Sunday 31 January 2016

27th January - Last January meeting for the year already!

We are already well into planning for this busy year coming up. An extremely productive Show meeting preceded the regular Thursday group this week. Much planning and decision-making was achieved, and is well underway for our up-coming show in August.

Just as well we have the two raffle quilts completely finished. That's one big task out of the way. Many thanks to Judy and Robyn J  for all their efforts, and of course all the members who have contributed block and extra work in making the quilts. 

We have confirmed this year's Retreat dates as 27th, 28th and 29th of May. This means it will be well before the show, for those who want to devote retreat time to put finishing touches to show quilts! We are still looking for a co-ordinator for the retreat, as Deb has moved out of Sydney. Need someone by AGM time! Have a think and discuss it with Kerry. She can explain the ropes.

Still on Show biz...... entry forms will be coming out very soon from Lindy, and will need to be filled in and returned (with pictures) by Thursday 31st March. Lindy needs this information to confirm orders for quilt frames, finalise planning for the hall layout etc etc. 
Contributions to the Baby Quilt Challenge for the show will be due back a week later on the 7th April.
It's all happening folks! There will be a members choice prize/s on this day for these little exhibits.

As well as the Retreats and Tours co-ordinator, we will be looking for a new Librarian and a new Workshops co-ordinator at the AGM. The date of the AGM by the way is Thursday, 18th February.

We welcomed a visitor Lindy today. Margaret D invited her, and we hope you enjoyed your day Lindy. Margaret herself was 'visiting' having moved out of Sydney. We hope this is a regular occurrence Margaret!

Robyn H is much improved after her nasty fall. Still a bit bruised, but undaunted! Cheryl is well after her second cataract op and hopeful it will mean she can return to doing more close work again!

Our new member Fran was the only volunteer for Show and Tell this week! Good on you Fran.
It was something she started last week I believe, and is her first attempt at paper piecing. Looking very nice indeed. Wonderful colours and great fabrics!  Can't wait to see the finished product.

                          

Well, that's our lot for this week. Thanks to Alison for filling in on blog duty last week. Much appreciated!
See you all again next Thursday.

Thursday 21 January 2016

Thursday 21 January

Hello everyone - Alison on blog duty today. 
Welcome to our new member, Fran.
Remember that our AGM is on 18th Feb and there are a couple of positions up for grabs so check your email.
We received a lovely letter and certificate from the Lord Mayor's Picnic organisers.
Susie M will be shaving her head to support the World's Greatest Shave.
Search for Suzanne Murphy to help support those with blood cancer
The retreat is coming up soon from 27-29 May.
Now for some Waggas:
This was made by Gillian from scraps from the cupboard
Another Jess creation
And a strippy Wagga by Grace.
Sheila has made this "One Block Wonder". All the blocks were made from the same fabric
Susie made the quilts below for two little girls
And Lilly and finished her quilt, too


Sunday 17 January 2016

OUR FIRST MEETING OF 2016

Welcome back to all! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year break.
We had a very good roll-up for our first gathering of the year, especially considering the extreme heat of the day. Thank goodness the air con was working! 

                                  


                                  



                                  

The key cards however were not. News from HH Council is that the system was broken over the break, so the cards don't work. Don't throw yours away yet though, because they promise it will soon be fixed and the cards will be operational again. Promises, promises! Let's see what happens. In the meantime, we have to pass the one key we have been given from person to person each week. Please remember to give it to the next person on kitchen duty. 

We are having a show meeting on Thursday, January 28th for all show committee people. 9.30am across the road at the Baby Health Centre room. See you there.

The AGM will be held on Thursday 18th February, and a notice will be coming  to everyone soon via email giving details. Watch out for that.

We have had thank you letters and a certificate from HH Community Services for our donation of two quilts, and from City of Sydney for the Lord Mayor's Picnic quilt. Well done everyone. 

SHOW & TELL
First up are two quilts (waggas) by Pam Reeves, given to Doreen - welcome back by the way Doreen! Everyone was delighted to see you up and about again. Here are the quilts.

                              



The next quilt is a group effort completed by 'Blue Group' to go into the community pile. It's a Sue Cody pattern - 'Sweet Surrender'. Beautiful work girls!

                                  


                                   

Jenny S showed this Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt which was much admired.

                                  


Kathy D showed her latest, from her own fabrics

                                


                                
And a farewell to Margaret D who is moving up the coast to live. We hope we see lots of you Margaret on visits to Sydney. What an asset you have been to our group as well as a valuable and great friend. Stay safe and happy in your new digs. 

It's going to be another outstanding year. I feel it in my bones!
See you soon again
Cheers, Elva

Sunday 10 January 2016

A Thank you ...

Iris here again ...   I  received a thank you letter from Sharon, the Lord Mayor's Picnic Services Coordinator on Friday .    As well as a lovely letter which I will share on Thursday,  Sharon included  some pictures of the quilt we made for the New Years Eve picnic. This is Zoophoria set up in its frame at the event.    




The quilt was won by a young lady who was extremely happy to win.   Talk on Thursday,  Iris

Wednesday 23 December 2015

A 'Face book' thank you

Just a brief post:   I received an email from Anna at HHRCS to say she had posted the information about the winner of Maria's quilt that we donated on their facebook page.      A lovely gentleman Randell won the quilt and said that his wife is absolutely thrilled.    You can see the post with pictures on  https://www.facebook.com/HHRCS  - I have printed a copy for Marie.   Anna wished all the quilters a happy holiday season.   Cheers Iris


Thursday 17 December 2015

CHRISTMAS PARTY - Thursday 10th December. Final meeting for 2015

It was a great turn out for our 2015 Christmas gathering this year. By the time everyone had arrived, the table was groaning with delicious home-made goodies. The Champagne corks popped, and we were off! Thanks to all those who helped in the preparation, planning and carrying out of the event. My apologies once again for being out of action when all the work needed to be done. Fancy getting so sick after such a great holiday! So much for plane travel and the bugs that fly with us!

Iris, Grace, Narelle and Ros, June, and all the others I don't know about who assisted with all the little tasks. 

Iris's Christmas Challenge turned out to be a huge hit. It just grew.....



and grew.......



And grew, till it was obviously going to be a big double bed quilt!



And the winner of the draw was a very surprised Narelle! Congratulations. We wait to hear what she plans to do with the squares. Well done everyone who made one or multiple squares to participate in the challenge, and thanks Iris. It was a big success!


June's fun quiz is always popular, with plenty of running about, mild cheating and hysterical laughter. The basket of goodies made great prizes for the winners. Thanks June. You will most probably be called upon again next Christmas!




A couple of shots here of the food spread along the tables, but unfortunately I didn't get a shot of when they were full! If anyone else did, feel free to post it on the blog. It was amazing! The best and most delicious feast we've had in my memory of these events!



                            

So another year came to an end, and we celebrated in style. Thanks everyone for being such a wonderfully supportive group. We have so much fun and learn so much along the way while doing what we love.
Let's do it all again next year, the year for yet another of our fabulous shows. Plenty to do when we get back, so have a great break. I leave you with the shots of our raffle quilts which we hung at the party - all ready to go for the show. At least we have that part taken care of!
Happy Christmas all. Enjoy your holidays with friends and families. Stay safe and well.
See you on January 14th.


                                    


                                 

Sunday 6 December 2015

Last sewing day for 2015

Elva is still fighting the flue bug so it is Iris in blog-land again.   Elva,  we all hope you can 'kick' that bug before next week.

Stepping Stone House:    The main focus on Thursday was Christmas present wrapping.   Grace and her team of shoppers, with knowledgeable assistance from Judy's son had a very successful day, matching presents to the briefs received on each of the four young people currently at Stepping Stone House.

The end result  ....


These parcels, together with 7 quilts and a Christmas hamper will be delivered by Grace to Stepping Stone House before Christmas.      We have been supporting Stepping Stone House in this way since 2000.

2016 Show Challenge:   Make sure you have the information on the 2016 Show Challenge:  Soft copies were emailed and hard copies are available from Grace.   These cot quilts need to be finished by 6/5/2016 for an in-house exhibition.

Show and Tell ;   I finally finished the quilt top that I was working on at the retreat - now ready for quilting.



 and the back  ....  


Last piece of news - Doreen is now at home, still weak but making slow progress.

Christmas 'end-of-year' party next week, 12 noon:  don't forget, a plate to share, a glass for bubbly, your 'raffle' blocks and if you wish, a contribution to the Stepping Stone House hamper.   See you then.  Cheers Iris