Mouse Tales

Vol. 1 #2                          June 2002

PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE: The Magic of  Purple and Yellow.  Make a bookmark for a literacy program.

Contents

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:

Hi, everyone, LoriBeth here and hoping everyone is having a good weather time after the wet and weird spring most of the US experienced. I want to let everyone know that I am heartened from the last meeting when we had several people sign up for volunteer positions for the different committees. This is good, but it is very important that more people contact the officers and volunteer for positions in our committees. Only through volunteers will this chapter survive.

This chapter, more than some face-to-face ones I think, will only survive with strong volunteers to make the chapter be the best it can be.  Off my soapbox now.

I want to thank everyone that has been working on their yellow and purple project for the President’s challenge and also everyone working on bookmarks for the other part of the President’s challenge as well.

Will see you at the next meeting in July,
LoriBeth Etengoff
President

President's Challenge:

If you missed the January meeting, you may be wondering what the "President’s Challenge" is. It is a two-fold challenge.

• First:  Everyone is challenged to make at least one bookmark that can be donated to a literacy program, to encourage reading and reading skills. The bookmarks can be made out of any type of material: perforated paper, vinyl weave, etc. They don’t have to be fancy. The Outreach Committee will decide how these should be distributed at the end of the year. If you have any suggestions or would like to distribute the bookmarks you complete in your area, contact the Outreach Committee. A few completed bookmarks can be viewed in the "files" section the CyberStitchers Groups site.
• Second:  Use the colors purple and yellow in a stitched piece of your choosing. There are no specific guidelines as to what you stitch or how it is stitched. This challenge is to make this a fun project, let your imagination soar. There will probably be some kind of judging of finished pieces. The Board is currently in the process of deciding how this will be accomplished. Apparently someone in the White House must belong to CyberStitchers, as purple and yellow were the official colors for the White House Easter Egg project.

Outreach:

Hello. CyberStitchers has an Outreach Committee now, which is exciting and awesome. My name is Gail Giordano and I am the chapter chairman for Outreach. I am so excited at the possibilities of how we, as a chapter, can be an outreach to those around us.

At this time, I am looking for members interested in helping us brainstorm and organize ideas, and coordinate projects. I have created a group on Yahoo for this purpose (cs-outreach@yahoogroups.com) We are looking for ideas on what we can do as a chapter for both the National Outreach Project as well as projects here within our own chapter.

Some suggestions for raising funds have been to hold an auction of stitching supplies and stitched goods; perhaps an online resource tool; as well as others.

I value any thoughts and ideas each of you might have. Feel free to email me.

We have a couple of opportunities before us as we speak. On a national level, EGA President Marie Campbell stated in the March 2002 issue of NeedleArts (President’s Message, page 2):

"For at least the next two years, the American Heart Association will receive funds from EGA projects. EGA will offer a chart to reproduce a piece from its collection. Funds received at EGA Headquarters will go to the national office of the American Heart Association. Regions and chapters may choose to participate with their own projects."

The first project being offered is "Charmed Heart". [Editor’s note: See Stitch Graphs below for more information.]

Another National Outreach project available is mentioned on page 44 of the same issue of NeedleArts magazine. In support of September 11, 2001, the Susan Jaques Production Sampler Chart is available for purchase. All proceeds are donated to the American Red Cross Liberty Fund. A description of the sampler and price and ordering information are given on page 44.

Our President has challenged us to each make a bookmark which will be collected at the end of the year and donated to a literacy program. We have a lot of exciting opportunities ahead of us to be an outreach towards those around us and around the globe.

I look forward to working with each of you to make this a reality.

Gail.

Information on Websites, Stitch Graphs, and Book Reviews:

WEBSITES:

Visit hgtv.com for a free monthly appliqué quilt pattern. The series is called "Strolling the Block." Each month a different variation of the pattern is given, with full-size pattern pieces and instructions for making the block that can be printed for use. To get the pattern, click on "Crafts and Collectibles", and then click on the free pattern offer.

The American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) has a website that includes an archive of articles found in Needle Pointers, the official magazine of the ANG. You can find informative, education, and fun articles. Visit needlepoint.org.

STITCH GRAPHS

Our President, LoriBeth, is giving the members a stitch graph called "Tulips" ©2000-2002. It was designed by LoriBeth for LoriBeth’s Best NeedleArts. The colors can be of the stitcher's choice.

Visit dbydstudio.com for a free needlepoint chart to make a pin that will show your patriotism. The design is by David McCaskill. (This chart is also available in the January 2002 issue of Needle Pointers, on page 35; and in Needlepoint Now, November/December 2001, (on page 29).

Visit http://www.egausa.org/Homepage/CharmedHeart.htm to see the canvas work pattern "Charmed Heart" which was designed and donated to EGA by Lea Padilla, a member of the Tip of Texas Chapter of EGA. The proceeds from the sale of this stitch graph will be donated to The American Heart Association for Women’s Heart Health Research. The cost of the graph is $10.00 (including s/h).

Visit www.egatvr.com to read a copy of the Tennessee Valley Review. This is the official newsletter of the Tennessee Valley Region of EGA. It tells what other chapters in the region are doing and provides information about upcoming events.

"Ornaments of the United States." This is a continuing series in Needlepoint Now. The November/December 2001 issue started the series with charts Alabama and Alaska. There is also a graph of the outline of the United States in that issue. The March/April 2002 issue featured charts for Colorado and Delaware.

If you collect the free Christmas angels patterns distributed by Told in a Garden since 1985 and have missed any of them, visit http://www.tiag.com. Free copies of the patterns can be printed, from the earliest to 2000.

BOOK REVIEWS

Ferris, Monica, A Murderous Yarn, 2002 (Fiction). This is the fifth book in the series. Betsy Devonshire inherited her sister’s needlework shop after her sister was murdered. Since she solved that murder, she seems to be in the right place at the wrong time and continues to get involved in solving other murders.

They are interesting books and good for taking your mind off your problems for a little while. There is a small cross-stitch pattern at the end of each book.

Fowler, Earlene, Steps to the Altar, 2002 (Fiction). This is another series of books with a stitching theme. Benni Harper is a museum curator and the plot of the story involves a quilt pattern.

They are easy reading books for when you want to get away from stitching for a few moments.

Zimmerman, Jane D., The Art of English Blackwork, 1996 ($37.95 plus $4.00 s/h). This book was reviewed in the March 2002 issue of NeedleArts (page 9). I ordered it and I’m glad I did. Jane says, there are probably more blackwork motifs in the book than an embroiderer could use in a lifetime, and I agree with her.

If you like blackwork, this is a good book to add to your collection.

My Favorite Needlework Shop

One of my favorite needlework shops to visit is in Harlingen, TX. We go to Texas every winter, and one of the high-lights is going to Judy’s Stitchery Nook.  If you get in that area, make Judy’s a "must see." You’ll need to set aside several hours, because it is crammed full of stitchery items.

Judy’s Stitchery Nook
1045 N. 77 Sunshine Strip, #2
Harlingen, TX 78550
956-421-2654
E-mail: judystitch@aol.com
Hours: Mon through Fri 10 am to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Judy’s specializes in counted thread techniques, such as needlepoint, cross stitch, hardanger, but there is a good selection for those looking for silk ribbon, Brazilian, huck/Swedish weaving and tatting supplies. She has specialty fibers from Rainbow Gallery, Caron Collection, Needle Necessities, Weeks Dye, Gentle Arts, A-Ver-A-Soie, Soie Cristale and Trebizond silks; Kreinik metallics, Paternayan wool, DMC floss, pearl cotton, Medici and Flouche. There are charts from the leading designers, such as Lavender and Lace, Lizzie Kate, Bent Creek, Prairie Schooler, Nordic Needle, Susan Portra, and many more.

In Judy’s last newsletter, she mentioned a new fabric from Cross-Winged Collection. It is a hand-painted 28-count linen called “Storm” that gives the appearance of clouds floating across the sky. I can’t wait to see it. Judy says it is colorfast. She also has a large selection of fabrics from Zweigart, Permin, R&R and special selections from Graziano, Legacy and Cross-Winged; banding from Zweigart and Mill Hill; huck fabric; open stock and pre-finished runners and table toppers.

She has K’s Creations, Artisan, and Needleworks frames and stands; a full line of Mill Hill beads and glass treasures, plus bead kits and frames. For the gadget collector, there are many accessories from scissors to hand-painted magnets, scissor fobs, laying tools, pewter pincushions, organization boxes, needles, lamps, and so much more.

You can see why I say you need to plan on spending several hours at Judy’s. She will do mail-order. After placing an order, it doesn’t take long before it is in your hands.

Do you have a favorite needlework shop? Submit the name and I’ll high-light it in the next issue of our newsletter.

CyberStitchers Classes

GROUP CORRESPONDENCE COURSES

"Lace Ribbons"   The course deadline has been extended until July 1, 2002. It is a blackwork design and started with 17 members. Pictures of completed projects will be posted on the website soon.

"Hearts and Flowers"   Six completed projects were sent to the teacher. It had lots of counted stitches and some goldwork.

"Winter/Spring"   Six of the finished projects can be viewed on the website. This course will also end in June. 

"Drawn Thread Sampler #2"   There are 20 in this group. The deadline for completion is mid-August. There is only one known completed sampler, as it is a large and complex sampler.

Letter from the National Nominating Committee

EGA Membership,
Resumes are the primary source of information available to EGA’s nominating committee. This committee is seeking to update and receive new resumes as they begin the task of selecting the Organization’s next slate of officers. The process of reviewing resumes and referral letters, as well as interviewing, will soon begin and will develop over the next two years and I am asking for your help.

If you are interested in working at the national level, we would like you to complete the enclosed resume form. Completed forms should be returned to me to be distributed to the eight members of the Nominating Committee. To help this committee process your resume and schedule interviews, I would appreciate receiving your resume at your earliest convenience and no later than October 1, 2002.

The nomination committee actively seeks resumes and referrals of those interested in serving as an officer or on a committee for EGA. If you are planning to attend National Seminar 2002 in Hilton Head, South Carolina, please let me know so we can arrange to talk with you there.

Serving in a national position does entail lots of work but in turn will bring many rewards.

Thanks for your assistance. Your interest and dedication to EGA is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Kay Haley, Chairman
National Nominating Committee Chairman

[Editor’s note: For a copy of the resume form, a link to the website is being provided. You can print a copy of the resume form to complete and submit to National.]
http://www.egausa.org/Forms2/Forms2index.htm

Mark Your Calendar

June 1 through June 16, 2002 -- National Counted Cross Stitch Show, Rockome Gardens, Arcola, IL.

One of our members, Cathy Miller, will have three entries in the "Professional Stitching" category of the show. They are: "Peacock Sampler Photo Journal", "Fairy Dreams", and "My Stitching Chari Necessaire". We wish her the best. Results will be posted in the September newsletter.

June 13 through June 18, 2002 -- Cyberstitcher’s Board Meeting

June 20 through June 23, 2002 -- Share-A-Stitch XXIII, Atlanta, Georgia

July 11 through July 16, 2002 -- Cyberstitcher’s Regular Meeting

August 8 through August 13, 2002 -- Cyberstitcher’s Board Meeting

August 15, 2002 -- Items for inclusion in the next newsletter due to Editor

September 1 through November 20, 2002 -- Tennessee Valley Region Exhibit, Margaret Parshall Gallery, Louisville, KY

November 17 through November 22, 2002 -- EGA National Seminar, Hilton Head, SC