Dragon's Needle Embroidery Guild - Newsletter April 2010 - Reminder "Coat of Arms Wallhanging for Drachenwald" Project & "Pennsic Queens Basket"

Dear honourable Lords and Ladies, gentle members of the "Dragon's Needle Embroidery Guild" and "-eMail Group"!

First I want to thank all lords and ladies who already volunteered for the Wallhanging Project - it's really great to see more and more lovely embroidered patches showing the coat of arms of the groups of our great kingdom. Many thanks to Hedwig von Simmaningen, Christina, Petronilla, Aelia and Lia de Thornegge - this great and gentle ladies already finished the first patches for the project.

Unfortunately there is still a great number of groups without volunteers - especially concerning the Central Region and Insulae Draconis - hopefully some lords and ladies will pluck up courage and volunteer to make a patch for their or another group.
If you would like to know if someone already volunteered for the coat of arms of your group... you can take a look at the list at our Dragon's Embroidery Workshop: http://dragonsembroiderers.blogspot.com/2010/01/project-coat-of-arms-wallhanging-for.html

...btw. if you would like to participate - just contact me or your local Project-Coordinator - Lady Eilgri Beccan for Aarnimetsä and fru Renika Rikardsdottir for Nordmark.

You really don't need to be an experienced embroiderer - for example, lady Christina, a member of my shire, is not an embroiderer but made a beautiful applique patch for a group in Aarnimetsä - a great example that everyone with sewing or embroidery skills is able to participate in this project.

You can find the pictures of the finished patches and other information concerning the project at the Dragon's Embroidery Workshop: http://dragonsembroiderers.blogspot.com/search/label/Coat%20of%20Arms%20Wallhanging%20for%20Drachenwald

...and I am still looking for volunteers for the following coats of arms:
Denmark: Eresborg
Finland: Humalasalo, Poukka
Germany: Baerenau, Blauwasser, Drei Eichen, Emerald Glen, Isengau, Meadowmarsh; Monarchs Rest, Nebelwald, Rauchenderberg, Schwarzloch, Tor zum Norden, Turmstadt
United Kingdom, Ireland & Iceland: King's Lake, Dun in Mara, Eplaheimr, Flintheath, Glen Rathlin, Hrafnsborg, Klakavirki, Pont Alarch, West Dragonshire
Italy: Campfiamme, Infimus Mons Aureus, Ranaan
Belgium, Netherlands: Polderslot
South Africa: Griffin's Tor
Spain: Alcazar de Brioga
Sweden: Baggeholm, Juneborg, Skelitta, Ulvberget, Uma, Viterheim
(if you are missing a group on my list, please let me know)

It would be really great if we could cover all coats at least one time!
...and if the coat of arms you would like to do is already covered by another lord or lady, please don't worry and apply for it - every coat of arms can be made more than one time! (just not by the same artisan :)

...and again the project text in English:

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1st Guild Project - "Coat of Arms Wallhanging for Drachenwald"

- Fabric: linen fabric
- Fabric size:
-> Shire & Strongholds: 10,0 x 10,0 cm (3,94 x 3,94 inch) + ca. 1,5 cm (0,59 inch) Surplus for sewing
-> Kingdom, Principality, Barony coat of arms: 20,0 x 20,0 cm + ca. 1,5 cm (0,59 inch) Surplus for sewing
- Fabric color: every color allowed
- Embroidery: every technique allowed
- Important restrictions:
-> Only coat of arms of Drachenwald shires, strongholds,...
-> Every person can make several patches but every coat of arms only one time!
(...to avoid a wallhanging only consisting of the coat of arms of three or four shires... but you can also embroider the coat of arms of your neighbor shire or a shire where your friends live...)
- End date: October 2010 (please send in your patches till 1st of October)

This project is open to everyone - you don't need to be a Guild member to join this project.
Every embroidery technique and skill is welcome - please don't hesitate to contact me if you are interested!!

PS: There is also the possibility to add a 'Totentanz'/"dead shires" row at the bottom of the wallhanging to remember some shires of the past that once were important for some of you.
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You can find the project text in Finnish here: http://kirjontakori.blogspot.com/2010/01/kuningaskunnan-vaakunaseinavaateprojekt.htm
...and in here in German: http://dragonsembroiderers.blogspot.com/2010/02/coat-of-arms-wallhanging-for.html

I wish every participant of the "Coat of Arms Wallhanging for Drachenwald" a lot of fun while working at the patches - please take this project as a chance to try out new and interesting techniques that you haven't practised till now or just to practise your favourite embroidery technique - I hope you all enjoy this project. :)

From the "Coat of Arms Wallhanging for Drachenwald" now to the "Pennsic Queens Basket" - I am very happy to forward the following message to you:

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Greetings Drachenwald!

Pennsic is now only 4 months away and we are in need of items for the gift basket that our King and Queen will be giving away during the State Dinner at said event.
I hope you can find some time and produce something for the basket – it doesn't have to be big and fancy!
Actually we prefer smaller items since they have to be transported across the ocean and with bagage allowances getting smaller and smaller we can't take up to much of the weight in our far travellers bags.

So what could you make?
Here are a few suggestions:
* an embroidered belt
* napkins
* small puches
* a bag
* a coif with embroidery on
* embroidered patches someone could put on their garb
* veil with small embroidery
* embroidered cuffs someone could attatch to their garb
* needle book
* book mark

I am sure you can come up with things yourself aswell. :)
We had a bit to many napkins last year – so please try to vary the items a bit more.

There is a chance to hand over items for the giftbasket at Double Wars. If you need more time – please contact me and I will give you an address where you can send your contribution.

Last years giftbasket was HIGHLY apriciated!
And the fact that we had added documentation to many of the items really made an impression.
Drachenwald is getting known for the awesome gifts we deliver.
Please help us keep our good reputation!

In service
Meisterinne Katheryn Hebenstreitz
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...and now back to the normal Guild business:

Guild Membership Roll:
I am very happy to welcome Amal binti Hamid Al-Chania as a new member to the Guild - now we have 53 members.
( http://dragonsembroiderers.blogspot.com/search/label/Guild%20Member-List )

Guild Blog - Dragon's Embroidery Workshop:
If you would like to join the Workshop, just write me an eMail!
...related blogs:
- Insulae Draconis Fibre Arts Interest Group ( http://idfibreinterestgroup.blogspot.com/ )
- Aarnimetsä Embroidery Basket ( http://kirjontakori.blogspot.com/ )

Guild Projects / Challenges:
- The 1st Guild Project 2010 - "Coat of Arms Wallhanging for Drachenwald"
During the Guild Meeting at University we decided to start an open Guild Project to make 'coat of arms' Wallhangings that can be used as decoration for kingdom and smaller events :)

Misc. Projects / Challenges:
- A&S 50 Challenge ( http://dragonsembroiderers.blogspot.com/2008/03/50-challenge.html )
- A&S 50 Challenge Drachenwald Blog ( http://drachenwald-as50.blogspot.com/ )

Yours in Service
Racaire
Dragon's Needle Embroidery Guild Head