Many Thanks Sue and Judy.

I forgot to tell you that I finished Sophie's shawl just in time for her arrival. I knitted it in 3 ply and it had almost 1,000 stitches and it took over an hour for each row. Then I had to knit a lace edge to sew around the outside which took a while, even though there weren't many stitches for that, as it measures about 48 inches across.

It was a lot of work but I wanted to gift Sophie with something she could use for her children. I finished knitting on the Monday night and then had to block it on Tuesday. Luckily it dried in time for us to see her on the Thursday. 

Now for more quilts. Sue Palmer  (Vic) has very kindly donated another 2 beautiful quilts for someone in need of comfort. 

Judy Alcock (Vic) also very generously donated the next 7 fabulous quilts.  I love the appliqued cats and mice and the horses.

I also received a thank you from Knox Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team , who were very happy to receive the 20 quilts I delivered for their clients last week. The Team Leader said that it was obvious that we had put a lot of time and effort into the quilts. They meet daily  with many victims and witnesses  with anxiety or similar mental health issues and they're sure that their clients will find the quilts to be very comforting. They work with all age groups- a lot of young children, but also adults of all ages and various cognitive impairments,  so I  will check back  with them regularly to see if they need more.

 It's great to know that we can help traumatised people during some challenging times. I spent today binding quilts so I should have more finishes to share soon. 

Many thanks for your generous donations and support everyone. 

Hugs, Jan Mac 

Welcome Sophie Catherine

Better photos of our first precious grand daughter. Her second name was Catherine after my much loved maternal grandmother and our DD's second name (Sophie's Mum) is also named after her

The boys love her and we had a lovely week looking after the boys and now they're all settling in at home again and it seems very quiet here. LOL, but more time to sew.

We feel very blessed to have 3 healthy grand children to love and treasure, and maybe spoil a little.

Hugs, Jan Mac
 

Many Thanks Delys and Wendy and a Special Arrival.

Delys Rogers from WA is a long-term supporter of Oz Comfort Quilts and this time she sent a lovely quilt top, fabric for backing and binding,  as well as 2 lovely crocheted blankets and 7 lovely knitted beanies. 

Wendy Yates from Victoria has been very busy again and sent 12 beautiful baby burp cloths and 12 new children's books.

Our precious grand daughter,  Sophie Catherine entered the world a week ago and we all fell in love with her. 

Covid restrictions meant that it was hard to get photos and so I delayed sharing the news until I could show her photo. We also had the boys here for the week while their parents were in hospital and it was a very busy time but such a happy family time to share. The boys were beautifully behaved and they're both besotted with their little sister.

 I had a day to  make the appliqued elephant pillow for the 1 week photos and now we've caught up at home I'm getting back into the quilting.

Hugs, Jan Mac 

Many Thanks Margaret and Glenys.

Margaret Fleming has been very busy sewing quilt tops from her stash and has dropped off another 9 which means there will be lots more lovely quilts to donate soon.

Glenys Clifford also included a large bag of QAYG blocks,  fabric and orphan blocks to combine with others I have on hand and they will make more beautiful quilts to donate . Many thanks for your generous donations everyone. 

Hugs, Jan Mac 

 

Twenty More Quilts Delivered.

Today I visited the  Knox Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team to deliver 20 quilts for their clients. I included quite a few I Spy quilts as they are a good way for the police to develop a rapport when interviewing children. The clients will hopefully get some comfort from receiving a quilt during such a challenging process.

This brings our total to 268 quilts delivered so far this year which is a fantastic  number.

I also received another lovely parcel from Julie Wisden (Vic) containing a lovely selection of orphan blocks as well as a beautiful large quilt top. 

Jenni Strachan (Vic) has been very busy and donated 15 beautifully knitted beanies,  which will be very welcome now that our weather has turned colder.

I have also been finishing off the baby shawl for our granddaughter who is due within a week or so and knitting more baby jackets to donate, as well as finishing more quilts made from QAYG blocks which I will share soon. It's been good to feel better and have enough energy to get back to my quilting and sewing.

Many thanks everyone for your generous donations and support which has meant that 268 people have received the comfort of a quilt from us already this year.

Hugs, Jan Mac 

 

Santa Sacks.

I'm very happy to report that I am finally feeling much better and getting busy with projects again. Several people have asked about the size of Santa Sacks and I have finally found time to blog about them. These lovely Sacks were made by Wendy Yates (Vic) and they are a drawstring bag with the bottom edges boxed but that part isn't essential. 

   You can use Christmas fabric or plain red or green or combinations. You could also use cream calico and decorate it with Christmas fabric. 

 I found these donated blocks with a Christmas theme so I am going to stitch them to plain calico bags. They can be made in a variety of sizes such as 14 x16 inches, 15 x 19 inches, or 20 x 24 inches.

   Usually Backpacks 4 Vic Kids  need 2,000 but last year they needed 4,500 so we're starting early this year and if we exceed the amount they need, then there are many other organisations who would love to use them for their clients.

So have fun being creative and bring some Christmas cheer to kids in care.

Hugs, Jan Mac 

Finally Some Finishes.

I haven't been getting as much done since I have been sick but  I do have some finishes to share.  This first beautiful Australian  wildflowers quilt top was made by Margaret Williams (Vic) and beautifully quilted by Sharon Siacci from Beyond Meander Quilting. 

This lovely jelly roll quilt top was donated by Anna De Kok (WA) and also beautifully quilted by Sharon Siacci from Beyond Meander Quilting. 

This lovely top was donated but I couldn't find the maker's name so please let me know if you recognise it so I can add your name to the label.

Helen Stewart (Vic) donated this lovely top. 

These 3 lovely QAYG  quilts were made from blocks donated by a variety of quilters.

I read somewhere that Social Workers found that lots of disadvantaged families don't have any toys or books for their children so I have been busy knitting little jumpers for some teddy bears that I have bought from Op Shops.  The bears are easy to wash and the little jumpers make them look a bit more special.

I have also made a nightie and 2 pairs of shorts for kids in foster care.

Marg Coulthard (Vic) has very generously donated 12 pair of hand knitted booties and a little beanie and they will be so welcome for disadvantaged children as our weather's getting much colder very quickly. 

I also knitted another baby jacket and matching hat for donation. 

I also finished off 2 more fleece blankets and another hand pieced soft ball to donate.

I'm still coughing but today I finally felt like I had a bit more energy again. Let's hope we're well before the baby arrives. 

Hugs, Jan Mac  

Many Thanks for Your Donations.

I'm still coughing and trying to rest as much as possible so that I  will be well when our granddaughter arrives in a couple of weeks time. More lovely donations have arrived with Trinity Patchworkers (Vic) donating 6 beautiful quilts. 

Tracey Leonard (Vic) donated some fleece fabric and a lovely crocheted blanket. 

Wendy Fry  (Vic) donated a large bag of hand knitted baby clothes and wraps. 

 
Mary Anne Rooney  (Vic) has sent another large parcel of QAYG blocks,  23 of 10.5 inch sqs and 27 of 9.5 inch sqs.

Sharon Shimbel (Qld) sent a large parcel of 6.5 inch sqs.

Wendy Yates (Vic) donated another 10 lovely  Santa Sacks as well as a lovely quilt top.

Norma Aitken (Vic) has donated a lovely cot quilt as well as a large amount of fleece fabric and beautiful knitting yarn.

 Jenny Bear (Vic) also donated a large bag of lovely knitting yarn.

Many thanks everyone for your generous donations and support. 

Hugs, Jan Mac