Sunday, 27 September 2015

Well, Was it Worth It?

 Ok,  Well this weekend has seen a magnificent effort by some of our members in setting up such a great Exhibition - yet again!

I'm not going to bore you with endless commentary (I'm too tired and my bed is calling) - but please bear with, and work your way to the end of this VERY photo heavy post.



Sales table all ready for the punters


The Bag O Bola sold out before 12 on Saturday!!







 Some of the Cushion Raffle items






Staff at the ready




 The Bede House has a magnificent roof construction

Circa 1423
 Using sales speel

 Christmas by the fireside


Nesta's quilt greeted the visitors

 Jackie's trio made for three sisters




Ta Dah! Eileen Did manage to get her quilting finished
well done Eileen
 Beautiful Baltimore by Barbara
 


T Shirts from Mrs Beals Family's time spent inUSA














A table of smaller items







 Annette's quilt was So big we had to drape it over a chair!
but so worth putting up!



 More of the Cushion Raffle


So that's it.

All done for this time.


Time for a BIG vote of thanks
to all who 
donated
made
exhibited
set up
 lugged tables and chairs what seemed like miles
volunteered on the day
 made umpteen cups of tea and coffee
sliced dozens of cakes
washed sooooo many pots
came to visit
 and generally made the weekend go without a hitch 


An even BIGGER vote of thanks 
goes to all who stayed behind and helped dismantle and clear away the whole shebang in just an hour!!
******
A special
 Thank you 
to dear Husbands
 Tony
Peter
and John
without whom , we would still be there.


*******************

Oh - did you want to know how much we made?





Well good old (not so old really) June has done the count and.......




£2149.25 !!!!!


I think we deserve a bit of a lie in tomorrow

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

12 Days To Go!!

Until our Exhibition!!

Preparations are going as planned and reminders have been given regarding items that we have made over the past two years. When you make a list you realise what you have been doing with all your time!

More projects are being started and some are still ongoing

Lynda and Lesley were tracing the Bugs a Lot shapes ready to start the quilt when fabrics arrive from New Zealand .  They are both working on the Kids Quilts Stand at Alexander Palace at the beginning of October and have been asked (on Sunday) if a couple of samples could be made up beforehand .  "Of Course" was the answer ..... The fabrics were going to be posted on Monday. From New Zealand.

Do you think they will do it??


Jo was helping Angie "turn a heel" on her first sock making project. Angie was having a rest after realising that when this one was done, she had another to complete to make a pair!!
 Bridget was relieved to have been sent another ball of yarn to finish her waistcoat after her dog had decided to play with the previous purchase and had had to be cut out of the tangle he had gotten himself in!


Ellen had all sorts going on on her table, and was spending far too much time caressing this ball of sparkly yarn!

We are a Patchwork & Quilting Group. Do we ban other crafts?

Well my philosophy is - if it keeps them quiet  - let them get on with it!


Annette is busy making more of the Prick & Stitch Christmas cards

Alison's piece of embellished embroidery is really coming to life

adding beads now

 Maria brought in the bag she has made for our Bag O Bola stall

love this fabric!
And was using her new template to prepare the pieces for a Crazy Patchwork bag.

she got on so much better when she removed the lable!
 And this little lot is ready to make more bags. Busy Maria


Sue is making a similar cushion to the one she has donated to our Cushion Raffle

Jackie has finished her pretty Needle Case


Eileen has several more blocks to hand quilt to get this finished for next weekend
photo is a bit blurry - she hadn't time to stop sewing!
 Pauline is working on a set of felt Christmas Decorations
love the pudding Ted
Remember these Millefiori  pieces that Kay and Ann were working on last week?  Well this is the progress that Kay has made
lots more pretty stitching
 Shirley is desperately trying to get her "Hussuff" done. Pam's husband Roy had called in to have a cuppa and a chat with us and was reminiscing that he had been given one of these the day he joined the RAF .
so it will come in handy!
 Val was quilting a cushion panel


Muriel has made a pretty dress for her Grand Daughter
Tinkerbell fabric
 Pat is going away for a few weeks and is prepping her appliqué pieces ready for some hand sewing time

Therese ----- well she is using techniques that she has learned at group to repair her dear sons favourite pair of jeans.
 (I would've told him to buy a new pair!!)  Her lovely sewing will still remain after the rest of these jeans just disintergate!
see - more holes to be covered
 But she is having a lovely time using what she has learnt.

She deserves a medal (or a straight jacket!!!)


What can I say about Linda?   We have seen this over several many weeks months  - But it is FINISHED!!!!
Well Done Linda!! No detention for you !
Her 2014 Christmas Challenge is now ready to display with all of the others NEXT WEEK!!!


********************

Don't Forget

We need all of the items that you are going to display
 ( all the items that you have made over the past two years )
PLEASE 
 be delivered to the 
at 6pm on Friday  
ready for the Exhibition to be assembled 
We have Two Hours to do this!!

and please don't forget to add a (min) 5" sleeve to any quilt that will be hung on our stands

I use the longest stitch on my sewing machine and a 6" strips of any fabric that I have knocking about. It won't be seen  so raw edges are fine. I stitch right across the quilt on the machine. 5 Minute job.  It comes out easily with no after effects and is much more secure that trying to tack one on. 








Monday, 7 September 2015

Counting Down

to our Exhibition - 18 days to go!!!

I hope that you have all made a cushion for our famous Cushion Raffle and your bag ( any size large or small fancy or plain) for our Bag O Bolla AND some items for our sales table.

If you haven't - your are going to have busy few days aren't you!!

The notices have gone up regarding helpers on the days of the exhibition.

You have 17 days to gather all of your makes over the past two years ready to bring to the Bede House on Friday 25th September at 6.00pm.

Help to set up is appreciated. Help on the weekend is essential!!

Members who are visiting the Exhibition will pay the £2.50 entrance fee.

Back to the Monday meeting

There was such a hubbub today we didn't know if we were coming or going !
And don't get me started on the case of the missing template plastic!


Gill (ex Knit & Sew) brought more surplus stock for the ladies to rummage through. 
such excitement for a bargain!

Lists were distributed and instructions given for the next All Day project. (21st September)


Jo will be teaching a Mini or Miniature quilt and members can choose which they make, and most of the chickened out opted for the Mini rather than the miniature.  Looking forward to seeing these little beauties.

16"square or 8" x6"
Alison has stared a pretty cushion (not for the raffle - hers is done already) for her Granddaughter
lovely fabrics
Angie is making the inside for her now finished "Hussuff" .
That will be on display in 18 days!!

Pauline has finished her second set of very pretty Festive Bunting
And and Kay are working on a card project that they started at a regional group (BQS in Bedford) they attended on Saturday. Its called Millefiore
Chris thinks it looks Hungarian
Jo is busy quilting her cushion panel - This IS for the raffle. (better get a shift on Jo)


Hazel has started this lovely cross stitch panel.


Chris is making good progress on a Christmas felted project

Glenys is bust crocheting Santa brooches - FOR THE SALES TABLE

June was proudly showing her "stump work" (I do really wish it was called something prettier!) strawberry 

sew effective!
Colleen was sewing a pretty Jacobean style embroidery


Brenda is making an Alphabet quilt for a baby that is not yet born, but we can guess it will be a girl because of the border that she has chosen.

Jo, Angie & Lesley were comparing their August Mini Mania quilts but unfortunately Lynda was not able to come today so we will see the full line up next time. If you fancy joining in pop over and sign up.

 And we have it on good authority that they may have snared tricked recruited  another volunteer to join their happy band for Septembers challenge

Ellen has been making more shorts for the  Dress a Child charity  - I think the socks may be for her dear husband!


Jane attended a Guide Camp and instead of a just craft session they decided to craft for someone else. She provided the fabrics and her Girl Guides made a bunch of little Pillowcase Dresses for the charity. Ellen will be sending these off shortly.

Well Done and Thank You Girls!!



Don't forget I will be hounding badgering  reminding you to help us with our Exhibition . It has been talked about in the area for months and if you are in the vicinity it is well worth a trip.

Did I tell you - 18 days to go!!

Friday, 4 September 2015

Back to School (edited with more photos!)

For the children and back to our Wednesday evening group meetings too.

Lots turned out to catch up on happenings over the summer and to show and tell makings too.

 These were mostly from Jackie!!

A lovely trellis style quilt
love the pink
 A wedding gift for a neighbour
great idea!
 And she is using up her scraps in another Roman Coins quilt.

clears the scrap box!
 Rosemary is counter-change smocking a piece to make a coat-hanger
pretty lace trim
 Brenda is piecing her Kaleidoscope sections

beautiful batiks
 And Elizabeth is piecing some bright and cheery floral squares.



 You may remember that Elizabeth was piecing a Double Wedding ring quilt back in June.

 Well, her son was married last week, and the quilt was finished in time.


It has been quilted beautifully by Janie.

It is a real beauty Elizabeth - Well done!