Oh, the joy of it all!

The Gathering 2010 in West Dover, VT at Mount Snow was a memorable weekend. Classes Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus diversions into the fiber vendors' hall, chatty meals with new friends, and late night spinning/knitting/laughing sessions were so so so satisfying. Chris, Betsy and Lori discovered some new Central MA fiber folks, and met great mentors and students from Michigan to Maine. This time next year the Northeast Handspinners Association takes us to Rhode Island for the one-day event, and in 2012 we heard it will be Connecticut that hosts the three-day event.

We're posting some highlights from the weekend: teachers Jody Stoddard, Kate Walsh, and Nancy Morey's classes, plus scenes from the dining hall, spontaneous spin-ins, and beautiful results.

Plus, one shot from a happy family member who approves of the Deb Menz color work class finished products!

Japanese Indigo that will grow (annual) in New England and produce blue!

Heating up the dye baths in Jody Stoddard's class.

After hours spin-in for Betsy and Chris.

Chris' beautiful batts she brought with to spin.

After lunch Betsy digests with some knitters.

Master needle felter Kate Walsh demonsrates bird-making.

First attempts in needle felting are seasonal!

Marvelous spinners basket -- woven reeds and deer horn.

Rug hooked project in the gallery display.

Dyed mohair projects in Nancy Morley's class.

Chris's beautiful end product created in Deb Menz's color work class.

Betsy's Growlbert approves of the weekend's results!

Three spinners off to The Gathering this weekend

Chris, Betsy and Lori are attending the 2010 Gathering in at Mount Snow, Vermont this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. What an indulgence into all things spinning and fiber! This biennial convergence of handspinners from throughout the Northeast is such a lot of fun. We're holing up at Mt Snow's resort lodge, with sauna and heated outdoor pool at our disposal, plus the company of hundreds of like-minded fanatics! We three are taking different workshops, so we'll have much show-and-tell fodder for subsequent meetings.

Upcoming Guild meetings are the 13th and the 21st this month.

Tomorrow's the Day for Worcester's Sheep to Shawl, Llama to Pajama 2010

Think we have nice seasonable weather in store for our Guild's appearance at the SSLP 2010. Betsy, Dottie, and maybe a one or two others will help show how do card, knit, spin and more. Loads of publicity will hopefully have reached curious minds and we'll  see all ages come for a look and hands-on. Will have my camera at the ready to document much of it. Can't wait to observe the llama shearing at 2PM, when Oberon of Orchid Patch in Southbridge MA will get his "haircut" and share his fabulous fleece with observers. Then, Elaine is hosting our next Guild meeting on Sunday. Lots to do!

Guild Goes to NOFA Summer Conference!

Four of us are off this weekend to give a presentation at the annual Summer Conference, a NOFA sponsored event, at the campus of UMass Amherst. Betsy leads the way with help from Maile, Chris and Lori. From sheep through spinning and dyeing, we'll share our knowledge and passion at the largest venue yet. We've got our fiber map, and a working business card, so things are feeling pretty official. We've all been busy learning and experimenting all summer. Dyeing season is upon us, and new tools have entered the mix. Should be an exciting fall!