Quick Blog update before we meet again on this coming Saturday March 14th at the Hall ... we are now the proud owners of a Gammill Long Arm Quilting machine with which to custom quilt our tops. This will help alleviate the workload which has, up till this time, been wholly supported by our very own Yvonne. We trust now she will have a little lightening of the pressure on her .. as well as fine tuning the skills of our Members who wish to be trained in the new 'toys' use,
Below are some pictures of the arrival, installation and training session on our machine. Please enjoy .. many thanks to Mel for the photos.
Also some pictures of quilt tops we have recently been blessed with .. which will no doubt very soon be quilted on this new toy :)
And that's a quick 'wrap' for the time being .. until after our next 'Gathering Day' on Saturday .. when we will again enjoy the fellowship of our quilting group and stitch away on our fabric 'hugs'.
Blessings till then,
Susan
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
This just came thru in my emails . .. so am sharing it with photos received from Billanook ... this letter to our Jenny Stokes from Billanook College.
Hello Jenny,
While it was some time ago now, looking back at these photos brings back lovely memories of handing out your beautiful quilts to the students at Aubaan Muang Papu school. We were incredibly lucky to be the ones sharing the quilts you had spent your time and hard work creating with the students of the school.
The quilt giving pictured was part of a larger celebration day where the school students and our Billanook students performed dances and songs for the audience. We shared your quilts along with school stationary, sports equipment and books and spent the day celebrating the opening of the school’s new lunch hall. This hall was funded by money raised by the Billanook students who attended the service project who also worked at the school in the days prior to this ceremony; mixing cement for the floor, bricking walls and rendering.
Thank you for the effort that you all put in to making these quilts and the many others you make, all of them helping to comfort and bring warmth to children in need.
With best wishes to you all,
Anita on behalf of the Thai Service 2018 team.
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
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
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 :)
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
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
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
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