Ann Growley called the meeting to order and Chris Cornell gave the treasurer’s report  The minutes from March were approved.

Old Business: Phyllis Lord reminded us our next meeting will be botanical dying with Barb Jewel. She has purchased scarves in preparation; they will cost $10. It was also clarified that our June meeting will be a dual event, meeting both at Duran’s Down Home Days in Waterford and at our usual location simultaneously. Members should bring a project to work on to whichever location they prefer. Additionally, Phyllis will lead a brief macrame project at the church. Elaine Fertig confirmed that we want to demonstrate on Tuesday of Fair week. Ann Growley spoke with a Highland Games organizer who assured we will have a space under a tent this year.

New Business:  Jenn Drake noted that Waterford Heritage Days (July 17-19) requested us as demonstrators. Roz Macken informed us a new yarn shop – Stitches of Erie – has opened, featuring, among other products, yarns from April Cox’s Tupelo Acres. Also, the Lake Erie Fiber Arts Guild is sponsoring a Common Thread show throughout the month of April at the 10/20 Collective (St. Mary’s) in Erie. Judy Haninen invited us to the Mini-Wool Pool event at the Mercer Guild on May 9 from starting at 10 a.m. (or set up earlier if you plan to sell). Tina Hays presented information on the 2026 PA Yarn Quest running from May 1 through October 31.

Show and Tell: Holly Smolinsky displayed her latest hot pot holder, woven in Easter colors, and her first bobbin of hand spun yarn, done in black sparkle wool on her mom’s e-spinner. Kim Smolinsky brought her Longwool practice skein as well as a brightly dyed braid, the show colors for the Great Lakes Fiber Show at Wooster, OH. She also notes that not only is there a Tour de Fleece that runs with the Tour de France, there is now an I-spin-arod (and Iknitarod) that runs with the Iditarod. Tammy Tenpas got some Zwartbles wool to try, spun two skeins of white Finn sheep, and is working on a pair of socks from self-striping Christmas yarn. Meghan Beichner brought two skeins of chainplied rosy pink and green ombré yarn she hopes to use while learning to knit a brioche pattern. She also passed a skein of Rambouillet in purples and a skein of her angora blended with a Romeldale/CVM cross. She also has baby bunnies due next week. April Cox felted a fairy-garden hat sporting, among other features, bobbing 3-D mushrooms. She brought two paper felting pieces as well, along with a stash-buster crocheted shawl featuring her own richly dyed yarns. Tina Hays brought an adorable felted dog and a cross-stitch project from a class she and April took together. Elizabeth Tomcho modeled a hat she crocheted from hemp and decorated with bright woven cords from Peru. Anne O’Boyle is knitting a dark blue cloak; she is practicing the cables in lighter colored yarn today. Dianne Burnside is knitting a “bikini” – or actually the first half of a corner-tocorner dish cloth! After several health concerns, she’s just getting back to a large sampler afghan she had been working on. Cate Johns has been piecing the pin loom squares she showed us last time into a blanket. Marje Koehlert has been growing happy little indigo seedlings. Phyllis Lord invited anyone interested to a maker’s fellowship at her church. Maddie Mumford is blocking her ‘endless scarf,’ and she has been warping all of her looms. Elaine Fertig brought a pair of felted mittens as inspiration for today’s project. Pat Retchloff turned the textured cloth from her cardboard weaving into a pillow, and she needle-felted a sailboat and seagull scene. Judy Haninen will be doing a finger knitting presentation at the upcoming Mercer guild meeting. Chris Cornell brought her finished basket from last month’s meeting. Adrianne Hills modeled her I-spin-arod project, a well-fitting Fair Isle headband. Joan Fosburg wore a hand knit sweater with a pattern-and-lace yoke and showed two others she made featuring cables and other stitch patterns. Jenn Drake no longer has her sheep, but she still has her wheel and does demonstrations whenever possible. Ann Growley brought a skein of beautiful gray yarn and a knitted skirt.

Respectfully submitted,
Marje Koehlert, Secretary