CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY CHAPTER
NEWS
March 2013
WEBSITE ADDRESS: WWW.CRVC-EGA.ORG

Saturday, April 13^th

We will be treated to a presentation by Shirlee Fassell, a CRVC member from Longmeadow, MA.  The following is a description of what she will "show and tell":

"I have loved and studied many forms of embroidery my entire life.  When I attended the Ecole Lesage, Paris France, I was literally HOOKED on the tambour technique or as the French refer to it the Lunéville hook .  I incorporate the couture embroidery techniques I am learning in France along with my years of embroidery experience to create my own unique art quilts.  My lecture will detail my journey."

After Shirlee’s presentation, we will have lunch and continue stitching the Quaker ball pieces.  Please bring your kit and sewing supplies and hopefully we will find answers to any questions that may have arisen.

Please let us know if you are coming and register for lunch if you wish.

Location:  Duncaster Senior Residence in Bloomfield, CT at 10 AM!

Here are directions to Duncaster:  (Official address is 40 Loeffler Road, Bloomfield, CT)
                                                                       (follow signs to the Aquatic Center)

From Rt. 84 Westbound [from Manchester]:
Take Rt. 291, exit 61.  Follow Rt. 291 to Rt. 218 exit.  Take left onto Rt. 218.  Follow for about 3 miles.  Take right onto Rt. 189 and follow to the center of Bloomfield.  Take a left on Rt. 178.  Continue straight on Rt. 178 for 1.4 miles.  To use the new front entrance, turn right onto Mountain Avenue and continue approx. ½ mile to entrance on the left into Duncaster.  From the Loeffler Road entrance or the Mountain Avenue entrance, once on the campus, visitors should follow the signs to the Aquatics & Fitness Center Entrance.  Our meeting takes place in the conference room one floor above the entrance level (4^th floor).

From Rt. 84 Eastbound [from Farmington]:
Take exit 41.  Go left on South Main Street [which becomes North Main Street at West Hartford Center] for 4.6 miles to Rt. 185.  Turn left on Rt. 185 for 1.8 miles.  Turn right on Rt. 178.  To use the new front entrance, after about ½ mile turn left onto Mountain Avenue and continue approx. ½ mile to entrance on the left into Duncaster.  From the Loeffler Road entrance or the Mountain Avenue entrance, once on the campus, visitors should follow the signs to the Aquatics & Fitness Center Entrance.  Our meeting takes place in the conference room one floor above the entrance level (4^th floor).

From Rt. 91 [North or South]:
Take exit 36.  Go west on Rt. 178 for 4.5 miles to the center of Bloomfield.  At the traffic light continue straight on Rt. 178 for 1.4 miles.  To use new front entrance, turn right onto Mountain Avenue and continue approx. ½ mile to entrance on the left into Duncaster.  From the Loeffler Road entrance or the Mountain Avenue entrance, once on the campus, visitors should follow the signs to the Aquatics & Fitness Center Entrance.  Our meeting takes place in the conference room one floor above the entrance level (4^th floor).

Please let us know if you are coming and register for lunch if you wish.
 

Saturday, June 1^st

Quaker Ball Finishing Class with Denise Pratt – A Foley/Cornelius Teacher

In class, time will be devoted to constructing the puzzle ball.  Some time may also be devoted to constructing bonus pieces for those students who have opted to stitch those pieces as well.

Students need to bring to class: Scissors, magnification and lighting if desired

Please let us know if you are coming and register for lunch if you wish.
 

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 25^th, 26^th and 27^th

Quiet Moments" – Jeanette Rees (A Foley/Cornelius Teacher)

Mark your calendar now to reserve these three days!  Jeanette is very innovative with her techniques and has taught at EGA National Seminars.  Although this picture does not show the piece in all of its glory, you may check her website to see it more clearly.  There is a wonderful cardinal in the crotch of the tree and a sweet little rabbit on the left side.

Proficiency Level:	Intermediate
Design Size:	7" x 9"
Ground:	24-count Congress Cloth, white
Class Description:	Picture the still quiet of winter as the snow settles, with only a little bunny and cardinal in view.  This is the scene that you will detail as part of the dimensional canvas work "Quiet Moments" class.   The class begins with color washing the canvas, on which the students will then do both surface and traditional stitching.  Students will learn a variety of different techniques as they stitch the large tree on a separate piece of canvas, then pad and appliqué it to the main forest piece.  Dimension is enhanced by the use of padded Batik fabric embellished with metallic and cotton cording.  Various geometric stitches and French knots enhance the snow mounds.   Creativity is encouraged, as students add their own touches to this stitched forest with a variety of rayon threads, cotton flosses, and metallic threads.  Color wash paints and brushes will be available for use in class to further enhance the piece.   This class will give the stitcher all the needed elements to complete the piece at home.
Technique:	Traditional, Surface, Dimensional Embroidery
Kit Fee:	$80
Pre-stitching:	None
Student to Supply:	11"x13" stretcher bars, laying tool, and usual stitching supplies.

Saturday, December 7^th

We plan to attend the Festival of Trees at the Wadsworth Atheneum and enjoy lunch afterwards.
 

Friday & Saturday, January 31^st & February 1^st, 2014

"Winter In The Forest" – Lynn Payette (A Foley/Cornelius Teacher)

This is the piece that we all admired at the December class with Lynn.

Fabrics – sheers, shinys, and opaques - will be layered and stitched on a soft gray-lavender 18 ct. canvas to create the reflections and shadows from trees on both the snow and the stream.  These will be overstitched with a variety of fibers, threads, and metallics.

Novelty threads and yarns, as well as flosses and pearl cottons (#5, 8, and 12), and pantyhose, will be used to create the trees.  Slender, ‘finger like’ branches behind and in front of other trees give the necessary perspective to the design.  Stitches used will be couching, back stitch, whipped back stitch (worked to create the gnarled look of branches), and outline stitch.  The trees have an extremely realistic look to them, as the fibers used will mimic bark.  Note: Pantyhose is an incredible fiber to use for stitching.  All sorts of things can be done with it, from snipping in at the edges to create branches, to stretching it and stitching with it.

The stream running through the forest will be created using a variety of opaque, shiny, and sheer fabrics.  These will be stitched down with flosses, invisible thread, pearl cottons, and metallic fibers (#8, 12, and 16 braids, and blending filament), as well as an assortment of machine embroidery metallic threads.  The placement of the stitches, fibers, and fabrics will be the choice of the student.  "Cast shadows" will be recreated in the water, to give dimension and perspective to the stream.

The "snow" and the exposed forest floor will be created using a variety of fibers, metallics, and threads, as well as bits of sheer and opaque fabrics.  These will give dimension to the ground, and create the ‘cast shadows’ which will give the piece its perspective.  Heavy emphasis will be placed on creating cast shadows on the snow and in the water of the stream.  The shadows will be formed after the student studies the ‘light source’ for the piece.  Again, the placement of these will be the student’s choice.  The stitches used will be couching, back stitch (with and without whipping), and outline.  The beginnings and endings of the fabrics will be cleverly hidden within the edges of the tree trunks, branches, and the edges of the stream.

A buildup of stitches for dimension, perspective, and effect will be taught.  There will be a heavy amount of attention given to this, as it is a necessary of component of the design.

The pattern for this piece will be drawn on the canvas, and the student will work from that.  It will not be charted, as the student will need to place stitches, fibers, etc. over fabrics, and the canvas will not show through all the fabrics.  This will create a unique challenge to the canvas worker.  I have used this method of stitching with canvas workers before, and the results and enthusiasm are incredible.

PRICE OF KIT:  $85.00
GROUND FABRIC:  18 ct. pale gray-lavender canvas
SIZE:  5" x 5"
 

Friday & Saturday, June 6^th & 7^th, 2014

"My Thoughts of Spring Band Sampler" – Catherine Theron
                                                                 (A Foley/Cornelius Teacher)

Kit fee is $120.

NER SEMINAR 2013 - APRIL 5-7

An Exhibit is being planned and each Chapter is being asked to showcase class or GCC projects
completed within the past two years. This is your chance to share your work with other EGA members
and help other Chapters who may be ‘challenged’ with ideas for programs.

The Hartford/Windsor Marriott in Windsor, CT, is the venue for our Seminar.

FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS   (All members are welcome)             Location:  Thistle Needleworks at 10 a.m.                         Tuesday, May 7th          Tuesday, Sept. 10th          Tuesday, Nov. 5th

CRVC Program Registration Form Mail completed form to:  Linda Berry, 343 Seabury Drive, Bloomfield, CT 06002.  Make check payable to CRVC-EGA. Check those that apply:   ______ Lunch Saturday (April 13th) ($12)           _________I plan to attend on 4/13 ______ Lunch Saturday (June 1st) ($12)              _________I plan to attend on 6/1   _______Total Name:     ____________________________________________________   Phone:    _______________________ Email:_______________________

CRVC-EGA Membership $55. Primary Membership $15. Plural Membership (NER) $18. Plural Membership (not NER) For a membership card, please enclose a SASE. Amt. Pd. ____________ Check #  ____________ Date Pd. ____________     (keep as your receipt)

CRVC-EGA Membership and Address Change Form The membership year runs from June 1 to May 31.  If you are joining after September 1, please contact the membership chairman for prorated dues. Mail your completed form to:  Suzanne Newton, CRVC-EGA Membership, 14 Madison Lane, West Simsbury, CT 06092. Make check payable to CRVC-EGA.  Enclose SASE for membership card.         __ Address Change         __ CRVC Primary Membership ($55)         __ Plural Membership, Primary Chapter in New England Region ($15)         __ Plural Membership, Primary Chapter not in New England Region ($18) Name:             ____________________________________________________ Address:        ____________________________________________________ City, ST,ZIP  ____________________________________________________ Phone:           _______________________ Email:________________________ Primary Chapter:   ________________________________________________ Membership No.  _______________________   Total Enclosed $___________