We meet Helen Labuschagne from Bultfontein

Helen, originally from Port Elizabeth married a farmer from Bultfontein and was introduced to quilting 6 years ago and admits she now is a total quilt addict.  She says she cannot imagine a day without creating something.  She is otherwise kept busy with everything required from her as a farmer's wife, mother of 2 young boys and very social and outgoing person.  Helen is a member of the group 'Lappoppe'.

Are you a morning or evening person?
A bit of both but there is nothing nicer than to stay in bed a little later with the kids occasionally.

Which do you prefer - sweet or salty snacks?
Also a bit of both but you will be able to bride me with a salty crack and cheese but thereafter a block of chocolate will be just as nice.

Do you collect anything and what?
No

If you could be any animal, what would you be?
A chimpanzee - nothing gives hugs like those long arms.

What is your favorite color?
Green

Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes

Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?
Yes, I always want to make something with my hands.

Have you ever been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?
No

Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.
For the last 5 years I really want to lose weight but just don't succeed

What do you regard as your best personality train?
Being friendly

Are you mostly a messy or clean person?
Clean

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A very exotic island

What is your favorite drink?
JC le Roux white sparkling wine

What is your favorite gift to receive?
From my kids:  their own art
From my husband:  jewelry
From friends:  anything

Which type of gift do you like the least?
Perfume that doesn't smell nice

If you could change your name, what would it be?
I am crazy about my name.

Name one thing not many people know about you.
I bathe by candle light every evening

Always good to be able to put a face to a name and now we know a little more about Helen.

Meet Neline Pienaar

Okay, I have to start this member interview somewhat different in that I want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to Neline for taking the time to collect her groups photos and interviews.  I SO do appreciate this and you'll see that Neline (later in her questionnaire) says she's a messy person.  I find that hard to believe as I've seen how organized her interviews and photos came through to me.

Neline started quilting in 2009 after moving from Johannesburg and felt like learning something new. A very functional member of the Lappoppe group she also works for their farming business and does contract work for her previous employer in Johannesburg.

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

I've been happily married for 4 years now.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

Evening

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

Salty

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

Anything pretty

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

Dog

Q:  What is your favorite color?

Red, orange and yellow

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

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

No

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

No my work kept me way too busy to find time to play games

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

I try to do too much for other people and would put my own needs aside.  (Okay, now I understand how come I got all these questionnaires so diligently.)

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

I am friendly and helpful

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Messy

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

Victoria Falls or Dubai

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

Red Bull

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A typical Lucky Packet with plenty of things inside

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

I like anything for if someone gives it to you, it meant they thought of you and wanted you to have it

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

Neline suits me just fine

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

I would chew or roll my buttons or earrings if I get nervous.

O and I can just imagine Neline rolling those earrings while answering these questions. Thanks Neline you can now relax, take a deep breath and have a Red Bull.

Let's meet Esti Pretorius

Another member of the Lappoppe group from Builtfontein, Esti started quilting in 2002 because she always loved quilted items.  When not quilting, Esti is the CEO of her own home.

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

I am married to Thinus and we have 3 children, Marjohane (8), Gernus (6) and Elri (3)

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

Morning

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

Both

Q:  What is your favorite color?

Any earthy color

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

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

Gardening

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

No

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

Impatience

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

I am loyal

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Clean

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

Vienna or Ireland

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

Any handmade article

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

Chocolates

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

I wouldn't change it

There we go, now we know a little more about Esti and we can all be off now to enjoy a lovely weekend.

Charlene Nel answers our questions

Charlene needed a hobby when she started quilting in 2010 and is now a member of the Lappoppe group in Bultfontein.

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

I'm originally from Bloemfontein but now lives with my farmer husband and 2 beautiful daughters, Liné (2) and Clare (4 months) near Bultfontein

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

I really do think that I'm both

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

Salty

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

Magazines, mostly about interior and crafts

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

Persian cat

Q:  What is your favorite color?


White

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

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

I don't have time for any other hobbies

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

Never

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

Eating too much chocolates

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

Always taking others into considerations

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Clean

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

Paris

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

Pina Colada and as an everyday drink Coke Light and Cappuccino

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

I treasure all gifts

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

Don't know, I haven't received anything I dislike

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

Genevieve

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

Maybe that I am an only child

Charlene I have to thank you for your answers in English.  It was just so nice not to have to translate and just copy and paste.  Loved it!

We interrogate Annarie van der Westhuizen

Another member of the 'Lappoppe' group in Bultfontein, Annarie started quilting in 2007 when she felt like trying something new.  She is a home executive - obviously the hardest and most ungrateful job there is, ask me, I know!

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

Married to Jan and we have a married son and a daughter, still single.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

Morning

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

Sweet

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

No

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

Dog

Q:  What is your favorite color?

Red

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

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

Sewing

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

No

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

Honesty (not sure how this is bad, Annarie?)

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

Being helpful

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Clean

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

Europe

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

Rosé wine

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

Any handmade article

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

Perfume

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

Rina

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

I stuttered as a child

Now from her answers Annarie seems like a 'short & sweet' kind of person.  Thanks Annarie.

Let's meet Amanda Pretorius

Amanda started quilting in 2003 when a group of friends decided to learn from another friend.  She is a member of the Lappoppe group from Bultfontein and when not quilting she does the administrative duties involved in their farming.  Amanda answered a couple of questions about herself.

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

I've been happily married for 12½ years now with 2 boys, aged 8 and 11

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

Preferably mornings

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

I will do a lot for something sweet

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

Except fat quarters.......??

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

Cat

Q:  What is your favorite color?

Red

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

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

No

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

Solitaire

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

I am a perfectionist, especially regarding time

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

I believe that being friendly won't cost you anything

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Very neat

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

Greece

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

Coffee especially Cappuccino

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

Any gift, no matter what or how small

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

Perfume

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

I think Amanda suits me fine

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

I bite my nails when I get nervous

Lovely to get to know you Amanda, thanks for these.

Today I am talking to our all time favorite person, Anita Kleynhans

Anita was an active member of the group, Langenhovenparkies, before she became ill.  She started quilting simply because she wanted to and claims she doesn’t have time to do anything else. 

I spoke to Anita yesterday and her prognosis is not good at all.  Her liver is giving in completely and she suffers from major tired spells.  However, as we all know her, still time for a joke and if you speak to her, she doesn’t sound ill at all.

The positive news however is that she has no pain and still contemplates the thought of joining us at our quarterly guild meeting next week.  What a girl!!!

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

A:   I have 3 children, 7 grandkids and 2 great-grandchildren

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  A nightowl

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

A:  Sweet

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A:  Only fabric

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

A:  a Giraffe – (she’s tall enough to qualify)

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:   Purple

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A:  No

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

A:  I don’t have time for anything else

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 eat way too much sweet treats

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

A:  Punctuality

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:  Australia

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:  Coke

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A:  Perfume

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

A:  Hand lotion

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

A:  Have never even thought about it

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A:  I was a farmer’s wife

Let me tell you more about perfectionist, Connie Wilke

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

A:  Married to Robert. We had 4 lovely kids. Got 3 extra and with them came 6 grandchildren (and 1 in heaven)

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  A 24/7 person. I never stop working whether its quilting or baking and when there is nothing else to do I create work for Robert

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

A:  Sweet

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A:  Chickens for my kitchen, quilt magazines and quilt fabric for the cupboard

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

A:  A bee

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:  Green and blue

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A: No

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

A: Baking, cooking, preserving and cooking jam  (Here I can add, she bakes the best rusks in Africa!!)

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

A: No – I’m allergic to computers and TV

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

A:  I do not know how to relax and quit working

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

A:  I’m hospitable

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A: Very clean

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

A: Switzerland

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:   Rooibos

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A: Damascus Nougat

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

A: Chocolate

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

A: I like my name (I might be tempted to delete my second name of the record J

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A: I’m terrified of frogs and mice, err

So the next time you give me a hard time Connie, I'll remember your last answer okay?

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!!

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.

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!!

Get to know Alta du Plessis

Yeah! another interview with one of our members.  I just love these as I often get to see the people at guild meetings but hardly ever get to know anyone on a more personal level.  Alta is a member of the 'Rafels' group.

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

A:  I have a kind hearted husband who respects my love of handwork and motivates me constantly.  He more than often has to take care of his meal himself.  Our 3 children are all married but at this stage we only have dog grandkids.

Reinart, our eldest, and his wife, Tachka, lives in Johannesburg.

Anke, our daughter and her husband, Van Zyl Oosthuizen, is renovating their tiny Cape Dutch house in George.  Our holidays by them usually end up in a major patchwork credit card bill.

Jané and her husband, Johan Welman, just moved back to Bloemfontein.

We have 2 dogs, Juliette, a realy lady and Ben my big bodyguard.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  None of the two I’m equally misreble both times.  Late afternoon, early evening in the garden with my dogs and a little handwork is the best time of day for me.

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

A:  Both                                 

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A:  I find it hard to get rid of anything as I’m always thinking I might just need or use it in a project.  I like books, cans, blue bottels, pens, fabric, wool, buttons, beads, embroidery thread, ceramic tiles.  I am crazy about different textures even if it is only reddish grass, nice stones or seads.

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

A:  By now it must sound boring but one of the dogs in my house.

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:  Red and purple and everything in between.

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A: No

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

A:  Reading, writing, knitting, spin and music

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

A:  No I’d rather use that time to read or do handwork.

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

A:  I collect everything.

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

A:  I try my best to always be trustworthy

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A:  Even though unorganized I would not describe myself as messy

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

A:  The Dutch countryside

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:  Coffee / Beer

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A:  a Book, fabric or a pretty single flower

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

A:  a Huge bouquet that dies in 3 days – What a waste!

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

A:  I think I’ll keep my name as I do believe people who change their names go through some or other identity crises.

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A:  I am crazy about poetry and collects old and new poetry books.

Thanks Alta for answering all my annoying questions, I do appreciate it!