Hidee Ho everybody, welcome to another Quilters Quarters Newsletter from yours truly. The floods here in Queensland have had a devastating effect on so many people and the state as a whole is now banding together to clean up and get back on track. There is so much to do, not only immediately, but into the future; there will be a lot of souls that will need some tender loving care.

Interestingly, many have commented on how this disaster has forced neighbours and streets of strangers to speak with each other for the first time. Real caring communities are going to be developed from this soggy mess and that is only one positive. Looking a bit further down the track, the future is looking very bright for agriculture across Australia. After being in a dreadful drought for over 10 years, we can now look forward to some incredible record breaking crops. That’s got to be good for the whole world, given there is a global food crisis on the horizon.

Our quilt guild will be getting down to taking care of our members that have been affected. We hope to make comfort packs for our quilters, containing the things that they’ve probably lost, such as needlework kits, fabrics, patterns etc. Quilters always find a way to care for others – it is just what we do!!

I recently had the chance to review an online tutorial presented by a new media company called Sympoz. The tutorial is titled Quickly Quilting: Patterns, Techniques and Tips and is rather wonderful. I’ve written my review about the course and I’d encourage you to have a look. For those of you who are isolated and are unable to attend traditional quilting classes in your home town, this tutorial is a beauty and covers a very extensive topic area. Here’s the link to that article: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4959.asp

I posted a request on the forum yesterday, from a reader who is trying to track down a pattern. Pop over there and see if you can help. Here’s the link: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/656823/Looking_for_a_pattern_Can_you_#Post656823

So onto my goodies for this week. I’ve been looking for quirky things this week; been in a quirky kinda mood. Have fun!!

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2009/02/tutorialrice-bag-feet-warmer.html Rice bag and foot warmer

http://boyohboyohboycrafts.blogspot.com/2010/08/fire-truck-pillow-tutorial.html Fire Truck pillow tutorial

http://www.bumblebaybees.com/2010/09/silhouette-tea-towels-for-grandparents.html a lovely idea for a gift for grandma

http://cornpoppygirl.blogspot.com/2010/09/granny-stripe-shrug-pattern.html not quilting, but a great idea for patients in a nursing home, and a great idea to use up those ufo’s.

http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/2010/09/tutorial-sleeved-toddler-bib.html a great BIG BIB for that messy toddler (and old chooks like me!!!)

http://untilwednesdaycalls.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-organize-carded-vintage-buttons.html What a lovely way to store your vintage buttons.

http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com/2010/10/got-ugly-fabric.html ideas for using up your ugly fabric – making pet beds for the local animal shelter.

Well, folks, that’s all for this week. Keep busy with those hands, and spread some smiles around where you can. A smile is the most disarming tool known to man.

Cheerio for now


Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com