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