Wildcraft Farm

Quilts For Fire Victims

I have a very very big post in the works, to tell you all about Friday last week.  It was a huge success, so much to tell.  But I am currently on fire alert myself and I'm only allowed to back up the computer and get ourselves ready for !!! (hopefully nothing).  So all the photos are taken, I just have to download to share with you.  I'll be back soon.

Stay Safe and Hug The Ones You Love, Janet xxx

(PS - okay this is absolutely the smallest post I have ever done, a miracle, and I didn't even call it a "quickie" in the titles!!!).  Night x

Lets Make Quilts ... Only One More Sleep!!!

Only one sleep to go, then tomorrow we start making the quilts!!!!!!

I've made the Yummy Bailey Balls, started pulling out some of my own fabric (with Jessica's permission we are going to part with some of our treasured Horse Fabric Collection), organised tables to be set up, checked out the room (nice and big, plus we have our own kitchen and bathroom), just need to find some multiple power points, sewing machine, tool box, cutting mats ..... oohhhh and I had a great idea, possibly helpful to anyone else who is doing a stitching day with many women doing different jobs:

Get a coat hanger, a peg and a plastic bag (recycled from your supermarket shopping).  After deciding what the finished quilt will be, put any specific notes on paper, and pop in the bag.  Any specific fabrics which suit the fabrics you are stitching, pop these in too.  As the first lot of stitching is done, hang it over the coat hanger, peg in place so it doesn't slip off, sling the plastic bag over the coat hanger hook .... then hand it over to the next work station.  And other specific items can be included in the bag, then the next person can easily pull out the instructions, check off what needs to be done, then hand over to the next person etc.  So by the time the final person receives it, there should also be binding made up and placed in the bag ready to be attached after quilting, maybe some matching thread could go in the bag for any final hand stitching that is needed.

So now I'm going to hunt out some spare hangers and plastic bags ... I'll raid by peg basket in the morning.

So many more packages have arrived the last 2 days, absolutely beautiful work.  Today I finally got the "card reader" for my new fancy schmancy camera I got for Christmas, so I can now take photos and actually download them to the computer to show you all.  So tomorrow I'll be taking heaps to share with you.

I have actually been asked if my mobile phone has some sort of vision camera so that I can actually take a video on the phone and send it to people?    I'm sorry, who do you think I am, unless the lovely Darlene folds and ties herself into a little package, posts herself down here and does it for me, it ain't gonna happen!  So instead you'll just have to wait until tomorrow night when I start uploading pics ............ I'm so excited, I feel like it's my birthday or something, so many good and positive vibes are being sent our way for such a success, it can't be anything but a great day - and you'll all get to share in that, even if you are far away, promise.

I have a couple more pics to share .... this one is from the amazing Elizabeth from The Berry Patchwork Shop in Berry, NSW - AGAIN, this lady is amazing

 

I think I know a lovely lady who would like this one .... this butterfly quilt is gorgeous and it's been totally stipple quilted (is that the right term?) all over.

There there is this one ...

 

What I like about this quilt is that it is very bright, very basic, but the black quilting (one crazy heart stitched in each 4 patch) is the standout.  I really think this is something we could reproduce with all those scrappy blocks.  And both quilts are a good size for a snuggle under.

I also wanted to share a gift I received from one of my Christmas Swap partners.  The lovely Linda never misses anything, she remembered that I'm also a dabbler in many crafts, one of which is scrapbooking.  So she made this for me as part of my gorgeous gifts (I'll take photos of the other items to show you how they are all linked together), and now I have the perfect occasion to use it ...

  

I am going to fill this gorgeous scrapbook with all the photos from our journey to make these quilts.  So many wonderful people have come together, it may only be for a short time, or it may be for many years to come, it doesn't really matter, I want to have some documentation to show what we did.  I'll have a list of all the names of every single person who made some sort of contribution, and snap photos wherever I can.  I think that's the perfect way to use this scrapbook.

Okay I need to go pack my bags (and bags and bags and bags) and yet I know I've forgotten something - but I'm only 6 minutes away so I can always pop home if needed.

But before all of this happens I have to face a whopping 60 MINUTES in the dentist's chair, and anybody who read my previous nightmare last year may recall that I am most likely scared stiff ... at least I have all of this to keep my mind off it.

Oh, forgot to mention, I have had quite a lot of ladies who only found out about we are doing in the last few days and couldn't make tomorrow, don't worry, I will post on the blog the next dates we will get together, so there is no reason you will miss out on some fun.

So my next post will have lots of stories I'm sure, so make sure you have the kettle on ... I might even share my recipe for our WORLD FAMOUS YUM BALLS, with optional Bailey's Irish Creme.

Think of us tomorrow, and know that if it was at all possible, we would love to have had your company.  Hugs & Kisses, Janet xxx

PS - Just saw the late news highlights - 13,000 hectares are burning out of control at Wilson's Promontary.  Because it is all bush (I think it's a national forest) they can only attack with the water bombs from the helicopters, it looks dreadful from the sky.  And the death toll has now risen to 208 (with many more expected).  I forgot to mention that I have finally worked out how we are going to start to distribute the quilts, everyone I've told is agreeable - I'll just run it past the ladies tomorrow before I commit it for all to read.  We have also decided to not just hand over the quilts, we're going to do some extra special things as well .... the ideas just keep pouring out of my rather tired (nearly 44 year old) brain - but as long as they are for the good of others, I'm sure I can catch up on my sleep ... maybe later in the year. x

FREE STITCHERY FOR YOU WITH THANKS

So much is going on, I don't know where to start.  First of all I should mention to all my lovely foreign language reading friends, check out the Translator on the side bar to get my chatter in your own perfect language (well as perfect as I can be) - my friend Darlene came through again for me (I'm not that good with internet techno jargin), she suggests that you select the World Lingo option after selecting your country - I had a play, wanted to see what I read like in Swedish ...... confusing, so I think I'll keep to English (or at least my Irish/Australian version of it).  Tonnes of thanks Darlene xxx.

Okay, my Post Master at the Post Office must think it's my birthday.  Packages are arriving every day, huge and medium, all needed to be signed for.  It doesn't help that I shriek with excitement as he passes another treasure across his counter - I know not one of these is for me, but it is such as buzz to be the "middle gal" in all this.

It is my intention to show you all absolutely everything that is going on.  So imagine my delight in opening a package from the lovely Elizabeth from The Berry Patchwork Shop, to be found in Berry, New South Wales (open 7 days if you are travelling past and want to pop in and say Hi).  In total I have received 10 finished quilts .... I know, it's amazingly generous of this lovely person.

This was the first to get it's picture taken.  I really love it, I found it quite symbolic as these quilts will be for people who have lost their homes to the devastating bush fires, and here are all these lovely little houses and trees, I wonder who will get this one?

 

Plans are already being made on how we will give away these quilts, as so many will be for children, I thought this quilt was gorgeous, and again I thought it had another little story behind it, here's Noah and the Ark and starting all over again.  I'm sure one of the first group of children will love this one - not sure about the elephants, maybe a couple of horses (that's Jessica's input!).

 

There are many more items to show you, I'll spread them out over the next week, and of course I'll be taking lots of photos of the busy workers on Friday, remember, anyone who can make it is more than welcome, and if this Friday is a problem, don't worry we have more sewing days in our future.

Speaking of the big sewing day, to keep my mind off my first appointment on Friday morning (one hour in the dentists chair, at least 4 needles will be needed to take away the pain), Jessica and I plan to make some of our WORLD FAMOUS "YUM BALLS" to take along for the stitchers.  And as this is an adults only event, I suppose I'll just have to add some Bailey's Irish Creme to the mix, my friend Sue (who is also coming along to stitch) calls them "Bailey's Balls".  Just as we have popcorn and movies, I wonder who was the wonderful woman who realised that chocolate and stitching go together perfectly, she should be Sainted.

Orders are still rolling in for the Angel Kits (see posting last week), only a few days left to buy directly from me at a little less than normal retail, with 100% of your money going to the Volunteer Firefighters in the CFA - they already know the money is coming and are extremely grateful.

Do you remember that I promised some of you a stitchery before Christmas, for those who put a note on their blog about the Christmas Tips?  Had a bit of trouble getting it together (I told you I was Internet Challenged), and while I was wrestling with it all I decided that there were just too many people to thank in blogland.  All of you who have cared so much about what has happened in our beautiful little piece of this world, who have sent wonderful thoughtful emails, offered help, ordered kits, are making blocks or binding, sending quilt tops or quilts ... I can't thank you enough, and I truly know that you aren't doing it for the thanks, but in the words of the gorgeous little stitchery that Simone sent me after our  Christmas Swap ... 

 Your random act of kindess helps many feel good about themselves.

So here is a little stitchery I designed back in 2002 that I thought said it all.

It's quick to stitch (I tea stained mine after stitching it gives the cut edges a real aged look).  Two strands of your favorite coloured thread (I chose brown), iron some pellon to the back of some calico or homespun, stitch up using back stitches, running stitches and the odd french knots.  Then attach some more calico or homespun to the back by using little running stitches in cream thread into the back of the pellon.  Cut a length of fabric, tie a bow and top with a button.

You can either make as the centre of a cushion top, or as I did, cut around the finished stitchery, about 3/8" from stitching lines, soak in a bath of tea for awhile, press out the dampness with an old towel and lay flat to dry in the sun or in front of the fire.  I used one of our Wildcraft Farm "Not So Wee Wire Hangers" to use as a hanger, with a bell, some raffia and more strips of the fabric print tied to the side of the wire - display for all to see.

Please feel free to print off this pattern and use to spread "The Good Word" for your own personal use - all I ask is that you leave a comment to let me know that you have taken it.

 

 

I hope this little Angel inspires you and yours to step outside your comfort zone and continue performing random acts of kindness.

Talk to you tomorrow, more pictures to share .... Hugs and Kisses Janet xxx

Just A Quickie!

I have a lot on this week ... if you hadn't noticed.  So I'm desperately going to try and get to bed before midnight tonight - my aim is for nearly 7 hours sleep - here's hoping.

Just wanted to let you know that the packages have started arriving from amazingly talented women.  Quilts, fabrics, promises of more, offers of help on Friday, helpful ideas on co-ordinating it all, ideas for how to make this whole thing extra special for the receivers of the quilts - lots going on.

For anyone who was thinking of coming to help out on Friday, the morning shift has now been extended, so I'm going to get there for 10.30am (that's after being in the dentist's chair for a double appointment first thing in the morning - can't guarantee I'll be feeling that "super dooper") and we can work through till around 3pm (or whenever you need to go).  Then the 2nd shift can come in from about 6.30pm for a couple of hours - returning sewers from the morning shift are most welcome.  If you are intending to come PLEASE PLEASE let me know in advance, and which shift you can make it too.  Okay enough of all that.

I had to take a little time out on the weekend (only checked emails hourly instead of every 5 minutes - Farmer Rowe feels I have an addiction problem with the internet ..... yeah, so get me some broadband NOW!!!!).  I was just a bit overwhelmed by it all.  Spent about half an hour in bed Saturday morning feeling sad, thinking how only one week ago all these people were probably just planning their day, weekend and maybe week ahead - we know that at least 200 will be reported dead before this is all over, and more than 7000 are homeless - so I had some tears.  But then the flood gates burst - I watched the movie PS I LOVE YOU last night, poor Farmer Rowe was banned from the room as tears flowed continuously down my cheeks for two and a half hours.  Not only was it about love and death, but featured my beloved Ireland - afterwards I had to admit I must have had an emotional meltdown (I usually try to hide when I'm a blubbering mess in teary movies, this one I couldn't hide - if you have ever seen the movie THE NOTEBOOK ... well I just can't ever watch that again, I'm just a mess through that one).

And in closing - cause it's only 25 minutes until I'm supposed to be asleep - I felt a bit guilty writing "Free Button" on my last post, so if you pop back tomorrow, there will be a gift sitting here waiting for you, I didn't mean to tease, just wanted as many people as possible to know what we are doing.

Okay, night, night, lights out, off to sleep I go ...... Love & Hugs, Janet xxx

Free Button!

I bet that got your attention!!

I told you last night (or was it the wee small hours of this morning) that a bold as brass Janet has emerged from my determination to have lovingly made quilts wrap around as many devastated fire victims as possible - thanks to so many wonderful blog friends.

So here I ask again - to get the word out, my dear friend Darlene has made me a button.  I rang Kim and told her to raise her right arm in the air, lean back slightly, then pat herself on the back, it was a great idea to get the word out.

Darlene has used some of the clip art she and Heather have in their collection, so if you like it, go check out her Bee Sew Whimsical site.

If you are able to click and drag this little button and pop it on your blog site, we may be able to find more orphan blocks out there who need a new home.  Or more wonderful women who are eager to help by making 12.5" square blocks.  Evonne came up with a good idea last night, she's kindly offered to make us some 2.5" binding and post over.  I know I keep telling you this, but you'll just have to put up with it ... YOU'RE ALL BLOODY AMAZING, and you make this old girl (eeeeekkkk nearly 44) feel that we are not alone in this disaster.

For those of you who have told me you'll be madly sewing this weekend, don't break a needle (cause it's really annoying), and be sure to check your bobbin thread regular (because that's "bleeping" annoying).

To anyone new to my blog, check back down a few postings to see some "once off" Kit In A Cards and Kit In A Bag products you can purchase direclty from me (I only sell to stores, so I'm only doing it this one time for 2 weeks), with 100% of the money going to the marvellous volunteers of the CFA (Country Fire Authority).

Tomorrow I will tell you about the 4 HUGE packages I received today, I want to take photos to show off first.         Sweet Dreams, Janet xx

WHAT A DAY!!!!

It's good to learn something new each day - today I learn't that if you want 12" blocks, you really want 12.5" blocks (because of the seams) .... who's a duffer then .... not me anymore, I know now what on earth I'm supposed to be talking about.

So if I haven't already emailed you amazing ladies out there who are prepared to sew away for an exceptional cause, pretty please, with sugar on top, can you make the blocks 12.5" square.  Ta muchly.

It has also been a big day of change for me personally.  Now I know you know that I can have a bit of a chat ......... well a bit more than that.  Well as a child I was very shy, and I have brought into adulthood one thing that I really can't do - I hate asking for things, I am terrible at asking people to donate things, I cringe greatly to go outside my comfort zone and just flat out ask.

Well first of all I asked all you guys, and so many have jumped up, today I waltzed straight into a fabric shop and boldy just asked if they could help with some batting and backing fabric - they have just donated money, but are happy to give me a significant discount, then instead of saying "okay that's great" and walking out, I said "okay, that's great, but as all of this is being donated from amazing ladies, I would like to see if I can get it donated first, but I may still take you up on your great offer".  Okay, that was not me, that was the other Janet who was so bold.

Then a quick phone call from Kim at Honeysuckle Cottage, she told me to get a button organised so it can go on blogs to let even more people know, and as soon as her fabric and wadding order arrives, some of it has my name on it ........................ obviously Dr. Wayne Dwyer has imprinted something in my brain, put out good vibes to the universe and it will come to you.

A call to Darlene and she's going to put a button together for me tonight, so check back for that, if you've got a blog I would be grateful if you could let as many ladies as possible know what we are trying to achieve.  And of course Darlene said she's making blocks too - that was after wishing she could come down next week and sew with us .... a dream I have of so many lovely kind ladies. 

Then I picked up some copying from the printers and told him what I was doing and he gave me all the copying at a reduced rate.

I went into GoLo to buy some toiletries for the Girl Guides to pack up for the Red Cross (Jessica is making up packs as we speak, it's become a family thing), when I went to the check out with all my multiples, bold as brass I asked the girl if the company would give me their staff discount so I could buy a few extra pieces, the Manager said he'd put it through on his card, so the 10% off allowed me to go buy some more toothbrushes.  Again, who is this Janet??

I get home and there are 2 messages about all this, one from Linda in the States about some more blocks she has found and will continue to make (she is an angel) and another from Elizabeth at Berry Patchwork, she's found more quilts to send me, will pop in the post today.

Emails poured in from amazing ladies, plus the ladies who were prepared to help on the "wrong" Friday, have offered to start making up the quilt kits Elizabeth is sending down before NEXT Friday!

I put a note in the school newsletter, already had 2 calls, one from a new lady to the area "Meg", who just moved from the location of the fires.  Then another from a Grandma to some students, "Wendy" and she's a long arm quilter and has offered to help too.

Then there was an email from another "Wendy" who quilted MADE WITH LOVE, she has also offered to quilt our tops for us.

I made up a flyer and asked Jessica's Guide Leader if she would hand out for me, asking for any help and to come along to sew NEXT Friday.  One of the Mum's had received a text from me yesterday and was happy to report that her Mum will be going away and can't come, but she's hunting out a load of fabric for us ....... I got in the car and had to take a moment before I could see clear enough to drive, I'm just flabergasted by all this!

Okay, that's the current update - I'm exhausted just writing about my day.  But just had a thought ... all you knitters out there, what about making up some long scarves, it won't be too long before they are needed during the day, but already they would be great at night.

If you are able to help in anyway, please email me, my heart jumps with each new message of help, I think you are all BLOODY MARVELLOUS.  Sweet dreams, Janet xxx 

Can You Make A Quilt Block?

Is this a world record, 3 posts in one day ......... OMG, can't believe it.

I have had some wonderful emails today, made some lovely new friends, so I thought I'd give you a quick update.

Do you have a spare half hour (ish) to make up a 12" square?  I'm talking basic sewing, a 9 patch, Rail Fence or other simple style.  Scrappy in colours is fine.  We will match them up with other "orphans" and turn into 60" square quilts for children.  Actually, if I'm pushing the friendship, and what the hell, you've already cut the fabric, could you make 2 matching ones, that will make it easier to make the quilts look matched up - if you can make more .... well I couldn't ask, but if you're offering ......... I'd just be grateful if us Chatterboxers could do something to help.

New count on the telly tonight was 7000 are homeless.  It just makes my heart ache.

I actually had an "aha moment" today.  I was asked what made me want to do this, and when I thought about it, well it's purely selfish - by keeping busy and trying to help others, it's making me not think how close the fires are to me and the realisation that one random act of nature or senseless act of an idiot could also turn my whole life upside down.  So please let me indulge in doing something worthwhile, with your help.

Farmer Rowe is being called back to work, he is in the Emergency Services field, I'm only letting him go back on the understanding that if we have any worrying days he can be back here quickly.  He is my super fella who always makes us feel safer when he is around ..... so now I really need to keep busy.

By the way, we got the dates a "little" wrong for our Quilting Day.  When I say "next" Friday, I mean the one after the one to come, that would be "this" Friday.  My friend Carol (hi Carol) has just told me that it's an Irish thing .... but it just confuses everyone else.  So when I said next Friday I meant the 20th of February, not the 13th - confused, yep me too.  So for anyone who can come along NEXT FRIDAY, the 20th of February, either day or evening, please email me and I'll try and get it right.  We have had some quilt kits donated by Elizabeth at Berry Patchwork in Berry NSW, so as soon as they arrive I can have these available for anyone who can start to make up before NEXT FRIDAY.  Vickie is also sending down some fabric, and Kerry has a quilt to donate.  Angela is much of a sewer but if happy to help wherever she can, my BF Keri can't make it but is sending along fabric for us to use, Nicole is coming along with a batch of stuff, so is Kerri who is also bringing one of her AMAZING cakes (she wouldn't be allowed in without one, they are award winning), sorry, only tastings for those who come to help - but I'll take pictures for you to drool over.       Wow, we are a great bunch of bloggers.

Off to get some sleep so I can have a clear thought about how I am going to put all this together, all ideas GRATEFULLY accepted.  Night, night, Janet xx

Do You Have A Quilt Shop Or Sewing Group?

Just a quick update.  The lovely Elizabeth from The Berry Patchwork Shop in Berry NSW is graciously giving us some quilts that she has previously made up for shop class samples and no longer needs ..... wow.  So I just thought if there are any other lovely store owners (or members of quilt groups) that have similar quilts in their cupboards or back store rooms, maybe this could be a chance to give them some good use.  It was heartbreaking to see the kids in Yea who are sleeping in Army tents and are freezing at night, so the quicker we can get some things to them the better.

The amagzing Linda has offered to make up some blocks for our quilts and send them over.  If anyone would like to do the same, please send an email.

I've decided when all this is over (will it ever be?) I am going to get all the names of everyone who has helped out in some small or large way and give them the entire set of MADE WITH LOVE quilt patterns - just because.

Don't forget a couple of entries ago I had some Kit In A Cards and a Kit In A Bag for sale, 100% of the money going to CFA.

Have an exceptional day, Janet xx 

LET'S MAKE SOME QUILTS

Me Again ... I have a migraine today from all the extra brain work.  But thought I might as well strain the brain for a good cause.

I'm just in the process of organising a Quilt Making Event.  So this call is going out to anyone who is local to the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, or doesn't mind the drive up.  Will be held in Macclesfield just on the outskirts of Monbulk.

If you can donate some of your time to help us make up some quilt tops to give to the devastated Victims of the bushfires.  It is heartbreaking to see the people with just old blankets wrapped around them, to have something of their own, made with love (sounds like a good name for a quilt!) would be fantastic.  I know that many wonderful women all around the world are doing the same, this is just another that is trying to do our bit.  The lovely Linda is planning to make up some quilt tops over in the States and then post here to have quilted, it is amazing that so many people far and wide care.

So if you are free Friday the 13th of February (a good luck day), or possibly happy to offer some spare fabric in lieu of help, please email me as soon as possible.

Thanks heaps for caring, Janet xxx 

WOW WEEEEEEEEEE

Since my last post we have had the promise of sales totalling

$946.00

Thank you, thank you, every single dollar is going directly to the CFA.

I'll be back with some more updates of other things happening.

Thank you, thank you (got to go, tears are getting in my keyboard).  Janet xxx