Meets: September to April
Day Guild – 2nd and 4th Thursdays :: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Evening Guild – 2nd and 3rd Mondays :: 6:45 pm to 9:30 pm

Website: www.ceglondon.com “A Textile Arts Group”

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Report – December 2022

submitted by Cheryl Wallace, ONN Rep

As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, we continue to remain busy with our stitching activities, very “Busy Bodies” indeed. Our November virtual workshop with Rachael Singleton, a UK textile and mixed media artist, was a wonderful way to spend two Saturdays together, cozily stitching and chatting and sharing ideas. In the mornings (afternoon for her), Rachael shared her ideas and techniques for Busy Bodies and took us on her artistic journey through the world of textiles and mixed media. During the afternoon, we stayed online and chatted and stitched and worked on creating our own Busy Bodies.

October brought the 50th Anniversary Textile Showcase which was held at the For Love of Art Gallery in Westmount Mall. The highlight of the Showcase was the Gold Challenge which was judged by Andrew Smyth of Strand Fine Art Services, Tricia Johnson, from the Department of Visual Arts at Western University, and Catherine Elliot Shaw, Acting Director, McIntosh Gallery. Amy Lee was awarded 1st place, Lynda Watson was awarded 2nd place, and Wilma Kirmse was awarded 3rd place. Congratulations to all three on their wonderful work.

On December 5th, registration for the Guild opens again for a 3-week period. It will also be time to choose from the selection of Winter classes. We will be offering:
Bojagi: Korean Patchwork and Related Stitching taught by Kathie Morgan (Zoom)
Commemorative Quilt: Planning and Making taught by Kathy Bissett (Zoom)
Calm Your Brain taught by Adèle Cork (in person)
Introduction to Hardanger taught by Sue Hickey (in person)
Basic Crochet taught by Karen Rose (in person)
Creative Wire Crochet taught by Judith Purdy (in person)
3D Felting – 3 Ways taught by Jan Taylor (in person)
The Creative Process: Bringing Meaning to your Work taught by Nancy Watson (Zoom)
Embroidered Portraits taught by Amy Lee (in person)
Leather Pouches taught by Paddy Richardson (in person)
Kawandi Style Quilting taught by Wilma Kirmse (in person)
Independent Stitchers (in person)

Our Speaker Series Committee has done us proud and through the magic of Zoom, we have been able to enjoy a talk from Youngmin Lee, a Korean textile artist, on Bojagi; Kaye Judt told us about the history of tatting (or macrame with thread) and Simon Beck, an installation artist, awoke our appreciation for mathematics in design, with his beautiful creations, in his talk “Snow Angels to Sand Castles”. We look forward to the speakers that the new year will bring.

All in all, we’ve had a very fulfilling fall season and the bodies have been busy here at CEG, London. Wishing everyone the best at the holiday season, Happy Stitching.

Report – September 2022

Submitted by Cheryl Wallace, ONN Rep

A new Guild year is just beginning and with it comes a sense of both beginning and continuation, renewal, and rebirth. The pandemic forced us to find new ways to communicate and to provide instruction and information to our members.  A return to social interaction is an opportunity to evaluate our priorities and determine the core values of the Guild going forward. Our AGM, held on September 10, 2022, was an opportunity to do just that. With grateful thanks to retiring Executive members and a warm welcome to new and returning Executive members, we are ready to embark on the adventure that will be the 2022-2023 guild year.

As always, our members were busy over the summer months with Focus groups and the pictures reflect the following topics: Art Cards, Coiled Baskets, Eco Dyeing, Fabric Books, and Indigo/Shibori, Paper, Paint, Stitch and More.

We are continuing our 50^th Anniversary celebrations with a show and sale of members’ work. It will be on display in Westmount Mall at The Love of Art from October 15 -19, 2022. We invite everyone to celebrate with us. The show will feature the 50^th Anniversary Gold Challenge entries.

We have a combination of in-person and Zoom classes this Fall.  There is something for everyone.

Landscape Quilting – in-person by Susan Van Arkel
Gel Plate Play – in-person by Dallas Coughlan
Embroidered Felt Rocks – in-person by Nicole Crozier
Fragments – mix of in-person and Zoom by Mary Veenman
Zentangles to Stitch – Zoom by Jess Blackmore
Let’s Play with Mixed Media – Zoom by Lynda Watson
Beginning Stitches – in-person by Sue Hickey
Stitching on Paper – Zoom by Jenn Wilson
Zipped Pouches: from Japan to London – in-person by Lynda Wadden
Independent Stitchers – in-person

In November, we are pleased to offer a workshop by Rachael Singleton to our members. Rachael is a mixed media and textile artist from West Yorkshire, England, who combines paper, fabrics, fibres and other materials to create one of a kind artworks inspired by the natural world around her. This workshop will be an exploration of how to create a visual reminder of a cherished memory requiring only basic sewing and stitching skills.

In summary, our goal is to make 2022-2023 a year: to learn, to create, to celebrate.

Report – July 2022

Submitted by Cheryl Wallace, ONN Rep

As the 2021-2022 Guild year winds down after many challenges and months of planning and activity, it is good to reflect on all that has happened and all that we, as a group, have accomplished, by working together to support and encourage each other in our love of the textile arts. Without this love and deep interest in learning and sharing skills, we would not be celebrating our 50^th Anniversary as a Guild and, moreover, a Guild that continues to be vibrant and forward thinking.

That is only possible through the efforts of the volunteers who make it happen: our teachers, and those who organize them; the Speaker Series Committee who broadened our horizons when we were locked down in our homes; the Librarian, who brought the library to us when it was not open to the public; the 50^th Anniversary Committee, who planned every detail of this amazing series of events, from finding incredible instructors to organizing logistics as well as fundraising activities; the Executive team, who kept us all functioning; and each and every individual member who asked, “How can I help?” Without our members, the Guild cannot run. Our success is due to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. Thank you for making the first 50 years so rewarding.

I include a report from the 50^th Anniversary Committee:

The Canadian Embroiderers’ Guild, London recently began its 50th Anniversary Celebrations with workshops and a Gala held at the Visual Arts Centre at Western University. Original plans involved 8 international artists leading 11 workshops, but many unfortunate factors reduced this number to 3 artists leading 4 workshops. Nonetheless, participants very much enjoyed 3 days of “Stitched Lines on Printed Surfaces” with Mónica Leitão Mota , 4 days of “A Strange Place for a Stitch” with Danielle Clough, 1 day of “Tassel Mania” with Naomi Smith and 4 days of “The Beaded Moccasins” also with Naomi Smith.

In the midst of the workshops, “The Gala” was held on the evening of Saturday, June 11. Over 100 people experienced a wonderful time with delicious food, drink, and conversation. A talk, delivered by Danielle Clough, was entertaining and provided an inspiring look at the future of Embroidery. Special Awards of Distinction were presented to 6 members and the evening was capped with a fun bucket raffle.

Throughout this two-week celebration two notable pieces of work were displayed. The “Scroll” was prepared over a couple of years by many members to demonstrate the “Evolution and Diversity of Textile Art” – the theme of our anniversary. “Stars of the Past” honoured long-time members who are no longer with us.

In October, our celebrations will continue with a Gallery Show featuring a Gold Challenge. Details will be shared closer to the event.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrea Manias

Past President and chair of the Anniversary Committee

Prior to the 50^th Anniversary Workshops, we concluded our Winter classes. Two of those classes were held in person and the feedback that we received was positive from the teachers and participants. We were able to provide the space for social distancing and follow all protocols required by the Health Authority and the venue. Plans have been made to increase the number of in person classes offered in the upcoming Guild year.

Now that summer has arrived, we are still providing opportunities for our members but on an informal basis. Focus Group lists were circulated, where members could indicate areas of interest for further exploration. Like minded members were encouraged to organize casual groups, either in person or using Zoom to further their own exploration. This popular summer activity is member driven and has been taking place for several years.

Regular outdoor meetings, renamed Stitch and Chat, are taking place at a local park, on Thursday mornings. It is a casual drop-in stitching session, under the trees, or in the pavilion, for whomever can make it that day. Attendance is fairly steady, and the Stitch and Chat group meet as weather permits.

In summary, we’ve had a busy year but a rewarding one. We have faced a number of challenges and our members have proven that they can adapt. We have also learned what many other organizations are learning, we are only as strong as our volunteers are willing.

We hope that this willing spirit remains strong for another 50 years.

Report – March 2022

submitted by Cheryl Wallace, ONN Rep

As 2022 began, CEG, London started the year with our Inspiration Day in January. Isabel Fletcher, a British textile designer, whose specialty is the use of textile offcuts, helped us see the potential in our own scraps. In this virtual workshop Isabel guided us to combine our scraps and offcuts in unexpected ways to both create and embellish new and existing work.

Our members have an opportunity to come together monthly, for virtual Gatherings where we share news, Guild announcements and items of interest. It is also an opportunity for our Speaker Series which has so far this year featured Danny Gregory, who used his sketchbook illustrations as a vehicle to deliver his message of overcoming your inner critic. He explained how we could “Shut our Monkey” and tame that negative voice that limits our creative energies. We were also inspired by examples of work by international paper artist Su Blackwell. She started by cutting images out of vintage books and making book sculptures as she says, “in the realm of fairy tale and folklore.” Her work is now seen and collected around the world and used in campaigns by well known commercial companies. There is a delicate, ethereal quality about her work that highlights the fragility of paper.

Additionally, each month, a Virtual Stitch, Chat and Share session is hosted for any member who wishes to attend. It is an online opportunity to sit and stitch together even though we are apart. Members share what they are currently working on and share tips and ideas.

The Winter session of Guild classes is going well. Most have continued to be virtual classes, but we were able to offer two in-person classes once the restrictions eased. Following all health guidelines, “Living Dangerously with Scissors and Needles” as well as “Three-Dimensional Bead Embroidery” are continuing to take place in person every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.

Our 50th Anniversary Summer Workshops are getting ever closer. Registration is now open to non-guild members and the reputations of the instructors are drawing interest and registration from people out of province. Sign up now, if you wish to attend — several workshops are full and space in others is limited. In addition, sale of our commemorative scissor keeper/needle minder sets is going well. For full details, please contact us through our website: CEG, London

Even though Spring may seem slow in coming, we are keeping our spirits up with classes and camaraderie as we share skills, smiles, stitches, and chat using whatever media and venue is available to us. Warmer weather and the opportunity to meet outside will only enhance our ability to Gather and Stitch.

Happy Stitching

Report – December 2021

submitted by Cheryl Wallace, ONN Rep

As 2021 draws to a close, we can reflect on the many things that have happened in our Guild this year.
We’ve had another successful series of online classes which will be ending by mid-December. Congratulations to teachers and members alike for embracing this new way of sharing skills and knowledge during these ever-changing times. Going forward into the new year, we will continue to offer a varied selection of learning opportunities in this format to all our members.

We continued to gather virtually each month to share Guild information and highlight the work done by members through classes or challenges. This was also an opportunity for our members to enjoy our Speaker Series. Textile artists of local, national, and international renown were invited to discuss their process, practice and careers in the world of fibre arts, textile history, theatre and so much more. This fall we had speakers such as Bettina Matzkuhn, Cameron Porteous and Noreen Crone-Findlay as well as our own Linda Armstrong. In the new year we look forward to Danny Gregory and Su Blackwell as well as commemorating our 50th Anniversary with Stories from our History.

2021 saw the opening of registration for the 50th Anniversary Workshops to be held in June of 2022. Registration for these workshops is now open to the public. Registration Information

Members of the Guild were invited to register for Inspiration Day 2022 when Isabel Fletcher, a young British textile designer, will be showing us how to combine textile offcuts and otherwise discarded material to produce new work. Throughout this day long, virtual workshop, Isabel will help us see the potential in our own scraps.

Our Winter line up of classes has just been announced. Most of the classes will once again be online but two classes of limited size will be in person and will be in accordance with the COVID-19 protocols provided by the local Health Unit, venue and Guild.

The list of Winter Classes includes:
Living Dangerously with Scissors and Needles by Patricia Silver (in person, day)
Three Dimensional Bead Embroidery by Margot Kearney (in person, day)
Paper, Paint, Stitch and More by Cheryl Wallace (virtual, day)
The Versatile Running Stitch by 6 different instructors (virtual, day)
New Ways with Crazy Quilts by Lynda Watson (virtual, day)
Grins, Cheeks and Jowls: Soft Sculpted Dolls by Meg Cheesman (virtual, day)
Pet Portraits: Thread Painting by Hand by Susan Hickey (virtual, evening)
The Altered Page by Kathie Morgan (virtual, evening)

Our last challenge of the year was a Christmas Ornament challenge with the ornaments made being donated to the South London Chaplaincy to be distributed to families in need. The pictures accompanying this report are some of the challenge ornaments.

Report – September 2021

submitted by Cheryl Wallace, ONN Rep

We are happy and proud to be starting our 50^th year as a Textile Arts Guild and we have planned numerous activities to share with both our members and the public.  While the pandemic may have delayed the start of these events, it hasn’t quenched our enthusiasm or stopped our planning. The kickoff will be a series of workshops with international artists in June of 2022 held at Western University.  Check our website for details on these eleven workshops.

Meanwhile, virtual learning continues.  Our fall classes continue to be offered through Zoom and member participation is high.  The classes on offer are:

Background Check: A collection of options for creating backgrounds for stitch with an emphasis on found objects, recycled materials, and scrap fabrics.  Instructor: Adѐle Blennerhassette Corke;

Teneriffe Lace: From tradition to imagination: Drawing on the 16th c. European tradition of Sol Lace or what later became Teneriffe Lace, and the bonanza of colours used in Ñandutí Lace, the class will explore the wealth of design possibilities available to the lace maker.  Instructor: Jess Blackmore.

Mathematical Stitching: Using only a straight stitch of varying lengths, participants will create interesting mathematical designs on paper in an innovative concept designed by the early 1900’s educator Mary Everest Boole,   Instructor: Cheryl Wallace.

Book/Textile Video Club: This is an opportunity to connect with Guild members and have time to look at some of those Textile Art videos and artists that you always mean to watch. It’s sort of like a book club.  Instructor:  Mary Veenman

In Conversation …..Take 2:  We will consider the question “Where do you find your inspiration?” with a slightly different focus each time offering thoughts, images, links, and questions to simulate discussion.  Instructor:  Jan Taylor

Felted Applique: Pattern or Scene and Ornaments:  Using large and small pieces of felted wool and commercial felt we will make a picture or design and a few delightful Christmas ornaments.  Instructor: Lynda Watson

Beginning Stitches: The following groups of stitches will be covered: straight stitches, looped stitches, knotted stitches, composite stitches, and advanced stitches. Instructor:  Amy Lee

As well as our regular classes, we will be offering our members monthly Zoom Gatherings with a Speaker Series guaranteed to please and Inspiration Day will offer members a chance to come together via  Zoom for a very special workshop. More details coming soon.

For those members who enjoy meeting in the park, Gather and Stitch is still going strong on Thursdays and will continue to do so until the snow flies.

Meanwhile, over the summer members  took part in Focus groups via Zoom and in social distanced groups out of doors. Stitch and Chat, Botanical Printing, Anne Kelly Style, and Stitching on Paper were some of the groups that met.  Given some of the sad events over the summer, Prayer Flags seemed to be an appropriate theme for stitching and several members embraced that challenge. Independent stitching on personal projects meant many members were kept quite busy over the warm summer months.

Now that September is drawing to a close and fall classes are ready to begin, we look forward to a new and fulfilling year of stitching, sharing and  friendship.

Report – July 2021

The Guild year 2020-2021 has been a year of firsts for our Guild and a year of realizations.
It was the first year that our transitional September Executive meeting, welcoming new members and saying goodbye to retiring ones, was held in lawn chairs on our new President’s side lawn. Mother Nature was kind and blessed our socially distanced meeting with a beautiful autumn day.

It was the first year that we did not open registration in June to welcome new members to the Guild and advertise the classes that were going to be offered in the coming Guild year.

It was the first year that Guild membership was extended, at no cost to the membership, until the end of the new Guild year. For the first time a special category of membership was created for new members wishing to join the Guild for the 2020-2021 year, at a special lower fee since we were learning to cope with the pandemic as we went along.

It was the first year that online classes were offered by the Guild to members. The Executive authorized the purchase of a Zoom membership and that opened opportunities for communication and connection. The first classes were offered through a variety of online techniques: email, video and zoom. The response from the membership was positive. As the instructors became more comfortable with the technology, more classes were developed.

It was the first year that our main means of communication was online. Important Guild information, usually announced at the beginning of a Guild day, was replaced by regular emails from the President and others on the Executive. As time went by, and familiarity with Zoom increased, monthly Zoom Gatherings were held. These virtual gatherings became a way to communicate Guild information, break into small groups for discussion, or gather information from the membership through polls. The Gathering was a place to show and share prepared presentations of members’ work as well as the results of the President’s Challenges. It also became the venue for our Speaker Program. Every month, the Program Committee arranged for a speaker to give a Zoom presentation to our Guild members. The very fact that the presentation was virtual allowed us to have speakers we would otherwise not have been able to engage.

It was the first year of Gathering in the Park where hardy individuals, with lawn chairs in hand and masks at the ready to social distance and stitch, met in the park until the snows came. The groups resumed once lockdown had been lifted this year.

It was the first year of a Virtual Winter Retreat. Not quite the same as our annual get together but it was the best we could do. It was a virtual opportunity to sit and chat on a winter Saturday afternoon and let the cares of the world go by.

Because of all this …
As a Guild, we realized the importance of connection. It is important to communicate but it is equally or even more important to have that sense of connection. We wanted to make sure that we were reaching our members but simply providing information isn’t enough. There needs to be engagement, a making of connections with another person whether it was through an email response, a zoom class, a breakout room, a handwritten Christmas card or a simple phone call. A personal touch could make all the difference.

As a Guild, we realized the importance of the willingness to try. With the goal of offering virtual classes to our membership, the first instructors to try online teaching did so while the learning curve was steep. A lot of behind-the-scenes preparation went into each and every lesson for this new medium. They are to be applauded for their willingness to be innovators (or guinea pigs)

As a Guild, we realized the importance of perseverance. No matter what happens, you have to keep on trying. And that is exactly what we are doing with our 50th Anniversary celebration activities. I think we’ve lost count of the number of iterations we’ve gone through, but the planning still continues. It may be later than we’d originally planned but it is going to be great! The committee members and the Executive liaison are to be commended for their continuing efforts.

As a Guild, we’ve realized the importance of an open mind. The pandemic has made us find other ways to do things, other ways to offer programs to our members and other ways to perform the day-to-day operations of the Guild. Our minds have been opened to new possibilities. When the pandemic is over and we can once again meet in person, we will need to decide which of the necessities that were forced upon us we would like to carry on into the future of the Guild.

All in all, 2020-2021, has been one heck of a year!

SPRING CHALLENGE PHOTOS

BUGS AND BIRDS CHALLENGE

FABRIC JOURNALS CLASS

FAUX GOLDWORK CLASS

OMIYAGE CLASS

THREE STITCHES CLASS

SKETCHBOOKS

Report – March 2021

Submitted by Cheryl Wallace, ONN Rep

Our Winter Session of virtual classes is underway with 10 classes being offered through a combination of zoom, email, and video. Members could choose from “Beginning Stitches”, “Decorated Faces”, “Three Stitches”., Dorset Buttons”, “Is it Blackwork or Black work?”, “Making a Fabric Journal”, “Faux Goldwork”, “Omiyage”, ”Sketchbooks” and “In Conversation”. Classes run from January 28th to April 22nd .

As well as offering virtual classes, CEG London provided members with an opportunity to come together to Gather and Stitch and enjoy guest speakers. We heard from our own Kathie Morgan on the topic of Botanical Printing and from Sheila Johnson on the topic of women’s clothing during the early 1800’s.

Since we were unable to hold our annual Winter Retreat, we held a smaller virtual Retreat on the last Saturday afternoon in January. We sat, we zoomed, we chatted and stitched and drank our assorted beverages. Everyone was free to come as go as they pleased; to take a walk in the fresh air and come back refreshed and stitch again. It was as close to our retreat as we were able to manage, and fun was had by all who were able to attend.

In February, our President, Andrea Manias, challenged members to make textile postcards that would then be sent on to another contributing member. The topic of the postcards was “Covid”. Everyone who entered the challenge received a postcard from another member.

On March 4th we held our Inspiration Day with presenter, Trina O’Rourke, from The Cotton Harvest in Seaforth, ON. She taught us Sue Spargo style stitching on wool featuring a whimsical bird. Our virtual day ran from 9:30 to 3:30 and many of our members were able to attend. The kits supplied for the day provided the wool, needles, threads and beads for 16 different stitches to embellish our birds. Also, in March we were challenged to create something with a Spring theme. Everyone is ready for sunshine and warmer weather.

CEG, London had planned to celebrate its 50th Anniversary, “The Evolution and Diversity of Textile Arts”, beginning in September 2021. Plans have been adjusted to start in June 2022, when a large range of exciting workshops will take place. More details will be announced.

Report – December 2020

Submitted by Cheryl Wallace, ONN Rep

When the realities of Covid 19 made themselves felt in our local communities, the Executive of the Guild made the decision to halt all indoor, in person meetings for the remainder of 2020. As a result, our Textile showcase became a virtual event thanks to the hardwork and dedication of the committee and perseverance of Linde Marie Echinger in uploading hundreds of photos to the Guild Facebook page for members to view.
With no change likely in the fall, members began to explore the online opportunities available. Links to interesting videos and workshop opportunities were posted on the Guild Facebook page. Executive and committee meetings began to be held by Zoom.

Hardy and dedicated members of Gather and Stitch met in Gibbons Park, masked and properly social distanced every Thursday, when the restrictions for public gatherings outdoors were relaxed. Armed with lawn chairs, beverages , needlework projects and ever heavier coats, this group has met from September through November, though the need for gloves may soon bring that to an end. But then again, who knows?

Several of our Guild instructors, under the umbrella of the Education Coordinator, took up the challenge and offered their fall classes online through a combination of Zoom, email and video. These offerings included: “Beginning Stitches” by Amy Lee, “Decorated Faces” by Jen Wilson, “Three Stitches” by Linda Watson , Faux Goldwork” by Adele Blennerhassett Corke, “Sketchbooks” by Jackie Venus and “Antique Plushwork” by Kathie Morgan. The response to the classes, from teachers and participants has been positive and much has been learned from this first experience. Planning is underway for online classes for the winter session since it seems unlikely that things will change early in 2021.

Our inventive Librarian has developed procedures for a safe, contactless exchange of library resources that then wait in quarantine before resuming circulation. We have developed a monthly Zoom Gathering where we can come together to share news, announcements, chat with each other and enjoy guest speakers. Plans are underway for a festive December Gathering.

While planning continues for our 50th Anniversary celebrations, the actuals events, the Opening Gala, Celebration Tea, workshops and other activities have been postponed until the 2021-2022 Guild year.
In summary, although we can’t meet in person and the likelihood is that this is the reality for months to come, we, as a Guild, are finding new and novel ways to show and share our skills with each other. Staying in touch has never been more important than it is right now and we are doing our best to keep our members informed, engaged and connected.

Report – July 2020

Submitted by Roberta Whitmore, ONN Rep       6 July 2020

CEG, London has cancelled our fall classes, but have not yet made a decision about our winter session.
We are maintaining contact with our members through email and telephone.
All our members from last year have had their membership extended to the end of this calendar year. We are not accepting any new memberships at this time as a fee schedule has not been developed due to the cancellation of activities.
Our AGM is scheduled for Saturday, September 12 and we will be proceeding with it but offering our membership the opportunity to participate electronically, by proxy, or by completing paper copies of our motions.
We have a wonderful education team who will be offering our members the opportunity to participate in some online classes during the fall.
Planning for Summer Workshop 2021 with Karen Astrid Clark and Richard McVetis is proceeding.
Our 50th anniversary celebration “Evolution and Diversity of Textile Arts” will occur during our 2021 – 2022 year and will be a year long celebration culminating with several workshops in June. Details will be posted on our website early next year.
Stay healthy and happy stitching.

Report – March 2020

Submitted by Roberta Whitmore, ONN rep     17 March 2020

Day group began the New Year with Inspiration Day on January 9.

“My Life in Stitches” was presented  by Jackie Venus at the afternoon program on January 23.

Another well attended Winter Retreat was held at Camp Trillium from January 30 to February 2.

On March 7 there was a workshop with Mandy Forbes “ Fun with Photographs on Fabric”

Afternoon programs included  the following:

Feb 27…Shirley Clement who spoke about her hand dyed fibres.

Members “cotton fabric” sale followed the speaker.

March 12 was soup day followed by a presentation by Dr Stephanie Radu on “Preserving Heirlooms”.

COVID-19 update: CEG London Executive has cancelled classes and workshops for the remainder of the current year.
They also decided to cancel Showcase of Textile Arts and Summer Workshop for this year, too.

Please see our web site for more information.

Report – January 2020

Submitted by Roberta Whitmore, ONN rep

On November 2,2019 a workshop called “ Creative Collage” was held with Sarah Cowling.

Afternoon programs for the Fall term included the following:
Sept. 26. Rug Hooking with Peg Fairs and Marjorie Duizer
Oct. 10. Flax Processing with Cat Haggert.
Oct. 24. Costume Design and Tailoring with Matt Dawe.
Nov. 14. Book Arts Today with Jan Taylor
Nov. 28. Bean to bar chocolate with Philippe Lehner

Evening group enjoyed the following classes:
Seeding of Stitches; Sacred Geometry in Fabric Arts; Hand -Coiled Baskets; Needle-felted birds in 3D; Boro; and Fold,Tuck and Stitch.

On Monday Dec 9 Evening group enjoyed a Christmas social and orientation for Winter Classes

On Thursday Dec 12 Day Group enjoyed a pot luck lunch and orientation to Winter Classes

Summer Workshop June 8-12 2020 Venue: John Labatt Visual Arts Centre, Western University
Stitching Stories — Chung-Im Kim
3 day workshop, June 8-10, 2020– $300 for CEG members– $350 for non-members
Embroidery and Mixed Media— Takashi Iwasaki
3 day workshop, June 10-12, 2020- $300 for CEG members– $350 for non-members

Registration will open to non-members on January 1st, 2020
For further information please visit our web site at: ceglondon.com

Report 2019 – October

Submitted by Roberta Whitmore, ONN Rep

The CEG Annual general meeting was held on Saturday September 7, 2019 at Wesley-Knox United Church

Total membership for CEG  to date is 175 including 28 new members.

Classes for the Fall term include the following:

Day Group

Using Images to print and adorn; Textile wrapped coiled baskets; Just rust; Beginning Stitches;  Bead Knitting and Corralling; Pulled Thread; Fabric Covered Books; Garden Delights; Independent Stitchers.

Evening Group

Beginning Stitches; Sacred Geometry in Fabric Arts; Hand Coiled Baskets; Flight of Fancy..Needle felted Birds; Boro; Fold,Tuck and Stitch; Independent Stitchers.

Saturday November 2 there will be an all day workshop with Sarah Cowling on “Creative Collage with Tissue and Fabric.”

Report – August 2019

Submitted by Roberta Whitmore, ONN Rep

Showcase of Textile Arts was held on April 26 and 27 at Wesley Knox United Church and marked the end of our Guild year. This exhibition was a display of all the work created over the Guild year.

Upcoming classes, workshops and Summer Workshop for 2019-2020 were also on display.

Through the summer months various focus groups continue to meet at members homes.

Summer Workshop for 2019 was held from June 3 to June 7 at Western University.

Kate Bridger from June 3 to 7

Janet Scruggs from June 4 -5

Nell Burns from June 6-7

Next year Summer Workshop will be held from June 8-12, 2020 at John Labatt Visual Arts Center, Western University.

5 day workshop…” Hot wax and cool dyes” An introduction to Batik with Karen Astrid Clark

Karen is from Flin Flon Manitoba

3 day workshops ….”Stitching Stories” with Chung-Im Kim   chungimkim.com

Chung-Im is from Cookstown, Ontario

………”Embroidery and Mixed Media” with Takashi Iwasaki    takashiiwasaki.info

Takashi is from Winnipeg, Manitoba

For further information please see our web site at ceglondon.com

Report – April 2019

Submitted by Roberta Whitmore, ONN Representative

Inspiration Day
“A Modern Take on Penny Quilts” with Tammy Sparling was held on Thursday January 10, 2019 and was for all members of CEG.

Winter Retreat
Another successful retreat was held at Camp Trillium from January 31 to February 3
The 30+ members who braved the cold weather had a wonderful time.

Afternoon programs included the following:
January 24…..My Sister’s Place Expression Group
February 14….Valentines Day Party
Speaker: Art and Spirituality with Monica Bodirsky from OCADU
February 28….My Life in Stitches with Ann Fenwick
March 14….Whistle Stop
Everything you Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask

Upcoming events:
Members are looking forward to an Indigo dyeing workshop with Bethany Garner on March 30.

Showcase of Textile Arts will be held on Friday April 26, 2019 and Saturday April 27, 2019

Summer Workshop will be held June 3-7,2019 featuring:
Kate Bridger…5 day workshop..”Earth, Wind, Fire and Water”…June 3-7
Janet Scruggs…2 day workshop…”Scorched”…June 4-5
Nell Burns….2 day workshop…” Creating texture with Free Motion Embroidery” June 6-7

Please check our web site for further information…ceglondon.com

Report – January 2019

Submitted by Roberta Whitmore, ONN Rep

A successful two day workshop was held on September 22 and 23 with Gunnel Hag on Colour Vie.

Afternoon Programs held during the Fall term included the following:

Sept 27  Pat Burns Wendland, Master Spinner, Weaver and dyer

October 25  Leila Nattagh spoke on “Recycling Fabrics”  Members were encouraged to wear repurposed clothing.

November 8  Shana Elijah spoke on : Indigenous Regalia”

November 22  Tea tasting Tea Party with Stefanie Stolze from The Tea Haus

Community Outreach:

November 29 another “Bag Ladies Day” was held with local CTV news covering the process with a video shown on the evening news. An article outlining the work CEG does to provide Mastectomy Bags for St Joseph Hospital was also a focus in the Newsletter for St Joseph Hospital. 400 bags were made that day by CEG volunteers.

Read the article here: https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/our-stories/gift-of-the-bag-ladies

December 10

Evening group enjoyed a Christmas social and orientation of classes for Winter term.

December 13

Day group celebrated the end of the term with a Pot Luck Lunch. A Show and Share was held after lunch for members  to share their projects from the Fall classes. Following the Show and Share was Orientation to the Winter Term classes.

Summer Workshop will be held during the week of June 3-7, 2019

5 day workshop:  Earth, Wind, Fire and Water with Kate Bridger   June 3-7, 2019   katebridger.wixsite.com

2 day workshop:  Scorched with Janet Scruggs   June 4-5, 2019    www.janetscruggs.com

2 day workshop:  Creating Texture with Free Motion Embroidery with Nell Burns   June 6-7, 2019   www.nellsembroidery.com

Please see our website www.ceglondon.com for more information

Registration for non CEGL members opens January 1, 2019