Sue's Christmas Challenge theme for 2023 was "Bring on the Bling"
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Taking the Coronation of King Charles in May as a starting point for the challenge, it was thought that even if you are royalist or republican, we all like a bit of glitter and sparkle especially in the dark winter months.
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Inspiration could come from the natural world, pretty packaging, jewellery, fashion, anywhere really, it was up to you. You could include beads, sequins, metallic thread, fabric, yarn, foil, etc.
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It could be something for Christmas, jewellery, fashion accessory, picture, there were no restrictions on size, you could do as little or as much as you liked to show off your skills.
Whilst some did use the King's coronation as their inspiration many others hit the sales table. As always no prizes were awarded but there was lots of laughter over the explanations/excuses, and wonder and marvel at the creations of our inventive members. Well done to everybody who took part.
Our Chair Theresa had been particularly busy with items from the sales table, and her own stash, to make jewellery from zips, peg dolls and Christmas tree decorations. Many were intrigued by the use of "sticky dots".
June modelling her crocheted earrings
Carol explained how she used her time visiting her elderly mother to knit tinsel and made the tiniest Christmas wreath from beads.
Norma was very proud to to have at least started a challenge piece this year. She hopes her "Redwork" will finally be finished in 2024.
For the Coronation Rhona Blinged the Queen so she didn't feel left out and showed us her embroidery on wood which we will all get to try in January.
Detail of Yvonne's Stumpwork
Caroline added a jewelled crown to her Cat Queen purse. Whilst Shirley joined the "Jam Busters" and made her own crown for the Coronation and a star for her tree.
Mary showed us the glass sun catcher she had made as nothing is as bright as sunlight.
The ever inventive Sue H made a fully interactive waterwheel (as you do) and
our challenge setter Sue J made a very sparkly decoration from Sales Table finds.
Vanessa went large with a hand stitched quilt.
Enid turned her crazy patchwork into 4 panels to reflect the 4 seasons.
As a tribute to her husband and their journey together Annie made a wall plaque and Jackie chose to depict her move to Berwick in tiny beads..all 8515 of them.
Heather made herself a very Bling beret.
Kay stitched herself an intricate necklace from beads.
Ingeborg made a wall hanging for her kitchen
Lesley told us about her work as a volunteer guide in Kelso and the history behind this image which now hangs in the cafe there.
Rineke also used beads to make this beautiful embroidered woodpecker
Anne made a door wreath from recycled ribbons.
This highly detailed stocking, complete with presents, was made by Christine (one of our newest members).
Welcome to the challenge Christine!
Kate started making this velvet bag embroidered with gold threads and beads on a workshop in 2008. She finally finished it at 11am on the day of the 2023 Christmas meeting. Talk about cutting it fine!
Detail of Kate's bag