"Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 43 Date Sent: September 23, 1998 Subscribers: 795 David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 317-899-5747 davidc@iei.net {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION*** ***PLEASE READ BEFORE PRINTING*** 1.) Highlight entire issue. 2.) Click copy. 3.) Paste issue into a word processor of your choosing. 4.) Now Print. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Hi Everyone, According to the results of my survey, there are two things that would make Weaver's Words web page better. More links & faster loading pages. Your Wish Is My Command. I've removed the graphic links from my basketry links page and replaced them with much more efficient alphanumeric links. I've added many more basketry links. About 60 basket related links so far. So check out the basketry links page and make sure I didn't miss your link or get any of your information wrong. The address is: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/basket.htm Here are some more pictures that I've received since the last issue. Ms. Donna Nicholson's Basket She Wove For Basket Swap. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/yourpics/nicholson1.html Ms. Sue Bajczyk's Basket She Wove For Basket Swap. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/yourpics/bajczyk1.html Ms. Susan Tripp's Photo Of Longaberger Office. http://www.iei.net/~davidc/yourpics/tripp1.html I would like to thank the following person for their donation: Ms. Jayna Glemby I am putting all donations in a special fund. I'll let you know when I splurge and buy something special. We have started off with a nice collection of recipes (38 So Far), so keep them coming. The address for the recipe page is: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/recipes.html I received a suggestion from Ms. Kay Ames about setting up an Event's Calendar on Weaver's Words web page. So I have set it up. I started the calendar at October 1998. So if you have a basketry event scheduled for anytime during October 1998-December 1999, send me the information. Please include the following: Date of Event, Name of Event, Location, Contact Name and Phone Number. The events calendar can be found at: http://www.iei.net/~davidc/events.html Take Care, David davidc@iei.net {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: WW Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 05:21:28 PDT From: "Kathy Montminy" To: davidc@iei.net Betsy- I live in Okinawa Japan. Where is your friend located? I get most of my supplies from Gratiot Lakes Basketry in MI or NorEsta in MI. They have my credit card number on hand and all I do is email them with my order. But I'm sure if she contacts any basket supply company and tell them her dilemma they will work with her. If she is in Okinawa give her my email and maybe I can help. From HUMID Okinawa where the typhoon missed us! Kat Montminy {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Welsh Potato Basket Date: Mon, 21 Sep 98 10:04:04 -0400 From: "Linda C. Benson" To: "David Collins" Greetings Fellow Basketmakers! I located a source for Winnie's rattan hoops. Frank's Cane & Rush Supply, 7252 Heil Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92647; (714) 847-0707; e-mail - GACG74B@Prodigy.com. He has listed "Rattan Rings" from 3" to 36". Now this catalog is dated Sept. 1966 and I haven't ordered from them in nearly that length of time, so.... Good luck! As far as the white reed goes, I seem to remember some discussion with regard to this some time ago on WW. Possibly from Judy Olney as well as others? Something to do with Rit Dyes or Whiteners. I enjoy reading WW and receiving it more often so that I have time to read it in one sitting. David is, of course, doing an excellent job and as has been said many times by many people, Thank You, David! :) Linda Braun mentioned using a heat gun to finalize the rubber stamp embossing process. I also use a heat gun but to "quickly" dry my baskets so I can pack and continue to weave thereby cutting down a great deal on drying time. It's a trick I learned from John McGuire in one of his black ash feather basket classes I was fortunate enough to take last year. A word of caution though; don't hold the gun too close to your basket (5-6 inches should be okay) and KEEP THE GUN MOVING, don't hold it in one spot too long. A heat gun is extremely hot and could burn your basket (or you!). So be VERY VERY careful. Linda, in Canaan, CT where it was sunny and hot yesterday and overcast and pleasantly warm today. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Help Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 09:14:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Bonnie Gale To: davidc@iei.net Dear Weavers Words: Please can you help? My name is Bonnie Gale. I am a traditional willow basketmaker and teacher. I have a vendor booth at the upcoming AMB convention in October and I need some booth sitting help while I am teaching. I need help during the afternoon on Friday October 23rd (for 4 hours) and then during the day on Saturday (8 hours). If you know of anyone who can help, please e-mail me at (bonniegale@yahoo.com). My phone/fax (607)336-9031. Lets discuss terms of remuneration. Best wishes, Bonnie Gale {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: hairy reed, basket swap Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 12:41:46 -0500 From: PHIL LOGAN To: davidc@iei.net Hi David and weavers, David your doing a great job on your web site, just keeps getting better. I really do appreciate the work your putting into it. Judy: On occasion I get some reed that is a little hairy, so I do sand it. I just fold over a strip of fine sandpaper and pull my reed through a couple of times and it usually knocks the hair off. As I'm weaving my baskets it will get a little hairy still, I will clip the hairs as I go. If you do that Judy, you shouldn't have to burn your basket. I save that part for my husband if I do have to singe the hairs. Just make sure your reed is still damp and hasn't dried out. Just spritz it with some water if it has dried out. When your husband burns it, if he's using a torch, angle the torch away from the basket and don't get real close to the basket with the torch or you will scorch it. Add's character to the basket. Just remember don't let it dry out, keep it damp and it will come out just fine. On the basket swap Judy, deadline is October 1st, so after the deadline Gail will e-mail you with your swap buddies name and mailing address. It will take her awhile to get 100 e-mails out. Thanks again Gail for organizing the basket swap. Really enjoyed the last swap, so signed up for this swap. Lot of good weavers recipes. Have to get a couple of mine sent in. Ellen, I'm going to try your cabbage soup this week. That time of year where it's cooling off and a bowl of hot soup hits the spot. Happy Weaving, Gloria from Lincoln, Illinois where it's cooling off, but we sure could use some rain {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: aloha and mahalo Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 07:48:46 -1000 From: The Keener Clan To: davidc@iei.net Aloha! Thanks, Susi Nuss, for forwarding the 2 issues of WW that disappeared from my computer. I don*t know if my kids accidentally deleted them or if there is (was) a glitch in my computer..but it was sweet of you to take the time to send them to me. About stenciling on baskets..I do some stenciling, but I*ve become a painter of sorts. Denise Smallidge, who was a student of mine while she lived here, taught me to do basic painting on my baskets (and believe me, I have trouble drawing stick figures!) and I practiced until I felt comfortable painting on baskets. One of the members of our guild who is a tole painter says my painting is somewhat "simplistic" and I find that painting is relaxing. It can*t be too bad as they sell! I*m signing up to take a 4 week course in tole painting, but usually this class doesn*t happen as tole painters won*t do classes with less than 6-8 and their classes (at least in Hawaii) are costly--but I*m hopeful. Anyway, in response to the weaver who said you are pretty much stuck with it after you stencil--not so. You can replace that piece of maple or ash or cherry. If you mess up with one stencil, simply cut a piece and tuck over the messy boo-boo and re-stencil. If you don*t like the whole strip, clip it out (don*t pull it out) and replace it. I pull the strip under one spoke until it*s halfway through and then weave it to the left and then to the right--instead of weaving the entire strip all the way around the basket. (is this understandable?). Then I re-stain the basket. I don*t use a dark stain so restaining doesn*t change the color much. Or just restain the strip before you weave it in. You must do this very carefully (the weaving in part) so the strip doesn*t get caught on something and split. I do save my stain (and I use the minwax mix) in a spray bottle, but I stain nearly everyday. Lois Honolulu--where the first high surf of the winter season is happening on the North Shore--it is surfing time! (I*m just an observer--not a participant!) {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 20:27:05 -0400 From: "joym" To: Hi Everyone, Hope your Fall weaving is going along great. I have just gotten back the picture I took of the Swap basket I received, but we are having trouble with my husband's system (the one the scanner is attached to). So, A.S.A.P. Judy Brenner: The answer for those afraid of fire is to clip hairs as you make your basket. It's a pain, but if you clip all during the process, some here, some there, when the basket is done there's not much more to do. This assumes you use the highest quality reed you can afford, which I've found has little hair to begin with. Re: Kathy Halter's comments on being internet aware. Yes! This would be good. When I coordinated the first Swap I learned something I didn't know: While you will receive a message back if an e-mail is undeliverable (wrong URL), you do NOT always received a message back if the mail can't get through to a good address because the traffic is busy at the time. We might assume that re-dials are attempted, but I guess not. Deb Curtis: I understand your decision not to try this swap, but I am wondering...there must be "naturals" that are particular to a season (are grown &/or harvested in that season). For example bittersweet vines in the Fall? Red Ossier in the Spring? No? Hey, what do I know! I have just harvested a big patch of Day Lily leaves as one of my first formal experiments with naturals. The Sweet Grass flats I planted are growing, but they do not seem to be filling in as I expected & they will not be ready to harvest for some time, I think. About powder embossing. I do mine over the electrical element on the stove. It is not difficult, just time consuming, & you have to be very neat with the powder because any loose, tiny grains will show up in the finished product. Because of that, I do each one individually. I offer these embossed gift &/or basket tags on my website. Gail, sorry I don't have more to add about your mail merge problem. I could not figure out how to do it for Swap #1, so I just used the same text body each time, erasing the last name/contact info. & replacing it with the next one on the list. Joy Sign of the Crow http://www.signofthecrow.com In Hampden, Maine where I just took Plum Pie out of the oven & have another batch of Salsa simmering. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Weaver's Words Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 20:35:14 -0700 From: hannah To: "'davidc@iei.net'" HI there all!!! Just a small post. First of all, Brenda Johnson: It was a thrill to meet you at the Pork Festival. You are cuter and nicer than I had even hoped for. I was so glad to meet you. Please keep in touch with me. I would love to weave with you sometime. I hope your boys games went well and that your anniversary was a nice one. Secondly, I am not trying to toot my own horn, but I had the most fantastic weekend at the Pork Festival. I took 103 baskets and brought home 12. I am just thrilled about it, but extremely surprised. I always do well at shows, but never this well. Lastly, I bought some stuff at the craft fair. It is food that cannot be eaten. It looks real, and maybe it even is real, but it is somehow glazed, hard and unedible. I would certainly love to know if anyone out there has a recipe for this. I have an idea for Christmas but don't have any recipe. Maybe it is made with salt dough or something, but it is really neat. I am wanting to make little gingerbread men, that are kind of like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. I think that would be so cute. Anyway, If anyone has this recipe, please let me know. Pam Feix in Southwest OH, where we had 7/8 of an inch of rain yesterday and it is the first bit in over 4 weeks. The weather is extremely nice here. Happy Weaving (*_*) {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: WW Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 17:39:45 -0400 From: "Chris Baker" To: David Collins If anyone has the New England Centerpiece pattern by Judy Richmond & has made the basket, can you email me? I have a question. I hope out of all the subscribers someone has. Thanks in advance. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 42 Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 19:16:22 -0000 From: "Jeff & Diana French" To: "David Collins" Hello Everyone! Deb Curtis(B) - Thank you so much for the information you forwarded on waxing baskets. I didn't realize you could dip an entire basket into wax. And this will waterproof it? Hardening crystals? - can you get these anywhere? Does anyone know? This is all new to me so excuse me if I sound really dumb. But it really sounds like something I would like to try on a few of my baskets. Lois Keener(P) - I can't believe your swap basket didn't arrive! Maybe Joy can help you in at least letting you know who was supposed to have made it. Could it have gotten lost in the mail?? I guess that would be enough to turn anyone off from joining another swap. But please join us again, if not this swap, maybe the next one. Kat(P) - Glad to see you've decided not to lurk any longer :) Hope to see you here more often now. Dot in Maine(B/P) - I store my stain in glass jars or bottles when I'm not going to be using it for awhile, but I do know of people that just leave it in a plastic tub and cover it. It seems to keep forever - you just have to skim the top once in awhile. I occasionally use a spray bottle for staining, but never leave my stain in it. I empty it and clean the bottle and nozzle. By the way, where in Maine are you from? I'm originally from Kittery and hubby is from Augusta. Mary Carty (P) - I haven't forgotten you! I promise to stop in soon. I finished my lamp basket and can't wait to show it to you. Well, time to put my son to bed - he's dozing off on the couch. Happy weaving to all From Diana French in southern New Jersey where I think it is finally cooling off. {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 42 Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 17:49:55 -0500 From: lboylegibson@juno.com (Linda Boyle-Gibson) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 It seems to finally be cooling down a bit in southern Indiana but we still desperately need rain. Maybe when I start dyeing reed and seagrass in a few days it will come! Michigan Convention will be here quickly and there is much preparation yet to do! AHHH, I love it! Dot in Maine, (HI!) you had many questions regarding storing Minwax, using sprayers, etc. I'll give you a summary of my experiences and I'm sure others have advice also. I tend to mix "stuff" also and I store it in coffee cans or old wide mouthed Mason or mayonnaise jars. When I mix Minwax shades I always make sure I make more than I need for the particular basket, 'cause it's no fun to try and match colors if you run out --- it can't be done. So I always have some left over and store it as I mentioned. Next time I decide to use a Minwax mixture, I can add to it to make a new "dye lot". I NEVER store my stains like Minwax in a spray bottle because I guarantee you, it will never spray again. After you spray your stain, unscrew the nozzle and pump and spray some mineral spirits through the gadget. While this sometimes works, more often than not, I end up throwing away more spray bottles after I've used them only once with a Minwax type spray. I'm a fan of brushing on the goop because you have more control, don't waste as much, and it's easier cleanup. There is one spray that I use about 90% of the time these days and that is Weaver's Stain! Talk about quick, easy and beautiful! And really, it is practically goof-proof. Even if you spray a little to heavily on one side, it will even out as it dries. Some may think it a bit costly, but I figure my time is worth quite a bit! And with practice, many baskets can be sprayed from one can. I do use my homemade walnut stain frequently and all my students have the option of using it also. Like many of you mine also gets stinky and scummy and downright disgusting. My friend Jean Cadmus May has a great story of finding dead wildlife in the bottom of her walnut stain when she lived in Indiana! Of course the walnut smell is so bad, who would know?! --Back to the stain --, I just strain through a sieve, check for the shade I want and then dip. Because the water-based walnut stain does have a rather dull finish like Linda Braun noted, I like to spray a light coat of clear Weaver's Stain over it which perks the color right up. Winnie, regarding the 12" rattan hoop you are seeking. I'm wondering if this pattern author actually made the hoop from round reed (rattan)? I carry 12" oak hoops and can't, off the top of my head, figure why that wouldn't work. But I am not familiar with this pattern and would love to see it. Also could the color of the reed be more a function of the photograph? I have taken some pictures of baskets and had too much flash and they did look white. Just wondering. . . Off to start cutting spokes for Michigan classes! Linda from Indiana where IU is almost winning some football games, the mums are blooming, and the leaves are falling. . . Linda Boyle Gibson, In a Hand Basket 2808 Winston St. Bloomington, In 47401 http://www.inahandbasket.com/ 812-333-1817 {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: holiday basket swap Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 20:49:29 -0400 From: "Gail Caron" To: "David Collins" Hi everyone. We now have 53 WWers signed up for the swap. There are three non-subscribers who want to be included and, unless there are objections, I am inclined to let them participate since we are probably not going to reach the 100 entry mark. I guess my rules scared some people away. Then, again, there could be a late rush of sign-ups when we near the Oct. 1 deadline. I am assuming that I have a working email address for everyone who signed up. I will not be sure of that until I send out the swap pairing info during the first week of Oct. I am going to just reply to each email which I received so that I don't make any typos. Of course it would be to good to be true if all ran smoothly. Since there still appear to be questions about the swap, here is another (FINAL) explanation. Any one interested in joining in should send me her/his name, email address, and regular mailing information by Oct. 1. Remember, no one can send a basket to you if we don't know your mailing address. When all sign-ups have been received, I will randomly match names of senders and recipients and email each of you with the information you need to send your basket. Then, each person signed up will make a basket with a seasonal theme - fall/winter and/or associated holidays - omitting any overtly religious creations. There is a $10.00 limit on supplies. (From some of the descriptions and pictures of baskets made for the last swap it seems to me that not everyone kept to that limit.) You have until Nov.1 to send your basket to your swap buddy. Then, we all wait anxiously for our swap baskets. The first swap was great fun - except for Lois who never received her basket. It was terrific of Joy to start this exchange. That's all for now. The swap coordination and a horse with colic have occupied all my time for the past few days. Gail Caron in still hot and humid southern NJ - where is fall??? {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Great Job Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 21:47:56 -0400 From: Nancy Skinner To: davidc@iei.net David and Fellow Weavers - The new format of WW of shorter and more frequent has been super. The recipes and the basket swap pictures are very interesting. Thank you David for the great job you do for us and the many hours you give! Deb Curtis and Gail Caron: Sorry, I have not had chance to send picture of rib peanut basket yet. My weaving classes have started for this quarter. I have twelve first time student weavers, all over 65 yrs. and very enthusiastic. They want to make everything I suggest. Problem is we only have two hours once a week. Most rewarding working with these wonderful ladies. I will attempt to write some directions for the peanut basket soon. All the ideas of finishing and staining have been helpful. I think I will make small sample baskets and use a different finish on each for future reference. Also, the Brochures for the Greater Atlanta Basket Guild's convention "Weave and Twine in '99" being held in Atlanta, GA. on Feb. 19,20 & 21, are finally off the press. If you would like to receive one, e-mail your snail address to me. A fantastic group of teachers will be here, so come join us! basketweaver@mindspring.com {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Dumb Question Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 21:20:04 -0500 From: "The McLean's" To: "David Collins" Hi All, I want to try the Minwax stain that some of you have recommended. I bought some Minwax stain that says "Stains and Seals" on it. Is this the right stuff or should I look for some that stains only without the sealing part? Janet Cherry McLean {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Oregon Retreat Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 08:20:11 -0700 From: "DeDe Harris" To: "David Collins" Just returned from Rockaway Beach on the Oregon Coast, and the Columbia Basin Basketweavers Guild annual retreat. This is just about my favorite event of the year. There were 54 of us, just about the perfect size. There were classes on Friday, and then on Saturday they had several short workshops. I learned to do a small Tenerife project from Jeannie McFarland, cover a walking stick with yarn with Mike Smith, make a memo pad with Peni Morris, and turn an envelope into a gift bag. This was so well organized, with so much to do, or not do. I walked on the beach looking for driftwood, roots, and straw-berry runners. There was a bumper crop of roots and runners but very little driftwood. Peni Morris also had T-shirts for us to cover in basket stamping, a wonderful gift from the Oregon Guild. She had 12 different basket styles and I stamped them all over my T-shirt. Every one was different, and all were special. There were 3 of us in my little car on the return trip, and we were stuffed in with all our goodies we had collected. There was so much to do, it was great fun. I attended my first retreat here in 91', and they just keep getting better. The weather was perfect, the company was great. Now I can hardly wait for the spring retreat on the Olympic Peninsula. That one will be much bigger, with more classes. Dédé In hot sunny Seattle The rain will return soon enough {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: Re: "Weavers Words" V. 2 I. 41 Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 13:15:10 EDT From: froggestow@juno.com (Roberta R Comstock) To: davidc@iei.net References: 1 "Weavers Words" Vol. 2 Iss. 41 Anna in Tassie - When is your Dad coming to visit you? Could he bring a swap basket with him (if one of us had his address soon enough to get a basket to him in advance of his trip)? (& then bring the one you'd make back to the states & mail it from home?) Might be a way for you to get into a swap. We could agree to keep the baskets small enough to go in his luggage. Seems a shame to miss such a great opportunity for an international trade. :=) I'll try your method of attaching a basket to a driftwood handle. It sounds like an interesting way to do it. Are you doing free standing baskets that way, or flat backed ones? I do sometimes glue in the 2 main top & bottom back rim ribs & then work figure 8 binding down for a way before inserting the top front lip rib (and other ribs) for a flat back wall pouch. Do you have the scientific name of pennywort? If so, I'll see what my herbal references have to say about it. Elaine Bidstrup - I live on 29th Street, about 2 miles from Exit 12 (Noland Road). Bob grew up here, but I'm a relative newcomer, having just moved to Independence in 1983. :=) His Mom (Margaret Lauderdale) lives right around the corner from us. I've never before lived at the same address as long as I've lived here. I'd be delighted to gather naturals with you sometime. Let me know when you'll be coming my way. I will probably be in St. Louis the first weekend of October. Bert in Independence, MO {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: apple prunings, etc Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 23:42:31 +1000 From: M & A Lizotte To: "Collins, David" Alice--well, I haven't used apple prunings before so I am planning to use them as I would willow. Some of them are quite thick at the butt but I think they will be fine. I am thinking of making a sturdy basket for carrying wet laundry to the line so they will suit the job, I hope. Bert, suggested stripping some of the bark to use so I will try that, too. some of the thicker ones might even do for handles and rims. At the moment they are just sitting outside under a bush "mellowing"! Also, thank you for the information about the Basketry Express publication. It really sounds interesting so I will write to them soon. "black creek country" also sounds interesting. Photos--well, haven't sent mine to David yet. I am procrastination personified. Actually I have had a good reason this time. Last week I got a phone call about my mammogram results and was told there was an abnormal shadow and so had to go back (after 5 sleepless nights) for a repeat mamm. and ultrasound and fortunately was given the all clear. Then I spent another sleepless night thinking about what might have happened! We so often tend to take good health for granted and only think about taking care of ourselves when something goes wrong. I urge all of you women out there who are 40 or over who haven't had a mammogram to do so. I don't know what the deal is over there but here it is a free service and once you have had one, you go on the register and they send you a reminder for a repeat every two years. Do you have to pay over there? On to a totally different subject--I am so excited! I have just sent off my order for waxed linen to my dad--I ended up ordering 9 spools--had a hard time deciding which colours to choose! Another reason to anticipate his arrival! Just sent some recipes to David--hope you enjoy them. I hope I got all the conversions right! I did check and double-check them. David--at the risk of sounding repetitive--Thank you for all you do. It is so exciting for me to be able to communicate with basketmakers so far away... Anna in Tasmania where it is raining...and raining.....and raining...... {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} Subject: great book Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 18:18:22 -0600 From: rae hunter Organization: sundogs and northern lights To: davidc@iei.net For those of you interested in baskets from materials you can gather yourself I just received a good one. the book HANDMADE BASKETS from nature's colourful materials by SUSIE VAUGHAN Search Press ISBN O 85532 755 3 in my opinion is a terrific little book for beginner gatherers. Susie is from Wales and she does a wonderful job of simplifying everything from tools to collecting and making baskets. The pictures are well presented. I wish I had found a book like this when I started to weave baskets. Search Press ltd, wellwood, North Farm Road, Turnbridge Wells, Kent Tn2 3DR. Can. price about $20.00 cheers Rae {*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*}{*}-{*} If for any you would ever like to cancel your subscription, simply send me a message with "unsubscribe" as your subject.