It seems to have been a very busy month and the days are flying by. As the weather begins to improve there seems to be so many jobs that need doing around the house which means less time for sewing.

There is a lot happening in the quilting world, so I hope you have been able to attend the many exhibitions that have been held around the country. I went down to Taranaki to attend the opening of the Threads in Time Exhibition at the Percy Thomson Gallery in Stratford. This was a showcase of works by the Aotearoa Quilters Taranaki Regional Group. What a fantastic body of work it proved to be. So many different challenges and all beautifully displayed in the gallery. I was their guest exhibitor and for the first time I saw nine of my quilts hanging in the gallery setting. I must admit to being pretty overwhelmed and I definitely had a wow moment. To enable this exhibition to happen the Taranaki group applied to Aotearoa Quilters for funding and we were pleased to be able to help. We have altered the funding application forms and opened up the funding, you just need to apply and the sub committee will see if they can help.  Go to Education and Development funding on our website.

Work in situ at Percy Thompson Gallery, from the group’s All Creatures Great and Small challenge, including art by Bev Smart, Jeanette Ainsley, Lynette Murray, Jennifer Patterson and Chris McDonald. Photo by Lynette Murray 

The 30 day challenge ‘Spring Jumpstart’ is starting on the 1^st September. Have you joined up? It is a great way to keep you motivated especially after the dismal weather we have had over the winter. Go to Activities on our website to join up. I am sure you will enjoy the challenge.

On the 16^th Sept we are joining Kapiti Coast Quilters Exhibition at the Southward Car Museum showcasing the opening of the Red Challenge and our Members Challenge ‘Light it Up’.  If you are able to attend we would love to see you there for light refreshments at 4pm followed by presentation of prize winners of the Members Challenge and then the AGM.

Of course the very big news is moving the GNZQS to the South Island in 2025. It will be held in the Therese Angelo Wing of the Airforce Museum in Christchurch from the 16^th-18^th May 2025. After having had four GNZQS exhibitions in Rotorua it was timely to shift it to the South Island. It has been great to see so much support on Facebook and we look forward to that support continuing as the date gets closer. If you haven’t been to Christchurch for a while now’s the time to think about a holiday, see the sights and attend the quilt show.

Don’t forget Symposium in Cambridge 2024. I have recently attended a planning meeting and what they are proposing sounds very exciting. If you haven’t registered I suggest you do so, you will then get regular newsletters keeping you up to date with what is happening.

I will be away from the 12^th September to the 4^th November. A trip that was planned and booked 3 years ago to the USA and Mexico is actually happening. I will hopefully keep in touch via email. Enjoy stitching, stay warm and keep well.