Quilts For Orphans

First Blogpost for 2020 .. and coming to you with news and pictures of our new QFO 'Home' base ;)

Well here we are, at the start of a fresh new QFO year and in our new 'home' at Hoddles Creek ... I look forward, in this blogpost, to sharing with you the interior shots, as well as all the things that happened at our first get together under its roof on Saturday February 8th :) 

Aaaaand ... here we are ..... 

Present on Saturday we welcomed back a lot of familiar faces and met some new folk too ... which bodes well for an exciting and productive year under the QFO banner. We enjoyed the company of Sandi, Joanne, Deborah, Yvonne, Christine, Val and Val,Isobel, Jenny, Julie, Sheryl, Julianne, Mel, Pauline, Cheryl, Libby, Alison, Annette, Alice, and myself .. and welcomed new members Joy, Ann, Denise, Pat, Helen and Lucy. Quite the (nearly) Full House indeed ;)

We also welcomed Dawn Taylor, representing 'Jewels of Hope' from Lesotho (pronounced 'Lesootoo') in South Africa. We have previously gifted them quilts and Dawn came on Saturday to tell us all about the empowerment that selling the jewelry created by the children over there gives. Jewels of Hope is on the front-line in the battle against HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. It works in the midst of despair as children become orphaned due to the pandemic affecting the region. As hundreds of children have become parentless, the desire is to give them hope for their future and for eternity. Jewels of Hope provides a means of income generation for vulnerable children that is both safe and legitimate, whilst enabling the children to continue with their education.

For more details on Jewels of Hope. please visit their website at www.jewelsofhope.org and for more information on helping this project or purchasing jewelry, please contact Dawn at dawntaylor6491@gmail.com

One of the poorest countries in the world, and one which has an unemployment rate of 49%, Lesotho nonetheless enjoys 300 days a year of sunshine ... which, might I add, seems only rivalled by the smiles of the children looked after by the Jewels of Hope organisation.

The children learn, among other things, the Principles and Practice of Business thru the Program, which helps to give them usable skills for their future. 

Dawn also came along with cakes of this amazing soap .. and its 'backstory' of generating funds for the Philippines.

Now among our visitors today we welcomed Helen, Denise, Pat and Ann from the Steels Creek Stitchers, who blessed us with an amazing number of quilt tops  ... just so incredibly kind of them. Pictures are below .. they also blessed us with a sizeable box of fabric for which we are most grateful :)

Thank you so very, very much ladies .. your contribution to our quilt gifting 'stash' is most appreciated and we look forward to blessing those in need with your fabric 'hugs' in the not too distant future. According to our records, between October and the end of 2019 we were able to gift 110 quilts to those in need both locally and globally. We look forward to doing even more as the year progresses. 

We were also visited on Saturday by long time supporter Nelly Sutherland from 'Made with Love' quilts in Endeavour Hills. Nelly has previously been incredibly generous with her groups quilts and once again we thank her so very much for their kindness to us. This time, in addition to the quilts, Nellys group kindly gifted us a roll of cotton batting (so very useful) and a Janome sewing machine which will come in jolly handy as being put to use by stitchers needing one on-site here.

And now a few candid shots of our new space .... pretty schmick eh?

Pauline and Sheryl in our kitchen ... so much room and perfect for organising our refreshments. Speaking of which, here they are :)

The Handsewing corner ... with Libby, Alison, Julie .. and one of our lovely new visitors whose name, I'm afraid to say .. totally escaped me. Profuse apologies ... I'll try better next time :)

Work tables just awaiting sewing machines and stitchers ...

And here we have .. Val and Val ... doing great stuff at our work tables :)
Jenny, Isobel and Sheryl chatting at our 'quilt top recording table' where incoming tops are 'registered' for tracking purposes as they go thru the 'process' toward gifting.

 

The 'Process' ... complex, but all part of our new QFO tracking and accountability set-up. And below we have the pictures of the 'behind the scenes storage area. So good to have all this room for our stuff :)

And now on to a bit of 'Show and Tell' from our on site stitchers ... first we have Paulines efforts .

So incredibly colourful .. and hasn't Pauline been busy since we last gathered?

Next we have Cheryls quilt tops .. zoom in on the red blue and white .. the nautical fabric is gorgeous ...

And now from our Val ... and pictured with fabric gifted to her by her daughters friend Jean .. this top ... just lovely.

From our Christine .. two single quilt tops, and isn't the vibrant Dresden Plate combo just stunning?

And finally, from Sandi .. we have three cot size and one single bed size top .. again pieced with precision .. she's a perfectionist :)

Now a few more random shots of our new workspace and then an 'ad' for an upcoming Event that QFO will have a table at .. 

Natural light, as well as overhead lights and fresh air ... a great working combo :)

Above we have Yvonne, Julianne, Deborah and Nelly ... 

Sandi and Cheryl .... 

View from our kitchen servery window ... and below we have Pauline and Christine at the cutting table. 

We even have a balcony for those that like to take in the fresh country air whilst stitching .. or even just having a cuppa break ;)

Aaand .... before the final bit of this Blog .. we were pleased to be able to farewell Dawn Taylor from Jewels of Hope .. with a stack of quilts to take back to Lesotho. Looking forward to seeing pics of them some time down the track when they are wrapped around their new owners :)

Aaaand now ... our first 'participating' Event for the year ... so save your pocket money AND the date and pop along to support us and the CFA. The Event is hosted by Karen Martin of Mrs Martins Quilt Shop and we thank her very much for allowing us space to display our wares. See you there.

 

And dear reader, that just about wraps up this Blog .. we meet again at Hoddles Creek on the second Saturday in March (14th).. BYO lunch and a plate to share for morning tea .. as well as your enthusiasm and sewing machine. But don't fret too much on the latter if you don't have a machine as we do have a couple of QFO machines available for use.

OOOH!! .. speaking of which, I very nearly forgot our BIG NEWS. We have purchased a Gammill Long Arm quilting machine and will be training those interested in it's use. This will lighten the load for our Yvonne who has single handedly been custom quilting our tops pretty much since we started. We hope to have the machine set up in a week or so, ready for our next gathering. 

Such an exciting year ahead ... and now to hit the 'publish' button and send this baby into cyberspace for your enjoyment :)

Blessings to all,

 

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsfororphans.org 

Blogger: Susan Hamilton .....phone (03)9737 1825

email: susanhamilton3677@gmail.com

Our postal address (for donations) is  P.O Box 398 Monbulk Victoria 3793

And .... we are www.quiltsfororphans.org 

On 'social media'  aka Facebook find us at https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/

Check out the following Links:

http://www.facebook.com/Chelseaonesock .... for delightful retro fabric childrens clothing. Chelsea has blessed us with her destashing of fabric.

http://kayleenwest.com.au .... for Art with a positive spirit

http://mellyandme.typepad.com .... creative clothing etc for children

 http://mrsmartinsquiltshop.typepad.com/  ...whose customer blessed us with awesome fabric

We have also stitched for the following Childrens Homes ....

http://www.butterflych.org/.... for news about the Butterfly Palliative Care hospice in China

And their very own Blog ... which is beautifully written and contains inspirational stories on the children in their care. See the Link below:

http://butterflyhospice.blogspot.com.au/

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a59784e7a45314d6a673d0d0a&sb=1

www.freetobekids.org/- .... the rescue organisation that frees children from slavery and exploitation

www.hopefosterhome.com ... the babies we are creating crib quilts for in China ...

www.zoehopeproject.blogspot.com  .... giving hope to children in Zambia.

http://english.chinaconcern.org/  ... more children in China that we have stitched for ...

http://www.lolachildrensfund.org/ .... in Ethiopia

http://www.fikelela.org.za/orphan.asp .... the Fikelala AIDS Project in Capetown

http://mifanmama.com/Shining_Star_2.html the Home for vision impaired children in Shanghai

http://www.austchamshanghai.com/about-us/csr/mifan-mama.aspx

www.jewelsofhope.org ... the project we stitch for in Lesotho Southern Africa

http://www.thebabesproject.com.au/

http://elishacare.blogspot.com.au/

http://rangescc.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/elisha-care/

The Matombo Village Project vimeo.com/217129149

www.ujamaachildren.com

 

Moving to The Hall – Office Chairs and rubber castors ... and a BIG Thank You to generous hearts.

 

Well here I am again .... making use of a relatively quiet Monday and some inclement weather .. to sit and Blog, Blog, Blog. And here is the last Post for the day. Words provided by those involved with beginning the set up at our new home in Hoddles Creek. Pictures also attached and some Thank You mentions to the generous hearts of those who have facilitated some of the finer things needed to make our new home even spiffier. 

We’ve all been busy lately, packing up everything at The Shed and getting ready for the move., and planning what equipment we’ll need at our new location.

At The Shed, our machine sewers have enjoyed using the adjustable office chairs that belonged to the owners.

So Jenny has been busy sourcing adjustable office chairs and working out the best way to protect the timber floors at The Hall.

Five office chairs were located on Facebook Marketplace. When Jenny explained the work of Quilts for Orphans, Jake, the seller, decided to donate them all to us! Thank you so much, Jake!

Peter and Jenny took the trailer to Ivanhoe East to collect them, and then delivered them to The Hall.

Jenny found out that replacing the regular castors with ‘rubber castors’ was the best way of protecting the timber floor. She wrote to Slipstick, an Australian company that manufactures and distributes rubber castors, as well as a wide range of products to go under furniture to protect floors. Jenny initially asked if we could purchase them wholesale, but also invited the company to consider supporting our group by donating some sets of castors. The owners of Slipstick responded, saying they would be delighted to sponsor our group by donating 12 sets of castors for our office chairs! Thanks so much, Slipstick, for your very generous donation. You can check out Slipstick, and the extensive range of products they have for protecting floors and furniture at https://www.slipstick.com.au  They’re also listed on our partnerships page on our website.

They also sent us ten packs of various sized pieces of ‘furniture felt’, to put under chairs, tables, and other furniture to protect the timber floor! 

At the Working Bee, Jenny and Ron (Sinling’s husband) swapped over all the castors on the five donated chairs!

Ron, Jenny and Sinling ...

We’ve since been given an additional four used office chairs by Allen and the team at Excellence IT – they are in Boronia, and online at https://excellenceit.com.au  They had the chairs advertised on Facebook Marketplace and decided to donate them to our group! Thanks so much.

With another one Jenny found at her local Op Shop, and a couple more in her shed, we’ll have a full complement of adjustable chairs for all our planned ‘sewing stations’ – all with lovely rubber castors!

Eager beavers at the Working Bee. 

Its not a QFO gathering without food and I think some of the 'five basic food groups' seem to be covered here. Am I right?

Not sure what Deborah had done to be banished outside .. perhaps crumbs on the new homes floor? Trust they'll let her play inside in February ;)

Aaand that wraps it up till I have more to report. We hope to be in our new home for the first Gathering Day on February 8th ... after which I will have another Blogpost with even more photos of all the ladies cosily ensconced in their new QFO abode at Hoddles Creek. 

Till then,

Blessings to all,

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsforphans.org 

Blogger: Susan Hamilton .....phone (03)9737 1825

email: susanhamilton3677@gmail.com

Our postal address (for donations) is  P.O Box 398 Monbulk Victoria 3793

And .... we are www.quiltsforphans.org 

On 'social media'  aka Facebook find us at https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/

Check out the following Links:

http://www.facebook.com/Chelseaonesock .... for delightful retro fabric childrens clothing. Chelsea has blessed us with her destashing of fabric.

http://kayleenwest.com.au .... for Art with a positive spirit

http://mellyandme.typepad.com .... creative clothing etc for children

 http://mrsmartinsquiltshop.typepad.com/  ...whose customer blessed us with awesome fabric

We have also stitched for the following Childrens Homes ....

http://www.butterflych.org/.... for news about the Butterfly Palliative Care hospice in China

And their very own Blog ... which is beautifully written and contains inspirational stories on the children in their care. See the Link below:

http://butterflyhospice.blogspot.com.au/

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a59784e7a45314d6a673d0d0a&sb=1

www.freetobekids.org/- .... the rescue organisation that frees children from slavery and exploitation

www.hopefosterhome.com ... the babies we are creating crib quilts for in China ...

www.zoehopeproject.blogspot.com  .... giving hope to children in Zambia.

http://english.chinaconcern.org/  ... more children in China that we have stitched for ...

http://www.lolachildrensfund.org/ .... in Ethiopia

http://www.fikelela.org.za/orphan.asp .... the Fikelala AIDS Project in Capetown

http://mifanmama.com/Shining_Star_2.html the Home for vision impaired children in Shanghai

http://www.austchamshanghai.com/about-us/csr/mifan-mama.aspx

www.jewelsofhope.org ... the project we stitch for in Lesotho Southern Africa

http://www.thebabesproject.com.au/

http://elishacare.blogspot.com.au/

http://rangescc.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/elisha-care/

The Matombo Village Project vimeo.com/217129149

www.ujamaachildren.com

Prison Network Ministry photo ... we are local as well as global ....

Just a quick picture .. which has also been shared to Facebook and on the Prison Network site .... of their awesome volunteers wearing aprons created and gifted to them by QFO. Prison Network Ministry are an amazing group of ladies working within the system to bring joy and creative activities to those most in need of friendship and hope.

They visited us at the Barn a couple of years ago and Gaynor had it on her heart to partner with them as far as we were able. So here they are with the newest aprons we created for them to wear as they pursue their volunteering within the system. And don't they look so very smart? I'll also share the Thank You message they sent us with the photo :)

https://prisonnetwork.org.au/

From the Prison Network ladies: 

'How fantastic are these aprons so generously and beautifuly made by Quilts for Orphans. They are so bright and cheery and practical. They are how the women in jail identify us as soon as we walk through the gates. Thank you! Thank you! You ladies do wonderful work.'

Blessings till next Blogpost,

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsforphans.org 

Blogger: Susan Hamilton .....phone (03)9737 1825

email: susanhamilton3677@gmail.com

Our postal address (for donations) is  P.O Box 398 Monbulk Victoria 3793

And .... we are www.quiltsforphans.org 

On 'social media'  aka Facebook find us at https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/

Check out the following Links:

http://www.facebook.com/Chelseaonesock .... for delightful retro fabric childrens clothing. Chelsea has blessed us with her destashing of fabric.

http://kayleenwest.com.au .... for Art with a positive spirit

http://mellyandme.typepad.com .... creative clothing etc for children

 http://mrsmartinsquiltshop.typepad.com/  ...whose customer blessed us with awesome fabric

We have also stitched for the following Childrens Homes ....

http://www.butterflych.org/.... for news about the Butterfly Palliative Care hospice in China

And their very own Blog ... which is beautifully written and contains inspirational stories on the children in their care. See the Link below:

http://butterflyhospice.blogspot.com.au/

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a59784e7a45314d6a673d0d0a&sb=1

www.freetobekids.org/- .... the rescue organisation that frees children from slavery and exploitation

www.hopefosterhome.com ... the babies we are creating crib quilts for in China ...

www.zoehopeproject.blogspot.com  .... giving hope to children in Zambia.

http://english.chinaconcern.org/  ... more children in China that we have stitched for ...

http://www.lolachildrensfund.org/ .... in Ethiopia

http://www.fikelela.org.za/orphan.asp .... the Fikelala AIDS Project in Capetown

http://mifanmama.com/Shining_Star_2.html the Home for vision impaired children in Shanghai

http://www.austchamshanghai.com/about-us/csr/mifan-mama.aspx

www.jewelsofhope.org ... the project we stitch for in Lesotho Southern Africa

http://www.thebabesproject.com.au/

http://elishacare.blogspot.com.au/

http://rangescc.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/elisha-care/

The Matombo Village Project vimeo.com/217129149

www.ujamaachildren.com

News from Mukti ..... with pictures and Links to a video or two or three uploaded to Facebook :)

And here I am again .. with news of quilts delivered and happy recipients. Words and pictures sent to me by our stitcher and QFO Member Jenny Stokes. .. please enjoy.

Quilts for Orphans has recently given quilts to Mukti. https://mukti.org.au/

Have you heard of Mukti?

Mukti Australia works with Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission in India and Wings of Hope in Sri Lanka. Mukti Australia raises fund to support development projects in both countries, supporting and empowering disadvantaged and vulnerable children and women. In India the focus is on education.

Between 30 and 40 quilts were given to Mukti – some quilts have been sent to Wings of Hope in Sri Lanka. The others were taken to India by Glenda (National Director of Mukti Australia) and Susan (who co-ordinates projects). The quilts were given to the new children at Mukti.

The children were very excited to receive a quilt. The photos show show the children receiving the quilts and one of Glenda with the children. The video shows the children saying ‘Thank You’ for the quilts!

The children have given us a lovely card, and Glenda has made us a lovely laminated A4 card showing all the children with their quilts.

Lovely photos – and some very happy children who are thankful for the work done by Quilts for Orphans!

How gorgeous are these pictures and the children eh? I do hope that some of our Blog readers can recognise their handiwork here .. always a joy to spy our handiwork being held tight by its recipient :)

And ... this is where the 'rubber hits the technology road' ... or it doesn't. Was totally unable to create a URL to upload these videos onto the Blog or the Website. So I took the next best shortcut and posted them to Facebook, where hopefully the Link below will take you. Enjoy. The children look so very chuffed as they hold their quilts so tightly. And how very blessed are we to be connected with them and Mukti.

https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/videos/589497091834236/

https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/videos/958824011185827/

https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/videos/625023308251234/

Blessing to all .... till next Blogpost ... 

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsforphans.org 

Blogger: Susan Hamilton .....phone (03)9737 1825

email: susanhamilton3677@gmail.com

Our postal address (for donations) is  P.O Box 398 Monbulk Victoria 3793

And .... we are www.quiltsforphans.org 

On 'social media'  aka Facebook find us at https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/

Check out the following Links:

http://www.facebook.com/Chelseaonesock .... for delightful retro fabric childrens clothing. Chelsea has blessed us with her destashing of fabric.

http://kayleenwest.com.au .... for Art with a positive spirit

http://mellyandme.typepad.com .... creative clothing etc for children

 http://mrsmartinsquiltshop.typepad.com/  ...whose customer blessed us with awesome fabric

We have also stitched for the following Childrens Homes ....

http://www.butterflych.org/.... for news about the Butterfly Palliative Care hospice in China

And their very own Blog ... which is beautifully written and contains inspirational stories on the children in their care. See the Link below:

http://butterflyhospice.blogspot.com.au/

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a59784e7a45314d6a673d0d0a&sb=1

www.freetobekids.org/- .... the rescue organisation that frees children from slavery and exploitation

www.hopefosterhome.com ... the babies we are creating crib quilts for in China ...

www.zoehopeproject.blogspot.com  .... giving hope to children in Zambia.

http://english.chinaconcern.org/  ... more children in China that we have stitched for ...

http://www.lolachildrensfund.org/ .... in Ethiopia

http://www.fikelela.org.za/orphan.asp .... the Fikelala AIDS Project in Capetown

http://mifanmama.com/Shining_Star_2.html the Home for vision impaired children in Shanghai

http://www.austchamshanghai.com/about-us/csr/mifan-mama.aspx

www.jewelsofhope.org ... the project we stitch for in Lesotho Southern Africa

http://www.thebabesproject.com.au/

http://elishacare.blogspot.com.au/

http://rangescc.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/elisha-care/

The Matombo Village Project vimeo.com/217129149

www.ujamaachildren.com

Christmas lunch 2019 with the QFO stitchers ... December 14th at Rose Cottage.

Apologies for the belated Post .. I had started it .. and then Christmas got in the way .. Ooops!! Apologies also for the less than stellar photo quality ... no idea what happened there. But we make up for it at the bottom of this Post with two great pics showing our stitchers and our Calendar for the coming/present year. Enjoy. 

Christmas lunch was again held at the delightful Rose Cottage in Monbulk and was absolutely delicious. Many thanks to the staff there ... we always enjoy this time spent at your establishment :) Same time next year?

And here we have our ladies and the latest Calendar .. a magnificent job was done by our Mel and her friend Arthur and we cannot praise them both enough for the quality and layout. Superb job and a rousing 'Thumbs Up' from us all :)

Aaaaand now on to the next couple of Blog Posts to lead us in to the New Year and new beginnings for QFO ... in our new 'home'. Stay tuned ...

Susan

 

Blogpost encompassing donations received, our Festival of Quilts and our Makers Marathon 2019

Aaaaand here I am again, cramming in a November QFO Blogpost before we suffer a temporary loss of Internet at our home whilst switching providers. Please enjoy. These photos come to you courtesy of our fill-in snappers who covered for yours truly when she was on a little R&R in the Grampians last month. Many thanks ladies ...

First 'cab off the rank' is a warm and sincere Thank You to Alex from Mooroolbark who very kindly gifted to us his late mothers Janome sewing machine and Horn sewing cabinet. This extremely practical and thoughtful gifting will be put to work when we shift to our new home in Hoddles Creek. Alex explained that it was only after his mother had passed that he discovered how very much she did for others in need and he rightfully figured that she would be happy to know that her sewing machine and cabinet would be put to good use by us. Many thanks Alex ... and bless your kind heart. Your mother would be pleased with your generosity I'm sure.

Next kind donation comes from Jen in Healesville, who has decided to retire from quilting (!!!) .. and handed over to us her stash of blocks, patterns and quilting books. All of which will most certainly be put to good use as we incorporate them into quilts for gifting to those in need of one of our fabric 'hugs'. Many thanks Jen for your generosity of heart.

And from Marion .. a magnificent bootload of fabric gifted to us .. how wonderful. Many thanks Marion :)

                                                       ... MAKERS MARATHON 2019 AT MONT DE LANCEY ...

And now for more photos taken at our Makers Marathon, held during our November Festival of Quilts. Once again the Yarra Valley Machinery Preservation Society group at Mont De Lancey kindly allowed us to turn their Meeting Room into a hive of industry with a vastly different type of machine. A great day was had by all, including Gayle Cunningham, one of QFOs offsite long time contributor of gifted quilt tops. Gayle and her husband made a road trip down from Queensland especially to be with us on the day. WOW!! Two magnificent quilt tops were created from the sewing Marathon. Many thanks to Jenny, Christine and Pauline for the many hours of preparation put in even before the day had begun. Sheryls yummy munchies kept the bodies energised. The additional wonderful stitchers for the day were Allison, Joanne and Isobel. What a team!!

Our thoughts are with Julie Robinson who desperately wanted to be in charge of 'pressing' but was too unwell to attend on the day.

And here is Gayle .... how wonderful that you were able to participate in person after all those years of off-site support to us :)

Sheryl ....

   

Alison and Joanne ...

Gayle, Jenny, Sheryl, Alison, Christine and Pauline ...

It has been lovely for the quilters to come and admire their own Challenge Quilt entries.

Below is Pam Downer with her entry 'Brightness'. What a beautiful selection of fabrics, so very pretty.


Here we have Gayle Cunningham with her 'Happy Hexagons' entry .... just lovely isn't it?

We were also blessed during the Festival with a spontaneous gifting of three beautiful quilts from the member of a local U3A quilting group. Maggie from the group saw the display of our 'gifting inventory' and, understanding our mission, decided that we would benefit from her kind heart. Many thanks Maggie.

 MRS MARTINS QUILT SHOP TRUNK SHOW ... NOVEMBER 15TH 2009 AT OUR FESTIVAL OF QUILTS.

And now some photos from Karen Martins (aka Mrs Martin) Trunk Show which was one of the attractions at our Festival. 

Following the Trunk Show the attendees moved on to nearby Montys Tearoom for what I am told was a delicious and most recommended High Tea. 

And from our Deborah the following input to our Blog ... this lovely mother and daughter from Kinglake donated four quilts whilst attending the Festival. They learnt to quilt after the 2009 bushfires in that area. Quilting was a gentle form of healing for the women in their community. How incredibly generous of you ladies .. and many many thanks for your kindness to us.

                                                                  DRAUGHT HORSE FESTIVAL AT MONT DE LANCEY 

Also from Deborah ... 'The Draught Horse Festival was a very busy Event. Meeting new people to share the QFO story as well as selling crafts and quilts. A valuable 'bonus' to follow after our Festival of Quilts. Thanks to the generosity of Mont De Lancey we were able to stay in the Ray Oliver Gallery to cover both Events'.

Alice and Cheryl at the ready ...

A pair of contented hubbies ..

Overview of the Gallery ..

Alice snuggled under a quilt that had just been purchased ...

Pauline, Jenny and Deborah .. in their splendid new sun bonnets. All three were happy to purchase a new handmade hat from a local family at the show.

Cheryl suggested a clothes line full of quilts. Happy to hang out to sway in the breeze on such a perfect Spring day. Annette was please. Deborah missed taking a picture of her smiling face poking out between two quilts. Perhaps next time eh?

These three beautiful city ladies made a special trip to Mont De Lancey just to see our quilts on display. They have made, and still have, an abundance of their own quilts at home .. but still purchased a quilt each to support QFO. They look forward to coming to see us again ... even if it is at Hoddles Creek!!

Ray Oliver in the flesh on the left of Gordon Chapman. Ray and Gordon built his name sake Gallery at Mont De Lancey. The Gallery was the perfect venue for this years Festival of Quilts and the Draught Horse Festival. It was a real treat to have our time in the Gallery extended over the two Events.

Fancy a 'mini holiday'? Deborah snapped this for anyone interested in a holiday with a difference ... 

And on that note ... it's farewell for this Blogpost and look forward to our final update for 2019 when I report back to you after our Christmas Lunch next week at beautiful Rose Cottage in Monbulk. Following which I will give you a 'Heads up' as to our sewing dates for 2020 and any other relevant news for our followers.

Till next Post, blessings all,

 

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsforphans.org 

Blogger: Susan Hamilton .....phone (03)9737 1825

email: susanhamilton3677@gmail.com

Our postal address (for donations) is  P.O Box 398 Monbulk Victoria 3793

And .... we are www.quiltsforphans.org 

On 'social media'  aka Facebook find us at https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/

Check out the following Links:

http://www.facebook.com/Chelseaonesock .... for delightful retro fabric childrens clothing. Chelsea has blessed us with her destashing of fabric.

http://kayleenwest.com.au .... for Art with a positive spirit

http://mellyandme.typepad.com .... creative clothing etc for children

 http://mrsmartinsquiltshop.typepad.com/  ...whose customer blessed us with awesome fabric

We have also stitched for the following Childrens Homes ....

http://www.butterflych.org/.... for news about the Butterfly Palliative Care hospice in China

And their very own Blog ... which is beautifully written and contains inspirational stories on the children in their care. See the Link below:

http://butterflyhospice.blogspot.com.au/

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a59784e7a45314d6a673d0d0a&sb=1

www.freetobekids.org/- .... the rescue organisation that frees children from slavery and exploitation

www.hopefosterhome.com ... the babies we are creating crib quilts for in China ...

www.zoehopeproject.blogspot.com  .... giving hope to children in Zambia.

http://english.chinaconcern.org/  ... more children in China that we have stitched for ...

http://www.lolachildrensfund.org/ .... in Ethiopia

http://www.fikelela.org.za/orphan.asp .... the Fikelala AIDS Project in Capetown

http://mifanmama.com/Shining_Star_2.html the Home for vision impaired children in Shanghai

http://www.austchamshanghai.com/about-us/csr/mifan-mama.aspx

www.jewelsofhope.org ... the project we stitch for in Lesotho Southern Africa

http://www.thebabesproject.com.au/

http://elishacare.blogspot.com.au/

http://rangescc.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/elisha-care/

The Matombo Village Project vimeo.com/217129149

www.ujamaachildren.com

Our Makers Marathon and final day of the Festival of Quilts at Mont De Lancey

A quick blog update as we prepare for the busyness of the Christmas season .. apologies for the 
delay in updating .. but am crazily updating my emails as our home 'server' is closing down and I have 
to rapidly clean up and clean out my inward mailbox (57 pages and counting ... aaargh!!) Wish me luck ;) 

From our Jenny who took notes and photos at the Makers Marathon, and her husband Peter who 
recorded the Chapel Service on the final day .. I offer this update. Please enjoy. A further update will 
follow when I transfer the contents of a leetle USB stick and a written update from our intrepid note
takers who covered for me whilst I was on R & R last month. It will contain pics of recent donations to 
QFO from our supporters :) Many thanks for your patience. 

Susan


A great time was had by everyone who came to the Maker's Marathon on Thursday.The centre of one quilt 
top, called Rectangles and Diamonds, was completed in the morning. The sashing is complete - it just needs
 two borders added.
 
Then we worked on a colourful quilt called 'Crossroads' The 24 blocks were completed during the afternoon. 
The great thing about this quilt block is that only ONE seam needs to be matched in each block! The pattern
 will be up on the website soon!
 
It was great to see Gayle Cunningham at the Maker's Marathon. Gayle lives in Rockhampton, and has been 
sending us quilt tops for around 10 years, so it was lovely to meet up in person! Gayle had entered a hexagon
quilt in the Gift Quilt Top Challenge - and brought five completed quilt tops with her to donate.

On Friday, Karen Martin, from Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop, entertained us with a fascinating account of how she
 left primary school teaching and started a quilt shop in Monbulk. Karen told us how she had learnt as she 
went along. After a few years, Karen moved her shop to her home, and told us how she enjoys 'taking her 
shop' to sewing days and quilting retreats. Karen also brought some antique quilts which she had purchased 
on a recent trip to the USA. After a fascinating talk, we all enjoyed Devonshire tea at Monty's Tea Room.
 

And from the Chapel Service at Mont De Lancey, these photos, courtesy of Peter Stokes.Theme was 
thankfulness, and looking at the life, resurrection, and legacy of Dorcas as per Acts 9 36-43
 

  

 

 

Till next update .. which I promise won't be too long in the 'doing' ...

Blessings,

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsforphans.org 

Blogger: Susan Hamilton .....phone (03)9737 1825

email: susanhamilton3677@gmail.com

Our postal address (for donations) is  P.O Box 398 Monbulk Victoria 3793

And .... we are www.quiltsforphans.org 

On 'social media'  aka Facebook find us at https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/

Check out the following Links:

http://www.facebook.com/Chelseaonesock .... for delightful retro fabric childrens clothing. Chelsea has blessed us with her destashing of fabric.

http://kayleenwest.com.au .... for Art with a positive spirit

http://mellyandme.typepad.com .... creative clothing etc for children

 http://mrsmartinsquiltshop.typepad.com/  ...whose customer blessed us with awesome fabric

We have also stitched for the following Childrens Homes ....

http://www.butterflych.org/.... for news about the Butterfly Palliative Care hospice in China

And their very own Blog ... which is beautifully written and contains inspirational stories on the children in their care. See the Link below:

http://butterflyhospice.blogspot.com.au/

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a59784e7a45314d6a673d0d0a&sb=1

www.freetobekids.org/- .... the rescue organisation that frees children from slavery and exploitation

www.hopefosterhome.com ... the babies we are creating crib quilts for in China ...

www.zoehopeproject.blogspot.com  .... giving hope to children in Zambia.

http://english.chinaconcern.org/  ... more children in China that we have stitched for ...

http://www.lolachildrensfund.org/ .... in Ethiopia

http://www.fikelela.org.za/orphan.asp .... the Fikelala AIDS Project in Capetown

http://mifanmama.com/Shining_Star_2.html the Home for vision impaired children in Shanghai

http://www.austchamshanghai.com/about-us/csr/mifan-mama.aspx

www.jewelsofhope.org ... the project we stitch for in Lesotho Southern Africa

http://www.thebabesproject.com.au/

http://elishacare.blogspot.com.au/

http://rangescc.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/elisha-care/

The Matombo Village Project vimeo.com/217129149

www.ujamaachildren.com

Monbulk Street Party ... and QFO will be there ... will you?

Quick 'Heads Up' that we will have a presence at the upcoming Monbulk Street Party ... with a fundraising Stall selling quilts and crafted items .. perfect chance for you to nail that Christmas gift whilst supporting our endeavours.

Festival of Quilts 2019 .... let the fun begin. Day one overview. at Mont De Lancey.

And here we are folks ... an overview of the FOQ at MDL hosted by QFO .... ;) A collection of snaps taken on the day, our quilts, our visitors, our Julie Adamson (Victorian Quilters) Trunk Show and a selection of the stitched goodies on offer for the customer as part of our fundraising. Please enjoy :)

Some absolutely amazing and detailed embroidered pieces by our Julianne .. her handiwork has to be seen to be believed. This was very small and incredibly detailed ...

Many stitched goodies as part of our fundraising ... 

Long time followers of QFO will recognise this rustic Christmas tree created by Gaynors son at our former home The Barn.

Cheryle Franken with her Bunny Themed "Challenge Quilt" entry.

Our Yvonne, who busily custom quilted the Challenge Quilt entries for us. I like that she colour matched her outfit with this entry created by Kay Coles.

And here is Kay Coles with another of her creations ... lovely batik fabric .. most intricate patterning.

Julie Adamson from the Victorian Quilters officially opened our Festival ...

Julie gave a short talk on the making of 'gifting quilts' ...she referenced 'Jessie' .. who came to quilt making later in life and at 85 has not only created 150 quilts but has introduced her daughter Glenys to the making of fabric hugs. We were more than happy to do some 'gifting' ourselves and handed over 30 of our quilts to Julie for the 'Very Snuggly Quilts' auxilliary who provide quilts to children with life threatening illnesses who are  currently hospitalised.

Lovely to see our Annette who has been on the sick list .. but came to our first day of the FOQ to support our efforts.

A short break for morning tea .... and very tasty it was too ... thanks to all who contributed.

Meanwhile our 'shop' in the Ray Oliver Gallery had customers .... 

Quilter Helen Harapas with her quilt entry in our Challenge Quilt ..... she was pretty chuffed to see how beautifully it 'quilted up'.

Then it was time for Julie Adamsons 'Trunk Show' .. and she had brought along some magnificent examples of her hand quilting.

Julie explaining the history labels on the back of her Tree of Life quilt ...

 

Every. Inch. Hand. Quilted. Oh my giddy aunt ... isn't this incredible?

This quilt .. by our very own Pauline and her teacher Grace .. I liked. And not just because the colours matched my coat  ;) Which 'may' just have been mentioned in the video below .. courtesy of the wonderful folk at Yarra Ranges Life TV ...

https://www.facebook.com/YRLife.tv/videos/427437198170940/

An influx of visitors toward the days end .. a busload in fact I believe .. filled the Gallery and kept our volunteers very busy :)

Jenny explaining our work to a visitor ...

Visitors making choices on our 'Viewers Choice' Quilt Challenge entries.

And that winds up this Blog entry on a very busy and vibrant note. I look forward to adding more at the end of our Festival ... and highly recommend that you try to plan a visit during our Festival. We will also have a presence at the Draught Horse Festival at Mont De Lancey ... which follows our FOQ. Check the Mont De Lancey website for details.

Blessings,

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsforphans.org 

Blogger: Susan Hamilton .....phone (03)9737 1825

email: shamilton@aanet.com.au

Our postal address (for donations) is  P.O Box 398 Monbulk Victoria 3793

And .... we are www.quiltsforphans.org 

On 'social media'  aka Facebook find us at https://www.facebook.com/QuiltsForOrphans/

Check out the following Links:

http://www.facebook.com/Chelseaonesock .... for delightful retro fabric childrens clothing. Chelsea has blessed us with her destashing of fabric.

http://kayleenwest.com.au .... for Art with a positive spirit

http://mellyandme.typepad.com .... creative clothing etc for children

 http://mrsmartinsquiltshop.typepad.com/  ...whose customer blessed us with awesome fabric

We have also stitched for the following Childrens Homes ....

http://www.butterflych.org/.... for news about the Butterfly Palliative Care hospice in China

And their very own Blog ... which is beautifully written and contains inspirational stories on the children in their care. See the Link below:

http://butterflyhospice.blogspot.com.au/

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a59784e7a45314d6a673d0d0a&sb=1

www.freetobekids.org/- .... the rescue organisation that frees children from slavery and exploitation

www.hopefosterhome.com ... the babies we are creating crib quilts for in China ...

www.zoehopeproject.blogspot.com  .... giving hope to children in Zambia.

http://english.chinaconcern.org/  ... more children in China that we have stitched for ...

http://www.lolachildrensfund.org/ .... in Ethiopia

http://www.fikelela.org.za/orphan.asp .... the Fikelala AIDS Project in Capetown

http://mifanmama.com/Shining_Star_2.html the Home for vision impaired children in Shanghai

http://www.austchamshanghai.com/about-us/csr/mifan-mama.aspx

www.jewelsofhope.org ... the project we stitch for in Lesotho Southern Africa

http://www.thebabesproject.com.au/

http://elishacare.blogspot.com.au/

http://rangescc.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/elisha-care/

The Matombo Village Project vimeo.com/217129149

www.ujamaachildren.com

Our quilts go to Sierra Leone .... how very awesome. Truly what QFO is all about :)

Received a lovely message on our Facebook Page from Monique Mokdissi together with this pic of our very own Mels sister Sharron and Tonia .. who have coordinated the despatch of 42 of our quilts to Sierra Leone. The message we got is reproduced below for you:

'A big Thank you to 'Quilts for Orphans' for their generosity and support of Paradise 4 Kids .. by volunteering to make quilts for our dear brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone. They lovingly made 42 quilts which were delivered today (October 21st) and will contribute to the container of goods to be delivered to Sierra Leone.

This kindness and support of those less fortunate is very much appreciated and will go a long way toward creating some greater comfort and care for the young children in such need of our help'.

Mel continues the story ... 'my sister Sharron (left of quilt) and Tonia (the lady coordinating the items being
sent via shipping container to Sierra Leone)  This came about as my sister attended a fundraising event for Father
Thieme  (who was in Australia) to raise awareness and money for the work he is doing in Sierra Leone which is one 
of the poorest nations on earth.  We sent 42 (32 for the children/2 for each home-staff and few extras for any new 
children they may assist.'

How very wonderful to know that children on the other side of the globe will sleep under quilts made here by QFO. 
I look forward to hopefully sharing photos when they reach their destination ... it's always wonderful to see the 
smiles that a made with love fabric 'hug' gives to the recipient.

And also from Mel, who is an excellent 'connector' ,,, some pictures of donations she received whilst out 
publicising our upcoming Festival of Quilts in nearby Fern Tree Gully. From Kathy, who owns a local cross stitch 
shop these lovely panels which we look forward to incorporating into quilts.



Dinosaurs .. sure to be a big hit with a child :)


 Aren't they awesome? Thank you so very much Kathy (and Mel) These will make amazing quilts :)
And Mels Mum Jean has also been very generous, in gifting us fabric ... always a welcome gift, one can never have
too big a 'stash' when quilting for other eh?



And things are all falling into place for our Festival of Quilts at Mont De Lancey ... promises to be a wonderful 
event. I'll be reporting/blogging soon after, so watch this space :)


Blessings,

Susan