Wednesday 5th July 2017

As usual, it was a wonderful day at Carrum Downs. We espescially welcomed back Sheila. It was an abdolute joy to have her back with us, and we look forward to seeing her regularly once more - with updates on her renovations as well as her lovely girls (chooks!). Back from her interrupted round the world trip was our lovely Ramona, who had suffered a family tragedy - lots of love and hugs and a few tears for our favourite Carrum Downs character.

Jo made this gorgeous quilt, using Australian fabrics for her "daughter" as a wedding quilt. "Daughter" worked at Uluhru, so the Aussie theme was most appropriate. As always - a beautiful quilt from Jo.

Some exquisite crochet work from Maggy, who  amazes us with the new stitches she continues to learn, despite her recent setbacks. Good on you Maggy!

Wow!!! Wyn has put together her version of Jenny Bowker's "Shimmering Quilts", and boy what a fabulous version it is. Made with so much love, for her grand daughter Madeline, who was badly injured in the chaos that was the "Falls Festival" at Lorne this summer. I am sure Madeline will love it.

Marilyn has finished this amazing UFO - "Ring Cycle" by Leesa Siegal. A simply gorgeous quilt.

Meanwhile, I (Helen) brought along a Gail Pan stitchery to work on, while I showed Kathy how to foundation piece the following.

Kathy put this together so well - a yummy peppermint/choc ice cream!

Here is a panel, I am quilting for my 11 week old great niece. I brought it along unfinished, as I want to get it finished and given to little Maggie asp. I saw the end product in the Mildura quilt shop while at the retreat and fell in love with it - didn't even realise it was a panel.

Jeanette brough along an old project last month - Japanese Ginko - and has fallen in love with it - particularly as she is now working on the project in her chosen colours - and don't they look fantastic.

Kathy was away last month - doing a class in Lennox Head, with June Macdonald - who proved to be a wonderful tutor. Here, she is showing us he beautiful QAYG table runner - a great project.

Sheila brought along some hexigons she has been working on in 20s fabrics. Looking very lovely - I believe she did one stitch on the day - so much time spent catching up. Once again  - welocme back Sheila x

Deidre, as usual, has been knittinf/crocheting away on donations of baby clothes to take to Africa on her next trip there - which is comig up very soon. What a beautiful little dress!

Pam has been trying to find the best pattern for these bags used hold IV drugs, so those using them can get out and about. Once Pam has the right pattern I am sure we can all have a go at making some.

 Virginia, working away on her hexagon masterpiece. Go Virginia!

This lovely sewing kit was designed and made by Lynne. I was lucky enough to win her goody bag at the Mildura retreat. Thank you Lynne, I love it!

In my notes, I mention a basket quilt made by Ramona -our erstwhile photographer Ramona neglected to take a photo of her lovely quilt - we will have to see it again!

A few notes: Vic quilters are holding a Back Basting workshop on August 14th. Ring Lola Petschauer 53582905 for details

Vic Quilters Shwcase is on again this week from Thursday 27th in Jeffs Shed. Always a fabulous show.

Geelong Quilters Exhibition is on 24-26 November at Deakin Uni Waterfront Campus, including a special "Quilts tell stories" exhibition of vintage quilts.

Visits to Tasmania and Europe will, sadly, prevent me attending again until our November meeting. I hope that the blog - even if it is only pictures, will continue in my absense.


Thanks everyone for a great day!

Your roving (a lot these next months) reporter,
Helen

Wednesday 7th June 2017

It was a most enjoyable day at Carrum Downs. We were missing some of our regulars, but we will catch up in July I am sure. There were a few good classes going on the same day!

This magnificent quilt is the ultimate Aussie Quilt, sorrounded by Aussie slang sayings and even some on the back in the shape of the Southern Cross. It was donated to Quilts of Valour by a lovely Qld. group - details are on the Scquilters FB page. Ridgey Didge I say! It was donated that very day to a veteran in Pakenham.

 Dianne G is continuing with her Cross stitch of the month - free on the internet (details om a previous blog). Another gorgeous row completed! Sally has caught the bug too and is doing hers in blue - from her photo it looks fabulous, but we won't see it until it is finished.

More hexies from Dianne G as well - some beautiful fussy cutting, and fabrics in there.

Marvellous Shashiko work from Marilyn. She learned this in a class with Di Rickard at the Mildura retreat.

This is just one of the lovely evening bags Deidre has made from a Leesa Chandler kit. She was putting the finishing touch on a couple of the gorgeous bags - using Leesa's great fabric.

Sally's stupendous seagulls are progressing, and don't they look wonderful?

Jeanette has resurrected a 1990's Deidre Macalroy Japanese reverse applique pattern. The pattern looks fabulous - as does Jeanette's early work on it.

Marilyn is working on an embroidery featured in Inspirations magazine. So striking and lovely. I think we all want this magazine!

This is the block Dianne G made in her Foundation Piecing class with me. Doesn't it look fabulous? We want to see the finished article next month - if you aren't still in Bali!
Kathy, I will have something different for you to do next month!

Those who offered to bring morning tea next month - please remember to bring something delicious xxx.

So, I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday 5th July,
Your roving reporter,
Helen Evans

Wednesday 3rd May 2017

 May was our fundraising cuppa for cancer day, lots of fun with the lucky dip and raffle prizes, as well as trading table donations. It was a very hectic day - so please excuse the lack of photos and commentary for the blog as I just didn't get time to do everything. We raised over $400..
We did manage to have some show and tell however:

You will recall Kathy working on her Japanese boro bag in April - well, here is the finished product - a really cute, unique little bag. 11 out of 10 Kathy.

Now, tis is where it gets tricky - I have just written, beautiful hexies, which indeed they are. But the question is whose? I am they may belong to Kathy?

A panel used to make a charity quilt? I think we can guess it was put together by the lovely Bev. Bev is taking a well earned break from her charity quilts from now on and is planning to make some quilts for herself. Congratulations on all you have done for Ballarat Family Services. And a quick reminder for anyone who has a pile of panels in their stash. It is a great way to make some quick charity quilts.

Marilyn has  been working on a shashiko panel from a Gail Pan class. Looking good - a lovely pattern.

Dianne's hexie addiction continues.  I love the pretty centres that she has used in them.

 Some lovely stitchery work here. I just love the pattern. This is where I lost the plot - but it was obviously made by someone special.

Dianne has finished her Gail Pan stitchery and followed the pattern to make it into this very handy bag. Gorgeous work.

Lynne has finished another UFO. This Gail Pan pattern lends itself beautifully to the 30s fabrics that Lynne has used. Very well done.

Deidre as been busy knitting baby clothes for her up coming trip to Africa, where she volunteers regularly as a midwife. This time he handsome hubby will be accompanying her. Deidre, you are a gem x

At the retreat, a charcoal drawing class was offered. I know not why I agrees, as I am hopeless, but I loved it! This is my sketch from the banks of the Murray River.

Simone has made this exquisite quilt for her daughter, who loves dream catchers. The design of the quilt is inspired and the backing fabric is so appropriate. What a lucky girl!

Just a note that Waverley Patchworkers are having a quilt in on Sunday 17th June at Mulgrave Community Centre - 355 Wellington Road. Doors open at 10 and the cost is $8. Morning and afternoon tea provided BYO lunch and sewing. Lots of fun, traders etc. More details from Rhondda 9560 4087 or 411 863 307


Hope to see you all at Carrum Downs this Wednesday 7th June from 10am.

Helen Evans

Wednesday 5th April 2017

A great time was had back at our April meeting. We had the pleasure of a shop visit from Judith Coburn 
www.quilterscloset.com.au

 Judith brought along a lovely range of products and very kindly donated a lovely set of charm squares to our cuppa for cancer in May.

I will get straight to show and tell - as I need to do our May blog too! It is not that I couldn't be bloggered, it is just that it has been such a busy time. Our Mildura retreat, giving classes at Phillip Island - where a Cape Barron Goose tried to mate with my Janome and I broke my big toe in the process of saving its honour - the Janome's, not the Cape Baron Goose's! And best of all, a beautiful, healthy, new great niece Maggie Jean. So I will get down to blog business.

Jo made this "interesting" place mat for her her daughter in law, who is into skulls, and what better skulls to use on a place mat than these gorgeous "Day of the dead" ones from Mexico. It really is beautiful.

Jo also brought along her beautiful "reflections" quilt. Made using the Chinese Lanterns block and 10" squares. I tink we all want to make this now!

These beauties are the results of Marilyn's Shibori dying workshop - looking fabulous in cotton and silk.

Kathy has been working hard on the Japanese technique "Boro work". Very striking and
 interesting. In our May blog, you will see what she has made it into???

Dianne G has been working hard on this lovely stitchery  from a Gail Pan workshop (I also attended and it was fabulous fun). Once more, you will see the finished product in the May blog.

Also from Dianne - some exquisite work from a project from Palm Beach Quilting - the little fox is so beautiful you almost don't want to shoot him (sorry, once a farmer always a farmer).

And yet again from Dianne - her updated monthly cross stitch - looking splendid - available free on- line = just check a previous month of this blog for details.

Yes, this does belong to me (Helen). It is my favourite Mug Rug. I did not make it, but have had ti so long that I can't remember where is came from. If any of you made it, I am udderly mooved. Good to take on a freisan day for my hot chocolate!

 Lynne has finished off a beautiful quilt she made through "Quilt Swappers"  - a US based on line group. The white patches, which make the quilt so striking, are signed by the block makers. Very nuce.

Jeanette also attended the shibori dying class with Marilyn and this is some of the brilliant work she produced.

Bev turned a panel for a book into a quilt, once more for Ballarat Family services. Lovely generous work.

This beautiful blue wren is the  finished version of the one Kathy was working on a few months back - I think this lovely work  was done by Jeanette, but my writing is illegible, so if I am wrong, I am very sorry. Whoever put it together, isn't it magnificent - my favourite bird.

Jennifer brought along this beautiful , superbly quilted, broiderie perse quilt - take a good look at the marvelous quilting! Also a lovely oriental panel, which she uses in classes to show how borders can be added to pretty panels. A great idea.

Bar, who has been a longstanding member of our group, is starting a new life on the central coast of NSW, and has now out herself in the hands of a new group of Scquilters. We will miss Bar and her hexies greatly. She has always been an active, generous and happy member of our group and we wish her well. A birthday cake was also in order to celebrate her birthday. She is the youngest 80 year old we know. Good luck Bar xxx

I will now attempt to complete our May blog - our Cuppa for Cancer - which was a fabulous day.

Helen Evans