A very Special Donation and a Finish.

 While I was in Melbourne this fabulous quilt arrived from Delys R. In W.A. Delys I'm so sorry not to write you a personal thank you and I searched everywhere for your email address but couldn't find it. The quilt was made by Delys's daughter and it only requires binding. Sorry that the photo is sideways but it's large and I had to have DH hold it up so I could take a photo. I love the "birdies on a branch" fabric and it will be treasured by the recipient. Delys has requested that it be donated to Impact and I know they will be thrilled to donate it on your behalf.
     Delys also included a lovely long strip of fabric in the Chinese Coins style, for me to make some backings a bit wider when required.
    I also quilted another top for my Melbourne Quilting group's Gift Quilt program. It's our first meeting of the year tomorrow and thankfully it won't be too hot. My last piece of news is that we found the perfect wedding gown for my beautiful daughter and she is thrilled and relieved as it is just over six months to the wedding. All of the other plans for the wedding are going smoothly so I'm hoping to get some more quilts finished in Feb. to donate. I know Impact are collecting toiletries, pretty soaps, small bags etc, as well as the quilts to be distributed to the women in their programs for Mother's Day. I only gave a couple of QAYG blocks left so that will keep me busy building up my supply again. We had a lovely rainy day today and it was so nice to know that our rain water tanks are full, and that I was able to quilt without feeling like I am melting.
Hugs, Jan Mac
     

The Magic Number

Linda asked how many quilts I delivered and I must confess that the number even astounded me as I had originally thought that making 20 since Christmas would be a big challenge. Then I received some lovely parcels of QAYG blocks as well as 2 finished quilts so I thought maybe 25 would be achievable.
    However I was very surprised to find that I had 30 quilts to donate. I dropped them off to Impact today with 2 crocheted blankets, some fleece blankets and some toiletries. Hopefully they will bring some comfort to victims of domestic violence. Thank you for all your donations and support.
    We are still on the hunt for the perfect wedding dress and in the meantime I'm enjoying some "girl time" with my lovely DD.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs, Jan Mac

It's Surprising...

 ..how much you can achieve in small increments of time when you have a plan. Today was busy with family commitments but I really wanted to get a few more finishes before the weekend. The first quilt was a top made by members of my Melbourne quilt group for their Gift Quilt program. We had a large number of tops waiting to be finished so we are busy getting them finished so they can be donated to Peter Mac for cancer patients or to children in foster care.
    The second quilt was another QAYG quilt made from donated blocks and it will be going to Impact for a Women. Mardi, I used some of your donated fabric for the joining strips. I only have 2 QAYG blocks left so that will be my focus in the coming weeks so I can build up my supply for the next round of donation quilts.
      I'm off to Melbourne again tomorrow on the ongoing search for DD's wedding dress as well as delivering  quilts to Impact. We're also going to another stage show. This time it's Mrs Brown's Boys from Ireland which should be very funny if it is similar to their TV show.
 Hugs, Jan Mac

Happy Australia Day.

How best to celebrate our country's diverse communities but with another QAYG quilt for Impact for Women. I had just enough blocks to make one more quilt, once I'd added the new blocks I made yesterday. I have started packing the quilts for delivery and it looks like I've exceeded my planned total of 25 quilts since Christmas. I had originally thought that making 20 would be ambitious but trying to finish more quilts would set a target to aim for. I won't give a total yet as I still have one more day before delivery so I might just manage to get one more finished if I can find enough blocks.
   Thanks for stopping by and I hope those of you who celebrated Australia Day enjoyed some time with family and friends.
Hugs, Jan Mac

A Special Delivery.

 Mardi from country Victoria sent me a huge parcel of these beautiful Stitchery blocks as well as a large bundle of fabric. It will all be used to make more donation quilts and the many large pieces will be ideal for making binding strips to join the QAYG blocks. Mardi, many thanks for your generous donation to help the needy with this Quilt Project for the needy.
    In spare moments I've been making more QAYG blocks as well as crocheting more blanket squares. It's surprising how much you can get done in small increments of time.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Two More For Impact

Earlier in the week I had pieced half of the first quilt together before I worked nights and today was a good day to get it finished. Thankfully the weather was a bit cooler today so I stitched until late and finished another QAYG quilt. Both of them will be going to Impact for Women, for women and children affected by domestic violence.
     The box of QAYG blocks is almost empty now so tomorrow I'm planning on making more blocks in case I have time to finish a few more quilts before delivery next Friday. I think I have 28 quilts ready for delivery to Impact but I'll try to get a few more done if time and family commitments allow.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Made With Love.

Despite the hot weather we've been having I was determined to finish another crocheted blanket as I had made almost enough squares for it. Crocheting the squares wasn't too bad in the heat but joining them and then crocheting around the edge was very hot work. I finished it yesterday when it was 42C here and I now have a second blanket to donate with the quilts to Impact for a Women, which helps women and children who have experienced domestic violence.
     Did you know that it takes many domestic violence victims as many as 7 to 10 events of leaving before they are strong enough not to return to their abuser. So sad that someone could destroy someone's self confidence that they can't imagine a life without abuse. I'm not judging by any means but it's so sad that so many women and children are exposed to repeated violence and abuse at home. As a community we need to do better.
 OK off my soapbox now, and I hope you can understand why I feel compelled to make quilts and blankets for the needy. If you want to send QAYG blocks I can use any size but I most often use the 10.5 inch or 12.5 inch size. Or if you want to crochet squares or donate bits and pieces of yarn, I make Granny Squares, using size 4.5 crochet hook and yarn which is 8 ply, or combines to make 8 ply. Or if you have time to cut strips of fabric 2.5 inches across width of my fabric to use as binding strips for QAYG blocks. It takes 21 strips for the largest size and 15 for the blocks set 4x6. Every little bit we can do will make life a little brighter and bring some comfort to those who need it.
   I'm working again tonight so back to sleep again now.
Hugs, Jan Mac