The Colorado Columbine Chapter of American Needlepoint Guild met in Denver recently for its annual holiday supper. A snowy night did not keep needlepointers at home!
We had a great time and enjoyed some holiday cheer and talked about all the needlepoint projects and activities awaiting in the new year.
October’s meeting was a busy affair and offered many lovely finished items for Show & Tell:
Julie’s amazing grapes canvas was on show, featuring her expert beading and stitch choices. See if these close-ups tell the story:
Beading galore and a breathtaking finish.
More finished needlepoint on this page in future…
DECEMBER: No meeting, but there may be a field trip or two in the works. Watch this space!
Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
Meets Third Monday of each month except Aug & Dec., at 6:30 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Email us at columbineang@gmail.com for more information.
Follow us and see our finished needlepoint on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoColumbineAng
Denver’s fastest-growing needlepoint group, the Colorado Columbine Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild, has members who stitch devotedly AND shape their projects into finished items. Whether a finished piece is framed, puffed into a pillow or structured to stand up for display, needlepoint is meant to be seen and enjoyed. Here are some of the goodies shown at our September meeting!
Julie’s spooktacular firescreen!
Julie finished this long-term project, which her sister started, and sought a different way to finish it. She located an old firescreen for sale online and spruced up the wood. Her extraordinary Halloween needlepoint piece (beads! tricky stitches! variegated threads!) is on permanent display in it. Can we all agree it is a most effectual way to show a large work? Si! Here is a closer view, which, of course, all want want to see:
Spectacular detail on this spooktacular needlepoint firescreen.
And, many in the group have been diligently working on their Libby Sturdy-designed Santas. Well, SOME of us have finished him… and here is Mary M’s adorable guy, close up and shown proudly by his stitcher.
Mary M’s Mile High Santa, finished!
Too wonderful, yes?
Well, we had more to ogle, when Carolyn showed off her adorable Witches’ Hats piece designed by Caela Tyler. She had great fun stitching it!
Carolyn’s Halloween piece, designed by Caela Tyler.
Here is our upcoming schedule:
OCTOBER 19: Last touches of ‘Snow Crystal Tree’ will be added — think beads and sparkles! This piece is a wonderful winter design, so it can be enjoyed all season.
NOVEMBER 16: It’s our tradition to enjoy a holiday gathering, so expect an enjoyable social event with your stitching friends, old and new!
DECEMBER: No meetings, but there may be a field trip or two in the works. Watch this space!
Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
Meets Third Monday of each month except Aug & Dec., at 6:30 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Email us at columbineang@gmail.com for more information.
Follow us and see our finished needlepoint on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoColumbineAng
The Colorado Columbine Chapter met in July just before summer break from formal meetings. Needlepoint in progress and in finished form was on the agenda, as always! There were many new faces in the crowd and several new members were acquired that night. The chapter continues to grow at a rapid rate.
Class focus was on Libby Sturdy’s Mile High Santa, which some members had started last month and nearly completed. Caela T. shared a new technique of her own devising: How to make a round, pom-pom-shape mound using turkey work! We learned how to use turkey work, stitched in a circular rotation, to make a domed bobble for Santa’s ski cap. Karen R. brought materials to use for practice and supervised the group. Gloria M. shared Libby Sturdy’s charted design for the windy skies seen in the model at right, below.
For Show and Tell, a beautiful array of spectacular finished items was shown to the membership.
Cynthia’s glorious ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ is just breathtaking! What a fabulous stitched piece and finishing!
Here, our Marcia G. shows a gorgeous framed needlepoint project which will go on her ‘gallery’ walls at home. Below, she shows a finished Jennifer Riefenberg design called Color Play that was offered as a pilot class in the spring. A ‘pilot’ class allows students to take a designer’s class and offer feedback on difficulties or thread usage. The class, vetted, then goes on to be offered nationally at other venues.
Marsha R. had a finished piece with lovely lavender colors in play.
The next meeting is September 21! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. We will be stitching the elegant Snow Crystal winter tree, a delightful design, all sparkly and wintery, by Nancy’s Needle, which will be taught by Barb G. Design size is 8.3″ x 8.3″ on a 14″x14″ canvas.
Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
Meets Third Monday of each month except Aug & Dec., at 6:30 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Email us at columbineang@gmail.com for more information.
Follow us and see our finished needlepoint on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoColumbineAng
Four adorable Petei Santas by Shirley M.
It’s always fun to stitch a needlepoint project during the season it’s designed to depict. Whether a dreidel for Hanukkah or a Santa Claus for Christmas, a pumpkin for autumn or a spunky rabbit for spring, there’s just more fun and anticipation when the design seems to fit the weather.
This month, we know stitcher Shirley M. will have these adorable Petei Santas on display at her house. They are finished as standup boxes, each showing her skills as a needlepointer with varied stitches and a wide selection of threads. They invited close examination at a recent Show & Tell! Below, Shirley shows an armful of her work:
Shirley’s cute Petei Santas!
And below, another recently finished Santa stitched by Shirley. Designed by Debbie Forney, the ‘HoHoHo Santa’ makes a triangular standup when finished:
HoHoHo Santa by Debbie Forney
Be sure to check out our Facebook page (click the link above right, SOCIAL / OUR FACEBOOK PAGE) for more holiday photos.
Don’t forget to visit our local needlepoint supporters, our ADVERTISERS (click on the tab at top), for your needlepoint supplies.
Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas! We will see you all on the third Monday in January, 2015 (no meeting in December). We DO meet on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
Third Monday of each month except Aug & Dec., at 6:50 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Email us at columbineang@gmail.com for more information.
Colorado Columbine members enjoying their party.
In November each year, the membership of the Colorado Columbine Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild enjoys a holiday party before everyone gets caught up in December’s activities. Stitchers compare notes, get reacquainted, meet new people and feast on the goodies of the banquet table. This year’s festivities were organized by Hospitality chair Janet C., who did a remarkable job and presented us with our best-ever smorgasbord!
Tempting desserts!
What could possibly top such a feast?
In a flash, stitchers would tell you n-e-e-d-l-e-p-o-i-n-t! So after a quick meeting conducted by president Lea K., stitchers got down to serious work on their projects. There were Christmas designs in progress, a stitcher hand-finishing a completed project, a correspondence course in play & other beautiful creations being completed. Below is a beautiful stocking containing imaginative stitches using beautiful threads:
Jane’s stocking almost complete!
Be sure to check out our Facebook page (click the link above right, SOCIAL / OUR FACEBOOK PAGE) for more holiday photos featuring our needlepoint handwork.
Also, don’t forget to visit our local needlepoint supporters, our ADVERTISERS (click on the tab at top), who are so helpful, for your needlepoint supplies.
Happy stitching, everyone, and we will see you all on the third Monday in January, 2015 (no meeting in December). We DO meet on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
Third Monday of each month except Aug & Dec., at 6:50 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Email us at columbineang@gmail.com for more information.
Shirley’s cute Petei Santas!
The Colorado Columbine Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild continues its role as a meeting place for enthusiasts of needlepoint stitching on canvas!
The president, Lea K., announced at the latest evening meeting that the board had decided, based on feedback from the membership, to table its discussion of a merger with another local needlepoint chapter, Mile High. The merger had been under consideration since September. The members of Columbine chapter indicated their appreciation of the idea and are grateful to the Mile High chapter for its consideration and discussion on the topic.
Columbine now moves forward with its new nominating committee in place, some new and returning members, fresh volunteers and its full dues collectable. Please pay membership chair Tina H. your $26 annual dues asap! This is what keeps the group able to plan its year of stitching (and more) activities!
Jennifer R. taught a brief program on how to adapt stitches — to resize and rework known stitches or those found in a favorite stitch reference book. She also discussed how to put some new spark in compound stitches! Jennifer used examples of Alicia’s lace pattern put over a laid filling and showed how changing the value of the thread used could make a stitch appear completely different from the same stitch done before.
Gloria’s Melchior, finished!
Julie’s girly girl-on-the-go bag!
On the Show & Tell table at October’s meeting were Petei Santas stitched by Shirley M. (top photo) which were taught in an advanced class at Diversions; a sassy stitched girl-with-pearls inserted on a bag by Julie S., (above); a Melchior nutcracker ornament designed by Damarj (stitch guide by Amy Bunger) made by Gloria M. (middle photo); a large standup Santa loaded with goodies by Barb C. and a folk-art raven by designer Maggie, stitched by Vickie (See these next month!)
More news! Our Facebook page (see link at upper right) now has more than 100 LIKES! Woo-hoo — check out our new friends!
Don’t forget the two wonderful Consortium pilot classes being taught at the Inn at Palmer Divide in March, 2015! The registration opens up to other groups on Nov. 1, so get your stitching selves signed up soonest! Scroll down to previous post for details.
November’s meeting is our holiday dinner, so put on a party frock and plan to party like a stitcher! Or just bring a dish to share, come dressed comfortably and have a great time with friends!
Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
Third Monday of each month except Aug & Dec., at 6:50 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Email us at columbineang@gmail.com for more information.
If you are new to needlepoint… not quite sure what it’s about… just view our gallery of photos to see what enjoyment the stitching of needlepoint projects can bring. The Colorado Columbine Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild holds monthly meetings in Denver that are open to all interested stitchers.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PAST COLORADO COLUMBINE ANG EVENTS!
Barb G’s beautiful piece for a granddaughter.
Join us any time to see what the fun is all about!
Colorado Columbine Chapter, American Needlepoint Guild
Third Monday of each month except Aug & Dec.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Email us at columbineang@gmail.com for more information.
Janet Gebow
A wonderful new program is underway at Colorado Columbine Chapter meetings! It’s called “All You Ever Wanted to know About Needlepoint But Were Afraid To Ask” and is designed to give members a solid knowledge of needlepoint stitch techniques, no matter how long they have been stitching.
Every meeting will offer an option to sit in on a session with needlepoint expert Janet Gebow, who will demonstrate the good practices every stitcher should have. The first session in March showed members a basic stitching kit and how to tie in and tie out threads on a canvas.
Janet also eloquently expressed what so often goes unsaid, but is understood by all who love this art. It is wonderfully soothing and addictive, rewarding and enjoyable, giving many hours of pleasure to those who are drawn to it. She described the exquisite colors and textures to be savored, and the infinite designs painted on canvas to be chosen. And Janet also discussed the canvas embellishment that takes needlepoint to another level. She gave an enticing glimpse of upcoming sessions, so join us to take your needlepoint experience to new heights!
Here is a schedule of her upcoming offerings:
May, 2014 Line Stitches – Back stitch, outline stitch, stem stitch and possibly straight stitches – pathway for stitches and how to stitch straight stitches from unnumbered charts
June, 2014 Tent Stitches and other stitches which are variations on the basic tent stitch
July, 2014 Other Diagonal Stitches
September, 2014 Crossed Stitches
November, 2014 Tied Stitches
Colorado Columbine Chapter has supplied a 10″x10″ piece of 13 count canvas. Stitchers should bring 10″x10″ stretcher bars, and some pearl cotton. There is no charge for the instructional copies, or the canvas.
And now to a TA-DA moment!
Show & Tell in March offered a much-anticipated finished piece by Jane M., who has had her beautiful stitched canvas framed to commemorate a family trip to San Diego. The canvas is crowded with wonderful specialty stitches that elicited oohs and aahhs from the members. One of the great pleasures of our meetings is the opportunity to share our work with stitchers who Really Know What It Took to Get That Canvas Done!
Jane’s framed piece wowed ’em at Show & Tell
Marcia G finished ‘Galaxy’ long before the year was up.
‘Galaxy’ was a year-long project with a designated area to finish each month. Some stitchers, however, are so skilled and goal-oriented they were able to cross the finish line early. Marcia G. and Barb C. were two such speedy stitchers.
Barb C. shows a finished Galaxy!
Finishing needlepoint pieces into framed, filled, stuffed or edged accessories is always considered an accomplishment. Members much appreciate the stitching and sewing that creates an enjoyable addition to the house.
Stitchers Marcia G. and Barb C. used different thread colorways, as can be seen in these pictures. Their choices give completely differing looks to the same design. It is part of needlepoint pleasure to experiment with colors and their relationships to each other.
One secret learned by needlepointers everywhere is that there is a certain color that can bring a piece of needlepoint to life. It is called the ‘poison’ color, no matter which color it actually is, because of its surprising effect on all the other colors. It jolts and startles the eye, but, like a black lampshade in a beautifully decorated room, prevents an overall feeling of too much sweetness. So go ahead, throw an acid green onto those pinks and cranberry colors and see what happens!
Gloria showed lovely Southwest-themed ornaments she’d stitched.
Members have been busy stitching and finishing, and it’s always fun to see the new results.
Here, Cynthia shows what can be done by slightly altering a design. ‘Honey I Shrunk the Heart,’ our current project, is shown here stitched not as a heart, but as a square, and finished in a frame. Cynthia chose delightful colors, and gave a tip about selecting threads for this project. Choose the variegated thread first, then add the other colors that fit or match it well. This project will continue into February (when the meeting is on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 DUE TO THE PRESIDENTS’ DAY HOLIDAY when the church is closed that Monday).
Cynthia showed ‘Honey I Shrunk the Heart’ stitched as a square.
Jennifer R. has created another beautiful original design to be presented to ANG as a class, called ‘Radishes,’ a companion to her earlier design, ‘Carrots.’
Jennifer R. shows ‘Radishes.’
And below, Jennifer shared her creation which is double-sided, people! She has stitched it to show either front or back. Both are beautiful! She said this is an idea she’s been wanting to experiment with for a long time.
Jennifer R. shows ‘Dragonfly.’
There will be more Show & Tell stars in February. Remember the change in meeting night:
TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 18, 2014
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH
GREAT HALL AT 6:50 pm
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- Gloria’s finished Seaside Santa!
