Padiham Branch

Yesterday, I went over to Padiham again. It was the last meeting of the “year” so we celebrated by having a “Show and Tell”. Joan the secretary began the event, showing inspiration from her city and guilds days.

I was really impressed that every member had brought along something to show and  was happy to stand up and discuss their work.  It made a very good mini exhibition and we can always learn from our colleagues.

Mona the chairman completed our event, telling us about the highs and lows of bookbinding.

Finally having already been refreshed by tea or coffee , we were treated to strawberries and vanilla cream, by members of the committee.

We meet again in September for the AGM and and some other activity,yet to be confirmed. Members from Bolton  (or in fact any other branch member who might be reading this} can join Padiham as well as their home branch.  Fees to HQ are already covered by local membership so only the Padiham fee is needed.Padiham meets on the first Monday of the month , from 2.00 till 4.00.It takes me about 1/2 hour to get there and we have a large, free car park. As a new branch we would appreciate all support.

Extra information

I am sure we all enjoyed Laura's talk and I had intended to add her contact details,

laurajhughes.hughes18@googlemail.com

I am also still working on my competition piece and have found a couple of useful web links. Go to Wikipedia and type in broderie perse and when you have read this go to the extended link.This will bring up a long article and photos from an American Quilts link. Hope its useful. Val

June meeting

I was intrigued by the title of our meeting last night,From North Wales to Nottingham in the Textile World.  Laura Hughes soon to graduate, gave a very slick computer generated talk. I wish I had her IT skills. Her home is in North Wales but she chose to study for her degree at  Nottingham University. Accomplished in many fields , she has concentrated on weaving and more especially using recycled materials like cassette tapes.   I  was also amazed that she actually brought her working loom along with her……quite a visual aid!!! Laura poses in one of her jackets,below.

 

Laura had many samples which she was happy to pass around so we could study the pattern and feel the texture. We all wish Laura success as she begins her career.

BOLTON NEWSLETTER JUNE 2011

· Ridgmont meal Tues 19^th July, £20.00. Have you a seating request?

· Casket workshop, this Saturday, £5.00, including lunch. Spaces.

· National AGM weekend Southport 30 March 2012.Pauline Hannon to Chair the W/E

· NW Reg AGM Preston, Sat 28^th April. Have you finished your “Two peas in a pod”

· I have spare copies of NW Reg Journal, £1.50, a good read and colour pictures!!!!

Competitions

· Molly’s Cup , please suggest Themes for the next competition, this evening

· Xmas, stitch a cracker

· I’m sure your Persee piece is almost completed. See it in September.

Postcards

We are planning a Bulgarian themed party and practical for our Xmas meeting. Postcards will be displayed at the National AGM prior to the Cultural Olympics.

Visits and exhibitions

· We are planning a trip to Harrogate in November, are you interested?

· Preston Threads exhibition, Rossendale Museum till July 31^st. details on poster.

· Five of us attended a service of dedication for the pulpit fall at Nancy’s church last Sunday .The congregation was delighted with the gift. Photo on Blog.

Sadly HQ has increased our fees by £2 and we feel unable to absorb these costs so must charge £39.00 next year. It still amounts to less than £4.00 a meeting.

At the EGM we hope to elect our committee. All positions are” available” but some committee members are prepared to stand again. However, the booking secretary, IT Rep and librarian pasts are vacant. I am pleased to say that there has been interest in all of these vacancies. I will continue with the blog until someone feels able to take it on.

http://begstitchers,blogspot.com/

Ann also added that I had heard today that Workbox had folded. We are all saddened as it was a popular magazine. The article about the Pulpit Fall was ready for printing in the next edition so they kindly sent me a proof copy.

Out and about

Last week as area 2 rep , i was invited to visit Rochdale branch. I had a very warm welcome and recognise and was also recognised by a number of members. It was a very busy meeting. Rochdale had just organise a very successful cream tea exhibition. They are planning visits and workshops galore. The speaker was a lady from Empress Mill who spoke about the making and uses of thread. It was very interesting and of course made even better by bringing along a shop. Empress Mill is holding an open workshop on Friday 1st July,

On Sunday I went to Helmshore Mill to “Follow the thread” which I believe was organised by the Friends of Helmshore. Again I knew quite a number of people. There were demonstrations and sales tables from a variety of  textile crafts. The mill was open and the water wheel worked.Outside they were visited by a family of Alpaca.

Nancy's Pulpit Fall

This morning, five of us attended a dedication service at Nancy’s church. We were warmly welcomed but a little concerned as we could not see the work. Andrew the minister had “hidden” it so that it could be officially unveiled.Part way though the service he removed the cover and began to discuss the symbolism of the piece. We were invited to stay for coffee and many of the congregation came to say how much they liked our work. Christine, Nancy's sister sends her best wishes and agreed that Nancy would have really approved. We were then asked to pose  for photographs against the Pulpit Fall.An article and more pictures will appear soon in the  Workbox magazine.

Out and about

On Monday, I attended the Padiham branch meeting. As acting chair I had asked my friend Barbara Ryall if she would be prepared to do a talk. She had agreed and Monday was the day!!!!

Her talk was called Mix to Match ,an intriguing title and really made me wonder what she would say. We began to unpack her car. It took ages as she had brought so many of her completed embroideries , worksheets and books.

Barbara is a very talented artist and her embroideries really reflect this ability. I know that I am biased, but I was really inspired by her talk. I can never achieve work of her standard but there is always hope. I know that Barbara enjoyed the afternoon and was quite exhausted,answering the many questions posed to her,but delighted by the enthusiasm to which she was met. I know that several members were so inspired that they wanted to race home and begin a new project.

May meeting

I was so sorry to miss last nights meeting but I had just landed after a 21 hour journey from my holiday to Sri Lanka. I had a lovely time and Ann tells me that the same was had by you all. I love the flower pictures created by Barbara Jepson and was delighted to be introduced to her at the Ten Plus exhibition in Salford a few weeks ago.Ann remembered to take a few photos

Barbara is holding a mini yurt that she had made.

 

Bolton Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild

NEWSLETTER - MAY 2011

• Thought I would begin by sharing this message from Pam Cumberbatch, I have replied with my congratulations.

“Just a quick email to tell you about being involved in "the" project. I was really proud to be a part of the Royal School of Needlework team that created Catherine's dress. It was a surreal moment to see it being worn on the TV. Now isn't that something for the CV. There is more info on the RSN website if you are interested. See you soon Pam C”

• My apologies for misinformation on the last newsletter. The meal at our EGM costs £20. 00, but is still a bargain!!! Melon can be offered for those who do not want antipasti, just note it on your reply slip.
• Ann has now sent our 23 bonnets away and thanks all involved.
• Workbox wants to publish my article about Nancy’s pulpit fall. I hope to photograph it in situ, first.
• The Paper Shop Company seems to be concentrating on line. Shops in Burneside and the Lowry have closed.
• What about Molly’s Cup…is your embroidery persee begun? We want to see the entries at our AGM in September.
• I am not yet sure of my role as Guild Liaison Officer , but do let me know if you have any questions , issues or even compliments that you want raised,

· The Olympic postcards will be displayed at Edinburgh University, Plymouth University and Much Wenlock. (The origin of the modern Games stems from the Wenlock Olympic Games held in 1860). Have you completed your postcard (Bulgaria) yet? If so bring it along to show us. Remember that the postcards must be landscape format, mounted on the card provided and backed.

· “Threads Transformed” – an exhibition of textile work from Preston Threads at Rossendale Museum from 7^th May to 31^st July 2011, daily from 1.00pm to 4.30pm. Admission Free

· “Rhythm in Stitch” – a contemporary twist to textiles by Bolton Progressive Threads at Gawthorpe Hall from2nd April until 30^th October 2011, daily except Mon. and Fri. from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. Demonstrations 2^nd Sat. of each month.

• Finally, I am so sorry to miss the meeting this evening. I hope Ann will remember to take some photos.