Woodstown, New Jersey EGA Chapter
Mid-Atlantic Region

Saturday, December 15, 2018

December 2018 Meeting

We celebrated our mutual love of stitching and enjoyed each other's company with our annual Holiday Exchange and covered dish get together  

First up, we all shared our progress on our challenge pieces.   Stitchers made great progress with some even finishing their challenge piece.    Next up is Number 4 for your stitching focus between now and our January meeting.  Please remember to post on our Facebook page your starting point and your progress again just before next month's meeting.  

Members met on December 7th to decorate the tree and display cases in the Woodstown Library.  They will meet again for lunch and to take the decorations down on January 4th.  All are welcomed to join, meeting at the Woodstown Diner.

Reminder to check out the EGA page on Facebook.   They offer stitch-a-longs for you to participate in.

Surprise, surprise!  For a holiday treat, Linda W. shared a perforated paper ornament to stitch.   She provided the pattern and had a variety of paper and floss to choose from.    The floss she provided was DMC light effects.  Linda recommends using shorter lengths of floss when stitching with light effects.    We also received the 'pray tree' pattern to stitch.   Thank you Linda for our treat this month and for your hard work all year to bring us programs!

In January, we will work on the Cherry Tart project.   Bring your normal stitching supplies.

Also in January, there will be an Executive Board Meeting on January 23rd at 7 pm at Marian S.'s home.  2019 programming will be discussed.  Please let her know if you will be attending.  

Show 'n Tell

Stitched by Lynn B.

 Stitched by Marian's grand-daughter and finished as a box by Marian

 Catherine Theron piece stitched by Pat L.

 Finish by Robin T.

 Finished, #2 Challenge Piece, by Robin T.

 Finish by Robin T.

 Finish by Robin T.

 This fall's SAL, finished by Robin T.

 Thanksgiving set by Summer House Stitch Works, Stitched by finished by Robin T.

 Stitched and finished by Linda W.

 Stitched by Linda W.

 Stitched by Linda W.

 Stitched by Marian S.


 Stitched by Marian S.

 Challenge #2 pieces stitched by Karolyn R.

Cutie stocking stitched by Deb N.

 Stitched by Caryl C.

 Stitched by Marian S.

 Stitched by Pat Y.


Holiday Exchange 
This year we did the exchange a little different.   Those participating gathered in a circle.   Katie read the Christmas story Twas the Night Before Christmas.....but with a few extra words added.   Through-out the story the words "left" and "right" were added.   Each time "left" or "right" was read, you passed your exchange piece left or right.  We all enjoyed it and there was a lot of laughter as some of up confused our left and right!  





I apologize for the sideways pictures.   Sometimes Google and Blogger just don't want to communicate nicely!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season and a joyous and healthy new year!  Keep on stitching and see you next year.

Friday, November 9, 2018

November 2018 Meeting

Business Meeting
  • Upcoming - Members who wish to participate in decorating the Woodstown Library, should meet for lunch on December 7th at the Woodstown Diner.   After lunch the group will be heading over to the library to decorate the display cases and the tree.   If you have Christmas ornaments or stitching you wish to share and can't attend, please contact Katie K. to make arrangements to get your items to her.
  • January-February Project Piece - The cherry wool tart pin cushion will be taught in January 2019.   
Payment is $10 and is due immediately.   Contact Linda W. before Monday if you will to participate.
  • Challenge - participants shared their progress on Challenge piece #3, the number for this past month.   Everyone  is enjoying the progress they have been able to make.   Deb drew a new number for the next month.......drum roll......#2.   So stitchers, pull out your project bag with the #2 and make this your focus for the next month.
  • Regional - Marian shared some information from the Regional Meeting.  
    • They will be reinstating the $2 dues
    • Camp Wannastitch - Suggestions had been asked for on how to re-organize this event.   We had provided Marian suggestions which she took to the meeting.   Pat L. and Robin T. will serve on the committee working to re-organize the event.
    • Smart-Day - this may become an every other year event
    • Woodlawn - to encourage participation, National is offering insurance on pieces submitted for showcasing.   
  • Group Correspondence Course - Pat Y.  shared information on a Group Correspondence Course she is participating in to see if there was any interest.   The piece is in the September 2018 NeedleArts.   It is called Perfectly Counted Crosses by teacher Carolyn Standing Webb.
  • Community Calendar - the announcement of our monthly meeting was in the Community Calendar of South Jersey Times.   Robin will continue to have it posted each month and will also add our meeting dates as 'events' on our Facebook page.
  • Rehoboth Needlework Exhibit - Linda W recently attended this annual event.   Stacy S. participates each year and offered to make arrangements to take any member's pieces they wish to enter next year.
  • Stitch Stash - This is  a new needlework shop in Rehoboth.  Both Linda and Stacy have been.   The shop is a needlepoint shop.   The owner has been interviewed on Fiber Talk.  Stop by if you are in the area.   
  • Christmas in July - Linda W. asked for a volunteer to take over Christmas in July.   It consists of one Saturday in July and spending the day on three different small Christmas themed projects.  The cost is $20 per person to attend.   Linda  has done it for several years and we thank her for all the lovely projects she helped coordinate.  Please let Joan or Linda know if you would be interested in taking over the title.
  • December Meeting - December is our Christmas Exchange.  The theme is a needlework accessory.   Your piece must be a stitched piece.   Participating in voluntary.   Bring a wrapped gift and get a gift back.   Members were asked to bring cookies and holiday treats to share.  

Show and Tell

 Samplers, from Scarlet House, stitched by Stacy S.

 Class piece from Jamboree at Salty Yarns, Heartstrings Samplery, stitched and finished by Stacy S.

Cherry Hill by Brenda Gervais, stitched by Stacy S.

Victoria, part of the Queen Series by Gay Ann Rogers, stitched by Marian S.


Simplicity pattern, stitched by Marian S.

Ribbon Candy and musical themed ornaments stitched by Katie K.

EGA Christmas Tree project by Lynn B.   A lot of us liked the way she trimmed it in green and not gold.

Joan T. stitched this Gay Ann Rogers design.

Stitched and finished by Joan T. following a tutorial by the Twisted Stitcher

Linda W. stitched this ANG project.

Linda W. stitched this from a Cyber Pointers Class.   It is called Frozen Reflections.


Program
Our discussion tonight was on finishing.   Members were asked to bring in their finishes and share what they had done.   Linda lead a group discussion finishing.
1.  Where do we get our ideas?    From EGA Meetings, from fellow stitchers, books on finishing, Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook
2.  What tools should you have on had?  Basic sewing supplies, iron/ironing board, rotary cutters and mat, quilting rulers, heavy duty scissors to cut mat board, etc., wonder clips, paper cutter, double sided tape, sewing machine, dedicated crafting table/area, stash of fabrics, trims, buttons, etc., comic board, foam core, batting, ribbons, t-square
3.  How can we finish?   Create a stuffed standup, cover a styrofoam block with a finished piece and coordinating fabric, an easel finish, frame, use two pieces of foam core covering one with fabric and one with stitched piece and sandwich together, needle rolls, as ornaments, mount in embroidery hoops, add to project bag, nun stitch edges, interface the back, band sampler, framed, as a box lid.

It was a good discussion and many ideas were shared.


Friday, October 12, 2018

October 2018 Meeting

We had a brief business meeting.

Membership Chair, Robin T. shared we have two new members!  Yeah Lamplighter's!   Robin also presented an idea to the President and the group about adding our meeting dates to the Calendar of Events in the paper.   It might help reach some possible new members.   Robin will draft something, have the Board approve it and then start by publishing a notice for the November meeting.  Robin will provide the updated membership list to Caryl C. for her to email to all members.

In addition, Robin also shared an update from member Karen M. who recently had surgery.   Speedy recovery Karen!

Pat L. shared news of another check from Fireside for the sale of our 'stash' items.   This check was for $229.00.   Great job and thank you Pat for coordinating the effort.

Class Piece - Linda reviewed the Christmas tree project from the December 2017 NeedleArts Magazine.   Stitchers who are doing the piece have kept to the schedule with some moving ahead and on to completion.  Finished pieces should be brought to the November meeting when we will have a meeting devoted to finishing.


2018-2019 Challenge
Our Project Challenge for this year is to select four projects from our stash.   This can be new projects, WIP's or even UFO's.   We were to number the projects 1 to 4.  Each month a  number is drawn and the corresponding project is to be your focus piece for the month.   If you finish a project during the challenge, you just add another one to take its place.  Members shared their challenge pieces and some are very ambitious.  Members were asked to take a before and after photo and add to Facebook to share the progress made just before each monthly meeting.   This month's number is THREE.    Thank you Deb N. for the idea!   Hopefully we will all be able to see great progress at the end of the year.

Barbara K. shared information about the sampler display at the Salem County Historical Society.   Pat L. has been in touch with a local stitcher who is considering charting the samplers for sale.   It's a win/win for us!  The historical society gets a little revenue and we get local antique samplers charted to purchase.  I remember a neat map of the thirteen colonies I saw on my last visit to the historical society.

Another local event is The Thread of History at Winterthur is open.   The event opened October 5 and runs until January 6, 2019.  Embroidery:  The Thread of History explores the use of embroidery as historical documents that can deepen our understanding of women's lives.  Go to Winterhur.org 

November Meeting - As stated above, we will focus on finishing the EGA Christmas Tree canvas piece.   Members are encouraged to bring both a variety of their finishes as well as items they wish to finish to get some ideas.  

Also, bring any Christmas ornaments to decorating the tree at the Woodstown library.   Those interested in participating, bring your ornaments to the November meeting.   If available, a group will meet for lunch on December 7th at the Woodstown Diner before heading over to the library to decorate.

December Meeting - Holiday Meeting.  We will have light refreshments and our annual exchange.  Bring a gift/get a gift.   Your exchange piece should be a stitched needlework accessory - a pin cushion, needle book, scissors fob, biscournu, etc.

January and February Meetings - We will be taught the pie tart appliqué pin cushion.   Sign up by the November meeting.   The cost is $10 (Pix to follow)

May and June Meetings - We will work on the Red-White and Blue sampler.  It is will be the stitcher's choice of stitching on canvas, on aida and on linen.   Cost is $22  (Pix will following next month)

Show and Tell
 Day into Night stitched by Marian S.

 Canvas work heart stitched by Linda W.

Halloween trio from The Tiny Miniaturist and the Christmas Tree class piece, stitched by Robin T.

Lila's Studio, Halloween Quaker, stitched and finished by Pat L.


Brenda Gervais pattern stitched and finished by Pat L.
 Great job on the inside with the paper and mini pom-poms.

Stitched by Pat Y.


Sunday, September 16, 2018

September 2018 Meeting

The September Meeting was the first of our 2018-2019 year.

Business

  • This meeting was a Business Meeting.   Minutes of the prior meeting were read and accepted.   The Treasurer's Report was distributed and accepted.
  • Membership - Katie C. passed the duties of Membership Chair to Robin T.  We thank Katie for the great job she did over her many years of service.  We had 18 members present at the meeting.  
  • Publicity - We will continue to use our Facebook Account to share information on Lamplighters.   In addition, we use this blog (www.LamplightersEGA.blogspot.com) to share activities of our group.  If we complete a group project, we will forward it to Regional for their newsletter.
  • Historian - Lynn B. will continue as our Historian and will maintain the existing scrapbooks.   With the changes in social media and the addition of a Facebook page and the blog, Lynn will not be actively adding to the scrapbooks.
  • Regional - Marian shared information from Regional.  As a group, we completed the survey and offered suggestions for programming, increase in income and decrease in expenses.   She will share our thoughts with Regional.  
  • Programming - 
    • At the September and October meetings we will work as a group on the canvas work Christmas tree from the December 2017 edition of NeedleArts.   Stitchers came prepared with their canvas marked and mounted on stretcher bars.   Marian distributed the supplies and reviewed the instructions while offering some hints on the stitching. 
    • November Meeting - November will be a finishing meeting.   We will finish the Christmas Tree, the crazy quilt humbug, Christmas ornaments from Christmas in July.    Members are encouraged to bring in a finishing technique that have accomplished as well as to bring in pieces they are looking for help in completing.
    • December - Annual Holiday Exchange.   This year the exchange piece is any stitched needlework tool (pin keep, scissors fob, needle book biscournu, etc.)   Members will bring in cookies and treats to share.   More information will follow.
    • January - We will work on the boiled wool Cherry Tart project.   Marian will lead the class.   The project will not take both meetings but is scheduled over two meetings because of winter weather issues that may occur.
    • April - Annual Covered Dish Dinner -more information will follow
    • May - Membership dues will be do.
    • June  - Sign ups are ongoing for the Red-White & Blue canvas piece.   It is 7 by 7 and can be stitched on linen or canvas.  
    • 2020 - We are looking into having teacher Terri Bay come to Lamplighters for a 2-day class.  The piece will be a whitework piece and we are still gathering information.  You can see samples of Terri's designs in the June 2018 NeedleArts Magazine.  
    • Stitchers Challenge  - For 2018-2019 members were asked to select four projects from their stash.   This projects could be WIP's or new.   Members will number each project 1 to 4 and bring to the next monthly meeting.   A number will be drawn at each meeting and your corresponding piece number will be what you focus on for that month.  If you finished one in your rotation, you can just replace it with another piece.  It is a great way to mix it up, to introduce some new projects an finish up some that have been hiding in your workbasket.  We would like all members to add their progress each month to our Facebook page.   Thank you Debra N. for coordinating this for us!
  • Newsletter - We will no long have a quarterly newsletter.   After many years and many great newsletters, Charlotte is not able to continue.   We thank her for all the timely, beautifully done, informative newsletters she has provided over the years.   Charlotte will continue to forward all Regional and National notices
Show and Tell
There was a lot, a lot, a lot of stitching shared at this meeting.  

 Completed by Lynn B.
 Award winning finished by Lynn B.
  More from Lynn B.

Cube as seen above by Lynn B.

Sweetheart Tree Design stitched by BJ S.   Class project Crazy Quilt Humbug and White House stocking by BJ S. also




Canvas work, stained glass by BJ S.

H


Above, Hands On Design, Squarology by BJ S.  And below, two stitched ribbon candies, stitched on perforated paper from our Christmas in July this year.    BJ S.

Beautiful blackwork piece that was part of a Round Robin, Lynn B.

Sunshine on a Stem by Hands On Design, stitched and finished by Robin T.

Drawn Thread stitched by Stacy S.

Stitched by Stacy S.

Stitched by Stacy S.

Love and Wisdom by Drawn Thread, stitched by Stacy S.

I forget the designer but this was stitched by Lynn B.

A class piece from Celebrations of Needlework in Nashua New Hampshire, stitched by Pat L.
Smalls from Olde Colonial Designs, stitched by Pat L.

Halloween Quaker from Lila's Studios, stitched by Pat L.

Books of Spells, from the Good Huswif, stitched by Pat L.


Older piece that Pat L. pulled from her work basket and finished.   Beautiful piece we are glad to found and completed.

Eleanor Parr sampler that Pat L. stitched and had a vision for.   She sent this to Rensel Studios in Utah to have them turn the stitching into a mat for a mirror.   A special granddaughter has this coming her way.

A box of chocolates by Linda W.   These were taught in our June meeting.
Below, some Christmas ornaments from Christmas in July, a Crazy Quilt humbug and a beaded name tag by Linda W.

Beautiful canvas piece stitched by Katie C.

A finish by Joan T.

Looks like a Liz Turner Diehl design which I believe was stitched by Marian S.
Fragrance in the Garden stitched by Marian S.    This actually opens up like a book to create a beading mat.

I am not sure who stitched above and below but I believe it was Marian S.

Also, this, I believe was Marian S.   I had a fellow member lay it in her palm to show how tiny this piece is.   Bring out the 5.0's to stitch this one!

Beaded needlebook and fob by Carol W.

Sampler stitched by Caryl C.

Red Band band sampler from the iStitch Facebook Group stitched by Caryl C.

Shaker box and smalls by Caryl C.

Home Sweet Home stitched by Joan T.

Wow is all I can say.   What a talented and busy group of ladies.   Nice work and great inspiration.

Next meeting - October 11th.