Monday 26th October

It was lovely to welcome Thelma back this month and of course with her contagious laugh and sense of humor she had us all smiling and laughing. Janet looked pleased with Thelma's efforts as she recorded each member's details on arrival at the front entrance! A big thankyou to Lyn P who has filled this role on previous occasions.

Every month the members and friends of Sunshine Linus make and donate a range of beautiful, handcrafted items to give comfort to people in need and this month was no exception. 

Marion was excited to show one of the many gorgeous Humidicrib covers she had made since our last meeting. They have a flap at the top for an opening and are used on the crib to protect the premature babies from the bright lights in the ward.

A number of the ladies enjoy making the colourful fabric hearts for the breast-feeding mums during their stay in hospital. The 'Baby Team' are asking members to make the larger (hand sized) hearts in sets of three. (There is no further need for the smaller hearts).

Another special item for the mums and bubs are these 'peanut pillows' that Elaine made. They are designed to cushion premature babies heads. Sunshine Linus provide peanut pillows for the special care babies at the Buderim Private Hospital and the Caboolture Community Hospital.

The Yarners Team have also been busy this month. Gabrielle showed these cute baby beanies and two stunning, crocheted rugs she had made. 

A close up of Gabrielle's very neat crochet stitches.

Other items from the 'Yarners Team' include these adorable dolls made by Leanne from Perigian. 

Chris from the Perigian Knitters and Crochet group made three colourful, crochet rugs.

The 'Sewing Team' make a myriad of items including bags of all types and sizes. Elaine and Marion made a selection of pretty, little girls' bags. Margaret made the bag with the embroidered cat. These bags will be donated to Lily House.

Orrawin made these treatment bags using fabric from the 'freebie table'.

Jill made these very jolly, patchwork Santa sacks. They will be donated to Lily House.

More bags from the 'Sewing Team'

 

Once again the sensory table was brimming with items. 

Elaine made this amazing sensory mat. It has been designed around a 'music' theme and includes various musical items.

Jenny D made these two handsome fellows. She has been experimenting with different yarns while crocheting the weighted animals. They are a big favourite with the elderly patients in hospital.

Lots and lots of quilts were donated this month. Marion has been working on this bright, modern Bargello quilt for some time and finally got it assembled. She was given a large Bargello block and asked to turn it into a quilt! 

Lyn P showed a pretty colour-wash, wheelchair quilt she had made.

Dorothy incorporated some 'cool cat' blocks from the 'freebie table' to make this fun quilt.

Anne made a green and cream zigzag quilt and a pretty, floral lap quilt.

Orrawin was given a box of small, fabric scraps last month and rose to the challenge of making a 'crumb' quilt from them! Orrawin also found time to piece this funky, blue quilt using a log cabin panel she was given.

 

Glorianne made a pretty heart-themed house quilt.

Barbara made a bright and modern, circle-themed quilt.

Annie R made two interesting lap quilts featuring floating squares.

Janet from Toowoomba made and donated a colourful batik strip quilt.

Sue V pieced these two tumbler block quilts from blocks found on the 'freebie table':

Joy from Mapleton made a gorgeous scrap quilt.

A few more quilts made by members and friends:

Thankyou to Lyn P for making all this binding and thankyou to Sue V for binding lots and lots of the donated quilts.

Hints, Tips and Tricks

And talking of binding here is the monthly tip from Sue V. 

1. Attach the binding to the back or front of the quilt (your preference).

2. Use a dry iron to iron the binding out flat from the edge.

3. Run a thin line of Elmer's glue between the line you have just stitched and edge of quilt.

4. Fold the binding over the edge and down onto the glue pressing it firmly in place.

5. Work your way right around the edge of the item/quilt folding the corners and gluing in place.

6. The binding should hold secure until you are ready to sew it down.

Reminder:

• Sunshine Linus' final meeting for the year will be on Monday 30th November. Be sure to book your time-slot with Janet!

Monday's Meeting

Hello Everyone, just a reminder that the next Sunshine Linus meeting will be held on Monday 26th October. Again some important reminders for this restricted meeting:

It is absolutely essential that you contact Janet  B to organise a time slot to attend! 

On arrival members will be asked to:

•  use the hand sanitiser provided

•  check their details

•  enter arrival time and sign the form

•  wear the numbered lanyard provided

•  maintain social distancing at all time

Some other items of interest:

• you will find a new tab on the right hand side of the blog page that outlines a detailed list of items that Sunshine Linus make and where these items go for distribution
• under the 'Free Patterns' tab you will find a link to the instructions for a new pattern for a 'children's hospital gown' 
• don't forget to check the 'Wish Lists' tab each month to find out what items are needed for each month

Hope to see you on Monday!

Monday 28th September

September's meeting was the third time that Sunshine Linus members met with restrictions in place. The committee had streamlined the process of preparing everything for the occasion but of course there was still a lot of lifting and carrying required before the attendees arrived. Jenny and Sharon are no strangers to the effort involved!

Thanks again to Charles who was happy to help out with the storage and delivery of many boxes and bags.

Sue and Margaret have become experts at setting out the many and varied items that are donated for the 'Freebie table'.

Kaye, Jan and Marion take a five minute break after the 'set up' is complete.

Once again Lyn and Janet were organised with lists to check everyone in and out as they arrived and departed.

Lorraine was pleased to be back and of course she always has a smile and laugh to share!

Besides dropping off the many donated items, the meeting also provides an opportunity for members to restock. 

Beryle, Eileen, Francis and Pam enjoy rummaging through the fabric boxes to see what they might find useful.

Every month we are amazed at the beautiful hand crafted items that are made and donated to Sunshine Linus. Gabrielle brought along a selection of stunning rugs made by her craft group in Peregian.

Jan had these cuties to show:

The 'Baby team' also received two dainty baby blankets from Shirley.

And look at all these gorgeous beanies for babies!

Leanne from Noosa arrived with several bags of beautiful items she had knitted during the past year!

Kaye showed a very modern quilt made with a geometric design in bold reds and blacks.

Anne showed two lovely lap quilts made in bright colors.

 

Orrawin made this eye-catching half square triangle quilt.

Many quilt tops arrive at Sunshine Linus un-quilted and un-bound. A big thank you to the many ladies who quilt, make the binding and bind these quilts tops so they are finished and ready for distribution!

Claire has kept herself occupied making numerous weighted, toy animals. These two little guys look very cuddly! 

Claire was asked to make a horse and dog-themed sensory bedspread. She was given so much horse-themed fabric she was also able to make this 'touchy feelie' mat for the ARC unit at Nambour Hospital.

Of course the tables were brimming with donated items once the members had completed their 'drop-off'.

Beanie shows some of the 'touchy feelie' items.

It didn't take long before it was time for the 'distribution teams' to arrive and begin their work sorting, labelling and bagging items.

Barbara and Jill set to work.

Lisa, Denise and Val from the 'Sewing team' seem to have everything under control!

Lesley and Pam are hard at work again.

After all the sorting was done it was time once again to pack up, head home and have a cuppa and much needed sit down!

Some reminders:

• If you are making quilts please remember to check out the recommended quilt sizes. The tab listing sizes can be found on the right hand side of the blog.
• If you are only making the quilt tops for renal quilts (ie. not quilting, adding the pocket and binding), please make them to the suggested measurements but leave as a rectangle. The 'quilters' or 'binders' will cut the wedge at the bottom after they have been quilted. Please also remember to include fabric for the pocket.
• Sunshine Linus next Distribution Day (with restrictions) will be on Monday 26th October.

Stay safe and well!