Cochrane Big Hill Needlearts Guild

 One of our programs this past season was learning how to make a Biscornu. Biscornu is a French word meaning odd or bizarre. This refers to the odd shape of the Biscornu. They are usually used as pin cushions, although smaller ones can be used a scissor fob. Several of our members made more that one. There are several free Biscornu patterns on the internet. Here is one that was particularly fun to do. Click on this link,  Benziedesign.com   in the Search Our Store window, type in Bug Biscornu HAPPY BISCORNUING!

Lisa Kampel was the presenter at our February meeting. Lisa is a talented stitching enthusiast from Calgary.  She created a stitching book, titled Stitch All of the Things. It contains many different stitching techniques and features some of her favorite stitching designers. What a great way to present a collection of smaller projects. You can find more of Lisa's work at finishingisfun.ca          

Ancient Arts Yarn + Dye Studio Tour  In September of 2023 the guild toured Ancient Arts Yarns & Dye Studio. This Calgary based company specializes in hand dying premium quality yarn. Their artisan dyed yarns are shipped all over the world. The owner Caroline Sommerfeld was very informative. We got to see the dying process from start to finish.  And of course there was time for shopping. Retail Store - So many gorgeous yarns Dying Process and Finished Product

One of the advantages of being a chapter member of the Embroiderers' Association of Canada (EAC) is the opportunity to attend an EAC Seminar. This annual event is held alternately in Eastern Canada and Western Canada. The EAC Seminar offers a wide range of classes with North American and International teachers. In 2024 Seminar will be held in Regina and in 2025 it will be held in Calgary. Below area few photos of classes taken by some of our members at seminar over the past few years. 2024 - 4 Day Course Canvas Work "Africana"- designer Lorene Salt 2019 - 2 Day Course Stumpwork "Pacific Dogwood" - designer Alison Cole 2019 - 2 Day Course Stumpwork "Illuminated Floral"-  designer Alison Cole

Fox and Rabbit is a needlework website from Australia. One of their offerings over the past few years has been a free Mystery Stitch A Long (SAL).  Since 2017, they have published an annual sampler, issued in monthly installments. Sadly they recently announced that 2024 will be the last year that they offer a free SAL. You can go to their website foxandrabbit.com  and download the entire series of SAL's from 2017 to present, for free until the end of 2024. Here are two samples of Stitch A Long's from Fox and Rabbit that guild members have completed. A special thanks to Brendon Kirk of Fox and Rabbit for designing and offering these designs to everyone. 2021 Talavera Sampler Designer Brendon Kirk 2017 A Band Sampler Designer Brendon Kirk

A guild member gave a class on bead looming. She used disposable chip sticks to make the 4" x 5" bead loom. It was an easy pattern to follow and a good introduction to bead looming for those first timers. That's funny they both look the same! The supplies were all kitted up using the same bead colors, so we ended up with 12 look alikes accept for the one with the feather charm!                                                                       

This was originally posted a few years ago, but it deserved another look. Needlework can show up almost anywhere! This piece was found hanging on the walls of a restaurant on a cruise ship. The photo does not do it justice. The artist is Kate Jenkins and a large part of her work is crocheted and knitted food items, particularly seafood! You can find out more about Kate by clicking on the links below:       https://katejenkinsstudio.co.uk/    https://www.facebook.com/KateJenkinsArt/