BASKET WEAVING WORKSHOP

October 20, 2015.

We car-pooled to Nichols Cove Studio (north of Buckhorn, ON), to attend a workshop led by basket maker, Sandi McNeil.

It was a glorious fall day - just perfect for this workshop to be held outdoors.

We were greeted by one of the owners of the property - Tundra.

After brief instruction indoors, we headed out to the firepit  area to start our "fish" baskets.

First we stripped dogwood and willow branches of their leaves. 

Then Sandi taught us how to use the grapevines collected by Kim and Mara, to make the frame for the baskets and to use the willow and dogwood branches for spokes.

Once we had completed the basics, we headed indoors for a wonderful pot-luck lunch in the studio, where we were joined by our instructor Sandi, and another of the owners of the property, Carol Nichol.

After lunch we carried on with the actual weaving of the baskets, using cedar bark, dogwood and willow "weavers", daylily and siberian iris leaves.

We finished our baskets and showed them off.

We even decided on another, rather non-traditional, use for the baskets.

All agreed that the whole day was a wonderful experience !!!!
Just look at our smiling faces !

FALL FAIR SEASON

We've been busy ......... demonstrating at local Fall Fairs.

First it was Port Hope on the 19th and 20th of September.

Here's our display table - the theme this year was "Denim"

And here is a future weaver learning from Anita

Then we were in Roseneath on the 26th of September ............ in the barn with the petting zoo and the noisy chickens.

Our display table

Spinning

And again............ Anita was very popular with the younger Fall Fair visitors.

September 2015 - Start of a New Season

Although some of us were still out and about, travelling all over........ some of us met for our first  official meeting of the new season.

We chatted and socialized, ate delicious treats, admired our hostess Anita's beautiful residence and also managed to make plans for our programmes for the year.

First and foremost will be the Port Hope Fall Fair, from September 18th to 20th. We will share a display table with the Northumberland Hooks and Needles Guild, just like every other year.

We will take turns on Saturday and Sunday with demonstrations of spinning and weaving.

Next, we will demonstrate at the Roseneath Fall Fair on the 26th of September. This will be out first experience at this Fair and we are looking forward to it. Maybe we will even get to ride on the Carousel.

In October, we hope to travel to the Buckhorn area for a basketry workshop. The date and times are still being arranged.

Here's a picture of us demonstrating at Cindy Osland's farm last season, during her hosting a farm tour.

Back again?

Just testing to see if this works.
The guild is still active and planning for the season.