Anniversary Meeting - 25 years strong.
We enjoyed a great day of celebration and stitching.
Following the normal business meeting, we enjoyed each other’s company, had a lovely lunch, stitched and played games.
Members were asked to bring in guild projects from past years. They stirred memories for all of us. So many great and different Guild projects.
We had a very full meeting this month. We started with a presentation from Stefan Romero of the America’s Tapestry Project. The project was conceived after Stefan traveled to Scotland and saw The Great Tapestry of Scotland. With our Country’s 250 Birthday coming up, he partnered with the Kolby Foundation in New York, Seton Hill, Pittsburgh, William and Mary College and many others to create an America’s Tapestry. This is quite an undertaking that must be completed by May 1, 2026 when the pieces will be framed and become a traveling display. The display will consist of 13 panels, one for each of the 13 original colonies. The goal is to recognize lesser known individuals that contributed to the colonies victory over the British. For Delaware, Henry Fisher was chosen. He was the eyes and ears of the American Revolution from his location in Lewes, Delaware. He reported to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He was a “pilot” boat Captian at the month of the Delaware Bay. He monitored ship travel and assisting Captains navigating up the river to New Castle, Wilmington and on to Philadelphia. He was on the look out for British War ships that attempted to travel up the river since the waterways were the highways of the colonies. He served on the Pennsylvania Commission of Safety and devised a series of 13 posts on the Delaware from the Bay to Philadelphia. Stefan is looking for stitchers who are interested is working on the piece. It is 32 Belfast linen and the scene had been drawn on the linen.
There is a recent article about the project in the March NeedleArts Magazine.
President Eve C called the meeting to order. Everyone was welcomed. Committee Reports were provided. Programs for future meetings were discussed.
Our scheduled program had to be canceled at the last minute due to a family emergency of the presenter. Stacy pulled together a program that sparked memories as well as conversation. Early the morning of the meeting, she contacted a few members and asked them to bring in some prior DVHSG stitching pieces.
Stacy lead a great discussion on the different projects that have been done through DVHSG. A portion of the focus was on member interpretation of a project. For instance, several years ago we all received a pre-drilled wooden block for scissors. Members were challenged to use their imagination what to stitch and how to finish.
Sharon Verbos of The Purple Thread, designed “Girls of the Guild Sampler” for DVHSG in 2015. Look at the different variations on the same sampler.
Our meeting was called to order by Eve C. and she welcomed all present today on Zoom. There were +/-70 members on Zoom.
We held a moment of silence to commemorate the passing of Jean Lea (owner of the Attic). She was a major contributor to our community and she will be sorely missed.
We also welcomed Lindsay W. as a former member who has rejoined our group.
Minutes from the last meeting had been distributed prior to the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report was shared. Membership for 2025 is due. If your 2025 dues is not received by the March Meeting, your name will come off the distribution list for DVHSG communications.
Our Guild Challenge for 2025 will be a UFO Challenge. Those who want to participate should select any 5 projects. They can be new projects or WIP’s. Number your projects 1 to 5. Each month we will draw a number and that will be your focus piece until the next monthly meeting. The number for February is _____. It is a good way to get some work done on an old project.
Secret Stitchers - Just a reminder, if you are part of the Secret Stitcher program you should be sending something to your person at least 4 times per year, including birthdays and holidays. When you receive a gift, please be sure to post it on our Facebook page and thank your Secret Stitcher. If you do not have a Facebook account, email Susan H the details and she will post it for you.
Upcoming - We are working on the details for planning a retreat at Hobby House Needlework near Rochester, NY. A survey will be sent to all members for input. The date is the weekend of July 18, 2025. More details will follow.
Our Designer of the Year for 2025 is Jeannette Douglas Designs. Please keep track of your JDD pieces and be ready to share them at the January 2026 Meeting.
February is the end of our year-long Stitch - A - Long, (SAL) on the Hummingbird Sampler from Samplers Not Forgotten. Thank to Linda D for leading us on this year long stitching adventure. And thank you to her son who created a PowerPoint presentation of all our individual work on this sampler. Members are encouraged to bring their pieces - whether they are framed, finished or unfinished - to our March Meeting where we will take a group shot of all the pieces.
We will be celebrating our 25 Anniversary in May of this year. More information will be shared as details are worked out.
Continued thanks to Stacy S for all her hard work scheduling programs for our enjoyment. We have 6 ZOOM only meetings and 6 HYBRID (Zoom and in-person) meetings planned for 2025. If you have any ideas for future projects or programs, please reach out to Stacy. The calendar in the side-bar to the right has been updated for 2025.
For today’s program, we welcomed Cissy Bailey Smith of Gentle Pursuits Designs. She gave a presentation on her collection of antique smalls. She shared everything from Needle Books to Pinkeeps, Shoes, Reticules, needlework cases and beyond. Collecting for her started with reproductions samplers but reproduction smalls are her passion. Cissy shared hints for how to start our own smalls collection as well as the best places to shops for antique smalls. She has an amazing collection. She told us with samplers, she enjoys the research aspect to find out all she can learn about the girls who stitched a particular sampler.
Did you know that reticules were precursors to pocketbooks?
In the 17th and 18th centuries learning needlework was essential for girls. Bedding had to be marked, garments had to be sewn. A girl with needlework skills was a good prospect for a wife. During the 19th century, with a more affluent middle-class, servants did the necessary household sewing. The ladies of the house did ‘fancy’ needlework and often carried it with them to social settings or stitched at home in the evenings. Kind of sounds much like what we still do.
Needleboxes or needlework cases often housed a woman’s calligrapher pens and tools.
Cissy has been collection for 20 - 25 years and her collection has grown to include perforated paper sewing tools, ‘shoe’ sewing tools and more.
One of her prized possessions is a Shaker sewing box. The Shakers are known for their excellent craftsmanship with box making and furniture.
For our ZOOM Meetings, check out our Facebook page for recents finishes.
Next meeting - March 8 - In person and Zoom
Our President called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. She requested we have a moment of silence out of respect for the residents of California dealing with the destructive fires.
A new member attending for the first time shared her stitchy story with us.
Minutes from the last meeting had been distributed prior to the meeting. Treasurer’s Report was shared.
Membership for 2025 is due. If 2025 dues are not received by the March Meeting, your name will come off the distribution list for DVHSG communications.
President Eve asked for volunteers for the Nominating Committee and received three. Mary Rita M, Marnie B, and Sally N volunteered to serve.
Our Guild Challenge for 2025 will be a UFO Challenge. Those who want to participate should select any 5 projects. They can be new projects or WIP’s. Number the projects 1 to 5. Starting at the February 2025 meeting a number will be called each month. The coinciding number of your project should be your ‘focus’ piece for that month. It is a good way to get some work done on an old project.
Jeannette Douglas Designs is our Designer of the Year for 2025. Ge to stitching some Jeannette pieces. We will share everyone’s work at the January 2026 Meeting.
Secret Stitchers - Just a reminder, if you are part of the Secret Stitcher program you should be sending something to your person at least 4 times per year, including birthdays and holidays. When you receive a gift, please be sure to post it on our Facebook page and thank your Secret Stitcher. If you do not have a Facebook account, email Susan H the details and she will post it for you.
Greenbook - Don’t forget to send Patrick B your list of completed projects for 2024. He needs your list no later than February 14, 2025. All who participate will receive a small gift.
America’s Tapestry - Becky G shared information from Stefan Romero, Dictector of America’s Tapestry. This project, America’s Tapestry - 13 Colonies, 13 Stories, 1 Nation, is recruiting stitchers from the 13 original colonies. The project has been designed in collaboration with historical organizations from each of the colonies and will be stitched over the next 18 months. Once completed, the Tapestry will be exhibited in prominent gallopers in 2026 and 2027. The historial advisor for New Jersey is the Passaic County Department of CUltural and Historical Affairs. Research for NJ has been completed by the Dey Mansion that is known Lafayette and Washington’s meeting in 1780. For more information, americastapestry.com
Programs for 2025 were outlined -
February - We will be concluding our year long Stitch A Long of the Hummingbird Sampler by Kim Nugent of Samplers Not Forgotten. All who participated should send pictures of their finished pieces, or, work in progress to Linda D so she can create the PowerPoint for the meeting. Deadline and email address were in the January meeting follow up.
Following the display of the stitcher’s work, Cissy Bailey Smith, The Gentle Pursuit, will lead a discussion on antique smalls.
March - We will be have a therapist share exercises with members that will help with our stitching posture and our hands and arms.
Our Spring Retreat will be March 28, 29 and 30, 2025 at Salty Yarns, Berlin, MD. The flyer was included in the January Meeting Follow up. The cost will be $100 for the weekend which will include stitching on Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a cocktail reception on Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Stitching at Salty Yarns are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a catered lunch at noon. Stitching again on Sunday at Salty Yarns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Salty Yarns will give all participants a ‘goodie’.
April - Member Susan L will teach us how to make a thread bed. Away stitchers are welcomed to participate. There will be a pattern for a small stitch piece - DVHSG Logo - to be pre-stitched ahead of the meeting.
May - We will have a cake to cake to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. There will be a surprise gift for any member who has paid their 2025 Dues no later than the March Meeting. Our program will be with Jackie DuPlessis who will be sharing her Berlin wool sampler. More information on the cost and sign ups will be coming.
July - Dawn Ronningen will be giving us a presentation.
August - Guild Member, Susan H will give a lecture on techniques for researching samplers.
September - Teresa from Teresa’s Primitive Treasurers will join us for another project. More information and sign ups will be coming.
October - Annual Garage Sale
November - We will have a sampler project from Catherine Theron. Sign up information will be coming.
December - Annual Holiday Smalls Exchange
Schwenkfelder’s is running a virtual event (“Tea and Textiles) on January 25. You can sign up for the online lectures on their website. (General 3 — Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center)
A new cross stitch store has opened in Dover, Delaware. Floss & Flame, 1023 Walker Road, Dover.
January’s Program
We shared all the finishes from our 2024 Designer of the Year - With Thy Needle and Thread.
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We had 58 members in attendance via Zoom.
Our next Stitch-in will be January 25th at 10 a.m. Watch for the “Stitch-in” email with the link.
Our next meeting will be Zoom only on February 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. Watch for the email with the Zoom Meeting link.
