Bedford Mystery quilt 2014

Not sure if this blog is even visited these days…..its been so long since the last entry! Well the Bedford Mystery Quilt is on again and this past weekend saw the huge class of 83 quilters hard at work……(thanks Candy for the photos)…..

Sadly I was away at a retreat but I am sure I will hear more in the coming weeks. If you would like to be a part of this amazing event you can read more here and be a part of raising much needed funds for a fantastic cause - everyone is hoping to reach $100,000 this year!
   

Mystery quilt photos

Sorry......that title is misleading....it is actually photos associated with the workshops - not the big mystery quilt reveal yet as it is still a mystery to several groups!
Thanks Faye for the photos....looks like the weather was a little warmer than the current conditions!

 Pt Broughton quilters looked like they had a great time....lots of piecing there Helen........maybe a Christmas tree garland??!

 John perusing the scenery while Val irons, irons and irons - what great helpers!

 And the volunteer class helpers from left to right: Val, Helen, Margie, Faye and Lessa

 Back at the ranch..........Sonja and Roma with yet more cutting, cutting, packing, packing....

 Gorgeous view Lessa........sorry!...blame Faye for that one!

 And so begins the packing and posting of quilt kit orders all over the country..........

 ......it takes over Faye's house for months - thank goodness for our tolerating husbands!!

 Phew!

I have two boxes of kits packed in the car which I am hoping to offload on my travels as we continue the fundraising.........happy stitching to those of you still waiting to do a mystery quilt class!

Australian Quilters raise $$$$$

Sorry folks for the lack of posting....maybe I need a few photos please of some of the workshops!! I have only managed to get photos of the ones I attended (and a sneaky one sent to me below - gotcha Jude!)

The photos below are what you really need to see and what a whopping effort!! Yes $75,000!!!! Well done to EVERYONE. I believe there are more kits for sale so email Faye if interested: fsae@optusnet.com.au

 From left: Lessa, Sally from Bedford and Faye with the whopping $$$ below!

And just a reminder of where these great funds will be put to good use: click here

Chapter 2

As I was saying........the prawns were divine - can't you smell and taste them?

 I chilled out in the evening making another pair for Beau......

Then we had a day off between workshops so we spent it with Trish and Clinton's delightful grandchildren.....

 Faye decided to run away...from all that piecing I am sure!

 All I could manage to do was take this intriguing photo of my footprint - an optical illusion as it is an imprint!! Quilting does that reverse illusion sometimes

 Then Faye finally lost it - I keep telling her applique is far more relaxing!!

 So to Millicent for another day of PIECING!

 What was Faye saying??

 Piecing perfect piecing.....piece by piece...

 good grief!

 Concentration results in perfect piecing...I think!

So enjoy the kits and the workshops if you are participating.........and I would love photos of your efforts and also your groups to share...so my final message...HAPPY PIECING for the cause!

Mystery quilt classes

What a wonderful time we have had. I am only helping in two workshops but there are 20 to do! 900 kits have been sold with some groups deciding to hold a workshop. So a few of us have donated our time to join in the fun - and fundraising! To date this year the grand total is beyond a staggering $57,000 for the Bedford group supporting people with disabilities. Thanks to everyone who has helped achieve this mammoth record! Those who have tirelessly cut fabric and packaged - we salute you - approx 3,000 metres of fabric have been cut into kits!
So Faye and I headed down south - a 4-5 hour drive to Mount Gambier and Millicent where some enthusiastic quilters spent a day sewing under Faye's guidance - definitely not mine!! I complain constantly about piecing which I hate and for the record here is a close up of my recent centre seam of a 20 inch cushion  - I couldn't even get four 10" squares to meet so that is why I applique!!!

Enjoy the fun but sorry no peeks at the final quilt as it is still a mystery for a few!

All transfixed under Faye's spell!

Hmmmm.....a few lines to mark

...and with used soap which Faye assured us had not washed her dear husband's "you know what"!!!

 Sorting the fabrics...

 yummy fabrics

 stitching away......

 Butterfly fabrics - the symbol of the Bedford Group

 more butterflies.....

 Inevitable quilter behaviour - I'm sure it is just stress relief from all that piecing!!

 bribery for even more piecing.....

 and I even helped some workshop participants - yes piecing!!

Check the look of disgust on my face - my seams did meet though - Faye checked!

 At the end of the day we were rewarded by our wonderful host Clinton

(Hostess Trish was poorly in bed from an egg allergy).

They were the best garlic prawns ever - thanks Clinton!

Now blogger is not letting me put up more photos so the story continues next post...........