Blog & News

For everyone following, Sr. Madeleine has landed in Bruges! I just received an email from her and she arrived just fine.  She is working on the internet connection - though there is some techy difficulty.

Stay tunned - we will have plenty to hear about!

Dear Lacers:

I took part in the OSV 'Redcoats and Rebels' reenactment this past weekend and camped the weekend with the Stow Minute Men.  I set up as a lacemaker on both Saturday & Sunday and passed out approx. 50 NELG brochures and even more Stow MM brochures.  I had an "apprentice" sit with me for an entire day and she started learning to make lace:  whole stitch, half stitch, variations by twisting the passives and weavers, and a few inches of Torchon ground.  She was really thrilled.  I'm hoping that this might also grow our membership as well.

Additionally, I think you should know that over the weekend, we had 6500 visitors to OSV and that we had such a visible location, that it seemed as though everyone visited our site.  We were, in spite of the horrible heat/humidity, straight out with questions, pictures, trying to make lace, examining lace that I brought.  And now, there is a budding lacemaker who will be moving back to MI in a couple of days.  So I'm going to get some contacts for her.

Pictures that were taken by a more professional photographer 2 weeks ago at the OLD MANSE in Concord are going to be made available.  Linda Lane and I were the 2 lacers.  I strong encourage the lacemakers to even just day-trip it to demo lace.

We also were visited by an older man who has his Eastern-block lace collection handed down to him by parents & grandparents, all the more dear to him because he lost relatives to the concentration camps.

This upcoming weekend is the Bolton Fair in MA and the following weekend is the Deerfield Valley Fair in Wilmington, VT.  I'm going to each.  I hope someone joins me.

Linda Sheff

Tomorrow is the big day! A couple has generously offered to drive me to Logan for my 6:30 pm flight. I have all my  lace supplies because of the generosity of so many. I have little gifts of $$ tucked into my suitcase for special reats and a whirl of thoughts going through my mind. What will the class be like? What about the shops? How much lace will Sr Marie Anne know? How much time can she give me? Will I be able to keep up? Will there be lots of Cafe lattes?

My first reality check and adventure involved a bank transfer. Sisters being without  the ease  of credit cards, I  delved into wiring money to the  Bruges convent  checking acct. The first challenge was locating the Bank closest to the Convent with the correct acct and then completing the paperwork in the small burg of Orleans where wiring money maybe happens once a year indicated by the slips and snags along the way. One snag required my calling the bank which only spoke Flemish on an auto responder........ I could tell you were supposed to press a number but my Flemish is pretty rusty in fact non existent but after simply pressing  all the numbers on the keypad the call rang through. Relieved, I requested a person who could speak French and the matter was cleared up instantly but that reminded me  that I am going to another country and will be be speaking and living in French in now just  another 48 hours!

So armed with my pink block pillow, bobbins, and thread I am off!
Lace Blessings to All
Sr Madeleine

For our members, the August 1st newsletter, our 78th issue is now available.  Members need to log into the MEMBERS ONLY area and get their copy.

It's packed with 16 pages of what  is happening in lace, great photo's from retreat, meet our new Vice President, Bryce  and new Treasurer, Karen.   There is a special report from Sr. Madeline of her time at Sweet Briar.  She will be blogging in another week or so from Bruges - keep in tune!

What is truly important is that this newsletter is by the great efforts of many folks.  One in particular, in the background is our Editor,Gail.

So in in as many languages I could find - THANK YOU for your time, your creativity and for your love to NELG - We truly appreciate the efforts!

Patty

Beginning in the next couple of days, will be the 59th IOLI Convention hosted by the Minnesota Lace Society.  I'm aware that several of our members will be represented there - wishing you lots of fun and lots of lace.  We will be looking forward to hearing all about it.  Take some pictures!

If you are not going, yet a member of IOLI - this annual meeting is a turning point.  On the Ballot is the vote to change the name of the organization from International Old Lacers, Inc. to either of these two choices - International Organization of Lace, Inc.  (IOLI)  or Lace Alliance (LA) ?  If you have followed the members' forum on the IOLI website earlier this year, there was plenty of talk and discussion - including yours truly.

If you haven't voted yet - http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/D5UCaSn1imEuFqAcV87k0N4  here's the link to their site - you will need your membership number to post your ballot.

The Annual meeting and vote is slated for August 9th!   

It's that time!  If you haven't already, please send in your entries - we have an extension on the cost of the entry of $5 until Monday August 6th.  You must mail in your entry form with the entry fee and have it postmarked by August 6th.  Mark it "Sarah says $5". 

Otherwise - please still enter - the entry fee will be $10.  Last year we had 51 entries - everyone of them was a winner!  I'm looking forward to the fair.

Thanks to everyone that has sent in their entries so far!!!

Most of you know I am going to Bruge Aug 5th to Aug 31st. Patty asked me to blog about my trip as I go so you can keep abreast of my travels and share in my lace adventures. So today is my first attempt... I need to practice a bit. I will have a little Kindle Fire and as long as I can keep it charged and find WiFi I guess this Sister reporter is good!
I was at Sweet Briar which was most excellent, a piece coming in the newsletter. Several gals had been to Bruge and without collaborating they each told me to be sure and bring BUG Spray that was the most important as there were no screens! Never mind the bobbins and pillow etc. First things first no bug bites! Chuckle  Chuckle!
Several lacers are sharing in my adventure purchasing supplies for me, pencils vellum and books and bobbins. I feel very grateful,cared about not to mention prepared.... So.. until 'the packing juggle' begins... lucky I only need a habit or two!!

Sentiments from Sister

Much thanks to Jill and the entire Retreat Committee for making 2012's retreat the best we have had.  All the arrangements and with the help of Sr. Clare and staff, it was great.  Room assignments (Winann), meals(staff), classes(Sally & Holly), bobbins(Judy)  our own Board and NELG members truly enjoyed the weekend.

From my survey of attendees, it seems we all had a chance to enjoy old friends, make new friends, and make some beautiful lace.

Thank you never seems enough - Each of you have added to the value of our organization!

Happy Lacing,

Patty

The bobbin lace vest is finally finished and free of the pillow!  A momentous day!  Although the work is not finished yet - I still have lots of threads to weave in and then it has to be blocked and pressed.  I plan on weaving in the threads at the NELG retreat next weekend, but will leave the blocking until after the move.

                                

It's that time - spring has sprung!  Time to get your hours in for last year.

 In the next week or two our Member at large - Mary -  will be contacting you to submitt possible missing hours.  Last fall was a bit more quiet as the hurricane and freak snow storm canceled some events for that season. 

Nevertheless - Do we have some record hours to report?  Did we surpass the goal set of 750 hours?  Watch in the next couple weeks for the grand total for 2011!

Whether it was for Demonstrating lace, gratis teaching, programs presented, Board member hours, making lace for the wreath, etc and so much more, please send in your hours.  You can enter them on the website, undter the Members Only section or contact Mary at NELGmemberatlarge@gmail.com.

Thank you all in advance!  Happy Lacing,

Patty