Wednesday 7th December 2015 Christmas Party

It was a splendorous Christmas party for the Carrum Downs Scquilters way back in December. I apologise for not taking photos of our Kris Kringle swap - which, this year was luscious food items. We also had a table full of lovely Christmas food to eat and many of us had made our Christmas bauble headbands - thanks to Melody. I think I was just buggered! It is always a hectic time - but I can assure you we did have a great day.

Dianne G made the most of her sewing day with Ramona and Gail Pan, and is in the process of finishing off these beautiful stitcheries. Absoluty gorgeous.

Carol has been the busiest of bees and completed all of the above beautiful works, including  a magnificent cross stitched Christmas stocking for her son and the beautiful Fig and Berry pattern on the hanger. The remaining patterns are from Gail Pan's fabulous stitching days (correct me if I am wrong - please), and you can see that Carol has used Gail's pattern and made gorgeous little bags with it.

Here is Bar's simply scrumptious Plum Pudding quilt - looks like there are some ice cream ones  there too. Beautiful!

Bar has also made three giant cushions for her grandchildren in England - for obvious reasons, she hasn't stuffed them - but they are sure not stuffed up - positively perfect. Can you guess their names?

This is Sally's first attempt at foundation piecing - what a project to start with! But, in her usual impressive style, she as done a fabulous job - gorgeous Christmas wreath!

A magnificent Christmas table runner here - a present to Sally from Bar. Simple design that many of us have made - but just lovely.

Cynthia (aka Madam Cyn), brought along her first attempt at a table runner - looks mighty fine! Also, a lovely Christmas decoration made from a kit and an absolutely beautiful  stitchery quilt for her 3 year old grandson - lucky boy!

Bev, in her usual kind way, has brought along 2 charity quilts for Ballarat Community Services. The tractors are perfect for a boy and the other scrap quilt would be perfect for anyone. Well done.

 Deidre and her mother were in the process of making this wonderful book for her nephew in Texas - as you can see - the pictures can be changed, moved around etc. A beautiful labour of love.

This beautiful Christmas bird gives you a real Christmas feel - doesn't it? Is it Deidre's of Jo's? I am afraid it is not my notes, but whoever is making it, is doing a splendid job. Very pretty.

This beautiful table runner? cloth? was definitely made by the extremely, superlatively talented Jo. I am sure.

The beautiful quilt was made by a world wide friendship group, which Jo belonged to. Obviously a very talented group! And a wonderful memento. The wall hanging is superb. I have noted "best friend", so it was either made by or for Jo's best friend. In any case it is lovely.

This magnificent mountain was Jo's backyard view when she was growing up in NZ. It is called Tanaki Mountain. An unbelievably beautiful piece of work Jo. The NZ colours look fabulous.

Jeanette (all baubled up), has brought along a lovely Esther Aliu Christmas wall hanging - a Christmas tree representing the 12 days pf Christmas, as well as this striking cushion from Gita Gramma's website - with splendid echo quilting - done beautifully by Jeanette. It looks like a great project for we mere mortals to practise on - hope I have the spelling right!

Fiona brought Santa with her - or a very smart facsimile of him - made in magnificent detail by Fiona herself.

Avert your eyes - please - my baubles are drooping - despite many many bobby pins! I made this apron the the Bendigo "Christmas in July" retreat - what was I thinking!

Here I (Helen) am again with my very first ever Christmas wall hanging - some buttons on the tree have suffered because one of our cats couldn't resist playing with them as a kitten - unfortunately he has never grown out of it!

This had me puzzled until I realised it was me again. Merv's cousin in Wales sent me this lovely Welsh fabric - representing all things Welsh, including bog snorkeling. The consensus was that I should not cut it up, but add some borders and quilt it.

 Marilyn made this lovely table runner - absolutely beautiful, as well as this magnificent art quilt. The leaves were made first, and she used (I think) Legacy paper(from Spotlight) to quilt them so it looks like they are floating in air. The photo doesn't do it justice, but click on it to enlarge and you will at least get a better look. A fabulous technique. Very well done - as always.

 Simone, very kindly, made these two scrap quilts to give to Bev for Ballarat Community Services. Well done and thank you Simone.

Wyn brought along this beautiful Christmas table cloth - made with her Friendship Group in 2001. It is lovely and still looks fresh and new.

This Yo yo Christmas tree was made by Marilyn L. With yo yos, it is very striking. Love the little buttons too.

Simone also made this gift for her daughter's teacher - I think it is a folder cover or a bag. Whatever it is - it is very clever and beautiful.

At the last minute I thought we should do a Christmas decoration swap - I thought of it too late for most people, but those of us who took part enjoyed it thoroughly - should we do it again for our Kris Kringle swap - as a group????

Jeanette has won the Christmas trivia quiz for the last umpteen years, so I decided to make it more of an historical quiz, as well as a bit different this year. Guess who won? You would be right in thinking Jeanette won again. Congratulations again Jeanette!

I would very much like to mention a project started by an American woman.It is called the 70273 Project. It is to remember that number - the number disabled, elderly, disliked, so-called useless people  executed by the Nazis prior to the second world war. This is the instruction pdf with links to her website:

http://thebarefootheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/70273OneSheetWithColorImages.pdf

 or you can contact Jan Mac  - janmac3631@gmail.com   or 0418149076

 As one of many (I assume), I knew about this dreadful "euthanasia", but not the extent of it. As a non-practicing Jew, I can only imagine that the Jewish race was over represented in these numbers. The idea is to make a white block with a red cross on it. The size and details are on the PDF - it is more or an "X" than a cross in the blocks shown - I have read all the details, but it is all explained in the PDF and on this lady's website.

In the meantime- our next get together will start at 10am on Wednesday 1st of February. Don't forget to bring a mug, your and and something to stitch or knit, plus any show and tell if you have it. I don't know about you, but I have been suffering badly from Scquilter withdrawal.
Your roving reporter,
Helen Evans (Helen Riordan Evans on FB)
helen.evans@nanderil.com.au
Devon Meadows, Vic

Special Bauble Headband Turorial

 Clear veterinary reminder from table

Make cup of tea (preferably early grey)

Ensure your audience is both attentive and sober

As you can see, all you need are a small/medium pack of small baubles (large balls tend to get int the way), a pair of old bluntish scissors, some curling ribbon. Ensure audience is attentive and sober - ah have all been milked (except for bull).

Time to ditch the tea - there is no need for the tutor to remain sober

Measure enough of the garden plastic stuff to go around your head - add quite a bit extra to twist closed when finished - more is better than less - you can always trim later. Measure and fold exactly at half way point.

Take a break and drink some some champagne

Start in the middle by threading baubles onto pre cut garden tie. You can either thread on as pictures, or tie each one on with some curling ribbon. If threading on, secure on either side with curling ribbon. If you are particularly anal, you can choose matching baubles and curling ribbon. I am not.

Oops! Time for a refill.

Keep adding until you have enough baubles to dazzle any Christmas event - ensure roughly even numbers on each end of your middles baubles.

Measure garden green stuff around you head and twist -very well- to secure. cut off excess.

Cover the un-baubled area (if you have any) with any wired, snazzy ribbon, such as this one, or florist's tape, by winding around the un-baubled area.

And there you have it .....almost.

It you have some snazzy tinsel you want to use instead (or are just tired and emotional), you can just measure off and twist to size, and then just wrap the sentinel around the garden twine - you will need to use a glue gun just to secure it every now and then.

Here we have a "volunteer" from the audience (he was out of shot earlier), modelling two examples of what can be done with the listed ingredients. You may need more or less champagne than me, but either way I hope I have listed everything. Of couse you are only limited by your imagination - bells, other ribbons, and all sorts of Christmas decorations can be added, if you like.

That's all for now.
Carrum Downs
Roving Reporter,
Helen Evans












If there are any mistakes, I am sure Melody will let you know and point you in the right direction.