Flower Pin

After our March business meeting, our member Pat, taught the group a folded and sewn flower pin.  We didn't get a photo of Pat but here she is working the room.

This is Pat's sample.  Isn't it darling?

Very few supplies were needed for this project.  Just a few charm squares, a needle and thread, a button, and a broach pin.

Here are a few of our member finishes.  Almost everyone had a completed flower pin.

We couldn't help but notice how perfectly Donna's pin matched the embroidery on her jacket!

Betsy Morgan Classes!

duClay started 2018 with a big event - we hosted Betsy Morgan for 2 classes in late February.  Betsy has announced her retirement in 2020 and we felt so fortunate to have her.  She is a talented and dedicated educator and it shows in her classes.

Our class projects were Maria Katarin's Stitching Reticule...

and Swan Bower.

These are the two pieces that were assembled in class and required pre-stitching.  Betsy has her own method of joining two the stitched front to the back and both projects used this method.  One stitched linen to linen and the other was linen to silk.  We also practiced several speciality stitches over the 3 days as well.  

If you've never taken a class with Betsy she has a teaching style that is very easy and encouraging.  She continually walks the room, giving feedback and words of encouragement, and making it simple  to ask a question.  Her teaching style lends itself to be beginner friendly and her projects are interesting and unique which appeal to stitchers of all skill levels - even the most experienced.  Our classes had stitchers who had never taken a class of this caliber and stitchers who have taken many, many, many classes like this.  Both had a great experience!

Maria Katrin's Stitching Reticule is named for her daughter and the motifs taken from an 1844 Mexican sampler in Betsy's collection.  Betsy also shared bits of her inspiration for the Swan Bower project - motifs from two different samplers.  She will eventually reproduce this one...

...and another motif came from a sampler she came across in her travels.

Betsy also taught her twisted cord method that she's been teaching her entire career.

The projects are stunning projects and very different from each other.  Here are a few pictures of Betsy's models.   Several members completed finished the small for each class in class or overnight.  We have a great group of stitchers and experienced finishers and we'll be seeing finishes of the other items in the coming months for some members.  We can't wait!  Betsy's instructions are detailed and she has thought of everything to make assembly problem free. As Carol P always says, just take it one step at a time and you'll be fine!

Betsy shared she also sells the charts and instructions for her retired designs.  You can see some of her retired designs HERE. Just simply send her an email and she will let you know the cost, etc.   As time goes on, she may have more retired designs so please do check all her blog posts as the link above may not be most current.

Our Flickr album with all the photos from this event can be found HERE.

We hope you enjoyed our recap of our wonderful days with Betsy!  We also hope that it would inspire you to take a class or visit hour local EGA Chapter.  If you're local to us, do check our older blog posts as well feel it would be clearly evident how any stitcher would benefit from membership. 

Box Finishing Class

In May our member Linda F from Central Florida came up to teach us a box finishing class.    Specifically the Chessie & Me book finishes that are so popular.    Cathy of the Inspired Needle ordered the cardboard books for us and members selected their own design for finishing.  In April, we had everyone paint their boxes so they'd be ready to go. 

Linda put together kits for us to include little pots of PVA glue to use.

 

Everything you could imagine needing was provided.

 

Linda worked the room and helped, gave tips, and encouraged us all afternoon!

 

Here are some pics of boxes in a variety of stages of progress:

 

 

 

 

 

We also have a couple of finishes to share as well.

 

 

 

Linda thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us!  We appreciate you!

See all of the days photos in our Flickr album found here.

If you are in NorthEast Florida, we would love to have you visit our Chapter!

Blue Bunny

In May, our Chapter was pleased and excited to host Janeann Sleeman for a needlepoint class.  Janeann has taught for us before (see here, here, here) and we were thrilled to have her back.  Our class piece was this cute Blue Bunny.  It finishes about 5" square.

Here is Janeann's finish.  We didn't get a photo of it in the acrylic box that we all just loved!  It was filled with eggs.  Too cute!

Our class favor from Melody was this cute bunny!

Janeann led us through each section of the stitch guide and gave us plenty of tips along the way to improve as stitchers.  It's those little things that have big impact and really make taking a class extra fun!

Janeann giving a demonstration on turkey work.

Henri made the most adorable box in the theme of the class as a very unique thank you card for Janeann.  Henri has such talents and we are fortunate she is so generous with her talents!

Inside, each attendee wrote a brief thank you to Janeann.  Janeann, we cannot tell you how much we appreciate your friendship and knowledge and your willingness to teach for us!

Here is a members WIP about 2 weeks after the class. 

Another successful duClay class!  Many thanks to Melody for always bringing us something fun to do.  Lunch was catered by Brenda but we neglected to get photos of the food which was outstanding as always!  For all the photos from the day, please see our Flickr Album for this event.

A Taste of Basket Making!

In March our chapter had a Taste of Basket Making workshop led by our member Suzy.  This is the first scheduled activity in a year full of fun things for the chapter member to participate in and learn from.  Suzy saw a basket like this somewhere in a shop and was able to come up with a small and quick project to teach to the members.  

Our kits were thoughtfully put together by Suzy.

We immediately got to work, starting at the bottom. Suzy was constantly on the move ensuring we all got a great start and built a good base for our baskets.

A mid-progress shot of the basket.

Here is Suzy on the right sharing some information with Donna.

Suzy is an accomplished basket maker.  Here are two baskets she made that she used to carry supplies.  Aren't they gorgeous?

Suzy is multi-talented.  She also hooked the piece attached to this large basket.

Most finished their project by the end of the afternoon.

JoyceAnne brought hers in the following month showing how she lined the basket.  It was absolutely beautiful!

She has a needlebook and a pair of scissors underneath her hand appliqued wool pincushion.

We would like to thank Suzy for facilitating the class for us. She even had a "make up" class the following month for a couple of members who missed the March meeting.

See all of the day's photos HERE in our Flickr Album.