Post 12: Carry on Stitching

The wet weather continued this morning, but it makes little difference to most of us here at the Ryebeck. It hasn't stopped the two or three early morning walkers striding around in the rain and damp.

The view from the lounge room window is still charming, and its warm and pleasant inside.

We cracked on with our projects. I discovered I had used the wrong green thread around my windows. One of the great things about both Nicola and Jenny as teachers is their insistence on flexibility and adaptation. Jenny made a comment this morning to that effect that I thought would make a great sampler - but I failed to write it down! I thought it would be great for our South Australian Junior Embroiderers. I have a paper and pen ready to write it down next time.

My window outlines are quite strong. I like them. They remind me of my grandparents house.

Jenny's design has lots of different techniques and challenges. The gate was the first one this morning. I haven't finished it yet but it was fun to do.
Another challenge is the dry stone wall in Herdwick wool. So far I have only tacked the woolly rocks to the wall. Tomorrow's challenge will be working the embroidery on this wall. It is such a clever idea.




We had several demonstrations of techniques throughout today's sessions.









We began the flowers towards the end of the day. I  found the fettuccini thread the hardest to work with. I haven't finished these.

It was another great day of stitching and laughter.

As we were getting ready for our evening lecture, there was a stunning sunset - the first I have noticed since being here. The things that look like fireworks are a reflection of the lights in the dining room as I took it through the window.

Our evening lecture was by  Judith Heelis,  a descendant by marriage of William Heelis, Beatrix Potter's husband. She breeds and farms Herdwick sheep, and gave a presentation on the history and breeding of them. It was really interesting and well-illustrated. She also showed us some photos of Beatrix Potter and then, at the end, showed us some items from her personal collection - costumes, Herdwick carpet  and a magnificent quilt made between 1802 and 1820. She was lively and engaging - especially in relation to the sheep. She so clearly knew what she was talking about. 

I found it a relaxed and enriching day. Tonight people are sitting around talking. A couple are stitching.

For those who are interested, last night at 10.30 pm here (9.30am Adelaide) I rang my Vergola rep to work out how to progress my balcony cover. He is preparing the Council documentation while I am away. On my return he will bring me the contract to sign and submit the Council Approval Documentation. So it is moving forward.

Tomorrow the weather is forecast to storm - perhaps even snow - in the afternoon, so our program has been adjusted . We now go to Alan Bank, a National Trust property where the Wordsworths lived for 2-3 years, in the morning and then stitch in the afternoon. I have decided to stay and stitch in the morning. I am very keen to keep moving on both my projects - and there are only two days left.

Addendum
I almost forgot - I promised to add information about this charming Herdwick rabbit (contradiction in terms?) purchased by Sandra at Cable and Blake in Kendal. Apparently they have lots of interesting things.

Post 11: On to our second project

Today we began our second project - for my group Jenny Adin-Christie’’s Beatrix's Hill Top Garden.

This is quite a different kind of project to Nicola's. We are working on 8” hoops secured on a barrel clamp. We spent the first hour or so setting up the layers of gauze on to which the cottage is printed. We needed to outline the embroidery area, insert Mica pieces in the windows, then align and attach another layer of printed silk before we began embroidering.

Somehow this was not onerous. I was a bit behind the others because I left my scissors and other tools in my room and had to go and get them. It didn't matter. The classes are laid back and Jenny is keen that we de-stress.
I had expected this project to be a lot harder than it has proved so far to be.

The weather was wet again, so it is very pleasant to be inside, looking out on the gloom and hearing the rain on the roof.

I forgot to mention yesterday that I had bought a booklet on Beatrix Potter's study and illustration of mushrooms.  It gives some idea of her knowledge - and of her extraordinary illustrations. Folk at home interested, please ask to borrow it when I return.

There was also a lovely basket of roving from Herdwick Sheep at the Armitt Museum, giving a good illustration of the range of natural colour in the wool.

By the end of today I had managed to finish the roof of the cottage, the window, most of the door and the chimneys. I was pretty pleased with that.

I had also abandoned the table clamp and was using a sit-on hoop. I find working at the table strains my back and neck. I can get better posture and less strain if I sit back in a chair with a seated frame. Many thanks to Kathleen who offered me the use of hers. It made a big difference.





Before dinner Phillipa gave an illustrated talk on British embroideries seen during our retreats. I had seen quite a few of the items, and it was interesting to see them in a larger context. It would be of great interest to many members of my Guild.

Some of the discussion in our group today while stitching or taking breaks has been about why we come on these retreats. The consensus seems to be around being removed from daily pressures, focused on interests we hold in common, and perhaps even more important, the flexibility and adaptability of the tutors. While we learn technique, there is no pressure to conform to a rule book. There is a respect for variation, for adaptation, for creativity and growth. While the tutors are tireless in teaching how there is no expectation of cloning.  It is a hugely respectful environment.

Tonight's post is short. It has been a full day, and I've made a lot of progress on a project I expected to find daunting. I was pleasantly surprised. I should have known better. Jenny works hard to achieve an appropriate level of challenge, enjoyment and success.

I don't underestimate the work it takes to make this happen. The preparation, kits, and organisation are formidable, as is the administration and planning. The benefits, however, are tangible and addictive. One member of my group summed it up by saying that she always goes home from these retreats energised. I think that's right. It isn't just being relaxed, but actually being strengthened and renewed.

It is a great privilege to participate.