Sunday 21 October 2018

Guest speakers and a new member

Hi Everyone,

We were very pleased to welcome our guest speakers this week from Inala. Inala provides the highest quality support for individuals with disability.

Susi Stuby, a founding member, and Lucy Regan came to talk about their charity and the wonderful work that they do. The charity is now 60 years old.

Our members were very interested to learn more about the charity and to hear that our quilts have  helped raise necessary funds for them. Since 2010 we have donated 11 quilts to the charity.

Both Lucy and Susi were very taken with our hall , especially the light and the space we have. We are very lucky to have such a place for our meetings every week.

Grace offered 8 of our sensory or fiddle mats to them. Lucy was delighted to accept them and said they will be very welcome for some of their residents.

Grace also dropped off a number of the mats to the Montefiore Home in Hunters Hill. They were gratefully accepted.

Recipe Booklet:

A number of years ago, our group put together a booklet of members' favourite recipes. A few members  have asked that we do another one.

So if you have a favourite recipe that you would like to share with us all, please email to me and we will put them together for us all to enjoy.

Be sure to acknowledge the author/creator of the recipe for copyright purposes.

New member:

This week we were delighted to welcome Karen to our group. Karen has had much experience with QuiltNSW and also knows many of us already.

Shop next week:

Coleen Tracey will have a popup shop at our meeting next. Coleen makes lovely jewellery. It is a good opportunity to purchase early Christmas presents or something special for yourselves.

Show and Tell:


 Above is a lovely quilt from Helena, made from many of  Kathy Doughty's fabric ranges. Helena will donate the quilt to her golf club for their raffle.



Above is the finished quilt made from members' orphan blocks at our retreat this year. Iris took responsibility for the making of it and has hand quilted it. It is wonderful and shows what can be done with blocks in your stash that you are not sure how to use.




Above is a baby quilt from Laurel. The ice creams look good enough to eat. This one will go to the Westmead hospital.



A few of us are making a sampler quilt in a wonky or improv style. It is  fun to do. It is quite a challenge putting it all together. In true Jenny style, it  has been finished in record time. It looks great Jenny.



Above and below is a lovely Peter Rabbit cot quilt from Beryl R.  Beryl went to quite a lot of trouble to find 'just the right' Peter Rabbit fabric.  It will be well loved .



Until next week .......

Sunday 14 October 2018

Another week

Hi Everyone,

It was an enjoyable meeting on Thursday. Gil was back from her holiday. Jenny and Iris pinned the quilt for the Lord Mayor's Picnic. It is now ready to be quilted.

Suzie L. said that there was an open day for Days for Girls on Friday at the Beecroft Scout Hall. Everyone was welcome.

Days for Girls purchases a lot of the fabric to use for their kits. This is all added cost for them.
We have suggested that our members look through their stash for any fabric they can donate.
The minimum amount is 30" x 12". This is the size required to make the bags for the kits. Of course larger amounts are welcome.

Due to International regulations, any themed fabric cannot be used. This includes Disney prints, Peter Rabbit, Movie characters etc.

The fabric should preferably be washed and bright colours are favoured.

Some housekeeping:

Suzie L and Beryl R stay to lock up after our meetings each week. They have been using the carpet sweeper to clean the floor. It is easy to drop cotton and food crumbs. Everyone is very good at finding any pins or needles that are dropped.

It is really everyones' responsibility to pick up around their area before they leave. It used to be part of the kitchen duty to clean up the floor but this has fallen by the wayside recently.

So please everyone try a little harder and save Suzie and Beryl having to do it.

Remember that many other groups use the hall, including a playgroup for young children.

Show and Tell:




 The above three quilts are from Carolyn. Lovely colours.



The above two quilts are from Susan H. All the above baby quilts will go to the Westmead Hospital.


 Above are two fiddle muffs from Grace and Jenny. These will go to a nursing home. Grace has cleverly cut the remaining fliers from our recent show into "Business Cards". A great idea and wonderful recycling.

Susie M was able to join us this week as it is the school holidays. It is always lovely to see Susie. Susie and her mother Helen, also provided our delicious morning tea this week.
Above is a baby quilt she is making for a friend. The yellow triangles are open at the sides for little fingers to explore.

Until next week ......

Sunday 7 October 2018

A Quiet Day

Hi Everyone,

It was lovely to see everyone again this week. Some members were away as we often find during school holidays.
I read out the September Birthdays - a favourite task of mine.

I received a lovely note from Penny, a former member who is now living in Bowral. She has joined a group of quilters there and also works two days a week. We miss her.

Jenny, Iris and their group put the wonky stars we had all made, together for the quilt top for the Lord Mayor's Picnic Raffle. It is bright and happy and looks great. Thank you to everyone who contributed, especially Iris and Jenny for taking up the challenge.

Jenny announced that she has bought 3 new books for our library. They are quilt-as-you-go patterns.

We have a large selection of books in our library. Take some time to browse the books when you can. They are there to be borrowed.

And joy of  joys, the council finally cleaned out the fridge in the kitchen. It is sparkling! Let's hope it stays that way!

 Items of Interest:

* The Rosehill Show will be moving next year from Rosehill to Darling Harbour (where the NSW Guild Show was this year). It will be on from 14-16 February 2019.

* Fabric designer Amy Butler has announced that she will be creating only one more range. She will then concentrate more on her books. I am sorry to see the end of her ranges as I have always loved her colours and patterns.

* Womens' Shelters:

There was an article last week in the North Shore Times. Three womens' shelters were mentioned. One of these was the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Womens' Shelter that we supported this year.
The article said that every time a shelter opens, it is full in a week.
I am so glad we were able to contribute to such a needy cause.

Show and Tell:


Robyn Jnst. made this cot quilt for a friend who is living in Darwin. The family loves to go camping so Robyn found some camping fabric for the backing.


Another baby quilt for the Westmead Hospital from June. June has a  talent for colours. It will be lovely for a little boy.

Until next week .....

Friday 28 September 2018

A Happy Day

Hi Everyone,

We had a very happy day this week. The representatives from the two charities we supported at our show this year, came to collect their cheques. It was our 36th Birthday so we had cake and champers.
Jacky's 25 year membership was acknowledged and a new name badge was given to her.

Community Grant:

Each year we apply to the Hunters Hill Council for a grant to help purchase the wadding we use when making both community quilts and the baby quilts for Westmead. We were very happy to receive the full amount of $800.  This helps enormously.

A big thank you to Kerry for organising the delicious cupcakes for our party. Also a big thank you to Narelle for organising the drinks for us all.

Both our charities were very pleased with our donations. Days for Girls immediately calculated how many kits they can make for girls both in Australia and overseas. In fact, Michelle translated it into how many days of schooling will NOT are missed by girls unable to attend during their period.

Ann from the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Womens Shelter said to me as she was leaving - you don't know how much this means to us, With their shelter having to turn away 750 women per year, there is obviously a real need for such accommodation and help.

Ann also said how much the women appreciate the quilts we donate to them They are overwhelmed to be able to choose which quilt they would like and then be able to take it with them when they leave.

Both these charities are well worth supporting on an ongoing basis.

Show and Tell:

In pride of place is the photo of Michelle and Fay from Days for girls, Meg our show convenor and Ann from Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Womens Shelter. Smiles all round.


The cakes decoratively arranged by Kerry.


Below a baby quilt from Grace for Westmead,


Susan H. made this quilt to be raffled by an organisation she is involved with.  So bright and happy.



Marie G. made this pretty Christmas Quilt. It will go into our Communtiy Stash for a special group.



Jenny has finally finished her 365 quilt that she has been working on since January. Jenny joined the challenge to make a block every day.  There are many tiny pieces including 1" flying geese which she says she is totally 'over' !
The quilt is vary large. I apologise because I could not get a full photo of it.


 Laurel was able to join us this week, which is always a treat.
Laurel has made this quilt for a friend who is expecting a very precious granddaughter.


Below is the back of Laurel's quilt. The family loves to go camping. The backing fabric is absolutely perfect.

Another quilt from Laurel. This time a baby quilt for Westmead.


Another quilt from Laurel for a dear friend.



Until next week ......

Sunday 23 September 2018

Birthday Next Week

Hi Everyone,

Not a lot to report this week. Members worked steadily on their projects accompanied by the usual rise and fall of chatter. I try to choose a lull in the conversation to begin my talk each week, but am often thwarted by a sudden upswell!

Felicity was able to join us again this week.  Hayley who travels a lot with her husband, cannot always come to meetings. So it was very nice to see her too.

Birthday:

It is our Birthday next week. Our group started in 1982 so I believe this is our 36th Birthday, which is a pretty good achievement.
Remember to bring a glass for something to drink and we will have cake.
Grace will also have the two cheques ready to present to the charities we supported at our show this year.

We also have a new Life Member, Jacky Smith,who has been a member continuously for 25 years. Congratulations Jacky.

Recipe Book:

A few years ago, our group put together a recipe book of favourite recipes for everyone to share. Some members have approached me to see if we could do one again.
I didn't receive a very enthusiastic response this week when I broached the subject.
Perhaps you can give me some feedback next week at our 'party'.

Show and Tell:


Another baby quilt from Lindy. above.


A baby quilt from Heather made from scraps given to her by Carolyn. Unfortunately I forgot to photograph the back which had little birdhouses all over it. Very cute.


Above, Hayley had been to a class to learn how to make these butterflies. It is a quilt as you go block. The wings actually stand up and can be flapped. A young child would adore it. Hayley loves to work with batiks. The colours are so bright and varied.


 Above a baby quilt from June.

Until next week ....




Sunday 16 September 2018

Full house and furniture rearranged

Hi Everyone,

When I arrived on Thursday our room had been completely rearranged. Our tables were put together to make a square. It seems more friendly this way but sometimes more room is needed, depending what you are working on. We can experiment with various arrangements which will be fun.  It was a lively meeting due in part to the new layout.

Felicity was back after an absence of 10 weeks due to her health. It was a delight to see her.
Lindy brought in a large box of avocados from her farm for us to share.
A new member, Bev has joined us. Welcome!
 And we have a new coffee pot in the kitchen to replace the broken one.

News from Hunters Hill Council:

I had an email from Hunters Hill Council re our fridge. They have received many complaints about the state of it. It will be completely cleaned out on September 25. We will all be very pleased with this news. It has been a long time coming.

A nice story:

I had a call from a lady called Cathy last week. She wanted to know where Norma was living now. I told her where she was. However she soon called back to say she hadn't had any luck contacting the nursing home.
I made a call to track a number down for her.
When I called Cathy back to tell her, she said that she had actually been that day and spent an hour and a half with Norma. Cathy's mother and Norma went to school together and the families have always kept in touch. As Cathy is now living in the UK she was here for a visit and wanted to see Norma before she went back.

Future events:

On October 18, Susi Stuby from Inala will visit us and speak about her organisation. Inala provides high quality support for people living with a disability. Each year we donate one or two community quilts for them to raffle for funds.

On October 25, Coleen is coming with her jewellery shop pop-up. This is a good time to purchase Christmas presents or some pretty jewellery for yourself.

Quilt Shows:

* Camden Haven Quilters are having their show on September 29-30 at Laurieton.
camdenhavenquilters@gmail.com

* Schoolhouse Quilters in Orange. September 30 to Ocober 1.

* Novocastrian Quilters on Novermber 3-4 at Broadmeadow in Newcastle.
novocastrianquilters.blogspot.com.au

Show and Tell:


 Above a baby quilt from Lindy.





 Four baby quilts above from Carolyn.


 A pretty quilt above from one of our newest members, Georgina, and hand quilted too.


Christie hand pieced and quilted this intricate quilt above. Lots of exacting work. Well done Christie.



Robyn Jnst. found this quilt at the back of her cupboard and decided to finish it. It is so pretty I can't imagine how she could forget it.

Until next week ....

Sunday 9 September 2018

Show Wrap Up

Hi Everyone,

As it was the first meeting of the month it was our community day. Many members continued work on their quilts for community and some on little embroidery birds for a wagga.

At the first meeting of each month, I particularly enjoy wishing those members who have birthdays during that month, a very Happy Birthday.

Last week Grace visited three nursing homes in our local area to show them the sensory or fiddle mats we had made for the show. Grace said she had a most delightful morning meeting some of our older residents. There were many stories to tell. One of the residents has her sewing machine at the home and mends items for other members in the home.
Grace also told of one lady who constantly kept touching her face during her little talk. She asked if could she give her a fiddle mat. Immediately the lady began to feel and stroke the mat. She did not touch her face again.
I don't think we realise how important these small items can be.
Grace left 27 mats for the residents and will look elsewhere to distribute the remainders.

Some Show items:

Grace gave us the final figures for the show. After deducting costs, we are able to give a substantial amount to each of our charities. Representatives from each charity will be given a cheque during our Birthday Party on September 27.
Iris has recommended that we continue to support these two charities in the future as an ongoing community effort.

We had almost 900 visitors come to our show.
Saturday was our busiest day this time. The kitchen ran out of scones, the white gloves ran out and we were generally run off our feet.
The mornings of the other days were busy with numbers dropping off during the afternoons.

I saw Kathy Doughty during the week. She greeted me with a lovely comment. She said she still had a very warm happy feeling from the show. She particularly mentioned the stitching lounge and how wonderful it was. It was a great place for our older quilters to sit and stitch and answer questions from the public and promote our community work. The wagga room looked particularly cosy and pretty this year too.

Show Committee meeting:

First I would like to thank the girls on the show committee. They have done an outstanding job for the last two shows and have been a pleasure to work with.
Our convenor, Meg, was perfect! I only regret that she won't be our convenor next time.
Committee members usually stay for two shows. As with all things, the second time around is easier as we learn so much the first time.

For the next show we will have an entirely new group of members who volunteer. Hence I will mention a few of the things that this committee recommends to improve in the future.

Raffle tickets:

Thank you to all our members who purchased raffle tickets. This is always a big help raising funds. Our members raised almost half of our total amount, with the other half raised by our charities and visitors. So well done everybody!
As many of us buy the raffle tickets in our own names. it was suggested that we could add a note saying "redraw" next time if the quilt is not wanted.

Publicity:

Iris was pleased with the response from visitors asking how they heard about our show. It seems the majority heard about it from other quilting groups and quilt shops and very few from the banner on the freeway. As the banner needs replacing at some cost, it was discussed  that perhaps we did not need it.
There was a good response from social media. This was less than expected but is very necessary now in our digital age.
Generally it was very worthwhile.

Hall Layout:

We had many complimentary remarks about the hall layout this year. The lighting seemed better and the hall looked particularly attractive.
Lindy did ask that members keep to the quilt size stated on their entry form. Some of these changed which caused a headache with fitting everything together.
Every square inch is measured precisely to fit the quilts in. Also if your quilt is an irregular shape, we need to know so we have black material to hang as background.

Kitchen:

Handing the cocktail food out this year for Opening Night worked particularly well. Thank you to Narelle's daughters and Meg's nieces. It was a pleasure to have them join us and help.
Kitchen staffing needs to be reviewed for next time and perhaps the Kitchen coordinator could make recommendations to enable a wider variety of food for Opening Night as well as hot food.

Stage Sales:

The layout this year for the stage sales worked very well. Suzie recommended we use the same layout next time.
More helpers were required for the stage. This was especially apparent on Sunday when Suzie was very short staffed.

All in all we had an amazing show so well done to you all!

Show and Tell:

Only a few show and tell this week which is lucky as the blog is quite "wordy" this time!




 Above and below we have four baby quilts. The two above are from Moina and the two below are from June.
June and Moina are two of our older members. They both do exquisite fine work. It is always a pleasure see their quilts.





Until next time ....