New Header

I have discovered how to place a picture in the header, I hope you approve. If anyone has a better photo of Lincoln Cathedral we can use please let me know.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to 2008

Places to Go

Some news about some events coming up in December

Lincolnshire Open Studios 'Art on the Map' is on again this weekend 1st and 2nd December. Have a look at the website http://www.artonthemap.org.uk/ for details of all the studios across Lincolnshire that will be open. I will be opening my 'studio' at home in Sudbrooke - would be lovely to see you if you can make it. Email Janet Taylor for directions. I'll have the embellisher out, so come along and have a go.

Lincoln's Alternative Christmas Market is on Saturday 1st December at Croft St Community Centre, Baggeholme Rd, Lincoln

Arts and Crafts for Christmas is at Washingborough Village Hall, Manor Road, Washingborough on Sunday 9th December

Let me have details of any other events you know and I'll give them a mention

Advent

Stitchers and quilters may like this advent calendar idea which uses up lots of our scraps

Take a look:
http://sunshinescreations.vintagethreads.com/

EG Website

Jackie is our new IT Rep and has been updating the Branch web pages on the EG Website.

The programme up to the end of 2008 can be found there, with photos of the exhibition, the Luttrell Psalter project and information about Young Embroiderers'. We are hoping to provide monthly updates of Branch meetings too ... so keep an eye on developments

Click here to go to the Lincoln Bailgate web page

Young Embroiderers

We have quite an active Young Embroiderers' Group at Bailgate. This month they did 'Christmas Kantha' with Norma.

They meet alternate months at the Bailgate Methodist Church Hall. Next month they'll be doing some animals and creatures from the Luttrell Psalter with Christine.

Here's some photos of their work -

NOLITEX Exhibition

A Question of Identity - An exhibition exploring passions and journeys through life.
This is a body of work that has just returned from a successful exhibition in Ireland. Well worth a look if you're in Newark. It is displayed in a vacant shop unit at the Buttermarket in the market square at Newark. Open 10 - 4.30pm until sat 24th Nov.
NOLITEX = Notts & Lincs Textile Designers

Textile Conservation Centre Closure

Mandy-Jane Patterson is studying for an MA at the Textile Conservation Centre (TCC) Winchester, which is part of the University of Southampton.

The University are planning the closure of the TCC in the near future due to funding issues.

This facility is extremely important to the heritage of this country and has an outstanding international reputation in the field of textile conservation. If the TCC closes it will be another loss in the worls of embroidery

Mandy-Jane has set up a petition at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/TCCClosure/, which has been registered at No. 10 Downing Street, in an effort to raise awareness of this matter and hopefully to secure the future of the TCC.

If you would like to help save the Textile Conservation Centre, please sign the petition as it could make a difference. There are 1159 names on the petition at the moment.

I am going to put a message on the EG Members Forum to help spread the word.

Thanks to Jacqui A for letting us know about this

LP Workshop - Trapunto techniques

The next LP workshop is on Thursday 15th November (7pm to 9pm) and we will be looking at using trapunto techniques that can be used to give a raised effect to your embroidery.

Trapunto is a quilting technique and is also called stuffed quilting.

Bring calico, wadding, hand sewing kit and threads - I will have supplies with me

Embroidery Exhibition, Southwell Minster

Southwell Minster is hosting a display of embroidered panels celebrating the psalms and saints from 9th November to 14th December.

It will include pieces by Hilary Tinley who is the tutor of the Minster Needlecraft Guild.

Thanks to Mary B for the info

Stitch & Creative Crafts Show

Stitch & Creative Crafts Show
16-18 November 2007 at Doncaster Racecourse

This show covers all aspects of quality stitchcraft including cross stitch, sewing, card making, embroidery, knitting, patchwork, quilting, scrapbooking, ribboncraft, papercraft, stamping, beading, painting, dressmaking, tapestry, decoupage, crochet and many more popular stitch and creative crafts.


Visitor information available from:

http://www.stitchandcreativecrafts.co.uk/visitor_detail.asp?eventtype=stitch&id=74

Silent Auction

I have mentioned in the last few meetings that we'll be having a silent auction.

This is a method of fundraising we haven't tried before and I've been asked to provide some more information.

First of all we need some things to auction! These can be 'things' or 'pledges'.

Examples of 'things' - you could donate something you've made - eg a Christmas cake, homemade wine, a covered book, a box, or picture. Or a set of handmade cards. Or it could be a box of threads, beads, fabrics. Or it could be a book on embroidery.

Examples of 'pledges' - a pledge is something you could do for someone else. Things like showing someone how to make felt, do machine embroidery, make cards, how to use the computer (from basic email/Internet skills to using design programmes), how to use an embellisher, how to digitise designs for embroidery, how to use a computerised sewing machine, how to ..... the list is endless. Pledges can also be 'things' that you haven't made yet, but will be ready later.

So far we have

• Machine Embroidery Lesson (Heather)
• Paintshop Pro or Photoshop Lesson (Janet)
• Stained Glass Lesson (Shirley)
• Beaded Needle Case (Mary P)
• Bottle of Sloe Gin (Shirley)
• Carrot Cake (Mary P)
• Jar of Chutney (Anne)

Think about the sort of things our members might be interested in and what you can do and make an offer! Just get in touch with me and I'll tell you what to do next.

How the silent auction will work

Some tables will be set out with the items being auctioned. If it is a 'thing', hopefully it will be there so you can see it. If it is a 'pledge' there will be a description on a card so you know what you are bidding for.

If you want to bid for something you will need to register your name and you will be given a number to use.

In a traditional auction, the items come out one-by-one and people bid by raising their hand.

In a silent auction, all the items are out at the same time and people record their number and how much they bid on a sheet of paper next to the item. If someone else would like to bid for the item and is prepared to pay more, they put their number and bid on the sheet .... and so it goes on through the evening.

If you know what happens on E-Bay, it is a similar process. You can watch the bids going up.

At a certain points in the evening we will announce how long is left to bid. When the bidding closes, the person with the highest bid will win the item and will pay Anne. They can take the item home with them. If it is a pledge they will need to arrange a suitable date with the donor.

At the end of the evening we'll announce how much we've raised.

I hope that has made it a bit clearer - now ..... let's have your offers!!!!

Bailgate Meeting 30/11

The exhibition has been a great success. Visitors have been impressed with the standard of work and some are interested in joining us.

The next meeting is on 30th November and it is a practical evening. Chris P & Chris W will be showing us how to make backgrounds for embroidery.

Requirements - dyed jute scrim (or similar) and dyed loose-woven cotton/muslin - apx 12" (30cm) square. Plus co-ordinating or contrasting threads and fabric for weaving. You'll also need general sewing equipment, including a large eye needle with a sharp point.

They will be providing kits for £4 if you don't have the materials.

I'll also be bringing back the work from the exhibition, unless you want to collect it from me beforehand.

Fabric Postcards

The cards at the exhibition were made by Joan Plummer and they are absolutely fantastic!

Twenty of the cards are on a 'cat' theme. Joan has designed the cards around words or sayings that incorporate 'cats' in some way - eg cat on a hot tin roof, octopuss, cat's got the cream etc. She's used lots of different techniques and backed them with pelmet vilene.


As with the ATCs, the only 'rule' about fabric postcards is that they should measure 6"x4".

If you want to know more about fabric postcards have a look at http://www.squidoo.com/fabricpostcards/#module1500105 there's loads of information.

The nice thing about making postcards or ATCs is that you can work on a small scale and they can be quite quick to make.

Both formats are becoming very popular all over the world and the concept is based on the picture cards that used to come in cigarette packs or PG Tips tea. And the idea is to make them and swap them (like we used to do with our spares!) - 'trading' has nothing to do with selling them.

Here's some more of Joan's postcards -

(Thanks Joan - you've created a lot of interest!)

ATC's

Artist trading cards are always 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. They are the size of a 'baseball' card and fit into the plastic wallets that collectors acquire.

The original atc's link is here http://www.artist-trading-cards.ch/

Loads of information here http://www.cedarseed.com/air/atc.html

see some photos of atc's here http://www.flickr.com/groups/95067770@N00/

and some textile based ones here http://www.quiltart.com/apc.html

They can be made from anything with embellishments galore, the only other rule apart from the size is that they should be traded and not sold/bought. There are quite a few groups on the internet who trade these cards.

:) Wendy
p.s. I have a few, if you want me to bring them to a meeting, please let me know

Fabric Postcards

From the Library Exhibition, we have has a lot of interest in how to make ATCs (artist training cards) which can be the size of a playing card or a post card.

Her's a good tutorial to introduce the idea - have fun experimenting

http://calidore.wordpress.com/2007/02/14/postcard-tutorial/

'Embroidery Matters' Exhibition

We put the exhibition up yesterday. Lots of lovely work has been submitted and it looks great. A wide range of techniques and ideas. What a diverse group we are!

We didn't have many sock sculptures, but they are rather fun -

And bags were very popular this year! Lots of felt ones from Vivienne's workshop, but lots of others too -

If you get a chance, please pop in to see us. We will be at Lincoln Central Library on Free School Lane from Tuesday 6 Nov to Sat 10 November. Opening times 10am to 4pm, but on Thursday we're open until 7pm and on Saturday we close at 3pm.

Knitting & Stitching Show

I went to the K&S Show in Birmingham. The displays were excellent and very inspiring. Lots of traders too. It was a bit quiet, but that might be because it was a Friday and because the venue is still quite new.

I'm looking forward to the coach trip on 25th November.

If you're going, don't forget that you can book on the mini-workshops in advance - there's still some spaces left

For more information have a look at http://www.twistedthread.com/knittingandstitchingshow/features.asp

Riches of Stitches

There's a very good booklet that can be downloaded from the Yong Embroiderers' website

http://www.hiraeth.com/youngembroiderers/books/riches/riches.htm

It's suitable for everyone, especially people wanting to experiment with traditional stitches.

Thanks Mary P for sharing this with us

Quilt WOW

For those of you who know Maggie Grey's 'Workshop on the Web' - you may be interested to know that Quilt WOW is on the way. The Tasters are already on the web at http://www.quiltwow.com/.

The first full issue coming 8th December. Similar format to WOW, it will have workshops, product ideas, book reviews and news.

Definitely worth a look

Silk for silk painting

From Mary P

After the silk painting workshop with Leonard Thompson, I have been checking the internet for good value in medium habotai silk.

People at the course were interested in possibly sharing a bulk purchase.

Whaleys of Bradford reduce costs for over 10 m but they also sell short pieces at the equivalent of 1.70 m plus postage of about 3.50. There is no reduction for bulk purchase.

This is the web page http://www.whaleys-bradford.ltd.uk/product.htm?productID=829

Dunk, Dribble, Dyelicious Workshop

There are still spaces on my Dunk, Dribble, Dyelicious workshop on Wed 10th at Girton near Collingham. We will be random dyeing, a good way to get co-ordinating fabrics and threads in unusual colourways. 10 - 4pm refreshments provided, bring a packed lunch. If you would like to come email me and I'll send you the requirements list.
heather@fibreworks.co.uk

Framing Textiles

I went to Lincs Embroiderers' Guild today and Mal Reynolds gave us a talk about lacing our work. He is very sympathetic to the problems of framing textiles to show them to their best advantage. He has a variety of methods that do no damage to the stitching or the cloth it is worked upon and are fully reversible should you wish to change it in any way. If you have ever had a bad experience with framers don't tar Mal with that brush, not all framers are the same. He would be happy to talk to you and suggest different options of framing and he's local. If you have spent hours and hours on a piece of work it's nice to know it would be given the same care and attention that you would.
Mal Reynolds GCF Adv Bespoke Picture Framer Harlequin Frames, Ryland Cottage, Welton. Lincs. LN2 3ND Tel 01673 860 249

Clyde Oliver

Came across Clyde Oliver's Blog

http://clydeolliver.wordpress.com/

For those of you who haven't heard of him before - he stitches on slate and other found objects. I like some and dislike some. What do you think? He's one of the EG Scholars this year

Add an electric drill to the kit!

Bead Workshop at Girton

As requested I am running a beading workshop

Daisy Chains and Beyond.

Saturday 22nd September at Girton Village Hall

10 - 4pm for £13.50

All abilities welcome

Bring your beads and your lunch

Tea, coffee and biscuits provided

To reserve a place call 01522 778 667

More workshops in Lincolnshire

Mary emailed me with this -

Debby, of My Sewing Basket, has published a list of Saturday fabric craft workshops in Sept, Oct and Nov. 15, 10am - 4 pm
She also has Wednesday workshops on embroidery techniques, running until December.

Contact her for details.
My Sewing Basket
31 High Street,
Ruskington
NG34 9DN
mailto:debby@mysewingbasket.co.uk
Tel: 01526830210


Ruddocks of Lincoln
287 High Street,
Lincoln
LN2 1AW
015220528285
website http://www.ruddocksoflincoln.co.uk/
or e mail victoriabell@hotmail.co.uk

Ruddocks have published a workshop list to December, with beading and embroidery added to their paper craft workshops

Thanks Mary

Womens faces in art

Found this short video - womens faces in art - it's rather nice
Have a look and let me know what you think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDIoN-_Hxs

Bead Workshops

The Bead Gallery in Clasketgate, Lincoln (close to The Theatre Royal)
Tel 01522 519826
The owner is running basic jewellery making workshops.

In September, they are on Tuesdays, 7-9pm, with a rolling programme using several jewellery making techniques to make earrings, bracelets, necklaces etc, .
Maximum class of 7.
All tools provided and worksheets to take home
£8 for two hours, with up to 5 materials included

Thanks for the info Mary

Ruth Keillar at Lincoln Bailgate EG

Lincoln Bailgate's back on the 29th September with the AGM. I'll be reporting back from the Regional AGM which is on the 23rd (if you want to go, let me know and I'll send you the info).

Once we've got the business out of the way, Ruth Keillar will be showing us her lovely bags and talking about what it's like being in business as a textile artist. Has a website at http://www.artico.co.uk/

Please bring along your Luttrell Psalter work in progress and your Sock Sculptures

Leonard Thompson at Lincs EG

Summer's over and the EG meetings are back.

We kick off with Lincs on Saturday 8 September with a 'Show & Tell' of members work in the morning (it's always interesting to find out what inspires people) and Leonard Thompson in the afternoon.

Leonard is a silk painter. He came to Bailgate a little while ago and I can thoroughly recommend him. As well as painting beautiful flowers, he does lovely abstract work which would make great backgrounds for embroidery. Has a website at http://www.silkartist.co.uk/

Festival of Quilts

Had a fantastic day at the Festival of Quilts on 19th August. Turned out to be quite an adventure on the way home as we had one detour after another. We saw the sights of Birmingham, which was an unplanned addition to the day. Next time I'll take TomTom with me.


Anyway, the show was the best so far (imho) and would be the show I would choose if I had to pick only one. Excellent range of traders and exhibitors and well over a 1000 quilts to look at and admire. One day really is not enough, especially if you want to fit in any talks or workshops.


I took loads of photos - here's some of my favourites

Loved this one - reminded me of the Medieval tiles I've been working on recently. Also liked the way it combined small and large scales
The quilts were not just on the walls - clothing too. The crimson is a very soft velvet - the top layer has been cut back to reveal - beautiful
Liked the colours and the bare tree shape

I like the 'fractured' look of this one

A lot more paper was included in the quilts this year
and 'rusting' techniques were popular too
This was amazing, each piece heavily textured and cut back

This one has a black background and the fabrics have been applied in layers like contour lines - just picking out the highlights on the body - it was stunning.

The detail in this one was amazing - lots of tiny pieces
This was all machine stitched - so realistic. Being so large, you felt you could walk through the doorway
Not sure if you can make out the texture in this one. I love the trees.
Another heavily machined quilt
The photos don't really do them justice. You'll have to go next year to see for yourself.

There were lots of traditional pieced and applique quilts too.

Ruddocks Reward Scheme

Ruddocks in Lincoln is doing away with discounts for Embroiderers Guild members in favour of a reward card. 4 points earned for each £1 spent on just about anything - art, stationary, games, maps, greetings cards - but not magazines, stamps, courses, confectionary. Each point is worth 1p against products at Ruddocks but you can't make part payment of points towards an item
Fill in a form and a card will be posted to you, 20 points are already on the card when you apply.
This all sounds good in theory but we were better off with immediate discount on purchases, but it's better than nothing.

Picture Frames

I used to buy the wood from the shop at the top of Rookery Lane opposite Brant Rd he even used to mitre it for me, I think the shop is still there.

Framing Materials

MaryB has asked if anyone knows where she can buy wood to make picture frames.

I googled 'picture mouldings' and came up with

http://www.mainlinemouldings.co.uk/
http://www.lionpic.co.uk/

Mitrecraft on Crofton drive - a possibility, but is wholesale

Can anyone help?

Luttrell Psalter Workshop 16th August

We'll be at Bailgate from 7pm on Thursday for another LP Workshop for those of you who would like to come along. There'll be more techniques for you to try and ideas for taking your designs forward.

Festival of Quilts

For those of you who haven't experienced this event - you really should! It's not just for quilters.
It's at the NEC near Birmingham (only 2 hours drive from Lincoln, and easy to find) and starts on Thursday this week (runs until Sunday).
There's over a 1000 quilts to see, many of them art quilts which wouldn't look out of place in an embroidery exhibition. The traders will be there too - many of whom you'll already know. But you won't find cross stitch or card-making stands.
More info from http://www.twistedthread.com/festivalofquilts/index.asp

Stitch Club - Woven Stitched Bags

The next Stitch Club is on Saturday 18th August with Christine Plummer.
We'll be making bags using strips of fabric woven into incorporate lace, ribbons which will be hand or machine stitched before making up into a bag.
If you haven't got your name down already or need a requirements list please get in touch with me or Heather

Garden Party

Well, the weather did hold out for us. Dee's garden is lovely and 20 of us had a fantastic afternoon chatting and stitching. (I didn't have my camera with me, so if anyone has photos please email to me and I will post them on the blog.)
Heather prepared a project for us to do. We were each given a letter and a piece of felt to stitch. The letters will be painted and assembled later to produce a banner for Lincoln Bailgate. Look out for it in a later blog.
The bring & buy raised lots of cash for the Luttrell Psalter project - we'll be having a sales table at branch meetings from now on.
Now we're looking for another garden for next year ..... any volunteers?

Garden Party on Sunday

The Bailgate Garden Party is at Dee's in Ingham this year - starts at 2pm. I do hope the weather holds up. It's been so nice this week after all the rain we've had. I am looking forward to a nice, relaxing afternoon.

Bring a chair and a sewing kit.

New shop in Ruskington

Glynis emailed me with the following ...

In the July 25 issue of thisisthebusiness, a colleague wrote about a new patchwork/sewing shop in Ruskington. It is run by Zambian-born Debby Scarff.

I haven't been to see her, but she has quilts on display and sells quilting and embroidery stuff, as well as batik goods direct from Bali.

Perhaps members would like to know of her existence. They can find her shop at 31 High Street, Ruskington....her telephone number is 01526 830210, in case anyone wants to check what she stocks.

Thanks for the info Glynis

Moonshadow Mist

I've been reading a lot about Moonshadow Mist and decided I must have some, if anyone else must have some the best price I could find was on qvcuk, if you havn't heard about them I think they are similar to walnut inks but some fantastic colours, really get some good effects with them.
Val

Sally Twinkles

I've been into Mansfield today 2/8 to Sally Twinkles and discovered that Miss Twinkle died in February. The shop has been under threat of closure but the staff now understand that a buyer has been found and all will remain the same. Which is a huge relief as reasonable fabric suppliers in this area are few and far between.
Heather

Discount suppliers

Mary's found some good offers for thread on www.sewdiscounted.co.uk.
They sell a wide range of threads, fabrics and accessories for hand embroidery, plus cross stitch kits. They have offers on Kreinik and Rainbow Gallery brands.

Another supplier with similar lines that I've used is www.willowfabrics.com

Hands that do stitches

Thanks to Mary P for this one

http://www.kreinik.com/articles/news.php?newsid=32

It's a self-massage technique for your hands, arms and neck. Mary's tried it and says it seems to help.

Our hands and arms are the most important tools we have, so we need to look after them.

Fibre & Stitch E-Zine

You may be interested to have a look at this

http://fibreandstitch.com/index.htm

It's a new on-line magazine that is being launched at the end of August. Will be covering mixed media techniques including paper, fabric and stitch.

There's some interesting free projects to get you started!

19th century patterns

Been browsing and came across this amazing resource

http://www.exceedinglycurious.com/ingalls/ingalls1/ingalls1.html

John Governale has scanned all 255 pages of an 1886 J. F. Ingalls catalog of embroidery stamping patterns and placed the scans in the public domain. You can download them for free. Worth a look. They're large images and there's no thumbnails, so they make take a while to download if you don't have broadband.

Those of you making bonnets may find something suitable for the brim.

Felt Bags - photos

Here are some photos from the workshop - can't believe how different they all are!

Well done everyone.

Fabulous Felt Bags

Well, what a treat we had at Bailgate. Vivienne Morpeth from Barton-on-Humber talked about how attending a feltmaking workshop 18 years ago got her hooked and she's been felting ever since. She's even been to Australia to learn different techniques.
On Saturday she guided us through the process of making a seamless bag using a plastic resist - 'scuse the pun - it was irristable (sorry, couldn't resist it ... oops, did it again!)
Hopefully I'll be able to pictures up soon so you can see what we got up to.
Everyone managed to produce a lovely bag - beautiful colours. I loved the 'all-in-one' handle technique, which makes the bags very strong.
Will make a great display at the exhibition in November.

Felt at Bailgate 27th & 28th July

Don't forget, Vivienne Morpeth is talking about her work at Lincoln Bailgate on Friday 27th July.

The workshop "Fabulous Felt Bags" on Saturday 28th July is now fully booked.

Summer School

I returned from Summer School yesterday- tired but happy. Had a lovely time making 'Rich Textured Surfaces' with Sandra Kedzlie. Great to have an opportunity to revisit forgotten techniques and learn some new ones. I feel motivated to do some more now (shame I had to go back to work today!)

Sandra was very generous in sharing her ideas and it was great to see everyone's interpretations.

The other workshops produced some lovely work too - if it had been a lucky dip I wouldn't have minded which one I ended up in!

These are some of the caskets from the Janet Edmonds workshop

And these are from the Jane Davies workshop

Luttrell Psalter Workshop 26th July

Don't forget it's the next Luttrell Psalter workshop on Thursday. At Bailgate, from 7pm to 9.30 pm. Bring your work in progress, or just your image if you've not started and we'll help with ideas.

I've been working on the rotated patterns we did with Heather in the first workshop.

on line magazine

Thought you might enjoy this mag

http://www.wiehler-gobelin.com/en/magazin/Wiehler_01_07.pdf

:) Wendy

Doddington Hall Farmshop & Cafe

The Farm Shop and Cafe at Doddington Hall opens on Tuesday 17th July.

Open Tues-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm

Sounds good - fruit & veg, butchers, deli, bakery as well chutneys, wines, etc

Plus the Cafe - pastries, lunches and teas

Looks worth a visit

Thanks Norma for passing on the info

Website - Doddington Hall

Events coming up

until September 9th 'Humbug' exhibition by Dodeka Designers inspired by sweets at Pickford's House Museum in Derby
July 13th to August 19th - Celebrating Embroidery - Rutland & Stamford EG at the Rutland County Museum, Oakham
July 18th to August 15th - Design into Stitch - C&G final exhibition - Willoughby Memorial Trust Gallery at Corby Glen (south of Grantham, off the A1)
July 19th to 20th - Celebrating 90 Years of the WI - St Mary Magdalene Church, Newark
July 19th to 22nd - Art in Action, Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire
July 21st to September 9th - Riches of Stitches (national EG Exhibition) - Bankfield Museum, Halifax
July 27th to August 11th - Edging On by the Bolt group of textile artists mentored by Jean Littlejohn - at Jane Powell Art Studio, Kennilworth
August 16th to 19th - Festival of Quilts, NEC - not just for quilters!

.... please add another post if you know of anything else, and tell us all about it if you go to have a look.

Fibreworks - coming up

July 20th - Button & Bead a Bag with Heather in Girton - create a bag and embellish with buttons and beads. Cost £13.50
July 26th - Plastic Fantastic with Heather in Girton - work with heat, crayons, threads and plastic to make crusty surfaces. Cost £13.50
August 4th - Tissue Textures with Janet in Bassingham - using tissue and felt to create tactile panels. Cost £13.50
August 9th - Mountmellick with Heather in Girton - discover floral hand embroidery in white. Cost £13.50
August 17th - Create a Book with Heather in Girton - use your samples to make books. Cost £13.50
August 24th - Crazy Patchwork with Janet in Dunhome - using scraps of fabric and decorative hand stitches. Cost £13.50

Contact Janet or Heather for more info

Bailgate - coming up

The next Luttrell Psalter Workshop is on Thursday 26th July (7pm to 9.30pm) at Bailgate - please bring any work in progress and your images. Janet & Heather will be available to get you started and help with ideas for techniques to use. Cost £5.

The Garden Party is at Dee's house in Ingham this year on Sunday 12th August (2pm to 5pm) - bring a chair and a basic sewing kit. Cost £2.

The next Stitch Club is on Saturday 18th August (10am to 3pm). This is run by members for members. Christine Plummer will be showing us how to make bags using a patching and stitching technique. Suitable for beginners and everyone welcome. Cost £5.

In September we have our AGM and Ruth Keillar will be talking about her work and her Artico label (28th September)

In October, Norma is organising a coach trip to the Fashion & Embroidery Show at Harrogate (Sunday, 7th October)

In November, Joan is organising a tour of the embroideries in Lincoln Cathedral (Saturday, 17th November)

In November, Carole is organising a coach trip to the Knitting & Stitching Show in Harrogate (Sunday 25th November)

Fabulous Felt - 27th July

Vivienne Morpeth is a feltmaker and she is talking about her work at Lincoln Bailgate on Friday 27th July from 7pm to 9pm. This is followed with a workshop "Fabulous Felt Bags" on Saturday 28th July, also at Bailgate.

Can't find her on the web, so sorry no pictures.

Please email me for more info.

Maggie Grey's Blog

Maggie Grey has a blog the address is http://magstitch.blogspot.com/

Did you know that if you get a long list of blogs that you enjoy reading you can subscribe to http://www.bloglines.com/sub and they will let you know each time one of the blogs on your list has a new post. It saves loads of time. It is free to sign up.

Wendy

Quilt Poem

I've been browsing again and came across this poem - it's about a quilter, but relevant to all of us I think! (From Marlys in Indiana)

My Wife, The Quilter
She learned to quilt on Monday
Her stitches were very fine.
She forgot to thaw out dinner,
So we went out to dine.

She quilted miniatures Tuesday.
She says they are a must.
They really were quite lovely,
But she forgot to dust.

On Wednesday, it was a sampler.
She says the stipplin's fun.
What highlights! Oh what shadows!
But the laundry wasn't done.

Her charm quilt was on Thursday,
Green patches blue and red.
I guess she really was engrossed;
She never made the bed.

It was wallhangings on Friday,
In colors she adores,
But she never seemed to notice
The crumbs on all the floors.

I found a maid on Saturday!
My week is now complete.
My wife can quilt the hours away;
The house will still be neat.

Well, it's already Sunday.
I think I'm about to wilt.
I cursed, I raved, I ranted~~
The MAID has learned to QUILT!!

Bonnet Project

Members from both Lincoln EG Branches are making bonnets for the 'Roses From The Heart' Project being organised by Christina Henri in Tasmania - and Louth EG has also joined us.

You can find out more information about the project from the Female Factory website

and download a bonnet pattern here. The brims of the bonnets to be decorated with hearts and roses

The project is a tribute to the 25,000 convict women who were shipped to ‘parts unknown’ from the UK to Australia in the 19th century.

They will be on display at Lincoln Central Library in November before being shipped to Christina for the exhibition in 2008. In 2009, Christina will be bringing the bonnets for a tour of the UK.

Please get in touch if you would like to take part

Elizabethan Pincushion - 14th July

Lincolnshire Branch are having an all day workshop with Josey Storey on July 14th making an Elizabethan pincushion. Starts at 10.30 at Bishop Grossteste College in Lincoln.

Shibori in Louth - contd

A group of us from Lincoln Bailgate decscended on Louth this evening for the Jane Callender talk - very knowledgeable, lots of pictures and some beautiful cloth to handle. You can see some of her work on her website (see prev blog).

I have been having a browse and found a wonderful blog about shibori - http://shiborigirl.wordpress.com/ well worth an explore!
Also http://entwinements.com/blog-mt3/

Nice to see you all again Louth ladies - hope you join the blog and let us know what's happening in your part of Lincolnshire

Eyelets

Does anyone know how to put those little metal eyelets into fabric (or card)?

I bought a little hammer with all the gizmos from Lakeland ages ago and have never worked out how to use it properly! I just get rather squished eyelets.

Must be doing something wrong - any tips?

Other places on the web

Has anyone found any interesting websites they could share with us?

I have recently discovered Flickr which is a massive collective photograph album. You can search the photos and they also have groups. I've lost many a happy hour browsing.

Have a look at these for starters

Contemporary Textile Art Pool
Textile Arts Pool
Cramzy

Shibori at Louth

Louth Branch have Jane Callender as a speaker on Friday 6 July. Jane is well known in the textile world for her beautiful hand dyed pieces, specialising in indigo dyeing.

It should be an interesting evening. The meeting starts at 7pm in the Conoco Room above the library in Louth.

Luttrell Psalter Project

For those of you who don't already know, the Lincoln Bailgate branch of the Embroiderers Guild is undertaking a project based on the Luttrell Psalter - LP for short!

The LP is a medieval manuscript which was produced for Sir Geoffrey Luttrell who lived in Irnham (near Grantham) and this is one of the reasons it is so relevant to our group. There's going to be a big exhibition at The Collection in Lincoln next year, which will run from May to September. We are producing embroidered panels based on the imagery in the Psalter.

The LP lives at the British Museum in London and you can find out more information about it by clicking here. The story about the Psalter and medieval life is fascinating.

The British Library has an online collection of photos, which includes over 200 from the LP - click here. The images in the margins are truly amazing - scenes of rural life, religious scenes and amazing grotesques, leafy twirls and line-end patterns. No wonder so many of us have been inspired to take part

We run monthly workshops to support members in this project, helping with the design and techniques to use. The next workshop is July 26th at Bailgate Methodist Church, Lincoln. Please let me know if you would like to take part in the project.

There's also a sister project in Lincoln about the LP, which concentrates on reproducing the historical elements for a short film that is being produced for The Collection. Click here for more information.

EG Finances

I know there was much discussion about the state of the Guild's finances at the meeting on Friday

If you're a member of the Embroiderers' Guild you can follow the discussion on the Members Forum on their website - makes interesting reading. You will need a password to get in - look on the back of your membership card, or email me

Click here and scroll down to 'Members Forum'

If you haven't already expressed your views please let me know and I'll pass them on the Hampton Court

Lost Time

Speaking to Janet lunch time today had to go to clean the freezer and hopefully dye some threads its now 5.30 and all I have done is sit at the computer reading other peoples blogs, Janets fault, there is a link on her blog to a dyers blog it was so interesting I had to read it all, and then onto another link you know how it goes. Going to embellish a chiffon scarf onto some velvet I dyed will post a picture when I get it done, perhaps later on!!! This is the first time I have posted a blog so hope I know what im doing.

Welcome

This Blog is for all stitchers in Lincoln & surrounding area - which can be anywhere!

If you would like to be able to post messages you will need to email me and I'll get you set up.