Community Day May

 Hi Everyone,

We had a good roll up this week despite the bad weather.  Four groups worked on Community quilts.

Gill is doing well after her operation. We wish her well.

Carolyn brought in 3 baby quilts this week. This brought her total quilts made to 300. She said she has enough fabric for another 300!

The Guild has listed quilt shows for this year. Some are out of town but you may enjoy a trip to see them.

Camden Quilters are having their 31st Annual Quilt Exhibition on July 31 and August 31.

Wauchope Patchwork - September  9 to 11. Their quilts will be on display throughout the town.

Dalmeny Quilter's in Narooma will be on in October 2 -3 , 2021.

Sydney Craft Fair - June 30 - July 4.

Australasian  Quilt Convention from August 19 to 22, 2021.

Show and Tell:

Our clever knitters have been busy again. This is Jenny's intricate shawl. Jenny said it was easy but I don't believe it for a minute!

Bev's shawl which drapes beautifully.

Bev has been using up some of her wool. This cute little jumper will go to the Womens' refuge.

Baby quilt from Lindy. 

The three baby quilts from Carolyn to make her 300 total!

Bev tried out a new pattern and made it into a baby quilt.

Another cute jumper from Bev.

Helena has made this quilt for her son using Kathy Doughty's new fabric range.

Another baby quilt from Jenny

Meg's group finished their quilt for Community.

Alison's group finished this quilt for Community. They used scraps and pieces out of the cupboards. A pleasing result.

Until next week ....

A Pleasant Meeting

 Hi Everyone,

As always on a Thursday the hall was buzzing this week with table rearranging, lots of discussion and catching up with each others' news, sharing sewing ideas, recommendations for shows to watch on TV, etc etc. Always enjoyable.

Gill has had a shoulder reconstruction and will be in rehab for a while. We look forward to her return to quilting.

Deb T is having a clean up. She brought in fabrics and patterns for us to share.

Sandy found the perfect fabric for the border of the Christmas Challenge quilt. It really sets the quilt off.

Susan H. mentioned an exhibition that is on for the whole of May in the Embroiderers' Guild building:

"Toward Abstraction - An Exhibition of Modern Quilts"
1-30 May 2021
9am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 2pm weekends.
76 Queen Street
Concord West.

Jessica Wheelahan has an entry in the exhibition.

It was good to see Kathy this week. She is hand quilting an anniversary quilt to mark her 30 years in Australia and her marriage to John.

Also good to see Susan St J return after her long illness.
Heather also mentioned that Hayley is leaving the Torres Strait Islands. Unfortunately she will not be in Sydney but will try to visit when she can.

Show and Tell:

Three quilts from Marie K. who manages to whip up a quilt in no time.The first one uses Japanese fabrics as does the second. The third is striking.

Elva has made this charmimg quilt for a neighbour who has had a little boy.

Until next week ......

A short blog this week

 Hi Everyone,

No news to speak of this week but our members are busy working on their projects. I always admire the quilts made totally by hand. They take longer but the results are well worth it.

At our meetings we discuss shows to watch on TV, movies to see, knitting and sewing patterns, politics and the Covid vaccine. Topics are endless. Most enjoyable.

Show and Tell:

Nine baby quilts from Carolyn this week.

This is the back of the quilt Marie G has made for her grandson. He loves dinosaurs and rainbows.

And here is the front. So much for as little boy to love and look at. Marie used some scraps from Carolyn.

Robyn Jms. made this lovely quilt by hand.

Until next week ......

Two Unexpected Visitors

 Hi Everyone,

Jacky S. surprised us with a visit this week. Jacky resigned from the group this year due to health problems. We were very glad to see her when she called in to say hello.

Towards the end of our meeting, a lady arrived with a donation of fabric as she has given up quilting for other craft pursuits. We were delighted to see that the fabrics were bundled into colours, including lots of Japanese fabrics. They were all wrapped carefully in cellophane parcels. A wonderful surprise.

A quilter, Sue Miller, contacted us to let us know about her 'bricks and mortar' shop she has just opened in Neutral Bay. Some of you may remember her from the NSWQuilt show where she often had a stand.

The address is:

Fabric Garden

Level 2, Andrews House

15/185 Military Rd

Neutral Bay 2089

Hours Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.

Telephone 0417 068 855.

The entrance is in Rangers Rd between the Mondial Bakery and the Nike shop, I have it on good authority that the Mondial Bakery is superb!

Show and Tell:

A quilt for Bear Cottage from Grace

 Jenny made this one for Community

Alisons' friend donated the centre piece and Grace has made it into this lovely quilt.

Ros was given a number of 1.5" strips which she has used to make this quilt. This one for Robyn's refuge.

Suzie L. was woken early this week to say her granddaughter had arrived. A lucky little girl to receive such a beautiful quilt.

A quilt for Bear Cottage from Alison.

Sue D. used one of the paper patterns that Heather brought in a couple of weeks ago. She said the hats and shorts were fun to make. The hats are reversible and so cute. All going to Sue's grandchildren.

Until next week  ..........

Lots Happening at HHQ

There was lots of activity at Hunters Hill Quilters on Thursday even though many of us had family committments in the school holidays.

Robyn took 100 baby quilts to the Grace Centre for Newborns this week, all ready for Mother's Day.

Marie alerted us to a lovely article in The Weekly Times about Doreen by Phillip Ward who noted that "As a near neighbour of the Field of Mars Wildlife Refuge Doreen was a long term member of the Society and an active volunteer offering her time to staff the Visitor Centre with Val Nelson at weekends and working as a bush regenerator in the Reserve.

"Doreen was always community-minded, committed and very involved with other organisations including the Hunters Hill Trust and Hunters Hill Quilters."

Doreen will always be remembered for her enthuisiasm for Waggas so here are a couple of photos of her masterpieces:

Ros has made another 42 teddies for Robyn Jo. to deliver to the Sutherland Trauma Centre:

Marie K. made these cute quilts for Amalie House Women's Refuge:

Grace has made two quilts for boys at Bear Cottage:

A Touch of Blue

Stepping Stones

Until next week....Alison

A Welcome Visitor

 Hi Everyone,

It was very special and a pleasure to have Doreen's daughter visit our group this week. Natalie went around to every group to say thank you and to share memories of Doreen. A very special treat indeed.

As usual many things were going on in the group this week. Apart from catching up with each others' news, many were busy sewing.

Beryl R. was back after a few weeks break, Grace helped Narelle tie her wagga quilt. It looks terrific if I do say so myself!

Heather brought a number of paper patterns for us to share. The remainder she was taking to the Sewing Basket. There were also bits and pieces from Natalie, of Doreen's things to share.

Elva had news of the interment of Norma's ashes at the Hunters Hill Church.

Sandy and Alison put the Christmas Challenge blocks on the design wall and pinned them together ready for sewing. They were so quick, the next time I checked they were all sorted and back in the box ready for Sandy to take home.

Heather also mentioned that Jan T Baillie, used to be Urquhart, the owner of Down Under Quilts, died recently from cancer. Many of us remember her magazine and quilt patterns.

I won't be in next week but Alison has kindly agreed to step in for me.

Show and Tell:

Five baby quilts from Carolyn.

One of Alysoun's quilts. She loved blue. 

 

Iris made this special quilt. All beautifully hand quilted.

Sue D. made this colourful quilt for Community.

Until next time ....

A Busy Meeting

 Hi Everyone,

Another busy meeting this week. Sue St.'s group helped her pin a beautiful blue quilt together for her granddaughter. Karen sewed a hanging sleeve onto her quilt ready for the NSWQuilt show.

Sandy sorted the cupboard for 9 quilts to donate to the Womens' Refuge. Sandy also showed us the quilt she is finishing for a lucky teenage boy at Bear Cottage. I will show a photo when she has finished it.

As always lots to talk about and generally enjoy each others' company.

Grace set us a challenge in memory of Doreen.She had cut squares of wagga material  for us to blanket stitch a square onto. 

HHQ is well known for our waggas. All thanks to Doreen who was passionate about 'her' waggas. We are lucky to have Grace and Gill to carry on Doreen's legacy.

Show and Tell:

Robyn's group finished one of Rhonda Taylor's quilts. Blue is ever popular.

Marie G. made this lovely quilt for someone in her family.

The 9 quilts ready for the Women's shelter.

One of the none quilts I haven't shown before

Until next week ......

Remembering one of the Originals and a new Show date.

 It was a quiet and somewhat sombre day as many members planned to attend Doreen’s funeral, held today at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium. Gill, a good friend of Doreen, had kept us updated about her ongoing health battles but sadly Doreen passed away last week. 

Doreen was a prodigious quilter, and one of the founders of the ‘Wagga makers’ within our group. Hayley, a member, who now lives in the Torres Strait Islands but regularly attends our retreats, sent us a lovely email in which she remembered Doreen’s “ wicked sense of humour”. 

Hayley also promised us a slide show of what island life is like in the Torres Strait which sounds like a wonderful lifestyle....particularly with plenty of crayfish. We will hold Hayley to her promise!

Alison has booked Hunters Hill Town Hall for May 26-29 2022 for our Show. Fingers crossed that life will have returned to at least nearly normal and that we will feel comfortable holding the Show then.

Just a brief reminder that membership fees are due.

Alison had been helping a friend of her daughter to make a quilt. With some of the leftovers Alison has made a brightly coloured baby quilt for the Grace Centre.

Until next week. Deb

Show Committee Meeting

 Hi Everyone,

We had a show committee meeting this week. After much discussion, we have decided to postpone our show until next year. It is very disappointing but a sensible decision until we know more about the virus and most of the population will be vaccinated.

Many of you know that Alysoun Ryles was the founding member of Hunters Hill Quilters. Carolyn and Margaret have recently helped her daughter sort her fabrics and quilts. There were not large pieces of fabric but Carolyn has made 15 baby quilts out of the unused material. See photos below. 

Carolyn also came across a piece of material on which everyone who participated in the making of the wall hanging of the Hunters Hill District had started to embroider their names. Alysoun intended to sew this on to the back. There was a list attached with ticks next to the names who had already embroidered their name. 

The wall hanging has been taken down by Council. Elva has spoken to the Museum Director but the whereabouts of the quilt is unknown at this stage. I am following up.

Don't forget the 10 quilts we have promised for Bear Cottage. They are for teenage boys. Suggestions are Star Wars themes, Darth Vader or similar that teenage boys are interested in. Otherwise bright colours. 64" x 76".

Show and Tell:

Ann showed us a crocheted birds' nest that her girl guides are making.

Carolyn found this quilt top in Alysoun's effects and has finished it. This special quilt will be sold at our next show.

Baby quilt from Sue D.

Baby quilt from Sheila.

Some of the baby quilts from Alysoun's fabric.

Baby quilt from Lindy.

More from Alysoun's fabric.

Merlyn made this quilt for her 13 year old grandson. He chose the fabric.

b

Baby quilt from Marie K.

Baby quilt from Sue D.

More from Alysoun's fabric.

Until next week ......

Community Day

Hi Everyone,

Community Day this week. Groups were very busy working on their latest community quilts.

There were donations of fabric and finished blocks from Robin and Alison's nieghbour. Ann Took the blocks to work with and all the fabric was taken. Robin sent a folder of patterns around for us all to take.

Happy Birthday greetings to Hayley. We haven't seen Hayley since the last retreat. I know Joy keeps in touch with her. Perhaps she can email me sometime so we know how she is doing.

Joy mentioned that Norma's ashes will be dedicated at All Saints Church, Hunters Hill on 21 March at 10 a.m for those who would like to attend the service.

Unfortunately Doreen is back in palliative care. We send our love and best wishes.

Membership Fees:

Akiko said she had received 2021 annual fees from only 5 members. Please ask Akiko for our bank details. They haven't changed.

Quilts fro Community:

Sandy has contacted Bear Cottage at Manly. They would like 10 quilts - more for boys/men. They have requested slightly larger than single bed size. 64" x 76" would be perfect.

A reminder that the size for the baby quilts is 26" x 26".

Quilts for Robyn's charity are cot size.

AGM 2021:

I have been asked to list the positions for the Committee this year.

President - Judy

Vice President and Secretary - Deb T.

Treasurer - Akiko

Community Coordinator - Sandy

Show Coordinator - Alison

Membership Coordinator - Kerry

Retreat - Narelle

Librarian - Sue D.

Show and Tell:

Two baby quilts from Marie K.

Ann has been involved with the Girl Guides for many years. This quilt was made by a group of girls and hand embroidered.

Until next week ......