May Flowers

Can you believe May is already here? And when our meeting actually falls on the first day of the month, it usually sneaks up on me!

Unfortunately, due to the weather in April, the last meeting was cancelled. It was decided at the May meeting, that in the future if there is a meeting cancellation, it will be posted here on the blog. So, if you're wondering if the weather is causing a cancellation, check back here for details.

Now, on with the show and tell:

Dana stitched up this cute Chessie and Me piece called Glory House

Cyndi finished her Catherine Theron Seminar piece.  Isn't this stunning?  It's Morning Has Broken and like all Catherine Theron pieces, it is truly gorgeous in person.

Pat finished some Irish pieces:

A Sweetheart Tree Irish Nutcracker

And two Irish pinkeeps.  She used her own images for our Pinkeep program in March.

Marie Z. had three finishes:

Red Reindeer by Birds of a Feather (I just LOVE this one!!!)

And two bag kits from Merry Cox

Sharon finished this Jane Timmers Shaker Box called Hearts and Flowers Sampler Band and Accessories

Michelle L. brought in two finishes:

Rabbit Box by Prairie Moon

Margaret Cottam by La-D-Da

Even our visitor, Lynnette, brought in something to show:

Toccata One by The Drawn Thread

Betty brought in two framed finishes that both got her creative personal touch.  The first one was originally going to be the Maria Antoni Sampler from The Essamplaire.  But after a couple of tries, Betty decided that what she had finished was perfect for framing on its own.  I love the clever use of the recycled frame and pinning the piece to the corrugated cardboard.

And Betty also finished this freebie from Blackbird Designs, but she liked it with the border unfinished, so that's how she's framed it.  What a great inspiration to make your pieces your own!!

 

Debbie brought in two finishes as well. 

Home Is Where You Hang Your Needlework by Eileen Bennett

And then, look at this!  When Debbie unrolled this finish, it was nearly as tall as she is!  Absolutely gorgeous!

Celtic Banner by Butternut Road

And this month's program was part 2 of Marie Z's talk on the Historic Needlework Tour she went on.  This part focused on Scotland.  And again, Marie had more stunning details of the most incredible pieces.  Examples of stumpwork, metalwork, blackwork, etc. 

Thanks, Marie, for another fantastic presentation!!

The June meeting program is the rescheduled presentation on Sumptuary Laws. 

Twister

So...needless to say, the April meeting was cancelled due to weather.  Hope everyone is safe and sound!

April's program on Sumptuary Laws has been rescheduled to the June meeting.  May's program will be a continuation of Marie Z.'s talk about the historic needlework tour she took in 2010 to England and Scotland.  Part II will focus on Scotland.  Information on Part I can be found here.

Pretty Pinkeeps

For the March program Marie Z. led us through making a small pin keep - no stitching required!  The little padded pinkeeps are made from images printed onto fabric and backed with silk.  A narrow ribbon covers the edges.  Some members chose to send Marie their own images to use, while others happily chose from the selection of images from vintage advertising cards Marie had on hand at the February meeting. 

The guild covered the cost of the materials for the pinkeeps and everyone had a great time assembling their pinkeeps.  Take a look...

So much fun!  And it was fun to see all the different images everyone selected.  Plus, we were all able to go home with a finished project!

And now for something completely different...ahem...Show and Tell:

Lookee here - that stinker Robert has already finished all the stitching on his Friesland Winders' Keeper for the Amy Mitten SAL.  Gorgeous!!

Jennifer M. finished this amazing piece.  I love how it's finished with the little tassels on the corners.  This is Il Punto Assisi by Raffaella Bartolucci Cesaretti.

This one you really need to see in person too.  It's beautiful.  This is ScottLee by Jean Hilton stitched by Lynn M.

This is Celtic Sampler by Darleen O'Steen stitched by Lynn M.

This is Splendor III by Maureen Appleton stitched by Lynn M.

Take Time to Stitch by Jeannette Douglas stitched by Debbie G.

Another finish by Robert.  This is Lone Star by Kathy F., it's a Greater Dallas EGA program piece. 

You may recall a few months ago Mary brought in her finished stitching on this piece?  Well, it's since been framed by the fabulous Jill Rensel and look how gorgeous it is!

This is Betsy Ross by Kreinik, by the way.

Folk Eggs by Prairie Schooler stitched over one by Katherine

These are adorable, love the way they're finished!  Three are from Farm Fresh by Prairie Schooler and the one with the grey bunny is from Just Hatched by Prairie Schooler.  Stitched by Nancy K.

This one is amazing!  Tend Thy Sheep by Merry Cox.  This is Sharon D's.  Isn't it amazing.  I love love love those little sheep!  And what a gorgeous Shaker box and accessories.

In April, our program will be a talk by Debbie G. on Sumptuary Laws (laws put in place in history which regulated what people could or could not wear based on social and economic status).  So, be sure to wear your finest for our next meeting!

The Wonderful World of Needlework Blogs

It's February, have you sent your Valentines?  We had pretty heart-shaped cookies for refreshments at the meeting.  Such fun to gather together with other stitchers and share our passion for needlework (and cookies).

Continuing on from last month's MAGIC Revealed program, we drew prizes for those that participated and reported on more successes.  Congratulations to all who stuck to their goals and got some things done in 2011!

Our program for February was a talk given by Michelle L. on Needlework Blogging.  Michelle provided information on how to find needlework blogs, how to follow blogs, and finally how to set up your own blog.  There was a lot of participation and lots of questions!  Of course, this blog is a great place to start your blog reading and there are lots of links to some great blogs on our sidebar, so check them out!  And if you have a blog you'd like to share with us, leave a comment and let us know.  We'd love to share our members' blogs especially!

And now for the show and tell:

Look at this amazing piece on silk gauze...

This is Grand Old Flag by Erica Michaels stitched by Cyndi S.

Peppermint Lane by Country Cottage Needleworks stitched by Codi M.

Wyndham Needlewoman by Wyndham Needleworks stitched on a hand-dyed fabric by Codi M.

 

Sweet Land of Liberty by Cherished Stitches stitched by Codi M.

Dragonfly Sampler by Midnight Stitches stitched by Codi M.

Big Girl Panties by Lizzie Kate stitched by Codi M.  (can I just say, Codi was busy!!)

These next three were stitched by Francesca...

Broom Parking by Angel Stitchin'

Fenetre de Noel 2010

Pixie with Sack

Here's a little four-sided Santa...

You're not going to believe this one - it's so dimensional!  Look at the pots and the pretty ribbons!  This was done by Mendi C.

Whitman's Vintage Red Tin Sewing Set by Jane Timmers stitched by Mendie

This is such a great idea - a little box made out of embroidery hoops. Also by Mendie.

And the lid opens on a hinge.

If you'd like to make one of these for yourself - take a look at Vonna's tutorial.

Floss Tag-Along by Milady's Needle stitched by Marie Z.

This is a beautiful beaded pendant made by Jennifer M.

What's up for next month?  Marie Z. is showing us how to make a pinkeep from an antique postcard image.  Members should have received an email with specifics on providing their own image, or they had the opportunity to choose from Marie's images at this month's meeting.  The guild will provide all the supplies for this fun program!