Blast from the Past

I wrote this right after our EGA meeting--was going to add something else so put it in the draft folder--and life got in the way--so now I'm going to hit publish and go stitch on something.

We had a great program at our monthly EGA chapter meeting. We were asked to bring in the first project we worked on as an EGA member.

There were loads of memories, lots of laughter, many exclamations of recognition as pieces were displayed.

I have to admit, I could not remember what project I worked on first as an EGA member. That was decades ago. To be perfectly honest, one reason I started blogging was so I could keep track of when I worked on projects, what workshops I attended and when they were held, and what I finished.

I could, however, remember the first project I took at an EGA National Seminar.

I do not remember the official name of this project. It was an Elizabethan blackwork sweet bag, and this is the front.

And this is the back.

Jane Zimmerman designed and taught the class. Jane was a force of nature in the classroom, and her directions were among the best. I've worked on a number of her designs over the years, and I have to admit, there are a few left in the stash yet to be stitched. She did absolutely incredible Goldwork, and a lot of canvas work, but my favorites were her Elizabethan embroidery designs.

And Jane and Sharon Cohen are the reasons that I fell in love with sweet bags. I haven't stitched a sweet bag in some time, maybe because there are several in the finishing basket that need to be put together--but I think I may have to rectify that situation.