Christmas Cards

Christmas cards!!  As always the exchange of cards is an absolute delight; we love the anticipation, the excitement and element of surprise.  Every year is different, every card is different but that is the beauty of being part of a creative group!  Happy Christmas!!

Looking Back Over 2011

2011 has been an eventful year for Cheshire Textiles.  We have had two very successful exhibitions, one at Jobling Gowler in Macclesfield and the second at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.  Not only have we made sales but we have received some very positive and encouraging comments and in both cases have been invited back!

On a different note we were sorry to hear Jenny Legge wanted to move on from the Group and pursue other interests.  After 23 years of being an active member it was a difficult decision for her to make but we will keep in touch and she is included in our Christmas celebrations!  Maureen and Jenny, almost original members have very much helped shape the Group, they will be missed!

We welcome two new members, Sue Dunbar and Shirley Coleman; they  have been with us a little while and are making an excellent contribution to the Group. We are looking forward to our Christmas party and 2012!!

Maureen Galbraith

Earlier this year we were all very shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our 'treasured' members, Maureen Galbraith.   Maureen, a skilled feltmaker played an important role within Cheshire Textiles for many years and she is dearly missed.  The images included here are a reminder of her work and love of felt.  Click on the image to open the page.

The Sound of Water; a Fun Workshop

 


How often do you try and draw what you hear; isolating sound from its' usual  function of reinforcing what is seen? To further our own personal experience and knowledge of 'Water', the chosen theme for our next exhibition, we took on the challenge!  Simply, it was a mark making exercise, an immediate response to a series of sounds generated by agitating water and listening to music inspired by the sea.  It was a fun session and as can be seen from the images, we accumulated quite a pile of expressive marks!

Bridget organised an on going collaborative piece where we added collage to change a surface.  Over the next few weeks we will continue adding and working into it; the aim is to enjoy the process and not produce a finished piece!

We are almost into the last week of our exhibition 'Mark in Stitch' at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.    Buxton is a Spa Town set in the beautiful Peak District, visiting the exhibition would make a lovely day out!

                                         Mark in Stitch ends Saturday 12th November 2011

Come and meet some of Cheshire Textiles!

Thursday, 27th October, 2-4pm

at

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery

An opportunity to meet and talk to some of the members of Cheshire Textiles.  

The exhibition continues until November 12th

The Creative Mind

'Am amazed at what the creative mind can come up with'  !!



This was one of the many lovely comments written in our visitors book at BUXTON MUSEUM and ART GALLERY, in response to our current exhibition, 'Mark in Stitch'.  The exhibition is upstairs in the main gallery - there is a stair lift - and there are cards for sale in the shop downstairs.

As textile artists we all have a passion for stitch. This has been the starting point for many of us but as the exhibition shows we have extended our interests, incorporating different media and techniques well beyond the traditions of embroidery.  Surfaces are painted and manipulated, photographs worked like fabric, hand made paper stacked and laminated, found objects made precious and who would have believed the domestic printer could print on fabric and beyond the normal A4!!  Many, many inspirational ideas, just call in and see!!

The exhibition closes on November 12th but you can meet some of us on

THURSDAY, 27th OCTOBER, 2-4pm when we are having another Meet the Artist Day.  



Royal Society of Arts

We are all delighted to hear Hilary has recently been honoured with a very special award, Life Membership of the Royal Society of Arts!!  Her link with the society came about when she worked for a bursary during her degree course, Contemporary Crafts at MMU.  During this time Hilary was able to research Japanese traditions and techniques used in both textiles and metalwork.

Yesterday Hilary gave us a very interesting talk about her work and showed us some of her lovely examples (photography by Elizabeth).  With references to hidden thoughts and camouflage, her beautiful tactile pieces show a clever combination of materials and an in depth knowledge of Japanese crafts.

Must add that the exquisite tray cloth under her pieces was worked by Hilary's mother when she was at the Royal School of Needlework.