February Community Day

The noise of discussion and activity was everywhere on the first community day for the year.    Elva is on holidays so Audrey led the the 12 o'clock news and it is Iris here on the blog.

We welcomed a new member, Jenny B, who shared  her work in progress with us.   Looking forward to seeing the completed quilt - I love the colours.

Henny's husband is battling health issues,  so our thoughts are with Henny and all her family

Birthday girls are Robyn Jo. and Akiko - happy birthday to you both.

The 'thank you' award from the City of Sydney for  the quilt that we made for the Lord Mayor's Picnic,  is now hanging on our 'Award Wall' - which is fast running out of space !

Community Work in Progress - some of the activities of the day:

Doreen and Gil are having fun with hexagons,  2 inch squares and applique

Akiko, Ros, Narelle and Janet spent their day playing with these blocks:  later, after much discussion, approval was given to the addition of  lime green.

In another corner, 2 inch strips were everywhere, Jenny was the 'stripper' (sorry no picture), June the sorter and Marie the sewer. 

Community work - completed

Susan has organised the delivery of this quilt to the CWA for their annul fundraising.  The quilt was made by Helena and her team - even the backing showed off some hexagons

A finished quilt by June, Marie, Robyn S and Iris:  Flower Garden

And another one that wasn't shown,  but has just been completed:  the quilt was made by Narelle and the quilting was completed by Beryl B. and Judy G.   (Add a comment, if I got that wrong, please)

It deserves a proper 'show and tell' next week.

The Christmas Challenge Show and tell   ...

The Christmas Challenge produced lots of excellent contributions to our community activities.  The challenge has three options:  cot quilts, quilt bags and funky flower or star blocks.

First the cot quilts for the Grace Centre - 17 plus quilts were made :  I say 'plus' because I suspect that the counting went a little bit wrong and some quilts were added to the 'existing pile' instead of the 'challenge pile'  - so apologies to the quilters who were not properly applauded for their work,  I know that Marie K was one .

The challenge pile !

and all  'spread out'   ...

Quilt bags - we have five

and the display of flowers and stars blocks  ...  just need a few more, please

An excellent day!      Have a great week,      Cheers Iris

Great to be back!

Hello everyone. Elva here, back on blog duty! Actually it's more a pleasure than a duty, and it certainly was a great pleasure to be back at Quilters yesterday at last.

The hall was buzzing with activity and there were quite a few returned members coming back from travel or other commitments.

As the year settles in, we are heading towards our AGM which will be in three weeks time on the 19th February. Kerry has sent out an email with details with hard copies coming next week for non-email people. Please approach any of the executive over the next few weeks if you have ideas for vacant positions. Don't be hesitant to put your own name forward as a committee member, there are great benefits in being more closely involved in the day to day organisation of the group, not the least of which are getting to know everyone more closely, seeing the internal workings, having greater opportunities for input, and so on. You'd be most welcome.

Next week, Feb 5th is the date set for returning your contributions to the Christmas Challenge. Quite a few are already in, but a full Show & Tell of all bits and pieces will take place next week. I look forward to seeing it all on the next blog, as I'll be away and miss the event. Have fun!

While we're on dates for this year, Deb reminded everyone that the retreat this year will be from 21st to 23rd August at The Redleaf Resort, Blackheath. In the coming weeks Deb will ask for a general indication of numbers, if not final commitment. See her for finer details re prices etc. Looking forward to it. It's always a great weekend away.

A reminder was given yesterday regarding any changes to addresses, phone contacts and emails. These need to be kept up to date as much as we can for ease and effective communications. We are a large group! Just let myself, Kerry or any of the exec know of changes. Thanks.

More fabric will continue to come in from Judith's kind donation over the coming weeks. Please help yourself or put some aside for future community work. Thanks to Jenny, Narelle and Jessica (and any others I'm unaware of) who have been working away cutting up 2 inch strips for use as jelly roll pieces etc. This is a great idea to make effective use of such a stash. Remember also the jelly roll ideas from books in our library for inspiration.

SHOW AND TELL!

Not a lot of show and tell this week, but next week there will be no shortage!

Below you can see the finished quilt Hayley has been working on. We have all watched it emerging, and here it is at last! Beautiful!

Jenny yet again has whipped up this little number in the blink of an eye! She tells us the blues came from Judith's stash donation. She also tells us not to hold our breath for it to be finished into a quilt, as this could be some time away. It's going to be a beauty!

Too shy to show it at the time, I took a shot of Merlyn's lovely quilt, made for a little girl who lost her mum when she was very young. Her big sister has one of Merlyn's as well. A lovely gesture and a beautiful quilt. I'll show both sides. So often the stories behind the quilts are very moving. It's a major part of the art isn't it?

Finally, a shot of a little girl and her cat snuggled into a quilt. It's a quilt I'm sure you'll recognise. The little girl is Neve, who won the quilt in the Lords Mayor's Picnic Raffle, and her cat is "Tiger". We received our certificate of appreciation for our brag wall, and this shot puts the icing on the cake. We can see from the photo who the real owner of the quilt is (if we were in any doubt at all)! 

Quilts truely are magic carpets are they not?

On that note, I'll sign off for the next couple of weeks. The blog will be done by others, so keep tuning in!

Just a last thought on quilt stories and magic carpets. Over the holidays. Marie K leant me a wonderful book which I would highly recommend - especially to quilters. It's "The Invetion Of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd, same author who wrote "The Secret Life Of Bees". This one has a quilt theme running through it which is very moving and wonderful. I'm sure it's in libraries by now. Enjoy!

Cheers till I see you again. Elva

A quiet Thursday

Iris here again.  This week we had a very quiet day at Fairland Hall, with many people away,  obviously taking advantage of the final week of school holidays.    Elva is still not 100% but intends to be back with us next week regardless - good fighting spirit.

We had a bit of  'fabric-feast' with genuine batiks from Heather and another box of supplies from Judith:  lots were filed for community activities, but still lots for sharing.    Thank you to them both.

Another reminder of the AGM on Thursday 19/2, with a general meeting to take place just before.  Details and agenda for these will be issued next week.   

We received a  letter and certificate of appreciation from the City of Sydney for our 2014 NYE quilt.  It will be framed and added to our 'recognition' wall.

Show and Tell ..   Christmas Challenge

The supply of cot quilts is growing thanks to the Christmas Challenge:   from Marie K (yes, another one !)

Four from Lindy - these were just added to the pile and not shown,  but I found them  !  The cutest fabric is used in all four quilts but in different ways.

and two from Judy G - also just added to the pile and not shown !

On February 5th,  when all the Christmas Challenge contributions are in,  we will have a Show and Tell of all the cot quilts, bags and blocks.  

and more Show and Tell ....

From Janet, a requested purple quilt for her 8 year old great granddaughter

From Marie K,  a baby quilt for a friend ... the quilting is beautiful

From Jessica - Jessica's contribution to the Modern Quilt Exhibition - I loved the green fabric 'knotted' edging:

and finally  .. this quilt top from Beryl  R. which I spied early in the day   ...

We also had a sneak preview of a new quilt from Kathy D - an MO special to be shown at a later date.  As always, Kathy pushes us traditionalists to new horizons with her original ideas.

That's all   ... have a good week  ...   Iris

Happy New Year for 2015

Iris in the 'blog' chair this week, wishing everyone a happy, healthy and an inspirational sewing year ahead.

First of all, best wishes for a speedy recovery to Elva who is feeling the pain and discomfort of shingles .   Elva,  our thoughts are with you - get well before your holidays.

Cheryl has also been 'in the wars' again,  after another trip to the hospital over the holiday is now back home.   Cheryl, our thoughts are with you as well  - take it slowly this time.

Generous donation:  In preparation for Judith and Marsh's move,  Judith has given all her fabrics and sewing tools and books to us.  These have been picked up and over the next Thursdays Grace and Jessica will be bringing them for community work and sharing. 

Success story:  The current issue of Quilt Mania reports on the Sydney Quilt Show:  Jessica and Helena's quilts are featured - well done to both of you.   (If anyone has a copy of the magazine,  can you bring it in to share, please ?)

AGM:  The AGM is coming up on  Thursday 19th February:  there are positions available and everyone is encouraged to consider their involvement.    Positions available include,  Community Coordinator, 2106 Raffle Quilt coordinators and Show Coordinator.  Information about each of these are in a folder in the cupboard,  but the best thing is to have a chat to Elva, Grace, Jenny or me about any of these jobs.        I can, personally say that being involved in the running of our group is extremely rewarding.   Give it serious thought.

Show and Tell:    Already contributions towards the Christmas Challenge are coming in and they look good.     Seven cot quilts for the Grace Centre  were completed and shown-off at show and tell.
Janet, Jenny and Val each made one quilt and Grace and Marie K. both competed two each.

Jenny showed us what she was playing with over the holidays ..  a mystery quilt from Bonnie Hunter (I think I've got that right)  - I think that Deb L. will also have her version of the same quilt for show in the future weeks.   Despite this small picture the quilt is huge !

Jenny told us she is also working on reducing her stash of UFOs - this was a 'completed' job:

Karen M shared two quilts that she made during her time in Chicargo - they are stunning!   Is this a possible workshop for 2015 ???

and this is what Karen is working on now  ...

     Have a good sewing week and see you next week  ...  get well, Elva, we miss you.   Cheers Iris

Christmas Party

Hi all!

We enjoyed a fun Christmas party last Thursday. According to my lucky door prize ticket stubs, there were 46 of us there. So that meant plenty of food to provide an absolute feast as always, with lots of refreshing drinks to wash it all down. 

Many thanks to everyone who helped with preparation, brought food, did all the little extras that always need doing and then joined in the fun. It really made for a successful day.

While it's fresh in your minds, note down any thoughts you had about other possible games, puzzles and/or activities for next year's party. I'll keep them in my file till then. Saves a lot of brainstorming closer to the time and adds to the variety.

Judith B announced that she's 'giving up sewing' (I'll believe that when I see it!) and would like help with clearing and culling her materials and equipment. A few of us will visit her next week to lend a hand. We will then store everything till HHQ resumes Thursday meetings on the 15th of January.

Cheryl returned after a long time away having a grease and oil change! Looking good Cheryl! Thanks Helena for re-parking Cheryl's car for her. That made the visit possible.

Not a lot more to say except to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. The pictures below reveal some of the highlights of the party, including groups of avid puzzle page solvers (thanks Lynn for this great game, many requests for copies). Also some shots of the Apron Challenge results. Thanks girls for making the effort. They look great! The rest are random shots of happy party goers and food, food and more food!

Cheers everyone. Thanks for a great year!

Here's two shots showing Iris's examples of the Christmas Challenge blocks. An email has gone out with full instructions attached, but these are the physical examples re colour. Any start design and any flower design is fine. Have fun!