March Meeting

Joan welcomed everyone to the meeting.   We had two guests at the meeting which were introduced.

- Chapter and Regional information was shared.  

National is working to improved relations, recruit new members, etc.  A survey has been sent to all members to gauge members their feelings on EGA, what they like and where they would like to see improvement.  Please complete the survey, being honest and open with your answers.  If you feel improvement is needed in any area this is your chance to be heard.  

National would also like input from Chapters regarding how voting is done for officers at the National level.   Currently votes are done through the Chapter but they does not give Members At Large an opportunity to vote.   Lamplighters was asked for their input and our consensus was one vote from each person.   National will have to determine how elections will be completed taking into consideration those who are Members At Large and those without email addresses.

National will also be sending all members an email regarding change your password on the EGA website.   We are being given the 'heads-up' so you don't think the email is a scam.   National is moving to a new website platform which is making the password update necessary.

Regional - Region President, Donna P. is meeting with Region Chapter Presidents to discuss the interest in Take Home Projects and Smart Day Projects.  Donna is going to see if dong these via Zoom would be more cost effective for both members and EGA.

- April Meeting -  April is our Annual Covered Dish Dinner.   It is also our Semi-Annual Official Business Meeting.  The meeting will start at 6:30.  Members should bring their our beverages.   Karolin will provide the paper products.  

- May Meeting -  Sue Gonzales of Sue Gonzales Designs will be teaching us how to do punch needle.   Susan will bring supplies for everyone and most likely half a trunk show.  If you have punch needle supplies - needle, hoop - you can bring to the meeting but it is not necessary.

- Membership - Membership renewals are due in May for the calendar year June 2023 through May 2024.   Dues is $46 per year.   $5 of this fee stays with Lamplighters to help cover our meeting room rental.   The balance goes to Regional and National EGA.

We currently have 27 members.   At tonight's meeting there were 13 present, 2 guests and 2 attending via Zoom.

SHOW 'N TELL

Above and below are two sides of a four-sided scrapbook and perforated paper piece.   Each side represents a different season.   This is a project from Janis Note of Noteworthy Needle and was completed by Caryl C.

An EGA free pattern from the EGA website, Christmas wreath, stitched and finished by Robin T.

Beautiful ribbon embroidery stitched by Carol E.

Beautiful Bronze Swirls by Linda W.

Drum from Hands Across the Sea, stitched and finished by Caryl C.

Shaker Sampler and accompanying smalls from Violets & Verses, stitched and finished by Robin T.

Garden of Stitches from Samplers Not Forgotten.  Stitched by Robin T.

July Birthstone Thimble Box, from Noteworthy Needle, stitched and finished by Robin T.

Ladybug frame weight from the Knoxville EGA Winter Retreat, attended by Robin T.   Stitched and finished by Robin T.

Above and below, completed Over-dyed Spools project from our February Meeting.  One by Marian S. and one by Joan T.

Samples of the Rhodes Rage  March and April Rhodes stitches - a Shamrock and a Raindrop

 Tonight's project was stitching a Ukranian Bookmark.  

We were provided banding and a length of black lace to use to stitch over the black to 'hide' the back of the project. Clever idea!

February 2023 Meeting

President Joan T. welcomed members.

Committee Reports and Chapter updates were shared.

-    Membership - There were 15 members present at the meeting.

-    Contracts - Pat L. explained the "Contracts" for the 2023 Challenge.   She had blanks for those who needed them and collected the completed contracts.   A winner will be pulled in January 2024 from the names of those who successfully completed their stitching contract challenge.

-    Anniversary - Lynn B. has the 25th Anniversary Sampler and can bring it to our celebration.   The question was raised if there would be interest in completed a 50th Anniversary Sampler.  Lynn also have scrapbooks from the prior years that she will bring and share.  Featuring Lamplighters at Woodland in March of 2024 was discussed.

-    Stitch in Public - Joan asked if there was any interest in participating in a Stitch in Public day.   She has spoken with the manager at Joann's Fabrics in Deptford and they has tables and good lighter where we would be welcomed.

-      Rhodes Rage Project - February Heart is this month's assignment.   Because of tonight's program, instructions for February were shared in January.

SHOW 'N TELL

This Halloween spool was stitched by Beth D.

Robin T. used the January Rhodes Rage to make a snowflake pillow.

Pat L's A Year in the Woods - Winter, finished as a pillow.

Pat L.'s version of Jeannette Douglas Designs Year of Floral Bouquets stitched on banding.

From December, a completed Feather Tree by Marian S.

Canvas work with reticule, a Gay Ann Rodgers piece, stitched by Marian S.

Snowmen ornaments by Linda W.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Hearts by Linda W.

Designs from Whilst Iris Naps, stitched and finished by Caryl C.

From Heartstring Samplery, Hope Song, stitched and finished by Caryl C.

Star Dance by Joan T.

Autumn ala Round from Glendon Place by Barbara G.

Beautiful crewel work by Kay F.

 

Canvas work by Kay F.

Another beautiful piece by Kay F.

PROGRAM

Linda W. helped participants get started on the Overdyed Spools program by first setting up our color ways.   We laid out our Watercolours matching the varigation to make cut to the hank of floss and prepare to start our stitching.   Linda gave instructions where to start and what stitched to use and we were on our way.

Next meeting, March 9, 2023

January 2023 Meeting

Members present were welcomed by President Joan T.

Committee Reports and Chapter updates were made.

-    The Christmas Tree at the Woodstown Public Library was 'untrimmed'.   Katie K. has the unclaimed ornaments.   Please see Katie if you did not receive your ornament/ornaments back.

-    Those who participated in the 2022 Jeannette Douglas Floral Bouquet SAL each received one chance for each month they completed.    Marian S. was the winner of two Jeannette Douglas Designs charts.

With the white border, stitched by Joan T.

With green border, stitched by Gwynne G.

-    Nominations - A committee is needed.   Marian S. will chair the Nominations Committee.   If you would like to help her, please reach out to Marian.

-    2023 Challenge - We will be challenging members to complete a "Contract" where they will pledge to do their best to complete a specific project by January 2023.    You can enter more than one contract for the year.   We hope this will help  encourage stitchers to focus on a UFO or perhaps focus on a project they have had waiting to start.    A prize will be awarded to one participant next January.  Caryl will include the contract form in her next newsletter mailing.  Pat L. will be collecting all the contracts.

-    50th Anniversary - Lamplighters 50th Anniversary will be in 2024.    A committee is starting to plan what we will do to commemorate the anniversary.    It is possible we could have a display at Woodlawn in March of 2024 to showcase our chapter's handiwork.   Items on display would not have to be items that have been shown at Woodlawn previously.   We expect to get more details on this in the fall of 2023.   

    It was also add that we could display our needlework items at Winterthur in 2024.   More information is needed.

    An informal survey was passed around where members could indicate if they had any interest in attending a celebratory event/dinner if the committee were to arrange one.   

-    Membership -     There were 16 members present at the meeting.  While reviewing the Regional website it was noted there was not a link to our blog.   Robin made the request to our Regional Director and the change was made.

    Former member, Marian A. passed away.   There were no details available. 

-    Christmas in July will be July 15th from 9 to 3.   Will we again meet at the Holy Nativity Church in Wenonah, NJ.    The cost is $20 per person.   There will be three Christmas related projects.  Guests can be included.  Participants need to bring their own bagged lunch.  Sign-up are due by the May meeting.  More information will follow.

-    February Project - We will start work on the Overdyed Spools EGA Petite Project.   Linda W. will lead the instructions.   Please bring to the meeting your canvas mounted on stretcher bars - if you need help with this, Linda will be available at 6:45.  Use masking tape or painters tape to tape the edges.  Bring a copy of the directions as well as your two skeins of Watercolors floss by Caron.

These samples were on display at Camp Wannastitch in Ocean City, Maryland in January 2023.

SHOW 'N TELL

First up is a preview of the Rhodes Rage for the year by Pat L.

From A Year in the Woods, from Cottage Gardens Sampling, Spring in the Woods by Pat L.

Again from A Year in the Woods, Winter in the Woods by Pat L.

This spool was stitched by Caryl C.   It is an Ellen Chester pattern called Rebecca's Flowers.

Pillow above by Kathryn Kraft and Strawberry below, by Scarlett House.   Both stitched and finished by Caryl C.

Chocolates looking good enough to eat!  By Marian S.

Quaker Spring from Rosewood Manor by Marian S.

Feather Tree from our December Meeting, stitched by Robin T.

Pulled work hearts, stitched and finished by Marian S.

Next meeting, February 9, 2023.