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 ..
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