Face to Face Again!

We had our first Face to Face meeting since 5th March last week.  How good was it to see everyone?  And it was full house too, with 14 of our 15 members present.  We had to take some special precautions of course but I don't think anyone minded, we were all too pleased to see each other.  Lots of chatter and happy faces.

As I had thought, there were quite a few quilts brought in, so be warned there are lots of photos.

Besides those brought in today, we have delivered a total of 187 quilts, 10 scarves and 54 beanies to various organisations during lockdown.  A big effort by everyone.

Jill read us some thank you mail we have received, including a delightful, handwritten note from a 5 year old at Ronald MacDonald House thanking us for the beanie and scarf she received because "they kept her head warm". 

We also received a thank you note from Lillian, the President at the Crookwell CWA Branch.  We sent some quilts for Drought Relief late last year.  2 quilts raised $700 which went to a very badly drought affected area north of Lismore (up near the Queensland border).  The other 2 quilts we sent were used in a fundraising barbeque, the proceeds of $600 was distributed locally.

Enjoy the quilts:

This one was made by Robin's friend Maralyn

Someone picked up a job lot of spotty Dalmation fabric.  Aren't they cute?

And most of the plain squares have a cute dog quilted into them....

We had a teddy bear kit donated, and this gorgeous cuddly is the result.

Flannel wraps, baby beanies and booties, 

And some adult sized beanies and scarves.

Our next meeting will be first week of August.  See you then.

Self Isolation Post No.1

I was planning to post to let you know that our little group has "gone into hibernation" until this dreadful virus plays out its course and that my blog posts may be few and far between for the next goodness knows how long.

But on Friday Jill sent around a Newsletter to keep us all informed about what has been happening since we closed the doors.  And there is a lot, so I thought it might be more cheerful to share the news with you.

The day after our last meeting, Jill had a phone call from Dale Larson of Drummoyne Rotary to ask if we had any quilts for raffles for a fundraiser for Kathleen York House.  The fundraiser was called "Strong Women Symposium" and was to be held at Parliament House on Tuesday 24th March.

Jill gave Dale three quilts, a single and two cute kids quilts.

 

 

We actually haven't supported Kathleen York House for ages, so it was great to be able to help that cause in some way.

We haven't heard back whether this symposium went ahead.  Difficult to know as things are being cancelled everywhere at the moment.

Maria emailed to let us know that the quilts she passed on to Domestic Violence Service Management a few weeks ago were very well received and the ladies and children were so grateful that others care and think of them in this time of trouble.  Domestic Violence Service Management provides direct services to people experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness and is a new avenue for us to donate to so it was wonderful to get that feedback from them. 

Last week we were contacted by Lillian from Crookwell CWA (Country Women's Association for those who are reading this overseas) She sent information on the outcome of the quilts we gave them to raffle for Drought Relief and a bit of history of the CWA.  The Crookwell branch opened in 1922. The first 2 quilts we gave them raised almost $700.  The proceeds were sent to an area north of Lismore, an area very badly affected by the drought. The other 2 quilts raised over $600.  This was distributed to the surrounding areas of Crookwell. All in all a great result.

I had a beautiful email from a lady whose sister in law was unfortunately in the Palliative Care Unit at Concord.  She received one of our quilts.  I don't know which quilt since we donate a lot to the Palliative Care Unit.  Here is the email in part:

"Good afternoon lovely people,

Today my beautiful sister in law received one of your stunning quilts. It is just beautiful and the quilt is made of blue and yellow material which was perfect because blue is her favourite colour.

Your quilt has made a world of difference to my sister in this her final days. The care and comfort it is providing can not be measured.

We thank each and everyone who has given their time to make such a wonderful gift.

Thank you for caring, words are not enough to express our feelings towards your group."

What lovely feedback, and this sweet lady has taken the time and trouble to send it at what must be a truly sad time in her family's life.
We have also received an email from Stephanie at Canada Bay Council, asking if any of our members might be interested in making face masks for the children at Westmead Childrens' Hospital.  Some of us have put our hands up to make a few.  Another good way that we can help those in need in our community. S

So although we aren't meeting, we are certainly still sewing!  Not many photos this time, and there may not be any at all until we meet again, but at least you know we are still in there and sewing.  I suspect that the next meeting might have a humungous pile of quilts.  LOL

Bye for now, and keep safe.
 

6th June

Edited 23/06/2019 to correctly attribute a quilt.

Alys from Cara Care came today to present us with a certificate of thanks for the quilt we gave them for their Ball in May. It was auctioned on the night and the gentleman who bought it paid $300. Alys said he was very pleased with it and had the biggest grin on his face all night.

A raffle quilt has been donated to the Palliative Care Concord Hospital and also one to the Cabarita Mortlake Preschool.   The one we donated to Concord West Rhodes Preschool will be put up as a wall hanging in their “chat corner”. The Director asked for a photo of our group, and asked if a few of the ladies would like to come for morning tea one day.

Evelyn reported that the quilt we gave to Concord Hospital for their Mother’s Day Raffle raised $1,680.

We had a very nice lunch at The Palace Hotel on Thursday 30^th May, there were 10 ladies attended. We decided to put in $10 each to be given to the Drought Relief at Crookwell C.W.A.

Kathleen York House, Legacy and Rivendell to be contact to see if they would like a quilt to raffle.

Some lovely quilts were brought in today.

Ann made this quilt, which was quilted by Cheryl

 

Cheryl also made this pretty pink quilt.

 

Dasha made this quilt which was quilted by Bev

 

Evelyn brought in two quilts this week which she has made.

 

She also quilted three more.  This first one was made by Katy of the Trinity Grammar School Quilters.

 

And these next two were made by Friday Quilter Lyn at their Retreat in May.

 

Helen made three little flannel wraps, a bunch of beanies and a couple of scarves.

 

Roslyn made this pretty quilt

 

 

And the last two were made by Jill

 

 

If you have enjoyed reading this post, please do feel free to leave a comment and say hello.  You'll also find us on Instagram #stitchingheartsquilters and on Facebook at Stitching Hearts Quilters. 

First Meeting, March 2019

Lots of action happening this meeting, with most of our members present and a couple of visitors too.

Firstly Tania Chahoud the Family Educator from St Ambrose Primary School Concord West, came to talk to us about the outreach in which the School is involved.  This includes feeding the homeless, work with refugees and support for the Yaralla Women's Refuge.  We gave her several quilts for fund raising and agreed to supply the women at Yaralla with a quilt.

Then Dale Larsen from Rotary Club of Drummoyne spoke about Rotary's fundraising this year, and about the Christmas in July function to be held at Drummoyne Oval in conjunction with to Parkes Rotary Club to raise funds for drought relief.  Dale took a three quilts with her too.

Apart from these we selected a number of raffle quilts to be donated to various organisations including one each for Concord West Public School, Marie Bashir School, Strathfield, St. Patrick’s Church, Mortlake, Concord Hospital Volunteers, and 2 quilts for the C.W.A. Crookwell. 

There were heaps of completed quilts brought in today. 

First one made by Ann, quilted by Evelyn:

Ann also made a couple of flannel baby wraps.

 

 

 

Bev was a busy lady!!  She made this little quilt,

 

And quilted a whole heap more.....

Made by Janice H, friend of our newest member Roslyn

Made by Dasha from fabric donated by Friday Quilter friend Raelene

Made by Jill

Made by Jill



Made by Jill

Cheryl made the next three quilts

 

 

This one is a real group effort.  The blocks were a donation, put together by Evelyn and quilted by Robin.  Evelyn took it home to put binding on and once that is done, it will be one of those given to the ladies at the Crookwell CWA.

Evelyn made these next two quilts.

She also quilted this one, which was a donation from the ladies at the Trinity Grammar School craft group.

Helen made 8 flannel wraps for babies.

 

And a bundle of beanies and scarves.

 

Jill made the next two quilts (and no, I haven't doubled up on the photos!  Just similar fabrics and styles.)

 

 

 

She also made the next two, both quilted by Evelyn

 

 

 

And this one quilted by Cheryl

 

And that's all folks.  Awesome effort by everyone.