Unfortunately I missed our last meeting as we were on holiday but Myra has reported that everyone enjoyed the 'Talking Quilts' Evening.

Members brought along one of their quilts that had a special personal significance for  them. They talked about their quilting journey and the relevance of the piece of work they had chosen to bring along. It was a very successful format and one which I hope we can repeat another time. A good evening for our two visitors who I hope will have enjoyed it enough to join us again soon.

We have now given the proceeds from the May exhibition to our two chosen charities. Myself, Emma and her two children went along to York Hospital Special Care Baby Unit to present the cheque. Arthur seemed non too impressed to be back on the unit where he spent his first two months of life, but I hope the money we raised will help others in similar circumstances.

Next meeting Gina Smith will be giving us a talk about her work. As well as being a member of White Rose Quilters Gina is also an embroiderer and textile artist and a member of the Group
Diverse Threads. I am sure it will be an interesting evening.

Our Exhibition on the 14th May at Kings Manor in York was a great success and we managed to raise more than £1000 for our charities York SCBU and Bliss.

Please have a look at the exhibition page to see more photographs.

The next meeting will be led by Myra ans Liz as Kate and myself are on holiday. (Think both of us thought we needed a rest after organising the exhibition.) As no one asked for any specific demonstrations as was posted on the programme for May, they have decided to do a 'Talking Quilts' Evening. Each member will bring along a quilt that means something to them. It may be their first quilt or one that was made to commemorate a significant occasion or event or any other reason. They will tell the story behind the quilt to the other members. Sounds like it will be a fun evening, and I am sorry that I will miss it but I hope to hear all about it when I get back from holiday.

I hope I can persuade either Liz or Myra to pen a few words that I can put on the blog to tell you how it went.

There are no photos from the April meeting as you will need to come along to our exhibition to appreciate the big Show and Tell that took place at our meeting that night.

Everyone brought along their pieces of work that they will be displaying at our exhibition and I was astounded by the diversity and workmanship that we, as a small quilting group, can produce. I am sure it will look even better when it is displayed properly in the Huntington Room at Kings Manor.

I also took the charity quilt into the hospital on Wednesday and sold raffle tickets in the foyer. That was interesting as all the junior doctors were picketing the hospital entrance but there still seemed to be enough people around for us to sell quite a lot of tickets.

The next event is the big one

The Exhibition of White Rose Quilters Work.

Date 14th May 2016     11-00am to 4-00pm

Venue   Huntington Room, Kings Manor, Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EP

I hope to see lots of you there.

March saw us making bags with Kate Jones. These were shopping totes which could be scrunched up and hidden inside an intregal pouch in the shape of a fruit. Very useful to drop in your hand bag so you are never without a shopping bag now that you are charged for bags by the large shopping chains.

For last months meeting our invited tutor was Bryony Downing. Bryony demonstrated how to make fabric flowers and brought along a bunch to show us what could be achieved.

We made some of the simpler ones during the evening and everyone achieved a good result. There was quite a bit of chatter throughout the evening as we were working on a hand project.  A pleasant change from machining.

Next month Kate Jones will be showing us how to make a shopping bag that can be shrunk in size to fit into your handbag. A very useful thing to have now that we have to pay for plastic carrier bags. I may make more than one and put them in all my handbags so that I never leave home without one.

The January meeting was well attended and saw us exploring the Disappearing Pin Wheel Block.

This block came to my attention on the Missouri Star web pages and I thought it fascinating that so many designs could be made from the pin wheel block if it is cut into a nine patch. Hence it was put into the groups programme for everyone to try. I have made a quillow and a cushion using the technique and these will be 2 of the prizes in our May raffle.

Next month we are making flowers with Bryony Downing and as I was remiss and failed to get a list of requirements before the January meeting, I am including them on the blogg, and sending them out to members on email.
Hope everyone finds the list but we will take provide some extra circles of material in case anyone is left out.

January 2016

Happy New Year to all Quilters.

A catch up on the end of 2015 saw us with a workshop on a 'quilt as you go block' taught by Kate Smith at our November meeting and our annual Christmas Bash in December.

The 'quilt as you go block' involved a lot of ironing and sewing close to the edge but produced an effective diamond pattern if you were careful. The pattern was originally produced by Pat Lumsdale as part of a 'cheat block' lap quilt and can be found on her  website.

Our Christmas get-together is all about sharing food and conversation which we may not be able to do quite as much of at our other meetings when we are busy sewing. We usually include a small project as part of the evening and this year we made small Christmas tree ornaments in the shape of a drum with added beaded trimming. Very festive, I think you will agree.

So to 2016. This will be busy year for us as we prepare for our exhibition on the 14th May, to take place at Kings Manor, Exhibition Square, York. Please put this date in your diaries and come along and support us as all our proceeds go to charity.

May I wish you all the best for 2016 and Happy Quilting.