up-to-date now?

I'm sorry for the gap in posting - I just haven't got around to it (if anyone has a round tuit, perhaps they could show me how to make one).
Also, I haven't been taking photographs:  we had a great time at Woodfest Wales at the end of July, lots of interest in our stand and so on, but I was too busy on the Saturday to take any pictures.  I did manage this one just before I went home:

Abergele Guild at Woodfest Wales.  It wasn't anything like this miserable during the day,

Last Sunday we met in Betws yn Rhos to spin and weave - on opposing sides of the room. The spinners commented on the lack of chat from the weavers.  Well, we were concentrating.  Hard.

Weaving in the red corner....

...and in the blue corner: spinning!

Jenny's little loom proved a bit of a challenge to warp for the first time:

but after a team effort, she got going and produced her first piece of weaving (and it was enviably even).

Note the smile!

Jenni and Edith were steaming ahead too, but my four shaft table loom took a bit more time.  (Update, Tuesday:  I am still denting the reed, and am about half way across.  It's linen at 12 ends per inch, so I think I'm excused the slow pace?)

Warp, with matching mug.

Look: in the background, Edith has already got her heddle threaded and is tying the warp on the front beam.  Nothing much happening in the foreground.

A good time was had by all - mostly.  We ought to admit to a certain amount of sighing and silent swearing and re-doing from the weavers, but everyone came away in an optimistic frame of mind.  I think.
Especial thanks are due to Paul for the outstanding Victoria sponge.  It was a real prize-winner, despite the alleged mix-up about the ingredients (I can't believe there was no baking powder in it).

Another busy Monday meeting

The diversity of spinning and weaving was evident at our Monday evening meeting this week:  drop-spindling, spinning on wheels, spinning fancy yarn, weaving - you name it, we were doing it.

Yvonne and her drop spindle.

Val and the mini-pin loom.

Hilary and a midi pin loom.

More glorious colours from Edith.

Bryn's super-coil slub yarn.

The pièce de résistance: Edith's very first weaving.

(and the cake picture)

We were pleased to have a visit from Jules, who had spent the previous few days spinning at the Conwy Tournament, and hope she might join us again in the future.  As usual, Val had excelled herself and produced an amazing cake with fruit from her garden.
Thanks to all who attended - see you again soon.
AC

Open Day 2017

The sun shone brightly on our first Open Day in Betws yn Rhos, and we really appreciated the spacious accommodation in the Community Centre.  Thanks to the hard work by Bryn and Jenni (Hilary and Alison being mostly elsewhere) stallholders, Guild members and visitors all had a good time, taking advantage of the free tea and cakes!
As always, we were pleased to welcome friends old and new from other local Guilds - thanks to them for coming.  Following recent (good) publicity we also met several members of the public who came along to see what we do.
We were sorry that our local drop spindle maker was unable to join us, but were able to gaze enviously at Chris Jukes's wonderful collection and marvel at her expertise during her demonstration.  Mandy Coates brought her baskets, Krithia brought wares from the Anvil Pottery and Glenys Snowdonia Wools brought her lovely yarns and knitting sundries.

A quiet moment in the hall

Betty enjoying the sunshine.

On-site advertising - bunting and banner.

Chris....

...and her collection.

Jenni and Shirley brought fibre from their flocks, and most of us contributed to the stash sale - thanks to Val and Edith for taking the money on our behalf.  We had a really good display of work by Guild members - weaving, spinning and dyeing all on view.  Jenni's tombola was a star attraction with Super Prizes, and it generated a staggering amount of money for our coffers.
All in all, an excellent day out.  Thank you to all who helped, and who attended.  Here's to next year!
AC

Spring is here -

- the clocks went forward yesterday and Storm Katie has (thank goodness) passed us by.  That isn't to say that the weather here has been completely balmy and Springlike; Easter weekend was pretty nasty, and one of our members has apparently been snowed in at home for over a week.
However,  Bank Holidays don't stop us from enjoying our spinning if we can get out, and we met as usual in Abergele tonight.
Val has made a crochet picot edging for her her pin loom poncho , and it's perfect.

Yvonne also finishes her handspun articles:

And everyone else is working up to being in a position to finish their stuff, too:

Look closely, and note the worsted combs...

Lovely even spinning from Edith.

Natural dyes on tussah silk ready for Helen's drop spindle.

Chunky "heather mixture" from Jenni.

And finally:  The Cake Picture (haven't had one of these for a while).

Our next "gig" is our Friendship Day in LlanfairTH on Sunday, April 10th.  Hope to see you there!

AC