NOTE: Change of venue for Destash Market

The Sewing Destash Market mentioned at our April meeting has now been moved from the Nambour Showgrounds to Immanuel Lutheran Collage, Buderim. Same date 31 May with free parking and $2 entry.

Please check 'Whats On' for further details.

April 2025

In March we welcomed two new Sunshine Linus Life Members. Although there was no time for a photo last month, this month Kaye and Sue took time out of their busy morning for a photo for posterity.

Congratulations and thank you for your contributions.

The Sales Table

It was a busy day at the sales table. Lots of items were sold very early in the day. This month's treats included a beautifully crafted vest, elegant pillowcases, glasses cases for your handbag, purses and fresh produce.

Meeting News

Sharon and Jenny D. spoke about the importance of members bringing in items that meet the needs of the community. Every month Jenny collates requests from community groups and compiles a request list. The request list specifies items currently needed in the community. The list is emailed out to members. Please remember to check emails to make sure the items you create meet demand and requirements. You can find patterns and sizing requirements on the blog.

ITEMS CURRENTLY IN HIGH DEMAND

This month community groups have identified a need for quilts, rugs and toys (especially teddies). All patterns and specific size requirements are on the blog

Happy creating!

SHOW AND TELL 

Scrap quilts were made using blocks from the freebie table. Annie R and Sue made the top and others will complete the quilting process. A shared project works well in times of high demand.

Quilt top to be quilted by Glorianne.

Green Scrap Quilt

Geometric Diamonds

Leonie shared quilts given to her by Jill. The maker is unknown.

Bargello-like pattern

 Kaye's citrus yellow quilt made using material from the table.

The Butterfly Suite at SCUH requested a very large quilt.

The Butterfly Suite at SCUH is a private place for parents of stillborn babies to recover and receive the help they need.  A close look reveals butterflies on every panel of the quilt.

Individual butterfly panels

Brilliantly coloured rainbow rug.

Jenny D used a stitch called a Herringbone 1/2 double crochet and a 6mm hook. The 6mm hook created a looser and softer rug and the ends were not tied off. The pattern was adapted from a face washer pattern available on the blog.

Box based bags

Disposable box based bags.

Barbara highlighted the need for 20 x 20 cm disposable ‘Box Based Bags.’ The bags will be used to pack items into for distribution to clients.

Puzzle balls and Blockenspiels

Rosemary has requested more of these items. Patterns are available on the blog. Material and cubes are available on the Freebie Table.

Blockenspiels

Puzzle Balls

Frogs and Octopuses

These glorious creatures have been made by Gabrielle using a chain slip stitch and are destined to cheer up patients at SCUH. The toys were requested by Wishlist and will be used by Clown Doctors and Storytellers.

Leaping with joy.

In a sea of possibilities.

‘Who Sank the Boat’ by Pamela Allen.

If you look closely, you will see a sinking boat, a knitting goat and 3D rocks made with African netting fabric and milk bottle tops. The interactive story quilt was made for Palmview Special School.

Do you remember which animal sank the boat?

A busy backing provides opportunity for exciting conversations.

Raffle Winners

Pink Rug – Denise

Ironing Board – Jill P

Lincraft Bag – Lesley

IMPORTANT DATES

May 31          De-stash Market @ Nambour Showgrounds.

                      More details on the blog - ‘What's On and Where’

May 26          Next meeting

June 16          Activity Day

June 30          Monthly Meeting and Happy Birthday Sunshine Linus

 

Next meeting 28 April 2025

Looking forward to seeing you.

AGM - Monday March 31

The 15th annual general meeting of Sunshine Linus Inc. was opened by President Sharon H. She invited attendees to reflect on the events of 2024, remembering those who are no longer with us and celebrating the club's growing client and membership base.

Our committee delivering annual reports.

There was time for some fun as well.

It was also a time to celebrate two new life members. Congratulations to Kaye N and Sue V both very worthy recipients of this honour. Kaye and Sue were acknowledged over 10 years of outstanding work.

The Sales Table

Elaine and team were acknowledged for making a significant contribution each month to Sunshine Linus's revenue. Each month you can find anything from jams, plants, accessories to make your coffee extra special to kitchen napery. You are always welcome to  drop by and have a chat to the team. 

The Raffle

Raffles run for two months and this raffle will be drawn at our April meeting. Current prizes are a rug, a short based ironing board (perfect for craft work) and a bag from Lindcraft.

Get your ticket at the door. 

The Baby Table

 

Individual items are collated into gorgeous bundles for vulnerable new mums. Patterns and recommended sizes of rugs, beanies etc. are available of the blog.

Thank you Rhonda for the single stitch crotched blankets.

Show and Tell

Judy B used a variegated size 40 thread.

...and single sheet backing.

Judy B, Brown stars perfect for a masculine look.

'Flower Basket' created by Anne C.

Sometimes a photo does not show the true beauty of a quilt. This stunning quilt looks ever better in real life. Anne spent a lot of time collecting mat coloured pieces from the Freebie Table. Over many months she collated them into six sections and attached to the pale blue background. When put together the overall effect was amazing. The quilt will be offered as a raffle prize in the future.

Claire and Jenny have been busy again creating clever resources for the Palmview Special School.

"Rosie's Walk"  by Pat Hutchins. 

Claire has recreated the perilous path Rosie took while being totally unaware she was being followed by a hungry fox . Children can join in the adventure by physically moving the two characters around the pathway. The backing could also be used to develop further conversations and alternate activities.

The backing of the story quilt.

"The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson.

The story of "The Gruffalo" comes to life on this interactive quilt. The Gruffalo is the story of a  confident and clever mouse who outwits his predators. 

The fox and the mouse.

Jenny and Claire completed interactive mats for the 27 letters of the alphabet. 27?  26 plus an extra mat for the 'çk' blend.

Interactive alphabet mats.

IMPORTANT DATES

April 28     Meeting

May 26      Meeting

June 16      Activity Day

March 31 Meeting and AGM

Hi Everyone, just a reminder that the Sunshine Linus AGM will be held this coming Monday March 31. The AGM is an important event on the Sunshine Linus calendar so please make it a priority to be there. The meeting will begin at 9:30am with Show and Tell and normal distribution to follow. Looking forward to seeing you there!

March Activity Day

Thank you to Val for sending through photos telling the story of Sunshine Linus's Activity Day. 

During the day, take away packs of materials to make the eyepatches were assembled. Packs will be ready to pick up at meeting on Monday. The patches were requested by SCUH for stroke patients who have lost control of a muscle in their eye.

Eye patches

Lyn was sorting in
the material department.

Jenny, Sharon and Maureen preparing eye patch packs.
They will be ready to be collected at our next meeting. 

Activity Day - Monday March 17

March 17 - Activity Day: Jenny has requested assistance to make 99 eye patches for stroke patients. 

Everyone is welcome and there is always something you can assist with. 

What to bring:- scissors / cutters, ruler, tape, pins, sewing machine with black thread - depends on the job you do.

I have the materials - fabric, fusible buckram, iron on adhesive, binding(we don't have to make our own), elastic and pattern template and instructions (attached if you want it beforehand). 

 

Notes from our February meeting.

The second meeting of the year began with general housekeeping including fire safety and first aid. We quickly moved on to what Sunshine Linus does best, distributing quilts and other comforts to community groups on the Sunshine Coast.

This month's focus: THE DISTRIBUTION TEAM

The distribution team is the engine room of Sunshine Linus. Every month the team led by Jenny D and assisted by Denise collate community requests and notify members of the requests via a Wishlist. Sounds simple but it is a complex process.

Items being gathered for distribution.

How to we know what the community needs?

• Requests from community groups are sent into Sunshine Linus.
• Requests are collated and information is emailed via a 'Wish List' to members.
• Members set to work creating beautiful items to bring into monthly meetings.

How are the items distributed?

• Members bring items to monthly meetings and place them on relevant tables.
• Each table is provided with a Client List detailing requests.
• After our formal meeting it is all hands-on deck to complete the distribution process.
• Chairs are set out in a circle in the centre of the room. On each chair is a list of requests.
• Team members fulfill requests and bag items up ready for delivery
• A 'Distribution List' detailing where the items have been sent is emailed to members.

Jenny D showed visitors from Sundale some of the items they could request from the Touchy Feely table. 

Conversation mats are especially popular. 

"We love that we can request items to suit individuals needs".
Kylie and Rachelle

HOW THE MAGIC HAPPENS

When Show and Tell is completed it's all hands on deck for the distribution process. 

Following the process requires constant checking with paperwork. 

A circle of chairs.
Each community group has a chair
and a list of requested items.

Items ready to go.

Beautiful blankets with a smile.

Ready to be packed.

Packed and ready for distribution.

THE SALES TABLE

Imagine what stories the dolls could tell? 

Great for travelling - small bags to carry essentials

THE RAFFLE 

Congratulations to the raffle winners 
Irene H - Rug
Leonie - Knitted clown
Nicky W - Bag
Leslie - Soap

SHOW AND TELL

February's display of quilts was a stand out and Judy B bought in 18 quilts. Judy explained that each  quilt has three layers to it, the top, the quilting and the binding. Each of the following quilts was a collegial effort. Each quilt passed through many hands and not one quilts journey was the same. Thank you to all who added their special touch to these stunning quilts. Judy B explained that sharing at show and tell was celebrating all who had worked on each quilt. 

Where possible acknowledgement is given to individuals but generally there is a celebration of  the collaborative process. That's Linus! Sharing the big tasks.

Quilt using left over binding.  Made by Jill and Leonie quilted by  Judy B 

Blue Pinwheel Quilt

Dr Seuss by Deb - loop the loop

Chocolate square on square quilt.
 A quilt for a man with
plain chocolate brown backing.

Deb made a yellow quilt from the scrap table.

Cream half square triangle quilt - Judy B.

Purple edge -intricate quilt with a floral backing.

Chris use of colour makes for a striking quilt.

A doona provides a great backing for Chris's quilt.

Purple orphan block quilt.

Masculine retro 80's quilt with a
chocolate brown backing and custom quilting.

One block quilt.

One block quilt

Deb - navy strip quilt.

Annie - full of colour and vibrancy

Annie with more great colour.

Eye spy transport quilt.

Fun backing for an eye spy quilt.

Row by row orphan quilt.

Backing of the row by row orphan quilt.

STORY QUILTS

Claire introduced us to Jenny.
Claire and Jenny have been working on a
 number of projects both individually and together.

From the book, "I'm a Dirty Dinosaur".

We  met 'The Dirty Dinosaur". 
Children develop language skills
discussing the parts of the body that get dirty
and remember the sequence.

"Pete the Cat"
His shoes change colour depending
on what he has stepped in. 

Nursery Rhyme Mats,
Can you guess the name?

Jenny and Claire are working together to create
26 individual interactive letter mats.

Jenny makes exquisite vanity cases
and her friends donate the contents.

IMPORTANT DATES

March 17:         Activity Day - Eye Patches to support stroke patients 

March 31:         AGM and Meeting

April 28:           Meeting

March 17 - Activity Day:     

Jenny has requested assistance to make 99 eye patches for stroke patients. All materials are supplied and there is always something you can assist with. Everyone is welcome.