Connecting the blog

Art quilts in Queanbeyan

2012-01-31T15:12:00.000+11:00

Australia Wide Two

A touring exhibition by Ozquilt Network Inc

7-25February 2012

A touringexhibition by Ozquilt Network Inc: Australia’s National organisation for ArtQuilters.

Stitched andlayered works showcasing original and diverse interpretations of contemporary

textile artfrom Australia’s leading and emerging quilt artists.

Opening night

Tuesday 7 February 5:30pm– 7:30pm
Opening by Dianne Firth6:00pm
Associate Professor and Headof Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra
Member of Ozquilt Network Inc

'The Q' Exhibition Space
Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre
Lowe Street Queanbeyan
6285 6290 www.theq.net.au
Weekdays 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am - 3pm

Details of image:

Quilt# 6 Colour Patch Series: Yellow & White

SueDennis
SunnybankQLD

ROWmakers for 2012 & recap images for 2011 (Long post)

2012-01-29T12:19:00.000+11:00

In 10 days (8 Feb) the first ROWmakers meeting will be held for 2012. This is the set-up meeting for the year, where we draw out our first month's ingredients. Those of you who signed up for this year should have an email today from Joanne, detailing this year's design focus, some hints for preparing for a well-designed quilt and the lists of ingredients.

This year we can choose to go in a different direction and produce a feature block each month, incorporating the chosen ingredients. We are each creating our own block-of-the-month. Makers can still go with the row format if they want to. Each month we will publish the ingredients here, as well as in-progress images.

We had a lot of fun last year and here are the quilts (finished in some cases) that were shown at our last get together of the year. We were all amazed at the diversity of interpretation!
Those of you who are able should bring your work to the evening meeting on 2 Feb for show and tell.

Position Vacant...

2012-01-25T10:06:00.000+11:00

At the evening meeting we normally have a couple of people at the welcome desk - getting members and guests to sign in, collect their lucky-door tickets and to answer any questions.
This role is a fun one - you get to meet with lots of people, and is usually taken on by a friendship group. The team that has been doing it for a while now are retiring from the role and Canberra Quilters committee are seeking someone or another friendship group to take over. If you are interested please contact the President, Melinda.

Our next evening meeting is on Thursday 2 February, 7.30pm start. This is the teachers' and sponsors' night- so come along and see what is on offer this year.

Happy New Year & welcome back!

2012-01-13T09:02:00.000+11:00

Canberra Quilters Inc premises have reopened after a break for the holidays. Today is a drop-in day from 10am until 4pm. Everybody welcome.
Next Monday night from 7.30 until 9.30pm is the first evening drop-in for the year.

From now on we are back to our regular cycle of meetings and drop-in days (Wednesdays and Fridays). Just a reminder that the library will be available at a number of these drop-ins, as well as the meetings.

See you all soon!

Opportunity for Canberra Quilters' members

2011-12-14T19:17:00.000+11:00

The Wesley Uniting Church at Forrest holds its fete on 17 March 2012. Canberra Quilters have been invited to participate by selling hand-crafted items, similar to what is sold in the Sales Room at our Annual Exhibition. Members would be acting as individual sellers, not through Canberra Quilters.

If you are interested in participating you need to sign up with the Wesley organising committee. All the details are on the Wesley website. Here is a link - Wesley church fete - craft

Evening Meeting - 1 December

2011-11-30T13:57:00.000+11:00

This is the final evening meeting for the year. It is also the meeting for the reveal of the Mini-Quilt Challenge. The theme is "Stars". The item needs to be no larger than 24 inches in any dimension and represent the theme is some way. It could be through fabric choice or the overall design.
You also have the opportunity to attach a 300 word story relating to the quilt.

A toy drive is being conducted for local women's refuges. Baskets will be available at the meeting for you to drop off new (UNWRAPPED) toys.
The library is open from 7.00pm, closing at meeting start time of 7.30pm and re-opening after the formal part of the meeting is finished.

Also a reminder that membership fees are due. Canberra Quilters membership runs for the calendar year. Membership fees are accepted at the meeting or through the post. Annual fee is $46, Junior Member is $16.50.

Wonderful Wednesday Christmas Meeting - 16 November

2011-11-24T15:38:00.000+11:00

It was a fun meeting with lots of Christmas decorations and food!
We received $81.25 in donations as votes for the Christmas challenges. This will be topped up to $100 and donated to the women's refuge.
Below is a link to some images taken at the meeting.
Link to skydrive
Next WW will be on January 18th, from 9.30. and all ROWers are encouraged to come along and display their row quilts.

Merry Christmas.

Jacquie

Call for entries - Antique Quilts of Ireland

2011-11-24T15:19:00.000+11:00

We have received the following request:

Call for Entries - Antique Quilts of Ireland Exhibit at the Galway City Museum.

We are looking for antique Irish quilts to feature at the Galway City Museum during the 1^st International Quilt Festival of Ireland (June 7-10, 2012). We would like to feature quilts especially around the time of the Great Famine (1845) and up to 1930.

These quilts will be on display for three weeks at the Galway City Museum starting from one week before the festival to one week after the festival. All quilts will be showcased in our festival program and in our online Showcase of Quilts.

How to submit:

If you’re interested in sharing one of your Antique Quilts please contact Suz at suz@iqfoi.com for all submissions and questions. IQFOI will pay the costs of shipping to and from Ireland.

Many thanks

Alan R Tremain

Director – Oz Quilt Design

Guest Speaker tonight - Life Member Beryl Hodges

2011-11-03T10:34:00.000+11:00

At the evening meeting tonight our guest speaker is Beryl Hodges. Beryl is a life member and former president and has been quilting for many years. Beryl will present "A Personal Retrospective".
Meeting starts at 7.30pm at the Cook Community Hub Hall.

The library is open before the meeting (from 7.00pm) and after the meeting - in the Canberra Quilters Room in Building C.

Braidwood Quilt Event - Deadline approaches for entries

2011-10-18T13:51:00.000+11:00

This year, a local Braidwood business, Cortona Resources, is offering an acquisitive award of $1,000 for an art quilt at the Braidwood Quilt Event with the theme

"We are Australian".

As well as this acquisitive award, there is the usual $200 prize for viewers' choice at the indoor exhibition (the main competition, which is open from the official opening on the Friday night, to the end of the day on the Sunday), plus an additional $200 prize for the viewers' choice winner of the outdoor exhibition (the Airing of the Quilts which is held on the Saturday only). There are some other cash prizes on offer as well, plus the usual other kinds of prizes for various categories.

The deadline for receipt of entry forms is Monday October 24, 2011, and the quilts must be received by Monday November 14, 2011.

The actual Braidwood Quilt Event runs from the evening of Friday November 25 (6 pm for the official opening, till about 7:30 pm), to Sunday November 27. If you'd like more info about categories, entry fees, etc. go to the website www.braidwoodquiltevent.org.au or email Jill (the Braidwood Quilters president) on dunvegan@activ8.net.au

You can also phone Jill on (02) 4842 2626, or June (vice president, and owner of the Braidwood Quilt Shop) on (02) 4842 2355.

Wonderful Wednesday Meeting on 19/10

2011-10-17T17:50:00.001+11:00

A message from our meeting co-ordinator Jacquie...

The next meeting is in the Community Hall at the Cook Hub, starting at 9.30pm
This meeting starts our lead up to Christmas with a Christmas Fabric Lucky Dip.
So parcel up about a fat quarter of Christmas Fabric from your stash and bring it along. In exchange you will get some fabric that another member could do without and then the fun begins.

You will have a month to incorporate this fabric into something to bring along to the WW Christmas meeting on 16 November.
We will have a fundraising competition at the November meeting. No exchanging of gifts this year we are going to raise some money for a local charity.
You will be displaying the item you made incorporating the Lucky Dip Fabric. This item must have wadding but need not be a quilt. It could be a stuffed animal, a tea cozy or perhaps a Christmas Tree decoration – whatever you feel like making.
There will be prizes for the best ones.

ROWmakers meeting today- final ingredients revealed

2011-10-12T17:26:00.000+11:00

Joanne West reports on today's meeting...
We had another very enjoyable meeting this morning. The design walls were full again. By my count, it looks like we'll have about 30 quilts to show off. I think that's fantastic!

I'm glad we finally have the INGREDIENTS for the final row. To make things easier, I came up with a bit of a twist this time. We chose two ingredients from each list - but YOU ONLY HAVE TO USE ONE OF EACH..... YOU CHOOSE!!!!!

From the first list the INGREDIENTS are : BASKETS or BIRDS/ANIMALS (You choose which one you'd prefer).

From the second list the INGREDIENTS are : PINK or BLACK (Again, you choose which one of these two you prefer).

The ladies who chose these were Helen Percy, Mary Robertson, Pat Kenna and Pam McNamara.

I hope this makes it easier for everyone to finish. At the end of this post I'll include a complete list in case anyone is not sure.
Next month our meeting will be on Wednesday 9 November. As well as our usual show-and-tell we'll have a Share-a-Technique session and a discussion of the guidelines for next year's challenge. We'll also be discussing arrangements for our Christmas party on Wednesday 14 December. If you'd like some input, be sure to come along. Also, feel free to bring along any friends who may be interested in joining us next year. And don't forget that the design walls are a great resource for anyone wanting to arrange their rows (with free "expert" advice thrown in).

Have fun finishing your rows and bring them along next month.

LIST OF INGREDIENTS

1. DIAMONDS/HEXAGONS and PURPLE

2 .CIRCLES/CURVES and YELLOW
3. STARS and STRIPES
4. BUTTERFLIES/BUGS/BEES and ORANGE
5. FLOWERS/TREES/LEAVES and GREEN
6. HEARTS and APPLIQUE
7. WORDS and BLUE
8. BASKETS or BIRDS/ANIMALS and PINK or BLACK

Theme for Wonderful Wednesday Meeting on 21/9

2011-09-20T09:15:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow is the Wonderful Wednesday meeting in the Community Hall at the Cook Hub. The themed show & tell is "First and Last" - members and visitors are encouraged to bring along their first quilt and the last one that they have made.
Starts at 9.30 until 12.30. Sewing and chat until 11.00, when the formal proceedings start.
The meeting is followed by a drop-in session in the Canberra Quilters' room, in the building adjacent to the hall. This runs until 4pm.

Quilts For Others (QFO) working bee - 13/9

2011-09-09T10:22:00.000+10:00

The next QFO day will be on Tuesday 13 September from 10am until 2.30pm - come along and help where you can. It could be quilting, sewing for a quilt-as-you-go quilt, hand-sewing bindings and labels, cutting, pin-basting...there are any number of activities you can help with. The working bees are held on the second Tuesday of the month (excluding December and January).

Tea and coffee supplied - BYO lunch.
If you are going to be sewing by machine you can bring YOUR machine and sewing accessories, OR use one of the four Bernina machines that Canberra Quilters own for just this purpose - whatever you feel comfortable with.
At the recent members exhibition at the Quilt and Craft Fair QFO volunteers were busy sewing. Bernina provide us with loan machines for the exhibition - the 440 Quilters Edition. Here are a couple of images of volunteers hard at work...

Yvonne is sewing strips on a quilt-as-you-block. In the background you can see a completed quilt using this technique.

Anieta is quilting one of the quilts prepared at a QFO working bee. Quilting in public is fun - but you have to be able to sew and talk at the same time. Members of the public love to ask lots of questions!

So far this year 131 quilts have been handed over to various organisations. This includes 67 that were distributed to Karinya, Marymead, Ted Noffs Foundation, Anglicare, Uniting Care and the Women's Housing Program. Sometimes quilts are given to organisations to use as fund-raisers through raffles or auctions. Four quilts in this category were given to Make-A-Wish, Gungahlin Lions Club, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and two were given to Calvary Hospital.

Workshop on Basics of Dyeing(with fibre reactive dyes) September 10

2011-09-05T10:06:00.000+10:00

This Saturday CQ accredited teacher Mary Kennedy will be leading a workshop in hand-dyeing using Procion MX fibre reactive dyes. You will learn the basics of dyeing and come away with 12 fat quarters of hand-dyed fabric - be initiated into this wonderful world of colour!
Class runs from 10-3 at Strathnairn Arts Association, 90 Stockdill Road, Holt. Cost is $55, including materials fee. Contact workshop coordinator Jakki Cashman to secure your place: jakkicashman@homemail.com.au

Art Quilters Meeting - 10 September

2011-09-05T09:55:00.000+10:00

The Art Quilters special interest group of Canberra Quilters meets this Saturday at our Cook headquarters.
The meeting starts at 10.30am and there will be a mini workshop on screen printing, presented by Anne Dickens. Contact Buffy Beggs for more details.

Row by Row - round 5 (July)

2011-08-28T11:23:00.000+10:00

In July our 5th row was due. The elements to be included were the colour green and flowers, trees or leaves.
The quilts are starting to form into cohesive works now - colour themes and styles are more obvious. Japanese styles, beige/ cream pallette, white background, yellow background, garden-themed, child-themed - the variety is amazing given we are incorporating the same elements each row.
In some ways this is testing members to keep with their chosen direction and also incorporate the chosen elements.

We have had a break for the month of August because the annual exhibition was on, but the next meeting is only 2 1/2 weeks away so it is time to get sewing. The elements chosen for inclusion are hearts and applique.
This could be a trial for those who have pieced everything so far (your truly).
See you on 14 September for a 10.30 start. This will be our 6th row - we will be three quarters of the way with our rows.
Liz Rose

Ask a Quilter - All About Applique

2011-08-28T10:59:00.000+10:00

Every few months Canberra Quilters hosts an afternoon called Ask a Quilter. The latest one was about applique and was led by member Elaine Jones. Below are a couple of images taken on the day... Elaine is the person holding the more elaborate blocks.

Raffle Winners 2011

2011-08-15T09:34:00.000+10:00

Yesterday at 4pm the Canberra Quilters' Raffle was drawn. Winning ticket holders get to choose their prize from the prize list.
The first drawn ticket was 04414 - Jane Tasker of Cowra. Jane chose the Bernina B330 sewing machine as her prize.
The second drawn ticket was 1416 - Pam Alexander of Tuross Head. Pam chose the quilt by Kath Hunt as her prize.
The third drawn ticket was 1989 - Maryann Davis of Ulladulla. Maryann received the remiaing prize of a Tru Blu Quilting Frame from Brindabella Quilting Systems.

Congratulations to all our visitors on winning a raffle prize. We hope you enjoyed your visit to the quilt show.

Results of judging - Canberra Quilters Exhibition - Long post

2011-08-11T10:00:00.011+10:00

Judging for the exhibition took place on Tuesday, 9 August, and the results have been embargoed until now.

The exhibition was opened by Pamela Tawton, long-standing, award- winning quilter, today.
Below is a long post detailing the places awarded in each category and the special awards. Images of these quilts and clothing items will appear soon on the Canberra Quilters website. http://www.canberraquilters.org.au/

Pamela chose the recipients of the Margaret Amistead and Allan Armistead (junior quiltmaker) awards - for a first time exhibitor.
These went to Silvia Foira for Tropical Flower (Margaret Armistead) and Charlotte Jackson (Allan Armistead) for Paradise Playground.

Judging Results:
Category 1: Bed Quilt (non-professional)

1 Elaine Niit, Floral Windows
2 Karin Malmberg, Karin’s Saffron Sari
3 Beth Mackay, Timeless Blessings

Category 2: Bed Quilt (professional)
No awards made due to insufficient entries

Category 3: Wall Quilt (non-professional)

1 Jenny Houston, Red Centre
2 Silvia Foira, Cottage in the Cotswolds
3 Helen Rose, Kamon and Kimono – Fat Quarters Challenge
Highly Commended - Christine Gainey, Chinese Coins for Christmas

Category 4: Wall Quilt (professional)
1 Nobuko Miyake, Tea Bowls
2 Beth Miller, The Elephant
3 Dianne Firth, Field
Highly Commended - Beth Reid, Penny Rug

Category 5:Mixed Media Quilt (open)
1 Helen Godden, Lilli Marlene
2 Dianne Firth, Rain
3 Yvonne Williams, Poppy Stages
Highly Commended - Susan Blood, Unfashionable

Category 6: Art Quilt (open)
1 Helen Godden, Freedom
2 Beth Miller, Emu
3 Elizabeth Rose, Pathways

Category 7: Group Quilt (open)
1 Helen Godden, Seasonal Sisters
2 Robyn McPherson, Connecting Threads- Line of Design – Red
3 Elizabeth Rose, Gourmet Rows

Category 8: Commercially-Quilted Quilt (open)
1 Pat Godden, Japanese Windows
Quilted by Fran Wilson-Willowpatch
2 Sylvia Frazer, Journey of a Quilter
Quilted by Robyn Cawdron – Plain and Fancy
3 Katy Ciacia, Beach Days for Lotte
Quilted by Fran Wilson - Willowpatch
Highly Commended - Elaine Niit, Moondance
Quilted by Kay White – Kay’s Quilts

Category 9: Challenge Quilt (open)
Theme: Home
1 Helen Godden, At Home in his Arms
2 Anieta Barandrecht, Fragile: Handle with Care
3 Elizabeth Rose, Living on the Crescent
Highly Commended - Janet Cruise, Home is where the heart is

Category 10: Tiny Treasure Quilt (open)
1 Brenda Gael Smith, Dreamline #4: Lorikeet
2 Patricia Butron, Turning Triangles – Revisited
3 Lyn Steel, Memories of Japan
Highly Commended - Dianne Firth, Erosion

Category 11:Creative Clothing - Classic
1 Donna Sunderland, Dragonfly II
2 Irma Armytage, Japonesque Top
3 Jacquie Rogers, Asymmetrical Vest

Category 12: Creative Clothing – Art to Wear
1 Dell Armistead, Everything Old is New Again
2 Sandra Farley, Falling Leaves
3 Dawn Wilson, Fern Fronds

Category 13: Creative Clothing – Accessories
1 Patricia Butron, Fold, twist, stitch and shout
2 Louise Fredericks, Denim Bag
3 Lynn Steel, Scrappy Bag
Highly Commended - Andrea Carew, Am I ever at Home?!

Category 14: Creative Clothing – Challenge
1 Andrea Carew, Home is Where you Hang Your Hat
2 Dell Armistead, Black and White and Read All Over
3 Louise Fredericks, Granny’s Home

Category 15: Quilts by children(up to 12)
1 Ineka Voigt, Apple
2 Talitha Thompson, My Secret Garden
3 Charlotte Jackson, Paradise Playground
Highly Commended - Kristina Butron, LKKB, that’s me

Category 16: Quilts by youth (13-17)
1 Stacey Waring, Desire

SPECIAL AWARDS
Bernina Best of Show
Helen Godden, Freedom

Best Use of Colour
Helen Godden, Lilli Marlene

Chiatanya Designs Embellishment Award
Helen Godden, Seasonal Sisters

Retaining the Tradition
Elaine Niit, Floral Windows

Excellence in Hand Quilting

Nobuko Miyake, Tea Bowls

Bernina Excellence Award for a Junior Quilt Maker
Ineka Voigt, Apple

Canberra Quilters Exhibition Opens Tomorrow

2011-08-10T20:49:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow (Thursday) the Canberra Quilters Exhibition opens at 10.00 until 4.30pm. It continues each day through until 4.30pm on Sunday.
As well as the exhibition, don't miss the famous Sales Room of handmade goods by Caberra Quilters members. Good qulaity fabric related items - including many quilts.
Demonstrations by Quilts For Others watch quilts being made for charity. Buy a raffle ticket. You can also visit the Craft Fair attached to the exhibition.

Elements by tACTile

2011-08-05T19:40:00.000+10:00

This exhibition is on at the ANCA gallery until 14 August. Note the gathering tomorrow, 6 August at 3pm, to meet the artists and Ruth Hadlow.
All the members of tACTile are also members of Canberra Quilters Inc. ANCA is not far from the EPIC venue where the Canberra Quilters Exhibition will be held next week, so you can fit in a visit to both exhibitions.
The image below is of Beth Miller's work 'The rain', 2011.

Lost phone at 4 August meeting

2011-08-05T14:27:00.000+10:00

One of our members lost her mobile phone at last night's meeting. It is an older model silver Nokia. If you find it or know where it is please contact Leonie on 62862868.

Quilt Delivery Day - Saturday 30 July 2011

2011-07-27T17:16:00.001+10:00

This Saturday is delivery day for items entered in our Annual Members Exhibition. Items can be dropped off at Canberra Quilters headquarters at Cook, between 9am and 6pm. If you can't deliver personally then get a friend or family member to drop off your items.
All quilts must have a sleeve attached to the back of the quilt for hanging and/or security. Please refer to the latest issue (June) of Connecting Threads for the details.
Liz Rose
Exhibition Secretary

Members' success at Sydney Quilt Show - June 2011

2011-07-07T13:20:00.000+10:00

Several members of Canberra Quilters Inc are also members of the Quilters Guild of NSW. At the recent exhibition at Darling Harbour three members enjoyed success in the judged part of the show. Congratulations to Helen Godden ( Art Quilt, Colour and Viewers' Choice), Ineka Voigt (Junior Quiltmaker A) and Beth Miller (Mixed Media).
Here is a link to the website with images of the quilts that won awards and prizes - www.quiltersguildnsw.com/quiltshow

Twelve by Twelve @ July Evening Meeting

2011-07-01T13:34:00.002+10:00

Come along to the evening meeting at Cook on Thursday, 7 July to hear CQ member Brenda Gael Smith share insights and inspiration from her experience with the Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Challenge which is also the subject of a new book.

Brenda will give a slideshow presentation and also bring along an extensive collection of 12x12in quilts including her contributions to the group’s current Colourplay challenge.

Beneath the Southern Sky:Call for Entries

2011-06-27T16:26:00.008+10:00

Beneath the Southern Sky is a travelling exhibition of contemporary textile works to be displayed at the Australasian Quilt Convention and other venues in 2012. All textile artists are invited to submit an entry exploring the theme Beneath the Southern Sky. Each work will be in a 40x100cm (W x L) banner format and up to 30 works may be selected.

To submit an entry, please review the Conditions of Entry and complete the Online Entry Form. The closing date for entries is 25 January 2012.

For more information, see www.beneathsouthernsky.com or contact info@beneathsouthernsky.com

Publishing Opportunity

2011-06-17T06:10:00.001+10:00

Would you like to see your quilt published in a book by well-known publisher Lark Books?
They are currently seeking work to be included in the Lark Crafts second book in the Art Quilt Portfolio series, which will focus on "People and Portraits."
If your work focuses on people and you are interested in being published, the Call for Consideration forms are now available on Lark's website: www.larkcrafts.com/submit/calls-for-submissions

Deadline for submissions is 15 August 2011

Wonderful Wednesday - 15 June

2011-06-16T11:14:00.001+10:00

We has around 52 people present at the Wonderful Wednesday meeting yesterday. There was the usual chat, stitch and cups of tea and coffee. The "bring and buy" saw some members selling their goods. Member Shuji from Wabi-Sabi Design was also there selling his Japanese fabric - fat quarters or by the metre.

Here is a view of some of the "Bring and Buy":

At the next Wonderful Wednesday meeting on 20 July , Clare Ayling will be present selling her latest shipment of batik fabric from Bali. The themed show & tell is quilts ( or anything really) made with batik fabric.

Row by Row Meeting - 8 June

2011-06-14T10:56:00.000+10:00

On 8 June the Row-by-Row meeting was held. The elements to be incorporated in this month's row were butterflies, bees, bugs and the colour orange. Not everyone was able to make it - illness for some, and the fact that it was only 5 degrees C and windy meant others didn't want to venture out. For the 20 who made it there were some great interpretations presented.
Here are some images:

Dragonfly fabric solved the bug challenge

Nasturtiums and butterflies by Pat, Orange Peel block and bug fabric
by Karin

Closeup of the nasturtiums

Berys is working on two quilts for this challenge- this is number 1

This is number 2

Joanne made her fourth "row" the corner blocks for the border

Closeup of some of Joanne's blocks

Sandra is going to turn her rows into a jacket

Butterflies and dragonflies - quilts as you go

For some it is producing a landscape, for others it's just crazy!

Sometimes there are leftovers - this will become a cot quilt for QFO

The elements for the next row were chosen by Robyn and Joan. Robyn chose "flowers, trees & leaves" and Joan really helped us all by choosing the colour green. The next meeting is on 13 July. We then have a break until September while the Canberra Quilters Exhibition is on. Catchup time for some of us, perhaps?

Guest at Thursday meeting- 5 June

2011-05-31T18:00:00.000+10:00

At the Thursday evening meeting this week Jill Grant from kimoYES will be the guest speaker. Come along to hear about Japanese fabric. Jill will also have items for sale.
Jill is a Canberra local who loves Japanese fabric. Her website is www.kimoyes.com.au - so you can have a sneak peak at what she has for sale.
Meeting room opens at 7.15 for a 7.45pm start - in the Cook Community Hub Hall. See you there.

In keeping with the Japanese theme bring along any Japanese-style quilts for a special show & tell. It could be the fabrics you have used, the style of piecing or applique or quilting.

Biggest Morning Tea - A Cancer Council Fundraiser

2011-05-28T16:01:00.001+10:00

Every year during May the Cancer Councils around Australia encourage organisations to host a morning tea in order to raise funds for cancer research and support of patients.
For a number of years Canberra Quilters has hosted a morning tea - or an extended lunch - dubbed the Biggest Quilting Bee. This year it was held on Sunday, 22 May, at the Community Hub Hall at Cook - in the same complex of buildings as our headquarters.
Members had a fine old time from 11am until 3pm. The tables were groaning with tasty food - "bring-a-plate" brings out the best in the quilting cooks. The raffle tables were piled with donated prizes. Everyone had fun trying to complete the puzzles, chatting to friends, getting a little stitching done - and eating and drinking.

food, glorious food

What's a quilting bee without a bee?

Many, many prizes to choose from

Hard at work on the puzzles

Chat, sew, read, eat, drink...

Are you sure that's the answer?

At the end of it all...cleanup

A total of $1301.40 was raised on the day. Congratulations to Mary Robertson and her team and to all who attended. Special thanks to our MC - VP Tricia Morton.

Row by Row Meeting - 11 May

2011-05-28T15:49:00.001+10:00

On 11 May the ROW makers had their meeting to reveal the results of the third row. Below are images taken on the day - in most cases showing the three rows completed by each person. Some definite styles and directions are emerging - through choice of fabrics and techniques.

The next meeting will be on 8 June. The two elements to be included in the next row are bugs/butterflies/bees and the colour orange. Once again this can be interpreted in many ways - it may be appliqued butterflies, pieced bugs or incorporating a bug fabric. Orange can range from the palest apricot, through a true orange to a deep rust.

Lut-Da Award shared by Canberra Quilter - Iris Hockley (Life Member)

2011-04-28T10:37:00.001+10:00

The annual Lut-Da Award goes to a quilter who has made an outstanding contribution to their local or quilting community via the medium of quilting. It is presented at the Australasian Quilt Convention awards dinner.
This year the award was shared between our own Iris Hockley and Roslyn Moules of NSW for their work in community quilts.
For many years Iris was the convener of the Quilts for Others program of Canberra Quilters. She handed over late last year, but this is a fitting tribute to Iris and national recognition for the work she has done with this program.
Congratulations to Iris and the other hardworking volunteers in the Quilts for Others program.

The next QFO working bee is on 10 May - 10.30am until 2.30pm.

ROWmakers meeting - Wednesday 13/4

2011-04-27T10:36:00.000+10:00

The last meeting on 13 April came up with a name for the meeting - ROW (Rowdy On Wednesdays)makers, courtesy of Sandra Farley. The name reflects the energy and enthusiasm of the group. Thirty five people attended, including a visitor from the UK.

Here are some images of the rows- two having been completed. Some people have chosen a vertical orientation, instead of the more usual horizontal.

The next elements to be incorporated are stars (chosen by Jacquie Rogers) and stripes (chosen by Margrit Davies). The next meeting of ROWmakers is on Wednesday 18 April, 10.00 am for a 10.30 start. See you there with your three completed rows!

Carol Taylor workshop - The Value of Value

2011-04-27T10:21:00.000+10:00

Canberra Quilters hosted international tutor Carol Taylor for a three-day workshop 19-21 April. Below are some of the images from the workshop. Despite having to evacuate for a fire alarm on Thursday we all had a great time and learned something new.

Carol's work:

Two students hard at work (Jenny and Janet):

Our class photos, on the steps at Cook:

Year of the Rabbit

2011-04-27T09:22:00.000+10:00

Our April evening meeting was the deadline for entries in the Year of the Rabbit mini-quilt challenge. Below are images of the entries received. By popular vote, the first quilt was selected as a winner - of a basket of mini-chocolate eggs, of course!

Quilts For Others (QFO) working bee - 12/4

2011-04-09T07:37:00.001+10:00

Quilts for Others is holding its monthly working bee on Tuesday 12 April, from 10.00 am till 2.30pm. Come along to help out with kit preparation, sewing blocks, cutting strips, binding, basting tops ready for quilting, even do some quilting.
Catch up with old friends and sew for a cause. Bring your lunch and stay all day! Coffee, tea and snacks provided.
All the quilts made by QFO are donated to various charities in the ACT. These include Mary Mead, Ted Noffs Foundation, various nursing homes and refuges, Karinya House for mothers and babies. The charities use the quilts as they see fit - for their clients or as a raffle prize for fund-raising purposes.

Busy Week for Canberra Quilters

2011-04-08T08:49:00.001+10:00

After the meeting last night we continue with a busy week for Canberra Quilters.
Today is the usual Friday drop-in. Tomorrow (Sat) the Art Quilters meet and are having a demonstration and mini-workshop on fabric painting by Lyn Steel.
On Monday the first evening drop-in will occur. This will be a regular occurrence, on the second-Monday-of-the-month, from 7.00pm-9.30pm .
On Tuesday the regular Quilts For Others (QFO) working bee will be held from 10- 2.30. Come along to help - baste quilts, cut strips, sew blocks, quilt (!), bind and label.
On Wednesday in the morning is the meeting 10 for a 10.30 start, until 12.30. This meeting revolves around the row-by-row challenge. It is followed by the regular Wednesday drop-in until 4.00pm.
On Friday it is drop-in day again!

Row by Row Meeting - 9 March

2011-03-10T16:05:00.000+11:00

At the second gathering of the row-by-row meeting on the 2nd Wednesday we saw some of the "first rows" - they had to incorporate hexagons or diamonds and the colour purple. As you can see from the images there is a wide range of responses in meeting these requirements.

Some of the first rows

Hexagons and diamonds in various guises

Japanese folded hexagons, diamond chain

Batik diamonds, Japanese-style hexagons

Members at work

The next meeting is on 13 April, 10.00 for a 10.30 formal start. The two ingredients to be included in the next row are "circles or curves" and the colour "yellow". Remember these elements can be incorporated in any way you choose - subtle or wild!

Australian Council of Quilters Conference

2011-02-18T10:47:00.000+11:00

Canberra Quilters Inc is delighted to be the host of the Australian Council of Quilters conference, this weekend 19-20 February. This is held annually and has delegates from each of the state-based guilds, plus ACT, Darwin and Alice Springs. Guilds take it in turns to host the conference.

The venue for the conference will be the Canberra Quilters' Headquarters at the Cook Community Hub. Delegates are staying nearby at the Belconnen Premier Inn. The Conference Dinner will also be at the Inn.

Topics on the agenda include Teacher Accreditation, various issues dealing with exhibitions, valuation, newsletters and use of electronic media, response to natural disasters.

Some early-arriving delegates from Darwin and South Australia were able to attend the Wednesday meeting and enjoy our company. Canberra Quilters welcomes all delegates and hope you have a fruitful conference and an enjoyable time in our region.

2nd Wednesday Meeting - Row by Row Challenge

2011-02-09T18:42:00.000+11:00

Canberra Quilters held the inaugural new meeting today - the "second Wednesday of the month" meeting. Throughout the year this meeting will focus on a Row-by-Row Challenge - approximately 40 members have signed up.

Each participant makes their own quilt row-by-row, one row a month. Each row must contain two ingredients, one drawn from each of two lists. Each month those who have completed the previous month's task will go into the draw to choose an ingredient. Once an ingredient has been chosen, it is crossed off the list.
The ingredients chosen at this meeting were "diamonds/hexagons" and "purple". So we now have to make a row incorporating those two things. A great deal of discussion occurred after these were chosen. Diamonds could be part of a block, blocks set on point, fabric with diamond shapes. Purple could be a major colour component of the row, a tiny sliver of fabric, or a small part of the print.
Below is a photo of similar quilts from another version of this challenge. They were all made with the same ingredient pairings so there can be huge variety in what can be achieved.
For example in one quilt we have applique baskets, and the other two have basket-weave piecing. This satisfied the basket ingredient.

Looking forward to next month's rows being revealed.

New Year - additional meeting

2011-01-31T17:22:00.000+11:00

Happy New Year everyone. We have resumed meetings and drop-ins at the Canberra Quilters premises at Cook. February will be the first full month of the new meeting timetable. If you wish, you will be able to attend a Canberra Quilters meeting every week. There are also drop ins scheduled every Wednesday (10-4) and Friday (1-4) so you can come and use the space then as well.

First Thursday of the month is the evening meeting. It is a more formal meeting held in the Community Hall adjacent to our premises at Cook. Start time is 7.45pm. Our library is open from 7pm, in the CQ room in Block C.
Second Wednesday of the month, from 10am until 12noon. In the CQ room. This is a 'sit and sew' meeting, although part of the time will be devoted to a Row by Row Quilt Challenge called 'Permission to Play'. This is a no-swap challenge, so if you choose to participate you will be working on your own quilt. You don't have to be part of the challenge to come to the meeting. The 'final reveal' will be at the show and tell in December. Meeting led by Joanne West and Karin Malmberg.
Third Wednesday of the month, from 9.30am until 12noon. In the Community Hall. Meeting also know as 'Wonderful Wednesday'. This is also a 'sit and sew' meeting. Members leave fabric and magazines, 'free to a good home', on the stage. Meeting led by Anne Arnold.
Fourth Friday of the month, from 10am until 1pm. In the CQ room. Meeting also known as 'Friendly Friday'.This is a 'sit and sew' meeting. Meeting led by June Carthy.

On the second Tuesday of the month, Quilts for Others (QFO) holds a sewing/quilting bee to work on quilts to be donated to charities. Session runs from 10am until 2.30pm. Contact the QFO co-ordinator, Jocelyn Green, for further information.

Two special interest groups meet on a Saturday, in the CQ room.
On the first Saturday of the month the Creative Clothing group meets. Start times vary according to the program for that month. February starts at 10.30. Contact the co-ordinator, Sandra Farley, for further information.
On the second Saturday of the month the Art Quilters meet, from 12 noon. Co-ordinators Buffy Beggs and Jenny Huston.

QFO donates quilts to Ted Noffs Foundation

2010-10-23T08:00:00.035+11:00

This week, Canberra Quilters donated fifteen quilts to the Ted Noffs Foundation in Watson. These quilts, pictured below were either donated to, or made by members for Quilts for Others. The Foundation was thrilled to receive the quilts and its Co-ordinator explained that the graduates of its program are able to choose a quilt from those provided by QFO to take with them. Sometimes their choice of quilt surprises the staff.

Images from recent events at Cook

2010-10-22T11:59:00.001+11:00

Below are some images from recent CQ events at the Cook Community Hub.

Wednesday daytime meeting on 20 October. This was the first meeting of this group of members at our new venue. It meets in the Community Hall on the third Wednesday of each month (except Dec), between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

Open Day at Cook on Saturday, 16 October.

Quilts For Others(QFO) volunteers at work.

Completed QFO quilts being inspected,

Deputy Chief Minister Katy Gallagher speaking at the Open Day.

Six of the seven life members of Canberra Quilters at the opening of our premises on 10 October.

LtoR: Elizabeth Rose, Margaret Rolfe, Beryl Hodges, Nerida Barges, Wendy Saclier and Margaret Barclay. The seventh life member, Iris Hockley, wasn't at this event.

Canberra Quilters Official Opening - 10 October

2010-10-15T20:09:00.001+11:00

On Sunday Margaret Rolfe officially opened the Canberra Quilters premises at Cook Community Hub.
Here are some of the images of the day.

Jocelyn Green and Helen Rose, two of the drivers behind getting our own premises, explain the history.

Founder and Life Member of Canberra Quilters, Margaret Rolfe, unveils the plaque commemorating the opening.

Margaret Rolfe and President Susan Blood,

Maragret and Susan cutting the cake.

Members of the audience at the opening.

Cook Community Hub Open Day - 16 October

2010-10-15T19:21:00.001+11:00

Everyone is reminded that the Cook Community Hub is having a celebration day on Saturday 16 October, from 11am to 3pm. The address is 41 Templeton Street, Cook, ACT.
All the tenants, including Canberra Quilters Inc will have their premises open. There will be displays and demonstrations and a sausage sizzle. Please come if you are able.

Drop-in sessions at Cook

2010-10-09T08:00:00.003+11:00

The CQ room at Cook will be opened regularly for drop-in sessions. These are for members to get together to chat,sew, perhaps use the pinning table to baste a quilt. When the procedures are in place and volunteer training is complete the library will be also open.

At this stage sessions are scheduled for 10-4 on Wednesdays and 1-4pm on Fridays, excepting on Public Holidays. Details will be on the noticeboard near our front door. Two member-volunteers, trained to open and close the premises, will be on duty during those hours.

Quilts For Others are having two working bees - one on 12 October and one on 9 November, from 10.30-2.30.
Please come along and join in.

Invitation - Official Opening of Canberra Quilters Premises

2010-10-08T16:45:00.001+11:00

At 2pm on Sunday 10 October our premises at Cook will be officially opened by Margaret Rolfe. Members are invited to come along and share tea and cake and enjoy the company.

The address is Building C, 41 Templeton Street Cook ACT

First Evening Meeting at Cook

2010-10-08T16:39:00.000+11:00

Last night Canberra Quilters had its first evening meeting at the Cook Community Hub Hall. This will also be the venue for the 3rd Wednesday daytime meeting.
Our room was open before and after the meeting for members to use the library and have a look at the facilities.
The meeting went reasonably smoothly, with few teething problems.
Congratulations to all involved.

Views of Canberra Quilters' Headquarters

2010-08-10T08:30:00.001+10:00

Below are some images of our new meeting and adminstrative space at Cook. It doesn't have any furniture in it yet but you can see what the fitted-out space looks like.

View to entrance from western wall. Note power cords looped to the ceiling- this will be a much safer option during working bees and workshops.

View to NE from western(storage room wall). Good natural light from those north-facing windows.

Facing west towards the storage rooms.

Cup of tea, anyone? We have tea & coffee-making facilities within our space. There will be a bar fridge below the bench. There is a full kitchen, which we share with the other tenants, elsewhere in the building.

Storage space for all our exhibition paraphenalia, workshop equipment and QFO supplies.

Stay tuned for more info - we are having an "at home" afternoon on 31 August, 2-7pm. All members welcome.

Raffle Winners

2010-08-09T13:42:00.004+10:00

The Canberra Quilters Exhibition raffle was drawn yesterday. These are the winners:
1) Norma Vitnell (sewing machine) - ticket 01844
2) Shirley Reeves - ticket 05531
3) Ayse Stuart - ticket 01992

Congratulations and thanks to every one else for your support.

Exhibition Opening

2010-08-05T17:55:00.006+10:00

Today the Annual Members Exhibition was opened by Helen Redmond, Senior Editor at Vogue Living. Here she is being introduced by President, Susan Blood.

Here is an image of the official announcement of Best Of Show- Collections: Hot Lava II by Beth and Trevor Reid. The quilt, a diptych, hangs behind them.

L to R above: Susan Blood, Beth Reid, Trevor Reid, and Greg Alexander from Bernina, the sponsor of the award.

The Bernina Excellence Award for a Junior Quiltmaker was awarded to Ineka Voigt for her quilt Friends of Beatrix and I. Here she is shown with Susan Blood and Greg Alexander.

Gary Fitzroy from Expertise Events, another of our sponsors, used the opportunity to announce the theme for the next AQC/ AP&Q challenge. It is The Seven Deadly Sins. Details will be in AP&Q magazine and there will be $7,500 in cash prizes.
This theme presents plenty of creative opportunity!

Exhibition Sales Room

2010-08-05T08:44:00.003+10:00

At the Canberra Quilters Exhibition there is a Sales Room where members are able to sell their wares. This has become famous for the quality and the variety. Here are some shots taken on set-uo day (yesterday) to give you an idea of the bounty available.

The fluoro vests are all part of the set-up. It is a construction site and we must abide by OH & S rules.

The exhibition runs from 10-4.30 over the next four days at Exhibition Park, Canberra

Canberra Quilters Raffle 2010

2010-06-03T10:56:00.003+10:00

The winner of the Canberra Quilters Inc Members Exhibition raffle gets to choose from three prizes:
The quilt "Florabundance", designed by member Joanne Westand valued at $2850, or
a Bernina B330, valued at $1499, kindly donated by Bernina Australia, or
a 'Tru Blu' quilting frame valued at $1,295, kindly donated by Jackie McNab of Brindabella Quilting.
The remaining prizes will go to the second and third drawn tickets.
The raffle will be drawn Sunday 8 August at the close of the Canberra Quilters Inc Members’ Exhibition.

This year (until 1 August and within Australia only) you can buy books of 10 tickets by post for $10 each, paid by cheque or money order made out to Canberra Quilters Inc – NO CASH PLEASE!

Send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope* (for return of the tickets) with your cheque or money order to Canberra Quilters Inc, PO Box 3297, WESTON CREEK, ACT 2611.

Single tickets will be available at participating shops and at Canberra Quilters Inc regular meetings from 3 April:
Evening Meeting, 7.30 pm 1st Thursday of the month;

Southside Day Meeting, 9.30 am 3rd Wednesday of the month;
Northside Day Meeting, 10 1m 4th Friday of every month;
and at participating shops.

* Please note that if no SASE is included then only 9 tickets will be sent as $1 will be deducted for post and handling.

Workshop with Carolyn Sullivan, 3-4 July 2010

2010-06-03T10:39:00.003+10:00

Want to spend a relaxing two days doing some hand stitching? Why not sign up for the workshop with Carolyn Sullivan, entitled "Kantha-New Ways"? Kanthas are traditional heavily hand-stiched domestic cloths from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanks and India. Carolyn has adapted this to modern quilting, but still retains the traditional look.

Contact the workshop co-ordinator or check the latest issue of our newsletter, Connecting Threads, for details.

Art Quilters Meeting: 12 June

2010-06-01T06:00:00.001+10:00

The Art Quilters Canberra group meets every month, on the second Saturday at the Civic Library from 1:30 to 3:30pm.

These meetings have: Show and Tell, discussions on experimenting with new techniques, reviews of new books, and information about current exhibitions and future workshops.

We welcome new members! The next meeting is Saturday 12 June 2010.

CQX 2010 Closing Date: 4 June

2010-05-28T22:03:00.003+10:00

This is a friendly reminder that closing date for entries and roster forms for the Canberra Quilters 2010 members' exhibition is Friday, 4 June 2010.

A complete entry pack for the exhibition is included in the March 2010 issue of Connecting Threads or can be downloaded from the Forms Page of the Canberra Quilters website. Please read the documentation carefully as there are changes. This includes changes to forms, categories, roster requirements and conditions of entry.

Biggest Morning Tea Quilting Bee: 22 May

2010-05-14T06:00:00.000+10:00

When: 10am - 2pm, Saturday 22 May 2010
Where: Church of Christ, 82 Limestone Ave, Ainslie
Cost: $5 entry and a few dollars for raffles and games

Bring a plate to share, a friend, a project to work on during the morning and show and tell to share with everyone. The theme this year is aprons or pinaforres. Old, embroidered, appliqued, pieced or fancy - show us your apron and you may win a prize.

The ultimate aim of the morning tea is to raise money for cancer research as part of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. As such, we are seeking donations for prizes and raffles to be held throughout the morning.

CQ Market Day: 8 May 2010

2010-05-01T06:00:00.001+10:00

Canberra Quilters is hosting a market day on Saturday, 8 May 2010, 2-30-4pm at Weston Creek Uniting Church Hall.

For the sale of good quality cotton fabrics, books, magazines and quilting notions.

Lecture by Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn

2010-04-26T10:38:00.003+10:00

Visiting UK contemporary embroiderers will lecture on "Pathways to Stitch". Jan and Jean will talk about how they develop their initial ideas and take these through to finished pieces of work.
Date & time: 2.30pm on 28 April 2010
Venue: Canberra Museum and Gallery, cnr London Circuit and Civic Square
Cost: $20 includes afternoon tea
Enquiries and bookings: 0427 625 145

1000 Artisan Textiles

2010-04-20T06:00:00.000+10:00

Congratulations to CQ member, Brenda Gael Smith who has two quilts featured in the new book 1000 Artisan Textiles that is due to be released in May 2010 and available for pre-order now:

1000 Artisan Textiles features artisan-made examples of quilts, wall hangings, linens, rugs, baskets, wearable art, home accessories, and fashion accessories; incorporating a number of techniques including felting, hand and machine embroidery, appliqué, dyeing and fabric painting, weaving, beading, and all types of surface decoration.

Other Australian textile artists featured in the book include: Elizabeth Armstrong, Gill Brooks, Heather Crossley, Ruth deVos, Sue Dennis, Penny Eamer, Jette Ford, Jody Pearl Lange, Carol McGill, Sharron Shalekoff, Tricia Smout, Svenja and Daniela Tommasi.

Cutting Corners Calendar Competition

2010-03-31T06:00:00.000+11:00

All members of Canberra Quilters are invited to submit a quilt to be featured in our 2011 calendar! The theme for this competition is Cutting Corners.

The shape of the quilt should be square, the size no larger than 50cm x 50cm. Thirteen quilts will be selected, one for each month of the year, and one will be our calendar's cover. No entry fee required. Deadline: 6 May 2010.

See the entry form included (loose) with the March issue of Connecting Threads.

2010 Members’ Exhibition - Entry Pack

2010-03-29T06:30:00.000+11:00

The annual Canberra Quilters Members’Exhibition is held in conjunction with the Craft
and Quilt Fair at Exhibition Park. The dates are 5-8 August 2010, from 10am until 4.30pm each day. Entry to the Fair includes entry into the Canberra Quilters Members’ Exhibition.

A complete entry pack for the exhibition is included in the March 2010 issue of Connecting Threads or can be downloaded from the Forms Page of the Canberra Quilters website. Please read the documentation carefully as there are changes. This includes changes to forms, categories, roster requirements and conditions of entry.

The closing date for entries and roster forms is 4 June 2010.

CQ Annual General Meeting: 8 April 2010

2010-03-26T06:30:00.000+11:00

The Canberra Quilters Inc Annual General meeting will be held in conjunction with the April evening meeting on Thursday, 8 April 2010. All Committee positions are declared vacant at the Annual General Meeting and any financial member of Canberra Quilters Inc. is eligible to nominate for a position. Committee meetings are held on the last Thursday of the month and Committee members are expected to attend.

If you are interested in nominating for any of the positions, please contact a member of the Committee. Download Committee Nomination Form & Position Descriptions. Nominations for committee positions must be lodged with the secretary before 8 April.

Membership Renewal due by 31 March

2010-03-25T06:30:00.000+11:00

It is time to renew your membership, especially if you want to enter a quilt in the members' exhibition in August and/or sell goods in the sales room. The deadline for membership is midnight on 31 March 2010. If you are posting your renewal, we will deem the postmark date on the envelope ad the date received; it must be no later than 31 March 2010.

Download Membership Form & Information.

PETITE: Call for Proposals - Closing Date 14 May

2010-03-24T11:11:00.000+11:00

Artists working in TEXTILES or FIBRE are invited to submit proposals for artwork to be included in the exhibition PETITE Miniature TEXTILES to be shown in the Gallery WORKSHOP SPACE @ Wangaratta exhibitions Gallery 12 June - 11 July 2010

Proposal Requirements

Artists may submit up to 3 works for selection. Entry is free
Works must not exceed 30x30x30cm in size but may be smaller
Submissions must include a CV or brief artist’s biography and Jpeg files or photographs of the works for selection
Include title/s, medium, dimensions, price including 20% commission
Submissions must be received by 5pm Friday 14 May 2010. All submissions will be subject to a selection process
Artists will be notified of the selection by 21/5/10
Selected works must be delivered to the Gallery by Monday 7 June or by prior arrangement. Artists are responsible for all delivery transport or postage costs
Artworks will be returned by Express Post at the conclusion of the exhibition on 12/7/10

For more information contact the Exhibitions Officer on 03 57220761 or
gallery@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

500 Art Quilts

2010-01-20T11:05:00.004+11:00

Congratulations to CQ members Dianne Firth, Beth Miller and Brenda Gael Smith whose work has been selected from over 2000 entries to feature in the new book 500 Art Quilts:

Hungarian Patchwork Guild on show in Canberra

2009-12-27T12:56:00.001+11:00

As part of the 14th Annual Hungarian Cultural Convention there will be a show of quilts from Hungary. This is only on for a short time.

Times: Monday, 28 December 2009 to Saturday, 02 January 2010
Venue: Foyer of Multimedia Room,
Canberra Girls' Grammar School,
48 Melbourne Avenue,
Deakin ACT 2600

Further information is available at www.talalkozo.info/program/patchwork.htm

Art Quilt Australia 2009 Exhibition: 7 Nov - 19 Dec 2009

2009-10-25T06:00:00.001+11:00

Congratulations to Canberra-based art quilters Helen Gray and Pamela Munday whose work has been selected for Art Quilt Australia 09, an exhibition of contemporary quilts presented by Ozquilt Network Inc and Craft ACT.

The exhibition opens on Saturday 7 November and continues until 19 December 2009 at the Craft ACT Craft & Design Centre, Level 1 North Building, 180 London Circuit, Canberra City ACT.

UFO Pledge for 2010

2009-10-20T06:00:00.001+11:00

In 2009, 44 CQ members pledged to complete 62 of their UFO projects by the evening meeting in November 2009. Many CQ members have indicated that they want to clear a UFO our of the way and want to take the pledge for 2010. So here is am opportunity to set a goal for next year. Sign up and take the pledge to complete your UFO by November 2010.

The September newsletter contains a pledge certificate for your to sign and hand in to the Vice President Elizabeth Rose. Blank certificates will also be available at meetings. You will need to nominate a specific project on the pledge and be ready to show the completed quilt in November 2010. You may choose to show the incomplete UFO and tell the story at the December 2009 meeting. You may want to wait until you see the results of the 2009 pledge participants at the 5 November meeting before you take the plunge.

You have until December 2009 to make the pledge and you can nominate more than one project to complete.

Evening Meeting Bring & Buy: 5 November 2009

2009-10-15T06:00:00.002+11:00

At the evening meeting on 5 November 2009, there will be a "bring and buy" element. This is an opportunity to sell of any unwanted fabric, patterns, books, tools and threads. NO COMPLETED ITEMS PLEASE. This is a casual arrangement - to be set up on chairs AFTER the formal part of the meeting. Please contact the Vice President Elizabeth Rose if you are planning to participate.

Exploring the Art Practice Conference

2009-10-10T15:17:00.003+11:00

Art quilters in the Canberra area may be interested to know that the Ozquilt Network is hosting a one-day conference in Canberra entitled "Exploring the Art Quilt Practice". The conference will be held at Primal Space,Shop 12 Torrens Shopping Centre, Torrens Place, Torrens ACT from 10.30am - 4pm on 7 November 2009. Speakers include:

Valerie Kirk, Head of Textiles, ANU School of Art, “Process, Ideas & Technique”

Bea Brickhill, Director – ACT, Australia Business Arts Foundation, “Business Skills for Artists”

Barbara Macey, eminent textile artist and founding member of Ozquilt Network Inc, “A Journey in Textiles”

Non Ozquilt Network members are welcome! See the booking form for the full program and other details. Conference papers are available for $15. Bookings for the Ozquilt Network annual conference close on 30 October 2009.

Made in New Zealand II

2009-09-19T06:57:00.002+10:00

As evidenced at recent evening meetings, many CQ members have enjoyed participating in quilting activities in New Zealand including their fantastic biennial symposium. For those of us who can join the festivities at the 15th Carrefour Européen du Patchwork in Ste Marie-aux-Mines from 17-20 September 2009, we can still have the pleasure of viewing Made in New Zealand II - the the largest collection of New Zealand quilts ever assembled to travel overseas.

Fabric Search: A Message from Marie Lucas-Smith

2009-08-23T11:55:00.005+10:00

Help Please! My friend from Fiji has started to learn patchwork and needs scraps of one particular fabric to complete her quilt. She is making a hexagon quilt so only needs scraps.

The material is a backing size cotton fabric and is a patterned fawn colour.
If anyone has any scraps even the size of the palm of your hand, I would be so grateful to help her complete her quilt.

Please contact me on 0401271854. I will come and collect or pay for postage. I hope one day to have her visit and come to Canberra quilters to show her quilt.

Marie Lucas Smith

ArtCloth Exhibition: Engaging New Visions

2009-08-23T11:51:00.000+10:00

If you are heading up the Hume Highway, you might like to stop for at the inaugural International ArtCloth exhibition, 'ArtCloth: Engaging New Visions, Fairfield City Museum and Art Gallery, 29th August - 11th October 2009. Opening at 2.00pm Saturday, 29th August by Joan Truckenbrod, Professor of Art & Technology, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, USA.

The list of participants in the exhibition includes:

Laura Beehler, USA
Claire Benn, England
Regina Benson, USA
Jane Dunnewold, USA
Susan Fell-McLean, Australia
Claudia Helmer, Germany
Cas Holmes, England
Ken Kagajo, Japan
Helen Lancaster, Australia
Jurate Petruskeviciene, Lithuania
Jeanne Raffer Beck, USA
Julie Ryder, Australia
Joan Schulze, USA
Tjarya (Nungalka) Stanley, Ernabella Arts, Australia
Norma Starszakowna, England
Tjunkaya Tapaya, Ernabella Arts, Australia
Annie Trevillian, Australia
Joan Truckenbrod, USA
Jurate Urbiene, Lithuania
Els van Baarle, The Netherlands
Marie-Therese Wisniowski, Australia

For further information visit Jane Dunnewold's website http://www.artclothstudios.com/

$1,000 Acquisitive Art Award & Braidwood Quilt Event

2009-08-15T08:30:00.000+10:00

As part of the Braidwood Quilt Event (27-29 November 2009), textile artists are invited to create a quilt inspired by the work of Australian printmaker and artist Hall Thorpe (1874 – 1947).

The award is sponsored by Cheryl Hannah, Director of Fyre Gallery, Braidwood, in conjunction with an exhibition of Hall Thorpe’s work from November 13 to December 21

Entry forms available from the Quilt Event website www.braidwoodquiltevent.org.au

Email: dunvegan@activ8.net.au Ph (02) 4842 2355 or (02) 4842 2626

CQX Prizewinners 2009

2009-08-12T19:22:00.003+10:00

Images of the prize winning quilts from Canberra Quilters Exhibition 2009 can now be viewed online including Best of Show - Happy Magic by Naomi Miyake:

A Slice of Canberra Quilters

2009-08-10T15:09:00.007+10:00

You can now purchase your copy of A Slice of Canberra Quilters, a cookbook full of scrumptious tried and true recipes accompanied by colour images of quilts made by our members. Priced at $15 (excluding postage and handling), the book makes a wonderful gift.

The watermelon quilt on the cover is made by Dianne Firth.

Exhibition Awards

2009-08-06T16:45:00.005+10:00

Our annual exhibition was opened this morning by Diana Lampe, a local Canberra embroiderer, author and writer of a column in the Canberra Times Food & Wine Guide. Diana also launched the new Canberra Quilters' cookbook, A Slice of Canberra Quilters.

These are the major award recipients:-

Bernina Best of Show: Happy Magic by Naomi Miyake

Best Use of Colour: Luminosity by Judy Turner

Chiatanya Designs
Embellishment Award: Corrugated Iron – Iron Lace II by Beth Miller

Retaining the Tradition: Cecilia’s Crazy Creation by Cecilia Skene

Excellence in Handquilting: Happy Magic by Naomi Miyake

Bernina Excellence Award
for a Junior Quilt Maker: Fairyland by Kristina Kleine Butron (age 7)

The Margaret Armistead Award for a first time exhibitor was awarded to Linda Gosnell for her quilt At Last! Linda's Seminole.
The Allan Armistead Award for a first-time Junior exhibitor was awarded to Gabrielle Ciacia for her quilt Butterfly Dots

CQ Exhibition 2009: 6-9 August

2009-07-21T20:53:00.009+10:00

From traditional patchwork blocks to modern pictorial appliqué – more than 200 quilts will be on display at this year’s exhibition, showcasing the talent of Canberra Quilters Inc members. Many quilts will compete for awards across several categories, and there are two categories for the junior members to show their work, with the guild keen to encourage its younger members.

There will also be a number of other displays for visitors to enjoy:

Challenge Quilts – with a theme of ‘In Your Dreams’ this is sure to produce some delightfully imaginative quilts.
Creative Clothing – this always impressive display will have handmade garments and accessories created with two very different themes: ‘Everyday Items’ and ‘Anything Goes’.
Best of Australia Quilts – the eight state finalists from the Bernina National Quilt award will be displayed together.
Plus, in the Canberra Quilters’ Sales Room, visitors can purchase beautiful homewares and decorator items which are handmade by guild members.

Fair goers will have the chance to see how a quilt is cut, pieced, put together, quilted and bound as volunteers from ‘Quilts for Others’ demonstrate their stitching skills. Canberra Quilters’ members make and donate beautiful quilts to local charities each year – last year donating more than 200!

The Exhibition will be opened officially by Diana Lampe at 11am on Thursday, 6 August. Once a quilter, Diana is a well known embroiderer from the region and has published several successful books.

Diane is also a food journalist for the Canberra Times and she has the pleasure of launching the Canberra Quilters Cookbook at the fair. The book, which features fabulous food inspired miniquilts created by guild members will be available to purchase at the exhibition, and the quilts will be on display.

The exhibition is open from 10am to 4.30pm daily. See www.craftfair.com.au for more information.

Valuation Day - Saturday 26 July

2009-07-20T08:06:00.003+10:00

Canberra Quilters is holding a quilt valuation day this Saturday.
Quilts must be booked in and delivered before Saturday, so contact the co-ordinator Beth Reid, on the number in Connecting Threads.

Southside Daytime Meeting: 15 July

2009-07-11T15:02:00.001+10:00

The next "Southside"daytime meeting of Canberra Quilters is on Wednesday, 15 July.

The theme for the meeting is Festive Quilts: All Occasions

Christmas Star Wreaths by
Brenda Gael Smith

July 12: 2009 raffle quilt at Old Bus Depot Markets

2009-07-09T16:55:00.002+10:00

On 12 July the Canberra Quilters raffle quilt will be on display, with tickets for sale, at the Old Bus Depot Markets at Kingston in Canberra. This is the annual "Creative Fibre" day at the markets - they are open from 10am until 4pm. Volunteers are still needed -if you are able to help out on the day please contact Pat Barter on the number in the newsletter.
Image of Butterfly Panzie by Jenny Casey. Alternative first prize is a Bernina Activa PE230 sewing machine.

AQCa meeting: 11 July

2009-07-08T10:02:00.003+10:00

Art Quilters Canberra (AQCa) is the special interest group of art quilters within Canberra Quilters. It is meeting this Saturday, 11 July, at 'The Hub' in the Civic Library from 1.30pm until 3.30pm. Discussion on some of the elements of composition and printing with stencils.

CQ Evening Meeting: 2 July

2009-07-01T14:47:00.005+10:00

The next evening meeting is set for Thursday, 2 July, 7.15 for 7.45-10pm. The program includes members sharing their experiences of attending the Quilt Symposium in New Zealand earlier in the year.

Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award & Forum

2009-06-08T13:17:00.003+10:00

Congratulations to CQ member Dianne Firth who is one of the textile artists selected for the inaugural Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award and associated exhibition that opens at 11 am on 20 June and runs to 19 July 2009 at the Wangaratta exhibitions gallery, Ovens St, Wangaratta.

Image: Louise Saxton, Home-Tree, 2008

The Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Forum takes place on Saturday 20 June 2009 from 12.30 – 4.30pm

KEY NOTE SPEAKERS

Liz Williamson
Head School of Design Studies College of Fine Arts University of New South Wales

Intriguing the Senses: Contemporary Textiles
Textiles artists and designers have embraced innovative research techniques to explore complex concepts producing individual and innovative textiles. By exploring current issues of sustainability, environment and place combined with historical reference and new technologies, all are developing intriguing ways to inform the senses.

This lecture will illustrate current research projects by staff and postgraduate students at the College of Fine Arts, UNSW and at UTS in Sydney. It will also document research undertaken in developing woven textiles for Liz Williamson: Textiles a solo exhibition held at Object Gallery, Sydney in late 2008 as part of the Living Treasures series and now touring nationally.

Laura Jocic
Curator Fashion & Textiles National Gallery of Victoria

Australian textiles in the collection of the NGV
How the collection has developed and the range of works and techniques represented, including 19th century embroideries and 20th century printed and woven textiles.

ARTISTS FLOOR TALK
Sara Lindsay, Julie Montgarrett, Louise Saxton, Patrick Snelling, Emma Sulzer

Cost: $22/$16 concession includes light lunch
Bookings & prepayment essential. Tel: 03 5722 0761

CQ Evening Meeting: 4 June

2009-06-03T13:36:00.000+10:00

The next evening meeting is set for Thursday, 4 June, 7.15 for 7.45-10pm. There will be a special show and tell of applique quilts. Doesn't everyone have an applique quilt tucked away? Please bring them, old or new, for us to all enjoy.

Joanne West - In the Red
Bed Quilts Non-Professional - First Place - Canberra Quilters' Exhibiton 2008

And don't forget the entries for Canberra Quilters' Exhibition close this Friday - 5 June! You can download the entry forms from the CQ website.

Quilting Market Day: 4 April 2009

2009-04-01T14:00:00.000+11:00

Come and visit the Quilting Market Day for the sale of good quality cotton fabrics, books, magazines, and quilting notions:

Saturday, 4 April 2009
1:30pm - 4pm
Weston Creek Uniting Church Hall
Parkinson Street, Weston

Recipe Book Competition

2009-04-01T07:00:00.000+11:00

Members of Canberra Quilters are invited to contribute to one or more of their favourite recipes, for the compilation of a recipe book to be published in 2009. You can send your recipes to out post address or hand it personally to a committee member by 7 May 2009. Depending on the number of submissions, either all the recipes wil be included, or only a selection, at the committee's discretion. In addition, a quilt competition on the theme of "Food" is also taking place, and pictures of the winning quilts will be included in the Recipe Book.

Competition Guidelines:

The competition is open to all financial members of Canberra Quilters Inc.
Each member may submit one entry only.
An entry fee of $5 must accompany each entry.
The theme is "food" which can be represented in any style you like, keeping in mind that it must come up well in a photograph.
The finished quilts must be received, accompanied by the entry form in the newsletter by no later than 7 May 2009.
The quilt must measure 12" x 16" (30cm x 41cm) in portrait orientation, with variations within one inch acceptable.

Sushi by Fiona Hammond

Annual General Meeting: 2 April 2009

2009-03-31T13:04:00.007+11:00

Don't forget to attend the 2009 Annual General meeting! It's this Thursday:

2 April 2009, 7.15pm for 7.45 start
Weston Creek Uniting Church Hall
Parkinson Street, Weston Creek

Important business includes voting on adopting a new constitution. Bring along your bags from the bag workshops last year for a special show and tell.

CQ Evening Meeting: 5 March 2009

2009-02-28T07:00:00.000+11:00

The next evening meeting is set for Thursday, 5 March, 7.15 for 7.45-10pm. This is an information night about the proposed new constitution. There will also be information about the Sales Room at the annual exhibition.

Help for Victorian Bushfire Victims

2009-02-23T15:29:00.001+11:00

We are all dismayed by the terrible loss of life and property in Victoria. We are asking members to donate finished quilts to be given to those who have suffered losses in the Victorian fires. As well as donating quilts individually, friendship groups might like to combine their skills and time and make quilts for donation. We stress that it is not possible to accept quilt tops or blocks as we do not have the resources to complete them.

Canberra Quilters' immediate response is in conjunction with the four local patchwork shops, who have offered to act as receivers of finished quilts. The shops are Addicted to Fabric, Phillip; Rosemont, Tuggeranong; Calico Patch, Nicholls; and Hobbysew, Belconnen. Quilts delivered to them will be collected by Canberra Quilters Inc. up to the beginning of May and forwarded on to the Victorian Guild which is setting up a distribution network. Some shops may also use their own contacts for distribution – but all quilts left with them, will find their way to those in need in Victoria.

Later on in the year we propose to ask members to donate fabric, books, sewing notions, etc., which we will put into stash rebuilding packages for distribution to Victorian quilters . The arrangements for this project are not yet firm and, in any case, we do not believe that the need for such quilting items is immediate. However, we would like members to start casting an eye over their stashes to see what they can spare.

Renew Your Membership Now!

2009-02-06T16:41:00.001+11:00

Have you renewed your membership?! The membership period for Canberra Quilters is 1 December to 31 December so subscriptions for 2009 are now due. The membership secretary will be at the evening and day meetings to accept your subscription or you can download membership form and send your fees in by mail.

Remember current membership if essential if you want to:

exhibit at our annual exhibition in August;
enjoy discounts from our sponsor;
borrow books from our library;
receive Connecting Threads newsletter;
vote at the AGM and any special general meetings; and
be an office holder.

tACTile @ CQ Evening Meeting: 5 February 2009

2009-01-20T13:05:00.004+11:00

The first evening meeting for 2009 is set for Thursday, 5 February, 7.15 for 7.45-10pm. Please join us for a full and inspirational program including:

accredited teachers decribing their forthcoming workshops;
a special show and tell with the theme of "Summer Quilts" or "What I did in the Holidays"; and
a presentation by tACTile sharing their latest exhibition of contemporary quilts - Collections - which will open in February 2009 at the Australian Quilt Convention in Melbourne.

Passions by Beth & Trevor Reid (see My Place Quilts)

tACTile was founded at the end of 2001 by a group of Canberra based textile artists to advance contemporary quiltmaking in Australia by exploring the opportunities of the art quilt. tACTile comprises 6 members; Jenny Bowker, Dianne Firth, Helen Gray and Beth Miller with Beth and Trevor Reid working together in partnership. All the artists are individually acknowledged as leaders in the field of contemporary quiltmaking at local, national and international levels. The name tACTile was chosen to allude to the touch of textiles while incorporating the fact that they all live in the ACT (Australian Capital Territory). The group has toured nationally and internationally three very successful exhibitions, ‘Pathways’ 2003-2004, ‘Five Squared’ 2005-2007 and ‘Eyeline’ 2007-2008 and are now in the process of completing their fourth exhibition ‘Collections’.

Collection (noun)

The action or process of collecting
A group of things collected or accumulated, Collectable (Adj)
Worth collecting
Able to be collected, Collective (Adj)
Done by or belonging to all the members of a group.

The exhibition brief was for each artist to construct a number of quilts to fit within a defined area on the theme 'Collections', it could be a literal interpretation of a personal collection or whatever an individual sees as a collection. As in other tACTile exhibitions there will be a collaborative component to this exhibition. We are all collectors of something, look around and see how many collections surround you, it may be shoes, plants in the garden, books, buttons, rusty bottle tops, nails or a collection of interesting shapes, when two or more like objects are grouped together a collection begins.

4 December Evening Meeting

2008-12-03T09:56:00.002+11:00

The final CQ evening meeting for 2008 is tomorrow:

Thursday, 4 December 2008
Weston Creek Uniting Church (Parkinson St)
7.15 for 7.45-10pm
Special Show & Tell: Putting on the Glitz!
Christmas gift exchange

Dress up in your glitzy clothes and bring along your sparkly quilts to share. Visitors welcome!

Christmas Skills Share

2008-10-30T07:00:00.000+11:00

Join the Christmas Skills Share with other CQ members at Turner on Saturday, 8 November 9.30am-3.30pm. Cost $5.

Christmas quilts and decorations are always popular items in the CQ Sales Room and are fun to make. Bring your patterns, ideas and fabric and share inspiration with other members.

Helen's Houston Hat Trick

2008-10-29T22:02:00.003+11:00

Canberra Quilters extends its congratulations to member Helen Godden who has been awarded three top prizes at the International Quilt Association festival in Houston as follows:

First Prize, Painted Surface Category - Screeching Cockatoo
Second Prize, Painted Surface Category - Mother Earth
Inaugural World of Beauty award ($7500) - Seasonal Sisters, a collaboration with Gail Thomas and Annette Hendricks

Seasonal Sisters by The Three Sisters

6 November Evening Meeting

2008-10-27T07:00:00.001+11:00

The next evening meeting is on 6 November 2008 at 7.15pm for 7.45-10pm, and there will be a whole lot on!

This is Quilt Pledge Night, so bring your pledge certificates and UFOs to join the finishing drive. Will yours be a UFO for QFO?

There will be a special show and tell for Block of the Quarter quilts. This activity started in 1989 and lasted 18 years so please bring along your BoQ quilts for an evening of memories and laughs.

In addition this is Bring and Buy Night. After the formal part of hte meeting, members may set up to sell their wares - fabric, thread, tools etc. So bring along your goods and bring your money!

My Place Website Update

2008-10-25T21:39:00.005+11:00

The gallery pages of the MY PLACE contemporary art quilt exhibition website have now been updated to feature thirty striking quilts from South Africa. You can view these quilts, along with the others from New Zealand and Australia (including CQ members), at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne next year.