June 2022 Newsletter

​This is my second spring in Bellingham, and I think I was too immersed in settling in last year to really notice the colors around me. I think I was absorbing the meta scapes, the mountains and rivers, the lakes, and the ocean. This year, however, the newness has worn off and I'm seeing the movement of the seasons through the landscape.

What I'm seeing is a riot of color. I walk my neighborhood regularly with my dogs and the last month has been an explosion - so many shades of pink and purple! And then the greens as the leaves stretched out. I've been astonished at the variety and number of rhododendrons in this area, sometimes I take different routes just to see what other neighborhoods look like. Of course, certain color combinations make me wonder how I could weave them.

The pups and I also hike quite a bit up in the woods and have come across beautiful displays of color. I find great delight in noticing new colors unfold and I've been taking lots of pictures for inspiration. I came upon this particular patch of blooms on a hillside and immediately recognized that I already had been drawn to that color combo before and had some beautiful 2/18 merino in those exact shades. I'm now contemplating how I will weave it; my original impulse is to weave a shawl with these colors as a woven-in tablet band a la Inge Dam. I've never tried this before, so it would be a stretch, but I do love a challenge! Where it falls in the long queue remains to be seen, perhaps some time for research and marination.

The other thing that I am noticing with wider eyes this year is just how amazing our guild is. The strength, vitality, and longevity of a guild lie in the active participation of members, and I really saw that in our elections last month. Many guilds struggle as the same few people do all the work, and we have a large guild with many hands needed to keep thriving. But what I noticed is that several board members were ready to be done with their position and instead of leaving the board, they chose to take on a new role. Brava to them and those who are continuing in their board positions. Thank you to those who stepped up for the first time, we value your input and know that you have a great support system as you learn your new role.

​A big shout out to Jan Burton and Mary Oates who are retiring after many years of service to the board and the guild. Thank you both for all you have put into the guild, your contributions have enriched and strengthened the foundation of our guild. Many thanks, too, for Carol Berry and her willingness to continue to lead our guild, ensuring a strong and smooth transition to the future. I'm grateful for the way she warmly welcomes people into the guild and enthusiastically encourages and supports people to be active weavers.

Yup, we've got a pretty great group here. Enthusiasm and support, a riot of colors. What more could we ask for? I hope to see many of you at our June meeting which will be held by Zoom, I'm especially looking forward to seeing what you did for your guild challenge. (For those feeling impossibly behind on this, just know that I'm right there with you - still haven't wound the warp but I'm sure I'll have it done in time!)

​
LeslieAnn
WGG Vice President
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