December newsletter

 

Please pick up your copy of Contact if you haven't already done so. There are also copies of "Your Guild", the programme and booking form for the AGM at Southport from 30^th March - 1^st April, a letter calling for nominations for Chairman plus the new bookshop catalogue. Please collect these and any for friends who are not here tonight, but you will see before the next meeting.

A copy of Monica Selway's December NW Region Bulletin is available if you would like to read it, also a copy of a letter from our Acting Chairman Christine Poole.

Programmes for all the North West Area branches are available, so if you would care to visit any other branch see Marilyn who will bring the folder to meetings.

The details of the 2012 Summer School courses are now available and can be booked from Jan 15*2012.

Congratulations to Val on being elected Vice Chair of NW Regional Committee

Congratulations to John's granddaughter, Sarah who won the YE De-denne Competition. Her winning entry was on display at Harrogate, as were all the entries including John's "Green Man".

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Edgeworth Craft Group meets at the Barlow Institute, Edgeworth in the library with different programmes for afternoons and evenings including "Textile Pictures", Felt making and Paper Work. For further details see Lesley King.

Johanna is running a workshop (Patchwork and embroidery made into items) on Tuesday mornings between 9.30and 11.30 at the Quest Centre, Brownlow Way, Halliwell, BL1 3UB. It's a roll on/roll off workshop and the cost is£7.00 per week. Machines and all materials are provided.

"Little Black Dress" exhibition at Tullie House Art Gallery, Castle Street, Carlisle, CA3 8TP (Tel. 01228 618718 www.tulliehouse.co.uk) from 10th December - 26^th February Opening Times 1 10am - 4pm Monday - Saturday, 12pm - 4pm Sunday For further information about the exhibition or to request visuals please contact Fiona Venables on 01228 618734 / Fiona.venables@tulliehouse.org or Amy Walker on 01228 618774 / amy.walker@tulliehouse.org.

ADVANCE NOTICE

Next year Molly's Cup title will be "Redo, Rework, Reform" REMINDERS

The North West Regional Day will be held on Saturday 28^th April2012. Tickets £25 includes lunch andrefreshments.

Please start collecting pink items for the Pink Bag for the raffle prizes for the Southport AGM next March.

If you have any ideas for new books for the library, please tell Brenda. (An IBS number would be helpful) Raffle prizes are always welcome. Please see Judith if you have anything.

Don't forget our blog address for Bolton EG is http://begstitchers.blogspot.com/. Also just a reminder that the Guild web address is www.embroiderersguild.com

Finally

May I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year on behalf of Ann and the committee.

And more… There is a change of speaker for Jan. It will be Gillian Travis “Journeys through stitch”.

Dont forget to call in the Art Gallery to see the piece that we worked with Anna White. Its on till start of Feb.

December meeting

It was quite a miserable night to leave the home but there were about 30 of us attending the December meeting.There were lots of messages and several members” Showed and told”. The night had a Bulgarian theme ,inspired by the Olympic postcards.

Ann, Lesley and I provided Bulgarian food and there were worksheets and pictures to help inspire members.  The plan was to try and complete our postcards but I never managed to make a stitch.

The competition, a stitched Cracker was voted by each of our members and Ann was delighted to present Freda Hindle with a small prize.

I hope to include the newsletter later but in case I cannot,very good wishes to all my readers. Val

Out and about,Padiham

I braved the Arctic conditions yesterday and went to Padiham branch. Kathryn demonstrated how to make a simple ,but very effective Christmas decoration and then we all had a go. We exchanged a Christmas card and voted for our Xmas competition,subsequently and deservedly won by Joan, our hard working secretary.

The branch continues to grow. Three more members were signed up during the afternoon. The first workshop on Boutis is now full. A date and time for a visit to Gawthorpe Hall was arranged : 1.30 on 21/02/12. Kathryn then reminded us to buy our tickets for the AGM weekend and said that due to numbers, two more workshops had been arranged.

We shared festive food and then arranged to meet at our next meeting in February. This will be based on our Kiribati postcards.Looking back to the start of the year,when numbers were low, I am delighted to acknowledge that we have another strong branch in our region.

Out and about,Bolton

Last night a number of us,arrived at the Bolton Museum and Art gallery to meet with Anna. We had been invited to the private viewing of her work. Anna White had won the Humphrey Spender Scholarship by taking photographs of Bolton, inspired by Humphrey Spenders “Worktown” of the 1930s. Anna had come to our October meeting to ask whether any of us would like to add a few stitches and words to her photographs. We then needed to return them at the November meeting

We were delighted to be involved and amazed by the final piece. We are even credited and named at the side.

The exhibition opens to the public today and continues until January 14th. Do go and visit.

Out and About,Harrogate

Yesterday a group of us had an early start at Ann's. She had booked tickets and a mini bus to transport us to the Knitting and Stitching show at Harrogate. The weather was awful ,with a blustery wind but it did not dampen our spirits. The first port of call on arrival was a coffee and then we split up and began to attack the shops and displays. I like to get the feel of the place first , briefly wandering around and then re visiting the places of greater interest.However the place is so vast that it happens naturally as you are enticed by a display or stall. I was particularly impressed to see the Beryl Dean  and Ten Plus exhibitions.in the Main Hall. A number of us had arranged to meet for lunch, but it was a short break as there was so much to see. Barbara , Ann and I had decided to try a taster course so went along at 2.15. Please note that we are not wearing napkins under our chins!!! the tutor had kindly provided disposable aprons and gloves.

We experimented with Lutradur and Evalon,painting it and then zapping with a heat gun. Good fun and we all purchased glue to try again at home.

I then went to check out The Embroiderers Guild stand. The competition  pieces inspired by “The Visitor book” were on display. I will publish Johns from our Branch and Sandra McFarlane from Altrincham { who was commended } as we know her well. Well done to you both.

Christine Poole the Guild Chair was on duty and drumming up membership. Near  by were the Must Haves and an array of new books. An impressive display.

It is a good event. Lots to see and do and the chance to meet many old friends, Once on our way home, we chatted about what we had bought,what we had seen and what we had still missed!!! Its a big venue, come with us next year.

November Day School.

Hilary and her husband both entertained us on Saturday. There was a “full house” so her husband acted as tea maker and washer up, we were spoiled.

We began by looking for sources and then ripped up magazines to find colours and finally begin our stitching. You would think that a 2 by 2 inch square would be easy to fill but it was rather more complicated AND some members had already decided to “go bigger” This Ghandi piece by Hilary is much bigger and must have taken her months and months.She did tell us that she had many sleepless nights trying to gets his legs to look right!!!!

www.hilaryhollingworth.co,uk

Our pieces below need a lot more work and we hope to bring them along to our Jan meeting.Thank you again for making my birthday weekend special. Cant believe it is a year since I became an OAP and the one candle on the pile of brownies at lunch was almost as  memorable as the singing. What a friendly branch we are.

November meeting

Our meetings seem to get more and more busy, I dont know how we manage to pack it all in.Anna White came along to collect the photos that she hoped would be” annotated with stitches”  She was delighted with the results and we celebrated by eating cake that she had made. We are also invited to the opening and I have copied her words to explain….

This year I am responding to the theme The Everyday. I am tasked with re-interpreting Humphrey Spender’s Worktown project of the 1930s, and for the last year have been documenting everyday life in Bolton.

The photographs on display are my exploration of the Bolton borough, and of the relationship it has with its industrial past. Echoing the original Mass Observation project, I have also commissioned the poet Andrew McMillan to create original works based on interview transcripts and my photography, which not only provides a written record for the archive but also helps interpret what The Everyday means to modern Boltonians.

Please come along and share in this night with me.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be served. Friday 2 Dec,at the Museum.

Jackie was also delighted to see so many completed needlecases that we began with her in October.

We were then delighted to welcome back Hilary Hollingworth who gave a very interesting talk about the technique she uses most often, darning.There were slides to see and then work was passed around. Even better, she had agreed to come back on Saturday and lead a day school. Photos will follow.

EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD - BOLTON BRANCH

NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2011

NEWS

Please pick up your copy of Contact if you haven’t already done so. There are also copies of “Your Guild”, the programme and booking form for the AGM at Southport from 30^th March – 1^st April, a letter calling for nominations for Chairman plus the new bookshop catalogue. Please collect these and any for friends who are not here tonight, but you will see before the next meeting.

Programmes for all the North West Area branches are available, so if you would care to visit any other branch see Marilyn who will bring the folder to meetings.

The details of the 2012 Summer School courses are now available and can be booked from Jan 15^th2012.

John entered the Guild members challenge competition. Unfortunately he didn’t win, but congratulations for entering. All the entries can be viewed on the Guild website.

Stitch magazine – the first copy we will receive is the December issue.

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

The Embroiderers’ Guild Collection exhibition at Barton Grange, Garstang – 17^th -19^th November. Entrance free but you will need your membership card. Stewards are still needed if you can give a half day.

Edgeworth Craft Group meet at the Barlow Institute, Edgeworth in the library with different programmes for afternoons and evenings including “Textile Pictures”, Felt making and Paper Work. For further details see Lesley King.

There will be a Craft Fair at Astley Hall, Chorley on Sunday 4^th December

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ADVANCE NOTICE

December meeting will be on Tuesday 6^th December, not our usual 3^rd Tuesday. Don’t forget the Xmas competition is a Christmas Cracker. Also we are stitching our Bulgarian Postcards at our Christmas party meeting. Come along for inspiration or to finish working on or lacing your card. Please bring your postcard (to work on if unfinished) plus usual sewing kit and strong thread to lace over the card. There will be calico available for backing.

Next year Molly’s Cup title will be “Redo, Rework, Reform”

REMINDERS

The North West Regional Day will be held on Saturday 28^th April2012. Tickets £25 includes lunch and refreshments.

Please start collecting pink items for the Pink Bag for the raffle prizes for the Southport AGM next year.

If you haven’t paid for the Hillary Hollinsworth Day School on Saturday please do so tonight

Also we need to pay for the Knitting & Stitching Show at Harrogate if you haven’t already done so.

If you have any ideas for new books for the library, please tell Brenda. (An IBS number would be helpful)

Raffle prizes are always welcome. Please see Judith if you have anything.

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Don’t forget our blog address for Bolton EG is http://begstitchers.blogspot.com/ .

Also just a reminder that the Guild web address is www.embroiderersguild.com

AND MEET AT 8.30 ANNS for HARROGATE.

The Travelling Exhibition

Yesterday, Barbara , Ann and I set off for Barton Grange ,Garstang to help steward an exhibition. This had been organised at HQ and it is planned that it travels around the country. The North West was the first region to accept this challenge. I was really impressed by the quality and variety of work to be seen. I believe there were 75 pieces, some by famous embroiderers and others were nameless. The pieces had been selected from our Collection and illustrated the history of embroidery. There was a table of “Must Haves” to tempt the pocket, magazines on display and it well illustrated the role of our Guild. I spent a short time looking through the visitors book and was amazed to see the distances that members had travelled and the positive comments made .One criticism made was that it was a shame that it was not open to the public   I do have some agreement with this sentiment but I believe that this exhibition was a gesture from HQ to give something  back to members and make being a member of our Guild a special thing. We were asked not to photograph and publish on the web so I have included three photos of our stewarding skills.

Out and about

Last Saturday I was invited to Parbold Branch. Barbara and I went quite early in the morning as there was an additional  fund raising coffee morning and sale of work, in aid of the Linnaeus quilts. In the afternoon we were entertained by Michaela Smith who explained her slant on embroidered landscapes. I was also delighted to be there on that day as Sue the Chair presented Kathleen Slinger with the Rose bowl, her prize for the winning design for our Journal cover. Kathleen was as self effacing as ever full of wit and humour . We are proud to acknowledge that she is one of the longest serving members of the Guild….61 years!!!!

Recent news

I was perusing the national web pages today when I saw that the results from the members competition had been published. There were 32 entries with about 5 of them from the North West. The actual winner is an individual member in our area. Sandra from Altrincham was commended . Our own John had a very innovative piece there too. Go to the members area and then use the password on your membership card, have a look and see what you think.

Padiham meeting

Yesterday I went to the Padiham meeting. The title, Boutis was intriguing. I had never come across it but it is a form of quilting where knitting wool is inserted into channels to create a stuffing.Marie Lewis explained all this to us, had s short demonstration and passed around her work.She assured us that it was not fragile.She will be holding a workshop on Sat 18th Feb at Padiham. The cost of the day is £15.00 and an additional £2.50 for materials. At this moment there are some places so let me know if you are interested and I will put you in touch with the Secretary. Another pleasure was an unexpected visitor, Freda Morrell , a former member of Bolton and the teacher who inspired me and through this, my guild membership.

Out and about, Manchester

Last Saturday , in my capacity as Area 2 rep , I went to visit Manchester branch. I received a very warm welcome and met many “old” friends. Manchester meet for a full day. In the morning they had a practical based on paper napkins. I arrived in time for lunch and then went into the talk. A member Ro Chin gave a very interesting talk about Japan, showing many slides to illustrate her knowledge. I was most impressed about her command of the language. She had a display of things that she had collected during her travels. Very nostalgic for me!!!! There was also a small display of Japanese embroidery being completed by members of the branch. All worth the horrendous journey there and back….don't trust the Sat Navs and don't travel near Old Trafford when Man United are playing!!!!

Library Book List

TITLE	AUTHOR
Picture in Machine Applique	Sue Simmons
Assist Embroidery	Eva Maria Leszner
Introduction to Batik	Heather Griffin & Margaret Hone
Exploring Cross Stitch	Audrey Ormrod
Exquisite Miniatures	Brenda Keyes
Cross Stitch Cards & Keepsakes	Jo Verso
Drawn Fabric Embroidery	Edna Wark
Starting to Stitch Creatively	World of Embroidery Magazine
Thread Painting	Liz Hubbard
Embroidered Flowers	Pamela Watts
Landscape in Embroidery	Verina Warren
Embroiderer’s Flowers	Thomasina Beck
World of Embroidery	Jan Messent
Embroidery Studio	Embroiderers’ Guild
Lettering for Embroidery	Pat Russell
Bayeaux Tapestry	Norman Denny & Jos Filmer-Sankey
Free Machine Embroidery	Doreen Cullen
Machine Embroidery – Lace Techniques	Moira McNeill
Your House in Needlepoint	Susan Higginson
Creative Hand Made Paper	David Watson
Pincushions	Averil Ingram
Essential Quilter	Barbara Chaney
Rags to Rainbows	Miranda Innes
Raised Embroidery	Barbara & Roy Hirst
Whitework	Carter Houch
Wool ‘n Magic	Jan Messent
New Additions – Sept 2007
New Canvas Work	Jill Carter
Vanishing Act – Machine Emb. on Soluble Fabrics	Jan Beaney
Bonding & Beyond	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
Transfer to Transform	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
Gardens & More	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
Conversations with Constance Howard	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
Trees as a Theme	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
Giving Pleasure	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
A Tale of Two Stitches	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
Over the Line – Couching Rediscovered	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
Grids to Stitch	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
Seductive Surfaces	Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn
Basics of Embroidery on Paper	Erica Fortgens
Embroidery Stitch Bible	Betty Barden
Three Dimensional Embroidery Stitches	Patt Trott
Blackwork Embroidery Stitches	Anchor
Hardanger Embroidery Stitches	Anchor
Creative Tucks & Textures for Quilts & Embroidery	Jennie Rayment
Making Samplers	Embroiderers’ Guild
Beginners Guide to Goldwork	Ruth Chamberlain
New Ideas in Goldwork	Tracey A Franklin
Embroidered Purses - using Free Machine Embroidery	Jenny Rolfe
Machine Embroidered Flowers	Alison Holt
Paper, Metal & Stitch	Maggie Grey & Jane Wild
Fusing Fabric – Bonding & Mark Making	Margaret Beal
Giving Pleasure	Jan Beanie & Jean Littlejohn
Creative Quilts – Inspiration, Texture & Stitch	Sandra Meech
Embroidered Purses	Linda Tudor
Original Design for Silk Ribbon Embroidery	Jenny Bradford
Starting Zele Lace	Agnes Stevens
Creative Embellishments	Sherrill Kahn
Creative Needlecraft	Kaffe Fossett
Bead Embroidery	Valerie Campbell
Complete Book Of Doll Making	Pamela Peake
This Lustred Cloth	Alisn Midgelow - Marsden
The Merehurst Book of Needlework	-
Embroidery Technology from East & West	Munni Srivastava
Bead Weaving	Ann Benson
Introduction to Crewel Embroidery	Mave Glenny
Creative Embroidery Techniques using Colour Through Gold	Daphne Ashby & J. Woolsey
Picture it in Cross Stitch	Jo Verso
Between the Sheets with Angelina	Alisn Midgelow - Marsden
The Needlework Garden	Jane Iles
The Tapestry Book	Jill Gordon
Create Your Own Cross Stitch	Shirley Watts
Flowers in Cross Stitch	Jane Housechild Lindberg
Embroidered Books	Isobel Hall
Lovely Lutrador	Marion Barnett & Di Janne Cevaal
Stitched Postcards	Edited by Christa Rolf
Stitches, Straps & Layers	Maggie Grey
ETN Textile Forum
Tucks, Textures & Pleats	Jennie Rayment
Dancing Needles	Pamela Gurney
No-stress Paper Piecing	Carolyn Cullinan McCormick
The About.com Guide to Family Crafts	Sherri Osborn
Quilted Bags & Purses	Mary Jo Hiney
Feltmaking	Deborah McGavock & Christine Lewis
Hire of Equipment (per month)
Smocker £2.00
Heat Gun £2.00
Soldering Iron £2.00
Beading Mould £2.00
Library Books 20p per month

Out and about

The Isle of man Branch is in my area so I was very pleased when they invited me over last weekend. Liz the Chair met me at the airport and took me to her home.She and her husband ,wined and dined me and I was so relaxed I hardly wanted to go to a meeting.

I had been asked to talk about my life with the Guild and my NW involvement. I have never before given a talk and was quite worried. I filled my suitcase with 15 of my pictures which again I dont really show to people but they were admired and gave me a focus for my talk. I believe that it went well and I now realise that I missed a few things that I wanted to say. I then invited questions and did my best to explain what I understood about the recent problems. I had taken lots of photos on a CD and memory stick but there was little time to show them…another time!!!

On Saturday I lead a workshop making felt jewellery. Again it was a good experience for me. The members were warm and welcoming and had lots of laughter and banter. It reminded me of my Bolton branch and I felt quite at home. members worked hard and several completed a necklace. Others saw new applications for the technique and were making decorations for Christmas .

I sent some time looking through a book created to show and explain about the Bonnets for Convict women. Really interesting and I wish that we had done something similar before ours were sent off.

Thanks Isle of Man for your welcome and hospitality.

October meeting

We had a very busy meeting last Tuesday. We welcomed several guests,  one who had come requesting help. Anna wanted some of us to add stitching to some photographs that she was assembling into a Photo montage of Bolton. I chose one about the Library but am now pondering about just what to do . Marilyn gave a  short report about the AGM that we had attended at the weekend.

Jackie Martin lead our meeting.She had asked us to bring in black thread, felt, fabric,press studs and hooks and eyes. Very odd, I couldn't imagine what we were about to do.

As usual,Jackie worked wonders. She adjusted the length of her talk so that we could attempt a practical. First however, she showed us samples of embellishment, many ,many samples.

From this she developed the idea of embellishment and gave us pre mounted fabric on which we made patterns , using our hooks and eyes etc. This was then assembled in a simple way and we had made a needle case.

By the end of the evening there were several finished needle cases and promises from the rest of us to bring them along in November. It amazes me how Jackie thinks up these simple challenges and how enthusiastically they are met.

REMINDER, ALL PHOTOS FOR ANNA DUE THEN TOO.

EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD - BOLTON BRANCH

NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2011

GUILD NEWS

Contact magazine has arrived. Please pick up your copy if you haven’t already done so.

There is a copy of Material Matters (which used to be In Contact) for any one who hasn’t access to the internet, plus a letter from Terry Murphy. There is also a copy of Kathryn’s October bulletin.

Programmes for all the North West Area branches are available, so if you would care to visit any other branch Marilyn will bring the folder to meetings.

The details of the 2012 Summer School courses are now available and can be booked from Jan 15^th2012

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Preston Threads – from 2 - 4 pm at Brabin’s Shop & Gallery, 20 – 22 Talbot St. Chipping, Preston PR8 2QE. The shop is open from 9 – 5 7 days a week but closed between 1 – 2 weekends.

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair from October 20 – 23^rd at Spinningfields, Manchester. Opening times – Friday 10 – 7; Saturday 10 – 6; Sunday 10 – 5. There is an entrance fee of £6, concessions £5

Rhythm in Stitch is still on at Gawthorpe Hall until 30th October every afternoon except Monday & Friday

Project Linus has a coffee morning and sale on Nov 12^th from 10.30am – 1.00pm at Parbold Village Hall. Entrance £2 including refreshments.

The Embroiderers’ Guild Collection exhibition at Barton Grange, Garstang – 17^th -19^th November. Entrance free but you will need your membership card. Stewards are still needed if you can give a half day.

Edgeworth Craft Group meet at the Barlow Institute, Edgeworth in the library with different programmes for afternoons and evenings including Textile Pictures, Felt making and Paper Work. For further details see Lesley King.

Warrington branch invite visitors to attend their Nov. 3^rd meeting with Helen McCook (See Poster)

Macclesfield Heritage Centre is holding a workshop entitled “Memories are made of this…” on 10^th Nov from 10am – 3.00pm. Phone 01625 612045/613210

ADVANCE NOTICE

Don’t forget the Xmas competition is a Christmas Cracker. Also we are stitching our Bulgarian Postcards at our Christmas party meeting. Come along for inspiration or to finish working or lacing your card.

Next year Molly’s Cup title will be “Redo, Rework, Reform”

. The North West Regional Day will be held on Saturday 28^th April2012. Tickets £25 includes lunch and refreshments.

REMINDERS

Sign tonight up for the Hillary Hollinsworth Day School on November 19^th

Also we need to sign up for the Knitting & Stitching Show at Harrogate,Saturday 26th Nov. Members £15.00. Leave from Ann's at 8.30 am.

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Don’t forget our blog address for Bolton EG is http://begstitchers.blogspot.com/ .

Also just a reminder that the Guild web address is www.embroiderersguild.com

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Requirements for Oct meeting

As promise, please read below, the requirements needed for the demo and practical, lead by Jackie.

Usual sewing equipment

Black thread, sewing or embroidery

Black hooks and eyes and press studs

Black felt 2.5x5.75 inches

Lining fabric,maybe black 6 x2.75 inches

Bondaweb 6x 2.75 inches.

Sounds fascinating……

September meeting

Tuesday was our annual AGM. A slightly more formal night but luckily we had already introduced the new committee at the EGM in July. Reports were read, balance sheets poured over and then Ann gave flowers to Eileen and Val. The main issue at AOB was the announcement of the resignation of PH. This was met with great concern and after quite a heated discussion, Val and Ann will meet together and send a formal letter to HQ. Members signed up to the forthcoming day school and Saturday was picked as the most popular date for the trip to Harrogate. Some places still available for both events.

I now publish our newsletter…..

September newsletter

We hope you all had a good summer and are now looking forward to our embroidery evenings. A few reminders and hopefully some new information for you.

v Postcards, we plan a work evening and party in December. Come along and share ideas and or stitch your Bulgarian card.

v Barton Grange , Garstang ,17 to 19th Nov, exhibition from The Collection, stewards wanted Otherwise take your membership card and a friend when you visit.

v Sat 19^th Nov is a Hilliary Hollinsworth day school for us

v Sign up for the coach trip to Harrogate Knitting and Stitching, max £20,00 {If 15 attend}

v NW Region AGM at Garstang, Sat Oct 15^th, all members welcome

v Ideas wanted for new books for the Library

v Unwanted/duplicate gifts accepted for the Raffle, by Judith

v Check out the new stuff always arriving at our sales table.

v Mollys Cup Sept 2012 will be ”Redo, Rework , Reform “.Plenty of time!!!!

v Craft exhibition and shop at Astley Hall, Sunday Oct 9 and Dec 4.

v Exhibition and workshops at Audlem. See poster for details.

v The Play day was successful so we plan another based on embossing and foiling fabrics. Bring your own lunch and split the hire cost of the room. Let us know if you are interested.

v Have you started your Cracker for our Xmas meeting/competition?

v Have you seen the leaflet about the Edgworth Craft club?

v Platform Gallery ,Clitheroe. Open Craft Exhibition till Ist Oct. Free

v Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Spinningfields, 21 to 23 Oct, £6/5

v Preston Threads exhibition, Brabins Shop, Chipping,PR8 2QE, every day 9 to 5 except 1 till 2 weekdays. From 3^rd October for a month.

We were then informed that Aberkhan was opening next to Asda at Burnden Park……more shopping opportunities!!!!

Finally we were given good news about Florence and Pam C. Both had been in hospital but now on a speedy road to recovery.

During this very busy evening we were asked to vote for our favourite piece in the Mollys Cup competition. Even though the idea of broderie perse seemed daunting to some, there was an impressive range of work.

Ann presented Jackie with the Rose bowl for her very popular  fan. Finally some of us had the time to Show and Tell. Jackie brought an award winning Quilt, Joan a cross stitched picture of her family,Lesley wore her Nuno felted waistcoat, Brenda a felt picture, Barbara and I showed the pieces made at our play day.

A very busy night and we look forward to the programme ahead.

Play Day Saturday, 13th August

We organised a play day today. The idea came from the fact that we all buy amazing products but by the time we come to use them, we have forgotten what to do!  So the focus of this day was to experiment with the various interlinings , painting then ironing  ,heating with a gun and then using a soldering iron. Eight of us met and shared the hire costs of the room and our various expertises.  I was really frustrated that I came with an idea ,using Lutrador but when I arrived the fabric had magically disappeared. My best experiments were with a new fabric called Crash. It is quite a delicate fabric which absorbs the paint well and can then be heated and further marks made with a soldering iron. I attempted to make battery  tea light decorations and was quite satisfied with the effect.Several members had never used Angelia so had a play with this. Eileen followed instructions from a Stitch magazine and made a lovely bowl.

Brenda made a 3 D flower using Vilene,

and Julie is making a remarkable box.The range of work produced was again quite amazing and we all learned something new.

We all agreed that it was a good day and we are planning another. Next time we will bring along embossing powders and heat guns and also transfer foils. You are all welcome.

Out and about

Today, Sunday, Barbara and I went to the Embroidery 2000 exhibition at Astley Hall,that I had told you about. It was a glorious day so we sat outside  at the cafe and ate lunch. We then went upstairs to the  newly refurbished stables. We were warmly greeted  by Margaret and then began to study the exhibits.

The works were based a poem, chosen by each embroiderer. The work was exquisite. Jacky had alerted me to the details of the exhibition and we loved her work.

This was our favourite piece in the exhibition and the photo does not do it justice sorry, Jacky.

Another by Jackie.

This nuno felt piece was created by Margaret,colourful and beautifully stitched.

All I can say is that I strongly recommend that you visit this exhibition,open Sat and Sun 12.00 till 4.00 until Sept 4th.

EGM and Summer Meal

Tuesday was our formal  EGM meeting but for the last couple of years we have met at the Ridgmont and combined it with a delicious meal. Of course we did the same this year.  The committee were announced and introduced. Several members were retiring and volunteers have been found to replace them. Clare will replace me at IT Rep, Lesley replaces Pauline as Programme Secretary and Brenda B replaces Eileen H as the Librarian. The rest of the committee remains. These persons are “committee elect” until being ratified at our AGM in September but their names can now be printed on the programme. A workshop was announced, see below.

CREATIVE INTERLINING WORKSHOP

Saturday 13^th August at Bank Top

Please bring:-

Assorted Vilene , Bondaweb , Lutrador etc

Paints, brushes and newspaper to dry on.

Black bin liner and tape for table

Parchment to iron on

Heat gun, soldering iron, craft knife and cutting mat

Notebook and pen

Usual sewing stuff and/or machine.

Angelina , beads, voiles ,fibres to trap, little bits of fabric

Thread for hand and/or machine sewing.

Embellisher if you have one

Ideas, instructions from magazines and books

Stitch no 25,31,41,43,49,69,70 71

Your own lunch – tea and coffee will be provided.

Lots of IMAGINATION !!!!!

JULY NEWSLETTER

An index for STITCH magazine is available from the Web - very useful

Workbox has suddenly and surprisingly ceased trading.

Louise Gardener exhibition at Quarry Bank until Sept.

Natural Progression at Salmesbury Hall until the end of July

Exhibition by Embroidery 2000 at The Coach House Gallery, Astley

Hall, Chorley , Saturday and Sunday until Sept 4^th

Bolton Branch AGM Sept 20^th. Bring your broderie perse piece.

Further details and programme available in Chairman’s letter due

end of August.

Good food shared with good friends.

Return from Summer school,

I returned last night from a weekend at Alston Hall. The NW Region of the Embroiderers Guild takes over the venue, once a year for an incredible weekend. This year the tutors were, Liliane Taylor, Frances Pickering and Nicola Jarvis.Frances started her class on Thursday and the group created amazing “Books to Cherish”. Liliane gave inspiration to create huge “Pictorial Collages”. In a conversation with her ,, she told me that she is booked to speak in Bolton in October. I will look forward to that.I chose the “Modern 3D Crewel work taught by Nicola.

We began after dinner on Friday,selecting fabric, threads and designs. I had decided that I did not want to work in wool so took along perle thread. I was more inspired by a traditional design than the 3D offered but as always with embroiderers , we all moved off in different directions.

We worked hard and then moved into the bar for a little R and R.A good nights sleep and up for a cooked breakfast and I was stitching again soon after 9.00am. Morning coffee and home made biscuits .buffet lunch, afternoon tea and scones and then another 3 course meal in the evening punctuated our stitching,

I was also in charge of selling our raffle tickets and taking photos of the event so often went on a ramble to get some fresh air and shake down the food! You can work as much or little as you wish but again on Saturday, some of us did not reach the bar until well after 10.00pm.

Sunday followed the same format but after lunch we began to tire and think about clearing up. We held a mini show and tell in our group and then visited the two other groups to see what they had done. Afternoon tea was served at about 4.00 to set us up for our journeys home.

Alston Hall is a comfortable venue set in very pretty gardens.It even boasts a croquet lawn. Several of the regulars were unable to spend the whole weekend with us but called to see old friends. On Saturday, Jennifer Bamford and Sandra Kedzlie arrived and then on Sunday, Betty Mansfield and Pauline Hannon. If you have ever thought about joining us , but were not sure , then do think again. Persons of all abilities are accepted. Friendships are made and a whole weekend of stitching whilst being tempted by excellent food is a dream come true.

This was my weekend stitching, soon to be finished.

Nicola proudly displays our work,