The first general Meeting as an Independent Group took place at 10:30 a.m. After apologies were noted and reports from the Vice Chair, Treasurer and the Programme secretaries’ Stephanie Spencer was voted on as Chair and the remaining committee were voted on for another year.
It is a new beginning for the group and everyone was invited to offer ideas and suggestions to the committee. We all look forward to an exciting future.
Sylvia and Barbara opened the shop and once again trade was swift. The library with its well-stocked DVDs was also open. The cube project was on display alongside our restyled bunting and everyone was given the opportunity to look at the Savick Library bunting.
It is a new beginning for the group and everyone was invited to offer ideas and suggestions to the committee. We all look forward to an exciting future.
Sylvia and Barbara opened the shop and once again trade was swift. The library with its well-stocked DVDs was also open. The cube project was on display alongside our restyled bunting and everyone was given the opportunity to look at the Savick Library bunting.
There were eight entries for the Trudy Goodenough competition and members voted for their favourite. Once counted the overall winner was Rosie Kirkham for her beautifully decorated box. Second place went to Carole Hind for her stitched bobbin piece. Both were presented with a monetary prize and a certificate by our new chair Steph.
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We then had time to catch up with each other and a time to look at other pieces of work. Christine had brought in a beautifully crafted book and a decorated flower roll. “This is what has kept me going during lockdown,” she explained.
Look at the slide show below to see her exquisite work.
Look at the slide show below to see her exquisite work.
In the afternoon Monica Selway was introduced to the group and she began her talk; Alice Moore - a detective story. Not only was she to tell us about Alice Moore but show us embroideries from four other people including some of her own work.
First Monica set the scene by showing us some lovely slides of St. Ives explaining it was the light that inspired artists and crafts people. Monica and her mother became detectives in finding out about Alice Moore having seen a contemporary stylised embroidery of a saint in a local church. It showed the use of couching, gold work and Maltese cross.
As they progressed with their mission, they came across a piece entitled “A Winter Morning- Activity St Ives Harbour.” This piece was stitched on a linen background with silk appliqué and cording. Finding out about Alice was proving to be quite difficult. One piece of evidence was an obituary which said she had been born in Honolulu. Her father was from Liverpool and her mother was from Massachusetts. She had studied industrial design at the Penzance School of Art and had taken a teaching course at Brighton College of Art. From there she taught in Devises.
Monica also found out Alice had studied at the Royal School of Needlework before the war but unfortunately all records had been destroyed during the bombing. After the war she moved to St. Ives. It was here that she was known to have been in the company of many famous artists including Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and Bernard Leach to name just a few.
A lady known as Miss Owen met with Monica and her mother on several occasions and they were delighted to know that she had actually known Alice Moore.
Monica went on to tell us about Miss Owen’s work and showed us some stunning examples, including a box made from an ice-cream tub, a kimono, a beautiful blouse and exquisite examples of whitework.
First Monica set the scene by showing us some lovely slides of St. Ives explaining it was the light that inspired artists and crafts people. Monica and her mother became detectives in finding out about Alice Moore having seen a contemporary stylised embroidery of a saint in a local church. It showed the use of couching, gold work and Maltese cross.
As they progressed with their mission, they came across a piece entitled “A Winter Morning- Activity St Ives Harbour.” This piece was stitched on a linen background with silk appliqué and cording. Finding out about Alice was proving to be quite difficult. One piece of evidence was an obituary which said she had been born in Honolulu. Her father was from Liverpool and her mother was from Massachusetts. She had studied industrial design at the Penzance School of Art and had taken a teaching course at Brighton College of Art. From there she taught in Devises.
Monica also found out Alice had studied at the Royal School of Needlework before the war but unfortunately all records had been destroyed during the bombing. After the war she moved to St. Ives. It was here that she was known to have been in the company of many famous artists including Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and Bernard Leach to name just a few.
A lady known as Miss Owen met with Monica and her mother on several occasions and they were delighted to know that she had actually known Alice Moore.
Monica went on to tell us about Miss Owen’s work and showed us some stunning examples, including a box made from an ice-cream tub, a kimono, a beautiful blouse and exquisite examples of whitework.
She also talked about Lucy Unwin who, despite suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, produced patchwork quilts which were 3 feet by 7 feet. Some of the rectangular patches were made from Cryséde silk; these designs showed off the Cornish Countryside.
In her investigations Monica had found a 2 x 1 inch black and white photograph of Alice Moore’s Water Gardens. She then used this to stitch her own piece inspired by the photo. She also used similar techniques to stitch contemporary pieces, in the same style, of the Tate St Ives.
Monica had spent many hours and holidays following the detective trail and had used bookshops, galleries, auctioneers’ catalogues and the internet to find out about Alice. She finished off by saying that Alice’s work shouldn’t be left unrecognised and that is why she continued to investigate her life and work.
Finally, we spent time looking at the fabulous examples of embroideries Monica had brought along to show us.
Kath R. thanked Monica for her inspiring detective story.
Thanks also to Gill who helped us out with a slide projector, screen and projector stand all of which she has now donated to our group.
Finally, we spent time looking at the fabulous examples of embroideries Monica had brought along to show us.
Kath R. thanked Monica for her inspiring detective story.
Thanks also to Gill who helped us out with a slide projector, screen and projector stand all of which she has now donated to our group.
The Monthly Challenge:
This month the challenge was to use a new stitch in most of the embroidery. Here are the pieces and comments from members.
I have called this ‘Harvest Time’. I have used rope stitch, stem stitch, chain stitch - and the little red and green beads came in handy as apples. Margaret G.
For the September page my new stitch is raised cane band. For the opposite page I used acrylic paint for the background and crewel wool for the trees and leaves. Irene.
I was inspired by the wildflower meadow at Netherby Hall in Cumbria where we stayed on a recent holiday. I used Cretan stitch (loosely rather than a close stitch) in a variety of thread for the green vegetation and then star stitch in bright colours for the flowers. Ann R.
For my September piece I used Ink pens and Kantha work stitched using variegated threads to create an effect. Mel. C.
Kath R’s August piece used dyes as part of the challenge.
I have used an echo dyed piece of water colour paper and applied hand stitching. Kath R.
This month the challenge was to use a new stitch in most of the embroidery. Here are the pieces and comments from members.
I have called this ‘Harvest Time’. I have used rope stitch, stem stitch, chain stitch - and the little red and green beads came in handy as apples. Margaret G.
For the September page my new stitch is raised cane band. For the opposite page I used acrylic paint for the background and crewel wool for the trees and leaves. Irene.
I was inspired by the wildflower meadow at Netherby Hall in Cumbria where we stayed on a recent holiday. I used Cretan stitch (loosely rather than a close stitch) in a variety of thread for the green vegetation and then star stitch in bright colours for the flowers. Ann R.
For my September piece I used Ink pens and Kantha work stitched using variegated threads to create an effect. Mel. C.
Kath R’s August piece used dyes as part of the challenge.
I have used an echo dyed piece of water colour paper and applied hand stitching. Kath R.
Next month’s challenge is to use crewel wool in your design.
November will be our first workshop led by Kath Roberts- Tyvek Flowers. The requirements list can be found on the ‘Notices’ tab.
Keep safe and keep stitching.
Ann R
November will be our first workshop led by Kath Roberts- Tyvek Flowers. The requirements list can be found on the ‘Notices’ tab.
Keep safe and keep stitching.
Ann R
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