Very Sorry about this

Yes we went off to Bundy town to attend the Bundaberg Quilters Friendship Day. On arrival we were greeted by the smell of coffee and tea and a wide selection of goodies to eat. A quick chance to browse the market stalls and the day began. Margaret Brady the President of Bundaberg Quilters welcomed us all and we were suitably entertained by a selection of trading cards and quilts, bags and more quilts. The continuous raffle began and we soon found out who owned the lucky seats. Margaret handed over to her secretary who introduced us to musical chairs Bundaberg Quilters style. After much laughter we all managed to unwrap our parcels ( no one missed out in this version) and we then enjoyed a lunch break. More chance to visit the stalls and chat. More quilts on display for Show and Tell, followed by more continuous raffle draws. We all had badges made of yo-yos or suffolk puffs given to us at the door. The prize winning ones had flower buttons ( how cute) of various colours for the lucky door prizes.
The raffle quilt with proceeds to the bushfire and floods appeal was drawn but not won by a Mt Perry member. More food and drink followed at afternoon tea , then it was time to leave. Luckily Spotlight stays open until 5pm these days. The sorry part is the cameras never made it to the event and you missed out on a good time.

Bundaberg Quilter's Friendship Day......

OK girls, so I found it!! It's all aboard for the Bundaberg Quilter's Friendship Day on Saturday June 13. It will cost us $5.00 each for a day full of fun, food and quilts. And we may even have the chance to win, or buy something nice from the market stall or traders present. So how about it? You all know where, so I guess you just need the time now......10.00am till 3.00pm. Should be time enough for a good time!

His and Hers Birthday Gifts

Narelle has been a very busy girl finishing off this cream and browns/greens quilt that she called 'Double Choc' ... milk chocolate swirls in a white chocolate block ... yummmm!
*
This quilt was made using a T-block pattern and quilt-as-you-go ... joining each block with a finished half inch strip front and back. She was busy joining for her short visit Wednesday afternoon.

Both quilts were gifted on Saturday night at her brothers surprise 'Big O' birthday party. Her sister-in-law also had a 'Big O' surprise party earlier in the year but the quilts have been in the pipe line till now.
*
"Double Choc" was for SIL and "Toffee Bon Bon" (below) was for her brother.


Narelle made this log cabin quilt using quilt-as-you-go also ... no strips.

Happy Sewing

Sewing Day May 2009

Yes despite Ergon ( the local power supply company) giving us notice of a power cut , we ventured forth for a day of sewing in the hall. Lucky for us we were kindly supplied with power from the generator installed to run the council facilities during blackouts in an emergency.

As usual it was the usual procession of In and Out Patchworkers through the door. Maybe we need a name change.

Kerry brought her handwork along , then went to do some paid work for a few hours to return for the afternoon stint.

Sandra brought her finished quilts along ( 2 of them) and continued working on the 3rd. She needs to make a few more yet. Her grandchildren will certainly love all these quilts.

This is the first horses panel completed. There was also an embroidered heart quilt using the techniques learnt at Monto. She is now probably nearly finished the second horse quilt in progress on Wednesday.

Margaret has been inspiring Sandra and has been completing her 3 John Deere quilts for her grandchildren in NZ. This photo shows 1 quilt plus 3 pillows. She has also quilted a panel for her family back in NZ. She certainly has a few busy weeks ahead of her.

Fay has been busy renovating houses and solving car problems so finally got to touch a sewing machine last Wednesday and continued working on her applique house and garden quilt.
See we do actually get stuck into it.

Ruth has finished her third kaliedoscope quilt and is currently working on the fourth. This will be all of her fabric purchased on the shopping trip used up instead of languishing in the cupboard. Anna finally made it along to actually sew with us despite some of us nearly fainting on her arrival. She is working on a small bear quilt. She must have known something about the power as she came for the time while the power was off at home. Narelle finished work and came for the afternoon. Hopefully she will add photos of the afternoon session. Patty has been extremely busy at work so unfortunately could not join us. Kath has been the quiet one lately but is certainly coming along to the Bundaberg Quilters Friendship Day in June.

June 13 will see us entertained at The Family Centre at the Showgrounds for their Friendship Day. There will be raffles , quilts to look at and of course food. Bring along 2 or 3 quilts for show and tell. Further details about time and travelling arrangements should be available for our next sewing day. Hope to see you there.

April Get Together

April 15 arrived in the middle of school holidays, a bonus for a couple of our girls. Both Kath and Narelle were able to sew all day instead of their usual rush in just before 2pm. They'll both be back to their hand work next time but it was lovely to have their company for a longer period this time.

Margaret had some show and tells and I'm hoping someone took some photos on their camera because I can't find any pictures on mine. She's also busy working on some fantastic boys quilts.

Ruth has made a huge start on her next kaleidoscope quilt. Just a few more boxes to make and she'll be ready for the final layout and begin the process of joining it all together. Looking very beautiful so far.


Kerry was doing some super fine embroidery that had some of the girls' jaws dropping at just how tiny her stitching was.

Looking forward to seeing everyone's progress in May.

Happy sewing till then.

Some Admin Notes

After our last posting about the Ins and Outs of our Patchwork Day, Wednesday 18 March, we have received a comment asking when do we meet and how often?
We are attempting to meet once every 4 weeks at The Perry Shire Hall in Mt. Perry on a Wednesday at 9am to 4pm. This day was chosen to suit most of us for all or part of the day. We are hoping to adhere to our schedule and the next Wednesday is April 15 ( School holidays ) and is the Wednesday after Easter and the Wednesday prior to Mt. Perry Show. Looks like we should all be finishing our show entries that day. If anyone else is interested in coming along to join us you will be most welcome.
See you all on the 15th April.

The Ins and Outs of Patchwork........

Margaret flew in to show a WIP, I caught a quick hello at the door as she bolted to meet an appointment. Present was Ruth, Fay and Sandra. Time to put the kettle on........... Fay admitted to not having sewed since patchwork finished last year and dug out this georgeous UFO to start on again. More borders to go to enlarge this hand appliqued beauty.

Ruth took the opportunity to make a start on a Toowoomba purchase. Here's a shot before she departs, of the finished product from an Amy Butler pattern (and fabric?).

Anna dropped in for a visit to see what we are all about. In the course of conversation she divulges the news of her new acquisition. A new sewing machine! Goodo! But then she says it's still in it's box?? Some of us have more restraint than others, obviously.

Patty dropped by on her lunch break and showed her finished bag from last patchwork, for those who missed it, and also some appliqued/embroidered squares she is doing for a birthday swap with another group. Very nice! All opportunities to experiment with different methods, textures etc.

Here's a shot of Sandra's WIP. Here we see the process of cutting out a panel and fabric for surrounding flying geese pieces to be put together for a quilt for a grandson.

Next to arrive was Kath and Narelle, finishing up from a shortened work day to spend a few hours at patchwork. Must be time for a coffee.....

Narelle then showed her finished QAYG Log Cabin. The photos perhaps don't show well enough, but the use of different fabrics shows up a distinct and lovely pattern. You can do so much with log cabins, and show such a range of pattern just by moving the pieces.

Kath and Narelle settled with some hand work for the rest of the afternoon. "You can have my space", says Ruth; as it was time for her to pack up and go.

The rest of us sewed and chatted away for the remainder of the afternoon. One by one, it was time to go. Then there was two. Bus time came and it was time to lock up and head for home.

And as for me, well I worked on a couple of blog swaps..... so maybe next time.

Next patchwork will be 15th April, which falls in with the school holidays. This will allow our working girls a full day out and maybe even a couple of juniors come along.

Till next time......Kerry

Show and Tell

Finally our first patchwork day arrived. Everyone is already running head first into 2009 so unfortunately all couldn't make it, but those who were able had a lovely day.

Ruth was busy catching up on some mending. With that out of the way, she can get back to some serious sewing.

Patty came along with a bag in a kit and left at the end of the day with a very nice, completed bag.

Kath was able to pop in after lunch and brought some hand sewing with her. A long term project that she can 'grab and run' to work on whenever.


Narelle also brought along some hand work to do, after the regulation cuppa of course.

Margaret was busy quilting a panel for her mum. Very Nice!

Margaret's been a busy girl over the break and brought along some show and tell. Oven mits made from fabric purchased on our shopping trip.

And an gorgeous cushion.

Here's a close up of the embroidery and lace hat.

Hope everyone is finding time for a little sewing in their lives and looking forward to catching up with others on our next day, the 18th March.

Does anybody feel like sewing?

We have the opportunity to have our lives return to normal with our first sewing day for 2009 on Wed February 18. All of us have been grieving for the families suffering after the events of the last 10 days in Victoria and in North Queensland ( please don't forget the flood victims) who will probably never have their lives return to how they once were.
As with any tragedy, questions are always asked but sometimes the answers are never found.
The tales of survival and loss have been incredible. Dijanne Cevaal has reported on her blog that KraftKolour has been burnt down at Whittlesea but the people survived. They have vowed to rebuild their wonderful mail order business and ask for our continued loyalty during the process.
How many other flow on effects are there from this natural disaster?

Wednesday, come along and be prepared to sew to lift our spirits.

Sewing Days Are On Again

Back to the grindstone for most of us and after much discussion we have managed to find a day that suits most people for some of the time. Patchwork sessions will recommence on Wednesday 18 February in the Hall.
They will hopefully occur every 4 weeks to suit some of us who " have to earn a living outside of patchwork and are bogged down with rosters".

The dates booked for the hall are February 18, March 18 and April 15.
April 15 may be a formal workshop yet with a meal at night before we rest from the busy day's sewing .
The account for the Toowoomba Shopping Trip has arrived and contained a pleasant surprise. Not so expensive as first thought. Darn we could have spent more money on fabric!!!!
We have also received an invitation for an expression of interest to attend if the Bundaberg Quilters organise a Friendship Day on June 13 2009. More details available Wed 18 February. So mark your calendars it looks like it could be a busy year again.

Toowoomba Trip Story 2

It was a fascinating trip experiencing the different methods of retailing.

The first shop in Toowoomba was beautifully laid out though cramped and full of nice displays enticing you to part with your money.

The usual " chain stores" were similar to our Bundaberg environment etc. but the sale time made a difference though.

This shop in Margaret St Toowoomba is not a fabric shop but a gift shop where one wonders about their retailing methods. If you can squeeze in here you may find what you want. That is if it is open when you wander by.

This is the view from the front door. The girls found less expensive Royal Doulton pieces in Myers though as they were having their annual sale.

When are we going again??

We're Back

Well it's Sunday evening and it's been two sleeps since we returned from our shopping expedition.

Four girls headed out from Mt. Perry late Wednesday afternoon and collected 2 more girls from their pick-up point and we all headed for our first night of accommodation compliments of Ruth and her Hubby. The idea was to get a headstart on Thursday's shopping.

Here we are Thursday morning getting ready to travel on to Toowoomba. Check your feet girls, we don't want to dirty the bus.

Shopping Day #1 ~ We managed to visit 6 (please correct me if I'm wrong girls, it was a big two days!) fabric shops on Thursday including a curtain place where a couple of the girls took advantage of the New Year Sales. Timing our trip to include late night shopping, we managed our shopping time wisely and had a good look around Grand Central as well.

After a good nights rest, we strategically packed the bus and headed off on shopping day #2. Friday we visited two more fabric shops before heading the bus north for home.

These feet could walk for miles if they had to.

A quick refuel for both vehicle and ourselves at lunch time, then we squeezed in two more fabric shops before the final leg home.

So ends our shopping expedition. Busy schedules have already taken their toll and our first sewing day for 2009 is yet to be appointed.

Happy Sewing Girls

2 Sleeps Girls

Yes ... that's right ... only 2 more sleeps till we depart on our Fabric Acquisition Road Trip.

What ARE we letting ourselves in for?

Mozzies?
Snoring?
Shopping till we drop?

Stay tuned!

Christmas and New Year Activities

Yes it is a new quilt top! completed by Ruth for her upcoming teaching stint for QCWA at Yeppoon in Jan 09 as an exercise in blending a print with some hand dyed fabrics. She has been busy along with everyone else. Just had to include a pic of a quilt.
Kerry has also finally been allowed to tell the world about her success in the DUQ Blankets of Love 2008 competition.
Narelle is still getting everything in order to meet all her Christmas and New Year Deadlines.
The rest of us are no doubt busy also.

Our Christmas trip ( a bit late in early January but who really cares) is organised for Jan 7,8,9.
We are off to the WagnerHilton at Proston for Wed night. (just don't forget the aerogard) At least there is a hot water system that now works there.
Thursday, is continuing to Toowoomba for 2 days of Shop til we wilt. Notice we are going to a cooler place.
We have accommodation organised in Toowoomba O/N in a self contained unit. The Myer store is open until 9pm so our wallets can really be emptied. We hope to arrive back in Mt Perry sometime Friday. So save your dollars, forget about the Chrissie shopping and save up for patchwork shopping.

The itinerary of shops is still being worked out but there is more there than Mt Perry has so we should have a good time.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are off to an early start and I heard a whisper that we are going to be really busy with STUFF in 2009.

Still Here

Yes we are still here and some of us are still managing to fit in some sewing time. Demands on everyone seem to increase at this time of the year which has made it more difficult for us to co-ordinate the next sewing day.



We hope to organize one more sewing day before Christmas but be warned, it could be at short notice. A nice morning tea followed by a lovely lunch, with some sewing in between of course. And don't forget the chit-chat.




Plans are in the pipe-line for a shopping trip sometime in January. Fabric dyeing is also on our 'would like to do' list along with another retreat so stay tuned.

A Sewing Frenzy

In answer to the previous post question, yes we have been sewing. While we can usually squeeze in a bit of sewing time at home, it's when you move out for the weekend that the sewing really begins.

On Saturday, five of us girls set our sewing machines up in the local hall, had the regulation cuppa, and off we stitched. Sewing late into Saturday night, we were then back at the hall bright and early Sunday morning to finish what we started.

By Sunday afternoon and the last cuppa, we packed our things up and headed home. Everyone was very pleased with their achievements for the weekend. At last count we have . . . 2 bed quilts well on the way . . . 1 doll quilt completed . . . 1 table topper completed . . . 3 mug bags almost finished . . . 1 lap or bed quilt well on the way . . . many cups of tea/coffee consumed, good food enjoyed and wonderful company cherrished.

Thanks ladies, lets do it again.

Has Anybody been Sewing??????

Looks like we've all been too busy doing other things.
BUT preparations are being made to fix that problem.
2 days of sewing are planned for the Sat 8 and Sun 9 November. The girls have a project organised for the lucky ones who can attend.
The busy social calendar is hotting up in Mt Perry again with the Truck Pull and Art Show this weekend. So even less time for sewing but I'm sure all these other activities make our sewing life better.

Girls Night In

Drawn – October 3rd, 2008
Winner – Angelene of Gayndah

Ticket was purchased at Arts, Beads and Crafts,

Targo Street, Bundaberg.

An amount of $1907.00 was raised through ticket sales
and the “girls night in” function held on 3rd October.
This amount will be forwarded to Qld Cancer Council.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

There was also a table of donated craft work

for on the night prize draws.

All the Mount Perry Quilters deserve a pat on the back

for this wonderful achievement.

Special thanks to anyone who helped out in any way.

A movie; chemo friendly beauty treatment and lessons in self examination were all part of the evening. All who attended were rewarded with a fun night out.

Quiet Patchwork Day

Yesterday was a very quiet day for our patchwork girls. Ruth was beginning to wonder if she was the lone patchworker until Kerry and her Mum arrived. Narelle sent a text to say she was feeling under the weather. Everyone else had other things crop up that had to come first. That's life.

Ruth has completed her runner for the girlsnightin and Narelle has just a little more hand sewing on the binding of the small wall hanging. All other preparations are well in hand.

Hopefully next patchwork day a few more can make it. It's getting close to that silly time of the year when we are just all so busy.

Happy Sewing

Sewing Day = Busy Girls

Yes, Friday we finally made it. Seven of us were able to make an appearance for varying amounts of time. Kerry has things well under way for the Girls Night In and Ruth has made a good start on plans for our Christmas Shopping Trip that most likely will be a New Year Shopping Trip due to hectic schedules for the rest of this year.

Kerry has also been busy making a few items for a raffle on the night as well as finishing off another minky baby quilt.

Ruth was busy adding another prize for the night and something for herself.

Narelle made it by lunch and was able to stay till the end. She was multi-tasking while working on her PIF gifts. Except while winding the bobbin and enjoying a piece of banana cake and coffee, the cotton slipped off and lets just say the bobbin got a "little" messy.

Fay was working on a beatiful wall hanging for her daughter. She also squeezed in a hair appointment so had packed up when the camera came out.

Margaret is almost done on this stunning cream quilt, not her first.

Patty popped in during her lunch break and Irene was able to visit before and after work committments.

Wouldn't it be lovely if it was maditory for every woman to spend one day per week wholely on themselves and nothing and no-one else. We can dream.