Black Sheep Knitting Guild

Meeting Reminder

2008-10-11T21:06:00.000-05:00

MEETING REMINDER
Tuesday, October 14 at St. Columban, 6:30 pm to 9 pm

Remember to sign in--and buy your raffle tickets at the same time! Also, at the sign in table will be the sheet to sign up for show and share--we will only be able to have as many share as time permits.

Program for the evening includes hand yoga for knitters presented by Joellen Smith
Many people claim that knitting is meditative and calming...so, yoga and knitting—together? Nirvana! Learn great yoga techniques from Joellen for your hands to keep at top form. I am looking forward to seeing the downward dog for fingers...

Nominations for 2008-2009 Vice President!
This board position is a one-year commitment, followed by a one-year position as guild President. From the Bylaws:
The Vice President shall assist the President and serve in the absence of the President. The Vice President shall plan and coordinate the programs for the monthly meetings. The calendar shall be submitted to the BSKG Board for approval by July 31 to begin in September of the current year. The Vice President shall succeed to the office of the President upon a vacancy in that office or upon the expiration of the term of office of a sitting President.

It is a great way to be truly involved in the guild and exciting to be active in the shaping and planning, continuing to make the guild an inviting environment and a place to learn, laugh and share with each other. Think about nominating yourself or someone you think would be good for the position. Elections will be at the November meeting.

Retreat committee sign up
We are looking for about six members to manage some of the retreat preparation. Kate will have a sign up sheet. If more people than are needed for the base committee sign up, never fear! I am sure over the months anyone who wants to be involved will be asked to help.

Social knitting
There may be some time after Joellen's program for social knitting. Be inspired by hand yoga to knit a yoga pattern! Select a pattern and bring some supplies--here are links to two fun little yoga sock patterns. If you don't do yoga, I think these would just be great as an additional layer over socks in the house when walking around in your stocking feet.

http://sixdegreesarts.blogspot.com/2007/10/easy-peasy-yoga-pilates-socks.html

For people on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/yoga-socks

New at meetings:
So that guild members can share information with each other about events or offers outside of the guild, at meetings there will be a table set aside to put fliers, business cards, etc. Feel free to browse and take information from the table. Items left on the table will be discarded at the end of the night or members can pick up the remainders of items they put out. Information shared this way is not necessarily guild endorsed, sponsored or supported but simply a way that members can share with each other without needed to make numerous announcements.

2008-10-09T13:51:00.004-05:00

Two notable events took place at the Coffee Beanery this week.
Kelley finished her first project to a big round of applause and
we had visitors ~ Dolores the sheep and the owners of Threadbear.

Mt. Bruce Station Sheep & Wool Festival

2008-10-07T08:23:00.002-05:00

Better late than never, right?
Just a few pictures from the fiber festival. We had a nice spot near the entrance where we set up our stuff and hung out. If you bought something leave a comment here and share!

We were all busy buying yarn and taking classes. :)

A fine display of herding!

2008-10-01T21:39:00.002-05:00

As the leaves start to change color it's time to wish a
happy Halloween birthday to Sue Chase.

Rita Perrone shares some information you might want to
check out on how to tighten up a group of SSK decreases
and make them look more like K2TOG decreases, as taught
by Cat Bordhi.

a message from Greg

2008-09-17T13:07:00.005-05:00

I sent Greg [Coffee Beanery] a copy of the BSKG newsletter
last night. This is what he wrote today:

To the best group of women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I can’t thank you enough for your kind donation to the American Heart Association in Memory of my Beautiful Mom. She not only was my Mom, but my best friend and I miss her dearly. It has been the love, support and kindness of family and friends that remind me she may not be with me as I would want her to be, but she will live on in my memories and my heart!

A Request from Linda F

2008-09-14T23:04:00.003-05:00

Looking for a way to recycle your books and magazines? Look no more. . .Linda sent this to me over the weekend and I thought I'd share.
--t

'The Friends of the Oak Park Library are holding a Used Book Sale October 16 - 18. If any of you have knitting and/or other craft magazines that need recycling, I (Linda F) would be happy to take them off your hands. You can bring them to me at the Coffee Beanery or the October Guild meeting.

In April I donated 2 copies of Cast On magazine. They were priced at $1.50. They were purchased in the first 2 hours. People are really looking for craft magazines. :-) '

news from Sally

2008-09-10T21:31:00.005-05:00

Sally received permission to offer knitters a discount to the Detroit Chamber Winds concerts. If you call 248 559-2095, in advance, and tell them you are a knitter, you can get a $5 discount on tickets.

September 19 is a flute recital by Philip Dikeman, a DSO player. Refreshments are at 8 pm, the concert begins at 8:30 pm. Please bring your knitting and enjoy the music.

Linda F.

September Meeting

2008-09-10T11:01:00.007-05:00

Last night was the September meeting at our new location!

We covered the agenda for the year and were given a few teasers for the Spring Retreat (though not much... we're hoping to squeeze a few more details out in the next few months).

This weekend is Kniterpalooza, at Starr Jaycee Park around 2PM. We will have our banner out so you can find us. Bring a seat if you just want to sit and knit, though there will be many other things to do as well.

Our raffle prizes this month were Nicky Epstein's Knitting Beyond The Edge and Charlene Schurch's More Sensational Socks with DPNs and sock yarn courtesy of Barb B.; a Night Notes concert pass for two, donated by Sally; some beautiful hand made bags from Tanya; and Knit Picks Bare Sock Yarn with a pattern and KP Harmony Needles provided by Linda L. (not shown).

Next month our raffle prize will include some hand dyed yarn from one of our own guild members.

See more photos here! If you have a flickr account you can upload your own photos to the BSKGs flickr group.

it's that time of year...

2008-09-02T13:19:00.002-05:00

when all good sheep gather for the first Guild meeting of the season. Don't forget we'll be at a new place St. Columban Church, 1775 Melton, in Birmingham. Sign in and raffle ticket sales will be from 6:30-7:00. See you there!

Happy birthday September celebrants: Katie Tenbrink and Rhys Hunter.

2008-08-13T10:10:00.009-05:00

Tuesday, Aug. 12, an historic event[s] took place: yarn dyeing, knitting & eating at Tanya's! We need all the delicious recipes posted at the BSKG online cookbook. User name is BSKG, e-mail me for the password.

You never know

2008-08-02T12:18:00.003-05:00

who or what you might see at the Coffee Beanery!..... like 3 spinning wheels or Tanya with baby Ivy.

Happy August Birthdays to Harriet & Sally. I apologize to the ladies whose summer birthdays I missed.

Linda F.

2008-07-23T07:46:00.003-05:00

The feet are at it again! At least we can help keep the Coffee Beanery floor clean. :-)

We are awesome!

2008-07-15T22:35:00.004-05:00

Tonight at the Coffee Beanery we witnessed a bevy of socks.

Linda Dean finished her first pair of socks right before our eyes

And to top off a wonderful evening we collected $65.00 to donate to the American Heart Assn. in memory of Greg's mother who recently passed away.

We are awesome.

Linda F.

WWKIP

2008-06-15T12:48:00.018-05:00

There wasn't any way to keep track of the *visitors* to the KIP tent at Cranbrook..... but they were many! Here's a slideshow

and a message from Linda Lutomski:

"Thank you so much for the support in our demo day! It was 
so great to have so many hands, ideas and reliable people 
working  for the cause. I am proud to be a part of a guild 
with the dedication and cooperative ability to work together
and enjoy each other the way we do. With the public interest
and our terrific looking booth, I don't think that "outsiders" 
would have had a clue that we had never done this sort of thing 
as a group. It all came together so well. I am off to nurse the 
sunburn, but I had to share my excitement and appreciation 
for the outcome of our event!"

Here are more pictures taken by L. Goodman.

http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/lindapf/?action=view¤t=e6a1bfcc.pbw

did ewe know......?

2008-06-09T15:20:00.003-05:00

tell us about your first project
Kim T.: my first project was a purple 'fun fur' scarf - I thought I would see if I could remember the "knit" stitch from Girl Scouts - 2 1/2 years ago
Kim W.: a Lion brand 'Learn To Knit' kit in January, 2004

what was your most difficult project?
Kim T.: that's a hard one...I like to be challenged! My Coriolis socks gave me difficulty because I had a hard time navigating the book...
Kim W.: Mystery stole

what was/is your favorite project?
Kim T.: Whatever I am knitting at the moment!
Kim W.: any kind of socks or mittens

salty or sweet?
Kim T.: Definitely sweet!... chocolate croissants or cherry turnovers - almost forgot the Hagen-Das chocolate ice cream!
Kim W.: Both - but if pressed sweet always wins.

tell us something interesting about yourself
Kim T.: I've done lots of stupid stuff! Like the time I went to Guatemala with one of America's Most Wanted!
Kim W.: As an adult I lived in Texas for 3 years. I played the flute all the way through School until my Senior Year

aside from knitting, what are you passionate about?
Kim T.: I am passionate about my son Christopher. I was very passionate about art - before knitting - painting watercolors and doing pastels. I also love to travel.
Kim W.: soccor, hockey, and trashy novels

2008-06-02T09:14:00.002-05:00

This is Eris ~ owned by a friend in London, England. She was busy this weekend. Do you have a knitting cat?

2008-05-27T21:43:00.002-05:00

Just a reminder.... we have a cookbook at http://desktopcookbook.com/login.asp . Username: BSKG. Password: ewe2. Share some favorite recipes with friendly hungry knitters.

2008-05-21T16:38:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone,

A number of you have mentioned wanting to go to Stitch 'n Pitch and trying to sit together. I have called Have You Any Wool and they do have tickets but we will have to hurry if we want to get them because there are fewer tickets this year. So while I will be happy to pick up the tickets in a block (so to speak) I will need to have the people interested contact me right away at kwhelanATwowwayDOTcom and get me their cash by Tuesday May, 27th. I intend pick up the tickets on Wednesday.

2008-05-20T22:06:00.001-05:00

Here are links to more pictures from the May meeting:

http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/lindapf/?action=view&current=7fede68c.pbw

http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/lindapf/?action=view&current=533f9c57.pbw

2008-05-16T10:42:00.007-05:00

For those who missed the May meeting at the Coffee Beanery, you missed out on a great time! The food was yummy, the people delightful, the bags wonderful [both our BSKG bags and Sneaky Sheep bags].

A special thank you goes to Greg for his hard work and for the lovely fruit *arrangement* he gave us as a gift.

After dinner and talk it was time for the Sneaky Sheep exchange. We were all in awe at the creativity shown.....knit bags, felted bags, sewn bags, quilted bags. Some were purses, some knitting bags, some shopping bags. Even Greg was amazed. If you didn't take part, there's always next time [I'd like a new bag every 6 months, thank you].

Then came swap/barter time.... it looked like a yarn shop in the C.B.! Nobody really explained I'd be going home with much more than I came with. At the end of the fun packed evening you heard "I really don't want to take it home...please take it" a lot.

Camille and Joanie took pictures of all the bags so we should have pictures soon.

Linda F

As promised. . .

2008-04-30T17:39:00.005-05:00

. . .and in no particular order. . .more pictures from the retreat!

We had such a good time last weekend, I hope you can see it in these pictures. . .you'll also want to check out Linda's blog, she has some there too. We've already started to make phone calls and start planning for next year, so if you're jealous, fear not! We hope to have an even more special retreat for you in 2009--stay tuned for the dates so you can mark your calendars and ask for time off!

No WiFi at the Inn

2008-04-27T16:36:00.003-05:00

More later, I promise! But since I've only been home 15 minutes and am missing the retreat already, I thought I'd post some pictures for those of you who missed out.
It was a serious weekend. We forced folks to get their pictures taken. . .especially Suzanne.

Lots of beautiful yarn was dyed. . .and I mean LOTS!!!

Oh yeah, and we laughed!

An Honor to be Nominated

2008-04-13T06:42:00.002-05:00

It has recently come to our attention that adults don't often get recognized for their accomplishments. As a society, we do a great job of noticing when our children do something wonderful and applaud their efforts. . .we want to groom our younger generation to be motivated to push boundaries and to achieve their highest potential.

So what happens when we become adults? Why don't we continue in the same vein? Why is it that no one applauds when we finish a really hard task? What happened to recognizing super human effort (say when you clean the really dirty bathroom that your kids use, for example)? We don't get report cards anymore to demonstrate to those who care about us what we've learned, and how well we've mastered what we've learned.

Some of us in the BSKG have noticed that our members are doing some pretty fantastic things, and we want to recognize them at our May banquet, swap and sale. We've come up with some ideas for awards, but want your input before we send out the survey. . .so, what do you think? What should we recognize and award? Here are some of the things we've come up with, add your thoughts to the comments. . .and look for a ballot/survey coming to your email by the end of the month. . .

First Socks Knitted
First Sweater Knitted
Most Improved Knitter
Most Enthusiastic
Most Helpful
Completion of an Epic Project
Most likely to Drop a Stitch (and then make it work anyway)

I know there are some of you that are far more creative than I am. . .what else should we recognize? shout it out in the comments!
--t

2008-04-09T04:12:00.001-05:00

What a great meeting last night! If you missed it, Ann W from the Knitting Room gave a talk on the history of knitting, and we got to see everyone's current projects.

Also, we started to plan for the May swap and sale. If you weren't with us last year, we had a great time, so start to clean out your stash and get ready to haggle, barter and swap! If you don't reduce your stash, at least you'll change the way it looks! Some had an easy time selling off some of their stash as well, we'll leave that and the pricing up to you.

If you'd like to have dinner with us before hand, the cost is $10 for non-members and if you're up to date on your dues and a member in good standing, the cost is only $5. Please send an email to blacksheepnewsletter at hotmail.com if you're interested in coming so that we can have an accurate head count and the proper amount of food. Payment would be appreciated by next week, but certainly reserve your spot ASAP!

Last night marked the last meeting at the Fifth Third bank--we've outgrown yet another location! The May meeting will be held at the Coffee Beanery, and we'll reveal our new location for the fall then! (Lots of good lighting, clean, comfortable and cheap! Who could ask for more?)

April Showers. . .and Guild Meetings. . .

2008-04-06T18:50:00.004-05:00

The April meeting will be held at the Fifth Third Bank THIS Tuesday at 7pm. No special supplies needed, but since we've had so much to do for the past few months, we thought a serious show and tell was needed. Bring your Lenten finished objects, a project you've been working on or something you're having trouble with. . .and show off! Ann W from Knitting Room will be giving a presentation on the history of knitting. We'll also be collecting for the May dinner/swap and sale. Dinner will be provided by the Coffee Beanery and will be around $10--we'll have the exact amount on Tuesday.

If you're headed on the retreat with us, we'll have some last minute details just for you. April has been a month where the BSKG has been showered with gifts. . .Kate has been hard at work getting goodies to make the retreat the best yet! (I know, we've only had one other, but still. It's the thought!) Check out the side bar to see who has generously sponsored our retreat so far. . .the list will be updated as more things arrive!

Speaking of being showered with gifts--
Kim won a gift while she was knitting at Beaumont this weekend! How nice when kindness is returned with kindness!

Judith is famous! She also had her kindness rewarded this week! Her selfless giving was noticed, and rewarded. Read about it here and here (make sure you read the comments). . .and you can help her select a gift here! (I'm pushing her toward the circular needle cases. . .you may want to purchase one for yourself!)

See you Tuesday!
--t