WEDNESDAY FEB 2ND FEBRUARY 2011

We had a lovely catch up at our first meeting since our Christmas party in early December. There was much talking, eating of the delicious morning tea and an occasional bit of stitching. Which was very good practise for those of us going to Kiama.

A few sad Scquilters have friends or relatives who have inconveniently decided to get married or give birth around the retreat weekend – however,  I have my family trained and our family wedding will not be clashing with the retreat – I am so pleased to say! (Thank you Scott and Jose!).

For our poor committee chair, it was deja vu all over again, hen she hurt herself getting ready to come along – so Wyn, we send our love and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

Dianne brought along her op-shop bargain – looks like it has never been used  - a $4 pumpkin bag, compete with many handy pockets.

Here is a great library bag Laurel made up for her grandson. It has a draw string and can be used as a back pack – all designed by Laurel herself.

Laurel used the Christmas break to finish off this beautiful stitchery from  The Warburton Tea House – a wonderful shop in a lovely setting.

But wait, there’s more – Laurel also finished her Bedford mystery quilt – we loved her colour placement – it really is stunning.

I know what you are thinking – this was made by someone else, but no Laurel superwoman also made this really sweet scissor keeper and needle keeper – a great pattern!

This is one of a set of QAYG placemats from Maggy – very effective and a lovely gift for her daughter.

Fran has made this great nappy bag, with various clever compartments, for her new grandchild – due any day now. Her daughter-in-law chose the striking fabric  and Fran got the pattern off the net – well done.

This quilt is also, I believe ( I didn’t write anything down so am trying to remember here!) this is also for her about to be born grandson – a nice boy’s quilt with skulls and crossbones!

These blocks from Jo – beautifully put together in her usual precise manner are from Barbara Brackman’s blog: http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/. She produces a pattern every Sunday night, Kansas time, so Jo’s friendship group are up first thing Sunday morning to make up the block! The blocks are all still up on the site – so if you want to start it is not too late. The quits on the blog are all being done in Civil War fabrics, but Jo chose to use these lovely blue shades.

These are pictures of Sandra Maclay’s version of Leanne’s House BOM –" “In the garden”. It is eventually going in her home – I have ordered the BOM  from Sandra, as I adored it – as did all of us – but please don’t tell Ramona, as she has banned me from buying any more BOMs until I start on one of my “collection” – which even I have to admit is – shall we say extensive.

Speaking of Ramona – this is a beautiful stitchery she has done for her daughter’s new room. Her calligraphy and stitching is, as always, beyond compare. (I am saying this in case she reads about my purchasing another BOM!). No, really it is gorgeous.

As you might remember from last time, Sally had made cushions for her grandchildren – all except for young Ryan, who was rather put out, so here is his cushion. That’s a good Grandmother for you!

So, until next time,

your roving reporter,

Helen Evans

Christmas Party 2010

Well I think this must be a record for lateness, but at least you are finally going to see and hear about our wonderful Christmas party which took place at the beginning of December last year!

Apologies also for no report on our November meeting – I have to say this – I was in Houston!!!! – but as you will see in the show and tell photos some fine work was done for  very special person.

Here are Sally’s floor cushions for some of  her grandchildren – can you guess their names?

 

Jan’s “Mug rugs” delightful and a great way to use up scraps. Jan is known for her innovative designs!

Here is Kate’s quilt made as an “Ugly Fabric Challenge” from the still existing Bendigo retreat committee (yes, we know it has long been and gone, but nothing wrong with a few get togethers  is there?) Kate used two blocks for this amazing quilt – the “ugly” fabric is in the centre square of the block, as well as the surrounds. I too have the fabric, but was not quite so advanced as to have it ready for show and tell – perhaps next time??

 

This is a gorgeous bag made by Fran from a design by Leesa Chandler, and embellished with Australian gum leaves etc – it is called “Under the Australian Sun” and is a gift for one of  the carers who assists Fran in looking after a disabled girl. The carer was returning to Japan, so the bag was most appropriate.

This is Virginia’s competed “Bedford challenge” quilt – a quilt that about 15 of us spend an earlier meeting working on. The results have all been different and spectacular.

Wendy used fabrics bought at the Auckland retreat to make this stunning “sliced” nine patch quilt with black sashing. Very striking.

Wendy again, one of our modest over achievers, with this beautiful quilt. Her needleturn applique is superb.

Lyn with this superb Christmas tree – just gorgeous. It is Esther Aliu’s patter for the “Twelve days of Christmas”.

Proof that I did make it as far as Houston – sadly no further though!

Here I am again with my new sewing bag – courtesy of Air NZ First class – not that we travelled first class, but anything can happen when you travel with JanMac and the lovely Julie from Tassie! No, they don’t give out sewing bags to 1st class passengers, but we figured it was too good for toiletries!

Robyn with another “Bedford mystery quilt”, almost finished and just lovely.

Laurel with her “pizza box swap” from the Monday group, which many of us attend in Cranbourne. Laurel specified the blocks, but we could do them in redwork, or applique. Laurel has put it together really well. A pizza success!

…..and the fine work done for a very special person at the November meeting….

A healing hearts quilt from our group to our wonderful Hermione. I cannot tell you how thrilled we all were to see her back with us after all this time. Ramona rightly thought that we should make our hearts as bright as possible and also leave it to the expert herself to quilt it. Can’t wait to see the result!

And here we have Hermione’s knitting – some really cut socks – good work.

It seems so long since our Christmas party – probably because it is! So much has happened since then.

Sending love and good wishes (and eventually, we hope, quilts and fabric) to all those affected by the flooding.

from the Carrum Downs group,

via

Helen Evans (your roving reporter)

See you all back on Wednesday 2nd February.

Wednesday 6th October 2010

It was unofficial “Australia Day” at Carrum Downs, last week, when Leesa Chandler brought along her new range of beautiful and very different Aussie fabrics. As we are part of south-east Asia and Leesa felt that her fabric collection should reflect this. What she has achieved is remarkable and the following pictures say it all – and those of us who send gift to our Quilting friends overseas, now have the perfect fabrics to choose from. Her patterns for quilts and bags show off the fabrics really well.

Show and tell was fun, as usual:

 

This is the finished of Fran’s challenge from last month – she has added French doors as well as a lot more embroidery and beading – very effective

 

This is another of Fran’s UFO’s- from DUQs – in her favourite purples.

Ginny brought in this wonderful quilt top which she has made for a wedding present. There was much discussion on how it would be quilted which resulted in more confusion for Ginny. Good luck!

Kate, as usual has worked out a unique way of using up the snowball blocks she won at Ballarat – striking!

Robyn made this wonderful quilt for her son’s 18th birthday – a lovely pattern that looks very masculine. I am sure he will treasure it always.

Laurel, just back from the wilds of Canada and Alaska, whipped up this cuddle quilt for her baby grandson.  It certainly looks as if it will be much cuddled!

Excuse my writing – but my notes seem to tell me that Jo has made this very clever and pretty Christmas “celibacy” apron – but I think I meant it was for a Christmas swap! I do love the use of the preserving bottles!

Bar brought along this exquisite bag – her new summer bag!

Sally made this fabulous mariner’s compass quilt in bright Kaffe Fasset and Moda fabrics. We knew she must have been working on something as well as her Dear Jane.

 

Marilyn has already made up her Australian florals kit from Leesa Chandler – so beautiful – I got my kit in the mail today!!!

 

Here she is again – cleverly using the blocks she won at our 2008 and 2009 Christmas parties for the front and back of this lovely quilt.

Here is Wyn’s version of Leesa‘s kit. Wyn has added a clever border to her kit – it looks beautiful.

Bar is holding up this lovely jumper that took only four years to knit – but is it Wyn’s or Bar’s? Again my notes fail me!!! Either way they can share it over next winter!

Bar’s latest scrap busting project – a very effective one too. The QAYG hexagons look beautiful in any fabric.

I have added this beautiful extra quilt – shown after I left – This is Laurel’s Patchwork Pumpkin mystery quilt  - isn’t it magnificent. I hope you remember me at Christmas time Laurel.

It really was a great day – as usual and we look forward to our next meeting on Wednesday 3rd of November – the day after Cup Day. Ramona will be posting the photos to our blog and, on my return from places foreign, I will make up a tale to go with them – suggestions welcome.

Until next time

your roving (extra roving this month) reporter

Helen Evans

ably assisted in notebook licking by Milo

and laptop sitting by Zeppelin the devil cat!