December Holiday Ornament Exchange

LAKESHORE

Fiber   Arts   Guild    

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011

HOLLAND AREA ARTS COUNCIL

150 EAST 8^TH ST, HOLLAND, MI

6:30 PM  ROOM 217

 

It’s that time again!  Join us for the annual Holiday Potluck, Ornament Exchange and Show ‘n Tell where we can talk without interruption, eat everyone’s wonderful food (fiber people are such great cooks!), visit with members and new friends, and share what new things we’ve been working on.

Bring a dish to pass with the appropriate serving utensil.  Plates, “silverware,” and beverages will be provided.  Wrap your ornament so no one will know who made it. Sign and date the ornament so the recipient will remember who made it in years to come.  Everyone who brings an ornament will take home an ornament.  For Show ‘n Tell bring what you’d like to show that you’ve been working on (from summer? for Christmas gifts?).

Complex Cloth Uncomplicated

LAKESHORE FIBER ARTS GUILD

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011

SOCIAL TIME: 6:30PM, MEETING: 7:00PM

HOLLAND AREA ARTS COUNCIL, 150 E 8^TH ST, HOLLAND  

Our program will consist of three demonstrations of design and surface design techniques with time allotted for hands on practice.

A.     Jennifer Gould will present a technique for creating interesting black and white designs called EXPANDED SQUARE.  Please bring these materials:  4-6 sheets white paper, glue stick, X-acto knife or small sharp pointed scissors, cutting mat or old magazine, old wash cloth, white pencil (if you have one).

B.     Barbara Wright will demonstrate the use of crayons and oil pastels to change the look and color of your fabric with RUBBINGS over textured surfaces.  Please bring:  2-3 pieces of white or light colored fabric (8”x12”), crayons (Staples twist up crayons are excellent) or oil pastels if you have them.  Rubber stamps, plates and other textures will be provided.

C.    Priscilla Lynch will demonstrate GELATIN PRINTING, which uses textile paints to create wonderfully sensitive prints on fabric. Please bring:  Small pieces of washed fabric or paper.  Gelatin plates and fabric paints will be provided.  You may also bring your own paints if you want a specific color.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Sergers, But Were Afraid to Ask

The Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild’s October meeting will feature a talk on “SERGERS: Everything You Want to Know” with Barb Habers of Field’s Fabrics on Wed., Oct. 5, at the Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8^th St., Holland, MI 49423, starting at 6:30pm.  

Barb Habers likes to say that if the sewing machine is your regular oven, sergers are your microwave.  There are some things you don't want to do with your microwave, but who wants to heat up a pan of soup in the oven?  A serger is an add-on machine which cuts, seams and overcasts the fabric all at the same time with speeds up to 1500 stitches per minute.  Speed, beauty and ease of operation are why she has a serger in her sewing room.

Habers is Vice President of the local American Sewing Guild, the Tulip City. She has taught sewing for 20 years. She sells instructional sewing DVDs on her web site, www.stitchwoman.com. Habers also produces a sewing show on the local Holland MacTV called "Sew Help Me" for the past 8 years.

The Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild invites anyone interested in the textile fiber arts to their monthly program meetings held the first Wednesday of each month at the Holland Area Arts Council. Guests may attend a speaker’s meeting for $5.

Ann Willey

 The Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild’s September meeting will present Ann Willey on “Rug Hooking: Tradition Gets Personal” on Wed., Sept. 7, at the Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8^th St., Holland, MI 49423, with a 6:30pm social hour and 7pm business/program meeting.  

Ann Willey will show her original and unique textiles created with the traditional American craft of rug hooking. Her talk will cover some history of rug hooking and a description of how it is approached today. Samples of her work will be displayed and she will demonstrate the basic techniques. She will also discuss how she dyes and prepares the wool, where she finds inspiration, and her process of working. She will have tools on hand for those who would like to try some rug hooking.

A West Michigan native and Grand Valley State University, Willey also shows her acrylic paintings at YT Galleria on Cherry St. in Grand Rapids. Her rug hookings have been shown in the US and Canada. She maintains a studio in Comstock Park, MI.

The Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild invites anyone interested in the textile fiber arts to their monthly program meetings held the first Wednesday of each month at the Holland Area Arts Council. Guests may attend a speaker’s meeting for $5. For more information, view the guild’s blog at http://lakeshorefiberartsguild.blogspot.com or email jgould1526@esagelink.com.

Fiber Fanatics

The guild met at Lakeshore Textiles in Saugatuck Township Wednesday to watch a demonstration of the technique of painting knitted blanks with thickened dyes and then unraveling the blanks to reknit in Fair Isle.  It was relaxing and informative at the same time.  What a great group of women!

A Weaver Knits

MAY 4, 2011
6:30pm Social Time, 7pm Meeting/Program

 At Suzie‘s Studio in Fennville (see directions below)

― Aging has probably inspired me more than anything else in the past year.  The knitting machine has opened up a door of possibilities for me; I have arthritis with bilateral hip replacements and getting under the loom was becoming increasingly difficult. Winding warps was taking a toll on my shoulders, and even the addition of an AVL warping wheel didn't help. The gift of a standard bed knitting machine which uses DK and lighter weight yarns opened an art form that is taking over my life.
     I started weaving in 1977 in east Michigan. My husband was transferred to Philadelphia in 1979, where I opened Mt. Airy Handweaving Studio. I did production weaving at that time, participating in Winter Market in Baltimore, a wholesale craft show put on by the American Craft Council. During our time in Philadelphia I had two solo shows of my weaving; one at the Walnut Street Theater Gallery, and the other at the Germantown Craft Store.
      At the Craft Store, I met print-maker John Graham. His work inspired me to take the next step; doing one of a kind pieces based on his work. For each of ten block prints he made, I did a warp painted kimono. That theme of the Asian garment has followed me through the years; I recently wove fabric based on Kente cloth and fashioned it into a kimono-type garment. That the guild has spent time this year on Kimono excites me!!
     I knit  blanks and then dye them which affords me the opportunity to get color right where I want it. The possibilities are endless, because the yardage I knit is treated like regular fabric. I cut and sew it rather than shape the pieces on my machine, following a pattern. However, I recently acquired a piece of equipment that will allow me to draw a pattern, feed it into the machine, and be prompted to decrease or increase where needed.
Directions to Suzie’s: I live about 13 miles from the Arts council. My address is 2750 60th Street, Fennville 49408. The easiest way to get to me is to take Washington east, go under the tunnel, and then take 58th street all the way to 126th. Turn right on 126th, and the next road is 60th. Turn right. I live in the second block between 127th and 128th. I'll tie some ribbon or something to our mail box. If using a GPS, put 2751 in....for some reason, it will take you to Pullman if you put my real address in.  Please call if you have trouble; 269-561-5140
My driveway is long and you pass my neighbor's studio first. Keep coming and my studio is in a pole barn beyond the covered RV!

More Guild News....
 From our Guild President, Jennifer Gould.
As I wrote this, there was 3 inches of snow on the ground this morning and two Sundays ago it was 82 degrees! This is Michigan! Let's hope for warm temps and blue skies when we meet at Suzie's studio on the 4th and on Sat., May 7, for indigo dyeing. Hope you're getting a lot of fun fiber things done because we have exciting things to look forward to. Hope to see you in May at our events coming up.
NEW GRANDBABY ALERT:
Jan Koster has a new grandson, her second grandbaby Clayton Koster, born the week of March 19. Congratulations Grandma Jan!
Indigo Dyeing Day, Sat., May 7
10:00 am to ???
Jennifer Gould’s home
-My address is 435 Woodburn, SW, Byron Center 49315; 616-878-1526 home phone if you get lost.
Bring:
-A lunch! I‘ll have coffee, tea, etc., ready and, hopefully some coffee cake, too.
-Wear old clothes (full-body apron?) and shoes that you don‘t mind getting blue or dyed.
-Pre-washed fabric, clothing, yarn, roving, etc., that is natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk, wool, or blends of these); I‘ve also dyed cotton/lycra! The cloth DOES NOT have to be white, in fact, colored fabric (even black, just not blue) works beautifully because there‘s a color remover in the mix that takes the color out and then immediately puts the indigo/blue in! Test colored fabric (even printed) with some bleach to be sure.
-Dishwashing rubber gloves (yellow?) if you don‘t want to get your hands/nails blue.
-Supplies/tools: scissors, snips, seam ripper, strong white thread (for doing shibori)
-Cost per person: probably $2-$3 (depends on how many people show up). Haven‘t purchased the indigo and auxiliary stuff yet but probably will be under $22.
-A description of the day: Once everyone arrives, we‘ll measure out the ingredients and mix up the indigo bath so everyone gets to see how easy it is. While it develops in the bucket (20 mins. or so), I‘ll explain the process and the different ways to wrap, fold, scrunch, tie, etc., the fabric and the possible results (my fabrics from past years‘ or anyone else‘s). Then we soak the cloth in water, put in the dye bath, wait, put it out and say WoW!!!
-Washing fabric ahead is necessary to get the finishes off the fabric. This is best done with Synthrapol and soda ash. I‘ll bring these to the May 4 meeting so bring 2 small bottles (like those little bottles spices and herbs come) to the May 4 meeting so you can get some! Use ½ tsp. of each to wash 3-4 yds. of fabric. I always seem to use more (too much) and if there‘s still a smell left on the fabric, rinse it again until gone.
-If you have questions, please telephone me at 616-878-1526 as I‘m preparing for a show that goes up the next day after the guild meeting and I‘m not looking at my
emails!

Show and Tell

Show and Tell
Preparations for MLH Guild Exhibit,
Planning for Next Year
April 6, 2011
Social Time 6:30 p.m., Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Holland Area Arts Council

What have you been creating during the long, cold, dark months of winter? It’s time to bring your
projects out into the spring light to share then with other Guild members in our Show and Tell.
Seeing what everyone has been working on is always exciting and inspiring. So bring a project or
two to our April 6 meeting to share and inspire others.
We’ll also spend some time making preparations for our MLH Guild exhibit and planning for our
next meetings.

Transformation

Mayumi Balfour was born in Japan and currently resides in Wyoming, Michigan. She is active in promoting and supporting the Japanese community in West Michigan. Mayumi brought a portion of her kimono collection to our March guild meeting this past Wednesday at the Holland Area Arts Council on 8th Street in Holland.  When I walked in, my senses were bombarded with the most delicious smells.  Our guild president, Jennifer Gould, prepared a sumptuous dinner of

-Tori Gohan 

(chicken and rice with green peas and shiitake
mushrooms)
-Ohitashi 

(blanched spinach with soy sauce and ground sesame
seeds)
-Peach candy (from Japan)

Mayumi's kimonos, supplemented with several beautiful pieces from Jennifer's collection, were arranged on three tables. The colors and patterns exploded in the plain room.  Members volunteered for Mayumi to dress them from head to toe in Kimono.  

The first layer worn is a two piece undergarment; a wrap around shirt and skirt, which can be made of white silk or cotton.  The first kimono is put on over the undergarments and secured with several cords wrapped about the body, including toweling for padding.  The second kimono is layered over the first, with just a 2 cm peek of the under kimono showing at the sleeves and neckline.  

The obi or sash is put on last and that is quite a procedure.  If the woman is dressing herself, she must put the obi on backwards and then shift it around from front to back.

 The evening was totally inspirational.  As the members put on the beautiful silk garments, they really were transformed into Japanese royalty.

How To Wear Kimono ..... March Meeting News!

How To Wear Kimono
Mayumi Balfour
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
6:30 Social Time, 7:00 Business Meeting and Program
Holland Area Arts Council

Would you like to be dressed in kimono?  On March 2, Mayumi Balfour will show us how.
           Mayumi Balfour was born in Akita City in Japan. After graduating from Kanagawa University with a BA in English, and working in the Tokyo and Yokohama metropolitan areas, Mayumi came to the US.
She moved to Wyoming, Michigan and was involved in Grand Rapids Sister Cities International, Japanese Heritage Society and Japan America Society of West Michigan to support the local Japanese community and to improve the understanding of Japanese and American cultures. Mayumi has helped organize numerous Japan-related events around Grand Rapids.
Currently she is hosting J-chat, a Japanese Conversation and Social time at Schuler Bookstore on Alpine to provide a meeting opportunity to anyone interested in Japanese culture and language on every 3rd Monday of the month.  Mayumi works for Sunhill America, a member of Sunhill Global, begun in Japan, it now has offices in the US, China, and Europe.


At our meeting, two people can be dressed in the full kimono and obi and up to ten people can be dressed in the cotton yukata and smaller obi.  It doesn’t matter how short, tall, wide or narrow you are.  What does matter is letting Jennifer (jgould1526@esagelink.com) know by Monday, February 28 if you would like to be one of the lucky ones wearing kimono or yukata.  If so, please come dressed simply and in layers so you can peel.  A tank top—no collars—and something on the bottom, of course!

A Message from our President—Jennifer Gould
Our long, long winter, I think, is almost over.  There may be more snow (and ice) but I've noticed in past springs that the robins arrive in my subdivision by March 15, then there's another snowstorm, but somewhere by mid-April melting of snow and green grass appears.  I've even noticed that the maple trees in my yard, anyway, have buds.  I hope your January and February were times of creativity, exploration and production which we'll see at our April meeting of MLH Conference info/discussion and SHOW 'N TELL.

For March, our continuation of kimono will be exciting as Mayumi Balfour will dress many women in kimono.  This should be a lot of fun!  In May, we will have a field trip to our member Suzanne Jenkins' studio in Saugatuck and learn about knitting machines and all her work with fiber.  I have tentatively scheduled an Indigo Dye Day for Sat., May 7.  Come on March 2 with lots of ideas and enthusiasm for spring
programs and plans for 2011-2012.






UPCOMING GUILD PROGRAMS:
·    April 6 – MLH Conference Preview and Show ‘n Tell:  We’ll discuss the August MLH workshops and conference and plan our Guild’s exhibit.  For Show ‘n Tell, bring what you’ve been working on in the last six months and share the fun of your experimentation and exploration with us!

·    May 4:  Field trip to Suzanne Jenkins’ studio in Saugatuck and her talk about knitting machines and her fiber work.

·    Saturday, May 7:  Indigo Dye Day at Jennifer Gould’s home



Not yet a member of the Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild?  We’re a small, friendly group, and we welcome new members whatever the fiber medium and level of expertise.

Our Guild is a member of the Michigan League of Handweavers, although few of us are active weavers.  In addition to weaving, our members’ interests include spinning, dyeing, dollmaking, sewing, quilting, knitting, surface design, papermaking, lampwork beadmaking, and bead embroidery.  We enjoy learning from each other, and we would love to learn from and with you.

We meet on the first Wednesday of the month, September through December and March through June at the Holland Area Arts Council.  Social time and sharing is at 6:30pm, with the formal meeting and presentation at 7:00.  In the late spring or summer, we often have an outside, messy, and very much fun activity day, such as indigo dyeing or discharge.

Dues are $30 per year, September through August.  Guests may attend a meeting by paying a $5.00 guest fee at meetings when there is a paid speaker.

If you are not a member, this will likely be your last full newsletter from the Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild.

So take action now!  Complete the attached membership form and mail it to our treasurer, Jan Koster, or bring it to the March 2 meeting.
  Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild       

Member Information
                            

WELCOME TO THE LAKESHORE FIBER ARTS GUILD.

Please fill out this form and give or mail your dues, along with this form to:

Jan Koster,    990 Post Avenue,     Holland, MI    49424          (616) 399-0911



Date_____________________

Name_______________________________________________________

Address________________________________ City/Zip______________

Phone_____________________ Email____________________________

Major Fiber Arts Interest(s)_____________________________________

Other Fiber Arts Interests_______________________________________

______________________________________________________________________




Dues are $30 per year, September through August.


Guests may attend a meeting by paying a $5.00 guest fee at meetings when there is a paid speaker.


For more information about the Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild, contact Jennifer Gould at jgould@JenniferGouldDesigns.com

Guild News for January and February

From Guild President, Jennifer Gould

Hi, Guild Members and Friends, Happy New Year!

January has been a nice time for me to hibernate, get snowed
in, clean/organize my studio, and explore more fiber
technique while the snow falls.  But guild matters call! So
consider this email the newsletter and information for
January/February 2011---
Plans are falling into place for our regularly scheduled
program meetings for March, April and May.

March 2 – “Kimono Dressing” with Mayumi Balfour:
Grand Rapids resident, Mayumi Balfour, will dress at least
10 people in kimono and obi with all the details and
accessories that would be used in Japan.  A great
continuation and final show after Etta Hesselink’s kimono
talk in November.  Also, if you’re interested in learning
about Japanese culture and language, Mayumi hosts J-Chat in
Grand Rapids on the 3rd Monday of the month at Schuler’s
Book Store on Alpine (just off of I-96/131) at 7pm.  This is
part of the Grand Rapids Sister Cities Committee.  See the
website/info at:
http://grsistercities.org/cities/omihachiman/committee or
email the committee for more info at grsci.omi@gmail.com

April 6 – MLH Conference Review and Show ‘n Tell:  The
MLH Biennial Conference and workshops will be at Hope
College, again, this August 10-12 (workshops) and 13-14
(conference/seminars) with many exhibits in which to enter
pieces and see in downtown Holland.  We’ll have a short
presentation on the instructors, the workshops and seminars,
and guild exhibit.  Brochures should be in our mailboxes and
on the MLH website in February.  For Show ‘n Tell, bring
what you’ve been working on in the last 6 months (last SNT
was June) and share the fun of your experimentation and
exploration with us!

February (2):  If you’re really missing not having a
meeting and you have an idea (spinning & knitting together,
a hands-on demo you’d like to show, a DVD you’d like to
show---fiber related, of course) email all of us to let us
know your ideas and get a group together.

Some shows of interest:

The Princess Diana Exhibit:  Grand Rapids Art Museum,
through Feb. 16, tickets are $20 (for most of us) and audio
tours are $5.  The tickets are for a specific day and time
at 800-585-3737; artmuseumgr.org and dianaexhibition.com.

BOOKS:  I’ve come upon these books (library loans) that I
think are fascinating and offer all kinds of great ideas and
inspiration.

Eco-Colour: Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles – by
India Flint
The Yarn Lover’s Guide to Hand Dyeing – by Linda La
Belle
Real Life Journals – by Gwen Diehn
The Bead Maker: Projects for creating hand-crafted beads –
by Mary Maguire
Creative Recycling in Embroidery – by Val Holmes
DESIGN! A Lively Guide to Design Basics for Artists &
Craftspeople – by Steve Aimone