The Spirit of Cross Stitch

The Spirit of Cross Stitch was held in Richmond this weekend.  I volunteered to man my needlework guild's table for three hours on Friday.  I have belonged to the Virginia Guild of Needlewomen for the past 11 years.  This independent guild is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and we want to be visible to the stitching community.  Most of the members are older than me, and I am in my mid fifties.  It is important for the guild's future to attract new members, especially young members.

I brought a bunch of my completed VGN projects for display.  I only brought those I could stand to have strangers touch.  For the record, you should really ask permission before you grab someone else's project off a table.  Your hands may be clean, but there are still oils on you hands.  Think about what my white biscornu would look like at the end of the day if everyone who walked by the table touched it. Most of the participants of the Spirit of Cross Stitch had great needlework manners, and looked with their eyes only.

We don't just do 'regular' embroidery at VGN.  Along with cross stitch and surface embroidery, we've had classes in needle felting, hardanger, beading, finishing, antique needlework tools, dyeing threads, and smocking.  I have learned a lot from my guild.

After my shift, I went into the merchandise mall, which was a real treat because LNS are rarer than LQS in central VA.  I got to see charts and a whole host of completed models.  I managed to control myself and only bought two things:  one chart, and one small kit.  I actually completed the kit this weekend.  This is a Halloween necklace by Rovaris, a French company.

The class for this piece was about $80, out of my budget.  I just bought the $23 kit and figured out the finishing myself.  It wasn't hard.  I'd do a few things differently next time, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Linking up: http://www.supermomnocape.com/2016/10/17/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-80/