hAMPDEN QUILT PROJECT GETS LIVELY

I spent the past 10 days out and about with the quilts from the 'Yes we can - together' project for Alzheimer Scotland.   Last weekend I was honoured to be asked to be one of the speakers at the Hampden/Alzheimer Scotland/Glasgow Caledonian University conferences at Hampden Park.   Attended by over a hundred people it was a great opportunity to tell them about my quilting project.   This weekend I spend Saturday afternoon talking to the Angus Federation of women's rurals.   I picked up 84 quilts which had been handed into Hampden and another 100 or so (I haven't counted them yet) in Angus - Forfar to be exact.

We have past the 1,200 mark and quilts are starting to come in every week now.   I am presuming quilters are clearning space for Christmas!   

The message I am getting as I go around talking to groups of quilters, rurals, social groups, etc., is that we are making a difference in bringing dementia to the attention of more people.   One of the groups which I helped set up last January in our local Dumfries Resource Centre has been so successful that another group has started on the Friday afternoon.   We have expanded to Castle Douglas and recently to Stranraer helping the elderly interact with the young folks and each learning to quilt from each other.

I am attaching some photos of the quilts I took at the weekend.   Catch up again soon.

Alzheimer Quiltathon - Sat 6 Oct

Good luck to everyone taking part in our nationwide Quiltathon tomorrow when you are making a one metre square quilt which will be laid on Hampden Park in May 2013.    Please remember to download the form which you need to fill in and take a photograph of everyone with their finished quilts.  I need these as photographic evidence that you all did it.   Thank you all for your support and thanks also from Alzheimer Scotland.  

Alzheimer Quiltathon takes place on Saturday 6th October.   Quilt groups all over Scotland are taking part in making a quilt in a day.   Remember to download the entry form from the website and also remember to take a photograph of the quilters and their quilts at the end of the day as proof of your taking part.  The pattern can also be downloaded from the website at www.annhillquilter.co.uk

Another 54 quilts handed in today for the Hampden/Alzheimers project next spring.   Our total is now 903 - I can't believe we have nearly reached our first 1,000 quilts.   We need another 4,000 so keep sewing!  We are accepting new quilts, old quilts which you don't use any more, quilts from charity shops and quilts which have fleece on the back.   Normal quilts have 3 layers - 2 cotton fabrics and one layer of wadding/batting.
They are varied in size and colour.  I will attach a couple so that you can get the flavour.  The rest of them you can see on my website at www.annhillquilter.co.uk.

Quilting Classes

I am working hard to get the classes organised for starting on Wednesday 29th August.    I love classes.   The girls (no male attendee's yet!) come ready to start their new projects.   Some are 'old hats' and some are beginners wondering what to expect.   It doesn't take long for everyone to join a very nice group of friends who meet every week not only to learn how to quilt but to socialise, have a laugh and to get used to me telling them 'there's nothing to it', 'it's so easy' and 'you will be a real quilter in no time'.

We are starting the season with a Sampler Quilt,(see photograph)  then there is the usual bag, quirky quilters sayings panel (how to use it to make bag, cushion and wallhanging), a brick wall quilt which teaches you how to get those sashing strips going in the same direction!, and a pretty Christmas panel.    These are all my own designs.
Then we have a Nancy Haverson book to work from with a beautiful cushion and also a table runner.

The sampler class is full already but there are still spaces on the other classes.   They start on Wednesday 5th September and run every two weeks 6.30 - 9.30.  More info on the website at www.annhillquilter.co.uk

Quilting season starts

We have now returned from a much needed holiday in Rehoboth Beach with our daughter Fiona, hubby Ian and our peerie treasure of a grandson called Jay.   I am now looking forward to going to see grand daughter Isla later in the month.  I love being a granny...

The quilting world is about to get going again with classes starting on 29th August with a sampler quilt.   The class is fully booked already.   We are having a quiltathon on the 6th October to see how many quilts we can make in one day.   It's a simple 9 patch pattern and is easily do-able.   We are hoping for an entry into the Guinness Book of Records.   Details are available (along with patterns and instructions) on the website at www.annhillquilter.co.uk

Blooms - one of three patterns taken from Nancy's book.   Books will be provided.

 This quilt was made for Erin who has just returned from service in Afhanistan.  We owe our servicemen and women so much.

 This one was made for her brother Greg who also served.  They both live in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

This is my own designed Sampler Quilt which we will start on Wednesday 29th August.   I must say I am looking forward to renewing friendships again at our regular quilting classes and meetings.

The sun has shown for 3 whole days in Mouswald.   This is a record this year........

As aye,

Quilt challenge day at Clarencefield, Dumfries

Thank you to my 19 quilting friends who turned up yesterday to help me find out how many of us could make a 40" square quilt in a day, quilted and bound.  All of them did it.  We actually made 25 quilts for the Hampden Park challenge yesterday.  It was a trial run for a country wide challenge later in the year.  We had a great day, loads of cakes, plenty of laughs and my stress levels have gone back to normal.   Thanks again ladies.  The pattern is a simple 9 patch made with 10" squares, 2" inner and 5" outer border.

Hampden quilt project

I might be officially famous!!  Border TV arrived yesterday and did an interview about my Hampden Quilt Project.  It should be aired sometime within the next week if we are lucky.   Quilts continue to come in from around the world.  New Zealand and England this week along with many personal visitors from Scotland including David Mundell our MP at Westminster.  Quilters at Hampden, visiting the Clarencefield Exhibition and also delivering quilts to me at home.    The kettle is always on......

Award from Annapolis Mayor

David and I were over in the USA recently visiting the kids and whilst there I did a quilting talk on my Alzheimers Project for the Annapolis Quilters Guild.   I was very honoured to be awarded a Mayoral Citation for the work I am doing with folks living with Alzheimers.   I took over some of the memory trigger quilts to show them and they also gave me some quilts to put towards the Alzheimer Scotland Hampden Quilt Project in 2013.   The photographs show myself with a representative of Alzheimers USA and the other shows the ladies and gents of the Annapolis Quilters guild.  Annapolis is the twin down with Dumfries.

Clarencefield Quilt Exhibition starts this weekend

Clarencefield Quilting Exhibition starts this Friday 25 May at 2pm and runs straight through to Monday 4 June.   There will be lots of quilts on show including some of those handed in already for the Alzheimers Project 2013 when we intend covering Hampden Park with 5,000 quilts.   Times for the exhibition are: Fridays 2 - 9;  Saturdays 10 - 4;  Sundays through to Thursday 2 - 5; Friday and Saturday as before and we close on Monday after opening from 2 - 5.   It's Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and Spring Fling weekend.

Solway Quilters Exhibition

Solway Quilters has an exhibition running at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries.   80 beautiful quilts.   The exhibition runs until Saturday 12 May.  Worth having a look if you are in the area.  Closed Sunday and Monday.

The baby girl arrived 10 weeks ago and she is a treasure.   We have now been to see her several times.   We have also been to the USA to visit our grandson.   Family comes first.   Mum has just celebrated her 80th birthday in Shetland and all of the family, with the exception of Fiona, Ian and Jay in USA, were there to help her enjoy it.   Three parties - even I don't get that.

Quilting halted for the weekend - new baby born

The quilting has come to a stop for the weekend whilst I head off to Leeds to see my new grand daughter Isla Grace Hill.    Karen (daughter in law) and Alan (son) have done a great job.  She weighed in at 7lb 1 oz with a mop of dark hair.   I love being a granny.   Only one other - Jay Curry son of Fiona (oldest daughter) and Ian.  They live in USA but have been here beside us since Christmas.   I am thoroughly spoiled and blessed.  xx

Alzheimer Quilt Project Talks

Monday night - St Michael's Church Guild, Dumfries; Tuesday afternoon - Stewarty Arts Group, Castle Douglas;  Wednesday - Jelly Roll Sampler Class at Clarencefield;  Thursday - Rhonehouse Women's Guild;  it is a busy week. 

hampden quilt posting alert

If you are posting a quilt to us for the Hampden Park Alzheimer Quilt project in 2013 could you please ensure that you write "Charity item relief claimed" on the front of the parcel otherwise we will have to pay customs on it.   Many thanks,  Ann.

Community gets involved in quilt project in Dumfries

Community leaders and members have been getting involved in the Hampden Park Quilt project by learning to make quilts.   This is week 5 of 6 in the second series of my teaching them so that they can go out and teach other members of their communities.   What a great experience this is !! So much fun and home bakes...... doesn't do much for my diet.    This class happens at the North West Resource Centre in Dumfries.  In the photo with their quilts are Sheena Watson, Mary Urquhart, Anne Pearson, Martin Rae (resource staff) and myself.

New quilts for Hampdem

I have added 35 new quilts to the Hampden Quilt Project 2013 for Alzheimer Scotland.   The patterns are many and varied.   I have also had 2 emails from USA today from quilters who have posted quilts to me so I look forward to getting them.   If you have any quilts to hand in you can now also give them to David Drummond, the Edinburgh sewing machine specialist, to Lorna Johnson at Patchwork Cottage in Kirriemuir or to Dawn Cameron Dick.   They are major players at all the quilt shows and they will be happy to accept your quilts on my behalf.   Of course you can also post them to me or simply hand them into your nearest Alzheimer Scotland office.

February 2012 Update

Please see the PDF file link for the latest news on the "Yes we can - together".

Yes we can - together PDF

Quilting Classes at Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries

Quilting classes at Gracefield Arts Centre, Edinburgh Road, Dumfries

My 6 week (every two weeks) class on a sampler quilt starts on Tuesday
7 February at 6.30pm   This is the quilt we are making and there are still some spaces left.    Included in the class -  all the fabrics you need to finish and quilt your wallhanging which is approx 40" square.   Get in touch with me directly or Gracefield Arts Centre if you are interested.   Gracefield have a couple of sewing machines if you don't have one.   This is a machine quilting class.

Alzheimer Hapden Quilt Project 2013

Alzheimer Hampden Quilt Project 2013

The ‘Yes we can – together’ project started way back in 2009 when I was asked if I would work with those living with Alzheimers, to involve them in quilting and design and to put their memories onto quilts.   These quilts will act as their memory triggers.   In the first part of the project 65 quilts were made by me and have been hanging at an extended exhibition at Hampden Park Football Stadium for the past year.   They are being taken down as I write this update.

When I first started the project my views on Alzheimers were very negative.   Firstly because I knew nothing about it and secondly I assumed, like many others, that people living with Alzheimers were beyond help.   How wrong I was !   

I have loved this experience of happy people, with amazing stories to tell and an incredible sense of humour.   Yes, there are those who are more challenging and it is a very emotional journey but the rewards are way beyond any effort I have put into this project.  I am simply grateful for the opportunity I have been given and the many friends I have made along the way.

The second part of this project also involves Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow.   Quilters around the world are making enough quilts to cover the 5,000 square metres in the spring of 2013.   We aim to raise awareness of those living with dementia and also raise much needed funds for Alzheimer Scotland by selling the quilts after the project is completed.    If we get £10 for each quilt we will raise a massive £50,000.  However, we all know quilts are worth much more so here’s hoping for much more.....

How can you help ?

·         Make a quilt any size from 1 metre square to king size bed, any design, any colour.  

·         Have a look in your cupboards and pull out all the older quilts you no longer have a use for.   We will gladly accept them.

·         If you simply want to take part then send us your quilt with a note saying you want to take part but would like to buy your quilt back (for as little as £20 + p&p).

Photo’s of the quilts already donated: - You can see the quilts handed in so far on the website under ‘Hampden Park Quilt Gallery’.  

Quilt Patterns:-  There are a few simple quilt patterns which are free and downloadable on the website if you are in need of simple inspiration.  

Talks:   I am doing a lot of talks all over the place but mostly in Dumfriesshire.   However, I am talking to quilters in Annapolis, USA when I am over visiting my daughter who lives in the States.   ‘Have family, will travel.....’

Australian Quilt:  Around Christmas I got a parcel from the Gold Coast in Australia and the writer said ‘My wife says I have to use some of my stash’.    Thanks to Graham Purcell for being our first male quilter.   Are there any more men out there who are quilters?

I will try my best to keep the page updated on a monthly basis.   All the work I do on this project is done on a voluntary basis and I couldn’t do this without the help of my friends and family – so thank you !  And thanks to all of you who have contributed already.   Even if it is one quilt it helps reach the target of 5,000.   To the lady who is now on number 28 - thank you so much but where do you find the energy !

My First Blog

Welcome to my new blogging site, where from time to time I'll post updates of quilts, classes, news and the general goings on in my quilting world.

Keep checking here or on my website - annhillquilter.co.uk for updates.

Ann