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Mouse Tales

Vol 4 - Issue 3                July 2005

Contents

President's Message

As I write this message to you, I'm in the middle of some trying days. Nothing life-threatening, mind you, but trying nonetheless. And I have to say, for the first few days of it, I was pretty depressed. 'Great, just one more mess to add to the pile!'; which I'm sure most of you have thought at one time or another. But today, a turning point. I started to become a bit angry about the issues before me, and for me, anger brings catharsis. Depression debilitates me, but anger, now THAT spurs me! I've found that I've made great strides now with this 'energy source'! Pretty surprising, maybe, but productive! : ) With an interesting by-product - a deep and abiding concern for this chapter and its members.

The events of the past week have finally, today, driven home to me how very much this chapter, and each member in it, means to me. I love working for you, helping this 'new frontier' of ours grow and flourish. And while I'm not doing anything noble, not saving lives or feeding the poor or bringing peace, it still feels very worthwhile and satisfying. One particularly gratifying aspect of being the president of your chapter is the unwavering support and assistance of the Board. These are utterly dedicated workers, who all serve out of a love for the craft, the chapter, and the organization. What a marvelous group of people to be associated with!

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to serve as your president till now, and for as long as you will allow. I will cherish every day of it, long after it's over.

Kelly
CyberStitchers President

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Outreach Possibilites

We are planning to again offer the Ornament(s) Donation Outreach project opportunity. For those newer members: you make one (or more) holiday ornament(s), and send it to the project coordinator who will collect all donated ornaments, and send them in a batch to a needlework shop who is offering a ornament sale or auction toward the end of the year -- the proceeds will be donated to a charity. As we did last year, the two charities we are supporting are for diabetes research and breast cancer research.

Two members of the Outreach Committee have generously volunteered to be this year's project coordinators: Marian will be the coordinator for the breast cancer research ornament donation. Anne will be the coordinator for the diabetes research ornament.

Additionally, I have a new committee member, Judi, who wishes us to revive the Bookmarks for Literacy project, and has volunteered to coordinate it for the chapter. I've given her the go-ahead to try it one more time. The "fine print":
- make a bookmark (or more than one, if you wish), in any technique.
- send an e-mail to Judi to ask for her shipping address.
- send your bookmark to Judi.
- Judi will send/deliver the members' bookmarks to a literacy organization on behalf of the chapter.
Photos will be posted on the chapter's website....we're all looking forward to seeing our fellow members' beautiful work!

To provide members with other ideas for outreach, we have a folder out on our Yahoo site which lists a number of outreach possibilies. To find them, go to our cyberstitchers_ega Yahoo! group. Click on "Links", then on "Outreach for One" folder. Some of the possibilities you will find there are: Angels for Hope, CASA ornaments, Cole's Quilts, Quilts of Hope, and St. Jude Bookmarks.

The "Outreach for One" program is a way the the outreach committee came up with to let our members know what projects they can help with -- as individual stitchers, rather than when our chapter helps as a group. There are links to charities from several countries. The committee tried to make sure to have various forms of needlework represented -- sewing, quilting, cross-stitch, crochet, etc. That way you can pick either your favorite form of stitching or choose the country you want to help out the most. We also encourage members to post other links to charities you know of that need assistance, or you can send the information to our Outreach Chair, Lynn, and the committee will see that it gets posted. If you choose to participate in one of these programs, please do take photos of your finished pieces before sending them to the charity of your choice. Then post a little note to the Chat4 list (between meetings) or on our main cyberstitchers_ega list (during meetings) to let the rest of the membership see what you've done. That's our version of "show and tell" which is a regular feature of f2f (face to face) chapter meetings. We can also share them in future newsletters with your permission.

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Education Report

GCC's:

Bee2 schedule for 2005:

Underway, registered in the 2nd quarter 2005:
17th C English-style sampler, section 1
Oksana's Sampler
Stained Glass Pillow
Victorian Bonnet

Registering 3rd quarter 2005:
Casulguidi & Lavender
Grrcia
To the Acorn
White Queen

Registering 4th quarter 2005:
17th C English-style sampler, section 2
Mariposa
The Needle is My Immortality

If you voted for a BEE 2 class we will be offering, that class is marked as your BEE 2 choice. If you did not vote for a BEE 2 class we will be offering, please contact Anne offlist to get added to another class. If you did not vote at all for a BEE 2 class, please contact Anne offlist to get added to a class. Names are added on a first come, first served basis.

BEE 2 students will only pay for the text. The cost for coordinators will be $0. Payment notices have gone out for the 3rd quarter classes.

If you want to take another one of these classes as a paying student, also let Anne know offlist what class you want. Cost for paying students is the cost of the text plus $15.50 postage/course fee for US students, or plus $18.50 postage/course fee for non-US students. You can only have 1 BEE 2 class, but can be added as space allows to any of the other classes as a paying student.

BEE 2 students, your cost is the cost of the text. The cost for coordinators is $0.

Meanwhile, the last BEE1 are the GCCs Grrcia, Meadowsweet, Plum Blossoms, Star of Hearts, and Ukrainian Openwork. and are just finishing up. A round of applause for BEE1!

Petite Projects:

The latest petite project has been uploaded to our yahoogroups website. The project is "Promise Star" by Cynthis Wetzel. Instructions on how to save and print the petite projects is in the Files area of the petite project group. Here's the link to the petite projects group files:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CSPetiteProjects/files/

The project instructions are in pdf (Adobe) format. You will find the pdf file in the folder labeled "Current Petite Project" . There is also a photo album labeled "Promise Star" in the CSPetiteProjects yahoogroup where you can upload photos, scans, etc of this project. If you upload a photo, please put your name somewhere in the title so we know who it belongs to!

SAM and BAM:

SAM, the Stitch-A-Month program we purchased from the Vintage Stitchers chapter is completed. The files will be kept up indefinately for all to continue to reference and learn. If you are not a member of CS-Stitch-a-Month and would like to be, send an email to Anne and she will invite you to the group.

BAM, our Bead-A-Month program continues, courtesy of our Vice President Rissa. This month's stitch is the beaded open cretan stitch. All diagrams will be in the CS-Stitch-A-Month yahoogroup. Look in the Files section in the Folder labeled "Files for BAM". If you are not a member of the CS-Stitch-A-Month group but would like to be, send an email to:

CS-Stitch-a-Month-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Stitch-a-long:

We have a few stitch-a-long groups going now; the ornament group, a bead group. Please let me know if there is an interest in a group stitchalong, a small meeting stitchalong, or any other similar ideas you might have. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me.

Anne L
Education Chair

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Of interest

Blackwork:
Celeste wrote, "I know that a lot of you like to do blackwork so here is a website for you to check out. http://www.blackworkarchives.com/index.html "

Found on the ANG (American Needlepoint Guild) newslist:
Needlepoint Inc just released Northern Lights Overdyes. Mark Parson from NeedleXpress (has both lines) posted on July 28 that they had been released 3 previous, and it sounds like they are slowly making their way into shops. You can see them at:
http://northernlightsoverdyes.com/overdye-color-card.html

DMC Linen floss:
If you have enjoyed the new linen floss that DMC has, you may have wished they had more colors. Wish granted! Another 12 colors have been released!

TLC for dry skin:
When working with delicate fibers, such as silks, rough hands can be a problem. There was some discussion of this amongst the membersso it seemed appropriate to highlight a few of the ideas, as well as others I have heard:

1. Udder Cream - this is a nice, light cream designed to keep skin soft. Sure, made for cows, but works nice for people too. I actually bought mine in a Trader Joe's, but would expect it isn't too difficult to locate.

2. When I took Phase 1 of Japanese Embriodery, my teacher showed us Acid Mantle. While expensive, it leaves your hands nice and smooth. My friend has the pharmacy at Stop 'n Shop get it for her. Barbara too recommened Acid Mantle. "It's the base for prescription skin treatment that the pharmacist has to mix. Very few pharmacies do this compounding these days but you may find one that can get the stuff for you. It smoothes all those little things that snag silk thread. And it is not greasy, you can work it in your hands and then go right to stitching." Joan shared, "This stuff really works wonders (no connection, just a satisfied customer). I googled and came up w/ 7-8 places. Even w/ shipping it was less than the one local place which would order it for me, so compare prices. It isn't cheap as hand creams go. A little goes a long way." Joan found the following on the 'Net:

http://www.medichest.com/acidmantlecream1lb.html

http://www.americarx.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=15576

http://www.americarx.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=15578

http://www.scrippharmacy.com/mimrx/usage.asp?sku=01033790441&dept_id=1032

3. A friend shared this secret from a seminar class - plain old sugar is the answer. With dry hands, open a packet of sugar, and rub it around on your hands. THEN wash your hands. Sue Ann mentioned a sugar/oil mix works well too.

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Master Craftsman Programs

    EGA offers its members many exciting educational opportunities. One program designed to encourage personal study and growth is the Master Craftsman Program. This is designed for a long term study focusing on one, chosen, technique; the choices are Beading, Canvas Embroidery, Color for Needlework, Counted Thread Embroidery, Crewel Embroidery, Design for Needlework, Plain and Fancy Needlework, Quilting, Silk and Metal Thread Embroidery, Smocking, or Surface Embroidery.
   Each technique's program is planned to take a maximum of two years to complete the first step, and allows up to five years for each of the remaining five steps. This amount of time is allowed because there is a good deal of planning at each step. The student will need to do some research on their techinique; Color for Needlework requires the authorship of an essay at each step. Often the student will be creating an original design at each step, although some programs' early steps provide patterns and judge based on execution and attention to the directions.
   Several of our own chapter members have embarked on the challenge of a Master Crafts Program. Sharon R., Mary from So Il, and Reita are all working on the Counted Thread program; Mary is also just starting the Beading program. Catherine K. has just bravely signed up for both Design and Silk and Metal. ( I know other members have done a program in the past - if I have missed you I apologize! ) I interviewed Mary, Sharon, and Reita to find out what their experiences have been like so far, and what challenges they have faced; we'll have to check back with Catherine.
   Sharon is working on Step 1. Even though she has taught needlepoint, and knows quite a bit about the types of counted thread embroidery, her reason for signing up was for self growth. She says, "The outcome from this program, to be honest, is purely personal for me. It's an acknowledgment that I do have the skills to be a master craftsman that I'm looking for, not to add it as a line to a business card or letter head."
   I asked Sharon if she felt a bit overwhelmed by the tasks expected and she said, "Absolutely!" At one point she went past the two year deadline for Step 1 and had to reregister. However, Sharon would encourage others to try a program, and plans to do Color for Needlework and Design in the future.
   Mary signed up for a challenge. She chose Counted because she is familiar with it and felt it was the program she could do; she had not done a lot with any of the other techniques. She is now working on Step 3 which requires blackwork. This is one step that does not require an original design, however, it give you an outline of a design and you must decide what patterns to use in the empty space.
   Mary has already advanced to Step 3, so I asked her about her pieces for Step 1 and Step 2. Step 1 of Counted requires the student to create an original design, or an adaptation for a family or historial design. Mary's sampler is a traditional one. She had to explain her design choices with her submission and shared her thought process with me. She wanted the sampler to have both a personal and an historic meaning. She used letters and numbers from a German sampler because she is of German decent. She added the words "God Bless America" on it in memory of Sept. 11. For Christian symbolism Mary used trees because they were popular in samplers, and are a Christian symbol. The peacock is used as it is an emblem of Chirst, the resurrection and eternal life. Mary points out that most symbols were done in pairs. The verse in her sampler is done over one to fit, but she likes the meaning of the verse. Mary used a different set of alphabet characters for this lettering.
   Step 2 requires an original or adaptation of a design for Assisi. Mary said the hardest part was getting the right proportion of voided area to stitched area. Her design was simple, but she found it very boring stitching the piece as Assisi uses only one color and cross-stitch. She also found that her design did not translate from fabric to paper as she had expected, and the result was that the design was bigger than what the student is allowed. This caused her to redesign her border when her time deadline was approaching. Step 3, where Mary is now, is blackwork and lets the student choose between an original design, an adapted design, or filling in a provided design. Here you need to work with specific stitch requirements. Mary said she needs to do a bit more research to plan on what pattern to use in which area, and what thread size to use.
   Reita signed up for the challenge as well, and to learn new techinques as well as improve upon ones she already knew. She is already at Step 5 which is a hardanger piece. Reita has not allowed the original design elements to intimidate her because she has done original work for quite some time and likes to create pieces that are uniquely her own. She works quickly, having taken no more than eighteen monthes on any step! She has pushed herself not to give up to prove that she could be successful with the program. Reita has taught classes at her local needlework shop, and is planning classes for both blackwork and hardanger.
   Reita's advice to anyone interested in one of the programs? "Be prepared for a challenge, and be prepared to follow the directions exactly. Part of the program is learning to understand and follow instructions as they are written. The committee is very strict about following the rules, no 'fudging' allowed." If anyone is in the Louisville area, Reita has some of her pieces in the Carolinas exhibit until the end of September.
   The Master Crafts Program may seem intimidating, but the ladies haven't allowed that to keep them from going for it. The general feeling is that the programs allow for self-growth, and grant one a great sense of satisfaction. As Mary points out, if you are intimidated by the idea, try an Individual Correspondance class first. I notice that most of the ladies are interested in tackling more than one technique; they haven't been scared off by the tasks set forth.
   I hope everyone will share more of their experieneces with us as they make their way through their programs over the next few years. Their interest is starting to infect me LOL. To learn more about the Master Craftsman programs, go to:
http://www.egausa.org/EduCat2005/EdCatPg10.htm and use the links to page through Pages 10-15 of the EGA Education Catalog for a detailed look at each of the programs.

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Letter about Seminar 2005:

SEMINAR 2005

HEY, Y'ALL! WE NEED YOU!

Seminar 2005 is fast approaching and we need your help! As hosts for the seminar, it is time for each TVR chapter to join in on the fun of preparation! Many of you were involved in making the "packaging" for the closing night banquet gifts and they are exquisite! Special thank you to each of you who gave so willingly of your time and talent to create them. I know those gifts are going to get rave reviews!

At the recent TVR meeting, your president and/or representative received all the information for enlisting volunteers to help at the hotel and for securing ads for the handbook. There are six areas during seminar week which need volunteers. Even if you don't know your schedule at this time or which classes you will be in, please sign up to volunteer. We just need your name right now then Sheila Godwin will get in touch with you. All volunteer help is to come from our region. A copy of the sign up form is in this letter.

An additional need is for advertising in the student handbook. We are asking each chapter to secure at least two ads from your area. The cost of printing the handbook will be completely paid for if we do our job! Remember, the ads do not have to be solely from needlework related shops......any place that YOU frequent: favorite lunch spots, car repair shops, beauty shops, nail salons, your husband's business...in short, any place where they LOVE YOU! The ad copy form from Faye Holland is also in the newsletter.

Now is the time to get on the bandwagon and help the Tennessee Valley Region make this one of the most memorable national seminars ever as we prepare to greet our fellow stitchers from across the country! Again, my heartfelt thank you in advance for all you do for your chapter, your region and your EGA.

Donna Smith, Chairman Seminar 2005

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Calendar:

CyberStitchers Meetings:

August 11-16, 2005:

Board meeting of CyberStitchers from 9PM (ET) Thursday, August 11 through 9PM (ET) Tuesday, August 16.

September 8-13, 2005:

General meeting of CyberStitchers from 9PM (ET) Thursday, September 8 through 9PM (ET) Tuesday, September 13.

Regional and National:

September 4-9, 2005

EGA National Seminar 2005
"Stitching Southern Style"
Hosted by our own Tennessee Valley Region and including our 25th Birthday celebration.
Crowne Plaza Ravinia, Atlanta, GA

October 8, 2005

The Greater Memphis Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America invites you to take a class with:
Linda Driskell, designer, author, national teacher

Create heirloom quality sewing accessories needlecase, pin cushion, and scissor fob.

9:30 to 5 in the classroom at Hobby Lobby, Germantown, Tennessee

$58 for EGA members $75 for nonmembers

To register send a check for $25 if a member , $75 if a nonmember, to:
Marge Sanders, 269 W. Powell Road, Collierville, Tennessee 38017
Class size limited to 20
Matching material may be purchased to make additional items.

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