Spinning

Hello my dear friends - there is a great deal of activity in the Cowichan Valley to do with textile arts...........the Spin In! at Providence Farm is this Monday from 10 - 2, wool and lunch provided for your volunteer time, spinning the farm's wool for the new Textile program. Bring your spinning wheel and perhaps a niddy noddy and come and spin to your heart's content (it is also Valentine's Day!). Too bad we couldn't 'heart-felt' as well - haha.

And THEN.....

February 26th and 27th marks the second annual Unfinished Project Project - UPP for creativity anyone??? 10 - 3. This year we are having it at Whippletree Junction in the courtyard, right behind the Loom and near Leola's Studio. There is an empty store and the landlady has graciously offered it to us to use. So same format as last year except over two days - that gives everyone an opportunity to join in. Bring your projects with you to trade, finish or give away, start a new project, join in a few unfinished cooperative efforts, or just come and enjoy the company. Bring a mug, your lunch, some fibre to trade, and perhaps a pillow for the chairs. Rumour has it we might have a massage therapist on site to ease our hardworking muscles. There will be a silent auction as well and all proceeds go to the Somenos Transition House in Duncan - we are people helping women and children. Last year we made almost $600 which went to a children's art activity area in the shelter. All textile artists or artists seeking out a new medium are welcome, weavers, knitters, crocheters, quilters, spinners etc. Tell all your friends. And if you have something to donate to the Silent Auction please let me know - Be UPP for inspiration, exhilaration and creation!!! My phone number is 250 701-7340 or at the Loom 250 746-5250

Although not up-to-date, I managed to work on my blog this early early morning - so if there are errors (I couldn't seem to edit it after I posted it...I will try later) please forgive me.

Hope to see you at the above events and if not there in the studio. Thanks so much for being so supportive - my life and studio are richer for your support.

UPP - Unfinished Project Project

Photo by Leola from her studio.
See her blog for more

Here's a note from Leola who has the Weaving/Spinning Studio behind the \Loom at WhippleTree:
February 26th and 27th marks the second annual Unfinished Project Project - UPP for creativity anyone???  10 - 3. This year we are having it at Whippletree Junction in the courtyard, right behind the Loom and near Leola's Studio. There is an empty store and the landlady has graciously offered it to us to use. So same format as last year except over two days - that gives everyone an opportunity to join in. Bring your projects with you to trade, finish or give away, start a new project, join in a few unfinished cooperative efforts, or just come and enjoy the company. Bring a mug, your lunch, some fibre to trade, and perhaps a pillow for the chairs. Rumour has it we might have a massage therapist on site to ease our hardworking muscles. There will be a silent auction as well and all proceeds go to the Somenos Transition House in Duncan - we are people helping women and children. Last year we made almost $600 which went to a children's art activity area in the shelter. All textile artists or artists seeking out a new medium are welcome, weavers, knitters, crocheters, quilters, spinners etc. Tell all your friends. And if you have something to donate to the Silent Auction please let me know - Be UPP for inspiration, exhilaration and creation!!! My phone number is 250 701-7340 or at the Loom 250 746-5250

Although not up-to-date, I managed to work on my blog this early early morning - so if there are errors (I couldn't seem to edit it after I posted it...I will try later) please forgive me.

Hope to see you at the above events and if not there in the studio. Thanks so much for being so supportive - my life and studio are richer for your support.

Leola 

new workshops

Hello everyone,

I will be teaching two workshops this spring in the new Meeting Room at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds (Exhibition Park at the Mays Road/Trans Canada intersection just north of North Cowichan's Municipal Hall). Below are the descriptions of the workshops (attached are pictures of the two techniques). If you'd like to take one or both sessions or if you have questions about either class, please get in touch with me. Note the registration deadlines for each workshop.

Alison
(250) 746-6330

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EIGHT 'N' EIGHT KUMIHIMO - Saturday, April 9, 2011

Eight light threads and eight dark threads. Discover why this pairing is the perfect combination for so many great geometric patterns for the 'Kongo Gumi' braid -- that's the beautiful round braid most people think of when they see the word 'Kumihimo'. To begin with, I'll walk you through the basic 'up, down, turn' braiding motion with just eight threads. When another eight are added and you're introduced to my Diamond Grid system, you'll understand why there might be no end to the number of designs you can create when you put 8 and 8 together!

Length of class: 1 day (9:30 to 4:30 with an hour break for lunch)
Date of class: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Location: Meeting room at the new Cowichan Exhibition grounds (at Mays Road intersection on Trans Canada Highway)
Cost of class: $40. This includes a braiding kit (braiding card, cotton yarns, and braiding weight) plus handouts.

Registration deadline: Friday, March 4, 2011. A cheque made out to 'Alison Irwin' can be sent to me at 383 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan, BC V9L 5X6. Please include your name, mailing address, and contact information.

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INKLE LOOM LESSON - Saturday, May 7, 2011

Do you have an inkle loom but don't know how to use it? Learn how in this great class for beginners. Discover how to tie heddles for it, how to put on a warp, and how to weave and finish a narrow band. What can you weave on these great little looms? Hat bands, ribbons, bookmarks, shoe laces, straps for bags, trim for clothing...these are just a few of the projects possible!

Come to class with a naked inkle loom (make sure all of its pegs are smooth and secure) OR borrow one of mine. All of the linen and variegated cotton yarns for this class are supplied.

Length of class: 1 day (9:30 to 4:30 with an hour break for lunch)
Date of class: Saturday, May 7, 2011
Location: Meeting room at the new Cowichan Exhibition grounds
Cost of class: $40. This includes the heddle yarns, warp and weft yarns, plus handouts.

Registration deadline: Friday, April 1, 2011. A cheque made out to 'Alison Irwin' can be sent to me at 383 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan, BC V9L 5X6. Please include your name, mailing address, contact information, and if you wish to borrow a loom.