A Frosty Morning

Winter is almost here and we even had a frost this morning so I know that the quilts, crocheted blankets, knitted hats and scarves will all be very welcome to those who had their lives disrupted by the floods and earthquakes.
Yesterday I delivered another 16 quilts to Rochester via Lesley Lowe who very kindly came over to pick them up. She also brought another lovely child's quilt (shown on my other blog) as well as lots of fleecy material, 20 knitted beanies, a scarf and more lovely cloth bags.
I had hoped to send lots of boxes up to Qld today but the truck broke down and won't be going this week. The good news is that this will give me more time to finish more quilts, blankets and scarves.
I also received a very large pile of more QAYG blocks and 3 beanies from Stephanie Driel (WA) and I also managed to finish another crocheted blanket (still some orange yarn left, LOL) as well as 4 more scarves.
Time to get some more things finished.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Now Where Was I?

It's been a busy week with paid work intruding into my sewing time and I'm sorry that I've neglected my blog a bit. I've been working on sewing the flannel squares into 9 patches for backing blocks for QAYG blocks whenever I'd had some time and I've also managed to finish off a few more QAYG quilts and have shown more photos on my other blog.
I also received 13 more lovely beanies knitted by Jenni S. and Sophia F. (Vic) and they will be on their way this week to a group in Qld who are helping the homeless who have been displaced by the floods. I have also been busy getting quilts ready to send to them for distribution and will give an update of the numbers very soon.
I've also included a report from the group who have been distributing the items to the homeless in Brisbane (Qld) as I think it helps to know what is needed and can be used by those who need some help with quilts and warm garments. I'm also including another part of the report on my other blog.

I don't have many "special stories" to share but I helped one young man with a beautiful little boy in a pusher. Baby's name was William and he will be one next week. Dad has full custody of him, don't know why, but they are living in a car at present as he can't find any rental accommodation. all dad originally wanted was a blanket for William because "the car is getting colder and colder". Well William ended up with a couple of blankets, jumpers, some child's socks/bed socks; beanie, toys etc etc. Dad asked if he could keep a toy aside to give to William for his birthday next week as he couldn't afford to buy him anything "nice" for his birthday.
Dad brought William back to me later to show me that William had had his first ever haircut. So cute, but I noticed Dad had also had a haircut and was looking pretty good himself, and he was thrilled when I mentioned it! It was difficult to get Dad to take anything for himself, all he wanted was things for Will. He did tell me that since he has had William, he does not smoke, drink or do drugs, everything "has to be just perfect for William". He wasn't saying that because he thought that's what I wanted to hear, it was very obvious that he would walk over hot coals for his son. But I did get Dad to take a beanie, scarf for himself by telling him "if you get sick because you are cold, who is going to look after William"? He hadn't thought of that before!

My other "special" was a lady who told me she was 77. Had been on the streets for 9 months then got upset, so didn't ask her any questions as to why etc. She had a battered old pull along trolley with her, that held all her possessions. I did ask whether she had a "permanent" place in a park or whatever but she said No, because once she stayed 3 nights in the same place and the police moved her on and she was so upset because never had she been in trouble with the police before. So every day she just moves around the city/Valley area looking for something "with a roof" where she can stay, but even most of the hostels etc are full. I asked if she slept in parks mainly or what and she said she would normally find somewhere where there were lots of bushes and she slept in amongst the bushes! I thought as much as I had noticed some dead twigs sitting in her hair. But such a well spoken, very quietly spoken lady. I seriously think she was probably originally from a "well to do" background and whatever has happened to her has brought her to this stage.
She was so grateful for even a scarf...kept saying "are you sure, dear'? I loaded her up with a blanket, couple of beanies, scarves etc. Would have love to have given her a jumper but they were all gone by that stage!

The newspaper report yesterday said that on any night there are 45,000 young people who are homeless and 25,000 families. It's not usually seen by most of us and I think it's shameful that we give so much to other countries but fail to look after our own communities.
Sorry that's my rant for the day and I'm off to finish another crocheted blanket as the nights are cold and I'm grateful for my warm and comfortable chair, with a good light and food and a warm cup of tea whenever I need one.
I feel very grateful that so many of you feel the same and support these quilt appeals as well as with your lovely knitting.
Warm hugs, Jan Mac

More Bits and Pieces

I was given some 4" squares cut from flannel shirts and have started piecing them into 9 patches and then using them for the backings for more QAYG blocks. They will be lovely and cuddly and will keep someone warm if they are homeless. They will make some more lovely quilts for the homeless and I'm also using up more string sized scraps to make more larger QAYG blocks to match some that have been donated.
I can't see any improvement in the amount of scraps yet though so I'd better keep at it. Surely eventually I'll make a difference.
Hugs Jan Mac

Bits and Pieces

I've been working on some bits and pieces as well as trying to sort things in my sewing room. I received these lovely fleecy pillows from Jan Massey (WA) and I've been using up the cuttings of batting to stuff pillows for them. They will be wonderful for teenaged boys and a lovely and cuddly. I've also been using up scraps for more QAYG blocks which I'm making for the homeless connect day to be held in Ipswich (Qld) in June. Many of the people who are now homeless have been displaced from theior homes by the floods and have been unable to find rental accommodation now so I know they will need and appreciate more quilts. I've been busy packing boxes with quilts for Qld as well as putting more quilts aside for Rochester in Vic. I've also been using some orphan blocks for either the front or backs of QAYG blocks and they are a great way to use up blocks that don't match up with other blocks.
The last photo shows a 1940s star quilt top that I'm quilting. I love to finish off other people's UFOs and make them into something useful and this is one of the vintage tops I bought some years ago. I took the afternoon off from the Comfort quilts and have been working on quilting this top. I plan to finish it tomorrow and then will show a photo when it's bound. I have more QAYG quilts on the go too so will soon have more to show on my other blog.
In the meantime I'm crocheting another blanket from more bits and pieces of yarn and taking a break from the sewing machine tonight.
Hugs, Jan Mac

The End of the Week.

I received more parcels today and I'm continually amazed at the generosity of my blog readers. Susan Clissold (NSW) happened across my blogs and was inspired to try making some QAYG blocks and also beanies and scarves. She has done a marvelous job and made 8 beautiful QAYG blocks, 13 beanies and 6 scarves which will all help to make life a little easier and warmer for those affected by the floods. Susan also included a lovely note and it is so lovely to know that so many people are being helped because people are willing to give of their time and talents to help others.
I also received a parcel of 8 lovely QAYG blocks from Wendy Cross (NSW) and they will all be used to make more quilts to donate on your behalf.
I've had a busy week with paid work too but I have managed to finish off more quilts and will show more photos on my other blog soon. I'm also working on another crocheted blanket for the homeless and it's a great way to use up lots of bits and pieces of yarn.
Once again thank you all for your help with these projects which are helping so many in need.
Love, Jan Mac

Today's Arrivals

The postman has been very busy here again and I've received more wonderful donations from around the world.
I received a lovely box from Diny Negrijn-Peren of Holland and she sent 48 lovely string pieced blocks, some lovely head scarves and a beautiful card with a photo of Dutch clogs.
Lesley Cole from the UK sent some orphan blocks as well as 32 QAYG blocks.
Delys Rogers (WA) has again sent a lovely quilt top, backing and binding as well as a lovely knitted beanie.
Maureen Hume (UK) sent another parcel containing another lovely quilt top, backing and binding and the last photo shows another crocheted blanket I've finished and made from donated yarn. The blanket is folded in half but as you can see the "toxic" orange/yellow yarn lingers on but I think I've almost used it up now.
The weather is much colder here at night now and we've had quite a lot of rain so I'm enjoying the sun today while I finish off more bindings on quilts. You can see the recent finishes on my other blog and more will be posted there soon.
Many thanks for your help with this quilt appeal.
Love, Jan Mac

A Day Off

I took a day off from the comfort quilts yesterday and drove over to Castlemaine which is a bit over 2 hours drive from here. I went for the Castlemaine Applique Group meeting which is held very 3 months. I had been to a meeting about 18 months ago and then life got in the way and I didn't get back again until now. It's a great day with Sit and Sew, a shared lunch and lots of lovely Show and Tell to admire.
There was also a speaker who shared her family's Welsh antique quilts and it was lovely to see them up close.
I also visited Threadbear, my favourite patchwork shop which just happens to be situated in Castlemaine and as we ate lunch there I just happened to fall in love with a few reproduction fabrics that just had to come home with me.
I spent the day hand stitching the 12 piece pie blocks and more feathered stars so I'll have more progress to share with you soon.
It was a lovely day and gave me a chance to work on my own projects which may or may not be donated in the future.
In the meantime I have a crocheted blanket to finish off.
More later, Hugs, Jan Mac