Langley Weavers and Spinners Guild -- President's Message: October 2005

Several members of our guild helped the community celebrate the Cranberry Festival by participating in a demonstration Sheep-to-Shawl event at the Fort Wine Company in Glen Valley. It was a fantastic event. Dian Grant was our weaver; Ann Embra was the interpreter, who also did a full day of spinning; Shari Taylor plied, carded and wound bobbins; Krista Graham, Liz Scrimes and I were the spinners. We arrived at 9 to set-up for an event to begin at 10. No sooner had we completed the set-up than drops of rain started to fall, and fall, and fall. The tent was crowded to begin with, but once the rain started we noticed that we were all getting wet at the edges, so we had to move in another foot or so. It was cozy spinning and then Krista showed up. Thankfully, the rain didn’t last for long, and by the mid-point of the day, splashes of sun had started to appear.
The shawl we created that day is beautiful. The colours, design and craftsman’s ship are all superb. As usual, the best part of the day was sitting in the company of fibre gals, chatting, laughing, and sharing ideas and interests. And, oh, how the public loves us. Kids run up to us to ask questions about the wool, sheep, making yarn and "can I try it please?" It was a good day and I was reminded yet again why I do this. I do this because I love to make beautiful things. Beautiful things can, at times, take a lot of work and effort, but the beauty of it helps us to remember the day(s) when we made it.
Happy Thanksgiving. I know it will be well over by the time you receive this, but I do want to share my thoughts of thankfulness with you all.

Keep spinning!

Diana