October 2017 Meeting

ANNOUNCEMENTS -

New members were welcomed and special hello was said to Nan Benson visiting from Arizona.   FYI to new members and a reminder to existing members, a stitched name tag must be worn at all meetings.   New members have a two month grace period.   Member's attending a meeting without a name tag must pay a $1 fee which is dedicated to our Conservation Fund.  

Upcoming at Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD

Ann S. shared information about a lecture from 9 to 1 on November 4th.   The speaker is from Early Southern Decorative Arts of Winston-Salem, NC.  (MESDA) (See link above.)  Maryland Quilts will be shared and discussed.    

Upcoming at Winterthur

Natalie Brown shared information on a needlework seminar in March at Wintherthur.   It will be mostly canvas work.   More information to follow.

Elections
Ann S. and Lynn D. worked together on the Nominating Committee for this year's election of officers.  Two positions are open:   President and Secretary.   Before reviewing the slate and proceeding with the elections, Ann S.  shared all our appreciation to Susan D. our current DVHSG President for her hard work and efforts for our group.  Only the President's position is open on the ballot as Caryl C. has agreed to continue as our Secretary.   MaryRita M. is on the ballot for President.    Nominations requested from the floor but there were none.   A vote was called for MaryRita M and MR was elected our new President taking office January 1st.   Congratulations MR!

Insuring your needlework

In light of the hurricane disasters and fires on the west coast it makes you think about losing your needlework.  A value should be put on it.   A recent podcast by On Gary Parr entitled "Fiber Talk" there was a short discussion about valuing needlework for insurance purposes.  This episode aired on October 11, 2018.  For more information go to The Needles Worth.    To access the podcast, download an app such as "Podcasts" for Apple (or similar for Smart Phones/Droids)  You can also access via YouTube searching for "fiber Talks" or on "Flosstube"  

PROGRAMS

• Our SAL for completing WIP's continues.   The binder for recording your completed stitched pieces was circulated for any new entries.
• November - Our November meeting will take place at the Sheraton Wilmingon South, 365 Airport Road, Wilmington.   We will have a lecture from Doug Krenik of Krenik Fibers.  Sample packages of floss are available for pre-order.   The package consists of 32 spools and skeins and patterns for $70.   It is a $200 value.  Contact Caryl C. if you are interested in pre-ordering.  Admission is free for DVHSG members; guest entry fee will be $25 which will include  a one-year membership to DVHSG.  There is also a Webcast on Fiber Talk featuring an interview with Doug Krenik that is worth listening to.   
• December - holiday gift exchange and luncheon
• January -  share holiday related stitching gifts. 2018 SAL announcements
• February -  Pat Yergey of Samplers Revisited will be our guest speaker.
• March -  Nikki’s Creations from Italy Flower Pot needleroll.  See the project below; more info on sign-ups, etc. will follow.
  

SHOW & TELL

 By Francine - Summer House Worked completed and mounted in a shadow box.

Above - Francine obtained this vintage rocker pincushion from eBay and used some existing smalls as seat covers!  Below - Francine repurposed existing smalls on this wooden block for a cute holiday cube.

12 Days of Christmas from Prairie Schooler by new member Eileen

BJ S. stitched this 'embroiderer's notebook' from A Mon Ami Pierre, called Reves Broduere

 Lisa has already completed the goodie bag treat from our October Retreat last weekend at Salty Yarns.  It is Spirits & Spells from Brenda Gervais.

 Patrick shared the three dolls he has completed.

Three more from Eileen.   

 First, above 

 Second, a Sweetheart Tree design

And third, a Shepherd's Bush Christmas stocking.

 Our ever-innovative Patrick created these chatelaines

PROGRAM

This month's program was a discussion and exhibit of Japanese Embroidery by DVHSG member Pat L.    Pat provided us an overview of Japanese Embroidery.   Pat started her journey into Japanese Embroidery after seeing works on display at the Annual Woodlawn Exhibit.   While there, she picked up a card from teacher Toni Evans and they rest is history.   Pat travels monthly to Maryland for her classes.   Each phase consists of several options to choose from for the students.  Each phase introduces a new technique or skill with each lesson building on the instructions of the previous lessons.    After the first ten phases of instructions are completed, Pat can receive a certificate as an instructor.   

Pat is on Phase IX currently.  Phase X requires she travel to Atlanta GA to the Japanese Embroidery Center.   Her nine prior phase pieces will be evaluated to assure she has perfected each before she stitches Phase X and is awarded the certificate.   Following certificate after Phase X, there are 10 more Phases to perfect your skills!  

Japanese Embroidery is all stitched in silk and on silk.   Of course, there is a gold work element as well.   The Japanese Embroidery is a journey of Zen and Art.  It is different then any other type of embroidery.  There are a lot of rules on the path to acquire technical skills and knowledge, understanding the world and the art, and accepting tranquility.  

 Phase I - featuring flat silk, twisting silk, cords and spacing.

  

Phase II/III - featuring padding, cords, tassels, super imposed work and gold work.
Phase III - featuring Gold work...not really gold.  Real gold would be so expensive.  

Phase IV - featuring gold work.  While some may stitch this in real gold, using real gold would only be done by the "Rich and Famous" shall we say.   Much too costly to use.

Phase V - featuring cords.  There are 18 different types of cords used.  Pat says this was her most intimidating piece to date.

Phase VI - featuring allternating long and short stitches, realistic stitching, more gold work and working with metallic background fabrics.  

Phase VII - This is Pat's favorite piece.   Japanese embroidery is so strict she needed to get approval from the Japanese Embroidery Center in Atlanta to stitch these pansies on the black background.   What if they didn't approve?   They would not have provided the pattern for the work.  

Phase VII - featuring fuzzy work....stretching the silk with each stitch laid in the valley.

Phase IX - Pat is currently working on Phase IX, super imposed work.  

 Above - tissue paper pattern is held in place with tiny magnets.

Japanese Embroidery comes with it's own set of tools.  According to historians, this type of stitching is from early Japan when it was used for decorative stitching on costumes for the ladies of court.  During early times, it was only done by a select group and only the highest of society could afford to do this work.  Japanese Embroidery is now available to a wider audience while continuing with its underlying spiritual purpose.  

 Pat must use authentic Japanese tools such as hand milled needles ranging in price from $8 to $20 per needle and a tachabari, Japanese laying tool.   Below is her floor stand.   Much like a slate frame and a requirement for Japanese Embroidery.  Work my be held flat to for stitching.

  Twelve strands of silk across Nan's fingers....thinning than a fine hair!

Thank you Pat!   I have seen Pat's display before but each time I come away with more knowledge and a deeper appreciation of Japanese Embroidery.  

September 2017 Monthly Meeting

This month, as well as August, were stitch-ins.   While some may not have attended because it was just a stitch-in, it was a nice day to be able to stitch and chat with follow members.   Something we can't usually do at a regular month meeting.

Announcements

Ann S., with the help of Lynn D., has been working on Nominations for our upcoming election of officers.   Our officers have staggered terms and this year we will elect a new President and a new Secretary.    Mary Rita (MR) has agreed to be on the slate of officers in the President's position.   Caryl C. has agreed to continue and will be on the ballot as Secretary.  Elections will be OCTOBER, not in November as originally scheduled.   A few months back, elections we approved to be moved up one month so as to not conflict with the guest speaker and presentation in November.  

Conservation Fund

The Committee has received three requests for our 2017 donation towards conservation efforts on samplers.   The Committee is reviewing the three applications and will make a recommendation at the next monthly meeting.

Membership

Our Treasurer reported we now have 110 Members!   Holy Moly is all I can say.   We know some join to be able to take part in Guild sponsored classes.   We welcome each and every member for however long they are with us.  

The Membership roster circulated and we were asked to make corrections as needed.   Caryl C. will make all the necessary edits and will distributed the lists at a future meeting.

Salty Yarns  Retreat

Registration and deposit were due September 9th to Stacy.  If you'd like to go and missed the meeting, please  call The Lankford BEFORE 9/15.   This is a MEMBERS ONLY event.

Quilt Show

The Mancuso Quilt Show will be at the Convention Center in Oaks, PA starting on September 14th and will run for four days.   There are many vendors in the market place with tools, supplies, wool, fabric, patterns and more available.   This is all in addition to the traveling display of hundreds are quilts.  It's a great day out to shop and to be inspired.   

2017 Challenge

The binder for recording completed pieces for the 2017 Challenge was circulated.  Many were adding completed projects to their pages. 

Class - Lauren Sauer

Next weekend are the two classes with Lauren Sauer.   Each day will start at 9:30 a.m.   Lunch is provided as part of your registration.  It is suggested, you bring lighting and a surge protector.   Outlets in the room are limited so sharing a surge protector will help.   There are about 20 attending each of the classes with many away stitchers joining in as well.

Coming up.....

October - Guild elections and a demonstration on Japanese Embroidery by Pat Lerch.

November - Our November Meeting has been opened to other guilds and because of the number attending, our meeting will be at the Sheraton South.   This Sheraton is location just of I95 south of Wilmington in the Churchmans Marsh area.   Coming north on I95, there is a exit; traveling south, you can access either via Airport Road (behind the New Castle County Airport) or from an I95 exit as well.   (I will do a little reconnaissance and add the exact exit numbers to this post.)

December - Annual Holiday Exchange and Covered Dish Luncheon

January - Show and Tell of stitching related holiday gifts.

Show and Tell

Without me giving it away, I bet most members that attend meetings will be able to guess who stitched this one.   Yes, Patrick.   He has the ability to see the wire egg and stitch an adorable bunny on it.   It was cross stitched in wool.

From Marnie B. some Christmas Ornaments.   The first three are from JBW, followed by two from Little House.  

Marnie also stitched and finished this little bunny box from a project kitted up by Evelyn C.

Evelyn C. stitched these.   The violets were part a a challenge.   The Bunny Humbug was too cute as were the other two pieces.   One of which I recognize as a Shepard's Bush.  

Moulin Rouge from Long Dog Samplers was stitched by Carla.  

Carla also stitched this Maura Blackburn sampler.  

Lisa stitched and framed The Ravens Roost from The Good Huswif.

And last but surely not least, Jean T. stitched Rag-a-muffin One from Shakespeare's Peddler.

And now for something completely different.  Pat L. shared with us a lap frame she found at a stitching store while in Florida.  Similar to how q-snaps work, this frame sits nicely on your lap or the table.  The name on the clip section is "R and R Crafts" and is available on Amazon in the neighborhood of $50.00.   It is shipped from England arriving in two to three weeks.   Many plan to check it out and possibly order this accessory for stitching.     

It can be turned around to have either the larger frame on the top or bottom.

 Until next month, keep on stitching.....

July 2017 Meeting

Business and Announcements

We had two new members attend today's meeting.   That brings our membership to 95!   Wow!   Now don't think we have a room big enough for all these stitchers at a once.   Many are "out of towners" or those who live too far to commute to a monthly meeting but are stitching enthusiasts just the same.   We welcome them one and all.   I wonder if our founding members ever anticipated membership near one hundred as they sat around a table, stitching in hand and decided to form the Guild!   Well done ladies!

Amy G. is still collecting donations of anything "bee" for the annual Bee Lovers Convention in Dover at the end of July.    We need those bestsellers to keep pollinating!  If you have an item you wish to donate, contact Marnie B. 

At the August Meeting, after the "Stash Reduction Sale", Susan D. has offered to take any items left to Fireside to sell on eBay.   Keep this in mind when you are sorting closets and baskets of items you wish to sell.  If you don't want to take anything home at the end of the meeting, this is a good way to benefit you AND the Treasury of the Guild.  

We are taking applications  for our annual Conservation Fund Donation.   A portion of your dues is dedicated towards conservation of samplers.   Applications will be accepted until the end of August 2017.  They will then be reviewed and the announcement of the award will be made in the fall.   Please contact Ann S. if you are interested in helping her review the applications and assist in deciding the recipient.  Please see the tab above - Conservation - for more information and the application.
Salty Yarns Fall Retreat will be October 6th to 8th.   The cost will be $140; deposits are due to Stacy S. at the September Meeting.  (This is a Members Only Event.)

Registration DEADLINE for the Lauren Saurer classes was July 8th.  Classes will be September 16th and 17th.   The Band Sampler one day and the darning sampler the next.  Hope you got your registration in if you are interested!

Elections will be held in October instead of November.   President and Secretary are the offices to be voted on.   Ann S. is chairing the Nominating Committee.   Please contact Ann S. if you would like to help her.   The elections have been moved up to October from November because of our November Program.  

The November Program will be dedicated to our guest speaker, Doug Krenik.  Doug Krenik's visit is being co-sponsored by The Brandywiners EGA and the Lamplighter's EGA.  He will be bring countless samples or works and threads and I believe  even have threads and thread packs for sale.   (I need to confirm the items for sale part.   Not sure I am remembering that correctly or it is wishful thinking!) We anticipate a large crowd.   We will share the venue information as soon as we have it firmed up.  

Don't forget to keep working on your 2017 Challenge Pieces - completing projects started before 2017.

Show and Tell

A Stitcher's Notebook. by Mon Ami Pierre, stitched by Robin T.

 The 'ugly' bird as she called it....stitched by Caryl C.

 Smalls stitched by Carol W.    Clockwise, from top left, Betsy Morgan, Shepherd's Bush, Ole Colonial Designs and Shepherd's Bush

 Seaside Sampler by Rosewood Manor, stitched by Pat L.

 Several pieces from Jean T.    Above is Autumn by the Delaware by The Purple Thread.  Sorry this one is sideways  :-(

 Look at this from Jean T.   Baby JUST born on 7/4 and it is 7/8 and all stitched and framed already!

By Jean T. worked in wool.

Beautiful, beautiful glove stitched as a correspondence course of Trish Nuygent by (new member in a the pretty flowered sweater!! - can anyone help me with a name?)

 A variety of smalls stitched by Francine C.

Just to give you an idea of the scale!    Tiny, tiny, tiny!

Program

Guild member Pat Y. lead a Christmas in July Program.   She shared she love of stitching nativities in a variety of mediums, styles and sizes.    She said she has always been drawn to the mother and child connection since a young girl.  This is evidenced by her celebrating 50 years as a La Leche Society coordinator.  She presented a slide show and discusses the patterns, when she stitched the pieces and details about each set. 

(some of the photos below were taken from the slideshow - the blue border is the project from the laptop)

 And she shared some Christmas stitching along the way.

The stuff tree, another 'find' of Pat's.   Just proves that one persons trash is another persons treasure.

 She found this beautiful piece at Goodwill and made the necessary repairs.  

 Fillet crochet, not stitched by Pat, but mounted over blue by Pat.

 The dolls were from a class Pat took in Detroit.

 Mirabellia or Lavendar and Lace?

 One of Pat's current nativity works.   Beautiful variety of stitches.

 Pat Y. holds an annual open house at Christmas displaying all her many nativity scenes and stitching.   It is really worth the trip to see her display.   Thank you Pat for sharing!

 Some members brought in their holiday stitching as well.
Punch needle work by Cinda

Santa by Cinda

Two beauties, above and below, by Patty H.

 

Patrick's collection of stitched pieces.

 A nativity strawberry by Jean T.

 As always, please let me know if I have identified something wrong.   It is often hard to catch all the names of the stitchers and designers while taking notes....and then there is that darned auto correct feature that changes my abbreviating into something unrecognizable!   Until next month.....

June 2017 Meeting

Announcements

• Winterthur Museum has received a donation of needlework from Erica Wilson’s family. Their website has a nice blog article about her. (http://museumblog.winterthur.org/2017/03/10/the-julia-child-of-needlework/) 
• The International Organization of Lace, Inc. will hold its annual convention at the Radisson Hotel in King of Prussia, PA from July 16-22.  The website is: www.internationalorganizationoflace.org
• The Chester County Historical Society has an exhibit on quilts. Layer 1 is finished, but Layer 2 is on now. Check out their website: (http://www.chestercohistorical.org/exhibit/quilts-next-layer)
• We still have charts available for a Teresa Baird ornament. The cost is $15. They are still available and we can order more if we run out. Thanks to Teresa for designing such a beautiful piece!
• We currently have ~90 members, with several additional folks who have expressed interest in joining.
• For upcoming classes and seminars, check out Salty Yarns (http://saltyyarns.com/). Coming soon—Jamboree in October. Also check out Strawberry Sampler’s Facebook page for information on classes. They have amended their shop hours to Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 to 3:00.
• Robin T. is continuing the Corsica River Sampler SAL (a reproduction by Barbara Hudson). If you want to participate and need the pattern or threads, they are available at Salty Yarns. There is also a Facebook page (Corsica River Stitch A Long).
• Amy G. is looking for donations of stitched items with a bee theme for a bee conference at the end of July at the University of Delaware. In the past, they have received many gorgeous bee related stitched items including pillowcases, placemats, napkins, dishtowels, ornaments, keychains, framed pictures, and knitted/crocheted items as well.  Items donated will be auctioned off as a fundraiser in the daily silent auction.  They will provide a receipt on EAS letterhead for tax purposes for each individual who decides to make a tax-deductible donation. If you have any items for donation, please bring them to the July meeting. Marnie B. will be collecting them. (http://www.easternapiculture.org/) 
• Marnie B. is willing to organize a field trip to the Gloucester County Historical Society to view the wedding display. If you haven’t already seen it, or would like to see it again, email her to let her know you are interested. (marnie.b@comcast.net) 
• The Conservation Fund committee is accepting proposals for this year’s donation ($1000). If you know any organization that would be interested in applying, see our blog (dvhsg.blogspot.com). 
• We have a nominating committee and will be looking for folks interested in serving as president and secretary. Caryl has agreed to run again for secretary (unless some else has a burning desire for the position.)
• The Centre County Historical Society (PA) is hosting an exhibit of needlework through September 24 called “Unraveling the Threads of History”. They are located on College Avenue is State College, very close to the Penn State University Park Main campus.
  
  
  June Meeting

Caryl C. shared finishing instructions for Theresa’s Inspiration ornament. The needlework was stitched on 40 count linen and mounted on the top of a round box. The design fits on a 6” round box. Written are outlined below to refer to as you finish your own project. This mounting technique can be used with any box top or shape and can also be used for finishing ornaments.  

Mounting Instructions by Caryl C.

Materials: 

• Papier Mache box (6-inch round works well for this project) 

• Optional--Utility knife and sandpaper 

• Craft paint (acrylic—color of your choice) 

• Spray sealer 

• Backing material to mount needlework (Skirtex, comic board, or mat board) 

• Batting 

• Needle & Thread for basting around your design and lacing to your backing material (I used DMC Perle cotton #8) 

• Stitchery tape to secure needlework to the top of your box (You may also choose to use another type of adhesive) 

• Twisted cord (or other type of purchased cording) to trim the top edge of your box 

Preparing the box: 

1. You can use any shape box for this technique, but for this project, I chose a round one. 

2. Choose the color of craft paint for your box. I recommend a color that coordinates with your needlework. I used Folk Art by Plaid, but there are several other brands that will also work (DecoArt Americana, Delta Ceramcoat, etc.) 

3. Paint the box and lid. I used two coats and only painted the exterior of the box and lid, the top edge of the box, and the bottom edge of the lid. Depending on how the box will be used, you may wish to paint the interior as well. You can also use the same mounting process if you want to line the bottom of your box. 

4. Spray sealer on the painted surfaces. This will keep the paint from chipping away and make it last longer. 

Mounting your finished piece: 

1. Select the type of backing board (Skirtex, comic board, etc.). 

2. Trace the outline of your box lid on the backing material and cut out. Try to cut inside the traced line so that your backing material will be slightly smaller than the box lid. This will allow for wrapping the needlework and make sure you have space to add the cording as your final step. 

3. Attach a piece of batting to one side of the backing material. I used stitchery tape to attach the batting. You could also use glue.  Waited until attached to trim to size. 

4. Turn your needlework to the wrong side and lay the backing material, batting side down on the fabric. Come out about an inch and draw a light pencil line around the piece. This is on the back of your finished piece and won’t show.

5. Using a needle and some Perle cotton, stitch a basting line around the outside edge of your pencil line making sure to leave a good length of thread on either end. The ends should be on the right side of your fabric. 

6. Lay your backing material (batting side down) on your needlework and keeping it on a flat surface, put one hand on the backing material. Gather the threads with your other hand and gently pull to gather it around your backing material. Pull it as tight as you can and tie the ends in a secure knot. 

7. Before lacing, look at the piece from the front and make sure it is positioned properly. If not,  gently move to position correctly. 

8. Use a good length of Perle cotton to lace the back of your piece. Start with one pass from top to bottom and another side to side. Continue around the circle like the spokes of a wheel. When finished, secure the thread. (In a pinch, you can also use dental floss) See Figure  

9. Position the piece on the top of your box, and attach with stitchery tape or glue. Once it has dried, decide on the thickness of your cording. Wait until this step to see just how much room I would have so I could decide on the width of the cord. 

11. Run a length of glue around the top edge and attach your cording. For a nice finished edge to your cording, use some glue on either end and you can then cut a clean edge. Waited until almost finished to make the second clean edge so you will know exactly where to make my cut. 

12. If you are not happy with the joining, you can use some ribbon or more twisted cord to make a bow and glue in place. 

Thank you Caryl!

Upcoming Class

Registration is now open and the deadline is our July Meeting (July 8th) to sign up for the Lauren Sauer Class on September 16 and 17, 2017.  See our "CLASSES" tab above for photos of the two projects and information on signing up.   

Check out our FB page - Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild.

(Sorry readers, I was not at the meeting.....I didn't see any meeting photos posted to FB of Show n Tell.)