Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Bring them to the meeting ...


Just a Reminder ....

Please bring your stitched
Kissing Pillows with you
to the January meeting.

--- or ---

They can be mailed directly
to Elizabeth by January 15th

(mailing address on reverse side of pattern)

--------

Questions? Please contact
Beth, Karol, or Sue

or e-mail Needle Artisans

Friday, December 17, 2010

Our officers were installed
on Dec. 7th during the Holiday Party
held at Briar Ridge Country Club.


Congratulations to our new
2011-2012 NANI Officers (from left):

Cathy W (Treasurer), Pat B (Secretary), Karol J (President), + Beth V (Vice President).

Also, welcome Marjorie H (Publicity Chair).

Our thanks and gratitude for a job well done
to outgoing Board Members:
Janet C (President), Renee S (Vice President), Carol L (Secretary), Bernie W (Publicity), + Chris R (Education).

Continuing to serve are:
Cindy L (Scholarship), Renee R (Hospitality), Elaine H (Membership), Betti P (Newsletter), Sue H (Regional Rep.), + Aggie G (Sunshine)



------------------------
Info + Photo by Renee R

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Presented at the NANI Holiday Party
held at Briar Ridge Country Club
December 7, 2010.

Janet + Renee S are pictured with

Quaker Diamonds
Designed by Karen Kluba for Rosewood Manor

Stitched on 28 count Cashel Linen Mello
with 3 strands of cotton over-dyed Valdani fibers over two

Outgoing NANI President Janet's gift
was stitched by the following
members of the Board:

Sue H., Elaine H., Karol J.,
Carol L., Betti P., Renee R.,
Chris R., Renee S., Bernie W.,
and Kathy W.


-------------------------
Info + Photo from Renee R

Friday, December 10, 2010

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

There is still time ...


Grab a form + get pencil to paper!!!

You are invited to participate in the
2011 Secret Stitcher Program

Deadline has been extended ...

Forms are located in the Nov/Dec Flying Fingers newsletter,
or
e-mail Needle Artisans
+ request a form.



Please Note:
completed forms are to be sent to
our Vice President, Beth V


Beth will be tossing names into
the hat on December 26th.

Names will be drawn +
participants will be notified by mail.

-----------------
Comments? Questions?
Contact Beth
or e-mail Needle Artisans

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

thx!


We all had a great time
at the holiday party!

Many thanks to Sue H + Committee
for a
JOB WELL DONE : )

Monday, December 6, 2010

Our Members Share ....


Mary Wigham sampler
WIP* stitching by Renee

Renee shares: I'm stitching it on 28 count Linen Lambswool..
two strands of the recommended colors of DMC over two.
I have eight foot ceilings in my house
and I wanted something a good size
(the fabric is 30 X30)
when framed to fill the space on the walls.

Just started this piece
during Camp Wonderland 2010
and I hope to have it finished
by next Camp Wonderland 2011..

Maybe reporting on my progress
will keep me motivated to work on it
and stitch in general.


Stay tuned for upcoming stitch-in plans.

(*WIP = Work in Progress)

Friday, December 3, 2010

Kissing Pillows

I love it when something reaches out to bring people together.A few months ago Jane, Marge, Pat and I all brought news of the Kissing Pillows project to our friends at the Homewood Embroiderer's Guild. One member, Kathy, just send me these six pillow tops and a lovely note. She told me she was very happy to have the opportunity to do something to help the soldiers. I'll bring them to the January meeting to give to Beth.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Mary Wigham SAL


Mary Wigham Sampler

How are all our NANI stitchers doing?

I found a blog with loads of stitchers - check out their progress pictures:
Mary Wigham - USA version of the SAL blog.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

With Needle + Brush

With Needle & Brush;
Schoolgirl Embroidery from the Connecticut River Valley

October 2, 21010- January 30, 2011

Too far for you to travel?

Loads of information on their web site:
Photos + Exhibit Info LINK HERE


Florence Griswold Museum
96 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371
860-434-5542 tel

Friday, November 19, 2010

YMCA Classes

Last night was our last class of the year at the Hammond YMCA. We had a great group of students. I was sad to see the session end. Renee S. is showing off some student work.In September we worked on cross stitch samplers (thanks to Jamee for the deisgn). In October we "tattoed" their jeans--one student completed her design of a grape vine and proudly wore it to class. And November's class was holiday ornaments made with felt and sequin waste (also known as punchinella).

Below are a couple of proud students. The ornament project was the most popular and most students made several ornaments. Each time our class grew and just as we were ending last night, two potential new students came by.I love the creative chaos--the students really "ran" with this projects and came up with lots of creative ideas.We're getting organized for next spring. We will teach in February (continuing with the sampler, finishing them up and adding them to a pillow top--there are some other projects students want to reprise and we'll do that, too), March (needlepoint on plastic canvas napkin rings and a planned field trip to Jo-Ann Fabrics), and April (beaded bracelets). The class is Thursdays--6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

We'd love to have you join us. This fall the teachers were Renee R, Renee S and Marjorie. We had a blast!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Holiday Party

The annual NANI Christmas Party will take place on
Tuesday, December 7

at the

Briar Ridge Country Club
123 Country Club Drive
Schererville, IN
219.322.3660

We will begin arriving between 6 and 6:30 p.m. for socializing and the meal will be served around 7 p.m.

The cost for both members and guests is $25

Payment may be mailed to Sue H
by Monday, November 29.

Our officers for 2011 will be inducted that evening.

Ornament Exchange:
Members wanting to participate in
a holiday ornament exchange,
bring in a hand-stitched ornament to the party.
The ornaments are exchanged after the meal.

Reveal Secret Stitcher:
Identities of participating members in the
Secret Stitcher Club are revealed.

Scholarship Drawing:
Drawing is held and the
two winners are announced.

Our party is always a fun and festive evening
in a beautifully decorated room at Briar Ridge.

Do you have a friend who is thinking about joining the guild?
This is a great opportunity to introduce her to our members.
Hope to see you there.

-----------------
Contact Sue H with questions, or e-mail
Needle Artisans

Friday, November 12, 2010

Needlework Stolen



This 1804 silk and painted paper on linen sampler by Mary Bowker has been missing from the collection of the Burlington County Historical Society since October 16. Illustrated in Betty Ring's Girlhood Embroidery, Volume II, it is from a small group of locally made samplers prized for their charming depiction of a lady on horseback.


Article by Laura Beach Needlework Stolen

Blog post Sampler Stolen + Other Sad News

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Scholarship

Throw your name
into the basket!


Two $25.00 scholarships will be awarded
at the December holiday party.

You must have a current membership to
participate in the drawing
AND
be a current member
at the time
the scholarship is used.

Participation is the responsibility
of each member.

Please fill out the Scholarship Form

(The form is located in the November
Flying Fingers newsletter),

and mail your
Scholarship form to Cindy L by
November 20th

The purpose of this program
is to encourage and support
chapter members in their own
education and advancement in the
art of needlework.

Scholarships may be used for:
attending EGA sponsored workshops,
a regional/national seminar,
State Day event,
ICC or GCC courses,
NANI workshops,
NANI monthly classes & lectures.

------------------
Questions should be directed to Cindy
or e-mail Needle Artisans

Friday, November 5, 2010

Exhibit in Boston




Embroideries of Colonial Boston: Samplers

Saturday, November 20, 2010 - Sunday, March 13, 2011

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Avenue of the Arts
465 Huntington Avenue
Avenue of the Arts
Boston, Massachusetts 02115-5523
617-267-9300
TTY: 617-267-9703

Thursday, November 4, 2010

4th Harvest of Quilts


Hosted by Dunes Country Quilters

November 13-14, 2010

Michigan City
Senior Center
Washington Park, Michigan City, IN

For more information,
contact: Dunes Country Quilters

Monday, November 1, 2010

Textile exhibits at the AIC

November 3, 2010–February 7, 2011
Galleries 55, 57–59: The inaugural exhibition of the soon-to-be reopened Elizabeth F. Cheney and Agnes Allerton Textile Galleries,
Contemporary Fiber Art: A Selection from the Permanent Collection explores how fiber art has developed as an art form from the middle of the 20th century through today
LINK HERE for more information


November 3, 2010–February 7, 2011
Gallery 50: June Wayne’s Narrative Tapestries: Tidal Waves, DNA, and the Cosmos
Eleven dynamic tapestries inspired by Wayne’s innovative graphic designs and woven between 1970 and 1974.
LINK HERE for additional information


The Art Institute of Chicago,
111 South Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois, 60603-6404

Museum Hours
Monday–Wednesday, 10:30–5:00
Thursday, 10:30–8:00 (Free Admission 5:00–8:00)
Friday, 10:30–8:00
Saturday–Sunday, 10:30–5:00

Admission
Adults: $18
Children, Students, and Seniors (65 and up): $12
Children under 14: Free
Members: Free

Monday, October 25, 2010

Time to vote

During the November Chapter Meeting, we will be voting
for NANI officers:

President: Karol J
Vice President: Beth V
Treasurer: Cathy W
Secretary: Pat B


-------------------

Following the business meeting, and refreshments,
we will have open stitching time.

You may want to consider
stitching on an outreach program:
a kissing pillow,
Hospice square,
ornament for Hospice, or
bookmark.

This time could be used
on a personal stitching project or
on class projects started during the year,
or get help if you are stuck on something!

Should anyone have extra supplies
in their stash,
to donate towards the Kissing Pillow Project,
please bring them along
to the November meeting.

All donations would be appreciated.
If not, members who are stitching Kissing Pillow patterns
will need to bring their own supplies.

Supplies needed are:
6" x 6" OR 5" x 5" squares of 14 ct white aida
Blue Floss (DMC 797)
Red Floss (DMC 321)
White Floss (DMC Blanc)

Thx

------------------


additional announcements/reminders:

Per Marjorie: Jane will be happy to help people with the crewel and she'll be bringing extra threads.

Renee S will be collecting completed forms for the Secret Stitcher Program. Forms are due no later than December 15th; however, she would like to have them asap.

Cindy L will be collecting completed forms for the Scholarship Program. Forms are due by November 20th.

Sue H will be collecting money for the holiday party. The deadline for reservations is November 29th.

Additional details were sent
via e-mail and/or can be found in the
November/December newsletter


Need a form? e-mail Needle Artisans

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Waiting for your letters ...

Please remember to jot down your anonymous commments + suggestions
on ALL PARTS of the Needle Art Exhibit.

and, send them to:

Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana
(exhibit feedback)
P.O.Box 39
Wheeler, IN 46393-0039

The unopened letters are
being given to Renee R

Please be reminded
this feedback is important
for the Committee & Board.

These written notes will be
used during discussions about
how we think the exhibit went,
what changes or improvements
we could (should) make.

-------------------
P.S. To date I have received THREE envelopes,

in my opinion - with a group of 50+ members
we cannot depend on THREE opinions!

I think Renee & Committee rocked!
Such teamwork!
Such a nice job marketing + coordinating
the needle art event.

Time to give Renee, Board, Committee, Volunteers
a great big THANK YOU - for a job well done.

Pls get your pens to paper
+ share your thoughts, too.




Saturday, October 23, 2010

Secret Stitcher

The Secret Stitcher Club is a voluntary program to help members
get acquainted with other NANI members.
This program starts January 1st and concludes at the Holiday Party in December.
Participants may send cards or gifts celebrating
holidays, birthdays, + special occasions
and usually try to send something to their Secret Stitcher at least once per month.


If you are interested in participating
in the Secret Stitcher program next year,

Renee S would like the completed form returned to her
(either mailed or at the November meeting)

and she will forward them to
the new Vice-President before the first of the year.

Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind
when considering participation in the
Secret Stitcher program:


1. Try to keep the cost to $10.00 or less per month.

2. Remember your secret stitcher every month with something (it need not be a lot).

3. You may wish to consider something a little more special for a special date (ie., birthday, holiday, anniversary).

4. Your secret stitcher items may be brought to the monthly meetings for anonymous distribution.

5. Finally, if you need to use the U.S. Mail, you may use the address of the program coordinator as the return address instead of your own (to keep your anonymity).

------------

Need a form?

Comments or questions? Contact Renee S or
e-mail Needle Artisans

Monday, October 18, 2010

Deep River County Park

Quilting at Deep River County Park
The remaining Quilting Bee will be:
Sunday, October 24, 1-4 p.m.
in the Visitor Center
219.947.1958




HISTORIC MILL AND VISITOR CENTER

9410 Old Lincoln Highway - Hobart, Indiana 46342
Park open 7 a.m. - dusk, all year round
Historic Grist Mill and Visitor Center open
Deep River County Line Road GPS coordinates: 41.483097,-87.22008

Deep River Grist Mill GPS coordinates: 41.475944,-87.222285


Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday Noon - 5 p.m.
Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed Friday & Holidays
May 1 - October 31

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Stitching by the Falls - Camp GLR



Great Lakes Region Seminar 2011
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

hosted by
Town & Country Chapter EGA

April 3‐7, 2011

Registration for GLR Seminar 2011 opens October 15, 2010, for GLR members.

Registration Form

Registration Booklet

Saturday, October 16, 2010

GLR Corresp Courses:


Registration deadline is November 1, 2010
for the 2011 Courses.

The courses selected include Brazilian Embroidery,
Canvas Work, Counted Thread,Dresden Lace,
Hardanger, Japanese Sashiko, Pulled Work,
Repurposed Linens, Silk & Metal Thread, Stumpwork.

EGA offers many educational opportunities through its Correspondence Courses. Chapters are not able to offer every course that would meet all the interests of their members. 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 Great Lakes Region has selected
the following courses
for EGA Chapter Members to take in 2011

The Project Name, Type, Designer, & Cost are as follows:

A Memory Book:
Scrapbooking with a Needle
Creative reuse of vintage linens
Cathy Trostmann
$55.00

Chinese Checkers
Canvas Work
Mimi Selick
$48.50

Circle with Blue Flower
Silk & Metal Thread
Margaret Kinsey
$70.00

Dresden Garden
Dresden Lace
Jane Ellen Balzuweit
$60.00

Dresden Kitty
Pulled Work
Wanda Linsley
$40.00

Embroidery Purse
Brazilian Embroidery
Ganet Burr
$50.00

Hummingbird & Honeysuckle
Stumpwork
Luan Callery
$50.00

Lydia’s Necessities
Hardanger
Judith Gulick
$50.00

Plum Blossom
Japanese Sashiko
Lois Kershner
$50.00

Swiss Sampler
Counted Thread
Ilse Altherr
$52.50

Photos & Course Details HERE

The cost includes the course fee,
instruction materials
and postage with delivery confirmation.

You will receive your manuals
in late January or early February 2011.

You are responsible for purchasing your supplies.

Registration Form HERE

Additional Information HERE


Tuesday, October 12, 2010

CiCi Case


Arrangements have been finalized for

Cecilia Elizabeth Case
(June 24, 1955 - October 12, 2010)

The viewing will be this Friday
from 2-4
at the
Covington Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home
located at
8408 Covington Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804).
Phone: (260) 432-2508

The service will begin
immediately after the viewing,
and you are all welcome to attend.



The family has been handling the news fairly well, all things considered. We have been trading stories about how funny, caring, and quirky mom could be. We know that some of you cannot make it, and we appreciate how kind you have all been. For those of you who can make it, we look forward to hearing your stories (which, knowing Mom, are sure to be interesting to say the least!) and celebrating her life with you.

Thank you all,

Maggie

Interwoven Expressions



26th Annual Exhibit and Sale
Saturday, October 16, 2010
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Aberdeen Manor Ballroom, Valparaiso, Indiana

link to web site

Monday, October 11, 2010

Change in Education Schedule

--------------------EDITED POST--------------------

This class, scheduled for the November Chapter meeting
has been cancelled

Christmas Rose Ornament

Following the regular November business meeting,
we encourage members to
stitch

Kissing Pillow *
patterns,

squares of needlework for
the Hospice cards,

bring in one of the
monthly class pieces,

or any of your
needlework projects!


*EDITED:
Should anyone have extra supplies
in their stash,
to donate towards the Kissing Pillow Project,
please bring them along
to the November meeting.

All donations would be appreciated.
If not, members who are stitching Kissing Pillow patterns
will need to bring their own supplies.

Supplies needed are:
6" x 6" OR 5" x 5" squares of 14 ct white aida
Blue Floss (DMC 797)
Red Floss (DMC 321)
White Floss (DMC Blanc)

Thx

Great American Afghan




Friends of the Cancer Resource Centre
are sponsoring a raffle.

First Prize:
The Great American Afghan

Second Prize:
Holiday Gift Basket

Drawing held on December 1, 2010

Proceeds benefit programs of the Cancer Resource Centre
and Community Cancer Research Foundation of NW Ind, Inc

Raffle Ticket Donation
$2.00/each

Tickets may be purchased at the
Cancer Resource Centre
926 Ridge Road
Munster, IN

219.836.3349

or vist their web site.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Community Stitching Post


Follow-up from Chapter Meeting:

Renee S wanted to share this information.
She sent her unwanted stitching supplies to:

The Community Stitching Post
1479 Collins Ave. UNIT B
Marysville, Ohio 43040

(937) 642-1065

They are looking for gently used items in good condition.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Fall Festivals



Oct 9-10, 2010

Buckley Homestead Fall Festival
3606 Belshaw Road
Lowell, IN
219.696.0769

Demos of traditional crafts,
cowboys, storytelling,
entertainment + food

10am - 5pm
Admission $4.00

------------------------------------


Shipshewana Fall Crafters Fair

October 7-9
9am - 6pm

Per their web site:
The festival will be a tribute to the crafting and old-fashioned culture in the surrounding Shipshewana countryside. Quilters, carvers, painters, cloggers, musicians and crafters of all types will flood the town and it’s many quaint stores, providing demonstrations and entertainment Friday and Saturday






holiday boutique

Monday, October 4, 2010

Bravo


BIG THX
to the

Board Members

Committee Members

Exhibitors

Finishers

Stitchers

+ Volunteers

for their
tireless efforts
and generous donations

in making our Needle Art
Exhibit
a success : )

NANI Outreach photo

The GLR webmaster took a photo of our display at the fall Great Lakes Regional meeting on Saturday. She's posted it on the GLR webpage gallery.

The display featured items from all the years of our teaching at Camp Quality from the collections of Carol P and Marjorie H. Go here and scroll to the bottom of the page to see it.

Shall we start?

As I had pattern + supplies in hand,
I stitched up one
of the pillow fronts.

If you would like to
get a head start on
this outreach project,
e-mail NANI
and request a pattern.

Supplies needed are:
6" x 6" 14 ct white aida
Blue Floss (DMC 797)
Red Floss (DMC 321)
White Floss (DMC Blanc)

The finished design is
4" x 4"

Additional Information
on this post - LINK HERE

------------
Questions? contact Beth V, Karol J, Sue D
or e-mail
Needle Artisans

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Hospice Artisans article

Nice piece on the Hospice Artisans in the newspaper.

Link HERE

-----------------

Information on NANI's participation:
Link HERE

Chris continues to collect needlework squares
for the Common Threads cards -- questions, contact Chris

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Call for Kissing Pillows!

------------EDITED POST-------------

Soldier Family Kissing Pillow


We have been asked by Elizabeth Z (residing in Hawthorn Woods, IL)
to participate in the
Soldier Family Kissing Pillow Project.


She shares with us: Navy Helicopter Squadron HSM-70 (the "Spartans" out of Jacksonville, FL) is deploying to the Persian Gulf in early 2011. They've requested kissing pillows for their squadron, and we need 1100 pillows to support them. Many of the men & women in the squadron have been deployed to the gulf multiple times in the past ten years. They are routinely gone from home on short deployments for 1-2 months at a time, and now their families are faced with yet another long separation. My brother saw me stitching a kissing pillow when he was on leave several months ago and asked if I could make them for his squadron's next long tour. He just gave me timing and I couldn't say no!

Interested in participating?
At the October chapter meeting, Beth V
will have kits available for
NANI members.

The kits include the pattern, cotton floss & aida cloth

Our chapter members will
just be stitching
the squares
as Elizabeth Z has volunteer(s)
for the stuffing and finishing.

The stitched squares will be collected
during the November January meeting
and given to Elizabeth Z on December 2nd.

(or her name & address are included with the kit
if you would like to mail them directly to her
before January 15th)


Outreach Program Background
From the EGA Yellow Rose Chapter Web site: Soldier Family Pillows

In 2005, wanting to show our appreciation for the sacrifices made by military personnel, Yellow Rose members began hand-stitching small 4” X 4” patriotic pillows designed to be used as a keepsake for the children and loved ones left behind by the soldiers departing for service of the U.S.

The lightly stuffed pillows have a heart outline, the words “I love you,” and two red, white and blue stars within the heart, and are backed with washable fabrics in patriotic and camouflage designs.

Each pillow is presented in a plastic bag with a note explaining the purpose of the tiny pillow and expressing our gratitude for their service.

The soldier kisses the pillow and gives one to each of his/her loved ones to hold onto until he/she returns from war.

When we began this project, we initially thought only about the children, but the wives and sweethearts requested them too, and then, the soldiers wanted one with everyone’s kisses on it to take with him/her off to war.

The response has been overwhelming. A very special project that we hoped would express our gratitude for the sacrifices of our servicemen and women has more than filled our expectations and has mushroomed into something that touches the hearts of everyone.

In the fall of 2006, Yellow Rose began offering the project to all Embroiderers’ Guild of America chapters.

In November 2006, the project was offered to chapters of the American Needlepoint Guild.

The goal was to have needlework chapters stitching for military units across the United States. Although early in our sharing efforts, by the end of 2006, 15 chapters have already adopted military units, 29 chapters are stitching for Hearts Apart, and two shops have joined in the stitching.

Hearts Apart is an organization for the school-aged children of servicemen and women who have been deployed or will be deployed, enabling them to be with other children who are missing their parents, and where they are guided in positive avenues of thought.)

We have truly just begun to share this project with stitching chapters with requests coming in daily to participate.


Questions? Contact Beth V, Karol J, Sue D
or e-mail Needle Artisans

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Common Threads

Outreach Program
Outreach Coordinator: Chris R

The Hospice of the Calumet Area
has a Common Threads card line,
Hospice Card Artisans (hca2).

In addition to needlework squares
made by our own NANI members,
there are notecards with knitting,
quilting, needlepoint (canvas) themes
being sold as fundraiser for Hospice.



Pictured on this post
are two of
the notecares.

(more pictures here)

I purchased
them at the
Center For Performing Arts
giftshop in
Munster, IN


Our chapter continues
to stitch squares of needlework
for the notecards.

Click on this link
for more information and details.

Please continue giving Chris R
your stitched squares of needlework
for this outreach project.



Monday, September 20, 2010

Opportunity Drawing Items


During the Needle Art Exhibit
we will have opportunity drawings

Tickets are
$2.00/each or 3/$5.00

Currently, we have the following
fabulous + beautiful items
in the opportunity drawings:

IMG_0055
Doll Dress - smocked by hand
(to fit American Girl size dolls)

Afghan-revised
Afghan w/hand stitched squares

IMG_0049
Alphabet Needlework Sampler

(Photo not yet available)
a Christmas Quilt w/stitched blocks


Doll Nightgown

Doll Robe

IMG_0047
Canvas Sampler


The drawings will be held

October 3, 2010
at 3:45 p.m.



Contact Jane with questions, comments, and to obtain tickets.

Or you can e-mail
Needle Artisans