Out and about Helmshore

Patricia invited me, well really the Guild to exhibit at Helmshore Mill”Follow the threads” again this year. I now have a good idea of what the public actually like/look at so took a few pictures off my walls, added my jewellery , a few books, bags and the magazine articles that have been published. It was an interesting weekend and I spoke to many very interested stitchers. I now need time to recover.Below is a taste of what you missed,The baby alpaca was only 2 days old!!!!

Out and about,Cumbria

Carol announced a possible trip several weeks ago and of course I said yes. I did not know what to expect but was delighted when Carol and Brenda volunteered to drive. I seem to have been attached to my steering wheel of late!!!

We met at Horwich car park and set off for a journey of approx 2 hours into the Lake District.  The venue was the Wool Clip in Caldbeck,11 miles from junction 40 on the M6.

We were greeted by our host Cecelia and directed to the cafe.Refreshed we made our way into a quaint shop, absolutely stuffed with wool and wool related objects. I don't really knit so thought I would be less inclined but managed to spend £50.00.

Carol has planned that Cecelia demonstrate to us , so she began with a very odd spinning wheel and using two threads . spun that knobbly wool that all embroiderers covet. I was fascinated.

We went back upstairs where a table had been reserved for us and we had a delicious lunch. Again we made our way back to he shop and another demonstration, this time spinning using various hand held spinners{ I didn't learn the name , is it a spindle?}The yarns made  were stunning. Cecelia was patient and answered all of our questions . Upstairs, somewhere I have a spindle and really fancy giving it a go.

The shop is a co operative and I learned how the 11 craftswomen kept it going. They are also the instigators of Woolfest, held this year on 26/7 June. Photos are not normally allowed in the shop but we has special dispensation. Have a look, and tempt yourself. A lovely day out. Cecelia has a facebook contact where she says you need not join to watch

www.facebook.com/ceceliaandhandspunyarn  or at www.wovember.com

Astley Bridge Tapestry.

A few months ago, a friend asked me to meet a group of stitchers and offer my support. I have since visited a number of times and brought along Brenda B and Vivienne from our branch as “experts” . The work is not actually a tapestry but applique, made into five banners, representing five local churches.The pieces are local photos, transferred onto fabric and embellished with stitch. on Wednesday we met with the aim of assembling and machining all the banners. There were delays but Christine is sure they will be ready in time for the Astley Bridge weekend  on 11/2 July.

Vivienne taught me how to modify tassels and reapply them onto chord, so I seemed to inherit this job. I have 10 tassels to play with and again it is quite tedious but I am sure they will finally look good.You will see them on display over the weekend in July. I will put up a small exhibition and chat to visitors at our day school venue, Bank Top Church. Come and say hello.

Whilst thinking about it, next weekend I will be at Follow the Thread , a n excellent festival of crafts at Helmshore Mill. Three years ago, i went along as a visitor, last year put up an exhibition and this year will do similar and demonstrate simple stitching. Love to see you there too. I will post some pictures after the event.

Ordsall Hall, up date.

At the beginning of May, Ann Barbara and I went along to Ordsall Hall. We were really busy chatting to visitors and demonstrating various stiches , so I only managed to stitch one name. I know that Liz is keen to get he names assembled so worked like mad on mine this week and finally posted it off today. as anyone who is still stitching will know, its not been an easy job, but I chose whipped running stitch and think it was the easiest choice. There will be more panels so please contact me if you have yet to get involved. below is my half completed piece.

Out and about,Padiham

I have been exceptionally busy of late and on Sunday drove down to Nottingham and back ,to celebrate my Australian aunt and uncles 60th anniversary. The motorways were rough at I was driving for over six hours so I was quite tired on Monday. I missed my aqua class but drove across to Padiham.Thank goodness that I did.  The speaker was superb and I urge anyone reading this to book her. Her name is Karen Casper and the title of her talk was Fusing old with new.  There were problems with the electricity so we could not see the power point but she illustrated her talk with huge photos. Better still she had brought along several pieces of her work, including one based on a fairground,Miss Coral and a widows veil. They were stunning and the secret was that they were based on very old articles like a tablecloth. I believe up cycling is the new buzz word? Check out her site at Tulle and Candyfloss.co.up  To top it all, I won the Bronze/copper raffle.