Stitching in the San Juans

Wednesday 19th of June 2013

"Birds of Ouray County" is back

Look inside the Plaindealer pages this week for our popular "Birds of Ouray County" column, by Sue Hirshman. Read more...

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My Ouray County property valuation I just received valued my property...

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Stitching in the San Juans

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camaraderie filled the room. Embroidery, cross-stitch and beading were the main pursuits, along with pleasant conversation. Projects for graduates, original designs, purchased kits — fingers and needles were flying.
One embroidered a guitar strap, personalizing it for her grandson. Another created nets of tiny beads to decorate plastic eggs in preparation for the Rocky Mountain Region seminar that the chapter will host next year in Grand Junction. Others practiced "colcha," a stitch they recently studied at a meeting.
In addition to their monthly business meeting, members get together for outreach in their communities. Volunteer projects include making small quilts for newborns and hats for children undergoing chemotherapy at St. Mary's Hospital as well as gathering and making items for domestic violence victims at a shelter. They have "Stitching in Public Day" at the mall and library, and a major goal right now is to get younger people involved in needle arts.
Some of the most important "outreach" comes when a chapter member has a personal crisis. The group rallies and provides support, from cooked meals to companionship.
Ouray women formed a sub-group of the Desert West Chapter at one time, but it is no longer active. Still, the chapter looks forward to the Ouray retreat every year, taking the opportunity to get away from everyday distractions and create works of art in a close-knit, sharing community.