Quilts for a Sunday

These first three quilts on the right were all Made by Kathy in WI. They are gorgeous!!! And the two of them are string quilts, but the top on doesn't look like it at first. Took me a moment!
~
Kathy - Thank you SO much for your hard work. I sure appreciate it!!!
~

This Not So Top Secret project quilt on the left was made by Cindy P in ME. I gotta tell you, it just tickles me to see the way they can all be so different. Cindy - Thank You!!

~

Next is a Friendship Star type quilt from Kathryn in MA. I like the way she used the color and the white - it is quite striking! Thank you Kathi for contributing this quilt!!

~

And last - a string quilt from Sue, quilted by Janet - both in Heartstrings. Sue has her own blog over at http://susan-my2cents.blogspot.com/ if you feel like checking it out. She is up to a new project.

~

Today has been a long but lazy day. We taught in the 4th grade at church, and I think all the kids came sugared up. They were great - but the don't stop.... The 4th graders move up to the 5th grade class next week, so we got to go check it out, and they had JUST AS MUCH ENERGY..... need more caffiene if we make that a regular thing!

~

Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend. Ladies - Thank you for your Quilts of Valor!!

A Belated Thank you!

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with something on your mind? I do this quite often... and it happened last night!
~
The Journals... The journals that went with all of the Quilts of Valor. They were put together by two wonderful students and their Teacher. They collected letters from students, they added pictures, they did a bang up job!! Kayla and Jordan and Mrs W. Thank you SO much for your work!!. They made up approximately 550 journals.
~
Ms D - She made the journals that went with the quilts that the 5th graders made. Thanks to you too Mrs D - they were wonderful!
~
And Mr. and Mrs. R made up the rest of the journals for the quilts. They collected letters and pictures and quotes as well.
~
So Thank you! you hard workers!! I sure appreciate it!!

~
Now back to sewing ;-)

More Soldiers with their Quilts

I wonder is a soldier gets used to the paparazzi? This soldier and his wife recieved his quilt, and we all got a little camera happy. At least they didn't mind. I think they were a little shocked at how many flashes could go off at the same time though!

~

The pic at the right is a picture of the paparazzi!! Can anyone guess who made this quilt? I was asked by Kim if it felt like I was saying goodbye to friends when the quilts get given out. And , um, Yes. Even thought I did not make every single one, I still feel like they are my babies and I am sending them out into the world.

~

Anyways that one was made by Carole in CO.

~

The quilt at the right came from the Deaf Class here in CO. Pure co-incidence

that we got pictures of those quilts and their soldiers.

~

Anyone have any great weekend plans? Ours is to get hay, and hopefully sneak into town to the pool. Oh and to work on the Not So Top Secret 2....

Have a great one~

Geneseo Quilters Strike Again

These folks from Illinois are awesome and prolific quilters!! They surely keep their long armers busy. Look at these beauties!

~

I think the first two on the left are Turning Twenty Again patterns by Tricia Cribbs. If they are not, they are sure close. And beautiful!!

~

Today was my first real day at swim practice. Wrangler Man took the oldest yesterday and the other two and I were a little busy! None of my boys are in the same age group - so we have 3 different practice times.
~

I think I used my time wisely though. I worked on a quilt pattern planning, I signed a bunch of letters that I had typed up. I worked on a quilt journal and I wrote a real handwritten letter!

~

Now I will have to figure out what wise things I can get done tomorrow. I have thought about taking my cutting board at times - but that might be a little dangerous.

~

Geneseo Quilters - Thank you very much!!!

~

Stay tuned...... Many of you wanted a hint for NSTSP2...

I pulled out my 2 1/2 inch strip Scrap Bin and was hoping to decimate it..... does that help?

~

No Soldier Forgotten!

The Best Memorial Day

First off - the winner of the states game:
~
Congrats to Liz A. The # 1 State for quilts was Colorado at 225
Second was Illinois at 93
Third was Washington at 62
~
So Liz email me your addy and I will get a little something in the mail to you!! For some of the other states: TX was 18, MN was 9, NE was 9, OH was 14, AZ was 14, and WI was 41...Not too bad huh? You all amaze me - and I am so tickled to be able to get these quilts in the hands of the soldiers.....
~
Which leads me to the Best Memorial day!
~
Deployment Number 2 : 166 quilts were handed out! It was wet and rainy and yet they still showed up for Morning Formation. The first picture is them starting to break from formation...and head over to see me ;-)
~
We kept the quilts inside the van, so they didn't get wet... it was just misty and a little rainy at times.
~
Remember when I told you that sometimes one door closes but another is opened? Well this was the first door. And I am learning to follow where the doors lead. A lot of the soldiers have a hard time making it to a "formal" presentation, either because of injuries, or doctor appts, or other things going on. This delivery allowed us to come to the soldiers - it made it very easy on them and was way cool.
~
The soldiers were very surprised. They had no clue anyone would want to do this for them, and they were so grateful for all of your hard work! There were some very serious smiles going on!
~
I have pictures pinned on the pillowcases, of the quilts, and as the soldier took the quilt I was able to tell them where most of them came from. And sometimes a little bit about the quilter. They were really excited to learn who made the quilt for them.
~
So again - let me thank you!! Thank you Thank you Thank you - there are 166 more happy soldiers in the world today. Soldiers that are feeling the love!! Ya'all have done a good thing!!

Rainy day Sunday

It started out sunny, but by the time we got back from Church - the rain was starting. And it has continued.... the kids and dad have been playing cards and legos. I was going to read but I think I might have taken a little nap. Then there were bills to pay, so I guess its a good thing it is still raining.

~

Before school was out, my sons 4th grade class did a biography breakfast. They had to research someone and know lots of facts about them, and make a presentation. They dressed like that person and answered questions from the parents. My son was Bill Gates. He even made a poster that looked a little like the Microsoft logo, and he created a PowerPoint presentation. It was cute. Daniel Boone, John Deere, Henry Ford, and Sacajawea were some of the personalities present!

~

The quilt is a customer quilt. She took a braid class and the quilt was just beautiful. I quilted Swirly feathers on it, I liked it ;-) I think she might have too....

~

And.... surprise surprise - I am working on another Not So Top Secret Project. I shall name it the NSTSP2... because that way I won't get confused. I am challenging myself to do it on point. I don't make many quilts that way - so I thought I would try it and see if I could. So far I haven't come to the "on point" yet - so it is easy!!

~

I will keep you posted. I am hoping it will make a Great Quilt of Valor.
From 2008's Not so Top Secret Project - there were at least 58 given for the soldiers at Fort Carson. I know a few other groups made the pattern and sent them to their chosen location - I LOVE that!! And from the Stars and Bars Pattern there were at least 10 that came in. I still have one in process. So Maybe you all will like the NSTSP2 quilt... and choose to make it for a Quilt of Valor.

`

Have a good one!

The Start of Memorial Weekend

Has been great so far!! We had a good day without computers. We played cards, and rode bikes, then went to Grandma and Grandpa's. Went hiking, ate all of their food, played more cards, sat in the jacuzi... it was roughing it I tell ya'!

~

These first four quilts on the left are from Diane in Tennessee. She is the proud owner of http://www.pumpkincreekfabrics.com

A cute store!

~

All the quilts came with Pillowcases that matched - they were very cute!! Thank Diane!!

~

This quilt was made by Mary M in my colorado Guild, and quilted by Kim B at http://www.kimmyquilt.com . Mary is an awesome piecer - and she amazes me by what she can get done! It is hard to keep up with her. Thanks Mary and Kim.

~

Do you ever look back at your blog and see what you were doing this day last year? http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2008/05/what-strange-day.html And I remember not liking tornados....

~

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-soldier-quilts.html And here is another link to what we had just done.

Annie in IA

Are you ever impressed at how those that are extremely busy just accomplish more? Well here is a prime Example of someone who is like that!
~
And I thought she was two people. See - she volunteered to quilt some tops for me, and when she sent them back her name was the same. But then a month later she sends me 5 finished quilts and the label was signed Annie - so I assumed Annie was the piecer, and J was the quilter.... but Nope! She is one and the same!! How cool is that?
~
Anyways - these quilts are just awesome. Annie - Thank you SO much!!

My kiddos and I had a good day yesterday, and when we were lounging around we watched Oprah. ( I always check first to be sure its okay for kids) It was about What you could live without, and what you could give up. One family had to give up all of its electronics, and TV's. We watched and were shocked - they had like 7 TV's - we have one. Well Two, but one doesn't turn on and we need to dispose of it. So at dinner we were talking about what we could give up to spend more time together as a family. First they said we should by more stuff cuz we do everything together and they would like a break some times... funny kids.

~

Anyways - my challenge - should I chose to accept it ,was to give up my computer for 24 hours. I don't think this is a problem, except I do all my paperwork, blogging, picture downloading, EQ6 stuff on it. But I accepted. I have finished all the paperwork for the day, and this.... this will be my last blog post until..... well at least until Friday Nite - because I promised. I wonder what we will do with all this "family time"?

~

I am told moving the 8 tons of dirt we had delivered, Putting up new fencing in the west pasture, and cleaning up the roping chutes does not count! Bummer - I had high hopes. Oh - but they did not mention cleaning corrals.... there ya go - Family togetherness!

~

Have a great one!

Beth and the HunnyBees

I just love hearing about the names of peoples sewing groups - this group comes from Idaho, and is called the Hunny Bees. I love it!!! And I wonder how they got that name?

~

They sent in 6 quilts!! Two of them are the Not So Top Secret quilt - I think it is so cool to see all the versions of this, and it makes my oldest son feel so good. He had quite a hand in pushing that quilt pattern along!!

~

Thanks Beth and the HunnyBees! You all are awesome!!

~

On another note.... Schools Out for Summer.... Yay!! Hands are clapping and kids are screaming!!! Yesterday was the last day till August and boy were my kids ready!
~

And then it rained and lightening'ed last nite....

~

So with that - the kids at school were able to graph the first 725 quilts that came in for our soldiers. They kept track of which state they came from. Take a guess and see if you know which state the most quilts came from, the second most and the third most. Make your guess by Monday the 25th at 7pm. I'll have a surprise gift for the person that gets the (or closest to) three states)

~

And with that - we are off to play!!! See ya tomorrow.

More from the Pieceable Friends

The Pieceable Friends Quilt Guild is the Guild I belong to in Greeley. We had sew days, and binding days and these are some of the quilts that the ladies made.

~

The first two are from Deb S. I love the star blocks! They were quilted by Ann Marie on her Statler. Thanks Ladies!!

~

The String quilt is from Ethel. Ethel has great patience because those were some small strings - but the quilt is gorgeuos. And she quilted it herself! Thanks Ethel.

~

Next is a quilt from Charolottes next door neighbor ( I forgot to get her name.) But she heard what Charolotte was up to ... she made tops and bound a thousande bazillion gatrillon, and the neighbor wanted to contribute this quilt. Each block has different Birds in it.

~

This Not So Top Secret quilt was made by Pam. Pam is a dedicated Hawaiian Quilter and makes gorgeous hand appliqued Hawaiian quilts. But she put those aside for a bit and made this Quilt of Valor - I think it was a wise decision ( grin). Thanks Pam!!

~

Last but not least we have two quilts from Judy W. I love the colors and the blend in these two. Judy cut fabric - for one quilt - and ended up having enough for Three. One has already been shown. And I can totally identify with that. Its kind of like I buy fabric... which might explain the overload of Hot Pink!


If we could just convince men that Hot Pink is a manly color.....

~

Ladies - Thank you SO much for all your hard work on these quilts. They are wonderful!!

~

A Quilty Thank You!!

From the Fifth Graders to all of you who have helped in any way for our No Soldier Forgotten Quilt of Valor Delivery:
~
Dear Quilters,
Over the past year, people around the United States have been working on the No Soldier Forgotten project. Platte Valley Elementary’s 5th grade would like to thank you for your quilts. Not only did you send quilts, but you sent quilts that are outstanding in every way possible. We can tell you took your time.

We would also like to thank you for your time. We made some quilts of our own and we know how long it takes to make a quilt. But we only made one. I can’t imagine how long it took to make more than five, for those of you who did.

Finally, we would like to thank you for caring enough to make these quilts. Most people would just sit around and watch TV, but not you guys. No, you guys gave up so much time, I can’t think of the words to explain how that feels to the soldiers.

Sixteen of our own classmates took your quilts and delivered them. Some soldiers cried and some smiled and enjoyed the moment. That is all thanks to your guys. We could never have reached and passed our goal of 700 quilts. So thank you quilters of the United States, Canada, St. Croix, and the Virgin Islands.

Sincerely,
A
~~
Dear Quilters,
Thank you for dedicating all your time and donating all the quilts. The quilts were beautiful. Everyday we had a new quilt up for display in our classroom. I was so proud of all the people donating the quilts. It is awesome that we made our 700 goal. Each quilt was so different in its own way. I love all the different designs on the quilts.

I think every soldier that got a quilt appreciated all the time and work that went in to making the quilts. You were not only helping a soldier in need, you were helping their family, too.

Once again, I want to thank you for helping us make all those quilts.

Sincerely,
K.
~~~~
Dear quilters,
Thank you all so very much for all that you’ve done in the past to help us here at school and to help bring some healing to a wounded serviceman or woman. I’m a fifth grade at Platte Valley Elementary. Over the past school year we have been receiving quilts from all of you awesome quilters. I would just like to thank you quilters. Even though we made eight quilts here at school without all of you we would have never met our 1st goal of 400 and then our 2nd goal of 700 quilts. I am just so happy that I have witnessed a bunch of people working together to make a little patch of the world a better place. I am so appreciative and so grateful for every single one of you that I am at a loss for words. You guys made great, beautiful designs, and patterns. I loved walking into my classroom everyday and getting to see all of the quilts that you’ve made. They were all unique in every way, from the fabric to the quilting patterns. Every soldier has to be satisfied with whatever quilt they got because their quilt is not even close to looking like someone’s quilt. I can’t even begin to tell you how appreciative we are of you, your work, your time, and being caring enough to spend you money on helping someone in need instead of buying shoes or clothes. I am just so appreciative I can’t even express it in words.

Thank you guys so very, very much,
M.
~~~~
Dear Quilters,
I thank you for donating your time and money to make something that doesn’t even benefit you, even though it benefits your soul. I can’t even imagine the love and care you put into every stitch you sewed in the quilts you made. I appreciate your devotion and your amazing sewing ability that has helped those men and women who fought to keep this country free from our enemies, whoever they may be. Because you are all so kind, I consider all of you to be heroes for making a quilt. I know the soldiers will appreciate for years to come what you did for them even though they don’t know you directly. I again say thank you.

Sincerely,
R.
~~
Dear Quilters,
Thank you for all of your hard work on the quilts. Donating all of those quilts will help the life of a soldier. In each stitch that I saw there was love. And when they hold it they will feel the love. Every time there was a new quilt, our teacher would hang it up, and everyone would pay attention to the quilt. Then we would study the designs on the quilts. We also liked seeing the labels. But the most fun was seeing the quilts shine. Now when you think about quilting, you will know that you made someone smile. Thank you for helping us reach our goal.

Sincerely,
T.
~~~~

Fridays Quilts

These Two Rail Fences came from North Carolina. Stacey sent them for the soldiers. Blogger put them upside down. But they are so cool. I love the Stars on the top.

~

http://maryquilts.com/new-patriotic-rail-fence/

I am not sure if this the pattern that Stacey used, but it is very similar if you would like to make one. And give it to a soldier ( hint hint... there are a lot of soldiers that could use a quilt everywhere!)

~

~

Then - awhile back - Julie over at http://barnquilter.blogspot.com/ said she had some quilt tops to donate but didn't want to inundate me. And dear Sweet Loretta stepped up and said to send them to her and she would quilt ( AND BIND) them. So Julie sent her three tops - 4 quilts came to me.

~

The last one Loretta made and quilted. I love this!!

~

And just to let you know, quite a few of you sent in tops and we have been quilting them up! I was blessed with some volunteers to quilt some, and I have been quilting some, and man this is awesome! So they are getting done, and when they are I take their pictures and am getting them in the Blogging que... who knew I would ever have a list of things to blog about.....

I call him Trey

This soldier is a third generation soldier. He is here at Ft Carson getting all healed . He was a very friendly soldier. He told us about his son who was just sent back with an injury. The son is in California, and Trey wondered if we could get a quilt to him. Well, of course. He said that this quilt means more than the purple heart he recieved. That made us all feel good. ( By the way - that is me in the blue shirt. Want to know how to stand out on a military base? Bright Blue in a sea of green ought to do it... what was I thinking????)

~

He was great with the kids. He told them about what all the patches mean on the uniforms, and the rankings that they obtain.

`

Obviously he had a captive audience!

~

Here are a few shots of the soldiers reading their journals, and checking out the letters. The CFS teacher and two of her students took on Quilts of Valor as their project this year. They recruited all the students in the school - at as many grade levels as they could- to write letters to the soldiers. Then they incorporated them into journals to accompany each quilt.

~

Thanks quilters, your quilts totally made this delivery! And now I must go off to bed - I am still on chore duty, and quite frankly I am lazy, and don't like rising with the sun! I am also on garden duty - and that I can not screw up - Wrangler man knows where to find me!!