Handmade Books

Members Day in February provided an opportunity for us to get together on a Saturday at the studio to pursue various projects.  Free machine embroidery,  hand stitching or trying out the embellisher were all available, but most members opted to try making handmade books. Sue generously provided her expertise and materials and this proved to be a very popular and satisfying session with everyone taking a way a completed book by the end of the afternoon.  It was amazing to see how everyone produced such different and personal results, and I think we are all quite keen to make more of these lovely books.  Many members are now keen to try Bookmaking part 2.

Sue brought along many of her own samples which are works of art in themselves and provided a great source of inspiration. All this activity made for a very relaxed and enjoyable member's day and we are now looking forward to our next session.

Exploring colour through stitch

Exploring colour and stitches is the running theme for our stitch nights during this year. The events have offered something for everyone, with newer members learning about stitches and more experienced members developing the stitches in new directions.  Straight stitches have been explored in all their variations and uses. Fly stitch and variations were used and their application in floral subjects was explored.
In January couching stitches provided a very colourful and varied selection of samples:

Quick catch up

We have been enjoying lots of varied events within the branch so here is a quick update on some of our activities.
In November which seems like a long time ago now, Kathryn shared with us a technique for making Japanese Thimbles.  Many of us decided that the most useful tool in our kit was the glasses wipe as we needed 20/20 vision to complete the tiny stitches.
This is a fascinating technique and many members produced lovely results (some of us didn't quite make it to the finish line) and it was a very enjoyable afternoon.

September Speaker

What a great way to start again after our amazingly warm and sunny summer break!

Last night our speaker was Lizzie Wall. She gave us a truly inspiring talk about her work and was very amusing.

She talked about how her work has changed over a period of time from the ‘Harry Potter Owls’ that she created for a window display in a bookshop in Southport to the awe inspiring chasubles that she has created more recently. Her background in art, design and embroidery really shines through her work.

The stories attached to each of the pieces that she brought and passed round for us to inspect closely were very interesting and very well researched. I really strongly recommend that you take a look at her work and if you are not too far away from Southport that you ask her to come and give her talk to you branch. You will not be disappointed.   Lizzie’s website.

Last night Seonaid presented the prize winners of the visitors choice at our exhibition in August on the North Pier. Our member Marion Miller won 3rd prize with her superb felt teapot. Congratulations Marion – well deserved.

Lizzie’s work  (thanks to Lizzie for giving us permission to use some of her images).

Marion’s Teapot

Our Joint Exhibition ‘More Tea Vicar’!

The exhibition is up and going very well on the North Pier, Blackpool.  The visitor numbers are good and we are receiving lots of very nice comments about our work and a number of people have shown an interest in coming to some of meetings in the near future.

There is a great atmosphere on the Pier, lots of hustle and bustle, lots of people about really enjoying themselves.

The Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Eddie Collett and his wife Heather opened our exhibition yesterday afternoon. Following their visit this report was placed on the ‘Visit Fylde Coast’ website. Our thanks to those involved in reporting our exhibition.

http://www.liveblackpool.info/community/about-local-groups/blackpool-embroiderers-guild.php

And now for some images of the exhibits.