Second quarterly meeting – Winner of the first term PFAFF Block Lotto

As a fundraising initiative we have a Block Lotto every term organized by our local PFAFF dealer and after the first meeting we were instructed to make Sunbonnet Sue blocks.  Way back in 2005 I saw a beautiful Sunbonnet Sue quilt on the cover of a magazine and knew that someday I’d like to make myself one.  I think what kept me from doing it, was having to make the same pattern over and over, so when this competition was launched I entered 4 blocks rather convinced that I would win.  Ha-ha wishful thinking!!

There were 33 blocks entered – actually slightly more but some blocks were disqualified due to not adhering to the specifications – and when Marie, our local PFAFF dealer, drew the lucky winner it turned out to be a former friend of mine, Elsie van der Bijl.  I say former, because I don’t like her much after winning the prize that I wanted.  Here she receives her blocks from Marie.

Here are a couple of the blocks entered, packed out right under my nose.  How spiteful can one be?

Does she not look like a cat that discovered cream?

Okay, so I'll be trying my luck next time.

Second quarterly meeting – Quilts exhibited

I got the photos of our second quarterly guild meeting held on 14 May 2011 but this was such an intense and vibrant meeting that I’ll have to write more than one post about the meeting.  So in this post I’d like to share most of the quilts on display – some turned out to be FFUFO’s – a new word taught to us by Ninor Courtnage and it stands for Finally Finished UFO.

Ninor celebrating her FFUFO's on display

When seeing these quilts no wonder we are all so inspired to start creating after every meeting.

So let’s start something new now knowing that UFO’s will eventually become FFUFO’s.

More free e-books

I found more free e-books to download from Interweave.  What a variety they have on offer for us today.  Click on the link next to the picture to download.

To download Hand Sewing Techniques for Quilters, 

 click HERE

To download Learn how to Felt, click HERE

To download Landscape Painting Techniques, 

click HERE

To download Crochet Amigurumi, click HERE

To download Creating Digital Artwork for Photo Collage, click HERE

To download Weaving Today, click HERE

This should keep you busy for awhile. So without further ado I will leave you to download.

14 REASONS FOR BUYING FABRIC

BECAUSE:

1)     A sudden increase in the boll weevil population may wipe out the cotton crop for the next 10 years,

2)    It keeps without refrigeration,

3)    It insulates the cupboard where it is kept,

4)    You never have to feed it, change it or wipe it's nose,

5)    It is on sale,

6)    You need the extra weight in the boot of your car for traction when driving on wet roads,

7)    You don't have to cook it to enjoy it,

8)    Like dust, it's good for protecting empty space in the house, e.g. the ironing board, the wash basket, the dining room table…

9)    Stress from dealing with the Fabric Control Officer (Husband) makes one do it,

10)   It's not immoral, illegal or fattening,

11)   It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul and make one feel good,

12)   It's the food for the soul,

13)   YOU ARE WORTH IT,

14)   The one who dies with the most fabric, wins.

With apologies to the original author.

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.