Newsletter — December 2019

The last letter of this year comes during yet another heatwave. What better excuse than to sit inside with a glass of something with lots of ice and our embroidery? I hope you are all looking after yourselves in this weather.

We had a wonderful party – at Carvers again. They really did us proud, and music was provided once again by Basil Walker and he also brought a singer, his friend Henry Coppen to add to our enjoyment.

We would like to thank everyone who has made our year such a pleasant one. The centre itself is well-run by Ina and we are kept clean and tidy by the ministrations of Ida, and our cars looked after by the various security guards. The Committee under Hettie Moller has kept us well organised. We have had wonderful workshops under Carol Robinson and Jenni Langford, and Jenni has asked me to pass on the following to you:

To all students and teachers, thank you for your participation.

I don’t know about you but I have learned a lot, I have also been encouraged by your enthusiasm and participation. My embroidery skills have been challenged and in my research I have learnt a lot about the history of the different techniques.

The work produced by the students have been excellent – well done to all of you.

My motto is, “try and see if you like it” some have gone on to do more and some only the class sample.

Thank you too, to those members who assisted them both and taught us so much.

Janis Savage has brought to our attention that DMC has, because of EU regulations, changed the chemicals used in some of the colours of their embroidery cottons, with the result that there are slight differences in some of their shades. The changed colours are now indicated on the colour chart which she has, and she asks you please to check when buying more of any skeins that you need to complete an article, that you check with her (or whoever you are buying from) to make sure that you are able to match what you had with what you now are able to buy. I have heard from other merchants that these chemicals are outlawed across the board, and that ALL brands of thread are affected, including some of our local ones. I haven’t been able to ascertain to what extent this is true, but I suggest that you check with any new thread you buy, and make sure you get enough to finish your piece. Who knows what other changes will be made?

The Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre is closing on the 6th December, and that means the Saturday group has had their last meeting for this year, and the Tuesday group has its last meeting on Tuesday 3rd December. It re-opens next year on the 13th January, so the first meeting of the year is on Tuesday 14th January. Cordelia Robinson has once again worked her magic, and the Saturday group will be getting an extra day in January. We are holding meetings on both Saturday the 18th and Saturday the 25th of January.

There will be no newsletter in January, so please note the dates given above, and let me also remind you that the New Year is also the time to pay our annual dues. If you have forgotten, they are as follows:

60 years of age and under – R140

60-69 years – R120

70-79 years – R100

80-89 years – R80.

90 years + – free

The costs of tea will be the same as they were this year to start off with – any change will be decided at the AGM.

If any of you are able to serve on the committee during 2020 (and beyond if possible) please let us know. It is not an onerous job, but it does need some dedication and a willingness to see things through. There are several people whose term is up and they have to stand down, and there are vacancies on the committee which must be filled. Embroidery people are VERY NICE PEOPLE indeed and you will enjoy your year. Please let Hettie Moller know – and if you can decide to take the plunge before Christmas, that will be the very present she could possibly have!

2020 will be our Ighali year. We need funds to make it an awesome event. Toni Olivier has gone to a great deal of effort to raise funds, and she has organised a fun afternoon. Details are as follows:

A Barnyard Silverstar Fund Raiser (to raise funds for the Ighali embroidery conference) is on Sunday 8 December @ 14h00. Tickets are R150 pp. The show is 101 Radio Hits. Everyone is welcome & I’d appreciate your support. RSVP & payments asap please so I can fill all 56 seats. Thx a mill ladies.

Please go if you possible can, and take friends with you.

In the New Year there will be flyers which you will be asked to help us distribute, and we will all be asked to help as much as possible. In the meantime, let as many of your craft and handwork friends know. We’d love to have a full house.

In the meantime, have a wonderful Festive Season. Travel safely, enjoy time with family and friends, and have plenty to tell and to show by January 2020.

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