The new year at the guild is underway and it is time to renew your memberships! We’d love to receive your membership forms and fees within the next few weeks so that we can include you in the annual membership directory. The directory goes to print at the beginning of November, so we’ll need to have your information by then. If you have questions about membership, please contact the Membership Coordinator, Felicia Lo at <membership@gvwsg.com>

As I sit in a campsite tonight, not far from Fredericton, New Brunswick, I am very aware of textile artists’ contributions
which make our world a far more interesting place. We have spent the day at a re-creation of a Loyalist Village at King’s
Landing. In almost every house we visited, there was some sort of hand work being done. We saw rug hooking, quilting,
crazy quilting, spinning of both wool and linen, the preparation of wool and flax for spinning, felted cloth, dyeing, and
knitting.

It also made me think of my own community of textile artists and what a wonderful, vibrant group I am honoured to
belong to. This is the time of year that a report is created out of all the reports from your executive. Before I get in to the
amalgamated reports, I want to thank each and everyone on the executive for the work they have done on our behalf this
year. It’s been a forward looking year as we reach out to the community to interest new members in our crafts. This has
been done through our website and our new promotional material. We have also reached out through demonstrations that
the Guild has undertaken during the year. In order to continue to be a vibrant Guild, looking towards the future, we need
to interest and encourage new members. I think we have taken steps in that direction this year.

We are losing a most valued Table Officer this year. I can’t think of any words that would properly thank Linda Spence
for her years of dedicated service to our Guild as Treasurer as well as many other positions over the years. Linda will stay
on, thankfully, as Scholarship Chair – so we will still have her valued input to the Executive.

Linda Spence, our Treasurer, has reported that the Memorial Fund and the Scholarship funds were within budget this year.
However, we had a net loss this year on our workshops and Linda has suggested ways of preventing this from occurring
again. The cost of our newsletter was higher than budgeted because of the wonderful sample set we all received in our
newsletter. We had unbudgeted expenses with the cost of production of the bookmarks and brochures during the year.
Linda has also noted that we are not receiving the revenue from ads in the newsletter that we have in previous years. She
reports a net loss this year of $1,551.00 which was less than it might have been had we not received interest from one of
our GICs. Linda has suggested that we increase our membership fee to $30.00 to help with additional honorarium costs
and the website – this will be discussed in the fall.

Jo Skinner has reported as Membership Coordinator that we have 142 members (including, lifetime members, a
scholarship recipient and a contest winner. We also have 16 Guilds and Exchanges with whom we associate. Jo reports
that we welcomed 26 new members this year! Louisa Chadwick came forward and offered to compile and design our
membership directory. We are currently hoping to increase the number of our members who receive their newsletters
electronically with our new system of distributing our samples. Jo also reports that our website is proving effective for
letting the public know we’re here, and to make joining us easy and efficient.

Speaking of the website – http://www.gvwsg.com/ – Louisa Chadwick reports that Felicia Lo has done a huge job in
getting the software background of our website changed so that it will be easier for Guild members to maintain. We have
a great team who are working at maintaining the information – Diana Herbst, Louisa Chadwick, Jo Skinner, Jo Anne
Ryeburn and Yoriko Oki. Louisa reminds all members to sign up for membership on the website so that they can access
the Members Only area.

Ruth Griffiths, thankfully, continues to create our wonderful newsletters. Janice Griffiths keeps us up to date in between
newsletters with our emailed Weavers News updates. Thank you to both of them for keeping us all “in the loop”.

Diana Herbst, our Program Coordinator arranged for a wonderful year of programs for the Guild. We were lucky enough
to receive presentations from Guild Members as well as outside speakers. For a list of the programs that we had last
year – check the website! Diana also surveyed the membership for suggestions for future topics and feedback on past
programs. We would like to thank Aurelia Wools and Friends of Chamber Music for providing door prizes for our June
meeting.

Rob Kolen, our Workshop Coordinator, reported that this year four workshops and two study groups were offered. The
concept of the study groups is to provide opportunities for Guild Members to practice a technique in weaving, dyeing,
spinning or basketry and to use that technique in a completion of a project. This would allow the Member to work at
their own pace and on their own equipment. The two study groups this year were well supported by the Members and
reports from both the instructors and the Members were positive. Thanks are extended to Jo Anne Ryeburn for leading the
Painted Warp and to Beryl Hickingbottom for leading the study group on Shadow Weave. Two of the workshops offered
this year were cancelled due to lack of registration. Jane Stafford presented one of her new workshops on “Collapse
Weave”. James Koehler presented a five day tapestry workshop on colour and design. James Koehler also was our
presenter at the Memorial Lecture in May.

Jo Anne Ryeburn reports on some of the many hats she wears for the Guild. Publicity: Guild publicity has received a
boost thanks to the work and expertise of Dawn Russell. She shepherded the design and printing of our new bookmarks
and brochures and regularly sends electronic meeting and Guild event notices to media and guild contacts. Refreshments:
Thanks to the generosity of guild members, meetings are enhanced by the availability of hot drinks and cookies.

Myrna Lindstrom, our Librarian, reports on the work done by her team of able assistants in the Library. She and Mary
Varga do an annual audit of our library. We are lucky to have one of the most extensive libraries on weaving, spinning,
and other related crafts in Canada. Myrna reports through our newsletters of any additions to our library. This year the
Guild subscribed to a wonderful new journal out of England – Selvedge – as well as purchasing two DVDs about basic
weaving skills. Myrna does ask for volunteers to help with the library. It’s a Guild job that helps you get to know other
Guild members as well as seeing the wonderful selection of material that we have access to.

Cathie Barr reports on Demonstrations and Exhibitions. This was an active year where we tried to reach out to the larger
community. In March, four weavers and three spinners demonstrated one day at the Vancouver Museum as part of the
Craft Association of BC exhibit “Contemporary Craft in BC: Excellence Within Diversity.” In July, Wilfred the Moose
(from the 2007 ANWG conference) went to the two day Maple Ridge Country Fest. He was in the Guild booth in the
Fabulous Fibres area and shared the space with eight Guild members who demonstrated weaving, spinning, knitting and
kumihimo. In August, six Guild members were at the Trout Lake Farmers’ Market and demonstrated weaving, spinning
and basket making. The new Guild bookmarks and brochures were distributed at these venues and our demonstrations
received a great deal of interest from the public. Many thanks, to everyone who helped to make these events successful.

There were no exhibitions this year, although planning has started for the Guild booth at the ANWG conference to be held
in May 2009 at Spokane WA. The theme for the conference is “Weaving Waves of Colour” and the Inland Northwest
has inspired the theme colours of red, yellow, blue, green, orange and purple. The Guild booth will feature scarves and
shawls, with each item using one of the theme colours. Guild members are being asked to spin, weave, knit and felt and
create the scarves and shawls for this event.

Gaye Hansen reported that The Capilano College Scholarship recipient this year was Sibila Maksimcev.

Louisa Chadwick reported that only one piece of spinning equipment was rented this year. She reminds us all of the
equipment that the Guild owns that is available for members to rent. Check your Membership Directory for a list of
equipment that is available.

I trust that this report covers the year 2007/08 in the manner it should.

Respectfully submitted.

Sandra Crompton
President

Thank you so much for everyone’s patience and enthusiasm around developing the new website for the guild! We have just rebuilt the website using the WordPress platform which will allow us to update the site with content and photos easier than in the past. My deepest thanks and appreciation go to Louisa Chadwick and Yoriko Oki for helping with maintaining the website over the past year. If you were registered on the previous site as a user, you’ll have to just register again for the new 2008-2009 membership year.

####Registering for the Guild Website
If you are a member of the guild, please feel free to register for this website. Initially you will be assigned the role of “subscriber”. The membership chair will review your account and ensure that you are an active member of the guild and upgrade your role to “contributor”. As a a contributor, you can add posts to this website which will be reviewed by the website manager and then published on your behalf. Also, being a contributor allows you to access the newsletter back issues, member profiles, and more.

Register for the GVWSG Site now »

####Have you and your work featured on our site!
There is an amazing depth and variety to the work that our GVWSG members have created and we would love to feature our members’ work on this website. Some of you are tapestry weavers, some of you dye and weave yardage for clothing or accessories, and others of you are involved in bookmaking, basket weaving or bobbin lace. We’d love to see all of it!

Want to show off your workspace or studio? Have some lovely pieces that you have created and would like to see featured here in photos and text? Please don’t hesitate to contact me at . We’d love to hear from you!

####GVWSG Events Calendar
Our calendar of upcoming events, guild programs and more is available now via our Google Calendar which can be viewed here on our website or here. Alternatively, you can subscribe to our calendar via iCal or your own Google calendar account to keep up to date with the guild.

####More GVWSG Online
Connect with guild members, both new and existing, through our Facebook group or Flickr group. We want to see your project photos and hear about your ideas and thoughts for this revitalised and growing guild!

Felicia Lo, GVWSG Website

June 1st not only brings us the very first taste of summer, but a reminder that the new membership year at the GVWSG is beginning. Please bring your cheques (or cash) for $25 to the June meeting in order to receive uninterrupted membership enjoyment.

Starting in June 2008 we will be encouraging those members who get their newsletters by post to switch to email. Here are some great reasons:

• It saves your Guild money. Printing the newsletter on high quality stock, putting it in a non-standard-sized envelope and mailing it is an expensive process, one that is subsidized by your Guild.
• Newsletters are easy to file for future reference if they’re on your computer. When you receive your newsletters, save them into a newsletter folder and they’ll always be there for your reference.
• Colour photos of Show & Tell and events are an added bonus for email newsletter recipients.
• This goes without saying: it’s better for the environment.

This doesn’t mean that you can no longer receive your newsletter by mail. If you don’t have a computer, or really would rather receive a mailed newsletter, then specify this on your membership application form. We’ll be happy to continue to send your newsletter to you.

Either way, join us for another year of great workshops, inspiring programs, enviable show & tell, and great camaraderie.

Membership Chair (soon to be skived off to another person)
GVWSG Greater Vancouver Weaver’s and Spinner’s Guild

This year’s Memorial Lecture was a wonderful example of what a great group of like minded people can achieve.  The James Koehler workshop and lecture brought a teacher of awe-inspiring talent right into our midst.

We have had a year with changes.  Our website is slowly becoming the website that will represent our talented group of members under Felicia Lo’s guidance.  We have started to plan for a major celebration of our 75th Anniversary under Elizabeth Bell’s talented leadership.  Our newsletter continues to be something we all look forward to using Ruth Griffith’s talents.  It also goes without saying that our bookmarks have been a great success thanks to the hard work of Jo Anne Ryeburn and Dawn Russell.  They can be found at all the wonderful fibre locations in our area.  If you find a spot that doesn’t have any, let Jo Anne know.  These are all outreach programs that will let the Greater Vancouver Area know that we are here and weaving, spinning, dyeing and all related crafts are alive and well.

Cathie Barr has been busy organizing demonstrations — one very successful one at the Vancouver Museum and watch for us at the Farmer’s Market at Trout Lake this year!  However, the Guild would not be able to function without the hard working members of the executive and all the other volunteers that make things happen.  Special thank you to all who help do the set up for our meetings and putting everything away after.  To all you of who keep us well fed with cookies at the meeting, thank you to you as well.

The trouble with starting to say thank you is that you can’t thank everyone who lends a hand.  Ruth wouldn’t have room for all the other wonderful information that she has for us in this newsletter!  My final thank you will be to all of you who have been very patient with a new President who stepped into the job without much background knowledge.  Thank you to Linda Spence, Jo Anne Ryeburn and all the others who have helped me stumble through my first year.

Sandra Crompton, President

Syne Mitchell of the WeaveCast podcast has begun a new free online magazine dedicated to weaving! Called WeaveZine you can read the first issue at http://www.weavezine.com/

Think Knitty.com only for weavers and you’ll be close to what a great resource this is. This first issue includes lots of interesting articles and projects, complete with photos, drafts and how-tos. Because of the magic of the Internet, you can instantly download the weave drafts in WIF format. Plus there is less restriction on article length so there are extra-detailed instructions to help beginners. Back issues will be available in a searchable archive so you’ll always have access to the projects of interest.

Here’s wishing Syne and her contributors much success with this enterprise, ushering in the bright future of publishing for a special audience like ours.

Another shop front store with yarn and fleece is always good news as far as I’m concerned, so I couldn’t wait to check out the shop at 4458 Main St. The mother and daughter team, Francesca Pagliotti and daughter Zoe, are obviously ardent knitters but the spinners amongst us will be happy to know that they also plan to carry roving as well, provided by none other than Felicia Lo, the live presence behind SweetGeorgia website. The wall of reasonably priced Cascade 220 is also an excellent resource for felters, and there is an ample selection of Euroflax linen.

There was a great sense of celebration as yarn enthusiasts drifted in the door on opening day. What better way to mark the passage into autumn on the west coast than to spend a Saturday morning on Main street deliberating amongst so many enticing yarns and patterns as a cozy sweater begins to materialize in the mind’s eye. And afterwards, there’s no shortage of atmospheric coffee stops, where one can puzzle over the pattern and perhaps even cast on the inaugural row.

After the excitement and mayhem of the first week dyed [sic] down, I had a brief, online interview with Francesca, to which she responds below.

“We love the Main Street neighborhood and were very excited to find a storefront in that area. We have tried to create a shop with a warm, friendly and creative environment, full of beautiful yarn and inspiring projects for all levels of knitters. We will begin offering classes in October, starting with a beginners and intermediate series taught by Linda Hull; we then plan to expand to add advanced classes and specialty knitting, drawing from the expertise of master knitters in the community, including finishing, beadwork, felting, mobius knitting, socks, knitalongs, etc. We are also hosting a knitting circle on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 pm where knitters can meet informally to work on projects, share ideas, and help each other. Everyone is welcome. We see ourselves as a gathering place in the community for people who love to knit.

We believe we have chosen a nice selection of yarn for our opening inventory and will, of course be adding new lines in the future, including Fleece Artist and Handmaiden. We welcome suggestions from our customers for expanding our selection. We have a full colour range in most of the yarn we carry, including a beautiful wall of cubbies filled with Cascade 220 in 70 colourways. We also carry Mission Falls 1824 cotton and wool in all the colours. We want to support Canadian yarn manufacturers, local fiber artists and independent knitwear designers and will be continually expanding in this direction.

In addition to Mission Falls, we also are fortunate to have a wonderful selection of Koigu KPPPM and Felicia Lo’s SweetGeorgia Yarns. We also carry the full line of Euroflax linen, a beautiful and interesting yarn that we love but is not well known in Vancouver.

In addition to spun yarn, we currently have a very small selection of SweetGeorgia Yarn’s hand dyed Blue Faced Leicester roving and bombyx silk fiber and we may be carrying more in the future.”

Submitted by Barb Duncan