be covered are filled in. The most wonderful volunteer is Laura’s grandson, Wyatt, who will be our parking attendant for DAY! We were so appreciative that Carol moved we give Wyatt $50 for this job. Motion was seconded and passed. The numerous vendors each will be asked to provide a gift valued at $50 to go on the raffle table.

Please remember, there are no amenities at Soul Food Farms for our benefit. Bring any chair, shade, food and lots of water you need for the day. This includes bringing any banquet style table you have to arrange the raffle items and ticket sales for display. Vendors only will be given a password for the WiFi. There are no electrical outlets or hose bibs available for attendees. Charge up your batteries!

We are all excited about this new venue and event for T2T! Those who ordered T-shirts for the day of can pick them up through Wendy starting May 5.

Other business:

We will continue to discuss having September 27, 2023, as a “Welcome to New Members and Visitors”. We are thinking about doing a spinning wheel circle with numerous wheel styles and also drop spindles for people to try. A flyer could be made and distributed at the Fiber Frolic and in area knitting shops.

Our last meeting of the year will be May 31 at the home of Carol C. We will have Fiber Frolic feedback, stash reduction where money can change hands, treats, and spin/knit/chat. This will start at the earlier time of 6:00 p.m.

Summer Dye Day will be hosted by Wendy on July 1, Saturday. We will explore our favorite color way on merino/silk roving using a new technique. Charge TBA.

Sonya shared her docent experience at Ardenwood Park on shearing day. Roxayn

passed around a large 8 oz. skein of a blended green and golden from Carolyn

Greenwood.

We had WAY too much fun playing Sheep Breed Bingo after the business meeting.

Fiber Frolic 2023

Fiber Frolic

Saturday, May 27, 2023

10 am – 4 pm

Soul Food Farm

==6046 Pleasants Valley Rd. Vacaville, CA 95688==

Admission: $10 per person, cash or check only!

Wool, Alpaca, Angora, Fleece, Roving, Batts Yarn, Textiles, Gifts, and more!

Follow us at @FiberFrolicFestival on Instagram

More about Soul Food Farm:  https://www.soulfoodfarm.com/

Volunteer Tasks

We still need guild volunteers   - 

• 2 entrance fee collectors/greeters

Email  Treadles2Threads@gmail.com  to sign up to fill one of these roles

Everything you need to know about Volunteer Tasks and Times is HERE

Raffle Donations

As in the past it is expected that everyone in the guild participate by donating a raffle item since the raffle benefits the entire guild. So whether or not you can attend the Frolic (and why would you not want to?) please come up with something to donate to the raffle. Donations are generally fiber related, but can be something else which most of us would like to try to win.

 

You can participate by

 

1. Putting together a donation which we can simply put out on the day of the event.

 

2. Donating items which we can possibly combine with other things in a basket for the raffle.

 

Your donation can be brought to our T2T meeting in April or dropped off anytime   at Carol’s house  Or you can bring a completed donation to the event itself by 11.

 

If you are dropping individual items off, please have them to us no later than May 19.

 

Also because we want to do some planning…LET US KNOW YOUR PLANS

 

Send to Treadles2Threads@gmail.com

 

Let us know (as much as you know)

1. That you plan to donate. 

2. When you are planning to donate. 

3. What you are planning to donate. The purpose of this question is to ensure that there is sufficient space for all items; it is especially important for us to know if your donation is physically large.

Shearing Day at Forest Home Farm

 

Forest Home Farm Shearing Day

Saturday, April 22, 2023

It was a beautiful day at the Farm. Members of Treadles to Threads spun while the sheep were sheared.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, April 26, at the Ygnacio Valley Library

 TREADLES TO THREADS GUILD MEETING

MARCH 29, 2023

Unexpected Zoom only 7:00 p.m.

President Vickie M. opened the meeting by Zoom only as the Ygnacio Valley Library was found closed with no prior notification. Vickie thanked those who helped phone members to notify them of the change. 17 attended.

Treasurer Pam M. has received a thank you from Heifer International for the guild’s holiday donation. She said our money is fully covered at the bank, referencing recent banking failures.

Vickie asked for a volunteer for CNCH liaison as we need to belong to this organization for insurance coverage at minimum. The insurance is a king pin in being able to provide workshops, dye days and the Fiber Frolic, which keep our guild functioning. Insurance is often needed to use a meeting room/facility. Member Carol C. volunteered, as she is the liaison for Mother Lode guild currently and can quickly step into Dawn’s place. We wish Dawn the best in her new position outside the guild.

Zoom master, Pam, sent out the recording link for the Saturday, March 25, 2023, presentation by Shave Em 2 Save Em speaker. Cindra. There were good comments regarding the information contained in the talk. Web site:  https://livestockconservancy.org/get-involved/shave-em-to-save-em/  .  There will be brochures to distribute at the April meeting about the organization. Pam included the link to Kira K Designs from the February meeting. 

Forest Home Farm Shearing Day, April 22, 2023, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wendy emailed everyone information and a release form that is needed to participate. Get forms to Wendy ASAP. Take photos! Members sit and spin and often demonstrate for the public as they wish.

Next meeting is April 26, sharing Shearing day happenings, Sheep Breed Bingo with wonderful prizes and Spin, Knit, Chat. Carol asks anyone who has not given their raffle donations for the Fiber Frolic by then to please bring their donations. The small items will be arranged in baskets for presentation May 27. If absolutely necessary, Carol can accept items until May 19 at her home. Contact her for details on how to get this done. Raffle ready items may be brought the day of the event. Wendy L and Amy are contacting vendors. We are counting on everyone donating whether attending or not. This income is vital to the Guild’s treasury.

The volunteer sign-up list is being circulated and posted online, with hours and jobs needing covered. This is an all-day event in Vacaville’s Soul Food Farm. Please sign up for as much help as possible. Doris has worked hard to keep expenditures low, but an attendance number of 115 enthusiasts is the break even point. This evening, members volunteered tables and other hardware to use that day since nothing is provided by the venue including seating.

CNCH: Outgoing liaison, Dawn, reminds us that Conference registration opens by computer at 9:00 a.m. April 29, 2023. Be prepared!

End of guild year will be at the last business meeting, May 31, 2023. We hope to have a wonderful preliminary report on the Fiber Frolic that will have taken place a few days prior. There may be a stash exchange as well as treats and spin/chat.

Vickie opened nominations for next year’s officers. There were no volunteers for President. Vickie said she is available for an absolute last (third) year as President. Pam accepted another term as Treasurer as did Linda B as Secretary. Sheila P will take over the website from Reba S.

Program suggestions for next year were offered. One suggestion was an open house for prospective new spinners. Another suggestion was to offer a night with us bringing different styles of spinning wheels for new spinners to take for a spin. Vickie noted the other suggestions.

Show and Tell was followed by adjournment at 8:25 p.m.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, April 26, at the Ygnacio Valley Library

February 2023 Meeting Agenda

 February 22, 2023 Agenda   15 attended

Good Evening Everyone!

Our presenter this evening is Kira Dulaney. She is the designer behind Kira K Designs, a line of original knitting and crocheting patterns with a streamlined and eminently wearable aesthetic. Kira’s designs include garments and accessories featuring clean lines and intriguing details that are both interesting to make and easy to wear. Kits with indie dyed yarn and any necessary notions make it easier to knit or crochet a successfully stunning project. Kira has been teaching fiber arts classes and hosting crafty events in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2002. As a teacher, her focus is on providing valuable information in a stress-free environment, and supporting students through the learning process. You can connect with Kira on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Ravelry, and feel free to tag her in any posts about projects made with her designs. Kira lives in Oakland with her wife and two dogs, all of whom cameo on her social media posts from time to time. 

Welcome, Kira!

Business Meeting

Treasure’s Report: Pam  Thank you from Adopt - A - Native Elder Program read.

CNCH: In order to comply with CNCH regulations we must have a CNCH Liaison. Dawn resigned last month but agreed to attend the 2/11 Zoom meeting and provide the report I will give. A Zoom President’s meeting was then called for on 2/18 to further address CNCH’s financial concerns.  Share Report

March 25 (Saturday Morning @ 10) : Shave Em to Save Em with Program Coordinator, Cindra Kerscher from NC. Cindra will share a newly created slideshow as part of her presentation which includes lovely SE2SE projects folks have created as well as an overview of the challenges SE2SE has run into. 

March 29  : Regular Mtg; VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP SHEET; Sheep Breed Bingo seemed appropriate after SE2SE presentation (prizes welcomed) & Open Spin

April 22 CHANGE: Now, Forest Home Farm Shearing Day 10-3 

Jackie and Patsy are really good friends. Knowing that Patsy has been trying to improve her herd for spinning with Jackie’s blessing and a strong desire for our guild to support Patsy’s Shearing Day our excursion to Jackie’s farm has been postponed. 

April 26: Regular Business meeting; VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP SHEET 

Marilyn Romatka’s video Uzbek Ikat: The Personal Saga of an Exceptional Cloth (50 min)

May 27 (Saturday) :  T2T Fiber Frolic, Soul Food Farm, Vacaville

VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP SHEET  --   Raffle items: Pat E

May 31:  Last meeting of 2022-2023

Other Business: none

Show ’N Tell

Adjourned @ 9:13

MEETING NOTES 

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

YGNACIO VALLEY LIBRARY, WALNUT CREEK, CA

At 7;00p.m., President Vickie M. Introduced our Speaker, Kira Dulaney. She is the designer behind Kira K Designs, a line of original knitting and crochet designs. Kira brought some of her current kits which feature indie dyed yarns and all the notions to make it easier to knit or crochet a successful and stunning project. She lives in Oakland and has taught fiber arts classes in the Bay area since 2002. Connect with Kira on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Ravelry. 

NEXT MEETING: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2022 at 10:00 am PST, ONLINE only

 Geske Svensson

Inspired by Historic Garments

Geske is a Danish knitwear designer and creator. Her creations are inspired by historic garments as well as her collection of books that she goes to for ideas. Geske's creations are sold at the museum shop at National Museum of Denmark as well as shops in Denmark, Canada and London. 

Since we're on Zoom on Sunday morning, you may attend in your PJ's, and have a cup of tea or coffee by your side!

Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 12-3 

Holiday Potluck Gathering & Sheep Ornament Exchange (optional) at Vickie’s house in Benicia.

TREADLES TO THREADS GUILD MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 26, 2022, 6:30 P.M.

YGNACIO VALLEY LIBRARY, WALNUT CREEK, CA

President Vickie M. called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. We had 11 physically present. Vickie shared her research into venues for our guild’s traditional spinning day at the winery replacement event. It appears that our possible use of the Rossmoor event center as offered by Sonya’s sewing club has fallen through due to security measures imposed by Rossmoor. Vickie looked into Blue Rock Springs Park and Dan Foley Cultural Center through the Greater Vallejo Recreational Dept. as suggested by Dawn J. Dan Foley is excessively expensive. And Blue Rock Springs has parking that is first come, first serve. Both would not permit us to charge an entry fee and allowing vendors was extremely doubtful. Vickie looked into the Benicia Historical Museum with the same sad result. Where will the Diablo Valley Fiber Frolic go from here? Doris B. had been at a facility off Pleasant Valley Road on the west side of Vacaville. She was impressed with the area called Soul Food Farms. She offered to look into this venue, checking about parking, bathrooms, entry fees, vendors, etc. We are interested in late May or June.

Vickie then began our evening of Sheep Breed Bingo! She and others had donated prizes, whiskey tea from Scotland, home made marmalades and jams, knitting accessories, etc. Vickie had printed blocks with many sheep breed’s name on each. She then printed bingo cards with corresponding names plus the free space. There seemed to be good cards and not so good cards according to some players.

(Those not in attendance this evening will be at a disadvantage picking cards at the next sheep breed bingo night). We had a great time, with some being bingo newbies. We are all looking forward to our next bingo party.

Reba S. displayed the Meridian Jacobs sheep to shawl entry from Lambtown. It was a lovely design done in indigo and white Polypay mix warp and Jacob weft. It wasn’t judged because it wasn’t off the loom in time. Reba has possession as of now.

Our next meeting will be November 20, 2022, Sunday, 10:00 a.m. (Zoom only) an unusual day and time for our meeting. Our speaker, Geske Svensson, zooming in from Denmark. She is a knitwear designer and creator using historic garments.

Our holiday potluck and optional sheep ornament exchange will be hosted by Vickie M. on Saturday, December 17, from 12-3. Vickie’s address will be available by email or at a Monday or Friday spin in.