Thursday 21st May 2015
Thursday 21st May
Blogger: Doreen
Thank you for your patience. I had problems using the MQ website but the reasons for this have now been identified by Weebly. I shall follow their advice for the way to proceed, and in the next 2-3 weeks will endeavour to re-set the blog part of MQ website. This means there will be a delay in writing blog posts and inserting photographs.
I did manage to insert one photograph of Janet's prize winning quilt - shown above.
(Doreen - 3rd June 2015)
On 21st May a well attended meeting was held at The Reddings Community Centre and in the absence of a chairman Shelia opened the meeting with notices:
A reminder to sign up for the workshop on Saturday 27th June led by Shirley Bloomfield: Hand Appliqué ‘Hydrangeas’.
An invitation from Theoc Quilters Group to join their workshops on 10th & 13th June in Tewkesbury: Gail Smith:- ‘Shibori’ work (£15 non members + £5 for materials provided by Gail)
Our next meeting will be on the 4th June at The Reddings Community Centre when Claire Kingslake will share ‘My Journey So Far’ (website: www.clarespatterns.co.uk)
AND:- we still need a volunteer to be Chairman of the group…..!
Sheila then introduced Georgina Oldham.
Georgina’s presentation started with an explanation (for the less experienced quilters) of the importance of labelling a finished quilt with a personalised label. Quilt labels showing the maker’s name (or names) and the date and place of completion, help researchers to accurately date the quilt – which provides an enhanced historical significance.
Georgina encouraged us that labels ‘need not be boring’ and demonstrated this by showing several of her own designs. (please see photographs at the end of this blog) Label content may be transferred to label fabric by tracing, printing, drawing, or painting.
Using a sewing machine, Georgina demonstrated foundation piece technique with paper, using a postcard, a flat lip short ruler and an iron to achieve sharp fold lines. The use of a Pritt Stick was suggested as good for using on the foundation paper to hold fabrics without permanently marking them.
Some group members used one of Georgina’s pre-prepared sample sets, to hand sew a label from one of her designs, but not all members could participate in this activity. Photocopied templates were available to take away. Visibility during the demonstration was difficult for some members at the edge of the room. I sat close to the demonstration table then discovered my view was blocked by the side panel of the sewing machine! Perhaps a re-think how to better arrange the room for any future well attended presentations which include an on-the-table based demonstration?
At the conclusion of the meeting, Janet exhibited to a very appreciative audience her detailed and completely hand-appliqued quilt which recently won the First Prize in the ‘Hand Appliqué’ section of ‘Quilts UK’ at Malvern. If I heard correctly Janet said it had taken her 8 months to complete. Janet described how her quilt developed from an idea, pointing out some of the symbolism she’d included: e.g. all the figures depicted are known to her, and there is something specific to each one in the detail of their depiction. Photographs of Janet’s quilt will, I hope, be eventually inserted at the end of the blog and I apologise to Janet that my photographic skills do not do justice to her beautiful quilt. The First Prize Certificate and Rosette which were presented to Janet are her's to keep, unfortunately the silver cup must be returned after she’s held it for a year. Everyone present was delighted to congratulate Janet on her success.
Thursday 7th May 2015
Thursday 7th May
Blogger: Doreen
On 7th May x19 members met together at The Pavilion in Hatherley Lane for a pleasant ‘sit & sew’ evening .
As a chairman has not yet come forward - Sue opened the meeting with notices:
Kelmscott Manor tour: 14th May, places are still available for the visit. An introductory talk will be followed by a visit to the house, and refreshments afterwards. Please contact Evelyn (Chipping Campden quilters group)
Janet informed us that Vanessa had a visitor who photographed some of her work.
A workshop will be held on Saturday 27th June led by Shirley Bloomfield entitled
Hand Applique - ‘Hydrangeas’. Details are in the MQ 2015 Programme
Sue shared some of the content arranged for the MQ 2016 programme, and asked for suggestions from the floor as to which techniques could be usefully re-visited, and which speakers members would welcome back.
A member kindly offered to lead a session:- how to make a ‘travelling ironing board’.
Sue presented a number of venues which have content of particular interest to the group. She asked if members would like her to investigate the cost of a x2 day visit? (an overnight necessary as almost all of the venues are at a distance) There was an enthusiastic response to this suggestion from those members present, and Sue has promised to make some inquiries re: travel and accommodation costs.
A further plea was made for a member to undertake the role of Chairman of MQ.
Notices were followed by a ‘show and tell’
Julia has made a 97” square quilt for her granddaughter’s 21st birthday and she explained how it was constructed, and the colours chosen. Julia also showed a throw made of Japanese wool and silk variegated yarn, amusing us with the tale of the lengths (and number of balls of yarn_ she had to go to, to complete the throw.
Sally-Ann showed one of her latest challenges, a breathtaking competition piece which is to be sent to Pennsylvania, USA. The 2015 ‘Stretching Art’ competition set a challenge to competitors to represent a particular year with the theme ‘From Whence I Came’. Sally-Ann’s 36” x 18” piece represents 1937 in which the tragedy of Guernica occurred. Sally-Ann explained to us how using the the structured techniques of patchwork, together with careful choices of neutral colour and pattern, she came upon the solution how best to represent ruins and devastation. The reflective atmosphere in the room at this point in the evening was very noticeable, everyone agreeing that in this piece of work Sally-Ann has created something very special.
Kate showed us a colourful quilt she has made for her daughter. Kate met the request for as many textures as possible to be used, and added that she always uses some black and white in every piece of quilting she does.
I tried to photograph the range of work with fabrics and threads taking place on this evening. Photographs may be found below (but please note: I’m still trying to determine which gives the best result for the blog: Canon camera + Picasa - or the camera in my iPad mini)
The next meeting will be on 21st May at 7.30pm in The Reddings Community Centre when our visitor will be Georgina Oldham who will demonstrate ‘Foundation Pieced Quilt Labels’ .
One of our members has kindly sent the following two items:-
How to fold and store quilts without creasing them by Ann Fahl (a USA quilter)
http://annfahl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/how-to-fold-and-store-quilts.html
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
An amusing caution!-
HEALTH WARNING ADVISORY NOTICE
The folks herein have been diagnosed with the dread
Quiltus Gottamakit aka: Quilt Pox
Symptoms include the inability to stop buying fabric, hoarding FT QUARTERS, giggling while sewing, and the uncontrollable urge to keep everyone in stitches!!
Everyone in these quarters is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS with the savage desire to cut up perfectly good fabric and to sew it back together to make perfectly good fabric!!
Therefore - YOU should BEWARE!
Thursday 16th April 2015
Thursday 16th April 2015
Blogger: Doreen
I didn't set off to attend the AGM with the intention of volunteering for anything (I’m still quite a new member of the group) but I did respond to a request and this is my first experience of working with a website. If you identify any mistakes please contact me and I will correct them. I'm sorry there are several upside down photographs in the slide show.
Margaret has been very patient as she's taught me how the website works. I have to admit I did not prove to be a naturally intuitive learner! Louise has also been kind and encouraging and I very much hope Louise will continue to write entries for this blog from time to time, I really enjoy reading her entries.
Elaine opened the meeting as acting chairman. At the AGM it was not possible to appoint a chairman as no one had offered to undertake the role.
Elaine outlined the main duties of the MQ chairman as:- chairing the monthly meetings and sending out reminder emails to members a few days before, attending 3 or 4 committee meetings a year, and introducing and thanking our visiting speakers. If a member is interested in becoming chairman and would like to know more before committing themselves - please contact Janet.
Members were reminded of the 7th June workshop and asked to sign the sheet on the table if they wish to attend.
Sue had sent out an email seeking suggestions for inclusion in the 2016 programme. Please send to Sue as soon as possible.
Raffles are to be held once a month in future.
Members were invited to replenish their fabric stock from a generously donated large bag of fabric pieces after the meeting.
The next meeting with be a ‘sit and ‘sew’ evening at The Pavilion on 7th May (this is Election Day)
35 members attended the meeting – there were no visitors.
Elaine then introduced Deborah O’Hare, our guest speaker for the evening . Deborah’s presentation was entitled ‘Quilt Routes around the World’ a journey in Fabric, Paint and Stitch’. On her website Deborah describes herself as a ‘contemporary quilter textile artist’. We were soon to discover she is also a very gifted and innovative designer and needlewoman. A qualified and experienced primary school teacher, Deborah in addition holds specialist City and Guilds qualifications. The display of her work she set out before her presentation looked very interesting and inviting.
Deborah’s presentation took the form of a journey through her years of travel. She explained how she has used her skills and knowledge to make items which commemorate some of the places she’s visited, locations where she’s lived, and things which are important to her.
Tulips featured in several of the pieces of work on display. Explaining how she’d used transfer printing for outlines, Deborah stressed the importance of always with this technique using a base fabric which includes a synthetic:- e.g. polyester.
The results of many innovative and experimental effects were displayed. Painting on paper with a cotton overlay then over printing with acrylics just one example of a combination of techniques.
Deborah shared with us a wide range of different sized items which she's designed and made, these included an embellished postcard - prepared using a scanner and bubble jet printer. A quilt with squares made in ‘free log cabin’ included a square depicting a chickadee. The fabrics used were mostly in pale blues, greens and yellows.
An image, drawn then traced onto fabric was embroidered with threads respecting traditional colours:- namely creams, terra-cotta, greys, and browns, and how samples of papers with the application of wax crayons, paint, and iron-on bonding fabrics can be used to produce intricate, decorated panels.
During her career, Deborah had spent several years living and teaching overseas. It was particularly interesting to see how she represented those periods in her career.
Living on the South Wales coast, Deborah is very sensitive to the change of seasons and have been represented in her work. This interesting evening left me with an impression of how very effective the use of soft pastel colours can be, and how using a wide range of materials can add so much interest to a piece of work.
Deborah is famous for her blue hares (a play on her name) A blue hare was included on her display table together with materials, and pre-cut items for sale. These are sold through her websites easily accessed by typing her name: Deborah O'Hare into ‘Google’.
Refreshments were served by Joan and Kate, who also provided delicious brownies and biscuits – thank you!
Blogger: Doreen
I didn't set off to attend the AGM with the intention of volunteering for anything (I’m still quite a new member of the group) but I did respond to a request and this is my first experience of working with a website. If you identify any mistakes please contact me and I will correct them. I'm sorry there are several upside down photographs in the slide show.
Margaret has been very patient as she's taught me how the website works. I have to admit I did not prove to be a naturally intuitive learner! Louise has also been kind and encouraging and I very much hope Louise will continue to write entries for this blog from time to time, I really enjoy reading her entries.
Elaine opened the meeting as acting chairman. At the AGM it was not possible to appoint a chairman as no one had offered to undertake the role.
Elaine outlined the main duties of the MQ chairman as:- chairing the monthly meetings and sending out reminder emails to members a few days before, attending 3 or 4 committee meetings a year, and introducing and thanking our visiting speakers. If a member is interested in becoming chairman and would like to know more before committing themselves - please contact Janet.
Members were reminded of the 7th June workshop and asked to sign the sheet on the table if they wish to attend.
Sue had sent out an email seeking suggestions for inclusion in the 2016 programme. Please send to Sue as soon as possible.
Raffles are to be held once a month in future.
Members were invited to replenish their fabric stock from a generously donated large bag of fabric pieces after the meeting.
The next meeting with be a ‘sit and ‘sew’ evening at The Pavilion on 7th May (this is Election Day)
35 members attended the meeting – there were no visitors.
Elaine then introduced Deborah O’Hare, our guest speaker for the evening . Deborah’s presentation was entitled ‘Quilt Routes around the World’ a journey in Fabric, Paint and Stitch’. On her website Deborah describes herself as a ‘contemporary quilter textile artist’. We were soon to discover she is also a very gifted and innovative designer and needlewoman. A qualified and experienced primary school teacher, Deborah in addition holds specialist City and Guilds qualifications. The display of her work she set out before her presentation looked very interesting and inviting.
Deborah’s presentation took the form of a journey through her years of travel. She explained how she has used her skills and knowledge to make items which commemorate some of the places she’s visited, locations where she’s lived, and things which are important to her.
Tulips featured in several of the pieces of work on display. Explaining how she’d used transfer printing for outlines, Deborah stressed the importance of always with this technique using a base fabric which includes a synthetic:- e.g. polyester.
The results of many innovative and experimental effects were displayed. Painting on paper with a cotton overlay then over printing with acrylics just one example of a combination of techniques.
Deborah shared with us a wide range of different sized items which she's designed and made, these included an embellished postcard - prepared using a scanner and bubble jet printer. A quilt with squares made in ‘free log cabin’ included a square depicting a chickadee. The fabrics used were mostly in pale blues, greens and yellows.
An image, drawn then traced onto fabric was embroidered with threads respecting traditional colours:- namely creams, terra-cotta, greys, and browns, and how samples of papers with the application of wax crayons, paint, and iron-on bonding fabrics can be used to produce intricate, decorated panels.
During her career, Deborah had spent several years living and teaching overseas. It was particularly interesting to see how she represented those periods in her career.
Living on the South Wales coast, Deborah is very sensitive to the change of seasons and have been represented in her work. This interesting evening left me with an impression of how very effective the use of soft pastel colours can be, and how using a wide range of materials can add so much interest to a piece of work.
Deborah is famous for her blue hares (a play on her name) A blue hare was included on her display table together with materials, and pre-cut items for sale. These are sold through her websites easily accessed by typing her name: Deborah O'Hare into ‘Google’.
Refreshments were served by Joan and Kate, who also provided delicious brownies and biscuits – thank you!
Thursday 5th March2015
Thursday, 5th March 2015
Blogger: Louise
As readers of this blog may know I also take the register at our meetings, which is how I know that we had 40 members and 3 visitors for Thursday evening’s talk by Jan Hassard http://www.janhassard.co.uk/gallery.html – a popular speaker as this was at least her third visit!
Next time will be my last turn on both the register and writing this blog as Margaret and Janet will be standing down from the committee after the AGM. It will be the end of their three year term and will also be the end of my unofficial assistance here and there.
This does mean that volunteers are still needed for the committee after the AGM – Your group needs you! Please do get in touch with Janet if you are able to help.
As usual we started off the evening with a few notices;
On the 7th May we will be at The Pavilion for a Sit and Sew. Janet has already had some suggestions for techniques members have asked to be demonstrated, but any further ideas are still welcome. Please let Janet know if you have any requests.
Our next meeting will be the AGM and Janet will be asking Laura from Beads for Courage to attend to collect the bags our members have kindly produced.
Please can all those who have completed them bring their bags from Sally-Ann’s demonstration at our previous meeting to show us.
Also at the next meeting raffle tickets will be on sale on behalf of The Butterfly Garden as their exhibition is on the 22nd March.
There quite a few events coming up; do make sure to check out the notice board at future meetings to make sure you don’t miss any. Upcoming events include Churchdown Patchwork & Quilters’ exhibition and an Embroiderer’s Guild regional day.
Concluding the notices Janet introduced Jan, who was last with MQ’s in 2008. Her talk this evening was entitled “Colour and Illusion” and to our great delight was illustrated by a large number of her quilts. These were very capably held up for us to admire by Janet and Sue P.
Jan was a founding member of the Embroiderer’s Guild in Bristol and Bristol Quilters’ Guild. As well as producing quilts for various shows Jan teaches workshops, with many of the pieces on show this evening being demonstration pieces created especially for her workshops.
See you next time for the AGM!
The evening provided a wealth of ideas, inspiration and not a few things that your blogger noted down to research further. And I doubt I am the only one!
After such an amazing show of quilts we were all very ready for a nice cup of tea or coffee, all very ably served up with a smile by Joyce and Pauline.
Julia O has asked me to pass on the following - do have a look at them the first one is amazing!:
As quilters and patchworkers we create patterns and texture in stitch so I think you will enjoy seeing this
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/simon-beck-snow-art
At least our creations last longer!
------------------------------
If you like log cabin quilts you'll enjoy this website. There's quite a lot about the basics but if you scroll down there are lots of ideas for layouts.
http://piecemealquilts.com/2011/10/09/skill-builder-series-part-13-log-cabin/
-----------------------------
White vinegar - what's it got to do with P and Q? Here's the answer!
http://asthecardrackturns.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/how-to-remove-center-crease-from-fabric.html
See you on 19th March for the AGM!
After such an amazing show of quilts we were all very ready for a nice cup of tea or coffee, all very ably served up with a smile by Joyce and Pauline.
Julia O has asked me to pass on the following - do have a look at them the first one is amazing!:
As quilters and patchworkers we create patterns and texture in stitch so I think you will enjoy seeing this
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/simon-beck-snow-art
At least our creations last longer!
------------------------------
If you like log cabin quilts you'll enjoy this website. There's quite a lot about the basics but if you scroll down there are lots of ideas for layouts.
http://piecemealquilts.com/2011/10/09/skill-builder-series-part-13-log-cabin/
-----------------------------
White vinegar - what's it got to do with P and Q? Here's the answer!
http://asthecardrackturns.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/how-to-remove-center-crease-from-fabric.html
See you on 19th March for the AGM!
Thursday 19th February 2015
Thursday, 19th February 2015
Blogger: Louise
It was a hardy bunch of 19 members who braved both a cold and damp evening, and a move to our occasional alternate venue of The Pavilion, to enjoy the second part of Sally-Ann’s bag demonstration.
Janet started us off with a few notices. Volunteers are still needed for the committee from March – your group needs you! Please get in touch with Janet if you are able to help.
Places are still available for Ineke Berlyn's Workshop 'Exploring Lutradur' on Saturday, 7th March, 10 am - 4 pm, cost £30 for members.
We were very excited to see the 35 Beads of Courage bags the group has now made. This is another instance in quilting where even a fairly simple brief has been interpreted in a variety of ways with the wonderful range of fabrics that have been used.
Blogger: Louise
It was a hardy bunch of 19 members who braved both a cold and damp evening, and a move to our occasional alternate venue of The Pavilion, to enjoy the second part of Sally-Ann’s bag demonstration.
Janet started us off with a few notices. Volunteers are still needed for the committee from March – your group needs you! Please get in touch with Janet if you are able to help.
Places are still available for Ineke Berlyn's Workshop 'Exploring Lutradur' on Saturday, 7th March, 10 am - 4 pm, cost £30 for members.
We were very excited to see the 35 Beads of Courage bags the group has now made. This is another instance in quilting where even a fairly simple brief has been interpreted in a variety of ways with the wonderful range of fabrics that have been used.
On the 7th May we have a sit and sew evening scheduled. Janet asked that if there is any particular technique you would like to learn, please can you let her know. We have some very talented and experienced members who are always keen to share their knowledge by holding a “corner” and demonstrate techniques that might be new to other members.
Do make sure you check out the notice board at future meetings as there are some great events coming up. Both The Butterfly Garden and Churchdown Patchwork and Quilting have exhibitions coming up and there are a number of regional days happening over the next few months. There is also news of a fantastic exhibition being held at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
And so to the second part of Sally-Ann’s demonstration of her mother’s drawstring bag. We obviously have some very industrious and motivated members as there were quite a few bags that had progressed beyond Sally-Ann’s instructions and the required preparation for this stage. In fact there were some that were nearly finished!
Do make sure you check out the notice board at future meetings as there are some great events coming up. Both The Butterfly Garden and Churchdown Patchwork and Quilting have exhibitions coming up and there are a number of regional days happening over the next few months. There is also news of a fantastic exhibition being held at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
And so to the second part of Sally-Ann’s demonstration of her mother’s drawstring bag. We obviously have some very industrious and motivated members as there were quite a few bags that had progressed beyond Sally-Ann’s instructions and the required preparation for this stage. In fact there were some that were nearly finished!
As already noted it is great to see members’ projects as the same design looks so different depending on the materials used and there was a real diversity on show for this project.
Please make sure that you bring your completed bags to the AGM evening on 19th March so we can admire your finished projects! Being able to see what we are all working on is one of our most popular activities! And, of course, thanks are due to Sally-Ann for demonstrating this bag, which was in demand after Pearl had brought her version to a previous meeting.
Due to the changed location there was no opportunity for tea or coffee, but there is no keeping a good MQ-er down so thank you very much to Angie who very kindly brought a large box of her freshly made Australian oatie biscuits for everyone to help themselves and which your blogger can tell you are utterly scrummy!
Our next meeting is back at our usual venue of The Reddings Community Centre on 5th March and features a talk from Jan Hassard, entitled “Colour and Illusion” – Jan is intending to bring a whole lot of quilts for us to admire so don’t miss it!
Until then – happy stitching!
Thursday 5th February 2015
Thursday, 5th February 2015
Blogger: Louise
It might have been cold outside, but that didn’t stop us from turning out in possibly our greatest numbers yet, with 43 people (including 1 new member and four visitors) coming to hear Angie Hughes' talk.
Janet had lots of notices, starting with a reminder that volunteers are still needed for the committee from March.
The Butterfly Garden, who were one of our chosen charities for the exhibition, are holding an exhibition of their own on 22nd March from 10am-4pm.
The Embroiderers’ Guild will be holding a regional day at the Thistle Hotel on Saturday, 18th April follow this link for further details: www.stitchcotswold.co.uk
Places are still available for Ineke Berlyn's Workshop 'Exploring Lutradur' on Saturday, 7th March, 10 am - 4 pm, contact Janet for details.
Lots of members have been making Beads of Courage bags, details of how to make the bags can be found at this website: www.bechildcanceraware.org/beads-of-courage Members had also made more heart cushions for the local breast cancer ward. Both are still needed if anyone has some free needle time!
Janet handed the floor over to Angie Hughes whose talk was 'Creative Icebreaking - Materials & Techniques'.
Angie’s opening question was one I find myself asking at every exhibition I have been to; where does all this inspiration come from?
Unsurprisingly Angie’s own answers were many and varied and she took us through a broad range of techniques she has used to create her works, many of which she was kind enough to pass around and let us examine.
Blogger: Louise
It might have been cold outside, but that didn’t stop us from turning out in possibly our greatest numbers yet, with 43 people (including 1 new member and four visitors) coming to hear Angie Hughes' talk.
Janet had lots of notices, starting with a reminder that volunteers are still needed for the committee from March.
The Butterfly Garden, who were one of our chosen charities for the exhibition, are holding an exhibition of their own on 22nd March from 10am-4pm.
The Embroiderers’ Guild will be holding a regional day at the Thistle Hotel on Saturday, 18th April follow this link for further details: www.stitchcotswold.co.uk
Places are still available for Ineke Berlyn's Workshop 'Exploring Lutradur' on Saturday, 7th March, 10 am - 4 pm, contact Janet for details.
Lots of members have been making Beads of Courage bags, details of how to make the bags can be found at this website: www.bechildcanceraware.org/beads-of-courage Members had also made more heart cushions for the local breast cancer ward. Both are still needed if anyone has some free needle time!
Janet handed the floor over to Angie Hughes whose talk was 'Creative Icebreaking - Materials & Techniques'.
Angie’s opening question was one I find myself asking at every exhibition I have been to; where does all this inspiration come from?
Unsurprisingly Angie’s own answers were many and varied and she took us through a broad range of techniques she has used to create her works, many of which she was kind enough to pass around and let us examine.
If you would like to check out any of her works, she has a website www.angiehughes.com, a Facebook page and a page on Etsy, where items of her work can be purchased.
Following the talk there was plenty of time have another look at Angie's work and ask questions as well as to socialise or while our own Angie, along with Doreen, provided us with tea, coffee and biscuits, including some rather delicious homemade oatie goodies called Australian biscuits.
Following the talk there was plenty of time have another look at Angie's work and ask questions as well as to socialise or while our own Angie, along with Doreen, provided us with tea, coffee and biscuits, including some rather delicious homemade oatie goodies called Australian biscuits.
One last item of business for the evening was the raffle – with the last of the much coveted homemade pincushions to be won!
First prize, a £10 voucher for Goose Chase quilting, was won by Ren. Second prize, the aforementioned pincushion, went to Maggie. Third prize, a Lesley Brankin pattern book went to Anne and Elaine K took the fourth prize of two fat quarters.
And that brought the evening to close.
Don’t forget; the next meeting is at The Pavilion (GL51 6PN) on 19th February when Sally-Ann will be demonstrating how to put together her mother’s drawstring bag so make sure you have all done your homework!
First prize, a £10 voucher for Goose Chase quilting, was won by Ren. Second prize, the aforementioned pincushion, went to Maggie. Third prize, a Lesley Brankin pattern book went to Anne and Elaine K took the fourth prize of two fat quarters.
And that brought the evening to close.
Don’t forget; the next meeting is at The Pavilion (GL51 6PN) on 19th February when Sally-Ann will be demonstrating how to put together her mother’s drawstring bag so make sure you have all done your homework!
Thursday 15th January 2015
Thursday, 15th January
29 intrepid souls braved the wet and windy weather to come to the first meeting of the New Year and be welcomed back by Janet with a few notices:
First, a change of venue on 19th February when we will be meeting instead at The Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 6PN.
Next a couple of requests that we make the following:
“Beads of Courage” bags. Brenda has made a sample for us all to have a close up look at. You can find both written and photographic instructions for the making a bag here: www.bechildcanceraware.org/beads-of-courage
Remember the heart cushions we were all making last year? Well, we have had a request to make some more as supplies on the oncology ward are now running low. Don’t forget to also make some of the bags to go with them, please.
Janet had put out a sign-up sheet for Ineke Berlyn’s workshop which will take place at The Reddings Community Centre on Saturday, 7th March. Ineke will be ‘Exploring Lutrador’ with 14 lucky participants. You can discover more about this workshop from Ineke’s website at www.inekeberlyn.com/workshops and contact Janet to sign up.
As both Janet and Margaret will be retiring from the committee at the AGM on 19th March we are looking for volunteers to take their places. The committee positions which will be vacated are: Chair, Vice Chair, Programme Secretary, Membership Secretary, and Website/Blogger. Anyone interested in taking on any of these roles should contact Janet.
Onto the evening’s entertainment: Sally-Ann showed us the different sizes of the drawstring bag we could make ranging from the a very petite bag to an enormous and fun size bag for keeping a child’s toys tidy. Sally-Ann told us that she had never actually made one of these bags as it had been designed and taught by her mother, Carol, but was ably assisted by Pearl who had made one of the bags back in the 1980s and which still looks as good as new. Pearl had even managed to find her original notes made at the time she made the bag!
Sally-Ann had brought along copies of the pattern for the different sized bags which were passed around and then went on to set out the homework we would need to do before Part II of the bag on 19th February. Sally-Ann and Pearl were bombarded with lots of questions and, as usual in our questions sessions, there was plenty of laughter.
29 intrepid souls braved the wet and windy weather to come to the first meeting of the New Year and be welcomed back by Janet with a few notices:
First, a change of venue on 19th February when we will be meeting instead at The Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 6PN.
Next a couple of requests that we make the following:
“Beads of Courage” bags. Brenda has made a sample for us all to have a close up look at. You can find both written and photographic instructions for the making a bag here: www.bechildcanceraware.org/beads-of-courage
Remember the heart cushions we were all making last year? Well, we have had a request to make some more as supplies on the oncology ward are now running low. Don’t forget to also make some of the bags to go with them, please.
Janet had put out a sign-up sheet for Ineke Berlyn’s workshop which will take place at The Reddings Community Centre on Saturday, 7th March. Ineke will be ‘Exploring Lutrador’ with 14 lucky participants. You can discover more about this workshop from Ineke’s website at www.inekeberlyn.com/workshops and contact Janet to sign up.
As both Janet and Margaret will be retiring from the committee at the AGM on 19th March we are looking for volunteers to take their places. The committee positions which will be vacated are: Chair, Vice Chair, Programme Secretary, Membership Secretary, and Website/Blogger. Anyone interested in taking on any of these roles should contact Janet.
Onto the evening’s entertainment: Sally-Ann showed us the different sizes of the drawstring bag we could make ranging from the a very petite bag to an enormous and fun size bag for keeping a child’s toys tidy. Sally-Ann told us that she had never actually made one of these bags as it had been designed and taught by her mother, Carol, but was ably assisted by Pearl who had made one of the bags back in the 1980s and which still looks as good as new. Pearl had even managed to find her original notes made at the time she made the bag!
Sally-Ann had brought along copies of the pattern for the different sized bags which were passed around and then went on to set out the homework we would need to do before Part II of the bag on 19th February. Sally-Ann and Pearl were bombarded with lots of questions and, as usual in our questions sessions, there was plenty of laughter.
Julia and Anne did a terrific job in the kitchen serving up tea and coffee along with Anne’s delicious Abbey biscuits with oats. Anne had found the recipe for the biscuits in a book bought in a charity shop: "The WI’s Book of Biscuits". Julia assured that, with oats in, the biscuits were definitely a health food!
Several members had brought along their own sewing – such a variety of work! - giving us all plenty to look at and admire while we socialised and caught up after the festive break.
Several members had brought along their own sewing – such a variety of work! - giving us all plenty to look at and admire while we socialised and caught up after the festive break.
At our next meeting, on 5th February, Angie Hughes www.angiehughes.com will be giving a talk titled ‘Creative Icebreaking – Materials & Techniques’ and will be showing us how to get started on our own designs and choosing materials to realise them.
See you then!
See you then!