Spring Goddess.

The adults involved with our YE group all had to make a 'doll' for yesterdays meeting.  After lots of searching on the Internet and going through my books, and finding that all the patterns would take far too long for the girls to finish in a session .  I needed to find something that was quick and suitable for a wide range of ages
In the end I decided to re-use a pattern that I have had several years, used a zingy green felt and embellished it with pastel coloured sequins so that she could represent Spring.  Blanket stitched round washers and did theedges a'la Kemshall. Just need to find somewhere to hang her.

l.

Tomorrow.

I have got Y.E. tomorrow. I always enjoy the meetings and the girls are so keen.  I shall be taking lots of photos through out the day, some for the article I will write for our Branch newsletter and some for Regional Day.  

Cottenham

Nickie and I were in Cottenham today for the Embroiderers' Guild Regional A.G.M.  Anthea Godfrey came and told us about her work to increase the profile of our Guild.  We shall be able to see this for ourselves when it is unveiled at K&S on Thursday.
After the A.G.M., we had a slide show presentation by Sarah Brownie, daughter of Valerie Campbell-Harding.  It was all about how to use Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.  She talked us through photo manipulation and demonstrating on her lap top, a lot of us wanted to join the CDTG there and then.

Our Regional Chairman had set  challenge for Guild and Y.E members.  The tittle was 'Simply Gardens'.  Our Y.E.'s made their gardens yesterday with paint, fabric, stitch and embellishments.  Our Y.E's were the only group to enter the challenge, so we came home with all three prizes ( one prize for each age group).  These 'gardens' were made in just over 3 hours.  The tree in the bottom row, centre, was made by a young lady who had to leave early, she was frantically trying to make and stitch more apples on her tree before she left, but ran out of time.

For those of you who don't know, Y.E., is the children's version of Embroiderers' Guild.  Our Branch gives them 6 workshops a year.

A rare happening.

The other week, our YE had some sewing equipment and books donated to them. For once, Kezzy wanted to get messy in my room with me, so she made the 'thank you' card for me to send to our benefactor.

Finito!

A lovely morning at Diane's looking at textile books and drinking coffee. ;0) We were supposed to be planning the workshop for the first meeting of YE next term.
The last photo of Queen Bess as she is now finished.
Her feet have been coloured with acrylic paints, and her toes painted with a permanent ink drawing pen. Shoes made from forming felt and the same lace as her ruff.
Back to beading my wall hanging.

Kantha purses

This wonderful array of Kantha items all made by Libby, was set out ready to show the girls what they were going to learn today.

Libby and I had prepared the 8" squares for the girls so all they had to do was start stitching the motif, a Chakra. They then embellished them with shisha mirrors, more stitching and shiny bits. Nearly all the girls went home with their purse finished.

As well as making their purse, three girls bought back their chicken stitching from the last meeting and turned it into a cushion.

When I left home this morning this Tree Peony flower was a tight bud, when it is fully open it is the size of a dinner plate!

T.G.I.F!

Tomorrow I am at Y.E, they are going to be learning Kantha with Libby. As we have a large group, I have spent this evening cutting squares and drawing on the pattern for half the girls, Libby will do the other half. The squares, once they are Kantha'd, are going to be turned into purses. I hope to have photo's of their work to show tomorrow night.
One of the teachers at work liked my sunset painting and has asked me to do one for her, so I hope to do that on Sunday. Another busy weekend! :0)

Janet Bolton inspired workshop

The workshop on Saturday was inspired by Janet Boltons work. Hearts and Lovebirds for February, so it could only be chickens or rabbits for March. Libby who ran the workshop, bought her work along to inspire the girls, they gathered their fabrics and they got their heads down and stitched- NO bondaweb used.

After lunch the girls started adding their own individual touches

I loved this one-it reminded me of the film 'Chicken Run'.

A little bit more stitching at home to complete these works of art- at our next session if the girls bring their pieces back they will be made into cushions.

Chelmsford Young Embroiderers'

Lurve was in the air today as our YE's were busy stitching love birds and hearts for Valentines Day. Libby had made some samples to inspire them and using recycled damask tablecloths bought back from Denmark by one of our Guild members with stitch and buttons to embellish, the girls produced some wonderful work.

We had three new girls start today, which means that for the moment we are now full.

Ignoring the dust

The sun shinning made me decide that the dust could carry on protecting my furniture for a few more days. Instead I spent a large amount of today tidying up my very neglected garden. Alan spent the day playing 'Ed the Shed', fitting lots of shelves and cupboards for the many things that he just has to keep for 'just in case'. I shouldn't complain really, because the 'just in case' have at times, proved to be very useful.

I have been suffering with-drawl symptoms not having any stitching to do since finishing my wall hanging. So late this afternoon, I cut up some 'fabric' I had made on the embellisher last week and hadn't done anything with due to the funeral, visits to Court and hospital. I decided to make some fabric cuffs and even Kezzy decided to do some stitching with me. What a lovely Sunday afternoon! I am helping out at my Guilds Y.E. on Saturday and she has said that she wants to come along to that too!

Back to work tomorrow, GROAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!