A Good Start To 2026.

Since the 27th of December I've been pouring through finishing off my UFOs.  I finished this self portrait which I made at AQC in 2024 and I have a few more that I generated in the past 3 years of classes there and I want to finish them and not just add to my UFOs. 

I made 2 more quilts from sets of blocks that have been waiting to be finished for far too long - probably over 20 years.

I've also started tidying/excavating my sewing room again and found these donated Christmas projects. The table runner just needed borders and quilting and the ornament just needed binding. These will be put aside and then donated to the Peter Mac Cancer Centre to be sold by their auxiliary to raise funds for patient's services. I hope to add a few more items for them but will keep them until mid year so they don't have to store them.

These 2 baby's jackets were also UFOs as they just needed sewing up and buttons added. I have a few more that just need finishing off too.

Today I spent some time sorting through my tub of sets of blocks and orphan blocks.  Some of them I had forgotten that I'd made and I will put them together and finish for donation.  There's also lots of odd blocks which I have boxed up for the Monday Quilters from Macedon who are experts at taking UFOs and odd bits and pieces and finishing them into quilts and drawstring bags.  They have been a huge help in getting lots of these donations turned into quilts to donate. 

 I'm feeling energised by getting so many of my UFOs finished and plan to keep clearing tubs for the next few weeks. It great to find some empty tubs and create more storage space as well as finish off more quilts to donate. I wonder how many more UFOs I will find and finish.

Hugs, Jan Mac xx 

A Successful Conclusion to 2025.

I've been busy finishing off some of my UFOs since Christmas and they will all be donated in the New Year. This one was made from blocks I swapped with some Southern Cross Quilter's members years ago.

As we reach the end of the year I've tallied the number of quilts and some of the other items we donated.

For 2025 we donated 761 quilts, 10,872 drawstring bags, 1,492 Santa Sacks, and 152 knitted/crocheted blankets as well as hundreds of teddy bears with custom made jumpers, knitted teddies, hand knits including beanies, jumpers, scarves and socks, soap pouches, library bags, pencil cases with school supplies, baby's bibs and burp cloths

The organisations we supported are the Alfred Hospital's Palliative Care Units, Eastern Palliative Care, Life's Little Treasures (premmies and sick babies in hospitals around Australia, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, Big Group Hug, SECASA and ECASA, Hope in a Suitcase, the Northern Hospital, and Monash Hospital's Children's ward.

We've had a very successful year in terms of how many people in need that we were able to help and it was only possible to achieve these numbers because of all of your support. Thanks to the Monday Quilters from Macedon, we have worked our way through lots of UFOs, sets of blocks and donated tops and I should be able to accept more sets of blocks, fabric, UFOs and tops in the coming year. In particular if you have any spare 9 patch blocks they would be great to combine to make more quilts, but of course anything handmade you care to donate, finished or not, will be donated on your behalf.

I hope you've enjoyed your year with the group and I will post in a day or so to tell you all what is needed for 2026.

Happy New Year everyone and I'm looking forward to what we can achieve in 2026.

Cheers, Jan Mac xx

 

Christmas Delivery to Peter Mac Cancer Centre.

Last Monday was a big day of wrapping up our Oz Comfort Quilts deliveries for the year. I bound these 2 quilts which were beautifully quilted by Sharon Siacci from Beyond Meander Quilting and added them to the huge number of quilts we had to deliver.

Pam Neenan very kindly drove me into the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and we delivered 121 quilts as well as some Christmas gifrs for patients. 

Pam was an absolute treasure in driving as well as getting the 12 large bags into her car. I'd arranged a meeting time with the staff and we were lucky enough to get a parking space at the front door - a Christmas miracle!! Thankfully we had taken enough quilts for every patient who will be in Peter Mac for Christmas and the staff were thrilled to receive them. 

Please know that you have all contributed in making sure that people in need will be receiving our warm hugs and will enjoy a happier Christmas. Every item you quilted, knitted, crocheted  or sewed has benefited  so many people throughout the year and I am very appreciative of your very generous support.

I hope you're all enjoying a lovely break with family and friends to celebrate Christmas and I'm taking a few days off but will post an update of what is required for the coming year.

Hugs, Jan Mac xx  

Catching Up.

Glenys Pearson has been busy knitting and has donated another 8 beautifully knitted jumpers and 5 warm beanies.  Margaret Naylor very kindly donated all of the knitting yarn. 

Margaret Fleming at 91 is still an active quilter and supporter of Oz Comfort and she has dropped off another 16 beautiful quilt tops. 

Many thanks ladies for your generous donations. 

Hugs, Jan Mac xx 
 

Deliveries

On December 15th I delivered donations to Life's Little Treasures and they were very apparently they were running out of some items. We donated  27 quilts,  1,090 drawstring bags,  150 beanies,  41 beanies and booties sets, 10 bibs, 6 jacket and booties sets, 40 totebags, 80 pair of booties,  57 baby's jackets and a large bag of cuddle hearts. 

I've been busy counting and packing items and also finished off these beautifully knitted baby's jackets made by Heather Seiter. 

I also made a SB crocheted blanket , knitted 2 more premmies jackets and converted 8 small crocheted blankets into 2 large ones.

I also made some more Santa Sacks for Backpacks 4 Vic Kids .

Many thanks everyone for your generous donations. 

Hugs, Jan Mac xx  

Comings and Goings.

I'm a bit behind with blogging as I've been concentrating on getting as many donations out to organisations as possible so they receive them in time for Christmas. 

Jill Khong and Mary Heymanson dropped off more wonderful donations and Jill very generously donated some money towards costs. Jill loves knitting custom made jumpers for teddies ans donated 27 bears as well as 3 beautifully knitted baby's jackets. 

Mary has also been busy knitting and has donated beautifully knitted baby's jackets and 5 Santa hats, which will be distributed to Life's Little Treasures for premmies. 

Pam Wood donated a beautifully knitted baby's jacket. 

Sandra McLay dropped off a very generous financial donation from her Cotton Tales friendship group as well as 7 quilt tops and backings.
 Many thanks everyone. 

Hugs, Jan Mac xx 

We Are Racing Toward Christmas.

Beverley Brooks dropped off a huge number of donations this week from her sewing ladies as well as from the Machine Knitters of Victoria. These ladies are very productive and Irene Ashcroft has sewn another 23 Santa Sacks and an incredible 313 drawstring bags. 

Valerie Pell has made 63 drawstring bags and Glenda made 18 small tote bags and 4 drawstring bags. 

Beverley Brooks has sent 4 large drawstring bags,  9 small drawstring bags and also donated 2 soft toys.

The Machine Knitters of Victoria donated lots of lovely knitted items including 33 beanies, 22 warm scarves,  28 knitted Izy dolls, 3 pair of knitted socks, 1 pair ofmittens, a bag of premmie's booties, 19 premmie beanies,  21 knitted teddies,  a knitted ocotus toy, 1 child's cardigan,  6 knitted blankets and 2 soft toys.

Many thanks everyone for your support.

Hugs, Jan Mac xx