Butler Spinners And Weavers Guild

Minutes from October 7

The meeting was called to order at 10:03 by President Karen
Bierbauer. Minutes from past meeting were accepted. (Wini motioned,
Pam seconded). The treasury report was accepted as presented.

Old Business

Library - new issue of Spin-Off available. Christine is reviewing
new book on spinning dog hair. Magazine storage isssue: the guild
decided to keep 10 yrs worth of magazines to be farmed out to
different locations.

Sheep-to-shawl (Harrisburg) - Marilyn Merbach is now the flicker
for the team.. Loyalhanna guild is not participating in this year’s competition. One of its members,
Susan Reeb, wants to participate. Wini has offered up her spot as spinner to Susan. Susan is willing
to join our guild to become a part of the sheep to shawl team. Discussion followed as to whether the
guild wants to do this. She will send us a sample of her spinning. No decision has been made yet.

Guests - Debbie (Zelie?) and Connie Wokutich

Penn’s Colony - Linda Gross had her 15 seconds of fame on TV during a promotion for Penn’s
Colony.
Tent issue - Alvina no longer is able to store the guild tent. The man who set up our tent this
year is willing to buy it from us and store it for us as well. Discussion followed as to whether the
guild wants to do this. So far this tent has been used only for Penn’s colony. The plus side of sellling
is the convenience of having the tent already in Saxonburg plus the money we would get from the
sale. We would still have to pay him every year to set it up. The down side is we would no longer
have a tent in case we wanted to participate in some other event. ( it’s estimated that a new tent and
dining fly would cost about $600). He could rent the tent out to other people and we would have no
control over how well it was taken care of. Linda Gross and her husband offered to store the tent in
their locked building at Penn’s Colony. No decision was made. Marilyn motioned and Susan seconded
to table the discussion for a later meeting.. Motion approved. Also, the stakes and post for the
tent were found missing before setting up .. Wini replaced them . Alvina motioned and Sandy seconded
to have the guild reimburse her $160.00. Motion passed..

October 3 spin-in - Karen and her mother Linda made the trek to the event hosted by Malabar guild
near Mansfield.
Algonquin Mill Festival - Oct. 9,10,11 - Carrollton County. As this newsletter is being written,this
event has already taken place. The newletter from the Algonquin Guild had this blurb about the
festival:  “Sauerkraut Saga. It’s official. Yes, the second week in August, a crew of about 50 people each day,
for two days, 4 or 5 hours each day chopped SEVEN TONS of CABBAGE to make the kraut. And
the best part is that we were completely sold out by noon on Sunday of the festival.” (Is that a mam-
moth quantity or what?)

New Business

Kathie Schulz - her husband did get a job in California but she and her family are staying with her
mom in Virginia. Her new address is:

Kathie Schulz
2913 Colonial Hwy.
Rustburg,VA 24588
home -434-821-1748
cell 724-612-4993 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Helmet liners -The topic of knitting helmet liners for the troops came up and much discussion followed.
Some questioned whether they are being used at all. Some designs are not practical. If you are
making these for our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, check with Linda Gross. She has more info on
this.

MAFA elections -Officers for the new term were elected by ballot. Christine acting as the guild
representative voted in the election.

Upcoming Events -

Fiber Retreat at Chatacqua Oct. 10 -11.

Meeting adjourned at 10:45.

Show and Tell

Karen- moebius ring
Donna - announcement of having a new grand-daughter Alicia; picture of shawl woven at Sunset
Hills Alpaca Farm demo.
Jean Ohl - knitted caps using some of Betty Fisher’s yarn; small rug using scraps of rug yarn
Alvina - announcement of having a new great grand-daughter
Blanche - new book by Bobby Irwin “Twist and Twine”
Connie Wokutich- handknit socks (pattern from Blue Moon Sock club)
Wini - fabric of alpaca/tencel woven by Blanche (6 yds. -34” wide); congratulations to Wini on her
passing the exam for fleece judging.
Melsina - SMALL hand embroidered rosebud earrings
Linda Osborne - felted slippers (2 prs.)
Lillian -handspun yarn (2 ply) from roving. Note: see the following article written by Lillian that
accompanied this yarn
Linda Gross - black and gold striped socks using handspun “striped” yarn
Debbie Reeb (mother of Hilary who won handspinning prize) - alpaca scarf
Sandy - handwoven tote bags from Penn’s Colony
Susan - cahmere and silk handwoven scarf (36 epi)
Marilyn - prayer shawl in progress
Ruth - handknitted coat in progress
Susan Rex - guest (from Loyalhanna)
Kind Heart Needed
Ruth Schnell received a call from a woman who needs help re-warping her rug loom. She
lives near Butler Community College. Her name is Shirley Kawulich.724-287-4218. Any
kind soul who wishes to help her can call.

Upcoming Programs

Dec. 2 -Christmas Pizza Party
Jan. 6 -Film: History of Sheep Industry
in Waynesburg
Feb.3 -A Bevy of Braids -Making braids uisng bobbins,
fingers, and cards

This story accompanied Lillian Arnold’s show and tell.

Chapter I
There I was peeking out of a small covered basket when a spinner sat down beside me.
Out of the corner of her eye she spied me. She grabbed me out of the basket, ooh-ing and aahing
over the feel of my soft fibers and combination of colors. She immediatley went in search of
my owner, also a spinner.
Upon locating my owner, she expressed interest in purchasing me but discovered I was
not for sale. Out of the kindness of her heart, my owner gave me to this spinner. A simple ball of
roving with my soft fibers of smoky blues, medium brown intertwined with light grays. I felt quite
handsome!
My new spinner was overjoyed so much so that she showed me
around to the other fiber artists in the group. There was much discussion of
my shaded colors and it was agreed that I would make excellent storm
clouds on a fiber tapestry. WOW! I thought I might show up on a framed
work of art for all the world to see. If this occurs, I will let you know!
As my spinner unfolded my fibers and spun me onto her wheel, she
thought of the friendships and kindness that we show others. How from something so simple as a
skein of fiber can become something beautiful and useful. Maybe everyone will not appreciate me
like this spinner does, the same way one person can not see the beauty in another person.
As my roving turns into more yarn my spinner will continue to have thoughts of my future
since there is much more of me to spin. My thoughts are in appreciation for the generosity of a
beautiful person who gave me to this spinner. I feel truly loved.
to be continued...

MEETING INFORMATION
We meet the first Wednesday of every month at the Butler Cooperative Ext. Office from 10AM to 2PM (unless
otherwise stated in the calendar). The extension office is located at 101 Motor Pool Way in Butler PA. (724) 287-
4761
wheel.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
The Guild owns a variety of spinning and weaving equipment available to members to rent for $5.00 per week.
The sheep to shawl teams have first priority on the equipment for an upcoming event. If interested in renting
anything please contact Wini Labrecque at 724-272-4285.
NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
Please send information for newsletter to
Sandy Smailer, 1562 Village Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
OFFICERS
President – Karen Bierbauer – 724-924-2383
Vice President – Sandy Smailer w/Angela Fishman - 412-366-4245
Secretary – Marcia Dibbern – 724-637-9916
Treasurer - Donna Fike- 724-284-1212
From: Jeanne Cecil
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 9:54 AM
Subject: 36" LeClerc floor loom
Apologies if this is inappropriate, but I found your contact on the Pittsburgh Weavers’ Guild website,
and thought someone may be interested in purchasing my floor loom. I just posted it on Craig’s List
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/art/1420294254.html. I think the price is a steal and would like
someone who is appreciates weaving to have it.
Please forward my phone if anyone is interested, 724-274-2472.
It is in West View and I prefer to not move it, but I am in Springdale and would move it by 28th
(unless it sells first!).
Thank you,
Jeanne Cecil
Items for Sale