Workshop with Melanie Kay

A really enjoyable workshop for members with Melanie Kay on 7th November- never knew what fun could be had with metals such as aluminium, brass, copper & foils + STITCH
                                   
                                   

21st Oct- Maria Tarn- 'Draw it, Make it'

Since completing her City and Guilds Qualification in Textiles, Design and Embroidery, Maria Tarn has worked and exhibited with the TX Group of artists in Frodsham for over 5 years. Initially her photographs/sketches of places she had visited are interpreted to form the basis of a range of canvas based textile work, using the sewing machine as a drawing tool.

Following some exhibitions, she was invited to lead workshops about art techniques at the Cheshire West Teachers' Conferences and to staff in a local nursery which have all been well received.

As a member of the Markmakers group, she works from The Hazlehurst Studios, based in the High Street of Runcorn Old Town. A lifetime passion for art and crafts inspired her to turn her hobby into a commercial activity.

Here are 'our pages ' of the Travelling Book which represents Chelford where we meet. These small squares show our interpretation of Chelford Market & will form part of the book which was the challenge issued by the NW Guild Chairman.

Last few days of the Quilt Art Exhibition ' Dialogues & Small Talk' at the Silk Museum Macclesfield.

Not quilts as we know them but inspiring textile art by a range of established European artists such as; Sandra Meech; Elizabeth Brimelow; Jette Clover ; Eszter Bornemisza et al.

Be quick it finishes 31/10/15 before going on tour through the UK & Europe. Entry £2
www.quiltart.eu

 

Some of you may want to submit- I was successful a few years ago!

Hand in days are 6/7 November

Exhibition 28 November 2015- 9 January 2016

16th Sept 2015- Isobel Hall 'Mixed Media & Stitch''

A full house for our new & exciting season, & we were thrilled to have Isobel & all her lovely objects. She imparted her wisdom on how to make 'scrimmy paper' & the importance of using the correct glue/ adhesive/ sealers ( which we found to our near cost, at the workshop the following day!). It's very hard to write a simple blog on the talk & all the techniques she mentioned, so have a look at the pictures from the night & look at her books, many of which our members bought.
We had a very busy day at the workshop following, although many of us were bemused by the ingredient list. The joy of textiles & mixed media!

What's On Update

Watch this space as we update the blog with the new exciting programme for 2015/16!!

We are organising a trip to the Knitting & Stitch Show at Harrogate

 on Saturday 28th November 2015

To book a space contact, please contact Sibylla on 01625 877907 or sibylla@sibylla.wanadoo.co.uk or at the next meeting

We offer the usual pick-up points:
Congleton (Bus Depot, Spragg Street)						08:00
Chelford (Bus Stop near Station)						08:15
Handforth Dean (Bus Stop, M&S/Tesco carpark)						08:30
We will be leaving Harrogate at 16:00, estimated arrival at first drop-off point (Handforth Dean) 18:00/18:30.
Price for coach trip and entrance ticket:						£ 25-00
Join us for the open evening of our first exhibition at the Castle Park Art Gallery, Frodsham on Friday 14th August 7-9pm. 'Beneath the Surface' An exhibition by FLOWN: artists - Jill Walker, Steph Estell-Knight and Judith Roberts  There will be the best of contemporary artwork on show ...embroidery, ceramics, drawings and print. Share a glass of wine with us, listen to live music by guitarist Neil Pybus and enjoy the good company... and if you can't make it on the night, the exhibition runs until the 21st September. Please share and pass on the word... best wishes, Jill Walker

15 July 2015 : Liz Cooksey: Hand & Machine Embroidery using a Metal Frame

Liz Cooksey was our final speaker of the 2014/15 season & one I had personally been waiting all year for. The evening did not disappoint. It all transpired following an art pop-up on a Facebook page & a few clicks later we couldn't believe Liz was so local to us ( small world!). Following her degree, Liz pursued a teaching career, but illness & a young family forced her to go part time, but she never lost her passion & is now creating more than ever. She gave us an insight into her inspiring artists eg Linda Miller, Janet Bolton, Alice Fox, Joseph Cornell. Her grid techniques initially using fence wire extend now to iron wire, to create form & the design flows from there incorporating papers, crochet & some stitch. All amazing & the evening ended with a real buzz.

17 June 2015 : Melanie Kay : Hand-stitching Unusual Items

A fascinating talk from North Manchester based Melanie who like nearly all our speakers this year developed their passion for stitch from grand parents. Having completed a design degree, Melanie  began to create a sketchbook using different surfaces to create a story. This work led to an interest in gender stereotypes & ultimately in metal & the humble beer can. One of her first objects was a fabulous lampshade called 'Love Affair' & then a series of stories in cans.

                                  

Member News

We always like to report on news/ success by our members, so pleased to report that Jill Brown has had her New York stitched photo/image printed in Cutting Edge Magazine run by Heart Educational Supplies, who also do the photo paper many of our members purchased following Jill's example.
She also receives £100 in vouchers, so I suspect that is more threads & paper for her to print her maps & photos on to. The Guild also got a mention on the front page too! 
See the full article/ copy the link:
www.heart-educational.co.uk/pdfs/Cutting_Edge_18_UK.pdf

20th May 2015- Shelley Rhodes- Concept to Completion

We have had a very big turnout for Shelley's talk where she described her work on worn surfaces by deconstructing the original surface with the inspiration of words around the specific subject. Once pieces are deconstructed the art is to re-construct whether it be fabric, photos, paper or wire, the fun are the bits that are left behind.
The following day a few of us enjoyed the workshop & you would be amazed by what texture & surfaces you could create with items like saws, chisels, sandpaper  et al

Techno Update:

We must be one of the most 'techno' branches in the UK, let alone NW region. We have just created a twitter page (www.twitter.com)  & we are called Chelford EG   or contact us @ChelfordEG

We also have a closed Facebook Group for members only, so if you would like to join ask Jill Brown at the next meeting to send you the link. 

Also don't forget we have a blog chelfordstitchers.blogspot.com, so there is now no excuse not knowing what is happening in our world or the wider textile world. Lots to explore & share.

What's on Update 

Suzette Smart, Textile Artist, came over & ran a Saturday workshop & she

has contacted us to say, she will be opening her studio along with other BorderlandVisual Artists on the weekends of 13th/14th & 20th/21st June.

www.suzettesmart.wordpress.com

There are free demonstrations, workshops (bookable/fee) and the opportunity to meet the artists in their own studios. The Group Exhibition is at The Willow Gallery, Oswestry, (coffee shop and some parking at rear)and artists studios are in and around Oswestry.

Maps, directions and further information can be found at www.BorderlandVisualArts.com

25th April 2015: North West Regional Day hosted by Chelford

Well what can we say, after 12 months of detailed planning & a few panics along the way, our day finally arrived ! Our display of members work looked stunning & envy of many branches; our morning speaker Carl Wilde had the audience in 'stitches' with his tales & Vivienne Westwood garments; & our local girl, Contemporary Embroideress Louise Gardiner wowed the audience with her work & inspiration. 
Congratulations to the competition winners, which included some of our very own members & a BIG thank you to the Committee, the other people who helped make the day run smoothly & of course all those who attended. We hope you enjoyed it too.
We can't possibly post all the pictures but here is a selection of Chelford Members work & that of the competition entries.

15th April 2015: Liliane Taylor; Textile Artist

We are very grateful to Liliane who stepped in to save the evening following a speaker cancellation. I am personally sorry to have missed it but the members have been raving about her work & how much they enjoyed the evening. The following is taken from her website, so log on & enjoy www.lilianetaylor.com
Following a career in fashion design, Liliane gained a first class honours degree at Manchester Metropolitan University. Since then she has worked constantly teaching, leading workshops and selling work at exhibitions and galleries. Her last major exhibition, was with Alice Kettle, Janet Bolton and Audrey Walker. Liliane's contemporary, expressive and often witty designs have been sold successfully in the UK, America, France and Germany.

Her work is varied and taken from her drawing either figurative or of the landscape. Though mainly known as a textile artist, Liliane produces work in mixed media, her watercolours and acrylics have been met with acclaim.

Liliane uses natural fabrics and threads, hand dyeing them herself to produce original and exciting work. She also uses a lot of vintage, recycled materials, lace and embroidery to enhance her work, but always produces a broad selection of thoughtful contemporary pieces.

18th March 2015: Lorna Knight: Couture Dress  Lingerie Designer
Lorna traveled up the road from Leek to join us. From early beginnings teaching Food & Textiles she developed a passion for lingerie & took a swimwear course at the V&A in London. Her work continued to expand & Lorna became very popular in the USA & even made a film on the iconic Channel Jacket & she showed us her skills in this regard.
She has also written for many magazines & also a number of books in her own name, but we were delighted to learn that she has created her personal Lorna Knight Sewing Academy in Leek, for adults & children, in a converted barn. I suspect a number of members will be heading to Leek for a day!!
www.lornaknight.com

18th February 2105: Gwyneth Deppart

 Born in Canada to Welsh parents,the first textiles which influenced Gwyneth (and still do to ) were transfers from the UK, sent over by relatives. She was allowed to use the 2nd pressings of a red skirt with an appliqued black poodle and the flour sacks she found on the farm. 

In her teenage years, the family moved back to Monmouthshire to run a farm and raise sheep. Her father bought himself a kiln and taught himself pottery and opened a small gallery for local artists. 

Gwyneth subsequently lived in many countries & was involved in various business activities, but her life changed when she saw an advert in the Lancashire Post regarding a 2 day course in contemporary embroidery techniques. This extended into a 2 year course, but she ultimately completed a BA (Hons)  course in Textiles at Preston College, where she had the opportunity to do diverse things such as ceramics and metalwork. 

On a visit to Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, she became fascinated by old samplers and interested in incorporating words into her embroideries. Gwyneth uses photoshop  extensively, enlarging, using details, repeating patterns etc. The prize money from a competition at the Textile Society, enabled her to buy a Thermofax printer. She is currently working on her MA in Arts and Health with the aim to improve the health and well-being of individuals with the use of art. 

She is also fascinated by the old mills of Lancashire and started to photograph them, unfortunately, a great number are being torn down. 

Chelford & North Cheshire Embroiderers’ Guild

Cordially invite you to the  

North West Regional Day 2015

On Saturday 25^th April at

The Hallmark Hotel, Stanley Road, Handforth, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 3LD

Guest Speakers

Louise Gardiner (with support from Madeira )
Contemporary modern embroiderer whose work is shown at the SAATCHI Gallery & who has worked with Kirsty Allsopp on TV. (www.lougardiner.co.uk)

Carl Wilde

Celebrity floral designer and avid collector of the Queen of British fashion

Vivienne Westwood

Preliminary Programme

9am: Registration & Refreshments. Time to shop, buy raffle tickets, try our free lucky dip & catch up with friends

10.15: Introduction, Roll Call & update on Guild matters

10.45: Carl Wilde talking ' Wearing Westwood'

12.15-2pm: Lunch over 2 sittings; View the competitions & vote for
                              'Something Old- Something New'

2.15: Louise Gardiner: Talk & Questions

3.30: Competition results & awards along with raffle 

4pm: Close & a cup of tea before heading safely home

Cost £25 per person including lunch & morning coffee

(See ticket application form details/ contact sibylla@sibylla.wanadoo.co.uk or                                                                                           01625 877907)

For those staying the weekend:

We have lots of other great facilities on our doorstep, e.g. Quarry Bank Mill,

Tatton Park and Lyme Park where they filmed the TV programme “The Village”

For shoppers:

John Lewis, Marks & Spencer & Lakeland Plastics are all within a 10 minute drive (or less)

21st January 2015 : Alison Yule ; 'Weaving a Life'

Alison provided us with a very detailed look at her life as a weaver & its commerciality. Having loved weaving from a very early stage, life's roads & turns meant she didn't return to her true passion until later in life, but it has proved a great success, listening to her many awards & selections for exhibitions. She described how the designed was created from pattern to fabric & although modern technology speeded up some processes the traditional loom ( or looms as Alison had more than 1) still had the ultimate role.

 

Member Action Required!! Take Note

The NW Regional Day on Saturday 25 April 2015 at The Hallmark Hotel in Handforth is fast approaching. Please don't forget to return your forms asap.


Visual Arts Cheshire Winter Open Exhibition @ Weaver Hall Museum CW9 8AB
17 Jan- 19 April 2015 ( ps: you see an odd artist you know!)

Very belated congratulations to Susan Morley & her amazing coat, which won an online design competition in the USA. Designed, engineered, stitched & forgotten about ( until it won), Susan proudly paraded her new coat. Apparently the prize not so glamourous- a batch of sewing CDs

Thanks to Angela & Jane for their advice & direction at the workshop on Saturday 17th January. There was an excellent turnout of about 22 stitchers for the making of coil bowls & structures ( lovingly nicknamed  'bombs'- see photos) created by hand or machine. 

 

19 November 2014: Ingrid Karlsson-Kemp-

 'Stitching stories in mixed Media'

We had a huge turnout for lovely visual artist Ingird Karlsson Kemp, who came over the hills from Buxton for the evening. She described to us her technique with the wonders of brusho, the joy of bright colours & stitch . She embraced a story as the inspiration for her work, which she gleaned from experiences & memories.

Ingrid is also an active member of Peak District Artisans, who will be displaying their work at Chatsworth House 7 Jan-mid March 2015- what a fabulous setting for art!