January 2026

We started off 2026 with a great meeting.   Jeannette Douglas of Jeannette Douglas Designs joined our meeting.   She was our Designer of the Year for 2025.  Members were encouraged to choose her patterns to stitch in 2025.   We had a great slide show featuring her designs.

Fall Posey by Linda D

Mini Floral Baskets, stitched by Ellen P

Love to Stitch Box by Diane H

Chubby Bird by Marnie B.

Christmas Box by Debbie B

Learning Stitches Sampler by Becky G

Spool by Amy G

Tiny Christmas Biscournu by Debbie B.    This won Debbie a prize at the Maryland State Fair.  Wahoo!

Chubby Squirrel

The back of Debbie’s pieces from the Garden Box.

Soar into Summer by Debbie B

A “Cubby” Collection by Jean T.

Take Time to Collect by Mary Rita

Chubby Sheep by Caryl C

With you, I’m Home stitched by Jean C

Take Time to Stitch Box by Mary Rita

My Story by Debbie.  Another award winner in the Maryland State Fair

Topiary Pin Pillow by Amy G

Acorn Tray by Caryl C

Garden Box by Marnie B

Scissors and Thread, Sew Together #3 by Debbie B

These are just of sampling of the wonderful pieces completed by our stitchers in 2025.

Next meeting - February 15 - Zoom only

November - December 2025 Meeting

Stitcher’s - We met via Zoom in November.   Following the short Business Meeting, those who had pre-registered for the Catherine Theron Class were re-directed to a separate Zoom link.   The remainder stayed online for a Stitcher-in.

For December - we held our Annual Holiday Luncheon.  Members brought covered dishes to share and the Guild provided sandwiches.  Before we enjoyed the goodies, we had our Holiday Exchange.   Participation is voluntary with the only requirements being your gift should be a sampler themed, small stitched piece.   The exchange piece must include the Guild initials, your initials and the year.   There is no advance sign up and last minute finishes often appear.    Bring a gift, get a gift.  What a bevy of beautiful stitched pieces.   We had 16 participate in person and 2 participate via Zoom (exchanging between themselves by mail)    

Feast your eyes on some of the exchange pieces.   Our stitchers are very talented.

Guild updates and coming programs

JANUARY meeting will be by Zoom.  We will be sharing all our Designer of the Year finishes.   For 2025, Jeannette Douglas was our designer of the year.  Please send pictures and details about your finishes to Susan H including the name of the pattern no later than Tuesday prior to the January meeting.    Items don’t have to be fully finished by need to be fully stitched.   We will also be sharing any stitching related Christmas gifts received.

FEBRUARY meeting will be by Zoom.  We are not having a designer of the year for 2026.  Instead we are encouraging stitchers to stitch patriotic pieces to commemorate our country’s 250th birthday.  

Jennifer Richardson of Violets & Verses will be our guest speaker.   She will be discussing a sampler stitched in 1776.   Jennifer has charted it as originally stitched and then again in red white and blue.  We will launch this as a year long SAL.   Carol P will create a suggested stitching schedule.  Details on purchasing the chart only or kitted have yet to be finalized.

For those who participating in the Catherine Theron class in November, the second session of the class will be following the Febraury Meeting.  

MARCH meeting will be an in-person and Zoom meeting with Vicki Jennette of Needlework Press.   She will be desiging a patriotic book.  The project will be pre-stitched and finsihed in the meeting.  More details to follow.   Below is a picture of the DVHSG Anniversary book Vicki designed for our 20th Anniversary celebration.    Below is the 2020 Anniversary book as an example.

Guild Business and Upcoming 

Conservation  We have sent checks to our three recipients for our 2025 Conservation Award.   Cape May Historic Society, Cape May, New Jersey; Litchfield Historic Society, Litchfield, CT; and MESDA in Winston-Salem, NC.  Applications are available on our website, www.dvhsg.org    To date, we have donated over $37,000 to sampler restoration, conservation and education.

We are continuing our food drive for the Church’s food pantry.   Bring non-perishable items to in-person meetings.  Please consider donating to your locate church or food pantry.

We are considering selling some of our excess gift items that have accumulated over the year.   We have pens, tablets, corner gauges, etc that will be brought to a future in person meeting and sold.   Members will be notified prior to the meeting via your newsletter.  

Secret Stitcher - If you are participating remember to send your gifts while not revealing yourself until August.   And more important, if you move, please let Susan H know and she will pass on the information to your secret pal.

Zoom Meetings -  Members remember to send your Show and Tell for Zoom meeting to Kelly E at the email provided in the Newsletter.  Pictures should be emails no later than the Wednesday prior to the meeting.

Stitch-in - We will be having a Stitch - in for December.   Members will be emailed a reminder.

Spring Retreat at Salty Yarns in Berlin. MD will be APril 17, 18 and 19.   Sign up forms will be with your newsletter.  

Fall Retreat at Salty Yarns in Berlin, MD will be November 14, 15 and 16.   Barbara Hudson of Queenstown Samplers will be our guest at the meeting.

Designer of the Year for 2026 -  We are not featuring a Designer of the Year for 2026.  We are asking members to focus on patriotic patterns.   Watch for more information about a collaboration we are working on with Floss and Flame in Dover, Delaware.   More information will be provided once the details are worked out but I can share that there will be selected patriotic patterns shared each month at a discount. 

Show and Tell for December 

Guild updates and coming programs

JANUARY meeting will be by Zoom.  We will be sharing all our Deisgner of the Year finishes.   For 2025, Jeannette Douglas was our designer of the year.  Please send pictures and details about your finishes.   Items don’t have to be fully finished by need to be fully stitched.  Members should send their smooshed to Susan H with the name of the chart no later than the Tuesday prior to the January meeting.   We will also be sharing any stitching related Christmas gifts received.

FEBRUARY meeting will be by Zoom.  We are not having a stranger of the year for 2026.  Instead we are encouraging stitchers to stitch patriotic pieces to commemorate our country’s 250th birthday.  

Jennifer RIchardson of Violets & Verses will be our guest speaker.   She will be discussing a sampler stitched in 1776.   Jennifer has charted it as originally stitched and then again in red white and blue.  We will launch this as a year long SAL.   Carol P will create a suggested stitching schedule.  Details on purchasing the chart only or kitted have yet to be finalized.

For those who participating in the Catherine Theron class in November, the second session of the class will be following the Febraury Meeting.  

Our Program Coordinator is working with a local cross stitch store for discounts on selected patriotic pieces.   More information will follow on this members only special.  

MARCH meeting will be an in-person and Zoom meeting with Vicki Jennette of Needlework Press.   She will be desiging a patriotic book.  The project will be pre-stitched and finsihed in the meeting.  More details to follow.   Below is a picture of the DVHSG Anniversary book Vicki designed for our 20th Anniversary celebration.  

We are considering selling some of our excess gift items that have accumulated over the year.   We have pens, tablets, corner gauges, etc that will be brought to a future in person meeting and sold.   Members will b e notified prior to the meeting via your newsletter.   We also have two items that we will be raffling.   We donated to the publishing costs of the Tennessee Sampler Book and we were gifted a copy of the book.  Teresa Miller has donated the model of the DVHSG Huswif that she designed and taught at our Septmber MEeting.   We will also be raffle this.  More details to on how we will handle ticket sales.   Both will be open to all members, not just those who are present.

Spring Retreat at Salty Yarns in Berlin. MD will be APril 17, 18 and 19.   Sign up forms will be with your newsletter.  

Fall Retreat at Salty Yarns in Berlin, MD will be NOvember 14, 15 and 16.   Barbara Hudson of Queenstown Samplers will be our guest at the meeting.

  

 

October 2025 Meeting

Our President called the meeting to order welcoming all.   She asked for any changes to the September Meeting Minutes (circulated as September Newsletter).  Having no corrections or comments the September Newsletter/Minutes were accepted as presented.

Guests were welcomed and introduced themselves.    Marian J, Springfield, PA, recently joined and was attending her first meeting.  Robin K., from the Elkton area, MD area, heard about us, attended the meeting and joined on the spot.

Committee Reports were shared with membership. 

Treasurer’s Report was shared.   Treasurer thanked everyone for their generosity in donating towards the APS Fund in memory of a member we recently lost.  We will be keeping the donations open until the December Meeting.  Stacy will speak with Barbara Hutson of Queenstown Samplers, requesting she suggest a Delaware Sampler to restore in Ann’s name.

For the Garage Sale, members are encouraged to donate a percentage of their sales to the conservation fund.   Susan H found a group that will take any needlework donation items without needing to make an appointment and they do not have a minimum of boxes they will take.   She  took with her as many boxes as she was able to fit in her vehicle.  These items will be donated to the Mennonite group for sale.   DVHSG will not receive any compensation from the donations or sales.  Thank you Susan for this and all your efforts for the Guild!

The Green Book - Patrick reminded stitchers to post finishes to the Green Book.  Prizes will be awarded for those who participate in listing their 2025 stitching finishes.

Canned Goods Drive - Starting in December, members are asked to bring non-perishable items for the food pantry for the Ebenezer United Methodist Church.   For away stitchers, we urge you to make donations to your locals churches or food pantries.  We will do this ongoing and not just for the holidays.   

Conservation  - Marnie provided an update on the donation we made to the Salem County Historic Society in 2024.  We had agreed to assist with covering the framing costs once the piece was restored.   Marnie received an email from them stating the Rachel Finlaw Sampler has been completed and the Historic Society will cover the cost of framing.   The $300 that has been held in reserve can now be released back to the available funds.

The Conservation Committee is evaluating three applications for the 2025 donation:  Cape May County Historic Society, Cape May, NJ;  Mesda, Winston-Salem, NC; and Litchfield, CT.  The costs for conservation seems to have skyrocketed.   Of the three requests, none are low enough for us to cover completely.  For example, Litchfield has a silk sampler from the Litchfield Academy with a $10,000 estimate for restoration and conservation.    The Committee will review and make their recommendation.

A question was asked if we ever see any follow up about the work we have funded.   Marnie shared information on a recent comprehensive report that included photos and documentation for the conservation work we funded to MESDA on the silk gauze 13 colonies map.   Marnie has also recently spoke with Ellen Enslow from Chester County.   We donated money to them last year to help fund an educational symposium and Ellen shared an update on the status of the pending event.

Designer of the Year - Submit photos of your finishes as you complete them to Susan H for the PowerPoint.

Number 3 is the UFO Focus Project for the month.   Members chose 5 of their projects in January, numbering them 1 to 5.   Each month a random number is pulled and the associated project is their focus piece for the month.  

Secret Stitcher - Susan requested if you have not yet revealed yourself to your Secret Stitcher recipient from last year, you need to do so right away.   All Secret Stitchers for the current year should send their first gift no later than October  31st.

Nominating Committee - The offices of President and Secretary are up for re-election in November.    Mary Rita presented the slate of officers for the November election

        President -      Eve C

                               Patrick B

        Secretary -     Caryl C.

Will be do anonymous voting via the Chat Box on Zoom.   Instructions will be given during the meeting how to participate in the voting.

Members were thanked for using the ID slips for the Show and Tell - It proves very helpful for viewing as well as for those who take pictures.

America’s Tapestry Update - Members Amy and Becky appeared on Fiber Talk with Gary Parr on Sunday, October 12th.   

Several members completed the September Wool and Cross Stitch Class piece from Teresa Miller.  One is from Lynn D and the other Carol P

Red sampler by Lynn D

Rebecca Noland Sampler by Carol P.

Jane Harris Needle Roll from our July Meeting with Dawn Ronningen.  Stitched and finished by Carol P.

Mabel Tukes Sampler from our Class with Sassy Jack’s

Sampler by Lynn D

All these dutiful stitchers put labels by their pieces to identify them.   Silly me cropped them right out when I saved the photos!   Lesson learned.

Upcoming meetings -

November, We will have a short business meeting prior to our Catherine Theron Class when we will hold our elections.   This will be a Zoom Only meeting.  There will be two Zoom links provided.   One to all members and a separate link that the class participants will use once the class starts.   Non-class members can stay on-line and have a stitch-in.

    November Retreat - We will again have our Fall Retreat at Salty Yarns in Berlin, MD.   The Cost is $100 which includes a Friday evening cocktail party, a Saturday lunch, extended store hours and a wonderful well light room where you do not need to bring any of your own lighting!   Housing is on your own.  We will be playing Bingo and Left-RIght-Center.   To participate in L-R-C bring multiple of 3 items for each round you wish to participate in.   Items could be 3 skeins of floss, 3 candy bars, 3 bags of buttons, 3 sets of floss drops, etc.   Deadline for sign-up was October 1, 2025.

    December is our Annual Holiday Party.   We will have a smalls exchange.  If you wish to participate in the exchange bring a small wrapped item.   Your exchange piece should be a small, sampler related piece stitched by you.   You must include your initials, the Guild initials and the year.    Even if you are not participating, everyone is welcomed to attend, feast your eyes on the beautiful exchange pieces and enjoy the day.  All are asked to bring a covered dish to share and your own beverage.   The Guild will provide wraps or sandwiches.

    April 2026 - Spring Retreat will be the weekend of April 17, 2026.  More information will follow.

    November 2026 - Annual Fall Retreat  will be the weekend of our November Meeting, November 14, 2026.   Barbara Hutson of Queenstown Samplers will be our guest speaker.

For Zoom Only meetings, please send your Show ‘n Tell items to Kelly E at the email provided in the newsletter.  Items should be sent to Kelly no later than the Tuesday prior to the meeting to allow Kelly time to create the PowerPoint.

Membership 249

Next Meeting - Catherine Theron class November 8th.

Spring Retreat will be April 17, 2026

September 2025 Meeting

Our President called the meeting to order welcoming all.   She asked for any changes to the August Meeting Minutes (circulated as August Newsletter).  Having no corrections or comments the August Newsletter/Minutes were accepted as presented.

Committee Reports were shared with membership.  During the Treasurer’s Report, Robin outlined a discussion she is currently having with he Board of DVHSG regarding an increase to our annual dues.   She citing an increase in postage, PO Box Rental, Zoom fees, Website fees, etc.   An increase to $30 is recommended.  Any increase would not be effective until January 1, 2026.

The Green Book - Patrick reminded stitchers to post finishes to the Green Book.  Prizes will be awarded for those who participate in listing their 2025 stitching finishes.

Conservation - Marnie has received word from Salem County Historic Society that they have the Rachel Finlaw sampler at the framers.  They received funds from our Conservation Fund in 2024 for conserving this sampler.   Marie reported she is expecting three submission for this year’s award.  

Designer of the Year - Submit photos of your finishes to Susan H for the PowerPoint.

Number 2 is the UFO Focus Project for the month.   Members chose 5 of their projects in January, numbering them 1 to 5.   Each month a random number is pulled and the associated project is their focus piece for the month.  

Nominating Committee - The offices of President and Secretary are up for re-election in November.    Both Officers are willing to continue in their positions.   Please contact Mary Rita if you have any questions or would like to run for a position.   The final slate will be presented at the October meeting with voting at the November meeting.  

Tennessee Sampler Book - We have received a Complimentary Copy of the publication as a thank you for donating to their printing efforts.   We will be raffling it off in the future.   Stay tuned for more details.

Upcoming meetings -

    For October, we will be having our Annual Garage Sale.   Members bring needlework items and sell, barter and trade their no longer needed charts, supplies, etc.  The Guild suggests members provide a percentage of their sales at the Garage Sale to the Conservation Fund.  In the past, a volunteer has taken all the left over items to Fireside for eBay sales.    Since FIreside is no longer accepting items for sale, each ‘seller’ is responsible for taking home any items left.  This is a Non-Zoom meeting.

    November, we will have a short business meeting prior to our Catherine Theron Class.   This will be a Zoom Only meeting.

    November Retreat - We will again have our Fall Retreat at Salty Yarns in Berlin, MD.   The Cost is $100 which includes a Friday evening cocktail party, a Saturday lunch, extended store hours and a wonderful well light room where you do not need to bring any of your own lighting!   Housing is on your own.  We will be playing Bingo and Left-RIght-Center.   To participate in L-R-C bring multiple of 3 items for each round you wish to participate in.   Items could be 3 skeins of floss, 3 candy bars, 3 bags of buttons, 3 sets of floss drops, etc.   Deadline for sign-up is October 1, 2025.

    December is our Annual Holiday Party.   We will have a smalls exchange.  If you wish to participate in the exchange bring a small wrapped item.   Your exchange piece should be a small, sampler related piece stitched by you.   You must include your initials, the Guild initials and the year.    Even if you are not participating, everyone is welcomed to attend, feast your eyes on the beautiful exchange pieces and enjoy the day.  All are asked to bring a covered dish to share and your own beverage.   The Guild will provide wraps or sandwiches.

    April 2026 - Spring Retreat will be the weekend of April 17, 2026.  More information will follow.

    November 2026 - Annual Fall Retreat  will be the weekend of our November Meeting, November 14, 2026.   Barbara Hutson of Queenstown Samplers will be our guest speaker.

For Zoom Only meetings, please send your Show ‘n Tell items to Kelly E at the email provided in the newsletter.  Items should be sent to Kelly no later than the Tuesday prior to the meeting to allow Kelly time to create the PowerPoint.

Stacy shared a needlework piece that she has been gifted by the family of Ann S.  It is a beautiful piece and a lovely gesture on the part of Ann’s family.

Today’s program was a lovely needle roll piece from Teresa’s Primitives.   She designed the piece for DVHSG with cross stitched guild initials and our logo Berry Bowl done in wool.   Those who participated enjoying the class.  

Next meeting - October 11, 2025.  In person only

August 2025 Meeting

Our President called the meeting to order.  Committee Reports were shared and questions answered.

There was little bit of a recap of the retreat at Hobby House Needleworks.   Three members who have never been able to attend a meeting because of where they live (Ohio, NY close to Montreal, Canada and upstate NY) were able to join us.  It was so great they got to join us.  Organizer's asked stitchers to bring any old charts for a ‘raffle’ to help defray the costs.   Those stitchers were the best and brought in enough old charts, kits and supplies to create 21 baskets.  There were even more kits and charts that were set aside for door prizes at upcoming events.  Once all the costs were covered, $301 was donated to the APS Memorial Sampler Conservation Fund.   The Treasurer noted that all costs were covered by the attendees and no money from the Guild’s treasury was needed for the event. 

Stitcher’s working on one of the two Make-it/Take it activities.  This one was beaded scissor fob.

Everyone enjoyed playing Left-Right-Center

We gathered for a Meet and Greet in the lounge.

Now and forever know as the “table of misbehavior”.  Not really.   Lots of laughs and good fun.

Susan and Becky working on the America’s Tapestry

It was such fun and everyone enjoyed themselves so we will probably do a summer retreat again.  Maybe every other year; maybe to a different location.  

Programs - September  - Teresa Miller Primitive Designs.    The class list has been submitted to Teresa.   The class will be during the September Meeting.   We will have the room until 3 p.m. on that day.   Please bring your own beverages and a packed lunch.   We will be ordering pizza as well at a cost of $5 per person if you would like to have pizza. If you are an Away Stitcher, you will receive your kit in the mail directly from Teresa.  Becky and Amy will have the Delaware Tapestry there to work on for those not taking the class.  

October - Garage Sale - There will be no Zoom for this meeting.   Bring in your unwanted charts and needlework supplies to sell.   Bargains will be found!

November - Catherine Theron Classes - Class limit of 30.   Please check with Stacy if you are interested to see if there are any seats available.  Those who have signed, have been notified if they made the cut off.

December - Holiday Exchange and Luncheon.   If you wish to participate in the exchange, please bring a sampler related small.   You need to include the guild’s initials, the year and your initials on the piece.   The Guild will provide sandwiches and members should their own beverages and a covered dish to share.  

It is Secret Stitcher Reveal Month so make sure you get your final gift sent and let your stitcher know who you are.   Also, it is time to sign up for next year’s Secret Stitcher Exchange.  

Stacy has the 2026  programming lined up.   Please check out our Facebook page, under files, to see the 2026 Program Calendar.   

If there is a class you would like to have or a demonstration you would like to see, please reach out to Stacy and, if appropriate, she will work to add it to the schedule.  She is already planning 2027!

Today’s Program

We were joined by Jennifer RIchardson of Violets & Verses.   Jennifer is such a wealth of knowledge and she conveys that knowledge in a way that is very inviting to follow.   She is a retired school teacher and it must have been a joy to be one of her students.  

Stitching was a skill passed down from Mother to Daughter; grandmother to granddaughter; aunt to niece; and even sister to sister.  Jennifer learned from her aunt.   One summer on vacation her aunt insisted the two cousin learn to stitch.   Not to excited to miss pool and beach time they did as they were told.   Who would know it would become a life-long passion for both of them.

The word “sampler” comes from the (archaic) French term, “essamplaire” meaning an example; a model to copy; a pattern to imitate.  It was a milestone in a young girl’s life to complete her marking sampler.  It was a resume of her work.   

In boarding schools such as Ackworth and Westtown, needlework was part of the curriculum.  

Jennifer shared a funny excerpt regarding thoughts on needlework - “……taught in a conventional way, which may result in the acquirement by the pupil of the power of making  microscopic stitches at the expense of her eyes, her time and her temper……..”.   Surely this was a non-stitcher that wrote this gibberish!       

Jennifer also provided a free drum design she charted from a Bristol Sampler she owns.   The pattern is in the latest newsletter.

For our program, she started with a little history of samplers, what makes a sampler, etc.    She shared pictures of several of her samplers.   Her upcoming release, the two sister’s samplers, is what she focused on.    These samplers will be available after the Summer Needlework Market.   Members, stay tuned for information on ordering the chart, the chart and fabric, or the chart, fibers and fabric from Salty Yarns with Guild members receiving a discount.  

See all Jennifer’s charts at Violetsverse.com 

Thank you Jennifer for sharing all your knowledge and your samplers. 

Thank you Kelly E for providing a Show ‘n Tell Slide show.    

Thank you Amy G for your photography.

61 attended the meeting via Zoom.

Next meeting - Live and Zoom - September 13, 2025.  10 am until 3pm