February news....

Hello Malagoers

It was great to see friends and new at our first meeting of 2017.  A big thank you to Penny for a fantastic workshop and for finishing off our creations!

We are all a bit fed up of the cold and dark, with many of us counting down the days until Spring.  So what better way to welcome in the first days of Spring than learning about colour analysis with Karen Lowe.  Karen is a long-time friend of Malago WI and we delighted that she will be joining us again.  She studied textile design at Nottingham Trent University.  Following a career in marketing and the birth of her daughter, Karen decided to retrain as an image consultant and has been helping clients ever since.

During the evening Karen will discuss how colours can instantly change the way you look, giving you a younger, fresher and vibrant appearance.  We hope that we will have some willing volunteers to help Karen with a colour analysis demonstration.  She has also asked that everyone bring a brightly coloured item which you love or think you can’t wear and she will take a look.

If you fancy celebrating all that is WI, why not visit the WI Fair taking place on 29^th March – 1^st April 2017 at Alexandra Place London. There will be hundreds of stalls and exhibitors offering craft, cooking and creativity. Tickets are currently on sale.

The WI is currently looking for feedback on its future and is asking members to complete a questionnaire.  Members can fill in the survey via hard copy, on pages 49-51 of the November/December issue of WI Life and return it using ‘Freepost NFWI’; or online using this link www.thewi.org.uk/our-wi-our-future-survey.  Deadline for responses is 28^th February.

If you didn’t renew your membership in January, you are still able to do so.  Membership for 2017 is £39 and payment can be made by cash or cheque.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 23^rd February!
MWI x

January news....

Hello Malagoers

It has been a while since we last met for lino cutting in November and we hope that everyone has had an enjoyable Christmas break.

So for our first meeting of 2017, we are getting crafty.  If you are looking for an original piece of jewellery, perhaps to match a particular outfit, then Penny Smith will be showing us how to upcycle buttons and ribbon to make a necklace.

Each necklace is made from 7 different buttons.  Penny will bring along some supplies but has asked if you have some favourite buttons at home (with two or four holes and no bigger than a fifty pence piece) please bring them along.  Alternatively, you can pop into Paper Village on North Street who have a great selection in a range of colours. All other materials will be provided.

Penny has been a WI member for approximately 5 years and is an avid fan of Denman College where she has learnt many crafts and spent two years studying to become an AFWI Judge of Preserves with many tales of Judging!  Having now semi-retired, she has time to develop her love of crafts which range from beads, buttons, bags, quilting to silk painting!

The WI is currently looking for feedback on its future and is asking members to complete a questionnaire.  Members can fill in the survey via hard copy, on pages 49-51 of the November/December issue of WI Life and return it using ‘Freepost NFWI’; or online using this link www.thewi.org.uk/our-wi-our-future-survey.  Deadline for responses is 28^th February.

It is also time for membership renewal.  Membership for 2017 is £39 and it would be really helpful if you could arrive a bit early so we can sort our membership payment which can be made by cash or cheque.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 25^th January!

MWI x

November News....

October’s meeting was on a cold dark, night which was perfect for Kim Thomson to show us how to produce our own light graffiti.  For a lot of first timers, we did pretty well.

November is our last meeting of the year and what better than getting the creative juices following with a lino printing workshop hosted by Lucy Dabner.  Lucy started learning printmaking techniques in the late 1990s whilst attending Chelsea College of Art and Design (The London Institute) and Falmouth College of Art.  Although her career then took her into another direction, she has recently taken up lino printing again focusing mainly on Arabic/Islamic patterns. 

Lucy will be showing us the lino printing process from choosing and transferring an image onto the lino, through to a final finished print in a single colour.  As it will be the run-up to Christmas, we will be producing lino cut Christmas cards and festive tags to take-away. All the tools and ink will be provided, but please bring any card or tags you would like to print on.  As we will be using ink, you may want to bring something to cover your clothes as the ink can stain.

All members now have the opportunity to vote for the WI resolutions which will go to the WI AGM in June 2017.  The 2017 resolutions are:

1. Alleviating loneliness.
2. FGM. More awareness for more action.
3. Equal access for all who need specialised maternal mental health services.
4. Provision of appropriate welfare and safe spaces for women & children in refugee camps.
5. Supporting women's refuges.
6. Plastic Soup. Keep microplastic fibres out of our oceans.

Voting slips and further details of the resolutions are in this month’s WI Life.  Please bring your voting slip along to the meeting.

We hope to see you on Wednesday 30^th for our last meeting of 2016.  If you are not able to make it, we wish you best for the festive period and see you in January 2017.

October news...

September’s meeting saw us upcycling courtesy of Sarah from My English Home.  We got to learn about different upcycling techniques using Annie Sloan paints.  If you have caught the upcycling bug, Sarah would love you to visit her at My English Home.  Don’t forget your voucher for a 10% discount.

October means it’s time to celebrate as it will be Malago WI’s 8^th birthday.  This year we will have a Diwali theme, so we will be enjoying a feast of savoury and sweet snacks.  For those bringing refreshments, you might like to try creating some Diwali inspired treats.  Here are some delicious recipes to inspire you!

Autumn is well and truly here and although we might not like the nights during in, it is perfect for our October meeting hosted by Kim Thomson.  Kim is a multi-disciplinary artist specialising in silversmithing and alternative photography.  She has been delivering creative art workshops to a range of groups in Bristol for over 12 years.  Kim will be teaching us to create light graffiti where we will be designing and producing our own light graffiti light pictures using a range of light sources and digital SLR cameras.  Kim will be providing all the equipment required and we will have the opportunity to get prints of the finished articles.

We look forward to seeing you all for our birthday celebration on Wednesday 26^th.

MWIx

September News....

After a summer of outings and with the night’s drawing in, we are returning to the hall to be treated to a feast of upcycling!!

We will be joined by Sarah from My English Home  exclusive Bristol stockists of Annie Sloan paint and products in the beautiful Clifton Arcade. Sarah was trained by Annie herself and now holds courses using these paints for furniture renovations. Annie first developed the paint some 25 years ago wanting something that allowed her to be creative and spontaneous with no need for prep!  Once you’ve tried it – you won’t go back to sanding!

Sarah will be showing us all how to upcycle and revive that old piece of furniture you keep thinking you should throw out! She will be giving us demonstrations of painting, upholstering, and various effects and finishes.  You be will inspired to go home and breathe new life into your own chairs and tables!

You will then get a chance to create your own Annie Sloan piece – please bring a small photo frame (or mirror) to try your hand at the 2 colour paint effect! Please do wear something you don’t mind getting paint on!

You will have the opportunity to buy a number of products including books, brushes and mini project packs consisting of two 100ml tester pots of Annie Sloan chalk paint, Annie Sloan clear and dark and an Annie Sloan natural bristle brush. The pack retails for £29.95.

You will also be able to order 1 litre tins of paint and anything else that takes your fancy!   Sarah will accept cash or cheque.  All attendees will be given 10% off their purchase on their 1st visit to Sarah’s shop.

We look forward to seeing you back at Bedminster Methodist Church on 28^th September.

MWIx