Profile, New Member - Cheryl

Our newest member brought a bunch of her art work for Show & Tell. Cheryl is a spinner, weaver, needle felter, knitter and doll maker, she works with angora rabbits and llama fibers.

First up, was a set of llama slippers, that she knit then wet felted in the wash machine, very sturdy and fluffy. She also brought a pair that was not felted yet, so we could compare the difference. Next was a colorful beret, made with her hand dyed roving and spun, then plied with black wool, and knit. The skein of yarn was beautiful too.

A needle felted "Lion Man", with a wild mane, and serious face, was an interesting sculpture. We might need a demo on making stuffed needle felted dolls. Her "Gypsy" doll was gorgeous with lots of layers in her outfit, beading and fiber work. With her hand painted face and arms & legs, she was very pose-able and life like.

Cheryl did a short demo on Navajo thigh spinning, with a large wooden spindle that she took camping in Arizona. She had a large hank of wool roving that she hand dyed with Lanocet acid dyes, in rich colors of rust, burgundy and warm browns.

She showed several samples of her loom weaving, in wools, in several different patterns and colors, and one made with hand spun wool. She also showed us how she is making a rag rug, with the Pendleton Wool trim from Maureen, and trim she already had, and the technique of straw weaving. She has taught the straw weaving to children's groups, and this might be a fun project for us to also try.

So at the next meeting, say Hi to Cheryl, she is going to be a wonderful talented addition to our group, with various skills to show and share.

Member Profile - Georgia

I've been quilting for almost twenty years, focusing on "art quilts" for half that time. It's a form I find indefinable, fascinating, and on most days tremendously enriching. Earlier membership in the fiber art group Tactile Expressions and now Fyber Cafe and High Fiber Diet have given me freedom to explore the medium fearlessly. The support and encouragement of other members is invaluable.

Each project teaches its lesson. Sometimes I finish a piece knowing that I want to repeat one or other aspect of it, and sometimes I know I've learned, yet don't want to go there again. No matter how the piece turns out, the process has been valuable.

Making an art quilt requires many small decisions. I seldom know exactly what I am aiming for - there is no picture in my mind of the finished piece. I deal with these small decisions one at a time and don't look ahead too far, as I've learned that doing so cuts off possibilities that I may not see at the moment. There will never be enough time for me to tire of this wonderful world of fiber, design and unforeseen possibilities.

Georgia is also now, the Oregon representative of SAQA and a board member of The Umpqua Valley Arts Association.

Members Profile - Peggy

As a child I made doll clothes for my dolls and my mother taught me to sew and to do embroidery, knitting and crochet. In my teens I made historical costumes for my dolls and enjoyed doing the research. When I began collage I was a fine arts major for two years and then got practical and went for the Teaching Education. I took painting classes along the way and enjoyed them. I began to quilt when my children were small and a few friends and I got together for quilting and cake in the 1970's and I have been quilting ever since. I have won ribbons at the Umpqua Valley Quilters' Guild for both traditional and original quilts and wall hangings.

In the past few years I have enjoyed the fun and expressive side of art and non-traditional quilting and quilting arts. It has opened another world to me to combine my two loves and to learn new techniques and products and paint. It has also brought me around to where I began, painting. Associations: San Diego Stitchery Guild, Umpqua Valley Quilters' Guild, Basin of the Umpqua Quilt Guild, Wilbur Quilt Club, Fyber Cafe

Member Profile - JANA

I'm a fiber enthusiast who has been quilting, knitting and hand spinning for over 10 years. I enjoy quilting, especially machine applique. The idea of making something that is both useful and attractive from apparently unrelated scraps of cloth continues to intrigue me. I am also the daughter of an excellent knitter who turned out stacks of cabled sweaters, lacy scarves and warm afghans. Sadly I didn't appreciate her skill until after she was no longer able to knit. Today I treasure her knitted gifts to me and teach others to knit. I think she would be pleased.

My real love is hand spinning. From the moment I saw a woman spin a section of fluffy fiber into an impossibly fine yarn I knew I had to learn to spin. Shortly there after I was a proud owner of a wheel. along with a huge stash of fiber -- wool, alpaca, llama, silk, and even bison and dog (which spinners affectionately all "chiengora.") Each time I sit at my wheel I feel connected to the long line of women through the ages who have spun fiber that kept their family clothed and warm. I'm indebted to all the teachers and sister spinners who have shared their knowledge and love of the ancient craft with me.

Member Profile - AMY

Amy has bee quilting for 40 years and has an extensive knowledge of many diverse styles and textile techniques used in quilting. To express her artistic vision in textiles, she makes originally designed art quilts, and uses fabric collage, 3-dimensional pieces, hand painted, stamped and printed fabrics, beading and other embellishments to achieve special effects in her art quilts. All of this is pulled together by her love of extensive machine quilting.

Amy is a past President of the Umpqua Valley Quilters' Guild and twice been featured quilter at their show. She is very active in the quilting community and as a member of "Fyber Cafe" she strives to improve her artistic expression on textiles. She has won numerous awards at the Douglas Co. Fair, and the Umpqua Valley Quilters' Guild Shows. She has had two art quilts traveling in international shows, in "Currency Exchange" and "International Festivals" during 2007-10, in France, Japan and New Zealand.

After learning to embroider, macrame, knit and crochet, Amy started quilting in high school, making many "Trip Around the World" king size quilts, by cutting squares out one at a time. Rotary cutters changed all that, as she became interested in designing her own quilts and learning new techniques, she turned to art quilting as her passion. She loves to teach and help others get this same passion for textiles that she has. Her favorite advice is "Run out of fabric, your solution may offer just the creative spark your quilt needs, and help you think out of the box"

Member's Profile - Cynde

I inherited the maternal sewing gene from the fabulous women who came before me and had needle in hand at an early age. My Grandma Pat gave me my first mini-Singer sewing machine at 6 years old. Through the years, she instructed me through many fall wardrobes we selected and made together. My mother and my three grandmothers all had a part in infusing the love of the needle and thread or yarn into me. Beyond beauty and the art, the meditation calms and soothes me still today.

I aspired to the sciences early on, but came back to the love of cloth and found a fabulous couturier in Los Angeles to study with. From there I received some of my first clients and launched a career in pattern making and fashion design, which led to my own business Couture Dreams. I have had the pleasure of creating everything from high fashion evening gowns for the Oscars and bridal to hero capes for television, curtains, cushions and slipcovers for the interior, and baby bedding and clothes. My latest endeavor has been art quilts. One piece has shown globally in "Currency Exchange" and a Frida Kahlo piece now prominently shows in the office of a L.A. Councilwomen. I am beginning my study for City and Guilds Certification in embroidery and am thrilled by the learning process. Eventually, I plan to take my new knowledge back to fashion and see where it leads.