The Langley Weavers and Spinners Guild is celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary. We have organized a series of celebratory events. The first is a lecture with Anne Field to be held in the Martha Schmidt room at the Langley Community Music School on Thursday, May 5th. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the lecture begins at 7pm. We will serve refreshments following the lecture.

ANNE FIELD has been weaving and spinning since 1962, and for the past 25 years has been teaching regularly in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States. Her work has been entered in many exhibitions, both in New Zealand and overseas. As an international teacher, weaver, spinner and writer, her work has done much to promote New Zealand fibre craft abroad.

Anne’s published books include Weaving with the Rigid Heddle Loom (1980); The Four-shaft Table Loom (1986), and The Ashford Book of Spinning, also in (1986). This has been a particularly popular book, with many international editions, including Japanese and German translations. The Ashford Book of Weaving was published in 1991 (now out of print) and Spinning Wool: Beyond the Basics, was published in 1995. The Ashford Book of Four-Shaft Weaving, published in 2007, is an up-date of the Four-shaft Table loom book. Collapse Weave: Creating three-dimensional cloth, (2008). Devore for Weavers and Knitters(2010). An up-dated of Spinning Wool Beyond the Basics is due out in October, 2010, and Anne is currently working on Learn to Spin with Anne Field.

For this event, Anne has selected to talk about the following:

“A little bit of early weaving in NZ, some Maori weaving included, then move into more contemporary stuff, and include some background on me, my weaving and books.”

There are a limited number of tickets available. If you would like to reserve your ticket please contact Diana Twiss at diana.twiss@gmail.com. The tickets are $5 for Langley Weaver and Spinner Guild members and $10 each for others.

Hope to see you there!

Diana

Drop in spin/ knit ect. 11am -4pm on both June 4 &5 2011
Location: Abbotsford Exhibition Park – Agrifair Arena

– This is a social event for spinner’s to come and work with their wool/fibre in a fun and social atmosphere.
– We will have fleeces available to purchase throughout the weekend
– June 4th at 6:30 pm there will be a potluck dinner( please bring a dish to share)
– The Llama show starts at 9:00 am on both days and classes run throughout the day
– The is no fee to attend
– We will have an area set up ringside so everyone attending the spin-in can enjoy the llama show

Any further questions please feel free to contact me

Sarah Nicholls
LMLE
604 534 7124
thellamachild@hotmail.com

Dear Spinner’s and weaver’s,

… Just thought I would let your group know that their is an upcoming llama show on June 4-5 2011, in Abbotsford, BC. We the show committee are inviting anyone who would like all to come and spin, needle felt ect in a social environment. We are thinking of having the spin in from 11am – 4pm on both days, there is no admission fee to attend. There will also be llama and alpaca fleeces available for purchase. Please let us know if you plan on attending the 1st annual Lower Mainland Llama Extravaganza Spin-in on one or both days. Further information will be sent to those who are interested thellamachild@hotmail.com

MUSEUM LISTING

Surrey Museum – Unique artifacts, images and interactive displays in a stunning and modern space that highlights Surrey’s history. Attractive space for programs, 42-seat orientation theatre, changing exhibits. 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey, B.C.  604-592-6956.  www.surrey.ca/heritage.  Hours: Tuesdays-Fridays, 9:30am-5:30pm, Saturdays: 10:00am-5:00pm. NEW for 2011! Admission sponsored by Friends Society.

PROGRAMS

Kids Can Embroider – Learn embroidery stitches like Lazy Daisy, Chain, Satin and Blanket stitch, as you embroider a design on a pillowcase. Use your new skills at home to make cool designs on jeans, t-shirts, or to decorate your room. Please pre-register at 604-592-6956.

Wednesday, May 4                 3:30pm-5:00pm                    3 sessions $28 (8-12yrs)

Knitting as Voice – Local master knitter and artist Julie Pongrac explores traditions in knitting, the design process, how it plays a role in today’s fashion industry, and the influence the modern knitter can affect on the earth’s resources. Using the 100 Mile Diet as inspiration, she’ll share tips for finding local sources for fibres and dyes. Please pre-register at 604-592-6956.

Thursday, May 5                     7:00pm-8:30pm                    1 session $10 (16+yrs)

Mother’s Day Gift Basket – Give something special this Mother’s Day-a hand-woven basket you make yourself, ready to fill with little treasures or treats. Please pre-register at 604-592-6956.

Saturday, May 7                      2:00pm-4:00pm                    1 session $8 (7-12yrs)

Craft It with Wool – Preschoolers enjoy hands-on fun as they learn about how cloth was made in the old days. Try weaving, spool knitting and felting, and make a woolly sheep to take home! Please pre-register at 604-592-6956.

Wednesday, May 11              1:30pm-3:00pm                    1 session $9.50 (3-6yrs)

Sheep to Shawl Competition – Cheer on local spinning and weaving teams as they card, spin, and ply raw sheep’s wool into yarn, then weave a shawl, all in four hours! See demonstrations of sheep shearing, view wool displays, try kids crafts, weaving on our heritage looms or spinning on real spinning wheels.

Saturday, May 21                    11:00am-4:00pm                  All ages, by donation

Crochet–Level 2 – Enjoy tea and camaraderie Saturday mornings as you build on your crochet skills. Tackle more intricate projects and learn advanced techniques in this creative and fun class. Supply fee $15. Please pre-register at 604-592-6956.

Saturday, May 28                    10:00am-12noon                  5 sessions $60 (16yrs+)

Traditional Rug Hooking – Make a rug sampler in this beginner’s class as you learn about wool preparation, patterns, rug-hooking, finishing and dyeing techniques. Supply fee of $85 includes wood hoop and all materials to complete a 7” x 11” project. Please pre-register at 604-592-6956.

Saturday, May 28                    10:00am-4:00pm                  2 sessions $59 (16yrs+)

2011 Symposium – the list is out!
Posted: 12 Apr 2011 09:08 PM PDT

We will post the full descriptions, dates, and price here on the Maiwa Blog.
Once they are posted here they will also appear on the website.
Our printed calendar should be in the mail at the end of May.
We are very excited about 2011 and hope to see you
at a workshop, event, or lecture.

Registration opens Monday June 20, 2011 at 10 am.

WORKSHOPS

Subtraction – Erasure – Conjecture
Michael Brennand-Wood
Random Precision
Michael Brennand-Wood
Screen Printing – From Simple to Sublime
Wendy Huhn
Stitching as Markmaking
Ilze Aviks
Monoprinted Cloth and the Stitched Mark
Ilze Aviks
Natural Dyes
Charllotte Kwon
The Art of Embroidery
Bonnie Adie
African Mudprinting
Michele Wipplinger
Hand-Hooked Rugs
Michelle Sirois-Silver
Diary Painting for Art Quilts
Susan Shie
Colour Institute
Michele Wipplinger
Arashi Shibori and Silk Painting
Izabela Sauer
Designing Knitted Lace with Beads
Sivia Harding
Bookbinding Basics
Gaye Hansen
The Art of Bookbinding
Gaye Hansen
Natural Dyes: Print and Pattern
Anne Babchuk and Danielle Bush
Introduction to Dyes
Natalie Grambow
Knitworks: Designing with Colour, Texture, and Pattern
Alison Ellen
Knitworks: Designing a Garment
Alison Ellen
Funk Shui Felting
Jessica de Haas
Creating Textile Design in Photoshop
Hitoshi Ujiie

Secrets of the Dye Garden
Michel Garcia
Indigo: The Organic Vat
Michel Garcia
Colour Tricks: Dyeing, Spinning, and Knitting
Janel Laidman
Felting Vision
Jorie Johnson
The Creative Studio
Natalie Grambow
Silk Felt – Silk Fusion
Karen Selk
Weaving: The Delectable Sari
Jane Stafford
Gee’s Bend Quilting – One Day
Quilters of Gee’s Bend
Gee’s Bend Quilting – Two Day (twice)
Quilters of Gee’s Bend
Expressive Painting with Procion Dyes
Sue Benner
Honourable Discharge – Incredible Quilting
Bob Adams
The Expressive Stitch
Dorothy Caldwell
Needle Felting: A New Adventure
Briony Jean Foy
Needle Felting as an Art Medium
Briony Jean Foy
Katazome with Natural Dyes
Akemi Nakano Cohn
Indigo Shibori
Akemi Nakano Cohn
Tapestry Weaving: Zapotec Traditions
Elaine Duncan
Phototransfer for Textiles
Natalie Grambow
True Colours: Developing a Personal Palette
Carol Soderlund
Waxing Eloquent: Soy Wax Resist
Carol Soderlund

LECTURES

MICHAEL BRENNAND-WOOD
Material Evidence: Reinventing Textiles

SHERI BRAUTIGAM
Living Textiles of Mexico

ALISON ELLEN
Yarns and Lines: New Directions in Hand Knitting

MICHEL GARCIA
Why We Dye: Insights from the Chromatic World

JORIE JOHNSON
In Praise of Sheep: A Feltmaker’s Tale

GEE’S BEND
The Quilts of Gee’s Bend

DOROTHY CALDWELL
Human Marks

EVENTS

THE WEAVER’S HOUSE
An Exhibition of Mexican Textiles
Sheri Brautigam & Charllotte Kwon

MASTERWORKS
An Exhibition of Textiles from the
Maiwa Masterclass – India

JORIE JOHNSON FELT
An Exhibition of the Felted Textiles
of Jorie Johnson

WRAPTURE
Unstitched and Enfolded
A Maiwa Fashion Show

WRAP PARTY & AUCTION
An Evening of Music, Dance,
Food, and Textiles

James Koehler

Koehler James Age 58 of Santa Fe, New Mexico died unexpectedly on March 4, 2011. Loving son of Maybelle and the late James. Dear brother of Gerald (Beverly), Linda (Patrick) Oliver, Terry, Janice and Dr. Thomas (Carri). Uncle to many nieces and nephews. Memorial Mass Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m with Memorial Gathering at 9:15 a.m. at St. Sharbel’s Church, 31601 Schoenherr Road, Warren, MI. Memorials appreciated at Polycystic Kidney Foundation (www.pkdcure.org).

Memories of James Koehler

• James Koehler’s website
• Tangled Web
• Memories
• Works in Progress

From the May 2008  LWSG Newsletter

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James Koehler

For the past week Dale, Lynne and I had the pleasure of attending a five day tapestry workshop presented by James Koehler, who also presented the memorial lecture for the Greater Vancouver Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild.

James Koehler is a quiet gentleman who inspires some amazing work. During the week we learnt about the design process of making a tapestry while learning the techniques of tapestry. James believes that many textile artists don’t spend enough time on the design process allowing for freedom in the creative process. He stated in his lectures that “for work to become art you must go within yourself beyond the restraints of ego so that your work can become art” and “simplicity stands at the end of good design”.

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Koehler believes that a tapestry is more like a painting than a weaving where the primary consideration is the form, followed by color, and lastly the mastery of the techniques should not distract from the magic and essence of the image.

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To hear and attend James Koehler lectures and class was a pleasure as he has led a very interesting life and brings his essence into the images he creates. He is an excellent teacher, knowing when to correct and when to let people go all in a quite manner.

Iris Bell

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Date: June 4th
Judging fleece: 8am – noon
Our Judge: Matt Robley
Fleece on Sale: 1pm – 4pm
Vendors open: 10am – 4pm
Shearing demo’s 10am – 4pm
Place: Belmont Farms
21151 – Old Yale Rd Langley

Ever wonder what goes on at an Executive meeting?  Thought about volunteering but don’t know what is involved?  As a Guild member, you have the right to attend Executive meetings, albeit without a vote.  If you’d like to sit in, come along–first Tuesday of the month (see newsletter for location).

Greater Vancouver Weavers and Spinners Guild

Annual Memorial Lecture

Monday, April 4^th, 2011 at 7:30 pm

New Location: Kanata Co-operative Community Building, 7155 Blake Street, Vancouver, BC

ALL TEXTILE ENTHUSIASTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THIS FREE LECTURE

GUEST SPEAKER Ruby Leslie of Ruby Charuby Weavings, Vermont AND “The Legacy of Information….Musings on Life and Weaving”

Ruby maintains a full-time weaving and teaching studio, “Ruby Charuby Weavings” in Vermont.  Boundless enthusiasm for sampling and experimentation, especially with colour and its interaction with structure, has guided Ruby throughout her weaving career.  An invitation from Handwoven magazine to create swatches for the “Color Forecast’ Series streamlined her design process and fueled her desire to share her insights about how to successfully integrate colour, structure and yarn in weaving without having to dye yarn or rely on recipes

After 25 years of sitting at the loom, Ruby’s thoughts have piled up along with her weavings and thrums.  In an image filled lecture, she will address weaving as a metaphor, connecting us all to the distant past and onward to the future.  At times amusing and idiosyncratic, Ruby’s recognition of her debt to mentors, family and students alike, takes her on a journey that culminates in a weaving rap music video.

Join us for light refreshments following lecture.  We look forward to welcoming you.

Driving Directions:

From the east and north:  Exit Highway 1 heading south on Boundary Road.  Continue south on Boundary, crossing 49^th Avenue and turn right at Arbor Street – the first traffic light south of 49^th Avenue.  Turn right at the “T” on Matheson Avenue and continue right, around a loop until the road straightens out.  On your right you will see a small parking lot beside the Community Building.  You can park there, if you are early – or look for street parking.

From the west and south:  Travel east along 49^th Avenue to the corner of Tyne Street.  The Salvation Army has a building on the north east corner of this intersection you can use as a marker.  Turn right down Tyne and continue past 54^th Avenue.  At this point Tyne becomes Champlain Crescent.  Turn left at the second street on your left after 54^th Avenue.  This is Blake Street.  The Community Building will be on your left about halfway up Blake with the parking lot adjacent to it.

Contact Sandra Crompton at 604-435-0823 if you require further information.

Welcome !  We’re excited to announce that the Third Annual FIBRES WEST will take place Friday, March 18th (10-6) and Saturday, March 19th (10-5), 2011.  The show will be at  the AgRec Building on the Abbotsford Exhibition Park Grounds, 32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford, BC (Exit 87 off of Hwy #1).  Our focus is on education and inspiration for all fibre artists. Our vendors carry the finest fibre, yarns and equipment to be had in B.C.   Hard to find items, specialty fibres, they’ll all be here for two days only !

Admission rates, $8.00 adults, $6.00 students & seniors, kids 12 and under free. Parking is free on the Exhibition grounds. IMPORTANT NOTE :  THERE IS NO BANK MACHINE ON THE PREMISES AND VENDORS CANNOT TAKE INTERAC ON SITE….    There will be a full service caterer on site during the show – Ocean West Catering (oceanwestcatering.com).