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,

Padiham Branch

Yesterday, I went over to Padiham again. It was the last meeting of the “year” so we celebrated by having a “Show and Tell”. Joan the secretary began the event, showing inspiration from her city and guilds days.

I was really impressed that every member had brought along something to show and  was happy to stand up and discuss their work.  It made a very good mini exhibition and we can always learn from our colleagues.

Mona the chairman completed our event, telling us about the highs and lows of bookbinding.

Finally having already been refreshed by tea or coffee , we were treated to strawberries and vanilla cream, by members of the committee.

We meet again in September for the AGM and and some other activity,yet to be confirmed. Members from Bolton  (or in fact any other branch member who might be reading this} can join Padiham as well as their home branch.  Fees to HQ are already covered by local membership so only the Padiham fee is needed.Padiham meets on the first Monday of the month , from 2.00 till 4.00.It takes me about 1/2 hour to get there and we have a large, free car park. As a new branch we would appreciate all support.