Nuts about Needlepoint » groups

Learning Needlepoint at a Seminar or Retreat

Janet Perry — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:30:13 +0000

Most of the time we stitch by ourselves or in small groups. But nothing is as much fun as attending a seminar or stitching retreat with lots of other stitchers. Not only do you have the fun of learning and stitching, you get inspired by the exhibits and can stock up on wonderful books and stitchy things at the shops.

There are four big events I want to tell you about.
First is the National Academy of Needlearts Assembly, held each Spring in Kansas City. It happened this year March 3-9, but you can read about what was offered and make plans to attend. NAN certifies teachers and so one of the highlights of the assembly is the chance to see outstanding needlework of all kinds.

EGA’s National Seminar is in early September and will be held in San Francisco (my home town) this year. EGA covers more than needlepoint and among the classes I saw stumpwork classes by Jan Nichols and crewel by Phillipa Turnbull.

ANG’s Seminar is in early October this year, in Columbus, Ohio. I always enjoy going to Seminar, not the least because I can marvel at amazing needlepoint in the Exhibit and at the Auction. Both ANG and EGA move the locations of their seminars each year, so that they are convenient for stitchers all over the country.

Then, next January is Callaway Garden’s Stitcher’s Retreat. It’s from the 9-19 at Callway in Georgia. It’s one of the most prestigious needlework events and many great teachers attend. The schedule for the 2011 retreat is now available.

Want to Learn (or Learn More) about Needlepoint? Try CyberPointers

Janet Perry — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:00:15 +0000

I am almost as much a needlepoint technique junkie as I am a thread junkie. So this year’s President’s Challenge for CyberPointers is right up my alley. Each moth a different technique is going to be highlighted. The different techniques have all kinds of support existing and planned for them, including SIGs (Special Interest Groups), web pages, projects, instruction, and galleries of inspiring needlework.

Each group has a leader and each group is full of people who are either experienced with the technique or who want to learn. Some of the techniques we are exploring include: Hilton Stitches, Hardanger, Surface Embroidery on Canvas and Bargello.

While ultimately there will be public information on our website about each technique, right now all the fun is in the members-only SIGs.

I’ll talk about Bargello, since I’m leading that group. It started with some of our members posting pictures of their finished Bargello. One project, Wild Rose from ANG’s Chapter Project Book, caught everyone’s eye, and we will be doing it as a group project starting in April. CPB projects are available only to chapter members as a project or program, so this is a perfect excuse to do this rare project. In the meantime, we will be doing Pat Mazu’s charming Bargello heart which was in Needlepointers in March 2008.

The picture is my colors for the heart. One of Pat’s goals for the project is to get people using colors they don’t normally use. These days my color palette tends to be bright, so I’m excited about how the muted colors pictured above will work out, I can’t wait to get started.

We will be stitching these projects together, sharing ideas and colors, and learning from each other.

If you have been wanting to explore any of these techniques, join CyberPointers and become part of them today.

Why I Love Needlepoint Auctions

Janet Perry — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:25:03 +0000

Yesterday I went to the a benefit auction at one of my local ANG chapters. Many guild chapters use auctions as a significant way to raise funds. For you, as a stitcher, auctions present amazing opportunities to find canvases books, and supplies at a bargain price.

Auctions can be very bad places for your budget, so it’s best to do some preparation before you go. First, look at your stash and know where you have holes and what things you collect.

My friend who came with me collects snowmen, she bought 2. I have been wanting to do a Mindy mini-sock and found one. I have always wanted to try using Sisha mirrors in my needlepoint; the Aspen project pictured below does just that.

The second thing is to know your budget. Live auctions are especially bad for this. I knew what I wanted to spend and got a bagful for only $1 over my budget, including my $15 “splurge” on that Painted Pony SF angel.

Remember what’s in your stash and don’t rebuy or buy back what you donated. I’ve done this. It’s often a problem at local auctions. They shop at the same shops you do, there will be canvases and projects there you already own.

If you want to learn a technique, try something by a designer, or try a new thread, the auction is a great place to do this. If the lighthouse cube is $40 you will want to have it professionally finished, no matter what. If it’s $6, you might try to finish it yourself.

As you can see by the pictures (by no means everything I got), I found canvases, projects large and small, vintage books, an intriguing 8-way Bargello mostly done, and a large canvas project bag. Not bad for a morning’s shopping!

Mondays with Needlepoint

Janet Perry — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:17:01 +0000

My friend Doreen at Art Needlepoint wants your input. In her newsletter by this name last Monday she announced a contest via both email and her blog. She wants to know why you needlepoint by answering three questions: Please let us know three reasons why you like to do needlepoint. How often do you stitch? Do you usually stitch alone or with other people? You can send your answers via email to doreen@artneedlepoint.com or post them on her blog. Five people randomly selected from those who enter by November 30, 2009 will win an assortment of 35 colors of Kreinik silk threads. When you’re visiting the blog, take some time to read and enjoy the answers from other stitchers. Related posts:Janet Perry ANSWERS your Needlepoint FAQ’s A Reason to Look Forward to Mondays (at least for awhile) Needlepoint Napkin Rings Remember this Month’s Giveaway! Tell a Friend about Needlepoint Related posts:

CyberPointers New Projects

Janet Perry — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:46:46 +0000

Have you joined CyberPointers yet? This on-line chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild has lots of great needlepoint projects happening and in the first half of this year.

Even as you read this, the January program is happening with a delightful piece designed and taught by our Education Chair Meg Shaffer and her daughter Tory.

Also beginning right now is our first semi-annual Stitch Along, Orna Willis’ Midnight Garden, available on the Caron Collection site. We’ll be working on this project from now until June and everyone who completes the project will get a prize.

In March, two great things are happening. First our program will be the Folding ORT Box from the ANG Chapter Project Book. I missed it when our chapter did it and I’m so excited about making it.

Best of all, our first workshop will be Minerva, by Jim Wurth. Not only is it a great design, you can use your stash threads for it.

Only if you are a member can you participate, so join now.

Stitch in Public Day — Coming in September!

Janet Perry — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:53:39 +0000

Do you stitch in public?
Do you want to show off your lovely needlework & get others interested in stitching?

On September 3, you will have a perfect opportunity to do so, with National Stitch in Public Day. This event commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the found of EGA. There will be lots of public events in Louisville at that time (during EGA’s National Seminar that week). But let’s have a real show of stitching by having stitch in public events all across the country.

Knitters have done this often to generate publicity, and we can do the same thing.

Here are some ideas:

Do you commute to work? Do you have friends who ride with you who stitch? Everyone bring a project and stitch on the bus, train, ferry, or carpool.

Do you have time during the rush hour to hang out? Even if it’s only a couple of people, why not stop by every coffee shop in town and stitch on a table outside, where everyone can see you?

Do you live near a mall and have some time in the afternoon? Grab a bunch of stitchers and sit in the mall and stitch.

Going to soccer practice and know other players’ moms who stitch, bring your stuff along and work during practice.

Are you a teacher or do you have a job where many people take lunch at one time? Why not find stitchers among your colleagues and stitch together on that day?

Remember stitching is more than just needlepoint. It includes lacemaking, embroidery, cross stitch, tatting, quilting, and lots more.

If you are planning an event, email me to let me know. I’ll post it here to let others know who might want to join.

On September 2, I’ll post a list of everyplace I know about. If you take some pictures at your event, send them along, I’ll post those as well.

And tell everyone, I stitch in public!

ANG’s proposed on-line chapter initial meeting starts today

Janet Perry — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:09:30 +0000

An Invitation!!!

We are currently waiting for the formation process of ANG’s first
cyberchapter, The CyberPointers to proceed. Just for the fun of it we have
decided to have a test meeting to try out some of the options for online
meetings. We will introduce the formation committee and discuss the
decisions we have made so far. We will also give you an overview of how the
formation process works.

Each of the people responsible for a portion of the formation will give a
report just like at a real meeting. And there will be a program, a project
designed by a member of the formation committee.

The meeting will be opened at 7:00 pm PDT Thursday, October 25 and will
close at 7:00pm PDT Monday, October 29.

To be a part of the meeting go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ANG_CyberPointers-pending/ This is the yahoo group
that has been used by people who are interested in an online chapter. If
you don’t already belong to this group, push the join button. Once your
request has been reviewed you will be added to the group. This is just to
keep out spam and other ugly stuff. You can start joining the group now.

Hope to see you there!