Great Expectations and a Blank Canvas

Here we are again at the start of a new year with 12 months to go.  Like the empty loom in our guild studio there are endless possibilities for new projects.
Will this be the year that you tackle that major project?  You know it.  It is the one that has been gradually forming in your subconcious.  It peeps out now and then when you pass a yarn store.  It may sink back into the shadows when life gets in the way but it never really goes away.  Maybe 2013 will be its year.
I am always impressed with those folks manage to create something major by hand.  I cannot even begin to concieve how one would go about weaving draperies for a new home or yardage for a daughter's wedding gown.  Those that spin the yarn for a major project are even more impressive.  They must be able to hold a future vision for a long time in order to keep on spinning.
Starting a major project would be daunting enough but how does one keep going day after day.  I get bored by the 3rd tea towel on the same warp.

Mary's double weave mat
 

This may be your year to learn something new.  That might mean joining a study group, joining in a group challenge, taking a course or attending a conference.  Our guild has organized a weaving workshop with Jane Stafford.  The workshop "Lacey Places" will take place April 19 to 21 at the MacMillian Art Centre in Parksville.  We currently have two study groups.  One is for spinners who want to knit with hand spun yarns.  The other for weavers with more than 4 harness looms who want to learn weave structure.  The more than 4 group is currently studying double weave.  Check the "Events" section for the dates and locations of these events. 
  The guild is also planning to have a colour challenge in 2013 for those who want to learn about colour interactions. 
So, here is to great expectations for 2013!

Elegant Threads Show and Sale 2012

Our annual guild show and sale took place in Qualicum Beach from Nov 30 to Dec 2nd this year.  This event inolves all the guild members.  It is a chance to show off the creative efforts of the past year.  It is also an opportunity to earn just enough money to justify spending way more money on yarns and fibres.  Most of us have given up any pretense of "breaking even".

The sale committee never knows how many items will show up or what they will be.  Dressing the display can be a real challenge.  Part of the fun is discovering what other members have been up to or how they have interpreted an idea.  I love the bags that are an inventive use of small pieces of woven cloth.  They are the collaborative effort between a weaver and a sewer.
The items reflect our different interests in working with yarns and fibre so one can expect to see items that are knitted, felted, woven, or twisted.  The materials use can range from yak to kelp.  If it can be worked with a knitting needle or our hands or woven around a warp then we will use it.

Some of the pieces involve an incredible investment in time.  Take for example some of the garments knitted out of hand spun yarn.  Fibres were dyed, blended, prepared for spinning, spun then plyed then knitted.  It is no wonder that it can be difficult to part with our creations.  In many ways they are like puppies that we have nurtured and grown attached too.  We know their special attributes and we want them to go to a good home where they will be appreciated.  We want the new owner to read the washing instructions, refrain from wearing the tea cozy as a hat (inside joke) and actually use the tea towels.
Many of our items will be wrapped in fancy paper or stuffed in Christmas stockings.  I was told the tea towels are easy to pack in a suitcase and won't break during shipping.  Hand spun yarn will give hours of pleasure.  Hats and mits are always needed.  Sweaters, wraps and blankets are a cozy reminder of the person who gave them.

At this time of year the weather can have a large impact on attendance at the sale.  Living on the wet coast of Canada we can anticipate precipitation of some kind.  It can range from intermittent light showers to torrentail and never ending rain and even wet road clogging snow.  This year we were blessed with intermittent torrential rain but still folks managed to make their way to the show.  We thank them and hope they enjoyed visiting with us and will enjoy their purchases. 
Here we have a satisfied customer sporting her newly acquired Hapi Wrap.