Lyn Ballinger Challenge

Great excitement at this weeks meeting, it was our annual Luncheon and Judging of the Lyn Ballinger Challenge. This year, in keeping with our Quilt Show Theme of 'International Year of the Forests'  our challenge was to create a 'green' shopping bag from calico and re-cycled fabric.  The feature fabric, at first sight, could only be described as,  well, ugly really.  But what a star it turned out to be!, those clever quilters created some really cute shopping bags.  Now as the 'Viewers Choice'  voting is to take place at our Quilt Show on the first weekend in June, I can't show you all the finished bags....but...I can show you some of the innovative ways the girls used 'that fabric'

 There are leaves galore, singly and as bunches, hearts, suffolk puff flowers, letters, logos, buildings and baskets. How innovative is all that!

The Luncheon itself was organised by our 2 Professional Luncheon Co-ordinators, Queen Fran and Duchess Beryl, who had their tiaras firmly in place to prove their claims, they did a great job of presenting the many delish dishes, keeping everyones glass topped up with a selection of champers, punch and chilled fruit water and just generally setting out the room with lovely green table decorations.

 and of course, there is always the 'behind the scenes' workers and helpers who make these occasions sing along without a hitch.

Judging this year was by Patchwork Group co-founder, Rose, who in keeping with the theme, wondered if perhaps she was a re-cycled Judge, having previously judged a challenge 10 years ago.

 We also had some great Show and Tell, some of which was from a week or so ago, sorry I've missed a couple of posts, it's all the new pup's fault, I seem to rush from sunup to sundown and beyond with a roll of loo paper in one hand and a mop in the other, chasing behind a new puppy that can only be described at 'mischief on a stick'

Sue bought along a couple of cushions from last century, yep she finally finished them!!.  Both cushions used Sue's own hand dyed fabrics.

Now why is Susie hiding behind the 2nd cushion?, she was having a little sob...somehow or other, in the cushion swap over, all Sue's colour co-ordinated, organised tinsy little applique pieces got dumped on the floor!.....I kid you not! and what is worse, somehow, one of them disappeared. Drat!.

Janet has used a pattern from on of our Library books on using Jelly rolls to create this wonderful quilt.  Yep, apart from the background all the colour pieces are from a Jelly Roll!

Here is a closer view, it takes clever colour matching to create that larger triangle but as you can see, Janet has done a brilliant job of creating those large triangles.

The quilting, which so suits the quilt design was done for Janet by Fiona of the Quilting Fairy.  Fiona used a variagated thread for extra flow in the quilting design.

Val has been commissioned to make two quilts for twin little girls, she bought along finished quilt number one to share with us.  Wonderful vibrant colours bring this pattern to life.

 and a few closer views of the great blocks.

 Wendy bought along her finished 'Chinese Lantern' table runner done in a recent in house workshop with Janice.

Janette has created another wall hanging for her home,  a lovely stained glass creation with the neatest blanket stitched applique.

Chinese Lantern Workshop

Another wonderful workshop presented by Janice this week,  this time on the versatile 'Chinese Lantern' block, and with the help of a few 60 degree rulers we saw some very interesting blocks emerge.  Two new members were concentrating on getting those templates 'just right'

and at end of day Lorraine had a stunning table runner flimsey to show for her efforts, of course in purple!! the fave colour range after all.

The gals not involved in the workshop had their own little challenge.  New member Caroline bought along a flimsey for some help and advice.  Strip pieced colours of the outback with an appliqued frilled neck lizard in all his glory.  There were some great suggestions made - looking forward to seeing the finished quilt , it will be stunning!.

 While busy out in the back room creating lanterns, Lorraine still had time to share this cute stitchery, knowing Lorraine is fond of bees - well you would have to wouldn't you, being a bee keeper?, anyway Janice gave Lorraine this really cute pattern

to create a wonderful stitchery.

 Lynn bought along this wonderful colourwash heart, a lap quilt to be that she is making for a lady who needs a little love in her life.

Di's Trunk Show

Wow, time for another trunk show, and as usual there is a mass of goodies to be seen.
Thanks again also to Debby for the words and pics.

!st photo is Di's gorgeous quilted jacket she made for the cruise she and her Darling went on not long ago.  Looks fabulous on you Di.

Di is another quilter who just whips up quilts just like that.  This scrap quilt she made last week.

This placemat was a retreat swap, nice!

Di has also made lots of quilts which she has given away to family and friends such as this red one.  Her friend Anne is the proud owner of this lovely qult as she loves red.  I love blue Di...!

Di did a class in '03 with Diane Johnson and finished it in '06 with help from our lovely Gwen.

Di made this gorgeous Japanese quilt with her Mooloolahy group.  Love the colours
Di.

Here is a round robin from years ago.

Here is another beauty.  Di's black, white and red quilt which she made on a weekend away with her bossy stitches girlfriends.  Yes we all know who they are.  Love this quilt Di, it is fabulous.

Oh woow! a colourwash quilt that Di made in Adelaide with 2 inch squares.  All cut individually and placed before sewing.  Lots of work in this one.

Here is bossy stitches swap by Penny

Another swap but this time a mask made by Gwen.  Gee Di you have lovely friends.  This mask is very interesting.

Di made this lovely wall hanging after losing her Mum.

The words read: Put your Tulips to bed in Autumn, Spend Winter under a quilt. Greet Spring in a garden full of Tulips.

Di loves her embroidery machine.  She has made this lovely wall hanging.

Nice, here is Di's sampler quilt, fabric given to her by a friend, blocks done by her bossy stitches girls and quilted by Gwen.  I believe Di is a very good deligater!!!

This is a stunning appliqued quilt.

Here is Di's Round Robin, a row by Row wall hanging which 9 girls from Thursday night patchworkers participated in last year.  A lovely keepsake.

Yes, I think we have all made a star stack and slash, this one is very cute.  They are a lot of fun to make.

Some Flying Geese cushions.  I think Di likes making flying geese.

Di has done some lovely decoupage art work. This one hangs in the garage.

Also a decoupage tray.

Here is a Lyn Ballinger challenge from 2003 - a wall hanging.

Here is another wall hanging of old Australian houses which Di has machine embroidered.

Some hand luggage for the cruise.  As you do...

Di has made a lovely table centre at a workshop in Esk.  This girl gets around!

Di made this very interesting Kalidescope quilt at a workshop with Fiona with only one fabric used, amazing!

 Another "Star" quilt
 

A very cute table center piece

More surprises for us when Di showed us a few of her beautiful porcelaine dolls.  She has made them right from the green ware.  Made all the clothes and painted such delicate faces.  Oh my goodness.  This 1st one is Catherine

Next is Scarlet O'Hara and won 1st Prize in Adelaide.  Congratulations Di.

Here Di has made this Piorot clown.  She is almost life size.  She looks so real.

Next I have taken lots of photos of dolls, quilts etc that Di has given away over the years.  You certainly have been a busy little bee.  Thank you so much Di for sharing all your creations with us. 

Thank you so much Di for sharing all your creations with us.
Till next month, keep stitching and smiling:) - Debby

Thank you Debby and Di for making it possible for the rest of the group and our blog followers to share in the beautiful works and Trunk Show.