Quilts of Valor for today

Well I told you I'd be back with some Quilt of Valor eye candy. I have been quilting, washing QOV's, pillowcasing them - and Cleaning the kids rooms - so Its time to goof off a bit!

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This beauty came in from Vicki M in CA. It is all quilted and just needed binding - no problem. Mary (from my guild) is on it today!

~The next one in from Marilyn in WI. She works with a group at church making quilts - and this is one of them! Just wonderful - all the reds in there! Its almost like a shopping trip to see all the cool fabrics!

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Then.... All the way from Alaska - comes this beautiful Not So Top Secret Project. Amazing. It is all quilted and in a matching pillowcase! I put a picture of the quilting too - it is really neat! This QOV is from Cindy R in Kenai. Now - she said we could come visit up there, and my dad really really really really ( got it yet) loves Alaska - so if I tell I know someone....... well watch out Cindy - we may be there for dinner tomorrow! He likes fish ( tee hee).

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Anyways - there is your Quilt of Valor eye candy for today. Does it inspire you yet?

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Have a quilty Evening!

My Birthday

was Last week - and on the day of my birthday - school started. Truly not a great birthday present. I wanted to play! And instead we had to get up and get breakfast and actually move. So while the kids went to school - I went shopping....! And this is what I bought for my birthday. You can find it over at http://www.knotsandbolts.com/

~The fabrics are so cute. Suzanne really has an eye for coordinating things. Now I just need to start sewing!! But I really like just looking at the fabrics!

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Then on the weekend we loaded up the kids and took off to go hiking in Wyoming. It was way cool, both in location and temperature. Perfect for me - I hiked up to 70 degrees - nice!

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This is all of us on the trail. We needed a family moment you know. ( insert laughter). The trail was a 7 mile hike, and there was quite a bit of rock climbing. Good thing no one is afraid of heights.

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As we were going around some of the huge rocks we saw some guys(2) going up the rocks. It was amazing. And I think I liked going *around* once we saw how high the climbers had to go!

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We also had to go over two creeks. One of them just had a board - the other had these ,um, well, Sticks! to go over. Of course coming into the area wasn't so bad - you could just jump off the rock, it was going back up I was worried about. So my son held the sticks and my husband pushed me - and voila - we were all good to go again!

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It was a beautiful hike. I think I took 100 pictures. There were birds flying everywhere and beaver dams. Other than the 2 rock climbers we were the only people there... awesome!

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Well I am off to breakfast.. have a good day! I'll probably be back later with more Quilt of Valor goodies for you! I have been quilting and a few boxes appeared - you HAVE to see what was in them!!

From my Heartstrings Group

This one was made by the group and quilted by Anne in CANADA! This is the first Foreign ( if you call Canada foreign) country!! Isn't that cool. My kids were way impressed... boy can you tell I have been hanging out with *gulp* teenagers!!!

I really like the way that the string quilts come together. They are surprising in the way that the create designs!

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The next one was peiced by Barbara in Fl and quilted by Mary. ( http://maryquilts.blogspot.com/ ) We are both pretty sure it is also a Dissappearing 9 Patch.

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The next one is called a wonky rails. Mary made the pattern up and it is on her website as well - so if you are interested in making one... you can!

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If you want more info on the Heartstrings group - they are awesome! Go to http://www.heartstringsquiltproject.com/

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Can you tell I am trying to entice you with all this eye candy to get involved and make a Quilt of Valor? I really believe in this project and am always impressed with those who choose to get involved!

Amy in IL

Sent these 2 quilts in.

These got a lot of ohhs and ahhs from my guys! I thinkif you click on the picture you can see the quilting a little better.

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I have not seen a quilt similar to the khaki/olive quilt yet - and I have to say it is really striking. And it is so soft!! Ahh the priveledge of seeing and holding the quilts in person!

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These are from Amy and she has a website .. http://www.sisters2quilting.com so you can check out more stuff from her if you wish!

Thanks Amy!

Stars and Bars

I have been working on another Quilt of Valor pattern that can use 3 inch scraps. I have a lot of those and was trying to think of a way to use them... so Here it is!
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I did it in EQ and my sweet hubby converted it to a pdf file - so it is 4 pages long and pretty easy to print out. I cut out two of the tops and got them all ready to sew. I took them up to my Moms quilt group sew day to show them how to do the half square triangles. It was great. And one of her sweet friends took the kit home to finish. The second kit is ready for my mom. So.. it works! Yay!!
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Here is the link to the pdf file :

http://quiltygirl.com/QuiltPatterns/stars%20and%20bars.pdf

if you have questions feel free to email - but make sure you leave a return email. Some comments aren't enabled for me to return the emails and I feel so bad - like maybe you think I am ignoring you.... but I am not.
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Our count is growing for the 400 quilts. I am really excited to watch the progress and excited to see the enthusiasm in helping out our soldiers. I am also getting to be better at speaking in public. (scary) I talked with a group Sunday and am talking to another tomorrow.
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Have a quilty day!

Two Not So Top Secret Projects

Rolled in... When I first thought of putting this pattern on the blog I thought maybe one or two people might be interested in making one for us as well as make sure that I could teach it right. Well this is much cooler.... there are A LOT of them coming in. I could count - but that would not be as exciting as you finding them.... ( grin)

~This one on the right is Ethels. She is from my quilting guild in Greeley. She is also the one who entered her flower basket quilt in the county fair - that I had quilted for her. She one Reserve Grand Champion! We were tickled!!

The one here on the left is really cool colors - I like it too! It was made by Nancy L in Washington. I really enjoyed looking at it as it was hanging up, it kind of gave you different illusions!

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Hope you all are liking the variations. I know that a few groups that are sewing Quilts of Valor for their own goals have asked to use the pattern, so I hope they are getting even more inspiration from all the different colors!

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Off to feed the kids dinner. Today was a loooooong but fun day for all of us - and we are feeling it!

LCC Quilter Audry

Do you remember Audry? http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2008/08/sunday-is-audry-day.html

Well she is at it some more! She has gone to town on the sewing. The two quilts on the left were made by her. Our lap version of the turning twenty, and another Not so Top Secret Quilt.

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She is having so much fun at this that she is recruiting others! At the faid she met a quilter - Laurel, and brought her up to our sew day. The quilt on the right was made by Laurel. Not a bad accomplishment!

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We had another sew day last week and BAM - there were a lot of tops. I am still trying to get the backs with them and get them onto all my lists, and get the pictures so I can show you. So be on the look out for more from Audry!
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Have a quilty day! I have some really cool pictures in my camera - if I get them downloaded I can tell you where I went this weekend......

Its Barbara B Day!

These two beauties came from Barbara B in Ft Lauderdale. I just love log cabin quilts. We ( my kids and I ) read quite a few stories this summer about the quilts myths and lore behind them. It was quite interesting. And how the centers represent the home and hearth.

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The next one I named Firecracker. I just loved how the colors exploded - so thats what I came up with . C told me each block could be a firecracker too.

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Heres is a link to Barbaras Blog

http://justalittlezizzy.blogspot.com

Have a quilty day!

Alycia

Pillowcase Progress

Look at all these cool pillowcases that are ready for quilts. And - well I have the quilts for them. So will be loading the quilts into the pillowcases for a while!
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Lets See - the Right pillowcases came from California - from Robin M and she sent thos cute blocks too. they are 8 inches and *surprise* I was in the middle of sewing a quilt with 8 inch blocks - so these are going in it!!!
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The ones in the center ( or at least it is center on my screen) are From Jan in So Colorado. She doesn't know this - but we may come visit her when she least expects it! We haven't explored much down that way....

The individual picture is because I LOVE cowboy fabrics - and I have not seen this one. So I took a close up of it - for me ( giggle)


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These pillowcases on the left came from Laura in Georgia . She is in my heartstrings quilt group too - aren't they the greatest. So - it looks like I have a lot of loading up to do! Keeps me out of trouble right?
Have a great one!!

Its Sue and Carol Day

These are 4 of the quilts sent in by Sue S and Carol S and there WHOLE group. They sound like they have this quilt making thing down to a science!

Carol cut out the flannels as kits and one of the ladies from the guild pieced them together. Carol sent backing flannel and binding strips. Sue S volunteered to quilt 8 of these tops and provided the batting. She had her guild ladies do the binding and ta da..............

So let me show you these beauties! And they are flannel. I have to tell you I was VERY tempted to lay down with one a snuggle, maybe even take a nap! They even came with really cool pillowcases ad labels!!

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Don't know if you noticed but we have reached 100 quilts as of yesterday. I didn't think it was unattainable - I just didn't think it would happen so fast! This is AWESOME!

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Hope you all have a quilty day.... and come back again - I have more pictures in my camera ...

Grandpas 95th Birthday

We took a break from real life and headed up to Wyoming for my Husbands Grandpa's 95th birthday! It was a great great time!! We got up there Friday evening and hubby had a chance to get in some roping, sons helped work the chutes and move the steers. Then Saturday we all went golfing. His Mom and Dad are avid golfers - so they knew what they were doing and helped me and 2 of the kids out... we had no clue! Hubby and the oldest have played before. But I think we now have a new hobby. It was a blast.

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The top picture is Grandpa surrounded by everyone but me ( I had to take the pictures cuz that is my camera LOL)

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The next is my kids Grandpa showing little bit how to drive. I think they all did a great job!

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We had a cookout and a cake called a pig picking cake I think. My MIL had it one time and loved it, so made it for us - seh was right it is GOOOOOOD!

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The kids and I made Grandpa a quilt a few years ago - and of course you always want to know that someone is using it... so I snuck a picture of it! Its on his favorite chair in front of the TV. We are pleased!!

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Hope you all have a great day!

LCC Day at the Fair

A little bit ago the Larimer Co Fair and the Weld Co Fair were going on. My Moms groups got invited to do a demonstration of Quilts of Valor at the Larimer Co Fair... so we did! We set up for 4 hours in the quilt/cooking building and set up our sewing machines. We had a cutting board, a few quilts, some flyers that I made, and a few quilt patterns to convince people to help. There were a lot of folks interested. Sherry made this poster board explaining QOV and had a sample of qome quilt blocks . That is me in the White Tank top.

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One of the ladies - Anne - Made this Americana Quilt. It is really neat - each square has something different in it that reminds her of America.

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This Brown and Green Quilt is full of Horses. The center squares are all horses. This one is made by Willa. This was her second quilt.. EVER.. and now I think she is hooked - stay tuned for what she gave my mom this last weekend....

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This is my Mom and my Oldest son working on cutting some squares. He cut, three ladies sewed, another girl ironed - it was quite a scene!

And just to be onery... I put the picture of the back of me in so that if you look real hard you can see my swimsuit tan lines. This will PROVE that I made it to the pool to swim laps a few times ( all you doubters - you owe me a chocolate LOL)

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Today is the first day of school - So I got them all dropped off and it sure is quiet around here. Already got over an hour in on my quilting machine. Poor thing is worn out - it hasn't seen that much continous use for a few weeks!! Hope you all have a good one!

Alycia

A quilt from Norece

Isn't this a cool quilt? It came From Norece in TN - and it is ALL patriotic. I think it is an Atkinson Designs pattern. She is one of my favorite designers.

This quilt is completely finished - quilted and all! It is QOV 98 - WOW - This just totally blows me away. Can you imagine this many soldiers getting quilts in one day? Wow!

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School starts tomorrow and the boys are bummed. They call it the 'S' word. I kept thinking that I would start making sure they were going to bed early and getting up early and getting into our school routine... didn't happen! So I guess tomorrow it will be a cold turkey event! Just get up and Do it right?

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We got 2 1/4 inches of rain over the weekend so it is foggy this morning. A great morning to catch up and play all at the same time!

Have a GREAT one!

Its Tracie Day

These two Great Quilts came from Tracie in OH. She is very tied to military - her Husband is Retired Navy and her son is currently in the military.

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Both of these are made with some really cool fabrics! I liked them hanging in my living room/kitchen!

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I thought I would give you some close ups of the quilting. In the Strippie quilt she quilted something different in each row - It is REALLY neat. On the other one - well - you can see for yourself. They are wonderful!

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Today is basically our last day to hang out before school starts. We will be busy fri-sun with relatives, so today we woke up and watched Nim's Island. It is a pretty neat movie - my kind of action.

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I am also working on my next quilt... It's turning out pretty good so far~

Have a Quilty Day!

My New Quote

Okay - this isn't really quilting related ...
But I read this and I thought I need to have it written down and remember it..
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"I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow." Scarlet O'Hara in Gone with the Wind.
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I have decided to apply this new quote to my life...because you see - certain things are getting in the way of my quilting and fun - such as , well, Food, Laundry, Groceries - you know the boring stuff of life. So last night when my husband asked if I had payed the bills... I quoted Scarlett! Unfortuneatly he has a mind like a steel trap - so he asked me again this morning. Bummer!
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On the fun side - I am working on another quilt pattern. This is really so fun. I am not perfect at it, and I assume everyone knows more than I do - but its turning out really cool. Of course it is another Quilt of Valor. I am doing mine in Patriotics , but I think it would look good in lots of color ways. My goal is to have it all worked out and unkinked and ready to post to the blog on September first. So if all your munchkins have gone back to the "S" word by then and you are itching to start something new make sure to check back.
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Want to gather some fabrics? Well the main body of the quilt ( not including the borders) will take :
Blue: 1 1/4 yards
Red: 1 1/4 yards
White or Cream: 1 1/8 yards
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I will also have some scrappy options available - if you like scraps?
Have a great one!

Quilt Tops from Jackie M

Of New Jersey. I have already posted one of her Quilt tops under the Orange Crush Quilts. And here are TWO more!

I don't know if you've noticed - but sometimes I make up names for quilts. And then of course that name sticks and it just sounds good to me.. Okay I even make up names for people. My husband and I were in Mexico and we met a guy in the group with us. He was so cool. And I am not sure 100% why - but I started calling him strawberry... still do - to this day.

Back to quilts - Isn't this one lovely? The Top Left one we called 9patch and blocks - catchy name right LOL? The one of the right is really pretty and detailed. The last picture here is the backing for one of the quilts. Pretty cool huh!

Yesterday was one of those marathon days where you don't get to see your home. We left early to go to swim practice, School shopping , the library, and then on my way to my guild meeting I stopped at The Quilters Stash in windsor and.... they had the cutting mat I wanted. I have been looking for a June Tailor mat. I don't know specifically why I wanted that one - but I have had a JT mat for 12 years and LOVE it. My new one is Teal Green and looks VERY good in my house! I also got a jelly roll for my mom. It was her birthday. The Boys got her chocolate - so we had to go with the food theme!

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Hope you all have a great day!