Hello fellow Scquilters/Quilters/Crafters. This is my first blogging attempt with Windows Live Writer so please bear with me.
I must say that I cannot believe the year has gone so fast that this month’s frivolities were dedicated to making Christmas decorations for the Black Saturday bushfire victims. As time goes by, it is easy to forget that most victims are still living in temporary accommodation – and still making to without many of the comforts we take for granted. To this end, fellow Scquilter Kathryn Robertson kathrynr@melbpc.org.au has organised a massive working bee amongst Oz quilters, their families and friends.
In another of life’s miracles, my notebook has found its way back to me via the lovely Wyn Roper – than you Wyn! This does mean that at some stage I will be able to go back to various posts where I was forced to - if not make up completely – at the very least I had to embellish details of show and tell, morning tea and various nefarious activities.
Anyway – enough of all that – here, first are some samples of our Christmas decoration day.
Here Cynthia holds up a lovely example of what we did with donated tiny Christmas panels which we added home made touches – such as buttons, beads etc
Ginny and I (Helen) worked on simple shapes – using pinking shears, buttons, ric rac and other personal touches
Virginia did marvellous things with yo yos, beads and ribbons
Sandra and Ramona excelled at machine appliquéing little decorations, sewing backs and hangers on them for other willing helpers to stuff with lavender and stuffing
Jan and Dianne had painstakingly used their embroidery machines to create beautiful Christmas angels, bells, reindeer – you name it, and then added bells, beads and hangers etc
The above photos show our sweat shop in action!
Some finished goodies – note the fabric wreath made by clever Dianne R and also the cute, beautiful knitted Christmas stockings – these are just two of 16 (another 16 on the way!) made by my mother in law in Sydney
Here are more samples of our finished works – well except for the origami birds who, though stuffed, were not yet sealed up. I do hope you are all impressed – we are justifiably proud!
And now, for the show and tell which we somehow managed to fit in.
Pam was one of the Pizza Ladies from a Monday group which some of us belong to – the idea was to have a theme – prepare one block and then pass it on (in a pizza box!)for the rest of the pizza ladies to do a block each. Very sadly, Pauline Sisson passed way before she could complete her block for Pam. Pam felt she couldn’t replace Pauline’s block with anyone else’s, so used her border fabric in the centre of the quilt as a permanent reminder of her dear friend Pauline. It is certainly a beautiful quilt – my contribution is on the far left in the bottom row –just in case you are wondering!
Fran’s spectacular WIP – a Celtic jacket for her son’s coming wedding – made using her new embroidery machine – very well done Fran – what an effort!
Marilyn’s completed polyhedron star – from Fran’s workshop – gorgeous fabric and beading – a wonderful result.
Once a year, our quiet, refined Ginny attends the Monash Uni ball and all hell seems to break loose with her fashion sense. This year she went as a “fire sprite” for the devils and angels theme – needless to say her DH was a devil – not sure what he wore though!
Hiding behind this cushion, made out of an orphan block, is the talented Virginia – a tad fruity – just like Virginia!
But wait, there are more orphan blocks from Virginia – this time made into a beautiful bed or table runner.
Virginia also brought along this “Billum” bag from PNG – made with string in the designs of the appropriate tribes, these bags hold everything from vegetables to babies.
And here she is again – with a beautiful shawl, knitted in lovely soft colours.
And here is a wonderful WIP from Susie, who is making this quilt for her nieces baby – gorgeous!
That is all for our October meeting – until Wednesday 4th November ……oh … please remember to bring along any Christmas decorations you have been completing at home.
Your roving reporter,
Helen Evans
