February 2018 Meeting

President Joan T. started the meeting with some updates from the Executive Business Meeting.

• The Board is suggesting we discontinue the discounted rate for Senior Citizens
• The Board is suggesting we raise the Plural Dues to $15
• The Board is suggesting that any one who teaches at Christmas in July should get a $7 reduction in the cost.

All were discussed and will be voted on at the next meeting.


EGA has a new logo.   The new logo is more modern and part of  EGA's work to rebrand themselves and hopefully attract new and younger members.  EGA is still in the process of updating the website.   Keep checking in to watch  for changes.

Treasurer Caryl C. has received a $500 check from National representing our share from seminar.   National would like it used towards teaching fees or class supplies.   We will discuss ideas and make a decision in the near future on how we will spend the money.   Caryl also has received another check from Fireside.   Thank you Pat L. for your efforts gathering, sorting and delivering our items there.

This meeting's class
Last month,  we received a instructions from Linda W. on a small surface embroidery project to stitch.  This month Linda taught how to assemble and  to lace the project.   Mat board, comic board, batting and backing fabric were all provided.   After gathering our pieces for assembly, Linda showed us how to pin our project in prep for lacing.  She then demonstrated how to lace using thread directly from the spool of thread (not a cut piece).

It is hard to see, but Linda shows her stitching and batting pinned to the mat board ready to start the lacing.  Below, another member moves towards a finish.

Upcoming -

March
Carol C. will lead us in a two-month plastic canvas crazy quilt piece.   It will be distributed, taught and started in March.   Participants will be assembling the piece at the May meeting.   More information will be emailed by Caryl C. before the March Meeting.  Estimated cost is expected to be under $10 per kit.

April
The Regional Meeting will be in Wilkes Barre in April.    Marian S. will be attending.   If you wish to attend, advanced sign up is necessary.

May
Assembly of the Crazy Quilt canvas piece.

Also in May, DVHSG will be hosting a gold work class.   For Lamplighter's that are not already DVHSG members, the cost will be $25 for membership and the class fee of approximately $50.  Those who are already members, the cost is only the class fee.   The class will be a half day class on the second Saturday of May at Cokesbury Village in Hockessin, Delaware.  Stacy S. will provide more information at the next EGA meeting.

June
BJ S. will teach us to make chocolate candies.   Go out right now and get your Russell Stover's little candy heart box and save it to put some of these beauties in.  Don't they look yummy.

July
Christmas in July will be July 21st.  Two members have already agreed to teach.  The cost will be $20.   A sign up sheet will be circulated starting next month.

December
Our holiday exchange theme will be any needlework small - pin cushion, needle book, scissors fob, etc.

Show and Tell

Cherished Stitches pillow, stitched and finished by Pat L.

Shiny Needle Society Mystery Sampler, stitched by Joan T.

Stitched by Linda W.

Blackwork Heart, an EGA Petite Project, stitched by Linda W.

Tony Minieri piece, stitched by Marian S.

 Next meeting, March 8th.

January 2018 Meeting

Sorry for the late update......I headed out to Camp WannaStitch the morning after our January meeting and just haven't gotten around to doing this update.......

Let me start with Camp WannaStitch.   I don't know how long Ann W. has been coordinating this annual event but this is my third year.   The fellow EGA members (EGA Exclusive Event for the Mid-Atlantic Region) fill the room each year to capacity.   Each year, I have arrived around noon on Friday to find all the tables filled.......I think some of these ladies are coming a day early!  This year it was 174 woman and one man.   Brave soul that he was.   It is a nice weekend of no pressure, fellowship with stitching buddies old and new and what eye candy to behold as you walk around the room to see what everyone is stitching on.    Many were working on Honey Ambrosia which is even more beautiful in person.

If anyone finishes a project during the weekend, they go up front, ring the bell and everyone cheers and applauds for their accomplishment.   The accommodations are decent.   We stay at the Clarion Fountainebleau on Coastal Highway in Ocean City, Maryland.   Restaurant, pool, fitness room, bar, gift shop are all onsite and one never needs to leave until Monday morning.   There are no vendors or marketplace set up but we are only a short ride to Salty Yarns or Sea Needles and both stores generously include discount coupons in our welcome packet.   So ladies watch for the announcement in August or September if you are interested in attending.   It is a great weekend to make progress on a favorite project.  Member Pat L. took our collection of items we were donating for the Paraklette collection.

Now to our January Meeting.

Report -

• The holiday decorations at the Woodstown Library were taken down.   The Library again thanks Lamplighters EGA and welcomed us to return again next year.
• Woodlawn - Pat Y. will again collect and deliver items to Woodlawn for the annual needlework exhibit during the month of March.
• EGA National - We have a new logo!   It have been revised to make it more current.  The new logo must still be a secrete because I am not finding in on the EGA website.  National is revamping their image to attract new younger members.  If you have seen it yet, EGA is conducting month long SAL on their Facebook page.    They are also working up update the EGA website - stay tuned folks and check that website often to see what is going on!  
• Stitch in Public Day - February 23rd - we are looking at options for where we might be able to do this.
• Upcoming Classes 

• Linda W. will teach the finishing on the Gingerbread Heart at our February Meeting.  Linda will instruct us how to lave the finished surface embroidery piece.
• Christmas in July - we have two teachers ready to go with their projects selected.   Sign-up sheets will be available soon.
• In March we will work on a Crazy Quilt Project lead by Carol C.  
• In September and October, Linda W. will teach the EGA canvas Christmas Tree that is featured in the NeedleArts Magazine. (see at right)
• December will be our annual holiday exchange - participation is voluntary. More details on a a theme to follow.

• Show And Tell

 Some busy little stitcher(s) completed the pattern that was given away at the December meeting.

 This beautiful piece was stitched by Marian S.   It is from Victoria's Sampler and now out of print.

Another Victoria's Sampler design, Christmas Day, stitched by Joan T.

Bell Pull stitched by Katie K. from her UFO project pile.

 Crazy Quilt Pillow by Katie K.

Karolin R. had a few pieces to share.   First this Mill Hill Christmas band sampler

Also, from Karolin, another Mill Hill piece

And Morning Meadow also stitched by Karolin R.

 Caryl C. stitched and finished these three drums.
On the left is a SamSarah design, in the back is "Stitch Every Day" by Hands on Designs and to the right was a free Christmas Drum project

Also by Caryl C. this adorable small by Mani di Donna

 
Things are happening at Lamplighters EGA!  If you are nearby, plan to attend a meeting as a guest and see if you'd like to join us!

Next Meeting, February 8, 2018.