Meeting: August 28

 Our August meeting began promptly at 10.00 am with our President Sharon thanking all those who helped in so many ways to make Sunshine Linus’s 2023 'Open Day' so successful. 

A big thanks to Norm and the Linus Committee for testing and tagging sewing machines at this months meeting. 

AUGUST FOCUS TABLE - THE YARNERS

This wonderful group enjoy both creating items from wool and having a chat hence they have been very cleverly named the Yarners. Guided by Pam, Lesley, and Irene the team create knitted and crocheted items for monthly distribution to hospitals, aged care facilities and to those requiring a bit of extra warmth.  There is continual demand for items, to keep patients warm in air-conditioned hospitals and aged care facilities.  Items created by this group include rugs, shawls, beanies, and mittens used by patients especially renal patients.

Toy bears including Kanyini Bears (more on these bears next month).

Toy octopuses are especially appreciated at SCUH as they  fit in perfectly with the sea themed children's ward. 

Did you know the vests  and beanies are often distributed to indigenous communities across Australia?

RAFFLE WINNERS: Congratulations to Wendy Mc, Dawn, and Kaye N. There will be a new raffle next month.

THE SALES TABLE

There always surprises at the sales table and currently there is a Sewing Machine for sale.

 

FREEBIE TABLE

A wide variety of physical patterns can be accessed at the Freebie Table. Members who have patterns they would like to contribute have been asked to provide four (4) copies. Digital patterns will still be available on the blog.

THE SENSORY TABLE

Was once again filled with items to be distributed to hospitals and nursing homes. Palmview Special School had requested six (6) story quilts from Linus and will take delivery of the final story this week. Claire shared the final quilt based on the story Elmer’s Weather by David McKee. What ever the weather Elmer loves to play! The quilt was made from leftovers and as always includes stars, water and earth.

SHOW and TELL

Barbara shared items created to stir ideas for next month’s Christmas activity day as well as this beautiful quilt made at the retreat using scan and cut flowers.

 

Ingenuity at its best! Last month’s squares of wadding were used by Sharon create to this stunning 30-piece blue and white quilt.

Judie B shared several quilts including a bright log cabin quilt made using Hawaiian backing.

A black and white diagonal quilt with disappearing squares

This quilt was made using scraps.

A striking black and white quilt with colourful 4 patch centres.

Kaye bought in two quilts with 3 layers and cut seams the end effect is very popular with older people who love to fiddle with the edging.

 IMPORTANT DATES

• September 25 – Monthly Meeting
• October 16 – Activity Day Ideas for Christmas. Bring along ideas, patterns, and materials to create items for Christmas e.g., quilts, bags and placemats.
• October 30 - Monthly Meeting
• November 20 – Monthly Meeting
• November 27-30 – Retreat @ Bribie Island

Next Meeting: August 28

 Just a reminder that Norm will be on site next Monday morning from 8 am for the testing and tagging of your sewing machines and overlockers. If you can arrive as early as possible to have this done it will save him waiting around. Please ensure that everything is labelled with your name.

Please  note: only machines that have been 'tested and tagged' are permitted to be used in the hall.

OPEN DAY 2023

After months of preparation the latest Sunshine Linus Open Day was held on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the Nambour Uniting Church. The open day was a huge success, with over 260 visitors treated to a showcase of the diverse range of work produced by Sunshine Linus's volunteers.

Sunshine Linus's fifth open day was officially opened by our president, Sharon who was excited to welcome back the community after the event was cancelled in 2021. Sharon thanked all the members and non-members who have given their time and talent and contributed to the success of the day and throughout the years.

Sharon described Sunshine Linus as a wonderful example of how a small group of individuals can work together to make a big difference in the lives of others. The biennial open day is a way to raise community awareness of the work of our volunteers.

Funds raised from the open day allow the group to purchase more expensive items such as wadding for quilts and poly pellets for weighted blankets. These items are essential for making comfortable items that can provide warmth, comfort, and security to the people who receive them.

Hundreds of quilts greeted visitors on arrival.

Volunteers manned stalls and provided information and advice.

There were plenty of gifts for early birds to purchase as they get ready for Christmas .

Old and new friends caught up and shared stories over refreshments.

Many stories were shared including one beautiful story from Kathy who as soon as she arrived immediately recognized the very first pinwheels she had made. She held onto the pinwheels for a while and then decided to donate them into the ether. When entering the Church she could not have been more surprised to see they have been incorporated into a stunning red and white Christmas quilt.

And of course there were raffles and give aways. Barbara our vice president gave out spot prizes for visitors courtesy of 'Wish List'. The winners of the raffles were all members of the public.

Raffle Results:

Entry raffle- Leslie M

First prize quilt - Lorraine S

Second prize quilt –Beryl C

Third prize rug - Corina

Fourth prize embroidered tote bag - Helen

If you enjoyed the open day please consider joining us for our upcoming events.

IMPORTANT DATES

# Monthly meeting - Monday August 28

Bring along your sewing machines,overlockers and pedals for testing and tagging.

# Monthly meeting - Monday September 25

# Activity Day - Monday October 16

# Monthly meeting - Monday October 23

# Monthly meeting - Monday November 20

# Retreat - November 27th - 30th

Monday July 31

Our July meeting was led by our President Sharon, who thanked everyone especially VP Barbara and Team Leaders for continuing their hard work while she was away.

Carole and Glorianne provided the latest news on Open Day.

FRIDAY AUGUST 4 – SET UP DAY

12.00 Hall open

* Tea and Coffee available (supply own snacks)

* Pricing is still happening.

* Floor Plan will be displayed

.

1.30 Quilt stands arriving

AUGUST 5 – OPEN DAY

7.00 am Hall open.

*Please Park on the grass

*Order of proceedings displayed.

9.00 am Door open to public.

2.45pm Raffle

3.00 pm Doors close.

PACK UP

Please note access to downstairs will be unavailable after 5.45 pm.

On Sunday morning Sharon and Daphne will attend the Church service where Sharon has been invited to speak about Sunshine Linus.

JULY FOCUS TABLE – THE SENSORY TABLE

The sensory table is co-coordinated by Rosemary and Linda who receive and match orders with the creative work of our members. The sensory table is lovingly known as the touchy/feely table and is where resources used by those with sensory needs can be found.

Most of the items given away are those requested by nursing homes and hospital departments. Rosemary explained that items from the sensory table are sometimes so well loved that 'they worry the buttons off them’. Agencies have requested that all items are sewn on super firmly just so they can't be swallowed after being 'worried off'. Contributors continue to use a wide range of textures in fabrics and materials to create some of the inspirational masterpieces shown below.

Chris bought in lap rugs made with goodies from the Freebie Table.

Dawn supplies lots of Amish Puzzle Balls.

Sunshine Linus members continue to supply items including cushions, lap rugs, Magic Cubes, Blockenspiels, weighted fabric animals, and story books.

FREEBIE TABLE

Previous blogs have highlighted the ongoing work of Claire, who makes much loved children’s stories come alive in quilts. Last month Claire took seven bags of donated wadding offcuts and turned them in to ‘Magic Cubes’ made from a diverse range of fabrics from the freebie table and beyond. Claire also cut out squares of wadding for the freebie table to enable others to make more sensory items.

THE SALES TABLE Continues to shine and a special find this week was this delicate holder for glasses.

SHOW and TELL

This month included items for sale at the Open Day inlcuding:

"Stars over the Murray" Helen Walls 2009.

Two quilts by Anne C.

Orrawin made block front and back quilts where 'Ánything will Fit'.

Judy used doonas as backing for these beautiful quilts.

Glorianne bought in two recently completed quilt, the first 'Blue Barn' from the book Patches of Blue.

and the second 'Hello Dahlia'was pieced together at the Bribie Island retreat and was recently quilted.

Faye from the Thursday Quilters group at Bribie Island bought along two quilts the first was built around a centerpiece from the Freebie Table and the second was a UFO.

It has been a massive couple of months and we would especially like to thank all of our non-members who continue to add so much to Sunshine Linus. So here is a big thank you to let you know how much your support of Sunshine Linus is appreciated.

IMPORTANT DATES

August 4 – Set up day.

August 5 – Open Day

August 28 – Next Meeting – TEST AND TAG Day.

Bring along your sewing machines and overlockers to be tested and tagged. Make sure you bring along pedals and have everything named. This will enable you to bring your machines along to future Activity Days and the upcoming retreat.