Day 5 stitching in earnest

It was a pretty chilly this morning, but no sign of snow.

By 9 am we were breakfasted and back into our groups to continue our stitching.

In our group we worked on the front panel of the harp. adding the Celendine flower in two shades of silk. Jenny is meticulous and endlessly patient in teaching the technique of padded satin stitch.



Overnight the hotel staff had moved the large sofa out of the space in which we were stitching. This gives us much better light and enables Jenny to move around and access our work. It's a much better arrangement.

By late morning we were getting flurries of snow. I tried unsuccessfully to photograph them. The flakes simply would not show up in a photo.





We worked with Jenny and our front harp panel all day. I kept stepping outside to try to get a snow photo. Unsuccessfully.

Finally, after we had stopped for afternoon tea, the snow was falling heavily enough to register in photographs.

Our fornal teaching session ended at 4pm. Jenny, however, stayed on to teach us the last elements of embellishment on the panels. She is a glutton for punishment - simply committed to teaching fully and accurately.

I managed to get the partial leaf and a full leaf done.

















At 6 pm, before our evening session, I went up to my room to take some photos from the higher vantage point of my bedroom.

There is a fine layer of snow on the ground, and a forecast of more to come over the next two days.











Pretty cool - literally!








At six o' clock, before dinner, Nicola, Jenny, and Phillipa were interviewed by Richard, about their initiation, motivation and pathways into embroidery. It was an interesting and stimulating session that ranged over childhood influences, textile history, US-British differences in business models and practice, and personal values as well as challenges such as Intellectual Property protection. It generated thoughtful, stimulating discussion that continued through the evening meal.

My table broke up just after 9pm. A couple of tables were still talking.



I'd have liked to have worked a couple more hours on my harp, but am too tired - and needing to write this blog!

It has been a terrific day - such interesting projects, a great teacher, and a session that helped us explore our shared values and interests, as well as how to ensure our interests are furthered. One of the strengths we have in Australia is our Guilds, and their potential, not just for maintaining interest in embroidery, but in educating embroiderers and the general public, in issues like copyright.

I am mindful of how privileged I am in being able to share time with stitchers from other countries. Apart from the pleasure it brings, it places personal and local issues in a global context. That has to improve both the local and the global.

It is also fun. I think I laughed more today than I have in the many months.