We had a lovely ... almost full ... Hall on Saturday the 14th as we settled in to create another of our 'Fabric Hugs for the Yarra Ranges' Project that Libby and Annette co-ordinated. The 'theme' this month being 'Bloomin' Wonderful'.
The quilts being created will be displayed at Mont De Lancey in November .. and then will be gifted to organisations in the Shire of Yarra Ranges ... who will distribute them to those in need.
Present to help us in our stitching efforts on Saturday were: Carmen, Sheryl, Sandi, Cheryl, Margaret, Libby, Christine, Yvonne, Annette, Deborah, Gabby, Joy, Ann, Pauline, Elaine and yours truly.
We also welcomed our AGM Guest Speaker Marion Stott from the Mooroolbark History Group who arrived with her husband Lloyd.
Annette brought along some beautiful potted tulips as part of the 'theme' for the month .... and they got a thorough drenching on our outside ramp during the day as the skies gave us a jolly good deluge mid afternoon. Thankfully our roof held up against the onslaught ;)
The workspace started filling fast.
A hive of activity indeed.
Ann ... one of our newest Members ... trimming blocks for the latest quilt.
Libby getting the laptop set up for the Zoom component of the AGM.
Stitching is hungry work, and we had a splendid array of shared 'tasty comestibles' to fuel our attendees at morning tea :)
Yvonne, Carmen, Elaine and Margaret refuelling :)
All intently listening as the AGM commences ...
Zoom seemed to be working just nicely :)
With feedback from the organisations we have been able to 'bless' during the year with our quilts.
AGM in 'full swing' ... with the election process seeing Libby as our new President (and Secretary) whilst Annette did a nifty segue into the role of Vice President. So it is safe to say that QFO continues to be in good hands during the year ahead'.
Next we heard from our Guest Speaker Marion Stott ... who has an extensive background in volunteering within the community .... covering organisations such as the CWA (started by her ancestor) and how it influenced her life of service to others with Nursing Mothers Association, Montessori, Gymbaroo etc. She is also the recent recipient of an OAM which she kindly brought along to show us. We also heard of her family history and her interest in ancestry/genealogy.
Lloyd Stott, Marion Stott with Annette and Libby.
Marions OAM :) Which, for her, was a highlight during our period of Lockdowns.
Marion then read a couple of excerpts from a publication relating to the Mooroolbark War Memorials .. with reference to those who volunteered and gave their all in past conflicts. All most interesting.
Marion was then treated to a tour of the Hall ... with special attention being paid to our Gammill quilting machine.
Gabby demonstrating an 'oopsy' piecing faux pas :) Easily enough fixed ... right?
Sheryl, Libby and Gabby with three of the completed quilts for the SYR project ... and aren't they just so colourful? And a group effort by all the QFO stitchers. Can't wait to see what else we create for this gifting.
Some of the sweet smaller cot quilts we have been gifted by off-site stitchers for our 'Lifes Little Treasures' outreach. The '100' is a nod to the milestone 100 days these very premature babies have reached since their early birthing.
A rather stunning tote bag created by our Sandi .. using some really neat sewing themed fabric ... for part of our upcoming fundraising efforts.
Sandi is also a dab hand at beautifully pieced table runners .... I think for a lot of our followers Christmas gifts should be well sorted by years end ... right? See you at our upcoming 'Events'.
A progress shot of our themed quilt top blocks so far ... looking good.
A rare moment in time. Yours truly wielding an iron. Screenshot it if you must for 'posterity'. its not likely to happen again.
How good is this idea folks? Forget the twiddly little plastic water containers that come with your iron. Dig out an unused teapot and use it for your iron refills. Simple and most effective. I believe this was an idea of Annettes ... neat eh?
A mid afternoon 'visitor' cruised by the Hall ... think he was waiting to be invited in to do some 'pinning' for us on our quilts.
And soon it was time to start packing up ....
Placement yet to be fine-tuned ... but you get the idea.
Now before I finalise this months Blog ... I'll add some pics I received from Libby during the week ... of giftings and talks that she and Annette have attended in recent weeks.
Donna from Cottage by the Sea ... collecting some quilts, crochet/knitted blankets and Beanies. And another gifting for Lifes Little Treasures.
Libby and Annette recently visited Kirkbrae Community Group to share our QFO story. And as part of their talk Annette shared stories of that quintessential early Australian 'quilt' ... the Wagga.. Some of the ladies in the group could remember a family member creating a Wagga many years ago and they had some fascinating stories to tell also.
https://www.geelongaustralia.
And now a big Thank You to some of our 'in house' .. and offsite .. quilters who have generously stitched and gifted for us .... BIG thanks to Trudi, The Lorne Quilters, Margaret, Sandi, Elaine, Christine, Lauretta and Susan for the wonderful items they have made for us.
A warm thank you to each and every stitcher who spent time and energy creating for us ... your selflessness is truly appreciated. You are all just wonderful and help keep the wheels of gifting our fabric 'hugs' turning throughout the year. Bless you all.
And on that note I will wind this up and get it out into cyberspace for your reading enjoyment. And get myself back into the sewing room here to churn out a few 'bits'n'bobs' myself for the cause ;)
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
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
http://heavenlytrimmings.com
http://www.changetheone.org which provides ongoing relief, care and assistance to people and communities in remote areas of Vietnam and Papua New Guinea.