Are we crazy or what!

Yes it has been proved we are crazy..... who in their right mind would go out on the first day of  'real' snowfall this winter!!!  Well, there were a few of us 'stalwarts', and thanks to Lynda (who turned up early) the heating was beginning to warm the hall.  Thanks Lynda for making the effort to keep us warm.

I think this is another UFO but has the promise of getting a bit nearer completion this year. Mind you if the weather stays bad, it will be a nice thing to curl up under while hand quilting.

bit of practice first.

Diane brought in a couple of her wall hangings to show someone (but they were not one of the brave!).

One of Diane's first projects.

Liz has been busy making a table centre for a friend.

Lovely, and look at that binding... well done.

And what can I spy here...... do you see some paint samples?????   Ooh! is this the start of someone's challenge!  You won't see this again until its finished.

Bond-a-web getting to work

 Looks like some thinking going on here......what to do with a button that disappears into the pincushion????

How about a bit of glue...

Now, is this a little late for 2012 or  little early for 2013 Christmas!

So neat.

Don't tell me we have jeans being repaired!

well yes, but with a bit of flair and  Sashiko embroidery

Very posh patching.

Gentle reminder that next week is an 'all day' with a difference, its our first AGM.  

Jo will be resigning from her position of program organiser, but will be around to help her replacement if needed.

Happy New Year

We certainly welcomed 2013 in with a "hall full of ladies ready to get sewing", and shall I say 'hoping to finish off some of those UFO's'.

Hexie corner is beginning to take shape... this is going to be a cushion for a grand daughter who chose the background fabric.... certainly bright and full of life, probably just like the teenager.

Looking great

Rosie has made this bag and it looks like she is starting on some knitting, maybe we will see that next time

So Cute

What is this going to turn into?  Have a guess and come back in a few weeks to see if you are right.

My guess ...a bag

 Mmmmm this looks interesting....

and so does this

Such pretty colours

Some Candlewicking ...

and a cute embroidery ....goodness we are a talented bunch!

This makes me smile

Shirley is making this "girly" growth chart..

Lovely embellishing

More cushions from Angela

Stars for a Star

 and I believe this is on the list to be finished in 2013....... think it might have been hidden away for a few years.... keep a look out for this in future weeks

There was also some planning going on - for some projects to tempt you with, and some discussions going on regarding our workshop with Maggie Wise, the lady that is going to make the Lavender Hearts with us.  Jo got it all wrong, but Sue was there to put her right  THE DATE FOR MAGGIE is the the 28 January, she will come to the group for the afternoon.

The 'all day' this month is going to be our very first AGM, where you can all vote some new members onto the committee.

Happy New year to all.

Last Monday meet of 2012

Yes, this is the last meeting of our Monday group for this year and it was really lovely to see so many ladies arrive when we all know how busy this time of year is for us all.

Louise also found time to pop in to give the ladies that were not at the 'all day' last week their 'challenge'.  Lots of laughter and discussion went on but we made sure no swapping.  I personally can't wait to see what wonders will arrive back in March when we bring back our finished quilts.

Some ladies did remember to bring in some 'show and tell' items and what a talented group we are.

We started with Toni, and what! 6 Christmas goodies finished...... Well done Toni.

Ribbon Wreath 

 Ena has been busy with her tea cosy, it goes with......yes you guessed, a cow tea pot..

He is a winner

Sue started this as a small project, but loved making it so much that she carried on and Voilà! a quilt to be proud of.

Lots of hand work 

Talking of handwork, just look at this.....

you may have seen some of these blocks through the year.  Block of the month, all hand sewn and quilted.

I am not sure how many quilts Pauline makes each year, but she began her 'show and tell' explaining that this was the only quilt she has been making this year.  I hope to see it finished in 2013.

and look at this owl cushion...... sweet!

Bags and more bags ...

This is where it all started for Sue, a bag made from a Cath Kidson Pattern.

and Carol has made a set of 'trolly' bags.  Think these should go on my 'to do' list for next year.

Lynda wanted to prove that the witch she made was a self portrait .....thinks she done that.

 and in contrast a beautiful smocked dress for an angel....      Lynda is the Angel, the child is already too big for it.

Jo was given a charm pack and someone gave her the challenge to make this, the only problem was Jo had a Charm Pack, and the original quilt was made with a Layer Cake, but with a little help from her friends the numbers came together and the smaller quilt was born.

Smaller version of Triangle Toss

This is a favourite of Jo's and I can see why.  The Original  block was about 4" square and it was part of a miniature quilt .... you've got to be some talented quilter to create a block like this, that small!  

Murial has just a few more stitches to add to the binding and it will be ready to wrap for some lucky child this Christmas.

Lots of fun in this farm yard.

At the end of the afternoon all were given a Christmas gift from the group, so we will all have something to do on Boxing day when things quieten down after the Christmas festivities. 

Thanks to all who make Highampiecemakers a friendly, warm, welcoming group to belong to.  

After the Christmas break we will reopen on Monday 7 January 2013, so until then we wish you all a very Happy and Safe Christmas.  

Phew!! What a busy fun day we had

We entered to a warm welcome from Gloria (our friendly new boiler), and got busy setting up ready for a busy day.  At first we all sat quietly (well as quiet as we can be) getting on with our own projects.  These projects soon got forgotten once we decided it was time for lunch...

Looks yummy doesn't it ?

What choices ? 

We had no sooner got our lunch than Lynda and Lesley gave us all a quiz to complete...there were prizes so no conferring with your neighbour.   

 

Louise then arrived to give us our challenge for 2012 / 2013.....  

I would love to tell you more but our Wednesday ladies haven't been let into the secret yet, so my lips are sealed.

After the laughter and chatter that the challenge caused we had to calm the kiddies ladies before we could draw the 'c*%p' raffle.  Have to say you ladies didn't hold back in bagging up your goodies for the raffle.

What a lot we got!

Muriel choosing - while Hazel picks the next winner

The winners for the quiz came next, but this was just too confusing for me to keep track of, but I think the winner got 22 out of thirty of the questions correct....well done.  There were a number of 'runner up' prizes and I think everyone gained something even if it was just a bit more knowledge of the names of quilt blocks!  Thanks Lesley and Lynda.

With all the excitement we seemed to run out of time and some of the children ladies were leaving, so we had to put on hold our 'show and tell' until next week, but we did have a parade of the Christmas quilts 

Look good don't they!!

Angie has managed to finish her first quilt just in time for Christmas. 

Well done Angie, someone is going to be very happy on Christmas morning.

and last but never least Ellen had completed three coat hangers for some very special people.

Just a few more stitches to finish the lace edging 

My goodness what a lot went on today, well done ladies and thanks goes to all for the 'bring and share' lunch, the enthusiasm for taking on the challenge, and lastly for raising over £141 for 'The Sanctuary' homeless shelter in Rushden.

We will be opening up again next Monday for those that are able to make it, and I would really love to see you bring along your 'show and tell' goodies.

Dull weather but bright inside

 It was so nice to see so many of you come out on such a grey day, but Christmas is just around the corner, so guess you had lots to catch up on.

Lots going on here.

 Trees,

More trees...

 Hanging deco's

More for hanging

This has taken more than one afternoon to make.

finishing the Christmas wall hanging

Love those snowflakes

and a Tah Dah! moment..

First to be completed, well done Sheila

And how is this for a mixture of talents.

Eileen is getting on with her 'block of the month'.

Mini Dresden Plate, appliquéd hearts and such wonderful soft colours. 

Phew! you need good eyesight for this work.

What pretty fabric, anyone for Coffee/ Tea

Scissor Keeper in progress

Appliqué blocks.... this is going to be an heirloom for sure 

As always lots going on with plenty of laughter chucked in for free.

Please don't forget next week is our 'All day', and its a bring and share lunch so we can all have fun and get fat in the process.  There is no hard and fast rules for the day, but bring something to sew in the morning (or just chat and catch up with friends), and in the afternoon we would love to see some of the work you have been making over the past year in a 'show and tell'.   So sort out some treasure that you've worked on, or even something that you have learnt lessons on, and share it with everyone.

Last call for the 'Crap Raffle , Ena has asked if you could please put your 'crap' inside a bag or box  - that way it will be a surprise when you get to choose your raffle prize....incognito and all that