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.

Padiham Xmas party

On Monday I travelled over to Padiham. It was the usual busy meeting. I had rushed there from my Aqua class so the small of Xmas food was very tempting, BUT we had two puzzles to complete first!!! Needless to say, I did not do very well although Nan and I shared a packet of Rolo for our score of 15 out of 20.Our competition,Winter Wonderland was well supported and the winning piece was my favourite.Im delighted to see that Padiham continues to flourish , due to the hard work of all the committee and the support of members , especially with the raffle and sales table. Happy Christmas to you all.

November meeting

Stella Adams Schofield joined us this week.She is an artist, teacher and researcher who is fascinated by old textiles and lace. However she began her slide show with microphotographs of skin and explained how she used it as an inspiration. She transferred this idea into very delicate  lace pieces .

However she had another slant being very interested in technology, so we were able to see video shown on and through lacey drapes. The fabric that she created were influenced on British production so she wove with linen and wool.

I loved the jumper she had produced, that followed her family history through a pathway of photographs.

Most of all I loved her integrity. She explained that museums value their shards of pottery but pay less attention to fragments of fabric.

She can be contacted at

stellaadamsschofield@outlook.com

 

Ann Heather was presented with a small gift in recognition for her winning the visitor vote at our Exhibition. There was a display of dolls from the last workshop.

Over 20 of us went to the K annd S at Harrogate on Saturday. A very good day, lots to see and buy and as always I spent most of my time chattering to friends that I know.

You will need a beading needle. green thread and beads for our Xmas meeting. Apologies that there is no newsletter this month,,,technical problems!!!

Padiham Nov 2014

A lovely drive over to Padiham yesterday.I was pretty shattered after the NWR committee meeting the day before. Lots of ideas exchanged and some  changes will be announced soon that we hope will make our region more effective. Back to Padiham, I was warmly greeted by several of the members who remembered that I had become the Chair of NWR. our speaker was Sheila Sturrock.

She began by apologising that her talk would not concentrate specifically on embroidery but she did bring along some exquisite  embroidered cards.Sheila had collated a wonderful range of images of greetings cards, from museums around the country.. She began her talk with St Valentine and moved through this to Christmas and other celebrations. Some cards we more like post cards and others were 3D.The paper skills shown were amazing. I had just decided that this year I do not have time to make my Xmas cards and I'm quite relieved to have made this decision as I could not compete!!!

Don't forget you Blue and gold star and your Winter Wonderland pieces at our Dec meeting and get your thinking caps on , ready to create our tablecloth.