Category Archives: Events

Are you up for a challenge?

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It’s that time of year again when we issue a challenge to all our clever ladies to come up with a quilt that will fit a theme and be shown at the Christmas party event at the end of the year. Before we talk about the challenge let’s talk about our Christmas Party – it’s only4 months away – I know hard to believe isn’t it?
Challenge picture 1
Generally at the Christmas Party we have a ‘Secret Santa’ gift swap where everyone brings a gift to exchange. This year we thought we’d try to be a bit more creative – actually it was Jan who suggested it so all kudos to her – instead of bringing a gift this time we want you to bring a pincushion to exchange.
All those who bring a pincushion will take one home. Here’s your chance to try a new technique or just ‘de-stash’ a little. All you have to do is:
1. Make a pincushion.

2. Wrap it up in Christmas paper (the mystery makes swapping more exciting!)

3. Bring it to the Christmas party

4. You will receive a number and when your number is called you choose a ‘gift’ and get a pincushion to keep!

Need some inspiration? There are lots of pincushion patterns at Apatchy or you could create your own!
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And now on to the challenge……
We have had some wonderful exhibits in the past and the more there are the more interesting and fun the event – so if you haven’t entered before why don’t you have a go this time?
This time the rules are a little different in order to leave the event open to more types of work – which should make it all the more interesting!
So here are the guidelines:
– The challenge runs until 21st November 2014.
– There are two prizes – the winner judged by a neutral party; and the Viewer’s Choice Award
– You may make anything you like as long as it’s either quilted and/or embroidered. It can be machine or hand stitched.
– If it’s a quilt then make sure there is a hanging sleeve so we can hang it at the Christmas Party. Likewise other works should be able to be ‘shown’ at the display.
– Write a few words about your project including how it fits into the theme and you’re done.
The Christmas party will be held on Saturday 22nd November (earlier than previously advertised) and this event will also see the drawing of the raffle for the group “Flowers for Trudy” quilt – all proceeds of which are going to the Blue Nurses.
Oh and you’re wondering about the theme – well here it is….
Drum roll please, or maybe a fanfare on a trumpet…… the theme this year is

challenge picture 3MUSIC

Maybe it’s a favourite song or artist that inspires you, maybe it’s the harmony of hundreds of hexagons, perhaps a quilt for a loved one with musical instruments, or a landscape of the Austrian alps (the hills being alive with you-know-what or a skirt with guitar fabric (told you it didn’t have to be a quilt). Away you go…create my beauties
Here’s some inspiration:
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Maryborough Show

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Having a great weekend at the Rotary Heritage Craft weekend at Maryborough. Remember last year we were here we challenged one of the organisers to make up our owl? Well he did and here’s the proof.

Before

Before


After

After


We hung our ‘Flowers for Trudy’ quilt and we have had a huge response to it. Everyone loves the bright colours and are quite disappointed when we tell them it isn’t a kit for sale. We have sold quite a few raffle tickets so we have raised more for the Blue Nurses which is great.
We have seen some beautiful quilts here – both machine-pieced and hand-embroidered. Plus there are great stalls here. I have helped the local economy you will be pleased to hear.
It’s also been very nice spending time with Mum and Dad who have been helping Jan and I. We’ve discovered some hidden gems including a great breakfast spot.
Here are some photos from the show. Come and say hello if you’re in town tomorrow.
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Challenge revealed!

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The gathering we had yesterday is what Apatchy people call a Christmas party. To those of you who have never attended one of these parties it is more of a delight for the senses.

Yes each person brought a plate of delicacies for all to share and yes we mingled and chatted and exchanged gifts and laughed. Yes we even had ‘secret Santa’ – a time to be amazed at how ingenious our ladies are in being able to buy lovely things for just $10 or perhaps to be amused at the reaction of some as they opened their presents. The thrill of expectation is always exciting and here was no exception.

We even had a visit from the Christmas fairy – unfortunately our Apatchy Santa (the teenager-in-residence) has hung up his over-sized shirt and polyester beard and declared this year that he is too old for such nonsense. Fortunately another generation is available to carry on the tradition (in the form of Miss B) although she can only appear as Santa’s representative.

The highlight of the day was the display of the challenge quilts – 14 in all – not bad when you consider there were 34 people present – I’d say that’s as good a percentage as any quilt group can manage. And manage my clever people certainly did. What a wonderful display of quilts of all techniques, colours, sizes and shapes. Congratulations to Robyn for winning the judge’s prize and well done for being the most surprised winner ever. Congratulations to Elaine for her ‘highly commended’ award and to Cathy for her ‘Viewer’s Choice’ award.

Moreover, congratulations to all of you who were brave enough to enter your quilts so that we could experience such a wonderful treat. And thanks to my Apatchy ladies for being the best customers a quilt shop could have. Thanks for a wonderful day and a wonderful year.

Here are some photos of the day so those of you who couldn’t make it can see  what missed. Prepare to be dazzled………

PicMonkey Collage Christmas 1

PicMonkey Collage christmas 2

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Unfortunately when you take photos of quilts hang on the wall they become somewhat skewed and you don’t see them as beautifully as you would have if you were at the show – but you can see the general idea. I’ll try to put each quilt and it’s creator on as an individual image on ‘Your Gallery’ over the next week. Here’s a great photo of the winners of the awards – talk about ‘winners are grinners!’ Well done Robyn Cathy and Elaine:

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Jingle and Mingle

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Look what Elaine brought into class today.

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This was made from plastic bottle caps – recycling meets cleverness.

It’s that time of year again and we are ready for our annual Christmas party/Challenge quilt extravaganza.

The event will be held this Saturday 30th November from 10am to 2pm at the Presbyterian Church Hall, Queens Road, Clayfield. As usual, if you would like to some, please bring a plate to share (for those of you not from here that means a plate with food to share) and, if you want to be in the secret Santa, please bring a gift to the value of $10.

Of course the event is also the unveiling of the challenge quilt competition and the prize-giving. The quilts are coming in and look fantastic. There is a prize based on the judge’s decision of how close the the theme the quilt looks as well as the popular ‘Viewers’ Choice’ prize.

Although I do not participate in the competition I like to do a quilt for the challenge too – just so you all know that I know what you’re going through! I’ve almost finished my entry – just have to finish the sleeve on the back and add a few more embellishments. Can you ever have too much embellishing? Sometimes not. Here’s a sneak peek of my quilt – all will be revealed on Saturday.

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