In honour of this year being our Ruby Anniversary, the NIPG chose the title ‘Ruby Serendipity’ for our biennial Hands Across the Border exhibition, which we share with the Irish Patchwork Society.

Why have a photo of Black Eyed Susans?

A learned friend spotted that we had referred to our Hands Across the Border exhibition as being bi-annual, that is twice per year.

The Gardeners among you will have been jumping up and down, because we should have said biennial – meaning once every two years.

Hence the photo of the Black Eyed Susans which is a biennial plant.

Everything is on track – lots of quilts were gathered up at our last Meeting for our, ready to be transported to the Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart.

At the time of writing, even the weather is improving, though we can’t get too complacent, April is not renown for April Showers for nothing! Still nothing, but nothing will dampen our spirits with so many great events behind us and still more to come.

We’ve had a wonderful visit from Kaffe Fasset and Brandon Malby, with the talk in the Ulster Museum. Congratulations to all those from ‘out of town’ who made it – not easy to find your way there. We think Belfast is small, but when you need to find a specific building and more importantly find a parking space, things can get trickly. So really happy you made it and trust you enjoyed it.

The workshop held in Windmill Fabrics was great fun and well received by all those who attended – not least the ladies from Windmill Fabrics.

As if all that excitement wasn’t enough we’ve a few more great events to look forward to.

While we’re galloping towards Hands Across the Border, let’s not forget we still have two meetings and a Sunday workshop ahead of us.

• Saturday 4th May – Usual Meeting – 10:00 for 10:30 at Cultra with Hazel Bruce
• Saturday 4th May – afternoon – quick gallop up to Portstewart for the Opening of Hands Across the Border by Lady Mary Peters at 15:00.
• Sunday 5th May Ruth Crothers ‘Shibori Dyeing’. This is a class much demanded by members, so hope you can all make it. Non-members are welcome too.
• Saturday 1st June NIPG Annual General Meeting

The visit of Kaffe Fassett & Brandon Mably was the highlight of our Ruby Celebrations. If you have any stories or photos, we would be glad to have them, although our Facebook has actively published them.

Kaffe’s lecture at the Ulster Museum was an huge success, and the Workshop at Windmill Fabrics was great fun, but our Ruby celebrations continue. While all our attention has been on the Kaffe Fassett visit, we do have really exciting workshops in April and May.

Words from our chair, Paula

Good Morning All

With all the excitement of Kaffe Fassett’s visit, we have Workshops in April and May workshops, which to date have been overlooked.

Workshop Requirements are available here

Few people have signed up so far, this is disappointing, after  all the effort which has been put in to arrange a varied programme.

At the April Meeting on 6th April, Mary McCormick will be on her desk early to give you all information. We do not want to have to cancel any of these

Hands Across The Border
Mary McCormick and I visited Flowerfields last week to organise the forthcoming Hands Across the Border exhibition. We are very impressed with all the suggestions for a Grand Opening on May 4th, at 3:00 pm, for our 40th anniversary year.

We are happy that Mary Peters will be our Guest of Honour at the Opening. Light refreshments will be served there. Local craft and sewing groups and other people of interest locally  are being invited. I hope we will have a good turnout .

Please bring your finished pieces to April meeting, where Janet and Clare will be on hand to take them from you. Clare has printed off a sheet for you to fill in  and put with your work. Please bring in a cloth bag or roll with your name on back of the quilt (pinned on is fine) and on your hanging pole. I don’t think I need to say that a hanging sleeve must be sewn on the quilt.

We are looking forward to a lot of great work.

At the usual Saturday Meeting, there will be the tea and coffee, as usual bring your own mug. Hope you enjoy the morning and the Afternoon workshop, which has a small requirements list. Don’t worry if you are missing something, everyone loves to share   Paula

Our Christmas Meetings are invariably a joy, with Christmas jumpers, earrings and other decorative jewellery on view.  This year was no different and enhanced with our invariably ice-cold hall being so warm that the doors had to be opened.

Jean and Ruth, our wonderful caterers, provided hot drinks and delicious cakes, for which we offer them our deepest thanks.

The ‘make and take’ bottle bag Christmas Challenge produced a  variety of shapes and colours of bottle bags.  Click here to view them for yourself.

Then came an exceptionally entertaining and witty floral art demonstration from Roberta Orr of Flora Desingz, click on her name to access her website. 

‘Don’t forget the Pound Shop’…. you had to be there to know what this means!

Good enough to eat!

Roberta had promised to make three Christmas flower arrangements, but she actually made five. These were given away as ballot prizes.

Anne Jame’s prize, including ballot tickets.

How unusual is this with a Xmas scene in the bowl, lit by lights?

Everyone left with huge smiles, especially those who had won the right to take home the finished items.

Roberta with the lucky winners. Photographer Brian, had to photoshop the sea holly out of Jean’s winning arrangement, so that it was possible to see her. 

Some comments on our 2018 Christmas celebrations included 

• Such a great atmosphere at yesterday’s meeting.  Thanks to all involved for making it a good one!
   
• All went well hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did thanks to all. 
   
• It was a lovely day thank you.
   
• This was my favourite.

Before you go – here’s a must-see exhibition from two of our talented members, both of international reputations. Loving Margaret McCrory’s self-portrait and Irene MacWilliam’s work is always inspiring and exciting.

Roll on to January 5th when we’ll take part in ‘Demonstrations by Members’. This is a popular event, where several members bravely take up a table each to make a 10 minute demonstration of a technique, tip, pattern or something interesting. We divide into however many groups that there are demonstrations. It’s a perfect way to start the New Year – Our Ruby Year. 

Until then have a happy and healthy Christmas with lots of best wishes for 2019.

This was the weekend which had to be cancelled.

Unfortunately, after much effort, Janet McCallum was  unable to make the journey across. Janet was determined to be here, and really did her very best, but between changing airports and examining all the options, she was  forced to submit to the inclement weather from Siberia which has disrupted British and Irish travel so badly.  [The Beast from the East].

Though many parts of the North have little or no snow, other parts are snowbound.  Therefore, the decision was made to cancel the entire weekend.

It was a weekend to stay indoors, keep warm and providing your electric hadn’t given up, you could sew, sew, sew.

Belated Happy St David’s Day to all our Welsh friends. Photo taken on the 1st March 2018.

Leaving you with this text message received yesterday from a quilter who lives just outside Dublin. In case anyone doesn’t know – all Dublin flights have been cancelled until tomorrow. She says:

Good morning, sitting here snug and warm indoors. More snow last night on top of a foot from Tuesday night. So, I’m forced to sew, sew, sew. We have a full tank of oil, plenty of fuel for the fire and lots of food. Plus candles should the power go and wool applique projects if candle light permits.

Ladies, we’ll be in touch about rescheduling Janet etc. Meanwhile take the Kildare Quilter’s advice – and snuggle down with your favourite project.

Happy Quilting.