Melissa White is our needleworker of the month. She has lived in SaddleBrooke since 2004. She tells us that she has been doing hand sewing since she was a child in the 1940s. Her current love is Needlepoint. She especially enjoys stitching designs of kitties and has quite a menagerie of framed cats hanging on her walls—all that she has stitched at various times. (Can you guess that she has a real live cat?)
White has a large number of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her goal is to make a Christmas Stocking for each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. To date, she has needlepointed more than 40 of them, but she still has quite a few to make. All of her stockings are different in design and include the name of the intended recipient stitched into the top of the stocking.
The Needlecraft Fine Arts group is a friendly apolitical, non-controversial group dedicated to any hand sewing project a member might wish to do. Currently, some of our members are working on a hand quilt, counted cross-stitch, needlepoint, beading, bargello and regular embroidery. We have amassed quite a collection of supplies for any sort of embroidery, including canvas, aida, stretcher frames, floss, reference books and patterns. Members feel free to help themselves to what they need. While we stitch, we enjoy lively discussions on a variety of topics. One member recently commented that she always learns interesting facts every time she comes. We get into interesting, sometimes lighthearted, sometimes serious conversations. Members have varying degrees of skills and are always willing to share knowledge and suggestions. One of our members, Carolyn McSpadden, was recently featured in a national magazine! She will occasionally give classes on a group project if anyone is interested.
Needlecraft Fine Arts group meets twice a week on Monday and Saturday in room 4, located across from the gift shop. Meeting time is 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and all are welcome to join, even men. Attendance is flexible. Come both days or once a week or just occasionally. For further information, contact Judy Hans by phone or text at (520) 818-3285.
