March evening meeting

Our tutor had to let us down at the last minute as she is awaiting an operation. Carol came up with an idea and executed it on the night,Shabby chique rose brooches. At home she prepared very simple kits so we were able to start immediately. Carol,above, demonstrated to each group and we began.

There was also a good chance to have a catch up chat. I had asked for volunteers to stitch for Ordsall Hall so wandered around to collect names.I had also introduced the idea of travelling books as 6 of us received ours back during the evening and again there was support. On Saturday we had made silk vessels and 3 d pieces so many were there to admire.Finally several of the pieces made with Jackie last month were also displayed. Sorry mine was not there Jackie,I sent it to a special friend.Ann wears her brooch with pride.

News and Competitions

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

Coates Anchor Award for 2015 entry forms also available.

Northwest Region Broderers’ Cup for October AGM.

Exhibitions and Events

· Saturday April 11^th; Annual General Meeting, Birmingham; “A Sustainable Future for the Embroiderer’s Guild. Tickets cost £27.50 available until March 13^th 2015. Speakers are Bobby Britnell and Jane E Hall.

· Summer School at Alston Hall 16^th-19^th July. See notice board for details and booking forms.

· Garstang Patchworkers Quilters exhibition 17^th,18^th,19^th, April at Bilsborough Village Hall, Garstang Rd, Bilsborough PR3 0RE. Admission £3.00, bored husbands and under 16’s free.

· The Radycliffe Bedspread Project; volunteers needed, details on the notice board. Contact Val.

· Nantwich Museum has an exhibition by contemporary textile group Textile 21, called, “Tech Styles” which runs from 14 March – 13 June. For more information see www.textiles21.co.uk

· “Maker’s Day” at a hands on Craft Fair and meet the artist with Ten Plus Textiles, on Saturday 28^th March at 11am- 4pm at The Old Sunday School, Roe St, Macclesfield, SKI6UT. Free entry. Tel 01625 6103210.

· “Ten Plus Textiles @ The Silk Museum” are also on exhibition from 14^th March – 30 May, Mon- Sat, 10am – 4pm on at The Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield. SK116TJ, £4.50 or concessionary £4.00- with access to the Museum. Has disabled access.

· For more information about textile art exhibitions checkout this website –www.textilesociety.org.uk/events.

Advance Notice

· This year’s NW Regional Day will be held by Chelford and North Cheshire EG on Saturday 25^th April. Details of speakers on the notice board.

REMINDERS

· Workshop with Marie Lewis, “Boutis” on May 9th: starts at 10.am and finishes about 3.30pm, at Banktop Church, Ashcroft Road, Sharples, Bolton. Don’t forget to bring a packed lunch, tea and coffee is available.

If you have any items for the Sales Table please see Jenny Whittle. Jenny 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; 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

March Workshop

Linda Rudkin travelled up from Leicestershire to lead our workshop on Saturday.Three of us had met her previously at a Flower Pounding workshop at Parbold. This was so different. First we had a chat about the work to be attempted and then Linda gave three demonstrations. She suggested that we each begin by making a piece of silk paper.My simple attempt was quite pleasing. Once we had mastered the technique we moved on to a £D piece a pebble or shell

Below is the starting point, possibly the hardest bit as there is quite a balancing trick…..but with superb notes provided life was a breeze!!!! Well actually the hair dryers were causing some problems as they blew on a neighbours table.

After this we moved on to a vessel. We sorted our shape, covered in cling film and began. Linda had shown us how to include fragments of flower petals and the results were lovely.We worked very indusrtriously , helped by Linda husband who provided the jars of fluids and manned the shop. Our vessels need to dry overnight and then have one more treatment but I am sure they will all be ready for Tuesday night.

Thank you Linda, a lovely day, much enjoyed. I am ready to make two more vessels for Easter gifts. Beats a chocolate egg any day.

February meeting

As you might know, I have just returned from an “exhilarating” cruise around the Norwegian Fiords. Why, well no real lights to speak of, but I endured a three day hurricane. I knew it would be wild but snow on board as well as the mountains…..ridiculous.I tell you this as I was still without my land legs when I arrived home and still rather delicate when I attended the meeting,on Tuesday. However I shouldn't have worried as Jackie lead out meeting. As usual she had put packs together so we only needed basic sewing equipment. We were to make a winter scene,like this. Jackie has the philosophy that we should aim to complete during the evening or soon after. A relaxing evening with lots of time to chat. I was able to recount stories of my cruise and stitch at the same time.I feel for more relaxed yet invigorated. Jackie has requested finished  pieces at our next meeting please.

News and Competitions

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

Northwest region Broderers’ Cup (for October AGM)

Exhibitions and Events

· Fashion Embroidery & Stitch 19-22 (Thurs- Sun) March at the NEC Birmingaham.

· Sewing for pleasure – dates and venue as above.

· HobbyCrafts - also as above. Tickets cover all three events- senior £9.50 in advance or £15.00 for 2 day ticket. See details www.ichevents.co.uk

· The Spring and Knitting Show 5-8^th March, Olympia, Central London. More information at www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/spring

· Mixed media Vintage Inspired Day at Alston Hall near Preston; 25^th February; 10-4pm. £55.00 per person; with Priscilla Jones. www.alstonhall.com

· Saturday April 11^th; Annual General Meeting, Birmingham; “A Sustainable Future for the Embroiderer’s Guild. Tickets cost £27.50 available until March 13^th 2015. Speakers are Bobby Britnell and Jane E Hall.

· Friday 20^th February; talk by Richard Box; Saturday 21^st Feb workshop by Richard Box -to be held in Liverpool. See poster on notice board for details.

· Summer School at Alston Hall 16^th-19^th July. See notice board for details and booking forms.

Advance Notice

· This year’s NW Regional Day will be held by Chelford and North Cheshire EG. Poster with details of speakers on the notice board. Tickets going on sale in January. See Brenda if you would like a ticket.

REMINDERS

· Play day February 28^th will be “printing and stamping”. If you have a brayer or roller please bring it with you. Also small coasters are to be used to make a printing block, so if you have any old ones they will be useful or it is possible to buy a pack of blank ones at Dunhelm for £2.00. The cost of the day will be £5.00 in order to pay for the room. Please bring a packed lunch – tea and coffee will be available as usual.

· Sculpting with Paper workshop with Linda Rudkin: Saturday March 14^th; £15.00. Please put your name down with Judith and get a requirements list. Lunch arrangements as before.

If you have any items for the Sales Table please see Jenny Whittle. Jenny also needs clear envelopes (like the ones cards come packed in) if you have any please keep them and pass them on. Would anyone like to help Jenny, if so let us know.

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

Jacobs Feast

Saturday we met at Bank Top for our annual Jacobs Feast. Tables and chairs were set up, the oven was on ready to warm the quiche and a cup of tea all round. Judith had arranged the morning activity. She had made small kits of felt pieces that we could assemble, stuff and stitch, creating an owl. Mine is now staring at me from the catservatory door handle, his new home. Those who know me well will understand the mis spelling of my sunny room.Mum has a garden room that I have always called the “daughter flat”so mine is also called the cat flat.Back to the owls…Judith was doing an owl impression here…My kit and the finished or still rather flat almost finished pieces.

Lunch was like feeding the 5000.There was almost as much left at the end as when we started. I had a lovely meal and didn't eat again that day.

After lunch Clare really stretched us. A quiz she said, so we moved into groups of four.Well what do you know of the binary system, football and very odd music. We were really taxed but thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done committee.

January 2015

I bet you have been missing me!!! Happy New Year, I do hope you had enjoyable festivities. We had an amazing view from my catservatory of the fireworks on NYEve….i should have sold tickets!!! I loath this snow and have hardly ventured out, but off very soon to see how Norway deals with the situation.

Our Branch year began last week with a visit from Sharon Blakey, Her talk and also her website was called Mary Mary Quite Contrary so I had no idea about the topic. However if was fascinating. Mary was a very emancipated woman who had a very eclectic collection of everyday objects. Sharon developed her talk, explaining how she,Sharon, a potter worked with a weaver, What an unusual combination but it really worked. Definitely coming out on a bleak and snowy night.

This final photo shows the collaboration between a woven runner and pottery spoons. I am afraid that this snap does not do it justice. I had a friend staying so did not want to leave very late but as we walked to the car park we realised that we were in trouble. To cut a long story short, there were 7 cars unable to drive up the very low gradient entrance. Phil did his best and cleared the slope of snow but the ice was still there. Finally a young man appeared[without his white charger] but with some salt.He has heard our attempts and was a local,used to the car park. Some pushing, a lot of finger crossing and finally I was the last to leave the car park. Our” Knight” wanted nothing but our thanks but we intend to deliver a bottle to thank him.

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”. Closing date for entries is Friday 30^th January.

Northwest region Broderers’ Cup (for October AGM)

Exhibitions and Events

· Fashion Embroidery & Stitch 19-22 (Thurs- Sun) March at the NEC Birmingaham.

· Sewing for pleasure – dates and venue as above.

· HobbyCrafts - also as above. Tickets cover all three events- senior £9.50 in advance or £15.00 for 2 day ticket. See details www.ichevents.co.uk

· The Spring Knitting and Stitching Show 5-8^th March. Olympia, Central London. More information at www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/spring

· The Stitching Sewing & Hobbycrafts show 6-8 February 2015 at Events City, Manchester. Advance ticket prices: senior £7.00 ;Adult £8.00 with free entry to CAKE International –The Sugarcraft, Cake Decorating & Baking Show.

· Talk by Richard Box on 20^th February at 7pm, at the Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane, Liverpool. L1 3BT. (£3.00 to members).

Advance Notice

· Next year’s NW Regional Day will be held by Chelford and North Cheshire EG. Details of speakers on the notice board. Tickets going on sale in January.

· Sreepur Village film on BBC2 Scotland but if you’ve got Sky it is on chanel 970 on January 29^th at 8pm.

REMINDERS

· Jacob’s Feast- Saturday24th at Banktop Church- food, activity and fun!

· February’s meeting is being led by Jackie and involves making a small landscape, this is your list of requirements:

brown threads, needles and a small frame but if you wish it can be worked in the hand. Jackie will supply a kit at a small charge.

If you have any items for the Sales Table please see Jenny Whittle. Jenny also needs clear envelopes (like the ones cards come packed in) if you have any please keep them and pass them on. Would anyone like to help Jenny, if so let us know.

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

.

Out and about,Merseyside

Last Saturday I fulfilled my first engagement as Chair. Merseyside invited me to their Christmas party. I was not sure what to expect but was amazed when I walked into the room.

I was transposed back a few centuries……medieval maybe? What a stunning room, which Merseyside had filled with stalls and competition entries. One of the first members to greet me was Rubina who had her stall there, supporting the orphanage.To confuse me more, there were women wandering around in beautiful costumes, that I found out were advertising A Winters Tale in Southport. The costumes are being  made and some of the Guild had been involved in the embellishment. 150 costumes are needed so any member nearby who would like to get involved, contact

www.handinhandtheatreproductions.co.uk

Merseyside use this occasion to promote their Branch, advertise what is happening, a fund raiser and to celebrate with friends. They do similar in the summer.

We were encouraged to make a decoration for the Christmas Tree and mine still needs some glitter.

 

I was tempted by the bag stall, all made by members and being sold at £3.00 each, a bargain!!!

I bought raffle tickets and won a book. There were presentations for the YE and member competitions and of course the food was delicious. I was delighted to be invited,and to attend.The members were welcoming and friendly. I do hope their coffers were filled and members were recruited.Merry Christmas Merseyside.

Bolton Xmas party

You wait for a party and two come along….well Padiham on Monday and Bolton on Tuesday, yes our Xmas party. I was a bit worried cos I didnt see food but then realised that there was a lovely spread in the adjoining room. No quiz for us, Clare had made a forest of trees and wanted to share this skill with us.Our competition was a wearable brooch. perhaps less entries than in the past but lots of votes. The winner was Barbara.

Well done!!!  A reminder about our Jacobs Feast in Jan at 11.00 and a chance to sign up for your food gift. I will then include the Nov Bulletin .

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”.

The Christmas competition is – a Christmas Brooch.

Congratulations to Ann Heather on winning the most voted for piece of work in our recent exhibition at Bolton Art Gallery.

Also congratulations to Val Coleshaw on beginning her tenure as the Northwest Regional Chair.

Exhibitions and Events

• Last chance to see Grayson Perry from 23 Aug – 7 Dec at Temple Newsom House, Leeds.
• Platform Gallery, Clitheroe ; “Treat and be Treated”, a variety of crafts peoples work until January 10^th.
• Paper Christmas Trees and Baubles Book Art workshop – 29^th November at The United Reformed Church Hall, Croston Rd, Garstang, PR3 1FL. 10am - 4pm.

Contact : linda@creativethreadworkchops.co.uk

· Little Contemporary Northern Craft Fair - Altrincham Grammar School For Boys, Hale. WA142RS. Sunday December 7^th.10am- 5pm.

Advance Notice

· Next year’s NW Regional Day will be held by Chelford and North Cheshire EG. Details of speakers on the notice board. Tickets going on sale in January.

· February Play Day’s activity will be printing and stamping.

REMINDERS

· Harrogate Show – OUR TRIP is this Saturday. The coach will be leaving the Resource Centre at 8.30 and be returning at 4.30pm.

· Next meeting – December 2^nd. Please bring basic sewing kit for the Christmas activity.

· There is a new book in the library, “ Get Stuffed”, by Maggie Smith

If you have any items for the Sales Table please see Jenny Whittle. Jenny 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)

Also 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

A  HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY READERS. LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN IN THE NEW YEAR, VAL.