Bloemshow 2023

Bloemfontein's annual show, the Bloem Show, have become synonym with quilting, knitting, crochet, baking, embroidery, woodworking and several other arts and crafts items being displayed in one of the halls.  It always attracts lots of visitors and this year was no exception.

Iessie Steenberg recently resigned as convenor after organizing this important event of the Oranje Quilters Guild for many years.  Gerda Cronjé agreed to take on this big job and patiently phoned the quilters encouraging all to partake.

Gerda Cronjé (left), Judge Mari Strydom and Iessie Steenberg (right)

Gerda and secretary Esta Knoetze hard at work during the judging process

Quilts stacked,

numbered

and ready for Judge Mari Strydom.

Gerda with Judge Mari.

Mari hard at work whilst Gerda and her team of helpers looked on

with Esta dutifully writing down all the comments.

It wasn't however just work and no play as there was some time to relax

and enjoy coffee or tea

as well as get some tips from Judge Mari.

Some of the beautiful quilts.

After a well-deserved lunch

it was time to put the quilts in the display case.

Ansie Combrinck and Ritha Swanepoel inside the huge display case.

Rika van Rooyen lending a helping hand.

And after two days of hard work, this was the result.

Chairperson Christa Gouws (in black) showed her support

From left to right - 2023's Bloemshow team
Gerda Cronjé (Convener), Mari  Strydom (Judge), Esta Knoetze (Secretary), Calista von Wielligh with Mom Christine, Iessie Steenberg, Rika van Rooyen and Ritha Swanepoel

Photographer Lynette Eloff (far left) and Ansie Combrinck (far right)

.

Thanks to all the ladies for their hard work and Judge Mari Strydom for the positive critic.  Also a big word of thanks to all the members of the Oranje Quilters Guild who supported this event.