Just a note about ANG Seminar in Milwaukee this year. I'm almost recuperated from my 10 days there, it was a really good experience. In some ways, not as much time/opportunity for casual social time, meeting people in the exhibit, etc - due to the logistics. But, all the positive things, wow. The exhibit had some stunning pieces of work. This link is to photos from seminar. The award winners are worth a good look. The "lily" piece - amazing - up close, the laid silk is so beautifully done that at first glance I thought it was ribbon.
Personally, I had a great class in teaching needlework, led by Carole Lake, who is just lots of fun, talented, brilliant, etc. And I'm looking forward to some mentoring - helping me to get out a bunch of original designs and proposals. There were some really talented people in the class (very small group), and so along with getting to spend time in some embroidery teaching meetings, I'm really psyched about moving forward.
Also took a class by Jane Zimmerman - silk and metal. Lots of couching & laying of threads. Leigh Shaeffer from So Cal - well, now Sedona - taught the class and did a fine job. She also has a finishing business - and really good prices from what I saw at Teacher's showcase. Got to sit with my friend Jane Beth from Scotland (also in the class) - she's a certified Japanese Embroidery Instructor. So, while the class was not full of new techniques as we'd hoped, it did give us the chance to stitch a bit relaxed, try to be meticulous, and ask leading questions to help Leah (who was truly stepping into some famous shoes).
My last class, called "Spring Morning" was taught by Carlene Harwick, which was a great treat. I had never had a "stitching" class taught by her, so this was fun - she's really delightful, and talented. The piece incorporates Or Nue (shading by using silk laid over metal in different patterns) with various combinations of gold couched with silk. Learned technique, and particularly what is Or Nue versus just couching or pattern couching with silk.
Finally, came back with some fabulous silk from....Canada - BC somewhere to be more precise. Hand-dyed in various weights, twists, and also ribbons (which I resisted). Several of the cards with a selection of 4/5 threads were named for different BC locations - like "Flin Flan" as an example. Gorgeous stuff, IIRC the company is called "Trenway Silk." And I did splurge on the new "History of Embroidery" by Lanto Synge - it's a recent update. Huge, and heavy to carry with on the plane - but full of info. Oh, also got to meet the new publisher of Needlepoint Now, and see the awesome advance copies of this latest issue full of Halloween stuff.
Milwaukee - interesting. Kind of reminded me of Pittsburgh a bit. I did find an awesome deli in Shorewood, a cool boutique right near it (hey - it was 52 and rainy when I arrived, having left 90 and sun). And we did go for German food one night. The lake and art museum - beautiful. So, I'm almost caught back up on sleep - and ready to finish a bunch of stitching. All in all, it was great seeing some old friends (like Jane Beth & her stitching spouse Jonathan), as well as some of my local pals also there.
That's enough from me for a bit - happy stitchin' all - Ellice