Next Meeting - 1st March

Just a reminder of Tuesday's meeting; in the morning, we shall have a talk - 'New from Old, Making Eco Garments' - by Suella Postles from West Bridgford branch of the EG.

In the afternoon, we hope to continue with learning new stitches, and the stitched books, which some members started way back when we were at Stitchcraft! I shall have some fabric with me, as well as our stash of threads, and Tina will also bring the fabrics that she has kindly been storing for us. Annette and Sue have some handouts for these, too, and I have copies of some that Tina put out a while ago.

We have a number of workshops lined up, and as soon as we have verified some dates, we shall let you have a new timetable.

Margaret Beattie, who did such lovely beading workshops during the first two meetings of the year, will be asking what members would like to do in the way of Free Machine Embroidery work, so that a workshop on those lines can be planned, with help from Annette.

I hope that we shall see more triangles for the 'Landscapes and Gardens' project, and Marian is bringing the 'tree', so that we can try out a few hangings; we hope to complete this in the next few weeks in order to be able to take it to the Melton Mowbray Carnegie Museum for the first showing of the local exhibitions on this subject! That display, which includes several more of the East Midlands Region branches, runs from 5th April to 25th June. I have copies of the entry form for this exhibition, so if anyone feels that they could do an individual piece for Melton, the form lists the hanging criteria also. More information on that at the meeting.

We are still working on how we exhibit in the Stables at Belton House, but Boston branch are keen to join us, and I think we may have Stamford branch on board, as well. This exhibition will be during July and August, so our group piece will be on display there, and then we shall take it to Grantham Museum in September for the rest of the year. More information about Belton later, but the timing does include the National Celebration of Stitch Day, which is on August 6th.

Vicki is again organising a coach from Stamford to the Regional meeting in West Bridgford on Sunday 15th May, so please let us know if you are interested in going; hopefully, we might again have some entries for the regional competition 'All Creatures Great and Small', and perhaps also for Kickstart, the title being 'Windows on the Weather' - some of you may have done workshops as a starter for this in the Autumn of last year.

A lot of information here, and lots to think about.

Do bring any donations of raffle prizes you may have tucked away - textile related, if possible.

And, do please bring any 'show and tell' items, which I know members love to see, and don't forget the Travelling Books.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.

Kate Pike.