May 2011 Newsletter Next Meeting May 21, 2010 10 AM - 4 PM (more or less) Email goes to: spinner@serendipityspinners.org

April Nutshell by Lotus, Ginger and Sue

Ginger arrived around 10:00 and waited for nearly an hour.  No one else showed up so she left.  Sue and Frank expect to be at the May meeting.  As it turned out, "everyone" else showed up later.  That "everyone" was Jocelyn B.,  Nancy D.,  Lotus B.,  Keith B., Carol L.,  Margaret M.,  Evan J.,  Frankie H.

Keith stood in as secretary and Evan provided paper. No pictures, there was no camera!

Old Business

Treasurer Report: $1282.86

New Business

Writing check for Stitches Booth for 2012 estimated to be about $200

Margaret suggested a Tyler Macek come do a workshop using solar ovens. It was approved to do this in summer.

Show and Tell

Frankie: showed a Threads thru Time Spindle, she is considering buying a Fidilis from Heavenly hand spinning company.

Margaret: showed a new sock cap pattern from Green Planet, discussion of various yarn stores.

Carol: is spinning a very fine white wool. She has also been knitting a blue shawl.
Lotus: described the knitted baby blanket for grandniece. Showed a woven and knit frog in progress for CNCH conference. Made of green mercury news bags and cotton thrums.

Nancy D.: made a felted bag using bits and pieces of wool yarns, lined with fabric, inside pocket, strap- very pretty. Showed an old piece of lace that was being thrown away. Showed some pillowslips ends with a nice edge hem. Offered some mesh bags for washing locks for free. Making swatches in preparation for making a vest. Showed some tatting from 102-year-old mother. Talked about tortoises and a Nancy F. that is a member and a turtle rescue person.

Jocelyn: knitting some nice socks, showed a beaded scarf in purple, which is the result of a mystery knit project, she is up to clue 3. Showed a sterling silver and wooden spindle she got for her birthday. Wood is probability walnut. She will send out the latest Lacis on-line newsletter to those who requested it.

For Sale

Patrick Green Drum carder with three drums. Price (not stated) Contact Margaret More davmarmore@comcast.net

Herbie modified Exercise cycle spinning wheel. Ashford head and bobbins $50 Contact Lotus 408-238-6980  or lotusb3@earthlink.net

For Free
This ad is exactly as I got it from my friend Marilyn. There is nothing wrong with the loom, they just need the space.

60” Leclerc Nilus II Jack-style loom

My aunt wove on this loom making beautiful triangle and oblong scarves, Afghans, and shawls. The loom is in very good condition and I'd like to find a good home for it. The only cost to you is that you will have to pick it up (Palo Alto). It is partially disassembled for storage and moving, but all parts and a diagram are included. Measurements: Main body is 49” high, 13 ½ “ deep, and 67 5/8” wide. When fully assembled, both front and back beams attached is about 60”. This will be a first come takes it situation.

Manufacturer Details: The loom is manufactured by Leclerc of Canada (www.leclercloom.com), a well respected supplier of looms in North America. The company has been in business for over 125 years.

Standard: 60” weaving width loom. Made from Canadian Maple, with 14 Treadles, 12 harnesses (4 is standard, 8 have been added), approx. 90(12 ½”) wire heddles on each harness, Warp Beam, Cloth Beam. A bench is included in this offer.

Jack-type loom has the threads (in normal position) resting at the bottom of the reed, on the shuttle race. If the treadle tied to shafts #2 and #3 are pushed down, the jacks will raise these shafts, while the others remain in resting position. This kind of shed can be very large or small depending on the pressure there is on the warp threads and how many threads there are. You can easily change the number of shafts you use.

contact: Marilyn Barker 650-857-1215

And that's April in a Nutshell.

If you have news or pictures of interest to the group please send it to spinner@serendipityspinners.org