June play day

Barbara lead our play day on Saturday, developing ideas that we had started with Brenda earlier. I used a block that I had made to create my first background and then played with several ideas that Barbara had suggested. There was then talk of lunch but no one seemed to want to stop. However it is important to take a little break and so after a quick sandwich I began to work on fabric. I now have the foundation for a piece to applique and stitch in to.

Barbara was delighted to see the quantity and quality of  the work that we were able to produce. Thanks to our instructor!!!!

Lost and now found,our 25th celebration meal archive for Jan 2010

Our celebrations began with a very successful exhibition at Rivington Art Gallery.Even though the gallery is in the centre of a country park and not on a bus route we estimate that we had over 500 visitors, during our 9 nine days of opening. perhaps you were one of our visitors? If so thank you for calling and you might like to know that the "Silver" competition,judged by the visitors was won by Jennie Whittle.

Our annual meal held at the beginning of July was extended to include former members and members of the NW regional committee.In the end there were about 40 of us able to attend.Barbara Demaine our first Chair helped me to cut a commemorative cake . Photo albums were passed around and finally everyone was given a pair of silver scissors bearing a 25th Anniversary ribbon. A lovely evening for everyone.

We have now begun a group piece based on the Open Market in Bolton.This necessitated visits to sketch and photograph the products.We plan a wall hanging depicting fruit and flowers,fish and vegetables etc.I am quite pleased with the rainbow trout that i have sewn.

June meeting

It was a very busy meeting last night.Dr Aruna Mene had been invited to talk to us. First we had the usual messages and then “the Edgworth Three” alias Lesley Hilary and Penny showed us what they had done at a recent workshop. Then Pauline showed us two Wiggly Bags that she had made.These can be found in the most recent Contact magazine but Pauline had a personal reason to promote them and explain their uses. We are encouraged to work as many as possible and then we will approach the Manchester Childrens Hospital.

We were all very confused that evening as the caretaker had reversed the seating . Tables were all over and Aruna comandeered several for her displays.

Aruna began her talk which was entirely accompanied by slides of her work. Her underlying there is of well being, happiness and joy. She feels that colour affects the emotions{ as do we all}, Her work began as tiny pieces of fabric,applied onto a canvas to create a harmonious picture. She had holiday inspirations, flowers, landscapes and portraits. Wherever possible the scraps of fabric had been used before and thus recycled.

Then she paused and explained her “day job”in a hospital. I cannot remember the correct words but she deals with tissue and cells of cancer etc .Using a microscope to examine, she saw other patterns and began to reproduce them.So we saw a blood vessel, clogged with a fatty layer and other disgusting yet oddly attractive pieces of work. Obviously many of these pieces have been used in and on medical journals.Aruna has developed other techniques such as rag rugs and has now moved into cushions. These along with her cards bags and collages are sold to raise funds for her many charities.  She seemed very busy last night so hope her funds were swelled.

Newsletter – June 2015

News and Competitions

The Rose Bowl competition title is “Under the Sea”, for our Regional Day in April next year.

Northwest Region Broderers’ Cup is for October AGM. Open to our Branch only.

Molly’s Cup is “Whitework”, for September meeting.

New books in the library: “Felt and Fibre Art” by Val Hughes

“Applique Art” by Abigail Mill

“Crewel Intentions” by Hazel Blomkamp

“Modern Sashiko” by SAilke Bosbach

Exhibitions and Events

· Summer School at Alston Hall 16^th-19^th July. See notice board for details and booking forms.

· Lancashire and Yorkshire Open Craft Exhibition at The Platform Gallery, Clitheroe until Sat July 4^th ; www.platform.gallery@ribblevalley.gov.uk

· Woolfest, Cockermouth, Cumbria, Friday 26 June and Saturday 27 June. www.woolfest.co.uk

· Annual Blackrod Scarecrow Festival 4&5 July 10am – 7pm. Over 130 scarecrows registered. Lookout for the orange bows around the village as these indicate the various houses with scarecrows. Programmes are £2 – see Julie Burrows.

· For more information about textile art exhibitions checkout this website –www.textilesociety.org.uk/events.

Advance Notice

• Playdays are on Saturdays June 27 and August 22 at Banktop Church, 10.00-2.30.

· Please keep your Pearl Exhibition pieces to put on a display at our Regional Day next year. New work would be very welcome too.

REMINDERS

· There is a vacancy for somebody to run the Sales Table. This involves collecting items brought in and pricing and presenting for sale at our meetings.

· The Summer meal (£25) and EGM at Ridgemount, Horwich July 14^{th .}

Ann needs more handmade birthday cards for sending to members if you have any to spare please pass them on. Raffle prizes are always welcome. Please see Barbara Ryall if you have anything. If there are any library books you think would be suitable for us, please tell Sheelagh Madden. (An ISBN would be helpful)

If you hear of any interesting exhibitions or events that you think may be of interest, please let Brenda Brown know and details can go on the newsletter; brownhovis33@yahoo.co.uk

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

The Northwest blog address is http:/www.info@nwregionembroiderers.org

Out and about Helmshore

Patricia invited me, well really the Guild to exhibit at Helmshore Mill”Follow the threads” again this year. I now have a good idea of what the public actually like/look at so took a few pictures off my walls, added my jewellery , a few books, bags and the magazine articles that have been published. It was an interesting weekend and I spoke to many very interested stitchers. I now need time to recover.Below is a taste of what you missed,The baby alpaca was only 2 days old!!!!

Out and about,Cumbria

Carol announced a possible trip several weeks ago and of course I said yes. I did not know what to expect but was delighted when Carol and Brenda volunteered to drive. I seem to have been attached to my steering wheel of late!!!

We met at Horwich car park and set off for a journey of approx 2 hours into the Lake District.  The venue was the Wool Clip in Caldbeck,11 miles from junction 40 on the M6.

We were greeted by our host Cecelia and directed to the cafe.Refreshed we made our way into a quaint shop, absolutely stuffed with wool and wool related objects. I don't really knit so thought I would be less inclined but managed to spend £50.00.

Carol has planned that Cecelia demonstrate to us , so she began with a very odd spinning wheel and using two threads . spun that knobbly wool that all embroiderers covet. I was fascinated.

We went back upstairs where a table had been reserved for us and we had a delicious lunch. Again we made our way back to he shop and another demonstration, this time spinning using various hand held spinners{ I didn't learn the name , is it a spindle?}The yarns made  were stunning. Cecelia was patient and answered all of our questions . Upstairs, somewhere I have a spindle and really fancy giving it a go.

The shop is a co operative and I learned how the 11 craftswomen kept it going. They are also the instigators of Woolfest, held this year on 26/7 June. Photos are not normally allowed in the shop but we has special dispensation. Have a look, and tempt yourself. A lovely day out. Cecelia has a facebook contact where she says you need not join to watch

www.facebook.com/ceceliaandhandspunyarn  or at www.wovember.com