CanTeen Exhibition

Colourful Cancer Society bandannas were at the heart of this exhibition, organised by CanTeen Manawatu, and held at the Globe Theatre, Palmerston North.  I walked in the door, paid my gold coin donation,  and recognised a lady sitting in a chair stitching.  It was club member Barbara, patiently waiting for a friend to join her at the exhibition.

Barbara was sitting stitching

This is the first time such an exhibition has been held, the ladies on the desk told me.  The Manawatu team decided to take up the challenge, and organise the competition and exhibition.  There were four categories, entries from Primary schools, Secondary schools, and Learning Support.  Then quilters and crafters alike got behind the idea and the entries poured in for the Open Section. Over 100 entries were received, and the criteria was to use a recognisable portion of one or more of the colourful Cancer Society’s bandannas.

 

Many featured butterflies or hearts

 

Loved the English bus

Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer,  so it was good to see all the bright and colourful works of art bring a positive message. 

August Remnants Night

I was a little late getting to Remnants Night on Friday as I was recovering from my daughter’s lunchtime  Big Birthday Bash in Palmy.  My goodness – I was full after that large lunch!  But I made it to the Art Centre to find a small elite group working on their various projects.  Janneke was busy finishing off a whole pile of little drawstring bags she was making for the Health Camp kids for toiletries.  As often happens, this job took far longer than she thought it would.  And continuing with good deeds, Janneke was also hand quilting a Lone Star quilt to be given as a charity quilt.  The quilt top was kindly donated by Cheryl.

Lone Star charity quilt

Sandra was machine quilting another charity quilt for Ronald McDonald, while Linda was doing something completely different – taking the scissors to her favourite nighty.  But she had worn it to death, she said, and was unpicking it to use the parts as a pattern to make a new one in the same style.  Wendy had the cutest pattern for Tea Cup Dollies and she had already made quite a few, but wasn’t quite ready to stop yet, she said.

Pattern for Tea Cup Dollies

Ute and her young daughter were there too, both busy at their sewing machines, while I was sitting stitching on another of my ABC Christmas blocks, trying to finish off “C is for Candle”.  Didn’t quite get it done by I’m almost there.

Last few days to see Suitcase Exhibition

If you haven’t already popped into Te Takere Library to see the travelling Suitcase Exhibition, time is running out.  I returned again today to view these 21 small works of art, and as often happens, noticed things I never did first time around.  Here are a few which took my fancy.

Sonja Revell is a name we all know, the current President of Rose City Quilters,  and she was our Speaker in July.  I love soft and pretty quilts and “There are Tuis in my Garden” is delightful.  An original design featuring tuis, kowhai flowers and ferns – what could be more Kiwi than that?

Paying homage to our cousins across the ditch is “Australian Desert” by Carole Sorrel.  This is an abstract interpretation of the colourful Australian desert, and is hand quilted with perle cotton.

 

And now for something completely different - “Hopscotch”, by Alison Laurence.  This original design was inspired by memories of schooldays in the playground.

 

Do go along to see the exhibition – you won’t be disappointed.

Friday Night is Remnants Night

Coming up fast – the next Remnants Night is Friday 28th August, at the Art Society Rooms, Bath Street.  Come along any time from 5.30pm, and early birds bring something for the shared meal.  Tea and coffee supplied, and occasionally chocolate fish make an appearance.

If you can’t make it for the shared meal, just drop in when you can.  (I will be coming along a little later in the evening, after we have recovered from my daughter’s  big family birthday lunch in Palmy).

As always, there is plenty of room at the big tables for those who wish to bring their sewing machines and need to spread out, or take hand stitching if you wish, the choice is yours.   There is always good company, help on hand if required, plenty of fun and companionship.  Hope to see you there.

August Club Night

Our monthly meeting started with a “Special Meeting” where the Proposal presenting the Review of the Finance Committee was passed and adopted.  With that important piece of business out of the way, the meeting continued.  The last of the Symposium Tea-towels went in a flash, at only $2 each they were such a bargain.  Raffles were drawn,  with Heather Easton and Moira Parsons being the lucky winners.

I was on Show and Tell duty and up on stage so couldn’t take notes of all the lovely quilts,  but hopefully I remembered a few facts.  This lovely Blue Basket quilt was made by Griet and will be donated to Ronald McDonald House.  Griet loves to use up all her bits and pieces and both the background blocks and the baskets are pieced from scraps.

  Blue Basket quilt made by Griet

Lesley had made a pretty kiddies quilt featuring machine embroidered blocks.  Not sure who this is going to, but it is sure to be well loved.

Lesley’s quilt with machine embroidered blocks

And Carol had made a very pretty quilt featuring hand embroidery, and bordered with lovely rose fabric. 

  Carol’s quilt with hand embroidered blocks.

Instead of a speaker arranged for the evening, we had Four Corners, with four of our talented members demonstrating different techniques.  Lynne had several Mystery Blocks to show, and people were most interested in how these were achieved.  And Cheryl sat quietly stitching away on her Suffolk Puffs, or Yo-yos.  I was interested to see that she turned the outside edge of her circle over, before stitching, something I don’t bother to do.  Guess that is why her Yo-yos are so much neater than mine!

Cheryl demonstrating Suffolk Puffs

Sandra was busy in another corner showing how to join Quilt as You Go blocks, and Diane had lots of interest as she demonstrated printing on fabric using specially prepared sheets which are available commercially.  

Diane showing how to print on fabric

It was another interesting club night, and special thanks to Val who was on kitchen duties and brought along a plate of delicious Ginger Gems for our supper.  I can attest that they were delicious!

New Zealand Suitcase Exhibition now at Te Takere Library

This touring exhibition is a collection of 21 selected entries from the Quilt Symposium Manawatu 2015 Exhibition.  We are very fortunate to have them in our home town, so do pop along to the library and check them out.

You will have to have a good look to find Griet Lombard’s “Touch the Stars”, as it is around the corner from the other quilts.  “An original design, using recycled fabrics to bring the old into a new quilt future”.   Griet was awarded Merit Inspired Fibres” for this lovely work of art.

“Touch the Stars”, by Griet Lombard

The quilts are on show from Monday 10 August till Sunday 30th August 2015 before being packed up and sent to pastures new.  I will need to return again,  I feel, to take in all these lovely little quilts hanging at Te Takere. 

Club Night on Wednesday

Don’t forget that our next club night is coming up fast – Wednesday 12th August at 7.30pm.

There will be a Special Meeting – Review of Finance Sub Committee.  The Terms of Reference has been sent out via e-mail.  Due to changes made to the original document, please print out the second copy of this document (sent out on 8th August) and bring it along to the meeting.

To those members who do not receive notices by e-mail, please disregard the Terms of Reference posted out with your August newsletter. As there was not enough time available to post out the amended copy of the document before the August club night, a copy will be available  to these members tomorrow night.

After the Special Meeting we are once again running the popular Four Corners.  Come along and learn hints and tips from Dianne, Lynne, Cheryl and Sandra. 

Symposium Tea Towels will be available for sale at $2 each

Hope to see you all there.