NPSWG: The Hub

Minutes of the NPSWG

Minutes of the March 2012 NPSWG Meeting

Old Business: Sue Spencer called the meeting to order. The minutes from the January and February 2012 meetings were approved. The treasurer’s report shows 2109.33 in checking with one check for dues yet to be deposited, and $13,762.14 in savings. We discussed the May 12 Market House meeting; Cate Johns agreed to coordinate, and Karen Fry will warp the loom and bring it. Barb Lodge passed a card for Sharon Hoban who is still having significant health difficulties. Our next meeting is scheduled for April 14, a week later than usual to avoid Easter weekend.

New Business: Sue Spencer noted that Sharon was hoping to have a group trip to the Folk Festival at the Smithsonian in July. Help is needed to organize this project. Judy Haninen updated us that Sigrid saw that we had been discussing replacing the Baby Wolf loom and is willing to beat any dealer’s price. It was moved and seconded by Sue Spencer and Sue Veverka that we make a list of what we’re looking for and solicit three dealer bids. Karen Fry agreed to do the legwork on this. Mathilda Murphy announced that she is starting lessons again with two sessions on Tuesday from 10-12 and 7-9, and one on Saturdays from 10-3. A flier was made available for the Arts For Everyone program, which offers promotional and funding opportunities for artists from a variety of disciplines. Karen Fry donated a copy of Socks from the Toe Up to the library. Sindi Collard noted that there are still several seats available for a bus trip to the Cleveland Quilting Expo.

Show and Tell: Sue Spencer showed several colorful scarves she made on a needle felting machine at the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival. Carol Voisin showed two hooked rugs she did recently, one showing an evening star over a farmhouse, and the other showing a framed star. Much of the color in the framed star rug came from her own onion skin dying. Sue Veverka brought two lace woven long shawls she did on an Ashford knitter’s loom. One was done in Suri Alpaca in a 2x2 leno weave, and the other was done in a 3x3 pattern with indigo dyed yarn from our dye day. Barb Lodge displayed the large twined rug that Cate Johns made for her from five pounds of blue and green fabric, and Cate passed around several photos of her work area set up for a 6’ by 8’ rug. Judy Hanninen showed a very large piece of fabric woven on 8 harnesses in 14 of Marian Powell’s unpublished shadow weave patterns. Each appeared three dimensional though woven flat. Judy also showed a felted wool and mohair bag with bright stripes that she did with the Mercer Guild. Sindi Collard showed a black sequined scarf-in-progress. Kim Zielinski, visiting with us, showed a soft green scarf she is doing on a Knifty Knitter. Bonnie Crytzer brought two recent locker-hooking projects she did, one of a bunny and the other showing a duck. Bonnie also noted that she will be doing a melon basket class at the Transit Gallery in Oil City in November.

Respectfully submitted,
Marje Koehlert, Secretary

Minutes of the April 2012 NPSWG Meeting

Old Business: Sue Spencer called the meeting to order. The minutes from the March 2012 meeting were read and approved. The treasurer’s report shows 2189.33 in checking with two checks for dues yet to be deposited and two checks for programs yet to be paid out. The savings account remains at $13,762.14. Karen Fry is still waiting to hear back from two dealers for bids on a new loom. Cate Johns relayed that we will have two 10’x10’ spaces at the Market House on May 12, one for demos and one for sales. Specific directions for setting up will be available as we get closer to the date. It was noted that the Arts For Everyone program discussed at the last meeting is featuring Judy Hanninen as a new artist in their group.

New Business: Roz Macken discussed several videos offered by Interweave in either DVD or digital download format. It was moved and seconded that we purchase a DVD copy of “Weaving Well” by Madelyn van der Hoogt. It was agreed to transfer several of our VHS videos to the more useable DVD format. Bonnie Crytzer read an email she received asking about classes on loom weaving in the Millcreek/Erie area, and several suggestions were discussed. Bonnie also asked about our continued involvement with in the Waterford Heritage Days on the third weekend in July, and several people stated their intention to participate. It remains unclear whether the Highland Games will be occurring in Edinboro this year. Sue Spencer stated that she has to resign her position as Treasurer. Barb Lodge agreed that she could do it. Karen Fry moved and Roz Macken seconded that Barb Lodge take over as Treasurer, and it was unanimously agreed upon. Volunteers were sought for a second person to bring cookies for May and for June.

Show and Tell: Carol Voisin showed a light blue crocheted scarf she started at Taryn Barnett’s program in February. Although the scarf showed little sign of twisting on that day, it twists with happy enthusiasm now, and it is a perfect complement to her outfit. Lauri Noll showed a thick, wonderfully soft scarf-in-progress she is doing on weaving sticks after having experimented with a variety of yarns and needle sizes. It was also noted that the bell ornaments stuffed with alpaca fiber that Lauri showed at Christmas got a great reception from both birds and cats. Marje Koehlert showed samples of spun and plied fiber from milkweed and dogbane, two common weeds that would have been available to the pre-European people in this area. She showed samples of the plants and did a brief demonstration of how the fiber is prepared. Karen Fry updated us that her daughter Laura is getting along well with her Mother-in-law – they are taking a Fair Isle class together.

Respectfully submitted,
Marje Koehlert, Secretary

Calendar of Events

May Program