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Note that the meeting is one week earlier than our usual last Wednesday. YEA! The beginning of our official fiscal year with a new round of programs and activities. August is the month to renew your dues: $25 per person, of which $5 goes directly to CNCH to help, among other things, to fund conferences, CNCH Net , and the insurance that covers us at meetings.  [CNCH is the head organization that oversees all its member guilds in Northern Ca.] Speaking of programs, we have had some great ideas and follow-throughs, but always welcome more ideas for the rest of the year. Let it be known what you come up with or what you would like to see. Some of our programs this year will feature using our carders and combs, not just the nitty-gritty, but  also how to come up with great fiber batts and roving ready for spinning. SOMETHING TO WORK ON RIGHT NOW:  For the August Meeting LITTLE WOOLLY SHEEP A charity project in Britain at "Yarndale 2016" a sheep and all things fiber festival. ...

LE TOUR DE FLEECE SHEEP FELTING A very fine time was had by all who came to the "Pajama Party" for our Tour de Fleece activity. Wendy showed all how to create a felted sheep from felted tennis-type balls she had made for everyone. Almost anything goes when felting these sheep, and with just a few very important tips from Wendy, we were quite taken with the sheepies we created. VILLAGE SPINNING & WEAVING One of our favorite shops in California down in Solvang, and one of the most consistent vendor supporters of our Conferences has decided to close shop and retire! I guess we all want to eventually, but we will miss them and their shop. Below is an email John, the owner, sent out to announce the closing: ". . .I will sail my vessel 'Til the river runs dry Like a bird upon the wind These waters are my sky I'll never reach my destination If I never try So I will sail my vessel 'Til the river runs dry Too many times we stand aside And let the waters slip away ...

Spinning at the Winery Recap Time for a nap on the cool lawn for one spinner Weather in the mid to high 90's was predicted! But the Vendors bravely came and so did the crowds. Attendance was down a bit, as expected. However people brought plenty of shade and the pepper trees and lovely lawn of the winery did their best to keep us comfortable. Clouds covered the sky most of the day, which was a blessing. They did however, bring us a taste of what its like to live in humid weather. Thank you California for not being humid! A big thanks to all Treadles members who came and worked and brought lovely items for the Raffle, which many people mention as part of the reason they come. This year there was another Ashford spinning wheel along with one of the last of Will's 6-bobbin lazy kate's along with the matching flax distaff. Two happy winners. Next year will be the 20th annual Spinning at the Winery. We are all looking forward to that. Any ideas on how to make it a really special...

June 4, 2016 10 am to 4 pm Retzlaff Winery, 1356 N. Livermore Ave. Livermore $5 entry per person Our 19th annual day of spinning and fun. See more info in previous blog. Following is the work schedule that Joan has been collecting volunteers for. From Joan: This will be your reminder of what you signed up for.   IF you didn't sign up but are coming , please email me at Joanweave@aol.com and tell me what you would like to do.  You can see there are some holes.  Remember what our guild reaps from this fundraiser.  It helps pay for workshops, speakers and has provided funds to purchase the electric carders, rigid heddle looms, DVDs and other tools that we can all use at no charge. Set-up 1. Reba 2. Linda Burton 3. Wendy Lacy 4. Carolyn Blumert Clean-up 1.Pam Murdock 2. Carol Causey 3. 4. Entry Fee/Greeters 9-10 Joan Setka 10-11 Cathi Till 11-12 Mary-Helen 12-1 Linnie 1-2 Greta Parking Attendant (last year Retzlaff had parking attendants, not sure about this year) 9-1...

Call for Dye Day Like Red? This is Your Day There are still openings for the 2016 Dye Day to be held on May 21!! This is a special opportunity to learn from one of the best independent dyers in Northern California using natural dyes. If you have ever had the pleasure of spinning the yummy fibers of Dreamy Goat Fibers , you will understand how special this day will be. Both Mary Finley and Roger Salter of Dreamy Goat Designs will be leading activities on this day.   Mary will be teaching us to dye using cochineal bugs to get gorgeous reds in different shades and Roger will be demonstrating and leading you in color blending on a carder or blending board.  Two workshops run simultaneously!! The guild is subsidizing about half the cost of this day (out of Winery proceeds) and there is a small registration fee of $25. Sign up by contacting Pam Murdock at pemurdock@comcast.net . You will receive further information once you register. This registration is limited to 30 participants,...

NOTE: T HIS MEETING IS ON A TUESDAY NIGHT, RATHER THAN OUR USUAL WEDNESDAY PROGRAM The last of our Sheep Breed Studies: Gotland Sheep by Pam M. Wensleydale Sheep by Pat E. Icelandic by Lisa W. Norwegian by Mary Helen B. Speaking of the sheep of Norway, there is an interesting article online that should be of interest to us spinners, No Wool No Vikings - The Fleece That Launched 1000 Ships by Claire Eamer Today, boats such as this recreated Viking ship, sport linen sails Photo by Claire Eamer from Hakai Magazine online Claire recounts a recent trip aboard the Braute , a Viking style recreated ship. She talks not just about the cold, difficult day journey itself, but also what it took in ancient times to create the sails for the ships. As recently as 200 years ago, the square sails of some of the Viking ships were most likely woolen - dense cloth of handspun wool, "woven on looms in their small dark cottages. . . Outfitting a single warship might have required the wool of 1000 s...