Have you heard of Virtual Threads? Or the EAC?
I’ve written many times about the Embroiderers’ Guild of America and I’ve mentioned their online chapters (Cyberstitchers and Rocky Mountain Web Stitchers).
And I’m sure I’ve also written at some point about the Embroiderers’ Association of Canada (the EAC), too! But I don’t know if I’ve written about their online embroidery group, Virtual Threads.
The groups are certainly not mutually exclusive. You don’t have to live in the US to be a member of the EGA, nor do you have to live in Canada to be a member of the EAC. You can actually be a member of both groups, no matter where you live.
The EAC has some noteworthy things going on in the near the future – one of which is their 2018 seminar, which is hosted in part by Virtual Threads. I thought I’d give a quick shout-out about the seminar today, and follow that up with a give-away for some of their fundraising calendars, which are more than just your typical stitching-related calendar…
I know! I know! It’s an odd picture to kick off an article about a needlework seminar, isn’t it?
But what caught my attention about the 2018 EAC Seminar was, first and foremost, its location.
I have a soft, squishy spot in the middle of my being for Prince Edward Island. The photo above is from a vacation I took there with family and friends seven years ago, and while the picture – shot with a pocket point-and-shoot – might not be that artistically impressive, it embodies so much that I loved about PEI: The beautiful shores. The green grass, the red earth. The open skies. The small villages. The friendly people. The simplicity. The peace. It is a lovely place!
So when the folks from Virtual Threads asked if I’d mention the seminar and tell folks about their calendar, I couldn’t really resist.
After all – PEI and needlework?! What could be better?
You’ll find a complete run-down of the classes and other activities offered at the 2018 EAC seminar, Bridging the Stitches, on their seminar page, here. They’ve got some great teachers lined up, including Jenny Adin-Christie, Tanja Berlin, Alison Cole…and a long list of others.
One of the fundraisers for the Seminar is this 2018 Designer’s Calendar. You can read all the details about the calendar here, but in a nutshell, not only does it feature a new piece of needlework to look at each month, but the piece featured is a free project that calendar purchasers can download with the link provided.
I think that’s a great idea! So you get not only the calendar, but you get access to instructions for thirteen embroidery projects.
You’ll find the following projects and techniques featured in the calendar:
Glitterfly by Alison Cole (goldwork)
Across the Sea by Liz Almond (blackwork)
Heart to Heart Phone Holder by Linda Brenner (goldwork)
Feu d’artifice by Nicole Gelinas (Brazilian embroidery)
The Pool Ball by Ginny Thompson (Temari)
Buttons & Beads Wool Book Cover by Barbara Gilbert (surface embroidery/beading)
Triscornu by Diane Scott (surface embroidery)
Let the Good Times Roll by Terri Bay (embroidery)
Canvas work Nametag by Lorene Salt (canvas work)
Cockerel Hornbook by Jeanine Robertson (Sardinian knot stitch)
It’s All About the Hat by Carolyn Mitchell (canvas work)
Colourful Seasons by Carol Storie (canvas work)
Hardanger Strawberry Ornament by Kim Beamish (Hardanger)
I think it would be a fun challenge, to work your way through a year of small projects, following the calendar. One a month – and one left over for good measure!
There’s something for everyone in the calendar. And the projects are definitely manageable. Over the course of a year, you’d enjoy a good variety in needlework and learn a lot of fun techniques!
And even if you have to change the date of Thanksgiving – well, I suppose that’s ok, eh?
You can find the 2018 Virtual Threads Designer’s Calendar available here, with instructions on how to order it.
Calendar Give-Away
Virtual Threads offered five copies of the calendar – and access to the projects – for a give-away here on Needle ‘n Thread, so I took them up on it for you!
To join in on the give-away, please follow these guidelines:
Give-Away Guidelines
1. Please leave a comment below, on this article on Needle ‘n Thread. If you’re not sure where to comment, just follow this link and it will take you directly to the comment form. Comments sent in via email or left on other articles are not eligible.
2. When you fill out the comment form, use the name and email lines for your name and email address. Use the “comment” box for your comment, but please don’t leave personal information in the comment area. I will contact the winners by email, so double check to make sure you enter the correct email address on the email line of the form.
3. In your comment, answer the following question:
What’s your dream vacation destination, and would you take your needlework?
4. Please enter your comment by Saturday, November 18th, 5:00 am (Central Standard Time). Winners will be randomly drawn on Saturday, November 18, and announced that day.
That’s it! Easy peasy! Join in the give-away, or jump on over to Virtual Threads and order your own calendar before they run out!
And if you’re headed to PEI next July… I’m with you in spirit!
