Jacobs Join January

 I had been madly busy all week and out for lunch or dinner every day so that thought of another lunch out did not seem to attractive. However I try to attend as many of Bolton's events that I can so on Friday night I boiled a dozen eggs ready to prepare an egg mayo as my contribution to our lunch. Roadworks on Blackburn road made my ten minute journey into a half hour nightmare so all the tables were set up when I arrived. I also noticed the stitching that we began last year at this event. Very colourful.

Brenda and her team had done a great job. We had a relaxing coffee and then played a "controversial" game of true or false. In turn we read a card to the person next to us, choosing one of two accounts. The other person had to guess whether it was true or false. General knowledge[HA HA}and lots of guessing, Judith won the game.

We were all feeling hungry so arranged a wide range of contributions on the table. It was an excellent feast and we still had to go home with goodie bags.
 Another coffee and then Brenda introduced our afternoon stitching. She had made kits for about 30 persons, felt circles or lozenges that we needed to cover in stitches. They would then be threaded onto cord to make a very colourful hanging. I manged one and a half during the afternoon and came home with another which I completed that night. I know that Pauline has also completed three so that's 1/2 dozen ready to assemble.

Brenda also showed us the bowl of flowers that we had all been stitching. She had roughly joined our pieces but must be quite annoyed that there are still gaps. Some members have taken a piece but yet to return it even though its been about a year. A personal plea from me to search , finish or own up if you have a square. Id love to see our finished piece as soon as possible.

There were only 10 of us at the lunch which is in itself a little disappointing but on the other hand it really was great fun. We were all chattering together throughout the event and able to speak to every person in turn, However I do implore you to put these dates into your diary and whenever possible support our Branch. As a former committee member I know how difficult it is to arrange all the events and variety of activities and know it is frustrating when they are under supported. Use it or lose it!!!!

January 2020

Happy New year to all my readers, even though it is rather late!!! We were entertained in Bolton by Suzy Huxley this week. I was really impressed with the work that she brought with her.Lots of animals captured with  machine embroidery that were extremely lifelike. She also had three sewing machines{that were quite ominous} as I am not comfortable with a sewing machine. Suzy brought along her daughter who acted as her technical support.Why I wondered, until later in the evening where Suzy set up a small camera close to her sewing machine which then projected her actions immediately onto the screen. Just like looking at You tube!!! Her talk was quite reassuring to a novice embroiderer. She was happy to make her own rules and also remind us that it takes practice, we cant lean a skill in minutes, hours of practice over and over again.

The photos above give a flavour of her work,followed by Suzy in action at the machine and how it projects onto the screen. Contact her at craftykids@btinternet.com

Barbara brought in two pieces of work, inspired my a Mindfulness talk late last year.

Embroiderers’ Guild – Bolton Branch      January 2020

Happy New Year, welcome to our first meeting of 2020 and we start with some good news. Last year Manchester HOME invited artists living in Greater Manchester to submit work for their first open entry art exhibition.  They received over 2000 entries and shortlisted 20 to win 1 of 5 Manchester Open Awards – and Marion is one of the artists shortlisted!   500 of the entries are included in an exhibition at HOME (near Manchester Oxford Rd station), open till the 29^th March.   Congratulations Marion!

  Events

 This Saturday, 25^th, we have our annual Jacobs’s Join. There is a list for each member attending to        note which food items they will bring for our buffet lunch.

 22 February is our next Saturday Stitchday.  A chance to work on your current projects or try something     new with support and encouragement from other members.

  On 21 March we welcome Rachel Singleton (who came to our October meeting) for an exciting   workshop.  See the poster or Julie’s email for photos of her work and what we could be making. The cost of this workshop is £30.  £10 deposit when booking and full payment by 17^th March.

  All three Saturday events take place at Bank Top Chapel, Ashworth Lane, Bolton.

   Competitions

The national Members’ Challenge for 2019/20 is “My Favourite Things” – people, places, mementos, etc.  Details on the Guild website, you will need to log in. 

Next year’s regional day is in Liverpool on 25 April and the Rosebowl competition theme is “All you need is Love”.  Tickets are £30 including lunch, please see Sheelagh if you wish to attend.  See the poster for details of speakers, traders, etc.

Exhibitions

Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. ‘An English Lady’s Wardrobe’ 70 outfits and accessories showing changing fashions from Edwardian times to WW11. 23 Nov – 1March.

The Creative Crafts show is at Event City, near the Trafford Centre from 30 Jan-1 Feb.

Whitworth Gallery.  ‘Tapestries’ – an exhibition of textiles from the Whitworth’s collection of tapestries including historical and contemporary examples. Until 1 March.

If you have any items for the sales table, please give them to Karen or Julie.  Please don’t just leave items.

If you hear of any exhibitions or events that you think may be of interest to us, please tell Sheelagh.

Birthday Cards: Ann still needs of cards for members birthdays.  Please, if you have any handmade cards or you       can make some can you give them to her.

Our Bolton blog: begstitchers.blogspot.com  

We now have Facebook pages for Bolton and NW Region. Please ‘like us’ to help publicise the Guild and our    activities.

Guild website:  www.embroiderersguild.com