Embroidery conference

Well finally the conference is here and I have had two days of classes so far. It has been a bit of dega vu today with Betty Morgan 's class but still we learnt some new things and did finish our little small to go with the Gathering for Winter etui.

Saturday saw Cheryl, Marilyn and I drive to Auckland to arrive at Stephanie's in time for a cuppa and then all off to Ellerslie Event Cetnre for the exhibition and merchants mall where we managed to spend a bit of money. Maree met us just after three pm and we wandered into the exhibition to see maree's pieces on display. It was fun choosing the ones that we thought might win. Marilyn and Stephanie went out for dinner while I attended the conference dinner with Maree and other members of our guild and region. The highlight of the day was the winning of the traditional award by Maree for her white work Angel. Really lovely. She was also given a merit award for her Founders piece so very successful evening for her.

Sunday saw Marilyn, Stephanie and I visit Sylvia Park for retail therapy then to Bean There Cafe for lunch before I went back to the conference to see if I could get into her Jo Dixey speak. Unfortunately I could not so Cheryl and I had another round of retail therapy and I purchased some extra things for Marilyn. Stephanie had taken Marilyn to the airport, but we were alerted that her flight was delayed and her arrival at home was about an hour later than expected.

Monday - up early to drive to the event centre and only had one hiccup being the wrong lane on the grit south road. Got to class in plenty of time to find a nice space with good light. It was pleasing to see that all 21 of us had completed our pre stitching and I was not the only one to use the pumpkin thread instead of the gold one. Betsy's notes are excellent and really detailed. if you read them through, it sounds like she is talking to you. 

Day 2 pincushions completed for gathering for winter etui

Waxer box for "its for Betty" etui

Day 1 class: waxer box for etui but still no cords to tie it together.

Day 3 and 4 sees me doing a class with Alison Snepp - a miniature white work sampler. Due to her requirements no photos will be posted but this piece is lovely and I am enjoying the stitching all though I have not spent five hours stitching for a long time so today was a long day. After class we went up to Silks Cafe to discuss class, have a drink and take part in a short quiz evening, where Cheryl ended up getting the highest number of points while Maree and I were in the next group. We all came home with a box of woollen threads but Cheryl did get a little wooden pincushion form which is cherming. I also got another dmc thread so that was nice but same pattern as the one I already have so disappointed. Well off to bed now so will post this hoping that the pictures work and if not I can fix them at the weekend.

A Busy Week

The week since I have been home has been really busy and it does not look like easing up any until after the holidays. I arrived home rested and with the precious for Stephanie so delivered it and received lunch with her mum and dad in return. My ladies arrived for class so we had a catch up before two of them were off to Australia for a craft and shopping marathon.

Not much had happened on the school front but I managed to not have a desk weighed under with paperwork – Ina had put it all in a box for me. Took most of the first couple of days to clear it and the emails which I had tried to keep up with.

The weekend was nice and on Saturday had our creative stitchers group meeting with a catered morning tea and lunch. It was delightful and the ladies have asked for it again. I have nearly finished my piece for the guild extensions exhibition so just the finishing to do and then I can give it to Maree for display in Christchurch in July.

Power and protection pieces but not certain if I will put all into the exhibiton.

I went to Marilyn’s for tea and to watch the first all blacks game for 2012. Conrad smith scored the last try so we were excited about that. It was a good game and the next two games against the Irish should be good.

Sunday was a fine day so the washing got hung out and I found time to start digging the potatoes. Last year I only had little ones but this year I have dug this small section of the garden and already dug a whole bucket full. This will keep me going for at least a month. I was most impressed with them and it will be nice to have some large potatoes to bake whole.

My bucket of potatoes

This week we have chicks at the flicks so it will be a fun night as seeing a preview movie is always good.