R.F.S. Fund Raising Efforts

This year members of the Springwood Community Quiltshow Committee were able to hand over a cheque for $6000 to the Blue Mountains R.F.S. On Thursday 7th November, Paul Mc Grath, Liason Officer for the Blue Mountains  R.F.S.  attended a luncheon at the fabulous Bygone Beautys tearooms in Leura to accept the cheque for 2013 fund raising. Randall Walker, Chairman of B.M.L.O.T( Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism) also attended.

Randall, Maurice, Paul, Susie, Moyra, Suzanne and Vicki.

 

The money provided is used by the R.F.S. to replenish supplies and equipment. This will be especially valuable following the recent devastating bushfires in our local area.

The delicious lunch was provided by Maurice Cooper-OAM of Bygone Beautys who also assists in raising money for The Red Balloon.

 

 

A most enjoyable lunch.

 

Committee members enjoyed looking at the beautiful teapots on display. We can't wait to see what Maurice brings along to our show in April.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Quilter- Ann Langley

Our guest quilter for 2014 will be local quilter, Ann Langley. Ann has worked in T.A.F.E. since the 1980's teaching fashion and later patchwork at both Katoomba and Blacktown T.A.F.E. She enjoys working with a variety of techniques and fabrics to create interesting designs.

                                                    Ann at Home at Wentworth Falls

One of Ann's favourite techniques is using hand applique to produce beautiful designs and effects. This quilt below won 3rd prize at the Sydney Quilt Show in 2008 and is based on a design by Ann Daggs.

3rd Prize -Sydney Quilt Show 2008

Hand Applique

 



Ann has previously taught at the Stitching Post in Katoomba, Wentworth Falls- Hearts and Hands and Bernina Patch at Penrith. She is presently teaching small classes in the Hawksbury area.

 

 

Remembrance Poppies

 

This stunning quilt based on a design by Pam Bono was made for Ann's mother who loved poppies.

 

Ann- busy at play.

 

Ann spends many happy moments in her huge sewing room with her small dog, Shandy for company.

 

 

Local quilters are excited to have Ann as the guest quilter for the 2014 Springwood Community Quilt Show. Looking forward to it.  

 

October Meeting

During a stressful week in the recent Blue Mountains bushfires many families lost their homes and thousands were evacuated. The committee met a week later than usual and discussed our plans for the 2014 quiltshow. We reflected on the importance of our fundraising efforts for the R.F.S. and the planned hand over of $6000 raised from last year's show.  Susie studied the completed top for the 2014 raffle quilt.


Susie studies the raffle quilt

The following day, Arthur and Susie (standing on the milk crate) hold the raffle quilt in filtered light to display the gorgeous designs.


Grace's Quilt
2014 Raffle Quilt

Our next raffle quilt!

One show finished and another begins! We have chosen a design which is our interpretation  of an English quilt from the 1820s. The original quilt lives at Gawthorpe Hall in the UK and it is amazing.

We've had two sewing days so far - sorting out fabrics to start with ...

...lots of options from all our stashes.

There will be nine of these blocks, EPP by committee members and the wide sashing is appliqued hexagons.

Chris removing hexagon papers from her sashing strip...

 Suzanne says it's so much more fun ironing patchwork than ironing clothes!

Carol working on the last block.

Suzanne and Chris with the all-important morning tea staples.

We are on track to have the top finished and to the wonderful Susie Anderson for quilting by November. That's the plan anyway!

The Springwood Community Quilt Show for 2013 has now come to a close.

Here are a few photos from our last day. Hope you enjoy them.

Sharon one of our happy volunteers at the entry desk.  Our raffle quilt, 'Homage' hangs behind her. 

Where would we be without our man power?  Graham and Steve dismantling the gazebos' which gave us great cover for outside seating.

More great manpower, tireless volunteer Bob, just the right height as well.

Folded quilts ready to be collected.

The Committee thanks Bendigo Bank Katoomba branch, who happily supply three gazebo's for use throughout our three day Show. 


More photos and updates on our Viewer's Choice and Raffle Quilt winner shortly.

Thank you to all our volunteers and everyone who came and supported this year's great Quilt Show. Proudly known as the Premier Quilt Show event in the Blue Mountains. 

For now, it is time for a rest, before the Quilt Show Committee re groups to start planning for the 2014 Show. 

Our special guests

Isobel Lancashire (Blue Mountains quilter and stalwart member of the NSW Quilters Guild), Susie Anderson (committee member and respected long-arm quilter) and Nerida Richmond Benson (Featured Quilter) enjoyed talking about their shared passion for quilts at our Show.

HOW DO YOU HANG THE QUILTS SO HIGH ON THE WALLS?

This question was posted on a previous blog post.  Although answered in writing, nothing tells you better then a photo.  In a nutshell: we use two pool poles with a large hook firmly attached at one end. The quilt is threaded through its rod pocket then lifted to a pre drilled screw that has been left in place from the previous year. This is a very safe way to hang a very large quilt for the 'hangers' and careful handling for the quilt.

The above photo is of Kathy's quilt, The Civil War Chronicles and the pole lifters are of another great husband helper, Arthur and volunteer Judy. 

2013 Quilt Show

2013 Springwood Community Quilt Show is now under way.

Sorry there was no post of our first day of the show from Friday.  People came from far and near and the queue before 10.00am was was out the door!  Thank you to everyone who patiently waited to enter and buy heaps of raffle tickets. It seemed a coffee was on most people's mind  so our stand in cafe stallholder, Sandra was literally run off her feet.   The cafe staff were kept extremely busy all day and today, Saturday was no different. 

Only one more day to go, Sunday, so don't leave it too late to come and visit. The raffle quilt will be drawn around 3.00pm followed by the announcement of the Viewer's Choice Award for each day. Always an exciting time to be present. 

Below are a few photos taken on Saturday.

 A beautiful William Morris design stitched by Steph and hand quilted by her husband Jack.

 Castles and Dragons with real glitzy embellishments.  The dragons are separately fixed to Trudi's wall hanging.

 Many rows of gorgeous quilts with very appreciative viewers.

The Stitching Post was kept very busy as like all the Stallholders.  Bargains were available at all the stalls.

Sunday 10.00am - 4.00pm,  wonderful quilts to see,  great cafe, lots of stalls and wonderful Blue Mountains weather.  What else would you rather be doing?

Assembling Day

DAY BEFORE THE QUILTS ARRIVE. . . .

Another beautiful day in Springwood.  Our delivery of quilt stands arrived and were unloaded on time by our great courier, Adam and friend. 
Along with a few helpers all the committee members were ready to jump into action, under the guidance of Chris Jurd.  Chris has spent an enormous amount of time measuring and planning the layout of the stands to fit within the hall.   Now into the show's 8th year, we must all know what we are doing as we seemed to have the construction side of the day done in record time. Or was it the smell of good coffee and fresh sandwiches that got us all going?

Below are a few photos of the day.  Hope it gives you an idea of what takes place.

Poles and stands all measured and laid out.

Helpful husbands, Arthur and Graham.

 Chris Jurd, centre, giving helpful instructions.

 Many hands make light work. 

 One of the many very large rows assembled.  Now it is all hands ready to lift it upright.

 Seems to go ok. (Phew!!!)

Committee members plus some, having a well earned cuppa.


Thank you to all the volunteers who were able to help today.

Tomorrow being ANZAC Day, we stop to observe the special significance this day means to us all and our country.  

We will begin receiving quilts that have been entered into our show from 11.00 am.  After a quick lunch, these wonderful quilts will be hung. As we all have a role to play throughout the day, it is not until the very end of the day can we stand back and look at what is the start of the 8th Annual Springwood Community Quilt Show.

Meet our stallholders

STALLHOLDERS UPDATE

Alex Callow's Stall

This year we have 10 traders adding a wonderful atmosphere to our annual quilt show. Extremely popular is Alex Callow. Alex's handmade goodies are so popular, that she has to spend an enormous amount of time during the year making items just to make sure she has enough stock for our show. Alex is located immediately on the right hand side as you enter the hall. If you are after something special, Alex will have it.

Anne Sommerlad and Petal Davies

Sharing a stall are two local teachers with their individual crafts.  Both sell their own patterns and have a variety of their quilts on hand for everyone to come and have a close look . Anne and Petal will have information on their classes along with some unique fabrics.  Petal is a committee member of the Springwood Community Quilt Show and her area of responsibility is to look after the volunteers. If you were wondering what duties are available for a volunteer, call over and have a chat with her. 

Down Patchwork Lane

Gail and Tamara are a mother and daughter team who own Down Patchwork Lane in Penrith. Last year Tamara created gorgeous hand died fabrics and turned them into fabulous scarves. They bring a variety of fabrics and quilting goodies every year and run a very happy stall located next to Maurice Cooper's Bygone Beauties teapot display. Currently, Down Patchwork Lane is displaying our raffle quilt and will have it in their shop until ANZAC day. Great opportunity to go and have a close look, why not buy a handful of tickets as well as check out the shop.

Unique Treasures

Unique Treasures is exactly what the name implies. You have to get in fast at this stall because when it is sold it is gone! The variety of china and bric 'n brac adds loads of character to the stall.  Chris and her friend Vicki have been running stalls together for over 20 years. Keeping up with the trends, doilies and vintage linen are now a main item for sale. Chris Jurd is known to many quilters as a very accomplished patchworker. Now a many times over published quilter of her own designs.   The stall stocks all Chris' patterns and many of her quilts are on display helping those who want to sign up for classes to get a first hand look. Bring any quilts to show Chris as she is always pleased to see them and meet their makers and have a chat.

 Both ladies are committee members, Vicki looking after the stallholders while Chris along with Marilynn have the enormous task of working out the layout of the quilt show. ( More of what that involves at a later post.)

Anni Downes , Hatched and Patched from Bathurst is not available this year, but she tells me she will be back in 2014.

Lilyvale Treasures with a Past will be located in front of the stage with her collectibles.

Chop Chop Sew (great name)  is a newbie to our show and we look forward to her hand made craft goodies.

Rhonda Pearce from Post Office Patchwork in Glenbrook is a long time favourite.

Sharon Slavey, Sew n Save, Springwood brings lots of haby and patchwork patterns.

Karen and Brendan, husband and wife team from the Stitching Post  Katoomba,  have all the latest fabrics and gadgets.  These two are always happy to help.

Carol - Cherry Pie Designs was a newbie last year and thankfully has come on board as a permanent stall holder. A delight to have her and her patterns at the show.

Finally, we have Maurice Cooper from Bygone Beauties.  A display only, he always tries to bring teapots and teacups in a theme to compliment our raffle quilt. We are always surprised what he comes up with. This year might have a nostalgic touch - something relating to our pioneers?  Maurice very generously supplies us with vouchers to give to paying customers for a devonshire tea for two offer at his Leura shop. If you haven't used this offer before, you are missing the best scones, ever!

It is always a big decision when visiting a quilt show. What to do first, view the quilts or visit the stalls.  What will you be doing?

18 days to go...

....til all the action starts.

We have a total of 190 quilts to hang and we unfortunately had to cull 39 entries so that makes nearly 240 initial entries! Amazing and a great show of support from our local quilters.

There were so many BIG quilts entered which is why we had to restrict most entrants to two quilts each just to fit as many as possible into the space available.

Marilyn has done a wonderful job setting out the  display and the stands have been ordered accordingly. Banners are on display on roads up and down the mountains and we have had some lovely publicity from our local quilting magazines too.

The raffle quilt is doing the rounds of the shops and will be hanging in the hall foyer behind the front desk for all to see when the show opens on Friday 26th April at 10am. It is so much better in the flesh.

So do come along and check out the quilts, the café, the traders and our featured quilter Nerida Richmond-Benson who'll be on the stage with around a dozen of her beautiful Japanese-themed quilts.

Entries due!

Entry forms are now available for the 8th Springwood Quilt Show last weekend in April.

Forms are downloadable by clicking where it says on the top right hand side of this blog - remember it's a two page form with essential information on the 2nd page.

Entries close 14th March.

The raffle quilt is now out and about in Blue Mountains Quilt shops with tickets being sold on our behalf by the very generous shops. Thanks so much!

 

 

Hope you've got lots of entries for us!