The Embroideress

The National Counted Cross Stitch Show is back after a 2 year absence which occurred when Rockome Gardens were sold and the new owners were not interested in sponsoring the show. So save June 15-24 for a visit to Arcola, Illinois.

The show is once more offering a judged competition for stitchers, a marketplace and needlework classes as well as entertaining country evenings.

I'll have a booth in the exhibit hall as well as teaching classes and co-sponsoring a country evening.

On June 15, I'll be teaching a reproduction sampler. I'll have the original in class along with all the family memorabelia I bought with the sampler. The class kit is one of a limited 250 and will include Dublin linen, a silks pack by Dinky Dyes and copies of all of the bits and pieces of ephemera tucked into Sally Watson's Book of Common Prayer.

Rockome Gardens seems not to be dedicating an extensive website presence to the stitching show as the previous owners, the Yoders, used to provide - so I will soon have information about my classes on my website as well as a schedule of the classes and country evenings offered.

On June 18th I will be teaching a full day class Exploring Or Nue. Lots of digital slides about the history of this technique and its place in the aesthetic of its time. We will practice different methods of producing the dimensional appearing designs found in Or Nue by couching gilt passing thread using silk gauze as a ground fabric. Then we will apply those methods to create a small blossom.

On June 19th I will be teaching a full day class Beginning Goldwork. We will explore the basics of embroidering with metal "threads" and the kit includes several types of gilt threads and ground fabric for creating a sampler. Students will leave confident in chipwork, three types of couching, padding up with felt and string and laying purls.

When you are tired of stitching or shopping join us at A Teddy Bear Picnic on the evening of June 23. As well as booking the event, you will need to bring along your favorite doll, teddy or cuddly toy to gain admission. Special contests and prizes, lots of door prizes, and a teddy bear sampler kit to take home -- Dinner is included.

For a showbook or other inquiries: National Counted Cross Stitch Show, c/o Rockome Gardens, 125 N CR 425 E, Arcola, IL 61910