Notes from the March meeting ...

The Hoosier Hills Rug Hooking Guild met Saturday, March 9 at the Carnegie Public Library in Washington, Indiana with 14 members in attendance.  President Janice Spaulding opened the meeting with a welcome to two new members, Denice and Mary Jane.

Jana led the discussion regarding the upcoming fiber fair preparations.  Items discussed included:

• Insurance.  Completion of plans for obtaining liability insurance.
• Advertising.  Several forms of advertising were available for members to take home and distribute including flyers, post card ads, bookmark ads (wool strips were added to these as the meeting progressed), and the new issue of Country Register with our ad inside.
• Classes.  Rug braiding class will be limited to 12 instead of 15 and members will bring coat weight wool if possible to the next meeting for tearing and rolling.  The beginning rug hooking class was discussed with a decision to buy part of the wool for the kits and donate part of it.  Judy Foster will bring the class sample to the next meeting.
• Demonstrations.  It was decided that a member demonstration area will include at least needle felting, rug hooking and crochet.  Members are welcome to demonstrate their favorite form of fiber art.
• Setup:  We'll have some help setting up this year.  It will begin the day before the event at 9 a.m.  We anticipate no problems.
• Guild Brochure.  Judy brought a mock-up of a brochure and will tweak it a little bit before taking it to the printers.
• Raffle Rug.  The raffle rug just needs the border, which Teresa Kinman will complete.  It will then be taken to Janice for binding.  The Evansville Mall Hookers will man the ticket sales table at the Fair.  Members took home packets of raffle tickets to sell along with the picture post card of the rug.
• Rug Display.  Discussion centered on who would print the labels for the rug display.  The display units are being kept at Hooked On George.  The display will unfold naturally as the pieces are brought to the building.  No problems anticipated.
• Food.  Jana reported that due to regulations, all food and drinks must be commercially prepared and wrapped.  More discussion regarding food/drinks will take place at the next meeting.

The Treasurer's report was given by Teresa Kinman and expenses were approved.  The Secretary, Judy Foster, also had some business to discuss; most members are now receiving their meeting minutes via email.  Also, a new membership list was passed around for corrections and additions.  An updated list will be distributed at the next meeting.

The business meeting was adjourned.  Some stayed to visit and others enjoyed a class taught by Sug McClain; they made a wool Christmas feather tree.  Very cute!

Below are some pictures taken at this meeting -- enjoy!

"Bed Rug Fantasy", in progress, by Mary Jane Todd.

"Coquat", in progress.  Mary Jane is hooking this one, too, and just has a little left in the border.  She hopes to find the wool she needs to finish it!

"Poinsettias", a Red Barn Rugs design, hooked by Teresa Kinman.

"Spring Beauties", a Tomorrow's Heirlooms design.  Hooked by Denice Lasher.

"Yule" by Jan Cabel.  (Jan got a kitten for Christmas!)

"Running Rooster" by Jan Cabel.

[APPOLOGIES TO OWNERS OF THESE RUGS ... I MUST HAVE HAD MY YELLOW FILTER ON THE CAMERA SATURDAY!  SO SORRY.  jf ]

Notes from the February meeting ...

The Hoosier Hills Rug Hooking Guild met at the Carnegie Library in Washington on February 9.  Nineteen members and guests were present.  When President Janice called the meeting to order she suggested that the group should consider wearing name tags at meetings to assist in becoming better acquainted.  Great idea!

The business meeting was called to order and it was announced that Jan Cabel was ill and would therefore not be giving the presentation on color planning with a color wheel in rug hooking.  She will do so at a future meeting.

In old business Jana led the discussion on plans for the fiber fair:

• Vendors -- There are 11 confirmed (paid) vendors.  Shirley has contacted those outstanding and is waiting for confirmation of same.
• Insurance -- Marsha reported on two quotes for event liability insurance but has some additional questions which will be addressed before purchase.
• Setup -- It was suggested that the Guild may be able to receive assistance with clean up and set up of the building.  Not-for-profit organizations may be eligible for assistance from the Community Corrections Program.
• Advertising -- The flyers have been printed, received and will be delivered to the Visitors' Bureau.  The postcards are also finished and Chrystal agreed to do the mailings as she has in the past.  Information for the Country Register ad has been forwarded to that publication.  Plans call for the bookmark ad to be at the next meeting so wool strips can be tied to each.  [Members ... remember to bring some wool strips for this project at the March meeting!]  It was suggested that we have pictures of the raffle rug available for media use.
• Classes -- By consensus, limits were set for the class size this year -- 15 for the rug braiding class and 12 for the beginning rug hooking.  A waiting list will be kept if necessary.  Teresa Kinman is receiving registrations for the two classes.
• Food -- Jana will check with Subway on options.
• Guild Marketplace Booth & Greeters -- Members volunteered to be in all of those important locations.
• Raffle Rug -- The tickets will be located and available at the next meeting.  Remember, chances are 15 for $5.00 and one chance for $1.00.  The rug was taken home by Teresa who will complete the hooking and hand it off to Janice for binding.

In other business, Janice reminded those present that 2013 membership dues are now due ($15.00 annually).  A treasurer's report was given by Teresa Kinman.  A member's retreat at Santa Claus was discussed again, and Teresa and Shirley said they would coordinate this event. 

Following the meeting Janice led an informal discussion of color planning, using Betty's new fall rug as an example.  She also noted that lots of those present were hooking during the meeting (a good thing!) and is hoping for a lot of new rugs for the Guild's rug display at the Fiber Fair.  Everyone seemed to have a great day and reported that it was a wonderful meeting.

** SPECIAL NOTE TO MEMBERS REGARDING THE MARCH MEETING **

The lesson at the March meeting will be making a Wool Christmas Feather Tree.  Sug had a sample at the February meeting and it looks fantastic!  She will teach us how to make this tree in March.  Members, you will need to bring your own supplies and here is the list:

1/4 yd wool
18 gauge FABRIC covered floral wire
1 roll floral tape
1 wood dowel, 1/4" diameter, 12 inches long, one end sharpened in a pencil sharpener
craft fabric glue that dries clear
wire cutters
scissors, sharp
needle nose pliers
Sharpie marker

Written instructions for the tree were copied and distributed at the meeting; if you were not there or did not get a set, you may want to connect with a member who has a copy so that you can be ready to do this neat project in March!