President's Message for March

Last month our guild accomplished something truly inspiring. We made a total of 85 hats for cancer survivors. Using our skills and creativity we gave people the chance to feel beautiful and loved despite being in the throes of one of the worst diseases we can imagine. The February meeting is usually the time where we show each other the finery we have made for one another from the “Fibres from the Heart” activity. But this time we really stretched what “from the Heart” can mean and created an abundance of hats for many to enjoy. Representatives from the Canadian Cancer Society were mightily impressed and touched by our generosity, and so was I. Thank you.

On a whole other note, we have a great deal of things coming up really soon and I am going to need lots of people to step up to the plate and help out:

First, we have information/selling tables at Fibrefest International – March 31 and April 1. We will be setting up a display on one of the tables and the other table (and spaces in between) is available for those who are interested in selling their fibre fare. Please contact me if you are interested in working the table, or selling your items. So far Liz Scrimes and Barbara Braaten have expressed an interest in participating. There is room for others.

Secondly, on the following weekend, we will have a guild display table at the Bradner Flower Show. We have a lovely central table at which you will be able to display and sell your goods, as long as you bring along something to demonstrate. If you are interested, please contact me, I will find someone to coordinate the event and get times organized.

Third, the Surrey Museum is hosting a Sheep-to-Shawl in May (don’t have the concrete details) but if you are interested in being part of the team or coordinating the event please contact me.

And finally – whew, almost over, thanks to Denise Parks, we have the use of a display case at the Guilford library in October and the Fleetwood Library in September. Anyone interested in coordinating the display please see me.

Well, that ought to keep us busy. Wait to read about all the workshops and other events. Now go outside and enjoy those daffodils.
Keep spinning,

Diana

President's Message for February

Today the sun was shining and I believed for the first time in a long while that the cosmic joke of our winter was actually over. Who could imagine so much rain, every single day, over and over and over again? I had forgotten what the mountains surrounding us looked like, but today, there they were.

This is my second year as President of the Guild. It’s been a good run and I have enjoyed it. My work life is changing and for that reason I can’t take on a third term as President. I will still be involved in the Guild, I just can’t take on the extra responsibility of being President next year. I wanted to let you know as soon as I decided this so we could think about who we want next and more importantly, what we want in a President. Our Guild is large. We have over 100 members involved in weaving, spinning, knitting, felting, beading, basketry, dyeing and I’m sure I’m leaving something out. We are a dynamic teaching Guild and word on the street has it that we are "hot and happening." So take a look around at your fellow Guild members and see who we want as our next President, or maybe that person is you. Well, are you up for it? You have until May to think about it and decide.

We will talk more about this at the meeting. The meeting where we will hopefully meet our challenge of making ONE HUNDRED HATS for Cancer survivors. We have decided that members will be able to purchase a hat for someone dear to them struggling with cancer. All money collected and remaining hats will be donated to a well respected Cancer agency. Please look into this and have some ideas for us to discuss at the meeting.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
The Yarn Harlot’s 2006 Knitting Olympics
On the other side of the planet athletes from all over the world have gathered to test their strength, skills and expertise at their winter sport. And, thanks to our dear cyber friend, the Yarn Harlot, (the woman who’s blog I introduced you to in the last newsletter) we fibre artists won’t be left out. For she has called all knitters to participate in the Knitting Olympics. (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/olympics2006.html
Eligibility: Any knitter who, embracing the "Citius, Alitius Fortius" ideal, would like to challenge themselves while embracing the Olympic spirit, and is just whacked enough to play along with me.
Concept: You must cast on a project during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics (Feb 10)- and finish before the Olympic flame goes out (Feb 26). That's 16 days.
Rules:
1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in 16 days.
2. There are no rules about what a challenge would be. Like the real Olympics, there are many areas to compete in. If you are a new knitter, then a garter stitch baby sweater might do...If you are experienced, well. I've already considered Torino. Use your own conscience.
3. While this is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to ruin your life. Don't set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry, but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with pointed sticks because they haven't slept in five days.) This is intended to (like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it should be possible to attain.
4. No casting on before the flame is lit.
5. Finish before the flame goes out.
6. You may swatch before the games. (I consider this "training.")
I know, by the time you read this message, the Opening Ceremonies will be over. But don’t be discouraged. Just grab a challenging pattern, or an unfinished item that has had you stumped and get knitting. See how far you can get before the flame is out and anytime you want to just give up. . . take a hard look at those speed skaters going round and round the ice. Talk about dedication and persistence. So have some fun, set yourself up for a good challenge and don’t take yourself (or your knitting) too seriously.