A Special Memorial Day Weekend Quilt of Valor show

I think that it is quite appropriate to have a special Memorial Day Weekend QOV show!!!  I love that we honor or veterans all year long, but I love that this weekend is another opportunity!!

The following SIX !!! Quilts were pieced by Meredith V in Arizona and Quilted by Ron O of New Mexico.

Every time I see Meredith's quilts I just fall in love and swear I should go shopping with her!! I just love the fabrics she uses!!

Aren't they just bright and cheery!!!

On almost every quilt Ron sneaks a little symbol of America in there... I love helping our soldiers search for it!

Check out Abe Lincoln - did you know that Abraham Lincoln was the first president that was nominated  from the newly formed Republic Party (formed in 1854)  to be elected (1860)?

  ( Civics class - your welcome!)

Jar quilts!! I LOVE! Them!

 So here is an interesting little tidbit - I find that these quilts are wonderful for those recovering from Brain Injuries, they are teaching tools that keep the soldiers comforted at the same time - Win! Win!

This last Jar quilt made Little bit and I laugh!!! Check out the fabrics!!

Oink! Oink!

 Bacon and eggs!!!

Thank you all for stopping by during your weekend!! I hope you are having a wonderful one!!!

Harriet's Quilt

My Dear Harriet is one of my best partners in Crime.... 

she is a wonderful binder, encourager, and all around fun lady. and OH BOY -

 can she yell ( her grand-kids run cross country with mine!)  

She is part of a Military RV group, and she decided that a particular gentleman who had served in 

*World War II

*Korea

and!!

*VietNam

Deserved a little recognition - I whole heartedly  agreed!!

Here is the Quilt that Harriet Designed:

I quilted it

What a priveledge!!

The stars got swirlies

The center panel got a lot of echo quilting

Which apparently I did not get a picture of!

I was invited to the presentation - and I am so sad - I didn't get one picture!

But it was so cool.

This military group consisted of members of ALL branches of the military.

They did the *song* for each branch,

they did a POW/MIA ceremony 

it gives me goosebumps just remembering.

And then I was asked to do the presentation with Harriet!

The best part !

The smiles and the tears

and the Hugs!!

For more finished Fridays head over to:

http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/

http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/

5/21 Quilt of Valor Show

I am making an attempt this year to make at least one Quilt of Valor a month, but it sort of seems like they come in waves instead... I was finally able to show you the one I made for the Veterans Challenge for HMQS....

And NOW!!! I can show you the one that I collaborated on with Kimmy of http://www.kimmyquilt.com/   I designed the pattern and you can find the links to all of the steps here  and of course - if you want to Quilt like Kimmy - you can take her Craftsy Class  Machine Quilting with Templates to quilt it.

I would love to take the credit for quilting this one - But alas - Kimmy did it - and it is the one she used in her DVD's - after I show it around a bit and take a little Ohhing and Ahhing it will go to a soldier.

Not to shabby eh?   It is truly gorgeous, and I hope the pictures do it justice!!

Will you be sewing this Memorial Day Weekend? Here are links to two Quilt Patterns that make the perfect size Quilts of Valor:

A Star Quilt  it finishes at 66 x 84 - I know this one can be made in a weekend.
Bulls Eye Log Cabin - it finishes at 60 x 72

Oh!!! Yes!!! The winner of the $20 Gift Certificate to Vicki Welshs Handdyes  is:  Julie in Georgia

Julie I will contact you ( or you can contact me) and we will get that to you!!

Step 4 in the PatchworkTimes Quilt a long

I do realize that Judy has posted 8 steps so far... but I am tickled that I just!!  finished Step 4....

I have the other steps printed, and as soon as I can I will start on Step 5 ! Whoot Whoot


AND.... we have casts off!!!  Is that not awesome! My child can now open the doors again, he is excited!

The tools they use were a little intimidating... but the end results - worth it!

Alright - back to sewing... you might notice there were some string blocks there too - they are from This sew along  , even though it doesn't really start until the weekend, we all know that I am the turtle, so I needed a head start LOL!!

Happiness Project week 3

Alright  - I admit... I can not be happy every moment.... and I kinda honestly thought that if I told myself to be happy, and enjoy the moment I could force it... lesson learned.  Now how to change my attitude during these times....

One of the things I was going to do this week was focus on my cars, and you all - oh. My! Goodness. I think that common sense is just not common. We live out of town, and all past experiences tell me that my vehicles have to go to town to get fixed. After 5 hours of calling, call backs, and scheduling, the window people graciously decided to come here, as the auto body shop just couldn't fathom a person not living within 10 minutes of town... it was quite hilarious... But!  I do have 2 new windshields, no new door handle, and a recall to go take care of ( in town!)      ( I am calling this 50% done)

Saturday evening, as I was being grumpy, and wondering why I just couldn't shake it, my kids came running in and said MOM - look out back - there was a double rainbow....

Just shy of 2 years ago we lost a cousin and her 3 girls - we call them the Over the Rainbow girls....

I think..

Okay - I know

That popped me out of it!

 And now! To continue working on things that make me happy! I think I am going to try to get back to the hour of piecing - that really did soothe me, and make me relax. This last week I didn't get to piece but on Friday...  

And I am going to try to pinpoint at least one good thing each day... maybe... even write it down - so I focus on finding the good, rather than the grumpy  ( I have a Grumpy Sweatshirt from Disneyland... I have been wearing it LOL - just to warn people!)

In The Happiness Project Book - she only focuses on one aspect of her life per month - I think I understand that better now.  To stay focused requires a little discipline , at least for me.

When you get unhappy - what is something that you do?

HMQS Veterans Challenge Quilt

I can finally say - It. Is. Done!  It is in Utah and is awaiting its presentation to a Veteran there! I am so excited.

I have never entered a challenge before where the quilts would be in a quilt show. I like knowing that the quilt would be presented to a Veteran later on too - a win win situation.

 These are the fabrics we were sent... I am usually a find fabrics to make the pattern I want kind of girl... so this was a challenge right off the start for me!

I had lots of help along the way.

As I had my quilt up on the design wall - it left me room for other's opinions.

The boys have lots of opinions.....

But I got it pieced and starting quilting it..

and more quilting

And here it is!

And again - I think this one shows more of the quilting detail.

You can click on it to see it bigger

And the back!

And the binding.

And why yes... I did do the binding.... It was the major holdup in getting it sent off 

*sigh*

and that is my finish!!  For more finished head to:
http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/
and
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/

A Horse in Motion

In my spare time I am a budding photog....  and having a blast!

I tried to get a horse in motion - and show motion... I didn't quite get the horse centered - but I think it turned out okay....

Just so you know - this is my horse.... but she doesn't like me as much as she likes Wrangler Man. So I ride a different mare - and these guys team up. ( she is WAY too fast for me).

Now if she would just let me tie a quilt to her while she was running....

Online QOV Quilt Show 5/15

Congrats to JANE!!!! over at Imperfect Quilter - She will be getting the Modern Quilts Magazine in the mail here is a few days!!! You will LOVE it!!


I hope you will love todays Quilts of Valor! I have such fun checking them all out, and taking pictures!

The first three quilts today are from Judy V in Thornton. She pieced and quilted them ! I am going to speak at her guild in November - Can't wait!!

Judy told me what this pattern was - I now I can not remember? Maybe String Stars?
I knew that someone would know - here is a similar pattern from Mary Quilts

 This one is the Scrappy Trips block! I love the colors!!

 This one is great too! I love the blue setting off the blocks!

This quilt is Pieced by Denise V in Denver and Quilted by Dawna. Dawna is a quilting pattern designer. She used the panto Tempest for this one. All of her beautiful designs can be found Here  She has quite a few!!

 Heres a closer look at Tempest...

 The next two quilts are the jelly roll quilts - they were made and quilted by Sharon E in Greeley. Sharon has a new quilting machine and I think she did a great job!!!

Oh look - It is Brownie mare - she is working hard, earning her keep around here!! ( and that's Wrangler Man - swoon)

This is another quilt pieced by Denise and quilted by Dawna - again she used one of her designs called Mexican Carpet

 Isn't is great? All bubbly and circley!

This one was pieced by Denise and quilted by Dawna - this time she used Hilton.

 Isn't this a beautiful quilt? The feathery design really compliments it!

Bonnie sent in some blocks - we are still putting together tops so these will be great!

 The last two quilts today come from Nancy  - I love that panel in the center - those eagles are just spectacular! They were quilted by Donna in Longmont!

Hope you enjoyed today's show. Thank you all for commenting on the last one!

I am curious. 

How do you all choose your quilt patterns? 

Do you purchase individual patterns?

 Do you prefer to purchase a whole book? 

Leave me a comment telling me how you find your quilt patterns and you will be entered

into a drawing for a 

$20 Gift Certificate to:

Vicki Welsh's Hand Dyed Fabrics

All comments must be made before midnight Tuesday the 21st to be included in the drawing.

If you are anonymous or a no reply blogger please leave me a way to contact you