We're still here! The ladies of St Mark's Quilters have been busy stitching, laughing and making for others, even if I haven't been blogging about our activities for a little while.
Our March meeting must remain unreported, with me flat on my back missing-in-action, having returned from Quiltcon Pasadena with an unwanted souvenir of California (the 'flu), and Di B not having taken any photos in my stead.
However there's still plenty to tell, and of course the photos of our finished quilts have been available for some time on the relevant Pages (top left on this blog).
For our April workshop we decided, for the very first time, to try something different. Everyone was invited, if they wished, to bring along a project they were working on for themselves, not one of our St Mark's Quilters projects.
This was Gail D's stunning appliqué quilt, just needing a couple more borders to be ready for quilting. I think I should rename that beautiful background colour "Gail D Pink" since it seems to be her go-to shade.
Gail O's Dancing Dollies quilt, for her granddaughter, had us all intrigued by the cute little individual touches she's added. Look at those faces, and the hairdo's!
Even if she's not stitching up a Blanket of Love or a kindy quilt for The Marcia, Margaret is constantly working on crafty endeavours to help others. So on this day she brought along her knitting which will become a cosy rug to warm a homeless client of the Rough Edges drop-in centre at St John's Darlinghurst, our neighbouring parish.
With winter approaching, Perdita was stitching up a similar work-in-progress to help someone keep the winter chills out.
Penny was embarking on a new hexie project in the prettiest fabrics, and who knows where this will lead?
With so many skilled quilters at hand, Sue M took the opportunity to ask advice about proceeding with this beautiful hand pieced WIP.
I couldn't help sneaking this happy photo of (L to R) Michelle, Di B, Gail D and Sue M which I think perfectly captures the happy atmosphere at our St Mark's Quilters monthly workshops.
By our May workshop we were excited to announce that we are now additionally sending some of our Blankets of Love to Orange Base Hospital in rural NSW. Those we make for the RPA Newborn Intensive Care Nursery have exceeded their needs, so it's a joy to be able to help a regional hospital like Orange Base, thanks to the approaches Di B has made.
Our quilting friend Wendi is a wonderful supporter and encourager, so when she gave us some of her precious quilting fabrics Di B went straight to work and made this Blanket of Love in a simple pattern is that allows the exquisite patterns to shine.
Michelle is in the process of making a sweet cot-sized quilt using this "easy peasy" pattern and kit of woodland animals.
That brings me to my second piece of news! We are now making small quilts for the nearby Sydney Children's Hospital Children's at Randwick to brighten up their wards and give to sick children and teenage patients. Yep, Di B has again made the necessary approaches, and we are all very grateful to her.
This means that, across the range of the hospitals that we support, as well as The Marcia autism specific kindy, we are able to make and donate quilts for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, children and teenagers.
This quilt (above) from the amazingly creative hands of Gail O is sure to find a home with a little person very soon.
Of course we are still making humidicrib covers for RPA Newborn Intensive Care, and there was a collective gasp of appreciation among our gathering in May when Gillian unfolded her latest design!
Have you seen anything more gorgeous than these four teddies, each one tucked into bed under a different patchwork quilt? What a perfect way to use orphan blocks!
With all the medical machinery and technical equipment surrounding a baby in the unit, humidicrib covers such as this contribute greatly to warming and cheering the atmosphere and decor for worried parents, and Gillian makes some beauties!
I'll leave you with this cute little Blanket of Love, made by Perdita, but I encourage you to look at the Blankets of Love, Kindy Quilts for the Marcia and Humidicrib Covers pages of this blog (see top left for links) to see all the latest finishes from our enthusiastic St Mark's Quilters.
