Hello!
A little later than usual with Yarns Plus News. Marie and I attended
Convergence in Grand Rapids and then went to a cottage up north
so July just kind of flew by.
At Convergence some of our customers encouraged us to add to
our product line. Be sure to check out “What’s New
and Coming“ for all the details.
Our summer special features a “Knitted Scarf Kit”
Marie has created. This is a real fun to do anywhere project in
a bag. The pricing on that special, along with our Annual 25%
off Mill Dyed Rayon Chenille Sale, will carry through until October
31st. See page two for all the details.
Don and Marie
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A
Grand Convergence
Marie decided to attend Convergence in Grand Rapids so I went along.
We had a great time. Grand Rapids has done an amazing job of creating
a vibrant city center. The river is the focal point to showcase
some fantastic public buildings and provides that touch of nature
that is a great balance to the inner city.
Marie attended seven seminars and workshops which left me with
lots of time during the day to explore Grand Rapids and on Friday
and Saturday visit the Vendor area. Since our last Convergence
we noticed a reduction in yarn vendors, an increase in bead sellers
and a giant increase in booths selling finished pieces.
The fashion show was terrific with the staging really highlighting
the entries. The giant video screen that carried detail close
ups gave an added dimension to the excellence of each piece. We
also enjoyed the Juried exhibits at both the De Vos Centre where
the convention was held and the Gerald R. Ford Museum which was
just a short foot bridge walk across the river.
Ran into quite a few customers and suppliers which provided a
great chance to say hello and catch up. As a spouses I was not
alone in getting a bit of ribbing on the name tags. Mine read:
Don McMurrich accompanying Marie Payne. We assumed this was in
case we got lost, they would know where to return us.
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From the Distillery |
When you visit the Distillery District be sure to drop into Studio
105, Case Goods Building, 55 Mill Street, Toronto. Wednesday—Sunday
noon to 5 p.m. On site parking is now only available on the south
side of the Distillery District.
A complete schedule can be seen on their website - thedistillerydistrict.com.
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What's New &
Coming!
Black Tencel - Lots of it in all sizes !
In the late spring our sources for dyed Tencel were all in a
stock out position. Black is one of those colors you just have
to have, always. The solution to the dilemma has created an opportunity
to expand our product offering and offer black in all seven of
our Tencel sizes.
To overcome the 2/8 and 2/10 black Tencel situation we located
a small local dye house that has dye tanks with capacities ideally
suited to the lot size we would order. The owner is a career long
dyer who prides himself on quality work. We now have the 2/8 and
2/10 black Tencel in stock and it looks great. The dye house uses
premium dyes and has achieved for us a true black with no green
or blue caste.
Next we had two lots of Rayon Chenille dyed black and are really
happy with the result. I related the story to some of the production
weavers at Convergence and the first thing they wanted to know
is when I would have black Tencel in the other sizes.
Here is the plan. Arrangements are in place to have the supplier
of undyed Tencel produce 2/5, 2/20 and 2/30 yarn plus more 2/10.
Once on hand in mid September a quantity of each size will be
dyed black. The dye house is currently working on a set of samples
and the quotation. The 2/20 and 2/30 will be a bit more expensive
due to the extra time they take to be twisted at the mill and
then put on and off the dye tubes at the dye house.
As soon as pricing is final we will let you know.
Black Rayon Chenille
As mentioned above we had two lots done up so are in a great
stock position for 1450 yd/lb black Rayon Chenille. It is included
in the August - October special at $21.00 a lb.
New 2/8 Tencel Color
A new Red has been added to the 2/8 Tencel line. And is it ever
Red, just the way red should be, nice and bright. If you want
a sample just call and we’ll mail one to you.
| We
may just have it?
When we buy mill end lots of rayon chenille we often end
up with smaller quantities of some colors. When the quantity
of a color on a shade card gets low we may drop it from
the card but still have stock. One of these colors may be
just what you need for a project. Just call, we’ll
be glad to send a reeling for you to check. |
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Shows we will
be attending in 2006….
- September 23, 2006 - Five Counties Seminar,
“The Eureka Moment”. Burlington Art Centre, Burlington,
Ontario
- October 21, 2006 - OHS Central Region Seminar,
Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, Ontario.
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Marie’s Fall
Teaching Schedule
Here are the weaving lessons Marie is offering at her Historic
Distillery District Studio during the fall.
Beginning Weaving - six sessions, Wednesday nights 6 to 9
September 13 to October 18 and again from October 25 to November
29, 2006.
Woven Shibori - three sessions Saturday Mornings from 9:00 to
noon . Classes will be Sept, 16 and 30th and October 7th.
Contact Marie at 905 274 2427 for complete info and tuition fees.
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Backyard Magic
On the last day of July, several Mississauga guild members gathered
at our place to begin
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a day devoted to dyeing. Everyone had met once
before for a presentation and explanation of woven shibori.
A great deal of weave structure information was packed into
that evening and heads were spinning by the end of the lecture,
but each weaver went home with a specific weave structure
to weave in the shibori method and lots of notes to guide
them through the process. |
The plan was to weave enough samples for everyone to share and have
enough warp left on their looms to make a scarf later.
| Everyone arrived with samples for
each other. We had our exchange and carefully numbered and
initialed all samples. We discussed various dye processes
that could possibly be used with the samples and stressed
good record keeping, as the dyers would be layering several
different dye methods. Then the magic began. |
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It took a full day with a very brief break for lunch to finish the
samples. Each sample would be gathered and then dyed two or three
or even more times in some cases, with washing and drying taking
place between each dye job. By the end of the day, there had been
at least fifty different samples created in total, all different
from one another. They were all very interesting and absolutely
stunning in many cases. Some of the samples should definitely be
framed as art pieces. The task ahead is to study the samples and
choose which structure and dye processes to use for the scarves.
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Congratulations to all who undertook this challenging
workshop. The results were just fabulous. The pictures really
don’t do justice to the exciting results. Keep your
eyes peeled for the fabulous scarves to come. |
| Yarns Plus has a few copies of “Woven
Shibori” by Catherine Ellis in stock. Just give us a
call if you are interested. Marie’s woven shibori workshop
can come to your guild and be tailored to your facilities |
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August-October
Specials
Tencel Knitted Scarf Kit….
Marie has created a fun to do “Knitting Kit”
that comes as a take anywhere project in a bag. Everything
is included, a 3 oz. skein of 2/10 Tencel in your choice
of our eleven variegated colorways, a pair of Brittany 3.75MM,
# 5 Birch wooden knitting needles plus a pattern to create
a delightful lacey scarf.
Complete kit only $24.95 |
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Annual Dyed Rayon Chenille Sale—
25% off our regular price on all colors, 1300/1450 and 2000 yd.
lb.
Regular $28.00 a lb. Now only $21.00 a lb.
Now is the time to stock up on Rayon Chenille for your fall
weaving and knitting projects. Every color in every weight of
mill dyed Rayon Chenille in stock, including Black, is on sale.
Conveniently done up on one pound tubes we have 28 colors in 1300/1450
yd/lb. and ten in 2000 yd/lb in stock ready to ship.
Don’t miss this special, order early for best selection
as some colors are limited !
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Customer Satisfaction
Guarantee
As mail order specialists we fully understand the apprehension
to purchase yarn sight unseen. If you are planning a project and
feel our yarn may be suitable we’ll be glad to send a reeling
of any yarns you may want to order so you can be sure they are
right for you. Just call toll free 1-877-448-4544.
If you buy yarn from us and discover it is not exactly what you
wanted for your project we’ll take it back. We want you
to be happy with your Yarns Plus purchase. To make it absolutely
risk free we are happy to exchange an item or give a refund. We'll
even pay the return postage. Just call!
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A Little Pearl…..
“Nine tenths of wisdom is being wise in time”
Theodore Roosevelt
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Triangle Loom for Sale
A while back Marie bought a Triangle Loom, did a couple of projects
and never found the time to get back to it. She has decided it
has to go. It is virtually brand new.
It measures 57” side and bottom and 81” across the
angle and comes with tripod support legs.
Ideal for local pick up or delivery to one of the shows we will
be at in September and October. Asking only $35.00.
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