On a beautiful, dare I say perfect autumn day, we Scquilters got together for our usual monthly gathering at Carrum Downs. Many of us had been to the retreat and compared tales – some even true, and told new ones of personal shop hops all the way from Melbourne to Kiama and back again – another route so more shops could be emptied of their stock! Now, think of all the shopping we could do on a shop hop to Townsville next year! Better not – flying will be much cheaper.
We were blessed with a very interesting speaker – Dianne R’s friend Norma. Norma is a lovely lady, originally from Holly, Michigan, but has lived hear for over 40 years – something to do with a husband I gathered – anyway Norma collects thimbles. When I say collects, I mean COLLECTS. We all told her she should be on the Collectors show on the ABC. (Which reminds me – my sister Sandra, the one who lives in Tassie and is engaged to Wolfgang – yes that sister, went to an opening in Hobart where Gordon Brown the Scottish member of the collectors team spoke. Apparently he is absolutely gorgeous in real life and has so much charisma (I think she really meant sex appeal) that she almost fell off her chair and ditched the Wolf man, for G.B. on the spot. I had always thought that he batted for the other side but apparently not, AND he is newly single……) oops, where did all that come from? Sorry, back on track now!
Anyway the lovely Norma, who I am sure would like G.B. as well, told us about how, on her travels she decided that thimbles make a great collectable, because they can be stuffed into shoes and other items in the suitcase.
Norma’s collection is now in the thousands and she brought along some of most interesting ones to show us, as well as her collection catalogue and various thimble books, including one on Australian thimbles and one on South African thimbles – of which she has many.
This was my favourite – as you can see the thimble wears the crown. It was a commemorative thimble from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.
Even those of us, not riveted by thimbles, found Norma’s talk very interesting and we all admired her thimbles – so much so that Norma insisted on frisking all of us before she left. Make sure you enlarge all these pics so that you can see the beautiful detail on them, including the Australian thimbles, including a Ned Kelly one and the crocheted thimbles.
Thank you Norma.
Show and tell was terrific, as always:
Cynthia –progressing well on her stitchery quilt. The fabric beside it is Fran’s – she is after more of it – if anyone can help, pleas let us know. It is called Age of Innocence – you can see the full details on the selvedge.
These are shots of Sue’s magnificent “Tail feathers” BOM from Cinderberry stitches.
Sue also has completed the “Bluebird of Hope” BOM quilt. Sue purchased this pattern from a friend, once she had finished with it. As you can see, Sue used her left over fabrics for the backing. Sue quilted both these quilts herself.
Lyn, Sue’s sister is almost finished “Rose Garden” from Thimblestitch. What a talented pair!
Wyn was lucky enough to receive this beautiful bag from her Kiama Angel, Barbara from Geelong. Lovely!
Dianne R, unlike many us us, was productive at Kiama. This is her finished Vintage sewing pocket. She did a class with Vicki Porter. Gorgeous!
Laurel’s block #1 from the “Down in the Garden” BOM by Leanne Beasley and Kate’s slightly larger Bedford mystery quilt – Kate couldn’t help making it a tad larger than the original, but the effect is just as pretty and scrappy. Also a very happy big 0 birthday to you Kate!
Sally’s Shashiko – also a class in Kiama – lovely neat stitches. And another of Maggy’s QAYG placemats. Beautiful and such lovely neat binding. Maggy assures us that her binding improves with every placemat – perhaps that is what I need to do??
No comment – but many thanks to my lovely angel Geraldine from Tassie – if you see someone around northern Tassie wearing a frog version of my cow shower cap – that will be Geraldine! Also note the Adelaide ‘99 retreat polo shirt – I finally found it!
Next month is our Biggest Morning Tea to raise funds for Cancer. We will be working on Breast Cancer bags, so will need sewing machines, overlockers, small ironing boards and irons as well as power boards and extension cords. Please bring what you can. The morning tea will be worth it!
Until May,
your roving reporter (note, some of this report is accurate)
Helen Evans
Devon Meadows, Vic. 15 minutes from Carrum Downs.
