A short post to wrap up a few points about the EGA Seminar. First, I loved the EGA name tag they gave us. It is zippered, with large pocket, and has a full clear plastic front that fit my EGA Brandywine chapter name tag and half a plastic open area in the back where they gave a tiny print but readable schedule of events and locations. I actually wore the nametag in reverse in order to fit my chapter’s name tag. Worked great. I’m saving it for future seminars.
The Seminar was very similar to ANG’s with the exhibit (my 4 Master Craftsman Canvas pieces were displayed together and it was fun seeing the variety from others progressing along; my Spring Sampler didn’t get a ribbon but I might have entered in the wrong part of the exhibit – the rules weren’t clear – still aren’t), Teacher Showcase, Expo night (I still can’t buy anything because I feel overwhelmed by current projects), bookstore (I didn’t even look but heard it was great prices with a great selection). I did get a package of 3 Sleigh ornaments from the Seminar store (Inspired Needle Ltd from Lemont, IL) with the perforated paper that I can design my own and just glue it to finish it. My Brandywine chapter donates ornaments each year to some charity and these are easy and cute.
The one vast improvement over all other seminars was having a grab and go in a large salon where we could pick up breakfast and sit with people. It was physically convenient to the elevator and then to get to classes or the exhibit/bookstore/shop. They offered the same food every day but that’s ok. They had coffee, fruit, yogurt, pastries, muffins, oatmeal, and a sandwich (the gluten free roll wasn’t good). Quite a nice selection. I always bring my protein bars which go nicely with the yogurt.
Shortly before I left class with Deborah Mitek, she gave me a lovely thank you note and magnet with one of her designs on it to thank me for being her class angel. I didn’t have to do much – just get the blackboard and markers and return them.
We slept 10 hours last night! So, we walked some today, took a Chicago Gangster Tour by bus, and are going to Pier shortly. The weather can’t be any better.
Filed under: Annette's Bouquet with Deborah Mitek, Embroidery Guild of America, Seminar 2021-Chicago
I’m done with my 2-day class, Annette’s Bouquet, with Deborah Mitek and Seminar is done too! It sure went by quickly.
Deborah got through everything even though I didn’t stitch everything. I only practiced the periwinkle (pink) flowers in the extra space she gave us. I didn’t bother trying the lilacs because they are either French Knots or Colonial Knots and I can do them although I will practice because I have not done them with 4 and 7 mm ribbons. I also need to finish the stems, leaves, and wild greenery before stitching flowers.
I brought my mini hair straightener wand even though it was not suggested (Deborah brought two). She irons ribbons and threads. When in Rome! Diane S-B (who I know from ANG) was next to me. She had a portable battery pack and I had the iron. Good table partner and nice to catch up with her.
This is one piece that I am going to focus on when I get home and finish asap so I don’t forget what to do.
Finally, I understand how to make a quilter’s knot to knot the end of a thread. It has been explained to me before but I didn’t get it until now!
Filed under: Annette's Bouquet with Deborah Mitek, Embroidery Guild of America, Seminar 2021-Chicago
This 2-day class is Annette’s Bouquet with Deborah Mitek. Thankfully, the room is warmer.
Deborah puts together a lovely kit organized by flower and stems for specific flowers!
We discussed a good portion of the project but again the amount of stitching does not seem like a lot. I did get one Daisy done!
Filed under: Embroidery Guild of America, Rings on Her Fingers with Kay Stanis, Seminar 2021-Chicago
Day 3 was spent with Kay Stanis filling in for Allison Cole who couldn’t attend from Australia due to coronavirus although she did Zoom in to say Hello. The one-day class, Ring on Her Fingers, is an introduction to stumpwork. It’s supposed to be made into a ring but I’m going to place it on a canvas next to a butterfly with a stem and a few leaves. The kit came in a lovely in a nice small compact box.
I practiced the buttonhole stitch over cake wire (Australian cake wire is apparently thinner than here in the US) on the far left one and then finished 3 petals and started a fourth. There will be 5 petals.
I’m not going to make it into a ring to wear. Instead, I am going to stitch a butterfly and place the flower next to and I still have to stitch the butterfly. I wanted to be sure what color flower I’d get. There were 5 options. I got the one I wanted. It will go in the guest bedroom with the other purple pieces!
Filed under: Embroidery Guild of America, Overdyed Thread Notebook Class with Gail Stafford, Seminar 2021-Chicago
Today we stitched tied stitches, eyelets, and leaf stitches. We got 9 stitches in each day. I love the contrast with the solid colors. And, my favorite effect was the Giant Rice (1st column on the bottom left) with the dark solid DMC floss on the bottom and the overdyed thread on top.
I have plenty of thread left and half the canvas to work up a sampler. Maybe a bookmark.
It blows my mind how time flies in class. It should seem like time is frozen because it’s so cold in the hotel. I remembered that it was cold last time when we were here (2014) for ANG’s Seminar. And, I brought a heavier sweater. But, the cold seems to be getting in my bones this time combined with sitting on a chair that isn’t my comfy stitching chair and I am getting stiff and my back isn’t feeling great. Going to wear my long pants tomorrow. Enough about the cold! Got to get organized for my next class.
Filed under: Embroidery Guild of America, Overdyed Thread Notebook Class with Gail Stafford, Seminar 2021-Chicago
Five days of classes started yesterday with a 2-day class being taught by Gail Stafford on overdyed threads. It’s a notebook class and we are practicing with different weight threads and stitches to see how the overdyed colors move. My take away is that smaller stitches result in a more subtle color shift than the larger stitches. Got to get to Day 2 class!
Filed under: 2021, ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter, Gay Ann Roger's, Dowager Countess, New Jersey Needle Festival, Other People's Designs
Seven members of the ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter shared a table at NJ Needle Fest today. I missed it the year they, Needleworkers Delight, took over running the event from Susan Hoekstra and moved out of the church in Bedminster (2019) and we all missed it last year due to coronavirus. So, it’s been awhile for me but the location, the Embassy Suites in Berkley, NJ was nice. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks were included. Door prizes (I didn’t win). And, vendors (I just can’t buy anything else with so much waiting for me to stitch). I finished the light purple Oriental stitch filling today. Only the very first part of Step 2. The day flew by!
Filed under: ANG Seminar 2021, Interpreting Color Theory for Needlework with Susan Hoekstra
One of my ANG Virtual Seminar classes is a color theory class presented by Susan Hoekstra.
We went through the theory Susan presented in her booklet during 3 videos. In the meantime, we submitted a painted canvas and answered questions about the focal point and how we wanted to achieve contrast among the various design elements. Then, during the live online meetings, we discussed how to achieve those goals.
I see the horizontal rings first & the large white/very light yellow area seems to me to be the next important area. The rings imply roundness/curved surface but the white/yellow area looks flat even though I know it should be rounded too. They share some of the same part of the shell & should be curved.
Based on the discussion, I started with Vineyard Silk Classic C-184 Butter Pecan for the laid thread and am using 2 strands of Splendor S818 (3 strands) which is a perfect match.
Initially, I was staggering the diagonal couching which wasn’t really giving the rounded effect (see photo “Staggered Couching”). Then, I accidentally lined up two diagonal stitches on the same diagonal line and knew instantly that was giving a better effect (in the same photo, look at the bottom right two stitches).
It’s very possible that Susan meant for the couching to be vertical stitches moving diagonally but I like the extra diagonal effect of making the stitches diagonal as well. I’m really feeling the roundness even in such a small space (see photo “Diagonal Couching”).
I’ve been through my stash and have threads for all areas except for the dark purple 4×4 areas. So, I sent a request to members of my two chapters attending NJ Needlefest tomorrow to find 36-48″ of a DMC #8 or 12 that might work. One possibility has already found. Stitchers are wonderful people!
The American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) is holding their Seminar virtually again this year. Jessica T sent these gifts to all attendees and a lovely letter thanking everyone for attending virtually this year and inviting us to join what surely must be an in-person Seminar to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ANG as an organization. The orange thread drops on the ring came from Barefoot Needleart. Very thoughtful surprise!
My 2 classes are both underway. A notebook class with Susan Hoekstra on color theory and the other with Kurdy Biggs called Secret Window, a 5-panel piece to fit in a specially made wooden frame.
The Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet, is the fourth in the series of Downton Abbey inspired pieces by Gay Ann Rogers.
Another month, another in-person Stitch-in, and another ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter member, Sally, hosted 6 members at her house and 2 members attended via Zoom. Wonderful lunch and so great getting together. Lots of chatting.
I forgot to post my progress on the black ‘stones’ and ‘chains’between the 2 Stitch-ins. Today, I stitched the border using Watercolours 006 Amethyst. There was more brown than I preferred for this piece. So, I cut most of it out!
The border completes Step 1.
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