Remembering one of the Originals and a new Show date.

 It was a quiet and somewhat sombre day as many members planned to attend Doreen’s funeral, held today at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium. Gill, a good friend of Doreen, had kept us updated about her ongoing health battles but sadly Doreen passed away last week. 

Doreen was a prodigious quilter, and one of the founders of the ‘Wagga makers’ within our group. Hayley, a member, who now lives in the Torres Strait Islands but regularly attends our retreats, sent us a lovely email in which she remembered Doreen’s “ wicked sense of humour”. 

Hayley also promised us a slide show of what island life is like in the Torres Strait which sounds like a wonderful lifestyle....particularly with plenty of crayfish. We will hold Hayley to her promise!

Alison has booked Hunters Hill Town Hall for May 26-29 2022 for our Show. Fingers crossed that life will have returned to at least nearly normal and that we will feel comfortable holding the Show then.

Just a brief reminder that membership fees are due.

Alison had been helping a friend of her daughter to make a quilt. With some of the leftovers Alison has made a brightly coloured baby quilt for the Grace Centre.

Until next week. Deb

Show Committee Meeting

 Hi Everyone,

We had a show committee meeting this week. After much discussion, we have decided to postpone our show until next year. It is very disappointing but a sensible decision until we know more about the virus and most of the population will be vaccinated.

Many of you know that Alysoun Ryles was the founding member of Hunters Hill Quilters. Carolyn and Margaret have recently helped her daughter sort her fabrics and quilts. There were not large pieces of fabric but Carolyn has made 15 baby quilts out of the unused material. See photos below. 

Carolyn also came across a piece of material on which everyone who participated in the making of the wall hanging of the Hunters Hill District had started to embroider their names. Alysoun intended to sew this on to the back. There was a list attached with ticks next to the names who had already embroidered their name. 

The wall hanging has been taken down by Council. Elva has spoken to the Museum Director but the whereabouts of the quilt is unknown at this stage. I am following up.

Don't forget the 10 quilts we have promised for Bear Cottage. They are for teenage boys. Suggestions are Star Wars themes, Darth Vader or similar that teenage boys are interested in. Otherwise bright colours. 64" x 76".

Show and Tell:

Ann showed us a crocheted birds' nest that her girl guides are making.

Carolyn found this quilt top in Alysoun's effects and has finished it. This special quilt will be sold at our next show.

Baby quilt from Sue D.

Baby quilt from Sheila.

Some of the baby quilts from Alysoun's fabric.

Baby quilt from Lindy.

More from Alysoun's fabric.

Merlyn made this quilt for her 13 year old grandson. He chose the fabric.

b

Baby quilt from Marie K.

Baby quilt from Sue D.

More from Alysoun's fabric.

Until next week ......

Community Day

Hi Everyone,

Community Day this week. Groups were very busy working on their latest community quilts.

There were donations of fabric and finished blocks from Robin and Alison's nieghbour. Ann Took the blocks to work with and all the fabric was taken. Robin sent a folder of patterns around for us all to take.

Happy Birthday greetings to Hayley. We haven't seen Hayley since the last retreat. I know Joy keeps in touch with her. Perhaps she can email me sometime so we know how she is doing.

Joy mentioned that Norma's ashes will be dedicated at All Saints Church, Hunters Hill on 21 March at 10 a.m for those who would like to attend the service.

Unfortunately Doreen is back in palliative care. We send our love and best wishes.

Membership Fees:

Akiko said she had received 2021 annual fees from only 5 members. Please ask Akiko for our bank details. They haven't changed.

Quilts fro Community:

Sandy has contacted Bear Cottage at Manly. They would like 10 quilts - more for boys/men. They have requested slightly larger than single bed size. 64" x 76" would be perfect.

A reminder that the size for the baby quilts is 26" x 26".

Quilts for Robyn's charity are cot size.

AGM 2021:

I have been asked to list the positions for the Committee this year.

President - Judy

Vice President and Secretary - Deb T.

Treasurer - Akiko

Community Coordinator - Sandy

Show Coordinator - Alison

Membership Coordinator - Kerry

Retreat - Narelle

Librarian - Sue D.

Show and Tell:

Two baby quilts from Marie K.

Ann has been involved with the Girl Guides for many years. This quilt was made by a group of girls and hand embroidered.

Until next week ......

Low News Week

 Hi Everyone,

Not much in the way of news to report this week. We had 31 members and as usual lots to talk about and discuss.

The power points in the kitchen weren't working so we couldn't boil the kettle. Luckily the zip hot water was OK.

As well as notifying council about this, I  have requested two more tables. Here's hoping!

Iris has had a strong response from her Facebook posting of our two show quilts last week. We are all looking forward to getting back to our 'normal' round of Quilt Shows. Fingers and toes crossed.

Joy pinned her show quilt together this week. It is a masterpiece. So much intricate work. She used a beautiful Japanese linen for the border.

Next meeting is Community day. We will be asking if some of you can sew the extended hexagons together. They are from Val's stash and there are a lots of them.

Show and Tell:

A wall of wool hanging in North Sydney. Colourful and fun.

Carolyn's 10 baby quilts this week, She has now brought in 80. 

Baby quilt from Sheila

Community quilt from the red Group. Arkansas Crossing pattern.

Robyn Jnst. has finished this amazing quilt or wall hanging. Robyn embroidered it using 60 skeins of thread. Amazing!

Until next week ......

Successful AGM

 Hi Everyone,

We had a successful AGM this week.  Thank you to Ros and Iris for chairing the meeting. In 2020 we had a paid up membership of 55.

We hung the Show Raffle quilts for Iris to photograph for publicity. Respecting the social distancing rules not all of us could be photographed together unfortunately.

A reminder that 2021 fees are now due. $110 to be paid online or given to Akiko.

I was very impressed with the reports given at the meeting. They were all excellent. Thank you to all committee members.

We are going to have a Show Committee meeting on March 11 at 9 am. If anyone has any input about the show please talk to me or Alison.  

Show and Tell:

A final puppet shot - Geppetto

Baby quilt from Bev

Baby quilt from Judy

Three cot quilts from Laurel for the Robyn's refuge.

Val gave us a rather large quilt to be finished. Due to its size, Ros decided to make it into two quilts.

A sterling effort Ros. Thank you.

The wall hanging I promised a week or so ago. Elva is working it for a friend. A Wendy William's design.

Until next week .......

Special Photos

 Hi Everyone,

We had 26 members this week. 

A reminder that the AGM is next week. We can now have 6 members per group so most of you will be able to attend.

Also a surprise visit from Pamela Reeves. Pamela dropped in 4 quilts to be donated. 

Jacky Smith also stopped in to say she will not be back to quilting as she has severe arthritis in her hands. I do hope she can pop in now and again just to say hullo.

A friend of mine went to see The New Quilt exhibition in Windsor last week. She and her husband were in awe of the work on display. I have some photos below.

Perhaps some of you can go together and make a day of it. Exhibition from 6 February to 11 April at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery (top floor), 300 George Street, Windsor.

Plenty of parking and a large space for social distancing. Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm. Closed Tuesday and Public Holidays.

It is also walking distance from Windsor Railway Station.

The Sydney Craft and Quilt Show is currently scheduled for 30 June to 4 July at the Sydney Showgrounds. Quilt NSW are currently reviewing the flow-on consequences for their show this year.

Show and Tell:

The four quilts from Pamela. Grace machine quilted them.

Photos from The New Quilt exhibition. So much detail and imagination. A wonderful display.

This one is not a 'real' lady looking at the quilt but is a part of it. The artist chose a pregnant lady as the background quilt is of seeds ready for germination.

Until next week .....

More Puppets

 Hi Everyone,

We had a group of 25 this week. It seemed quieter than normal but lots happening nevertheless.

It is good to see both Jonquil and Robyn returning regularly. It is Doreen's birthday at the end of the month. I have a card for her. Those present this week wrote in it. I will bring it again next week for those who were not rostered on. Gill said Doreen loves reading the messages and remembering everyone.

Sandy has found an unfinished quilt from Val in the cupboard. Val had sewn oodles of stretched hexagons together. Alison and Sandy have halved the very long rows. For next community day we will ask for volunteers to sew a row or two together. It will be a very pretty quilt when finished.

I was very taken with a Wendy Williams piece that Elva was working on this week. It was originally started by one of the elderly residents at the Montefiore residence. Elva is finishing it for her. I forgot to take a photo but will do so next week if Elva has it with her. 

AGM 18th February. We cannot accommodate everyone to attend but if you would like to watch on Zoom let me know and Helena will set it up.

Show and Tell:

Sheila made three baby quilts last week using leftover blocks and fabric for a bigger quilt. Many remarked on her machine quilting. It is very effective.

Alison's puppet friend Bruce bought a 3D printer, used Alison's old Apple Mac and 3D printed the bag, hat and staff for Don Quixote. There seems no end to his talent. Amazing!

Doreen's doily in full view as well.

Until next week .....