Out and about, Gawthorpe and more….

Our secretary , Brenda sent some photos and an explanation of a recent visit. It does look stunning.rather than paraphrasing Brenda's notes to me I have just copied them. Hope this is Ok Brenda.

Just to let you know that I really enjoyed meeting and seeing the work of Bella May Leonard at the Gawthorpe opening event on the 29th March. A young recently qualified textile artist Bella spoke about her work and answered questions at this event. Her work is very innovative and explored the structure of stitches used in the Gawthorpe collection of baby bonnets, which she then developed in a very unique way incorporating many different threads and household cables etc. into a very precise design laser cut into acrylic sheet. Quite amazing. Then yesterday I went to the craft centre in Manchester where she has some more of her work displayed upstairs. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of her work, so try to see it for yourself.

One of the questions I asked Bella was, which contemporary artists had inspired her and she told me about Joana Vasconcelos a portugese internationally regarded textile artists whose exhibition "Time Machine" is showing at Manchester Art Gallery until . Well  we just had to go and see it didn't we! So yesterday Lynn and I found ourselves in Manchester Art Gallery absolutely gob smacked by the installations all around the gallery. It is phenominal the scale and vibrancy of her work just grabs you! It really is a must.

I've included some of Lyn's photos of her work to give you a flavour but you need to see it to appreciate the enormity of the project. I have also bought the catalogue of the exhibition for Bolton branch library so that those who can't get to see it for themselves can get an impression of the work.

Gawthorpe exhibition on until 1st June. I will certainly try to make visits, Thanks Brenda.

Out and about Padiham

After a hectic weekend, today is my Padiham meeting. I'm afraid that I missed the Aqua class this morning and set off in driving rain ,wondering if I really needed to go.

Well I am still recovering. Our speaker was Heather Wilson,”Maker  of mad and beautiful things”,I say speaker but she never  stood still, she danced around almost singing the joys of life. She started with a piece based on her mothers sewing box, through her visits to India , weavings and the most bizarre hats in the World.Interspersed with all this she read poetry and had an uncanny knack of mimicking accents. I have tried to capture the essence in photographs but you had to be there to really appreciate her joy de vivre.Heather can be contacted at

hmadcow@hotmail.com

and you will need to hear her talk to explain  her e mail address!!!!

National AGM April 2014

Barbara and I drove down to Wyboston Lakes to attend the national AGM on Thursday. It was a pleasant journey and we arrived quite refreshed.  Checked in and had a cup of coffee before we hit the shops for the first time.

I really enjoy the AGM weekend as there is so much to do and so many friends to meet. My only problem was in choosing which workshops and mini talks to attend. Thursday is without plans.We had booked the full package so a lovely evening meal was included.

In between activities, there was also lots to see.A room  full of  work from the Collection

and others like a YE exhibitionand the Distance learning course

Two boards held the chosen few from the Tree Rhythm competition and the best  were shown on a loop screen throughout the weekend. I believe that next years competition is called All the glistens so get your ideas together.There were 129 entries this year.On Friday i had chosen to attend a workshop lead by Lindsay Taylor below,modelling one of her creations.We were to make a for mores simple brooch, group results below.

After lunch Gill and Richard Riordan showed and helped us to make a pendant.No finished photos but i will be wearing mine soon.

I then went to a talk by Annette mms who coincidentally I had sat with at dinner the night before.She managed to handle a huge number of Welsh place names as she described her inspiration for work.Loved it!!!!

Saturday morning was the formal AGM. some members attend only his but we were all greeted with our AGM bags and packages by Jan Jardine.We all know her from HQ but might not be able to put a face to the name. Now you can….As always it was a packed agenda with many people contributing. I have made some notes and need to rationalise them but will make a short report at our meeting. I look forward to reading the more accurate Minutes.

I went to another workshop in the afternoon and even though I feel that I am a patient person, I was really challenged!!!!Sally McCollin  demonstrated how easy it e=was to make a Celtic knot brooch….NOT …. sorry for the pun. I unpicked mine twice before I cam away with a very sad attempt. It will be worn and I will have another go  but what a challenge.Those above are not  my attempts. A double espresso later I was ready for my last talk. Again I have no photos as Helen McCook spoke about embroidery and embellishment in fashion. She was not able to bring along the exquisite work by Dior et al. But we were able to drool over her slides.

Time to tidy up , smarten up and attend the reception and Gala dinner. Another delightful evening an entertaining talk  and we were ready for bed,

A trip was organised for Sunday but Barbara and I knew we faced a long journey home so declined. A leisurely breakfast and then lingering goodbyes and promises to meet again next year.

Out and about, Glossop

Several weeks ago Judi the Chair at Glossop asked me to keep this date free. Today I went along to a lovely celebratory lunch. I can hardly believe that They are celebrating their tenth anniversary. We had a delightful lunch and it was good to meet old friends and make new ones.The event had been very well planned. A banner made by members was unveiledand even the rainbow squares had grown and made a welcome appearance.An amazing cake had been made…and I was almost upset when I was invited to cut it,but it did taste good!!! Well done and thank you Glossop for wanting me to share in your celebrations.

March meeting

It was a delight to welcome Sue Tyldesley last week, to our meeting. I have known her for many years. A long time ago I saw a demonstration about encaustic art and even though I was fascinated, i could not see its application to embroidery. Barbara and I were at an exhibition a few tears ago and i recagnised Sues work and realised that she had used this skill and that it really worked!! Sue came to parbold last year and my senses were awakened. Last week she brought along a display of her work and passed around many of her pieces for close inspection.She demonstrated a variety of techniques and encouraged us all to get involved.She passed around small pieces of pre waxed paper which we were asked to scrumple up . After this we were able to play.On May 31st Sue will be leading our day school at Bank Top.

Before our talk, Phil brought along his latest piece that was admired by all.

NEWSLETTER –March 2014

NEWS

The Northwest Regional Day is being held in Rochdale in April and we have 6 members going

who will be representing our branch. If you would like to order a journal (available at this event

for £2.00) please inform Brenda Brown.

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

• Lucinda Allwood is running a 5 week course on ribbon embroidery which involves silk painting and hand dyeing. Starts 18^th March 10-12am or 1-3pm at the Friends Meeting House, Silverwell St. Contact email- lucysembroidery@gmail.com
• Rubina Porter has sent a list of dates for The Streepur Village Exhibitions until November. The first of these dates is at St Barnabus Church, Penny Lane, L18 from 24^th -29^th march.

For further dates please see notice board or our blog.

• Gawthorpe Textilefest opening event is on 29^th March with a series of Exploration Days and Audience Days led by various artists, following throughout the year. See notice board for details. To book an event contact tel- 01282 773963 or email events@gawthorpetextiles.org.uk
• Ten Plus Textiles – “Now and Then”, at Altrincham Forward from Tues 4^th March-Sat 29^th March and also at Didsbury Parsonage Sat 31 May-Sun 15 June. See notice board for contact details. Contact – www.tenplustextiles.com
• Craft Open Exhibition at The Platform Gallery, Clitheroe. Deadline for entries 29^th March. Exhibition dates 3^rd May – 12^th July. Email- PlatformGallery@ribblevelley.gov.uk

ADVANCE NOTICE

Charges for workshops will in future be £15.00 for members and £20.00 for non- members.

Because we can no longer eat together in the kitchen due to lack of table space, people taking part will be required to bring their own packed lunch enabling everyone to fully participate in the activity. Tea & coffee will still be provided.

A Play Day is scheduled for 26^th April at Banktop Church. Please bring a packed lunch.

REMINDERS

Ann is in need of handmade Get Well or open greeting cards for sending to members if you have any to spare.

Jackie Martin’s store has been depleted so if you have any items for the Sales Table please see her a.s.a.p. 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 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.

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

Finally NW REG blog http://www.nwregionembroiderers.org/

March workshop

I was in Costa Rica , attempting a zip line or Aerial walkway  or some such silly activity during this workshop so have asked Pauline to report and Ann to provide pictures. Thank you both.

Following her excellent talk at our February meeting, on Saturday, 8^th March, we had a workshop with Maria Walker entitled ‘Memory Collage’.

Maria began by showing examples of her own work on this theme, which gave plenty of inspiration. She then outlined lots of ideas and techniques we could try on our own pieces.

All we had been asked to take were photographs and any personal items we wished to incorporate into our work - Maria had brought a wide variety of products we could use to create our collage – even an old manual typewriter to produce aged text. Once complete, the design was ready to transfer onto fabric.

The technique used was new to many attending, involving the use of a printer and special printing film. Everyone had interpreted the theme differently, producing pieces with a wide range of topics, from memories of parents, friends or relatives, events in their own childhood, special holidays and places visited, to grandchildren.

After a delicious home-made lunch we were ready to begin embellishing our work as we wished with stitch and trimmings, ready to mount or frame at home.

Another very enjoyable day.

I look forward to seeing the finished products on Tuesday.

February meeting

Pauline had spoken very enthusiastically about our speaker for February. I had seen the work that Pauline had made at her workshop and I too was not disappointed.Maria Walker brought lots for us to see. She spoke without notes , enthusiastically about how hew work had started and developed. i certainly do not want to spoil her story but might say that it started with flannelette and moved on to transfer paper and was bound with love letters. You should book her to find out more.  Maria@walker1.net   We are anticipating a very interesting and rewarding workshop and I am quite sad that I cannot attend.

NEWSLETTER –February 2014

NEWS

The Rose Bowl competition titles are “Black Magic” for 2014 and “Something Old, Something New” for 2015.

The members’ challenge for 2014 is “Tree Rhythms”. Closing date for entries - 28^th Feb 2014. Pick up an entry form today.

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Ø This Saturday we are having a Play Day. Date: 22^nd February. No theme, so bring along whatever you want to try out and get playing! 10.30a.m. at Banktop Church.

Ø Memory Collage workshop: Saturday March 8^th at Banktop Church. 10- 4pm.

· Gawthorpe Collection opening event: Textilefest. Saturday 29^th March 2014 from 12.00- 16.00. A big event with lots of crafts people, contemporary textile artists ; fashion designer Zareen Waheed with designs inspired be the collection and vintage dressmaker Deborah Ashworth’s commemorative Poppy dress. Also knitting and crochet projects inspired by the collection created by leading designer- makers including Debbie Bliss, Jane Ellinson, Claire Montgomerie and Emma Verman. Please note entry charges apply (adults £4, concessions £3).

· The textile society Antique Fair. Armitage Centre, Fallowfield, M14 6ZT.

· Talent Hunt: Stitch magazine are looking for members who can design and stitch different techniques for STITCH using less well known traditional techniques such as hedebo; caslguidi or shwalm. Also techniques from around the world that use unusual stitches or use more common stitches in unusual ways. When published it would promote the branch which the member belongs to. Guidelines are available.

ADVANCE NOTICE

Our March meeting on the 18^th has Sue Tyldsley talking about encaustic art, “The Wonder of Wax”.

REMINDERS

The North West Blog is now up and running, feel free to log on, read and contribute to it!

Ann is in need of handmade Get Well or open greeting 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 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.

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