Woodstown, New Jersey EGA Chapter
Mid-Atlantic Region

Saturday, February 10, 2024

February 2024 Meeting


President Joan T called the meeting to order.  Eighteen were present at the meeting including a possible new member and a guest.  

Joan shared that February is actually the month Lamplighters was founded so it was our 50th Anniversary Meeting night!   Wahoo!    We will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary at a Dinner on April 11, 2024.   The celebration dinner will be in lieu of the April Meeting.   The dinner will be at The Blue Plate in Mullica Hill, NJ.   Sign up forms were provided via email and by US mail to those who do not regularly attend meetings.  

Joan also shared her President’s Challenge for 2024.   The Golden Anniversary Challenge is to create a ‘golden’ name tag.  Members were asked to design and create their own name tag.   No limit of fabric, thread, beads, etc. or no limit on size or shape.   Check out designs from the Internet or from cross stitch motif books, etc.   A length of gold thread was included to give stitchers inspiration.   Joan state we have all year to finished and we will have them all on display at the January 2025 meeting.

Pat L explained the “Stitcher’s Contracts” to members and guests.  It is a “contract” with yourself where you list a project and pledge to do your very best to completed it in 2024.   Any stitcher that completes a contract will have their name entered into a drawing in January 2024.   See Pat L with any questions.

Christmas in July - Linda is looking for one more teacher for the 2024 Christmas in July.   Linda has a folder of potential projects.  Please see her if you are interested in teaching a class.

March Meeting - We will be stitching an EGA Petite Project on Blackwork.   Linda said the instructions for completing blackwork in this project will have you enjoying blackwork.   Please go to EGAUSA website, Petite Projects to find and print the instructions for the March Meeting.  Linen can be ordered from Linda at a cost of $4.   Stitchers will need to provide their own floss color of their choice and perle cotton for the nun stitch finishing.  Suggested linen, 28 count, 5 x 12 piece.


Show ‘n Tell

When the Sweet Bird Sings, from Blackbird Design, stitched by Robin T.


Jingle Block from 2023 Jingle Ball/Hands on Design, stitched by Caryl C.


Shepherd’s Pie from Plum Street, stitched by Caryl C.

Candy box, stumpwork stitched by Marian S.


1889 Alphabets from Needlework Press, stitched by Robin T.  28 count stitched over 1 thread


Anniversary Needlebook, stitched by Robin T.


Hearts for Hospice, two beaded hearts, stitched by Robin T.


Peyote beaded pen cover with EGA logo, beaded by Robin T.


Baby sampler, stitched by Barbara G.


Rug hooked sampler, done by Linda W’s grandmother


Embroidered and quilted piece by new member Ann C.

Civil War Huswif from Needlemade Designs, completed by Robin T.




Febuary Program

Our program was a discussion on Primitive Rug Hooking by guest speaker Cathy Fishera.   Cathy told us of how she become involved in rug hooking, a basis history of rug hooking and shared several of her beautiful pieces.

She shared some fun antidotes about her hooking journey as well as some risky’ rug hooking terms.   You can be considered a ‘tight hooker’, a ‘loose hooker’ and I am sure some are even called “happy hookers”.   


Cathy explained that different wool is the traditional preferred fabric to use.   The width of the wool strips provides different results.   She also explained how to do dimensional hooking.  She sources her wool from wool vendors as well as making visits to Goodwill and similar stores looking for wool skirts or slacks as they make the best garments to stripe for rug hooking.
 
Cathy explained how she finds patterns either pre-printed on linen or by using transfers.    Using a burlap like base, she showed us how to start a hooked rug and let members give it a try.  Monk’s clothes or linen can also be used as the base fabric.

Hookers use either a large hoop or a frame mounting to do their rug hooking.  

Like EGA, rug hookers have an organization similar to ours.   There is ATHA, Assoication of Traditional Hooking Artists. They have a National, Regional and Chapter level just as we do.   

Cathy provided the names of several websites that specialize in supplies for rug hooking.  

BeachNut Studio

Wooly Dye Works

The WoolNGardener

Here are a few of her beautiful rugs.  Her rugs are both functional and decorative.  






Next meeting - Thursday, March 14, 7 pm.
 

Friday, January 19, 2024

January 2024 Meeting

 Thank you to Lynn B, who took notes and forwarded them to me for the meeting follow up.


Meeting was called to order by President Joan T.   There were 9 members present and 2 guests for a total of 11 at the meeting.

Joan discussed the new enrollment process EGA launched January 1, 2024.  Joan, Caryl and Robin participated in a zoom meeting with the Regional Director, Donna P where a lot of questions were asked and answered.  All registrations for renewing members and new, will now be done online at the EGA.org website.  Most members will renew in May and will receive an email from EGA that it is time for their renewal.  We expect more information to follow.  There will no longer be proration.  New members will enroll through the website and their membership will run for one year from the date they enroll.

Joan read the motion from the Executive Committee/Anniversary Committee that was first presented at the December Meeting.  The Resolution was to have the ability to spend funds not to exceed $2,000.00 on the Lamplighters’ Anniversary celebration.  A complete accounting of expenditures will be provided at a later date.  The treasurer has previously reported that our account is healthy enough for this use.  The motion for approval was made by Katie Chrysler, seconded by Jan Sanders.  All members present voted to approve the motion to spend not more than $2,000.00 on 50th Anniversary Celebration and Dinner to be held in April 2024.

Contract Completion
Those who completed the projects they pledged in January 2023 to complete by January 2024 had their names entered into a drawing.  Jan Sanders was picked as the winner of a $25.00 gift card to 123stitch.com. Congratulations!  2024 Project Completion Contracts were available at the meeting to fill out.  Please talk to Pat Lerch at the February meeting for information and a form.

2023 Lamplighter’s Challenge
We took part in the EGA Rhodes Rage Challenge.   Each month a Rhodes stitch was stitched in a dffierent way.   A snowflake for January, a heart for February, a Shamrock for March, etc.  Members brought in their Rhode Rage projects which showed the Rhodes stitch done in different ways.


2024 Lamplighters’ President’s Challenge
This is our Golden Anniversary Challenge.  Members were challenged to create and make your own Golden Name tag.  If you wish to participate, the name tags need to be completed for January 2025.  If you participate, your name will be put in for a drawing in January 2025.  Project directions with a piece of gold thread were distributed.  Name tags can be worn at the April celebration if completed early.

Woodlawn Needlework Show at the Woodlawn Planation, Alexandria, VA, will again be in March.  There were no projects brought to the meeting to be sent for display. Contact Pat Y before January 22nd to make arrangements with her to take pieces to Woodlawn.

Show N Tell -
Projects brought in by Jan, Beth, Marian, Linda, and Katie were shared.

A variation on a Christmas in July project by Katie C.

Thimble Box from Noteworthy Needle by Beth Dietz 

Santa by Linda W.

Cauliflower by Marian S.

Plum Street cat by Beth Dietz

Needlepoint and felting witch by Beth Dietz

Large tablecloth shared by Jan S.



Upcoming Programs -
February - Linda introduced Kathy Fischera at tonight’s meeting who will be our guest next month to demonstrate rug hooking.

March - will be the petite project Blackwork bookmark.  There is an option to pay $4 for a piece of linen.  Sign up for the project and select if you need to buy linen.

Christmas in July -
Linda is still in need of volunteer teachers for the event.  Contact Linda if you are interested in teaching.  There are copy-write rules that need to be followed for patterns used.  Linda has a good supply of project possibilities.

Lightning Rounds -
In the most recent Needle Arts magazine section after page 24, there is a section on called Inside EGA that there are “lightning rounds” which are group classes offered to members at large to sign up for if you are interested.

Tonight’s Meeting Program - “Cotton Threads”
Linda researched and created a great presentation on the wide variety of cotton threads and the brands that offer these options.  She had a variety of threads on display to explore.

Thank you again to Lynn B for taking notes while I was at Camp WannaStitch in Ocean City, Maryland.

Next meeting February 8, doors open at 6:45; meeting starts at 7 pm


Monday, January 8, 2024

December 2023 Meeting

 December Meeting - We have a lovely holiday get together.    

We had a great number of Show ‘n Tell items which have been added to our Facebook page.   
Quadrille from Christmas in July by Christine F.  On the right, the Feather Tree from a 2022 meeting, by Deb N.

Top, the Candy Cane Biscournu by Christine F.  Bottom, “Woolamina” from Plum Street by Caryl C.

Two gorgeous ornaments by Linda W.  She used old costume jewelry as the centerpieces in each.   Clever girl!

Designers Across America round ornament by Joan T.

Plum Street tart by Gwynne G.

Summertime Screen door by Deb N.  Designs for each season from a company called “A-Door-Ables”

Winter Quaker, Rosewood Manor, Gwynne G.

Joy by Joan T.

Noel, by Joan T.

Year long project from ANG, 56 individual leaves, stitched and finished into a lovely wreath, Linda W.

Gather ‘Round, from Hands on Designs, stitched by Joan T.

Patriotic design from The Primitive Hare, stitched by Gwynne G.

GH 1857 Sampler, stitched by Pat L.

Christmas bell pull, Baseball “Home” and perforated paper ornament by Deb N.

“Pink Spring” designed by Pat Morse, stitched by Marian S.
Below, “Summer” designed by Pat Morse, stitched by Marian S.   The last two in the series.

Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow, stitched on 40 count linen over 1 by Pat. L.

“Garden of Stitches’ from Samplers Not Forgotten, stitched by Robin T.

“Red Bird” sampler from With Thy Needle and Thread, stitched by Robin T.

* For any completed 2023 Contracts, members are to send Pat L. a photo of your piece.  Pat L. explained how the “2024 Contracts” will work.   Members make a pledge to themselves to work on and complete a certain project in 2024.   Contact Pat with any questions and for the 2024 form.  

* We discussed the email received from National the first week of December.  (I will find a copy and forward it to all.).  This email is a guide to EGA course offerings.  It is a hand reference to print and save. GCC’s, Lightning Rounds, Virtual Course, Individual Correspondence Course’s are all explained. 

* A Resolution was presented for review.   The Resolution authorizes the Board to spend, not more than, $2,000 on our upcoming 50th Anniversary Event in April 2024.  The Resolution will be again presented in January for any further discussion and final vote.

* All were invited to join members for lunch the first Friday on January and then proceed to the Woodstown Library to take down the holiday tree.
* The Mid-Atlantic Spring Meeting will be in King of Prussia, April 5 and 6, 2024.

* Following our brief business meeting, we shared a covered dish of holiday sweets and treats.   

Program - Caryl Carthew led us in making floss tags.  Members brought in old Christmas and Greeting cards.  Caryl provided instructions and the punches necessary to make floss tags.   The weight of the cards proved to be a good weight for the floss tags.   These could also be used as great gift tags provided you didn’t punch the hole for hanging the floss into the tag!

We also play two rounds of L-R-C (Left-Right-Center).   Everyone brought 6 (unused) skeins of floss to the meeting.   We divided into 3 groups of 6 to 8 each.   Each group had their own set of dice and played among themselves.   Using 3 skeins per round, each group was able to play 2 rounds and there were two winners-take-all for each group.    There were lots of OHs! And AHs! and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Monday, November 27, 2023

November 2023 Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Joan T.

Treasurer’s Report was provided by Caryl C.     In addition to our balance on hard, we have 10 xerox boxes of patterns for sale at Fireside Stitchery.  We don’t expect proceeds from these sales until May or June of 2024.

Membership -   We currently have 32 members.   

Starting in 2024, membership will paid online.   All dues will be sent to National.   National will make payments accordingly to the individual chapters.   In January, there will be a zoom meeting to discuss how it will work.   Lamplighter’s President, Treasurer and Membership Chair will participate in the Zoom and share what they learn with members. 

A survey was sent to all members regarding preferences for the Anniversary Meeting.    Hard copies were mailed to members without email or that don’t regularly attend meetings.


The results to date are:
   Attending     23 yes;  3 no/out of town
   Dinner on a meeting night 10
   Luncheon on a Saturday 6
   No preference 7

Regional News - A new membership category with a lower fee has been added for ages 18-25.  Membership will give this age group access to EGA’s NeedleArts Magazine but only the online version.

Smart Day - Smart Day is April 6, 2024 and will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel, King of Prussia, PA.

For December -  We will again be decorating the Woodstown Library Tree.   For anyone that wishes to join, please meet at noon for lunch at the Woodstown Diner on December 1st before heading over to the Library.  Ornaments and small items were to be brought to tonight’s meeting.   If you have items for the tree, please contact Joan T or Katie C to arrange to drop them off before the 1st of December.   Make sure you label your ornaments/items and perhaps take a picture of them on your cell phone to aid in the return process after the holidays.

December Meeting

We will be making floss drops.   Bring your old Christmas or Greeting Cards.  Punches will be available to use during the meeting. 

We will again be playing Left-Right-Center.   Bring 6 skeins of floss  (any type of Floss/new skein) to the meeting to use as your ‘tokens’.  

Everyone is encouraged to bring a baked good or snack to share.  Members should bring their own beverages.   Karolin R will provide the paper products.

Upcoming -

Woodlawn - The Board has decided not to participate in a showcase at Woodlawn that would spotlight Lamplighters and member’s works due to the cost of participation.  Individuals will still be able to participate to enter their needlework pieces into the needlework show.

Hearts for Hospice - We will be participating in the Hearts for Hospice project.  Patti N will chair.  A template was handed out.  A loop long enough to go over a door knob should be added to the top.   Bring finished hearts to any meeting.   There is currently no time-line for stitching the hearts.  These hearts will be given to Hospice facilities.  The hearts are used to hang on the doorknob of rooms where families are sitting vigil with patients when a patient is close to passing.  Sample patterns can be found at https://www.greaterkcneedlepointguild.com/hearts-for-hospice

In March we will work on a Blackwork bookmark project.   Please reach out to Joan if you are interested.

In April we will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary.  More information to follow.

In June we will have an anniversary display at the Gloucester County Library.   More information will follow.

Show ‘n Tell

 Caryl C shared this antique sampler she recently purchased.


Tart stitched by Caryl C

Drum stitched by Caryl C 


Merry Christmas pillow by Barbara G 


Snowman by Joan T 


Leaf on perforated paper by Deb N 


Three pumpkins by Deb N 


Next meeting - December 14.   Doors open at 6:45, meeting starts at 7 pm