IF YOU FEEL A LITTLE LONELY, THE BEST WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS IS TO INVITE PEOPLE IN.
That’s a philosophy GemLife Palmwoods homeowner Robyn Wimberley lives by, and it’s exactly what she did last year soon after moving into the resort, which happened to be the day after her 60th birthday.
Robyn is a doer and has a massive interest in all things craft – something she’s loved since she was an eight-year-old girl learning all the tricks of the trade from her mother and grandmother.
“My mother and grandmother were both seamstresses, and when I was eight my grandmother taught me hand embroidery, or hand smocking as it is called. We made a little apron and that’s how I got started,” Robyn said.
Being new to the Sunshine Coast (formerly of The Gap, in Brisbane), Robyn wanted to make some new friends so on the residents’ Facebook page she asked if anyone would be interested in doing craft.
“People were saying when the Country Club opens we will do this and that, however, I thought ‘why are we waiting for the clubhouse to open when we’ve got a house?’, so I put it out there.
“In mid-June 2023, Gemmies Busy Bees Craft Group started and has grown to more than 23 people. We make so many things. Some ladies bring their sewing, embroidery, crocheting, knitting, diamond dot art or their card making along.
“At the moment we are making crazy patch teddy bears, and after this we are looking to do mixed media canvases. Other items members have made include cards, mixed media journals, microwave pot holders, and hand towels. We are making birthday cards for people in the resort and working towards having a Christmas stall at the resort in time for Christmas.”