Post Card from Gisborne

Best wishes to Town and Country Quilt Club for a successful and smooth AGM.  I have put my name forward for a place on the Committee, (more about that later)  so I hope that sufficient nominations have been received to allow for a new committee.  Unfortunately, I could not attend the AGM as once again, we are away on a trip in our caravan.

We are currently enjoying the warm weather and beautiful beach at sunny Gisborne.  But we didn’t realise that the school holidays are in full swing so the motor camp is full of families – and lots of kids everywhere.

I checked out the Bernina Sewing Centre in town – just in case there was something which wanted to jump into my hands to take away.  There was a good selection of New Zealand inspired prints, including some new designs I had not seen before.  Lots of patchwork fabric to check out, dress fabrics too, and plenty of buttons, laces and trims.  I also noticed a very large range of knitting wool – in fact, something for everyone.  My purchase was very modest, a pair of knitting needles!

Bernina shop in Gisborne

And check out this lovely view from   the top of Wharerata Hill as we approached Gisborne.  The view from this spot is magnificent, looking down on to Poverty Bay and Young Nick's Head.  The headland was named after a lad in Captain Cook’s crew, Nicholas Young, who made the first sighting of land, earning himself a gallon of rum and a place in the history book.  We are so lucky to be living in such a beautiful country.

 Poverty Bay and Young Nick’s Head, Gisborne

March Remnants Night

There was not such a big group along to the March Remnants night.  Most of the regulars were there, plus prospective club member Ute, who drove up from Ohau to join us for the evening.  That’s not to say that we didn’t enjoy another delicious shared meal.  As usual, there was a nice selection of delicious offerings to choose from to put on our plates.  As well as a bowl of those yummy chocolate fish – a couple of these sprat sized fish really work as an energy booster.

Leigh was the guiding hand behind organising the floating four patch blocks the club members had made for charity quilts into some sort of order.  The blocks were laid out on one of the large tables and we all gathered around to check out the colour placement.  Comments like “swap that one over there with the second one in the fourth row ”, and  “we can’t have those two blue blocks together” and the light and dark blocks were shuffled around the table until everyone was happy.

How about this arrangement, girls?

The blocks were then pinned into rows and Vickie and Leigh busily sat at their machines sewing  it all together.  Janelle and Kathy were kept busy with the pressing.

Kathy was on pressing duties

There were enough of the floating four patch blocks stitched by club members to make two quilts, so thank you everyone for that.  And special thanks to Leigh, Vickie, Janelle and Kathy for spending most of their evening working on these two charity quilts.  Here is Vickie hiding behind the first quilt top.  They will need borders, backing, and quilting, of course, but it was great to see so much progress made during the evening.

The first quilt top

Some of the others were working on their own projects too.  I was tracing and fusing appliqué blocks, and Kaye worked on a couple of projects.  There is plenty of room for anyone else who would like to come along to the next Remnants night on the last Friday in April.  They are always fun, there is a wealth of experience to call on if you get stuck, and don’t forget those chocolate fish always come along too!

Hard at work

On show at Winchester House

Town and Country Quilters supply a never ending supply of quilts to be displayed at Winchester House, the Cancer Society rooms.  I occasionally attend a meeting in the rooms, and it is always interesting to see which quilt is in pride of place for the month.

The quilt on show this month had quite a New Zealand flavour.  Designed and stitched by Luchelle Cottrell, it was inspired by NZ artist Shane Hansen and the 10 cent New Zealand coin.   “Myth” portrays the very heart of the North Island where Luchelle was raised.  She used many techniques – collage, needle turn appliqué, fused appliqué, machine an foundation piecing, and free motion machine quilting.

With swirling koru fronds, the Maori face from the coin, and dainty kowhai blossoms, it is full of New Zealand icons.  It says “I love New Zealand” to me.

Myth, by Luchelle Cottrell

Patients, visitors and volunteers all love to see the quilts at Winchester House.  Many thanks to all the club members who loan their quilts for the community to see and enjoy.  

First Remnants Night of the Year

A group of happy Remnants were busy stitching away in the hall when I arrived.  I had just  popped in, as we had visitors staying for a few nights.

It was great to welcome first time Remnants  Val and Ruby.  Ruby gets an “Honourable Mention” for the most delicious Ginger Gems she had brought along  for the shared tea.  Ginger Gems are one of my favourites,  and I heard a rumour that there was a plateful up on the servery.  I just had to try one - absolutely yummy!   Several ladies were working away on the Floating Four Patch blocks for charity quilts.  I had already stitched mine during the week.  There are sure to be a great selection of these at the next club night to make into quilts for the needy. 

Floating Four Patch blocks

More four patches plus Batik blocks for raffle quilt

The evening wasn’t all about making blocks for the club, and lots of the ladies were working on their own projects.  Sara was doing a bit of cross stitch, Janelle was working on her needle turn appliqué, and Sandra was machine quilting her pretty black, red and white quilt sections before joining them with the QATG technique.

Vickie was finishing off a quit for a friend – how kind was that.  And Leigh proudly showed me her embroidered blocks from the lovely “T’was the Night before Christmas” pattern.  While Linda, who goes by the mantle of “Queen of the Recyclers” was unpicking  her Op Shop bargain buys to use in future projects.

Linda wielding her unpicker

If you have never been part of the friendly Remnant group, do come along next time.  There is plenty of room to spread out, bring what you want to work on, plus something for the tasty shared meal.  It is always an interesting, fun filled night.   (I enjoy it so much, I sneaked out and left my South Island visitors in the tender care of hubby while I popped down to see what I was missing).  See you there next month.

Where:  The Art Society Rooms, Bath Street.

When:  Next get-together 27th March from 5.30pm

Happy New Year

Happy New Year and a belated Merry Christmas too.  Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas with family and friends, and got to see the New Year in.  It’s not always easy staying up to midnight as one gets older, I have noticed.

May you all enjoy the summer holidays whatever you may be, whether at home, or away on holiday.  Hopefully you will find some spare time relaxing somewhere nice with your hand stitching, or even a good book.

Before we know it, the busy days of Symposium will be here.  No doubt the Symposium committee have been busily working away through their own Christmas holidays on our behalf.

Happy Stitching everyone, and safe travels if you are away from home.

Heart Cushions Galore

November was the last Remnants night of the year, and what a night we had.  Our core numbers were swelled by other members coming to lend a hand with the pretty pink heart cushions.  Our club had been asked to make these in pink fabrics for Breast Cancer patients, and we were only too happy to help.  After all, we all know of family or friends who have been touched by this terrible disease, as have some of our members.

The Art Club rooms were full of activity.  Some were cutting out and stitching cushions on their sewing machines, while others were busily stuffing and stitching them closed.

 

Thanks to the Finance Committee for funding the stuffing, and the bags to package the completed hearts in.  They looked so nice all tied up with a ribbon on top.  Yvonne was kept  busy doing this important finishing touch.

These cushions relieve the pressure after breast cancer surgery, during radiation treatments, and from rubbing against a seat belt, with the heart shape giving physical comfort from pain. 

As it was the last Remnants night of the year, everyone brought extra special items for our shared meal.  There were salads, chicken, savouries and stuffed eggs.  Desserts too – lemon slice, a delicious home made sponge whipped up by Mary, and a jelly cake.  All so tasty and delicious.  Thanks to everyone who came along to help with the cushions, and some stayed a little later to work on their own projects.

Jenny

Remnants 31 October

Friday 31st  saw a small group of members meet for a shared dinner and an evening of sit and stitch.  A few of our regulars were unable to come but we still had a great night.

Using the clubs light box ,Leigh traced patterns for a Christmas stitchery she had recently purchased and showed us a beautiful ufo she has finally finished after setting herself a challenge. 

Sarah and Kaye worked on their beautiful pieces started in Camilla Watsons hand applique class, it is amazing to see these come to life as they do more stitching.

Mary C worked on completing a hand applique wall hanging while Jenny did more on her stitchery. 

Janelle and Sandra worked on machine piecing and Kathy attached pieces and started another of the blocks for her block of the month called Berties Year. 

Remnants is a very social night and a great wind down at the end of a busy week, with someone always there to offer encouragement and advice .

Roll on the end of this month. Hope to see you there!

Kathy