Welcome Readers ... this Blog update will show you that we quilters also learn, as well as stitch, when we have our monthly get-togethers at the Barn. This month we had Jenny show us the intricacies of paper piecing as we all paired up to create a quilt top that turned out quite stunning. Wait till you see the pictures ... !!
But first I must do the Roll Call, and despite it being a loooong weekend for H.R.H Lizzies Birthday ... we still managed to muster up a nice crowd and filled all corners of the workspace very well. Our turnout was comprised of Karen, Jenny, Val, Win, Christine, Denise, Pauline, Gaynor, Maxine, Carol, Cheryl (Jennys friend), Emily and myself ... the Scribe:). We were also blessed by the arrival of Sandi .... a quilting visitor who had heard of us and came in person to deliver quilt tops that she had lovingly stitched for us. Pictures will follow in our Show and tell segment of the Blog.
Secondly I have been a tad remiss and must apologise for not officially wishing a speedy return to good health a couple of our valued stitchers. Janagi has been much missed at recent Working Bees as she recuperates from a motor accident.We do hope that she will be well enough to return soon and we send all good wishes for her health and wellbeing ... and our Joy has recently been the recipient of a nice shiny new hip ... and we send our love to her also, and our very best wishes for a speedy return too. Margaret also has had surgery ... and we hope that all is going well for her return to optimum health and mobility. I hasten to add that quilting is indeed NOT a health hazard ... lest you think that attendance at our Working Bees should come with a Disclaimer:)
Now .. on to the rest of this months Blog ... and we have a couple of Thank You acknowledgements to give ... firstly to Jill Kerrison who sent us a beautiful 'shaggy' style quilt top from the Apple Isle all the way to us on the 'Mainland'. It really is gorgeous and Thank You so very much Jill!!
... and the reverse...
We also had donated a Dresden Plate quilt in the making, from Norma Rose ... a lady who went thru her stash of UFOs and blessed us ... together with sufficient fabric to more than complete it. Many Thanks Norma ... this will look just beautiful when it is all put together:)
Next we have a quilt top made by Cheryl ... Jennys friend ... and no, it's not your eyes that are seeing double ... just a little technical 'difference of opinion' between myself and my camera ... grrrr!!! Luckily I brought a back-up and we will be moving right along with it in a few minutes.
Next we have a couple of lovely quilt tops from Val ....
.... and again I apologise for the lack of clarity around the edges .... I'm calling it the 'Monet' look:)
Next we have a couple of tops from Win ....
Again ... a Monet of sorts ...... wonder if I would have been better off with a Box Brownie camera:)
Now I have to confess that ... due to my preoccupation with my temperamental camera ... I had totally forgotten to note who created the preceding quilt top ... AND the one that follows. Am heading to naughty step now (and taking camera with me .... AND a hammer!!)
Feel free to update me with details of who created these intricate pieces ... and I'll amend this Blog:)
Goodness me that was a shocking bit of camerawork ... wasn't it? profuse apologies .... hopefully this is the point at which I switched cameras ... lets see ...:)
OK .... now this lovely little miniature ... and the ones that follow ... were created by Jenny. They show what intricate work is possible with 'paper piecing'. It allows the quilter to make perfect 'Points' and I think you will agree with me that the end certainly justifies the means :)
There .... how stunning! And it just shows how effective the 'paper piecing' technique is in making accurate blocks for quilts.
Jenny showed some of the patterns in the books she brought along ...
And soon we were to begin to put into practice the technique ... as demonstrated ....
Karen 'threads up' ..... and Val is all systems 'go'.....
"Now ..... did I oil it in the right places?".....
We realised early on that we didn't have sufficient brown fabric for the finished design ... so it was back to the old drawing board..
Actually .... make that 'cutting board' ... as Jenny uncoverd 'Plan B' .... and an alternate colour way..
Maxine works with Win ... pinning the pieces to the backing paper ....
Gaynor throws herself into pinning ...
Pauline and Denise are away and racing .....
Val steers the paper pieced block thru her machine ....
So much easier to see when you have the lines all laid out to follow:)
Getting all the pieces together .... and lots of pressing in between stitching ....
Taking shape and looking good.....
A short break to refuel the stitchers ... this months 'Theme' was ..... Chinese ... and very yum it was!
.... not a complete Chinese meal without .... Fried rice:)
Now the 'messy' bit begins .... peeling away the backing paper from the pieced blocks....
A mammoth task ... but the end result will show how well it turns out ...
"Ta-daaaa" ..... nearly complete ... and looking good!!
Now we had, as earlier mentioned ... a visit from Sandi Harris ... who had been corresponding with me via email and dropped by with her beautiful set of three quilt tops which will be heading to the New Hope Foundation in China when they have been quilted by Yvonne in due course. The fabric Sandi used was just beautiful and she was the very soul of generosity, bringing sufficient fabric to allow us to use the feature fabric as backing. How wonderful!! here are the three cot quilts which will so beautifully decorate the cots of three little babes in China before too long ...
Such pretty fabric ... bordered with apple & pear print, which will also be on the reverse before quilting is done.
A close up of one of the trio of cot quilts...
Sandi also created a very colourful quilt top, with many novelty prints included, which is for India. It was lovely to meet her ... and we look forward to having her join us again when time permits. Thanks so very much Sandi ... it was delightful to meet and share with you all that we do on our quilting gatherings.
Just to show that its not 'all about the quilts' ... we now show what Emily has been creating for our next fundraising sales session ... more beautiful and colourful pencil cases. Aren't they absolutely gorgeous?
Heading toward the end of the day and we start to wind down a bit ... here we have Win, Sandi, Carol, Maxine and Jenny taking a breather before the day draws to a close....
Karen, Pauline & Val, a great days work behind them, & looking forward no doubt, to our next Working Bee.
Emily and Christine ... demonstrating one of the wonderful bonuses about our get-togethers ... . the friendship that comes from all working toward a great cause.
And so winds up another Blog post from yours truly ... our next Working Bee will be held on Saturday July 14th .... and the luncheon Theme will be .... 'Christmas in July' ... a time for food with a Festive flavour Folks:)
And here are our contact details ... as well as the usual closing 'blurb' and of course a reminder that we are always happy to receive donations of fabric, threads, quilt tops in the sizes suitable for our Indian and Chinese children.
Might I also add that plain coloured fabric in quantities sufficient for backing our quilts is always MORE than welcome. It makes for highlighting some of the custom quilting done by Yvonne on the quilts which we create for our fundraising sales.
And also ... we still have heaps of furnishing fabric for sale at $5 per metre ... our beautiful wedding dresses ... perfect for brides in need of a dress and who wish the purchase price to go toward an awesome cause ... and the dog coats, cushions and quilts which we have created in order to raise funds for our batting. Please let your friends know all about us ... word of mouth can do SO much to help!!
Our contact details are as follow:
Gaynor Peterson ... phone (03)9756 7950
email ... [email protected]
Susan Hamilton .....phone (03)9737 1825
email: [email protected]
Our postal address (for donations) is P.O Box 398 Monbulk Victoria 3793
Check out the following Links:
www.chinakidz.org .... for news about the Butterfly Palliative Care hospice in China
http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a59784e7a45314d6a673d0d0a&sb=1
www.freetobekids.org/- .... the rescue organisation that frees children from slavery and exploitation
www.com.org.au/ .... our very own Christian Outreach Ministry in Mount Evelyn.
Don't forget that you can support COM and the children in the COM Homes in India by making donations to them via details on their website. They also have a range of products which can be 'gifted' to the Homes on your behalf and which would make a wonderful 'reverse' Christmas gift this year. For your efforts COM will provide you with Thank You certification .... you can purchase mattresses for the children, school supplies, chickens which will enable the families to have a source of income from the eggs produced ... I believe you can even purchase a GOAT!! How incredible to be able to give a family on the other side of the world the independence that owning a milk producing goat would provide. Give it some thought and contact COM now!!!
Now on to the rest of our Links .....
http://kayleenwest.com.au .... for Art with a positive spirit
http://mellyandme.typepad.com .... creative clothing etc for children
www.hopefosterhome.com ... the latest group of babies we are creating crib quilts for in China ...
www.zoehopeproject.blogspot.com giving hope to children in Zambia.
http://english.chinaconcern.org/
... and our newest recipients of quilts .... in Ethiopia
http://www.lolachildrensfund.org/
And finally .......
Our Link to Treasure Corner Opshop in Wray Crescent Mount Evelyn .... the brainchild of Helen Greenwood so many years ago, the start of the support for COM Homes in India is listed below. Well worth a visit for the many bargains available, proceeds from the sales go toward the Childrens Homes in India ... 26 so far have been built through funds raised by this shop, an amazing achievement indeed.
So .... till next time I hit the keyboards and belt out a Blog post ... blessings to you all and Thank you most sincerely for all the support which you give us through your stitchings, email offers of help and encouragement...
Susan