Gum Tree Quilters 2021 Exhibition - Part 1

On Friday morning it was all systems go for our show. After a week of wondering if we might be subject to a SA govt lockdown as a result of the positive case further south of us, it was a relief to go ahead. Then Friday evening the restrictions on some Local Govt areas were lifted and the Border bubble of 30km resinstated to 70km. 

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Our car quilt had been tied to a member's van and this, combined with the bunting strung from the trees, greeted us at the entrance as well as attracting the attention of locals passing by.

 

This is the raffle quilt hung just inside the stadium doors and many people purchased tickets for this. All money raised is divided between the the local branch of the Royal Flying Doctor and the local St Vinnies group. Thanks to my blog readers who purchased tickets and supported us, but sorry you didn't win. It was won by an 86 year old local lady, who makes quilts and does all her piecing by hand!

Because it was our 25th year, we thought we needed to have a cake, so it was decided it would be a layer cake of fat quarters (no calories!!) and members donated a collection that Juanita made into a cake as shown below. At the end of the weekend it was divided into 3 and tickets drawn for winners.

Our club banner hangs at the entrance also, and as we are the Gum Tree Quilters, we always display gum branches in the old rusty cream cans that are placed around the venue.

 Members were rostered over the 3 days to greet everyone who paid their entry and checked in. The masks are mandatory, but I have to say it is very hard to meet and greet people and chat away to someone with these on. I did chat to a few for awhile before realising that I actually knew them. And photos are just not the same with them on, are they? Some pics are taken with masks off temporarily. End of my rant about masks!

Friday's catering was capably managed by Robyn and Denielle, and they wore these patchwork aprons and 4 of these were capably made by Raylene. (Robyn didn't want her to be sitting around bored and twiddling her thumbs?? - If you want something done, it seems that Raylene is the "go to" lady).

The weekend catering was managed by a local food van. Thankyou Linda.

AROUND THE HALL................

2021 is our 25th year, and a slideshow was running all weekend with photos that go back over the years. Interesting to see some young faces and remember back to some of the fun times our group has had....

The 25 year book was placed for all to browse through.

And another table displayed a book of newspaper clippings from years gone by. 

One of our younger, fitter members climbed up to the top of the stands to get his photo which shows the sitting area for weary bodies and a display of the Angel quilts along the wall.

The Naracoorte Embroiders Guild displayed some of their work, and it was capably looked after by Jan, one of our quilting members who is also skilled in hand work. (You all know this is definitely not my forte, don't you?) - I do have a few close up pics of displayed items and will come back with these later.

We had a special display of Marie's quilts in a Memory corner, and it was very special to have her 4 daughters attend on Sunday  morning to see their mum's work hanging.

Chris O'Brien from the Quilters Guild of SA attended and we had an amazing display of 6 of Chris' quilts for all to admire. - (some more closeup pics later)

          One of the shops to attend was Kerry from Creatively Sewn in Mount Gambier. We were fortunate that her husband also services machines, and he was kept busy while at our show...... 

.......and the other was Sandra from The Secret Drawer at Robe.

A few of our members have sideline business' and here is Louise with her bag making,

 called Lucy Purls.............

.....and in Pat's spare time she makes jewellery.......

................and Helen made small items to raise funds for Back Packs4Kids...........

.......and yours truly offered goods for sale, ably assisted by her fairy. Thank you Raylene.

Another member, Wendy, spends time making clothes and bedding for Barbie and Ken for her grandchildren.

The local branch of the Men's shed brought along items to sell, including ......

OFFICIAL OPENING

We were fortunate to have the Current President as well as the Past President of QGSA to open our show. We appreciate that they accepted our invitation to attend and made the 3.5 hour journey here and back again.

  Heather Ford (at microphone) and Chris O'Brien (left) with our President Michelle (centre)

Following the opening speeches, these ribbons were presented to the category winners. Judging had taken place Thursday afternoon after the quilts were hung, and we thank our city judges for their difficult job. Every quilt that is hung is really a winner and the workmanship was amazing.

I don't have all the photos of winners yet, so will just give you the Best of Show winner and the others in a post later.....

BEST OF SHOW

The winner was Lyn's Dance of the Dragonflies quilt that I custom quilted recently. 

As I haven't shown photos of this, I will include the detail pics here..................

This is one quilt that took a long time to "talk" to me, and it threw me a few challenges in the process.

RULER DEMOS

During the weekend Heather Ford gave some demonstrations showing the quilts that can be made using a selection of rulers. Their was much interest and hopefully a workshop will be arranged for our group sometime. - Thankyou Heather.

PEOPLE PICS

I will finish this post with a few photos taken over the weekend, in no particular order, and come back with more quilt pics next time, as it's taking awhile to sort them all out.

Lunch break with some of the workers during set up........

A fun evening with like minded people in my house once again!!

Residents of our local Assisted living came to visit us and admire all the quilts.........

(Our President and Secretary)

I will finish here for now, and be back with a lot more quilt photos when i have them sorted. There are Chris's quilts, the President's challenge quilts, the Guild Mystery quilts members did in 2020, as well as the winning quilts. I even managed to get some of my own hanging in the show!

Be back soon,

Blessings, From Jude

who is now heading to the lounge, with feet up by the fire to read a book and listen to the rain falling outside!! - I could get used to this life and find it hard to get back to "it"?