June 2026 Meeting

President Joan T welcomed everyone.  She shared information about the Regional Seminar in Fairfax, Virginia in July 2027.   Registration opens for classes July 10, 2026.   There will also be four different virtual classes available.   The virtual option is a great opportunity for those who cannot travel  to Virginia.

Barbara G spoke about the Salem County Fair table that Lamplighters will man.   She is looking for additional volunteers and recirculated the sign-up sheet.   She will be contacting those who signed up and set a  schedule.    She encouraged members to put their work in the fair.   Once the website is open for the Salem County Fair, it is easier to pre-register online than in person.

The America’s Tapestry will be having an opening ceremony June 19 at the Muscarelle Museum at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.    It will be on display at William and Mary until early September.  It will then move to Seton Hill, near Pittsburgh, PA.   Check out their website for more information.    Below is a picture of the Delaware Tapestry which many Lamplighter’s worked on.

Christmas in July will be July 18th.   An email will be sent with directions, location, etc. in the week’s prior.

Camp Stitch-a-lot in Painted Post, NY, September 2026, registration is still open.  

Online Opportunies

Stephanie Webb of Lindy Stitches will be holding another virtual retreat in July.   These are another great and inexpensive way see to new designs, meet other stitchers and take a class without having the expense of travel and hotel.   You can do it in the comfort of your PJ’s in your own stitchy chair.   Check her website out.

Hobby House may also soon be offering virtual attendance for classes.   Stay tuned.  

Acorns & Threads in Oregon is another store that offers virtual attendance at retreats and class.

Former member, Patti N reached out and invited members to Stitch in Public at two local events.   There were be no charge as stitchers are considered demonstrators.   Patti’s contact information is in the member newsletters.  

Continued thanks to Pat L for carting the charts and needlework notions to every meeting for sale.   She reported to me that she is receiving enough in donations each month to cover the room rental fee.   

Tonight’s program was to continue to work on the Stars and Stripes canvas piece.    A few members have their piece fully finished.

 

 

 Members did not disappoint with the patriotic parade of finishes that they brought to the meeting.     All shapes and sizes and techniques!    A group hip hooray for our members!  

 

See our FB page for more Show N Tell

Next meeting:  September 10, 2026

15 members attended in person

2 members attend via Zoom

May Meeting

 Joan welcomed everyone to the meeting.  She shared a letter from Regional Director, Darlene LeBoeuf, complimenting our Chapter.  Yay, team!

Camp Stitch-a-lot, in Painted Post, NY, will be September 17-20.  Registration form was included in the last Regional Newsletter.  The dates for Camp WannaStitch were confirmed as January 15 - 18, 2027.

The May Meeting was the last day to sign up for Christmas in July.

Watch your email for membership renewals.   Your renewal date is now included on the membership roster that was circulated with this month’s meeting follow-up.

Check out the most recent Needle-Arts publication.   The Annual Report is highlighted, and seminar ideas are included.

Barbara G will be handling the sign-up for manning the Lamplighters table at the Salem County Fair.  She circulated a sign-up sheet for volunteers.   Closer to the date of the fair, you will be able to register, online, any needlework you wish to show at the fair.

For our final meeting of the season, we will be working on the Stars and Stripes Canvas piece.   

For Show ‘n Tell - bring in some patriotic finishes!  

Check out our Facebook page to see this meeting’s Show ‘n Tell beauties. 

For this meeting - 20 members were in attendance; one member joined via Zoom.

Next meeting:   June 11, 2026.   Door open at 6:46; meeting starts at 7 p.m.

April Meeting 2026

This meeting was our bi-annual Business Meeting and Linda W ran the meeting.   Before called for the Committee Reports we all enjoyed the covered dish dinner.   It is always a real treat of lots of yummy dishes and good fellowship.  

  

Linda called for Committee Reports

Minutes - Pat L shared the minutes from the last Business Meeting were share with everyone via email prior to the meeting.   Having no edits or corrections, the minutes were approved as presented.

Treasurer’s Report - Caryl provided a copy to everyone prior to the meeting.   

Membership - Robin shared we currently have 37 members.  National forwarded information on a member that joined in April.   The Members Information packet and a welcome letter have been forwarded to the new member.  For our those who follow the May renewal, please watch your email for the notice from National to renew on their website.

Regional - Marian shared information from the Regional Meeting.   Camp Stitch-a-lot will be held again at Watson’s Woods, Painted Post, NY, September 17-20.   Registration will open in May.   Camp WannaStitch is tentative for Martin Lurther King weekend in January 2027.   Anne W who has chaired this event for many years has stepped down.   Regional is looking to form a committee to handle Camp WannaStitch.   Please contact Regional Director Darlene L if you are interested in helping with the event.   Marian reminded all that there is MAR Pride Scholarship money available.  This would help pay for classes.   In turn, recipients are expected to return to their Chapter and share what they have learned.

Newsletter/Meeting Notices/Publicity - Robin said everything is running smoothly with the Newsletter and Meeting Notices.  Robin reported she no longer puts anything in the local and county papers Calendar of Events listings.  Posting there did not generate any interest.   She continues to update Facebook with photos and maintains the Lamplighter’s Blog.

Outreach - Linda encouraged members to strike out on their own to stitch in public with a friend or two.  There is no need for the Chapter to arrange anything formally.

Sunshine and Cheer - We had no report from this Committee.

Old Business/New Buisness - Linda now has three theachers Christmas in July.   Sign-upmust be made no later than the May Meeting.   The cost is $25 for three kitted ornaments and instructions.  Teachers can take a 1/3 reduction in the cost to participate.

Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned.  

Show and Tell

We have a variety of pieces from in.   They included several completed pieces from the silk ribbon embroidery class in March.

 This month’s program Linda got us prepared for the canvas work we will be doing in May and June.

Here are some tips from Linda;

-the canvas is 18 count; the pattern could be adapted to linen if you wished.

-it is recommended that you tape the edges of your canvas so your threads do not get caught on the wood edges

-stretcher bars are recommen.   Use the correct tasks.   A hint was given above removing the task - go under the canvas and not just under the canvas.  Tanks will come out straighter.

-For canvas work, you should think about who you want to finish the piece and size your canvas accordingly

-stitching the well to make it easier to run your ending threads under previous stitches

-use a t-square to make sure your stretcher bars are squared

-threads - DMC #5 perle cotton is the easiest to use.   Neon Rays is an option.   If you have kinks in the Neon Rays, run a damp cloth over it.   Use a laying tool.  Very Velvet and Very Velvet Petite are also options. Silk Lamé’s can be used.   DMC Floss can be used but you will need to use multiple strands.  

The a #22 needles

Linda handed out hte canvas and kits to those who had pre-ordered.

Attendance -  15 in person

                         2 on Zoom

Next meeting  May 14, 7 pm

March 2026 Meeting

Joan welcomed all to the monthly meeting.  Joan spoke about the most recent edition of the NeedleArts Magazine.   She urged members to look through the magazine as well as the EGA website.   There may be something you find interesting and would like to try.   If so, please bring it back to a meeting.   Other may be interested and it may be something we can add to the next year’s programming.

National is offering several lectures.   Most recently, a lecture by Katie Strachan was held.   She discussed caskets.   Hearing from a member who participated, it was a great lecture and well worth the $5 lecture fee charge.   Be on the look out for others in the future.  

Registration for the virtual classes at the October Seminar in Floria are scheduled to open in APril.

Joan also let all members know that any of our classes are also available to our away members.   If you see a project that you would like to take part in, please let us know with enough notice that your kit can be mailed.   There will be a small additional fee for the postage.  

Christmas in July - This is always a fun day where stitchers can get together during the summer.   It is three ornament classes with complete kits.   Linda is still looking for a third teacher.   Please let Linda know if you are willing to teach one of the ornaments.  At our September meeting .,any extra Christmas in July kits will be available for purchase.

This month’s program was a continuation of  the silk ribbon embroidery project started in February.   Below are some pieces that Carol E has completed

Thank you Carol for sharing with us and showing some options for silk ribbon embroidery.  Next month maybe we will be sharing some project finsihes by members.

Show ‘n Tell

Beautiful Terri Bey piece called Snow Day stitched by Marian S

Maggie O’Greene from Not Forgotten Farms, stitched and finished by Caryl C.   She used a place card holder as the stand for Maggie!  

From Hands Across The Sea, Louise Vilvorder Sampler, stitched by Caryl C using Pirate and Robin Floss in the color Pigeon.   In person the variation is beautiful. 

Another beauty from Terri Bey called Nine Patch stitched by Marian S.

Stitcher’s Spool by Jeannette Douglas Designs, stitched by Linda W and mount on a spool made by her son on a 3-d printer 

From the Merry Moments Patreon collection of Hands on Designs, Santa by Robin T.

Ginger, from Stasy Nash’s Animal Crackers Collection, stitched and finished by Carol C.

Absolutely gorgeous piece from Darlene O’Steen.  Stitched and assembled by Joan T

From Primrose Cottage, Stitching Rules.  Stitched by Becky G

From Primrose Cottage, Patriotic Quaker by Caryl C.

From the Bitterweet Sentiments Collection of Summer House Stitche Workes, the biscournu by Caryl C.

Frances 1863 from La-D-Da, stitched and painstaking finished by Caryl C

Our next meeting is April 9th and it is our Annual Covered Dish Dinner Meeting.   Members are to bring a covered dish to share.  We will be starting at 6 pm instead of 7 pm.   Members should bring their own beverage.  

For this month’s meeting, we had 9 members present for the meeting - the weather was threatening - and 3 members via Zoom.  We currently had 36 members in our Chapter.

Please remember if you wish to participate in a meeting via Zoom, you need to notify our Secretary on the Tuesday prior to the meeting.