Another productive and enjoyable day in Hoddles Creek as we diligent QFOers gathered for a spot of stitching, fuelled by lovely homemade soup courtesy of Annette and Libby. Pea and Ham .. together with spicy pumpkin soup were on the menu ... and were most delicious. Bringing back memories of the shared lunches we enjoyed in the very early days of QFO at the Barn in Macclesfield :) Thanks ever so much Libby and Annette for your thoughtful and delicious contribution ... SO tasty!!
We were pleased to have the company of Annette, Libby, Sandi, Sheryl, Sheilagh, Carmen, Kathy, Elaine and yours truly to get the Hall a-buzzing with industrious hands and willing hearts.
And speaking of hearts ... an early 'heads up' for an upcoming QFO 'Event' in October at the Hall that folk are most welcome to join us in ... for a very worthy cause .... it forms part of the Yarra Ranges Council Over 50s Festival ... which we are most pleased to be involved with.
Tasty Lemon Teacake 'slice' .... why don't mind if I do ;) Went down nicely with a coffee and may well be my new 'go to' contribution to the tasty comestibles on offer at our Saturday Gathering Days :)
We then moved on to a little 'Show and Tell' ... and hands and hearts have been very productive for us since we last met ...
Our member Kathy had been busy making Christmas themed Microwave bowl cosies for our upcoming fundraising efforts ...
As well as a swag of table runners and pot holders ... with heat repellent lining.
And ..... a couple of stunning quilt tops .... thank you so very much Kathy ..
Meanwhile ... from Wendy in Drouin .... this incredibly cheerful and sunny Sunflower quilt ... how joyful is this eh?
And Sue ... who came, saw and stocked up at one of our recent 'destash days' ... returned and dropped of a plethora of small bags and tissue holders and lanyards for us.. made with the fabric she'd picked up .... how wonderful.
Our Sandi .... busily attaching bindings to a gifting quilt ...
While Sheryl was stitching up a storm at a nearby machine ..
And Carmen was abuzz on the Gammill with Kathy looking on ..... how incredibly bright and cheerful is this quilt top? An absolute stunner!!
Sheilagh, Libby and Elaine sorting stock behind the scenes ...
Whilst Annette was busying herself with paperwork ....
And now for some offsite pics of a recent 'gifting' we made ... together with the write-up on a most worthy organisation ...
Connect Community Care’s Outreach programs exist to support vulnerable members of our local community, walking alongside them during times of hardship and life in general. Each week, our dedicated team of volunteers distributes nutritious meals and checks in on approximately 200 residents across 2–3 different locations. These locations are rotated fortnightly and include five key areas, such as transient housing, cabin parks, boarding houses and homes of the elderly and socially isolated.
Our mission is to build genuine relationships with residents and demonstrate God’s love through meaningful action. Rain, hail, or shine, our volunteers faithfully head out each week to serve.
In addition to meals and companionship, the Outreach program often partners with organisations like Quilts for Orphans and others to provide clean towels, bedding, blankets, quality toiletries and small treats. These partnerships help us extend care in practical and impactful ways.
We are deeply grateful for the support of your Quilts for Orphans, especially during this cold season. Your contribution has made a real difference in the lives of those we visit. So thank you!
What an absolutely amazing and heartwarming outreach program ... so blessed to be able to contribute to their Mission.
Some cheerful lap quilts for gifting ...
And a recent top pattern .. which Libby tells me is called the 'Potato Chip' block ... and most effective when assembled as below ...
WE have also donated a quantity of quilts to Southern Cross Kids for their program .... I will add details of our Giftings in this financial year below .. here is the bootload of warm quilts and tote bags we recently handed over to the SCK program :)
Project FLOWER gifting:
- 78 lap quilts – Kirkbrae and Walmsley Aged Care settings, Frankston Connect Community Care, Palliative Care via Monbulk Open Door Community
- 30 singles – Southern Cross Kids Camp and tote bags
- 30 singles – Billanook College trip to Thailand (we have cots for students to choose from as well. Whatever are left over will go to Frankston CCC or RCH – PICU).
- Billanook students will be visiting the hall on July 29 to select quilts.
- We have several extra on the shelf too – 4 laps and 3 singles which will go towards future gifting to aged care settings, Frankston Connect Community Care and RCH – PICU!!
Amazing effort ladies!!!
Our total gifting of quilts for 2024/2025 is 440 quilts:
73 singles, 173 cots, 152 laps have been gifted to the following:
Palliative care, Queen Elizabeth Centre, Ukraine, Kirkbrae Aged Care, Walmsley Aged Care, Estia Yarra Junction Aged Care, Advent Aged Care, Maroondah Rotary – Refuge Victoria Project, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Project, Monbulk Community Care, displaced Ukrainians in Melbourne, Cottage By The Sea, Southern Cross Kids Camp – Mount Evelyn, Change The One – Philippines and Frankston Connect Community Care.
42 100 day quilts have been gifted to Life’s Little Treasures.
Pretty jolly awesome and heartwarming effort I think our readers will agree .... right?
And finally .... I need to tell you to tune in to Yarra Valley FM 99.1 on your dial ... at 2pm on Wednesday July 23rd when we have been given time on the Community Connections program to chat about our group .... don't miss it!!
And that .. gentle reader ... is a 'wrap' as far as this Blogpost is concerned. Hope that you enjoyed the news and I look forward to sharing with you again soon. Till 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
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.