The Bags Are IN!

Ladies,

The WRSG Anniversary bags are in, and I couldn't be more pleased! The stitching is well done, and the supplier was able to get the logo on the pocket after all! We will be distributing the bags to all those member who paid at Wednesday's (10/24) meeting. There are some extras, so if you like what you see, you will be able to purchase one if you haven't already done so.

October's meeting is the actual 20th anniversary of the guild, so please plan on attending. At the business meeting, we will be electing VP(s)/Programs Committee and Treasurer. The agenda will also include discussion/vote on increasing the guild dues. Afterwards, there will be cake and punch to celebrate, and Kim will be distributing her Halloween kits to those members who paid for them. Linda Zimmerman will be bringing her collection of WRSG smalls; Sue Schmidt can e-mail you directions for those items you might not have.

All in all, it promises to be a fun meeting, so I hope to see you there!

Toni

Going, Going, Almost Gone!

The day of our big auction is here...rain or shine!  We hope to see many of you there tonight.

Come in the mood to have some fun...and don't forget your wallets and checkbooks.
It all benefits our Guild.

A tease of some of the items to be auctioned is included in the newsletter from a couple of days ago.

Little Green Acorn Challenge

OK....I am hearing that some are half finished and at least one has completed the Little Green Acorn Sampler.

Let's hear from you so we can congratulate you.  If you email me (Bobbi) a photo, I can post it to the blog so we can drool and be envious and congratulate you.  Comments are good!!!

What's going on?

P.S.  I am on band 8.

A Couple More Photos from the Little Green Acorns Band Sampler Class

Here is the cover page from the design pack.
I wish I would have taken a picture of the
actual sampler.

Eileen getting all of us off to a good start.

Intense counting.

Less intense counting.

All of us who took the class this past Saturday had a wonderful time.

Thanks to the Program Committee, and all the others, 

who worked so hard to get everything organized.

Our room was wonderful 

and everything was so much fun.

Everyone pitched in to put together a great 

pot luck luncheon.

Lots of leftovers.

OK.....

The CHALLENGE is on to see how many 

will be able to complete this sampler by the 

September 26 meeting.

It is do-able!

Don't forget...that night is our big AUCTION, also.

See you there.

Eileen Bennett class - August 4, 2012

Everyone - just a short note to thank all of you who participated in yesterday's Eileen Bennett's class.

Special Thank You to Toni DeJohn for the acorn cap needle holders, the acorn notepads  and making those great name plates; to Sue Fizer for the acorn waxers; to Kim Trenner for the "super" acorn magnets. 

Meeting This Wednesday!

Ladies,

This is a reminder that our Christmas in July meeting is this Wednesday, July 25. Please note the supplies you need in Sandy's earlier post if you would like to participate in the project she designed just for us.

This is also the last meeting that the Programs Committee can accept donations for our biennial auction in September. The auction helps raise funds to bring in designers/teachers so that all the members have to pay for is their kit. Please bring your donations to this meeting. We will not be accepting donations after tonight.

There will be no regular business meeting in August because we will be hosting Eileen Bennett of The Sampler House August 4 and 5.

The auction on September 26 shows some promise. We have some excellent donations -- at least 10 Vera Bradley and Longaberger bags (Thanks, Carol G.!) and a LOT of linen and other fabrics courtesy of Emily Dietz of Delaware, OH.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment.

See you at the meeting!

Christmas in July!

Everyone - for the next meeting (July 25th) we'll celebrate Christmas in July.  I know that sounds very appealing right now given the temperatures we've been having!

We'll be stitching a needlepoint Christmas ornament that I designed.  You'll need the following supplies:  1 piece of needlepoint canvas (stitched size is 41 h x 43 w...then you'll need a small border); 1 card of a Rainbow Gallery fiber (pick according to the size canvas you will be stitching on); #4 braid or fiber for the year 2012; tapestry needle.

I'll also have finishing instructions for the ornament.

See you all on July 25th.

Tonight is Sampler Guild!

We hope you will be joining us for tonight's meeting.  We are going to share the progress we have made on our contract pieces...how can the year be half over already?  Be sure to bring your project, as we will have stitching time tonight.

If you didn't sign up for a contract piece, or have moved on to other things, bring those other things to share and work on.  It will be a fun mid week diversion, and the A/C will be on!

May Meeting 2012

We had a great turnout at Sampler Guild last night.  It was a beautiful night to be out and about.  Thanks for coming.

Shown below are the wooden Embroidery Hoop Stitcher's Boxes that were made as a result of last month's challenge.  The three completed projects belong to Linda, Candy, and Lenore (from left to right).  The hoops without a lid in the back are Sandy's, beautifully stained and varnished by her husband.  The green/blue stitched piece in front will be Shirley's lid when she puts her hoops together.  Nice work, all.

Thanks again to Vonna Pfeiffer who designed this piece and offered an excellent online tutorial.  
It can be found at her tutorial site:  http://tts-learntofinish.blogspot.com/

This is the design given as a gift at our Christmas party last year created by Cheryl B.  Cheryl has now stitched the piece, had it beautifully framed, and plans to donate it to our auction in September.  Thanks, Cheryl.

 Last, but certainly not least, is this beautiful...and large...sampler recently completed by JoAnn H. JoAnn is actually standing behind the sampler holding it up.  It's almost bigger than she is.  Another truly amazing finish from her.  Everyone was very happy to see JoAnn at Guild.

Next month, since we will be half way through the year, we will check in to see who has been working on their contract pieces...and who hasn't!  I'm afraid I fall into the latter group.  And how can the year be about to be half over???  Time to scurry and get some stitches in, or try to locate your project!  We hope to see all of you next month.  Happy Stitching.

Eileen Bennett Acorn Sampler

Don't forget that the deadline for registering for the August Eileen Bennett class for the acorn sampler is fast approaching.  It would be a good idea to bring your registration form and payment to Wednesday's meeting if you plan to take the class and haven't signed up.  Cost for the sampler class is $45; there is a lecture available for $5.  Check your newsletter for details.

See you Wednesday night.

Anyone Working With Hoops or Stitching Christmas?

Hi, All -


Are any of you working on the embroidery hoop project shown at the April meeting?  I know a couple of people who are working on the stitched piece for the lids.  I hope to finish mine up before next Wednesday.
It would be really fun if some projects, either in progress or finished, were shown next week.


Anybody stitching on their project(s) for Christmas in July 2013?  I have neglected those this month, but hope to get a few stitches in before next meeting.  Actually, I guess I am in the negative this month, since I decided to start over and follow Rita's lead of stitching Christmas Garden over one thread.  Oh well, I like my project much better now.


I know it's tough to get stitching time in during this amazingly beautiful weather we have been enjoying.  Too many activities (or weeds) calling you outside. I haven't had a chance to post pix from last month's meeting.  Will try to get to that in the next couple of days.


Happy May!

April Meeting is Wednesday Night

Don't forget that Wednesday night, April 25 is Western Reserve Sampler Guild's meeting.


Please join us Wednesday as the Programs Committee sets a challenge for the members.  You'll have to be there to find out what the challenge is!


Of course stitching on your Christmas SAL projects, or anything else, is welcomed, and we all love to see what you have been up to during Show and Share.  Look forward to seeing you there.

Show and Share Photos

Terry N. has emailed photos to share of two of the beautiful pieces she has stitched from Chatelaine Designs.

Alhambra Garden
Terry completed this in 2006

Celtic Garden

Close up of a corner from Celtic Garden

I am in awe of these beautiful designs and hope to stitch one some day.  To see more of Martina's designs you can go to her US distributor and click on Chatelaine.

For some beautiful photos of finished Chatelaine projects, plus photos of all the other creative things this blogger has somehow made time to do, check out my friend Ineke's blog.  Ineke lives in The Netherlands and is a very accomplished stitcher, quilter, etc.  She has one of my favorite blogs.  I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks, Terry, for submitting your photos for us to share here.  If anyone else would like to have their digital photos of stitched pieces placed on the blog, please email them to Bobbi Frizzelle or to Sandy Wilder or Toni DeJohn.

Happy Stitching...

2012 March Meeting

Our meeting this month was on Wednesday, March 28.  This was the official kick off of the two projects for our Christmas in July 2013 SAL.  It looks like a dozen plus plan to stitch BlackBird Design's Christmas Garden and a slightly smaller number are going to try Victoria Sampler's Twelve Days - some in sampler form and some in ornaments.

Sandy Wilder is leading the Twelve Days project, and promises to help those of us who need help with the hardanger heart at the bottom of the sampler.  Here is her start:

I picked up my pattern Wednesday night and was surprised to see how narrow it is.  I think it will be a fairly quick stitch...and it is a skinny piece of fabric for once.  Yes!

Toni DeJohn is leading the Christmas Garden project...beautiful, but big.  Here is Toni's start:

I can't wait to see everyone's progress on whichever design you are working on.  If you would like the digital photo of your work posted on this blog, please email it to Toni, Sandy, or Bobbi and we will try to get it posted.  Even if you can't send a photo, feel free to comment here and let us know how it is going.  The more of us who participate in the blog, the more fun it will be.

Here are a few photos of some of the projects our members were working on and brought to show:

Cheryl has about 2/3 of this sampler completed.
It think it is called The Companion to Beatrix Potter, from NeedlePrint.

Terry's beautiful Herbularius project from Chatelaine.
Martina's designs are absolutely gorgeous.
It is my aspiration to stitch one of these designs someday.
I think Terry said that this was her third;
maybe she would share some photos
of her other two, if possible.

Marty had two of the Prairie Schooler Santas to show.
These have really become classics over the years.

Rita was working with waste canvas
on these two darling little garments for some lucky little girl.
Really cute.
Rita told me the name of the lady on the orange piece
(from Beatrix Potter), but I can't remember.
Can anyone help with this info?
Please comment if you know.

I took a couple of other photos, but can't find them on my computer.  If I run across them, I will add them at a later date.  It is really fun and interesting to see what everyone is doing.

We hope to see you at April's meeting.  At this point it is described as a stitch in with a possible new project being introduced.  Your Program Committee will update you further on this before the meeting.

Happy Stitching.  Remember...the colder days that we are having after that warmer and longer than usual spring tease are great for stitching! 

March Meeting Night

Don't forget WRSG tomorrow night (Wednesday, March 28).  

It is the official kickoff for our 

Christmas in July 2013 SAL.

As you know, the two designs included in this StitchALong are

Twelve Days of Christmas from Victoria Sampler and

Christmas Garden from BlackBird Designs.

So far I have seen one finished Christmas Garden on the blogs, 

and it is magnificent.

We hope to see many, many of you there tomorrow night,

with projects in hand, if possible.

What Are Your Favorite Stitching Blogs?

We would love to hear from you about some of your favorite stitching blogs...there is a wealth of great ideas, good information, eye candy, and fun stitchers out there.

Let us know some of your favorites.

2012 February Meeting

There was no formal business meeting due to low attendance because of illnesses and Ash Wednesday.

Jodi Ferrini of Harvest Moon Needleworks taught a class on her piece titled "Out of the Box".

Several different stitches are used in this design.  

Jodi demonstrated a different technique using lazy daisy stitches 

to create depth in the flowers.

She also showed everyone how to do Colonial knots.

Everyone really enjoyed Jodi's helpful and friendly teaching style.

"Out of the Box"
Jodi Ferrini

Jodi at work.

Up close and personal demonstration.

March's meeting will be Wednesday, March 28th.  

This will be the official kick off of the Christmas in July 2013 SAL.

Don't forget that the patterns and supplies 

for either of the two selected designs 

are being offered to WRSG Members at The Crafty Ewe 

at a 15% discount.

WRSG Stitch Along Announced

It was announced at the January meeting that the Guild is having a Stitch Along (SAL) for those who are interested in participating.  It is the Christmas In July 2013 SAL.  Two projects have been selected:  Christmas Garden from BlackBird Designs and the Twelve Days Sampler from Victoria Samplers.

Toni announced that Carol at The Crafty Ewe in Broadview Heights, www.thecraftyewe.net/, has agreed to offer the patterns and supplies needed for completion (not framing) at a 15% discount to card carrying WRSG members.  We hope you can fit one of these projects into your stitching rotation.  The SAL will officially begin at the March meeting and will conclude at the July 2013 meeting.  Sounds like plenty of time.  LOL!

2012 January Meeting

Our January meeting is always a special one, not to be missed.  This is when we bring our Contract Pieces to show and share...those projects that we signed contracts on a whole year ago.  How many finished pieces will we have?  What projects will we get to see and admire this year?  Who will win the prize for the Best of Show?

This year we had ten completed projects to view, admire, and vote on.  I think I have photos of most of them.

Terry N. - Thine is the Trick & the Treat from Prairie Moon

Sandy W. - Bittersweet & Pumpkins Sampler from Chessie & Me

Elaine W. -  June Baxter 1824 Sampler from Primitive Traditions

Nancy M. - Red Flower Sampler from The Sampler House*Eileen Bennett

Pat T. - A Precious Gift Baby Sampler from Victoria Sampler

The Members' Choice Award Winners:

First Place:

Rose K.
Anniversary Roses - Forget-Me-Nots in Stitches*Lauren Sauer

A close up of one of the bands from Anniversary Roses.

Runners Up:

Sue F. - Spring Quakers from Rosewood Manor

Terry N. - Thine is the Trick & the Treat from Prairie Moon

Elaine W. - June Baxter 1824 Sampler from Primitive Traditions

Thanks to everyone who completed their projects and provided the beautiful items for all of us to admire tonight.  I hope we see even more finishes in January 2013.

2011 December Meeting

Each December we meet a couple weeks earlier than our normal meeting date, so that it doesn't conflict with Christmas.  Members bring finger foods for all to enjoy and to create a party atmosphere.  As you can see, we don't go hungry.

We really had a good assortment of appetizers
and desserts this year.

Our Program Committee had a surprise in store for us.  Laura Loew of Lost in the Past was hired as the guest presenter for the evening.  Her program was all about Crazy Quilts.  Lots of interesting information and beautiful quilts both on slides and in person.  There was even a give away of a crazy quilt that needed some TLC.

Ms. Loew in costume giving her CQ slide presentation.

A close up of some of the many specialty stitches
used on this beauty.

Lots of work and many, many stitches on this quilt.
Beautiful.

Ms. Loew and Toni holding up a very well organized
example of a crazy quilt with specific blocks.

I don't remember many of the facts about the ages, etc. of these quilts.  Would love to have comments comments from those of you who attended this meeting who could fill in the information blanks.

Also, any update available on the giveaway quilt?