Quilters' Circle, 30th May, 2011

Today is the fifth Monday in May, so we had a bonus meeting, which is good because in June we will lose one meeting due to the Queen's Birthday holiday.

We missed a couple of people who didn't make it along today - we hope you are well! It was great to have Joy back with us, and to welcome Wendy who bravely came along despite her son's warning about meeting people on the internet.

A couple of people organised a surprise afternoon tea because Friday was Vireya's birthday:

Yum! I'm sorry that the slice Joy made is out of focus, but it tasted great, anyway! And of course, you can't have a birthday without presents, so here are the fabrics Vireya went home with that she didn't have when she arrived:

Yummy fabrics, yummy cakes, thanks everyone!

Vireya showed us some of her other gifts, including this pack of Japanese fabrics:

Since last week Carol has added this very cute cow to her baby quilt:

So now she is up to the border.

Joy appliquéd leaves today:

Marie and Wendy both worked on binding. Marie's wall-hanging involves a lot of binding. Here's a progress shot which is meant to show how the strippy columns will be connected by a ladder of black loops:

Although these particular columns won't be joined like this, as they will be on the opposite side of each other.

All too soon, time was up, and we had to head out into the cold again. But we all took home some cake leftovers!

Our next meeting will not be until the 27th June. Hope to see you again then!

Let's Patchwork, Up and Running

The sewing machines and cutting mats were out in force last night for the second in this term's Let's Patchwork class. The evening started with a spot of show and tell and then it was full swing ahead.

We have a couple of beginners making their first 9-patch quilts.
Then there are several students finishing off projects or starting new ones. There's just one more spot available in the class this term and another set of classes planned for next term. Please contact the Neighbourhood House office on 9354 2210 if you'd like to join us.

Quilters' Circle - 23rd May, 2011

It was a bit cool and very wet outside, so it was a good day to be inside quilting with friends. Four of us braved the conditions, but we missed Joy and Jenny. We hope you are both well and that we will see you next time!

Marie has started binding the wall-hanging strips we have seen in progress over the last couple of meetings, and brought along a couple of them to show us:

The black sets them off really nicely, doesn't it?


Today Marie continued quilting her autumn leaves miniature quilt:

Carol has already pieced together a lot of the squares she started cutting out at our last meeting, and the quilt is looking very cute and cuddly:

This photo doesn't do the colours justice. The pretty lemon yellow seems to have been turned dull beige by the camera. Carol has included some very cute appliqué blocks among the squares. Here are a couple of close-ups which will make you smile:

There is one last appliqué block to do, and Carol wanted to do something green. It was amazing how many green critters popped out at us as we browsed through a couple of magazines Marie had brought along, so Carol ended up with lots of ideas for her last block.

Glennys is kindly binding two quilts made by a friend. She finished one, and started the second one today.

Vireya did a bit more of her current paper-piecing project, but no photo, sorry.

Lastly, Carol showed us this beautiful heart she has embellished with embroidery and beads:

So lovely!

May is a month with five Mondays, so our next meeting is only a week away, on the 30th May.  See you then!

New Patchwork Class

Great News:
You are invited to a new Patchwork Class at Sussex Neighbourhood House. This is class is for anyone who wants some support, guidance or encouragements with their patchwork and quilting. Brand new beginners will learn the basics, while more experienced patchworkers will be helped to keep going in their craft. Enrolments are essential, so please contact Joanne on 9354 2210 if you'd like to sign up.

Quilters' Circle 9th May, 2011

After what felt like a very long break, the Quilters' Circle got together again. We had lots to talk about, and a few people had things to show us. Blogger is playing up a bit tonight, so I can't format this post quite how I want. However, for several hours I couldn't post anything, so this is an improvement...

Here are some lovely pink and green quilt-as-you-go blocks Jan made:

Marie has made two more columns for the wall-hanging she had started last time:

To give you an idea of the scale, Marie is hiding behind those three pieces...

Glennys showed us the fabric she purchased at the AQC last month:
Cute! We all loved those trains. Today Glennys worked on some appliqué:
Next she will add some embroidery.

Vireya has finished the wall-hanging we have seen her working on over the last year, and took it down from the wall to bring it along for us to see:
And she showed us this little Japanese pouch made from a kit she purchased at the AQC.

Carol worked on some appliqué, and then started cutting squares for a baby quilt:

The fabrics are soft greens and yellows, but this photo seems to have washed them out a bit.

Joy is working on this fruit bowl block for her Baltimore-album quilt:
Next some grapes are going on the right-hand side.

We heard that Marilyn is back in Melbourne for some medical care, and sends us greetings. We hope you are feeling better soon, Marilyn! It's great to hear that your building plans have been approved.

Our next meeting will be in two weeks, on 23rd May. I hope Blogger is behaving itself by then!


PS - Now that Blogger is working again, this post has been edited to fix some of the issues.

More Blocks On Their Way

Here's our second box of QAYG blocks, along with the quilt made by council staff members, heading off to the Oz Comfort Quilts appeal. I did a quick count before I went to the post office, and I think there are 101 blocks in the box.

Thanks everyone who made blocks, extra thanks to the people who contributed to the postage cost, and special thanks to the guy at the post-office who taped the box up for me rather than making me buy a roll of packaging tape.