Yip, another year on its back - scary how fast time seems to run out if you need more. I arrived slightly late at the meeting and when I saw the amount of cars outside and could hardly find a parking I knew we surely
must have a record attendance.
As can be seen on the next photo, I wasn't wrong. Thank you ladies for making a plan to attend this meeting. Good to see so many of you here.
Appropriate to this time of the year, the theme was Christmas and a big tree with dangling balls welcomed us at the entrance. We could each take a ball and some were marked in a special way which formed part of the lucky draws.
The hot weather called for juice as alternative drink and the beautiful bouquet of roses matched the festive seasonal colors.
Our guild can surely not complain about the amount of and variety offered by the vendors at every meeting and with this good attendance I honestly hope it was worth their while having to pack and drive for our convenience.
The quilts on display never disappoint and as one newbie quilter (Jolita Geel) put it: "I get depressed when I see these as I then know I still have SO much I still want to do." Jolita, I think we all feel the same.
The winner of the viewers' choice this term was Lulu Marais with her Heart quilt designed by Iessie Steenberg.
Then our quarterly challenge was "My prettiest Christmas quilt" and although there were only a few entries, they were all equally lovely.
The winner of this term's challenge was, Wilna Geel, with this quilt. Well done, Wilna (and by the way she is not at all related to the Jolita Geel I mentioned earlier).
We had yet another winner, this time of the
PFAFF Lotto Blocks for the term and friend Karin was the lucky one!
Oops, no wait! This is not Karin - anyone could have made this mistake, don't you agree?
This little chap is one bred by fellow quilter, Karin van Graan, who sells them as pets or they can be trained to help the disabled. He however was really ill; therefor Karin had to bring him along to keep a watchful eye on him. So adorable don't you think?
Now this is the real winner, Karin de Villiers and look how glad she was to win this - she threatened to cry should she not win, so I know a couple of us, gave the blocks we made under her name and furthermore half the attendees prayed when the name was drawn. No one really wanted to see Karin in tears.
And here, all the blocks she won packed out on her bed.
Monkey breeder, Karin van Graan, gave our demonstration for the day. Remember those little balls on the Christmas tree when we came in? She told us step-by-step how to make and decorate these still in time for this Christmas.
See this relaxed smile on Mariëtte Venter's face? She's all done with her job for our
National Festival in 2013. Mariëtte had to think of, plan, set rules, type and distribute the challenge for the festival and she's DONE! Mariëtte also told us that 75% of these are already sold - great stuff Mariëtte, you did well.
The lady in the photo with Mariëtte, is none other than our one and only guilt judge in the Free State, Frances van Schalkwyk and a huge thank you to Frances for sponsoring the printing of the challenge entry forms. Always lovely to have a couple of 'richies' amongst us.
Chairperson, Marianne le Roux, congratulated Anne Strauss on her winning quilt at the Stellenbosch National Festival and handed her a Master Quilter badge. We are so proud to have someone by the likes of Anne in our midst. You can see her quilt in our August 2011 newsletter by clicking
HERE
Another Master quilter in our guild is none other than 'tannie' Rina Schutte. What a lady, when I grow up, I hope to be just like her.
Another festival portfolio holder, Mari Strydom, need not look as serious as she did on this photo as her job too is already set and going. Mari is in charge of teachers and her application forms, for all teacher interested in teaching at the festival, is ready to be sent off. You make it look so easy, Mari.
However, Frances van der Walt, (portfolio Registrations) can type, think and plan as fast as she wishes to be I think we'll still have to wait a couple of years to see a big, relaxed smile on her face. Hang in there Frances at least you know there are a couple of us not smiling yet!
Main brain, Iessie Steenberg (coordinator of our 2013 National Quilt Festival) has it all under control and as you can see even her outfit and jewelry match her roll. If you got it, flaunt it!
Now if you ever wonder about us suffering under Iessie's management, do wonder please. This woman moves forward like a well oiled military vehicle, firing out orders like bombs being launched. If you don't get me yet, let me give you this example of how things are asked from us.
"Right people, we have x amount of groups in this guild, good? (don't ever forget the 'good' at the end of every sentence). Now I've given each group a portfolio, good? Well read through the rules and raise enough funds to get the job done. Good? Meeting adjourned, thanks ladies."
The 'good' and the raising of funds is REALLY true, but at the rate Karin de Villiers (Goody Bags) is raising money, we'll soon receive change from her portfolio which ought to lessen our burden - thanks Karin, but back to Iessie.
I often say to whoever wants to listen, the one thing we all can say about Iessie is that she won't ever expect anything from you, if she herself, is not 100% prepared to help, pay, buy, sponsor, make and work until the wee hours of the morning to get something done. Now 'good' or not, who would not be prepared to support such a leader? Thanks Iessie, you are doing a humongous job!
Iessie then introduced guest speaker, Sudré Havenga from the National Museum in Bloemfontein who absolutely has a passion for her job (thanks Wilna for this description) and told us in detail how to treat, store and handle our quilts to save these for future generations.
Here is a pieced nightgown from the museum shown as part of Sudré's talk.
Now all our guild groups are slowly beginning to wind down their activities for the year to give everyone time to spend the summer holidays and festive season with their families. I too will be taking a break from writing our blog during December and early January.
