Friday Fun

I finally got the pics off of my camera!! The 5th grade that lets me come in and bother them - started cutting fabrics for our Quilts of Valor! We did it during math class and it was a blast. I think they all had fun - you will have to check out the faces!
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The kids were all very sweet. Some really liked to pose for the camera!
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Some were really concentrating. And some were just adorable!
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We even got the Principal to help. He told me that his mom was a quilter.....

We got a lot of fabric cut up - and we have some different themes - Can you see the airplanes around the boy to the right? That should give you a hint as to one of our themes!

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Hope you all have a great day!

Carls quilt

We interrupt this Quilt of Valor count-down to tell you about a special soldier. He is one of our own. His Sister and Brother in law got to church with my parents. And we have known them for years. They have two adorable little girls. This summer the girls and their mom helped make Quilts of Valor for the VBS program, and showed up at our sew days.

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One of the girls was talking to my mom and told her that her Uncle Carl is a Marine and was wounded and had to go to a hospital in California. She wanted to know if he could have a quilt too. So they set up a Quilt day - had all the kids from the Sunday School class color blocks, Audry came in a sewed the blocks together as the kids finished them. By the end of church ( on the 21st) they had the top done. My parents brought it to me on Tuesday. Wed. I quilted it and got in bound. Loaded it up in a Pillowcase and returned it on Thursday.

On Sunday it recieves its photo album and on Monday it will be on its way to Carl! How is that for teamwork!

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Apparently Carl has some pretty serious wounds and will be in the hospital for a while, so I sure hope this lets him know he is loved!

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I promise - I will let you know what we did Friday... it may just be tomorrow though. I now have the camera - the car is unloaded, so there is forward progress ;-)

Finished QOV's

I have to tell you - this week went by fast and was very hectic. Today was a blast - but you will have to tune in tomorrow to see what we did... my camera is still in the car - and I am NOT climbing the stairs ONE MORE TIME.... ( okay I am lazy! and beat!)

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These are the finished QOV's for this week. Two of my longarming friends took them and quilted them and brought them back. They are my new Best Friends for the week!

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The coins quilt was made by Deborah B from My Heartstrings group. It was Quilted by Lori H of the Quilting Heart, and bound by Madeline ( she is on the right). Lori has a Statler and got some designs from Kim Diamond. I learned that she has designed quite a few patterns that you can use on Quilts of Valor for free. You Statler owners will have to figure out how you get them ;-)

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The String Quilt is the one made by my oldest and little M - a young little friend. Donna quilted this one .. and I don't know her Quilt Business name... I need to ask - this is vital info! She Quilted it with Linda Taylors Stars and Loops and it turned out wonderful!!

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I am so grateful for these ladies - It was very helpful!

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This afternoon my oldest son headed up the mountain for a weekend retreat. My youngest two want to play all day tomorrow - so I may have to retreat too...

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Have a great one!

Tuesdays Thimbles Quilt Group

... is a VERY prolific group!! They also sew at Heartbeat Quilting in Spokane WA. I think this must be the hotspot for quilters!! They sent me 12 beautifully quilted and finished quilts.. Here are a few of them!

I just love the variety and the colors!

Thank you SO much Tuesday Thimbles!!

A quilt from Judy

Judy is another gal from my local guild and she doesn't normally make strippy/square quilts. She has other interests - but she thought it would be fun to join our sew days - and she did an awesome job - she even quilted it!

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I think it turned out very great!

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Now - let me show you how cowboys play football ;-)

Team one - and Team two. They had to play flag football, because the arena had just been plowed. If they played tackle it would defineatly be soft, but they may never get back up!

It was quite cute watching them run in boots and spurs. But they had a great time, touchdowns were made, and I didn't have to take sides - see there is beauty in having three boys - I got to be the cheerleader, and I didn't get dirt in my shoes LOL - Okay - I really did , it was quite impossible not to get dirty!

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There has been a lot of late season rains so everything is blooming. It looks pretty to me, but I am sure they are all weeds and will require a lot more work this winter. So while they are pretty I will enjoy the colors!

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Have a great day!!

quilts from the FOQ

This group sews and quilts at Heartbeat quilting.. in Spokane Valley , WA - also on the web at: http://www.heartbeatquilting.com/

and they call themselves the FOQ group, but they didn't write what that means. So is it the Fairly Odd quilters, the Funny Oppressed quilters, the Funky Offbeat quilters? Hmmm - well whatever you think that might be they made some wonderful quilts for the Quilt of Valor project! They are all quilted, bound and ready to go!

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They have a great variety of quilts, and of fabrics. I really like seeing the various quilts and quilt patterns! Kind of makes me want to go sew more.

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This weekend went way to fast for me. The boys drug Dad out to the arena and played some arena football. It was great - and Dirty! The arena was plowed a few days ago so it is super super soft , and dirty! While they played I got fabrics organzied. The 5th grade is going to start cutting fabrics, so I cut up a bunch of fat quarters. We decided to do some theme quilts this year, so I searched my fabric for certian themes that they came up with. You'll have to keep following along to see what the themes are. Of course you know Patriotic was the first winner!

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Have a great one!

From the Pieceable Friends Quilt guild

This is my guild that is here in Greeley. We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month - except in December. So you can come if you like!
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This first quilt on the left was made by Ethel G. She did it start to finish, and the quilting in the border is really neat - it is swirly hearts! She also made http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2008/08/two-not-so-top-secret-projects.html the one at the top.

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The log Cabin is a top made by Gail. It is really cool - except I cut off the bottom!!
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Then the blocks are made by Cecelia. She made quite a few of them. The kids are going to sew them together into a top.
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Isn't that nice of my guild to get involved too? I think this is so cool, to see all who want to help, all contributing in many different ways - all for the same goal!!
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Have a happy Saturday - I get to head downstairs to do some quilting today - so it should be a very happy day!!

4 Beautiful Tops for Quilts of Valor

You will have to excuse the sun shine shining thru these tops - I didn't see it until I downloaded the pictures. But I will keep the sun - thank you ;-)

These 4 tops came in from my Friend Sandi H. She has helped our project out with fabrics quite a few times - and this time she sent finished tops! She and her mom made a lot of Quilts of Valor and I think are up to 112 quilts? It was a big number. I have great admiration for them!
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So this Patriotic one on the left was made by her mom, Agnes, and so was the blue/cream one on the left.

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The stars and chain quilt

on the top right was made by Colleen and Cecelia.
The DNP with the green in it was made by Colleen!
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These are so wonderful - I love the colors and the patterns. Thank you so much ladies!!
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Alycia

Quilts from Pat!

Pat in NM has been working on these Quilts of Valor - and they are wonderful. I "know" Ms Pat thru an online group - and although I have never met her in person - She is a GREAT friend!!

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The first here is a Trip around the world - and in the center was this embroidered block!

I think the flash may have shined it up a bit - but it is a wonderful gold fabric!
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The next is a Chinese coin quilt - also called and Roman Steps quilt. I always wonder about how quilts got there names. This one , since it has both roman and chinese... hmmm wonder where it came from?
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Then there is the 9patch and Bars...I really like the overall look of that one! May have to steal the pattern Pat!

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Then the Roman Candles - this one she started and needed some more reds and she asked and fabric was recieved! Isn't that cool! She also says Cathy S. contributed the Cream in this quilt, and 2 battings for quilts. The batting for the other two quilts was contributed by Cynthia Lee... what a great group effort!
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Hope you enjoyed the eye candy from Pat - I sure appreciate the quilts Pat - and all the time and effort you put into them!

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Have a great day

Catching up ..again

This last weekend a friend of ours turned 40. His wife had a surprise party for him - so we headed down to Denver for his surprise. It was a Casino nite and we had a blast.

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This is the newly turned 40 yr old and his wife ( to the left top)

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Too bad you don't get to keep the fake money and make it real. I played Texas Hold em - and I think the dealer is still probably laughing. I had no clue how to play, and so I asked the stupidest questions. The last hand I just kept betting - and then I layed my cards down at the end and said - so did I have anything? He just laughed... But I won $4700... I think... But it was play money! Don't think I am ready for Vegas anytime soon though!

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On Sunday the Broncos played the Chargers so all 4 of us headed to the Bronco game. It was a blast - a close game, and a great time. The guy in the orange shirt (in the pic of 3 people) is my husband . And thats him and me in the sunglasses. ( I have agonized over that sentence - I am not sure how to phrase it.. me and him, him and I, me & Him???) Oh well - excuse the grammer please ;-)

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I have had a cold for a week now and I am ready for it to leave. I sound funny, and have a deep voice.

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Oh and my little guy lost a tooth. Very exciting! Isn't he cute!

He helped me yesterday. WE had to go to the Post office and oh my - I had 4 Huge boxes, and 3 medium boxes! I have been opening and taking pictures - so you will defineatly want to see what came!! And at my guild meeting last nite... I picked up a haul!! I was so tickled - everyone is really getting behind this!

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Hope you all have a great day ~ I am going to eat Chicken Noodle Soup. Thats the cure all right??

Heartstrings Quilt of Valor from Laura

Look at this string quilt! Isn't is wonderful? I like string quilts, and I love the different ways that they can be made. This is a top, so it still needs quilting.. any suggestions?

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Hope you all had a wonderful weekend..

Quilts of Valor Quilted this week

This is my quilting for the week towards Quilts of Valor. I really want to hit the 100 mark soon with the Quilted tops....just a personal goal. I find if I have a few goals sometimes I stay on track *smile*

The Top Left one is from Barb up in Livermore. She has done a lot of hand piecing and quilting.
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The String quilt is one from my Heartstrings group. It was a bunch of blocks from many people and put into a top from Sue and sent to me.

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Last but not least is a rail fence version from Willa. So thats 3 more quilted ! This is the first one she made - and I think she has been chained to the sewing machine since then. She is really enjoying sewing!!

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Hope you all have a good day. Its a little - okay A lot - rainy here today. So I am sure that all the weeds will really start growing again!

Miscellaneous stuff

I have been asked if I do anything other than quilting... well ... why would you ask that? *giggle* But yes - there are a few other things that go on around here.

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This top pic if my middle son. He is in 4-H and this year he has decided he wants to do cake decorating and horses. So we decided we better learn about decorating cakes. I went to Denver with a friend and was telling her about this - then I casually said - so do you know anything about cake decorating? Surprise - this is what she did prior to quilting!! So she got us her books and gave me a lot of good starter info - and we practiced on saturday on Graham Crackers. They were yummy!

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Then there is my little guy. The bag he is holding up came from Tracye - it is SO cool! You can put the whole world in there, of course the only thing the kids care about is the food! He is playing football - so 2 nites a week and Saturdays are football. He lost a tooth last nite - very exciting.. and the one next to it is loose too!!

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Last but not least is the oldest *gulp* He is on the swim team and he has meets once a week and practice every day - so we chase him around too. This season has started out awesome for him - I expect great things!!

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Okay - so now I can get back to quilting right? *smile*

This morning as we left for school there were two flaggers ( for the highway construction dept) in our driveway. Never dawned on me to ask why they were in MY drive ... but as I came back I noticed they had a steam roller and 2 huge trucks there. I told the flagger - Um - Ma'am - your crew is in my driveway. She says oh they are fixing the edges - I don't think you can get in - and you can't drive on it for 4 hours.... ummm, well she understood my plight as I told her - but I work up there... so they helped me sneak around the stuff and get up the road - now I can't leave until 2pm... which is such a hardship *grin*

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See ya later!

Two more from Amy

She is on a roll! Look at these two beauties that she sent in! I really like both of them - but I am drawn to the red white and blue one. I really love chains - Isn't this one cool? I think Amy pieced them and I know she quilted them on her Long arm. She did an awesome job!

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Hope you all had a good weekend? We woke up to rain/drizzle this morning. Its kind of nice - but I am worried about my watermelons. They are so close to being done growing - I hope the cool doesn't make them yuckky.

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On the other hand - it is great for my zuchinnis and yellow squash. My freezer is filled for the winter ( with corn too) but the plants keep producing!! So I am cooking with it... maybe you will like this - it was the easiest thing to cook.

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I took 3 chicken breasts and sliced them up. Put them in a pan with 1 cup of Salsa, a bunch of diced zuchinni and diced yellow squash. Cooked it till the chicken was done. Took the mixture, put it in a tortilla with some salad, Cheddar cheese and a tiny bit of sour cream - and BAM - dinner!

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Okay - back to work!