Final notes for 2013

There has been much frivolity of late but there has also been a lot of serious and charitable work accomplished by members of Toowoomba Quilters Club over the same period.

Gabrielle returned last week from a holiday in NSW. Somehow she and her husband managed to fit fourteen quilts into their car to take to the Blue Mountains for victims of the bushfires there during late October. Twelve of these quilts were made by our Community Quilting Group and two others were donated by members.

Gabrielle (TQs) and Tracey Greenaway

Tracey Greenaway was delighted to accept these quilts on behalf of the Salvation Army and will ensure that they are distributed as needed.

Closer to home, five quilts were recently given to Lifeline for a Toowoomba family experiencing tragic circumstances. Lyle, who does a tremendous job coordinating the making of quilts for those in need in our community, and Fay, our club President, were able to present these personally to Derek Tuffield, General Manager of Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland.

Lyle (TQs), Fay (TQs) and Derek Tuffield (Lifeline)

 

 

An earlier post (3 Oct) provided details of the Viewers' Choice winners relating to our 2013 Exhibition.  We were finally able to get them together for a celebratory morning tea and formal presentation of prizes.  The Royal Bulls Head Inn, Toowoomba Branch of the Queensland National Trust, was the recipient of the proceeds from our 2013 Art Union and representatives, Stephanie and Debbie, also attended the function and were thrilled to accept a donation that will help to keep this heritage-listed building open for the community to enjoy.

Penny, Robyn, Christine, Stephanie and Debbie

There will be no more sewing day meetings until Tuesday 7 January 2014. We wish all members, readers and their families a safe, peaceful and Happy Christmas.

Christmas 2013

The bloggers for Toowoomba Quilters have been a bit slack lately.  However the quilters have been active and productive. On Tuesday several members brought in quilts that they have completed as Christmas gifts for family &/or friends.

Tranquility by Dot C

Dot C made this stunning quilt for her grandson and partner as a house-warming / Christmas present.

As often happens, the photo does not do it justice. (If you click on the photo, it will enlarge on your screen.)








 This is not a quilt - but what a work of art!?!

Pavlova made by Val M

This was Val's contribution to our shared Christmas lunch. What a feast it was with the sharing of so many special culinary delights!

But there was more . . . Ineke organised the entertainment and called upon the quickly-assembled Toowoomba Quilters' Choir to lead the singing and that later became the Toowoomba Quilters' Actors for a unique performance of the 12 Days of Christmas.

TQs Christmas Choir 2013

8 maids a-milking

10 lords a-leaping

  See the beautiful Christmas quilts that adorned the walls of our meeting rooms! 

"random group" of diners

 Sixty-three people enjoyed the day! Many thanks to all who participated!

A report on other recent activities will appear soon.

Recent Workshops

Angela Langdon has recently held some machine quilting workshops at our club rooms.  Angela is an accredited quilting teacher and her workshops are very informative and always popular.

The first workshop held on 2nd November was “ Beginner’s Machine Quilting”. 

L. to R. - Carol K, Kim, Angela, Carmel, Barb M, Betty, Val M, and at the front Susan.

The feedback from this class was very positive with comments such as “Thank you for a great workshop, with easy to understand instructions.”

Angela’s next workshop held on 16th November was the “Easy, No-mark Machine Quilting”.

L. to R. - Genell, Gail, Joan, Sheila D, Vicky D, Marilyn and Fay (our Angel), front: Angela.

Some comments from students:  “You have given me much more confidence to start something big.” -  “Thank you Angela.  I found it very informative and it has given me the confidence to quilt my own quilts.” -  “Thanks for a great informative and helpful day.”

A  great workshop coming up is being held  on 28 January 2014,and is with Kathy Adams of KoolKat Quilting . It is a wonderful easy make skirt using your cool quilting cottons.  Kathy has modelled her skirts for us and we are all anxious to make one of our own!

If you would like to become a member of Toowoomba Quilter’s and avail yourself of any of our  workshops, please enquire through our website. 

Quilt Presentation, Melbourne Cup and more

Last Tuesday Andrea Hodgins, the winner of our 2013 Art Union Quilt, travelled from Brisbane with her husband to be presented with her prize.

Andrea with Fay, Club President

Andrea with some of the quilt contributors

She was truly delighted with her win and we are so happy that the beautiful quilt is going to a good home. Angela was interested in the making of the quilt and requested this photo with members who helped with the sewing of the quilt and who were present on the day.

At the previous Tuesday meeting we had a lot of fun as we enjoyed our Melbourne Cup luncheon.

TQs Melbourne Cup finery

Hats and fascinators were the order of the day. Ineke organised a television and some sweeps. 

And, some sewing was done!

Members regularly bring along quilts or recently-completed tops to show. Here's a couple that were recently displayed.

Jean S' disappearing nine-patch

Jean used batik fabrics to meet the brief of "earthy tones with red and blue."

Love the Aussie Bush by Diana R

Diana featured fabrics from Leesa Chandler's collection Under the Australian Sun to make this double bed-sized quilt for her granddaughter.

Today, Angela L will be teaching machine quilting at a workshop for Club members.

Perseverance Retreat 2013

 

Our annual retreat to Perseverance was held October 11 to October 13. The weather turned out to be hot, hot, hot.  Quite unseasonal for this time of year.

Luckily, the facility at Perseverance dam has lovely big decks where we were able to have our meals, chat, and sew in the cool. As you can see, the decks look out to wonderful Australian bushland. 

Some happy snaps following of people enjoying their time of relaxing and creating at the retreat. 

Sally & Angela admiring Angela’s lively jelly roll race quilt.

L-R   Debbie, Vicki, Sally & Dianne

The hand stitching table – Kathy, Heather, Hazel & Carmel

Julie & Ena

Linda with her completed Flower Box top

Two Lyns – one doing some enjoyable ironing.

Marilyn from MK’s Sewable enjoying some time out from her busy life.

Three cheeky gals, Mel, Trish & Agnes

A great time was had by all.

Many thanks to Dot and her helpers for making our weekend a lot of fun.

Art Union and Raffle Draws

Our 2013 Art Union and our Exhibition Club Raffle were drawn in our meeting rooms at the University of Queensland Centre, 27 Jellicoe Street, Toowoomba on Saturday 5 October 2013.  The winners have been contacted and we are happy to announce the following.

The winner of the 2013 Art Union Quilt is Andrea Hodgins, ticket number 2004.

The first prize basket in the Club Raffle was won by the holder of ticket A63 Red in the name of Templeton. The second prize ticket, D63 Black, was held by Kevin Hoppo.

Congratulations to all three winners; you have won some wonderful prizes.

Viewer’s Choice News

The tally is in and the winners of Viewer’s Choice at our recent quilt show have been announced.

First Prize was a beautiful hand crafted quilt by Robyn Ginn called

“Brighten the Corner where you are”

Robyn says of her quilt – “Revisiting my designs to make a quilt using fabrics of many styles”

Second Prize was a stunning Lone Star quilt by Penny Vanderwal called

“Lone Star”

Penny says – “Traditional block centre ‘ Lone Star ‘.  Border designed by me to make the quilt longer to fit a double bed.  Made for my parents.”

Third Prize was the incredible work of art by Christine H called “Miniature Doll’s House”

Tiny, tiny pieced quilts hand crafted by Christine - AMAZING

Thank you to all our members who made the exhibition such a success and filled the hall with all their wonderful quilts and works of art.

Our raffle quilt will be drawn this coming Saturday 5 October 2013.

Good Luck!

 

2013 Exhibition - Demonstrations

Our exhibition this year again incorporates a section where members are demonstrating a range of techniques used in patchwork and quilting. It provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to meet and interact with Club members.

View of demonstration area

Wendy Whellum from Legend and Lace

We also have a guest artist, Wendy Whellem from Legend and Lace in South Australia, who is sharing her knowledge and experience with visitors.  She is shown here in front of several of her exquisite needle-turned appliqued quilts.

Visitors from last year may remember Fay demonstrating techniques for making circles. She used those demonstration pieces from last year to make this quilt which is hanging in the Exhibition this year.

Playing with Circles - Fay S

Here are a few more quilts that demonstrate the wonderful range that can be viewed at our Exhibition that closes at the Salo Centre at 5pm on Friday 27 September.

Kakadu Dreaming - Marilyn C

Reminisce - Penny V

Romantic Handbags - Norelle W

Route 66 - Lyle Y

Welcome to our 2013 Exhibition!

What a wonderful weekend for the opening of our Exhibition and for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers!

The transition of the Salo Centre from an empty hall to a celebration of quilts in a riot of colour and design is an amazing experience.  Here is a random example of some of the quilts on display that have pleased so many of our visitors so far.

Bali Lakes - Lyn W

Out of the Blue - Chriss J

Glacier Star - Lyn C

Yellow Dahlia - Amanda H

Many thanks to all of the people who helped with the set up on Friday and all the members who will assist during this week.

Kathy R and Lyn L

Kathy and Lyn are doing a wonderful job with coordination of refreshments from the kitchen.

June's husband, Brian, helped to move our quilt stands and other infrastructure in the truck that Europcar provided "at a good price".

Our Art Quilt Group have another impressive display this year including examples from their "Portrait Challenge".

Our Community Quilting Group that makes quilts for donation to those in need in our community are demonstrating their work during the week and have a number of completed quilts on display.

Angela L and some "community quilts"

And, a big "thank you and congratulations" to Sheila K, our 2013 Exhibition Convenor, shown here relaxing with her husband  at the point when we were ready to say "Let the Show Begin"!

Sheila and Ken

Time for Tea & Quilts

TOOWOOMBA QUILTERS CLUB EXHIBITION 2013
The theme around the exhibition this year will be:

“Time for Tea & Quilts”.  The hall will be decorated along this theme and there will be a display of tea related quiltlets made by members. Members will also contribute to a floral display as we hold our quilt show to coincide with the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. 
Come to Toowoomba and enjoy the festivities!!!
Our quilt exhibition is starting next Saturday 21 September – Doors opening at 9.00 am.
There will be refreshments available and lots to see and do.
Tickets will be on sale for our beautiful raffle quilt and also for our spectacular basket of ‘goodies’.
The following quilt was on show at our last Tuesday gathering and was made by Carol B and is a Sylvia Pippen design.
Carol has done the most exquisite needleturn applique of Australiana flora combined with fine sashiko stitching.  Congratulations on a beautiful quilt, Carol.  The aboriginal design fabrics blend so well and give the overall design a lot of rhythm.