COMMUNITY THURSDAY - 3/9/15

A good turn out for community day. Plenty of activity throughout the hall. 

We need volunteers to fill the kitchen duty roster for October 8 and 15. So if you haven't done one this year yet and your name isn't down for the rest of the year, check your diary and see if you can't help out. Cheers.

The new edition of the Template Magazine has arrived, together with our membership of the Guild card. Help yourself to a browse of the library copy when next you're at Quilters. 

Thanks to Helen, we now have a new stock of wadding in the cupboard. Thanks Helen!

The Traditional Quilt is still doing the rounds. Thanks to all those who have taken a turn. June did her stint and handed it over this week to Robyn S, so see Robyn next week if you're ready to have a go. Getting near the end of the quilting now! Thanks all.

It was decided that we will celebrate our birthday this year on Thursday, 24th September. We plan to eat drink and be merry, and also have a small 'showing' of the Jess challenge pieces. So on the day, bring along whatever you made from your lucky dip fabric, and a glass to share a celebratory tipple.

Progress is being made towards the purchase of our Accuquilt Go cutting machine. Updates soon!

SHOW AND TELL:

Quite an extensive session this week, so settle back and enjoy the show!

First off, we saw three gorgeous new baby quilts for the Grace Centre. These will be much appreciated.

                               

Next came a collaboration between Val and Iris to put together a 'doggy' themed quilt for the community collection. Very cute indeed.

                                       

Iris then showed three quilts done for the community collection by Pamela R (a previous member). Very lovely work they are too.

       

           

                                       

Iris then showed a block of the month quilt she has done from the Flower Garden. The quilting is a major feature and is beautiful. 

                                

Helen displayed a quilt she has made for her daughter-in-law who has just returned from a trip to Europe, which explains the themed fabric. Gorgeous.

                               

The next quilt displayed was by Jenny B from her "How Fragile" quilt series (see the current issue of the Template page 9 for the full article). Some fascinating concepts. The fabric details and history in this quilt demonstrate the depth of feeling and memory in historic quilts. Thanks Jenny.

                            

And the spectacular showing went on.....

Below is a labyrinth quilt done by Karen. This took everyone's breath away by its outstanding design and fantastic construction!

         

It's another one of Karen's which needs to be seen (up close) to be believed! Outstanding!

Next Jessica showed a fabulous Wagga to add to the collection. Quite a stunning result. Well done Jess.

                             

Jess followed this up with a quilt done at a workshop by Deb Laurie on machine quilting. A very nice result it is too.

                                

Finally Margaret D showed a quilt top put together in a week by Maree K from blocks Margaret says she made years ago. Sometimes it takes a friend to help bring old favourites back to life! Lovely result.

                              

Well, as I said at the start, it was a mega show and tell week. A veritable feast of quilts!

So, for now that's all folks! See you all again soon. Cheers.

27th August 2015

BACK FROM THE RETREAT!

All participants enjoyed a great weekend away in Blackheath. Below you can see some of the work completed during the three days, and proudly displayed back at the group.

Ros's beautiful star......

                               

Laurel's counter-change blue and whites......

                                

Jenny's beautifully coloured strippy  bits....

Elva's Kaffe tube technique squares......

                             

Heather's bright community quilt......

                              

Another Heather number, this time a mystery quilt challenge.....

                               

And Hayley's gorgeous Dolly and Me interactive quilt......

                               

Gill's cute stripey animal squares quilt.....

                                

And lastly, an example of Jenny's handy bags from strips.

                                 

In addition we had two small quilts made back home.

The first by Karen, a lovely design.......

                                    

And next one for the baby quilt collection by Maree K. Check out the very cute backing fabric as well.....

                                     

                                     

A small group today, but lots of fun working together as always!

Cheers till next time.

23rd August 2015 POSTSCRIPT

Oops! Forgot these two cuties. Had to rotate them so they were forgotten.

Check out this entire quilt when you get a chance at group. It defies belief. So much work, so outrageously cute! I challenge you to STOP playing around with its bits and pieces once you start!

Redleaf Resort - Blackheath 21-23rd August 2015

A happy group of 19 Wanderers made their way to Blackheath this weekend, and enjoyed many hours of stitching, quilting, cutting, designing etc etc.

Without the usual interruptions of home duties and chores, we were able to stay at what we love as long as we wished. Absolutely spoiled with afternoon and morning teas delivered to our quilting room annex and delicious breakfasts and dinners prepared for us, there was no need to think about anything but the craft. To top it all off, we were surrounded by friends and fellow crafters to share ideas, hints, advice and congratulations. 

Much incidental chatting about family, experiences, travel and anything else you could name, made for hours of warm companionship. Some fun games, a little Tai Chi to loosen tired and stiff limbs, trips out to favourite places in the mountains and pre-dinner drinks relaxing around a roaring fire topped off an outstanding weekend away.

Thank you to all the participants for your contribution to the retreat, and particular thanks to Deb L for arranging and managing the entire event so well. You did a splendid job!

Below are some shots taken during the three days. If you haven't ever done a retreat, or haven't done one for a while, you might give some thought to joining us next year. Enjoy the shots, and thanks once again ladies for your friendship and companionship.

20th August - Retreat tomorrow!

It was quite a small group today, maybe because people were getting ready for the weekend away, or maybe they decided they would be working quilts and chatting to quilting friends all weekend, so they'd give it a rest today! 

Nevertheless we were a happy group, with some fabulous work just on the cusp of completion. With all that and the retreat weekend, the next blog should be chock-full of colour!

Jenny collected a few completed donations towards the Lord Mayor's Picnic Quilt, and I know many have plans to do theirs over the weekend.

Suzie collected donations of buttons for her stage sales project. Only another 20 or so needed. Thanks to all.

A very small Show 'n Tell today. As promised, below is a shot of the quilt made from the Figtree Playgroup kids craft day. They are very proud of it, choosing to hang it in amongst the HHQuilters products! Cute!

        

Maree K showed a counter-change design she has done. Very nice. What a prolific quilter!

                                 

Next blog will be from the Retreat! See you then........

13th August - one week to Retreat!

Hi all. A well attended group last Thursday, and lots of gorgeous quilts being worked on. I'm sure soon after the retreat there will be one amazing Show and Tell session!

Hunters Hill Council have again invited our group to apply for a Community Grant, so we plan to go ahead with that. Can't hurt to try.

The Figtree Playgroup Quilt is finished and has been delivered to them. The children who participated were eager and delighted to see their little participatory bits come to life in the finished quilt. Lovely to see. A photo will follow in the coming weeks.

Gil and Doreen are seeking 'Wagga Makers' who will volunteer to work on pieces for the next show. I'm sure groups as well as individuals would be most welcome. Just see either of the ladies when next you're at quilting. 

Robyn J is looking for more volunteers to take a turn quilting the Traditional Raffle Quilt for the show. I've taken it for now and will take it to the retreat next weekend so a few of us can take turns. After that we will be ready to hand it over to the next people. 

Iris has handed out the background fabrics for the Lord Mayor's Picnic Quilt design. The theme is 'Zoophoria' so anything one might see at the zoo and surrounds would be appropriate. As many bright and cheery colours as possible  please, and work on ground level, mid level and sky level. See Iris for more advice on how to proceed. Thanks Iris!

Looking forward to seeing those who are going at the Retreat next weekend. Don't forget to bring a fat quarter wrapped for a lucky dip game. Hope for beautiful weather!

Grace is away for a few weeks, so if you need any treasurer help, please see me and I'll do my best!

SHOW AND TELL

First up on Thursday was Sally with a quilt she has made for her mum's 85th birthday. It's taken a while, and Sally was most grateful for the assistance of friends in the group in getting it finished. Good to have friends! The finished product is delightful. I'm sure she will appreciate and love it Sally!

                                

Next some baby quilts for the Grace Centre collection. The first ones are quilts done by a former group member, Pam. Lovely bright and cheerful prints!

                               

                               

                               

Next comes a nice little blue and white one by Jess and daughter Maddie. Well done!

                                   

And finally a very sweet one by Maree G. Lovely as always.

                                    

I know the Grace Centre are always so thrilled to receive more quilts, and are constantly delighted by the creativity of the designs and the skill of the work. Well done and thanks to all those who participate in this endeavour. It's a great cause to support. 

That's it for this week. See you all next Thursday I hope, and thereafter at Blackheath! Hope the snow doesn't come back for our weekend up there. Tai Chi in the snow? I think not!