Share-A-Stitch report

I'm freshly home from another wonderful Share-A-Stitch, a regional meeting of the Embroiderers' Guild of America.  My home state sponsored this years meeting and I must say, the short commute was refreshing!  Sister stitchers came from as far away as Texas and Massachusetts to participate in the meeting.   We were especially delighted to have our National President in attendance and to be able to have the National tapestry on display during the four day pow-wow.  Please visit click on "National tapestry" (above) to read more about this amazing work of art.

click to enlarge photo

I'm very proud of both of the chapters I belong to for working so hard to help the meeting run smoothly and be a success.  I enjoyed volunteering in several areas such as the registration desk, bag check, the bookstore:

and the boutique:

The bookstore (provided by Ruth Kerns Books) and boutique are two of my favorite things about EGA meetings.   Helping set up these areas is like being a kid in a candy store handed the keys to the candy store.  I exercised a good measure of self control but didn't do too shabby either:

Two books, one pattern, several linen packs, two needle cases and some silk.  Not bad, not bad at all.

My real splurge was this shaker sewing basket from the Friday night event we fondly call "Merchandise Night":

I could not resist the combination of the bird's eye maple and rich walnut again this year.  I resisted it last year, but I lost the battle this year.  :-)

All the goodies aside, the true purpose of these gatherings is needlework education.  I can not say enough good things about the class offerings, faculty and selection committee.  The variety of techniques, expertise levels, and overall 'do-ability' of all the classes was carefully thought out.  Once again, I enjoyed three days of Studio Time with Marion Scoular. 

What a joy.

We also were treated to a lecture on Thursday evening by Mr. Doug Kreinik of Kreinik threads.  What a wealth of information he is!  It was fascinating (and entertaining) listening to the history and evolution of his family business.  And, the models he brought for show and tell, oh MY!  Be on the look out for the new holographic thread.  They are dazzling!

Before calling it a weekend, we enjoyed a delicious banquet on Saturday evening complete with a dessert table to die for.  I must have been too busy eating to take a pic of the offerings.  You'll just have to trust me on that.  Sorry.

And to top it all off, I finished all the stitching on my Christmas exchange project.  Now, I only need to add the beads and finish-finish it. 

What more can a girl ask for? 

If anything you've read here has peaked your interest in EGA membership, please don't hesitate to contact me.