Final General Meeting of 2019 -1 (held on the 9th of November)

And so we reached the end of another year.  It is also the end of our current Chairperson, Mariëtte Venter's two year term.  We also concluded our 30th birthday celebrations.  The Sterre and Langenhovenparkies quilt groups hosted the meeting.

With the theme being diamonds and denim, there were bling everywhere.

Even Mariëtte joined in the fun with her tiara and big diamond around her neck.

Every guest that attended received a beautiful hand made pin cushion.

After Mariëtte called the meeting to order and welcomed all, Gerda Cronje-Vermeulen opened the meeting with Ps. 139:5  "You have enclosed me behind and before, and placed Your hand upon me."

A very special person, Ninor Courtnage of the Langenhovenparkies Quilt group, was spoiled with a thoughtful gift prepared by Iessie and Mariëtte.  As she is recuperating from a stroke, her son Kevin received the package on her behalf.

Iessie Steenberg with Kevin Courtnage

Ninor Courtnage (archive picture of Feb. 2018)

From Ninor we learned about a FFUFO - finally finished unfinished object!   Although Ninor had health problems, she attended every meeting and amazed fellow quilters with the finished UFO's she brought along.

Riana Nel was also thanked for her role as treasurer for the past 2 years.

We had a few Outreach projects for this last term namely The Lepae Community project, Zastron's Retirement Home and Boks vir 'n boervrou.  Thanks to each and every one that contributed to these worthy causes.

Marietjie van Rensburg of the Rotary Cutters quilt group in conjunction with Heuwelkruin NG Church, donated these prepacked bottles with all the dry ingredients needed to prepare a meal.

Marietjie van Rensburg

The Boks vir 'n boervrou (Box for a farmer's wife) is an initiative going through South Africa which is in a troubling drought which in some parts have been going on for some years.  It is getting very difficult for the farmers (some of whom already committed suicide) and their wife's alike.  To see livestock dying by the hundreds which are one's livelihood, is extremely detrimental to one's sanity as well as the economic impact this is having.

If you want to participate in this worthy cause, you can do so by joining their Facebook page here.

Participants in this project pack a box full of goodies as laid on their hearts.  This is then send of and distributed under the farmers and their wives.  One is absolutely amazed at the miracles happening through this initiative.  People receiving items the very same day that particular item was needed as if the boxes was packed by a Higher Hand.

Boxes for the Bultfontein community - our Chairperson Mariëtte's hometown

Donations for Lepae Community Centrum

It was unfortunately also time to say goodbye to Mariëtte as her 2 years had come to and end. 

Mariëtte being thanked by Marianne Le Roux

Mariëtte thanked Christa Gouws (secretary) for her hard work

Christa and Marianne

as well as the whole team.

Left to right:  Mariëtte Venter (Chairperson), Christa Gouws (Secretary), Nelia Venter (Needles and Pins), Marianne Le Roux (Vice Chairperson), Iessie Steenberg (Sterkwilters), Elsa de Wet (Newsletter), Wilna Geel (Rotary Cutters), Lynette Eloff (Quiltmakers), Annelize Keeve (SAQG Representative) and Marie Coetzee (Goue drade)

And then it was time to reveal the new Chairperson for 2020-2021 - Nelia Venter!

Congratulations and may your term be a blessed one.

OKG members attending the meeting.

Annelize Keevé (our SAQG representative) appointed Nici Smit as our Youth Ambassador.  

Nici Smit (left) with Annelize

OKG members attending the meeting.

Iessie Steenberg introduced Linda Lubbe who demonstrated Baby Blocks/Honeycoms.

The exact same runner hold upright and upside down creating two completely different illusions.

On this photo a hollow cube was added in the centre creating another interesting look.

Single hollow cubes for placemats or stitched together into a quilt. 

Linda also brought along a selection of her quilts.

to be continued....

3rd General Meeting of 2019 - 1

The third of our birthday parties was hosted by the Stukkie vir Stukkie group on the 24th of August.

All guests were treated with sherry and salty snacks with the three beautiful (and delicious) birthday cakes cut during tea time.

The beautiful and yummy birthday cakes were baked and decorated by the extremely talented member of the Stukkie vir Stukkie group, Charlotte Naudé.

After a warm welcoming from our Chairperson, Mariëtte Venter, Ina Beukes opened the meeting with an inspirational piece from "Siel van 'n vrou" written by Milanie Vosloo.

As it is the official 30th birthday of our Guild, Mariëtte invited the original founding members (Griet Lombard, Jolena van Rooyen, Du Maurier Weiss, Dalene Volsteedt, Rina Bredenkamp and Lucy Steyn - who was also the first chair person) to attend the meeting, but due to other obligations, all except Du Maurier unfortunately had to decline the invitation.  

Mariëtte Venter with Du Maurier Weiss

In South Africa, we celebrate Woman's Day on the 9th of August each year with a public holiday.  To commemorate this day, we treated a very special group of ladies of the Gouedrade group which consist of 4 sisters and 1 daughter all of whom quilt.

From left to right:  Corine (daughter of Kokkewiet), Breggie Viljoen, Louisa Basson, Petro van der Merwe and Kokkewiet (Rina) Scholtz.

The Outreach project for this term was cushions for the children from Choc House , an organization which provide comprehensive countrywide support for children with cancer and other life-threatening blood disorders, and their families.

Bloemfontein's Choc House Facebook page

Our members also donated crocheted flowers for curtains from blocks donated by Radio Rosestad listeners for the Siesta retirement village, a non profit organization.

The curtains.

From left to right:  Maggie Bekker (who crocheted the most flowers), Mariette and Alison van der Walt

Fadimehang Soup Kitchen received wool and knitting needles.

Nici Smit also received a special thank you gift from the Guild for all the support and help she gave when one of her pupil's house burned down - this post refers.

Mariëtte and Nici

To be continued....