News From Sievers School

Although our Sievers in Winter classes are over, the Sophie Studio is being used this week by Marianne Fons and Mary Fons who are enjoying the whole work space to design (Mary) and sew (Marianne) these two quilt tops.  Marianne is also working on some quilt blocks for the Quilts of Valor program.

In the first week of March, the Island Weaving Study Group will be in the Sophie Studio.  The focus this year is on lace weaves.

Between now and then, our printed brochures will arrive and as quickly as they come in, they’ll be labeled, stamped and delivered to the post office for the return trip across the ferry!

 

So many projects…so little time!  From sweaters and vests to Latvian mittens to scarves, shawls, caps and socks of many kinds, the knitters did it all.  Even the kitchen sink (or is that the kitchener stitch?).

 

Then there are some things you can’t knit…unless you use a photo for inspiration, as Sandy De Master and Mary Germain have done in the Fair Isle sweaters that they have designed and are currently knitting (we were lucky enough to get a sneak preview).   A Washington Island sunset could make a beautiful sweater:

 

Sometimes the news is the news!  In this case, it is that the Washington Island Observer has been sold to a group of 15 families, some full-time Island residents, some part-time Island residents and some Island homeowners who visit as often as they can.

From the Door County Advocate, February 2, 2012:

 Washington Island’s community newspaper is under new ownership.

A group of local investors has agreed to purchase the assets of the Washington Island Observer newspaper. The name of the new company is Washington Island Community News LLC.

In a statement, the 15 families who will be the new owners said they are committed to producing a high-quality newspaper that will focus on the news and issues of Washington Island. The group pledged that any profits the Observer generates will be donated annually to local civic, charitable and nonprofit organizations.

The current publishing schedule of 30 issues per year will be maintained, and walk-in photocopying and printing support services will still be offered at the newspaper office at 1253 Main Road on Washington Island.

The first issue to be published under the new ownership will be dated Feb. 16, 2012.

The newspaper was founded by Lorel Gordon in 1981. Gail and Robert Toerpe had owned and managed the Observer since 1992.

The board of directors of the newspaper is comprised of Joanne Jessen, Warren Marik, Brian McDonald, Lucia Petrie, Pete Petrie, Rich Walker and Marsha Williams. The editorial committee – Daniel Brandel, Barbara Greenfeldt, Richard Purinton, Rich Shereikis and Melissa Walker – will set and refine editorial goals and standards.

Lori Goodwin and Evie Walter will continue to staff the office; they will be joined by Mary Marik as managing editor.

The new owners said they plan to maintain the newspaper’s membership in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and adhere to the code of ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists.

According to the news release, the Observer “will strive to offer its readers a mix of news of interest to residents, part-time residents, frequent visitors as well as newcomers to Washington Island. It will report on meetings of town boards and committees, significant activities and achievements of Islanders, upcoming events and the culture and history of Washington Island. It will also provide a forum for readers to exchange views and may occasionally take editorial stands on local issues.”

In Sievers news, as of this afternoon, we have 214 registrations for our 2012 classes.  Wow!  We can’t wait to see all of you this summer and fall!

Lots of email registrations, phone calls and even walk-in registrations have kept us busy today.  It’s almost like a party atmosphere, “seeing” all of you come in the office!  Cindra has been keeping track of all of this on the chart and we’re sure to have over 150 students registered at the end of the day, if not more, thanks to all of you!

Today we also said goodbye to the tree growing through the deck on the east side of Jackson Studio, our main building.  After years of struggle and losing its leaves early due to its location and because we will be replacing the deck this year, it came down this morning before we arrived.   To the best of our recollection the tree was planted in the spring of 1980.

 

   You can see what our winter looks like from these last two photos…mostly green!

Now for a happier sight, last night’s sunset:

  Registration for 2012 Sievers classes opens on February 1st!  In the meantime, we’d like to give you a peek at what is being offered this year.  We’d also like to recognize Karen DeLorey for the 2012 cover .  She was working on this quilt top last summer and our photo of it came up when we were looking for ideas.  You’ll see it on the full brochure as well.

Here are some of the classes being offered in 2012:

 Navajo Rug Weaving w/Betty Carlson- May 20-25

 Halvdräll & Monk’s Belt w/Rita Hagenbruch-June 3-8

 Exploring Weave Structures w/Robyn Spady-June 17-22

 Batik w/Mary Jo Scandin-June 17-24

 Beyond Beginning:Weaving w/Nancy Adams-June 24-29

 A Wearable Extravaganza w/Daryl Lancaster-June 24-July 1

Digital Fabric w/Donna Kallner-July 1-6

Book A Day w/Daniel Essig-July 5-10

 Felt Scarves w/Chad Hagen-July 6-8

 My Latest, Greatest Quilt w/Marianne Fons & Ellen Graf-July 15-20

 Peyote Patchwork Necklace w/Lynn Schuster-July 20-22

 Hexagonal Paper Basketry w/Jackie Abrams-July 22-27

 Weave, Cut & Sew w/Mary Sue Fenner- July 22-27

 Adult/Child:Willow w/Jacki Bedworth- July 27-29

 Adult/Child: Polymer w/Judith Yamamoto-July 27-29

 Basket Weaving for Beginners w/Kay Normann & Drew Tibbetts-July 29-Aug 1

 Beg. Quilters Boot Camp w/Mary Fons-      July 29-Aug 3

 Buttons, Simply Buttons! w/Diane Fitzgerald-Aug 3-5

 Make Your Mark:Silk Screen & Printing w/Stephanie Robertson-Aug 5-12

 Papermaking w/Tom Grade-Aug 12-17

 Painting Warp, Weaving Scarves w/Heather Winslow-Aug 12-17

 Paper Mosaics & Paste Painting            w/Lorrie Grainger Abdo-Aug 17-20

 Spinners’ Retreat w/Deb Jones-Aug 20-24

Viking Knit Jewelry w/Barbara Heike-         Aug 24-26

 Knitting Potpourri II w/Carol Anderson-      Aug 26-29

 Beg. Weaving:Floor Loom w/Nancy Frantz-Aug 26-31

 Japanese Hexagonal Baskets w/Flo Hoppe-Sept 2-5

 Mixed Metals Jewelry w/Mary                     Hettmansperger-Sept 3-6

 Holiday Handwovens w/Connie Westbrook-Sept 9-14

 Mixed-Media Scarf w/Anita Luvera Mayer-Sept 14-17

 Creative Knitting Retreat                      w/Sandy De Master & Mary Germain-Sept 18-23

 Basic Willow Basketry w/Jacki Bedworth-Sept 23-27

    Sievers Gathering- Sept 28-29. Workshops, Vendors, Demonstrations, Speakers, Fashion Show, Banquet, Music and Fiber Arts “Garage” Sale.  More information on this site in late summer.

 Boundweave w/Lynn Schuster-Sept 30-Oct 5

 Beginning Twill Basketry w/Jeanette Biederman-Oct 7-11

 Independent Study in Weaving w/Judith Yamamoto-Oct 14-19

 Rag Rug Weaving w/Deb Sharpee-Oct 21-26

 Willow Harvest & Weave w/Jo Campbell-Amsler-Oct 24-28

Here is the complete schedule, listed by category/subject:

Sievers Class Schedule Chart 2012

You can also view it in chronological form:

Sievers Class Schedule Chronological 2012

Registration will open on February 1st on our website, www.sieversschool.com.  Sorry, we cannot take any registrations before February 1st!