Outreach program by members of our guild

Elsie van der Bijl with the help of Iessie Steenberg organized an outreach event for girls from Places of Safety.  12 Girls from 3 different homes were invited to decorate their own scatter cushion.  Elsie told me that she got so much help from guild members in the form of money, fabric to make the cushions, decorations, food, snacks and gifts.

Iessie made her classroom available and set the tables nice and festive for these young ladies with a gift pack for everyone.  

Furthermore Karen van Graan prepared a decorative goodie bag for every girl and taught them how to decorate a polystyrene ball.

Lasagne was served to the girls for lunch and 9 guild members came to help on the day.  By 13:30 the girls were done and proud of their accomplishments.

Just look at all these happy faces – it takes so little and it will go a long way.  As one of my favourite sayings goes:  “It is not what you give, say or do to a person but how you make them feel, that leaves a lasting impression.”  I am quite convinced these young ladies felt very special on this day.

Holiday courses presented by Iessie Steenberg

Unfortunately Iessie gave this through to me rather late, so I hope some of you will still react.  She is offering a couple of courses during our winter school holidays.  The duration of the courses is from 9am to 3pm at a cost of R70,00 which includes a light lunch (what a bargain - just remember I don't do kitchens therefore no meals included in my courses!!!)

Tuesday:  31 May 2011 - Daizy quilt

Use all your scraps to finish this quilt - blocks approximately 7".


Thursday:  2 June 2011 - Crazy patch


Bring your silks, satins and cottons as well as your batting and backing should you be a fast seamstress.  Braid, lace and embroidery thread for decorations would also come in handy.  You can choose whether to make a tea-cosy or warm water bottle cover.


Thursday:  9 June 2011 - Stained glass applique


A nice technique which will be combined with blanket stitch applique.  Pattern given in Christmas colours.


Monday:  13 June 2011 - Miniature houses

Foundation piecing method is used to create this little quilt.


Tuesday 16 & Wednesday 22 June 2011 - House of Blessing

Thursday: 23 June 2011 - Circles around Christmas

Foundation piecing method but you will also need to bring a quarter meter iron-on vilene for the applique.

For all interested, please contact Iessie at 082 705 5279 for more details.  For those interested to have any of these classes on a Saturday, Iessie is even prepared to do this and you just need to contact her to discuss the time and date.

Where else would you find a course with a meal included for less than $10? Let's support our own!

Become a fan of Kona Bay Fabrics on Facebook

The best part of writing this blog and facilitating our Facebook account is that I get to see the most beautiful quilts and hear about the nicest people. Now if I were to be selfish I could have kept all of this to myself (who am I bluffing here???  Our local PFAFF representative often says she’d like to put a zipper in my mouth) but I want to share all of the nice with you.  Thinking of zipper in my mouth, now I can’t help wondering if that was the reason our guild asked me to do this?????

So here is a message I got on our Facebook.

Kona Bay Fabrics would love to have you as a Facebook fan.

We're a fun group that loves fabrics and we try to not be too serious:):) There are now over 6,000 of us having fun together!!

Although we are a fabric manufacturer and wholesaler, our web site has FREE patterns for you to download:

konabay.com

Check out also our latest item: Kona Bay Eco Friendly Hot/Cold Bags!!

Hope you can become one of our Facebook fans!!

Mahalo!!

Douglas

Thanks for this invite Douglas I’m sure you will soon have many more followers and fans.

Like the Nine Patch Media Page

I found this on our Facebook page and thought all of you would like the opportunity to participate with the chance to win as well.

Sharon Pederson

‎"Like" the Nine Patch Media page on Facebook and your name gets entered to win a complete Rose of Sharon Quilting Course: the book, the DVD, the Kit, the Stencil, and the Placement Diagrams. A retail value of 120.00. If you already "Like" us, leave a comment to be entered to win. I will draw the winner on June 1st, when I return home. Good luck everyone!!!

Remember you have to go to the Nine Patch Media Facebook page and "Like" the page to enter or post a comment if you already "Like" the page.


Did I now just bugger up my own chances of winning by telling all of you about this??!!

Art quilts made easy

Unfortunately for all of you being annoyed by me I have not disappeared of the face of the earth..... too bad.

  

Had changes in the family and hubby bought me an I Pad 2 (lucky me!!) and with focussing on keeping a 82-year old happy and pressing buttons on the I Pad, I somehow managed to bugger it all up.  Could not get into any of the blogs I write but as you can see, I pressed even more buttons and I’m back.  Not at all sure what I did wrong the first time or what I did right to fix it.  Just kept on pressing those buttons!!

Anyway, checked mail last night and got a message from You Tube to inform me Art Quilts Made Easy sent me a video.  Enough said to make inquisitive old me wanting to check it out and I’d like to share this with you.

Needless to say while cutting out appliqué shapes my evening was spent watching the video, pausing to give it enough time to load and watching the first free lesson.

If you would like to see more about this visit the website www.artquiltsmadeeasy.com

After finishing the first lesson I got this e-mail:

Hi Hettie,

Thank you for requesting the Bootcamp training.

I know you will enjoy it and get so much out of it. You can access the training here:

http://artquiltsmadeeasy.com/bootcamp-week-1

We'll send you a link to week 2 in well...about a week! It keeps getting better so don't forget to check your inbox.

We look forward to getting to know you better.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Quiltingly yours,

Tim & Mary Stenros

Willow Bend Creations

http://artquiltsmadeeasy.com

Willow Bend Creations

956 E Redoubt Ave

Soldotna, AK

99669

US

Watch this space one of these days I'll have my own art quilts!

Lift your spirits quilt pattern

Timeless Treasures is simply a jewel for finding free quilt patterns and I was immediately drawn to this colourful quilt and the name matched the quilt perfectly.

This quilt finishes 59” x 69” and was designed by Wendy Bentley.

You can get your free pattern by clicking HERE.

Meet millionaire Carine Vermaak

Q: In short tell us a little about your family:

A: I am married with 2 kids, each with their own extreme ideas.

Q: Are you a morning or night person?

A: No comment – haha!!

Q: Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

A: Sweet breakfast & Salty lunch

Q: Do you collect anything and what?

A: Antique furniture, I have LOTS!!

Q: If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A: Wild horse

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Rusty red and brown

Q: Do you believe in ghosts?

A: Only when I’m scared

Q: Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

A: My kids and school

Q: Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

A: Yes, packman

Q: Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

A: My love for coffee

Q: What do you regard as your best personality trait?

A: I am very honest in sharing my feelings

Q Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A: Messy

Q: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: Cambodia

Q: What is your favorite drink?

A: Coffee, coffee, coffee

Q: What is your favorite gift to receive?

A: Books

Q: Which type of gift do you like the least?

A: Soap

Q: If you could change your name, what would it be?

A: If I have to change my name it would only be the spelling thereof

Q: Name one thing not many people know about you

A: I am a millionaire

Now I wonder if the last answer has anything to do with my sudden urge to become best friends with Carine????

Meet Italian shoe lover, Marlene Scholtz

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

A:  4 + 3 children and 6 beautiful grandchildren

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  Night

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

A:  Salt

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A:  Quilts, books, jewelry

Q:  If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A:  Eagle

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:  Purple

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A:  No but I do believe in fairies

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

A:  Gardening, reading and shopping

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

A:  No

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

A:  Pre-occupation with what I am busy doing at that moment

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

A:  Enthuisiasm

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A:  Orderly and neat

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A:  Tibet/China

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:  Tea 

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A:  Jewelry and perfumed body spray

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

A:  Money

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

A:  Esmé

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A:  I like to sleep late

I still recall the days when Marlene and I were in the same group and she had to show me her shoes on every meeting, so there is something else you don’t know about her – this woman wears the most glamorous shoes – do check them out next time you run into her.

Read all about the double H lady - Hanli Henderson

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

A:  Single mom to twin boys aged 29 both married to beautiful girls and another son, aged 25.  Almost granny of a girl to be born on 11 June and I adore dogs.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  Night

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

A:  Sweet

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A:  Anything antique and needlework stuff

Q:  If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A:  Dog

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:  Black 

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A:  No

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

A:  Any crafts such as scrap booking and painting

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

A:  No

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

A:  I drink too much tea

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

A:  Sincerity and honesty

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A:  Clean

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A:  France especially Provence

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:  Amarula and tea

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A:  Fabric ha-ha

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

A:  To receive money as a gift

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

A:  That’s difficult, there are too many pretty names

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A:  That’s a secret

I should have a serious conversation with all these members who don't like money as a gift, honestly if you don't like it, simply pass it on to me, I would not mind at all!!

Fundraising project by the 'Sterkwilters' (translated Star Quilters)

The 'Sterkwilter' group 

The 'Sterkwilter' group has launched a fundraising project to in money for our planned 2013 National Quilt Festival and will be selling the following items:

Ice cube or cookie holder @ R200,00 each

and a needlework supplies case (not decorated - they leave that up to you) @ R95,00 each

The hardworking person behind these stunning woodwork items is Gerda Rautenbach's husband (and so we lure the other halves in).

Gerda Rautenbach

To place our orders, please contact Gerda at 083 285 1220

Meet Trudy Janse van Rensburg

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

A:  I have 4 children and 9 grandchildren and live with my youngest daughter.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  Night

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

A:  Sweet

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A:  Family photos

Q:  If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A:  Donkey.  A lot of people anyway think I am stupid.

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:  Yellow

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A:  No

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

A:  Cooking and knitting

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

A:  No

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

A:  I talk too much

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

A:  (Trudy never answered this)

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A:  Clean

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A:  United States of America

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:  Coffee 

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A:  Flowers

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

A:  Toiletry

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

A:  (Trudy never answered this)

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A:  (Trudy never answered this)

I trust that you've all done the right thing by voting in our municipal elections and wish to thank Trudy for the time taken to complete this.

Castle BOM pattern

Sindy from Fatcatpatterns  did it again and designed a Block of the Month containing different castles.  Each block pattern appears once a month for FREE but if you forget to download your pattern in that month you will have to buy it.

Block 1 is now available for download as well as the instructions to assemble the quilt and the yardage needed.  Click HERE to start collecting your block patterns.

PFAFF’S Block Lotto and funding for our 2013 festival

I have to start by reminding all readers that this is STRICTLY FOR OUR GUILD MEMBERS AND LOCAL PFAFF MACHINE OWNERS ONLY.

We had our second quarterly guild meeting on Saturday, 14 May 2011 and until I get my hands on the photos taken there I can tell you about this term’s block for PFAFF’s BLOCK LOTTO.  You have to make a block according to the rules, pay a small fee (towards the festival) and stand a chance to win all the blocks made – just like the national lottery, we just play it with blocks!!

Every term (in our newsletter and on our blog) PFAFF will give us the instructions to a new block. 

If you need a full size pattern, go down to PFAFF and buy a pattern for R5,00 – in some cases (such as this term’s block) however you will only need instructions and then you’ll pay for every completed block you enter.

If you only bought one pattern but made several blocks you’ll have to pay entry fee for every block you hand in.

You do need to use at least ONE PFAFF fabric in your block, so while there buy yourself a fat quarter if you cannot remember which of your stash was bought from PFAFF.

Complete your block/s and hand it back to PFAFF.  

The deadline for the term’s block is the DAY BEFORE (17 August 2011) our next quarterly meeting.  NO BLOCKS will be accepted at the meeting. Your name is then added to those who stand a chance to be the lucky winner.

The draw will be done during our next quarterly meeting.

This term we simply join skew strips alternating all your pink and purple remnants (remember to have at least ONE PFAFF fabric).  Square your block down to 8½” x 10½”.

Add 1½” x 10½” tan strips to the 10½” side; to have your finished block 10½” x 10½”

←1½” x 10½” strips added to finish

                                                                                                           block at 10½” x 10½”

Even though I did not win last term's Block Lotto I will keep the faith and enter yet again.

We are talking to Maxie van Zyl

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

A:  I am a widow, mother of 4 married daughters and grandmother to 1 grandson and 4 granddaughters

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  Night

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

A:  Salty

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A:  Anything that I can create with

Q:  If you could be any animal, what would you be?

A:  A lapdog

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:  Autumn colours 

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A:  No

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

A:  Knitting, crochet and embroidery

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

A:  No

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

A:  Sometimes I talk before I think!!

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

A:  Honesty and I am a people lover

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A:  In-betweener

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A:  South Africa and Australia

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:  Ice tea

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A:  Honesty and loyalty of friends and family

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

A:  ?????

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

A:  I am happy with my name

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A:  I am an open book and too stupid to not be just me.

Unfortunately for you, I have met you before this interview Maxie and I can truly say that you're not stupid at all!!

Create your own Yo-Yo maker

I sometimes forget that many of our blog readers are still beginner quilters and what some of us by now take for granted as general knowledge, may be totally new to a beginner.  Therefore I’ve decided to occasionally do a post on a basic technique.

Today we take a look at making Yo-Yo’s also known as Suffolk Puffs and Angie Padilla from Angie’s Bits ‘n Pieces wrote this step-by-step tutorial which included different shapes of Yo-Yo’s.  Click HERE  to enjoy this and start making your own.


I found this lovely photo of a single Yo-Yo on Sheri Howard’s blog  and you can even go and read her post about her love for Yo-Yo quilts HERE

 

If you’d like to read a little more about the history of these little fabric pieces, click HERE  

Fabric envelope tutorial

Before internet and e-mail I used to write hundreds of snail mail letters per month to pen pals and I remember making my own pretty envelopes were one of the nicer parts of the process.  Unfortunately this tradition died out and I simply didn’t have the time anymore.  Way back then I could not sew but when I saw these fabric envelopes it brought back lovely memories of friendships gone by.

Christina from the blog A Few Scraps set up a tutorial on how to make these fabric envelopes.

We often give money as a gift and I think giving it in a nice fabric envelope will make it much more personal.  To see this tutorial, click HERE.