Stewards list for Pearl Anniversary exhibition

{Cover required from 11 till 3.00}

BRING A DRINK,LUNCH AND STITCHING,COLLECT THE PINK BAG FROM INFORMATION

Aug 2 Lesley Phil Barbara R and Val

Aug 9 Brenda Cooper

Aug 16 Clare and Jenny W

Aug 23 Lesley and Vivienne

Aug 30 Mary Bromley, Sheelagh Madden

Sept 6 Ann and Barbara R

Sept 13 Glennys 10 to 12.30,Brenda B 11 till 3

Sept 20 Julie B and BarbaraR

Sept 27 Brenda C and Marilyn morning only

Oct 4 Sheelagh M

Oct 11

Oct18 Brenda C am only

Oct 25

Sept 13 DEMO for children, Clare and Val 12 till 3.00

Nov 4th Val and Ann to collect and save work.

WE STILL NEED TO COVER SOME DATES AND ½ DAYS

Play Day Aug 23rd

It took me hours to gather together my fabrics and threads for the last Play Day. We had discussed a theme at the former meeting, deciding on using hand and machine embellishers.

I took along my machine and set it up. We had a coffee and waited for more member.Sadly there were few of us attending but I guess it was due to it landing on a Bank Holiday weekend.

Brenda had never used an embellishing machine so i was delighted to show her its capabilities.Brenda was hooked{if you pardon the pun}My machine has 5 needles and I managed to break two in about 5 minutes. More care needed!!!! Barbara had a new machine with twelve needles.We compared the results.

Pam brought along her machine but had the wrong lead for it.We tried mine but with no luck so she too played with my machine.We rooted through all the bags of stuff that I had brought along and I found some “pebbles”a textured wool that everyone loved. Would make wonderful sheep in a field or flowers in a garden.

Having broken 2 needles I was happy to loan out my machine for the duration of the day. In fact Brenda was so thrilled that I have loaned it to her until our AGM. I spent the time doing some Black work that i will tell you about another day. Judith was also busy hand stitching owls for a tree.

So few of us there meant that we could sit around a table and have a good chat over lunch. It also meant very little tidying up at the end of the day. I hope to be at the October play day and if so, will put together a list and bring along my samples, based on dissolvable fabrics. Its one of my favourite techniques. These days are free to Bolton members, the room hire covered by our Branch so do think about coming along. We are there to learn from each other and share our skills. The theme is not compulsory, just an idea to focus on when bringing stuff from home.  See you all in September and hopefully clutching your Jewels piece for Molly's Cup.

Out and About, Urmston

Sandra and Cathy celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the YE with an exhibition held at Urmston Library. They opened last Saturday , so I was unable to attend. They were very busy,holding demos in an adjoining room. another day Cathy lead a Shibori workshop. I went to offer my support on Friday.  As the library was very close to the train station I decided to use my “bus pass”. Not a good idea as it took three train journeys in over crowded coaches. I had to stand from Bolton to Deansgate , not good and one and a half hours too.

A short walk and I met Sandra, busily stitching Boutis. She made me a drink and we began to welcome visitors.There was a good range of exhibits, considering that there are only 3 branches in our area.I was able to call on Sarah , Johns granddaughter to provide some wonderful pieces.I am still amazed that Sarah made the wooden part to the clogs as well as the rest of them. Above you can see her 6 exhibits.

We were not inundated with visitors but enough to prevent us actually stitching. A quick sandwich and then Cathy joined us for the afternoon. Two little boys were utterly charming and loved the clogs. Their father had read the story of the Oufle Oufle Bird to them and they were transfixed.As they left the older son came and gave me a big hug. The younger one saw this and so ran to do the same. Totally unexpected and almost made the journey worth while!!!!

I realised that I had a long journey home so just before 6.00pm we packed up. I managed to squeeze all Sarahs work into my suitcase and rolled it off to the station. The return was worse. I stood from Deansgate to Bromley Cross, three trains and 2 hours.I would have asked for my money back if that was possible.However, the day was very good, the work excellent and many of the visitors making complimentary comments.

Well done YE.

PEARL ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION

Saturday was a cold and wet morning and I wondered how many people would attend our official opening. Le Mans Crescent was absolutely heaving with police cars and vans. Had they come to protect our amazingly valuable works of art?

Matthew welcomed Ann and I and we organised refreshments for our guests. At 10.30 the formalities began. We had asked Dorothy our oldest member to open the event. She gave a remarkable concise yet informative account of the history of embroidery. I have asked her for a copy. Matthew then guided Dorothy and all our guests into the exhibition and Dorothy was able to see her work in all its glory.

Matthew had several times over the course of weeks, expressed his admiration for our banner, and that was placed next to the explanation of our work.

The room was soon heaving so we suggested that some guests might like to enjoy the refreshments and return a little later. Ann's home made biscuits were very popular.

About half of our members managed to call in during the morning. Florence and Margaret, certainly enjoyed the occasion.I had chosen the 2nd as the opening day to recognise that it was the National Stitch Day. I had asked members to bring along some stitching.Lesley and Phil sat stitching in one corner

I took quite a few photos and am awaiting those from our “official photographer” John , but have not added any of our exhibits as you really must go along and see it for yourself. I still have “vacancies” for demonstrator/stewards on Saturdays, 11 till 3.00. Please phone if you have any spare time. Phil and I stayed until after 3.00 on Saturday and we both complained that we were too busy talking to interested visitors to be able to stitch.The exhibition is open every day until Oct 26th.

Summer School July 2014 and more…..

Another excellent summer school , last weekend. We were lead by Elizabeth Cousins Scott, Alex Jacob Whitwoth and Liz Almond. As usual i opted for the hand stitching class, where the technique was Blackwork. Liz put up an amazing display which changed daily.She had even put together kits that we could choose to use. I am not a fan of kits and prefer to use my own ideas but these kits included fabric, thread, doodle fabric and masses of ideas. Liz also stressed that we must make these designs our own by taking elements from other designs and putting them into our work. I chose a flower design, and  having modified the arrangement ,decided to work each flower petal in a different pattern and also using grey thread. I was quite inspired. Liz then taught us two stitches, Colonial stitch, a little like French Knots be we were assured that it cant go wrong and Double Knot Stitch., rather like Palestrina stitch. These I mastered in time but on Sunday morning we were asked to try them again to make sure that we could remember. We  Liz I have had another go at home, attempting the latter to put on my work but realised that it was not appropriate. Anyhow having started my flowers, Liz showed me a piece of her work where thick threads shaded through to very thin. I had said the day before that this was what I had wanted to master so I had a go. I am very pleased with the result.The other two classes looked very interesting. Elizabeth ran her class as two day units where you could attend either day or both. The committee would be interested to hear your views. I was amazed how many samples were produced.

I believe Alex took her group for a walk around the gardens to gain inspiration.I called in when she was demonstrating.This group will have many pieces to stitch in to , when they return home.So another indulgent week end over.Its an embroiderers dream, stitching, learning, swapping ideas good food and company.Why not look on the advert for next year and come and join us?

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Ann sent me this photo from our summer meal. Rather belatedly, I was able to present Barbara with her Coats prize, awarded at the NW regional Day.

Congratulations again, Barbara, I know the prize was worth the wait!!!

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Ann and I delivered all the work to the Art Gallery on Thursday and I called again with the visitor book etc on Friday. Thank you all for your contributions. I know it will be an excellent representation of the skills that we can show. Dorothy will open our event on Saturday, 2 Aug at 10.30{the National Stitch Day}, You are welcome to attend but let us know for catering.Bring along your stitching . We are open every day but would benefit from stewarding on Saturdays. Seats will be provided so demonstrate what you can do, encourage interest,give out needles cases and generally promote our Guild.I have lots of gaps in the stewards list so please phone me asap.

July meeting

Our July meeting was held at the Ridgmont again. It was a warm evening so we were greeted with a glass of bubbles and held our short EGM in the garden. The EGM allows the committee for the following year to be  announced . We can then print our programme and then the committee and officers can be officially ratified at our AGM in September.

We moved upstairs to a bright and sunny room and the main event began, our annual meal. This year was a little more special as we are celebrating 30 years. With this in mind we invited along former members. I had organised little mementos in the form of  Pearl Pobbles that were placed on the table. Judith had made a delicious cake.

The meal lived up to its usual excellent standard and i interrupted each table to request a photo. My battery was very low so i was in a panick to take as many shots as possible. It is dreadful to say that I was somewhat hindered by the very bright sunshine!!!!

Clare invited two former founder members to cut the cake,Liz and Elisabeth. Another lovely evening and can hardly wait for our RUBY.

NEWSLETTER – July 2014

News and Competitions

The Rose Bowl competition titles are “Something Old, Something New” for 2015 and “Under the Sea”, for 2016.

The members’ challenge for 2015 is “All that Glistens”. Also “Jewels” for Molly’s cup in September.

Exhibitions and Events

“ Pearls of Friendship”, our 30th Anniversary exhibition is starting Saturday 2^nd August until 26^th October. Val has passed this information on;

All pieces must be mirror plated unless going into the drawers. Should be with Val or Ann as of today unless you make specific arrangements with them. Work will be returned in Nov meeting unless you wish it earlier.

Stewards requested for Saturdays, ie  Aug 2,9 15,  23,30 Sept 6,13,20,27 Oct 4,11,18 25. Jackie would also like help on Sat 13 and we need members to come to the opening and bring some stitching to do as it is the National Stitch Day. Parking on Sat in town is free. There are 13 dates to cover.  If a couple of members or more would cover 1/2 a day each then the task will not be too onerous. Please give out needlecases and programmes to any genuine interest. Val has a list ready to be filled in or call her if you dont have your diary to hand.

ADVANCE NOTICE

Please make a note in your diary of the following event ;

The Northwest Regional Day for 2015 is being held by Chelford & North Cheshire Embroiderer’s Guild on Saturday 25^th April 2015. See poster for further details.

REMINDERS

There is a play day on Saturday August 23^rd, starts 10.30 and finishes about 3.30pm. Please bring a packed lunch. Usual venue at Banktop Church.

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

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

 

A PLEA FROM ME, I HAVE A STEWARDS LIST WITH LOTS OF AVAILABILITY. PLEAS PHONE ME WITH A SPARE HALF DAY.ALSO LET ME KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO BE AT THE OPENING AND HAVE NOT SIGNED UP YET.

Out and about Padiham

Its always a bit of a rush, but worth the effort, dashing from Aqua to Padiham. This afternoon was our annual summer party. Joan had found a very interesting and somewhat challenging quiz for us to do. Headlines were stuck around the room and we had to work out the answers. Patricia, below was the ultimate winner, with 24/25. There was a varied and well executed number of entries for the competition, Three. Several members are exchanging travelling books and so put out their work for us to see.We ate strawberries and cream and then cake , delicious. Finally the winner of the competition was announced. Monica , chair of the NW region presented Shelagh with the Bell Trophy.Well done. We meet again in September but dont forget to work on your star for the Xmas tree and that the Xmas competition is , Winter Wonderland.