GOOD ROLL UP TODAY 11/2/16

The hall was near full last Thursday, with the return of a few friends who have been away for various reasons. Good to see everyone busy and happy at their work. 

We must never lose sight of the reasons why this group started and has kept developing. It's the companionship and sharing of our beloved hobby, and the skills we have built while practicing it. It's important I think to keep this in mind so we can continue to look forward to coming each week.

And here we are in action......

                                         

                                         

Next week is our AGM, so it's an important one to attend if you can. We seem to have all but one of the committee responsibilities filled which is a good thing. Just still looking for a volunteer to take on 'Workshops and Tours'. Jess is busy with work throughout this year, so it's not going to be possible for her to continue in the role, but I'm sure she's available for help, advice and ideas. Give it a think.

Thanks to Narelle who has stepped forward to fill Deb's shoes, and she will look after this year's retreat in May. Good on you Narelle!

Thanks to Heather who has volunteered to buy new blades (and fit them) for our entire collection of cutters! A most essential job. 

We have communicated with HH Council regarding helping find some extra storage space for a new community user of the hall. They were most grateful for our feedback and suggestions.  Let's see what comes of it.

Joy is investigating the possibility of a new padlock on our kitchen cupboards because of unauthorised access, and the loss of various supplies! Thanks and good luck with it Joy. Let's hope that solves the problem.

SHOW AND TELL

Ellen showed us the quilt she's working on for the show. It's looking very exciting and beautiful! Can't wait for the show this year. I think it's going to be outstanding, if this is any guide!

                                

                                

Looking amazing Ellen. Well done!

Three quilts for community were shown, and they are:

2 for Cystic Fibrosis, the first done by Pink Group

                                 

And the second was one done for the 2014 Christmas Challenge by the group, and put together by Iris. Very nicely done everyone!

                                 

The last one is destined for the Assisted Living Guide Dogs. It was done by Robyn J and quilted by Helena. Very nice, and very appropriate fabric!

                                  

See you all next week at group and the AGM. 

COMMUNITY DAY 4th Feb 2016

As always on the first Thursday of the month, the group mainly devoted time to working on quilts destined for the community collection. You can see from the shots below some busy tables sharing the load.

                        

                            

..... and one 'quilt as you go' beauty being spread out on the floor for group discussion and perfecting

                              

The news and communication board was brought up to date, with all relevant dates now posted. This will help everyone keep abreast of when things are due in, and when events are happening. All dates are recorded on our website as well, so you can also check there if you're not at group at the moment.

We had a wonderful donation of fabric from Carolyn, and another load from a visitor Christine, who has recently closed a business. Iris eagerly selected prime pieces for community quilts, and the rest were for general use. Many thanks ladies for these 'gifts'. It's always a particular pleasure to sort through yet more fabric!

        

SHOW AND TELL

First up this week were two baby quilts for the Grace Centre. The first from Val, and check out the backing fabric! Extra cute....

                        

                            

The second was by Robyn S using a lovely selection of colours. Very nice ladies, and much appreciated.

                             

Iris showed a gorgeous quilt, made for community from a bag of scraps donated by Hayley. With just a few addition of her own, Iris says she used up every scrap. And the result is superb!

                                        

Iris was also snapped holding yet another of her creations - this gorgeous bag which matches and houses another quilt. What a quilting workaholic! Well done Iris. Beautiful as always.

                             

And finally a work in progress by Maree G. This collection of minute hexagons - a huge variety - is looking amazing! Done with papers, some of the pieces are extremely small. An amazing effort Maree. Well done! Can't wait to see the final product!

        

And so our year bursts into life once again. There's really no stopping this group! 

Happy quilting everyone. See you next Thursday!

STOP PRESS! 2nd February 2016

Just a note to correct a date given in the last blog.

The baby quilts for the show challenge do not need to come in till 5th May. The date that was mentioned was 2nd April, but that was a mistake. Breathe a sigh of relief - we have an extra month!

Cheers, see you Thursday!

27th January - Last January meeting for the year already!

We are already well into planning for this busy year coming up. An extremely productive Show meeting preceded the regular Thursday group this week. Much planning and decision-making was achieved, and is well underway for our up-coming show in August.

Just as well we have the two raffle quilts completely finished. That's one big task out of the way. Many thanks to Judy and Robyn J  for all their efforts, and of course all the members who have contributed block and extra work in making the quilts. 

We have confirmed this year's Retreat dates as 27th, 28th and 29th of May. This means it will be well before the show, for those who want to devote retreat time to put finishing touches to show quilts! We are still looking for a co-ordinator for the retreat, as Deb has moved out of Sydney. Need someone by AGM time! Have a think and discuss it with Kerry. She can explain the ropes.

Still on Show biz...... entry forms will be coming out very soon from Lindy, and will need to be filled in and returned (with pictures) by Thursday 31st March. Lindy needs this information to confirm orders for quilt frames, finalise planning for the hall layout etc etc. 

Contributions to the Baby Quilt Challenge for the show will be due back a week later on the 7th April.

It's all happening folks! There will be a members choice prize/s on this day for these little exhibits.

As well as the Retreats and Tours co-ordinator, we will be looking for a new Librarian and a new Workshops co-ordinator at the AGM. The date of the AGM by the way is Thursday, 18th February.

We welcomed a visitor Lindy today. Margaret D invited her, and we hope you enjoyed your day Lindy. Margaret herself was 'visiting' having moved out of Sydney. We hope this is a regular occurrence Margaret!

Robyn H is much improved after her nasty fall. Still a bit bruised, but undaunted! Cheryl is well after her second cataract op and hopeful it will mean she can return to doing more close work again!

Our new member Fran was the only volunteer for Show and Tell this week! Good on you Fran.

It was something she started last week I believe, and is her first attempt at paper piecing. Looking very nice indeed. Wonderful colours and great fabrics!  Can't wait to see the finished product.

                          

Well, that's our lot for this week. Thanks to Alison for filling in on blog duty last week. Much appreciated!

See you all again next Thursday.

Thursday 21 January

Hello everyone - Alison on blog duty today. 

Welcome to our new member, Fran.

Remember that our AGM is on 18th Feb and there are a couple of positions up for grabs so check your email.

We received a lovely letter and certificate from the Lord Mayor's Picnic organisers.

Susie M will be shaving her head to support the World's Greatest Shave.

Search for Suzanne Murphy to help support those with blood cancer

The retreat is coming up soon from 27-29 May.

Now for some Waggas:

This was made by Gillian from scraps from the cupboard

Another Jess creation

And a strippy Wagga by Grace.

Sheila has made this "One Block Wonder". All the blocks were made from the same fabric

Susie made the quilts below for two little girls

And Lilly and finished her quilt, too

OUR FIRST MEETING OF 2016

Welcome back to all! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year break.

We had a very good roll-up for our first gathering of the year, especially considering the extreme heat of the day. Thank goodness the air con was working! 

                                  

                                  

                                  

The key cards however were not. News from HH Council is that the system was broken over the break, so the cards don't work. Don't throw yours away yet though, because they promise it will soon be fixed and the cards will be operational again. Promises, promises! Let's see what happens. In the meantime, we have to pass the one key we have been given from person to person each week. Please remember to give it to the next person on kitchen duty. 

We are having a show meeting on Thursday, January 28th for all show committee people. 9.30am across the road at the Baby Health Centre room. See you there.

The AGM will be held on Thursday 18th February, and a notice will be coming  to everyone soon via email giving details. Watch out for that.

We have had thank you letters and a certificate from HH Community Services for our donation of two quilts, and from City of Sydney for the Lord Mayor's Picnic quilt. Well done everyone. 

SHOW & TELL

First up are two quilts (waggas) by Pam Reeves, given to Doreen - welcome back by the way Doreen! Everyone was delighted to see you up and about again. Here are the quilts.

                              

The next quilt is a group effort completed by 'Blue Group' to go into the community pile. It's a Sue Cody pattern - 'Sweet Surrender'. Beautiful work girls!

                                  

                                   

Jenny S showed this Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt which was much admired.

                                  

Kathy D showed her latest, from her own fabrics

                                

                                

And a farewell to Margaret D who is moving up the coast to live. We hope we see lots of you Margaret on visits to Sydney. What an asset you have been to our group as well as a valuable and great friend. Stay safe and happy in your new digs. 

It's going to be another outstanding year. I feel it in my bones!

See you soon again

Cheers, Elva

A Thank you ...

Iris here again ...   I  received a thank you letter from Sharon, the Lord Mayor's Picnic Services Coordinator on Friday .    As well as a lovely letter which I will share on Thursday,  Sharon included  some pictures of the quilt we made for the New Years Eve picnic. This is Zoophoria set up in its frame at the event.    

The quilt was won by a young lady who was extremely happy to win.   Talk on Thursday,  Iris