On Monday 24th February, we enjoyed a very busy, but fruitful gathering yesterday.  We welcomed some new members and visitors to our eventful day.  We managed to pack up and distribute the 110 quilts that were the remainder from our donation late last year and more quilts for the new enrolments for 2014, and also Hervey Bay Special School received nine quilts for the new enrolments together with a gorgeous raffle quilt for their P&C to raise much needed funds. 



Many busy hands and generous hearts in attendance today!



Dawn Anthonysz from
SCOPE Quilt Project



But wait – there’s more – lots more!!  If you’re interested in reading about all the other items that were distributed during our busy day please click on the prompt to the right of this screen “What we do and where it goes” and you’ll get a thorough run-down of our activities for February.

We were very honoured to have the Co-ordinator of the Scope Quilt Project Dawn Anthonysz and members of the group, together with the group’s contact Avril from SCOPE (Domestic and Family Violence Service, Sunshine and Cooloola Coast) in attendance at our gathering. 

This group has worked tirelessly and generously providing quilts for the clients of SCOPE over 12 years and is to be congratulated on their professional and sensitive provision of quilts to SCOPE’s clientele.  Dawn addressed the group with the sad news that the Quilt Project is disbanding and as a result has asked Sunshine Linus to endeavour to continue their wonderful work with SCOPE. 

Dawn also generously donated all of the resources that remain, together with a cheque for $342.00 from the now closed account from the Quilt Project to Sunshine Linus.  Sunshine Linus is privileged to be the ongoing torch bearers for this vital service to the SCOPE organisation. 

We also welcomed Maureen and Bevan Gallagher who addressed the group on behalf of their son and two other young men who are currently endeavouring to move into a purposely built home on the Sunshine Coast.

It was interesting to hear their amazing story of generosity from organisations such as the Holy Spirit  Order of Sisters and the Franciscan Friars.  Though the families have been waiting for almost two years for the State Government to approve the care funding packages for their sons, they are hopeful that approval is not too far away as it is understood that packages are now becoming available.  We sincerely hope that these young men will be able to move into this home, one that is fully furnished and landscaped, just waiting for these special residents.

We were delighted to give Maureen and Bevan some quilts for the men’s beds, and a wheelchair quilt for one of the men’s wheelchair.  If you would like to know more about the Maroochydore house, you could contact Maureen and Bevan on bwnmpgall@bigpond.com.

Here’s a photographic display of what went on at our gathering.

We have another gorgeous quilt for our friends at 4 Paws Animal Rescue Shelter.  This quilt will help 4Paws to raise much needed funds. 

One of a number of Wheelchair Quilts made by Jan - these are in very much demand at present.

 

Claire was given this completed cross stitch by Sarah and has turned it into a delightful sensory wall hanging which will be given to the RSL high care ward at Tarantula.  The leaves and gum blossoms are so beautifully worked, they look as if they've been plucked from the nearest gum tree.  Well done Claire!

 

Thanks to Nicky for presenting the binding workshop.  I'm told that there were a number of ah-ha moments.  Sunshine Linus is always keen to share skills and techniques.  Just ask.

 

There was a wonderful range of quilts and other comforts given for distribution today.  It's always such food for the soul to see so many willing helpers to bring these gifts to fruition and get them to where they're needed most. 

 

 

Another scrappy beautifully made by Jan oops!  My apologies to Maggie, who has reminded me that this beautiful quilt was her creation. Gorgeous Maggie!

A touchy feely quilt for nursing homes.  These quilts bring enormous comfort to those who are suffering senile dementia or Altzheimers Disease.

 

This quilt was made by Annie, and completely flannel.  It was so soft and will be delightfully warm for a little one.

Liz was still stitching the binding on this one, but we got to see it during show and tell.

This is a beauty and great for a young man.

 

 

Very cute!!

 

Another wonderful quilt top created by Jan.

 

Both top and bottom quilts are scrap happy!!

 

 

Our next gathering is only in two weeks time on the 10th March.  We've slotted in an extra meeting where we'll be having an other workshop - this time presented by Kay Nightingale and it's all about the zig zag block.  Please feel free to join us, the more the merrier!! See you then.

 

Our first gathering for 2014 - it was hot, but it didn't stop us!!

20th January 2014

Our first gathering day of the year and it was a beauty!  A very hot day didn't keep our intrepid members away and we achieved a huge amount.  We tweaked the procedure of the gathering day slightly and it made a great difference.  With new signs for our workstations, and Linkers (girls who link idle hands with sewing tasks), everyone was keen to get down and get busy.  Of course this didn't stop the catching up or the laughs and fun we always bring to the day.

We welcomed a half dozen new members to our group and had the pleasure in presenting each new member with our New Members Brochure, in order to help to ease the new member into the group, especially on their first day!

Thanks to Lee for taking these fabulous photographs of the day.  No need to elaborate any longer - the photos and captions speak for themselves!



Our Perspex signs worked a treat!

Kay showed us a number of quilts that have been made using a zigzag block - she'll be showing us how to apply this technique at the next gathering.

Barb put this little beauty together - all quilt as you go.  Love the colours Barb!



Rosemary has made this quilt as you go out of scraps - it looks fantastic Rosemary!

 

A puzzler from Sandra - isn't it fabulous?

Here's the back of a terrific quilt made by Bev......

........and here's the front.
 

One of two quilts made and donated by Leone (that's her with the big smile to the left)

Lorraine and her band of helpers have just about finished making the weighted vests for special needs kids in special schools.  An amazing achievement indeed.

A huge day for Claire and her helpers in getting these goodies packed and distributed

These quilts are for those suffering Muscular Dystrophy - they're designed to suit wheelchair bound men and women, note the cut out piece on each side at the bottom - so the quilts don't get caught in the wheels!

Lots of work and chatting all at once - who said women can't multi-skill?

The Blankets of Love and Premmie Workstation and Linker Jan.

A terrific creation by Sharon, using plaids and men's shirting materials.
 

Here are three delightful sisters who enjoy each others company and being part of Sunshine Linus.

 

Another of Claire's creations - again not one piece of 100% cotton. And they're so snuggly!

A quilt that is made from knit fabrics and polar fleece - yes it can be done!




 

 

As you can see it was a terrific day and we distributed an enormous amount of items to the community.  Our next gathering on the 24th February will see us make our final delivery to Caboolture Special School with quilts and Weighted Vests for their students.  Kay is also going to show us how to put together the zigzag block in various ways to make quick and easy quilts. 

See you then!

Christmas Party - What a hoot!

At last a chance to relax and enjoy each others company and relax we certainly were! 

We had a very successful Christmas gathering yesterday with lots of delicious morning tea and lunch - all provided by the SL members.  We have some very, very, good cooks amongst us and they excelled yesterday. 

We invited guests to our party who work furiously for SL during the year, but are unable to attend gatherings.   It was so lovely to be able to thank these ladies personally for their hard work.

We didn't have Santa visit yesterday, but we did have the next best thing - The Gingerbread Man(n) (term used loosely) arrived all ready for a party complete with Thin Lizzy face powder and cherry on the nose.  Only our Lorraine could carry this off - and she did so with such aplomb!!

Some of our members put together little Christmas packets for needy children for Christmas.  By shopping cleverly and making every cent count they put together some delightful surprise packages for little ones. 

This group of ladies (who are happy to remain nameless) also purchased a huge number of new pj's and clothing for children.  The generous heart shines bright at Sunshine Linus.

One of our dear members, Olwyn, is in the throws of moving from her beloved property to bayside Brisbane and has been cleaning out her cupboards and donated these three lovely quilts.  Olwyn is a wonderful giving person, and her quilts are truly magnificent. 

We are hoping that Olwyn will continue to join us here once her move is completed.  We have a number of members who drive up from Brisbane for our gatherings so car pooling is possible.

 Our Asst Treasurer and Distribution Manager extraordinaire (Claire) is a very creative gal, and has shown us just how creative she can be with her wonderful bags and purses she made for our Open Day this year - from Curtain scraps! 

  

Well, she's done it again.  We received this little Christmas hanging from a donor - it was a simple little hanging. 

Claire has  upcycled it and has added all manner of touchy feely resources to it, and it will now adorn the halls of one of our nursing homes, for residents to pause at, and to look and touch. 

We've had a number of requests for this type of "calming tool" for nursing homes. Great job Claire - very creative!

 Here's a gorgeous quilt top (and a biggy) that was given to us by a donor (thanks Christina) and we'll be having this quilted by one of our volunteer long arm quilters.

We will offer it to an organisation as a raffle quilt to raise much needed funds. 

 

Barb, (the other half of the Treasury team) is a little touched, and has a penchant for taking on enormous challenges with scrap fabrics that most quilters would run for cover from. 

To confirm her unique status in our group, here's her simply stunning quilt top that she's recently completed, all hand pieced in the most fabulous fabrics. 

Barb is going to hand quilt this monster (I told you she was a little touched).

 Our lovely friends at Mountain Quilters have donated some more quilts and quilt tops for us to use - thankyou ladies for continuing to help us with our endeavours.  Your time and effort is very much appreciated.

We also received these delightful little people from an 85 year old lady who has made these for the first time - great effort and we're thrilled they've come to us for distribution.

May the joys of the season be with you, and we hope that 2014 brings happiness and good health to all.

 

 

 

November Meeting and AGM

Today's proceedings started out with the very important business of conducting our AGM, with the key executive positions remaining unchanged.  We did however elect a new management committee and the following are our new management committee members for 2014: B. Moore, T. Lingard, S. Hanson, J. Stewart, M. Doblo, J. Kerr, K. Nightingale, N. McCulloch and L. Newell. Congratulations Ladies.


Crocheted Baby Jackets

 
Aren't these gorgeous?  These little matinee jackets are crochet, and they keep their shape so well.  If we can get the pattern I'll post it on this blog.  Keep your eyes out in "Free Patterns" on the right of your screen.

Cuddly crocheted rugs

We received a large amount of knitted and crochet articles, including these lovely knee rugs.  We simply can't keep up with the demand for these knee rugs that we deliver to many of the nursing homes on the coast. 



As you are no doubt aware, we receive all manner of fabrics from very generous sewers and quilters on the Sunshine Coast, who are pleased to see that their donations are going to good use. 

Claire who is a pretty terrific sewer, hasn't heard the rule about not using 100% cotton fabrics for quilts. 

This quilt you see to the right is made completely of knit material (suitable for t.shirts) and backed with a piece of polar fleece.

The quilt sits very straight, there is absolutely no signs of stretching and it's so soft and cuddly.  Claire has certainly given us food for thought. 

We do spend a great deal on batting for these quilts, but perhaps some polar fleece might work also?









Our resident "super knitter" Joan, again bought a huge box full of knitted toys, and they are really beautifully made and stuffed. 

We decided that this time these little darlings will be given to the organisation that we support, Gift for Kids in Care (foster children) and they will be given to the children as part of their Christmas Appeal





These delightful little sets are made by Lyn, one of our new members for children in need.  Lyn crochets the little vests and purchases t.shirts and little skirts to match the vests. 

They are really very pretty and beautifully made. Lyn puts a great deal of thought into these little sets and it's a pleasure to be able to distribute them to little people who will really feel special wearing them.




Here we have a lovely boys quilt with fabulous stars.  We are still needing 10 big boy quilts for Caboolture Special School, so if you've got one on the go, perhaps you can finish it in time for delivery on the 20th January 2014.

Thanks also to Kay Nightingale for coming to the urgent call for a "girlie coloured" large quilt for a particular friend of Sunshine Linus who has recently undergone a double mastectomy.  Here's Kay and Michelle with the quilt.

NEXT GATHERING JANUARY 2013
Because the next gathering coincides with the Australia Day Public Holiday, we have changed the gathering day to Monday 20th January (one week before the scheduled day).  This will help those who travel up or down the major highway to avoid the inevitable traffic snarls.  Thanks for your understanding.