February meeting

There was a change of venue for last nights meeting. We used Bank Top as the painters were in at Horwich. Sadly due to transport difficulties  some members had to send in apologies.We were able, however to welcome back some members who had not visited for some time.

Our speaker was Renu Modha and she spoke about Indian Embroidery. She had been fortunate enough to visit and collect a wide range of pieces of embroidery . She explained how each region had its own unique style or technique. She asked if we would like these pieces passing around and of course we were delighted. We all became very excited so she kept stopping her explanation so that we could appreciate all the work.

Renu has a business at Heskin Hall but was able to bring along some of her own work.These pieces are always completed in silk and have the rich colours associated with India, A delightful evening.

I was very frustrated as I realised that the new battery of my new camera is faulty and I could not take any photos. I have relied on those taken by Jazz [thanks Jazz}

NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2012

NEWS

Please collect your copy of Contact magazine from the table and I would be grateful if you can deliver to anyone who isn’t here tonight. Also there are the new Council Communique, Christine Poole’s address, details of the Member’s Challenge, the new lease of life for the Y.E., the NW Bulletin and the Stitch questionnaire with a chance to win £100 worth of book tokens on line.

WORKBOX Magazine has recommenced publishing and will be available 6 times per year at £2 per month instead of £4.25p (+ 5pence to cover the cheque and postage) if we order 10 copies. If you would like to subscribe, please tell Marilyn and I will order for the May/June issue. They are asking for payment in advance and the copies usually come at least 1 month before the published date, so I will need payment for the first copy in March. There is a copy of the March/ April copy on the table if you would care to see the new format.

Sue Sercombe has launched an on line shop at www.texartcreative.com and the site includes a gallery of Sue’s work and that of her students as well as details of her courses.

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Chelford Branch has an exhibition and Textile Fair on 24^th March at Chelford Village Hall from 10am to 4pm. If you want to see what they are up to, their web address is – www.chelfordstitchers.blogspot.com

Midori Matseishima is teaching Japanese embroidery at Lancashire College, Chorley from 13 -15 April; 27 -29 July and 16 – 18 November. If you are interested contact Sandra McFarlane at Sandra@motoandchief.net or Joan Webb at webb@4sydnope.fsnet.co.uk for details.

Anna White’s exhibition is still running at Bolton Library if you have not yet seen it.

Johanna is running a workshop (Patchwork and embroidery made into items) on Tuesday mornings between 9.30 and 11.30 at the Quest Centre, Barlow Way, Halliwell, BL1 3UB. It’s a roll on/roll off workshop and the cost is £7.00 per week. Machines and all materials are provided.

Textiles Transformed by the Computer Textile Design Group will be at Ness Botanical Gardens, Ness Wirral CH65 4AY from 5^th -7^th April between 10am & 4pm daily. Admission free.

There will be a coach going to Aintree Craft Fair on April 29^th from St John’s, Horwich. For details phone Pat on 01204 694643 or see Margaret.

ADVANCE NOTICE

Don’t forget Molly’s Cup title will be “Redo, Rework, Reform”

We need ideas for things to buy or pay for with the returned 40% of our loan to H.Q. – eg. An expensive speaker, a Friday evening talk followed by a workshop on the Saturday – this would need firm commitment from members and possibly payment in advance – or any other ideas you may have.

There will be lunch provided for Jackie’s “Heirloom Hearts” workshop on 24th March at a small cost.

REMINDERS

The North West Regional Day will be held on Saturday 28^th April2012 at Fullwood Methodist Church, Preston, PR2 8EA. Tickets £25 includes lunch and refreshments. I have the booking form and need to know numbers tonight. Please pay Pam as we have to send a cheque from the Branch. I also have entry forms for the competitions. Your work will only be insured if you fill one in and return it by 7^th April.

Don’t forget that you need to book for the AGM at Southport by 1^st March if you wish to attend.

If you have any ideas for new books for the library, please tell Brenda. (An IBS number would be helpful)

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

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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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Ann has been busy.

The role of chairman gets bigger and bigger. Ann collected the postcards and then stitched them together. I believe that as a perfectionist she actually unpicked some and changed the order when postcards arrived rather later than expected. I think you will appreciate the time and well done to those who did actually submit their work.

In addition to this Ann took home one of the two pink bags that we worked on at the Jacobs Feast and added the embellishments. We have two bags, one to be filled and given to the NW committee for the National AGM and a second…we need your ideas ……how do you think we can best use it?

BIG REMINDER, THE NEXT MEETING ON FEB 21ST IS AT BANK TOP.

Jacobs feast, Jan 2012

Another very cold morning,I had to defrost my car before I could drive to Bank Top. We assembled at 11.00 and had a hot drink as we sorted out the tables and displayed the cold food.

We then played Dominoes in groups of four and then the winner moved clockwise whilst the loser went to the left. So some confusion here for us!!!

Ann appears to be checking whether there is any cheating taking place. After ten rounds , Margaret B. was declared the winner and accepted her prize.

Warm food was presented and we sat down to a delightful meal .

It is one of the only chances that we have to actually sit and talk. After lunch Ann showed us the two bags made and donated by Lesley. Our task was to make leaves, flowers and cord for stalks and tendrils.

The bags are not yet completed but are worth a quick look.

January 2012 meeting

It was a very cold and damp evening when I set out for the Guild .As always I soon cheered up when I met with all my friends in our branch.I was surprised how many had ventured out that night but am certain that they felt it was all worth while.

There was a lot of business to discuss. Our postcards and work from the last work day were displayed.

I am a bit disappointed that there are so few postcards as I managed one for Bolton and another for Padiham branch.perhaps we should have heard the talk by our speaker Gillian Travis beforehand  as she spoke about how she used holiday photos to create her work. She rapidly ran through about 300 shots and then showed us a massive range of work. I had carried in a bunch of flowers that she made and seen below.

I will certainly incorporate some of her ideas. For instance in Morocco she concentrated on shoes but embroidered them with snapshots of the country.

NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2012

A copy of the EG Council Communique to Members is available if you would like to read it. I also have a copy of Material Matters. Sorry about the eccentric printing but I must have misunderstood the instructions.

Programmes for all the North West Area branches are available, so if you would care to visit any other branch see Marilyn who will bring the folder to meetings.

The details of the 2012 Summer School courses are now available and can be booked from Jan 15^th2012.

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Anna White’s exhibition is still running at Bolton Library if you have not yet seen it.

Edgeworth Craft Group meets at the Barlow Institute, Edgeworth in the library. For further details see Lesley King.

Johanna is running a workshop (Patchwork and embroidery made into items) on Tuesday mornings between 9.30 and 11.30 at the Quest Centre, Barlow Way, Halliwell, BL1 3UB. It’s a roll on/roll off workshop and the cost is £7.00 per week. Machines and all materials are provided.

Montague Patchers have an exhibition and sale at the United Reform Church, Montague Road, Sale M33 3BU on Friday 17^th (11am – 5pm)& Saturday 18^th (10am – 4pm) February. See poster for details.

“Little Black Dress” exhibition at Tullie House Art Gallery, Castle Street, Carlisle, CA3 8TP (Tel. 01228 618718 www.tulliehouse.co.uk) from10th December – 26^th February

Opening Times

10am – 4pm Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 4pm Sunday

For further information about the exhibition or to request visuals please contact Fiona Venables on 01228 618734 / Fiona.venables@tulliehouse.org or Amy Walker on 01228 618774 / amy.walker@tulliehouse.org.

ADVANCE NOTICE

THIS year Molly’s Cup title will be “Redo, Rework, Reform” Due AGM Sept 2012,

REMINDERS

The North West Regional Day will be held on Saturday 28^th April2012 at Fullwood Methodist Church, Preston, PR2 8EA. Tickets £25 includes lunch and refreshments. I have the booking form and need to know numbers fairly soon.Competition “two peas in a pod”

Please start collecting pink items for the Pink Bag for the raffle prizes for the Southport AGM from 30th March – 1^st April. Book by 1^st March.

Don’t forget to put your name down for the Jacobs Feast on Saturday 28^th January and for Jackie’s “Heirloom Hearts” workshop on 24th March.

If you have any ideas for new books for the library, please tell Brenda. (An IBS number would be helpful)

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

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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

Finally

May I wish you all a Happy New Year on behalf of Ann and the committee.

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December newsletter

 

Please pick up your copy of Contact if you haven't already done so. There are also copies of "Your Guild", the programme and booking form for the AGM at Southport from 30^th March - 1^st April, a letter calling for nominations for Chairman plus the new bookshop catalogue. Please collect these and any for friends who are not here tonight, but you will see before the next meeting.

A copy of Monica Selway's December NW Region Bulletin is available if you would like to read it, also a copy of a letter from our Acting Chairman Christine Poole.

Programmes for all the North West Area branches are available, so if you would care to visit any other branch see Marilyn who will bring the folder to meetings.

The details of the 2012 Summer School courses are now available and can be booked from Jan 15*2012.

Congratulations to Val on being elected Vice Chair of NW Regional Committee

Congratulations to John's granddaughter, Sarah who won the YE De-denne Competition. Her winning entry was on display at Harrogate, as were all the entries including John's "Green Man".

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Edgeworth Craft Group meets at the Barlow Institute, Edgeworth in the library with different programmes for afternoons and evenings including "Textile Pictures", Felt making and Paper Work. For further details see Lesley King.

Johanna is running a workshop (Patchwork and embroidery made into items) on Tuesday mornings between 9.30and 11.30 at the Quest Centre, Brownlow Way, Halliwell, BL1 3UB. It's a roll on/roll off workshop and the cost is£7.00 per week. Machines and all materials are provided.

"Little Black Dress" exhibition at Tullie House Art Gallery, Castle Street, Carlisle, CA3 8TP (Tel. 01228 618718 www.tulliehouse.co.uk) from 10th December - 26^th February Opening Times 1 10am - 4pm Monday - Saturday, 12pm - 4pm Sunday For further information about the exhibition or to request visuals please contact Fiona Venables on 01228 618734 / Fiona.venables@tulliehouse.org or Amy Walker on 01228 618774 / amy.walker@tulliehouse.org.

ADVANCE NOTICE

Next year Molly's Cup title will be "Redo, Rework, Reform" REMINDERS

The North West Regional Day will be held on Saturday 28^th April2012. Tickets £25 includes lunch andrefreshments.

Please start collecting pink items for the Pink Bag for the raffle prizes for the Southport AGM next March.

If you have any ideas for new books for the library, please tell Brenda. (An IBS number would be helpful) Raffle prizes are always welcome. Please see Judith if you have anything.

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

May I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year on behalf of Ann and the committee.

And more… There is a change of speaker for Jan. It will be Gillian Travis “Journeys through stitch”.

Dont forget to call in the Art Gallery to see the piece that we worked with Anna White. Its on till start of Feb.

December meeting

It was quite a miserable night to leave the home but there were about 30 of us attending the December meeting.There were lots of messages and several members” Showed and told”. The night had a Bulgarian theme ,inspired by the Olympic postcards.

Ann, Lesley and I provided Bulgarian food and there were worksheets and pictures to help inspire members.  The plan was to try and complete our postcards but I never managed to make a stitch.

The competition, a stitched Cracker was voted by each of our members and Ann was delighted to present Freda Hindle with a small prize.

I hope to include the newsletter later but in case I cannot,very good wishes to all my readers. Val

Out and about,Padiham

I braved the Arctic conditions yesterday and went to Padiham branch. Kathryn demonstrated how to make a simple ,but very effective Christmas decoration and then we all had a go. We exchanged a Christmas card and voted for our Xmas competition,subsequently and deservedly won by Joan, our hard working secretary.

The branch continues to grow. Three more members were signed up during the afternoon. The first workshop on Boutis is now full. A date and time for a visit to Gawthorpe Hall was arranged : 1.30 on 21/02/12. Kathryn then reminded us to buy our tickets for the AGM weekend and said that due to numbers, two more workshops had been arranged.

We shared festive food and then arranged to meet at our next meeting in February. This will be based on our Kiribati postcards.Looking back to the start of the year,when numbers were low, I am delighted to acknowledge that we have another strong branch in our region.