The Embroiderers’ Guild of Peterborough (EGP) offered and was accepted by Embroiderers’ Association of Canada Inc. (EAC) to manage, document and distribute the 2013 Artists Trading Card (ATC) exchange. Our Guild offered suggestions and assisted new members on how to construct the cards and encouraged all to participate. Before the deadline all of our members had at least one card to exchange.
Our EGP members submitted 150 cards. Carol contributed 27 cards on her own, the most by an individual. We believe that 13 guilds from across Canada took part. This figure was not easy to determine as some members did not indicate their chapter. 74 individual members from across Canada participated. We even received 6 cards from Australia. We were very pleased to have 8 Youth Embroiderers from B.C. and Newfoundland take part in the challenge. In total we received 380 cards. We could not have wished for a better response.
The number of cards was overwhelming at times but what fun it was to see the different techniques used, all made by a needle and thread. Members primarily used the different types of embroidery like counted, drawn, ribbon, applique, surface, cross, machine or freestyle but it did not limit them from knitting, tatting, crocheting, mixed media, felt-work and so on.
Each day I waited in anticipation for the mailman to drop off the envelopes. Everything else that needed to be done that day was put on hold until I admired the amazing cards and documented the contents. Statistics needed to be kept as to who sent the cards and how many did they send. Often there would be a little note attached thanking our Guild for organizing the challenge which made it pleasant and personal.
The involvement in this project was so worthwhile for our Guild. We learned and admired all the different ideas from other like-minded persons. Everyone who participated in the challenge exhibited creativity as well as their best workmanship.
The only snag encountered was with the post office. We learned that if sending needle work, like an ATC, to remember to keep it thin. If a heavy fabric or technique is used it could cost three times the postage.
Please enjoy the lovely ATC’s pictures.
Linda Vassiliadis
P.S. Below are only a small presentation of the 150 cards made by our own Guild. To see most of the entire Guild collection please click Artists Trading Cards A-L and Artists Trading Cards M-W.
