NEEDLE AND THREAD: A bodkin needle is shown with another one of Edie’s creations.
Jodi Marze | Picayune Item

If your conversations sometimes include words like monks cloth, bodkin needle and huck embroidery, chances are you are a Swedish weaving enthusiast.

Edie Flores, co-founder of Resurrection Life Ministries Swedish Weavers Life Group, is one such enthusiast and this month she is bringing in women from all over the United States to attend the 11th Annual Swedish Weaving Convention on June 23 through 26, at the Holiday Inn Express in Picayune. Registration is required and costs $25 to help defray costs of materials.

Flores, a former Picayune Junior High School teacher for 12 years, now teaches at Gulfport High School. She combines her love of both teaching and Swedish weaving through the life group that has been active for 10 years.

Eleanore Rowe, Michelle Vogt, Janet Dobson and Flores formed the life group. As an avid cross stitcher, Flores found this form of embroidery to be easier on her vision.

Flores has attended the Swedish Weaving Convention, under the direction of Connie Guyor, at the different locations it has been held for many years.

She said she decided to step up and get more involved in the convention leadership. This year Flores will be teaching classes and chairing the event.

Flores said that so far, 35 women are registered to attend. She said the event allows those who attend to form relationships with other women from all walks of life and from many different parts of the U.S.

“The theme for this convention is U.F.O. which stands for UnFinished Objects,” Flores said. “We all have plenty of those. But one of the most important things we do is a charity project for a local charity wherever the convention is held. Since we are holding it in Picayune, we are donating baby blankets to Sav-A-Life Pregnancy Support Services.”

Supplies are available for purchase at the event. Kits can cost anywhere for $10 to $25 depending on the size of a project.

“We want the community to see what we do and on that Monday, June 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. there will be an Expo in the front foyer of Resurrection Life to show people what we do,” Flores said.

For more information, call Flores at 601-590-4601. The group also has a group page on Yahoo: 2014 National Swedish Weave Convention.

Flores said there are many door prizes to be given out throughout the convention and everyone is welcome to register and attend.

If the dates for the convention are not convenient, Flores said the life group will begin in fall from 2 to 4 p.m. at Java Café’ by Resurrection Life. Flores said membership to the church is not required.

“The first two weeks is spent learning basic stitches,” Flores said. “But then it is really easy and in no time people are making their own designs. It is a great opportunity to get your creative juices flowing and be part of a fun group.”