WIP Wednesday

This week we feature  Ro's current WIP, a  counted needlepoint design from Needlepoint Delights and designed by Kathy Rees. It is constructed with a variety of different threads which lend it texture as well as a color palette  that remind one of the Caribbean. While this geometric piece looks straight forward putting the center design elements on point makes the stitching challenging.  

WIP Wednesday

I thought it would be nice to showcase the works in progress of our members throughout the year. This would give us all an opportunity to see the variety of projects our members work on.

Today I would like to show off a painted canvas by Melissa Shirley that a number of our members are stitching. They started it as a class at Lori's shop, Expressions In NeedleArts back in May of 2015.

While they are all at different points you can see from this canvas the rich colors and textures that stitch guide introduces.  This is a challenging canvas but according to those stitching it a wonderful learning experience.

A New England Style Tea Cozy

I mentioned to a few chapter members that I saw a delightful tea cozy sitting on the shelf of BF Goood Stitch in Salem Massachusetts. It was designed by Mary Beale in 1996 and is called the Boston Tea Party. Here is some more information for anyone who wants to know more about it or perhaps stitch it. Her chart is designed to be done in needlepoint on 18 count canvas  or cross stitched over two on 30 count evenweave or linen.

One person wrote an extensive entry in her blog about the piece which you can see here:  http://carolinastitcher.blogspot.com/2015/07/mary-beale-tea-cozy-and-more.html

If after seeing pictures and reading about it you would like to stitch it you can get the chart for $5.00 at Mary Beale's online shop at : http://www.marybeale.com/shop/miscellaneouscharts.html

Reminder For Our October 14th Meeting

Flower City Needler’s  of the  American Needlepoint Guild

Meeting is at the Brighton Senior Center, 220 Idlewood Rd, (Use entrance off S. Winton Road)

Some of us will be meeting for dinner at 5:30 at Root 31 Cafe and Eatery in Pittsford Plaza (3349 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, 585-383-5660) if you would like to join us. Please note this is a different location from last year.    

Program: Silk Needlework of China

Patti Fienup will give a presentation of exquisite needlework from her trip to China.  I’ve had a peak at the photos and they are stunning.  In the spirit of this presentation, please bring your own example of ethnic needlework to share.

Brighton Food Bank

Please bring non-perishable food items in for donation to the Brighton Food Bank. The items must be non-perishable and in non-glass containers.  Cash donations will also be accepted. This will be an on-going, monthly agenda item as a new outreach project of our chapter.        

Show and Share

Bring your finished work for show and share and as always wear your Nametags!

Hope to see you there.

Ruth Gustafson

2015 Finger Lakes Fiber Festival

Our chapter will be participating in the 2015 Finger Lakes Fiber Festival as exhibitors. 

Please Join us for the fun. 

The 2015 Festival dates are: 

 Saturday, September 19^th (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM) 

 Sunday, September 20th  (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM) 

The Festival will be held at the Hemlock Fairgrounds which is located at 7370 Water St (Route 15A), Hemlock, New York 14466. 

The entry fee is $7.00 per person, 12 and under free. There is plenty of free parking available. 

For information on the exhibitors,  demonstrations, and  directions to the fairgrounds please click here. 

Our First Program Meeting ~ Fall 2015

It is time to start our 2015-2016 meeting schedule.  Where did the summer go?

Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, September 9 at 7PM at the Brighton Senior Center, 220 Idlewood Road, Rochester (use the entrance off of Winton Road).  

Some of us will be meeting for dinner at 5:30 at Root 31 Cafe and Eatery in Pittsford Plaza (3349 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, 585-383-5660) if you would like to join us. Please note this is a different location from last year.    

Here is the agenda for our first meeting.

1. Shop talk - our local shops will be invited to share what is going on in their shop.

2. Please bring non-perishable food items in for donation to the Brighton Food Bank. The items must be non-perishable and in non-glass containers.  Cash donations will also be    accepted. This will be an on-going, monthly agenda item as a new outreach project of our chapter.        

3. Business Meeting 

4. Problem of the month - An explanation of this will be provided at the first meeting. 

5. Show and Share 

6. Survey – the Program Committee and Board will be asking for your input on our chapter meetings. 

7. First projects – please bring stitching projects from your early days as a stitcher for sharing with the group. Also bring recent projects or those you have been working on over        the summer so that we can see how your stitching has changed. 

Refreshments: Beryl Clymer

Hope to see you there.

Ruth Gustafson

19th Annual Finger Lakes Fiber Festival

This year we participated in the fiber festival.  It is the largest fiber festival this side of the Hudson River and many fiber guilds are represented.  Our chapter of ANG plus the local chapter of EGA participated.  We displayed various types of needlework from embroidery, counted canvas, blackwork, painted canvas and more!
Here's an excerpt from the pamphlet: "The Finger Lakes Fiber Festival educates the public about fiber and its sources, promotes small farms, supports fiber artists and fiber-related businesses, and provides a venue for the public to interact with the fiber arts world.. By sharing skills and knowledge with the public through demonstrations and workshops, the Finger Lakes Fiber Festival is sowing the seeds for future generations of fiber artists and craftspeople.. Our festival features great vendors, with everything you need for fiber arts: raw fleece, roving, spinning supplies, needle felting supplies, dyes, yarns, items needed to knit, crochet, weave—and things you won’t know you need until you see them—not to mention unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade finished items!."

When we weren't sitting at our booth we roamed around the many buildings to shop the colorful goods, be amazed at the beautiful yarns and talked to other guild members. A group of spinners were in the booth next to us and were mezmerized by their yarn spinning. They looked so calm and peaceful spinning wool into yarn! Enjoy the photos.

ANG and EGA chapters display samples of their work.

Weavers Guild

Two festival attendees -  It was a cold day so they wore their warm jackets

Prizes for dying and spinning yarn

Lace maker guild - samples of their work

A sock knitting machine - referbished and still making socks

Silk worm display

Welcome new Board

Our chapter changed officers this June.  We welcomed the new officers and said thank you to the outgoing board.  Barb, Judy and I had a great four years but the day came when we stepped aside for the new crew.  A surprise party awaited us as we walked into the meeting.  It was so festive as you can see by the photos.  The cake even has our logo!  Thank you to all the members who made the evening so special.

Our meeting always has a show and share so here are the latest finishes. 

• The  1st photo is of an ANG Stitch of the Month.  It is a work in progress and two members are stitching on the same piece.  They take turns switching off each month.  What a fun idea!  They chose their own colors and how beautiful to see it change each month as they bring it in. 
• Next is a pink counted canvas piece in a white box.
• The abstract flowers is a Mindy canvas, the stitchers interpreted the stitches herself.
• The last photos are of a coral done in a technique called, "messy beading".  There are different sized beads to give it a coral texture.  The photo doesn't do a good job of showing the background. 



ANG 2013 Stitch of the Month - Bargello!