I had a lot of fun this past weekend teaching Cross Stitch all day on Saturday to teenagers during Summer Crossing!
Summer Crossing is an older Girl Scout weekend event that is held right before school starts. The girls range in age from entering seventh grade (apx. 12) to girls entering 12 grade (apx. 17). We all go up to a local parks and recreations camping facility and have a fun filled weekend that is just for the older scouts. The intent is to have a lot of fun and to get them excited about Girl Scouts for the next school year.
This was my fourth year volunteering and I'm in charge of the Needlework area. Now being in charge means I have lot's of responsibilities... Yep... I'm the one who takes roll! Impressed? :-)
Actually there isn't much for me to do as the other two volunteers are excellent teachers and love their respective crafts. We teach for five sessions and each session is one hour and fifteen minutes.
Pat teaches Hardanger, Janet teaches Crochet and I teach Cross Stitch.
Last year we had a tremendous amount of activity at our respective stations, 6 - 10 scouts for each session, as we were one of the program areas for last years Interest Project Patch. This year we were part of the alternate activities but we still had a good turnout. At least 4 to 6 girls each session for a total of five sessions. I know it doesn't sound like a lot but the other options were geo-caching, low ropes, archery, swimming, computers, leather, etc. So we were doing pretty good!
We encourage the scouts who sign up for needlework to try an activity that they don't already know how to do or that they don't have someone in their family or circle of friends who can teach them. In one session they all wanted to learn how to cross stitch, in another session they were all at crochet, and during the other three sessions they were split across two or three of the areas. I was kind of excited when I had two sessions where I didn't have anyone who wanted to learn Cross Stitch. They already knew how to Cross Stitch!
This was Pat's second year teaching hardanger and she noticed that if the girl had taken cross stitch with me last year she was better prepared to learn hardanger this year. Especially since I spend time at the beginning of my sessions teaching the proper way to thread the needle (no licking or spitting at my table!), and how to make a waste knot. If this was their first time working with a needle craft, Pat had to go over the basics which takes longer. Pat has designed a simple Kloster block design which the scouts can then attach to a piece of decorative glass. They leave her class with a nice ornament that they can proudly show off at home.
Janet teaches crochet and also does a wonderful job. This was also her second year teaching crochet and she learned a few tricks from last year. She was able to round up donations of plastic crochet hooks so that each girl was able to leave with a hook to continue crocheting which many of them did! Pat has them start off with a simple crochet chain. Once they are comfortable with that, she then has them start crocheting a small rectangle. Now here is where Janet got clever!!! She noticed last year that the girls had trouble moving from the crochet chain to crocheting a small square. They just had a really hard time crocheting the second and third rows. Once they got past that point they were fine. Sooooo Janet made up a lot of bags of already crocheted squares. The girls selected a baggie that had their favorite yarn color with an already started crocheted square and a crochet hook. They then continued working this square. Many more happy faces and successful beginner crocheters! Janet really understands this age group as she only puts varigated yarn in the bags... and do these girls love the varigated yarns!
I use a "Gloria and Pat" Owl kit for my class. Everyone who is taking the class for the first time works on the Owl kit to make teaching easier. The kit includes all of the materials and has excellent directions. They don't have enough time in a session to complete the design so they need good instructions to finish the project at home. Several of them each year finish the Owl kit before leaving for the weekend. If a scout wants to take Cross Stitch again, I have additional kits that they can pick from such as a boat, butterfly, kitten, etc.
We have a wonderful time and the location is gorgeous. The major challenge is that we don't have air conditioning which can be challenging with the fibers sometimes! In years past it's been quite hot but this year the temperatures just climbed to the high 80's and the humidity was reasonable for Maryland in summer.
Unfortunately we don't have pictures as we get so busy teaching we forget to take pictures! We'll have to work on that next year...
All three of us have a fun time with each other, even though I tease Pat that I don't "get" Hardanger (just not my cup of tea!) and we enjoy sharing our respective needlework crafts with the girls. It's a wonderful feeling when you see that they finally get it! You might want to try teaching your needlework craft to someone younger. You will have a lot of fun!!!
Cynthia
Waving to you from Windy Meadow
Original Comments:
- Cynthia,
What a great thing to do! I am a firm believer in teaching the younger people an art form to carry forward. I have taught all the nieces and nephew how to cross stitch, and some to knit!
Pat in NC
- Hi Pat,
Isn't it wonderful teaching younger people a needleart?I have a great time and they laugh at my stories! Or at least they chuckle... :-)
Cyn
I forgot to mention that I'm also willing to teach adults to cross stitch and every year I have at least one who sits down and learns to cross stitch...Congratulations that you've been able to teach your nieces and nephews how to stitch!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Originally Posted: August 23, 2006
Showing posts with label girl-scouts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label girl-scouts. Show all posts
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Entry for April 13, 2006
The other kit that I maintain for the mall sleep-in is a Cross Stitch kit. When I took over the Cross Stitch kit it was in a bit of a shambles. There were different copies of stitching projects that weren’t related. The kit also contained tangled up fibers and 18 count Aida. Now I don’t know about you but I definitely can not stitch on 18 count Aida at 3:00 in the morning!
It took about three years for most of the original contents of the kit to be used up. I changed the tangled up floss for DMC which had been wound on cardboard bobbins for the 2005 mall sleep-In. I was also able to replace last year the needles, scissors, and the needle threaders.
This year I was able to complete the Cross Stitch kit. My goal was to create a more user friendly kit for the volunteers. I also wanted to be able to replenish the kit each year in less than 30 minutes. I also wanted to create a new Cross Stitch handout for the kit as I had done for the Needlepoint kit. I also wanted to give the girls several simple charts that they could select from to stitch a small Cross Stitch design.
Please note that our intent is to give the scouts an introduction to Cross Stitch, not to make them experts!
For the simple Cross Stitch charts, I was able to reuse the Ladybug chart (mall sleep-in mascot) from the Needlepoint handout. I then created a nesting heart design and a design that is meaningful for Girl Scouts.
Needlework designer Linda Reinmiller, http://www.lkreinmiller.com/ was gracious enough to help us with the charts. Thank you Linda!!!!
Now that I had quality charts I was able to finish the development of a Cross Stitch handout that the girls could take with them at the end of the activity. The handout gives a brief explanation of what materials are used, how to do Cross Stitch, and the designs. I also included general information as to where they could learn more about Cross Stitch.
This year I was also able to replace the 18 count Aida with 14 and 11 count Aida. I included a questionnaire for the adult volunteers asking them which was easier to use. The overwhelming response, 11 count Aida! Once the 14 count Aida is used up, the kit will be replenished with 11 count Aida for future years. The 11 count Aida will be easier on the eyes in the middle of the night and with the dim lighting in the mall.
Now that the Cross Stitch kit has been redone, I estimate that it will only take me about 15 - 30 minutes to refresh the kit every year. Now, that’s an improvement!
I wish I had pictures to share with everyone but we can't publish pictures of the scouts without their parent’s permission. But there is usually a cluster of 5 - 8 scouts around the Cross Stitch and the Needlepoint booths throughout the night.
I'm also pleasantly surprised to talk to the girls and to hear how many have already done Cross Stitch. I'm also even more amazed at how many know what needlepoint is and have already been exposed to needlepoint either through friends or family or through school.
Many of the public schools in this area, through the Art classes, introduce all (boys and girls) fourth graders to embroidery. It's amazing what the kids can do at that young age!
Especially when they are allowed to pick an object to stitch that they are comfortable with. Such as our state symbols, flag, animals, reptile, and we even have a state dinosaur! What fourth grade boy wouldn't want to stitch a turtle or a dinosaur! Many of the schools then have art shows in the local malls that showcase examples of the different techniques. The embroidered projects are included in addition to the more conventional and expected art pieces.
If you get a chance to see one of these public displays, please take the opportunity. It's amazing what these children can do!
Originally Posted: April 13, 2006
It took about three years for most of the original contents of the kit to be used up. I changed the tangled up floss for DMC which had been wound on cardboard bobbins for the 2005 mall sleep-In. I was also able to replace last year the needles, scissors, and the needle threaders.
This year I was able to complete the Cross Stitch kit. My goal was to create a more user friendly kit for the volunteers. I also wanted to be able to replenish the kit each year in less than 30 minutes. I also wanted to create a new Cross Stitch handout for the kit as I had done for the Needlepoint kit. I also wanted to give the girls several simple charts that they could select from to stitch a small Cross Stitch design.
Please note that our intent is to give the scouts an introduction to Cross Stitch, not to make them experts!
For the simple Cross Stitch charts, I was able to reuse the Ladybug chart (mall sleep-in mascot) from the Needlepoint handout. I then created a nesting heart design and a design that is meaningful for Girl Scouts.
Needlework designer Linda Reinmiller, http://www.lkreinmiller.com/ was gracious enough to help us with the charts. Thank you Linda!!!!
Now that I had quality charts I was able to finish the development of a Cross Stitch handout that the girls could take with them at the end of the activity. The handout gives a brief explanation of what materials are used, how to do Cross Stitch, and the designs. I also included general information as to where they could learn more about Cross Stitch.
This year I was also able to replace the 18 count Aida with 14 and 11 count Aida. I included a questionnaire for the adult volunteers asking them which was easier to use. The overwhelming response, 11 count Aida! Once the 14 count Aida is used up, the kit will be replenished with 11 count Aida for future years. The 11 count Aida will be easier on the eyes in the middle of the night and with the dim lighting in the mall.
Now that the Cross Stitch kit has been redone, I estimate that it will only take me about 15 - 30 minutes to refresh the kit every year. Now, that’s an improvement!
I wish I had pictures to share with everyone but we can't publish pictures of the scouts without their parent’s permission. But there is usually a cluster of 5 - 8 scouts around the Cross Stitch and the Needlepoint booths throughout the night.
I'm also pleasantly surprised to talk to the girls and to hear how many have already done Cross Stitch. I'm also even more amazed at how many know what needlepoint is and have already been exposed to needlepoint either through friends or family or through school.
Many of the public schools in this area, through the Art classes, introduce all (boys and girls) fourth graders to embroidery. It's amazing what the kids can do at that young age!
Especially when they are allowed to pick an object to stitch that they are comfortable with. Such as our state symbols, flag, animals, reptile, and we even have a state dinosaur! What fourth grade boy wouldn't want to stitch a turtle or a dinosaur! Many of the schools then have art shows in the local malls that showcase examples of the different techniques. The embroidered projects are included in addition to the more conventional and expected art pieces.
If you get a chance to see one of these public displays, please take the opportunity. It's amazing what these children can do!
Originally Posted: April 13, 2006
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Entry for March 30, 2006
Well my last few entries have been about my basement finishing project so it's time for another needlework entry!
I've been a Girl Scout Leader for the past 10 years. One of the activities that goes on in this area, is a Mall Lock-In. We go into one of the local malls after 10:00pm as the public is leaving and the mall is closing on a Saturday night. Since the mall is on two levels, the Juniors (girls in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade) are admitted to the upper level where they setup their troop stations. The older scouts who are Cadettes and Seniors (girls in 7th - 12th grades) then start setting up activity stations on the lower level. At apx. 11:00pm the Juniors are permitted to come downstairs.
This is a unique opportunity for the Juniors as they are still to young to go to the mall on their own and there are lot's of fun things for them to do. The food court vendors are invited to stay open and many do until 3:45am. Since the mall is in a lock down situation the Juniors are turned loose on their own as long as they stay in buddy pairs. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to order a pizza and a drink on their own and for them to try out many activities. They also at this age think it's really awesome to stay up all night! For those of us who are older, this is not as fun!
The older scouts have a grand time also and they are also earning service hours and fulfilling requirements for older scout awards.
Adult volunteers are manning security posts, command central, and are running various activity stations that are not run by the older scouts.
We offer many activities such as finger nail painting, Karaoke, representatives from a Woman's Engineering club are onsite, line dancing, origami, balloon animals, aluminum tooling, gimp, quilting, embroidery, and several different badges are also offered.
The activities continue until 5:00am. The Juniors move back upstairs and start getting ready to leave and the older scouts start shutting down the activities. We are out of there by 6:30am and the mall is cleaner than when we arrived!
Why is this needlework related? Well two of the activities are Cross Stitch and Needlepoint! Several years ago I volunteered to take over the kits for both of these activities.
I was able to quickly revamp the Needlepoint Magnet kit. Since the activities do take place in the middle of the night when we are more tired than normal we keep the needlepoint activity fairly simple. The intent is to introduce them to the technique not to make them experts. The kit contains 7 count plastic canvas cut into 1" squares and many different colors of yarn. The younger girls love the variegated yarn! We have two display sheets with directions and samples of stitched needlepoint magnets. The girls then pick out which stitch they would like to do. We have adult volunteers who teach the stitches and help each girl complete her needlepoint magnet. Since the girls range in age from 9 years old to 18, their fine motor and concentration skills vary widely! Once the stitch is completed, the scouts then whipstitch around the outside of the square. A small piece of magnet tape is then placed on the back of the completed needlepoint magnet. The girls can then take their completed project with them or donate it to Meals on Wheels. We then give them an instruction sheet which has information on several stitches, how to make a needlepoint magnet and online references such as the American Needlepoint Guild.
Every year we get approximately 20 magnets donated as tray favors to Meals on Wheels which were made by the girls and the adult volunteers at this station. I usually make up enough later on so that we can make a donation of needlepoint magnets in multiples of 20. In other words, I'll make whatever we need so that our donation bags contain 20 needlepoint magnets.
I'm also thrilled to hear how many girls have not only tried Cross Stitch but are also familiar with needlepoint!
More on the Cross Stitch kit tomorrow!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Originally Posted: March 30, 2006
I've been a Girl Scout Leader for the past 10 years. One of the activities that goes on in this area, is a Mall Lock-In. We go into one of the local malls after 10:00pm as the public is leaving and the mall is closing on a Saturday night. Since the mall is on two levels, the Juniors (girls in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade) are admitted to the upper level where they setup their troop stations. The older scouts who are Cadettes and Seniors (girls in 7th - 12th grades) then start setting up activity stations on the lower level. At apx. 11:00pm the Juniors are permitted to come downstairs.
This is a unique opportunity for the Juniors as they are still to young to go to the mall on their own and there are lot's of fun things for them to do. The food court vendors are invited to stay open and many do until 3:45am. Since the mall is in a lock down situation the Juniors are turned loose on their own as long as they stay in buddy pairs. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to order a pizza and a drink on their own and for them to try out many activities. They also at this age think it's really awesome to stay up all night! For those of us who are older, this is not as fun!
The older scouts have a grand time also and they are also earning service hours and fulfilling requirements for older scout awards.
Adult volunteers are manning security posts, command central, and are running various activity stations that are not run by the older scouts.
We offer many activities such as finger nail painting, Karaoke, representatives from a Woman's Engineering club are onsite, line dancing, origami, balloon animals, aluminum tooling, gimp, quilting, embroidery, and several different badges are also offered.
The activities continue until 5:00am. The Juniors move back upstairs and start getting ready to leave and the older scouts start shutting down the activities. We are out of there by 6:30am and the mall is cleaner than when we arrived!
Why is this needlework related? Well two of the activities are Cross Stitch and Needlepoint! Several years ago I volunteered to take over the kits for both of these activities.
I was able to quickly revamp the Needlepoint Magnet kit. Since the activities do take place in the middle of the night when we are more tired than normal we keep the needlepoint activity fairly simple. The intent is to introduce them to the technique not to make them experts. The kit contains 7 count plastic canvas cut into 1" squares and many different colors of yarn. The younger girls love the variegated yarn! We have two display sheets with directions and samples of stitched needlepoint magnets. The girls then pick out which stitch they would like to do. We have adult volunteers who teach the stitches and help each girl complete her needlepoint magnet. Since the girls range in age from 9 years old to 18, their fine motor and concentration skills vary widely! Once the stitch is completed, the scouts then whipstitch around the outside of the square. A small piece of magnet tape is then placed on the back of the completed needlepoint magnet. The girls can then take their completed project with them or donate it to Meals on Wheels. We then give them an instruction sheet which has information on several stitches, how to make a needlepoint magnet and online references such as the American Needlepoint Guild.
Every year we get approximately 20 magnets donated as tray favors to Meals on Wheels which were made by the girls and the adult volunteers at this station. I usually make up enough later on so that we can make a donation of needlepoint magnets in multiples of 20. In other words, I'll make whatever we need so that our donation bags contain 20 needlepoint magnets.
I'm also thrilled to hear how many girls have not only tried Cross Stitch but are also familiar with needlepoint!
More on the Cross Stitch kit tomorrow!
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Originally Posted: March 30, 2006
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Beginning of Blog -- February 17, 2006
I've started this blog today to begin sharing my love of needlework with others.
I have many completed items that I've recently taken pictures of that I hope to post in the next several weeks.
Let me know what you think!
I'm also currently working on completing a Cross Stitch kit for a Girl Scout activity. We hope to reach between 100 to 200 girls each year to introduce them to needlepoint.
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Originally Posted: February 17, 2006
I have many completed items that I've recently taken pictures of that I hope to post in the next several weeks.
Let me know what you think!
I'm also currently working on completing a Cross Stitch kit for a Girl Scout activity. We hope to reach between 100 to 200 girls each year to introduce them to needlepoint.
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
Originally Posted: February 17, 2006
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