Letter from the President10/14/04

October's meeting was a small, but productive gathering. Together Laura, Lauri, Mady, Cassandra, Marilyn, Kathy G., Genia, Sharon, and I made some decisions and clay buttons. We also had a special guest -- Myla -- Genia's daughter.

Announcements
2004 Holiday Party -- This year's holiday party will be held at Mady's house on December 1! Please let me know if you would like to attend and what you would like to bring. We hope to avoid last year's boondoggle -- only one tray of sweets -- by creating and sharing a list of everyone's contribution. We will also have a dutch auction -- lots of fun! And, we will be electing officers for 2005.

November Retreat -- The 2004 retreat is being organized by Marilyn Riffkin for the weekend of November 19. If you would like to attend this year's retreat please contact Marilyn at mriffkin@juno.com.

Programs and Show and Share -- In order to enjoy both a program and show and share during our 90 minute meetings we (those of us at October's meeting) discussed modifying show and share to include only new projects. I would suggest, too, that we allow for "how to" questions. I would love to hear your ideas. Please let me know -- kae0861@friend.ly.net.

October Program
Marilyn taught us how to make buttons using Sculpey clay. What an interesting and easy way to add yet another creative touch to a handmade garment!

November ProgramLeft open for December Holiday Party planning, and suggestions for next years programs.

Show and ShareI actually had something to share -- an "envelope" pillow cover which I made from scratch. Of course it is not a standard size, so I have to make the pillow form from scratch too. But, that's O.K. I was thrilled to make something without a pattern.
Kathy G. brought her strawberry pie shawl made of a red yarn including angora, alpaca, and lamb's wool -- ohhh, how soft! She is also working on a zigzag scarf using alpaca and she finished another one using fun fur and Koiku. And, she told us she is going to raise alpacas, hopefully as soon as next summer. Humm!?
Marilyn showed us the baby sweater she is working on for her granddaughter.
Valerie made herself a pair of socks using Koiku and a recipe (?)! She also showed us her Christmas project -- she is making felted potholders. And, she is working on another scarf, knitted lengthwise.
Mady continues to work on her square blanket and she was modeling a vest she made out of scrap yarn. It was knitted sideways and had some very pretty, reversible buttons.
Cassandra was working on a baby blanket that she will consider finished and deliver when all of the yarn is knitted!
Lauri finished her "many year" vest. She explained that it was a many year vest because she was 35 pounds heavier when she started it. Now, several years later, she is 35 pounds lighter and the vest not only fits her, it has a little growing room too!
Laura is working on a triangle shawl using cotton. She may add beads and/or fringe to it. She also made a scarf using big needles and one skein on Homespun. And, she was modeling a beautiful, handmade cardigan from Ireland that she rescued from a thrift shop.
Genia was working on a mobius scarf using one pair of 60 inch double points. This was a pattern she found in A Treasury of Magical Knitting. She is also working on her strawberry shawl using cotton.

Meeting time and room
Our meetings will start promptly at 7:30 and end at 9:00. They will be held in the youth room of Ensor Hall, lower level. Park in the lot on the side of the church and enter through the door by the playground.

Membership
Dues will be collected at this year's holiday party that will be held at Mady's house on December 1, 2004. If you are unable to attend the party, but would like to renew your membership please contact Marilyn Riffkin at mriffkin@juno.com.