April 2024 Anniversary Meeting

We were treated to a lovely dinner meeting at the Blue Plate in Mullica Hill to celebrate our 50th Anniversary as an Embroiderer’s Guild of American Member.    Our Chapter was actually official on February 13, 1974.  

A milestone like this cannot be successful without the organization, planning and leg work of the Officers and others who helped.   A BIG thank you to all who helped plan and organize the event.  Not only do the current members need to be thanked but all the members, over the years, that have helped to make this a viable, enjoyable, educational gathering of fellow stitchers.  

For those that were able to attend, we enjoyed a lovely get together.   We dined at the Blue Plate in Mullica Hill and the meal was fabulous.   

After our meal, President Joan T. shared the history of Lamplighters from their receiving a charter, to choosing a name and all the good things between February 1974 and present day.   Members shared memories.

 

Did you know that “Lamplighter’s” was chosen because the Chapter wanted to shed light on needlework and to show the way for others who wanted to learn needlework?   Seems like a pretty good name and pretty great mission statement.

    Our Historian, Lynn B., brought in scrapbooks of early newspaper articles, clippings, events,  etc. with Lamplighters featured.  

We were also treated to a display of Lamplighter projects over the years.

We had dessert of course.  A scrumptious white chocolate raspberry cake.   Yum!

Those who attended were treated for some goodies in an especially made project bag with a “Lamplighters” tag on it.    (Sorry couldn’t get a clear close up)

 

A 50th Anniversary Thimble Kit from Noteworthy Needle, a 50th Anniversary needlebook kit (with help from Knoxville Chapter EGA for their initial design), a black and gold “50” scissors fob and some candies that didn’t stick around long enough to be photographed!

A group shot of those who attended the dinner.    A few last minute cancellations, sorry to say.   

On a good note, stitchers we are growing!   We have 37 members with some rumblings from a few directions that some others are considering joining.    

Remember your dues are now paid on the EGA website.   All those up for renewal in May should have received their email notification.  Follow the directions and it is EZ PZ to do.

Again, thank you to all who attended and to all that made it possible.

Next meeting, May 9th.    Assignment is to complete Rows 1 to 5 on the Blackwood bookmark from the March Meeting.    Meeting starts a 7, doors with open at 6:45.   

March 2024 Meeting

For our March meeting we welcomed three new members.    Julie P., Diana T., and Marian C..   Joan welcomed them and each told us a little it about themselves and their stitching journey.   These stitchers joined our other new 2024 members Karin W. and Ann C..  We are 36 members strong and growing!

- President Joan Tierno shared the 2024 President’s Challenge.   She has challenged member to create a name tag in celebration of our 50th Anniversary.   She shared handouts of ideas and a gold thread for inspiration.

- Our Anniversary Dinner was discussed.  In lieu of an April Meeting, we will be meeting at the Blue Plate in Mullica Hill at 6 pm for dinner.    Reservations MUST be made as soon as possible as the final count is due March 29th.

- Membership - Reminder that ALL renewals are now done electronically.   You will receive an email from National in late April with instructions for renewal.   Members who joined PRIOR to January 1, 2024, will have the annual renewal date of May 31st.  Newer members will renew on the one year anniversary of their enrollment.  Dues will no longer be pro-rating based on the time of year you enroll.   Rather, your renewal will be one date from the date of your enrollment.  

- Upcoming Programs

Linda reminded everyone to check out their most recent issue of NeedleArts for Lightening Rounds and Group Correspondence Courses offered as well as the free charts that are available at EGAUSA.org

April Meeting - Anniversary Dinner - No regular meeting

May Meeting - Completion of the Blackwork Bookmark

June Meeting - Learning Bullion Knots

Christmas in July -  Spend a day with fellow stitchers and have instructions on 3 different Christmas Ornaments.    The event is all day (9 to 3) on Saturday, July 20th.   Guests are welcomed.    Attendees should bring their own lunch and beverages and are welcomed to bring some snacks to share.  We meet at a church in Wenonah - details will follow closer to the event.   Sign ups and payment due by the June meeting.  25 maximum  $20 per person.   

Gloucester County Library - Linda is coordinating a display for the library in honor of our 50th Anniversary.  Linda would like EACH Lamplighters to offer one piece for display.   More details will follow.

Tonight’s program

Linda lead us in stitching a blackwork bookmark.   This is a Petite Project from the EGAUSA.org site.  Our assignment is to stitch Rows 1 to 5 before the May meeting.   We will learn about the center motif and initial and finishing at the May meeting.

 

Websites of interest 

Finishing instructions. The Twisted Stitcher/Vonna Pfeffer

Blackwork - Wikipedia.

         Blackwork - Blackwork Journey 

Chantelle’s finishing items

 

Show and Tell

Perforated paper  and smalls by Linda W. A Kirdy Biggs Design.

 

Ellen Chester Design - larger spool, by Stacy S.  Smaller spool also by Stacy S.

Hey Pumpkin from Fat Quarter Shop by Robin T.  

Ukrainian Bookmark from Spring 2023 EGA Meeting, Robin T. 

Hearts for Hospice, Red, white and blue by Patti N.

Pink hearts by Katie C. 

Barnwood Buttons from Rosewood Manor, stitched by Robin T. 

Schwam Embroidery pillow from Knoxville EGA Correspondence Course, by Pat L.

2024 Anniversary Heart from Heart in Hand, stitched and finished by Caryl C. 

Katie C. wanted to learn to stitch plaid but wasn’t interested in doing the spider we did.   Instead she used waste canvas and stitched a heart on a sweatshirt.   Great idea Katie! 

 Lamplighters Class project from EGA, Over-dyed Spools, by Robin T.

Canvas piece from a Group Correspondence Course with a Texas EGA, stitched by Stacy S. 

Reindeer Games by Brenda Gervais/With Thy Needle and Thread, stitched by  Caryl C.

Beautifully beaded necklace by Marian S. 

Plum Street, Christmas in the Colonies by Caryl C. 

Three Mill Hill Ornaments by Deb N.

Two Easter smalls by Carol E. from Shannon Christine Designs.

And there were more but they don’t seem to be on my camera roll! 

Next meeting - Anniversary Dinner, April 11, 6 pm, The Blue Plate.

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.