A regular Thursday day of sewing

Elva was nursing a sore throat this,  so Grace took care of 'news time' and Iris here on blog.

First the business ..

• Grace goes off on holidays soon,  so Akiko will be our 'go to' person for money matters in her absence.
• We had an in-house preview of our 2016 Show Flyers ready for a early June distribution
• The Hunters Hill Quilt Show 2016 facebook page is up and running - if you haven't already done so, check it out, 'like' and 'share'.   The raffle quilts look stunning.  
• If you are joining the Retreat, make sure you make your booking with Redleaf - or talk to Narelle.

Grace also mentioned the Classic and Wooden Boat Festival happening this weekend, knowing that it will be enjoyed by of our families.  

And now, the fun business ..  Show and Tell

As a result of the request from Robyn S.  for more cot quilts for the Grace Center for Newborn Care to be delivered just before Mothers Day,  and last week's workshop by Grace there was a lovely 'pile' of 9 cute little quilts to be admired.

From the workshop: 6 different quilts yet they all used the same technique.  I understand there are more to come.

From Joy

From Gil

From Jenny

From Grace 

And three more ...  

From a friend of Robyn S. - Susie

From June

From Gil

As always, a  very successful and enjoyable day.  

Have a great week and Elva, get well for next week.    Cheers Iris 

STOP PRESS! 9/4/16

Just a couple of shots which just came through. They show the products of the workshop! Well done girls!

Cheers!

APRIL COMMUNITY DAY

Perfect timing for community day, as we have had requests for more baby quilts. This coincided beautifully with another of Grace's excellent workshops, which was dedicated to turning 2 and 1/2 inch strips into tubes, which can then be cross-cut into squares, with a range of style organisations. The result is an instant 26 by 26 inch square needing only backing wadding quilting and binding. We had fun participating, and I'm sure at least 12 new small quilts will be ready for a cut-off day of 28th April. 

Robyn S has requested this date because we can then get a new bunch of little quilts to the Grace Centre in time for Mothers' Day. Perfect! This doesn't by any means prevent anyone from adding to the workshop ones, in fact keep them coming, please!

Thanks once again for all your organisation, skill sharing and guidance Grace. We all really appreciate it so much.

Grace hard at work.....

                    

The girls beavering away.........

        

I'll try and remember to bring the old microphone next workshop to assist the presenter's vocal chords!

All our thoughts to Josie who had a fall this week. Not only did it cause a broken arm, but it ruined her travel plans! Commiserations Josie from all the girls. Hope it's on the mend soon.

A reminder that the 28th April will be the next Show Meeting at 9.30am at the Baby Health Centre. Now that Lindy has all entries on record, she can start the layout planning. This is important in terms of ordering the correct numbers of frames etc among other things. The layout will include the member quilts for judging, the baby quilt display, the raffle quilts, a little corner devoted to quilts designed and worked by young children (primary school age) and their grannies or parents, plus some waggas and community quilts as well. It's going to be another fantastic show, with a little bit of something new each time!

SHOW AND TELL

These three delightful baby quilts were presented today. The first two are by Robyn S, and the last one is by Susan H. Gorgeous fabrics and lovely designs. Thank you ladies for keeping up the flow. They need plenty more......!

                              

        

                                  

Moina showed us a quilt she has been working on. She is particularly proud of the quilting in the smaller flower blocks, which is delightful. A lovely piece of work.

                        

 See you next week everyone. Keep enjoying the cooler weather. Finally!

FULL-TILT QUILTING DAY! 31/3/16

A very different feel around the hall this week. There were lots of members, and stacks of activity going on! Maybe it was because all quilt show entries were due in, and all fees were due, but the hall was crowded. 

The give-away/ sorting table was in full swing.....

                            

    

as was the cutter. Hooray! At last the cutter is catching on.....

                           

Grace put up on the design wall some examples of what's required in preparation for the in/house workshop next week. Thanks for all your efforts Grace, and such excellent preparation and guidance for us all. The cutter will come in handy for this project too! Remember to bring your 'tubes' next week so Grace can show us how to proceed from there. A reminder below if you can see enough detail.....

                               

                               

                               

Should be able to get quite a few new baby quilts for the Grace Centre from the day's efforts.

Don't forget to sign up for the retreat by contacting Redleaf and booking your room. Narelle is keeping track of numbers.

Show rosters will be developed soon after the retreat when Narelle puts on her other hat! Fantastic work Narelle! What would we do without you? And the new table-toppers are looking great as well. Great team you have going......

Josie is searching for a lost book which she may have brought to quilters, and may have leant to someone. It's Kitty Pippin's 'Japanese Quilting'. If you have any idea where it might be, see Josie. She will be most relieved.

Jenny showed a new book in the library - "The Big Book of Baby Quilts". Plenty of great ideas for everyone. She has also prepared a folder listing all books in the library both by author and title I believe.

Beryl is collecting old towels for use in dogs homes. Good opportunity to get rid of your used towels if you're up-grading! 

SHOW AND TELL

Jenny S showed two cute baby quilts for the collection, one with dinosaurs and another with cheeky monkeys! Gorgeous fabrics....

                          

       

Jess showed us a lovely Wagga she has made for the show. She says it took her a while to think what to do with the check wool. Turned out to be an excellent choice I'd say!

                                    

Jenny B came after a long absence, and showed us two quilt tops. One uses Freda Carlo fabric and the other uses a combination of Clark Gable and Betty Grable. As a result, she has named it "Gable meets Grable". Nice one.....

                             

                                 

                                   

    Looking forward to the workshop on Thursday. Remember that it's Community Day, so if you have a community project you're working on, this would be a good time to bring it along. If you're looking for some community work to do, join in the workshop or see Iris for other ideas.

In any event we hope to see as many members as possible at the group.

Cheers till then, Elva.

PRE- EASTER GATHERING 24/3/16

We were quite a small group this week, probably because a few were away for Easter long weekends. 

As is becoming common in this show year, much work is being done on preparations. Narelle and her team are working on bright new table-toppers for the coffee shop area. They're looking great!

                           

Show quilts and baby show quilts are in full production. Lindy is beginning to do a general count, and next week is the closing date for entries. 

Baby show quilts are due back on Thursday the 5th May for a challenge viewing and members voting. These will then be kept safe until show time.

Grace is planning another in-house workshop using  thirteen 2 & 1/2" strips, preferably cut the width of the fabric. These can then be stitched together, and then the long sides stitched together forming a tube. From these tubes we will make quick baby quilts to add to the stock for The Grace Centre. If you weren't at group last week, wait until you can chat to Grace for further explanation. You can prepare the strips ahead of time if you like. Please feel free to use the cutter for easy preparation of your strips.

Gil brought along a friend, Libby. She has visited us before, and this time she showed us something she and Gil have been working on during Libby's stay. The dress is designed to be 'one size fits all' and it certainly looks that way. Very stylish, and we loved the fabrics. 

                                    

                          

SHOW AND TELL

Just two items to show this week. The first is a very sweet baby quilt from Val. Lovely fabric and again on the back. Thanks Val.

                               

      

And also the result of the previous Grace workshop, which also used the cutter. It was an easy one, and fun to put together. Good result. Thanks once again Grace!

                                

Looking forward to seeing everyone back next Thursday. Don't forget those quilt entries!

Enjoy the rest of the East break.

Cheers, Elva

RAIN AT LAST! 17/3/16

How wonderful to arrive at the hall in the rain! Never thought I'd be saying that, but the inconvenience of getting all the quilting stuff in and keeping it dry was ok with me! 

We were a small but dedicated group. Most people are starting to get really serious about completing their show quilts. The baby ones are due in on the 5th May, but we have until August to finish the large show quilts. Some very organised people have already completed theirs. Can't say I'm one of them.

Plans for the show are developing week by week, and the excitement is growing. The new little special features will add a fresh sparkle to this event as always seems to happen. Nice that we can keep it fresh and exciting.

It was a wonderful send off for Ailsa last Monday. She would have loved it, and I know she would have appreciated all her friends gathering to farewell her with such love and affection. Her family were very moved by the attendance as well.

Thank you to those who rose to the call for more baby quilts. These were presented today from Grace (using Vi's fabrics), and then Lindy. Both very cute indeed.

     

                        

          

Beryl presented this gorgeous quilt which was made by herself and her daughter. It's for Beryl's great grandson. Outstanding work! Interest for the eye wherever you look! Lucky boy.....

                                

And finally Jenny showed this quilt made by her for community. It's made using many 2" squares (hint hint - Go Cutter!) and is called "Glow". Very nicely done Jenny.

                            

And so another week goes by. Enjoy this lovely cool weather all, and see you one more time before Easter. 

Cheers, Elva

STILL DEALING WITH THE HEAT! 10/3/16

Yes, thank goodness for our air-conditioned Fairland Hall! 

Across the road, we held another productive Show meeting with Meg ably leading the team! All is on-track, with publicity material decided and ready to be published very soon. Keep the Show Quilt entry forms coming in please (due 31st March) so that Lindy is able to begin planning layout and lighting issues. The blurb about your quilt can be emailed directly to Penny who will be organising the signs to go on each quilt. 

Work on the Baby Quilts Challenge for the Show is happening all around the ogroup. These need to be handed in on Thursday 5th May for a showing at the group, and then storing till Show time. We will also have a little members choice judging just for fun on May 5th! Make sure you just pin a small piece of cloth on the back with your name, and stitch on a HH Quilters label, bottom left of back. Robyn S has these.

Congratulations yet again to Jess! Her 'Errant Geese' quilt has been requested for entry in a temporary exhibition called 'Australia Uncovered' in the Rocky Mountains Quilt Museum in Colorado USA! What an honour Jess! You've done it again!

A reminder to ring the Releaf Resort asap to book your room for the retreat. Rooms are filling up fast! Can't wait.

Grace reports that fees are coming in well. Just remember if you haven't done it yet to contact Grace.

We have two new library books which were shown to the group by Jenny. A few old ones will be culled and shown before departing. Please remember our library is there. Plenty of fascinating reading and ideas!

The Grace Centre has let us know that they are desperate for more baby quilts. They tell us they could easily use 600 a year! So if you've finished your Show one, maybe it's time to run up a classic 'quicky' so we can build the pile back up. I think we're down to our last 9! Thanks so much.

SHOW AND TELL

Just a few small things this week. Everyone is so busy at present.

Helen showed a lovely quilt she has made for a raffle, and many members supported the cause buying tickets. Helen and Susie thank you so much.

      

And here's a picture of Susie 'doing it' for the good cause of the Leukemia Foundation. The outstanding results of the 'World's Greatest Shave'! Looking great Susie!

                                                

Gil took up the challenge set from the original Christmas Challenge - the inevitable left over pieces! 

There certainly were plenty for another quilt as Iris had said. I'm not sure how much more Gil needed to add, but I think it was just borders. Well done Gil!

         

And finally a small beauty completed by Grace. It's the result of the first workshop in a series with Bob James, and sounds fascinating and 'deep'. Gorgeous colours Grace, and a lovely design.

       Mm

Well, I'll see you next Thursday girls. Take care. Cheers, Elva

MARCH COMMUNITY DAY 3/3/16

Well, if a stranger had walked into quilters last Thursday, they would have mistaken it for a busy factory production line! Grace worked her particular magic and set up a whole area with work stations for each skill and process required. Thank you so much Grace for presenting another in-house workshop for us all. We certainly learned some new skills and techniques, and a fabulous quilt was seen to emerge as a result! (See pics below)

    

                            

Great to our cutting machine in use at last!

                                 

                               

It begins.....

                          

Congratulations to "our Jess" for her presentation of the Friday Showcase at the Guild yesterday. I heard it was very well received and successful -  of course! Well done Jess.

Just a reminder to all Show Committee people that there will be a Show Meeting this coming Thursday, 10th March at the Baby Health Centre, 9.30am

Please make sure if you are planning to attend the Retreat in May that you contact the resort yourself and book your room in the same way we have always done it. 

Please also make sure you fill in your Quilt Show entry form ASAP and get them to Lindy.

SHOW AND TELL

Just two gems to show today. The first is a close up of the centre of a baby quilt made by Robyn J for Akiko's new baby nephew in Japan. The gorgeous embroidery makes for a spectacular and delightful design. Outstanding Robyn!

                                        

And finally, a quilt made by Doreen and a former member Diana Drake back in 1998. It belongs to Maree K who says it has been all over Australia on her travels, into the outback, through the red dust, on the floor of their camper van, then twice through the washing machine (gentle mode) and looking practically band new! Amazing work! Aren't waggas really something special? And the colours still look perfect!

                                        

Enjoy the rest of the weekend all. See you next week.

Cheers, Elva