To make the landscape sing the day

At our February meeting we listened to Sue Astles giving a fascinating talk about the life and work of her uncle, the artist Harry Ousey.  She showed a range of his art, from the representational paintings of his early days as an artist to the abstract work he produced as his style developed.

After a very sociable lunch, Liz Smith explained that we were to work together in producing a group textile work based on one of Harry's untitled paintings:

(apologies for the light reflections, unable to avoid as the painting was covered by cellophane!)

The painting was photographed and divided into sections with each section handed to a member.  Using the photo, the plan was for each of us to produce a drawn version and then use that to create a textile version.  Liz had brought along a wide selection of papers, fabric and threads for us to use in our drawn collage and stitching - compare the colours (below) to those in the painting (above).

The first step was to create a cartoon (a preparatory drawing for the final stitched work), and we all really enjoyed this part of the work:

 

At the end of the meeting, all the cartoons were collected to show how they are starting to represent Harry's painting:

Armed with clear instructions from Liz, we set off home to translate our cartoons into a textiles - everyone was looking forward to the re-assembly of the finished pieces.

Our next event is the Wet Felting workshop on 8 March - only one place left!  Contact Judi or Ann to grab the last place.

Chatsworth Capability Brown Exhibition

As you may know, our Secretary Liz Smith recently supervised the hanging of some of Glossop branch's Capability Brown works in the Carriage House Restaurant at Chatsworth House.  

Chatsworth posted this photograph on their Facebook timeline a couple of days ago - apparently the joiners had previously been re-hanging a couple of Rembrandt paintings so at least we know our work will be hanging straight!

The exhibition can now be seen in the Carriage House Restaurant until 10th May - why not go along to take a look?

Experimental Textiles

This was our first meeting of 2017 and it was certainly very different!  Nikki Parmenter brought along her work, presenting each piece with a description of how the rich effects were achieved.

She generously passed her work around the members so we could all have a close look. Her work was very much admired, especially the challenges she must have faced when constructing the larger pieces.

After Nikki's talk, members were invited to take a close up look at her work.

Some of the members who attended the Bags & Boxes workshop in December brought along their completed work, which was all very much admired.

I'm sure I saw an orderly queue forming for the next Bags & Boxes workshop.....

Great workshops Chris and Sheila. Many thanks for all your hard work. My box is now finished and looking good!

Workshop - bags and boxes

The workshop 'Bags and Boxes' was held on 10 December with eleven members attending. Our tutors Chris and Sheila were very knowledgeable and experienced and always on hand to offer support or advice when needed.

 

Everyone worked very hard - they had to, as we could only use the Cricket Club until 2pm so Chris and Sheila made sure everyone could make good progress with their work.

Although no-one had time to complete their projects they were starting to take on definite shape in the afternoon session:

 

Here are some examples of previously completed bags and boxes - I'm sure all the ones which were begun at the workshop will be just as beautiful!  Please can all those members who attended the workshop bring along their work (completed, still under way or abandoned) to our next meeting in January.

November meeting

Our November meeting gave us a busy and interesting afternoon which started with a Jacob's Join lunch where everyone had brought a contribution to the buffet.  What a wonderful buffet it was!  

When we had all satisfied our appetites Chris Harris distributed a quiz with the questions on a stitching and needlework theme (how do you spell Pekingese??).  The deserving joint winners with the highest score were Sheila and Belinda.

Then it was off to join Belinda in a workshop to make snowmen and other small seasonal figures from empty herb and spice jars (and why not?), using a wonderful selection of 'bits'.

There were some truly fabulous creations:-

 

- here is the final full line-up, and every one has its own character:-

I love the sad snowman, fourth from the right, trying to hide at the back.

Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show - the White Walker

The Game of Thrones is a fantasy TV drama series.  The White Walker is one of a mythical race who kill everything in their path.  Luckily, when we spotted him at Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show he was having a day off.

The Embroiderers' Guild were contacted by the TV company to create an artwork to form a backdrop for publicity on the release of the latest series.  Design and production was led by Anthea Godfrey on behalf of the EG, who invited The Royal School of Needlework, Hand & Lock and Fine Cell Work to participate.

A fantastic piece of work.