May 2022

 We had a fabulous weekend commemorating our 20th Anniversary, albeit 2 years late thanks to the pandemic!

The weekend started with field trips to The Westtown School, in operation since 1799, they have a vast collection of Quaker needlework.  They are known as the 'sister' school to the Ackworth School in England.   Lunch was at the Couch Tomato in West Chester and  then an afternoon at the Chester County History Center.  

On Saturday morning we started at 9 a.m., entering the room to find a stuffed full good bag.     Below is the sampler from the weekend.   All the smalls that we worked on in class were based on motifs from this sampler.

Above, the complete set of weekend projects completed by member Marnie B.  Below is Caryl C.'s completed book.

Below, a beautiful tribute created by one of our founder members, Patti H.  It is truly a treasure as is she.

Look what else greeted us on arrival!  See that far wall.....there were over 50 items we received and raffled off to attendees.   We made $900 to add to our Conservation Fund for restoring an antique sampler.  

Members enjoying seeing each other in person again!

Original member and guild founder, Marsha C.

Our 5th Year Anniversary Sampler, where members each add a row.

Our President and Master of Ceremonies, Linda D.

Guest speaker, Vicki LoPiccolo Jannett, Needlework Press

Fantastic presentation of our Guild history by historian Patti H.

Here's the best little person in charge of programs this side of the Mississippi!

Someone was clever enough to think to have everyone sign a mat and then frame some beach smalls to commemorate our first Retreat at Salty Yarns and the Lankford Hotel.

Here's a group photo we took at the end of the event on Sunday......silly stitchers, we were so busy enjoying the weekend we forgot to take a group photo on Saturday when there were twice as many stitchers!

Hmm.....wonder what the debate is about......40 ct. versus 46 ct., silks versus overdyed.....

All in all, it was a great weekend and a fantastic celebration of how far we have come as an organization.   Everyone who attended enjoyed the event and I have heard nothing but rave reviews.   Thank you much for the hard work of the Anniversary Committee as well as the Board of the Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild.  Here's to the next 20 years!