NWR AGM SATURDAY 24TH OCT.

A bit of a foggy start to the day but Vicki and I were happily chatting away when I realised that I had missed the M55 turning , so we did the scenic route via Lancaster, actually only about 5 mins longer.

Some committee had beaten me there and the room was sorted. The message that “Angie had had a breakdown” was disconcerting as we have several Angelas. Unfortunately as the morning went on, it was obvious that Angie was our trustee. She and Muriel had planned to travel down from Scotland but Angie had a headlight malfunction.She had e mailed after 7.00 to tell me but I had not opened my messages.

Sadly they both missed a really good day. We ran out of tables and wall space on which to display all the collaborative pieces that I had requested. It looked like a carnival. I know that many members approved of this exhibition and took inspiration from those pieces.

I opened the Travelling books today. There are 6 branches represented , so far and the work is simply beautiful. Thank you to those branches. If you have yet to start then have a good think as they will be work to inspire and treasure. I would like to complete them at the NWR Day in Bolton on 23rd April.

I will not say much about the business meeting as the minutes and reports will soon be available on the NWR Blog. I presented 5 badges for 25 years with our Guild to representatives as the members were not in attendance. Next presentation at NWR Day so let me know in advance.

I must mention that Judith won the Journal Cover competition and will receive a cup and prize. Again she was not present.

It seems like we were missing many people but the room was full. I received a few apologies but almost all branches were represented. Some left at lunchtime but the rest of us went down to a pleasant lunch.

Sandra K from the NW committee had offered to organise the afternoon activity. It was a bit of a risk as we needed to pay extra for the room and had little idea how well supported it would be. Why should we have worried? The activity was well presented, kits sorted and everyone was busy.”

 

Circles”, Im sure they will soon appear on branch programmes.  At the end of the session, a display of work produced was seen by all

A suggestion that the finished pieces should be brought to NWR day was met with very positive vibes. So Bolton, we will need a couple of extra tables please.Thanks so much Sandra.

The next NRW AGM has been booked, same venue etc.Sandra has another idea so be prepared. We are expecting even more to stay.

October meeting

I hadnt heard of Julie Bull before our meeting last Tuesday but Im sure the word will soon get around. She is actually moving into our area{Padiham} very soon. Her title was “Telling stories in Fabric and Stitch” and that is what she did. I do not want to spoil a possible talk for other branches but to say that she was very candid about her life and how it had affected her attitude to life and work. Julie spoke and illustrated her ideas with many slides but also came with a few original pieces. She was in the very happy state of selling almost all of her work!!! She had some greetings cards etc for us to buy.

Julie was from South Wales and spoke with a very melodic tone. Bet she can sing too.

Julie has finally decided to work using a Kantha stitch, making a multi coloured background and then applying specific shapes. The work is full of charm.Her web is                                                                                                    www.juliebulltextileartist.co.uk

A lovely evening.

Embroiderers’ Guild – Bolton Branch

Newsletter –October 2015

News and Competitions

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

The Christmas competition is “Snowman”.

The Capability Brown Festival is a celebration of landscape and gardens in stitch. Entries required later next year.

Exhibitions and Events

· Try to see Cornelia Parkers’ Magna Carta which is on at present until November 1^st at The Whitworth, Oxford Rd ,Manchester M156ER.

· Nicola Orpen is holding 2days of textile workshops in Hebden Bridge on November14th (indigo with shibori) and15th (natural dying of cloth and yarn with plant dye). Cost £45 per day including materials. Full details on her facebook Page. Her website is www.texatelier.com.

· Crafts in the Pen. Skipton Cattle Mart, BD23 1UD. Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd November; 10.am -4pm; £5.00 free for under 16’S.

· Harrogate -The Knitting and Stitching Show. Thursday 26^th – Sunday 29^th November; tickets £12.50 concessionary and children from 5-18yrs £6.50. Group discounts available.

Advance Notice

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· A beginners/slight experience embroidery and contemporary stitch class is starting on October 8^th at the Triangle Centre, Chorley Old Rd. It will be on Thursdays 10-12 noon. More information at www.facebook.com/pages/Enjoy-Learning-Bolton/141379002171999 or see Glennys Astley.

New in the library

Sheelagh has bought 2 new DVD’s for the library: “Creative Bondaweb”, with Kim Thittachai and “Creative Free Machine Embroidery”, with Gina Ferrari.

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

I gave further details about The Chairmans Challenge abnd the Capability Brown Festival. More will appear on the bulletin next month.

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October Workshop

We had all been looking forward to our next workday with Alysn Midgelow Marsden. Well I had until I saw the requirements list!!!It was certainly comprehensive but as always there were bits that I would have liked to have brought along , but didn't.

My camera battery had died and I had to make do with my phone to record the day. a word of warning for those with computers….Windows 10 seems to be fine except it will not support my 4 year old camera or phone. I have a card reader for the camera but am still struggling with my phone. The photos are still there so apologies.

Alysn was extremely well organised and had three challenges for us. We had chosen a metal workshop so after the usual demo we began by weaving into copper shim. Actually we painted and/or embellished it first and then wove away. here is my piece although I plan to work further  into it and add lots of beads{left at home on Saturday}

We then progressed and layered varies sheers and metals, outlined in stitch and then cut through.

Our final task was to use sweet papers. I didn't bring any so tried the same technique with transfer foils. It seemed to work OK.

We set out with the idea of including all three pieces into one finished but as usual I couldn't ignore the colour pink so added it to the foils. This would have been fine if I then added some pink beads to the metal but it just didn't seem right.

I came home and worked lots of beads{copper} into my metal piece and then backed it alone, onto velvet. I'm quite happy with the result. I will incorporate the other pieces into other pieces at a later date.

I must apologies to all my fellow stitchers on Saturday that I only have these photos, taken at home. IF /when I can send the others on my phone I will add far more exciting pieces. our next play day on Nov 14th will be developing these techniques. Sadly I have a NWR committee meeting here all day. We hope to have all pieces finished by our Xmas meeting when I will sent photos to Alysn as promised.