snugglybug rugs

Did you know that I have an email list of the most wonderful group of women who put their hand up whenever I ask. They are my snugglybug ladies who volunteer to make a block, assemble or quilt when a new request is made from the Royal Hobart Hospital. Above is a newly presented quilt for "Quinn" (not his real name) who is a 9 year old Carlton fan with two years of treatment ahead of him in hospitals, day treatments and surgeries. Many thanks to the nine blockmakers, to Kim for assembling and to Bronwyn of Esmes for quilting it.

Lilian - owner of Esmes in Launceston had a busy week for me also having Bronwyn quilt 'Sweet Charity' - the quilt made by all the ladies at the recent charity stitching day - Stitching in the Valley. This quilt is very large and would have been quite a challenge to get through my little Bernie... It will be raffled with proceeds funding backings for Snugglybug rugs for the next 12mths and then the rest donated to charity. I have also patterned this with a portion of sales going to charity each year. It does feel good to give something back when one can so this is my little contribution to the community I live in and to those less fortunate than me.

now I tried to upload a pic of it for you but it turned green??? will try again later - probably not until next week as I leave for Melbourne Quilt market at the crack of dawn Thursday. If any of you are attending please come say hello...My eldest daughter Molly is coming for the first time to help me out on the booth so say hi to her also to make her feel welcome..I am sure I am going to be very proud of her.

Im teaching two classes in Colourque at Michelles Sewing basket, they have been so excited and are so organised, I love to meet new stitching fanatics and see how they interpret my projects so will be a long but great day after a 4am start!

and before I go, did everyone see the gorgeous owl bunting on the Last Minute Christmas Gift blog - I just have to make them...they are by Alex Rasmussen of Moonstitches.

hugs

Helen

when its okay to say *****

I recently got an email with this as its title and there were some very funny situations pictured in the email. Yesterday I had occasion to justify a 'not so bad but not normally used' word which escaped my mouth as a can of diet coke spilt over the Tilly and friends quilt as it was half way through being quilted for Melb Quilt Market in a few weeks arrggghhhh!! However, I think its saved, all rinsed, quilting finished, photo taken and artwork sent to the replicators... and no more cans of diet coke allowed near the machine..... Hopefully the finished CD's will be back in time..

problem was that I am trying to do so many things at once at the moment... preparing for my Charity stitching day on Sunday, finishing new projects for Melb, organising new boxes, flyers and pattern covers, organising a teaching program, accommodation, transport etc.... sound busy, thats life, one step at a time I keep saying. At least my new Tempter bags arrived safely today so the packing can begin there...

reading all the messages about designer aquaintances and friends getting ready for Houston market the last few days and my thoughts go to Mel and Rosie who are heading off on their first trip. The last minute panics sound so familiar, have we got everything, have we got enough, have we forgotten anything... best of luck to you all and above all have fun..

so its back to packing for Sunday, I do hope the ladies have a wonderful day, they always have joined in the spirit but I am sure we all have a few nerves regarding how happy they will be with my projects, their goody bags etc...

We have a holiday here tomorrow for our local agricultural show so this year we, the whole family are going to spend the day. The weather forecast is perfect, the girls are excited, the animals will all be on show (except of course for the poor horses) and the pocket money has been saved.
Think of my tomorrow night with girls full of fairy floss,sugar, fatty dagwood dogs and churned up from rides..
til then..


hugs
Helen

stitching in the valley

more organising and ordering for kits for my annual charity stitching day today. Have been finalising all of the projects this week, I hope the ladies will like them, they have a whole workshop collection here. Still waiting for promised fabric for the actual group charity quilt so cannot test that one yet..... For those of you who wonder how it works, it is similar to gatherings and friendship days held in every state but with a few differences. We all work one one block to make one quilt together first which is then raffled to raise funds for a chosen charity. This brings us together in the spirit of giving and sharing with others through our passion.

Then its onto their goody bags of patterns, kits and other goodies for the day. Inspirational speakers, entertainment and shopping, eating and chatting fill the rest of a wonderful day.

This is a huge commitment for me to organise, design and carry out each year with just the help of a couple of wonderful friends but it is my contribution to those less fortunate out there. And now that I have started it my ladies are not going to let me stop!

I've included a sneak peak at some of the projects for 2007. Bookings are now open with strictly limited numbers which are filling fast, so if you happen to have stumbled across this and wish to come, email now. I know we'll have another wonderful feelgood day.

hugs

Helen

standard day

well today was pretty standard, 2 x BAS's, reconciling, paying bills, packing patterns.... gee, I would really just like to sew..... I did get a small amount done tonight on the projects for the Charity Stitching day this year. Yes the date has been booked and a new venue to try. 9th September at the Newtown Senior Citizens club (which is in Lenah Valley) so it is called 'Stitching in the Valley'. Lots to do, projects to design and make, supplies to order, kits to pack, patterns to write, entertainment and speakers to arrange, catering.... but the enjoyment and the feeling of warmth and sharing on the day makes it all worth it...and we do make a quilt to raffle for a very worthy cause.

Tonight when I was speaking with my mother (who lives in SA) she really wanted to be here for at least one of my charity days, so to cut a long story short, the tickets are booked, and my entertainment may be solved. We grew up with her playing the piano for dances, weddings and singalongs, I am sure she can still do it - are we up for a singalong of all the old favourites ladies??

I did waste some time today catching up on some blogs and following some other blog links. See Natalies latest pattern or keep an eye on Kim's exciting takeover in the next couple of days!

and for those who have asked, My grandmothers' not going so well afterall so we'll keep her in our thoughts and hope that she keeps the resolve to hang in there..... it can get better....but she seems to take one step forward and two steps back and even I would have had enough..

hugs for tonight
Helen