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...........

Latest bedford mystery quilt info

Well the troops have been hard at work...including a new recruit! Larry has never rotary cut in his life but he has taken to it like a "duck to water"! He is so meticulous and precise - far better than me! He will definitely not be bored when he retires soon! He even sets up the ironing board and presses before he cuts.......oh to have such patience!

 A little nervous to start with

 And now my turn to make him cups of tea..the reward for that first pile of 4 inch squares

So Faye our organiser (Yes we know you delegate Lessa!!)..........anyway Faye tells me kits will be ready to post at the end of Februaury. I am going to accompany her for three workshops in Millicent, Mt Gambier and Bordertown.

Roger our statistician tells us there have been 1,500 metres (over 1,600 yards!), of fabric cut up into 100,000 pieces!! 3 metres in each kit with the aim of preparing at least 500 kits!! And all to the dedication of an amazing team of volunteers......and all the fabric donated for the great Bedford Group cause. Stay tuned for developments

Time for another Bedford Mystery quilt

Well the girls have been busy meeting regularly for almost a year........sadly I have been away for many sessions and I do feel so guilty at times that I can't do more. Many, many others are also busy at home cutting, sorting, ironing and packing for the next Mystery Quilt project. These photos were taken earlier this year at one of the 'sweatshops'! When you purchase a kit the fabrics are already cut for you and you will be helping to raise much needed funds for Bedford Industries

 I like SIMPLE instructions for cutting - thanks Faye!

 Lorraine and Deb hard at work

 Lessa advising as always!

 Keep cutting Kaye!

Roma, Helen and Margie...the quiet achievers...oops - you too Lessa!

 Far out!!

Neatly stacked almost ready for packing...well not for a while. I will get the stats of how many hours and how many pieces have been cut for another day!

Grand fundrasing total!

This post is way, way overdue..........I really don't know where the time goes but I suspect most of it has been consumed with the 2nd book! Anyway...........latest news........Ta, Da - a grand total of $39,001.22 was delivered to Bedford Industries http://www.bedfordindustries.com.au/ by our darling Faye last week - CONGRATULATIONS to all of you who participated in this amazing journey - what a mammoth fundraising effort! Who would ever have dreamed a mystery quilt idea could go so far!!

And here she is with another moggie that she just happened to find on one of her workshops - Faye is obsessed with cats (unlike me who has no interest in them!!)

Faye gave up many hours of time to conduct worshops and this one is with the great crew at Bordertown - Gumtree Quilters;

Now I just need to get some photos of the finished quilts - surely it isn't a mystery quilt anymore? Stay tuned for the next lot of photos and stories.

59 quilters in one room!!

Last weekend 59 quilters spent an amazing day participating in one of the mystery quilt workshops - Wow! Here are some views from the mammoth day at Bedford

Wish I could show you the final result but that won't be fair on those of you who haven't done it yet!! (It is a beautiful quilt!) I believe the tally is about 400 kits and the wonderful team and participants have raised over $20,000!! Good on you all and especially the workers who are still cutting kits (Biggest hugs to them)

Mystery quilts from last time

Thankyou so much to Judy for sending me all these wonderful finished mystery quilt photos. They have been done by members of Gum Tree Quilters when they participated last time in the Bedford Mystery quilt challenge. (2008 I think)

Aren't they just amazing! You too can produce something like this if you join in the Bedford Mystery quilt fundraiser this year!!

Also visit Judy here; http://virtualquilter.webs.com/

http://virtualquilter.wordpress.com; http://stuffups.wordpress.com/