NWR AGM SATURDAY 24TH OCT.

A bit of a foggy start to the day but Vicki and I were happily chatting away when I realised that I had missed the M55 turning , so we did the scenic route via Lancaster, actually only about 5 mins longer.

Some committee had beaten me there and the room was sorted. The message that “Angie had had a breakdown” was disconcerting as we have several Angelas. Unfortunately as the morning went on, it was obvious that Angie was our trustee. She and Muriel had planned to travel down from Scotland but Angie had a headlight malfunction.She had e mailed after 7.00 to tell me but I had not opened my messages.

Sadly they both missed a really good day. We ran out of tables and wall space on which to display all the collaborative pieces that I had requested. It looked like a carnival. I know that many members approved of this exhibition and took inspiration from those pieces.

I opened the Travelling books today. There are 6 branches represented , so far and the work is simply beautiful. Thank you to those branches. If you have yet to start then have a good think as they will be work to inspire and treasure. I would like to complete them at the NWR Day in Bolton on 23rd April.

I will not say much about the business meeting as the minutes and reports will soon be available on the NWR Blog. I presented 5 badges for 25 years with our Guild to representatives as the members were not in attendance. Next presentation at NWR Day so let me know in advance.

I must mention that Judith won the Journal Cover competition and will receive a cup and prize. Again she was not present.

It seems like we were missing many people but the room was full. I received a few apologies but almost all branches were represented. Some left at lunchtime but the rest of us went down to a pleasant lunch.

Sandra K from the NW committee had offered to organise the afternoon activity. It was a bit of a risk as we needed to pay extra for the room and had little idea how well supported it would be. Why should we have worried? The activity was well presented, kits sorted and everyone was busy.”

 

Circles”, Im sure they will soon appear on branch programmes.  At the end of the session, a display of work produced was seen by all

A suggestion that the finished pieces should be brought to NWR day was met with very positive vibes. So Bolton, we will need a couple of extra tables please.Thanks so much Sandra.

The next NRW AGM has been booked, same venue etc.Sandra has another idea so be prepared. We are expecting even more to stay.

October meeting

I hadnt heard of Julie Bull before our meeting last Tuesday but Im sure the word will soon get around. She is actually moving into our area{Padiham} very soon. Her title was “Telling stories in Fabric and Stitch” and that is what she did. I do not want to spoil a possible talk for other branches but to say that she was very candid about her life and how it had affected her attitude to life and work. Julie spoke and illustrated her ideas with many slides but also came with a few original pieces. She was in the very happy state of selling almost all of her work!!! She had some greetings cards etc for us to buy.

Julie was from South Wales and spoke with a very melodic tone. Bet she can sing too.

Julie has finally decided to work using a Kantha stitch, making a multi coloured background and then applying specific shapes. The work is full of charm.Her web is                                                                                                    www.juliebulltextileartist.co.uk

A lovely evening.

Embroiderers’ Guild – Bolton Branch

Newsletter –October 2015

News and Competitions

The Rose Bowl competition title is “Under the Sea”, for our Regional Day in April next year.

The Christmas competition is “Snowman”.

The Capability Brown Festival is a celebration of landscape and gardens in stitch. Entries required later next year.

Exhibitions and Events

· Try to see Cornelia Parkers’ Magna Carta which is on at present until November 1^st at The Whitworth, Oxford Rd ,Manchester M156ER.

· Nicola Orpen is holding 2days of textile workshops in Hebden Bridge on November14th (indigo with shibori) and15th (natural dying of cloth and yarn with plant dye). Cost £45 per day including materials. Full details on her facebook Page. Her website is www.texatelier.com.

· Crafts in the Pen. Skipton Cattle Mart, BD23 1UD. Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd November; 10.am -4pm; £5.00 free for under 16’S.

· Harrogate -The Knitting and Stitching Show. Thursday 26^th – Sunday 29^th November; tickets £12.50 concessionary and children from 5-18yrs £6.50. Group discounts available.

Advance Notice

.

· A beginners/slight experience embroidery and contemporary stitch class is starting on October 8^th at the Triangle Centre, Chorley Old Rd. It will be on Thursdays 10-12 noon. More information at www.facebook.com/pages/Enjoy-Learning-Bolton/141379002171999 or see Glennys Astley.

New in the library

Sheelagh has bought 2 new DVD’s for the library: “Creative Bondaweb”, with Kim Thittachai and “Creative Free Machine Embroidery”, with Gina Ferrari.

Ann needs more handmade birthday cards for sending to members if you have any to spare please 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

I gave further details about The Chairmans Challenge abnd the Capability Brown Festival. More will appear on the bulletin next month.

.

October Workshop

We had all been looking forward to our next workday with Alysn Midgelow Marsden. Well I had until I saw the requirements list!!!It was certainly comprehensive but as always there were bits that I would have liked to have brought along , but didn't.

My camera battery had died and I had to make do with my phone to record the day. a word of warning for those with computers….Windows 10 seems to be fine except it will not support my 4 year old camera or phone. I have a card reader for the camera but am still struggling with my phone. The photos are still there so apologies.

Alysn was extremely well organised and had three challenges for us. We had chosen a metal workshop so after the usual demo we began by weaving into copper shim. Actually we painted and/or embellished it first and then wove away. here is my piece although I plan to work further  into it and add lots of beads{left at home on Saturday}

We then progressed and layered varies sheers and metals, outlined in stitch and then cut through.

Our final task was to use sweet papers. I didn't bring any so tried the same technique with transfer foils. It seemed to work OK.

We set out with the idea of including all three pieces into one finished but as usual I couldn't ignore the colour pink so added it to the foils. This would have been fine if I then added some pink beads to the metal but it just didn't seem right.

I came home and worked lots of beads{copper} into my metal piece and then backed it alone, onto velvet. I'm quite happy with the result. I will incorporate the other pieces into other pieces at a later date.

I must apologies to all my fellow stitchers on Saturday that I only have these photos, taken at home. IF /when I can send the others on my phone I will add far more exciting pieces. our next play day on Nov 14th will be developing these techniques. Sadly I have a NWR committee meeting here all day. We hope to have all pieces finished by our Xmas meeting when I will sent photos to Alysn as promised.

September AGM at Bolton

The evening began with the formal part, our AGM.

Clare was delighted to announce two newish members were prepared to join the committee. Julie was standing down as It Rep. and was presented with flowers. There were quite a number of entries for Molly's Cup,technique  being White work. I apologise for the odd photos below, but the strange cat shaped boxes are our way of voting. I didn't want to move ant piece or box and spoil the count. 

However we were all delighted when Jackie was announced as the winner. 

I gave quite a lot of information about the Capability Brown Festival and 14 members signed up. I will provide written details for the Oct meeting, where more members can come on board. Jackie has also volunteered to oversee my Chairman's Challenge. Its a travelling book, A3 size, 2 pages, one of inspiration and the other being stitched. details to follow.

After this Brenda led a practical suggested by Pauline earlier

. We were given a piece of fabric and ribbon and asked to stitch a small bag to be used by patients in hospital. A lovely idea and many bags will be made.

Embroiderers’ Guild – Bolton Branch

Newsletter – September 2015

News and Competitions

The Rose Bowl competition title is “Under the Sea”, for our Regional Day in April next year.

Northwest Region Broderers’ Cup is for October AGM. No title or theme. It is only open to our Branch so please have a go to get your work on front of The Journal!

The Christmas competition is “Snowman”.

Exhibitions and Events

· The Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts Show is on 10-12 September 2015 at Events City, Manchester (next to the Trafford Centre). Buy tickets on the door £10, in advance £8.00 online www.ichfevents.co.uk Tel : 01425777988.

· Yarndale is being held at Skipton Auction Mart, Ling Fields BD231UD, on September 26 & 27 – www.yarndale.co.uk

· Ten Plus Textiles have an exhibition at The Storey Gallery, Lancaster from 22 September – 10 October.

· Try to see Cornelia Parkers’ Magna Carter which is on at present until November 1^st at The Whitworth, Oxford Rd ,Manchester M156ER.

Advance Notice

.

• Alysn Midgelow – Marsden is doing a workshop, “using Metals with stitch”, on October 17^th. Please get a requirements list from Brenda.

· We will be needing volunteers to act as stewards for the northwest regional next April, please put your name forward. Please see Clare.

· Also can you volunteer your husbands or friends to act as car park attendants during the morning on the day, to direct cars down the drive and organize the spaces? As before see Clare.

· A beginners/slight experience embroidery and contemporary stitch class is starting on October 8^th at the Triangle Centre, Chorley Old Rd. It will be on Thursdays 10-12 noon. More information at www.facebook.com/pages/Enjoy-Learning-Bolton/141379002171999 or see Glennys Astley.

REMINDERS

• Please keep your Pearl Exhibition pieces to put on a display at our Regional Day next year. New work IS NEEDED TOO.
• Chairmans Challenge – Val will explain

Ann needs more handmade birthday cards for sending to members if you have any to spare please 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

.

At last photos from North Lonsdale

Again My apologies.My neighbour and I worked on my phone camera and decided that the only way to remove photos was to send to self. So I did that this am and am delighted to share the memories of North Lonsdale exhibition with you. The techniques are wide and varied. You might recognise a few members too.

Out and about North Lonsdale and Padiham

Last Saturday, Barbara accompanied me to Grange. Well to be precise,the North Lonsdale branch exhibition.We were warmly welcomed and immediately offered a cup of tea and home made biscuits. Glancing around I was delighted to recognise several members and they all came to chat.We were especially delighted to meet one of our former members Mary. However, we were there to see the exhibition. NL is a small branch with about 15 members but the amount and variety of work shown was amazing. I really liked the idea of being able to handle some exhibits. They also had books describing the techniques learned at day schools. I quite fancy adopting this idea. i took photos on my phone but a couple of weeks ago, upgraded to Windows 10. No problem with the system but it wont support my camera or phone. I have bought a reader which is OK for the camera but not yet sorted the phone. SO Sandra i do apologise that there are no photos to assist this record.

On Monday I went across to Padiham. They have changed venue to Higham and also the times, now opening at midday to sew and chat before the meeting which will still start at 2.00. The venue seems to offer excellent facilities. We used many of them as we began our year with a Jacobs Feast. Like Bolton there seemed to be more left at the end than we had started with!!!! The AGM was led by Nan, but it was her last duty as she was retiring and handing over to Sue. I wish Nan well in her well deserved retirement and add good wishes to Sue. Many of the committee are continuing but there is always a space for a willing helper.Joan, Wendy and Nan above.

Nan hands over her  badge to Sue. Diane brought along the work in progress for the Chairman Challenge Travelling Book.

Kathryn then gave a very interesting and amusing talk about Blackpool Branch and hope they had become involved with Blackpool's Treasure Trove.She brought along part of the exhibition but unfortunately could not fit the Blackpool Tower into her car. We might get to see it at the NWR AGM.

I have a very busy week so left about 3.40. It was almost impossible to get from the car park onto the road. The I joined a queue of cars that had been prevented from joining the main road by the police. There were people sitting standing and cheering. I had joined the spectators of the round Britain cycle race.After about 10 mins the Peloton{is that correct terminology} passed by.I managed to catch a few snaps from my car.

Can you spot me taking the photos? There was then another challenge, turning right onto the main road. I think I waited at least 20 mins for a big enough gap to slip into. However it was a good experience and i managed to do two things on the same day.