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BETWEEN FRIENDS

ONE COMMON THREAD
The regular newsletter of the Friendship Spinners - Spring 2008

Between Friends is the quarterly newsletter of the Friendship Spinners. We meet on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at various locations around Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Lunch is usually potluck. Dues are $20 per calendar year. For more information about meetings or to place and ad, contact the newsletter editor Ken Linfield. To join, contact treasurer/membership chair Nancy Reid.

Upcoming Spin Ins

June 14-15	Shakertown Village, Pleasant Hill KY
July 12	Shelbyville Extension Office, Shelbyville KY
August 9	Bernheim Forest

Click on the location for driving directions.

From The Program Chair

Yeah! Finally, spring is here! I was beginning to wonder. It's refreshing to see flowers blooming, trees budding, and green grass. It's not so refreshing to realize all those fiber projects from the winter are still staring me in the face. There is always summer.

I have just returned from a trip to York, Pennsylvania, where I attended a Toy Train Collectors meet with my husband. It was billed as the biggest train collectors meet in the world. It was about the size of the Maryland Sheep and Wool show. I wonder, does that make Maryland the biggest Sheep and Wool Show in the world? What amazed me is the train enthusiasts are just as passionate and crazy about their hobby as we are about ours. It also amazed me that the wives tended the tables while their husbands shopped. Maybe there's a lesson to be learned in this.

Here's the update on the Coverlet Booklet. It will be completed by the June meeting at Shakertown. Each participant will receive a large envelope with a copy of the Booklet. This will let each person bind the pages however they wish.

A reminder that Sandy Duffy will be "retiring" from the position of Program Co-Chair at the end of this year, and I haven't heard an inkling from anyone about stepping into her place. Quite frankly, I could use the help, and have no intention of doing the Program Chair job all by myself. We are going to try to have the Board meetings after a regularly scheduled Friendship Spinners meeting, hoping that will make the job more attractive. If you are interested in helping "run the show", please contact any board member.

I have been "out of the loop" for the last several months due to family health problems (my own included), company and traveling, and am looking forward the seeing everyone in May and at the Shakertown Retreat in June. Until then, go enjoy spring!

Carol Wixom

Treasurer’s Report

The treasury has $3748.86, of which $2423 is fees paid in for the upcoming Summer Retreat. Petty Cash has $10.

In the category of exciting news, Anne Littlebird has stepped forward and volunteered to take on the duties of Treasurer. I am thrilled, as I have done this for almost five years now; and while it has been very rewarding, I am ready to go on to something else. It has been an honor to be trusted with this job, and I appreciate the confidence you've shown in me. Please give Anne your full support, and try not to move the targets too much as she attempts to keep the membership roster up-to-date. Speaking of the roster, you will find the new 2008 edition included with this newsletter. Please keep it near your phone, and add to it as new members join throughout the year, and are announced in each newsletter.

Nancy Reid

Rent-A-Loom

Don’t forget, the club owns a lovely little 4 harness floor loom that rents out for only $25 a month, with a $100 deposit. If you’ve been wanting to try weaving and have hesitated at the high initial capital outlay, try it first to see if you like it! The library also has the books to get you started, and there are several qualified teachers in the club as well. Contact Nancy Reid to reserve the loom.

Want Ads

- Kessenich 8 harness table loom (folds) 12" weaving width, will need new tie ups. $250
- Brother punch Card knitting machine with ribber and stand. Bought it and never used it. I just don't have time. $350.
Prices negotiable. I just need to downsize and am doing spring cleaning. Contact Debbie Richardson.

Loom for sale: LeClerc 45", 4 H, 3 reeds, lg. warping board, bobbin winder, Chandler's Learning to Weave, some Weavers magazines, shuttles, $500. for all. See printed newsletter for contact information.

Loom for sale: Schacht Baby Wolf, 4 H, lots of extras; bench, shuttles, warping boards, spool rack, more. $1500. See printed newsletter for contact information.

LOOMS AND FIBER FOR SALE
- 4 harness, 36", Hammet, counter-balance, rug loom from the 1950's. (It will weave other stuff too.) 2 reeds (8 and 12 dent), lease sticks. A good sturdy work horse. $800.00
8 harness, 22" Harrisville, jack loom. 2 reeds (8 and 12 dent). Gently used. $500.00 Shuttles and warping board negotiable.
- LOTS of carpet warp, rayon and cotton chenille, perle cotton, plus other fiber. $500.00 for all of the fiber.
Contact Anna Ulshafer, Harrodsburg area, between Lexington and Shakertown.

Upcoming Events & Other Information

The KY State Fair Is Coming!
Please don't forget, the KY State Fair is coming soon, and as usual, our guild is sponsoring several classes. This sponsorship means that we put up the money for prizes; and in so doing, get to choose what classes there are to enter. The latest class we've decided to sponsor is for any article handwoven out of handspun yarn. It's always nice to see our money reward our own members' efforts, rather than those of some stranger, so get busy; go to your studio and make stuff! You can request a Premium Book from the State Fair Board online at www.kystatefair.org; get one and check out the other classes we sponsor that you can compete in. The prizes aren't big, but bragging rights are always fun.
- Nancy Reid

First Annual Fiber Fest in Bardstown, KY.
The festival will take place on May 24 and 25, 2008 from 11:00 to 7:00 on Sat. and 11:00 to 5:00 on Sunday. Anyone who has fleece, yarn or any kind of crafts or art items for sale is welcome to set up for this event (at no charge). I could still use some demonstrators for spinning, weaving, knitting, rug making, felting or what every your specialty is. This is a first time event and a great opportunity to share the wonderful world of natural fibers with people who have no clue about that subject as well as an outlet to reach people who are looking for product.
If interested, contact Linn Lorenzen as soon as possible.

FAIR UPDATE: MEMBERSHIP, ART SHOW, WORKSHOPS, NEWS!
The 2008 Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair will be held on July 18-20, 2008 at our NEW location at McHenry County College, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012. For more information, visit our website.

A message from Louise Halsey

Hello members of HGA in Kentucky!

I am your brand new representative to the national organization and want to introduce myself to you. I hope to be a conduit for your ideas, needs and desires in terms of what HGA can provide in Kentucky.

On a personal note, I am working to get things in order so that I can attend Convergence this year in Tampa Bay Florida in late June. I was overwhelmed by all the choices of workshops, speakers and events. I feel fortunate to be rooming with Marie Hochstrasser and Sally Moss of the Little Loomhouse, as they are both veterans of this event. I would love to hear from anyone else that might be fortunate enough to be going to this as well.

Many years ago I lived in the Atlanta area and was actively involved with the guild there. I left Georgia and moved with my husband to rural Arkansas where we built a house and studios and started our family. We lived there for 16 years before moving to Owensboro in 1994 where he took a teaching position at Brescia University. In Arkansas there were no guilds nearby so I was not involved with HGA. Imagine my amazement when I received the list of guilds in Kentucky and there was one listed for Owensboro!

This experience led me to see my job in terms of connecting those who are unaware of the guild members in their area or who have an interest in weaving, but do not know that there are others similarly engaged who live nearby. Given the cost of gasoline, I cannot personally visit each of you, though I can make an attempt to contact you when I am in your neighborhood. I have a daughter and son-in-law in Lexington and hope to meet with the group there at some time.

This letter is to let you know that I am on board as your new representative and to ask you to send me any requests for what you would like to see me do. All suggestions are welcome. Also, send me contact information so that I can update the list that I have.

I am looking forward to meeting you, hearing from you and learning more about the lives and interests of weavers across the state.

Sincerely,
Louise Halsey
2/10/2008

See the printed newsletter for contact information.

2008 Friendship Spinner's Summer Retreat

When: June 13, 14, and 15, 2008
Where: Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill

Our 2008 summer retreat will be here soon and it is time to register. We will be hosting two workshops from which to choose. Your registration forms will be due by the end of March. If classes do not fill, we will be opening them up to the general public to assure we can cover all the instructor expenses. We are planning a group riverboat ride at 4:00 on Friday afternoon with a group get together Friday night to either spin or knit. Classes begin Saturday at 9:00 and end at 4:00. Katharine Cobey will be giving us a slide show Saturday evening after dinner. There are many options for participation and I will try to include all the information in this form. However if you need additional information do not hesitate to call or e-mail Betty Beshoar.

THE CLASSES
Katharine Cobey: Katharine Cobey from Cushing Maine will teaching a knitting class. She will be teaching shaping, techniques of form, and encouraging us to execute our own knitting plans. This form of expressive knitting allows you to understand the knitting process thereby freeing you from standard knitting patterns. If you are unfamiliar with Katharine's work she has been featured in the book by Melanie Falick entitled "Knitting in America". In the book Katharine is described as wise and powerful, learned and talented. She has much to tell the world and chooses to communicate her message through knitting. Katharine's art invites the viewer in and encourages contemplation. Often her creations are provocative social commentaries about homelessness, about aging, about marriage, about the environment. They sometimes take the form of clothing. She knits shapes that are about clothing and the life that clothing expresses.

Ann Brown: We have also invited Ann Brown of Mount Sterling. She teaches a class in making braided rugs from roving. These beautiful rugs are featured in her new book entitled The Shepherd's Rug, a Braided Wool Rug from Roving. We are lucky to have this gifted fiber artist so close to home. These rug take four pounds of roving which you may bring yourself or purchase at the retreat.

REGISTRATION COST
Each class is a two day class beginning on Saturday June 14th and ending on Sunday June 15th. The total cost is $100.00 Each day will begin at 9:00 and end at 4:00.

LODGING
Lodging will be handled by Shakertown. They are holding a block of room for our event. If you have special needs they can accommodate them within our block or make special arrangements for you directly. The phone number is toll free at (800)734-1548 extension 1548.You need to talk to Ann Voris. So find a room mate or lodge alone. Call Ann and she will be more than happy to set you up.

Single Room $72.00
Double Room $82.00
Triple Room $99.00

MEALS
Meals for the workshop will be provided by Shakertown in the form of a box lunch. We will not need to go to the dining room. This is optional but may be provided for your convenience. Breakfast and dinner are on your own. Reservations for these meals at Shakertown can be made at your time of registration. Otherwise there are restaurants available in Harrodsburg or you can bring your own food.

REGISTRATION FORM
Class Selection: Circle one
$100.00

Katharine Cobey Expressive Knitting

Ann Brown Braided Rugs From Roving


Box Lunch: Circle selection

Saturday
$11.00

Sunday
$11.00

Total Enclosed: _____________

Make checks Payable to Friendship Spinners.

 

Name:_______________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________

 

_______ Yes I would like to go on the Friday boat ride on the Kentucky River.

Payment for the boat ride will be collected at the boat.
Please return your check and registration form to Betty Beshoar

2008 Spin In Schedule

June 14-15	Shakertown	Summer Retreat
July 12	Shelby County Extension Office, Shelbyville KY
Aug. 9	Bernheim Forest
Sept. 13	Tori Kleinert's House	Annual Spinners Dye-In
Oct. 18-19	Bernheim Forest	Colorfest
Nov. 8	Franklin County Extension Office, Frankfort KY	Annual Spinners Market
Dec. 5-6	Shakertown	Winter Retreat

Driving Directions to Spin-Ins

Shelby County Extension Office

in east Shelbyville:
Take interstate 64 to exit 35. Turn north toward Shelbyville and go about a mile to US 60 and take a right. You will see a McDonalds on the left at this intersection. Go about a mile and the Shelby County Extension Office, which is new, is on the left. The Shelbyville address is listed as 117 Frankfort Road 40065 and the number is 502-633-4593. Contact person: Tori Kleinert.

Bernheim Forest

From Louisville:
Take I-65 south to exit 112. Turn left, go east for 1 mile. Entrance sign on the right.

From Lexington:
Take I-64 west to I-265 (Gene Snyder). Go south and west toward I-65. Go south on I-65 to exit 112. Go east (left) about 1 mile. Entrance is on the right.

Contact person is Nancy Reid.

Shakertown Village of Pleasant Hill

Driving directions can be found on their website: www.shakervillageky.org

Contact person is Betty Beshoar.