Thursday, December 13, 2012

Notes from the Guild's December 8 Christmas party ...

On December 8 the Hoosier Hills Rug Hooking Guild had their annual Christmas party at the St. Nicholas Restaurant in Santa Claus, Indiana.  Fifteen members and guests attended.  It was all good -- good food, good fellowship, good times!

A little bit of business was discussed while members were together.  Shirley Casebolt took the raffle rug home to work on next.  She also reported that we have two more vendors registered.  She will do some follow-up inquiries to those who have not yet responded.  Jana brought a carved wood Santa to show us and suggested the gentleman who carved it might be a vendor; he will be contacted.  Other suggestions of this type are welcome; we want to do some things that will interest men, too.

Marsha received a check from the Daviess County Visitors Bureau to be applied to our event insurance expense.  We feel so blessed to have their help.

Judy Foster has volunteered to donate the monks cloth and draw the pattern for the beginning rug hooking class kits for the 2013 fiber fair.  The Guild will supply the wool and group-teach the class.  Remember: we will need several Puritan-type frames for the class.  Judy will do the set up for the bookmark ads this year and Jana will have the printing done; she'll also design an informative piece about the Guild as a handout.

Another class is needed for the Fair, and rug braiding was discussed as an option.  This decision will need to be made soon.

A winter mini-retreat for the Guild was discussed and received great interest from those present.  To have it at Santa Claus it could be done off-season for $79 for a double room (lodging) and the meeting/hooking room would be included free of charge.  Members, please express your interest in person at the next meeting or contact our new president, Janice Spaulding, with your "I'm on board" response a.s.a.p.

A "hooking education spotlight" at each month's meeting will be tried.  January's meeting will be on backgrounds with the lesson being presented by Sug and Shirley.  Bring your ideas to the January meeting so a schedule/outline for the year 2013 can be compiled and we can get those spotlights shining!

Everyone is excited about our 10th anniversary Fiber Fair and looking forward to moving the Guild forward with a new slate of officers in the new year.  

Have a blessed Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year from the Hoosier Hills Rug Hooking Guild

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Updates from the November meeting ...

The Hoosier Hills Rug Hooking Guild held their regular monthly meeting Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the Carnegie Library on West Main Street in Washington, Indiana.

There were 10 members present and one guest.  In lieu of the president or vp, Teresa called the meeting to order and a very brief but informative business meeting was held.  Items of discussion were the fiber fair, a possible hooking retreat for members at Santa Claus, the Christmas party and it's location, and election of officers for 2013.  
Officers for 2013 will be:
Janice Spaulding, President
Jana R., VP & fiber fair coordinator
Teresa Kinman, Treasurer
Judy Foster, Secretary

Following the meeting there was ample time for hooking, visiting, enjoying several delicious munchies, and sharing hooking projects completed or in progress.  Below are some pictures taken at the meeting.

The next meeting will be the Christmas party and will be December 8, location to be announced.

Judy Foster brought her recently completed 9' runner for show & tell.  Here's a picture of it "at home."

Teresa Kinman brought this recently completed project called "Hazel's Welcome Runner", a Wooly Woolens design.  Love the blue saltbox house!
Betty Lou Lawhead was binding this rug called "Witch on a Broom" (a Judith Groff design).  Love the saying on this one: If the broom fits ...
Janice Spaulding brought a seasonal mat that she calls "Harvest from the Patch" to show.  It is a good illustration of how to shade with wide cuts.  Excellent work Janice!
Marsha Mulroony is close to completion on her nutcracker rug.  Should be done by Christmas I'm guessing!  The colors are much more vivid than this picture shows.  


I know Jan's witch was pictured last month, but she has added the needlefelted cat and it is precious!  The details on this lovely lady include bat earrings, lavender eyeshadow, beading on her purple boots, a vial (poison I'm guessing) attached to her orange belt, and that orange feather boa for the cat.
Jan Cabel is making these gently stuffed snowman "suckers" for holiday centerpieces.  Love the sparkles on their bow ties.  Jan says they're quick and easy to make.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Update from the October meeting ...

The Hoosier Hills Rug Hooking Guild gathered for their regular meeting October 12 at the Carnegie Library in Washington, Indiana.  

During the business meeting the following topics were discussed:
  • The transition of Treasurers is complete with Teresa Kinman reporting that the Guild now has a new checking account set up and ready to go.  Many thanks to Teresa for taking on this important Guild office.  The election of officers for 2013 will take place at the November meeting!  It was agreed that since Jana and Teresa had just began their duties as VP and Treasurer, respectively, that they would hold these offices for 2013.  Therefore the Guild elections next month will be for  President and Secretary.
  • In regard to the 2013 Wool Fiber Arts Fair, Marsha reported on the liability insurance piece of event planning.  This will be addressed in January when we have started a new year.
  • Shirley Casebolt, Vendor Coordinator, reported that she has sent 30 invitations to vend at next year's event.  Only two registrations have been returned.  Some corrections to the registration form will be made via letter to all vendors, most important change is the date for registrations to be returned.
  • The challenge rug for 2013 should include 10 of something since the Guild is celebrating their 10th Wool Fiber Arts Fair -- for instance 10 sheep, 10 flowers, etc.
  • Fiber Fair advertising was addressed including discussion of posters, radio spots, business card size ads, Rug Hooking Magazine, and the Country Register.  It was suggested that we need some sort of feedback from attendees to see how they heard about the event.
  • Classes at the Fair were discussed but no firm decisions were made.
  • Judy Foster will send information packets to rug hooking and other fiber-related groups in the tri-state area about the Fair and also about tourist opportunities in the Washington area to stimulate interest in coming to the Fair and staying to visit other venues as well.
  • Shirley Casebolt has suggested that the Guild have a winter retreat and/or hooking class in the Santa Claus area.  She will report back on this at the next meeting.
The group hooked during the discussion and enjoyed some delicious Halloween treats!  Everyone was in awe of Jan Cabel's spectacular hooked Halloween witch and needle felted cat (pictured below). 
Hooked Halloween Witch - Jan Cabel
Here's Jan's needle felted Halloween cat!  Too cute!


Guild members: remember that the November 10 meeting is election of officers.  This is an important meeting! 

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Noes from the August meeting ...

The August meeting agenda was very full.  The major decision was that we would continue holding the Wool Fiber Arts Fair.  Next year will be our 10th Fair and the Guild looks forward to a special time for everyone involved -- visitors, members and vendors.

In addition to the business meeting several people were working on their current projects.  Here's some pictures to give you an idea ...

Chrystal continues work on her flag rug.  This large piece is a  Polly Minnick design.  It will be a beauty when she's done!
Jan is working on this bold running rooster that she designed herself.  As usual, her colors are fantastic!
This beautiful pumpkin rug is Teresa's current hooking project.  Looks like she will soon be done!

That's just a few of the people who attended the August meeting.  It's always fun to see what everyone is working on.

Of note ... 
  • Some officer changes have been made and a smooth transition is expected.  
  • The membership roster will be available soon from secretary Amy.  
  • The Guild Bylaws will be distributed to members this week via email.  
  • Janice brought the 2013 raffle rug and Judy took it home to begin hooking on it.
REMINDER ... the Guild will not meet in September due to another event that several members will attend.  We'll meet again in October.  Come join us.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Notes from the June meeting ...

The Guild met Saturday, June 9, at the public library in Washington.  The major topic of discussion was a review of the May 19 Wool Fiber Arts Fair.  Those in attendance agreed that the event went well.  A steady flow of visitors was reported, which we thought was a good thing as opposed to the past when we had surges in the morning and after lunch with a lull in the late afternoon.  The classes were well received.  Our food concession was busy and we ran out of some items; adjustments will be made next year.  Our Guild marketplace booth was once again well received.  There was one no-show vendor.

Some major decisions were made in regard to vendors: there will be co-vendor coordinators next year with better communication urged; vendors will be restricted to one booth space; and the booth fee will be raised slightly to be more in line with similar events in our area.

Gretchen will prepare a display in one of the display cases at the Library where we meet describing our guild.  This will help get the word out locally about our Guild.  It was also suggested that we have an information brochure about the Guild, such as we had in the past, to distribute at public events.

Amy passed around a new membership directory with 26 members listed.

The meeting room at the Library was reserved for another three months with the proviso that we may not meet in September due to an annual conflict with two other local events.  A definite decision on this will follow at the July or August meeting. 

Below are some pictures from this year's Fiber Fair ...

Hooked Rug Display
A View of the Vendor Area
Goose Feather Wreath Class
More Vendor Displays
Sara Jolliff Demonstrates Spinning
Etienne's Brought Some Lovely Botanicals

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

HOORAY!

The 9th annual Wool Fiber Arts Fair is history.  It was a great day!

If you attended we hope you enjoyed yourself.  We will be reviewing the event at our next guild meeting and hope you will share your suggestions with us (see email address at right).  The Guild strives each year to make the event better and we value your input.

Next year will be our 10th fiber fair.  Put the date on your calendar now -- May 18, 2013 -- and celebrate with us.  It will be special!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Notes from the April meeting ...

The Hoosier Hills Rug Hooking Guild held their regular monthly meeting Saturday, April 11 at the Carnegie Library in Washington, Indiana. Sixteen members were present. The business meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. EST by President Colleen Schmidt who opened with some informative announcements.

  • There will be a hook-in in Kirkwood MO at the Community Center April 28. Nola Heidbreder will be vending and have a once-a-year sale on Townsend cutters and blades. Some members expressed an interest in attending.
  • Colleen also reported on a hook-in she attended in Virginia Beach and told us all about it in comparison to our own fiber fair.
  • She asked how members were coming on their challenge rugs. Members who didn't have the pattern and were interested were furnished with one before they left the meeting.
  • The membership directory is still a work in progress.

Judy Foster asked for pictures for this blog and in fact took a couple new pictures of member's finished projects at the meeting. Members are encouraged to send pictures to Judy to post at the bottom of this blog (people love to see pictures of others' projects!).

In regard to the Fiber Fair:

  • Members were updated on advertising. Most of the bookmark ads have been distributed in southwestern Indiana. Judy took a couple hundred to take to The Fiber Event at Greencastle on the 20-21st of this month. These ads have also been sent to all of the vendors.
  • Sheila Parker announced that the aprons (to be worn at the Fair by members) are being made by a company in Jasper and will be available for member payment and pickup at the May meeting.
  • Members, please have your rug label information to Becky Aldridge as soon as possible so she can make labels for your hooked pieces for our rug display at the Fiber Fair.
  • Paula Britt is taking care of the Guild's marketplace booth at the Fair this year. A sign-up sheet was passed around. Members are urged to bring their wares to be sold at the Fair; this is a very popular booth.
  • To our knowledge this is a list of the vendors that will be at the Fair this year:

Atkinson Farm Yarns

Barb Elliott Recycled Wool

Bedford College of Lace Making

Etienne Farm Market

Esther's Pressed Flowers

Green Hill Farm

Heirloom Wool Room

Hooked on George

Hollyhock Hill Designs

Indiana Fiber Producers Association

Olde Glory Designs

Pure Hearts & Clean Hands Soap Company

Spiderweb Specialties

Turkey Trot Workshops

Village Knitter

The business meeting was adjourned and a social time ensued. Jan Cabel brought some delicious cookies to share -- thank you Jan!

Everyone is excited about this year's Fiber Fair. Come join us! Questions? -- click on the email link on the right.


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Notes from the February meeting ...

The February 11, 2012 meeting of the Hoosier Hills Rug Hooking Guild was opened by Vice President Sheila Parker. The first Wool Fiber Arts Fair issue addressed was aprons. Amy Best checked with End Zone and their price is $17.00 each. Members discussed having the Guild’s logo hooked or needle punched onto each apron. Sheila is going to compare pricing with another store. A motion was made that each member would pay for their own apron. The motion carried.

It was decided that Becky Aldridge and Sheila Parker would get buckets of concrete to aid in holding up the display frames that are used as booth dividers at the Fair.

Those preparing food and working the kitchen for the Fair will come the day before to prep the kitchen and dining area.


It was decided that the cost of the beginning rug hooking class would be $35.00.
It will be taught by Guild members. We will accept no more than 12 participants. There will be pictures of the project provided and the pattern will be somewhat color coded. Members are to bring lots of “worms” to the March meeting; all colors are needed. They will be sorted for kit making at that time.

The other class at the fiber fair will be making an authentic German feather wreath, taught by Joanne Hobbs. Cost of this class will be $40.00 and last approximately 3 hours. She will accept up to 16 participants. [Members discussed having her come to a Guild meeting and teach the group how to make an authentic German feather tree.]

There will be a corn husk wreath making demonstration at the Fair.
This demo will be free; the cost for bows will be $2.00-$3.00.

Vendors who have responded so far include:

Barb Elliott (recycled wool, make-do’s, etc.)
Melvina Miller, Hollyhock Hill Designs (rug hooking) (2 spaces)
Pam Kinnaman, representing Indiana Fiber Producers (spinning) (2 spaces)
Stephen Bowman, Bedford College of Lace Making
Rebecca Phillips, Turkey Trot Workshops (painted floor cloths; pennies)
Janice Spaulding, Hooked on George (rug hooking)
Larry Green, wood carver
Etienne's Farm Market (heirloom plants, herbs, strawberries, etc.)
Esther's Pressed Flowers (all things made with pressed flowers)

In other vendor business, it was agreed to send an invitation to vend to Pure Hearts and Clean Hands Soap Company, Adam and Heather McPherson, Odon, Indiana.
It was also agreed to send an invitation to vend to a button maker; samples were viewed at the meeting. More info on the button vendor will be forthcoming at the next month. Shirley Casebolt, Vendor Coordinator, will contact vendors that had not responded to date and set March 1st as a deadline to respond.

Becky Aldridge will be making labels for member’s hooked pieces that will be displayed at the Fair. Members, PLEASE have information regarding your hooked pieces to her early so she has time to make labels, and to ensure that all rugs are labeled and look consistent.

In other business, the secretary is updating the membership list.

MEMBER REMINDERS FOR THE MARCH MEETING:
* BRING LOTS OF “WORMS” TO BE SORTED FOR THE BEGINNING RUG HOOKING CLASS.
* BE THINKING OF THE NUMBER OF COUNTRY REGISTERS YOU WILL NEED TO DISTRIBUTE IN YOUR AREA. THEY WILL BE THERE TO TAKE HOME AT THAT MEETING.

The business meeting was adjourned and a time of hooking, sharing and fellowship was enjoyed by all present.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Notes From the January Meeting ...

The Guild met at the Library in Washington, Saturday, January 14. President Colleen called the meeting to order and the following business was discussed:

There was discussion regarding last year's fiber fair and the need for more member involvement and organization. After discussion there was a vote taken to decide if we indeed wanted to have a fiber fair again this May. The vote showed that a majority of members present wanted to continue having the fair.

Marsha presented the idea of forming committees to ensure better preparation and more member involvement in the planning of the fiber fair. This was approved. These committees will each have a coordinator and assistant(s). Committees will meet at each monthly Guild meeting after the general business meeting is concluded.

Committees for the 2012 Wool Fiber Arts Fair were formed and are listed below. Committees are not limited to these people; if you are a Guild member and not on a committee and would like to help, please contact that committee's coordinator.

Facility Coordinator: Nan Tate
Vendor Coordinator: Shirley Casebolt
Advertising Coordinator: Marsha Mulroony & J.R.
Rug Display Coordinator: Becky Aldridge, Bailee Best, Carli Best
Food Coordinator: Julia Burns
Raffle Rug Coordinator: Colleen Schmidt
Classes Coordinator: Sheila Parker
Market Place Coordinator: Mary Elder

In other business pertaining to the fiber fair:

  • Sheila is checking on a German feather wreath and a corn husk wreath as possible class projects.
  • Amy will check on aprons for all members to wear during the fair.
  • Vendor invitations have been sent. A list of potential vendors was read with everyone agreeing on the invites.
  • Janice suggested a new vendor that may help draw more men; Larry Green is a wood carver from Washington and has published two books on wood carving. He teaches at the John C. Campbell Folk Art School in Brasstown N.C.. Everyone agreed that inviting Mr. Green was a good idea.
  • It was agreed to spend $95.00 for advertising the fair in the Country Register.
  • Janice presented a pattern for the beginning rug hooking class and it was approved.
  • Colleen suggested the idea of Guild members hooking a challenge rug to be displayed at the fiber fair; Rustic Rugs sent her a free pattern she thought would a good challenge rug. All approved. This pattern is available to Guild members from Colleen.

There was one guest at our meeting, Amanda, who is from the Jasper area and is interested in learning how to finish her rugs. She brought several pieces with her and she does a great job of hooking.

After the business meeting ended a social time was enjoyed by all present.