Australia Wide Three Exhibition Inivitation

Australia Wide Three is a touring exhibition presented by Australia's organisation for art quilters, Ozquilt Network Inc.  With support from Queanbeyan City Council, the exhibition next opens at The Q Art Space, Queanbeyan,  ACT at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 29 October 2013.  There is an artist floor talk at 11am on Thursday, 31 October.  All welcome.  Please RSVP.

'Miniature' : Workshop with Jane Gibson

Rumours are that "Miniature" piecing and design skills will be needed for the 2014 Guild Challenge.

And who better to divulge the intricate skills of Miniature Quilt construction than the maestro of tiny piecing, Jane Gibson.

A Star Sampler Miniature Quilt Workshop will be taught by Jane at the end of November.

In this class, participants will learn the tricks of tiny cutting and accurate piecing using a rotary cutter and sewing machine. 

They can choose to copy the quilt Jane presents, or make one using their own design. A variety of block patterns will be provided to help in selection. She will also help those who are intrigued by the intricacies of constructing 1/8th inch logs, as shown in the tiny Log Cabin Quilts that Jane is known for. She says there is a very simple method to sewing tiny logs, and is willing to share her technique during the workshop.

There are still some vacancies in this workshop and interested members are advised to book in as soon as possible by phoning the Guild Office 

A downloadable Workshop Booking Form can be used or the hard copy (or photocopy) of the form can be used from page 29 of the August Template.

Date    : Tuesday 26 November

Venue : Epping Creative Centre

             Dence Park

             26 Stanley Road, Epping

Cost    : Members $65 / Non-members $100.

Invitation to Art Quilt Australia 2013

Art Quilt Australia 2013: People Place & Nation is presented by Ozquilt Network Inc and Craft ACT. The opening is at 6pm on Friday, 1 November 2013 and the exhibition runs until Saturday, 14 December 2013 in Canberra. The work of several Guild members is featured in this exhibition. There is also an exhibition of ceramics by Cathy Franzi. If you would like to attend the opening (see clickable invitation below), please RSVP to conference@ozquiltnetwork.org.au

You may also be interested in the curator and artist floor talks that are part of the Ozquilt Network Conference My Art Quilt 2013 on Saturday, 2 November. Non Ozquilt Network members are welcome to attend the conference. Complete and return the registration form in the information pack or make your booking using the Conference Gala 2013 Online Registration Form. Conference bookings close on Tuesday, 29 October 2013.

Download: Conference Gala 2013 Information Pack (Word Format)
Download: Conference Gala 2013 Information Pack (PDF Format)

November 2013 Friday Showcase

Leanne Harvey, long arm custom machine quilter, patchwork and sewing teacher, published designer and blogger at Mount Vincent Quilts, will present her textile journey at the next Friday Showcase in the Office.

Recognised for her creation of big, bright and modern patchwork, Leanne says it is the quilting that makes a 'flimsy' come alive for her.

She is equally passionate about finishing off the masterpieces of her clients, with individual and beautiful quilting on her Gammill. This love has now become a family business and, as she says, " I'm very lucky to work in a job that I love to do"

Leanne has been published in Down Under Quilts , and Australian Quilters Companion have one of Leanne's quilts, 'Lucy', in their current publication  - Quilts from Precut Fabrics.

'Lucy' is a colourful and bold quilt made from 2 Layer Cakes and  Leanne is holding this quilt in the above photo.

All members are welcome to Friday Showcase, so please come and support this young passionate,  and rural member of the Guild.

Dates : Friday 1st November

Time : 10am start.

Venue : Guild Office

             Level 5

             276 Pitt St, Sydney.

              

Bushfire Appeal

Images of the current NSW bushfires have been saturating the worlds media, and for those who are uncertain of the locations of affected areas, then be advised that much of the devastation has occurred in the commuter belt of Sydney.

Almost everyone in Sydney knows of, or works with people who live in the active fire zones.

A massive blanket of smoke and a white-hot setting sun, over Sydney suburbs, Sunday 20th Oct 2013

The Office of the Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc has been fielding a steady stream of phone calls from concerned members wanting to "help" in any way possible.

Tracy Greenway at Winmalee is the quilter to contact directly. Her blog: cookquiltcrochet has an update about The Springwood Salvation Army Patchwork Group who are co-ordinating a Blue Mountains Quilt Appeal for those who have lost their homes in the Springwood and  Winmalee areas.

Information Day for Quilters

Thursday 24th October

10am - 12 noon

Springwood Salvation Army

15-23 Francis Road, Faulconbridge

(This venue may change, depending upon current conditions) 

There is an 'email contact' section on Tracy's blog for those who wish to contact her directly with donations of quilts. 

Please do not donate quilts directly to the Salvation Army Charity Store in Springwood.

These quilters are also wanting donations of tops and all supplies needed to make quilts. 

A list of donation suggestions is also on the blog.

Please help in any way possible. Thankyou.

Illawarra Quilters' Quiltaway 15-18 Nov 2013

The bi-annual "Quiltaway" being organised by Illawarra Quilters is fast approaching, and there are still vacancies for those who wish to join this 'not-for-profit' Workshop Long Weekend.

Guest Tutors are all well known for their creative and fun classes, and attendees will not only learn new techniques and produce 'take-home' items, as well they will have their creative energies inspired for future projects. 

Brenda Gael Smith (teaching Strata Various and Shibori Serendipity),
Katrina Hadjimichael (teaching Spikes and Specks and Sherherazade Table Runner), and, 
Jennifer Corkish (teaching The Fruits of Life and printing and stencilling) all still have places in their classes.

Final numbers are needed by November 1st for all the 1, 2 and 3 day workshops being offered.

All Tutors, shared accommodation and meals are included in the varying price structure:
One Day : $170
Two Day:  $340
Three Day : $550

The Quiltaway is being held at The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops NSW.
Attendees are to arrive after 5pm on the 15th and departure is 4pm on Monday 18th November.

It is recommended that contact be made directly with the organiser Glenda Wise in the first instance  at
glendawise14@hotmail.com 
Phone : 0242856454

A $50 Deposit will be required if a place is to be reserved until a Registration Form has been posted.

Nothing to do except sew, learn and relax in good company!

All Welcome.

A Stolen Quilt

During the Awards Ceremony at the recent Queensland Quilters Inc Show, one of the prize winning quilts was brazenly removed from display prior to ribbon pinning.

Titled " Feathers Unfolden" and created by Brenda Wood, this quilt measures 73cm x 43cm.

If anyone recognises this quilt and knows anything about its theft, then please contact the President of Queensland Quilters Inc Lyn Crump , or Expertise Events.

Unfortunately, Security Cameras at the event missed recording removal from display.

Any detail or clue about the perpetrators will be treated with diplomacy. 

Please publicise this theft amongst your groups and quilting friends.

Two gals at the Spring Quilt Shows

Those Curlewis Quilters, Good ol' Merle and Miss Shirl, have been touring the recent Spring Quilt Shows . . . .

Shirl :   OOooooo, I like that one . . . 

Merle (muttering) :  . . no surprises there . .

            . . . . . Shirl . . . doesnt matter whether you like it, does it fit the criteria?

Shirl :      Par. Don. mwa?

Merle :    Criteria. Judging criteria. An informative list of pointers that will help steer a Judge 

            towards a winning quilt. 

           Just look at this Mariners Compass quilt Shirl, and do try to use a more critical eye. 

Shirl :    Hmmmmm . . . I suppose the seams are a bit wonky .. 

Merle :   Exactly. Any more wonky and we'd be seasick.

            And here's some other criteria to think about . . The Judges are looking for all 

            techniques to be faultless. Piecing, Applique . . . just look at this quilting . . not 

            enough on the borders compared with the body . . . see . . it doesn't hang straight! 

Shirl :    Gosh, didn't notice.

Merle :   And then there's colour and design: all sorts of arty criteria, and even, is the quilt 

             entered into the correct category!

Shirl :     Hell Merle, Curlewis one week, Houston the next . . . how do you know all this?

Merle :   The August Guild Meeting. Super presentation by some members who are Judges. 

            Got us all thinking. Even had to do some pretend judging. 

            Told you to come.

Shirl :     Sorry . . . sorry! . . . what else did you learn?

Merle :   Well, Judges apparently give low marks to quilts with any stains: they get 

             sidetracked by stray threads, stray pins, pencil lines, careless sleeves, and, 

             especially . .  low and behold if your binding is buckling, bulging, bursting 

             or anorexic! And you'd better make sure there's no shadowing, no stretching,

             no inappropriate thread colours, no points cut off, no sports logos, no fading, no

             colour running, no puckering, no lipstick, blood spots and . . . no fluff!

Shirl :      "Fluff"! . .  Fluff ? . . But I've seen Art Quilts with more fluff than Bruce's nosstraws!

Merle :    SHIRL! I think you mean "Mixed Techniques" . . . see . . wrong category. 

             What they mean is, keep Minxy off your quilt.

Shirl :      Oooo yes . . . I know that catoffstrophe . . . 

             Apparently there was a Judge who had an Anna Flattery action to cat fur on a quilt

             . . ghastly . . . . died, didnt she?

Merle :    Shhh  . . Shirl, you're a shocker . . that is SUCH an urban myth . . 

             Seriously, you must come to the next Guild Meeting on Saturday, and use proper 

             Judging Criteria to cast a 'Viewers Choice' in the Hexy Challenge.

Shirl :      But what if I don't like any of them?

Merle :    You haven't heard a word I've said, have you?

             . . . . C'mon . . time to find the tea and scones.

© 2013 Guild Blog Editor

AGM : This Saturday

All members are advised that the Annual General Meeting of The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc will be held this Saturday.
Please  remember to forward any Criss Cross Blocks to the front desk upon arrival for the subsequent "winner - takes - all" BOQ raffle.

Criss Cross Patch : 10 inch block : Block of the Quarter

All Guild Management Committee positions will be declared vacant on this day, and a new committee will be elected.

An AGM highlight will be the display of 2013 Challenge Quilts - 'Hexagon Hype'.

62 Challenge Entries have been received this year, and Judging is complete. 

However, be sure to cast your "Viewers Choice" vote, at the Guild AGM.

Which of these Challenge Quilts will be awarded First and Second place?

As always there is the added pleasure of a Guest Speaker, and at this AGM, Catherine Butterworth will share her recent quilts and talk about her passion for design and colour.

Date : Saturday 19 October

Programme : 

                    11 am : Annual General Meeting

                      1 pm : General Meeting

Venue : "The Dome",

               Burwood RSL, 

               Shaftsbury Rd, Burwood.

All Welcome!

Spring Quilt Show in Mosman

A band of enthusiastic quilters in Mosman have been busily working towards their 3rd Quilt Show.

Calling themselves the Barn Quilters, and meeting monthly in The Scots Kirk, Belmont Road, Mosman, their exhibition this year will have all proceeds being donated to The Bear Cottage in Manly.

Their exhibition will be held in the historic Community and Scout Hall : The Barn, just near the ferry wharf; ideally placed for those who wish to include a harbour journey with a quilt show! A bus service also runs past the venue.
This quilt show is being held in conjunction with the Festival of Mosman.

A Raffle Quilt, "Potting Shed", will have tickets available for purchase, and other delights will be a retail shop, as well as a wonderful Morning and Afternoon Tea facility.
Please do come along and support Bear Cottage and view the quilting creativity of the Barn Quilters.

Dates :  Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2013
Times :  9am - 5pm
Entry :   $2 adults,
              Children Free

Urgent Notice : Workshop : Chris Jurd

All Guild members are no doubt familiar with the fabulously graphic "Lots of Dots" quilt created by well known designer and teacher Chris Jurd.

This quilt won its category at the 2011 Sydney Quilt Show and has previously been exhibited at the 2012 Australian Quilt Convention as one of the 5 "Best of the Best" from The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc.

Chris will be teaching a 2 day workshop this month for the Guild, whereby members can learn the intricacies of constructing two of the blocks from the quilt. As a maestro of Foundation Piecing and Applique, Chris is bound to be able to help all attendees make these blocks appear dynamic and professional.

Complete "Lots of Dots" quilt instructions will be available for purchase for those inspired to take their workshop results further, and thus construct the other 24 different circle blocks.

If you would like to attend this exciting workshop then please phone the Guild Office to register. Further details about the workshop and a Workshop Application Form can be found on page 29 of the August Template.

Dates : Tuesday - Wednesday, 29-30 October, 2013

Times : 9.30am for a 10am start until 4pm

Venue : Epping Creative Centre

             Dence Park

             26 Stanley Road, Epping 

Cost : $130  Members

          $200  Non-members

Living Colour! Call for Entries

Guild member Brenda Gael Smith is curating another travelling textile art exhibition in 2014/2015 that will premiere at the Australasian Quilt Convention in 2014 and will also be on display at the Creative Textile Show in Canberra.  All textile artists are invited to submit an entry exploring the theme Living Colour! Each work will be in a 100x40cm (L x W) vertical format and up to 30 works may be selected. To submit an entry, please review the Conditions of Entry and complete the Online Entry Form. The closing date for entries is 31 January 2014. International entries are welcome.

Ozquilt Network Conference Gala Invitation

You are invited to join  the Ozquilt Network Conference Gala (29 October – 3 November 2013) in Canberra. My Art Quilt 2013 is a professional development and network day for all members of Ozquilt Network.  Non-members are also very welcome.  My Art Quilt 2013 is the main focus of a 6-day Conference Gala program (and includes a short Ozquilt Network annual general meeting).  The Conference Gala program incorporates exclusive delegates-only optional pre-conference and post-conference events, plus free public events related to the program including the official exhibition openings of Australia Wide Three and Art Quilt Australia 2013:  People Place & Nation that include the works of many Guild members.

For more detailed information (including accommodation ideas):
Download: Conference Gala 2013 Information Pack (Word)
Download: Conference Gala 2013 Information Pack (PDF)

All activities must be pre-booked on the conference booking form, including public events. 

Bookings close on Wednesday, 23 October 2013.  Submit the booking form from the information pack by mail or e-mail or complete the Conference Gala 2013 Online Registration Form..

Please direct any queries to conference@ozquiltnetwork.org.au