More Quilts to Show You

I've received more parcels of QAYG blocks with 76 from Stehanie Driel from WA and Margaret Harris from NSW sent 4 lovely quilt tops and 50 QAYG blocks, so I've been busy getting some more tops quilted. The first top was donated by Pam Chaffe (Vic), the second one was from an unknown donor, the third one I made from donated strings and I think it looks like Licorice Allsorts and the last top was donated by Sue V. From Shepparton (Vic).
They will alll bring some joy to the people who receive them.
I also received an incredible number of knitted hats and jumpers from Brenda R in SA, and her sister Jenni O. of Vic brought them to me at my AQA Meeting. I also received a hugs box of rice bags from the Wauchope quilters in NSW as well as many bags of school supplies from the lovely ladies of AQA.
So I'm busy getting the next shipment ready for East Timor and I need to get some more quilts finished for the women's refuge.
I usually get many more quilts finished than I have so far this year but I decided to spend as much time as possible travelling with my DH and will get the quilts done in between trips. It's lovely to have time together and I'm prepping more handwork to take on our travels so I see many more hexagons in my future. I show my current projects on my other blog at http://sewmanyquiltstoolittletime.blogspot.com
Back to the sewing machine now so I can get a few more things done.
Hugs Jan Mac

Donations from Deniliquin

The lovely Sue H. from Deni (NSW) dropped off more donations of fabric as well as an almost finished quilt and quite a few tote bags that she'd made. She's a great supporter of mine as well as some of her friends in Deni and all the help they give does make a difference.
She also donated 4 woolen skirts which I spoke about on my other blog at Sew Many Quilts Too Little Time. The bottom photo shows a quilt/blanket that I've made from one of the skirts. The blue quilt was almost finished so that's done now and will go to East Timor and the QAYG quilt is a smaller one and will go to Pine Ridge Reservation with the blue woolen quilt to keep someone warm during their very severe winter.
I love using up what is otherwise going to be wasted and have saved the zippers from the skirts to be used again. Now I need to get the rest used up so they can be given a new purpose.
Hugs Jan Mac

Quilt Delivery to Kinglake

We took another 45 quilts down to Kinglake last Monday and I've been working night shift since then., so not much happening apart from sleeping.
This quilt here is one of 2 donated by Maggie Alexander from Qld and the colour is off here but they are lovely quilts with pictures of cowboys. Annie Schuiling (NSW) also sent some beautiful oriental QAYG blocks and some fabric which will all be put together as soon as possible.
We also took boxes of novels, craft books, some beautiful knitting wool in lovely bags from Canberra quilters and lots of craft items to be distributed in Kinglake. The lovely ladies there have given my details to the case workers and they are using those contacts to make sure the goods are distributed to where they are most needed.
Even though the bush is regenerating it's been a very slow process for most people who are planning to rebuild and it does help them to know that we haven't forgotten them. They say that are now starting to look forward to getting their community back on their feet but it has taken a long time just to clear the blocks and our friends are finding it very frustrating not to have started building yet.
Thank you all for your generous donations and prayers for their recovery.
Hugs Jan Mac

Quilts for Kinglake from Western Australia

Lyn Hardwick from Cockburn Sewing Centre and her volunteer quilters sent many quilts over for the Victorian bush fire appeal. I knew that more would be needed for people who had left the mountain while they rebuild, so I put some aside for them.
These were all made and donated by Lyn and wonderful group of helpers. They also sent some tops, backing and batting and I'm working through those as well. Thanks for all your hard work ladies. The WA ladies are very generous and when one of my blog readers heard that I had been asked to take more quilts down to Kinglake, she offered to send quilts to the people of Toodyay so mine could go to Kinglake.
Many thanks again for all your help.
Hugs Jan Mac

More Tops Finished

It's been a busy work week but I did manage to get a couple of tops quilted and another QAYG quilt put together for Kinglake. I need to get back to the sewing machine now.
Hugs Jan Mac

More Quilts Finished

These tops were donated and now that I've quilted them they will be donated to Kinglake. The first is very pretty and looks like oriental-type fabric and was made by the Alice Springs quilters. The second quilt is a scrappy one but I don't know who donated it. The next top was donated by Dee Biggerstaff from WA I think and the last one may be from Coleamblly in NSW.
I had said that I would send a couple of quilts to the people who lost their homes in Toodyay, WA but as the people of Kinglake have asked for more quilts I need to honour their request at the moment.
I received an email from Heather in WA offering a quilt for the WA fire appeal, instead of me posting some over to WA, so Heather if you email me at janmac@mcmedia.com.au we'll be able to make arrangements.
Once again thanks to so many generous donations we've been able to give a warm hug to those who need it. It's so hot at the moment though that they want the quilts as a tangible memory of our support rather than for their warmth.
Hugs Jan Mac

Not Done Yet

Last post I said that we were getting close to finishing the quilt drive for the people affected by the bush fires. I received a phone call this week to say that more quilts were needed in the Kinglake and Marysville areas as people who lost their homes are now returning to the area to rebuild and they would love a quilt.
Luckily I knew that I would need more quilts but just not how many will be needed. I have some quilts here already to go and have been busy getting more finished.
Today I quilted 4 tops and I'll post photos of them as soon as the binding is done. So if you donated a top keep an eye out as I am working my way through them and donating them as intended. Unfortunately I don't know who donated all of them, although some are named and tagged, others aren't. So if you see one you sent me to finish off then please let me know and I'll add your name to it before I take it down to Kinglake.
As it is almost 12 months since the bush fires, and the media are re-visiting the areas to talk with people, the memories of the events are still fresh and I'm sure the quilts will bring some comfort, even though it's taken time for all who need one to receive a quilt.
More to come. Jan Mac