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!

Wednesday 1st September 2010

It was a great get-together (when is it not?) at Carrum Downs on Wednesday 1st September. A smaller than usual, but select group of us braved the weather to sit, sew, chat, trade,eat,read and generally have fun. And greetings to Pam and Laurel, enjoying the delights of Canada and Alaska – we look forward to hearing all the details and seeing what fabrics they managed to locate on their travels when we next meet.

A reminder that our next meeting will be graced by Lessa Chandler, who will give us a talk and bring along some lovely fabrics for us to buy.  So keep Wednesday 6th of October free.

 

Here we have Cynthia (ably assisted by Fran) showing us how her “Handy Hexagons” from Quilters' Companion. The fabrics are wonderful.

 

Here is Fran’s “painted background” challenge. She has used a very interesting fabric and has added painted touches to it – she will be adding more of her famous artistic “touches” to it  before adding…well I won’t tell all – hopefully we will be the finished article next month!

 

Bar is finishing off this beautifully made quilt made by Sandra Stevens (who has sadly had to give up quilting due to illness). Both Sandra and Bar have done a wonderful job.

 

This is Sally’s latest completed Dear Jane block – one row and 11 blocks to go!

 

Di R has made a record number of these lovely needle/notion cases for various swaps, angels etc. This one is for herself – good on you Di!

 

Marilyn is working on finishing her “Nan’s Rules” stitchery.

 

And also a glorious quilt completed from her class with Gloria Loughnan in Ballarat last year.

Maggy – this is her spectacular answer to an “elements quilt” challenge.

 

Jo has knitted this intriguing scarf on point for her sister – tassels will be added to complete the pretty look.

 

 

Wendy is working on a William Morris cross stitched pin cushion. As you can see, the result will be beautiful. I do hope Wendy is planning to work her way through the book!!

 

Wyn, proudly showing us her completed sleeves on a jumper? cardigan? she is working on – these clever knitters!!

Until next month – which , the way the year is going, will be here in a couple of weeks,

best wishes from,

your roving reporter

Helen Evans