Batala Portsmouth

I played with this band for several years.  We play samba reggae using equipment made in San Salvador and tunes devised by Giba Goncalves.  Batala is a worldwide phenonmenon and there are new bands springing up all the time, all over the place.  The tunes are good, you can travel if you wish, wherever there is another band and still be able to play with them.  Social life is great should you be so inclined.

Owing to various changes in my life it was with sadness that I handed over my drum, beaters, belts and costumes.  I shall miss it; the songs, the people, the rhythm, the gigs, the friendliness.  The band has seen me through the death of my uncle, the death of my father and various other miseries as well as the birth of various grandchildren and marriages of my sons.

Should you have the opportunity to hear them play - and they are always gigging somewhere, rain or shine! - it is worth making the trip.  Should you be interested in having a go, you will be made welcome.

www.batalaportsmouth.com

https://www.facebook.com/batala.portsmouth 

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=batala%20portsmouth&sm=3

this last one is a selection of videos.

keep on drumming :)

Breakaways in January

Such variable weather.  Amazingly most of us have managed to get to each meeting with the exception of those in flood areas or simply ill..  However, muggins here has usually forgotten her camera so photos are sparse this month

Rosemary has been making hexies.  It is coming along nicely :)

Linda handquilting.  

Dawn bought this kit and did the stitching - lovely colours

Ruth - you may remember she only came for half an hour and stayed.....she has been going great guns.  This is another lovely little quilt :)

Jane brought this in to show.  It was made for the Quilters Guild tombola  for the April 2014 AGM in Portsmouth and was part of a challenge issued by the South Coast Contemporary Quilt Group to make a bag in the style of an artist.  She chose Kandinsky. It is a wonderful bag and I covet it LOL.

December (quite possibly with some of November's pics as well)

The 3 above are by Rosemary - presents for people, lucky them :)

I think this is Dawn's as she is hiding behind it

Dawn was making lavender bags also for presents

Sarah's finished runner

Steph's brilliant bunting

Jane's doll quilt which has been accepted for publication

...and the back

Steph's sandcastle block - with tinkly shells on; a nice touch!

We are making a quilt during the course of  next year. Most of us have a copy, including Lesley now in New Zealand.  Jane decided not to wait and has begun hers.  It looks miles better in the flesh, so to speak.  If you go to the link you will see where the pattern came from and also if you look at the Patterns section you will find the quilts which were displayed at the Malvern 2013 show.  The pics dont do the quilts justice though - they were fab!  The pattern came from White Cottage Country Crafts

 

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Sheila's jelly roll top.  This has turned out really nicely

Sheila again - made with Moda fabrics I think? It is lovely

Raffle table

and again

and again!

Rosemary has been busy again

Chris's beautiful quilt.  She still has more to do to it, but when it's done, it is done and there won't be anything more to add....

For our last meeting we had a small party (yes, we did sew, too, and have a quiz).  Just enough food which was lovely :)

Wendy's huge grin as she won the first ticket and therefore got first choice

Chris chose Lesley's quilt.  Rosemary doesn't usually sit like that; she was trying to discreetly get out of the way

Dawn chose a bag, which she blogged about here - http://hatpaintladdersandwonkypooh.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/winter-crafts/  - scroll down but don't forget to look at her WIP on the way past!   Dawn is an author, for those who don't know.  To be found here - http://hatpaintladdersandwonkypooh.wordpress.com/kindle-books-by-d-s-nelson/  And she has an international following, one of whom has written this (Dawn's blog used to be called dans les points de suture) which I thought was excellent. http://johnnyojanpera.wordpress.com/2013/10/03/dans-les-points-de-suture-in-stitches/

After that digression, Wilma has chosen another bag for when she next goes away I think

Linda also picked a bag

Sheila had a fabric bundle

as did Norma.  And that concludes the raffle prizes.  Thank you all for buying tickets, offering fabric pieces and in particular Jane and Lesley for the magnificent quilts whose owners are so chuffed with them.

And last but definitely not the least, Wilma's small quilt made from charms, possibly from last year's raffle.

Well it is still December - but not for long!  Breakaways has had an interesting year; our members are becoming more and more creative, coming up with amazing ideas.  We have room for more as not everyone comes every week, so if you would like to give us a try, come along one Wednesday evening at 7pm to the Annexe at Denmead Community Centre in School Lane.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

November into December (1)

Raffle quilt towards our insurance!  Jane made it using bits of her own and others donated by various members

And then hand quilted it

And Jane also made some bags to be raffled

Wendy's Liberty Print quilt top for a relative.  Impressive! :)

Sarah and her cheeky table runner

Lesley's quilt which she donated to us for the raffle as a leaving present.  She also gave us various amounts of fabrics to use with the charity quilts.  A generous gift.

This is our friend, Lesley, who has abandoned us to go the other side of the world (New Zealand)  We miss her lots; she always has something different on the go and is generous with her knowledge.  But we know when we are beaten (living near her daughter, Claire, new house being designed and built, a lovely new quilt group....) and will keep in touch.  Get saving, girls, it's a long way for a visit!

Some of us -back row - Wendy, Sam, Sarah, Lesley, Jane, Dawn, Chris, Wilma; front row - Steph, Linda, Rosemary, Sheila

Dawn took this one so I am in her place

October's pics

Christine's quilted and bound

Dawn's sequinned cat - lots of sparkly bits.  She has since finished this and I was sent photos but for some reason they didnt save properly on my computer

Jane's

Jane's dolls.  She has  quite a lot to make.  Their dresses match their outlines on the quilt and they are held on with a little  velcro belt.  They look great and we are really looking forward to seeing the finished item in all its glory

And Jane again - nice use of  hearts

Lesley had a challenge from one of her other groups - a box of delights.  Magic!

And another one of Lesley's - very pretty

Wilma has been making a bag.  She seems to pop up with these things and progresses rapidly and then disappears on holiday to use them!  This one is lovely.