Quilts For Orphans

All the news that's new .... grab a cuppa for some gifting news (both received and despatched) and more ....

Nattaliia and her husband arrived in Melbourne from the Ukraine in early 2022 as refugees and as you can imagine with very few personal possessions.  Our QFO Vice President Libby discovered Nattaliia had a passion for embroidery machine craft, especially with making beautiful women’s wallets and fortuitously, a manual Pfaff machine and Horn Cabinet had been donated to QFO so very quickly we were able to help Nattaliia get sewing again.

Our latest exciting update is a computerized Pfaff embroidery machine has recently been donated to QFO and the obvious beneficiary was Nattaliia.

You can purchase her lovely wallets on Etsy find her at VikaRepkaHandMade. They are indeed quite lovely.

As you can see from the photo, Nattaliia was delighted.

 

And from our QFO longtime member Christine ...

Just gave another’s twelve quilts to Maureen who volunteers with LLT aka Lifes Little Treasures.

Do look these amazing folk up on https://lifeslittletreasures.org.au to see the wonderful organisation that they are. And we are indeed blessed to be able to contribute our fabric 'hugs' to them.

And from Deborah ... "What a great result completing the first top from the March 7th Makers Marathon blocks".

Irene joined the blocks during the week and after a lovely collaborative discussion  on Tuesday, then promptly added the sashing’s to bring the top up to single size.

Rachel is such a cutie I just had to take a snap of her wrapped in a QFO quilt.

I forgot to take a photo of the newly arrived Horn cabinet. Thanks to Judy’s sister for the donation.

Kathy delivered yesterday and with another lovely collective effort we got it into the hall, assembled and placed in the Horn nest now numbering six .. how wonderful.

Deb

And that, folks, winds up another Blogpost from yours truly. I look forward to sharing more news .. either before or after our April Gathering Day which will take place on April 8th at the Hall in Hoddles Creek. 

Until then .. many blessings,

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsfororphans.org 

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

email: [email protected]

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

https://lifeslittletreasures.org.au

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

Wrapping Ukraine in a fabric 'hug' ....

 Just received word via Annette from Roedie and Jeanette Rap who recently gifted a number of our QFO quilts via Evolve Church to Ukrainian recipients. I will update with further details when available.

*Edit:   Have just been told that these quilts were gifted to newly arrived refugee families from the Ukraine who are being settled in Melbourne.

Below are the pictures forwarded to me .. with the accompanying 'BIG BIG THANK YOU'S' from Roedie Rap..

I think the pictures convey just how well received our quilts were. 

Blessings to all involved with wrapping these folk in our comforting quilts.

Susan

 

 

Marching on .... our March 2023 Gathering Day at the Hall.

Well 'Hello again' from our 2nd 2023 Saturday QFO 'Gathering Day' in Hoddles Creek. And we had almost a full house coming to stitch for us. 

Present were Annette, Libby, Pauline, Sheryl, Christine, Win, Yvonne, Margaret, Carmen, Rachel, Margaret W, Sandi, a new Pauline and her beautiful beagle 'Donut', Elaine, Deborah and Jennifer. 

The kettle was bubbling away in the kitchen and soon the machines were whirring away as our 'creatives' set to work putting together and finishing off our fabric 'hugs' destined to wrap folk in comfort.

We also had Ida drop in mid afternoon with a selection of quilts that she is gifting to our Ministry and I'll be sharing photos of them further down this Blogpost.

Before that we had a couple of 'in house' Show and Tell items that have been stitched off-site by members. 

Firstly a selection of 'microwave bowl cosies' i put together as much belated 'homework over the last week or so... with more stitched in the Hall yesterday. Promise that I'll not lag behind and will actually do more of these as the year progresses.

Next we had some beautifully assembled runners put together by Sandi ... who made great use of some lovely donated QAYG blocks gifted to us last year by the incredibly generous Jennifer Knol who has been such a wonderful 'giver' to QFO over the years. Sandi searched out some fabric from our stash to complement the blocks and I think you'll agree that her eye for colour is superb. Well done!!

Sandi also created this rather bold runner using some great 'foodie' fabric which I think would be perfect for a casual buffet setting .. 

How amazing and tasty is this fabric eh? And Sandi has beautifully quilted it with a nicely toning mustard thread which sets it off perfectly I think you'll agree.

And now to continue with the remainder of this Blogpost which apparently mysteriously fell off the page between my typing it on Saturday and hitting the 'publish' button. Profuse apologies. Technology caught me napping.

Next we have two scrumptious scrappy quilts made by Sandis friend Pauline Dainty .. who has very artfully created these lovely tops and pieced them innovatively. Aren't they just wonderful?

Next we have Sheryl who was given the task of bringing order from chaos and setting up our 'Trading Table'. This is where varied sewing items that we are gifted from 'destashes' end up. They will be available ... some priced and others for a donation' for our Members to repurpose. Well done Sheryl ... you did a wonderful job!!

A short break for Morning Tea before we resumed our work ... many thanks to those who brought along tasty comestibles to share.

We next welcomed Ida who popped in with a lovely donation of gorgeous quilts for us ... such kindness and many thanks.

Delightful machine embroidery on this top ...

And again .. many thanks Ida for your generosity. We truly are blessed by our off-site supporters who continue to gift us their handiwork. We look forward to passing on these fabric 'hugs' as we continue to gift quilts such as these to those in need both near and far.

Now for a few overview shots of our Gathering Day at the Hall ... where it was busy, busy, busy from start to finish.

Yvonne and Margaret at the Gammill machine .... Yvonne is our gifted teacher of 'all things quilting machine' and continues to be an integral part of the fabric here at QFO. She has blessed us all so much with her heart and her willingness to share her knowledge.

Annette, Christine and Pauline ... busily sorting and stitching. Annette was organising the many buttons we have been gifted ... for a project that will utilise them perfectly.

Pauline and Rachel in the hand finishing corner ...

And what a veritable hive of activity it was at Hoddles Creek. I look forward to an equally productive day when next we gather .. in the interim I'll briskly send this into cyberspace ... covering it profusely with apologies for the gremlins that seemingly 'ate' my first draft :)

Till next Blogpost,

Many blessings,

Susan.

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsfororphans.org 

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

email: [email protected]

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://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

And here we are .. first Gathering Day for 2023 ... February 11th. And what a turnout!!

And a lovely welcome at our front door in Hoddles Creek as we rolled up for the start of another year of creating our fabric 'hugs'. The weather was rather warm, but that didn't deter us .. and during the course of the morning a large (mega large actually) fan on a stand materialised and soon sent a refreshing breeze thru the workspace for our comfort. Think we have Jim to thank for that ... so thanks ever so muchly. And here he is .. in front of his biggest fan ;)

Present on the day we welcomed some familiar faces as well as some new folk ... we had Annette, Cheryl, Yvonne, Deborah, Pauline, Win, Isobel (and Gemma) Joan, Christine, Jennifer, Sandi, Kathy, Janet, Sheryl, Joy, Impi and Naomi (who kindly popped in with a donation of quilt tops).

I confess to missing the taking of Show and Tell donations .. I was busy stitching and kind of got 'lost' in the moment. I have however taken a selection of random snaps of the day though and promise (cross my heart) to do better next month.

First random snap is of a rather spectacular appliqued quilt which Cheryl brought along to show us. It's her personal piece (sorry for anyone hoping to see it on our fundraising table) but an inspirational work to showcase what can be created with fabric of many sizes and patterns. It's for going travelling in her caravan .. and I think it's just a leetle bit incredible :)

Now I've been told by Annette that from destashing donations we have been able to enlist a few offsite folk with a creative 'bent' who have stitched for us a variety of rather wonderful items indeed. From the Lorne quilters ... who worked on a very large donation from a lady (Shirley) whose family blessed us with the contents of her sewing room. The Lorne quilters have created for us these beautiful tote bags, which will be available I believe at our upcoming fundraising stalls (details of which may be found on our website under 'Upcoming Events')

Other items have also been created and regifted back to us upon completion and we are so very appreciative .. :)

And wait .... there's more ..... not quite sure I caught the creator of these. Intense concentration was not my forte on the day I'm afraid .. so bear with me. I promise I'll have my act well and truly together in March ;)

Funds generated from the sale of these skillfully created pieces will of course be funnelled back into the purchase of batting used in the creation of our 'gifting' quilts. Which I have taken a random snap of our shelves to show just how very busy we have been. Behind our Sheryl are our already completed fabric 'hugs'.

And below ... we have tubs of quilts heading toward completion and just in need of our finishing touches.

Of course without the willing hands of our hand stitchers ... those tubs would be even fuller. And needless to say we had been busy during our break .. so those tubs will most definitely be fuller by next time I whip my camera out.

Our intrepid hand stitchers hard at work.

Annette and Pauline catching up ... 

A combination of quilting methods .. Yvonne who runs and teaches on the Gammill at the Hall ... and Cheryl who was busy on her domestic quilting machine. Great to have 'options' with which to finish off our fabric 'hugs'.

Fascinating to watch the smaller quilting machine at work ... 

A well earned break for lunch whilst Annette filled us in on what's been happening since we last met ...

We learnt that donated items that are not able to be utilised in the creating of our quilts are in turn re-gifted to other charity organisations for their fundraising purposes. These charities include Samaritans Purse, the Benwewrren Opshop and the Leprosy Mission among others. So nothing is wasted after we have taken the fabrics and threads etc suitable for making our quilts. Of course we must thank Deborah and Annette for facilitating the 'regifting' and collection/delivery of these destashings. Should any of our volunteers be available to help in these tasks .. please let Annette and Deborah know ... many hands make the collecting and sorting easier needless to say.

A few 'post lunch' shots of our suitably refreshed stitchers ... refuelled and ready to resume. Here we have Sandi and Sheryl.

And proving that it is indeed possible to almost be in two places at once .. the multi-talented Sandi wields a mean iron whilst Cheryl trims fabric in the background.

Our 'newbie' Janet soon came to grips with learning the Gammill under Yvonnes tutelage.

And lest folk decide that lugging their machine from home is a wearisome option ... we have a selection of freshly serviced machines here ... including the whizzbang workhorse 'Husqvarna' which was gifted to us a few years ago and apparently runs like the proverbial dream. So folks ... we are never short of options ;)

And leaving on a happy note from our Sheryl ... I will now wind this up and bid you farewell until next Blog entry. I look forward to sharing with you news of quilt giftings and plans for more activities. I believe Annette will be co-ordinating a 'Makers Marathon' up at the Hall in the not too distant future. So prime yourselves for a day of stitching camaraderie and creating.

Till next blog,

Blessings and thanks to all our supporters

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsfororphans.org 

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

email: [email protected]

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://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

How blessed we are … as more quilt tops are gifted to us. ❤️❤️❤️

Just a quick update as we continue to be blessed by our offsite stitching supporters. This month we received a total of 58 quilt tops … which once ‘sandwiched’ with batting and toning backing fabric will be finished off at the Hall and added to our gifting ‘stash’. Many thanks to Kay in Geelong (who used to stitch with us at the Barn in our early days of QFO) and Wendy who stitches at Traralgon.

These from Wendy … 37 tops in total. 

And from Kay … a further 21 tops. 

I look forward to updating you when they are completed and ready to bless folk. In the interim I hear from Glenda that a consignment of QFO quilts are almost ready to go to Mukti … where I am sure they will be well received. 

Till next update … many, many thanks to our supporters who help wrap others in warm fabric QFO ‘hugs’. Your support is invaluable and so very much appreciated. 

Blessings

Susan. 

 

Aaaaand again I say .... here's the news from September and October 2022. I'm the Queen of Cut and Paste.;)

Well folks ..... here is my THIRD attempt (yes, you read that right) to get this Blogpost up and running and out into cyberspace. Begone 'default account' which swallowed my two previous attempts and glued them into something that appeared seemingly out of nowhere and which few people were able to find. Called itself a 'test blog' ... ugh ... I've banished it to a corner to have a jolly good hard look at itself. 

So here I am finally speaking to you from the original and best QFO Blog ... with news of what we have been up to since I last posted. A bit of creative cut and pasting .. and a mad scramble to find the photos I have to post ... and we'll be 'good to go' in a manner of speaking. 

 

Well hello, hello, hello … and here, fresh from the keyboard and with a little Newsletter ‘cut and pasting’ toward the end … is all the latest from QFO. 

I’ll start with the most recent news and work my way backward for a change. I’ll probably need to do a little cutting and pasting and refer to previous updates so that it all comes together with some semblance of ‘coherence’.  

I was MIA in New Zealand last month and so wasn’t at the actual September Gathering Day to capture all that happened at the AGM. I'm sure that news from then will be attached somewhere on our website or in a Newsletter. However … I just got pics from Deborah of the preparations that were being done for the Monbulk Quilt Show on the day…  so can share them here. As well as updated photos just in from Annette who was at Monbulk on Saturday overseeing our fundraising stall at Mrs Martins Quilt Show.

A little bit of cheer from the Hall at the September Gathering Day ...

A gifting of beautiful hand knitted blankets from Maggie in St Kilda. I've been told that one of these beauties will be used as a Raffle prize at our Mont DeLancey event later this month. The remainder will be gifted to where they will be most needed. Am in total awe of your skills Maggie  .. I struggle with casting on and have only attempted (many years ago) handknitted jumpers in stripes (because I get bored easily) for my firstborn child. They were two large squares with rectangular sleeves attached and buttons on the shoulder. Super basic. :)

And here we have a selection of quilt tops made by our very own Cheryl .. beautifully pieced as usual and gratefully received.

And now onto the preparation for our table at Mrs Martins Monbulk Quilt Show ... remember all the cutting, folding and ironing of Fat Quarters at our last few Gathering Days ... well here is the end result. Tubs, MANY tubs, of Fat Quarters destined for sale at our fundraising table.

And here is Christine .. our 'tote bag lady' ... with some of the lovely bags she has created utilising colourful scraps artfully pieced together to make one of a kind useful bags. Well done. I'm sure these went down a treat at Monbulk.

And from Sandi .. some great table runners assembled using donated piecings from our long time (and most generous) supporter Jennifer Knol. Many thanks to both ladies.

And now to Mrs Martins Annual Quilt Show in Monbulk ... where we plied our wares as part of our fundraising. Above we see one of our members, setting up with our easily seen signage. And thank you so much to Karen (Mrs Martin) for allowing us to once again participate in your wonderful annual event. Always a pleasure.

You want Fat Quarters ... look no further. We had quite a few. 

And some of our finest Quilts for sale too. As well as other hand crafted offerings made by our stitchers. All funds raised going right back into purchasing backing fabrics and batting for our gifting quilts.

Now a bit more cyber-clagging of upcoming Events and Markets where we ply our goodies ....

Actually … insert ‘face palm’ 🤦🏻‍♀️ here … just realised I don’t have to ‘cut and paste’ our upcoming Event attendances as you will be able to find them on our website under the ‘Newsletter’ tab at https://www.quiltsfororphans.org … how easy is that eh?

 There are Newsletter ‘tabs’ on our website for the upcoming months and you just have to click on the ‘read more’ button to see where we will have a presence between now and the years end. I will however remind you that .. on our website it says with reference to our usual monthly Saturday Gathering Days:

 “Please remember the events in October and November replace the normal Gathering days. There will be NO Gathering Days in October and November.

Tuesdays open days at the Hall will continue as normal.

So other than our upcoming Tuesday get together/training days and our Christmas lunch at Rose Cottage in December … as far as our normal monthly Saturday ‘Gathering Days’ at the Hall are concerned … we will next meet up in the New Year which I'm sure we will all be looking forward to eagerly. 

And that, folks, winds up this Blogpost. I will be regularly updating our Facebook page with reference to our Market fundraising attendances and look forward to sharing with you via FB and this Blog as news comes to hand. 

Till then, many blessings, and lets get this out into publication before any gremlins mess it up again (fingers crossed)

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsfororphans.org 

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

email: [email protected]

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://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 August 13th 2022 offering … I call this the Day of the Fat Quarters. Many, many Fat Quarters.

And here we are again … on a sunny but cool day at the Hall in Hoddles Creek.

A small turnout again with a couple of new faces joining us. Present were Annette, Yvonne, Libby, Christine, Carmen, Sandi, Impi, Isobel, Deborah, and newbies Joy, Anne, and Marg. As well as yours truly who spent her day taking notes and hand stitching bindings on a couple of lap size quilts (her 'homework' from last month ... ooops!!) 

Whilst Yvonne was occupied showing Libby the workings of our quilting machine ... others spent the day sorting, cutting, folding and ironing fabric for Fat Quarters … for the fundraising arm of our organisation. We are hopeful that the next time we gather we will be able to break out our freshly serviced sewing machines and get stuck into the sewing 'arm' of QFO. And many thanks to David Godfrey from Kilsyth for the brilliant job of servicing our sewing machines. Excellent job and we are most grateful for your expertise. 

We look forward to sharing our skills and creating some amazingly lovely 'fabric hugs' for the many outreaches we are connected with and which Annette mentioned in detail on the latest Newsletter (to be found on our website). 

Christine had been busy assembling this owl cushion in between our Gathering days whilst Julianne had turned her skills toward the creation of these delightful stitched items. 

How utterly gorgeous are these? We hope to be able to offer some of Juliannes work at our upcoming fundraising tables. Details of which can be found on our website.

Libby and Yvonne at their spot working our quilting machine.

The quilt trimming 'station' ... Joy preparing a fresh quilt for the next stage which will be the attaching of a toning binding.

Our newest member .. Anne ... ironing Fat Quarters for our fundraising. 

Sandi ... refuelling her inner stitcher with a restorative and warming cuppa ... 

Fat quarter fabric being sorted by Margaret .. with Annette and Impi in the background busy folding.

Carmen got an 'early leaver pass' after a session of busyness with us ... 'see you next month' :)

A well earned break for a spot of sustenance and cameraderie between our ladies.

And some shared ideas .... this little stitched item is a bookmark created by Sandi. What a clever idea .. a way to mark your place without damaging your book. Look out for these at our next market stall :)

I actually meant to snap this last month but got distracted (Ooooh shiny) ... but this amazing piece of work was gifted to us by offsite stitcher Judith. Isn't her work incredible? 

A wonderful use of toning fabrics to create this beautiful autumn coloured quilt. The combination of reds, creams and apple greens really work well I think.

And finally .. this donated huge quilt top ... I'm afraid I don't have any details of the donor .. but the work is incredible.

And that winds up this rather short and sweet Blog offering. I look forward to sharing with you again soon. In the interim keep a watch on our Facebook page and website for interim updates on what we are doing. There will be Markets (and a Quilt Show in Monbulk) attended by us from October I believe as well as a presence later in the year at Mont DeLancey. Details will be shared when I have them.

* Edit: Just found some of the dates so grab a pen and note in your Calendars accordingly. 

Save the dates and add to your diary
CFA Quilt Show at Monbulk 1^st October

Quilts and Crafts display at
Mont de Lancey 19^th - 27^th November.

We are seeking craft items to sell at these events and invite you to attend or roster on for a session or two.

Please check the calendar on https://www.quiltsfororphans.org for details of markets and events

In the meantime many thanks to all who support us and I will make a special mention of our Jenny Stokes who is taking a 'sabbatical' from QFO for a while as she rests and refreshes with family. Jenny has been an integral part of our QFO organisation and has shared her amazing quilting and piecing skills with us both at our monthly gatherings and our Tuesday preparation sessions here at the Hall (and prior to that at the Barn and the Shed). Her willingness to teach and share her artistic giftings and her heart for others has been much appreciated by all who have learnt from her.  Her contribution to QFO over many years has been most significant in many areas and I do hope that we will see her again soon.

 

Many blessings till next time,

Susan

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsfororphans.org 

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

email: [email protected]

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://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 July Gathering Day 'sort-a-thon' .... and it was busy, busy, busy at the Hall.

Well it was a brisk and productive at the Hall when we gathered on Saturday July 9th. We had a slightly bigger attendance than the previous month ... due in no small part to the news that we finally had heating connected .. woohoo!! And it was most definitely needed .. as it was a dank and overcast day outside I can tell you :)

Present were Annette, Sandi, Yvonne, Jenny, Christine, Cheryl, Joy, Elaine and newest members Margaret, Carmel and Joan. 

The ladies were soon hard at work organising a complete refresh of our Market stock ... that which had previously been out as part of our fundraising efforts at various local Markets .. now returned to stock to be repurposed as our 'Gifting' quilts. In order that folk patronising our QFO market Stalls to now have new 'for sale' quilts from which to make their choices. Of course I must explain that we regularly attend local Markets in order to showcase our ministry, letting folk know exactly who we are and what we do. 

And in this way we raise funds for the purchase of batting and supplies with which to continue to make our gifting quilts.

Carmel and Annette folding and getting prepared to shelve our quilts.

Annette with a table full of soon to be gifted quilts. 

Annette with Jenny on folding/sorting duty.

An overview of our shelves brimful of quilts destined for gifting.

Meanwhile Yvonne was kept busy quilting more ... and showing Carmel the 'ins and outs' of the process.

The final part of the quilt process ... hand stitching the binding. This was my 'homework' which I admit to forgetting to complete earlier ;)

Sandi wields a mean iron whilst multitasking a chat with Annette.

Cheryl, who had pieced together this lovely quilt from a myriad of small scraps, discussing plans with Christine who was on trimming duty.

Margaret and Joan sorting fabric ...

A break for refreshments ...

Elaine and Jenny sorting through a donation of vintage doileys we recently received as part of a 'destash'.

Meanwhile .. back at the cutting table ... Margaret and Christine were busily cutting fabric for bindings.

Cheryl getting into the swing of things with the quilting machine ..

Joan, Sandi and Carmel busy at the fabric and folding table. Lovely to be welcoming new members to our group :)

A hive of activity .. and never a dull moment as everyone was busy stitching, cutting, folding, sorting .. and chatting :}

Now I am more than a little happy to be able to share with you that ... among our recent giftings of our quilts .. we have been able to wrap in a warm fabric hug recent Ukrainian arrivals to our shores.

Annette tells me that we have gifted around 100 colourful warm quilts to folk resettling here. I have two photos which show just how well received and welcome these 'hugs' have been. As Annette tells me 'the smiles say it all'.

Isn't this wonderful .. truly what QFO is all about. Sharing quilts with those in need of comfort.

Annette says 'L & Y arrived in Australia from the Ukraine. Their grandson enjoys a cosy QFO quilt and they send their appreciation'. 

And that just about winds up our July Blogpost ... i do hope that you enjoyed seeing what we got up to at our latest gathering. We look forward to our next Gathering Day which will take place on Saturday August 14th  .. can you believe just how quickly the year is flying by .. I certainly cannot. Our monthly Gathering Day starts at 9.30 am and finishes at 3 pm .. with no obligation to 'stay the course' if you have to leave early. Bring your own lunch and be assured of a warm welcome. 

Till next Blogpost, 

Blessings to all

Susan

 

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsfororphans.org 

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

email: [email protected]

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://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.com5

Our wintry June day at the Hall …. Brrrr ☔️

Well here I am again after a brief holiday break spent in the Blue Mountains … where I might add it was even colder and certainly more windy than Hoddles Creek. Is that even possible? I can assure you it was …. I froze. Absolutely chilled to the bone.   Brrrrr 💨❄️🌬 But I digress …..

We only had a very small gathering braving the weather on the 11th … Annette, Christine, Yvonne, Cheryl, Impi, Joanne and yours truly. But we managed to keep busy nonetheless … with quilt binding etc to ward off the chills. 

Our Hall is presently unheated as we await the arrival of the necessary folk to update our gas connection, so warm hats and mittens were the order of the day as we warded off the chill. 



Cheryl, together with her husband, dropped by to collect a swag of quilts to take to the Market Stall where she will spread the QFO message and indulge in some fundraising on our behalf. Thanks Cheryl … we hope the weather was kind to you and we appreciate your efforts on our behalf. 

Meanwhile Annette and Yvonne were thrilled to be able to announce that the Monbulk branch of the Bendigo Bank had awarded us a cheque to the value of $480 from their community ‘Token of Appreciation’ scheme. Many grateful thanks to them for their kindness … this is a welcome boost to our finances and will be well used to help create more of our fabric ‘hugs’.

Here we have Annette … showing a quilt that she commenced in the 1980s … and finally recently completed. All ready to be quilted. So folks, don’t despair over your UFOs … there is always time to finish them (as long as you can remember where they were stashed awaiting completion 😂)

And speaking of quilting … here is Yvonne, hard at work, quilting away whilst chatting to Cheryl. 



 Joanne dropped in to catch up with us … longtime followers might recall that Joanne and husband Kim kindly allowed us use of their space to operate from before this Hall became available. She is also a valuable member of our QFO stitchers. 

And final picture … we have a dedicated little group of hand stitchers gathered for a short coffee break … nothing more welcome on a cold day than a warm mug of coffee ☕️ to wrap your frozen hands around 👍😉

And that wraps up this Blogpost and I now fully intend to get back to finishing off the hand stitching on the ‘homework’ quilts I have sitting awaiting the final touches before we next gather. 

So stay warm, stay well and I look forward to sharing with you again after our next get together on July 9th at the Hall.

Many blessings,

Susan

 

Contact us via our Website : www.quiltsfororphans.org 

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

email: [email protected]

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://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.com5

I’m baaaaaack via iPad this time. It’s been ‘one of those times’ 🤦🏻‍♀️ for technology. Glomm.