NOVEMBER 2024 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

A new member, Wanda McInnes-Fogg, joined us for Judi’s Disperse Dyeing extended workshop in September. We hope all this year’s new members enjoy every aspect of our group and extend a big welcome to you all.

Our workshop presenters in October were Robyn Cohen and Wendy Anderson, so I hope all who signed up for the workshop are using the hints to complete the small item Robyn helped us begin and thinking of colours that complement each other for the bag we will work on during 2025. Thank you to the host Merrie, and both presenters.

Three more general meeting / workshops are listed for this year; Monday, November 4 and Saturday, November 15, when we celebrate with Christmas Parties and Christmas related workshops, and the new extra morning on Monday, December 2.

We are very grateful to Helen Tolhurst, whose daughters dropped in boxes and crates containing various sized fabrics and loads of embellishments. More than half the stash was on last Saturday’s Sharing Table and the final crates have been bagged up and delivered, for us to continue to take over the next few months. Many of us were able to use pieces of fabric for our small items on the day and gather for both Christmas Party workshops. We look forward to Wilma’s Destash activity next Monday, November 4 before her Christmas card activity.

Carolyn Clausen announced the 2025 date of Craft Alive as Thursday, 8 – Saturday, 10 May, at Broadmeadow Racecourse Hall, 100 Darling St, Broadmeadow. And added a fun twist to our Exhibition Theme of ‘Out of the Blue’, with a focus on ‘Blue By You’ for the Craft Alive display – more information will appear in newsletters. Again, many of us went back to the Sharing Table to choose colours and fabrics for what popped into our imaginations!

NCEATA’s current exhibition was installed on October 4, by two extremely capable Curators, Wilma Simmons and Ann-Maree Kelly in Judi’s absence, with the help of Merrie How and Carolyn Clausen. Thank you all, and again to Wilma for opening the exhibition. Rhonda Porter took on Kumihimo Braiding for the Textile Taster mini workshops on Thursday, October 17. Our thanks go to the other presenters: Carolyn Clausen, Ann Harper, Kate Highland and Ruth Spence. The morning was such fun and all participants shared our love of working with fibres and producing wonderful items. We had approximately 8 stitchers at the opening on October 8 and again October 12. The next Stitch-In is 10am – 12pm, Tuesday, November 12 and all members are invited to come along and bring something to stitch. Again, interested members of the public approach and ask many questions. There will be a promotional video on lakemac libraries website, Facebook page and You Tube next week.

I am very grateful to those people who put NCEATA bookmarks in the storage shelves for us to use, and who tidied a few areas in the Storage cupboard. It makes it easy to locate what we need when there is less clutter!

Another noteworthy announcement is that Judi Nikoleski will become a NCEATA Life Member so we will have more to celebrate at the Christmas Parties! We are thinking of those who are dealing with personal illnesses and in those whose relatives need your help. We hope you find time to sit and stitch and take solace from this activity.

The Christmas Parties will be on the first Monday of December and third Saturday of November. If your surname begins with A-H please provide savoury food, and those with I – W, a sweet treat. Thank you all!
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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OCTOBER 2024 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

One of our life members will be a nonagenarian by the time this newsletter is published: Congratulations to Shirley Bjornsson, who continues to have fun at work each day and on her days off, plays in her garden, sews to her heart’s content and hosts whoever drops into her interesting abode in the Watagans.

The year is slipping away again and we are hard at work for our next major event. Towards the end of August the Exhibition team met with Claudia from Lake Macquarie libraries – Launchpad, who offered our group an extension of the ‘Reflections’ Exhibition to the end of January, 2025. We have also accepted the request to host another Textile Tasters event on either January 14 or 21; this time it will be for children. If you are presenting a workshop at the library during Textile Tasters in October and / or January and need to update your Working With Children Check, please go online at Service NSW and complete the necessary information. Once all is complete forward me the email you receive with your name, dob, status of wwc check.

Thank you to the 20 exhibitors of 30 artworks for this year’s Reflections Exhibition which is to be held at Charlestown Library, Ridley St, Charlestown from Tuesday, October 8 at 1pm with a Stitch-In event, where all are welcome to come along and sit, chat and stitch before the opening and afternoon tea at 2pm. I am chasing a large pack of NCEATA bookmarks, please. If you have any bookmarks please let me know president@nceata.org.

The HAN market was met with wild weather on Sunday, August 25 at Lambton Park. It has been rescheduled to Sunday, Sept 29. We hope the Spring markets will be brighter in the welcoming sun and milder weather. Many thanks go to the Market Team and their reliable spouses.

Our workshop presenters during September were Carolyn and Judi. The dyeing techniques made for many beautiful and interesting results. Thank you to the hosts and presenters.

Please check: Robyn Cohen asked about the person who took the roll of interfacing (stiffening) from a meeting held earlier this year. She would like to use it for her October 19 workshop kits. If you have the roll, please let Robyn know and she will be able to make arrangements for the amount she needs.

Thank you to Helen Tolhurst whose daughters have packed her stash of fabrics for our and other groups. I need to find a few pieces for Helen’s brooch making, so will get the rest of the bags to our table from October 19 onwards. Some of us were able to use her frames from the Sharing Table during the August meetings, for our exhibition work.

I hope you are planning some fun creative items for your Christmases at home or away.
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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AUGUST 2024 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

We welcomed Jodi Phipps back into to our group on Saturday, August 17. Some of you may know her as she is a member from over a decade ago. We also met Lydia who shared her ideas about felting. Our member numbers sit at around 40 and we have seen so many visitors this year because of the wonderful efforts by committee members and workshop presenters and hosts.

The changes to our committee positions see new position holders already forging ahead with updates for our group to embark on more great ideas in a variety of ways. These are documented in the meeting minutes each month.

Loads of learning and fun was had by those who Maija Manou guided through the workshop, Felting over a Sculptured Object; maybe the results will direct some of our artists in their choice of works for 2025 and 2026 Exhibitions.

The final voting took place last month. 2025: Out of the Blue. 2026: Layers.

Many thanks go to Ann-Maree Kelly, who started the ball rolling with her Monday, July 1 discussion, which gleaned so many great suggestions, and the Saturday group was able to follow up several weeks later. Also belated thanks go to hosts and workshop presenters, Wendy Scott with her bright and creative approach to Hand Painted Embellished Bowls, after the July AGM, and Judi Nikoleski stepping us through the stages of a variety of suitable ways to frame our exhibition pieces.

Robyn Cohen has asked me about the person who took the roll of interfacing (stiffening) from a meeting held earlier this year, maybe January or February. Many of us cut off a 2m piece but she would like more for her workshop kits for the October 19. If you have the roll, please let Robyn know and she will be able to make arrangements for the amount she needs.

The HAN marketers will be setting up on Sunday, August 25 at Lambton Park. Make sure you get along to one of these arts markets this year as the stock is highly creative and of great quality. Thanks go to this group and their supportive family members. I hope it’s a pleasant day for the return to August markets for you all.

Our exhibition has around 30 artworks so please log into the NCEATA website and complete the Final Form. A cover note with Final form link will go out this week to all those who have entered Expressions of Interest www.nceata.org in the members’ downloads and email it to president@nceata.org This Final Form will be available in hard copy at the next 2 General Meetings on Monday, September 2. It needs to include final description: inspiration, materials, techniques and needs to have your signature so lakemaqlibraries is able to use the images for future promotion. The last day for delivery of Final Forms and artworks is Saturday, September 21, unless you organize otherwise with Curator, Judi.

An interesting question was posed about the coming exhibition: The commission of 25% is charged by Launchpad lakemaqlibraries and NCEATA committee has decided not to charge a commission since the entry for each of 2 works is $15 with a third free.

Thank you for all your efforts to ensure this is an awesome show at Charlestown library from October 8 this year – January 6, 2025.

I hope your creativity blooms since we are so close to Spring!
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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JULY 2024 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

It is a new year for us all after our AGM last Saturday meeting. This was so well attended for such a blustery weekend and I’m grateful to be a part of this amazing group which continues to surprise and spur me to be more than I ever imagined!

Welcome to new members, and a smooth process saw replacements for 3 positions; Librarian, Social Media and Publicity, and Program Coordinator. Rhonda Porter will guide Anne Dixon in her role as Librarian; Anne and I spoke after the meeting and she already has investigated the shelves so I hope a few more books will be going out the door one way or another. Rhonda has set up ways to catalogue the books and has spent so many hours going blind on and off with that lighting! - in the storage area, keeping track of who has what and when it was borrowed and returned. We are indebted to Rhonda for her long years of dedicated work in the library and those bowing shelves! Of course, she continues as newsletter editor so will still have her hands full! Daniela Glassop has worked tirelessly using her artistic and IT skills as Publicity Officer and Social Media expert, and she will hand over to Wilma Simmons, another wizard in IT. Our gratitude goes to Daniela, who has had so much going on in her family that I’m surprised she was able to get time to keep track of our needs for advertising and design, and create so much in the few years I’ve known her; it was never an effort for Daniela to redesign my work for that much needed ‘ping!’ Daniela will remain willing to help in some aspects and we have extremely capable Wilma returning to the Committee to replace her. Finally Ann Harper and Kate Highland have teamed up to take on Program Coordinators, so I need to collate all those pieces of paper and scribbled notes on my desk and will be in touch with many of your for confirmation or No about aspects of the workshop roster and notes for the newsletter because I seem to be driving to glamp in 3 different states of Australia more often these days, with our growing families. I’m sure Ann and Kate will have a fresh approach which we all need every few years and appreciate the opportunity I had in the role because I learned so much! Thank you to all other position holders for remaining in your roles and I hope the 2024-25 year is calm and creative for you all.

Helen Tolhurst has had so many admissions into hospitals and recovery clinics over the past 5 months and is today safely installed at Fresh Hope, Greenhills, Meadow building, Room 120 since she escaped from the John Hunter. We wish Helen well and hope she is on a careful recovery program that will see her stitch and chat with all her visitors and those she meets there. From our group to all who currently are straddling hurdles in your lives, please know many of us speak of you fondly and remember you for your wonderful personalities and creative touches to your work – it was so good to see Doris back last Saturday after her recent surgery.

Our exhibition has around 25 artworks today so please get your Expression of Interest in; it would be best to use the online form on www.nceata.org in the members’ downloads and email it to president@nceata.org I will also chase you up about it, and you will notice the Final Form for Exhibition will be available in hard copy at the next General Meeting on Monday, August 5.

Finally, I have been a bit miffed when I go into the storage area each time I attend a meeting / workshop. Items are developing legs and sneaking into the shelves and on the tops of the storage lockers! This is not on; if you have something to give away, it is to be placed on the Sharing Table before the meeting and taken if it is still on there after the workshop. Please do not bring broken kitchen or left over party items and leave them in or on the tops of the cupboards. A couple of years ago, I listened to a podcast where the speakers had done research about people who ‘give away’ broken items they would not give to friends or family . . . not impressive!

Have a great time basking in the sunlight of your creative souls!
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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JUNE 2024 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

As I type I have the heater on as we had a little reminder today of the cold and wet that can accompany the onset of winter!

Thank you to all who volunteered to help in any way at the recent Craft Alive Event at the Broadmeadow Racecourse, organised by Carolyn Clausen, and to all who publicised and/or attended, demonstrated and/or took members of the public through some wonderful skills and techniques at the more recent Textile Tasters afternoon organised by Wilma Simmons. We had great numbers attending both events so they served as wonderful promotions of NCEATA.

Thank you also to hosts of May meeting/workshops, Merrie and Wendy and to presenter, Roberta as the purses are useful for so many purposes.

We have a few items to continue working on with the possibility of the HAN Market Guidelines for types of creative, quality items, their pricing, arrangement of delivery either way and length of time they are stored for sales. Also we continue to discuss the Textile Tasters during Lake Macquarie Craft Week in October as we are ready to begin advertising very soon. This day will be held during the Reflections Exhibition.

We are also collecting the Expressions of Interest at each meeting so please complete the form then or download it on the NCEATA website www.nceata.org.

We have been approached by Kay Fitzgerald who organises the Schedule on Newcastle Show Competitions – Handcraft, which is on March 1-2, 2025. She has invited members to enter the Handcraft Newcastle Show section, which is on its website. She also invited members to help out and her contact number is 0410 241 645 if interested.

Happy stitching!
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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MAY 2024 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

It seems to have been a while since we last gathered together, with a hectic lead-up to Easter and now school holidays catchups for some. I hope you had time to gather your thoughts, in and around the season of fun and laughter with family and friends.

I look forward to seeing what you have created from the kits leading your ideas and techniques onto a variety of fabric sizes and shapes for the final products for the upcoming Craft Alive Event at the variety of fabric sizes and shapes for the final products for the upcoming Craft Alive Event at the Broadmeadow Racecourse, Darling St, from 9:30am – 4pm, Thursday 9 – Saturday 11 May. Tickets are available online at www.craftalive.com.au unless you are one who is helping set up, sit, and / or stitch and chat at the stall, or dismantle the NCEATA space. Details will be available at the General Meeting, Monday May 6 from 10am – 1pm at The Grove, Adamstown. Please bring along your piece of artwork to Show and Tell at this meeting. Our thanks go to Carolyn Clausen who is coordinating the set up and subsequent days.

May sees the Monday, 6/5, general workshop on Happy Snappy Scrappy Purses with Roberta Hodgson, and the Textile Tasters afternoon organised by Wilma Simmons, Sat 18/5. Please come along around 1pm to help set up and talk to visitors and each other during the demonstrations and afternoon snack. You might like to bring along a plate of a favourite, delectable savoury or sweet treat! Thank you to all who have so generously offered to demonstrate a fibre arts skill and to Wilma Simmons for her idea to launch into this wonderful promotion of NCEATA. Daniela Glassop has put an A4 page of invitations (3 per page) on FaceBook for the Textile Tasters afternoon, for you to email and / or print for family, friends and neighbours, and hand into High School offices, maybe shop counters in your neighbourhood. Great idea, Daniela!

Wilma has also had her design of promotion postcards printed and we have been handing those into art resource outlets. Please spread the word as many people may just need a friendly reminder for inclusion into an open, sharing and welcoming group, while others may want to pursue techniques or skills that may have lapsed in the course of a busy lifetime.

As life comes and goes, we have decided to have a small stash of Occasion cards for our future use for such events as Congratulations, Thank you and Sympathy. Wilma has put up her hand to design the first of these so if you know of an event NCEATA needs to recognise, please let any of us know.

Maija Manou had her handmade books given as a thank you to presenters at a recent Rotary conference for District 96100. Each one an artwork, was gratefully received along with a pen with a hand turned wooden barrel. Congratulations to Maija. Inspiring!

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the next meetings as this year is hurtling by!

Till then, reflections of you will occur in your fibre artwork!
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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APRIL 2024 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

During my reflection of the past month, I realise it has been a whirlwind of events and activities for many. I hope you are keeping in mind our Exhibition and the concept is conjuring engaging images and a variety of techniques for your exhibition pieces. Many thanks to those who have completed theirs and are handing them in to Curator, Judi, for advertising images.

We had many interested people approach us at the City Hall Seniors Week Expo on Monday, 11 March.

And we will be present at the Craft Alive Event from 10-11 May at the Broadmeadow Racecourse for more opportunities to display techniques and finished products.

The HAN Market occurs this coming weekend on Sunday, March 24, and we hope the weather is kind to the Market Team and we have extra sales as it will be a great opportunity to stock up on Easter gifts for friends and family.

Have fun stitching!
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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MARCH 2024 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

We are already speeding towards the third month of the year … with Easter fast approaching, and another holiday weekend.

Seniors Week occurs from 11 – 18 March. We are taking up the offer to set up a Display Table at the Mini Expo near the Comedy Event at City Hall on March 11, from 10am – 1pm so will be there with bookmarks and some samples of what we work on during general and extraordinary workshops for the general public to peruse. Thank you to those who have offered to help us with the display and for being around during the day. Come along and find out what is on offer for Seniors and bring your family and friends.

This year Craft Alive is from 9 – 11 May at the Broadmeadow Racecourse. Carolyn Clausen is preparing the paperwork for NCEATA to attend, and we will have a display table, again to show samples of completed works which we work on during our workshops. We will also have The Map Project on display as it shows so many techniques we use.

NCEATA is attending HAN Markets on 3 dates: March, August and November and will add precise details as the year progresses. We will not attend the Speers Point Market this year.

Reflections Exhibition will be held from October – January and the team will have more details and dates as meetings are held. The Saturday group had a quick brainstorm on the theme and Monday May 6 will give an opportunity to Show and Tell each member’s progress on the theme.

Update to Workshop Roster for Saturdays and Mondays each month sees an extra general meeting on the first Monday in December, which begins this year on Monday, December 2, 2024 and it will be a Christmas Party with Stitch and Chat, from 10am – 1pm.

Thank you to Sandra Cooke for stepping in to replace Doris Gordon, last Saturday, and taking us on a tour of using the letters in our names creatively. Updates to the roster will be listed as the year progresses.

Hope you enjoy stitching wherever you find yourselves,
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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FEBRUARY 2024 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

I hope you all had all the necessary catchups with family and friends over the festive season, and that the year of the Dragon is kind to you.

There has been so much public interest in all the artworks and many wrote positive comments during the exhibition ‘On the Edge’ at the Belmont Library. Thank you to those who picked up where they were and completed works. There were 27 pieces from 16 members. The artist statements showed many varied perspectives on the theme. It was relaxing to sit and stitch at the Activation Event before the Opening, and we are grateful to all artists who provided the afternoon tea treats for attendees. Artists will need to collect any unsold works on Monday, January 29, 2024 from 10 - 11am from the library.

The Exhibition Team decided against running the workshops as so many changes occurred late throughout the organising process into the day before installation, and we are grateful to Ann Harper, Judi Nikoleski, Wendy Scott, Robyn Cohen, Kate Highland and Merrie How who offered to run and help during the workshops, and especially to Carolyn Clausen, who coordinated everything. Daniela Glassop also spent so much time, effort and energy ensuring images were clear and precise to highlight the best in the artworks. Thank you to all on the Exhibition Team.

We have had email contact from Marianne Roberts announcing the 2024 Australian Quilt Show Challenge, 2024, where there are 7 categories and 9 special awards. The deadline for online entry applications is February 21, 2024 and is now open https://craftevents.com.au.

I hope you have enjoyed the change of pace over the holiday period and you were able to relax and ease into the New Year with renewed creative energy.

Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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NOVEMBER 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

It has been a while - due to a public holiday early October and Sue’s wonderful workshop, so I hope you are stitching on the edges of your artworks in order to complete them by the due date. First up on Saturday, January 20, 2024 we will revisit our continuing progress and / or development of the concepts which arose from the October Extraordinary workshop, ‘Inspired by Nature’ led by Sue Russell. Themes, techniques and ideas collated from the June-July surveys of members and those gathered at Sue’s workshop are up for discussion towards future general and extraordinary workshops.

The Exhibition Team has heard back from Lake Macquarie Launchpad and it requires D-rings to be attached to the backs of the hanging works, prices of artworks, and labels to include: the title of the work, artist’s name and date of completion. More information will be available by separate email once the team has its next meeting during the week. There is no obligation to be at the library during the exhibition dates while your work is on exhibition, but should you choose to sit and stitch whilst interacting with the general public, this is welcomed by the library.

More information about the workshops will be sent to those who have offered their help and expertise to Carolyn. Please ensure you have the number of a current Working with Children number and email it to program@nceata.org.

A small group of experienced market stall operators enjoyed their time at the International Day, Speers Point. We are very grateful to them for all their time and energy in setting up and guiding shoppers for the days at the Lambton Park HAN markets in May and November each year, too. The next market is to be held on the last weekend of November.

At last Saturday’s general meeting we heard about the group of people which went to Norfolk Island and the workshops they attended, using much of what the island has on offer. We look forward to pictures, images and more discussions about the fun they had and possible resulting artworks which emerge from this trip.

Last Saturday, Roberta Hodgson guided us through the process of constructing mandalas and we used the workshop time to focus on the relaxation aspect by producing wonderful designs. The takings from this activity will be donated to Warm Blankets for Everyone, Belmont, which makes quilts and other bedding for the homeless.

From your committee, we hope you all enjoy your festive season and are able to have a break from your hectic routines. Thank you to everyone for bring part of our group this year. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year Festive Season with loads of love and happiness with family and friends.

Creative fun is being on the edge.
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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OCTOBER 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

We all have so much to celebrate, daily, and many members have been recognized. Bronwyn Grieve has completed her doctorate, Judi Nikoleski won 2 prizes at the Quilt NSW annual quilt show and Sue Russell is the TextileArtist.org Stitch Club’s September feature artist. Congratulations go out to all three.

September saw us involved in the Paper Bag Journal general workshop with Ann-Maree Kelly and Nature’s Designs extraordinary workshop with Sue Russell. Both workshops were well attended and produced some amazing beginnings, so we look forward to some photos of end results in the future.

The Exhibition Team is working on documenting your Expressions of Interest for ‘On the Edge’ and these are due on Saturday, October 21. You can contact any committee member to hand these in. If you have completed part of your work, please send a photo of it to Daniela as we need to use some images for our promotion materials.

Reminder: Our November 18 Christmas Party will run from 1 – 4pm and Carolyn has a plan for Christmas Crowns, so we look forward to a fun activity. We would like members attending whose surnames begin with A-G to bring sweet dishes and those with H – W, a savoury dish.

Have fun being creative, balancing on the edge.
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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SEPTEMBER 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

As we move into Spring, I hope you are all coping with the changes in weather. At times, it seems as though we are living in the southern states but overall, we have had the warmth of winter sun for a few hours, so many days.

July and August workshops saw Rhonda Porter and Robyn Cohen using their knowledge and skills to show us useful and fun techniques of printing, dyeing and knitting. Rhonda donated her workshop takings to Access Industries which provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities - a great cause. This month we look forward to participating in the Paperbag Journal general workshop with Ann-Maree Kelly and the Nature’s Designs extraordinary workshop with Sue Russell: there will be no general meeting prior to the latter workshop.

Over the past couple of months we have also shared discussion times with Judi Nikoleski and Wilma Simmons on the concept, ‘On the Edge’, the theme for the next exhibition at Belmont Library from 15 December, 2023 to 28 January, 2024.

Our first Exhibition Team meeting will finalise more dates for you so please be ready to complete initial paperwork in the next few weeks. We also welcome your questions and input for the exhibition so please email any of the Exhibition Team members asap. That way we will have time to frame up what we need to discuss with the Belmont Library staff. The team members will be listed later in this newsletter and relevant member email addresses are at www.nceata.org Please email your ideas, questions and offers of your expertise and we will respond top you with further dates and times in September. Our November 18 Christmas Party will run from 1 – 4pm and Carolyn has a plan for Christmas Crowns so we look forward to a fun activity. We would like members attending whose surnames begin with A-G to bring sweet dishes and those with H – Z, a savoury dish. Thank you, all.

Have fun following your creative urges and stay on the edge … not over it (not in any way!).
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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AUGUST 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

NCEATA’s Annual General Meeting was well attended and there was much discussion. All positions were retained by the existing office bearers, and sincere thanks go to all.

We are ready for a new year 2023-24, and have already planned a few general meetings to include some discussions and offer much for our group.

During July, I was able to give Helen Tolhurst a sum of $300 for the Parkinson’s Support Group. This came from both the general workshops held in June. The group uses the funds to run workshops for sufferers to engage in many creative fibre arts practices and exhibit the results at art shows. Many of their artworks sell to the public throughout the duration of the exhibition.

When you are a presenter and you do not want to charge a general workshop fee, you are welcome to contribute the $10 per attendee fee to a charity or group of your choice; it appears there are so many groups around which are struggling to keep pace with the increasing numbers of needy. Alternatively you may donate it back into NCEATA as it helps with the running costs of the group in so many ways.

Our last general meeting early July saw us viewing adventurous and unusual use of textiles and techniques, and discussing ‘On the Edge’, the next exhibition theme. If you have ideas, we will have time during the general meetings most days for you to bring items to show and share.

Huge ‘thanks’ go to Rhonda, who has consistently filled gaps in general workshops over the course of the past year, and who always inspires with her knowledge and skills, whilst doing an excellent job of the monthly newsletter, and, more recently, reorganising the library.

As you search through your richness of types of fabrics and styles of working, please get in touch with any of the committee members about possible general workshops, especially relating to ‘On the Edge’. With the application to the Charlestown library as yet without a date, we may have only 6 months to prepare and have our works completed.

I hope you are staying warm and cosy, engrossed in your favourite art practice.

Enjoy your current art practice! Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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JULY 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Welcome to all new members who have joined NCEATA recently. It’s great to have you on board asking questions, contributing ideas and energy to the group by participating and sharing your skills and talents.

Our June meetings saw us write two creative practices we are currently using and two we would like to learn, another attempt to glean from as many people as possible what our members want as general workshops and extra ordinary workshops.

The Ikigai exhibition is now over; it received many positive comments and viewers asked loads of questions about the artists and techniques, and commented on their interpretation of the concept. Buyers were thrilled when collecting their latest addition for household walls. Thank you to Daniela Glassop who advertised it on social media.

Craft Alive was also well supported, again, despite the fact it was held the same weekend as the final weekend of Ikigai. The Map Project drew many people in to check out the details in the variety of techniques used to make up the whole picture. The first prize of the raffle being Judi Nikoleski’s felted artwork is now housed in Delores Prete’s home and two people have received their NCEATA membership for the next year. Thank you to Rhonda Porter, who stepped in to organize our last minute presence, even throughout those storm events, and to Carolyn Clausen, who set up the communication process.

Daniela works tirelessly on social media pages and has been successful in advertising the group in The Local, a mini newspaper delivered to many suburbs throughout Newcastle. Thank you Daniela, it’s so great to see what you have found and opening the links always reveals such amazing ideas for us all.

Wilma Simmons is exhibiting as part of a group of hand stitchers in ‘Exuberance’, an exhibition curated by Sharon Peoples and Carol Cooke, from Thursday, July 6 to August 26 at the Craft + Design Canberra gallery. The concept of exuberance is explored via colour and how it is expressed in contemporary hand-stitched artworks. With holidays approaching there may be an opportunity for a Canberra trip.

Meanwhile Judi and Kate, with 2 other groups continue to check out venues for the future Hunter Creative Fibre Hub, by many approaches to different local businesses and councils.

A reminder of the general meeting / workshop costs: Members pay $10 and any kit cost the presenters charge, up to $10. Non-members pay $20 and any kit cost up to $10. Presenters are able to take a maximum of $200 for the workshop and up to $10 / kit extra for the kit when they provide them. There are many generous people who contribute their takings to a favourite charity or they can go back to NCEATA, since it pays the cost of renting the room, insurance and storage. Participation in the workshops is not compulsory and you are welcome to bring along a project you are currently working on, and socialize while you stitch.

We are currently discussing the idea of the Christmas Party including the making of a Christmas Crown. I hope you are sitting on the edges of your seats reading this and itching to get back into stitching for our next exhibition.

Enjoy your current art practice! Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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JUNE 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Welcome to all the visitors who attended the meeting / workshop on Saturday, where Ann Harper guided us through Boro and Sashiko stitching towards producing a small bag. Such a lovely time was had by all, including the members who dropped by after helping out at the gallery or taking in NCEATA’s Exhibition at Timeless Textiles. The exhibition ends on Sunday, 4 June so be sure to get into town for a visit.

Craft Alive dates were Friday – Sunday, 26 – 28 May. Many thanks to Carolyn and Rhonda for all the time and effort they have put into organising for NCEATA’s presence over these 3 days and to the helpers who worked with Rhonda to ensure promotion of the group via the display. Thank you to all the members who have contributed an artwork for the display.

Meanwhile, Judi and Kate continue to present at meetings for the future Fibre Hub and are approaching venues as I write this report. It will be a great day once this is finalised and we have a more permanent home.

Have fun creating! Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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MAY 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Our return to Belair Church Hall has seen 2 meeting / workshops and we appreciate the space. Thank you to all who made this happen and to all who organised the last HAN Art Bazaar.

Last week Judi and Kate presented the plans for the Fibre Hub to the Newcastle Community and Cultural Advisory Committee, a part of Newcastle City Council. The response was positive! Judi is investigating a list of properties as a result. We have booked the church hall until our final meeting this year in November. We are hopeful of finding a suitable venue to share with other art groups in the Newcastle and surrounding areas.

The roster is updated and constantly changing so from time to time you will receive short notice on a change of workshop as we all work around our families and are assured of everyone’s compassion and understanding of the many life situations.

Craft Alive dates are 26 – 28 May, which coincides with our Ikigai exhibition at Timeless Textiles. Thanks to Saturday meeting members for contributing last minute to the display. Volunteers will be on hand for the promotion of NCEATA at the event.

The library is operational once again and the borrowing system is in place when you borrow and return books.

At long last our Ikigai exhibition at Timeless Textiles is being held. Many, many thanks to Judi Nikoleski for her time and effort with this protracted event. Thanks to all contributing members and volunteers. Come along on 27 April at 6pm to Timeless Textiles for the opening.

I hope you are enjoying your current art practice,
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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APRIL 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Thank you to Kate for organising the February Maitland Friendship Day’s attendance for 11 of our members. Helen Tolhurst attended, and Judi addressed the whole group about the Fibre Hub. It was an enjoyable meeting with loads of inspiring work being shown and discussed.

The updated timeline for the Ikigai exhibition was in the March newsletter and is included above. Forms and $10 entry fee are due to Judi by the end of Monday, April 3 meeting, which will be held at the The Grove, Belair Church Hall.

Thank you to Wendy Scott for showing us the sun’s effects on fabrics at our first extraordinary workshop. Some of the artworks and progress are on Wendy’s ‘Sew to You’ page on facebook. We participated in Maija Manou’s extraordinary workshop using techniques of Coptic book binding at the Saturday workshop. The small group allowed a lot of one-on-one assistance. lot of one-on-one assistance.

We return to the Bel Air Church Hall, Adamstown from April to November. Our 2024 venue is dependent on the progress of finding a permanent home. Information, Days and Times as on the Roster and notes in the monthly newsletter. We look forward to checking out the library and making decisions about how to arrange and access the books and other items.

Themes for the next 2 years have been decided and we look forward to using each as focus for creative feedback and production during workshops, book and idea sharing: 2024 – On the Edge and 2025 – Reflection.

Till next month have fun creating,
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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MARCH 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Workshops have been lots of fun and it's great to be back together again. In March you will notice that both meetings are being given over fully to the workshops being given. The Saturday meeting has also been moved up to start at 12 noon. On the Monday, Wendy Scott is guiding us through Sun Dyeing, and we will need the full amount of time. While on the Saturday, Maija Manou is taking us on another journey into the realm of book binding. In both cases no prior knowledge is required.

Please be sure to wear your name tag to meetings! We have had four new members join: Norah Groves, Kim Kolousek, Meryll Palethorpe, and Lorraine Robertson. Name tags, along with our famous hospitality and friendliness will help them settle quickly and easily into our group.

Reminder: We have been invited to join the Maitland Embroiderers Group at 10:30am on Monday, 27 February, 2023 to bring examples of our work (1 or 2 pp). There will be a scone, jam and cream morning tea provided, and we are invited to stay at the Telarah Bowling Club Auditorium for lunch (at own expense). We need numbers for the display of items and morning tea so please reply to secretary@nceata.org. If you need a lift discuss this with Kate Highland or one of the other committee members. There are several cars travelling to Telarah and some seats are available. Apparently there will be time foe stitching, bring something along.

April sees our group returning to Belair Church Hall, Adamstown. For new members the address is 130 Garden Grove Pde, Adamstown. There is parking at the side and behind the Hall. Entry is down the right side, to the left of the large Rolla-door. There is a kitchen area but you will need to bring your own mug or cup.

I hope you are enjoying your current art practice
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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FEBRUARY 2023 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Hello from the southern state of Victoria, whilst I attend to urgent pleas of son numero uno who nervously awaits the birth of our second grandchild; and invitations from my sisters and in-laws to attend decade + birthday parties: life is so precious and how privileged are we to be able to stay in touch over long distances and especially to be able to get to see others who live afar. Before I left home I visited Helen Tolhurst. She was so excited to be able to tell me about her plans for the use of our funds raised in 2022. Workshops for the members of the Parkinson’s Support Group are taking place so they produce artworks to be exhibited at The Readers’ Café in Maitland during the month of April. Helen is already working on four such pieces and will be contributing a written piece on how she arrived at her current favourite art practice. And she has already begun thinking about her workshop in June so we can continue beading practice.

April sees our group returning to Belair Church Hall, Adamstown. Days and Times as on the Roster.

First meeting / workshop: Thank you to Tara for presenting a wonderful Wet Felting workshop. Lots of fun and great to be back together again.

Reminder: We have been invited to join the Maitland Embroiderers Group at 10:30am on Monday, 27 February, 2023 to bring examples of our work (1 or 2 pp). There will be a scone, jam and cream morning tea provided, and we are invited to stay at the Telarah Bowling Club Auditorium for lunch (at own expense). We need numbers for the display of items and morning tea so please reply to secretary@nceata.org.

We hope to have a few members address ‘What Ikigai means to Me’. If you are ready to write a few lines to this topic please send them to editor@nceata.org.

I hope you are enjoying your current art practice
Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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DECEMBER 2022 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The November meeting / workshops provided us with much information and fun.

On Monday, Ruth talked about ‘giving items a new life’ and invited Melanie from Upcycle Newcastle to give us a few hints on reducing waste, consuming less and upcycling,especially where fabric and clothing is concerned. It was loads of fun and truly inspiring! For more information please check out the following website: https://upcyclenewcastle.org.au.

The Saturday gathering saw us meet for the Christmas Party, enjoying each others’ savoury and sweet plates and raising funds for the Maitland Parkinsons' Support Group. After Helen’s workshop and this collection, we are able to donate $210.00 to this worthwhile cause. We had a sneak peek at some finished artworks and discussed concepts for the ‘Ikigai’ exhibition at Timeless Textiles which runs from Wednesday, April 26 to Sunday, June 4, 2023. Judi gave us hints and showed us useful and recyclable objects we are able to use for hanging our works.

Updates to the search for premises for the Fibre Hub continue with EOI due at the end of next week; Judi has worked tirelessly on this project and we will hear back later in February once council meets to discuss and sift through all the paperwork.

We have been invited to visit the Maitland Embroiderers' Group at 10:30am on Monday, 27 February, 2023 to bring examples of our work (1 or 2 pp). Details will be updated early next year. The minutes of the meeting also reflect this information. What a great outreaching opportunity this is for NCEATA! There will be a scone, jam and cream morning tea provided, and we are invited to stay at the Telarah Bowling Club Auditorium for lunch (at own expense). We need numbers for the display of items and morning tea so please reply to secretary@nceata.org.

Carolyn Clausen will coordinate the March, 2023 (dates tba) ‘Craft Alive’, so be ready for a busy start to the year. There will be opportunities for all to be involved for these wonderful and inspiring days at the Exhibition Grounds. Many thanks go to Rhonda Porter for all her amazing work in this role over many years and providing us with stimulation around a display concept and fun in the targeted input sessions, displays, organising the days, inviting us to participate and be involved, and ensuring the promotion of NCEATA.

The notes in the newsletter give information until March of our meetings / workshops whilst we still operate out of The Hive. Please get back to me by email program@nceata.org as I change and update the roster I send to you, let me know what workshops and / or days suit you, correct me if I’ve made a mistake and be aware I update the week prior and after the third Saturday of each month, in time for publication of our newsletter.

Thank you to everyone who has come along to the meetings and workshops this year; presenters and hosts and to all who work behind the scenes to make it all happen. I hope you all have a wonderful time over the festive season with families, friends and neighbours; safe travels for those who are holidaying elsewhere and hoping to see you all back on the third Saturday of January ready for another year of sharing, caring and creating.

Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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NOVEMBER 2022 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Our Saturday workshop went well with Helen Tolhurst able to see each of us and chat as we began to embellish with a variety of beads, our ribbon wrapped wooden rings. We had hoped to have an experienced beader present but the group was disbanded 2 years ago so we were fortunate to be able to get hold of Helen on the Saturday while she was in Melbourne with her beading friend.

There is one kit left for sale at $5. All proceeds from the workshop, kits and some of Helen’s materials will go to the Maitland Parkinsons Support Group. If you missed the Helen’s materials will go to the Maitland Parkinsons Support Group. If you missed the workshop I am able to send you a slideshow and notes for the session.

A hall was located by Lake Macquarie City Council for the Expressions of Interest from the Newcastle Creative Fibre Hub but after checking it out and much discussion, it is deemed too small for the number of groups in the Hub. The meetings and approaches will continue; if you have spaces or places in mind or hear of any, please contact any of the committee members and we will happily follow leads and suggestions.

Our meeting/workshops will continue for the first quarter of 2023 at The Hive. Details of the November meeting/ workshops are in this newsletter and will be published on the website at www.nceata.org. For friends who are interested in joining the group, please direct them to the website as the updated enrolment form is there.

We will celebrate Christmas on Saturday, November 19 with a $2 entry coin, a $5 raffle for the Maitland Parkinsons Support Group, bring a small plate of food to share (surnames ‘A’ – ‘H’: sweet dish, ‘I’ – ‘Z’ savoury), ‘Ikigai’ show and tell, maybe dress in Christmas colours . . .

Thank you to all of you who contribute in any way to the continuing functioning of the group.

Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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OCTOBER 2022 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Spring has announced her presence with abloom! Magnificent shapes and colours of nature alert our every sense. I’m sure all of you are using our awesome natural seasonal changes to feed your creations.

A group of us enjoyed Sue’s amazing printing workshop last Saturday, and many will continue to embellish with stitches or use the results in some other way to complete the artworks.

Judi informed the committee that there is support for the Creative Fibre Hub, which comprises many fibre arts groups from an initial meeting but, unfortunately there are no buildings available at the moment, so she and her team will continue the proposed schedule of meetings.

Carolyn awaits the outcome of her approach for NCEATA to return to the BelAir Church Hall at Adamstown 2023 in the near future and we hope for a favourable outcome. The ‘Have Your Say’ form is on the website for you to suggest workshops and offer your The ‘Have Your Say’ form is on the website for you to suggest workshops and offer your skills and talents. The 2023 program of workshops will be published on the website after the final meeting for this year. Please complete the form and email it to program@nceata.org All ideas are considered and thank you to those who continue to contribute in this way.

Take care, have fun and hope you all have creative success.

Ann Dean Pijpers, President
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SEPTEMBER 2022 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The wild and icy winter winds are suddenly swirling around the side yard here as I write for the September newsletter and I’m sure many of you have been inside and out to enjoy the changes as they occur, many of which provide stimulation for your creative works this past month.

Our committee has completed the updates to the committee member role descriptions and enrolment form and in time, the final document will be on our website. The ‘Have Your Say’ form invites members to do just that: request textile activities and / or skills you would like to learn, and / or provide a little information about that aspect if you have knowledge and / or skills. Thank you to those who already have scanned and emailed or handed the forms back to me for suggestions for the 2023 workshop roster, and also huge thanks go to all those who presented and hosted this year. We have had so much fun and companionship no matter the size of the classes as the time unfolds in likeminded quests.

Our group has booked to continue at The Hive until November, 2022 and our request to be included into accommodating the BelAir Church Hall at Adamstown once again, is being taken to its next meeting so we are hopeful of our return there in 2023. Thank you to Carolyn who is in touch with the Hall committee members.

We will need to check the library books, historical objects and all other items for use at workshops and for markets stored in the area behind the hall. To this end, please go through your bookshelves and have bags or boxes of books and articles ready to return as soon as we know the outcome of the Church committee request; we may need to have a working bee so be on the lookout for a day and time for your returns.

Thank you to all those who add to the facebook page. You will notice Daniela’s instructions give a great guide for sharing pictures and websites for everyone to use. However, as time goes by some aspects of sequences change. Contributing becomes less onerous as each of us uses the links more. The proposal for the Newcastle Creative Fibre Hub is on its way to meetings and Judi is preparing her approaches for each meeting. So much time and effort has gone into making this document worthy of following up a wonderful community idea, and our thanks go to Judi and those who have attended meetings.

We hear of those of you who have taken on extra duties at home caring for family members; our thoughts are with you. Please take the time to look after yourselves first as it’s only when we have a reality check on our own personal situation, that we are able to truly care for others.

Have fun with your current textile project/s as we hurtle into Spring.

Ann Dean Pijpers, Incoming President
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AUGUST 2022 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Hi Everyone,

Our AGM was well attended at the last Saturday meeting, and afterwards we enjoyed each others’ company and Judi’s delicious variations of shortbread, whilst stitching and checking the amazing skills of our artists of all levels on the Show and Tell Table.

The Sharing Table was overloaded with giveaways for recycling purposes, such a great opportunity for givers and takers. Thank you to all who came along; such an enthusiastic and responsive group!

Thank you to all the continuing office bearers for their dedication to the group as it continues to pursue the encouragement of developing knowledge and skilled practices in many areas of textile arts. Our website has a list of contacts for each member of the committee for you to contact should you have a suggestion, question or information for the group; please continue to be generous and share as much as you are willing and able. We value all contributions. Please, use the Facebook page to add images of your artwork for all to enjoy.

Judi gave us an overview of the work she has been doing regarding the development of a Newcastle Creative Fibre Hub with other interested groups and the meeting minutes explain more; it is an extremely detailed process which requires much time and energy; we are very grateful to Judi.

The committee is to update the role descriptions in August and you will notice each member seems to wear many hats, so, if you would like to help out in any way, including short term, please let us know what skills you have.

Till next month, I hope you all stay well and happy and take a moment to contact someone you know who needs a few minutes of your time and personal contact, and enjoy what you are doing - experimenting or simply practicing a skill.

Ann Dean Pijpers, Incoming President
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JUNE 2022 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Hi Everyone,

So, life has become so full again and I don’t think I am the only one feeling slightly overwhelmed by the increased pace and number of commitments after the last 2 years of calm provided by isolation for many. A month goes by so fast that I start thinking about my report and it is already past the deadline!

On the upside it is wonderful to see family and friends again and even attend real workshops. At the last minute I took the opportunity to escape to Urunga for a fantastic weekend away attending a Dynamic Landscape Workshop with Gloria Loughman. Just like old times with fantastic fun learning, creating and getting waited on by Carolyn Sharkey who provided an excellent venue and wonderful catering. Keep an eye out for future workshops Carolyn has planned and if you get the chance I highly recommend going to beautiful Urunga (second photo).

Back home in Newy, my regular Monday quilting & Dollies groups have resumed, and it is always great to be involved with Timeless Textiles Wednesday makers and the next exhibition postcard project pieces need to be finished (third photo).

It has also been a joy to teach face to face once more with a lovely private workshop for a friend with a talented granddaughter and then the first extraordinary workshop at The Hive. Though the weather was dull making some techniques less successful, fun and creativity levels were high with lots of sharing, reconnecting and time to play was appreciated. Thanks so much to Rhonda for stepping up to replace Ann (in iso) catering as well as participating and producing some lovely art cloth.

Family time has also been back full swing with Evie and Piper (grand-daughters), my Mum, school holidays, Easter, birthdays, an engagement, weddings and sadly a funeral.

Then there are the renewed travel plans to look forward to starting at the end of June. July report will be coming to you from somewhere warmer. Stay safe and find time to create as the winter weather returns.

Wendy Scott, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

APRIL 2022 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Already we are almost into April and Easter is on the doorstep. Great to see members returning to meetings and activities once more. Thanks so much to Ruth for her Ikigai insights and most entertaining creative exercise, also to Judi, with contributions from members, on an inspiring show and tell of many creative techniques. It is also getting more normal to get out to community events including the next Art Bazaar coming up on 3rd April.

Recently I was delighted to be able to attend the launch of Anne Kempton’s book “Finding Your Thread” in conjunction with the opening of the exhibition to celebrate 10yrs of Timeless Textiles. As Australia’s only Textile Art exclusive exhibition space NCEATA has benefitted greatly from a close Australia’s only Textile Art exclusive exhibition space NCEATA has benefitted greatly from a close association with this gallery. We should all congratulate Anne for such a wonderful achievement.

With our greater freedom to travel, the opportunity came up for me to have a weekend away later in the year to attend a workshop with Caroline Sharkey and Gloria Loughman. I am so excited!!

I am looking forward to the chance to present a fun hands on experience in our first Extraordinary Workshop. The 15th May is fast approaching. All the information in this newsletter.You will need to book in and pay as this is an Extraordinary workshop. Hope plenty of you can take this chance to come along, learn and play. See you at the Hive on 4th April for our next mini workshop with Judi Nikoleski.

Wendy Scott, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

MARCH 2022 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Greetings to all, hope you are all well and enjoying some of our new freedoms. It was lovely to see smiling faces again at The Timeless Textiles group this week.

Recently returned from a recent escape to Tasmania I am just catching up with the ever-changing plans for our 2022 roster. Thanks goes to our hard-working committee for sorting out the constitution vote and plans for our future meeting workshops.

Thanks so much to Maija for her lovely relaxing Shibori workshop on 7th Feb. And to Robyn, with her well prepared Foundation Piecing workshop at the Saturday meeting.

I am looking forward to presenting one of our extraordinary workshops on 15th May which will be featuring printmaking using photo-sensitive pigments. Details and requirements to be found will in the next newsletter.

Wendy Scott, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

FEBRUARY 2022 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Welcome to another new year full of creative opportunities. No doubt some of these will be provided by extra time we have in unplanned forced or self-imposed isolation due to the ongoing health situation. Thanks to Kate our covid safety plan is up to date ready for meetings at Hamilton to start. Thanks also to Ann and our talented members for a fantastic program of workshops planned throughout the year. The committee have also been gathering ideas for proposed extraordinary masterclass options later in 2022 which sounds very exciting. Plans are afoot to relaunch the travelling suitcase, as it may be the only thing with that kind of freedom!

NCEATA Exhibition “Found” was launched in Dec and is providing a lovely distraction for visitors when there is not much happening in the east end. Many thanks to Judi and her team for all their hard work to make this a success. Unfortunately, my partner contracted covid and has passed it on to the rest of our family, putting us all into isolation so that I have not been able to do my shift at the gallery. Our illness has been mild thanks to being triple vaxed and we should be all clear to go on holidays next week as long as flights etc are not cancelled at the last minute!!

Everything remains uncertain and we all need to be flexible and ready to change plans and help each other out when needs arise. Hope everyone is staying safe as possible and very grateful to have creative outlets to retreat to and perhaps a garden to tend. So time to generate some new project ideas or complete those UFOs. My 22 diary cover already in use, alphabet card project has only X, Y & Z to go, Finding my thread page for Wednesday group is done and have made progress on the Red book. Looking forward seeing some of you in person at our Feb 7th meeting and Shibori workshop thanks to Maija is sure to spark some new inspiration.

Stay well and keep creating,

Wendy Scott, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

SEPTEMBER 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Thanks again to everyone for your advice, confidence and encouragement. After a very optimistic restart this year here we are staying at home once more so this time around it will be just as important to stay in touch, keep well, be calm and create. This lockdown gave me the chance to get stuck into my found UFO ready for our exhibition later this year. If you missed the expression deadline but feel you have a piece to enter, contact Judi Nikoleski. The final deadline for delivery of work is November. My inspiration was lacking until I "found" a 5 year old screen print sample done as a demo at work which sent me on a fun creative spin,

With more time at home (ski trip off) I have also been busy quilting and binding my floral quilt. And after seeing some slow stitching by the talented Wednesday Group girls and I decided to have a go at a new fabric book. Now realise with 16 pages not counting the cover that it may take some time.

Thanks to our July workshop providers. We really appreciated the advanced embellisher session with Ann-Marie who gave a very comprehensive presentation with lots of great ideas. Also Tara who was ready to go just before everything got shut down. Hopefully her wet felting will be on again soon.

At the moment it is looking very likely that we may also be on hold during September and we are waiting to see when meetings will resume. Until we see each other again in person I would love to se waht everyone is up to, so feel free to share all your good stuff on our Facebook page.

Wendy Scott, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

AUGUST 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Firstly I give my apologies for not being able to attend the AGM due to delayed travel plans. In my absence to be elected president of this amazingly talented group of creative people was a very pleasant surprise.

For many years I have benefited from being a member, gaining knowledge, inspiration and many friendships. Therefore the decision was made (with some encouragement) it had come time to give back, especially as I have settled into a slightly less busy retired life.

In future I am looking forward to working together with our new and experienced committee members to continue making NCEATA a vibrant and supportive group.

Thank you all for your confidence and enthusiasm. See you at the next meeting.

Wendy Scott, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

AUGUST 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Firstly I give my apologies for not being able to attend the AGM due to delayed travel plans. In my absence to be elected president of this amazingly talented group of creative people was a very pleasant surprise.

For many years I have benefited from being a member, gaining knowledge, inspiration and many friendships. Therefore the decision was made (with some encouragement) it had come time to give back, especially as I have settled into a slightly less busy retired life.

In future I am looking forward to working together with our new and experienced committee members to continue making NCEATA a vibrant and supportive group.

Thank you all for your confidence and enthusiasm. See you at the next meeting.

Wendy Scott, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

JULY 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Thanks to all NCEATA members for a really enjoyable last six months. As my term as a caretaker president comes to an end, I reflect on the changes we have managed this year, some enforced and some we generated ourselves and I appreciate members’ patience, understanding and enthusiasm in unsettled times.

I particularly want to thank the committee members for their commitment to making NCEATA a vibrant, creative and supportive group. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to organise events and workshop activities for meetings as well as the governance of this group. I am very grateful for the energy, selfless spirit and skills of our committee members, most of whom have been doing committee jobs for many years.

Thanks to Merrie How and her “Constitution” group for reviewing the constitution and by-laws and to Lynne Britten for proofreading and suggesting amendments. Thanks also to Ruth Spence who conducted a “review and future planning” exercise at the beginning of the year. Both of these activities, I think, leave the group in a very good state for the new president and committee.

Thanks to volunteers who have hosted and/or facilitated activities to make the meeting days really interesting, stimulating, educational and a lot of fun. This is what makes NCEATA so enjoyable for everyone.

Special General Meeting and Annual General Meeting:

On 17 July (Saturday meeting), a special general meeting has been called to consider proposed changes to the constitution and the by-laws. This meeting will precede the Annual General Meeting and will be chaired by Merrie Howe. Then, the annual reporting from the committee and the election of the executive and committee members will take place at the AGM and a review of venue/time changes made in 2021, and of course any other business matters. A notice of this meeting will be distributed to financial members in a separate email.

Financial members may nominate for committee positions and only financial members will be entitled to vote at these meetings. With the notice of the meeting, a proxy vote form will be included for financial members who are unable to attend the Saturday meeting. If you wish to nominate for a position, and will be absent on 17 July, your nomination with proposer and seconder and your agreement to fulfil the position, will also need to be returned to the secretary prior to the meeting.

Please note a change in the creative activity for this day - Wet felting with Tara has been postponed to August and the July activity will involve preparation/show and tell for the “Found” exhibition, facilitated by Judi.

Markets: NCEATA will not be participating in the Hunter Art Network Art Bazaar in August. We will be at Living Smart Festival, Lake Macquarie on 18 September 2021. If you are preparing for this “market”, please keep in mind that this a sustainability event, and consideration of the environment is recommended in the making and presentation of items for sale. Here is a link to this event https://www.lakemac.com.au/Events-directory/Council-events/Living-Smart-Festival

And here’s to a new year of NCEATA! Best wishes and thanks to all who have already indicated that they will be nominating for positions. So great to finish on a positive note! Be creative!

Wilma Simmons, Caretaker President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

JUNE 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

I am finding it hard to believe that we are almost half way through the year … and what a great six months NCEATA has enjoyed after emerging from the Covid lockdown months! It has been great to welcome new members every month this year and to feel the positive vibe of the meetings is very reassuring and pleasing. Many thanks to all the meeting presenters and hosts who have volunteered. Thanks to Wendy Scott and Judi Nikoleski who were the workshop facilitators in May. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend these, but I know how much preparation had gone into these workshops, and I am absolutely sure Wendy and Judi were very generous in sharing their skills and ensured that a great time was enjoyed by all participants.

Annual General Meeting: Next month (July), as I have been reminding you ad nauseum is the Annual General Meeting. While NCEATA is flourishing, this would be a good time to step into one of the executive or committee positions. Please chat with a current committee member about any of the positions. Self-nominations are welcome.

At the AGM, we will also be asking for ratification of constitutional changes - thanks to Merrie How and her team for this. We will also be seeking feedback on the operational changes we have put in place so far this year - the separation of the Monday and Saturday meetings by a fortnight, and the Saturday afternoon meeting. Currently, there is no word about returning to our previous venue, and we have booked The Hive until August. I would also like some feedback about this venue too.

Weekend Workshop: Sadly, Gaye Nieuwenhof will not be able to meet her commitment to offer us the scheduled workshop - her health and other family issues prevent her from travelling. I am very disappointed about this and my apologies to all the members who had prepaid and were looking forward to this as much as I was. Over the next week or so, our treasurer will endeavour to refund your payment for this workshop. Please make sure Sue has your bank details for an eft refund - thank you Sue. At our last committee meeting, it was decided not to commit NCEATA to another workshop for later in the year until the new committee is elected in July.

Exhibition “Found” - Exhibition coordinator, Judi Nikoleski, will soon be seeking expressions of interest in participating in our annual exhibition. The criteria for this exhibition has already been published, and I encourage all members to consider submitting an artwork for the exhibition.

Markets: NCEATA will not be participating in the Hunter Art Network Art Bazaar in August. We are hoping to participate however, in the Living Smart Festival, Lake Macquarie - the date is yet to be confirmed - September 2021. And we will be at the Hunter Art Network Art Bazaar in Lambton Park on 28 November 2021. If you like to make items suitable for sale at these markets, please keep these dates in mind.

Congratulations to all participants in the “Circles of Strength” exhibition at Wallsend Library until 31 May 2021. I hope you were able to find a moment to have a look if you hadn’t seen it on International Women’s Day. Many NCEATA members featured in this exhibition both as interviewees and artists. Thank you - I consider this exhibition a significant reflection of unprecedented times and an important record of social history.

Thanks to Judi and Carolyn who were a fantastic support squad at Campbelltown Arts Centre on 1 May at the Macarthur Textile Network’s exhibition. I would also like to thank the many NCEATA members who have supported my exhibition “Enveloping” currently at Timeless Textiles. There were many at the opening night, and I really appreciated your encouragement. So many others have visited the exhibition in the following weeks too - thank you. (It is open until 19 June).

I regret that I will not be able to attend the June Monday meeting, but hope to be back in Newcastle from Queensland for the Saturday meeting. I am finally taking a trip to north Queensland to visit my mother - my first trip in 18 months. Hopefully, there will be no sudden Covid outbreaks and the borders remain open between states.

See you on 19 June, Be creative!

Wilma Simmons, Caretaker President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

MAY 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

What are your plans for May? Creative projects? Mother’s Day celebrations? Autumn gardening? Preparing artwork for the NCEATA exhibition “Found”?

We had a really interesting lively and helpful ‘book discussion’, facilitated by host, Ann Dean-Pijpers at the April meeting. I felt I got to know members a lot more as they enthusiastically talked about favourite art books which inspire their work. I really enjoyed the session. Thank you, Ann - this was far more than a book review, but an exercise in sharing and connecting with members. … And thanks to Ann, the NCEATA program is now set for the rest of 2021 , with just a few “meeting host” spots still to be filled. Please contact Ann or one of the committee members if you would like to volunteer.

Congratulations and thanks to all NCEATA members who submitted beautiful work to make the stand at the Hunter Art Bazaar on 11 April such a success. It was a very windy day, and while we battled to keep artworks from flying away, we made many good sales. Thanks especially to Coordinator, Susanne Boulton and Treasurer Sue Russell for their additional work to make these markets a positive feature of the NCEATA year.

May Meetings (Monday 4/5/21 and Saturday 15/5/21) sound like lots of fun. They will both be workshop based - Wendy Scott with 3D silk flowers, and Judi Nikoleski with dry/needle felting. Information about these is elsewhere in this newsletter. Hope you’re able to participate in one or both of these meetings.

A reminder that the Annual General Meeting will be held in July. Please start considering which position you would like to take, to assist NCEATA remain the wonderful group it is. All committee positions will be declared vacant. If you are interested in taking a position and are unsure, please chat with me or any of the current committee members. At the AGM, we will also be reviewing the constitution and bylaws. Thanks to Merrie How and Carolyn Clausen, this task will be worked on over the next month.

The very long awaited workshop with Gaye Nieuwenhof has again been postponed to a date in August. As soon as I have confirmation, I will inform all participants who have already registered for this.

If you happen to be in the Campbelltown area, I hope you will have time to drop into the Macarthur Textile Network exhibition “Looking Back, Looking Forward” at Campbelltown Art Centre. NCEATA has an association with MTN - we are similar groups and I am sure they would appreciate any support we can offer for their exhibition. I have included information in this newsletter.

Be creative, regards,

Wilma Simmons, Caretaker President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

APRIL 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

I hope no one has been too badly affected by the heavy rains and flooding in the area … just when we were becoming a bit complacent with Covid controlled for the moment, Nature reminds us that we are not in control. If any member needs assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. NCEATA is not just about creative embroidery and textile art, we are also here for one another.

Thanks to everyone who braved the weather for the Saturday meeting in March and especially to Sue Russell for her challenging and stimulating exercise on blanket stitch. Many thanks too to Ruth Spence who facilitated another slow stitching session at the March Monday meeting. Both meetings were very enjoyable and were extremely helpful in developing new stitching skills.

The meeting dates and times until August 2021 are published at the end of this newsletter. After hearing that our previous venue is not yet hiring their spaces to groups other than those conducting church activities, the Hamilton Community Hive has been booked for the next five months, including our Annual general Meeting in July.

The mention of the AGM was just my attempt to segue into the future of NCEATA. The meeting changes trialled this year will be reviewed at the AGM, so please jot down the things you like and dislike at meetings, so we have thoughtful feedback in July. At the AGM, we also hope to have recommendations prepared to amend the constitution., Thanks to Merrie How who will lead the group, reviewing the constitution AND … All committee positions will be declared vacant, and while some members may stand again for committee positions, please give serious consideration to the three executive positions - president, secretary and treasurer as the incumbents in these positions will not be renominating. These positions must be filled for NCEATA to continue into 2021-2022. Over the next few months, there are opportunities to “shadow” in these positions to learn a little more about what each position entails - please contact me if you are interested.

Hope you are all working on an artwork for the exhibition “Found” at the end of the year.

Be creative, regards
Wilma Simmons, Caretaker President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

MARCH 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Thank you, NCEATA members - the year has started so well for NCEATA with an enthusiastic record number attendance both January and February. A big thank you to Ruth Spence who conducted the last three meetings and initiating the review of NCEATA. We all appreciated the slow stitching exercises - a contrast in meetings with a much smaller group at the Monday meeting, but both were most enjoyable. These meetings were also a trial of the new look “show and tell” - please let me know what you think of this and how it fits in with the meeting plan.

The next meeting will be the March Saturday meeting, and this short newsletter will be to cover that meeting, and from now on, the newsletter will be published straight after the Saturday meeting so that it will be a reminder for both meetings in the month. Many thanks to Judi for the new format newsletter and to Ann Dean-Pijpers who is preparing a full year’s program as this newsletter is being written.

The committee will meet on 12 March, so if there is an issue that you would like considered, please contact one of the committee to put that item on the agenda.

A reminder that NCEATA has made a commitment to participate in the Newcastle Fringe Festival Market on 21 March at the Newcastle Station precinct 4pm -8pm. Susanne Boulton is coordinating our stall. If you have goods for sale, please complete the form provided and deliver your goods to Susanne at the meeting on 20 March, or make an arrangement to deliver them on the day.

Please also remember that the theme for our next exhibition is “Found”. Judi Nikoleski is the coordinator of this exhibition, so please direct any inquiries to Judi … it’s already March and before we know it, the art works will be due.

“Brooching the Subject “is a textile brooch competition and exhibition sponsored by Timeless Textiles. If you are interested in making brooches using a textile /fibre art related technique, please go to the gallery website for an entry form - entry date has been extended to 22 March.

For all updates, please join and visit the NCEAA members’ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nceatamembers. Looking forward to seeing you at the NCEATA meeting,

Wilma Simmons, Caretaker President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

FEBRUARY 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Times are a ‘changing . . . it may be a surprise to you that I am writing the “president’s” note for this newsletter. In the absence of an election of a vice-president at the last AGM, and because Carolyn is on leave of absence from these duties at the moment, I have stepped into her shoes as a caretaker president, from the committee meeting on 29 January until the July AGM. I would like to recognise Carolyn’s amazing contribution as NCEATA president, especially in such difficult times and the support of the current committee - thank you sincerely.

Like many groups, the Covid year has presented NCEATA with the opportunity to reassess its direction and operation. Thanks to Ruth Spence who has led this discussion, and to all who contributed individually or at the January meeting. There have been quite a few strongly supported recommendations, some of which can be acted on immediately, and others which because of venue uncertainty may take a little longer to implement. Considering the ‘voting’ patterns, the committee has endorsed a trial of the recommendations regarding meetings - timing, style/agenda, show and tell display, and coordination. Some other suggestions such as the development and support of social media presence, the abolition of exhibition entry fees and a strengthening of community connections in the style of ‘textile tasters ‘will also be actioned. For at least the next two meetings, NCEATA will meet at “The Hive”, Beaumont Street, Hamilton with a Saturday afternoon meeting and a Monday morning meeting. All of the recommendations and any further discussion will be led by Ruth at the next two meetings and all minutes of meetings and summaries of the “change” discussion will be available to members at these meetings.

Congratulations to members who participated in the “Fusion” exhibition, to the admin team and the gallery volunteers. I am happy to report that one of the aspects of NCEATA that appeared to be worth “saving” was the annual exhibition. I hope you are all now looking forward to the next, “Found”. (Please see separate Exhibition report).

This is such an exciting time for NCEATA - I hope that proposed changes will revitalise our meetings and make them more accessible and relevant to everyone, members and visitors alike. Thanks to Wendy Scott who introduced many of us to some fun products in January. I look forward to seeing what members did with these various fabrics and threads. I hope you will enjoy ‘having a go’ at the meeting mini workshops and activities planned for 2021 … “Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?” –Michelle Obama Hope to see many of you at the February meeting - stay creative!

Wilma Simmons, Caretaker President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

JANUARY 2021 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Welcome members, old and new to NCEATA 2021. Who knows how this year will develop. The good news is that we have a temporary venue until clearance is given to meet back at The Grove. Latest information is that it will be after vaccinations for Covid have been done which is an unknown time at this stage.

Our first meeting will be at the Hamilton Community Hive on Saturday 16th January 10am to 1pm. This is the hall next to the Uniting Church (known as Wesley) in Beaumont St. It has a ramp access and good kitchen facilities. Being a Saturday there should be parking nearby.

I encourage as many members as possible to attend as the review will help determine the future of NCEATA. If you’re unable to attend your input is still important so you could contact us via email with your ideas. It was pleasing to see 14 members at NCEATA’s Picnic in the Park in Lambton Park on Sat 21st November 2020. There was plenty of opportunity to mingle informally and catch up with others under the shade of an enormous fig tree.

The essential positions were filled at this meeting: president, secretary, treasurer, exhibition, webmaster and public officer although it’s yet again just moving the deck chairs between the same old faces. Thanks to Ann Dean-Pijpens for taking on librarian from Rhonda who moved to secretary and Judi who took on exhibitions from Wilma. It is disappointing that other members aren’t prepared to take on a role as some of the committee are ready to move on. There will definitely be positions that need to be filled in July 2021 as both the treasurer, Sue Russell and the president are stepping down.

Our exhibition “ Fusion” continues throughout January until the 31st. Thank you to Wilma and Lyn for their organisation, Wilma, Ruth and Ann-Maree the installation and all who have volunteered to sit the gallery.

Thanks to Daniela Glassop for establishing the NCEATA members site on fb as a way to help disseminate information. Great initiative Daniela. Need inspiration for your exhibition pieces in 2021? Try joining the Facebook group Printing with Found Objects.

Carolyn Clausen BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

NOVEMBER 2020 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

NCEATA’s Picnic in the Park will happen in Lambton Park on Sat 21st November 2020. Bring your chair and a small share plate or your own food. We’ll supply the tables and gazebo. Coffee shops are nearby.

We’ll have the AGM at 10am then time to mingle and catch up. Maybe you can show your latest creativity during lockdown.

It is essential that the following positions at least are filled at this meeting: president, secretary, treasurer, exhibition, webmaster and public officer.

A reminder that only financial members can vote or stand at elections.

If inclement weather we can adjourn to the hotel opposite the park. Thank you to those who have renewed their membership for 2020-21. A reduced rate of $30 this year as meetings were suspended. We still had to pay insurance, HAN membership, Art Bazaar sites, website and sundries.

Three of our hard working committee members, Judi Nikoleski – webmaster and editor, Wilma Simmons – exhibitions, and Daniela Glassop – media, have been very active.

Judi’s Un-Tamed exhibition remains at Timeless Textiles until 6 Dec and Wilma will be pushing the Envelope in May 2021.

Daniela has a range of her original designs printed onto fabrics that are now available online at: https://www.digitalfabrics.com.au/fabric-shop/ Our usual meeting venue is still unavailable but I’m anticipating being able to hold our general meeting in January.

Carolyn Clausen BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

SEPTEMBER 2020 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Strange times are the new norm. I’ve lost count of the number of masks that I’ve made. At least it’s got my mojo back and I’m enjoying being in my workroom again. You may have seen one of our Life Members, Shirley in recent TV ads for a pharmacy, my that girl gets around. I also received an email from Gay Grillmeier that I’d like to share with members as it touched my heart when I read it.

Dear Caroline, I have decided not to renew my NCEATA membership this year. My son is not happy with me driving from Gosford to Newcastle anymore. I need to listen to my son. I have been a member for about 25 years or more. Can’t remember exactly how many. I have loved every minute of being a member of NCEATA I have learned so much, had fun doing creative sewing, sharing my skills with others, enjoying the friendship of like minded people. I wish you all the best for the future. Thanks you so much Cheers, Gay Grillmeier

PS: Thanks for your reply. Yes, It would be good to publish my letter in the newsletter, letting all my NCEATA friends know how much I appreciated their friendship.

We’ll miss Gay at our meetings but I hope that our paths cross over sometime.Unfortunately meetings remain cancelled until further notification. There has been no response to continued requests to fill the vacancies on the committee. I’d like to have held a committee meeting by now to determine how we proceed from here and will do so with the remnants of the 2019-2020 committee.

Some activities are taking place that might interest members: > 2020 Waste to Art registrations will appeal to those who work sustainably. It’s supported by Lake Macquarie sustainable neigbourhoods. > Untethered fibre artists inc. exhibition at Muswellbrook Art Centre is currently on and worth a visit. Some of us went last year to their exhibition at Hornsby – maybe a day out? >A late notice for the Hunter Valley Art Fair @ Pokolbin over the long weekend has gained lots of interest. Unfortunately only outside stalls remain but if any members are interested please contact me ASAP. I’m unable to attend so it would require enough members interested to participate as NCEATA.

I’m following the adage “Stay safe, keep well, be happy” by wearing my mask and using the sanitiser, maintaining good health with my daily Aquafitness at Charlestown Swim Centre (highly recommend), Tai Chi at Mereweather and keeping in touch with family and friends as much as possible.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

AUGUST 2020 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Strange times we live in… There’s a new normal in our daily routine. At least as textile artists you shouldn’t be too bored but loneliness is another byproduct of our social isolation. Have you been able to log onto some interesting websites or blogs? Perhaps you would you like to share these with fellow members?

Unfortunately meetings are cancelled until further notification. The Grove board will determine when the hall is ready to accept us back. COVID rules will be made by them for us to adhere to. We’ll have to improvise the AGM that is usually held in July. Usually have vacancies are filled voluntarily by self nomination. Ironically there are more than the normal amount of vacancies as several committee members have notified that they would not fill their position in 2020-21 pre Covid.

Vacancies that require filling are: secretary, assistant secretary, exhibition coordinator, newsletter editor, travelling suitcase coordinator. I will again fill the role of president unless someone else would like to fill this position as I have held either secretary or president for many years. Judi needs to be replaced as newsletter editor after 9 years in the role and Wilma has requested that she be replaced as Exhibition Coordinator after several years. Emailed nominations are to be forwarded to me, president@nceata.org ASAP.

These positions have been advertised several times in our newsletter without any response. Please consider taking on one of these vacancies as the group depends on these being filled. Some committee members have more than one role which is unfair when there are so many members. A description of each role is published in this newsletter and support from previous officers has been offered. In regard to the secretary, the role could be split between a Saturday and Monday nomination.Please nominate for any of these positions.

We’ve been advised that the Living Smart festival at Speers Point is cancelled - new date is 17-21 Sept 2021. The Stitches and Craft at Newcastle Entertainment Centre .9-11 Oct is cancelled so the pieces for “Gold Fusion” will be the basis for 2021 travelling suitcase. The Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair has been rescheduled to 29 Oct -1 Nov.

Anyone who had been to the Sewing Basket shop or saw them at last years S & C show will be pleased to know that they are currently outfitting a shopfront at Kincumber. Achieve Australia is a disability support organisation that runs the Sewing Basket. They accept donations of textile items, fabrics, haby, patterns etc and sell at very reasonable prices,

Finally have you been following our facebook page that Daniela manages? Please be mindful when making comments that it represents our association and it is not the place to write adverse notes about local businesses as these are not representative of NCEATA’s ethics.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

MAY 2020 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Happy Mother’s Day to all those mothers, daughters, carers and women. A time to reflect on the value of mothers and women rather than celebrate in the commercial sense.

It’s been an interesting time that we’ll all remember being without our loved ones physically but keeping them close in many other ways. It may be that we can resume meetings in a few month’s time. Hopefully none of you have been too adversely affected by the isolation. Indeed some such as Wilma, Sue, Connie, Wendy and Daniela have not missed a beat via their facebook photos.

I had a lovely time making felt poppies that I shared with the neighbourhood. Maybe this can be my Anzac Day tradition. It most certainly got a lot of comments from locals.

I thought that I’d share some past workshops with you in case you need inspiration for Fusion and Gold Fusion. I really enjoyed a workshop with Robin Ihnen years ago on making silk paper. She was also one of the tutors recently. The notes that I made years ago are in this newsletter.

A lesson learned

I was at a friend’s house on Friday and she showed me her dining room chair that she thought had a tear in the upholstery. I thought that it was a burn mark although no smokers in her house. She rang today to say that her son was sitting in the chair on his Mother’s Day visit and noticed a burn mark on her dining table.

He realised that the bright flickers were coming through the magnifying glass attached to her craft lamp that she uses for jigzaws. Fortunately only a chair and table damaged and not a house fire, Needless to say the magnifying glass in no longer on the lamp by the window.

All the best wishes from your president.

Carolyn Clausen BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

APRIL 2020 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

WOW! Interesting times we live in. In cancelling our March meetings by being cautious we now find ourselves not only cancelling future meetings but all other activities until given the green light. So many people affected, many now in dire circumstances.

Fusion and Gold Fusion to give us something to work on. I’ve many UFOs as well. I’m sure that you have too.

Keep safe in isolation. Be creative in your time out from social activities,

All the best wishes from your president.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

MARCH 2020 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Our thoughts have been with Helen Tolhurst, a long time member who recently lost her life partner Paul after a long illness. Take care Helen.

Thanks to Sandra Cooke and Judi Nikoleski for coordinating the exhibition and workshops at Charlestown Library during January and February. Following on from the Creative Textiles held for the public, Fusion Techniques at both Saturday and Monday meetings for members was enormously successful with a very large attendance on the Monday. Thanks to the members who demonstrated and gave mini workshops. Maija with fusing techniques, Dry Felting with Anne-Marie using embellishers, Robin on making silk paper and Margaret and Wilma on collage and stitch. The feedback on each of these sessions was very positive.

International Women’s Day on Sunday March 8th will be celebrated at Timeless Textiles with the auction of Fearless Flowers. Anne and Wilma invite all members and their friends to join them. Many members have been involved in attending the weekly workshops or by making flowers for this event.

The committee will be meeting on Monday 9th March at South Leagues Club at 10am. Committee and members can provide items for the agenda by emailing Lee-Anne Deegan secretary@nceata.org

One of the items will be the future of the activities that we held at Charlestown library for children and adults during our recent exhibition there. Again, this was very well attended by adults who previously had not been aware of NCEATA. Should we decide to continue with these workshops a subcommittee will be needed to manage this. Are you interested?

Anyone who may be interested in taking a position at the AGM in July is welcome to attend. Several major positions will need to be filled this year including president, secretary and exhibition so please consider taking on one of these roles.

Are there any member/s who would be prepared to take over the Living Smart Festival that is held each year at Speers Point Park from Trish Thompson?

From the Public Officer
There were 51 financial members as of 28 Feb 2020. New members include Sue McIntire and Angela Roberts. Welcome ladies.

All the best wishes from your president.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

JANUARY 2020 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The opening of our exhibition Cosmic Dreaming was well attended by members and visitors who appreciated the diversity of the works on show.

How long ago it seems that the topic was received with intrepidation! Jen Florey who is a member of the well-respected textile group Untethered alluded to the need to challenge ourselves as artists and commented that we had achieved that aim. Thanks to our Exhibition Convenor Wilma her team of Lyn and Ruth, and to the barmen Jim and Vlase as well as each of the members who contributed their work to achieve such success.

The exhibition at Charlestown library, Creative Threads continues to be on show with much interest by the community. As works are sold, they are replaced so that new work is displayed. Thank you to Sandra and Judi for organising the exhibition and to Lake Macquarie city Council for providing such opportunities to reach a different audience.

With planning well underway for 2020 I hope that you take the opportunities offered. The committee have done a marvellous job of trying to provide myriad opportunities for you to either learn new techniques or polish your skills using textiles. By publishing the yearly calendar you can better plan for future workshops and exhibitions.

I wish you all a creative 2020. Some of our members have recently been inflicted with poorer health and mishaps so to them I hope for a speedy recovery, especially to our superb secretary Lee-Anne who has broken her hand.

On a personal note, I’m currently making my granddaughter’s wedding dress. Definitely a labour of love having already beaded over 650 beads with more to go! I remember as a 10 year old being allowed to bead wedding dresses that my mum had made.

I’ve promised myself to be proactive and complete work for Fusion. This might necessitate me learning to say “no” and sticking to it.

All the best wishes from your president.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

NOVEMBER 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

How many of you always saved the best for last? As a child I always saved my favourite foods for last. Probably still do. Well, at NCEATA we’ve saved the best for last by having so many events to involve you as members. Creative Threads Exhibition at Charlestown Library’s a new venture for us, Art Bazaar (not one but two this year) at Lambton Park then again in the grounds at the opening of Lake Mac Art Gallery at Booragul, Cosmic Dreaming Exhibition at Timeless Textiles, the Travelling Suitcase for 2020 and then the workshops at Charlestown Library. We celebrate Christmas not once but twice at each meeting in November - thanks to the hostesses Rhonda and Ruth.

It’s extremely gratifying when members share success stories with us. Congratulations to Trish Thompson whose quilt was purchased by the Regal Cinema as a gift for Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown. It doesn’t get much better than that!

As president, I’d like to especially thank all those who have contributed to our continued success as a collaborative and supportive community group who inspires our members in so many ways.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

OCTOBER 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The committee will next meet on Mon 14 October at 10am at South’s Leagues Club to review the three major events in September: Craftfully, Living Smart and Stitches and Craft.

What a bust month we’ve just had. Although Craftfully was cancelled with little notice I’d like to thank Tara for her effort towards this event. I do hope that those who were going to assist her were not too put out. An apology to anyone who didn’t receive our last minute notification.

An enormous thank you to those who responded to my very late SOS to assist in setting up Stitches and Craft when I realised that Rhonda was still in Glasgow the day before. Members took over the hanging with enthusiasm and the task was completed in record time. Thanks Ruth, Pam, Wendy, Tara and Ann-Maree for responding. Rhonda was pleasantly surprised by our “Lunar Dreaming” and was able to stand back (jetlagged on her feet?) and observe while we had everything in hand. Thanks to all those members who were on duty at NCEATA during the event. Many doubling up with Fearless Flowers and Gumnut Dollies.

Finally, a thank you to Trish, Susanne, Ruth and Tara who represented NCEATA at the Living Smart Festival. Trish did a magnificent job in directing our focus at meetings on repurposing household linens. Members’ responses produced some interesting results. Thanks Trish. And to Mick for his invaluable assistance in setting up and transport.

Ann Dean Pijpens will be host in October meetings and Ruth in November. Have you thought about being one of our hostesses for a meeting?

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

SEPTEMBER 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Have you been thinking of the moon lately? Been humming “Blue Moon”? Does .. come to mind or do you see a “bad moon rising”. Let’s see these moons in orbit at our display at the Stitches & Craft Show this year. We need lots more Lunar Dreaming to complete the display in the standard that we have previously attained.

Apologies for the error in August newsletter re slow stitching with Wilma as she was already in Nepal. Thank you to the Saturday members who attempted the paper bag challenge for S&C that she and Ann Maree had prepared.

Vale Maureen Grealy. Members may remember Maureen as a talented patchwork and quilter and as a member of Novacastrian Quilters.

Three major events in September: Craftfully coordinated by Tara Mann, Stitches and Craft coordinated by Rhonda Porter and Sustainability coordinated by Trish Thompson. Thank you all for your efforts.

Alterations to the S&C roster, add Shirley Bjornsson to Thursday, delete Merrie on Saturday.

As committee meetings are being held independent of our meeting we should be able to start the general meetings at 10am promptly, with minimum of business followed by Show and Tell, then onto the focus for the day. Please put any items to give away on the side table so as not to interrupt the meeting so that we start on time.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

AUGUST 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Welcome to Ruth and Tara as new committee members. Ruth as Vice President (although we all suspected that she had a bit of vice in her) and Tara as Craftfully and Travelling Suitcase Coordinator (here’s hoping Mr Right arrives in one of the suitcases). It’s always difficult to fill vacancies so their acceptance is very much appreciated. Now, to work on filling the current vacancies.

The incoming committee had a very successful planning meeting at Souths Leagues on Mon 29 July where we were able to organise 2019-2020. An initiative we are going to try is asking members to volunteer to be hostess for each meeting on a roster basis so that no one person has the responsibility all year. This will entail getting the milk, setting up the hospitality area, ensuring the urn is filled etc and closing up after the meeting. As meetings and workshops have already been planned the duties should be less onorous. What month/day are you available?

The committee will next meet on Mon 14 October to review the three major events in September: Craftfully, Living Smart and Stitches and Craft. My, we do have a lot to focus on in August.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

JULY 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

What a wonderful way to finish the year with the Coptic Book Binding workshop by Maija at our last meetings. I’m definitely inspired to follow up on this technique. Although a bit sceptical about working with paper. I’m now a convert. Thanks Maija.

July marks the new year 2019-2020 for NCEATA starting with the AGM on Saturday 20th July. Then it’s full steam ahead until our exhibition in December. A reminder that fees are now due from 1 July 2019. Payment can be made at the AGM. Membership must be current to vote in the AGM. If possible I encourage you to pay online to make our job of keeping lists current easier.

Rhonda has the Stitches and Craft Show in hand. Have you completed your piece to hand into her at the meetings? Did you see coverage of the moon landing recently? I often find it difficult to focus on my exhibition pieces. Do you? By completing the paperwork and sending it to Lyn Adamson I’ve been able to become more focused and organised. She needs submissions ASAP. Members are continually working on projects for the Living Smart Festival on Saturday 28th September at Speers Point Park. Thanks to Trish for her inspirations and ideas on how to repurpose and recycle obsolete textiles. I’m looking forward to seeing the results at the Festival. We’ll be having a double site, with power again this year so that we can further show visitors how they too can use these skills.

The convict bonnets will be on display at the Lovett Gallery in Newcastle City Library with the opening on Tuesday 30th July at 5.30. The event is called “They Sent Me North: Female Convicts in the Hunter” as the book will be launched at this event. Free tickets are available at librarycms@ncc.nsw.gov.au.

Helen Tolhurst, a long time member has a display of her amazing work “Enchanted places” at Readers Café East Maitland until 27th July. Well worth a visit (not open Sundays). Congratulations to Judi Nikoleski on her and husband Vlase’s recent exhibition and her 2nd prize Mixed Techniques with “Ethnic Perspective” at the Sydney Quilt Show 2019 (www.quiltnsw.com/quiltshow/professional).

At our last meeting we elected to give a donation of $250 to Seven Sisters, an organisation that Wilma and her friend Pam are going to Nepal in August. The donation will enable one girl, who has disabilities to go to school for a year. A most worthwhile recipient for us to support.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

JUNE 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Almost the end of this year with the AGM to be held on Saturday 20th July. Please consider taking on one of the vacant positions viz: Exhibition Coordinator, Travelling Suitcase Coordinator, Saturday and Monday Coordinators. After holding President and Secretary positions for several years I’m ready to pass over President. Any takers?

We had 12 members enrolled to do Marie-Therese’s workshop on Sublimation on two consecutive Saturdays. Day one focused on learning the principles and basics using disperse dyes. The second day we created some amazing designs using Marie-Therese’s sublimation techniques and we all went home eager to continue experimenting thanks to our mini dye pots.

30 of us met at Hamilton TAFE to acknowledge 40 years of NCEATA. Previous members included Suzie Bowring Miller, Jan Cummings, Narelle DeLosa, Margaret Ferguson, Denise Gill, Margaret Laughlin, Kate Pattison, Marcelle Sandeman and Sue Shute.

After a delicious meal designed, cooked and served by the Hospitality students Sandra brought out old photo albums. Lots of memories were shared and laughter abound regarding some of the fashions of the era.

Living Smart Festival paperwork has arrived for Saturday 28th September at Speers Point Park.. We’ll be having a double site, with power again this year. Does anyone have upholstery sample fabrics in their stash that they’d like to pass over as I’d like to make a few skirts for Living Smart. Please bring to June or July meetings.

As the Stitches and Craft Show coincides this year with Living Smart we’ll need lots of members to volunteer, especially on Saturday 28th Septeber. If you’re unsure. Let us know and you will be paired with a member who has done it before.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

MAY 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Let’s use Sunday 12th to celebrate all the amazing women in our families whether they be a mother, grandmother, daughter, sibling, aunt, niece, mother or daughter in law. Each one is unique and deserves to be celebrated, not just mothers. I’ll be spending my day with my family celebrating my three score years and ten.

We have 12 members enrolled to do Marie-Theresa’s workshop on Disperse Dyes and Transfer Printing.

25 past and present members are coming to the dinner at Hamilton TAFE on 21st May.

There are still seats remaining so if you’d like to come please let me know and pay before 13th May as final numbers will be due then.

Art Bazaar and Living Smart have fuelled my creativity and I’ve been productive. Have you?

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

APRIL 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Firstly, our thoughts are with Jim and Wilma as we wish him a speedy recovery. Jim is the quiet supporter behind Wilma's enthusiasm.

Usually it's not until later in the year that we have a lot happening, however May is an extremely busy month this year.

Art Bazaar's on 4th May at Speers Point Park. Plenty of table space still available.

Our special 2 day workshop with Marie-Therese Wisniowski on the 18th and 25th. Have you enrolled yet?

21st May is our 40th aniiversary dinnerat Hamilton TAFE. Are you coming along to share an evening of friendship without having to bring pins and needles. Bookings now being taken.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

MARCH 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Rhonda has created our latest challenge that all members can contribute towards. I’m looking forwards to see our display at Stitches and Craft inspired by the maroon and lunar theme. Have you had creative thoughts already?

It’s only through the dedication of committee members that NCEATA continues to be so successful. As with any progressive organisation it’s critical that new blood is introduced to ensure a dynamic culture. With this in mind, please consider putting up your hand for two important vacancies that will occur at our AGM in July.

A new Exhibition coordinator to replace Wilma is essential. (Yes, I know that Wilma can’t be replaced but she’ll be available to support the incoming coordinator. Thank you to Lynne Adamson who will be assisting Wilma as an Administrative Assistant, Exhibitions. The Travelling Suitcase Coordinator’s role will also be available so please consider this one as well. Sandra has developed a system to coordinate this role. It requires someone who is available Dec-Jan.

I’m looking to have a member take over as president as I’ve held several positions at NCEATA over a long time and would like a successor to shadow me this year.

Anyone visiting Sydney might be interested in The Sewing Basket (the shop that supports Achieve Australia, previously situated at Meadowbank). It is a treasure chest (actually warehouse) of all things textiles. New address is Unit 5, 2 Holker St Newington and now opened Mon-Fri 9-2, 1st Sun & 3rd Sat each month.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

FEBRUARY 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

I was very pleased to see new members and visitors at the January meetings. Many of us were challenged by the activity of creating continuous bias, thanks Judi.

Who else is no the search for vintage or old linen, especially linen tea towels to repurpose into clothing to wear and/or sell at Living Smart Festival later this year. Many ideas were shared so I’m looking forward to seeing results later on.

I’m delighted to announce that we have a date locked in for a dinner to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. The date is Tuesday 21st May 2019 at Hamilton TAFE.

Hospitality students in training prepare and serve a delicious two course meal so keep this date aside to join past and present members. Anyone with special dietary requirements will be catered for. More information to come.

I’ll collect any Convict Bonnets at both February meetings so that I can pass them onto Newcastle Family History Society.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

JANUARY 2019 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Becoming a member of NCEATA encourages and fosters our creativity in whatever textile medium we choose to employ. Some members go beyond the norm and give something back in return. Sandra Cooke is one such member. So it was with great pleasure that I was able to announce at our exhibition that she is now a life memeber of NCEATA. Sandra has held many roles during her 20 years of membership and her advocacy for NCEATA as Travelling Suitcase Coordinator ensures that we are well known throughout the wider community.

I'd like to share part of an email from one of our long standing memebers, Sue Shute that reminded me of why I'm so proud to be a member of NCEATA.

"I have loved being a member of NCEATA for many years. In that time I have really appreciated how much the members shared their knowledge and skills with everyone. It has always been a friendly group and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the group at meetings, classes, wekends away, exhibitions, challenges etc.

Over the last 15 years my life has changed, and I am no longer able to do the creative sewing that I have loved. In recent years my life has taken a different direction, but I still love attending exhibitions, reading about what is happening in the club and seeing old friends from the group."

Congratulations to each of the members who exhibited their Black and White creation, yet another example of talent within our group. Dr Diane Volker, a past president, was most impressed with how far the group has come in the 40 years since it's inception.

Carolyn Clausen, President BACK TO TOP OF WEBPAGE

Website for Newcastle Creative Embroiderers & Textile Artists Inc
Contact our president via the contacts webpage for the NCEATA postal address.

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