Out and about,Padiham

It was the branch meeting at Padiham yesterday, so I was able to return items loaned for Empress Mills. Also i could acknowledge the help given by members. Two guests came along as a result of the exhibition and I believe several others will attend.

A branch member gave an amusing and honest account of how she created landscape pictures from thread. Well when I say thread, it includes all wools and other stringy things that are available. Barbara brought along huge bags of” thread” colour coded for ease of use.She was very proud of her cauliflowerbut had other more traditional scenes as well.

Well done Barbara.My apologies for the quality of the photos.Finally the afternoon finished with a practical. Barbara had wound two threads onto a card and we were requested to use them both in the same needle and experiment with a stitch. I look forward to seeing the results and I suspect that her ideas will have helped some of us to plan our piece for the” end of term”competition called SUMMER. Im not sure if a snow scene will count!!!

Empress Mills Exhibition

It was an exhausting but very rewarding weekend in Colne. Over a coffee and conversation with Charles, months ago, he mentioned that he was considering holding an exhibition. I immediately said that I was interested and that I would ask Bolton Branch as well.

Many conversations and exchange of e mails later and the day arrived. Bolton came up trumps with the requested 30 items and by now I had also mentioned it at Region so had collected 30 more pieces.

There had been a devastating event at Colne earlier in the week so when I arrived , it was still a hive of activity. I put up the remaining items and arranged out tables. I had been able to book the Worlds Longest Embroidery and a kit to make felt hearts from HQ. Both were invaluable and caused a lot of interest. I persuaded both Charles and his granddad to add their stitches. 

I was delighted with our own wall of embroideries, quite an impressive show. We received many compliments.

I was assisted on both days by many members from Padiham Bolton and regional committee. We had demonstrations of felt making, embellishing and needle lace  , Whilst making hearts and stitching the WLE we chatted to guests , suggested suitable stitches, threaded many needles and gave advice.Christine, above right constantly wandered around and made sure everyone was happy I chatted to many Guild members and counted that there were visitors from 17 of our 29 branches in our region.As usual I managed to spend money on more things that I don't really need but might!!!! Be prepared….So when the Drivers have recovered they might well be persuaded to have another exhibition. I hope so.

Out and about ,Regional day

Barbara and I decided to really enjoy regional day this year by travelling up the night before. The day, hosted by Kirby Lonsdale branch was a perfect setting and the sun shone all day. On Saturday we met up with Clare and Ann, and Marion Simm who as you know has just moved up there. I had little time to chat as I seemed to have lots of little jobs to perform. The person in charge of the competitions was extremely efficient and I had little to do there.Lunch was good. I had a chance to have a good chat to our afternoon speaker as a table and early lunch had been organised for those of us involved with the judging.Jacqui Carey was a really entertaining speaker.She told us about Elizabethan techniques and how they transferred to current ways, Her close up  photographs were beautiful. A fascinating talk. Presentation of competition prizes then followed and I did a slightly better job of it than last year!!!!I wont spoil branch meetings by giving all the names but we in Bolton need to applaud Barbara who was awarded the third prize, a certificate and book token, for her King Cotton piece. Our speaker presented the gift to Barbara ,above.Ann the chair of Kirby Lonsdale then sent us on our way with her good wishes and I'm sure she was looking to a large drink and put her feet up.

Out and about,Horwich

A small group of us met at Horwich library, yesterday. Ann had collected a variety of pieces of work and our plan was to sit and stitch and encourage interest in our Branch.We had quite a lot of interest and enjoyed the event.We plan to do the same at Harwood library and any other near you…just let us know.

Dorothy brought along her amazing  C and G piece which was based on Horwich Library. It included the building, two novels and her book of plans. She had decided to donate it and the Library staff were delighted to accept this unusual gift.

April Meeting: Goldwork

Jackie Martin , one of our members led the evening activity. We had been given some goldwork bits so she decided to use them. We all love those evenings when everything is provided so apart from the usual sewing stuff ,and any goldwork bits that we might have, life was easy. We knew that we were going to make a flower design but I was most impressed when we received our packs, even the gold fabric had been bonded onto a base fabric and backing fabric cut to size.

We began to couch down purl purl and chords and the effect was instant. We were also able to have a good chat whilst working. Thank you Jackie, for all the preparation, you spoil us.

I then collected about 30 pieces of work, plus our tablecloth, welcome banner and rainbow squares , ready for the Empress Mills Exhibition. Thank you for the work and/or offers of help, stewarding , over the weekend.

NEWS

Regional Day - The 2013 Rose Bowl competition is entitled “King Cotton” and 2014 “Black Magic”. Further details are on the poster.

The 2013 AGM will be held from 5^th – 7^th April at Cheltenham.

Copies of Monica Selway’s March & April Bulletins are on you side table if you would like to read them.

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Gawthorpe Hall are holding a series of “Exploration Days” & “An Audience With..” days, starting in May. Details on side table.

Merseyside Branch are having a talk by Ruth Isset entitled “Connected with Colour” on 18^th May. Poster on table for details.

There is an exhibition by Midiri at Voirrey all April.

Ten Plus Textiles are exhibiting at Ordsall Hall till June 9^th.

Bolton Progressive threads have an exhibition at Queen Street Mill, Burnley till June 29^th.

Don’t forget that Val needs 20 – 30 pieces of work in calico type bags, labelled, plus helpers for the Empress Mill Exhibition on 11^th & 12^th May. Also helpers needed for the exhibition at Helmshore on 15^th & 16^th June. Bring your own work to chat about, very informal. See Val for further information.

Lucinda Attwood is running embroidery classes at the Friends Meeting House in Silverwell Street, Bolton. on Mon. 10-12am, Tues 2-4pm, Weds 1-3pm. Call Lucinda (07977821119) or ask Brenda Cooper for further information.

Botanical Threads is a retrospective on textile & botanical art by Vivienne Brown at Bankfield Museum, BoothtownRd Halifax, HX3 6HG (01422 352334) March9th –May 6^th. Tues – Sat 10am -5pm, Sun 1 – 4pm, Bank Holiday 10am – 5pm. www.textileandbotanicart.wordpress.com

ADVANCE NOTICE

Play Day 25^th May at Bank Top based on heating & burning but bring along anything. Free and all welcome.

This year’s competition for Molly’s Cup is “Metal Thread”.

Don’t forget to keep 21^st Sept. free for a visit to Hardwick Hall. This will be subsidized.

REMINDERS

Ann is in need of hand made Birthday cards for sending to members if you have any to spare.

If you have any items for the Sales Table please see Jackie Martin. Jackie also needs clear envelopes (like the ones cards come packed in) if you have any please keep them and pass them on.

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

If there are any library books you think would be suitable for us, please tell Brenda. ( An ISBN would be helpful)

If you hear of any interesting exhibitions or events that you think may be of interest, please let Marilyn know and details can go on the newsletter.

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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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Out and About, Padiham April meeting

after a hectic weekend, i was off to Padiham on Monday.Penny Godfrey had arranged an amazing display of Proddy mats. she gave a very succinct account of their history and then discussed each of her pieces. I had done a short course on them with Lesley and it is certainly not one of my favourite techniques but I could certainly appreciate her work. She explained that there were 30 different techniques.

Above was my favourite piece. She can be contacted at www.westridingruggers.co.uk.

A very excited Veronica, the programme secretary gave the vote of thanks . She had been eagerly anticipating this talk and was not disappointed.

National AGM Weekend

Barbara and I attended the AGM at Cheltenham last week.we travelled down on Thursday so that we could attend the courses on Friday. The Thistle hotel was well appointed and the food served was very good. tea coffee biscuits and cakes were also often available.

We both attended Wendy Cotterils workshop on Friday morning.We played with Zeelan and transfer paints. We will share our new skills at the next play day.In the afternoon we attended a remarkable talk about the Tudors,by Catherine F lower-Bond and Joanne Briffet.Catherine arrived in a simple shift and was gradually dressed by her lady.I had no idea just how many pins were used to hold the pieces together AND a woman might change five times in a day. She needs to know her lady very well. the clothes brought to the meeting were hand sewn and dyed with natural dyes. It was fascinating.

Dinner was a very good carvery and then we were entertained by a shadows tribute band. Jan and jean encouraged us to join in the dancing and the floor was full. i needed to dance away some of my food!!!

Saturday morning was the Formal AGM. it ran smoothly. several awards were made.The two scholars made presentations. Fees are going up by £2.00pa. The competition for next year was announced. Tree Rhythms.

Barbara attended Angie Hughes workshop in the afternoon. She came away wearing a foiled brooch.I was intrigued by the thought of an hours talk on needles. again it was fascinating.Karen parry described the construction and use of so many different needles and we came away with worksheets and samples.I then met Eliza McClelland who talked about A woman for all seasons. She is an actress with an amazing personality.

There was a Gala dinner on Saturday and I even wore a dress!!! After the meal we were entertained by a choir of 26 Welsh male voices. Quite a change but much appreciated. We decided not to opt for the tour on Sunday so had a very leisurely breakfast and said our goodbyes to so many friends. Jan and jean are looking forward to their visit to our branch next year and send their good wishes.

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