October 22nd 2015

We were another small group this week, with many members travelling, on granny watch, not so well etc etc.

Let's hope numbers grow towards Christmas so we have a BIG Christmas party!

Not much news this week, except that next community day, in two weeks time, we will have a few experienced Accuquilt Go Cutter users demonstrating how to do it. Bring along any projects which require strips cut, including bindings for instance. That way it can be a very productive as well as a learning session. Preparation for some new community quilts would be a great start!

So on to Show and Tell!

This is the finished quick 'tube cutting' method quilt I have made for my niece'so 30th birthday. It has now been bound and quilted, and ready to hand over when she visits me at Christmas. All Kaffe fabrics. Phew!

                           

This quilt top was done by Robyn J after a trip to Lighting Ridge. Pieced in her caravan, she has called it "Lightning Strike". Very interesting block design, and gorgeous batik fabrics. 

                            

                             

Below you see the finished Contempoary Raffle Quilt looking stunning! The back looks great also.

Should sell plenty of tickets! Well done ladies all.

                              

                              

Below is an interesting quilt done by Suzie L after a recent trip to New York. I think the fabric was purchased there, and it depicts the skyscrapers beautifully. The yellow inset fabric is of the famous yellow taxis. Very cute idea. Suzie has called it "New York Night and Day".

                                

                                 

Below you can see a lovely quilt done by Judy G, as part of a class at Material Obsession with Megan.

There is plenty of 'fussy cutting' for the block designs, and Judy declares herself very proud and pleased with her hand quilting. Well done. I agree - it is very satisfying isn't it? 

                             

And a close-up of the fussy-cutting and the hand-quilting!

                                

I hope I have the next one correct. Apologies if not! From memory it is from the Tokyo Rose pattern by Carolyn D, pieced by Gil and quilted by Grace. Very attractive it is too. Nice fabric choice! Combined effort!

                                

And the back. A stunning piece of Kathy fabric if I'm not mistaken!

                                

The next one is by Gil again, started at the retreat I believe. It certainly has grown! Looking great, and very cute fabric!

                               

                               

And last but not least, our other stunning Raffle Quilt - The Traditional one this time. It has now been completely hand quilted by various members - many thanks to you all! The quilting looks fabulous, and the whole quilt is a triumph! Well done to Robyn Ja for coming up with the design and and driving the whole project. Great to have both raffle quilts completed and ready.

(And hey - anyone who can't see those circles and other patterns coming through now just can't be looking right!)

                                     

Well done everyone for yet another collection of great work. How do we do it each week? I guess we're just over-achievers, obsessed, workaholics, pleasure seekers............. You name it!

Cheers, enjoy you're weekend.

15th OCTOBER 2015

Hi all. Nice to see the fine weather returned, and a beautiful day to be gathered together and stitching! What a pity we aren't able to do it out under the trees!

We are thinking of our dear friend Doreen who is still in hospital. All hoping for the best.

Thanks to Robyn S for a fruitful approach to our next Quilt Show judges. So good to have that solved and an excellent choice as well.

Our Movie ticket winners had an exciting and interesting time on Wednesday evening. The movie was excellent we're told, and the HH girls were asked to stand in recognition of our group's generous donations to Giant Steps over the past few years. Wow!

Below are a few pieces of show and tell from this week's meeting

Jenny's counter-change quilt for her 80 year old aunt, with a rather lovely backing!

                                  

                                  

The silk fan quilt (done by Grace and the girls at the second table from the kitchen) and currently being hand-quilted by Grace. Looking beautiful. It will be hung and offered for sale at the next show most likely.

                                   

                                    

Maree K showed this sweet quilt, which is the girlie version of a boy and girl pair for a set of twins of a friend. Lucky kids! 

                                        

And so, that's all folks! See you soon.

WHAT THE.........IT'S OCTOBER ALREADY!

8/10/15

Yes, one week into October, and I can't see where the rest of the year went! 

No time to lose, as they say, so we quilters were busy 'at it' once again. 

There was plenty of interest as Iris pinned the new Zoo quilt up on the design wall.

                             

 It's looking fabulous! See for yourselves .....

                                 

All that hard work has been worth it as always. Well done girls!

We had the grand unwrapping of our brand new Accuquilt Go Cutter, which came during the week. Very efficient transaction, and now it's open for business for anyone who wants to use it. We might ask those who have used them before to be on-hand to do small demonstrations and guide newbies through the process. If you have any strips to cut (1 1/2, 2 and 2 1/2 inch wide) bring your fabric along and it will be done in a trice and very accurately. There's also a square and half-square triangle die cutter as well. We can acquire more when and if we see the need. Have a look at the full range if you're  interested.

                                 

                                 

 

     Iris and Grace talked us through the amazing gift of fabrics, equipment and 3 partly finished quilts which have been offered to HHQ by Adrienne. The stunning work on the part-finished quilts took our breath away, and I'm sure there will be volunteers eager to continue the construction. 

We are so grateful to Adrienne for this extremely generous gift, and can guarantee her that we will not only give it all a good home, but will treat it all with the same care she obviously did. 

Here is just one of the quilt tops included.....

                                        

SHOW AND TELL

This week's baby quilt is a cutie made by Karen. Very sweet, and beautiful quilting into the bargain!

                                     

Kerry showed a gorgeous quilt constructed from still more of the lovely silk fabric donated by Akiko's mum. That silk donation seems endless! It's a beautiful quilt Kerry, and nicely quilted by Grace to finish of the delight! Well done!

                                       

Kathy is off to Houston and will be showcasing her new fabric range designs. She will be taking 5 quilts made from the range, and she showed us some of the bits and pieces. Best of luck Kathy, and we will be thinking of you. I'm sure it will go well. The range - "Flock Together" - is absolutely gorgeous, and very versatile to use.

                                 

                                 

                                  

So, another productive week, and plenty of exciting activities ahead. 

We send best wishes to our good friend Doreen who is in hospital at the moment. I will deliver a card to the hospital on behalf of us all, and we hope to see her well again soon. It has been requested that she have no visits at this stage, and flowers are deemed as a possible problem with breathing etc. I know everyone will be sending their thoughts to her. 

Enjoy this lovely weekend and nice weather next week till we meet again.

Cheers all!

October Community Day

This is Iris in 'blog' land today.   Grace and I took over 'news' time on Thursday as Elva spent time with her budding quilter apprentice, granddaughter Lucy.

It was good to see all those 'holiday' people back on deck, looking rested and  with lots of great stories.

First big news, is that our Aquaquilt cutter with several cutting mats has been ordered and paid for and expected to be delivered to Elva next week.  

Adrienne W., who is making some changes to her life and doing some de-cluttering, has offered us some quilt tops, fabric from her stash and some books.   Knowing  Adrienne's work,  this is a very generous donation and will be very gratefully received.

Robyn J was one of the returning holiday makers:  Robyn and Graham were caravanning in central Australia and as planned they visited Alice Springs and the Western Desert Dialysis Centre (known locally as the Purple House) and delivered eight quilts.    The centre has two dialysis beds in Alice Springs,  but also a huge truck with three beds that does a 1000km round trip to the outback remote areas providing care.

A picture of the truck which was bought from fund raising activities

 

Robyn handing over a Marie K. quilt 

So much more  information about the work of  'Purple House' can be found on www.westerndesertdialysis.com

Community activity was in full swing on Thursday:

The quilting on the traditional raffle quilt is finished: 

it has been well checked for missing circles.

All hands on deck for the job of sandwiching this quilt top in Japanese silk:  

And a table of  busy 'hand quilters'

A new donation to the Community quilts stash:  

the top was pieced by Marie K and the quilted by Iris

To end September a community quilt was given to the Guide Dogs Association and  another one to Macquarie Hospital.     Two quilts have been promised for Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services for November and some for Stepping Stone House in December,  but we still have more to give.  If you know of any worthy need, for fundraising or for care,  let me know.

Check out our Community page for monthly updates on our donations.

Have a good week, in the sunshine  ...   Cheers Iris.

24th SEPTEMBER 2015 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!

It was a cold day outside, but in the hall there was warmth, fun and joyous laughter! We turned 33!

Girls had brought their champagne glasses, and it wasn't long before the corks were popping!

Thoughts turned to 33 years ago when the group first started, small at first, but now a group needing a large hall such as ours! Congratulations everyone, from those who were original members, to all the new faces who have contributed in their individual ways to growing the group to what it has become.

As always we celebrated with a delicious cake,

                                  

very expertly divided and served by Kerry and Akiko's. Thanks girls. Jess popped the corks, and Narelle took care of drinks. Thanks to all who helped here and there.

                                  

As promised, those who took part in the Jess Challenge of making something from "impossible" fabric

chosen from a lucky dip bag, brought along their valiant efforts for a mini show and tell. Here they are....

                               Jess

                                  Jenny

                                  Iris

                                   Karen

                                    Robin S

                                     Judy

                                    

                                      Joy

                                       and Aylsa

Aylsa is looking for some hardy soul to find a creative way to use her counter-change blocks. I've volunteered since I didn't get to make a lucky dip myself. Stay tuned!

We chatted about a name for the finished Contemporary Quilt, and came up with "Licorice Allsorts".

What do you think? It was overwhelmingly voted on by those present. 

                                       

Congratulations to Judy and her group on completing this project so well.

Much cake, champagne and stitches all around the hall.........

                                  

   

                                  

                                   

and finally we held the draw for the five complimentary movie tickets, donated by Giant Steps. 

The winners were - Josie, Jess, Sally, Helena and Iris!

Congratulations!

Actually, Jess and Sally we're delighted to win, but can't actually go on that date. They offered them to me, but I also can't make it. So if anyone as a pair or individual is busting to go, please give me a call and the tickets will be yours. First in first served I'm afraid. So call NOW!

On top of everything else, we had some great SHOW AND TELL!

This counter-change quilt was by Kerry, and came from a range of fabric called "The road well travelled".

                             

This gorgeous braided scrappy is being Narelle, and she was working valiantly on it at the retreat. Looking very nice indeed.

                              

Here are two waggas for the next show done by Jess. Jess will be away from us for the rest of the year working! Have fun Jess. We'll miss you. See you next year.

This beautiful one is for the community collection, and done by Gil and Doreen. Fabulous work girls.

                                

Finally two new baby quilts for The Grace Centre, the first done by June, and the second by Robin S, with free-motion quilting by Karen. Very cute indeed!

                               

                               

And so, a great party was enjoyed by all present. Thanks for participating everyone. See you soon!

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17th - 2015

Hi girls.

Just a quick post this time.

A note that Campbelltown Quilters are having their Biennial Show on the 14 and 15th of November at Campelltown Civic Centre.

Our 33rd birthday party will be this coming Thursday, September, 24th. Bring your 'Jess Challenge' pieces if you have them, and prepare to put your name in the draw for a complimentary movie ticket donated by Giant Steps. They are sending us 5 tickets to a Special Preview Screening of "The Dressmaker", directed by the same director of "How To Make An American Quilt". 

The screening will be on Wednesday, 14th October, at the Hoyts Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, from 6pm to 9.15pm.

If you are interested in having your name in the draw but can't get to group this week, please let me know by email or phone. I'll also forward on the full email for more info.

Jess has a quilt featured in the current issue of "Quilters Companion", and Jess and Carolyn have quilts featured in coming issues of  "Home Spun Diary". Check them out!

Just the one show and tell piece this week, and it's from Jess - the final finished Wagga she's been working on. Looking stunning!

                              

Cheers everyone. See you at the party!