Past Issues

Minutes of the November 2024 Meeting

Ann Growley called the meeting to order. Chris Cornell gave the treasurer's report. The minutes from the October meeting were approved.

Old Business:  Plans for next month’s Christmas potluck were briefly discussed, and topics for upcoming meetings were reviewed. Marble dying is still planned for this spring, and plans are in the works for a program on Nantucket baskets (dates not set). Plans are also being made for an eco-dying presentation by Barb Jewell next fall.

New Business: It was moved and approved that we continue our tradition of making an annual donation to Heifer International to provide a sheep for a family in difficult circumstances.

Upcoming meetings:
January – Bring your own Project Day (depending on weather)
February – Spinning Wheel Speed Dating

Show & Tell:  Barb Frye is working on a Christmas tree and townscape hooked rug. Sue Costa, visiting from the Butler guild, is a multi-craft fiber lover, currently working on her drop spindle. Tammy Tenpas continues work on her stitch-patterned rug, crocheted from rug warp on a small steel hook. Meghan Beichner brought three non-angora skeins that will probably become mittens, spun during her market time over the summer, and a colorful skein of angora blend. She also passed an angora-lined hat in turquoise and coral, a ribbed watch cap in natural colors, and a scarf and fingerless glove set of pure angora. Kim Smolinsky has been working with a CVM fleece, and she passed a Harvest Plum fiber pack and several large skeins. Karen Fry finished knitting a blue, cream and silver capelet, and she also passed a cancer awareness “Survivor Stories” news article that featured her. Mabel Cable is knitting a scarf in a non-rolling stitch pattern. Maddie Mumford is still enjoying her e-spinner and passed skeins she spun of brown alpaca, white wool, and silver multi-fiber, the latter done on her drop spindle. Becky Harger brought two mug rugs featuring flag patterning and a small runner, all woven on her two harness loom. Chris Cornell has been spinning and knitting for another sweater. Elizabeth Tomcho continues carding fiber from her dog Bindi. Marje Koehlert has started her first hooked rug. Phyllis Lord has been scouring a Jacob fleece and some Romney from Tanya Whaley. Roz Macken raised enough indigo this year for several dye baths. She dyed two skeins of her handspun cotton, several silk caps, and an arashi shibori square, getting a nice green color. Pat Retchloff has been finishing wool from the Kim Radcliffe workshop, and she has gotten her spinning wheel going again. Ann Growley brought three skeins – some of Finn plied with Texel, and some from her “everything” batt processed by Vince. Holly Smolinsky showed a soft, well loved blanket a family member made her and told about getting first place in showmanship at the Waterford Fair with her sheep.

Respectfully submitted,
Marje Koehlert, Secretary

Sonshine Acres Registered Hampshire, Tunis and Romney sheep. Club and freezer lambs, breeding sheep and fleece. Ryan Rd., Meadville. 814-333-9251; email: [email protected].

Old Path Farm David Gamber & family, Guys Mills PA. Finn, Icelandic, & Shetland. Grass fed lamb, wool, pelts. Email: [email protected]

Alpaca Animals & Fiber for sale. Raw Alpaca Fiber –Prime blankets that have been skirted, ready for washing and spinning. $45. Alpaca Roving –Hand washed and dyed in various colors. Great for hand spinning and felting. $16.00 for 4 oz.
Pet and fiber quality alpacas for the hobby spinner and fiber enthusiast. Alpacas come in a wide range of colors; all are halter
trained and are just plain interesting. They are easy to care for and come with free guidance and fiber consultations. Alpaca is super warm, ultra soft, and a pleasure to work with. April Cox, Tupelo Acres Alpacas & More, LLC, 814-827-2125, [email protected]