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June 7, 2013

Hello Everyone, Despite the weird weather,

Spring is really here, with summer soon to follow. The sheep and alpaca are sheared and our gardens are planted. The Spring Fiber Shows are a thing of the recent past and I hope you all got to enjoy at least one of them.

We can begin to gather plants and flowers to experiment with natural dyeing, wash our fleeces and set them outside to dry and enjoy our New England summer. I am going to try some mushroom dyes this year and am checking the woods daily to see if I can find some with which to begin my experiments.

The Sunday River Fiber Arts Weekend is an event which we are all anticipating. The last date to register is the 15th of June which is fast approaching. Hope you will join us for this special weekend.

I want to thank those who responded to our request for material for the newsletter. Please continue to respond with articles about your fiber group’s activities. Pictures are always welcome, too!

Hope you all have a splendid summer.

Ann Dilley

MAINE SPINNERS’ REGISTRY

OFFICERS

Kathy Chase President Directory Editor Diane Trussell Vice President Linda Ledoux Treasurer Linda Tully Membership Ann Dilley Newsletter Nancy Williams Secretary Linda Clutterbuck e-mail notices

MEMBERSHIP DUES AND NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15.00 PER YEAR Mail to:

Linda Tully 76 Eames Hill Road Madison, ME 04950

Newsletter articles and information:

E-mail to: Ann Dilley

197 Rat Mill Hill Road Mount Vernon, ME 04352

jesswhpg@aol.com

Next newsletter copy deadline- Aug 15, 2013

Web-site information: Nancy Williams

nancy@newaim.com

Web-site www.mainespinnersregistry.org

user name: maine password: fiber

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Sunday River Resort, Newry, Maine

LAST REMINDER This is a final reminder that the last date that you can register for the Maine Spinners’ Fiber Arts weekend is June 15th which is approaching rapidly. Gather a group to share a room; bring your current fiber project, bathing suit and lounging pajamas and join us for a relaxing weekend at this beautiful resort. Hope we will see you there!

Book Reviews

SOCK-YARN SHAWLS: 15 Lacy Knitted Shawl Patterns Jen Lucas Martingale This is a book for the knitter who LOVES to knit socks and purchases skein after skein of beautiful sock yarn to feed this obsession. If you, after a while, look at your ever-growing collection of gorgeous sock yarn and begin to think in terms of, “what else can I knit with this great stuff”--- this is the book for you. The book is organized into three sections: Lace-edged Shawls, Allover Lace Shawls and Beyond the Triangle Shawls. There are also many helpful tips about lace-knitting, in general. The book includes written directions as well as charts for each project and they are clearly written and easy to follow. Most of the projects can be made with one skein of sock yarn although several of the patterns include directions to enlarge the shawl if you want a larger shawl and have two skeins of yarn. The photographs are excellent and there are several included for each of the projects. Although most of the patterns are marked intermediate, I see no reason why a newer knitter couldn’t successfully execute most of them. There are only two patterns that I can’t imagine ever wanting to knit….a pretty good percentage of possible projects. All in all, this is a five star book for me! A. Dilley

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The Story of the “R” and “R” Spinners

Our story begins in the late 1980’s when a small group of women began meeting once a week to share a common bond, the joy of spinning. At first the group met in member homes but by 1994, the year I joined the group, they had outgrown that option and the weekly meetings were held in the American Legion Post in Falmouth. As we continued to grow and welcome new, members, a larger space was needed and we moved to the “day room” at one of Cumberland’s fire stations. More new members came, and we were now averaging 20-25 every week, and another move to our current location, the Common Room at the Pineland Center in New Gloucester. The initial bond for the R and R Spinners was a common love of spinning, but was, by no

means, limited to just that. Any and all fiber related interests were pursued and shared: weaving, knitting, crochet, dyeing (natural and commercial), rug making, felting, stitching (cross stitch and embroidery), etc. Many of our members also raise fiber animals; various breeds of sheep, bunnies, and goats being among the favorites.

During the summer months of June through October, several of our members volunteer their time and talents at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester giving demonstrations of their craft and answering the inevitable, multitude of questions from visitors.

Another favorite summer outing is a “dye day” at a member’s home. With many pots of different colors and an almost unlimited variety of fibers, it’s a fun day for all and the results are always spectacular. We are an informal group with no by-laws, no dues, and no formal rules. We gladly share patterns, fibers, dye pots, stories and knowledge. We love an occasional challenge, like a sock contest, and getting together in the spirit of friendship.

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We meet every Tuesday (9:30 am-2:00 pm) at the Pineland Center in new Gloucester. If you are in the neighborhood, drop in for a visit and a cup of coffee. You are sure to find a smile and a friendly welcome. We would like to share some of the projects which our members have enjoyed and completed. Kathy Bihm is wearing her “Maine” vest and holding her very adorable hedgehog. Janet Landry is proudly modeling her colorful purse.

. Wendy, Chris and Trish are displaying articles made in a variety of techniques.

Article by Linda Ledoux

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FROM: Hatie Clingerman Hatie Clingerman has sent along this information to share.

“I am going to send an address of some great webinars that I have been listening to: http://www.sheepandgoat.com/recordings.html So much free information.” Hatie also recommends, “a great book I’ve been reading”, MANAGING YOUR EWE AND HER NEWBORN LAMBS by Laura Lawson. “This book has flow charts to help point you in the right direction and what I like best, not only does it tell you what medications but it gives you actual doses for the medications

Future Fiber Events

Pleasant Mountain Fiber Arts Workshops Brownfield Community College 90 Maine Street, Brownfield, ME June 21 – 23 Three days of fiber workshops include scarves with Nancy Dorian, knitting with Donna Kay, spinning with Rudy Aman, punch needle, baskets, natural dyeing, bears, inkle weaving, hooked rugs, Shirrit crochet, bookbinding, wool jewelry, knitted/felted clogs, tapestry weaving, felted trivets, working with angora, art dolls, art yarns and batts, needle felted pins and more 35 different workshops from Basketry to Weaving Half and full day classes, Take just one or fill the weekend with fiber pursuits. Small classes. Low cost. Great instructors. For more information: www.pleasantmtfiber.com or Linda@pinestarstudio.com

Portland Fiber Gallery 50 Cove Street

Portland, ME 04104 207 780 1345

www.portlandfibergallery.com

FIBER PREP with Robin Russo Sept. 8th and 9th 9:30 am-4:00 pm

Robin Russo lives in Bradford, Vt. where she teaches spinning, dyeing, felting and working with exotic fibers. She has taught at numerous fiber gatherings and writes for Interweave press magazines.

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FIBER PREP with ROBIN RUSSO Saturday, Sept. 9th covers both drum carding and hand held combing of fine, medium and coarse wools. Both the carded and combed preparations will be spun and compared. Must be able to spin and ply either on a drop spindle or a wheel. You may rent one from the shop for the day. Cost $150 + $12 materials fee.

SPINNING EXOTIC FIBERS with ROBIN RUSSO Class covers spinning cashmere, yak, camel, qiviut, alpaca, mohair, pygora, angora and silk. We will cover wheel adjustments, spinning techniques and fiber preparations among other facets of spinning these fibers. Bring your wheel or spindle. One may be rented from the shop for the day. Cost $150 + $15 materials fee COST FOR BOTH CLASSES. $250 + $27 MATERIALS FEE

Editorial comment ---- totally unsolicited! I have, in the past taken both of these classes from Robin and learned many new things in both. I must say, however, that the Fiber Preparation class was really special. The techniques and skills that I learned in that class took my spun yarn to a whole new level. I can’t recommend that class too highly! Robin is a superb mentor---one of the best.

Penobscot Marine Museum

We received an e-mail from Kathy Goldner, who is in charge of Development and Marketing at the Museum, inquiring if any one in our group would be willing to help out at the museum this summer. They are inaugurating a new program at the Penobscot Marine Museum: “Crafts on Campus” and each Wednesday and Saturday, July through August, are inviting two craftspeople working in an 18th or 19th century craft to come and do their craft on their campus. Ms. Goldner wants to know if any of our group would be interested in participating. If you have any interest in doing this, please contact her so that she can add you to the schedule. If you are interested, please contact: Kathy Goldner Development and Marketing Penobscot Marine Museum

www.penobscotmarinemuseum.org 207 548-2529 x216

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MSR Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting was held on April 27th at the Mill Stream Elementary School in Norridgewock. We were disappointed in the very small attendance and much of the discussion which took place in the business meeting centered around our goals, as a group. Many suggestions were made concerning ways to in which the Maine Spinners’ Registry can better appeal to and serve its members. Linda Ledoux gave an excellent treasurer’s report in which she explained the expenses which are met by our annual dues. It was pointed out that, for the past several years, the meeting has fallen on one of the first really gorgeous Spring days of the year. In time past, the meeting was held earlier in the year and it is planned to pursue an earlier meeting date when we are geared more towards indoor fiber pursuits and are thinking less actively about our gardens and outdoor tasks. We explored some ideas concerning ways to spread the word about our organization and what we do and what we can do in the future. We have a quarterly electronic newsletter and special announcements between the newsletters. Currently there are only 6 members who need to receive hard copies via the US postal service. Nancy Williams has updated our brochure and copies will be downloadable from our website. We plan to give out them out at fiber events to publicize our group. “We have had a Facebook group and now have a facebook page to LIKE (MFF has done it) some likes from out of state.” We can share on the Ravelry group, as well. Linda Tully compiled a survey made up of questions about out members’ spinning habits such as where and when they spin, how often they spin, what they spin and where they purchase it, and several other general areas of interest. The surveys were handed out at the meeting and were available to our members in other ways. About half of our members replied and we will use the information to help us provide relevant material for our membership. A copy of the results of the survey will be sent to all members in a separate e-mail. Despite the small number of those in attendance, it was a very meaningful meeting with much enthusiasm and ideas for new direction, including an emphasis on the fact that the registry is not SOLEY a spinning group. We want folks to understand that we support all fiber activities. Elections were held and except for the Membership coordinator, all the present officers agreed to serve for another year and were approved in their offices. Linda Tully wished to step down from her position and Jackie Healey was nominated for this position and was approved. Linda will continue to serve until Jackie is settled in her new home later this summer. 2013 will be the last year that Kathy will serve as President.

Photo gallery from the meeting

Photos by Peter O’Brien

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Diane Trusell, Sarah Otley , Linda Tully and Linda Clutterbuck ---hard at work

Melissa Gregoire, her colorful roving and basket to matgh

Hannah, Jackie and Allysin Art work in the foyer of the school