CQ GROUP MEETING          3.10.12

Although I have written about the wonderful talk by Janet Clare, I have just received some more photos of the evening, and would like to share these with you.

Viv has been kind enough to act as our CQ Photographer, so a round of applause for Viv

Janet suitably attired in her 'work apron'

A example of 'make do and mend', or up-cycling -
a beautifully embroidered table cloth, with additions by Janet

Most of our meetings are good, and we always have some excellent examples of work for our Show and Tell.
However, the latest meeting  proved to be exceptional.
We had some lovely boxes from Lorna, and a baby quilt and cushion from Margaret.  
Then an amazing quilt of hearts was shown, which had everyone gasping.
This started life with a group from Rugby headed by Jacquie Durber when she set them the task of producing pieces with a heart design.  A lot of folk had been involved in this project which consisted of very many beautiful hearts  in different shapes and sizes. The centre of this work is an applique panel created by Gwynneth, who also helped put it together with the help of Chris Ingham (OBE) and some of her many friends.  It was then beautifully quilted by Liz (Ingram?) on her AQS. 
The result is stunning, and this quilt will be raffled for a breast cancer charity in the new year.

Another lovely quilt was made by Liz, and this was part of a two colour challenge on the internet.  It was certainly a stunning piece of work.

Then Jacquie  Durber has us all reeling, when the contents of her bag were revealed......
She had had a 'tidy up' of UFO's, and I think she managed to complete nine pieces of work - wall hangings, quilts, panels etc.  
Some of these are for Acorn Hospice, a children's charity local to Jacquie, and some are gifts, and I think she might just keep one herself .

Of course, we can't all produce work in such quantities, and of such quality,  I showed a small bag.  But everything counts, so please bring your work along to Show and Tell - no matter how small!!

PS.......
Off to Knuston Hall for a sewing marathon (or such like), so there will be lots and lots of Show and Tell next month.  
Not necessarily a lot of mine, but Mrs Screaton will have a lorry load to Show and Tell!!!!!!
Definitely worth coming to the next meeting - just to see our efforts!

INTER CARE QUILTS......

At the last count, we have received 151 quilts.  What an amazing number..... and I know there are still more to follow.
Thank you all so much for your efforts.
This has been a heart warming experience as I had hoped to reach 100,  but thought that was a bit optimistic.
I was simply not aware of the fact that ladies who sew and quilt have hearts of gold.
A good quantity of quilts have now been despatched, and some were sent with the BBC Film Crew who went to Malawi with workers from Inter Care.  They have filmed the work of Inter Care, for the programme 'Inside Out', and this will be televised either at the end of the year, or early 2013.
Of course there is no guarantee that our quilts will play a big role in the programme, but we do know that they are being well received.

I will endeavour to let you know when the programme will be broadcast.  

This will be one very good reason to follow the blog........

Thank you again...

PS I am still wondering who has made the greatest number of quilts??? Would you like to reveal yourselves?It's not a competition, but it would be good to know.

CHRISTMAS FAIR...........

DECEMBER 1ST 2012
BLABY BAPTIST CHURCH
NORTHFIELD ROAD, BLABY

FROM 10-4

Can I ask for donations for this stall, which is raising  funds for INTER CARE - our nominated charity.

I am hopeful that some of you ladies will be kind enough to make small items for us to sell.
Stocking fillers would be a good idea, coat  hangers, small bags, needle cases, jewellry rolls, place mats, soft toys, anything you can think of.
A Christmas themed item would be great, but not vital.
It would be very much appreciated if these can be brought to the next meeting on November 7th.

If you have an item, but cannot get to the meeting, please give me a call.... 0116 2775710, and I will arrange
collection.

Thanking you in anticipation....

Vicky

PS  I am hopeful that some of you will be able to come along to the Christmas Fair and support not only us, but the other stall holders

REMAINING PROGRAMME FOR 2012

AS YOU WILL SEE, THERE ARE ONLY A FEW DATES LEFT ON THE COSBY QUILTERS CALENDAR FOR THIS YEAR
THERE ARE POSSIBLY ONE OR TWO PLACES REMAINING FOR THE 27 OCTOBER WORKSHOP WITH OUR OWN, VERY TALENTED VIV DENSCOMBE.
YOU REALLY DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY OF JOINING HER CLASS

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED:-
CONTACT PAT SCREATON ....  0116 2867581   OR   MOBILE:07860 106999



COSBY QUILTERS PROGRAMME TO YEAR END

	THESE	Oct 27	Workshop – Viv Denscombe- Captured Memories
	ARE THE	Nov 7	Speaker: Angie Hughes – Myself and my work
	REMAINING	Nov 8	Workshop – Mixed Media Book Covers
	EVENTS	Dec 5	CHRISTMAS PARTY
	FOR 2012		Speaker: Jennifer Almond – Chatterbox Quilter                     Who Travels

DOORS OPEN JUST BEFORE  7PM

VISITORS MOST WELCOME.........CURRENT OFFER........... NO CHARGE FOR FIRST VISIT

DRAWING WITH NATURE - JANET CLARE

We feel very privileged to have had Janet Clare visit Cosby Quilters.
She arrived on Wednesday to give us a talk, and show her work.
It is always interesting to hear how a person became involved with sewing and quilting, and Janet's story was no exception,despite her youth.
Following her talk, we were invited to examine her work ......touch it and take a close look.
In fact the ladies making the refreshments wondered what had happened. Instead  of the usual rush for tea and biscuits, our members spent a long time looking at Janet's work.
The workshop on Thursday  proved to be a great success.
Janet explained her techniques and demonstrated, and then it was out turn.....
'write your name ' was the first challenge, and as we were using sewing machines, this was not as easy as we imagined.
Oh to have a name such as Fi -Fi . That would be so easy!
We progressed to faces, penguins, camels, and houses and trees.  Thinking each would definitely be easier.  How wrong can you be ?
It was amazing how the day evolved and how each person found a style of work which became personal to them, not quite like Janet's, but still fun and quirky.
At the end of the day, there was a very varied display of work, but most importantly it had been a fun day.

Show and Tell Time

Quite a variety of ideas

The theme was 'Working with Nature'
and we all had our own interpretation!

And we were still smiling to the end...

Thank you Janet Clare!

THE ALISON HOLT FAN CLUB

How to spend 4 wonderful days in good company, playing with silk, paints and lots of stitching!

Several of our members, together with people from various guilds and stitching groups have formed the 'unofficial Alison Holt fanclub'. We meet to further indulge ourselves with masterclasses given by Alison. This year marked our fourth such occasion.The sessions were held in September at Ashby Magna Village Hall. (Note - excellent venue) 

To anyone who hasn't seen Alison's work - take a peep at her website (www.alisonholt.com) to see her wonderful pictures, all of which are stitched on a simple sewing machine.

Our masterclasses follow the same format each time - discussion on the specific topic, followed by everyone selecting an image to work from. Starting with tracing the image with a purple pen, we get an outline onto our silk. Then, in my opinion, the scary bit - we fill in the background details with silk paints. Now this is something that Alison obviously will help us all with, but no matter how hard I try, I haven't yet been able to feel I have mastered this bit. Luckily it doesn't seem to matter too much as the colours are there to help when it comes to the stitching.

Throughout each two day course Alison will gather us all around and demonstrate how to achieve the desired effect, starting first with how to portray the background, then step by step how to add the detail. This is really interesting and I am still amazed at how differently one can use just  a straight stitch or a zigzag to create different effects.

This year, the group had chosen to study rivers and waterfalls on the Thursday and Friday, followed immediately, for the very dedicated members of the Fan Club, by a study of snowy landscapes over the weekend. 

Although those of us who had chosen to do all four days were tired at the end, we had all passed a most enjoyable time and achieved good results - even if our masterpieces weren't quite finished! Some of our group had chosen to do just one of the courses, but hopefully we have  inspired a few more folk to want to sign up for more fun!

If you want any info on next year's courses with Alison, contact Pat Screaton (patscreaton@dsl.pipex.com  or Sylvia Winn (sjwinn@sky.com)   

Written by Sylvia Winn

A Sample of Alison's work

THE FAMOUS COLMAR QUILT

Here is a photo of the Colmar quilt made by:-

 Leila, Janet, Dagmar, Val, Rosemary, Lorna, Viv, Pat, Lois, Helen, Hazel and Sue

A prize is being offered if you can guess who is behind the quilt

together with a story of how it came about, written by Sue Wilson....
ODE TO OUR QUILT

A group of 12 friends are we

we meet once a week regularly

To Bradmore we go

to supposedly sew

and eat cake and drink coffee and tea,

A quilt made by all, was the cry,

A decision was made by and by,

A photo was “rent”

into equal segment

a piece given to all for a try !!

A few rules were needed we thought,

The colours to be represent

The edges to be

like the photo we see

making joining together less fraught.

Like all groups, whatever you do,

The quick ones, there are just a few !!

Took it away

 and were finished next day

while the rest stitched till the deadline was due.

Janet, the brave, took the bits

to link all together 16 “kits”

She sewed by the mile

with always a smile

But I am sure that it got on her T—s  -nerves.

When we saw it together at last

we stood open mouthed aghast!!

It’s good enough to show-

to Uttoxeter must go

So parcelled up and sent rather fast.

Well we won 1^st prize at the event

so “geed up “ to Malvern we sent

a second in show

to the NEC it could go

Highly Commended, came back the comment.

To Cosby Quilts, 5 of us belong

so we thought we would take it along,

To show and to tell

on the blog now as well

This ode took me almost as long.

Have I been missed?

Just returned from a holiday in sunny Spain, where it was not totally wall to wall sunshine.
Last Friday, we had non stop rain for several hours which culminated in very severe floods.  The volume of water was such that it totally devastated the bridge in our little pueblo (village), and several other bridges in villages nearby. It was total devastation and very very scary.  
Lives were lost, humans and livestock.  Houses were wrecked, fields swamped, cars floated away, roads just broke apart.
Our casa withstood the conditions (glad to report)
We were without water - and when we returned yesterday it still had not been re-connected.
Not exactly Cosby Quilter News, but what I am coming to, is.....
So, what do we do when the rain comes?
Why, we get out the hexagons.....

Take a handful of hexagons

Jiggle them about

Then slowly but surely, it starts to grow

I made quite a lot of progress

Have more news to add, keep checking