Thursday 21 October 2010

Design Workshop Sue Lancaster

 October's meeting certainly moved most of out of our comfort zone! Sue had promised us a session to make us think 'outside the box', and it was with some trepidation that we began. The morning was spent in identifying part of an image to draw, enlarge and manipulate, and in the afternoon we set about interpreting the resulting design, using techniques of our choice.

All the 'works in progress' were unique, and it will be interesting to see them completed.



 












With a supportive and inspiring tutor, we had a lovely day, learning a new process which will help us in the design of our own work in future.
We also had the opportunity to see some of Sue's own, beautiful work.

Sunday 17 October 2010

Exhibition and Sale

Sally has asked me publicise this event.

Exhibition and Sale

Arts and Crafts
by
Sally Evans

     at the Quaker Meeting House, Keswick

Saturday 23rd October

10am-4pm

Coffee and biscuits £1

Saturday 16 October 2010

Informal meetings

During the Autumn and Winter , these get-togethers happen once a month, are very relaxed, and a chance to chat, and get on with any pieces of work, embroidery or other textile crafts we like. October's was held at Gloria's house in Penrith, during that lovely sunny, warm spell. It was good to catch up with news, and the time went very quickly.


It was just as well it was nice, because Sally and I found the A66 had been closed, and we were left to find a very circuitous route back to Keswick.  We drove through the  gorgeous countryside by Ullswater, and were able to appreciate it because we weren't in a hurry!






I bought this book recently, and have enjoyed just reading it, so far. I hope to get round to trying out some of the techniques Linda Miller explains so clearly.




Our next formal meeting is on Thursday 21st, and is the design workshop with Sue Lancaster.

Monday 4 October 2010

September meeting Marilyn's report

Thank you to Sally – Macclesfield Buttons          



After the AGM in the morning we spent the afternoon learning about and making Macclesfield buttons

Our visit to Macclesfield Silk Museum two years ago had inspired Sally to look into the history and production of these buttons. After a short talk and a look at some samples that Sally had made we were all keen to have a go ourselves.

Provided with a kit of materials we got started, but it was not as easy as it first appeared and we were amazed to know that it was usually the job of the children to make these. Traditionally the buttons were made by winding fine silk thread onto a wooden former to create a pattern. There was near silence as we all concentrated on getting the threads in the correct place and as work progressed we were delighted to see the pattern appear.

The last part was the trickiest, but after a few struggles we all managed to complete this successfully.

A big thank you to Sally for preparing and running this workshop, we all enjoyed it and were very proud to take home our own Macclesfield button.