Hi everyone, it’s another newsletter from Bellaonline and I’ve had a massive week so far. Monday saw me travel to the Sunshine Coast to attend our fourth gathering of the Sunshine Linus Quilters. We had a good roll up again, and we achieved a great deal, in the limited space of the Patchwork Angel. We’ve been asked to make breast pump bags, which are simple draw string bags for storing the sterilised pumps in ready for use in the maternity ward of the regional hospital. So busy minds and hands got together and some 25 bags were made.

Good news is that the Uniting Church at Nambour is offered us their hall and storage space as our new home. So we are very fortunate and will have our first gathering their on the 27th September. A big thankyou to Penny at the Patchwork Angel, for giving us a temporary home while we found something more permanent. Here’s The Patchwork Angel website for you to see the gorgeous things they have for quilters. It’s the closest thing to quilt heaven (patchwork angel, pardon the pun) you’ll ever get!! www.patchworkangel.com.au

On Wednesday I co- judged a regional quilt show that will be happening over this weekend. My fellow judge and I had the large task of picking first and second prize winners from a vast range of quilts and other handmade items.
It was a fabulous day, and I felt very privileged to be able to view each and every entry, that had been made with love and skilled hands. Some quilts were the first entries, some were first quilts and some were created by experienced quilters. Every quilt has its own unique creativity and at times it was difficult to choose the outstanding quilts.

What gave me the biggest buzz, were the quilters who are new to the craft, taking a giant leap of faith and entering their quilts. I know it takes a lot of courage to put your own creativity in front of the public; but I also know that this experience helps you grow in your learning skills and also it gives you the courage to try more challenging patterns next time. Congratulations to all quilters across the world who take that leap and enter their work in quilt shows. You do more for yourself and the quilting community to which you belong, than you’ll ever fully realise.

Last Sunday I posted an article all about giving feedback to tutors when attending patchwork or quilting classes. I have also provided a feedback sheet for anyone to use in their own teaching setting. Here’s the link to that article: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art10208.asp

I also posted a question on the forum about quilters who also enjoy Lawn Bowls. There’s only been one reply so please if you have anything to offer, pop over to the forum and tell us what you think. Here’s the link to the forum: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/623711/Any_quilters_who_love_Lawn_Bow#Post623711

So onto my pressies for you today. I’ve been hopping on the web a bit lately and have been coming across some very interesting stuff, which I hope you’ll enjoy.

http://kzjostudio.blogspot.com/2010/08/quick-back-to-school-tutorial.html a bookmark with a difference and a great way to use up the scraps!!

http://www.aestheticnest.com/2010/08/sewing-heirloom-cut-chenille-baby.html gorgeous chenille baby quilt to make

http://capcreations.blogspot.com/2010/07/purse-planter_23.html an old hand bag becomes a very chic planter holder

http://www.bustleandsew.com/uploads/Sausage_Dog_Draught_Excluder.pdf a great draft stopper

http://the-crazy-gecko.blogspot.com/2010/04/easy-peasy-funky-felt-things-tin.html cute felt boxes and tins

http://hawadaere.blogspot.com/2010/06/matryoshka-potholders-tutorial.html a pretty potholder with the Matryoshka motifs

Well, I’ll say goodbye till next week, hope all’s well at your place. I know that you all are lead very busy lives, so I hope that you’re getting some time to be creative, (even if it's just folding your bed linen a different way!!)
Cheerio for now
Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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