October 2018 Meeting

- Updated - 

Lots and lots to share again this month.  I am going to mix it up a bit this month and put the Show 'n Tell first and boy did we have some great Show 'n Tell.

Not sure but I think these cuties were from Ellen P.   The basket below of all the pin pillows is definitely stitched and finished by Ellen P.

Here's a better look.

Squirrel and acorns by Ellen P. also.  She certainly is ready for fall.

Strawberries abound!  These beauties were stitched and finished by turbo stitcher Jean T.

"Fancy That" banner above and "Bee" from Lizzie Kate were stitched by new member Donna.

Hands on Design above and Lizzie Kate "Paw Prints" also stitched by Donna.

More from Donna....it was a one woman show

Close up of above

This "Shepherd's Bush", also from Donna

Have you heard about the Round Robin on Flosstube hosted by Country Stitchers?   Below are two pieces.

How is works is you pick your fabric and fibers and decide on the border.   You stitch the border and one corner of the piece and then rotate the fabric and fibers to the next person in the group.   You get a new piece and you again stitch your same corner using their fabric and colors.   Above is Lisa's.   The meeting was the first time she saw her completed piece.   She was thrilled.

Below is Donna's.   Same designs but different colors.   The different looks are equally gorgeous.   The stitchers added their initials and their states to their panels.  These girls had fun and are ready to do it again.

Next up two pieces stitched by Kathy R.   The top on is La-D-Da and the bottom is a Hands on Design pattern.

These two punch needle pieces are by Cinda.   Sorry for the sideways view on one Cinda  ;-(

Below is the latest design from Theresa Baird of Hearts Ease Exemplar Workes.  This design is not yet completed and for sale yet.  Please check out her site for more information.

Patrick B. stitched up these two Halloween tote bags.

Above left, a frame weight by Patrick B. and on the right a canvas work purse stitched by Patrick for his wife.   The back is finished with old jeans.

Stitching tote stitched by Pat Y.

Business Meeting

• The slate of officers nominated for office was shared -
• Vice President - Patrick Barron
• Programming Co-Chairperson - Stacy Stinson
• Treasurer - Nancy Fitzpatrick

• The Guild Sampler is currently with Deb and Liz 
• 2020 will be our 20th Anniversary year.   A committee will be formed and we will start planning in 2019.
• Shout out to DVHSG from the judges of the Rehoboth Exhibit.   Our participants were recognized for the quality of pieces submitted. Gail Serna, Judge.   Kudos to DVHSG!

Upcoming

• November
• Elections
• Sharon Verbos of The Purple Thread, will teach a pinch cushion class
• Sign-ups for the December Covered-Dish luncheon
• December
• Holiday Exchange - Bring a wrapped stitched (sampler themed) gift and be entered in the swap
• Covered-Dish luncheon
• January 
• Share any holiday stitching gifts you received
• March
• Pam Darney Sampler Class

Program

We had an excellent program by members Marney B. and Francine C. They shared their collection of Mauchline Ware as well as their vast knowledge of Mauchline Ware.    

Mauchline Ware gets it name from the town in Scotland where it originates.  The origins are 17th century woodworking in the town which was the home of poet Robert Burns.  It became popular in the Victorian Era.   This was the time of the industrial revolution and 'commoners' wanted to emulate the wealthy.  

Of the different finishes there is Tartanware, also known as checker-ware, transferware, fernware, photo ware and black lacquer ware.   

Pieces were made from the ‘plain’ tree or what we call the sycamore tree. Often pieces were labeled as to what and where the tree came from such as “made from wood of the plain tree in the grove on the Burns Property”.   

The name of the woodworking company was not put on the box. 

There are distinct Characteristics to Mauchline Ware, one of which is the finish.  Once constructed, the finished piece would get coats and coats of varnish taking as much as 6 weeks for the finishing process.   The interiors were left unvarnished.   Interiors, if they finished, were often done with velvet in the case of a jewelry box or a type of paper known as Moroccan paper.  Their bases were covered with the same paper that appeared to be leather but was actually a paper finish developed by W & A Smith, two brothers who specialized in Mauchline Ware.

Origins in the 17^thcentury,  woodworking that developed into wooden souvenirs and giftware popular in Victorian era.

W & A Smith started production of fine woodwork boxes in 1823.    The same factory continued to make fine wooden boxes until 1938, when fire destroyed the factory that had been operated by three generations.  In addition to having a factory in Mauchline, the brothers also maintained warehouses in Birmingham, England and had sales agents in Paris and the US.   Mid-19^thcentury when snuff use was not as popular, only the box maker that could adapt to the consumer was able to stay in business.  The brothers starting to use steel plates to create pen and ink style drawings.  In the 18^thcentury, boxes made were snuffboxes.  These were boxes that held ground and pulverized tobacco that was inhaled.   Snuffboxes had to be airtight.   That alone speaks to the quality and precision of these boxes.

In 1866, Archibald Caledonian started using ferns and photographs to apply to the tops of the boxes.  The English loved to garden and while attempting to emulate the rich and share the love of nature, ferns, seaweed and shells were the natural next additions to Mauchline Ware.   Ever adaptable, the Smith Brothers moved to Fernware when the fad turned to it.

J. P. Coats & Clark, Singer, and John James Needles took up popular uses of the boxes.  Thread boxes were commission by the manufacturers and had grommets  (made of bovine bone) for passing the thread through.  Pieces could often be opened to find advertisements in the lid. 

The grommets can be seen on the two round pieces in the upper right of the tray and in the second photo below.

Typical souvenir types

The Reform Act of 1832 created a middle class and they became the buyers.   The industrial revolution and the railroads created the means to get these products to the masses.   With the railroads and a means of travel for Victorians Era provided the ease of travel to the seaside resorts.  Visitors wanted souvenirs to return home with.  

After mechanizing the production of the hidden hinge, mass production started.   Between 1820 and 1850, 50 different styles of specialty boxes were in production by the Smith Brothers of Mauchline.  

In American, the scenes on the boxes were Atlantic City, Asbury Park, Philadelphia, Watkins Glen, and Niagara Falls.  These seemed to parallel the scenes of the Hudson School as the time.  

This was an excellent and interesting presentation!  This observer was hooked and came right home and bid on a couple of pieces on eBay.   I didn’t follow closely enough to be the winning bidder but there always is next time!

For those who stuck with me,  sorry for installment plan.  Not easy sometimes to get the uninterrupted hours needed to do the post!

September 2018 Meeting

Meeting Notes

• Take note - change of venue for the rest of the year.  Due to the ongoing construction at Cokesbury we will be in different meetings rooms until the end of 2018.   For the October Meeting, we will be in the Atrium Room.   For older (no, not older age -wise  but members who have been members a long time) this is the original room we meet in.   Enter through the main entrance and it is at the entry level directly one floor up from our normal meeting room.   For November and December, we will be meeting in the DuPont Pavilion.  Upon entering the grounds, take the first right, park in the second lot on the right and walk down the hill and across the street.   This is the room we have met in several times in the last few months.   Keep your eyes posted to any last minute email with a location change that Caryl C. may need to share.
• Secretary Caryl C. will be emailing all members the latest and greatest member's list shortly.   Watch your email inbox for it.
• Conservation Fund - Members were voluntary asked to donate a portion of their profits from the annual Stash Reallocation Sale of our August Meeting.   Treasurer Nancy F. noted we collected $150 for our treasury from the sales.
• Salty Yarns Retreat - Today was the deadline for sign-ups for this semi-annual retreat.  The retreat is the weekend of October 5-6-7, 2018 at the Lankford Hotel/Salty Yarns in Ocean City, Maryland.   This is a GUILD MEMBERS ONLY event.  

Upcoming

• October Meeting - Francine and Marnie will share their Maulkline Collections
• November - Sharon Verbos of The Purple Thread will teach a small during the  meeting.   The cost is $10.   There is no pre-stitch involved and the instructions will be done during the regularly scheduled meeting.    There are a limited number of spaces. Watch your newsletter for a photo of the piece.  
• December - Our annual Holiday Exchange/Covered Dish luncheon.  More information will follow.
• January - Show and Tell of any holiday stitching related gift items received.

Show and Tell

This beautiful mirror is the Eleanor Parr Sampler stitched by Pat L.   Pat had the vision to eliminate the center portion of the sampler and working with Rensel Studios in Utah had the stitching mounted as matting around the mirror.   She has a special recipient in mind, her granddaughter!

 MJ stitched this beautiful cathedral window quilt.   We all loved the whimsy of the buttons at the intersections.
Pat L. also stitched and finished these pieces from a Celebrations in Needlework class in 2008.   The shaker box was from a Marsha Smith-Brown class, the smalls are from Old Colonial Designs.

Inside of the box, above and close up of the inside of the lid below.

 Close up of the smalls.   While not part of the box, the coloring allows them to be included nicely.

 Sunshine on a Stem by Hands On Designs stitched and finished by Robin T.

 Project Bag with stitching by Amy G. and bag by Carolina Stitcher

 Gold work leaf from the May Class with Deborah Merritt Wilson, stitched by Amy G.

 Smalls by Amy G.

 More smalls by Amy G.   The scissors fob is part of a class project by Betsy Morgan and the tiny flag, an EGA free project piece.  Below a bell stitched by Amy G.

 And more from Amy G.   Amy has been busy!  Below a Christmas ornament on left and name tag on the right.

 Above and below, two WIP samplers by member Vicki P.

Bell pull by Pat Y.

Cute Mill Hill Kit picked up at the Stash Reallocation Sale in August.   Stitched by one of our newer members who's name I didn't get.    Sorry  ;-(

 Fall pinkeep sized pillow

 Two more band samplers stitched by Pat Y.   Sorry for the sideways view......fussing with blogger to correct!

 Halloween pillow from SamSarah Designs stitched and finished by Deb E.

 Another Stash Reallocation remake.   Deb E. got this wooden piece and then added a small fall themed stitched piece to the front and embellished with fall foliage.

 Above and below, beautiful bell pull from Stoney Creek Designs, stitched by Deb E.

 And more from Deb E........what a clever finish for her Fresh Eggs stitched piece.   That is real chicken wire, wrapped and stapled to the whitewashed barn board.

Demonstration

We were treated to a peyote bead demonstration by member Liz C.  She gave all present a little starter kit and provided a starter card and instructions on how to do the work.   Her instructions were great and while I got the concept, my beading needs to be neatened a bit....the design I choose, a spool of thread, quickly began to look more like a Frankenstein head!  They all said the first three or four rows are the hardest and after that is is easy.  Well I did and redid mine first four rows several times.   It certainly was not Liz's fault....LOL....it was stitcher's error.   It was great to get the introduction for peyote beading and maybe, maybe some of us with work to perfect our new skill set.  

 Above, previously finished peyote pieces by Carol W.

 Above and below, peyote pieces stitched by BJ S.

Above and below also stitched by BJ S.   Above, the Girl with the Pearl Earring.  Below, Monet's Givenchy's Garden.   BJ said the piece below contains 40,000 beads!  This one actually looks better the further away you are from it.   Both are entirely of beads and are incredible.

Thank you Liz for instructing and Carol and BJ for sharing your pieces.   

Next meeting, October 13.   Watch your email for any last minute location changes.