SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009
MUSINGS FROM MARIJO - A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Now is the time of year I get energized. Cooler days make me want to be doing something outside instead of sitting in the air conditioning. I'm looking forward to new projects and learning new skills.
I enjoyed learning a new finishing technique from Betsy Morgan. I've already finished that project and used the technique to finish a UFO (one down - twenty to go).
I also enjoyed the canvas work project Peg H. and I did with the Marshall EGA Chapter.
I'm looking for an easy project to be a "make-it-and-take-it" project for February's Stitch-In at the Grand Rapid's Museum. I know it seems a long way away, but the museum will put it in their brochure if we can get it to them soon. Please talk to me the next time you see me if you have ideas.
CALENDAR
September
14 Sampler Group - Monday at 12:30 PM at Susie's house
18 Board Meeting - Friday at 9:00 AM at Marijo's house
24 Night Meeting - Thursday at 6:45 PM at Heather Hills Retirement Village
25 Day Meeting - Friday at 9:00 AM at First United Methodist Church
October
5 Sampler Group - Monday at 12:30 PM at Pat P's house
10 NEWSLETTER INFORMATION due
20 Board Meeting - Tuesday at 7:00 PM at Jane's house
22 Night Meeting - Thursday at 6:45 PM at Heather Hills Retirement Village
23 Day Meeting - Friday at 9:00 AM at First United Methodist Church
December
10 Christmas Party - Thursday at the Radisson Hotel
NEW MEETING LOCATION FOR NIGHT GROUP
Beginning with the September meeting, the night group will be meeting at Heather Hills Retirement Village. This is located at 1055 Forest Hill Avenue SE, on the west side of Forest Hill Avenue, south of Cascade Road. They have invited us to meet there for free.
There is a small amount of parking in the front, but most will need to park in the south lot. They have promised to put out signs directing us to appropriate parking. A side door will be marked and left unlocked so that we may enter by the parking lot rather than going outside to the front. The parking lot is well lit and Heather Hills does have security.
We will be in one of their recreation rooms. This room is spacious enough for us to move around. There are a number of long tables that we like for our work. The lighting is excellent for embroidery. The room has a small hospitality area for our treats. Directions will be well marked from either parking area to our room.
DAY PROGRAMS
September
Hostesses: Dick H. and Rosie A.
Program: Betty N. will present a program for which you need not bring any stitching supplies
October
Hostesses: Diane H. and Annie B.
Program: Connie W. will show a video on peyote stitch.
NIGHT PROGRAMS
September
Hostesses: Carolyn N. and Pat A.
Program: Nancy has designed an adorable button bag and a thimble case that coordinate with our set. Bring your usual stitching supplies.
OctoberHostesses: Mary W. and Karen V.
Program: Nancy is designing a ruler case to go with our accessories. At the September meeting she will discuss any special materials needed.
WORKSHOP
Betsy Morgan taught two delightful workshops. Twenty people in the morning and twelve in the afternoon had the opportunity to learn advanced finishing techniques. Betsy was an excellent teacher who made it feel like an individual class. She also was a delightful person and some of our members enjoyed dinner with her Saturday evening.
On the day before, due to a misunderstanding, we almost had no place to hold our workshop. Bob F., Judy's husband, saved our workshop and got us special permission to use Banner of Christ Church. It was perfect for our needs. We extend a big hand of appreciation to Bob for making our event happen. Jane did an excellent job on the luncheon and snacks. We all oohed and aahed over the door prizes made by Jane, Judy, Alice, and Carol.
BOARD NEWS
BYLAWS
Our national requires that our bylaws be reviewed every 7 years which is this year for us. Margie S.chaired this committee with Vonnie H. and Peggy H. as members. This process allows us to align our organization with our current practices. The recommended revisions were presented to our board and then to national who approved our recommended changes. A copy of these changes can be found by clicking on August (2) issue under Blog Archives (left column of this issue). The changes will appear at the bottom of this issue. These changes will be presented for the members' consideration and discussion at the September meetings. Ratification will be voted on at the October meetings.
NOMINATIONS
The offices of Secretary (day and night), Program Chair (day and night), and Workshop Chair need to be filled this year. Nominations will be presented in September, and the election is held at the October meetings. New officers will be installed at the Christmas meeting.
Nominations to be presented are :
Secretary PM - Janalee K.
Secretary AM - no candidate
Programs PM - Nancy B.
Programs AM - (co-ordinated as a group)
Workshops - no candidate
Additional candidates may be nominated from the floor with the permission of the person.
DUES
For those who usually pay in the fall, your dues are now payable. This year they are only $21.50. A reminder that next year all dues will be collected in May and will be $43. If you do not see Claudia at a meeting, you may mail her your check, payable to GGREGA. (See directory for her address.)
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Note that this years our party is on a new date, the second Thursday in December which is December 10. We will again be at the Radisson Hotel on Ann Street. The committee is hard at work planning fun and surprises. If you plan on participating in the ornament exchange, you will want to start deciding on what pattern to do. We will again collect mittens, hats, and scarves for poor children. The menu choices are listed below on the reservation sheet. These are due to Alice Rufener by November 1.
CHRISTMAS PARTY RESERVATION
______Fettuccine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken (Fettuccine tossed with Alfredo sauce with broccoli and mushrooms and topped with sliced chicken breast), served with house salad and garlic bread, beverage , and choice of dessert (below). Cost $26.50
______Fresh Walleye Almondine (lightly floured fillet of walleye sauteed and finished with almonds) served with house salad, vegetable medley, rice pilaf, roll, beverage, and choice of dessert (below). Cost $30
_____Prime Rib of Beef (slow roasted prime rib with creamed horseradish sauce, au jus - 8 oz.) served with house salad, vegetable medley, redskin potatoes, roll, beverage, and choice of dessert (below). Cost $30
______Vegetarian Lasagna (layered pasta in rich sauce with Italian cheeses) served with house salad, garlic bread, beverage, and choice of dessert (below). Cost $24
Choose your dessert (included with each dinner)
______Sherbet
______Chocolate Cake
______Ice Cream
______Fruit Pie
Your name: __________________________
Am't enclosed: ________
Return this form to Alice R. (See directory for her address.)
Reservations due November 1, 2009
EDUCATION
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
Our National offers a wide variety of high quality courses that allow members to take intensive learning in a specialized area. After completing the course, you will be able to submit your work to the National teacher and receive a valuable critique. The listing of these courses may be seen in Needle Arts or on the website http://www.egausa.org/. There are four ways to take these courses:
1. Form an interest group of about 10 members here to share the costs and appoint one person to serve as coordinator.
2. For those with only one or two local members interested, the Great Lakes Region serves as coordinator for a number of classes each year. The list for 2010 may be found below. You must register by November and you will receive your materials some time in January.
3. The website sponsors two new classes every other month.
4. Each edition of Needle Arts has class special specific to that edition.
2010 GLR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
Molly: A Dimensional Bear (Australian Wool Embroidery) Dianne Lewandowski $50
Beading Color Play (Beadwork) Peggy Wright $55
Lady Larkspur Lace Necklace (Beadwork) Jeannette Carmichael $53
Cleopatra's Cat (Canvas Sampler) Mary Long $60
Dutch Legacy (Canvas Shading & Blackwork) Sandy Rodgers $62
Angelina (Italian Drawn Thread) Barbara Kershaw $50
Ikebana (Pulled Thread) Ilse Altherr $51
Tiramisu (Blackwork) Dakota Rogers $57
Crazy Patch Adventure (Surface Embroidery) Kathleen N. Herman $45
Shading Stitches (Surface Embroidery) Judy Jeroy $55
Silk & Metal Embroidery (Silk & Metal) Kay Stanis $53
Silk Ribbon Pond (Silk Ribbon Embroidery) Kim Sanders $50
In its continuing mission to stimulate the appreciation of embroidery and to advance the highest standards of excellence in the practice of embroidery, EGA offers many educational opportunities through its Correspondence Courses. Chapters are not able to offer every course that would meet all the interests of every member of their group. To that end, the GLR underwrites the cost of a selected group of classes each year that will allow chapter members to pursue their interests without having to form a group from their home chapter. The GLR CC Coordinator serves as the liaison between the class participants and the designers/teachers. You will not have a local group leader and you will be stitching on your own.
Many new exciting classes are being offered for 2010 as well as some outstanding perennials. Many techniques and all skill levels are represented. For details regarding course content and the approximate cost of supplies, please refer to the Correspondence Course section of the 2009-2010 Education Catalog attached to your December 2008 Needle Arts magazine.
Registration deadline is November 1, 2009. Send the registration form below to the GLR Coordinator who will order and distribute instruction materials, and remind you of deadlines to submit your work for teacher evaluation. The deadline to submit pieces for class evaluations will be October 15, 2010. The Coordinator receives and sorts the work, sends the pieces to the course instructor, receives them back from the teacher with critiques, repacks them and returns them to you. The cost includes the course fee, instruction materials, and postage with delivery confirmation. You will receive you manuals in late January or early February 2010. You are responsible for purchasing your own supplies. Supply sources are provided with each course. If you have any questions, you can call the GLR Coordinator or email her. Send the registration form below to her with your check payable to the Great Lakes Region EGA. See the GLR's website http://www.ega-glr.org/ for the CC Coordinator's name, mailing and email addresses, and phone number.
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
Our National offers a wide variety of high quality courses that allow members to take intensive learning in a specialized area. After completing the course, you will be able to submit your work to the National teacher and receive a valuable critique. The listing of these courses may be seen in Needle Arts or on the website http://www.egausa.org/. There are four ways to take these courses:
1. Form an interest group of about 10 members here to share the costs and appoint one person to serve as coordinator.
2. For those with only one or two local members interested, the Great Lakes Region serves as coordinator for a number of classes each year. The list for 2010 may be found below. You must register by November and you will receive your materials some time in January.
3. The website sponsors two new classes every other month.
4. Each edition of Needle Arts has class special specific to that edition.
2010 GLR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
Molly: A Dimensional Bear (Australian Wool Embroidery) Dianne Lewandowski $50
Beading Color Play (Beadwork) Peggy Wright $55
Lady Larkspur Lace Necklace (Beadwork) Jeannette Carmichael $53
Cleopatra's Cat (Canvas Sampler) Mary Long $60
Dutch Legacy (Canvas Shading & Blackwork) Sandy Rodgers $62
Angelina (Italian Drawn Thread) Barbara Kershaw $50
Ikebana (Pulled Thread) Ilse Altherr $51
Tiramisu (Blackwork) Dakota Rogers $57
Crazy Patch Adventure (Surface Embroidery) Kathleen N. Herman $45
Shading Stitches (Surface Embroidery) Judy Jeroy $55
Silk & Metal Embroidery (Silk & Metal) Kay Stanis $53
Silk Ribbon Pond (Silk Ribbon Embroidery) Kim Sanders $50
In its continuing mission to stimulate the appreciation of embroidery and to advance the highest standards of excellence in the practice of embroidery, EGA offers many educational opportunities through its Correspondence Courses. Chapters are not able to offer every course that would meet all the interests of every member of their group. To that end, the GLR underwrites the cost of a selected group of classes each year that will allow chapter members to pursue their interests without having to form a group from their home chapter. The GLR CC Coordinator serves as the liaison between the class participants and the designers/teachers. You will not have a local group leader and you will be stitching on your own.
Many new exciting classes are being offered for 2010 as well as some outstanding perennials. Many techniques and all skill levels are represented. For details regarding course content and the approximate cost of supplies, please refer to the Correspondence Course section of the 2009-2010 Education Catalog attached to your December 2008 Needle Arts magazine.
Registration deadline is November 1, 2009. Send the registration form below to the GLR Coordinator who will order and distribute instruction materials, and remind you of deadlines to submit your work for teacher evaluation. The deadline to submit pieces for class evaluations will be October 15, 2010. The Coordinator receives and sorts the work, sends the pieces to the course instructor, receives them back from the teacher with critiques, repacks them and returns them to you. The cost includes the course fee, instruction materials, and postage with delivery confirmation. You will receive you manuals in late January or early February 2010. You are responsible for purchasing your own supplies. Supply sources are provided with each course. If you have any questions, you can call the GLR Coordinator or email her. Send the registration form below to her with your check payable to the Great Lakes Region EGA. See the GLR's website http://www.ega-glr.org/ for the CC Coordinator's name, mailing and email addresses, and phone number.
COURSE TITLE & COURSE FEE
1. ______________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________
Your name _______________________________________
EGA Membership # _________________________________
Address _________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Telephone # ______________________________________
Email address _____________________________________
MUSEUM EVENT
This year we will be at the Public Museum in February to celebrate National Stitch In Public Day. The purpose of this day is to increase the visibility of our art and to let people know that it can be easily done anywhere. Put the Saturday of February 13, 2010, on your calendar now. We will plan to bring our current stitching projects as well as show some of our members' work. We are also developing a small teaching project for those who would like to learn.
OUTREACH
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Twelve new houses will be dedicated in November and December, but we only have five completed samplers. There will be about 20 new houses dedicated in 2010 with several planned for January and February. Consider making a sampler (or two) - it only takes a night or two. Leave out the family name and the last two numbers of the year. Completed samplers may be given to Margie, Marijo, or Peggy. Thank you in advance. The recipients treasure these.
HEALING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
In Big Rapids Geri J-B. is helping in a project that works with women who are recovering from domestic violence. While they are regaining their lives, recreational activities become important to the healing process. Geri is introducing some of the women to cross stitch. We all know how it helps us in our personal lives. Many of these women have left their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs and so cannot afford even basic supplies. To support this project, we are collecting small complete kits (we would describe as one day projects). Kits need to include fabric, all floss, directions, and needle to be of help. Give donations to Geri.
FORT SAM HUSTON
We continue to collect complete kits for families of soldiers healing in the hospital at Fort Sam Houston. Since this place is many miles from stores, only complete kits can be accepted. Marijo D. is coordinating this project for which we have received letters of appreciation.
PERSONAL EFFORTS
Several of our members have made works of needlework which they have donated to their churches. Our history of the art is so entwined with ecclesiastical work. It is beautiful to hear that our work is being seen in the community at large, and especially when it is to glorify God.
REGION NEWS
SEMINAR REVIEW
At the next regional meeting there will be a major discussion about the seminars to help better meet members' needs. Think about the following questions and give Dick H. your impressions so that he can better reflect our organization as well as make the seminars more user-friendly.
How many GLR seminars have you attended?
How many National seminars have you attended?
What is it you like best about seminar?
Do you usually find a class/teacher you would like to take?
Do you usually sign up for the Studio Time?
Do you like having all the meals together?
Would you like to have a participants' exhibit?
Do you enjoy traveling around the region for seminar?
Would you prefer GLR seminar be held in the few hotels around the region that offer us the best prices and accommodations?
What month works better in your schedule for seminar - April or May?
What expenses would you consider eliminating to reduce the costs - favors, table center pieces, meals?
Do you have comments about the registration process?
If you did not attend seminar, tell us why. Is it the cost? Is it the travel? Do you have a hard time finding a class/teacher to sign up for? Is it the teacher kit costs? Is it your employment that keeps you from attending? Is it young children or family obligations that keep you from attending?
PERSONAL EFFORTS
Several of our members have made works of needlework which they have donated to their churches. Our history of the art is so entwined with ecclesiastical work. It is beautiful to hear that our work is being seen in the community at large, and especially when it is to glorify God.
REGION NEWS
SEMINAR REVIEW
At the next regional meeting there will be a major discussion about the seminars to help better meet members' needs. Think about the following questions and give Dick H. your impressions so that he can better reflect our organization as well as make the seminars more user-friendly.
How many GLR seminars have you attended?
How many National seminars have you attended?
What is it you like best about seminar?
Do you usually find a class/teacher you would like to take?
Do you usually sign up for the Studio Time?
Do you like having all the meals together?
Would you like to have a participants' exhibit?
Do you enjoy traveling around the region for seminar?
Would you prefer GLR seminar be held in the few hotels around the region that offer us the best prices and accommodations?
What month works better in your schedule for seminar - April or May?
What expenses would you consider eliminating to reduce the costs - favors, table center pieces, meals?
Do you have comments about the registration process?
If you did not attend seminar, tell us why. Is it the cost? Is it the travel? Do you have a hard time finding a class/teacher to sign up for? Is it the teacher kit costs? Is it your employment that keeps you from attending? Is it young children or family obligations that keep you from attending?
MICHIGAN STATE LIAISON NEEDED
Would you like to get more involved on the region level of EGA? GLR has an opening for a Michigan state liaison. Our state liaisons serve on the board and keep in touch with the chapters in their states and are involved in the planning of state day among other duties. The people in these positions will be serving until next April when the new board is appointed.
If you are interested, please get in touch with Kris Kyles: kkristen858 at att dot net
OF INTEREST
SHOP HOP
This year's Shop Hop looks to be bigger and better than ever! The dates are September 11-20 (a Friday through a Sunday). Stores will have minimum uniform hours: Mon-Tu-Th-Fri 10-6, Wed-Sat 10-8 and Sun 12-4. Stitching Bits and Bobs (our advertiser) and five other stores are participating. Get a passport for $5 which will include a free chart. At each store the passport is stamped, you get a charm for the chart, and you get a 20% discount during the Shop Hop as well as discount coupon for a return visit to each store. Completed passports will be entered in the main drawings. The grand prize is a Longenberger basket filled with over a thousand dollars of needlework goodies. There will be five second prizes worth over a hundred dollars. Individual stores will also have prizes for which you do not need to attend all stores. Much fun and surprises are being planned at the stores.
The Shop Hop is planned to coincide with a major market so the stores will be stocked with many new things. This is the perfect time to do Christmas shopping.
UPCOMING EVENTS
More information on the following events can be found on http://www.ega-glr.org/:
1. Illinois State Day is September 19. Eilleen Bennett will teach "Underground Railroad Quilts".
2. Indiana State Day is October 17. The hardanger project is "Web in Autumn Garden".
3. Great Lakes Region Seminar "River of Threads" will be held in Fort Wayne Indiana April 25-29, 2010.
4. The national seminar "Bridge to Stitches" will be held October 4-9 in Pittsburgh PA. More information is on http://www.egausa.org/.
WEB SITES
The following two web sites have been recommended:
1. Needlecrafter stitch dictionary
www.needlecrafter.com/stitches.html?stat=A&end=D#228
2. Sharon B's Stitch Index
2. Sharon B's Stitch Index
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchindex.html
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