Today is the first day of spring – and I woke up to a world
of snow and wind. Our groundhog,
Shubenacadie Sam, had it right on Groundhog Day when he predicted six more
weeks of winter!
One of the more beautiful things about winter is the snowflake
and the lovely pattern it has. As
stitchers, most of us have tried our hand at trying to reproduce these
beautiful snowflakes. In
mid-February, I was part of a team that offered a short stitching workshop
entitled ‘Let It Snow!” with instruction in making a small beaded
snowflake.
We are fortunate to be
included in the Long John Festival in Truro, this being our third time being
included in this Winter Festival.
Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture contacts us and offers us this
opportunity. We come up with the
project, the supplies, and the team and they do all the promotions, register
participants, and provide the space.
What an easy way to get our name out to the public! This year we had 14 participants; they
were all ages and all levels of experience – but all were eager and excited
about trying to make a beautiful snowflake, similar to the samples on
display. We worked on perforated
paper with two strands of DMC floss and both bugle and seed beads. Card stock paper was provided for
backing but samples used backing such as felt, cotton fabric secured with an
iron-on fusible web, and iron-on fusible interfacing. What a shock to the participants when we started to
demonstrate how to cut out the perforated paper to form the snowflake! Stitching was one thing, cutting quite
another.
Most people
preferred to finish their snowflake as an ornament to hang on the Christmas
tree or in the window but we offered a few other options: put a magnet on the
back and use on the refrigerator, glue a pin back to the back of the snowflake
and wear as jewelry, glue to a piece of ribbon to create a bookmark, or attach
to the front of a card to send as a Christmas card or a thinking-of-you note in
the winter.
We were able to talk
to everyone as we stitched, sharing hints about stitching and
also about our Guild and the fun and camaraderie that we share there. It was truly a delightful evening with
fun, learning, and laughter! And
so I say to you all, “Enjoy the snowflakes but now take time to enjoy a
wonderful Spring!”
Sheila Stewart
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- The Embroiderers' Association of Canada (EAC) is a national non-profit educational organization whose purpose is to have a fellowship of persons who enjoy needlework and wish to learn and share their knowledge; and thereby to work towards maintaining higher standards of design, colour and workmanship.
Our aim is to preserve traditional techniques and promote new challenges in the Art of Embroidery through education and networking.
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Loved this Sheila,at this point we do need to be reminded of the good parts of winter. Sounds like it was a good time to talk with participants about stitching too. Cann't wait to see one in my hand.
ReplyDeleteYour snowflakes are beautiful Sheila! What a great idea for reaching out with a workshop. I hope some of the participants become members!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful opportunity for your Guild. I wonder why there is no promotion further than your local area.. I did not hear of it before reading this. I have noted to look for this event next year.. and share... can you hear 'road trip'.. love the snowflakes.. yes, the snow has been pretty.. and again today (I would probably not think so if Sarah's flight out had been cancelled).. I do wish we could skip the dirty bits of snow melting... perhaps there is a 'small project' in this for that part of the web site?.. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely Sheila. And your variety of finishing ideas is really creative.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed you lovely write up and the snowflakes are wonderful.
ReplyDelete