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

Back in May you may remember that Mrs Beal (Ann to her friends) made a beautiful lap quilt that happened to be for Dudley the Dog...Yes a dog ..... and today she proudly showed us this quilt..

Pebbles 

this is for Pebbles the cat...... I know, I know who will she be making for next?  Have to say both quilts are great, and very lucky pets.

Cushions being finished off, wonder if they are going to be wrapped for Christmas?

Lots of pretty  English paper piecing 

and this little work of art (its about 6" square) is going to be some lucky couples ring cushion

Then of course we have only got 4 more weeks to Christmas, so lots of Christmas deco's getting finished.

All coordinated colours..very nice

Who could not 'be joyful' with this hanging around

Buttons and trims 

She has got a lot of ribbon to cut and tie...to get this finished 

Is this for the Christmas wall hanging?

I am sure this is going to be part of Kay's wall hanging.

One of the wall hangings almost completed

Who can resist these tartan slippers???  they even have bells on, so we will hear you coming.

There seems to have been some confusion over the date for our December 'All day'.  I believe we decided to have the all day party on the 10th (just the second Monday in December) because some folk go away for Christmas and miss out, but be assured we will be open on the following Monday 17 December.

Christmas is coming.....

After setting up all the tables and chairs ready for our all day session 'Gloria' gave us a warm welcome and we certainly welcomed her and long may she continue to heat us.

So, off to work we go..... lots to do and sew today.

Is this a mess or work in progress

No, this is a mess

Is this going to be a mess?

Lots of ribbons and fabric waiting to be cut and tied.   Believe me this is certainly a job to be done in a group with lots of laughter ....

And this is the crowning glory 

I think someone got a bit bored and decided that her wreath had more to do that just hang on the door...... anyone know a wedding she can go to.







But this was the final count down.......look good don't they

Someone is good at tying bows....thank you Glennys

Other Christmas items being made were...

Coasters, table napkins, and Christmas tags

Tea Cosy almost finished 

and who can resist a Dove

And then we have a cute Owl "sleep over bag" being made for one lucky grand daughter. Pockets for all the things a girl need and room for PJ's and a favourite pillow inside.

An elegant advent calendar panel to be finished before the end of the month

A couple of not quite finished Christmas cathedral window cushions made at a workshop with Helen Spence at a LQS. Looking forward to seeing these completed.

And a very healthy display of the assorted items that have been made today.

A big "Thank You" to the ladies who brought us the ideas and created the samples for us to see. A big success I think.

Well done ladies!!


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