We welcomed Analiza Jones this month via Zoom, who told us all about the process of producing the fine handwoven handbags on display behind her. Analiza is one of the speakers on our original Programme for 2020 and it was good to be able to honour that commitment albeit in quite a different way to that envisaged originally. We also welcomed two members, Alison and Roseanne, who took to our meeting and banter like they'd always been there.
For the handbags, the fibres from two tropical plants harvested in the Philippines are used via a labour intensive process to produce the bags; one for the softer habi bags which are handwoven using wider strips and the hard-shell other which uses abaca. The latter is from a plantain-like tree which produces a finer fibre called Manila hemp which was formerly used to make ropes for ships. The handbags are an alternative product which was switched to when the market for natural rope dried up.
There were quite a few oohs and aahs expressed over the final results, which may appear on several Christmas present lists for this year.
Elsewhere this month, Book Club reviewed To Kill a Mocking Bird despite several members having read only part of the book, or watched the film instead, and it was agreed to have a break until the New Year. Our Town made a quick pre-lockdown 2,0 visit to the Museum to see the Covid-19 exhibition and the Belles featuring prominently in the display.
The Walkie Talkies became the 'Walking Buddies' for the duration, taking advantage of the rule allowing exercise with one non-household member per day and also managed to get several work from homers out for a lunchtime stroll. Photos were posted to Facebook for all to enjoy and the autumnal scenery and weather did us proud.
The Happy Hookers met twice this month with varying success. Cute nordic gnomes were produced all round, but Christmas trees using the amazing crocodile stitch proved harder to master. Some hookers also had a go at the reindeer amigurumi make in the latest WI Life and noted the start of the pattern was poorly written and needed some adjustment for success.
Note that our next meeting is on Thursday December 10th, NOT the fourth Thursday of the month as usual. We are having our first activity on Zoom, in the form of Mandala drawing with Sweet James Designs.
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