Yes folks! Can you believe we are in July already? I am sure that our monthly get togethers come around every two weeks – that must be how it happens!
Speaking of which our next one IS in two weeks. We are to be honoured with the presence of Jenny Bowker, who is bringing some of her beautiful quilts for us to experience “in the flesh” and who will entertain us with stories of her quilting and other experiences around the world. Keep an eye out on the Scquilters list for all the details – but, in the meantime, keep Wednesday 21st July free.
Now, back to more current events. It was a great day of stitching and chatting and friendship in general. The show and tell was lovely – as you will see, and I even managed to get photos of some of the girls at work, by stalking them and suggesting they look busy so you will able to see what most of us were doing.
Here we have Maggy, modelling her show and tell – her recently completed blue cardigan, which is lovely. She was aiming for the Posh Spice modelling stance, but Maggy, I have to say your frivolous behaviour and lack the the famous “Posh pout” let you down.
Fran made this beautiful quilt from a pattern in DUQ “Country Time” by Cathy Stevenson. Naturally Fran used purple and not country colours and the result is spectacular. She is going to quilt it in variegated thread.
This was my flannelette shirt raggy quilt made for the Bathurst retreat challenge – I am taking it up to Yackandandah to my brother this week as he provided most of the shirts – including the one featured below that was actually used in the pits at Bathurst, when he was in charge of the crew for the legendary Harry Firth (Google him) in a vintage car race.
It is the red one!! I am calling the quilt “In the pits”!
???????? You may well ask. This is our Kate modelling an Aussie themed tea cosy that her friend made for her. For once I am speechless….
…..well, not quite speechless – here it is in all its gum nutted, kookaburra glory – complete with caterpillar (where the button is). This may well win our “Show and tell of the year prize”. If anyone has read the book “Connecting Threads” this tea cosy will assume even more significance and I would pity the quartermaster of the United nations (he’s in the book!).
I have a slight problem with this quilt – I took no notes – I do remember it was made from panels purchased in NZ at the shop hop. It has been put together beautifully, with embroidered features added here and there – it must be Kate! I was obviously still recovering from the startling, aforementioned tea cosy.
Another NZ purchase – Di bought this wool in NZ and cleverly “knitted” it into this lovely pattern for her socks – just like the ones I got from my lovely angel Maxine in Bathurst! Still haven’t got them back from DD, but I live in hope.
I promised to bring it and I did – my lovely Featherweight, won in the swaggie competition at Bathurst. Auntie Jean was so proud!
This is Wyn’s brilliant response to her friendship groups challenge (initiated by Marilyn) to make a star of some sort – the freehand quilting on it is magnificent.
Marilyn brought along some beautiful crazy blocks that she has made for a crazy swap. The detail in them is fabulous.
But wait, there’s more ….. as there always is from Marilyn. But I must warn makers of the Bedford Mystery quilt to AVERT YOUR EYES if you haven’t finished yours yet, for here is Marilyn’s finished, stunning Bedford Quilt. I have done one square of mine, so should be finished any decade now!
And more again – Marilyn won these oriental snowball blocks at Ballarat and had made a great quilt out of them, using some of her FQs for backing – what a great idea – and as ever, Marilyn will donate this quilt to charity.
Here are some crowd shots of people actually sewing, or at least responding to my “look busy” request – lots of interesting projects going on….
Bar, recently returned from the “Old Dart” brought along some lovely post cards of some of the quilts on display at the V&A in London.
Beautiful aren’t they? But there is always a down side to Bar’s travels..
The relatives she doesn’t talk about – we all have those don’t we?
I brought along my book of the V&A quilts as well – I would highly recommend it.
And now, a have a recipe from our morning tea - a cake we all enjoyed and it is gluten free as well. The recipe is from Robyn Witting.
Carrot and Almond Cake
5 eggs – separated, 250g caster sugar, 250 carrots roughly grated, 250 ground almonds, 2 tbls rum, grated zest 1 lemon, 60g potato flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, pinch ground cloves
Preheat oven 180c (160fan). Grease 22cm spring form cake tim – line with baking paper. Dust lightly with flour (tip off excess).
Combine yolks and sugar in a bowl. Beat with electric mixer until pale. In another bowl, whisk egg whites until stiff peaks form. Whisk in extra tsp sugar then fold egg whit mixture into egg yolk mixture,
Gently fold in carrots, almonds, rum and 4th Augslemon zest. Sift in powders, cinnamon and cloves. Fold in gently, but thoroughly – pour into prepared tin. Bake 50 minutes, or until centre springs back when touched. Stand 5 minutes and turn out and cool. Dust with icing sugar. serve with cream.
Trust me, it is delicious!
See you all on Wednesday 21st for Jenny Bowker’s great day and again on Wednesday 4th August – where we have yet another surprise in store – but that would be telling!!
Your roving reporter,
Helen Evans
Devon Meadows, Vic.
