January 2024 Meeting

 Thank you to Lynn B, who took notes and forwarded them to me for the meeting follow up.

Meeting was called to order by President Joan T.   There were 9 members present and 2 guests for a total of 11 at the meeting.

Joan discussed the new enrollment process EGA launched January 1, 2024.  Joan, Caryl and Robin participated in a zoom meeting with the Regional Director, Donna P where a lot of questions were asked and answered.  All registrations for renewing members and new, will now be done online at the EGA.org website.  Most members will renew in May and will receive an email from EGA that it is time for their renewal.  We expect more information to follow.  There will no longer be proration.  New members will enroll through the website and their membership will run for one year from the date they enroll.

Joan read the motion from the Executive Committee/Anniversary Committee that was first presented at the December Meeting.  The Resolution was to have the ability to spend funds not to exceed $2,000.00 on the Lamplighters’ Anniversary celebration.  A complete accounting of expenditures will be provided at a later date.  The treasurer has previously reported that our account is healthy enough for this use.  The motion for approval was made by Katie Chrysler, seconded by Jan Sanders.  All members present voted to approve the motion to spend not more than $2,000.00 on 50th Anniversary Celebration and Dinner to be held in April 2024.

Contract Completion
Those who completed the projects they pledged in January 2023 to complete by January 2024 had their names entered into a drawing.  Jan Sanders was picked as the winner of a $25.00 gift card to 123stitch.com. Congratulations!  2024 Project Completion Contracts were available at the meeting to fill out.  Please talk to Pat Lerch at the February meeting for information and a form.

2023 Lamplighter’s Challenge
We took part in the EGA Rhodes Rage Challenge.   Each month a Rhodes stitch was stitched in a dffierent way.   A snowflake for January, a heart for February, a Shamrock for March, etc.  Members brought in their Rhode Rage projects which showed the Rhodes stitch done in different ways.

2024 Lamplighters’ President’s Challenge
This is our Golden Anniversary Challenge.  Members were challenged to create and make your own Golden Name tag.  If you wish to participate, the name tags need to be completed for January 2025.  If you participate, your name will be put in for a drawing in January 2025.  Project directions with a piece of gold thread were distributed.  Name tags can be worn at the April celebration if completed early.

Woodlawn Needlework Show at the Woodlawn Planation, Alexandria, VA, will again be in March.  There were no projects brought to the meeting to be sent for display. Contact Pat Y before January 22nd to make arrangements with her to take pieces to Woodlawn.

Show N Tell -
Projects brought in by Jan, Beth, Marian, Linda, and Katie were shared.

A variation on a Christmas in July project by Katie C.

Thimble Box from Noteworthy Needle by Beth Dietz 

Santa by Linda W.

Cauliflower by Marian S.

Plum Street cat by Beth Dietz

Needlepoint and felting witch by Beth Dietz

Large tablecloth shared by Jan S.

Upcoming Programs -

February - Linda introduced Kathy Fischera at tonight’s meeting who will be our guest next month to demonstrate rug hooking.

March - will be the petite project Blackwork bookmark.  There is an option to pay $4 for a piece of linen.  Sign up for the project and select if you need to buy linen.

Christmas in July -
Linda is still in need of volunteer teachers for the event.  Contact Linda if you are interested in teaching.  There are copy-write rules that need to be followed for patterns used.  Linda has a good supply of project possibilities.

Lightning Rounds -
In the most recent Needle Arts magazine section after page 24, there is a section on called Inside EGA that there are “lightning rounds” which are group classes offered to members at large to sign up for if you are interested.

Tonight’s Meeting Program - “Cotton Threads”
Linda researched and created a great presentation on the wide variety of cotton threads and the brands that offer these options.  She had a variety of threads on display to explore.

Thank you again to Lynn B for taking notes while I was at Camp WannaStitch in Ocean City, Maryland.

Next meeting February 8, doors open at 6:45; meeting starts at 7 pm

December 2023 Meeting

 December Meeting - We have a lovely holiday get together.    

We had a great number of Show ‘n Tell items which have been added to our Facebook page.   

Quadrille from Christmas in July by Christine F.  On the right, the Feather Tree from a 2022 meeting, by Deb N.

Top, the Candy Cane Biscournu by Christine F.  Bottom, “Woolamina” from Plum Street by Caryl C.

Two gorgeous ornaments by Linda W.  She used old costume jewelry as the centerpieces in each.   Clever girl!

Designers Across America round ornament by Joan T.

Plum Street tart by Gwynne G.

Summertime Screen door by Deb N.  Designs for each season from a company called “A-Door-Ables”

Winter Quaker, Rosewood Manor, Gwynne G.

Joy by Joan T.

Noel, by Joan T.

Year long project from ANG, 56 individual leaves, stitched and finished into a lovely wreath, Linda W.

Gather ‘Round, from Hands on Designs, stitched by Joan T.

Patriotic design from The Primitive Hare, stitched by Gwynne G.

GH 1857 Sampler, stitched by Pat L.

Christmas bell pull, Baseball “Home” and perforated paper ornament by Deb N.

“Pink Spring” designed by Pat Morse, stitched by Marian S.

Below, “Summer” designed by Pat Morse, stitched by Marian S.   The last two in the series.

Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow, stitched on 40 count linen over 1 by Pat. L.

“Garden of Stitches’ from Samplers Not Forgotten, stitched by Robin T.

“Red Bird” sampler from With Thy Needle and Thread, stitched by Robin T.

* For any completed 2023 Contracts, members are to send Pat L. a photo of your piece.  Pat L. explained how the “2024 Contracts” will work.   Members make a pledge to themselves to work on and complete a certain project in 2024.   Contact Pat with any questions and for the 2024 form.  

* We discussed the email received from National the first week of December.  (I will find a copy and forward it to all.).  This email is a guide to EGA course offerings.  It is a hand reference to print and save. GCC’s, Lightning Rounds, Virtual Course, Individual Correspondence Course’s are all explained. 

* A Resolution was presented for review.   The Resolution authorizes the Board to spend, not more than, $2,000 on our upcoming 50th Anniversary Event in April 2024.  The Resolution will be again presented in January for any further discussion and final vote.

* All were invited to join members for lunch the first Friday on January and then proceed to the Woodstown Library to take down the holiday tree.

* The Mid-Atlantic Spring Meeting will be in King of Prussia, April 5 and 6, 2024.

* Following our brief business meeting, we shared a covered dish of holiday sweets and treats.   

Program - Caryl Carthew led us in making floss tags.  Members brought in old Christmas and Greeting cards.  Caryl provided instructions and the punches necessary to make floss tags.   The weight of the cards proved to be a good weight for the floss tags.   These could also be used as great gift tags provided you didn’t punch the hole for hanging the floss into the tag!

We also play two rounds of L-R-C (Left-Right-Center).   Everyone brought 6 (unused) skeins of floss to the meeting.   We divided into 3 groups of 6 to 8 each.   Each group had their own set of dice and played among themselves.   Using 3 skeins per round, each group was able to play 2 rounds and there were two winners-take-all for each group.    There were lots of OHs! And AHs! and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

November 2023 Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Joan T.

Treasurer’s Report was provided by Caryl C.     In addition to our balance on hard, we have 10 xerox boxes of patterns for sale at Fireside Stitchery.  We don’t expect proceeds from these sales until May or June of 2024.

Membership -   We currently have 32 members.   

Starting in 2024, membership will paid online.   All dues will be sent to National.   National will make payments accordingly to the individual chapters.   In January, there will be a zoom meeting to discuss how it will work.   Lamplighter’s President, Treasurer and Membership Chair will participate in the Zoom and share what they learn with members. 

A survey was sent to all members regarding preferences for the Anniversary Meeting.    Hard copies were mailed to members without email or that don’t regularly attend meetings.

The results to date are:

   Attending     23 yes;  3 no/out of town

   Dinner on a meeting night 10

   Luncheon on a Saturday 6

   No preference 7

Regional News - A new membership category with a lower fee has been added for ages 18-25.  Membership will give this age group access to EGA’s NeedleArts Magazine but only the online version.

Smart Day - Smart Day is April 6, 2024 and will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel, King of Prussia, PA.

For December -  We will again be decorating the Woodstown Library Tree.   For anyone that wishes to join, please meet at noon for lunch at the Woodstown Diner on December 1st before heading over to the Library.  Ornaments and small items were to be brought to tonight’s meeting.   If you have items for the tree, please contact Joan T or Katie C to arrange to drop them off before the 1st of December.   Make sure you label your ornaments/items and perhaps take a picture of them on your cell phone to aid in the return process after the holidays.

December Meeting

We will be making floss drops.   Bring your old Christmas or Greeting Cards.  Punches will be available to use during the meeting. 

We will again be playing Left-Right-Center.   Bring 6 skeins of floss  (any type of Floss/new skein) to the meeting to use as your ‘tokens’.  

Everyone is encouraged to bring a baked good or snack to share.  Members should bring their own beverages.   Karolin R will provide the paper products.

Upcoming -

Woodlawn - The Board has decided not to participate in a showcase at Woodlawn that would spotlight Lamplighters and member’s works due to the cost of participation.  Individuals will still be able to participate to enter their needlework pieces into the needlework show.

Hearts for Hospice - We will be participating in the Hearts for Hospice project.  Patti N will chair.  A template was handed out.  A loop long enough to go over a door knob should be added to the top.   Bring finished hearts to any meeting.   There is currently no time-line for stitching the hearts.  These hearts will be given to Hospice facilities.  The hearts are used to hang on the doorknob of rooms where families are sitting vigil with patients when a patient is close to passing.  Sample patterns can be found at https://www.greaterkcneedlepointguild.com/hearts-for-hospice

In March we will work on a Blackwork bookmark project.   Please reach out to Joan if you are interested.

In April we will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary.  More information to follow.

In June we will have an anniversary display at the Gloucester County Library.   More information will follow.

Show ‘n Tell

 Caryl C shared this antique sampler she recently purchased.

Tart stitched by Caryl C

Drum stitched by Caryl C 

Merry Christmas pillow by Barbara G 

Snowman by Joan T 

Leaf on perforated paper by Deb N 

Three pumpkins by Deb N 

Next meeting - December 14.   Doors open at 6:45, meeting starts at 7 pm 

October 2023 Meeting

Joan called the meeting to order and welcomed all present.   There were 21 present at the meeting.

Joan had recently viewed a video from the Regional Director which dealt with changes and incentives both National and Regional are looking into to help EGA grow.   She shared some of the information.

Their program, “Securing our Future”, discussed concerns as to what National can do to help increase membership; what to do to get people interested; helping existing members become aware; and, helping members understand all that their membership provides and is available to them. Members also need to be made aware of the lending library.

In the works:

- They anticipate they will be sending another online survey to membership for member input.   When this comes out - no date yet - please make sure you let your voice be heard!   

-  They hope to be able to identify the weaker chapters (smaller and with declining membership) and provide help.

-  National Dues will increase in 2024.   National will be $55, Regional will remain at $2 and Local will remain at $5.  Total 2024 dues will be $62.00.  

-  Dues will move to online payment.   Dues will no longer be prorated.  Membership will renew on the anniversary date of joining and will be for a term of one year from that date.  Expect more information on the implementation date and how it will work in the coming months.

-  National and Regional are looking for class and seminar recommendations and more teachers for classes.

-  Considering a “Youth Membership/Youth Group” affiliation with EGA.

Joan also shared that the New York Retreat in Painted Post in September was a success and it will be repeated next year.  

Membership - Robin shared we currently have 33 members.   In the last month, she has reached out to a couple of potential new members.

Caryl C. shared information about an upcoming online event.   Jingle Ball, by Lindy Stitches, had its inaugural year in 2022.  It was a great success.   It consists of three days (12/1, 2 and 3) where you enter a virtual ‘masquerade’ ball.   There are ‘rooms’ to enter with different groups, such as the “Southern-west Stitchers” who were all from the southwest, and so on.  There are classes to sign up in addition to the $10 registration fee.   There are 12 teachers who will hold 1 hour zoom open discussions.  And of course, there is a merchandise mart featuring exclusive Jingle Ball patterns as well as some standards from the designers.    Go to https://www.lindystitches.com/ for the link to “Jingle Ball”.   The event starts a 6 pm on Friday and will continue until sometime on Sunday.   Once registered, you can enter and leave the site as frequently as you wish.

Holiday Tree at the Library - Katie requested anyone interested in bringing ornaments for the Library Tree who will NOT be at the Library to do the decorations in December to bring their ornaments, with their name on them, to the November Meeting.

Christmas in July -  Anyone who may be interested in teaching one of the three classes in July 2024, please let Linda know.   If you have an idea for a Christmas in July but don’t want to teach it, please share it with Linda.   Linda  is looking for someone to take over this program.   It is well attended each year.   She has a file full of patterns she will pass on.   Please touch base with Linda and let her know if you can help with this program.  

Show ‘n Tell

Pat Y. Stitched this 2022 SAL with patterns from Jeannette Douglas.   Pat modified July stitching tomatoes instead of flowers, November with acorns and December with Poinsettias.  Well done Pat!

Deb N. Stitched this piece from Victorian Sampler Patterns

Also from Deb N.    Many of us agree!  Coffee!

Two samples of this month’s project.  From Marian S. And Robin T.

Embroidered outline stitched pillow that was first colored with crayons and then ironed.  By Robin T.

Goodbye Fall from Plum Street Samplers stitched by Robin T.

Pioneer School Girl from Betsy Morgan, stitched and finished by Robin T.

Olga’s Tart, from Plum Street Samplers, stitched and finished by Robin T.

Pumpkin Patch, from Hands on Designs, stitched and finished by Robin T.

Pillow cover, stitched by Katie C.

Plum Street Tart, stitched and finished by Gwynne G.

Jan S. Took her EGA back and embroidered the motifs.   Great idea Jan!

Group Correspondence Course stitched by Marian S.

Dinosaurs, stitched by Pat. Y.

Needleroll by BJ S.

Come Said the Wind from Glendon Place, stitched by BJ S.

Needleroll by BJ S.

Butterfly by BJ S.

Beaded heart by Carol W.

Hardanger by BJ S.

Lavendula, stitched and finished by BJ S.

Jacobean style piece by Beverly A.  Beautiful

Mill Hill kit by 

Canvas piece by Joan T.

2023 Rhodes Rage SAL by pat Y.

David McCastle canvas piece stitched by Joan T.

Program - Our program this month was “Learning to Stitch Plaid”.   Those who signed up ahead of time, received their kits with fabric and the spider base for the project.   Marian gave everyone starting instructions on stitching and participants were off and running.  

Here’s a start….

Someone else got a little further before the meeting was over.

Marian’s finished circle as seen on FB. 

Stitching consists of a ‘tent’ stitch skipping every other thread.   The color way and number of rows of each color was discussed and is listed in the below.   Hopefully, everyone will bring in their fully stitched plaid circle in November when Marian is showing everyone how to assemble the spider.

A brief recap of how to proceed:

Color order. -

 

- Starting at the 9 o’clock position of a clock, stitching across the pre-drawn circle to put in the first row.    Stitch using the tent stitch, skipping one thread between each stitch

- Working downward, subsequent rows are to be completed using the colors listed.  

- Once reaching the bottom of the pre-drawn circle, rotate your piece 180 degrees and begin again at the 9 o’clock position, working down from the center using the  the color listed until you reach the bottom of the circle.   

- Marian told everyone how to leave ‘tails’ at the end of each thread/row.

- When the entire circle is complete with the tent stitch, rotate the piece 90 degrees and start at the 9 o’clock position again stitching across the circle.  Start with the black and follow the color chart.  

- back stitch your finished piece 

Hope this helps!  

Next meeting - November 9th, 7 pm.

Sent from my iPad