Hello again, welcome to the Quilters Quarters Newsletter for this week.
I was reminded again, during the past week, of how wonderful the quilting community is around the world, and how fortunate I am to be part of it.

When I first started quilting back in 1976, I imagined that I nearly 40 years later I would be sewing up a storm, making all the wonderful quilts on my Quilt bucket list for my family and friends. I would be fulfilling those quilt dreams I had as a young, green newbie to quilting, always making a more elaborate quilt than the last one.

Well, it hasn’t panned out that way at all. Over the past 7 years, or so, I’ve spent most of my energy making and organising others to make quilts for perfect strangers. Not fantastically elaborate and ornate quilts, but quilts that are cosy, colourful and made with love and in the hope that they will be of comfort to a person in need in my community.

Since instigating the Sunshine Linus group two years ago, most of my time is taken up with organising the delivery of those wonderful donated items that come to us in huge numbers, to the needy community on the Sunshine Coast. My car is constantly filled to overflowing with quilts and other comforts ready for delivery. At present I have 25 knitted teddy bears happily standing in boxes on the back seat. They look like they’re off on a Teddy Bears Picnic!! (If you go down to the woods today…………)!

Yesterday, I attended a craft afternoon with a group at my local library and a wonderful lady, who has recently moved from outback Queensland to Brisbane and joined the group, presented me with a dozen or so quilts that she had been beavering over in recent months. These delightful quilts were made from her “stash” and her only wish was that they were given to those in need. She had heard about our group and is now our latest donor.

I am aware of many, many quilters throughout my own community and beyond who are busy making and doing for others, instead of realising their long time dreams of creating that “once in a lifetime quilt”. It is this generosity and selflessness that allows those less fortunate in our community to be enveloped in the warmth comfort of a quilt made by a complete stranger, at the same time receiving the message that we care and are concerned for their welfare. Quilters the world over are the most generous people I know!

Here’s the link to the Sunshine Linus blog, so you can see for yourself what we’re up to these days: http://sunshinelinusgroup.blogspot.com.au/

My latest article was posted last week – and this time is was a book review titled Twelve by Twelve. If you’re interested here’s the link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art177528.asp

It’s pressy time again, and I’ve got some beauties for you. Pour that cuppa and enjoy the browse:

http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2012/02/making-a-two-sided-quilt-with-floating-blocks.html this is a great tutorial on making quilts and fitting spare spaces

http://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/02/thomas-c-chungs-knitted-sculptures.html not quilting but Knutters (ooops I mean Knitters) will love these

http://mypatchwork.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/ipad-holder-for-the-car/ an iPad holder for the car

http://www.dmc-usa.com/Inspiration/Projects/Applique-and-Sewing/Wedding-Cake-Pin-Cushion.aspx yep another one (thanks Galloping Butterfly) and I love it.

http://fabricfascination.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/block-of-month-placemats.html block of the month placemats

http://inspire76.com/2011/08/02/10-terrific-color-swatch-images/

http://apassionforapplique.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/needleturn-applique-valleys-and-deep-vs.html a very easy to understand tutorial on needle turn appliqué

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/art-and-design/news-unwanted-materials-and-art-jane-perkins more fantastic uses for unwanted buttons and bibs and bobs

Well, dear readers, that’s it from me this week. I do hope you are well and getting some time to pick up a needle and quilt. Be in touch via my email address: quilting@bellaonline.com if you’d like to say hello.

Till next week,
Cheerio for now


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

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com