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.  

February 2026 Meeting

Our President welcomed all to the meeting.   She reminded us of the EGA Survey we should have received via email and urged us to complete it.  

The Registration for the October Seminar in Florida has opened for in-person attendance.   Virtual classes will be made available in April.  

The President will be having an online meeting with other Region Presidents to discuss and share ideas.   She asked if there were any concerns or items of interest she should take to the discussion.

Scholarships and Grants are available from National.   Joan shared a hand out listing what is available.

Members are urged to check out the many benefits of  membership in EGA offered through the EGAUSA.org website.   EGAUSA has a lot of free projects, lectures, classes.  It is a great way to sample something new.

Christmas in July - The price for Christmas is July will be increased to $25.  It is still as bargain for 3 completely kitted ornaments.   Linda has two teachers and it looking for a  third volunteer.   The date is July 18, 2026.   The deadline to sign-up will be the May meeting.

This month’s program - The February meeting was a ribbon Embroidery pattern called  Spring Glory from EGA.  Those who pre-registered received their supplies.   Member’s worked on adding the foundation lines onto their fabric.   A light box was available to use.   Linda also have several examples of pieces with ribbon embroidery and several books available to look at. 

Upcoming  - For March, finishing the work on the Spring Glory project.  

April Meeting will be our Annual Covered Dish Dinner/Business Meeting.

For May and June, members will be stitching Stars & Stripes Canvas piece.   Sign ups closed close on January 15, 2026.

Food Pantry Donations  - We will continue to collection non-perishable food items to pass on to the Church for their food pantry.  Joan will be collecting them at each meeting.  Your donations are greatly appreciated.

Opportunity -  More items from a late member were available.   Joan will continue to sort and bring items to each meeting.  You can take some goodies home by making a small donation.   Any money collected will go towards our room rental fees. 

Membership -  If you know someone who is a stitcher, invite them to a meeting or share our newsletter with them.   Guests can visit two meetings without formerly joining EGA.  

Show and Tell for February

This is a Petite Program from EGAUSA stitched by Robin T.

Ready, Set, Snow from Hands On Design, stitched by Ann C.

Snow Drift from Cyber Pointers Project by Dawn Donnelly, by Linda W.

Wool hats from our December Meeting but Robin T

Carrots by Jennifer Rifenberger by Joan T.

Polar Bear kit from Corrine LaPierre by Robin T.

Daphne Reborn by Carole Lake and Michael Borea stitched  by Linda W.

 

Next Meeting  - 3/12/2026  Doors open at 6:45; meeting starts at 7.

Present at the February Meeting -  16

Members via Zoom - 2

January 2026 Meeting

We were welcomed to the meeting and got right down to business.

We have had a surge in membership the last few years.   When I started as Membership Chair, we had 18 members.   We have doubled that number and now have 36 members.   We are growing and it is a good thing.

For our program for this meeting, we were asked to bring in finishing tools and to share tips and tricks for finishing our needlework with others. We had a great discussion back and forth sharing ideas, nifty tools, tricks and finishing ideas.     

Next month we will start a ribbon embroidery project.   Many thanks to Linda, our program coordinator, for all her great program ideas.    

Show and Tell

The Chubby Squirrel from Jeannette Douglas Designs by Stacy S,   The acorn backing was purchased from Sassy Jacks.

New member, Lilly, stitched this pretty lady.  This pin cushion was part pattern and part Lilly’s adaptation.

These cuties are Pumpkin Pals from Teresa Kogut.   Caryl stitched and finished these.  They are only about 4 inches tall!

Beth created a mini ornament for her favorite football team.  Designed by Cleo of Busy Lizzie.

How cute it this veterinary ornament stitched by Beth, designed by Denji Designs

Attendance  17 in person

Zoom - one member  

Next Meeting   February 12, 2026

November - December 2025

Hello Stitchers!    I was not at the November Meeting but I know the program was to complete the Hardanger ornament that was started in October.   Stitchers were to be doing the “cutting” and I am sure all newcomers to Hardanger were a bit nervous about that part.   Here is a photo of the completed ornament.    Just big enough to give you a taste of hardanger but not overwhelmed you. 

Some of the Show and Tell for November.   As you will see we have a variety of pieces from our talented stitchers.

For the December Meeting, Linda had a cute wool hat ornament for us to do.   A quick cut out, a few stitches and ta-da!  A festive finished ornament. 

  Our December meeting is always a nice meeting to attend.   Members all bring holiday goodies to share and we all have too many sweets.  

Our December  Show and Tell was filled with goodies from our talented members.  

Above and below, two versions of the GCC Love and Laughter

Our next meeting is January 8th at 7 pm.