Bags for the Beatson.

Our group has donated 70 syringe driver bags for the Beatson so far. Stephanie, Janice and I took along some bags to The Village Patchers and the ladies there were so impressed that they donated some fabric and made some bags. Carole Judge, from  the Village Patchers, then attended the Glasgow Gathering of Quilters and told them about our activities and more bags were donated. Fran and Elaine were at the Motherwell W.I. and spread the news. Everyone has been touched by cancer at some point in their lives and many kind people want to help in some small way. One of the ladies from the Glasgow Gathering made 16 bags and you can see a selection of them in our first picture.

Stephanie was asked by a friend if she would dress her old childhood dolls for her. Needless to say, Stephanie was in her element, making, creating and adapting patterns to fit each doll. Their owner will be delighted with this fashion show! Stephanie also had time to complete her Cathedral window wall hanging which had been a project from the Village Patchers.

I had time to make two cushion covers. The first has applique butterflies for a toddler who loves butterflies. The second cushion cover might be a Christmas present if I can part with it.

Audrey completed the Spice of Life Blanket recently. This pattern was created in conjunction with the Black Sheep Wool Company and Cherry Hart. I just love those colours! It has been worked in Stylecraft yarn.

Roberta has completed a baby quilt and admitted it was a challenge. You can guarantee this will not be the last quilt she makes because she made such a good job of it. I always love Roberta's pram blankets. They have style!

In her spare time Roberta worked on some squares to be made into blankets for the older kids at Yorkhill undergoing treatment.

Morag has been experimenting with a new stitch. This is a little pram cover worked in Popcorn stitch. Looks fab!

Aimee has been coming along to the group for a couple of months. She came along with her Gran Morag and Aunt Gillian. Aimee wanted to learn to crochet and has produced a pompom blanket that has been worked on a loom and a pram cover worked in Popcorn stitch. A big thanks to Morag and Roberta who taught her to crochet.

Elaine thought her sister could do with some cheering up and set about filling a box with all the things Paula likes. She even covered the box with Paula,s favourite  pattern!

1st December is our Christmas party. Bring along a gift to the value of £5 for pass the parcel.

!st December will be our last meeting this year because the parking at the Fort becomes very difficult in the run up to Christmas. We start back on 12th January  2016.

From our funds I made a £20 donation to the Shoe Box Charity. It costs between £2.50 and £3 to post each parcel. Linda has been the coordinator for this charity for seven years and feels it is time to stop and plan for her retirement, This will be her last year organising this charity.

Glasgow Fort are involved in raising money for a sensory room for Rose of Lima Primary. The management of Glasgow Fort have been very supportive of us and I therefore gave a £20 donation from funds.

Karen Sime has been raising money for Pancreatic Cancer and I made a £20 donation to this charity on behalf of the group. 

I sent an update of all our recent charity work to Annee at Glasgow Fort and she was so impressed that we will get a mention in their promotional material. Annee is also thinking about making a press release about our activities. We may be on page 3 of the Daily Record. Who would like to act as our group Press Officer?

CONGRATULATIONS to Audrey and Sarah who recently graduated from university.

Happy crafting.

Our New LOGO!

 I asked Lisa to design a logo for our group. Lisa is multi-talented and came up with this. It even has a RED element in the design in memory of Margaret. Great job, Lisa!

Anthea made a large pencil case to fit into a ring binder to keep all of her drawing and writing tools while out at college. On Tuesday night  she was just completing a bolster cushion for a friend. It is now living in its new home and her friend is delighted.

I completed this little pram cover for my box. I bought the panel last year at the craft show in the SECC.

Stephanie completed a Twiddle Muff and had great fun adding a variety of adornments. The second Muff was made by Alison and sewn up by Stephanie. I'm fascinated by these muffs. I love the textures and the decorations. We could all do with one of these!

Lyn and Elaine used the squares made by the Happy Hookers, during their charity walk, to create two lap blankets for the Beatson raffle.

Lyn had fun making this First Birthday present for a little girl she knows. It was greatly admired on Tuesday night.

Noreen likes to keep busy even when she is away on holiday. She needed gifts for 3 friends who were expecting little girls. Now she is super organised!

Janice was part of the Twiddle Muff enthusiasts. She knitted the muff on the left and decorated the muff on the right for someone else.

I love this! the colour changes are great. Jillian made this scarf for her daughter, Jemma, who starts studying at Edinburgh  Uni shortly.

Janice even had time to sew a Beatson bag this week.

Stephanie was felling inspired and made 6 Beatson Bags! Bright and cheerful!

This is a selection of Twiddle Muffs made by Allison. They look great!

 
Roberta completed sewing up this muff while we were in M & S Cafe. It will be decorated with all kinds of everything for next week.

We enjoyed our visit to M & S cafe on Tuesday night. There is always a lot of crafting going on and M & S are very welcoming. Annee sent a message to say that work will begin on the refurbishment of the Management Suite sometime Sept/ Oct. When this happens we will camp in M & S cafe.

Are you organised for the RED Challenge? Some people are super organised! Just saying.

Next week we are in the Management Suite.

Happy Crafting!

Surprise!

Lorraine is going to live in Australia, Poor soul! We felt so sad for her that we knitted/crocheted squares to make a keepsake from the group. Well, you know how bad the weather can be out there! A blanket will be her comforter during those terrible winter days down under. Lorraine has a mission, she intends establishing a sister knitting group in Adelade. We could have craft events there instead of Gartmore! We wish you joy and craftiness in your new home in the sun. Keep us posted on developments.

Linda completed a baby blanket for the Shoe Box Charity. She found a way of using up all those left over bits from other projects. It looks great!

Anthea has had a very productive time recently. The  Narissa shawl is beautiful and has been worked in Manos Del Uruguy, merino-silk blend. The Poncho pattern is from Simply Crochet issue No. 25 and is for herself. She used Drops Nepal yarn which is an alpaca-wool mix.

This Sur Collar shawl has been done in one piece using Stylecraft Alpaca DK.

Sharon knitted another of her fabulous cocoon and hat sets.This time she used Woolcraft "Sweet Dreams" which is very thick and soft. This is how our photos will look in Australia! My iPad just created the photo this way to help Lorraine get accustomed to her future life Down Under!

I fell in love with these cocoons knitted by Magda. The Rainbow one was made using seven colours from Stylecraft DK which had been doubled. The cable cocoon was knitted with Women's Institute chunky which was soft and cuddly.

Isabel loves her socks and colourwork. This pair combined both of her passions and were knitted for a friend at work.

Norma proudly displayed two pram blankets worked in Pompom yarn. They are adorable!

This young man had been so good until I tried to take a picture of him. Young Philip came to visit with his Mum, Aileen. Philip was born on Mother's Day. He was cuddled by the usual suspects but when he became hungry it was time to go home.

Caroline crocheted this amazing baby blanket for her first official Great Niece who will be born in July.

Elinor is full of bright ideas. Recently she took some photos of peoples hands as they crafted and used them in a booklet for her Degree show. The other side of the booklet shows prints made from different crochet stitches that she learnt to do here.

Isabel decided that we should make a quilt for Margaret as she was unwell. Saint Izzy of the Sewing Machine found the most wonderful fabrics on the internet and designed the quilt. Janice, Stephanie and I assisted Izzy in the making of the quilt and members of the group sewed buttons and notions on to give the quilt character. It was magnificent! AND Margaret liked it! Yippee!

 Roberta knitted this great cardigan in DK yarn for a friend who volunteers in her charity shop.

Remember we are still at the Fort. We are so lucky to have the use of such a wonderful venue for our crafting. Just a wee reminder to tidy up after yourselves before you head home.

Happy Crafting!

Mr Snowman Raises a smile!

The Christmas theme is progressing at a rapid rate within the group. Lyn created this handsome chap just for herself. Although he did get lots of admiring glances from many ladies.

Margaret's mum, Rebecca, a young eighty- something has been knitting lots of hats and little jackets for The Royal Maternity Hospital. It is inspiring that some of our older crafters still manage to support local charities in style. Well done, Rebecca!

Keeping it in the Family, Margaret has completed this wonderful blanket for her Mum's Christmas. This is magnificent!

I had two finishes this week. The cot quilt is made from a panel I bought about a year ago. All I did was add a border, attach to a fleece blanket and then quilt within the sea creatures and plants to add stability. I did a little hand-sewing in the border just to finish it off. More socks for me. I just love using Lisa's yarn. It is so soft and the colours are great.

 Susan completed this masterpiece as a gift for her nephew-to-come. The shawl has been done in 3 ply and is extremely fine. I love these heritage shawls. The little hat matches the shawl beautifully.

Caroline has been using this doll pattern for over 30 years. This little princess is for a friend's grand-daughter. Such a great gift for a wee girl.

Norma loves the Retro style of these little coin purses. The clasps are so cute and the purses are fully lined. Needless to say, they are proving to be very popular.

Stephanie found some yarn in her stash and decided to knit this trendy jumper for her BOX. The self striping yarn is very effective. The table mats were made at the Village Quilters group and the pattern is called The Drunkards Path. The Christmas themed mats are for her daughters.

As you know, Esther is very quiet, shy and retiring. I wish! Anyway, Esther  has been learning to crochet and has completed her first Granny Square. Lorraine is a great teacher but Esther complained that she finds it difficult to concentrate because of the noise! Whatever can she mean? Answers please on a postcard.

Lisa is amazing! This is a little hat for Lady Isabella using Lisa's own yarn and her own pattern!

I have a feeling that Fee chatted to me about a finish or was it a work in progress. I hope it was the later because I can't find a photo to back it up. Sorry Fee. Please set me straight on Tuesday night.