Summer School July 2014 and more…..

Another excellent summer school , last weekend. We were lead by Elizabeth Cousins Scott, Alex Jacob Whitwoth and Liz Almond. As usual i opted for the hand stitching class, where the technique was Blackwork. Liz put up an amazing display which changed daily.She had even put together kits that we could choose to use. I am not a fan of kits and prefer to use my own ideas but these kits included fabric, thread, doodle fabric and masses of ideas. Liz also stressed that we must make these designs our own by taking elements from other designs and putting them into our work. I chose a flower design, and  having modified the arrangement ,decided to work each flower petal in a different pattern and also using grey thread. I was quite inspired. Liz then taught us two stitches, Colonial stitch, a little like French Knots be we were assured that it cant go wrong and Double Knot Stitch., rather like Palestrina stitch. These I mastered in time but on Sunday morning we were asked to try them again to make sure that we could remember. We  Liz I have had another go at home, attempting the latter to put on my work but realised that it was not appropriate. Anyhow having started my flowers, Liz showed me a piece of her work where thick threads shaded through to very thin. I had said the day before that this was what I had wanted to master so I had a go. I am very pleased with the result.The other two classes looked very interesting. Elizabeth ran her class as two day units where you could attend either day or both. The committee would be interested to hear your views. I was amazed how many samples were produced.

I believe Alex took her group for a walk around the gardens to gain inspiration.I called in when she was demonstrating.This group will have many pieces to stitch in to , when they return home.So another indulgent week end over.Its an embroiderers dream, stitching, learning, swapping ideas good food and company.Why not look on the advert for next year and come and join us?

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Ann sent me this photo from our summer meal. Rather belatedly, I was able to present Barbara with her Coats prize, awarded at the NW regional Day.

Congratulations again, Barbara, I know the prize was worth the wait!!!

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Ann and I delivered all the work to the Art Gallery on Thursday and I called again with the visitor book etc on Friday. Thank you all for your contributions. I know it will be an excellent representation of the skills that we can show. Dorothy will open our event on Saturday, 2 Aug at 10.30{the National Stitch Day}, You are welcome to attend but let us know for catering.Bring along your stitching . We are open every day but would benefit from stewarding on Saturdays. Seats will be provided so demonstrate what you can do, encourage interest,give out needles cases and generally promote our Guild.I have lots of gaps in the stewards list so please phone me asap.

July meeting

Our July meeting was held at the Ridgmont again. It was a warm evening so we were greeted with a glass of bubbles and held our short EGM in the garden. The EGM allows the committee for the following year to be  announced . We can then print our programme and then the committee and officers can be officially ratified at our AGM in September.

We moved upstairs to a bright and sunny room and the main event began, our annual meal. This year was a little more special as we are celebrating 30 years. With this in mind we invited along former members. I had organised little mementos in the form of  Pearl Pobbles that were placed on the table. Judith had made a delicious cake.

The meal lived up to its usual excellent standard and i interrupted each table to request a photo. My battery was very low so i was in a panick to take as many shots as possible. It is dreadful to say that I was somewhat hindered by the very bright sunshine!!!!

Clare invited two former founder members to cut the cake,Liz and Elisabeth. Another lovely evening and can hardly wait for our RUBY.

NEWSLETTER – July 2014

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”. Also “Jewels” for Molly’s cup in September.

Exhibitions and Events

“ Pearls of Friendship”, our 30th Anniversary exhibition is starting Saturday 2^nd August until 26^th October. Val has passed this information on;

All pieces must be mirror plated unless going into the drawers. Should be with Val or Ann as of today unless you make specific arrangements with them. Work will be returned in Nov meeting unless you wish it earlier.

Stewards requested for Saturdays, ie  Aug 2,9 15,  23,30 Sept 6,13,20,27 Oct 4,11,18 25. Jackie would also like help on Sat 13 and we need members to come to the opening and bring some stitching to do as it is the National Stitch Day. Parking on Sat in town is free. There are 13 dates to cover.  If a couple of members or more would cover 1/2 a day each then the task will not be too onerous. Please give out needlecases and programmes to any genuine interest. Val has a list ready to be filled in or call her if you dont have your diary to hand.

ADVANCE NOTICE

Please make a note in your diary of the following event ;

The Northwest Regional Day for 2015 is being held by Chelford & North Cheshire Embroiderer’s Guild on Saturday 25^th April 2015. See poster for further details.

REMINDERS

There is a play day on Saturday August 23^rd, starts 10.30 and finishes about 3.30pm. Please bring a packed lunch. Usual venue at Banktop Church.

Ann is in need of handmade Get Well or open greeting cards for sending to members if you have any to spare. If you have any items for the Sales Table please see Jackie Martin. Jackie 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)

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.

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 PLEA FROM ME, I HAVE A STEWARDS LIST WITH LOTS OF AVAILABILITY. PLEAS PHONE ME WITH A SPARE HALF DAY.ALSO LET ME KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO BE AT THE OPENING AND HAVE NOT SIGNED UP YET.

Out and about Padiham

Its always a bit of a rush, but worth the effort, dashing from Aqua to Padiham. This afternoon was our annual summer party. Joan had found a very interesting and somewhat challenging quiz for us to do. Headlines were stuck around the room and we had to work out the answers. Patricia, below was the ultimate winner, with 24/25. There was a varied and well executed number of entries for the competition, Three. Several members are exchanging travelling books and so put out their work for us to see.We ate strawberries and cream and then cake , delicious. Finally the winner of the competition was announced. Monica , chair of the NW region presented Shelagh with the Bell Trophy.Well done. We meet again in September but dont forget to work on your star for the Xmas tree and that the Xmas competition is , Winter Wonderland.

Our 30th celebrations begin.

Two or three years ago, at an AGM, Barbara and I sat next to Jean Littlejohn and Jan Beaney. In  conversation we reminisced about Jeans earlier visit to Bolton when she talked about” voluptuous velvets”. This was some years ago so I jumped in and invited them to our current celebrations. Finally a date was agreed and this weekend we had the delight of welcoming them both.

On Friday they gave a wonderful talk looking back to the past and then to the future. It was illustrated with slides and a VAST array of sample pieces and several finished works of art.I left the meeting with my head buzzing, they had shared so many thoughts and ideas. On Saturday , Double Trouble lived up to their name running two workshops

side by side.

There were stitches to learn, techniques demonstrated and practised and lots of support and guidance.. The 4pm finish came and went and I was conscious that they had a long journey home so tried to encourage them to finish. I'm sure we could still be there otherwise!!!! It was an exhausting but totally rewarding weekend, and we appreciate the fact that our Joint Presidents have a busy schedule  and the M6 can be an awful motorway. I have already had a quick look at their latest DVD and can hardly wait to sit down and watch it carefully. Finally those from Bolton who attended the workshop have an added advantage as the theme of Mollys Cup is Jewels and the national challenge is All that Glistens. I have promised Jan and jean that I would send them photos of any finished work. dont let me down.

June meeting

An old friend,Jackie Cardy visited us again last night. We hardly had enough tables to show the amount of work that she had brought with her. A relaxed yet animated speaker, Jackie explained how her work had progressed. Many of our members left with huge smiles on their faces and a desire to move their stitching forward.Contact Jackie at

jmcardy@googlemail.com

NEWSLETTER –June 2014

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”.

Exhibitions and Events

· Platform Gallery, Clitheroe, have an Open Craft Exhibition, work is in various media including textiles, 3^rd May -12^th July.

· Blackrod Scarecrow Festival is on Sat & Sun 5^th & 6^th July from 10- 7pm. Look for the orange bows to indicate where you can see a scarecrow. Programmes available from Julie Burrows.

· Silverdale & Arnside art & craft trail: June 27- 29; 37 venues, maps available see website; www.silverdalearttrail.co.uk or contact email ; trail@silverdalearttrail.co.uk

· The Storey, Lancaster. Summer Exhibition; “Tied by Stitch”. May26th – June21st. Includes “The Finest Stitches”, part of the EG textile collection and work by members of the North West Region, plus a display of regional projects and the World’s Longest Embroidery. Workshops will also be held, availability for Lichens and Encrusted Surfaces by Sandra Kendall cost £10 on Wednesday 18^th June, 10.30- 4.00. Also Felted Brooch by Kathy Turner 10.30-12.30@ £5 and 1.30-3.30@ £5, (see notice board for more details). Stewards are needed- please see Val if you are able to help.

N.B. More details of the above events are on the notice board.

ADVANCE NOTICE

• There is a play day workshop on August 23^rd at BankTop Church, where you can come along and try out any new ideas or materials you have acquired over the past year. As usual bring a packed lunch.
• Molly’s Cup for the September meeting is “Jewels”. See what you can do over the summer!

REMINDERS

Bring your entry for the Pearl Exhibition to the summer meal at Ridgemont. Categories include: Inspired by the museum; Pearl; and an Open category for work produced within the last 2 years. Mirror plates are necessary to hang your work – see Ann or Val. Please label your work clearly and put in a canvas bag with a clearly labeled tag.

Jackie is doing  demonstrations on Sat 13 Sept and 18 Oct at the exhibition which begins on the National Day of Stitch; 2^nd August at Bolton Museum, see Clare if you can offer your time.

There is a requirements list for those doing the Jan & Jean workshop on Sturday 28^th June at Clevelands.

Ann is in need of handmade Get Well or open greeting cards for sending to members if you have any to spare. If you have any items for the Sales Table please see Jackie Martin. Jackie 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)

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.

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

B Brown,

.

and another visit, Parbold

It seems ages since I visited one of the branches Parbold, in my area.So when Sue invited me to the Flower Pounding workshop, I was intrigued .I foolishly told the three travelling with me on Friday, that I needed flowers. My journey to and from the Storey was injected with cries of look over there, poppies,daisies tulips and many flowers that I cannot spell. I did not stop the car and relied on the few flowers in my garden and a bought bunch from ASDA. Far too many, many too juicy and really lots of pretty grasses would have been fine, I will buy a maidenhead fern though as it ids so pretty.

Linda demonstrated and then we began. It was like an iron foundry with the sound of hammers, but the results were instant and very pleasing.This is Lindas work and below is my first and only attempt.Carole and Jenny also attended the workshop and look very busy.In the afternoon , we were a little more quiet. Linda demonstrated a trapping flowers technique, which was far less stressful and again had pleasing results.Contact Linda at  www.lindarudkin.com and top secret  but I will tell you, Carole has booked Linda for another technique next year.

DONT FORGET YOUR PEARL PIECES TOMORROW.

Out and about again

On Friday, Ann Barbara Judith and I set off for the Storey. Lancaster. We had volunteered to steward the NW Regional exhibition. We arrived promptly and after a quick coffee, opened up. Im sure the other three were genuinely impressed with our exhibition. I know I am. In fact Clare phoned tonight and also said how much she had enjoyed it. You have a few days left if you wish to call.The railway station is minutes away. We were not very busy but chatted to the visitors whenever they arrived,We encouraged them to add to the Worlds Longest Embroidery.

as seen above. This poor guy was an art student and after trailing around with me possibly thought that he would escape….but he met Barbara and Judith!!!At lunchtime we were surprised to see Mary arrive.Another Bolton Member so as Brenda and Carol had stewarded earlier in the month, Bolton was well represented.

The afternoon was dire, we had all brought stitching just in case but Barbara began her “record”,,,,assisted by Judith and Ann, they made the worlds longest running stitch line, 13 metres on Friday 13th.No comment!!

There was much thought and activity in preparation for this exhibition. Do call by Saturday.