December meeting

We had quite a long discussion about the state of our finances and our future at the start of our meeting. Tutor fees and travel costs have inevitably risen yet we still charge very little for out Bolton fee, We must all be aware of the situation and think carefully about what we can do, The committee have decided that refunds cannot be given for non attenders at workshops but still want to encourage support for these events.Personally I can sympathize with their dilemma., it is so hard when time and effort has been invested but support is declining.  Use it or loose it.
Brenda announced that Bolton Art Gallery had not accepted our request for gallery space. We were there a few years ago and supposedly it was a very successful event but we are competing with so many craft associations. She requested ideas of possible venues. However she still went ahead in publicising her challenge. She would like to make a bird installation and so brought along many photos, worksheets and ideas. The plan is to create free flying 3 D birds that might be attached to a branch of a tree. They shouklld NOT be more than A4 in size and completed for end of March. My mind is buzzing as I saw so many wonderful pelicans very close up whilst in Namibia. Their beaks are pink, orange, yellow, and turquoise and i cant forget them.
Barbara then distributed small packs which were used to make a tree or angel decoration for the tree.The idea was to complete one during the nmeeting as well as voting for our competition and having some food, kindly made for us by the committee. I finished my angel just before the end so its now on my tree.
Our competition was a piece inspirad by a line from any Christmas Carol[not the novel}. There seemed to be fewer entries this year {why , it was a simple idea......} but I was delighted when Brenda announced that Pam was the winner. I did have a word with Brenda, It was hard to take her seriously when dressed as a Gnome....but only a joke as I was really impressed that she had made such an effort.
We meet twice in January, our usual meeting and also our annual Jacobs feast. Please try to support each of these events, organised for us by the committee. Can I wish you all a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

Embroiderers’ Guild – Bolton Branch      December 2018

Welcome to our members’ Christmas Evening and our last meeting of 2018.

Competitions

The national members’ challenge for 2018/19 is “Life’s Rich Pattern”.  Details are on the member’s section of the Guild website, you will need to log in.

The subject for the Rosebowl competition for NW region next year is “Twist it, Turn it”.  There will be no regional day next April, a joint regional day/AGM for 2019 will be held on 28 September at the Crofters Hotel in Garstang.

Chairman’s Challenges.  Brenda will give details tonight of two challenges she has lined up for us in 2019. 

Courses

Classes in embroidery take place every Tuesday 10-12 and 1-3 at the Friends’ Meeting House, Bolton.

Further details: contact Lucy 07977 821119 or visit lucysembroidery.com

Summer School.  Details of next year’s residential school from 31 May - 2 June are on the notice board.

Exhibitions

Sorrell Kerrison has a display at Bolton Art Gallery consisting of intricate hand embroidered portraits of four of the museum’s founders, together with a short film describing the processes involved in their creation.  Until 24 February 2019.  Also from 24 Jan -23 Feb, in the museum’s temporary exhibition gallery, there will be an exhibition showcasing the work of staff and students from the BA(Hons) Textiles and Surface Design course at the University of Bolton, inspired by Bolton’s textile heritage.

Alice Kettle has an exhibition at the Whitworth Gallery, Manchester until 24 Feb 2019. ‘Thread

Bearing Witness’ contains large textile works that consider the subject of migration and how individuals, groups and communities respond to it.

The Creative Craft show is at Event City in Manchester, 31 Jan – 2 Feb.  Among the demonstrators

will be Bex Raven the “Queen of Rust” who will be coming to our June meeting to talk about the art of

Wabi Sabi.

Ann’s stock of cards is running low.  If you have any hand-made cards you can spare, please give

them to Ann.

If you hear of any exhibitions or events that you think may be of interest to us, please tell Sheelagh.  Both Preston and Rochdale EG branches have exhibitions planned in Feb and April 2019.   More details later. 

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       www.nwregionembroiderers.org

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Barbara caught in the act{she does not like photos!!!!}