Saturday, April 17, 2004
Collywobbles!
Well, I survived my first experience of teaching an embroidery class in this country, but I'm seriously beginning to wonder about embroiderers!
Teaching's nothing to be nervous about I know, I've done it often enough, but everybody seems to be SO hung up on City & Guilds here and I have no embroidery qualifications, just experience.
So off I set this morning, at some ungodly hour, and because I was petrified I'd miss the bus, I left slightly earlier than I needed to! However, it was the beginnings of a beautiful day and it was rather pleasant sitting in the fresh air with no world going by. Bus was on time (predictably, if I'd left home late, it'd've been early) and the closer I got to the University, the more I didn't want to be doing this. Collywobbles and cold sweats etc!
As it turned out, it was just like back in SA. The usual mix of talents, with some people flying along and others plodding. We had a great time, with a lot of banter bouncing around. I coped fine, and most people even got to finish their strawberries! (I'd worked out how long it took to make one, but as someone pointed out earlier, it's how long *I* take to make one!)
The talk this afternoon was entitled "The Elegance of Sri Lanka". One of our members is originally from there (been here 29 years) and while the main focus of the afternoon was on Saris and how differently they can be worn for various occasions, from casual to formal, she also gave us a general picture of life as it is lived there.
Most of the saris were stupendous! My tastes however, tend to the more traditional and while some of the 'modern' patterns were very striking, they didn't really appeal to me. The jewellery that accompanied them was equally as stunning. Apparently a girls parents start her 'bottom drawer' at 13 by buying her pieces of jewellery that will eventually be worn with her saris. It's all 22ct gold and often set with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, moonstones etc, because of course, Sri Lanka is rich in gems.
She also demonstrated different styles of wearing the sari, and it's amazing that over a wide range of shapes and sometimes lavish sizes, they are still very flattering. She even showed us that if you have the right curves, they can be downright sexy! Climax of the afternoon was a traditional bride done out in all her regalia. Breathtaking!
During the talk we were aware that the wind had come up, but couldn't really tell if it was raining or not. (Too many fascinating things to look at!) By the time we got out, it WAS pouring with rain, positively Baltic and you'd've been forgiven for thinking it was the middle of winter! And there I was, thinking Spring had REALLY come!
Moo
Teaching's nothing to be nervous about I know, I've done it often enough, but everybody seems to be SO hung up on City & Guilds here and I have no embroidery qualifications, just experience.
So off I set this morning, at some ungodly hour, and because I was petrified I'd miss the bus, I left slightly earlier than I needed to! However, it was the beginnings of a beautiful day and it was rather pleasant sitting in the fresh air with no world going by. Bus was on time (predictably, if I'd left home late, it'd've been early) and the closer I got to the University, the more I didn't want to be doing this. Collywobbles and cold sweats etc!
As it turned out, it was just like back in SA. The usual mix of talents, with some people flying along and others plodding. We had a great time, with a lot of banter bouncing around. I coped fine, and most people even got to finish their strawberries! (I'd worked out how long it took to make one, but as someone pointed out earlier, it's how long *I* take to make one!)
The talk this afternoon was entitled "The Elegance of Sri Lanka". One of our members is originally from there (been here 29 years) and while the main focus of the afternoon was on Saris and how differently they can be worn for various occasions, from casual to formal, she also gave us a general picture of life as it is lived there.
Most of the saris were stupendous! My tastes however, tend to the more traditional and while some of the 'modern' patterns were very striking, they didn't really appeal to me. The jewellery that accompanied them was equally as stunning. Apparently a girls parents start her 'bottom drawer' at 13 by buying her pieces of jewellery that will eventually be worn with her saris. It's all 22ct gold and often set with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, moonstones etc, because of course, Sri Lanka is rich in gems.
She also demonstrated different styles of wearing the sari, and it's amazing that over a wide range of shapes and sometimes lavish sizes, they are still very flattering. She even showed us that if you have the right curves, they can be downright sexy! Climax of the afternoon was a traditional bride done out in all her regalia. Breathtaking!
During the talk we were aware that the wind had come up, but couldn't really tell if it was raining or not. (Too many fascinating things to look at!) By the time we got out, it WAS pouring with rain, positively Baltic and you'd've been forgiven for thinking it was the middle of winter! And there I was, thinking Spring had REALLY come!
Moo
Monday, April 12, 2004
Fish!
The original 'fish' picture was done while I was still in SA and new to Raised embroidery and Stumpwork, so it's more raised embroidery than anything else. A teacher friend had done one similar, using fancy stitches to fill in the fish, but I prefered to be true to life. While doing it, I had some bright ideas on things I could do, so this is why I did a second one.
The backgrounds (seahorse too) are silk paints sloshed around and then liberally sprinkled with salt to create patterns.
I've used a wide variety of threads and wools to achieve the effects I wanted, as well as different stitches. Some of the shells I collected myself off our local beach and others were given to me by a dear old friend, who I think of everytime I see the shells. The rocks are semi-precious stone pendants sewn and stuck (for extra security) to the fabric.
By the time I did the second one, I had learnt a lot more about stumpwork and so employed those techniques. All the fish bodies are padded, unless they are near the back, as that gave the illusion of depth. I did all the pectoral fins with flower thread round them instead of wire, as this was easier to shape as they were so small, it meant they still stick out and I padded the reefs with felt to raise them. The turtles shell was done as a slip and then stitched over felt and the flippers etc were embroidered direct onto the fabric.
The clownfish was wired and cut out to sit in a drizzle stitch bed of anemones. Again I used different threads and wools to achieve the effect I wanted.
The spines running down the back of the lionfish are perle thread stiffened with glue, then I used orange floss wound round that to form the stripes. The pufferfish is padded with layers of felt and the spines are floss stiffened with glue.
The large flat coral was flystich stitched in floss on gauze. I then painted it with PVA glue as it dries clear, then cut it out, so it stands clear of the fabric.
I think I've said before that I have a large collection of threads, with some collected on my travels and some from friends round the world. It's impossible for me to now say exactly what was used in these embroideries.
Moo
The backgrounds (seahorse too) are silk paints sloshed around and then liberally sprinkled with salt to create patterns.
I've used a wide variety of threads and wools to achieve the effects I wanted, as well as different stitches. Some of the shells I collected myself off our local beach and others were given to me by a dear old friend, who I think of everytime I see the shells. The rocks are semi-precious stone pendants sewn and stuck (for extra security) to the fabric.
By the time I did the second one, I had learnt a lot more about stumpwork and so employed those techniques. All the fish bodies are padded, unless they are near the back, as that gave the illusion of depth. I did all the pectoral fins with flower thread round them instead of wire, as this was easier to shape as they were so small, it meant they still stick out and I padded the reefs with felt to raise them. The turtles shell was done as a slip and then stitched over felt and the flippers etc were embroidered direct onto the fabric.
The clownfish was wired and cut out to sit in a drizzle stitch bed of anemones. Again I used different threads and wools to achieve the effect I wanted.
The spines running down the back of the lionfish are perle thread stiffened with glue, then I used orange floss wound round that to form the stripes. The pufferfish is padded with layers of felt and the spines are floss stiffened with glue.
The large flat coral was flystich stitched in floss on gauze. I then painted it with PVA glue as it dries clear, then cut it out, so it stands clear of the fabric.
I think I've said before that I have a large collection of threads, with some collected on my travels and some from friends round the world. It's impossible for me to now say exactly what was used in these embroideries.
Moo
Sunday, April 11, 2004
HDing!
I've finally managed to solve my ongoing saga of camera/computer! I still can't get the *^&$* thing to work, but it works on my 'b-i-ls' computer, so he saved everything onto a disc for me.
At last, here is a picture of the completed seahorse.
Here also are some photos from the exhibition. The first is a selection of some of the exhibits, with my fish at the bottom. I'll post a close-up of that at a later date.
The second is the three different seahorses.
The last one is The Twelve Days of Christmas which was done as a group project. I didn't volunteer to do any of the crossstitch, as twelve christmases would probably have gone past before I finished it! :o)
I did however, handstitch (my sewing machine had a hissy fit after the first one and would only stitch zigzag) some of the surrounds to the squares, before the then chairlady put it all together. It has now been donated to CHAS (Childrens Hospice Association Scotland) to hang in their new building.
Moo
At last, here is a picture of the completed seahorse.
Here also are some photos from the exhibition. The first is a selection of some of the exhibits, with my fish at the bottom. I'll post a close-up of that at a later date.
The second is the three different seahorses.
The last one is The Twelve Days of Christmas which was done as a group project. I didn't volunteer to do any of the crossstitch, as twelve christmases would probably have gone past before I finished it! :o)
I did however, handstitch (my sewing machine had a hissy fit after the first one and would only stitch zigzag) some of the surrounds to the squares, before the then chairlady put it all together. It has now been donated to CHAS (Childrens Hospice Association Scotland) to hang in their new building.
Moo
Thursday, April 08, 2004
50 more things about me
These are things that I've thought up, or were sparked off by other lists I've since found.
1. I am intelligent. I have an high IQ.
2. I am on anti-depressants.
3. Cape Town is my 'home' in my heart, although I'll never live there again.
4. I have a body piercing and would like a tattoo.
5. My eldest daughter worked as a nursing sister in the hospital where I was born.
6. I gave up smoking 5 years ago and started again two weeks ago.
7. I used to be very cynical and hard-boiled, now I cry very easily.
8. I get very irritated that the majority of people equate obesity with stupidity.
9. I have reread a lot of childrens books as an adult and thoroughly enjoy Harry Potter.
10. I was a Brownie, Guide, Sea Ranger, Assistant Guider and a Brown Owl.
11. When I got married I could cook a three course meal on a fire, but burnt most things on the stove.
12. I love camping and hiking but can no longer do either.
13. I hate housework.
14. I have lived in a part of the world where I could clearly see the stars.
15. I would like to learn the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere, I was thrilled to find Orion is in both. I still find it odd after 2 years to look up at the stars and not recognize them.
16. As a child I was always tall and thin, now I'm short and fat.
17. I can speak three languages and understand 2 more.
18. I have walked part of the Inca trail and climbed Wayna Picchu.
19. I have hazel eyes and brown hair.
20. I had more in common with my dad, than I do with my mother.
21. Most of the clothes in my wardrobe are blue and white.
22. I now lack self confidence. I know I'm talented but feel awkward extolling my own virtues.
23. I love to play Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit. I also love doing crosswords.
24. I love church music but don't like organized religion.
25. When I was young I planned to travel and see the world.
26. I prefer savouries over sweets.
27. My favourite flower is the violet.
28. I like order and tidiness.
29. I hate picking up after other people.
30. I practice Reiki.
31. I believe in fairies.
32. I have two holes pierced in my ears.
33. I can only wear gold or silver, costume jewellery makes my ears hurt.
34. I am allergic to Flagyl.
35. I have rubbed shoulders with and entertained parliamentary ministers, ambassadors etc.
36. I hate pink.
37. I've always wanted to go to Austria.
38. I've always wanted to play a musical instrument.
39. I love Pre-history and am 'energized' by places like Stonehenge.
40. I almost stood on a Cape Cobra when I was young.
41. I won't kill spiders.
42. I don't like perfumes that are too flowery. I mostly wear mens aftershave.
43. I love flowers and planting things. I hate weeding.
44. I am a Sagitarrian and was born in the year of the Snake. I am very typical of both signs.
45. Geography is my best subject, but I have a good general knowledge.
46. I like vegetables but not enough to give up meat.
47. I can make a dress from a drawing or picture.
48. I like a challenge, I get bored easily.
49. I am very loyal.
50. I know when I meet someone whether I like them or not. I have only been wrong once.
Moo
1. I am intelligent. I have an high IQ.
2. I am on anti-depressants.
3. Cape Town is my 'home' in my heart, although I'll never live there again.
4. I have a body piercing and would like a tattoo.
5. My eldest daughter worked as a nursing sister in the hospital where I was born.
6. I gave up smoking 5 years ago and started again two weeks ago.
7. I used to be very cynical and hard-boiled, now I cry very easily.
8. I get very irritated that the majority of people equate obesity with stupidity.
9. I have reread a lot of childrens books as an adult and thoroughly enjoy Harry Potter.
10. I was a Brownie, Guide, Sea Ranger, Assistant Guider and a Brown Owl.
11. When I got married I could cook a three course meal on a fire, but burnt most things on the stove.
12. I love camping and hiking but can no longer do either.
13. I hate housework.
14. I have lived in a part of the world where I could clearly see the stars.
15. I would like to learn the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere, I was thrilled to find Orion is in both. I still find it odd after 2 years to look up at the stars and not recognize them.
16. As a child I was always tall and thin, now I'm short and fat.
17. I can speak three languages and understand 2 more.
18. I have walked part of the Inca trail and climbed Wayna Picchu.
19. I have hazel eyes and brown hair.
20. I had more in common with my dad, than I do with my mother.
21. Most of the clothes in my wardrobe are blue and white.
22. I now lack self confidence. I know I'm talented but feel awkward extolling my own virtues.
23. I love to play Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit. I also love doing crosswords.
24. I love church music but don't like organized religion.
25. When I was young I planned to travel and see the world.
26. I prefer savouries over sweets.
27. My favourite flower is the violet.
28. I like order and tidiness.
29. I hate picking up after other people.
30. I practice Reiki.
31. I believe in fairies.
32. I have two holes pierced in my ears.
33. I can only wear gold or silver, costume jewellery makes my ears hurt.
34. I am allergic to Flagyl.
35. I have rubbed shoulders with and entertained parliamentary ministers, ambassadors etc.
36. I hate pink.
37. I've always wanted to go to Austria.
38. I've always wanted to play a musical instrument.
39. I love Pre-history and am 'energized' by places like Stonehenge.
40. I almost stood on a Cape Cobra when I was young.
41. I won't kill spiders.
42. I don't like perfumes that are too flowery. I mostly wear mens aftershave.
43. I love flowers and planting things. I hate weeding.
44. I am a Sagitarrian and was born in the year of the Snake. I am very typical of both signs.
45. Geography is my best subject, but I have a good general knowledge.
46. I like vegetables but not enough to give up meat.
47. I can make a dress from a drawing or picture.
48. I like a challenge, I get bored easily.
49. I am very loyal.
50. I know when I meet someone whether I like them or not. I have only been wrong once.
Moo
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
50 things about me
I've not come across this on other lists, but got the idea from my s-i-l Janines (Through the Gates) blog. I'm unashamedly using her list to do my own .... we used to get muddled up by the little old ladies at the church we both attended in SA, (they thought we were sisters) and while we are alike we are also very different. The other reason is because I can't think of anything else to write, my brain's turned to mush and it's easier, although I have changed some! :o)
1. I weighed 5lbs at birth, was long and skinny and had an egg on my head from the forceps!
2. I went to 4 different schools on 2 continents.
3. I like chocolate a lot too!
4. I can't name a favourite book, there are too many.
5. I like roasts with all the trimmings.
6. I have one cat - Bonkers. I don't really like dogs.
7. I was taught to make bobbin-lace by a woman whose hands were almost crippled by arthritis.
8. I always try to tell the truth.
9. I learnt to drive when I was 21. I love driving and really miss it now.
10. I'm very VERY cuddly. (DBs opinion!) I wish I was still long and skinny.
11. I've never been interested in fashion although fashion has come round to make me fashionable a few times! I also don't understand the obsession with labels.
12. I rarely wear make-up.
13. I had long hair as a teenager, it's now long again but I always wear it up.
14. I met DB on the Internet.
15. My favourite film is Braveheart.
16. I don't get on well with technology. I still turn to a book to look things up!
17. I am borderline agoraphobic. I don't do crowds!
18. I enjoyed exercise but am too lazy to do it now.
19. I read tons less than I used to. I like mysteries, whodunnits, historical and fantasy novels. I hate science fiction.
20. I enjoy the occasional tipple. I don't understand the popular reasoning that you have to be drunk to enjoy yourself.
21. I hate shopping, but do enjoy scooting around Asda on the motorized shopper.
22. I lost my first child when he was 6 months old.
23. I was a seamstress, then a tour guide.
24. As a child I had to be tucked in tight, now if I have to sleep in a bed with blankets, they have to be untucked and my foot always sticks out.
25. Most of my bedding is blue.
26. More people say "You're not Scottish" than identify my accent.
27. I hate tea. I do drink 'Rooibos tea', an herbal tea from South Africa.
28. I like to spend time alone - especially now. I really like peace and quiet.
29. I have the qualifications to practice as a Spanish-speaking tour guide in the Western Cape.
30. I have lived in 18 houses on 3 continents.
31. I still abandon things when I see that they're going to work out, or I've mastered the technique. I now mostly finish what I start.
32. I miss the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks and the whale calls.
33. I have to be in the mood to cook. I hate 'every day' cooking.
34. I believe a life sentence should be a life sentence too.
35. I've never tried 'recreational' drugs.
36. I don't like bright wall colours either.
37. I enjoy watching cricket, rugby and football live and on TV. I hate tennis.
38. My favourite colour is blue.
39. I never buy pizza, always make it myself.
40. I'm fey. I have 'feelings' and have predicted things before they happen.
41. I'm about equal on UFOs and finished projects.
42. I like Marmite too.
43. I don't mind what car I drive, but still miss my Mini.
44. I'm not really scared of anything.
45. I do watch soaps, but it doesn't bother me to miss them if there's something better on.
46. I personally wouldn't bother with Christmas decorations.
47. I have 3 white hairs.
48. Things are not important to me. I have restarted with next to nothing and it only mattered that the family were all safe.
49. I haven't spoken to my mother for 5 months.
50. I always go with the flow. I no longer make long term plans. Shit does happen!
Moo
1. I weighed 5lbs at birth, was long and skinny and had an egg on my head from the forceps!
2. I went to 4 different schools on 2 continents.
3. I like chocolate a lot too!
4. I can't name a favourite book, there are too many.
5. I like roasts with all the trimmings.
6. I have one cat - Bonkers. I don't really like dogs.
7. I was taught to make bobbin-lace by a woman whose hands were almost crippled by arthritis.
8. I always try to tell the truth.
9. I learnt to drive when I was 21. I love driving and really miss it now.
10. I'm very VERY cuddly. (DBs opinion!) I wish I was still long and skinny.
11. I've never been interested in fashion although fashion has come round to make me fashionable a few times! I also don't understand the obsession with labels.
12. I rarely wear make-up.
13. I had long hair as a teenager, it's now long again but I always wear it up.
14. I met DB on the Internet.
15. My favourite film is Braveheart.
16. I don't get on well with technology. I still turn to a book to look things up!
17. I am borderline agoraphobic. I don't do crowds!
18. I enjoyed exercise but am too lazy to do it now.
19. I read tons less than I used to. I like mysteries, whodunnits, historical and fantasy novels. I hate science fiction.
20. I enjoy the occasional tipple. I don't understand the popular reasoning that you have to be drunk to enjoy yourself.
21. I hate shopping, but do enjoy scooting around Asda on the motorized shopper.
22. I lost my first child when he was 6 months old.
23. I was a seamstress, then a tour guide.
24. As a child I had to be tucked in tight, now if I have to sleep in a bed with blankets, they have to be untucked and my foot always sticks out.
25. Most of my bedding is blue.
26. More people say "You're not Scottish" than identify my accent.
27. I hate tea. I do drink 'Rooibos tea', an herbal tea from South Africa.
28. I like to spend time alone - especially now. I really like peace and quiet.
29. I have the qualifications to practice as a Spanish-speaking tour guide in the Western Cape.
30. I have lived in 18 houses on 3 continents.
31. I still abandon things when I see that they're going to work out, or I've mastered the technique. I now mostly finish what I start.
32. I miss the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks and the whale calls.
33. I have to be in the mood to cook. I hate 'every day' cooking.
34. I believe a life sentence should be a life sentence too.
35. I've never tried 'recreational' drugs.
36. I don't like bright wall colours either.
37. I enjoy watching cricket, rugby and football live and on TV. I hate tennis.
38. My favourite colour is blue.
39. I never buy pizza, always make it myself.
40. I'm fey. I have 'feelings' and have predicted things before they happen.
41. I'm about equal on UFOs and finished projects.
42. I like Marmite too.
43. I don't mind what car I drive, but still miss my Mini.
44. I'm not really scared of anything.
45. I do watch soaps, but it doesn't bother me to miss them if there's something better on.
46. I personally wouldn't bother with Christmas decorations.
47. I have 3 white hairs.
48. Things are not important to me. I have restarted with next to nothing and it only mattered that the family were all safe.
49. I haven't spoken to my mother for 5 months.
50. I always go with the flow. I no longer make long term plans. Shit does happen!
Moo
Saturday, April 03, 2004
The AGM weekend.
Last night was interesting. I did my bit, circulating and talking to strangers. However, in a room full of over 200 ladies, I managed to get to talk to mainly Scottish women, albeit mostly from other branches, although 2 of them were from my own branch! Proves we're friendlier up here? (vwg) ;o)
The banqueting Hall in the Civic Chambers here in Glasgow is simply stunning! Loads of murals, gold leaf and some stunning patterns on the ceilings that would lend themselves to goldwork! We were told that it was where Nelson Mandela was given the Freedom of the City of Glasgow, but as a cynical South African "that don't impress me much!"
One of the ladies I spoke to said that there are other rooms that are even more beautiful, so I will have to go on one of the guided tours they offer (didn't know about them till last night either!) I'd like to know some of the history of the building and the significance of the murals etc.
We didn't get the Lord Provost, only the Deputy, who made a brief speech and then disappeared.
The Riches of Stitches preview at the Collins Gallery was discombobulating! What had been a well-behaved gathering of ladies in the banqueting hall, turned into a bunch of sharp elbowed harpies in the confines of the gallery! I injured my knee last year and have to walk with a stick, as it has a tendency to give in and leave me sitting on the floor. I'm not looking for any kind of special treatment, but some common courtesy would be nice. I had my stick kicked out of my hand by some impatient person trying to get past, (even though there was nowhere to go) with not a sorry or excuse me to be heard, just an impatient tut. Then there was the woman who decided that right in front of an exhibit was just the place to have a reunion and talk about what 'Johnnys been up to' totally blocking off any progress past her! I made it from the front door, across the short side of the gallery before my agoraphobia kicked in. I don't 'do' crowds. I started to 'meltdown' and so turned on my heels and fled back out into the fresh air! I'll go again sometime before it closes (I think I've actually volunteered to steward) when it's not wall to wall 'ladies'!
I struck it lucky when I got outside though, the coach which had brought us 'old crocks' up was about to depart, so I cadged a lift down into the town. On the way, it turned out he was going past my home to get to the depot, so he told me to stay put and I got chauffer driven home in a 49 seater luxury coach!
I missed the AGM itself this morning, I just couldn't get going and so missed the bus. I don't honestly think I really missed much. When I did arrive, most people seemed to be having lunch, so I went straight up to see the traders, while it was quiet! Turned out to be only two, a bead lady and Mulberry Silks were there and it was nice to actually see what I'd only heard about before. We really aren't well supplied with unusual embroidery stuff up here in Glasgow. I spent a lovely time browsing and could have spent a small fortune on really yummy stuff 'just to have', but contented myself with what I could actually see myself using. I got some reels of fine and medium weight silk threads in 'peacocky' colours, as I have a peacock I want to do.
I've also seen articles about embroidering on silk paper, but all that is available here is stiff like normal paper and didn't seem feasible, well to me as a hand embroiderer anyway, I suppose with machine embroidery it wouldn't matter! I found some lovely soft silk paper, that I could visualize using, so I got six sheets of that . . . . after all, I don't know when I'll ever be able to get any more do I? :o)
Last but not least and just because it was so gorgeous, I got a packet of silk ends. It's all sorts of thicknesses and variegated in colour and I have no plan for it but I just couldn't resist it!
As I'd come in, I'd noticed the Guild bookshop, so I went back down to have a look. The 'Beetle' book was there and while worth every penny, I really couldn't justify spending that much on it. It wasn't any cheaper than my local bookshop and so I decided that it could wait for a while longer! An Easter present perhaps for your Mum, girls?? :o)
Outside the lecture hall was an small exhibition of work by members of the Young Embroiderers Guild. There are some very talented youngesters out there, which is good news in an age where 'instant gratification' seems to be the norm. There were also the prizewinning entries from recent Guild competitions and all were truly magnificent examples, it must have been really difficult to judge!
The lecture was remarkable. It had everything, humour, information, slides and the speaker has a very good voice. (So often it's an interesting subject, but the tone of voice puts you into a stupor!) It was mainly about Bess of Hardwick, simply because her and her fourth husband were the 'jailers' of Mary Queen of Scots. They both produced prodigious amounts of embroidery while she stayed with them in Sheffield (Mary visited Chatsworth for a month every summer) and it was interesting to see that patterns that were used in embroidery had also been carried into the friezes and plasterwork in the room decorations. Having once driven past Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall, I'd love to go back and actually see some of it.
Moo
The banqueting Hall in the Civic Chambers here in Glasgow is simply stunning! Loads of murals, gold leaf and some stunning patterns on the ceilings that would lend themselves to goldwork! We were told that it was where Nelson Mandela was given the Freedom of the City of Glasgow, but as a cynical South African "that don't impress me much!"
One of the ladies I spoke to said that there are other rooms that are even more beautiful, so I will have to go on one of the guided tours they offer (didn't know about them till last night either!) I'd like to know some of the history of the building and the significance of the murals etc.
We didn't get the Lord Provost, only the Deputy, who made a brief speech and then disappeared.
The Riches of Stitches preview at the Collins Gallery was discombobulating! What had been a well-behaved gathering of ladies in the banqueting hall, turned into a bunch of sharp elbowed harpies in the confines of the gallery! I injured my knee last year and have to walk with a stick, as it has a tendency to give in and leave me sitting on the floor. I'm not looking for any kind of special treatment, but some common courtesy would be nice. I had my stick kicked out of my hand by some impatient person trying to get past, (even though there was nowhere to go) with not a sorry or excuse me to be heard, just an impatient tut. Then there was the woman who decided that right in front of an exhibit was just the place to have a reunion and talk about what 'Johnnys been up to' totally blocking off any progress past her! I made it from the front door, across the short side of the gallery before my agoraphobia kicked in. I don't 'do' crowds. I started to 'meltdown' and so turned on my heels and fled back out into the fresh air! I'll go again sometime before it closes (I think I've actually volunteered to steward) when it's not wall to wall 'ladies'!
I struck it lucky when I got outside though, the coach which had brought us 'old crocks' up was about to depart, so I cadged a lift down into the town. On the way, it turned out he was going past my home to get to the depot, so he told me to stay put and I got chauffer driven home in a 49 seater luxury coach!
I missed the AGM itself this morning, I just couldn't get going and so missed the bus. I don't honestly think I really missed much. When I did arrive, most people seemed to be having lunch, so I went straight up to see the traders, while it was quiet! Turned out to be only two, a bead lady and Mulberry Silks were there and it was nice to actually see what I'd only heard about before. We really aren't well supplied with unusual embroidery stuff up here in Glasgow. I spent a lovely time browsing and could have spent a small fortune on really yummy stuff 'just to have', but contented myself with what I could actually see myself using. I got some reels of fine and medium weight silk threads in 'peacocky' colours, as I have a peacock I want to do.
I've also seen articles about embroidering on silk paper, but all that is available here is stiff like normal paper and didn't seem feasible, well to me as a hand embroiderer anyway, I suppose with machine embroidery it wouldn't matter! I found some lovely soft silk paper, that I could visualize using, so I got six sheets of that . . . . after all, I don't know when I'll ever be able to get any more do I? :o)
Last but not least and just because it was so gorgeous, I got a packet of silk ends. It's all sorts of thicknesses and variegated in colour and I have no plan for it but I just couldn't resist it!
As I'd come in, I'd noticed the Guild bookshop, so I went back down to have a look. The 'Beetle' book was there and while worth every penny, I really couldn't justify spending that much on it. It wasn't any cheaper than my local bookshop and so I decided that it could wait for a while longer! An Easter present perhaps for your Mum, girls?? :o)
Outside the lecture hall was an small exhibition of work by members of the Young Embroiderers Guild. There are some very talented youngesters out there, which is good news in an age where 'instant gratification' seems to be the norm. There were also the prizewinning entries from recent Guild competitions and all were truly magnificent examples, it must have been really difficult to judge!
The lecture was remarkable. It had everything, humour, information, slides and the speaker has a very good voice. (So often it's an interesting subject, but the tone of voice puts you into a stupor!) It was mainly about Bess of Hardwick, simply because her and her fourth husband were the 'jailers' of Mary Queen of Scots. They both produced prodigious amounts of embroidery while she stayed with them in Sheffield (Mary visited Chatsworth for a month every summer) and it was interesting to see that patterns that were used in embroidery had also been carried into the friezes and plasterwork in the room decorations. Having once driven past Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall, I'd love to go back and actually see some of it.
Moo
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Getting old ..............
Ugh, my age is catching up with me, I spend one week being fairly busy and I'm wiped out completely for the next! All I want to do is sleep and an extremely bad bout of hayfever/sinusitis over the last two days hasn't helped at all.
The exhibition went very well. The ladies brought their articles in to the meeting on the Monday afternoon and then Tuesday us, the committee, (with help from a couple of DBs and a DS) hung and arranged it all. Because our name is Scottish Handcraft Circle, there was a wide variety of arts represented, although it was predominantly needlework, most of which was crossstitch.
We were each allowed five large objects (that our names would be on) and unlimited little things that would be dotted around to fill up spaces. I took in my two 'fish' embroideries. One is tropical fish swimming amongst seaweeds, with shells etc stuck in and the other was done a bit later, when I'd learnt more about stumpwork and so padded the fish bodies, made separate pectoral fins, so they stand out, stiffened thread to make spines (I'm particularily proud of my lionfish and pufferfish) and even made a clownfish slip, so he could nestle in amongst the sea anemones. Needless to say, I much prefer the second one!
My seahorse, cyclamen and a bowl of stumpwork fruit made up my five exhibits. I also took in a couple of bobbin lace doilies I'd made and a piece of hardanger I did last year.
Wednesday was another early start and a long and tiring day. The banner went up at 10:00am and looked a treat tied to the railings ... with perfect reef knots, since it was in front of Guide HQ!! :o)
We were reasonably busy, there was a steady stream of visitors with only two short lulls. I received loads of favourable comments about my work and some of the other ladies told me that they could have sold my stuff many times over and they were surprised my cyclamen didn't walk out the door!! (It had been put on the first table as you came in the door, so was one of the first things to be seen.)
I was also told that I really should do City and Guilds, asked if I wanted to do any teaching work (yes please!) and told off because I let the Riches of Stitches (an Embroiderers' Guild competiton) deadline pass me by without entering!
It was very gratifying to get praised by, amongst others, people who I regard as 'high-powered' embroiderers. Mostly Embroiderers' Guild members, who in this country at least, tend to be regarded as elitist and superior! It's a ridiculous attitude as I'm also an EG member, the branch I belong to have asked me to teach Stumpwork at the Members morning this month so I CAN hold my own amongst them. I just need to work on my self-confidence.
The ducks are progressing nicely. With all this tendency to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, it's really been nice to have something that literally doesn't matter if it gets dropped!
Grrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!! I've just put in the CD I have of my work, photos for future projects etc only to find that I didn't, as I thought, fill up the CD when I added the last lot, I replaced everything I'd had previously collected. Spit, swear, curse. I can mostly rephotograph my work, but the rest of the stuff was irreplaceable. Mutter, mutter, technological advances ....... bah humbug! No doubt about it, I'm definitely a 'technopeasant' as a friend of mine calls this level of stupidity!
This weekend is the AGM of the Embroiderers' Guild here in Glasgow, (the whole organization, not the Glasgow branch) so tomorrow I'm off to meet my namesake, Liz Cameron, (the Lord Provost of Glasgow) at a Civic Reception, before going on to the Collins Gallery for a private viewing of the Riches of Stitches exhibition. (An opportunity to see what I would have been up against!) Saturday morning is the actual AGM with a lecture by Dr David Bostwick on the embroidery of Mary Queen of Scots in the afternoon. I've just been looking through the programme and noticed that there will be some traders there as well, so it looks like I'll even get SEX!!
School holidays start tomorrow! :o( Only good thing about it is, we don't have to fight with the eldest to get him to go to school for two weeks. As he's been suspended so much, he's a part time student anyway, only going to 3 or 4 classes a day. We only found out recently that he's been leaving here 'to go to school' and sloping off to his grans or friends instead. Daft little *&%@* didn't think of the fact that the school would phone us to find out why he hadn't been there for two weeks!
It's been a daily fight for the last three weeks to get him to go and it's now down to only Physics and Music, as he can no longer take Art, because he's missed so much that he doesn't have a portfolio. English and Maths classes have been doing revision, so 'he doesn't need to go to them'. This from the genius who didn't write the second part of his maths prelim exams, as he didn't know what was going on in the first one, it wasn't worth the bother to try!
As he is no doubt going to leave school with very few or no GCSEs, he now wants to go to college in Greenock before going into the Armed Forces, because at present he won't be able to be anything but an infantryman/sailor as he won't have much choice with what little he'll achieve at school.
I'm very cynical about all this, because he 'can't be arsed' to get himself 10 minutes down the road to go to school, so how's he going to get himself all the way to Greenock every day? His father's also a bit wary of signing as guarantor (provided he gets a bursary) because if he doesn't go then we end up having to pay it all back and we've been bitten by his empty promises before! The other thing that makes me so cynical is the reason he's been suspended so often. He swears at the teachers because 'he doesn't like people telling him what to do and shouting at him'! ('Shouting' we've since found out is actually speaking firmly, or with a slightly raised voice!) Just WHAT does he think is going to happen to him in the Armed Forces???
Moo
The exhibition went very well. The ladies brought their articles in to the meeting on the Monday afternoon and then Tuesday us, the committee, (with help from a couple of DBs and a DS) hung and arranged it all. Because our name is Scottish Handcraft Circle, there was a wide variety of arts represented, although it was predominantly needlework, most of which was crossstitch.
We were each allowed five large objects (that our names would be on) and unlimited little things that would be dotted around to fill up spaces. I took in my two 'fish' embroideries. One is tropical fish swimming amongst seaweeds, with shells etc stuck in and the other was done a bit later, when I'd learnt more about stumpwork and so padded the fish bodies, made separate pectoral fins, so they stand out, stiffened thread to make spines (I'm particularily proud of my lionfish and pufferfish) and even made a clownfish slip, so he could nestle in amongst the sea anemones. Needless to say, I much prefer the second one!
My seahorse, cyclamen and a bowl of stumpwork fruit made up my five exhibits. I also took in a couple of bobbin lace doilies I'd made and a piece of hardanger I did last year.
Wednesday was another early start and a long and tiring day. The banner went up at 10:00am and looked a treat tied to the railings ... with perfect reef knots, since it was in front of Guide HQ!! :o)
We were reasonably busy, there was a steady stream of visitors with only two short lulls. I received loads of favourable comments about my work and some of the other ladies told me that they could have sold my stuff many times over and they were surprised my cyclamen didn't walk out the door!! (It had been put on the first table as you came in the door, so was one of the first things to be seen.)
I was also told that I really should do City and Guilds, asked if I wanted to do any teaching work (yes please!) and told off because I let the Riches of Stitches (an Embroiderers' Guild competiton) deadline pass me by without entering!
It was very gratifying to get praised by, amongst others, people who I regard as 'high-powered' embroiderers. Mostly Embroiderers' Guild members, who in this country at least, tend to be regarded as elitist and superior! It's a ridiculous attitude as I'm also an EG member, the branch I belong to have asked me to teach Stumpwork at the Members morning this month so I CAN hold my own amongst them. I just need to work on my self-confidence.
The ducks are progressing nicely. With all this tendency to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, it's really been nice to have something that literally doesn't matter if it gets dropped!
Grrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!! I've just put in the CD I have of my work, photos for future projects etc only to find that I didn't, as I thought, fill up the CD when I added the last lot, I replaced everything I'd had previously collected. Spit, swear, curse. I can mostly rephotograph my work, but the rest of the stuff was irreplaceable. Mutter, mutter, technological advances ....... bah humbug! No doubt about it, I'm definitely a 'technopeasant' as a friend of mine calls this level of stupidity!
This weekend is the AGM of the Embroiderers' Guild here in Glasgow, (the whole organization, not the Glasgow branch) so tomorrow I'm off to meet my namesake, Liz Cameron, (the Lord Provost of Glasgow) at a Civic Reception, before going on to the Collins Gallery for a private viewing of the Riches of Stitches exhibition. (An opportunity to see what I would have been up against!) Saturday morning is the actual AGM with a lecture by Dr David Bostwick on the embroidery of Mary Queen of Scots in the afternoon. I've just been looking through the programme and noticed that there will be some traders there as well, so it looks like I'll even get SEX!!
School holidays start tomorrow! :o( Only good thing about it is, we don't have to fight with the eldest to get him to go to school for two weeks. As he's been suspended so much, he's a part time student anyway, only going to 3 or 4 classes a day. We only found out recently that he's been leaving here 'to go to school' and sloping off to his grans or friends instead. Daft little *&%@* didn't think of the fact that the school would phone us to find out why he hadn't been there for two weeks!
It's been a daily fight for the last three weeks to get him to go and it's now down to only Physics and Music, as he can no longer take Art, because he's missed so much that he doesn't have a portfolio. English and Maths classes have been doing revision, so 'he doesn't need to go to them'. This from the genius who didn't write the second part of his maths prelim exams, as he didn't know what was going on in the first one, it wasn't worth the bother to try!
As he is no doubt going to leave school with very few or no GCSEs, he now wants to go to college in Greenock before going into the Armed Forces, because at present he won't be able to be anything but an infantryman/sailor as he won't have much choice with what little he'll achieve at school.
I'm very cynical about all this, because he 'can't be arsed' to get himself 10 minutes down the road to go to school, so how's he going to get himself all the way to Greenock every day? His father's also a bit wary of signing as guarantor (provided he gets a bursary) because if he doesn't go then we end up having to pay it all back and we've been bitten by his empty promises before! The other thing that makes me so cynical is the reason he's been suspended so often. He swears at the teachers because 'he doesn't like people telling him what to do and shouting at him'! ('Shouting' we've since found out is actually speaking firmly, or with a slightly raised voice!) Just WHAT does he think is going to happen to him in the Armed Forces???
Moo
