Shirley speaking again.
I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time on Thursday. As I hadn't been at the April meeting, I didn't known the dates that the Young Embroiderers were meeting, so I was a little surprised to meet up with Anne B-Z in the car park at the Burtonstone Centre, when I was on my way to an Ebor meeting.
As soon as I had the chance, I went along to their room to see what was happening. I found eleven children, two mothers, a grandmother and four of our members, busily engaged on some stunning work. The theme was 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', which is the title of this year's competition for the Regional Day. This was their second morning, and the pieces had made tremendous progress in the time available. The subjects ranged from 'square sweets that look round' to 'chocolate fountains', golden tickets, umpa lumpas and of course the man himself, Mr Willy Wonka.
I was very impressed with the work and the imagination which had been used. The children are not forced to submit their work for the competition, and I guess that many of them will have wanted to take their masterpieces home with them, But I do really hope that we will have some of the work to take with us to the region meeting, because as far as I was concerned, they all deserved prizes, as did all the adult helpers.
So, a big thank you to all concerned with the YE for the sterling work they do, and for giving so generously of their time and talents, which are considerable. This is the future of embroidery, and it is one of the most important jobs we can do as members of the guild, to pass on our skills and enthusiasm for our craft.
The final thing I have to say is that a room full of eleven children and seven adults, totally focused on their task, was far, far quieter than the one with ten adults that I was in!! Keep up the good work!
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Monday, 4 April 2011
AGM
Hello everyone. Shirley speaking.
Well here I am, back from sunny, Bonnie Dundee, home of jute, jam and journalism, the 'silvery Tay', 'Scott's Discovery', and of course the the location of this year's Guild AGM.
The hotel venue was wonderful. I wasn't fortunate enough to be staying there, but Sandra M, Sheila W and Isobel G will be able to tell you what a life of luxury they lived there for a few days. What I can tell you about it is that the food was wonderful, and the staff extremely helpful. The whole weekend had been meticulously organised by a combination of HQ, the Scottish Regional Committee and the members of Dundee Branch. The North West Region will have a hard act to follow next year at Southport, but I'm sure they will rise to the challenge!
The only criticism I have is that for the whole of Saturday morning, the sound system was out of action, and I had a job to hear what was going on during the AGM meeting. I would have given you a brief resume of the business, but couldn't hear well enough to be able to take notes. Fortunately, Sue G must have better hearing than I, so she will give you all a report at our next meeting. Suffice it to say, that we now have a new Chairman, Pauline Hannon, who was Chairman of the North West Region at the same time that I was in Yorkshire, so I know her well enough to be able to say that she will do her very best for the future of our Guild.
I didn't take my camera, because it would have been too cumbersome, but once again Sue G came to the rescue, and when she sends me her photos, I'll post some for you to see. The only one I did take, is on my phone, and when I get it off I'll show you. Just to temp you, it is of Sandra M wearing the fruits of her Friday workshop to the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening! No doubt there will also be pictures in the next edition of 'Contact' and 'In Contact'.
I understand that you all had a very good meeting on Saturday last, and that I wasn't missed one bit, which is just as it should be!!
Well here I am, back from sunny, Bonnie Dundee, home of jute, jam and journalism, the 'silvery Tay', 'Scott's Discovery', and of course the the location of this year's Guild AGM.
The hotel venue was wonderful. I wasn't fortunate enough to be staying there, but Sandra M, Sheila W and Isobel G will be able to tell you what a life of luxury they lived there for a few days. What I can tell you about it is that the food was wonderful, and the staff extremely helpful. The whole weekend had been meticulously organised by a combination of HQ, the Scottish Regional Committee and the members of Dundee Branch. The North West Region will have a hard act to follow next year at Southport, but I'm sure they will rise to the challenge!
The only criticism I have is that for the whole of Saturday morning, the sound system was out of action, and I had a job to hear what was going on during the AGM meeting. I would have given you a brief resume of the business, but couldn't hear well enough to be able to take notes. Fortunately, Sue G must have better hearing than I, so she will give you all a report at our next meeting. Suffice it to say, that we now have a new Chairman, Pauline Hannon, who was Chairman of the North West Region at the same time that I was in Yorkshire, so I know her well enough to be able to say that she will do her very best for the future of our Guild.
I didn't take my camera, because it would have been too cumbersome, but once again Sue G came to the rescue, and when she sends me her photos, I'll post some for you to see. The only one I did take, is on my phone, and when I get it off I'll show you. Just to temp you, it is of Sandra M wearing the fruits of her Friday workshop to the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening! No doubt there will also be pictures in the next edition of 'Contact' and 'In Contact'.
I understand that you all had a very good meeting on Saturday last, and that I wasn't missed one bit, which is just as it should be!!
Friday, 1 April 2011
March meeting - part 2
I have managed to make it back to complete the blog - the wandering notebook has returned and Him indoors has survived with a bit of a flea in his ear!
Whilst I was waiting for him to return I modified the blog a little. I have removed the icicle pictures which were quite frankly starting to get on my nerves - I will replace them with something more suitable. Any ideas?
If you look down the sidebar you will see that I have added favourite links - let me explain - click on these and you should be able to go directly to that web site though I have to say that at this stage I have not tested them. I have put up links for 5 sites currently and will add more as either I think more or I get suggestions from the membership.
The EG and Tracy Franklin are self explanatory; Stitchbusiness is a web site belonging to Tracy and her business partner offering City and Guilds courses and Royal School of Needlework courses; needlenthread is an American site owned by Mary Corbett which is based on traditional embroidery and is very instructive and full of good ideas and sound technique; Pintangle is a huge site based in Australia and owned by Sharon Boggan - again good for ideas and technique.
Will look for more contemporary based websites next month.
Finally back to the meeting:-
The meeting started with a young gentleman called Liam Evans who had asked to speak to us about the upcoming Mystery Plays - he was appealing for help in any capacity stitching,acting etc etc Applications forms were available.
Fiona Wilson was our speaker for today and I was delighted to listen to this young lady on several levels - the first being that she is the daughter of one of our members and there is always a good feeling about local branch linked talent, secondly she was a Guild Scholar for a year which to me justifies the national element of our organisation and thirdly as it turned out she gave a most informative and enjoyable talk about her work.
She told us about having done no art at school and how she had in fact studied for a business degree - however this was not for her and her career then took a more creative course which she outlined briefly.
I thought she had a novel approach to inspiration! i.e. how am I going to get started? - I will go for walk and take photographs - which she then translates into drawings and subsequently into fabric and stitch.
Fiona had used competitions to very good effect to stretch herself and extend her work and she had several varied examples of her work with her which complemented her PowerPoint presentation well.
In conclusion she told us about being a Guild Scholar what it involved and how it had enabled her to secure a workspace in which she can do her own work but also pass on her skill to her pupils.
She is now doing a MA at Manchester and has absolutely no regrets about the creative turn her life took.
Judging by the crowd of people around her whilst I was having my cup of coffee I was not the only person who enjoyed listening to her.
Next meeting
The next meeting will be on Saturday 2nd April 2011 (tomorrow!!)
There will be a Competition for a piece of work done from a commercial pattern/kit or a piece done at a workshop.
Viv will be collecting names and monies for The Regional Day at Riccall to be held on Saturday June 11th 2011 - the cost will be £22
Breaking News - I have been asked by the Chairperson to announce that we have taken a space at a Craft Fair to held in the Guild Hall on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th August 2011 and that contributions would be welcomed - Pincushions and needlework accessories may be a theme.
Finally I have been asked by the Secretary to ask you to put your thinking caps on to think of a title for our forthcoming exhibition on June 22nd,23rd and 24th June 2012.
2012 is going to be a busy year one way and another - the Olympics, the Queens Jubilee, 800 year anniversary of the Lord Mayor of York and any one or more of these could be the inspiration for a title. We are also looking for ideas for a Challenge, a Competition and a Special Display - all of these thing are what makes our Exhibition varied and interesting!
Thats it - I will have more Baltimore Quilt panels next time - apologies to those who are not up yet - they will be!
Whilst I was waiting for him to return I modified the blog a little. I have removed the icicle pictures which were quite frankly starting to get on my nerves - I will replace them with something more suitable. Any ideas?
If you look down the sidebar you will see that I have added favourite links - let me explain - click on these and you should be able to go directly to that web site though I have to say that at this stage I have not tested them. I have put up links for 5 sites currently and will add more as either I think more or I get suggestions from the membership.
The EG and Tracy Franklin are self explanatory; Stitchbusiness is a web site belonging to Tracy and her business partner offering City and Guilds courses and Royal School of Needlework courses; needlenthread is an American site owned by Mary Corbett which is based on traditional embroidery and is very instructive and full of good ideas and sound technique; Pintangle is a huge site based in Australia and owned by Sharon Boggan - again good for ideas and technique.
Will look for more contemporary based websites next month.
Finally back to the meeting:-
The meeting started with a young gentleman called Liam Evans who had asked to speak to us about the upcoming Mystery Plays - he was appealing for help in any capacity stitching,acting etc etc Applications forms were available.
Fiona Wilson was our speaker for today and I was delighted to listen to this young lady on several levels - the first being that she is the daughter of one of our members and there is always a good feeling about local branch linked talent, secondly she was a Guild Scholar for a year which to me justifies the national element of our organisation and thirdly as it turned out she gave a most informative and enjoyable talk about her work.
She told us about having done no art at school and how she had in fact studied for a business degree - however this was not for her and her career then took a more creative course which she outlined briefly.
I thought she had a novel approach to inspiration! i.e. how am I going to get started? - I will go for walk and take photographs - which she then translates into drawings and subsequently into fabric and stitch.
Fiona had used competitions to very good effect to stretch herself and extend her work and she had several varied examples of her work with her which complemented her PowerPoint presentation well.
In conclusion she told us about being a Guild Scholar what it involved and how it had enabled her to secure a workspace in which she can do her own work but also pass on her skill to her pupils.
She is now doing a MA at Manchester and has absolutely no regrets about the creative turn her life took.
Judging by the crowd of people around her whilst I was having my cup of coffee I was not the only person who enjoyed listening to her.
Next meeting
The next meeting will be on Saturday 2nd April 2011 (tomorrow!!)
There will be a Competition for a piece of work done from a commercial pattern/kit or a piece done at a workshop.
Viv will be collecting names and monies for The Regional Day at Riccall to be held on Saturday June 11th 2011 - the cost will be £22
Breaking News - I have been asked by the Chairperson to announce that we have taken a space at a Craft Fair to held in the Guild Hall on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th August 2011 and that contributions would be welcomed - Pincushions and needlework accessories may be a theme.
Finally I have been asked by the Secretary to ask you to put your thinking caps on to think of a title for our forthcoming exhibition on June 22nd,23rd and 24th June 2012.
2012 is going to be a busy year one way and another - the Olympics, the Queens Jubilee, 800 year anniversary of the Lord Mayor of York and any one or more of these could be the inspiration for a title. We are also looking for ideas for a Challenge, a Competition and a Special Display - all of these thing are what makes our Exhibition varied and interesting!
Thats it - I will have more Baltimore Quilt panels next time - apologies to those who are not up yet - they will be!
What a coffee break!!!
Goodness me that was a coffee break and a half!
Apologies to all but this is the first opportunity I have had to get back to the blog - I have had my coffee first this time and so hopefully should be able to put in a decent amount.
The meeting - Saturday 5th March
I am going to do the meeting report first as it is the loading of pictures that seems to take me the longest time so please put up with the ramblings first and then I will reward you with pictures if I have time.
Would you believeit!!!!!!!!!!! I had found the previously lost notes in a notebook, set up the computer already to go - fingers itching to type and went to get the notebook from the kitchen table only to find that it had gone walkabout again Him indoors has taken it round to a neighbours to make notes and drawing of a wall!!!!! - I have a vague memory of him saying where he was going and what he was taking but as usual I was not giving him my total attention and off he has gone with my note book so there has to be a small change of plan!
Young Embroiderers
The young embroiderers' met during the half term holiday and their theme was cup cakes - the ingenuity of the young never ceases to amaze me and the examples that were brought along were a delight to behold
Blow your own trumpet
You may remember on one of my very first blogs I reported that we had a talk from a young woman called Serina Partridge, that I had enjoyed very much, well she followed this up with a workshop making delightful paper shoes. I actually completed mine but forgot to bring them in
to the blow your own trumpet table but three of our number did remember!
Apologies to all but this is the first opportunity I have had to get back to the blog - I have had my coffee first this time and so hopefully should be able to put in a decent amount.
The meeting - Saturday 5th March
I am going to do the meeting report first as it is the loading of pictures that seems to take me the longest time so please put up with the ramblings first and then I will reward you with pictures if I have time.
Would you believeit!!!!!!!!!!! I had found the previously lost notes in a notebook, set up the computer already to go - fingers itching to type and went to get the notebook from the kitchen table only to find that it had gone walkabout again Him indoors has taken it round to a neighbours to make notes and drawing of a wall!!!!! - I have a vague memory of him saying where he was going and what he was taking but as usual I was not giving him my total attention and off he has gone with my note book so there has to be a small change of plan!
Young Embroiderers
The young embroiderers' met during the half term holiday and their theme was cup cakes - the ingenuity of the young never ceases to amaze me and the examples that were brought along were a delight to behold
 |
| Two examples of cakes and photographs taken on the day. |
 |
| Well really - you have to agree that these would not have looked out of place at Betty's |
 |
| Scrumptious! |
Blow your own trumpet
You may remember on one of my very first blogs I reported that we had a talk from a young woman called Serina Partridge, that I had enjoyed very much, well she followed this up with a workshop making delightful paper shoes. I actually completed mine but forgot to bring them in
to the blow your own trumpet table but three of our number did remember!
 |
| We could make shoes in different sizes as Dulcie shows us here. |
 |
| These are Moira's blue shoes - two thoughts popped into my head, first the workmanship is excellent and second and very irreverently what sort of a doll could I make with two such mismatched feet in terms of size! |
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| Pauline has shown us an excellent way to display our shoes |
I have a memory that Sheila Ridgeon made a plea for people to put their names on their work when they put it out for display and to this end she has made some excellent labels which will be available for you to fill in and then we will know who to praise or question about a technique.
This month all three did label their work and well done to them but I would like to underline Sheila's request as then I can properly attribute work on the blog.
Lunchtime is looming and the missing notebook and Him indoors has not yet returned so I shall post this section and await his return - I will let you know if he survives!
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