May 2023 Meeting

 We had a great May Meeting.  Our scheduled program with Sue Gonzales Designs had to be canceled and will be rescheduled for a future meeting.

Joan T. welcomed all and started the Business Meeting portion.  

We had 21 members/guests in attendance!  New member, Judy M., was welcomed as well. 

The slate of officers for the new year was presented.

            President - Joan T.

            Vice President - Katie C.

            Secretary - Pat L.

            Treasurer - Caryl C.

• A proposal was made and approved to pay Caryl C. $50 for one half of the cost of her annual Zoom membership which she uses for our meetings.
• National is attempting to create online/electronic payments for dues.   This would not be effective until sometime 2024.  We are sure more information will be made available if National does make the move to electronic payments.
• Membership - May is renewal month for Membership.  Letters were sent to the membes who have not been attending regularly.   To date, 24 members have already renewed for 2023-24.  
• Chapter Banner - Members were asked to consider if Lamplighters should purchase a Chapter Banner.  It could be used a Stitch in Public Day, at the Salem County Fair, etc.   The cost is in the neighborhood of $80.   This will be discussed again in June.
• MAR Website - Robin checked the MAR website and the Lamplighter information is listed accurately.
• EGA is holding Sunday Stitch-ins.  It is a 2 hour virtual stitch-in via Zoom.   Watch your email for the dates and the link to participate.
• Christmas in July - 25 have signed up already.  We will meet from 9 to 3 at the Holy Nativity Lutheran Church in Wenohah, NJ on July 15th.   The day will consist of three teachers and three small holiday projects.   Bring a bagged lunch and dessert/goodies to share.
• New York State Retreat - This is a long weekend retreat to be held in Painted Post, NY, (approximately 4 1/2 hours from Salem County, NJ) The Retreat will run from September 7th thru September 10th/Thursday to Sunday.    Hotel rooms with 2 queen beds will cost $106 per night; Dormatory Rooms with 4 to a room will cost $80 per night.    The Retreat cost is $90 and will include all meals.   It is being organized by one of the members of the dissolved MER Region which is now included in the MAR Region.   More details will follow. 

• October - We will be working on a Petite Project - Spider Stitching - learning to stitch plaid.  Sign-up and payment is due by the June Meeting.   Instructions can be downloaded from the EGA National website.   
• Up-coming class - There will be a 2-day class at the Regional Meeting in Fredericksburg, VA.   Toni Gerdes will be teaching the “Monet Kimona” which is part of her Kimona Series.   Check out your Regional Newsletter for information.
• Camp WannaStitch - This is an annual MAR event held each January in Ocean City, MD.   The host hotel has changed hands and renovations have been done.   Coordinator Anne W. has been in contact with the hotel regarding January 2024.   The rates will be increased.   Anne would like those who attend this event on a regular basis to share their opinion with her regarding the price point they are comfortable with and if she should look into a different location for 2024.   

PROGRAM

         Our program for this meeting was to bring in your ‘unusual’ needlework tools and try to stump your fellow stitchers.   We had a variety of oddities and fun trying to figure out how they related to stitching.  

A butchers tray - used to corral you scissors, threads, etc. while stitching on the sofa

A salt shaker - used for putting in broken and worn needles

Luggage tags - used to label your project bags with name of your pattern

Large clip - Dollar Store clip used to secure excess fabric to hoop or q-snap

SHOW ‘N TELL

We certainly had a large amount in number and variety of projects shared.

Stitched by Pat Y.

Christmas Banner, stitched by Pat Y.

Needlepoint seat for an antique child’s chair, stitched by Barbara G.

Ukrainian bookmark, EGA project, stitched by Katie C.

Hands On Design, Gather, stitched and finished by Joan T.

Wool piece, Carrot Patch by Susan Gonzales Designs, stitched by Robin T.    Two bunny pillows, from Cherie Wheler Designs on Etsy, stitched by Robin T.

Ukrainian Bookmark, EGA program project, stitched by Barbara G.  

Cute as a button, this little Mill Hill bunny stitched by Debra N.

Scattered Seeds Sampling stitched by Caryl C. Who put it on a Target Jewelry box.

Little House Needleworks stitched by Gwynne G.

Tom Turkey from Cottage Garden Needleworks, stitched by Pat L.

Both Pat L. and Marian S. stitched this as part of a Group Correspondence Course.  English Summer

Beautiful fall piece, stitched by Marian S.

Red Sweater Christmas Ornament, from Lila’s Studio, stitched by Robin T.

Pat Y. Shared this tapestry that depicts South American women with a post battle ritual.

Next meeting, June 8

Stitch - in