What a wonderful weekend we had! The workshops, Daryl Lancaster’s Friday evening program and the many events on Saturday, all surrounded by the loveliest weather. Seeing all of you who were able to attend the Gathering was the best part.
Late Friday afternoon, the “Landscape ‘Painting’ on Fabric” workshop participants had some of their ready-to-frame pieces displayed.
Friday evening, after cookies, coffee and cider, Daryl Lancaster presented her program “Parallel Threads that Parallel Life”, sharing her story and how it is incorporated into her garments.
On Saturday, the garage sale led off the Gathering events. The total raised at the garage sale was just over $2,300.00. Besides improvements to the barn at Sievers, the proceeds will be shared with the Art and Nature Center and Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands.
Morning demonstrations included Woodcarving with Jerry Landwehr, Polymer Clay with Judith Yamamoto and New Life for Leftovers with Donna Kallner. Sewing fabric strips together to make charity quilts for Kimberley House in Sturgeon Bay, WI took place both morning and afternoon with the help of volunteers.
The Student Fiber Art Exhibit and items for community or charity had more than 30 pieces on display. Each item received at least one Viewer’s Choice vote and the two with the highest number of votes were the hooked rugs, earning each maker a $25 Sievers gift certificate.
Vendors were set up in the Sophie Studio and shoppers had a variety of special things to choose from. In addition, Heidi Brodersen brought her sock knitting machine and demonstrated its use.
More demonstrations were scheduled in the afternoon: Knitting with Patricia Hewitt, Rug Hooking with Betty Heath and Garment Construction/Inkle Weaving with Daryl Lancaster.
The Show and Tell show illustrated the stories behind each item in the student display with many of the artists speaking about their work, or in the case of charity items, the impact made by our hands to those in need.
There was even time for visiting and relaxation in the sun, too!
At our buffet dinner a number of people asked for the recipe for the salad that was served. Connie Westbrook agreed to share the recipe:
Company Salad
Dressing
1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard (or Hellman’s dijonnaise for a creamier dressing)
1 Tbsp. poppy seed
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. olive oil
2 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
Mix together and refrigerate overnight. Shake well and pour over salad just before serving.
Salad
2 bags lettuce, your choice
8 oz. bag shredded mozzarella cheese (save a little to sprinkle on top)
1 1/2 c. salted cashews
1 1/2 c. craisins or dried cherries
2 crisp chopped, unpeeled apples
2 chopped, unpeeled pears
Mix together and top with dressing.
In equally good taste, Cindra and Doc entertained at Fiddler’s Green with a wonderful program of love songs from the 20’s and beyond, peppered with an occasional joke.
There are so many people who helped make it a great weekend from our workshop teachers, to our speaker, Daryl Lancaster, to our garage sale volunteers extraordinaire, to those who donated items to our garage sale, to those who provided demonstrations, our vendors, everyone who brought work for the student exhibit and to all who came, enjoyed each other’s company and the Island.
From sunrise to sunset, it was one of the best Gathering weekends ever!
The gals from the Flambeau Area Fiber Artists (FAFA) Guild had a wonderful weekend on the island attending the Gathering! We wish to thank all of the staff, vendors, garage sale volunteers and contributors, demonstrators, show and tellers, guest program speaker (Daryl Lancaster) supper makers, music makers and last but absolutely not least we have to give kudos to Mother Nature who put on quite a show for all of us! THANK YOU! Our heads are still spinning!
~~~Susanne Torrence, Nancy Wheeler, Cathy Krupinski and Pamm Spooner!