January 2020

On Sunday, January 12, Kim got us started on our alphabet sampler. A was for Algerian eyelets, B for the Bullion stitch with will be the roses at the end of the stems. C was for the Coral stitch (stems) and Cretan stitch (leaves).

The centres of the blank crosses will have a bead.

Our instructions for D - H will be handed out at the February meeting.

At our meeting on the 15th some of us worked a bit more on our samplers.

Show and Share

Carol brought in her Alphabet Sampler that was completed several years ago. She did it all in white, and off-white threads.

Bernie showed off the Christmas ornament from the exchange in December that was stitched by Jeanette.

December 2019

This month was our Christmas finger food potluck and ornament exchange. There was very good participation.

For Show and Share, Marilyn brought in her Christmas barn mounted with a binder clip on a frame she purchased at a big box store.

This was the display of the ornaments that were exchanged.

Crafted by Marilyn,

Geri,

Kim,

 Barb,

Bernie,

Marion,

Lauren,

and Meagan.

We will be starting a project as a group - an alphabet sampler using stitches starting with each letter of the alphabet. 

The kickoff will be Sunday, January 12. Other stitchers are welcome to do independent stitching with us that day. Participants should raid their own thread stashes before stopping in at Kim's to get the rest of the threads.

Merry Christmas!

November 2019

Couronne

Marion lead us through the steps for making a couronne - a knotted ring which can be used for embellishing embroidery.

We drew a small circle on muslin then long stitches on the compass points. Three layers of #8 perle cotton thread were run in the circle under the long stitches. Then buttonhole stitches were created the entire circumference of the ring.

A ring stick with graduated diameters can be used to make different sizes.

Show and Share

 Sylvia brought in her Hazel Blomkamp embroidery piece with crewel, weaving, etc. on linen.

She also displayed a finished chipmunk thread painting designed by Tanya Berlin.

Sharon showed off her Shepherd's Bush piece which was framed with a custom hand-painted mat.

Marion again displayed her set of Christmas ornaments. They were a printed panel which she embellished with threads, wool felt and findings.They were finished with a fluffy chenille.

Marilyn showed off a wool felt appliqué wall hanging.

Marion also showed us a wool felt appliqué wall hanging with a mitten and sheep.

She also showed off a finished blackwork ornament that was embellished with beading.

Our next meeting will be potluck finger food. Members are reminded to bring plates, napkins, cutlery, a drinking vessel, and something to drink. Tea will be provided.

October 2019

Geri did a demo on making cording to be used to embellish projects. Various items around the house can be used to twist the threads such as a pencil, hand mixer, cordless screwdriver or variable speed drill. A cording tool is also available commercially.

Show and Share

Kim brought in an alphabet stitch sampler to see if we were interested in doing it as a guild project over several months. A Sunday in January is being investigated to kick off the project. Stitchers will have choice of fabric and thread colours.

Marion brought in a box of ornaments. They were printed on fabric and embellished by appliqué, beads, and embroidery. The hangers are metal wire.

She also stitched this piece she is using as a cover for a coil-bound notebook.

Marion also displayed a bookmark done in Ukrainian whitework.

 Geri displayed her framed Cinnamon Stars,

her wool appliqué sheep pincushion,

and a wee felt appliqué ornament.

Marion will be doing the program at our next meeting on November 20, 2019.

Library Display

July was our month to create a display for the showcase at the Central Branch of the Whitby Public Library. Jeanette sent out an all-call. Barb, Shelley, and Geri were able to meet her there and do the job.

Our banner consists of  squares that were stitched by various members depicting something about Whitby, Ontario, or Canada. Barb's framed piece is beneath it.

Top Shelf

Middle Shelf

Bottom Shelf

 Somewhat of an overhead shot.

Items will be on display until July 31.

It would be great if our display attracted new members.

Thanks, Jeanette, for organizing this.

June 2019

Traditionally, this last meeting of the season has us provide finger-food to snack on, displaying of our 'brown bag' project, determining of officers for the next year, show and share, and judging of our TATAs (Trillium Annual Themed Awards).

Jeanette's favourite colour is blue and luckily enough, got the right colour 'brown bag'.

This needle case has a wool exterior, beautiful stitching and charms,

and a dyed fabric interior.

Jen P fashioned a really neat stitching caddy from a beautiful batik fabric.

Tucked in the interior pockets are lots of useful tools. Her stitching embellishes the wool patches.

Jen B's favourite colour is yellow. She fashioned this needlebook with all of the items from her 'brown bag' including the needle threader on the ribbon. She also embroidered her initials.

Marilyn made a needlebook with many pages, also utilizing most of the 'brown bag' items.

For show and share Jeanette brought in an antique embroidery set passed down from a family member.

A knitted, felted bowl.

Lauren brought in her satin stitched colour block bear.

Bernie, who attended this year's EAC seminar in Victoria, displayed two of the projects from classes she took. This Hardanger piece includes blackwork designs. The threads won't be cut and wrapped until all of the stitching is done.

This schwalm piece will be a needlebook.

Jeanette also brought in several miniature pieces she has stitched and framed.

She also showed off a 'Sew Together Bag' made for her by a stitching friend, Yvonne.  Yvonne fussy cut the exterior fabric.

The interior features 4 zipped pockets and spaces between them with several different fabrics and colours. It's really handy for stowing all the tools one would need for a stitching retreat.

Marilyn brought in her winter sampler. Which was also the inspiration for her TATA submission.

Marilyn also displayed the typewriter tote bag she recently completed from a kit purchased at the Quilter's Cupboard in Uxbridge.

There were only three entries for the TATAs this year. The theme was 'smalls'.

Marilyn received the Original Design Award for her exploding box project.

Jeanette received the Chart/Adapted Award for her Hardanger Trio - a needle case, pin cushion and scissor fob.

Geri received the Technical Merit Award for the 'Just Bee' set - a pin cushion and needlekeep.

We selected the theme for next year - inspirational words or sayings.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, September 18.

Have a good summer, everyone!