Busy Bees

Yesterday afternoon, Bee Blessed met for an industrious afternoon of Exhibition prep.

You see on 9th November, not only will my students from the past 2 years be exhibiting their makes (squeeeee!), we will also be having a craft fair fund raiser for Bee Blessed and Oasis Women's Quilting Group.

This is some of what I'll be contributing to the craft table.

Journal covers and 'boy' pencil cases

Hairbands

I wish I had more time to make lots more (story of my life) but I'll also be submitting some 'no longer needed' class samples.

And today, I hummed along to the Proclaimers in the cinema, feeling really old as my kids looked at me and said 'Who?'

Jxo

Another Year Older!

It was my birthday yesterday!

Thank you to everyone who has wished me happy birthday!  It was a lovely quiet, relaxing day - just what I needed after a busy weekend!

I will do a wee post soon on the goodies I received, but I've waited too long already to update you on our Exhibition Day on Saturday.

To say that the day went well would be an understatement!  I'm struggling to find adequate ways to describe how the event went over.  So I'll use some of the words that others used to describe the event:

Brilliant!                 Amazing!                     Smooth Running!                       Well attended!

Inspiring!                 Warm atmosphere!            Community!                   Peaceful!

Quality!                    Fabulous!                    Proud!

You can see better quality pics here, taken by a friend as an army of amazing volunteers helped to set up the Exhibition on Friday evening.



And Sarah has a brilliant pic of our Bee Blessed Stall here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahsewme/7432497892/in/photostream

As I was doing a really good impression of a headless chicken all day, I foolishly didn't get many pictures taken, but here are a few I managed to get with relatively steady hands!



One of the main aims of this day was to give my students from the past 3 years the opportunity to showcase the wonderful things they've made in class.  The visitors who spoke with me said they were blown away by the standard and variety of items on display!  Well done ladies!  Seeing all your items on display was a hugely proud and emotional moment for me!

Another aim of the day was to raise funds for 2 charity groups that are close to my heart - Oasis Quilting Group and Bee Blessed.  In total, almost £1000 was raised for the 2 groups! 

Thank you everyone for coming out in the dodgy weather to support our Exhibition and Fund Raiser!  Your support has meant so much. 

And thank you too to the stirling group of ladies (& a few husbands!) who worked tirelessly over the weekend to make this event run so smoothly and be the great success that it was!

At my most tired moment on Friday evening I thought to myself 'I don't ever want to do this again!'  Of course I've completely changed my mind!

The Big Day!

Tomorrow is our Big Day!

The church is all set up with reams and reams of gorgeous bunting, wall to wall displays of quilts and lots more, and our very own 'Team Rooms' at the back with our craft, fabric and cake stalls.

I had an army of amazing men and women helping me make this all possible!  What a team effort!  I hope to have lots of pictures after the weekend to show you.

I managed to get a few wee items made to sell on the craft table, but not as much as I would have liked.

I particularly like the pinnies, made from the sample pack in the FQR goodies bag!

The other ladies have made lots of wonderful contributions too.  The table looks amazing!  Let's hope they all sell and we can raise lots of money for Bee Blessed and Oasis.

Have a great Saturday!

Pippi Quilt is Finished!

It has been a joy and a privilege to work on this quilt with so many contributors.

The Front

The Back

Close up

This is a Bee Blessed quilt, which will soon be gifted to a teenage girl struggling through M.E.  I told her mum yesterday that we are making her a quilt & to keep it a secret.  She cried!  She was so moved and touched by the fact that others would think of her daughter, to invest time and talent making something that would be a comfort and blessing to her.

Folks, I really want to encourage and thank you!  You may not think that making a block or two here and there is v.much.  Let me tell you - IT IS HUGE!  I sometimes have the privilege of seeing first hand the impact these quilts make on people's lives.  I don't know what it is, but a quilt seems to represent so much to the receiver.  The impact is deep and long lasting.  Please, please keep up the good work!

I'm not a person who is easily impressed!  But the things that do impress me are humility, courage, hard work, grace and compassion.

I get to see all of these amazing qualities in this wonderful quilting community, both online and through the friends I have the privilege to sew alongside.

Yesterday was one such example.  In preparation for our Exhibition & Fund Raiser day later this month, 10 wonderful ladies gave up their Sunday afternoon to sew bunting, cover jam jar table centres and make up fat quarter bundles.

Here is what 50 metres of bunting looks like!

Thank you ladies!  You are an inspiration to me, and I'm in awe of your dedication & hard work.  When I start to feel overwhelmed and burnt out your sense of humour makes me laugh again, and restores my soul!!

Wishing you all a great start to the new week.

Bee Blessed Block for June

Well May is nearly finished, and as I'm away somewhere (!?) this weekend, I thought I'd let you all know what we are planning for Bee Blessed this June.

This block is called 'Very Square Like Me; and has been designed by my super talented friend Sarah.  Hop on over to Sarah's blog to get the instructions on how to make this block.

Thanks everyone for donating Converging Corners last month.  We had a great response and we couldn't make up as many quilts as we do without your generous input.

If you fancy having a go at the June block, here are a few wee things to take into account:

As always, we are asking for 12.5" unfinished blocks, using white where we have used white.  Also, it would be great if you could use a solid colour where we have used solid, but the colourway can be anything you like.

A very special event is happening here on 23rd June.

This exhibition day will also be a fund raiser for 2 charities that are very close to my heart:

Bee Blessed and Oasis Ladies Quilting Group.

We are really hoping for lovely weather so that lots of folks will come out and support our exhibition and buy lots of gifts and treats that we are all in the process of making.

I'll be chatting more about this exciting event in the run up to 23rd!

Have a great Thursday all!