What we did in 2012
Thursday, 16 December - Christmas Social
Setting the scene for an evening of fun and to put us all in party mood, the tables were each set with a tablecloth and one of Janet's very pretty, and festive, table centre pots. Also on every table there was a small gift for each member.
Chris was kept busy taking subscriptions and handing out next year's programmes. These prompted lots of discussion and Pam, not wishing to miss a date, perhaps, got right down to entering them in her diary ......
Chris was kept busy taking subscriptions and handing out next year's programmes. These prompted lots of discussion and Pam, not wishing to miss a date, perhaps, got right down to entering them in her diary ......
Janet welcomed everyone along to the evening, especially our newest member, Elaine Keates, and read out the few notices. Going on to explain that the Committee had been looking into the purchase of group badges, Janet described the badge (blue enamel with silver outlines depicting the group logo, with an estimated cost of about £5 each) and called for a show of hands to get an idea of how many members would be interested in purchasing such a badge. The suggestion seemed popular so an order will be placed for the purchase of the badges.
A quiz with a patchworking theme came next: each table of four racking their brains for patchworking trivia and competing for a small prize. One table, very quick to answer all the questions, sportingly said they were happy to wait until others had finished, sadly did not go on to win the prize as they had answered one question incorrectly. The winning table of four were: Vanessa, Brenda, Janet and Margaret who shared the prize of four fat quarters.
A quiz with a patchworking theme came next: each table of four racking their brains for patchworking trivia and competing for a small prize. One table, very quick to answer all the questions, sportingly said they were happy to wait until others had finished, sadly did not go on to win the prize as they had answered one question incorrectly. The winning table of four were: Vanessa, Brenda, Janet and Margaret who shared the prize of four fat quarters.
After all that effort sustenance was required. Several members had provided a delicious array of small cakes and other tasty morsels, which proved extremely popular.
Bailey and Pearl kept us supplied with tea and coffee and there was plenty of time to chat while everyone made their selection of cakes from the long table set up on the far side of the room. Volunteers willingly helped out with the extra amount of washing up.
At one end of the cake table Jane Grendon had set out a basket of "Happy Bags" which were offered for sale to raise funds for the Mongolian Society. Jane said the bags had sold really well during the evening and told us that she had recently sent off a cheque for £4,000 which she and her sister had collected from sales, talks and workshops. A most remarkable achievement and testament to their continuing hard work.
The raffle came next. Thanks to some generous donations of fat quarters and a covered notebook from Gill Hewlett, a seam ripper and magnetic pin holder from Julia Oakshott, a pot of home-made marmalade from Jane Grendon, together with the regular £10 voucher for Goose Chase Quilting, we had more prizes than usual.
Brenda was reluctant to draw the first ticket in case she drew her own number. Really, what are the chances? She promptly did though and won the £10 voucher! The fat quarters, as second prize, went to Jane Grendon and the covered notebook to Alison. Bailey opted for the jar of marmalade and Lin won the seam ripper and pin holder.
Lastly came the always popular Show and Tell, the theme of which was the first item you made and the most recent. Here are photos of most of the work shown - unfortunately a few didn't come out: if yours is missing and you would like to see it here bring it along to our next meeting and get it snapped. Apologies if your piece/s don't have a caption - just tell me which is yours and what you'd like it to say.
Click on photos to enlarge.
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A very enjoyable and busy evening and a great way to end another year's programme. Have a very Happy Christmas and New Year everyone. See you next year!
Thursday, 15 November
It was good to see so many members had managed to find their way to the Tyndale Cafe at The Pavilion instead of our usual venue at The Reddings, which had been taken over for the day for use as a Polling Station.
Janet got the meeting under way, welcoming our 3 visitors for the evening, Elaine Keates, Lin Robertson (Chris's Mum) and Sharon Jones. Judith Thompson and Carol Gardner have decided they like us so much that they have now become members and very welcome they are too!
Janet ran through the few notices and requested volunteers to make small cakes for the Christmas Social - the next, and final, meeting of the year. There will also be a Show and Tell: "First and Last" - so bring along the very first item you made, if you still have it, and your most recent piece.
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Julia wanted to let us know about the forthcoming sale at Oakshott (www.oakshottfabrics.com) and hoped we would all go along to lend our support.
Copied from the Oakshott website:
"End of Season Christmas SALE 30th Nov & 1st Dec 2012
On Friday 30th November and Saturday 1st December we are holding our end of season Christmas sale; come and visit us and find a bargain, we are just off Junction 11a of the M5. Hours 10am - 4pm"
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Margaret told us about Lorraine Pugh, of Highnam Quilters, who has access to offcuts of shirting from a factory which, until she managed to persuade them to pass it on to her, was going for landfill. There is so much of this material available that Lorraine would be very pleased to hear from any would-be customers.
Click on photos to enlarge image.
It was good to see so many members had managed to find their way to the Tyndale Cafe at The Pavilion instead of our usual venue at The Reddings, which had been taken over for the day for use as a Polling Station.
Janet got the meeting under way, welcoming our 3 visitors for the evening, Elaine Keates, Lin Robertson (Chris's Mum) and Sharon Jones. Judith Thompson and Carol Gardner have decided they like us so much that they have now become members and very welcome they are too!
Janet ran through the few notices and requested volunteers to make small cakes for the Christmas Social - the next, and final, meeting of the year. There will also be a Show and Tell: "First and Last" - so bring along the very first item you made, if you still have it, and your most recent piece.
.........................................................
Julia wanted to let us know about the forthcoming sale at Oakshott (www.oakshottfabrics.com) and hoped we would all go along to lend our support.
Copied from the Oakshott website:
"End of Season Christmas SALE 30th Nov & 1st Dec 2012
On Friday 30th November and Saturday 1st December we are holding our end of season Christmas sale; come and visit us and find a bargain, we are just off Junction 11a of the M5. Hours 10am - 4pm"
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Margaret told us about Lorraine Pugh, of Highnam Quilters, who has access to offcuts of shirting from a factory which, until she managed to persuade them to pass it on to her, was going for landfill. There is so much of this material available that Lorraine would be very pleased to hear from any would-be customers.
Click on photos to enlarge image.
If you have a colour preference let Lorraine know and she will do her best to help.
All the proceeds are donated to the National Star College at Ullenwood (www.natstar.ac.uk). The shirt factory likes to know what the fabric is being used for and Lorraine produces an annual Green Report for them so she would appreciate it if you could send her a short note of what you made, especially if it's something for charity, together with a photo, if possible, so that she can include it in her report.
Lorraine's contact details are: Mobile: 07977 588583
email: [email protected]
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Janet then welcomed our speaker for the evening: Textile Artist, Rosalind Johansson. Rosalind is especially interested in ethnic textiles and, having spent 12 years in Africa and 10 years in Scandinavia, is very influenced by these cultures.
The subject of Rosalind's talk was Swedish Textile Heritage which gave us a fascinating look back through their history and culture, including the spread of Celtic influences across Scandinavia, Scotland and Ireland.
Rosalind delivered her talk wearing a typical example of Swedish national dress. She took time to explain the various parts of the costume, from the felt and embroidery bonnet, the fine embroidery details on the "bib" and blouse (tie fastenings - definitely no buttons allowed!), to the pleated wool skirt (which has a slit in the front to accommodate pregnancy), and the brightly coloured apron which handily covered the slit.
She went on to explain that each village had its own variation of these items, especially the aprons, and the very strict conventions that were enforced regarding how it should look and who might properly be entitled to wear it. |
Rosalind passed around many examples of the work she had produced during a one year's foundation course in tradional weaving and embroidery she had taken during her time in Sweden, together with a wide variety of other items she had collected. There were also several lovely pieces of her own work - here are just a few of them.
Click on photos to enlarge image.
Rosalind had also brought along several books, illustrating the variety of national dress costumes and other typical Scandinavian designs which have been used in everything from household textiles to fashion items, and encouraged us to look through them after her talk.
After the talk there was ample opportunity to ask questions and have a closer look at everything Rosalind had brought along while Joyce Richards and Gill Hewlett, our hostesses for the evening, served up tea, coffee and biscuits with a smile.
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Don't forget to bring along your subscription renewal forms to the next meeting, on 6th December, when you will be able to collect your copy of next year's programme.
After the talk there was ample opportunity to ask questions and have a closer look at everything Rosalind had brought along while Joyce Richards and Gill Hewlett, our hostesses for the evening, served up tea, coffee and biscuits with a smile.
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Don't forget to bring along your subscription renewal forms to the next meeting, on 6th December, when you will be able to collect your copy of next year's programme.
Thursday, 1st November
There was such a buzz of conversation going on Thursday evening that Janet had a hard time trying to get everyone's attention! Starting the evening's programme with the usual notices, among them a most important reminder that the next meeting will be at the Pavilion in Hatherley Lane (the main entrance is located facing the playing field area on the right hand side of the building. Our meeting will be held in the Tyndale Cafe).
Janet then welcomed our 3 visitors: Judy Shaw, who had brought along her collection of 11 quilts which we were going to look at during the second half of the evening. Ann Stringer, who was visiting Cheltenham and, as a fellow quilter, had asked that she might join us for the evening and, last but certainly not least, we welcomed back Judith Thompson for a second visit.
Janet then invited Pearl to start her demonstration of the Folded Log Cabin block.
(Click on the pictures for a larger image.)
There was such a buzz of conversation going on Thursday evening that Janet had a hard time trying to get everyone's attention! Starting the evening's programme with the usual notices, among them a most important reminder that the next meeting will be at the Pavilion in Hatherley Lane (the main entrance is located facing the playing field area on the right hand side of the building. Our meeting will be held in the Tyndale Cafe).
Janet then welcomed our 3 visitors: Judy Shaw, who had brought along her collection of 11 quilts which we were going to look at during the second half of the evening. Ann Stringer, who was visiting Cheltenham and, as a fellow quilter, had asked that she might join us for the evening and, last but certainly not least, we welcomed back Judith Thompson for a second visit.
Janet then invited Pearl to start her demonstration of the Folded Log Cabin block.
(Click on the pictures for a larger image.)
These photograph's don't really do justice to Pearl's clever placement of colours ........
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Pearl had brought along some pieces of her own work to show how the block might be used. |
........ but you can see a wonderful 3D effect on this handsome owl in pride of place in the centre of the Courthouse Steps block.
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Pearl demonstrated the technique, handed out printed instructions and patiently went from table to table making sure everyone had both understood the instructions and knew what they were doing.
The entire room was soon a hive of industry but the level of concentation involved didn't slow down the need to chat - everyone comparing notes that they were getting things right.
Next we turned our attention to Judy's collection of quilts. Judy told us she didn't know much about them, even though she had been collecting them for 40 years, so there was much speculation as to when and where they may have been made - unfortuntately only one of the quilts had a label - a reminder to us all that we should label our work!
The final item of the evening was the raffle. There were three prizes to be won: two gift vouchers to be spent at Goose Chase Quilting, one for £10 and one for £7 and a covered notebook donated by Gill Hewlett; Hazel Harris-Hurley was the lucky winner of the £10 voucher; Joyce Richards was the happy recipient of the £7 voucher; and, although Gill Hewlett's ticket should have won her the notebook, she asked that it be redrawn as she didn't wish to win her own donation so Janet became the owner of the covered notebook.
See you all at the Pavilion on 15 November.
See you all at the Pavilion on 15 November.
Thursday, 18th October
Janet got the evening started with several notices. (If anyone hasn't yet had the requirements list for Pearl's Folded Log Cabin block, which she will be demonstating at the next meeting, please contact Janet for the details.) Also a reminder that on that evening Judy Shaw will be bringing along her collection of 11 quilts for everyone to see.
Our speaker for the evening was Ann Rippin - The Academic Quilter - who is Senior Lecturer in Business Management Studies at Bath University. Ann gave her talk on behalf of Medicin Sans Frontiers.
Ann explained that she uses her quilts as a visual representation of the structure and ethos of the various companies that her students study.
Our speaker for the evening was Ann Rippin - The Academic Quilter - who is Senior Lecturer in Business Management Studies at Bath University. Ann gave her talk on behalf of Medicin Sans Frontiers.
Ann explained that she uses her quilts as a visual representation of the structure and ethos of the various companies that her students study.
After the talk members were invited to examine the quilts up close and to look over Ann's workbooks.
Pam Bloomfield and Jane Grendon were our able hostesses for the evening, having brought along some delicious homemade shortbread and biscuits, and tirelessly making tea and coffee for everyone. Which put everyone in the mood for a good bit of socialising.
Pam Bloomfield and Jane Grendon were our able hostesses for the evening, having brought along some delicious homemade shortbread and biscuits, and tirelessly making tea and coffee for everyone. Which put everyone in the mood for a good bit of socialising.
Thursday, 4th October
With such a busy evening in front of us with Brenda demonstrating Applique Techniques, our Summer Challenge Competition to judge and the inauguration of the raffle, Janet immediately gave the floor to Brenda.
Brenda started by telling us a bit about several different applique techniques, passing around some examples of her work for everyone to have a closer look, and telling how innovative quilters keep coming up with new ways to applique. She had also brought along several of her favourite books on the subject that we could browse through.
Brenda had obviously put in a tremendous amount of work preparing individual packs of materials ready for everyone to try their hand at some of these techniques and which would provide samplers for future reference.
Brenda started by telling us a bit about several different applique techniques, passing around some examples of her work for everyone to have a closer look, and telling how innovative quilters keep coming up with new ways to applique. She had also brought along several of her favourite books on the subject that we could browse through.
Brenda had obviously put in a tremendous amount of work preparing individual packs of materials ready for everyone to try their hand at some of these techniques and which would provide samplers for future reference.
A big vote of thanks to Brenda for putting together such an excellent demonstration - all your preparations for the evening were very much appreciated by the participants.
Tea/coffee and biscuits came next, served by our able hostesses for the evening Alison Stagg and Maggie Lowthian - thank you both - the biscuits were delicious.
After that it was time to judge the Summer Challenge competition the subject of which was "Autumn".
Tea/coffee and biscuits came next, served by our able hostesses for the evening Alison Stagg and Maggie Lowthian - thank you both - the biscuits were delicious.
After that it was time to judge the Summer Challenge competition the subject of which was "Autumn".
Janet had put a post-it beside each entry and suggested we each put a coin on the one we wished to vote for. She had also thoughtfully brought along a collection box for the The Children's Society. It was agreed that all the coins collected during the judging would be donated to this charity. An excellent idea as between us we raised £8.38 and had fun doing it!
The entry with the most coins and therefore winner of the challenge was Anne Underhill who produced the beautifully executed quilt seen on the right of the centre picture above. The prize for the winner was 2 Batik fat quarters from Goose Chase Quilting. Well done, Anne! And well done everyone who took part!
Last but not least, came the inaugural raffle: Gill Hewlett, our newest committee member, had generously donated a bagful of assorted items to be raffled over time. But for our first outing there were three prizes to be won. The first prize was a Gift Voucher, offered in conjunction with Goose Chase Quilting, for £10; second and third prizes were covered notebooks supplied from the stash Gill had donated.
Joan Hedworth was the lucky winner of the first prize, who said she would shortly be paying a visit to Sarah at Goose Chase; Margaret Steventon took the 2nd prize and had first choice of the two notebooks on offer while Karen Pike who, to her own consternation managed to draw her own ticket (a talent we'd all like to have, Karen), took the third prize.
The raffle raised a fantastic £27 some of which will be used for prizes for the next raffle* and some will be saved towards extra prizes for the Christmas Social.
General agreement had it that we had all been well entertained for the evening.
*Have a look on the "News and Updates" page for when the next raffle will be held.
The entry with the most coins and therefore winner of the challenge was Anne Underhill who produced the beautifully executed quilt seen on the right of the centre picture above. The prize for the winner was 2 Batik fat quarters from Goose Chase Quilting. Well done, Anne! And well done everyone who took part!
Last but not least, came the inaugural raffle: Gill Hewlett, our newest committee member, had generously donated a bagful of assorted items to be raffled over time. But for our first outing there were three prizes to be won. The first prize was a Gift Voucher, offered in conjunction with Goose Chase Quilting, for £10; second and third prizes were covered notebooks supplied from the stash Gill had donated.
Joan Hedworth was the lucky winner of the first prize, who said she would shortly be paying a visit to Sarah at Goose Chase; Margaret Steventon took the 2nd prize and had first choice of the two notebooks on offer while Karen Pike who, to her own consternation managed to draw her own ticket (a talent we'd all like to have, Karen), took the third prize.
The raffle raised a fantastic £27 some of which will be used for prizes for the next raffle* and some will be saved towards extra prizes for the Christmas Social.
General agreement had it that we had all been well entertained for the evening.
*Have a look on the "News and Updates" page for when the next raffle will be held.
Thursday, 20th September
Janet welcomed us back after the long summer break and introduced our speaker for the evening, Ann Jermey.
Ann began by inviting us to ask questions as she went along as "we would be sure to forget them by the time she got to the end". Ann's talk "And What's Wrong With Hexagons?" was both lighthearted, interesting and packed with information about different ways to use the humble hexagon with which most of us had started our quilting lives. Ann had brought with her an impressive amount of examples of her beautiful quilts, both hand and longarm machine quilted, which she used to illustrate her talk.
She also told us of her work in rescuing other people's abandoned hexagons which both she and a group she works with make up into quilts to either donate to Project Linus or to donate to charities for auction. Passing examples of "abandoned" pieces around for everyone to see.
There was also a much admired wall-hanging made by one of Ann's friends: tumbling blocks with appliqued cats climbing the "stairs" and embroidered plants.
After Ann's talk Sandra and Chris served up tea, coffee and biscuits and members had time to have a closer look at Ann's exhibits and ask questions.
Everyone agreed that it had been a most enjoyable evening.
Ann began by inviting us to ask questions as she went along as "we would be sure to forget them by the time she got to the end". Ann's talk "And What's Wrong With Hexagons?" was both lighthearted, interesting and packed with information about different ways to use the humble hexagon with which most of us had started our quilting lives. Ann had brought with her an impressive amount of examples of her beautiful quilts, both hand and longarm machine quilted, which she used to illustrate her talk.
She also told us of her work in rescuing other people's abandoned hexagons which both she and a group she works with make up into quilts to either donate to Project Linus or to donate to charities for auction. Passing examples of "abandoned" pieces around for everyone to see.
There was also a much admired wall-hanging made by one of Ann's friends: tumbling blocks with appliqued cats climbing the "stairs" and embroidered plants.
After Ann's talk Sandra and Chris served up tea, coffee and biscuits and members had time to have a closer look at Ann's exhibits and ask questions.
Everyone agreed that it had been a most enjoyable evening.
Thursday, 5th July - Summer Social
On arrival members were greeted with their choice of drink accompanied by tasty nibbles. When everyone had arrived and were settled around the tablecloth bedecked tables, Janet opened the event with a run down of the evening's programme.
First came a survey in the form of a questionnaire which provoked quite a lot of discussion amongst the members. The newly formed committee had received several suggestions and wished to seek members' opinions before introducing any of them. (A summary of the results of the survey can be seen on the News and Updates page.)
After all that hard work came tea or coffee, served by Jo and Karen, with a choice of several delicious cakes made by members. The cakes were so good some of us tried more than one!
A Show and Tell was next on the evening's agenda. Many members had brought along more than one item which gave us a marvellous variety of pieces to admire. Regretfully no one took any photos but, if anybody would like to take of photograph of the work they showed on the evening (or any other of their completed pieces), please let us have them for the website - don't be shy about this, ladies, our new site desperately needs more pictures.
Finally, Janet announced our Summer Challenge. The subject is "Autumn" and submissions can be any size and in any medium which gives everyone room to let their imagination soar. Finished pieces should be brought along to the meeting on 4th October when members will vote for the one they like most. There will be a small prize for the winner.
All of which gave members a lot to talk about and it seemed to be generally agreed that we had all had a very enjoyable evening.
Have a wonderful summer everyone - see you all on 20th September.
First came a survey in the form of a questionnaire which provoked quite a lot of discussion amongst the members. The newly formed committee had received several suggestions and wished to seek members' opinions before introducing any of them. (A summary of the results of the survey can be seen on the News and Updates page.)
After all that hard work came tea or coffee, served by Jo and Karen, with a choice of several delicious cakes made by members. The cakes were so good some of us tried more than one!
A Show and Tell was next on the evening's agenda. Many members had brought along more than one item which gave us a marvellous variety of pieces to admire. Regretfully no one took any photos but, if anybody would like to take of photograph of the work they showed on the evening (or any other of their completed pieces), please let us have them for the website - don't be shy about this, ladies, our new site desperately needs more pictures.
Finally, Janet announced our Summer Challenge. The subject is "Autumn" and submissions can be any size and in any medium which gives everyone room to let their imagination soar. Finished pieces should be brought along to the meeting on 4th October when members will vote for the one they like most. There will be a small prize for the winner.
All of which gave members a lot to talk about and it seemed to be generally agreed that we had all had a very enjoyable evening.
Have a wonderful summer everyone - see you all on 20th September.
Thursday, 21 June
Janet opened the evening with a run-down of the items planned for the evening. First Helen was going to tell us all about 'Inchies' then, after coffee and biscuits, Janet would explain the way House Groups worked.
Given the floor, Helen invited us into the wonderfully imaginative world of 'Inchies'.
One inch square works of art that can be made from, or embellished with, anything that your imagination can come up with.
Helen handed round a variety of pieces that demonstrated the various uses that 'inchies' could be put to. From decorating cards and small boxes to making into small boxes and also used to make up items of jewellery. Again, the only limit is your imagination.
Unfortunately we were so busy admiring Helen's little works of art that no-one took any photographs!
Thank you Helen for a most entertaining talk and your patience with all our questions.
After coffee and biscuits Janet explained the idea of House Groups and how they work followed by a Show and Tell of some pieces produced by the existing two groups: 'The Really Useless Group' and 'Kaleidoscope' - again, no photos! But go to the House Group page, which can be found in the Gallery, to learn more about these groups.
Four or five members thought they might like to form another group and maybe they will also be showing their work at a future Show and Tell.
Altogether a very enjoyable evening and a big thank to all who braved the terrible weather and made it to The Reddings.
The next meeting is on 5th July for our Summer Social - do come! There will be plenty to interest - especially as part of the evening's entertainment will be a Show and Tell for the whole group. We look forward to seeing you all.
Given the floor, Helen invited us into the wonderfully imaginative world of 'Inchies'.
One inch square works of art that can be made from, or embellished with, anything that your imagination can come up with.
Helen handed round a variety of pieces that demonstrated the various uses that 'inchies' could be put to. From decorating cards and small boxes to making into small boxes and also used to make up items of jewellery. Again, the only limit is your imagination.
Unfortunately we were so busy admiring Helen's little works of art that no-one took any photographs!
Thank you Helen for a most entertaining talk and your patience with all our questions.
After coffee and biscuits Janet explained the idea of House Groups and how they work followed by a Show and Tell of some pieces produced by the existing two groups: 'The Really Useless Group' and 'Kaleidoscope' - again, no photos! But go to the House Group page, which can be found in the Gallery, to learn more about these groups.
Four or five members thought they might like to form another group and maybe they will also be showing their work at a future Show and Tell.
Altogether a very enjoyable evening and a big thank to all who braved the terrible weather and made it to The Reddings.
The next meeting is on 5th July for our Summer Social - do come! There will be plenty to interest - especially as part of the evening's entertainment will be a Show and Tell for the whole group. We look forward to seeing you all.