Tuesday 31 December 2013

Happy New Year!


This is the bouquet I received today from the Wellington Quilters' Guild to congratulate me on being awarded the Queen's Service Medal "in recognition of my services to prisoner rehabilitation programmes" - in other words the quilting programme at Arohata Women's Prison.

Janet Forbes and I are both recipients of the award, Janet runs the programme in the Drug Treatment Unit - and of course, we both acknowledge the fact there is a team of people making this possible; other tutors, people who keep the fabric storeroom organised and others who do the fund raising plus the quilters from all over the country who donate fabric so generously - I just happened to be the President of Wellington guild all those years ago when it was suggested that we offer to teach at the prison.  I recall that after just three weeks of the proposed six week course I realised I couldn't just walk away and I made sure the incoming President knew that I was happy to carry on.  I confess to feeling a bit of a fraud being rewarded for doing something I'm passionate about!

Anyway, Leeann, bless her, posted this news yesterday, so again, thank you Leeann.  I also want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and being a superstitious soul, can't do that before midnight!  Comes from celebrating new year for so many years in Gisborne with some wonderful Scottish friends; many great memories there!

I have managed a small finish, my little white and bright strippy is now quilted - finally - by hand, using white in the white strips, it even has the binding on.


It won't have escaped your notice that the Guild got the colours just right  - here's another example of my non-pink garden -


It's been an expensive time at the vets lately, both cats are on special diets, Basil for overactive thyroid and Floyd for kidney trouble - they don't think much of their food though, this is the look I get now when I fill their bowls -


It appears I have seen in the new year, so I'll get off to bed it's ten to one on New Year's Day! and to close, here is a photo taken by Phil on Boxing Day out at the Wainui coast just before the rain and winds came back.



Happy New Year, good health and happiness to all.

June



11 comments:

Nancy J said...

Happy New Year June, and wonderful news of the Q.S.M., Congratulations, yes, maybe a huge team effort, but for yourself, a huge number of years of what I call " Stickability", being there on Saturdays in good and bad weather/health/travel or other, and I'm sure the girls will be so thrilled for you too. Lovely flowers, and so good to be acknowledged . Greetings, Jean.

Helen said...

Congratulations! Being passionate about what you do is exactly why you deserve your QSM.

Leeann said...

Happy New Year, an Congratulations again. It's a well deserved honour!

PS I love the big spots on the border of your quilt.

Ali Honey said...

I'm so so pleased for you. Congratulations!
Love your flowers too.

Yvonne said...



I too want to say, CONGRATULATIONS for all the time and effort over many years both you and Janet have given so willingly. To help those women in our society that many of us would never come across indicates your QSM is well deserved.

You do not judge those in Arohata but enthuse the women each week with your passion so they can learn a new and practical skill. As you say, you also have a team of helpers who have supported you and yes, they too must also be recognized, but It is your leadership and dedication that makes this weekly class a vital part of the ongoing rehabilitation of those women in Arohata.

Yvonne

Unknown said...

So well deserved June. It is wonderful to see someone
Honoured for helping others and I can only imagine how else you may have changed the life's of some of these women by showing them they CAN create something beautiful and they are worthwhile people. I'm so thankful for the guidance you've given me over the years.

Jenny said...

Many congratulations June!!

MrsC (Maryanne) said...

So deserved, June xo

June said...

Thank you all very much for your comments, this is a great quilting community! Have a wonderful 2014 everyone!

Dont Wait to Create said...

Hi June, with all the years of your dedication to a really worth while cause it's wonderful to receive such recognition. Congratulations. Shirls

Unknown said...

Congratulations June - a well deserved reward