Monday, June 16, 2008

****JUNE NEWSLETTER*****

Hello Everyone,


This is our first newsletter for simply ages.


Everyone is encouraged to contribute.I really happy to facilitate the placement of your entries onto the blog. Just send your material (ha-ha) to me by normal email. I've spoken with Janice and we may even be able to bring in Show and Tell pictures into the blog with the ability to explain, describe or discuss the quilts.


WHERE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED WE'LL BE HIGHLIGHTING THE NOTICE IN RED. Does anyone want to help with editing the newsletter? I often write late in the night /early morning and am so tired that I make more typos than usual. It's not a huge job, just someone with a good eye for mistakes, to point them out to me to be changed.I thought the anzaquilters.blog.com would be easy for everyone to remember and access.June has been a very busy time with comings and goings, so let's start there.



MEMBERSHIP


WELCOME TO NEWCOMERS: Our group is quite active and there are a lot of things going on, so please make yourself known to me and if it's ok with you, I'll feature your picture here and some personal snippets. Elizabeth and Carmen have recently joined our group and as soon as I can, I hope to introduce them to all.

COMINGS (AND GOINGS):





  • Maggie is temporarily in France celebrating her daughter's wedding. Congratulations and best wishes Maggie...


  • Janice will be away for the (European) summer and asks "Is there anyone who can take the photos for Show and Tell?"

  • Miranda returned after some months in Australia caring for her mum with terminal cancer. "After my mother passed away in May I've now returned FOR ANOTHER SHORT STINT before going back to Australia for the 40 day memorial for a week (starting 26th June). My thanks to the group for the condolence card sent from the group by Janice."




FAREWELL:

Courtney wrote to members to advise that they are moving back to Brisbane and she'll be making one more visit to our group before leaving Singapore. Courtney wrote,”I have loved the quilting group in Singapore and have valued the friendships and support that I have received during my stay. I will be able to attend one more group before heading off (Tuesday 24th June) for a final quilt session and chit chat, I look forward to seeing those who can make it that day."


NEWS FROM PAST MEMBERS:
Betty, who won the Singapore Challenge, last year, with her fabulous quilt of Steve Irwin has exhibited her amazing colourwash quilt of some (5,000 x 1 inch blocks) in the Sydney Quilt show and it was featured in Patchwork and Quilting Magazine. Well done Betty. She is exhibiting her quilt at several of the Australian quilt shows. INTERESTING FACT: She is not able to enter it in the competitions as the quilting was not done by an Australian quilting guild member. So if you're thinking of exhibiting you may wish to speak to Betty to learn about her experience. Sandra has returned to life in Sydney and has just received her shipment which has reunited her with her computer and sewing machine! She has settled back very well.


OUT AND ABOUT




CAMBODIA ORPHANAGE TRIP: Janice, Maggie, Kathy, Anne and a non quilting friend have returned from their exciting time in the orphanage in Cambodia. They taught 19 nannies how to use machines donated by World Vision. The orphanage is about 2 hours outside of Phnom Penh and there are 50 children, 39 of which are babies and toddlers. They wanted the nannies to be taught how to use the machines they had been given, as a way of making their daily lives more interesting.Reminder: On this subject....Anyone upgrading their machines can contact World Vision to donate their old sewing machines - if in Australia Spotlight collects them. (Someone said Spotlight here does too, can anyone confirm??)








JAPAN TOUR: Having taken in both the Yokohama and the Tokyo International quilt shows with friends from Anza Quilting in previous years, I'm researching the possibility of running another one in November 2008 so I'm going up in July to investigate some more features to add on. This time I'm going to try and incorporate lessons on sashiko and other Japanese crafts in a beautiful traditional town called Hida Takayama. It can only be added to the November Yokohama show as the January Tokyo show is in the heart of winter and "snowing-in" has been known to happen. Please let me know if you are even slightly interested - Betty, Sandra and Janice really enjoyed being on the tour last time where we had a good combination of quilt show, sightseeing and shopping (both general and Quilting supplies - especially materials - WHICH HAVE FEATURED HEAVILY IN OUR QUILTS AND BAGS SINCE).





SYDNEY QUILT SHOW: Sandra will be sending us photos of the show. Her comment was the quality was really much better than other years. We look forward to seeing some.



RESOURCES

SEWING MACHINES:
For those who have not been able to bring their sewing machines to Singapore, Miranda has two spare ones used for her handbag workshops, but are not in use all the time, so is happy to lend them.


MAGAZINES AND BOOKS:

If you have recently bought any books or magazines that you would like to share, please let the group know through this newsletter.


SINGAPORE SUPPLIERS:

Have you found any new suppliers? Please let us add it on to an on-going list which we'll start as of next month. This will be a great resource for newcomers - instant list, instant quilting supplies!
Please put name of company: contact: address; phone number: directions.



DID YOU KNOW?

Eucalyptus oil takes off those nasty sticky labels off plastic containers. It is brilliant for old sticky tape that has "set" on wood or glass - especially if oil is put on cotton wool to soak and left on sticky stains for a few minutes. Here are some more uses for our National Oil...please go to the link: http://www.simplyoz.com/moreinfo.php?8056:0




SURF THE SITES:

TO VIEW THESE WEB SITES, EITHER CLICK ON THE UNDERLINED ADDRESS HERE, OR COPY (HIGHLIGHT THE COMPLETE ADDRESS AND PRESS CONTROL C SIMULTANEOUSLY) AND PASTE (HIGHLIGHT THE COMPLETE ADDRESS AND PRESS CONTROL V WHERE YOU LOOK AT WEB SITES).


How to fold quilts on the bias to prevent material damage over time: http://whipup.net/2006/11/13/know-when-and-how-to-fold-em/
How to care for quilts long term:
http://www.lostquilt.com/Storage.html


SOME IDEAS FOR FUTURE ISSUES:

Opinions Welcome...

Would we like to feature our group in the Australian Down Under Magazine/Patchwork and Quilting or Patchwork and Stitches?? - Magazines in Australia often feature groups from around the nation and I'm really happy to follow up and get them to meet some of Australia's Diaspora in Singapore. As well as highlighting that ANZA is made up of people from many countries around the world.I think our sensational charity quilt would make a wonderful visual. An article could also draw attention to potential members who are might be moving to Singapore in the future. I'm happy to follow up but need group discussion/approval.



SOCIAL LUNCHEON FOR ANZA QUILTERS??

When we all get back later in the year would we like to have a social get together? I've discovered a very pretty place in Singapore - Seletar Country Club that has a very informal restaurant overlooking the golf course and Seletar Reservoir. It's Greeeeeeeeen as far as your eye can see.... It's a good break away from the city - 5 minutes away from our home. The prices are very reasonable and the food (choice of Asian or Western) is consistently good. Anyone interested before the "silly" season is upon us and the year has gone?



PHOTOS PHOTOS PHOTOS:

Do you have any quilting photos to add to our blog?


SUPPLIERS IN SINGAPORE - not just the usual ones. A comprehensive list of sewing, material and quilting suppliers in Singapore for newcomers and those of us who are happy to explore wider.


LOST, FOUND, BUY, SELL, SHARE, LEND OR RECOMMEND
Be it quilting or non-quilting itmes...Anything to buy or sell, A spot to ask if anyone know where to find......


WORKSHOP IDEAS

Some months ago we discussed having a "shared workshop" - where everyone tips in their techniques for doing mitres on a patchwork block and for borders/quilt finishings. There are so many different ways being practiced and many of us still struggling. Yet those who have mastered their particular style swear by how easy it is.



FEEDBACK

Please feel free to make constructive comments and offer any help you can if you'd like this format of communication to continue in this or some similar form.....
Hi everyone, Welcome to our new blog. It is another method we can communicate and see photos, share information and notices.




THIS GROUP BLOG IS A TRIAL TO SEE HOW WE LIKE IT, AND IF WE DO, IT CAN BE AN ONGOING NEWSLETTER TOO.

If your emails get jammed with large files etc or you've been receiving spam, this blog should solve the problem. As the information is not sent to you, you can look at the blog as often as you need and nothing gets permanently downloaded on to your computer.Each one of us can add to the blog, just send me the information and I'll post it for you. To do this just email me at my current email address and make the heading "FOR THE BLOG".

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.... THANKS FOR READING AND NOW BACK
TO QUILTING.....

Best wishes for health and happiness,

Miranda Rowlands