Our next exhibition - Malmesbury - February and March 2013

November Meeting

We had a really lively meeting, led by Margaret, we discussed framing methods suitable and related to our textiles. Margaret also gave us a very  comprehensive list of local framers and stockists, which will prove to be very useful for our exhibition in February of next year, at Malmesbury Town Hall.


We also had the opportunity to discuss the calendar/ programme for 2013 as well, for both GWE groups. We are all really looking forward to our new stitching year. Marie also gave out details of the WCE competition to the theme "Celebration".... that could be fun! 

October Stitch day meeting

The Stitch days on the 4th Tuesday of the month are proving very popular and we going to continue running them for 2013.  

National Trust - Information about the Oxfordshire district.

Richard Henderson the General Manager for the Oxfordshire district of the National Trust gave us a really interesting illustrated talk about the properties and areas which are his responsibility in this area.

His in depth knowledge about the 6 properties and the rural areas of his district was most informative as well as interesting. As a group we are particularly interested in Chastleton House..... see here a 400 year old Jacobean House. We feel sure we can get lots of inspiration for our stitching from the house and garden. We hope to arrange a group visit next year... so please watch this space. A huge thank you to Richard for alerting us to the rich heritage we have on our doorsteps.

Visit to the Festival of Quilts

 

 

We all arranged with Barnes Travel to go to the Festival of Quilts In Birmingham on Sunday. We had a great time, so much to see, buy and chat about. a real feast. It was lovely to go alon with other members of the group and catch up with all the purchases made by everyone. a great day.

 

Weaving with Sarah Beadsmoore

Sarah Beadsmoore came along to our meeting to talk to us. We had a great time. Sarah is one of the original craftworkers at New Brewery Arts from the days it was called Cirencester Workshops. I'm afraid I forgot to take lots of photos.. so apologies. Sarah mainly weaves in silk yarns and they are beautiful. Please go to her website to have a look, or better still go along to Brewery Arts to her weaving workshop there to see her working.

A huge thank you to Maureen for making this lovely and appropriate card to send to Edna at Cotswold  Sewing Machines at Stroud, for sourcing a whole Cotswold sheep fleece which has been distributed amongst the members to use for the next project. Brilliant!.

Needle Felt machining

 Great meeting again today, Maggie took the session introducing the group to the embellisher machine, nearly everyone had a go, or were happy trying their hand with the hand embellisher needles available. Lots of discussion about how useful this technique is in creating a background fabric ready for stitching.

Maggie also distributed a bag of Cotswold fleece to all the members present, with advice on how to wash, card and spin. Many thanks to Edna of Cotswold Sewing machines in Stroud for sourcing the fleece for me.

In the afternoon Pam took a party of the members along to the Cricklade Museum to have a look round, which was enjoyed by all. We had also bought along some of our own work, although many members continued to work on the needle felting.

Visit to Cotswold Woollen Weavers

The weather was certainly glorious on our group outing to the Cotswold Woollen weavers, the sun shone which made the buildings glow with the honey coloured stone. The weaving looms have been quiet for the last 2 years (?) at this mill, but the looms are still there as well as all the equipment used.

We were also lucky to  have  a short talk from the owner, Richard, and learnt a number of useful facts about the mill and Filkins where it is situated.

We also indulged in a delicious lunch at the adjoining Cafe. Needless to say we had time to shop as well, before returning to our usual meeting place in Cricklade. We all agreed a most interesting start to our new theme of work. Time to start thinking and designing now..........

Article in Link Magazine

Link Magazine have published a great article about our current Traditions Exhibition at Lydiard House, have a look at the article here.  A great photo of Cathy and her quilt and Ruth and her satchel. Congratulations to both of you.
We also feature on the BBC website of Things to do... look here which particularly features the "Behind the Scenes" event of the 19th May, when Lydiard is open to the public  in the evening as part of the National Museums at night. Our Traditions exhibtion is a highlight of the evening.

Mayor opens our Traditions Exhibiton at Lydiard House

The Mayor of Swindon admiring the work on display at our Traditions exhibition at Lydiard House. We were so thrilled that she agreed to open the exhibition, and Sophie has reported that there have been lots of visitors. We also feature heavily on Lydiard Houses Facebook page... see Here..

It will be worth keeping an eye on the Facebook page as some of the exhibits will be featured. The peg doll trail we made for the children visitors to the house, has already been featured on FB.

North Meadow, Cricklade

( selection of GWE work inspired by North Meadow, hanging in the council offices)

Pleased to announce that The Cricklade in Bloom website now features a slide show of the GWE pieces of work that were on display during last year... click Here and the link will take you to the slide show.

Nearly finished !

This is our special tablecloth which we will be using at our exhibitions. Every member has embroidered a letter and a few members have created many more.
Our next meeting ..... April 10th is at Lydiard House... and is a special " Meet the Artist " opportunity. The house opens at 11am to the public..... look forward to seeing you there.

Details of our next Exhibition at Lydiard House.
The Official opening by the Mayor is on Wednesday 28th March.
Please make a note in your diary that Meet the Artists Day is on Tuesday 10th April. Hope to see you there.
More details about Lydiard ... here

January meeting 2012

Wonderful meeting today, working on our own stitching and plannig the banners and sashes for the next Lydiard Exhibition.