Is it Spring Yet?

Spring is such a wonderful time of year, with all of the new baby animals in the fields and nature working to change its palette from ugly drab tones to vivid colors. Here in Texas, we are beginning to see trees covered in pastel blossoms and little green shoots emerging from the ground. But Old Man Winter seems to want us to feel the cold one more time. On Saturday, we had lovely weather and by Sunday afternoon, we experienced a 60 degree downward shift in temperatures and another round of icy roads (and much to students’ delight – schools were either delayed or closed). Mother Nature is not to be stopped though as Monday has been bright and sunny despite the chilly air.

The changing season brings about the desire to get out and about, so here are a couple little tidbits for you to mull over if you are looking to do some exploring on your own. For anyone interested in really getting away, you might consider the following:

17th Century Samplers at Plimoth Plantation – April 26-27, 2014

The Plimoth Plantation has planned a weekend of workshops and lectures about early samplers and the young girls who stitched them. Gather with other embroidery enthusiasts for one-of-a-kind lectures, instruction and delicious 17th century food. Embroider the Mary Atwood Sampler (c. 1650), led by Joanne Harvey, nationally-renowned sampler expert. View rarely seen treasures from Plimoth Plantation’s collection, such as the Plimoth Jacket and the Theodora Oxenbridge Sampler (c. 1670). The weekend includes a tour of Plimoth Plantation and a visit to Pilgrim Hall Museum’s exhibit, Needlework Samplers: Wrought by Tradition.

Ewer Keir Collection — Ewer from the Keir Collection

The Keir Collection at the Dallas Museum of Art – May 2014

If you are looking for something a little more local, plan to visit to the Dallas Museum of Art in May 2014, when they will receive The Keir Collection. Named after the 18th-century British mansion where it was once housed, the Keir Collection, which encompasses about 2,000 pieces, includes textiles, carpets, ceramics, rock crystal, metalwork and works on paper. The collection’s geographic range spans from the western Mediterranean to South Asia.

Show and Tell

This winter has allowed many of our members to be very productive with our stitching time. Check out our Member’s Show and Tell shared from our February meeting.

IMG 6780 Fotor — Lynn M. – Flower Band Sampler by Catherine Theron

IMG 6782 Fotor — Lynn M. – Midnight Sonata Sampler by Periwinkle Promises

IMG 6784 Fotor — Lynn M. – Quaker Christmas by ByGone Stitches

IMG 6787 Fotor — Lynn M. – So Dear To My Heart by Merry Cox

Finishing by our own Betty H.

IMG 6790 Fotor — Judy M. – Liberty House Sampler by Heart in Hand

Judy added the wonderful 9-11-01 Never Forget tribute.

IMG 6794 Fotor Fotor Collage — Judy M. – Bluebonnet Beaded Needle Case – Greater Dallas EGA Workshop Class

IMG 6798 Fotor — Shelly M. – Mustard Door by The Goode Huswife

Project Pocket finishing by Carolina Stitcher.

IMG 6803 Fotor — Shelly M. – Isabella Johnston Sampler by Needlework Press

IMG 6806 Fotor — Shelly M. – Victor and Irena by Plum Street Samplers

IMG 6809 Fotor — Shelly M. – Mary’s Sampler II by Plum Street Samplers

IMG 6800 Fotor — Shelly M. – Song of the Seasons Wall Hanging by Little House Needlework

Finishing by Carolina Stitcher.

IMG 6811 Fotor — Kim L. – Mary’s Sampler I by Plum Street Samplers

IMG 6813 Fotor — Debbie H. – Garden of Eerie by Plum Street Samplers

IMG 6815 Fotor — Debbie H. – Garden of Eerie by Plum Street Samplers

Debbie knit these lovely socks for herself (I’m sure they are quite comfy).

IMG 6820 Fotor — Kim L. – Hedgehog Scissor Fob by Prairie Schooler

Kim stitched this lovely little guy for Debbie H.

IMG 6822 Fotor — Lynette C. – Punch Needle Snowman

IMG 6823 Fotor — Lynette C. – Embroidered Redwork Heart

IMG 6827 Fotor — Karen H. – Snooty Stitchers Society by Barbara Ana Designs

Karen changed her colors to represent her parrot named JW!

IMG 6829 Fotor — Pam C. – 2014 Baton Rouge EGA Seminar Name Tag

IMG 6830 Fotor — Pam C. – 2014 Baton Rouge EGA Seminar Name Tag

IMG 6833 Fotor — Pam C. – Beaded Frog Needle Case

IMG 6835 Fotor — Sherry S. – Acorn and Cork Scissor Fob

Sherry made this scissor fob and another lovely one for Robert H.

IMG 6837 Fotor — Robert H. – Katrine Thomsen 1858 Sampler by Samplers Remembered

Robert stitched this lovely sampler on 52/60 count linen using Tudor Silks.

IMG 6840 Fotor — Robert H. – Rachael Holmes 1842 Sampler by Heartstring Samplings

IMG 6843 Fotor — Sharon D. – Corncockle and Dragonfly (Stumpwork of Australian Flowers and Insects) by Jane Nicholas

IMG 6850 Fotor — Sharon D. – Thorns Have Roses by Erica Michaels

IMG 6848 Fotor — Sharon D – Initial by Erica Michaels

Sharon plans to finish these as a pin cushion with a scissor fob initial which is stitched on 40 count silk gauze.

IMG 6797 Fotor — Lynn E. – 2013 Tudor Rose Sampler Guild Christmas Ornament designed by Cindy S.

Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. We will receive our kits and begin our 2014 SAL Catherine Theron Travel-Sized Quaker Sewing Roll.