ARTICLES FROM NEWSLETTER MARCH 2006

Threads from the Chairman and the Committee

 Hello there.

This is an extraordinary message from all of us on the committee.  Regrettably Penny, whilst with us in spirit, is indisposed and not able to write personally to you all.

Penny has had an operation for ovarian cancer in St. Michael’s Hospital, Bristol and now at home, awaiting the chemotherapy treatment.  However, she is still at the helm.  We know you will all join us in sending our special wishes to her.

The Year 2006 has started in splendid style.  The workshop with Jan Hazzard went really well and everyone had a great day, as many of you saw in February's meeting with several wonderfully coloured tops.

The tickets for the splendid raffle quilt have now arrived and we do hope you will all support the group in selling as many tickets as possible.  More later in the newsletter.

We send our best wishes to you all and look forward to an exciting few months.

The Committee"

 JAN HAZZARD’S "DAZZLING DIAMOND" WORKSHOP - A BIRD'S EYE VIEW

Whilst not taking part in the actual work shop, it was great to see 19 quilters eagerly, and some, apprehensively, setting up their machines.  With the kind help of Cyril and Rod there was a whole table each with electrics duly taped and fitted.

Jan Hazzard, in her usual inspiring, but gentle way, took everyone through each stage and always seemed to have time to each person's query.

What a wonderful array of colour began to evolve. The room was so quite and busy it was fun to walk around and see what everyone was doing.

The idea of a huge work board was a splendid idea and Jan had several to sell. This seemed a good idea, until we needed to take them home.  Fortunately some of our friends have large vehicles and stored them for us.

Everyone stopped for lunch, which was served in the small hall at St Paul's. They all agreed it was good to get away from their work and not to have worried about their 'picnic' earlier in the morning.

All in all, I think it was a super day and one we hope to repeat with another tutor - but, after the quilt show!!.

RONI TAPLIN

 DAZZLING DIAMONDS WORKSHOP – THE SHOP FLOOR VIEW

 What a wonderful, inspiring day, no phones, no interruptions and Individual tuition from Jan Hassard what more could we ask for,  drinks and food provide on tap all day, by Penny, Roni & Arleen. All we had to concentrate on was sewing, sewing and more sewing. (Bliss)

 Penny & her husband Cyril  was at St. Paul’s hall at the crack of dawn setting up tables,  Roni’s Husband Rod did a sterling job of putting electric sockets around the room so that each table had a socket near by. Penny Arleen and Roni had worked had for days preparing food & cake’s.

When the room was ready for action, Jan arrived with her fabric, instructions and samples of finished quilts. Jan is a very easy going tutor, she work at each individuals pace, and supports everyone on the course. She is very generous with her knowledge and would answer questions on any aspect of patchwork and quilting.

 Jan took us through the easy steps of putting together colour strata’s so that they came out straight. She then demonstrated how to cut 60% angles from our strata’s, and then how to arrange them to make the diamond shaped patchwork.

I learnt a lot at this workshop, and Jan’s enthusiasm help you along the day.

 The work shop gave twenty people the opportunity to work with a talented, respected quilter. If any of you have not attend one of Jan’s workshops, then I can highly recommend them.

 JENNY LESTER

 I Y NZ

The other side of the world - Sounds so far away and, of course, it is, but I was lucky enough to visit over Christmas and the New Year.

In between the standing open mouthed at the wonderfully picturesque views, stuffing my face with whatever freshly prepared naughties we had most recently found and talking animatedly to the locals about their beautiful homeland, I managed to find two quilt shops and a quilt exhibition.

 During our first days in Auckland we went and visited the town of Devonport. Devonport is Auckland's historic seaside village with its Victorian villas and picture-postcard waterfront, one of the earliest settled areas of Auckland. 

In the heart of Devonport is Cushla’s Village Fabrics (www.cushlasvillagefabrics.co.nz), a beautiful shop with up to the minute fabrics from all over the world.  I specifically wanted to buy fabrics reflecting New Zealand and chose Maori designs as well as others echoing the plant life of the country.  I also managed to stop and talk awhile to the very friendly staff, who were delighted to have an overseas visitor.

I was probably admiring their stock, flicking through their books and passing the time of day for a good three quarters of an hour, before I had to leave to catch up with the husband.

The day after Boxing Day we travelled by train from Christchurch to Greymouth, a glorious trip across the mountains.  We arrived with a good part of the afternoon to kill and so ventured out to explore the town.  This consisted mainly window shopping, as many places were still shut for the Christmas holidays.

Located on the bank of the Grey River in the heart of Greymouth is the Left Bank Art Gallery, an historic building and formerly the Bank of New Zealand.  This houses the usual contemporary New Zealand art, sculpture and crafts, but also a few travelling exhibitions.

Imagine my surprise and delight to find a quilt exhibition on.  Husband decided to meet me back at the car later!

Barbara McQuarrie’s exhibition entitled The Power of Nine, consisting a collection of 23 quilts.  They were all quite small quilts, heavily machine quilted in geometric or straight lines.  Many incorporated shells, beads or other natural items ‘framed’ by the quilting, some even looking like little windows.  They were a joy to look at and I came away with a few new ideas – all to be explored at some time in the future. (Back home I have tried to find Barbara McQuarrie on the internet to remind me of some of her work, but to no avail!)

Our last few days in New Zealand were spent in Christchurch and whilst visiting the Historic Arts Centre, I came across a small quilting shop.  Forget Me Knots – Stitcher and Gifts, it was quite a little cave of delights. 

Many of the quilts displayed on the walls incorporated embroidered designs, and I see that this seems to be quite a trend in New Zealand at the moment.  I was quite taken with them and again, this may be a feature in some of my up and coming quilts – well in my head anyway!

There were many other quilting resources in New Zealand, along with, of course, our friends in Nelson, but alas I could not incorporate these into our visit this time.  They will just have to wait till NEXT TIME !!!

VICKI MCHUGH