CQ member Dianne Firth wins award at Quilt National 2013

Quilt National is a prestigious art quilt exhibition held every two years at the Dairy Barn Arts Center in Athens, Ohio. It is considered by some to be the premier international showcase for contemporary quilts.

It started in 1979 and to quote from the Dairy Barn Arts Center website, "Quilt National was intended to demonstrate the transformations taking place in the world of quilting. Its purpose was then, and still is, to carry the definition of quilting far beyond its traditional parameters and to promote quiltmaking as what it always has been -- an art form."

To be selected to exhibit is quite an achievement. This year "there were 851 quilts submitted by 458 artists from 44 states, 17 countries and five Canadian Provinces. Jurors Linda Colsh, Penny McMorris, and Judith Content selected 85 quilts by 85 artists. The exhibitors represented 27 states and 7 foreign countries. In this exhibition 20 percent of the exhibitors are first time Quilt National artists."

Canberra Quilters member Dianne Firth has been awarded the McCarthy Memorial Award for her quilt Storm. This award is funded by the family of Cliff McCarthy and honours an exceptional level of achievement.

Congratulations Dianne.

Please go here for more information about Quilt National.
Or you can go to a post on Deidre Adams' site here and see images of some of the quilts, with their maker(s). This includes Dianne and her quilt.

Exhibition flyer competition

 The Canberra Quilters Member's Exhibition is rapidly approaching and we'd love for you to help us promote the event. This year we're offering a prize to the person (or persons) who can get a photo of their flyer (pictured above) in one of the following categories:

- the furthest geographical (as the crow flies) place from Canberra,

- the weirdest place possible, and

- with a celebrity.

There will be a prize offered for each category. The competition is open to all Canberra Quilters Inc members. Prizes will be awarded at the September Canberra Quilters Meeting. So get your thinking caps on and get out there and start snapping photos of your flyer! Entries to be emailed to angie@gnomeangel.com

Small print: Winners will be decided by the Exhibition Committee. Judges decision is final and discussion will not be entered into. Closing date is 7 August 2013.

Extra drop-in this Wednesday - 30 May

This Wednesday is the 5th one this month and an extra drop-in has been arranged, from 10 am until 3 pm. Come along and sew, use the design walls or the pinning table.
I plan on being there to get some quilting done on my quilt for the exhibition.

Successful Biggest Morning Tea Quilting Bee

Yesterday, Canberra Quilters hosted its annual Biggest Morning Tea Quilting Bee  - part of the Cancer Council's Biggest Morning Tea program. So far we have raised $2415.75, with some more donations still on the way. All funds raised go to the ACT Cancer Council to help fund research into the disease.
It was a fun day highlighted by games, puzzles, competitions and horse racing(!) - all done with a 'day at the races' theme. Here are some of the images captured for your enjoyment:

Decorated red velvet cake, auctioned off...and then eaten

All smiles at the welcome desk

Before the arrival, all the tables were decorated and a pack of info and puzzles awaited...

There were many prizes to choose from in the raffles...

And more prizes for winning various competitions and puzzles...

We had an MC (Melinda) to keep us on track....

The horse racing involved riding a (hobby) horse while balancing a thimble on a ruler. Each table gave themselves a name, which became their horse name. The races were run as relays, with three participants from each table...

Andrea is at the starting line

Juggling at the 'baton' change

Each table also had a pack of modelling clay to make a 5" block. Some progress images...

the blocks

winning block

As well as luscious morning tea (the good old Aussie tradition of 'bring a plate'), there was a cake competition...

the winning cooks

In keeping with the Race Day theme, participants also could wear a hat or 'fascinator'.  Judging was by coin donation for each hat. The winners...yes that is a fascinator made with sewing supplies!

And to check the results of the puzzles...

Mary has the red pen out

Kay (convener of the day) is checking the answers too

The winners of the major raffle display their prizes...

New President Michelle Law (right), catches up with three members of long standing (LtoR): Joan Porta, Pat Savas and Margaret Barclay.

Thanks go to Kay Provins and her team for organising a fun and successful day.

Reminder for the Biggest Quilting Bee Morning Tea on Sunday 26th

Don't forget the big party this Sunday for the Biggest Quilting Bee Morning Tea. Got your hat ready? Baked a cake?
Go to this post for all the details.

Quilt Show in Young, NSW - 25 & 26 May

This weekend there is a quilt show in Young, NSW (it is only a couple of hours from Canberra). 
It is open from 10 am to 4 pm in the Young Town Hall in Boorowa Street. 
CQ member and Young resident, Carmel Price also helps to organise this event. They use our quilt frames to help with the hanging.
As well as the quilts on display, these traders are attending with items for sale:

• Westalee Rulers, Leonie will also show how to use her rulers - the new ones and older ones
• Robynettes, Joy will demonstrate some work with hexagons
• The Quilters Stash (from Murrumburrah)
• Patches of Heaven (from Temora)
• Country Matters (from Cootamundra), Janelle will also demonstrate hand piecing
• Caragabal's Off road Country Quilting
• Chiatanya Designs (from Lake Bathurst, this is member Fiona Hammond) and she will be demonstrating several things - kumihimo braiding, stick weaving, and perhaps some beading techniques.

Committee Position Vacant - Secretary

Unfortunately our Secretary has had to resign her position, and so this position needs to be filled as soon as possible.

The main roles of the secretary are to: compile the agenda and write up the minutes for the monthly committee meeting; check the Canberra Quilters mailbox; and answer the email enquiries that come through the Canberra Quilters website.

The secretary also has some statutory obligations which are outlined in the constitution of Canberra Quilters. These are to do with notification of the AGM and any special meetings.

If you are interested in making a contribution to Canberra Quilters and would enjoy working with a lovely committee, please contact Michelle Law by emailing her at president@canberraquilters.org.au

Small Japanese projects meeting- 22 May, 10-12 noon

This meeting is from 10 am until 12 noon on Wednesday. Here is a message from stand-in convener Wendy:

This month Ruth will demonstrate her roll up thread and needle case which can be adapted to any size.  Bring some Show & Tell, especially any little silk things from last month.

See you there.

Wonderful Wednesday meeting - 15 May

The Wonderful Wednesday meeting on 15 May runs from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm, in the Cook Community Hub Hall.
The theme for special show and tell is items made in workshops- so bring along some of the things you have made in workshops and also your latest projects for normal show & tell. This is a sit and sew (and chat) meeting so bring along some handwork to pass the time.

The Canberra Quilters room is open after the meeting for the library and drop-in activities.

Creative Clothing activity - using the embellisher

We had a small gathering at the Creative Clothing interest group on Thursday (9 May).
As usual we shared pattern, technique and project information, brainstormed some ideas.

Louise brought her embellishing machine for us to try. We were all amazed at its capabilities. We will be having another demo at the July meeting (11th). Here are some images:

Louise and Kay (at machine)

members watch Kay in action

Louise, Kay and
Beres (at machine)

Quilts for Others working bee - Tuesday 14 May

The next QFO working bee is on Tuesday, 14 May, from 10 am until 2.30 pm. QFO gave 300 quilts to local charities in 2012.
Come along and help put together quilts - sewing blocks, cutting kits, pinning quilts ready for quilting, doing some quilting or binding and labelling. There are jobs for everyone.
Morning and afternoon tea provided, BYO lunch.
Examples of completed (donated) quilts:

Biggest Quilting Bee Morning Tea coming up on 26 May

You are invited to come along to our annual Biggest Quilting Bee Morning Tea, supporting fund-raising for cancer research.
Entry is by $5.00 tax-deductible donation to the ACT Cancer Society. You are welcome to make a larger donation if you wish- secure donations can be made here.

The morning tea is from 10 am until 2 pm on Sunday, 26 May at the Cook Community Hub Hall, Templeton Street, Cook.

The theme is The Cancer Research Race Day, so wear a race day hat or fascinator, or go all the way in a fashions-on-the-field outfit.

It would be great if you could bring a plate of something nice to share at the morning tea.

morning tea- the tables groan with goodies to eat

There will be lots of raffles, a lucky door prize, table games, a challenge race  and lots of fun and laughter. There is also a quilt raffle- the quilt was made by the participants of last year's morning tea.

Raffle quilt

Again there is a cake competition.  It will be judged by 2 or 3 independent foodies. Bribery with $$ is permitted, but results can't be guaranteed. Cook your delight for us all to share and you may win a fabulous prize.

Donations of raffle prizes are most welcome and must be in new or as-new condition.
Any used or older donations will be put on a collectibles / white elephant table- where you will be able to purchase some great bargains. If you have something worthwhile to donate to this table please bring it along on the day. Leftovers will be donated to charity.

Images from ROWmakers meeting on 8 May

This week the monthly ROWmakers design group had their meeting. The challenge this time was to produce blocks etc incorporating the colour yellow and Celtic/stained glass techniques.
Judging from comments around the room there was some private cursing going on to make this design marriage work.
Here are some images:

Response to all three rounds

Here is a message from Joanne, our convener:

We have decided to have a weekend get-together again this year like we did last year.

It will be on SUNDAY 30 JUNE in our Room at Cook from 2.00-4.00 pm. (Bring a plate if you feel inclined - no pressure.)

Hopefully, people who find it difficult to come on Wednesdays will be able to join us.

Please put the date in your diary.

And lastly, the INGREDIENTS for this month:

 . BLACK (Jill Kennedy)

 . EMBELLISHED/EMBROIDERED (Pat Kenna)

I'll let you decide whether they're more or less challenging than last month's!

Have fun, Joanne

The next meeting is on Wednesday 12 June, 10.00 am for a 10.30 start.

Canberra Quilters win awards at Australasian Quilt Convention 2013

Congratulations to two of our members for winning awards at the recent Australasian Quilt Convention (AQC) in Melbourne.

Jenny Bowker was selected as the recipient for this year's Rajah Award. This is awarded each year in recognition of a quilter's outstanding contribution to quilting in Australia.

Helen Godden won first place in the AQC challenge for 2013 for her quilt Galloping Wild and Free. The theme for the challenge in 2013 was "Free". This and other quilts from the challenge will be on display at the Craft and Quilt Fairs around Australia and New Zealand this year. Here is a link to the AQC site where you can see the quilt.

The National Quilt Award, sponsored by Bernina, was awarded to South Australia's Rachelle Denneny for her quilt Golden Ivory.  It is a whole cloth trapunto and domestic machine-quilted quilt. Views of the quilt can be seen here, scroll to the bottom of the home page.
This quilt and the other state guild Best of Show quilts will also tour and be displayed at the Craft and Quilt Fairs this year.

Small Japanese projects meeting on 24 April : Silk!

Join the small Japanese projects group at its meeting this Wednesday 24 April, from 10 am to 12 pm. 

Silk!  

How can we use it in patchwork or creative clothing? What do Japanese women do with their silk scraps?

·         Bring some silk (including items such as kimonos) that you would like to show us, or ask questions about.
·         Bring books or magazines with ideas for using silk.
·         Bring needles, fine thread and thimble. We might sew something.

I hope you’ll come away from the meeting with ideas for using the silk you have, rather than leaving it in your cupboard.

Cheers,

Wendy

Quilts for Coonabarabran on their way

Yesterday, member Anne Arnold set off to Coonabarabran with the 52 quilts made for people who lost everything in the recent bushfires.
Canberra Quilters members contributed some of these quilts and others came from various sources. The Thursday Friendship Group at Addicted to Fabric was involved in this. Addicted to Fabric is one of our sponsors - here is a link to their website.
One page 3 of today's issue of the Canberra Times there is an article and photograph about the quilts.
Here is a link.

Bring and Buy at Wonderful Wednesday Meeting- 17 April

This Wednesday the meeting from 9.30am-12 features our bring and buy activity. Members can set up tables to sell their wares- like unwanted fabric, books, tools, pattens etc. If you don't have anything to sell, bring your money - there might be something you can't resist. Prices are very reasonable.
We are back in the Community Hall - morning tea provided.

ROW makers meeting held on Wednesday 10 April

At the meeting on Wednesday we gathered again to hopefully bring in our efforts from the second round and choose the elements for the third round. Here is a report from out convener, Joanne:

I love the fact that we're getting over 40 people every month. Our room can comfortably accommodate that many. I expect there might not be so many when the weather turns nasty and the lucky one's head elsewhere. But some of us will still soldier on! (Did I hear someone mumble "martyr complex").

I thought Wednesday's meeting was really interesting. I appreciated the way people were sharing their design decisions.
The INGREDIENTS for next month are:-

 . YELLOW (Margaret Lamb)

 . CELTIC/STAINED GLASS (Kath Pierce)

A little (!) bit more challenging than the first two months but I'm sure we'll be able to push the boundaries.

Here is an image, taken by our new Secretary Jacquie:

As you can see in the background we only have a couple of blocks/bags/ items each so far - it will build throughout the year.
Recap of ingredients:
1) Green & circles/curves
2) Blue & geometric (squares/ rectangles/ triangles)
3) Yellow & Celtic/ stained glass

Storms ahead for Monday drop-in

The Monday drop-in, held on the second Monday each month (TONIGHT) - is going to focus on making quilts using the Storm at Sea block.
Why not join them at 7pm to see what it is all about.

Canberra Quilters 2013 Raffle tickets available now

This is the raffle quilt for 2013, Pantone Premonition. It was made by Barbara Cutmore and Raylee Bielenberg. It was quilted by Raylee Bielenberg of Sunflower Quilting. It is based on the Robbing Peter to Pay Paul block and using white and variations of the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2013 - Emerald Green. The quilt is 251cm square.



Detail

The winner of the Canberra Quilters Inc Members Exhibition raffle gets to choose from three prizes:
The quilt "Pantone Premonition" valued at $2700, or
a Bernina 700D overlocker, valued at $699, kindly donated by Bernina Australia, or
a Kingfisher 65"x 65" Design Wall valued at $240, 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 at 4.00pm on Sunday 11 August 2013 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 935, JAMISON CENTRE, ACT 2614.

Single tickets will be available at Canberra Quilters Inc regular meetings from 4 April:
Evening Meeting, 7.30 pm 1st Thursday of the month;
ROWmakers Day Meeting, 10.00am on 2nd Wednesday of the month;
Wonderful Wednesdays Day Meeting, 9.30 am 3rd Wednesday of the month;
Friendly Fridays Day Meeting, 10.00am 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.