Thursday 19th August

 A smaller group today but we are always reduced numbers in August due to holidays.  It didn't stop us having an enjoyable day together and it was good to catch up with each other.  Two members who had been doing the same online course during lockdowns had brought their workbooks with them and had a good discussion about what each had done.

A few of us did some work on colour balance using paints or ready prepared papers and then everyone got on with some sewing.

Lesley sent me this photograph a couple of weeks ago and she included the instructions how to do it.

Using a piece of material big enough to fold in half. Dip some thread in paint ,put one end in the middle of the fold and swirl the wet thread on one side of the cloth.fold like a book and press, firmly pull the thread towards you pulling it to the left and right as you let go of the end. Interesting patterns appear.

This can be done again with another colour. I added paint to the left piece and various stitches to the other piece.

This is work from one of the stitch books we have been making.  This is chain stitch

and this is blanket stitch.

Here are some of the papers from last months workshop with Mary Sleigh,  Ann has made hers into these lovely little bags.

Christina is making this view from her holiday cottage window into a really nice piece of work.

This is a page from Diane's Memory Book, started at Bishop Burton summer school.

Thursday 15th July

 What a wonderful day.  13 of us met in the village hall for a workshop with Mary Sleigh.  We all had negative tests, sat 2 metres apart, doors open and everyone double vaccinated.  Even though we were over the moon at getting back together, there was not hugging or getting close together for longer than a few minutes.

We had a wonderful workshop from Mary.  We all did some flour paste designs on paper and then Mary talked us through the different cultures in different countries. She had brought some pieces for us to look at and we could have sat all day listening to her but it was lunch time by then and we felt she had earned a break.  After lunch she gave each of us a one to one talk on what our plans were and where we had got to in our work for the exhibition in October.  So this exhibition should be outstanding so don't forget to try and visit us on either the 23rd or 24th October in Ayton Village Hall, YO13 9HY.

I took a few photographs of some of the flour paste designs we all did.

Next month we are going to do some work with colour balance and hopefully one or two people will have done something with their papers to make use of them.

Thursday 24th June

 Today was supposed to be out first meeting indoors after lockdown being lifted but lockdown wasn't lifted so we met outdoors instead.  Yesterday the forecast said it would be warm but cloudy, no mention of rain so I couldn't believe it when I woke up and it was pouring down.  It kept going until gone 9 o'clock but I kept my nerve and by the time we started to assemble it had stopped, the sun came out and we ended up complaining it was too hot. Everyone really enjoyed getting out and meeting up with like minded people, chatting and stitching it was so lovely and I was so glad we had done it.

I managed to get a few photographs of the work people were doing, a bit off key as they had to be laid across knees instead of on tables but interesting pieces non the less.

So this is Lis's lovely piece of canvas work. She doesn't yet know what she is going to do with it but the design is lovely.

Christina, I think, is working on a piece from an online workshop with Sue Stone.

Helen is killing two birds with one stone, working on an African piece for the exhibition as well as combining our stitch samples.

Diane's lovely stitch piece of a hot air balloon but I forgot to ask her what it was for but it is still lovely.

And I have finished my cushion cover using up bits of the African fabrics that I bought.  The orange stitch round the edge and in the middle is raised chain band.

Thursday 17th June

 Don't know about anyone else but I have found it too hot to sew this last week.  I tried using the train this week and went to Hull for the day on Wednesday with my cousin.  The temperature was 27 degrees but felt hotter as the sun bounced off the pavement in the big square.  We found a lovely little museum dedicated to the local men who fought in the two World Wars.  All the exhibits have been donated and it is run by volunteers who are so enthusiastic it made it a pleasure to go round. I thought Scarborough town centre was dead until I saw Hull, there are so many empty shops there and a shortage of little cafes and restaurants so there is nothing to pull people in.  The train wasn't too bad, not too busy but a lot of people not wearing masks.

Disappointingly, with the extension of restrictions we can't start the group again in person but I am hoping that with weather permitting we can meet on the playing field outside the village hall and have a good old chin wag.

As I have no photos of stitch work to show you I am adding a picture of the delphiniums in my garden before the forecasted heavy rain spoils them.  They have been particularly spectacular this year.

Thursday 10th June

 Summer seems to have arrived at last, including a terrific thunderstorm earlier in the week. The thunder rattled round for a couple of hours and the rain when it came was torrential, it completely flattened my Granny's Bonnets, I had to pick them and they are now shedding petals all over the lounge.  I had a lovely meeting up with Roma and Jackie in Whitby this week.  As usual, coffee turned into lunch but we had a good natter and put the world to rights.  I haven't done much sewing this week but I don't think I have published the pictures of the lap quilt my daughter made for a friend as a wedding present.

The patterned fabrics are two charm packs of Kaffe Fassett designs. The purple backing just rolls over onto the front edge as a binding.

That's all for now, will be in touch with the members soon about the first meeting on the 24th.

Thursday 3rd June

 What a lovely bank holiday week, worth waiting for.  Have had lunch at Foulsyke Farm near Scalby, went to York last Saturday which was heaving but nice to see people out and about again, did a lovely walk in Helmsley with a picnic and tea at the Walled Garden cafe and today we went to Danby to see the exhibition there and had another picnic.  The exhibition is by a number of printmakers from the area and was really good, worth the drive up there.

Just three pictures for you this week. Roma has done two landscapes using all the stitches we have been working with over the last year. The third is a piece of fabric she had printed a few years ago using a lino cut and this will be transformed into a seascape.

To all members of the group, just three more weeks and we can start meeting up again - Hurray!!

Thursday 27th May

 The sun is coming out at last and it feels a little bit warmer, lets hope it stays.  Went out last night for a meal in a restaurant, first time since last September, it was really enjoyable and the three of us never stopped talking. You don't realise how much you miss other peoples company until you get back together again.

Ann and Christina have been busy sewing.

This is Ann's quilt she has been doing.  It is all hand appliqued using 11 skeins of stranded cotton! She is also intending to hand quilt it but maybe not until the weather gets cooler again and it is nice to have a quilt over your knees.

Christina has made this lovely little landscape for her granddaughters birthday card.  She has used the technique we learned with Kate Slaughter.

I have been sewing and have nearly finished my leaf piece but I keep adding to it which is why it is taking so long.  Next week I am hoping to go to an exhibition in Danby so will let you know what it is like.