September 2022 - Back Together Again

This month we met in person for the first time since February 2020. We did meet via Zoom during the pandemic but it was great seeing everyone and their stitching in person.

We have lots of exciting program plans for the rest of the fall. At this meeting, Geri went over the steps for fully finishing the triangular scissor case. 

Some members remembered to bring the smalls they received in our June smalls exchange. Jennifer received the bee triangular scissor case and fob from Geri and Barb crafted the pink needlebook for Siobhain. The blue and yellow needlebook was our Wessex stitch guild project last spring. 

Jeanette was the recipient of the unusually-shaped pin cushion crafted by Victoria. The flower pot was a project designed by Carol Arsenault which the guild undertook for one of the programs several years ago. The canvaswork ornament was another guild project. Kim Mather taught us the technique. 

There were many interesting items for Show and Share this month.

Meagan had social media vote on what project, colours and framing she would use for this piece. 

Suzanne stitched and painted this from a photograph taken several years ago in Latvia.

Jeanette's strawberry was an online course.

Jeanette painted the fabric for this piece.

Felt gingerbread and a wooly homage to Mr Rogers.

This was one of the first group projects undertaken by the guild many years ago. It featured several kinds of specialty stitches.

Jeanette created this long stitching piece on canvas.

Barbara showed this stunning goldwork piece - the Astrolabe by Cynthia Jackson. 

Punch needle snowman by Kim.

Jeanette's scissor fob/case was inspired by a pattern in the Cross Stitch Guild magazine, "Stolen Moments".

We are looking forward to our guild's fall stitchery retreat at Elim Lodge next weekend. 

Facebook and Instagram

We now have a Facebook group - Trillium Embroidery Guild (Whitby ON) and Instagram page - TrilliumEmbroideryGuild. We will be posting our latest projects and WIPs so come and check us out.

Our guild has also joined the Embroiderers' Association of Canada. We will enjoy many of the benefits the EAC provides.

We are excited about our in-person meeting on Wednesday, September 21 at 7pm. Doors will open at 6:30. This is the first time we'll be together since February of 2020. We'll also be celebrating our 25th Anniversary!

June 2022

At our meeting this month we elected next year's executive and unanimously voted to become members of the Embroidery Association of Canada (EAC).  

This year, it was decided to do an exchange of smalls. All was revealed by those who were present who participated.

Poppy received a triangular scissor case from Bernie.

Bernie received a personalized needlepointed needlebook from Diane.

Jeanette opened her flower bloom pin cushion remotely - while visiting family in Ottawa.

Jennifer received a triangular scissor case, fob, and scissors from Geri

Geri received a dragonfly needlecase from Poppy.

Diane received a personalized Huswife from Jennifer. 

And Victoria got a wrist rest from Siobhain. 

Guest Speaker - Lianne van Leyen

At our meeting this month, Lianne van Leyen from 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers spoke to us about her vast collection of antique samplers numbering 273 and spanning the dates 1724 to the 1940s. One in particular is a freebie on her website - Louisa Acton. The chart is offered and a photo of the original which had been purchased on eBay in 2019. 

One of our guild projects this fall was to stitch the sampler as is, correcting 11 year-old Louisa's mistakes, making our own mistakes either intentionally or not, or adapting to to make it our own. Lianne intended for people to just use threads in their stash for this diminutive project. Stitched on 40ct it fits nicely in a 5" x 7" frame.

Meagan prepared a slideshow for Lianne to see our own Louisa Acton samplers.

Barb's

Bernie fashioned a bellpull

Geri used her great grandmother's name and the date she would have been 11 years old.

Jeanette's

Jennifer B made a needle roll out of hers.

Marilyn's

Sharon's

Siobhain's

Sylvia's - stitched over 1

Victoria's.

Lianne also spoke to us about ways she acquires the antique samplers and how she charts them and selects the colours. 

It would be nice to see everyone's in person some day.

March 2022

For Show and Share this month, Marilyn displayed her French Knots Cottage on muslin,

Meagan's working on 'Let's Talk Stitching' by Hands On Design.

Wendy showed the progress on her 'Snooty Parrot' sampler by Barbara Ana.

Geri finished the smalls set she'd been working on for the smalls exchange at Stitch North.

Sharon is stitching 'Pomegranate Santa' by Plum Street Samplers.

Barbara K showed us her 16th Century goldwork piece inspired by the Bata Shoe Museum.

Bernice displayed her goldwork bee hive

and bee.

Sylvia and Marion lead us through the finishing for the Wessex needlebook we've been working on since last fall.

Their directions and suggestions were very helpful. We now have all the information we need to finish our needlebooks.

On Display at the Whitby Public Library

For the month of March, the Trillium Guild has a display on at the Central Branch of the Whitby Public Library.

Maybe it will inspire some embroiderers to join our guild! Email for information is posted on the right under 'The Guild'.