No Soldier Forgotten Quilt of Valor 2010

No Soldier Forgotten QOV project 2010

As you can tell from the side bar I am again collecting quilts for the Wounded Warriors Unit at Fort Carson in Colorado. Last year we were able to make 3 different deliveries and get every wounded soldier a Quilt of Valor. It was totally awesome. This year we are doing it a little differently, which might make numbers harder to track – but I believe that we can do it.
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Because warriors transition in and out of the unit quite regularly we are trying to get quilts to those who need them as we can. So I am working on estimates, and requests. In January, the Specialist that I am working with estimates that we will need 125 quilts, in March he estimates that we will need another 115 quilts. This is based on last year’s turnover rate. That is as far out as he has estimated.
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So based on the numbers at the side bar – we should be covered thru until March, but then – I will be low on quilts. Thankfully, many of you have been piecing, I have a couple of sewing groups here that piece quilts, and of course my 5th grade kids have been piecing quilts. I have had some great volunteers offer to long-arm quilt some of them for us, and I have a group of binders. I used to be able to call them all gals, but we have expanded and have a male. I call them the Binding Buddies. It’s awesome! And yes, I have probably used that word a lot – can you help me with more words that convey the awesomeness that is quilters? So we are always working. My own personal goal for January is to Long arm Quilt 15 Quilts of Valor. (because – yes I have that many tops here)
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Monday, I made backings for 6 quilts and got those sent out to other long-armers. The numbers will keep growing…. But there is still a need….
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So this is my plea.
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At this time of year everyone makes resolutions to do things, get more done, lose weight, etc. Won’t you consider putting in your New Years Resolutions to make One Quilt of Valor? If you are already involved in Quilts of Valor, I am not asking you to shift your focus – keep on keeping on! Make as many as you can.
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If you are not involved in Quilts of Valor, HERE IS YOUR CHANCE. Or if you are looking for a home for an un-quilted quilt top, here is your chance to fling it off and let it be loved!!
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The Quilt of Valor organization has a great set up. So you can get a quilt finished in various ways. Go check out the Quilt of Valor website – http://www.qovf.org/ and you will find a way to request a Long armer to finish the quilt. All sorts of info is there.
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Right now I have a lot of tops to finish. If there is a chance to utilize other volunteer long arm quilters that would be just awesome ( yep, there is that word again) But if you want to send your tops to me, I will be glad to take them, just know that there is a queue ahead of them, and truly soldiers would get quilts faster if we could flood the volunteer long arm system that Catherine has set up on the QOVF.org site.
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I am all in to making this easy!
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If you have a finished quilt, and you want to get it to a soldier, you can always go back to the QOVF site and request a destination. There are TONS of soldiers out there. If you want yours to go to a wounded warrior here in Colorado, you can send it to me.
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We take the quilts in pillowcases (called presentation cases) and have journals and letters in them. Now this is another area that I have been blessed in… I have volunteers that have been making these pillowcases JUST FOR THESE QUILTS. It’s Awesome I tell ya! At first I was very worried, quite a few quilts came in last year without pillowcases – I thought I am going to be sewing forever… but then my Heartstrings Quilt Project quilt group (http://www.heartstringquiltproject.com/) stepped up, and then the Middle School CFS class joined in, and then a quilt guild in Pueblo (Thanks Carol) stepped up. But honestly – do you expect anything less from quilters? These are the best people in the WORLD!!
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So again – back to my plea. Will you please consider making at least ONE QUILT OF VALOR for 2010? There are numerous stories on my website, on the QOVF blog, ( http://quiltsofvalor.wordpress.com/ )
in other blogs about how much these quilts mean to the soldiers. It is the best gift, and the best feeling to be able to provide that gift to them.
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The other day we delivered some Quilts of Valor, and a soldier told me this quote. He wasn’t sure who said it.
"HONOR is writing a check to your Country, for the sum of “All or part of your life”" . I believe that providing quilts to these soldiers is another way to Honor what they have done for our country.
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Questions? Fire away in the comments and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.
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Above all - HAPPY NEW YEAR

Alycia and the crew

School Pictures Part 2

I have been remiss is portraying the other two of my children - who also had to have their school pictures taken - just like little bit.

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2009/12/school-pictures-part-1.html

And Wrangler Man did it. He has a lot of patience. But we all knew that - look who he married......

So this is Middle bit - he is currently in 5th grade. I like this because it is his classes that are working on Quilts of Valor. I get to know the kids a little better, and I get to eat lunch with my son. I like him... he's a great kid.

He is in front of his award winning quilt that he made for the fair last year.

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Sadly enough, a few days after we took these pictures that will forever remind us of this school year - he got his braces off. Which of course warrented a picture right there in the orthodontist office...

He was much more smily!!

Clue One

I took the plunge! I really wanted to do Bonnie Hunters Mystery Quilt... http://quiltville.com/carolinachristmas.shtml , but I knew realistically that I would not be able to keep up with the pace. So I just printed out the clues and gathered my fabrics, and cut a little here and there. I have officially finished Clue 1, and am working on Clue 2. I hope my colors will work out okay - but if it doesn't.... oh well, it sure is fun! Plus I am finally getting the hang of that easy angle ruler she uses so much.

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Christmas was wonderful, we spent the 24th with the inlaws ( well they are my in laws) Uncle C took all the boys sledding in the pasture... behind the hay truck. They had a blast, and got more snow in their clothing than they realized.

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The 25th we headed up to my parents house. We still had one dog left to deliver too. But the conditions were awful. They closed one highway, and I really didn't think much of it, until we were in white out conditions! Good thing we know their road pretty well.

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Of course we brought the wind back with us, so the 26th was miserable. My parent in laws came out to the house, and had to park at the road. They had to be picked up in the truck with chains just to get them to the house. All this to say - I made this potato soup in the crockpot and it was wonderful... here is the link. http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2009/06/crockpot-baked-potato-soup-recipe.html we put a little cheese on it, and had a side of raw vegetables. It was very filling.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you!
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I think that we are ready - the reindeer has been harnessed, the elf has his ears all shined up, and Santa has gained enough weight to stay warm during his round the world flight.

Quilts from Jody and Elaine

Elaine over at http://elaineadairpieces.blogspot.com sent in this beautiful Quilt of Valor. She has been showing its progress as she was working along at her blog. It was fun watching it come together, but I have to tell you the picture does not do it justice.
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Along the way she recruited another Nebraska Quilter - Jody - to do a Quilt of Valor. I don't know Jody, but I have decided she is crazy! Did you see the quilt she made. That is Bonnie Hunters Mystery Quilt from a year or 2 ago. And I know she is crazy becuase there are a million gazillion 1 1/2 inch squares in it.
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Ladies - Thank you so much! I am so grateful to you all to help cover our soldiers.

From Meredith in Caly

All Six of these quilts of valor were made by Meredith in California - She has been keeping Longarm volunteers all over the country VERY very busy!! The top two quilts were quilted by Patricia in Memory of SSGT Fred Duebbers. I think that is a wonderful way to honor another soldiers memory.

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The next two quilts that Meredith made on the left were quilted by Ron O in New Mexico. They make a great team.

I really enjoy laying all the quilts out in my front room, I get to put the on the sofas and the ground in front of the sofas - it is really better than decorating for Christmas. ( which of course needs to be done before.... Friday ( acck) )

And the last two quilts that Meredith made were quilted by Sharon B in Nevada. See - that girls quilts get around don't they? I love being able to include all this info on the labels of the quilts. Meredith did a great job of doing it on her lables. The soldiers are really amazed to find that people all over the country are thinking of them.

Hope you all are having a great weekend. We were DONE with school yesterday, went to swim practice and swam then ATE. The kid's favorite activity. Today we had a basketball game, and then.... other than practices I think we get to relax for a week. Yay....

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Oh and One more customer quilt to finish..... Have a great one....

Jerry Bear

This is our friend Bear. Jerry has been a constant friend to my Mom and Dad and to my family. He has the biggest heart in the whole wide world, he always helped others. Everything the man did truly was done in love, and with the Love of Jesus behind it.

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Sadly, Jerry passed away on Saturday, of course he was doing what he loved, driving a snowcat back in the mountains. Apparently he stepped out of the cat, and into heaven.

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Today was Jerrys funeral. They expected 500 people, they set 600 chairs, it was still standing room only. The man knew no stranger,

and literally knew everyone from Casper WY to Denver CO.

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One man got up and talked about coming to Colorado and he had no food for his family. They were just barely hanging on. He then met Jerry. Jerry brought him a truckload of beef, and a freezer to store it in. I wish I could remember all the words - it was an amazing story.

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He was constantly helping people, whether it be physical labor, or fixing tractors, helping with neccessities, or just smiling when you need it!

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These pictures are of us at a Bronco game just a month or two ago. We had such a good time. He was always quick to laugh, enjoyed everything, found the best in all situations. There is a large hole to fill in this world without him here.

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My favorite thing about Jerry was he always told me it was about time I gained some weight. He always told me he was worried that I was getting too skinny, so I should eat more. Ya know, ya just gotta love a man like that. He will truly be missed, and I am so sad that it was his time.

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If you could, say a prayer for his wife, sons and grandkids. It is going to be a rough Christmas with out Bear around.

From Sue

This Quilt of Valor was made by Evelyn in Oregon, then sent to Sue S in Colorado for quilting. It is really beautiful. and the quilting is wonderful. My friend Mary brought it to me - and she said - this is from "Sister Sue". I have started thinking of Marys sister as my sister. I showed the quilt to my kids and said this is from Sister Sue - and they looked at me rather funny. Like maybe I was off my rocker....

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JoAnne wanted to know what kind of dog Mama and Puppy are. They are a Dutch Drahthaar dog. They are hunting dogs, my Dad hunts them all over the place.

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Barb asked if my Dad knew she was going to have puppies. And yep he did. The timing was off for them, so we thought that we could babysit them and help out. I am expecting chocolate!

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Lori asked for more puppy pictures - I am happy to oblige. May I introduce you to Chubby Puppy? My Dad needs to name her, but alas he is incommunicado for a bit - so we have named her chubby puppy. I think it fits!

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Today she is 10 days old and she moves all over the place. She is snuggly too, and if you rub her tummy she shakes her leg. Its cute. The boys are waiting for her eyes to open.

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Hope you all have a good one! I am in need of some couch time tonite. I am all worn out!

Quilted by Beth

I am back with a quilt! This one was quilted by Beth over at http://bzyqltr.blogspot.com . She has a new longarm and is not afraid to use it! Beth - you did an awesome job. Thank you so much for quilting this Quilt of Valor. This pattern is called the Take 5 pattern. Nice huh?

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Tonite was my oldest sons band performance. He is in the band, and in the Jazz Band. I keep trying to get pictures of him, but am really too far away. This was the best I could do. Their band is wonderful. You can tell they work hard.
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When I picked my son up from school today he says - Mom Mr T. says we need a black shirt for tonite..... we had 20 mintues to eat and then get child 3 to Basketball practice, then had to get home to change, do chores and be back to school. I could not figure how we were going to run to town to get a shirt. ( Our town has NO clothing stores!)

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So we stopped at Kersey Pizza and in walks Mrs W. She thought her son might have a black shirt we could borrow. She gets home and realizes it is too small... so bless her heart - she called around, found a black shirt, basted it to size, and brought it to the performance. I can not thank her enough. Who knew she was going to have to dress my son tonite!!

Mom Call Home

Excuse me folks for the interruption... but Mom and Dad.... please call me at home.

Have a great day Ya;all - I'll be back tomorrow with quilts - I promise!! We had a swim weekend like no other and are finally home... I am excited to get to open the boxes that have arrived.

Puppy and Programs

Tonite was Pipsqueak 3's school program. The music teacher works with all of the students in the grade at different times and this was the big night where they put it all together. They did a wonderful job!

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We have a new addition at our house. I am babysitting my dad's dogs again ( they are someplace warm - I am jealous) and one of them had a puppy! She is a cute puppy, but did you know that a puppy is almost as much work as a human child?

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I know there are colder places right now.. but this morning when we went to do chores and walk dogs in was -20 ... that is 20 below for those of you in St Croix!! I don't think I have defrosted as of yet!

School Pictures Part 1

Every year School Picture time rolls around and we miss it. A few years ago the pictures were pretty bad, so I felt like they were a total waste. Since then - I have become the photographer. Of course, sometimes I forget. Like this year. Then Wrangler Man decided to be the photographer in the family.

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This occurred on Thanksgiving, as we were getting ready to carve the turkey. He thought we could squeeze in a little photo session. I tried to warn him, that with little bit - nothing is easy.....

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How easily he forgets.

I think this one will be good. Do you think the Grandparents will cherish this one on their refrigerators?

And just so you know - 48 pictures were taken.....no quilt was harmed in the process.

You know it is cold when...

The truck just gives you a funny look when you try to start it. And then it makes wheezing noises.
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The dogs DO NOT want to stay outside and play.
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The Dogs water bucket freezes almost as fast as you can put water in it.
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The horses have turned white on their coats. They are mostly Redheads (don't tell anyone I called them that)
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And the true test of cold.... the horse shoer calls and reschedules. He is the toughest man I know and can handle all sorts of freezing temperatures. Imagine my surprise when HE asked to reschedule. I had already been praying for that about Saturday!
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Stay Warm!!

Forward Progress

Everything is moving in fast motion, and progress is being made, and I am so ready for a sleep in day , you have NO idea!!
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Wrangler Man made it home from Texas and left snow in his wake - sorry folks. Maybe it will help you get in the mood for Christmas? But he also brought deep freezing temperatures to our area, and when the high for the day is 18, you are breaking a LOT of ice. (Even with Tank heaters!)
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So my week has been a busy one, but truthfully I wouldn't trade it. I am almost a pro at dressing to stay just warm enough when doing chores, and I can get ready in less than 5 minutes!
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Yesterday and Today we spent sewing at school. We are trying to get these tops finished up so we can move on. We got a lot done, and I forgot my camera one of the days. And because it has been so cold I left a stack of string blocks with signatures on them for the kids to design a quilt top during their recess.
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And I have another Quilt of Valor to show you that is finished! I love this pattern, and the backing is Awesome. The quilt pattern is a Bonnie Hunter original - I believe it is named the Orange Crush. The top and backing were made by Jackie M of New Jersey.

Cool huh?

Hope you all have a good evening. The oldest boy is at a basketball game, the other two are pouring over Christmas catalogs ( they think I want to buy them toys), I will be taking my Dad's dogs out for bit, then sitting down at my sewing machine - I AM EXCITED to see my machine. I think it misses me!

Quilts from the Heartstrings Quilters

I tell ya - for Christmas I want more hours in the day - and I want them to be light hours... not dark ones! We have just been busy, but having a great time.

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Saturday Wrangler Man's Sister invited us all over for chili and to play cards. There were 20 of us attacking their new house. It was great! The kids played cards, and the adults played cards and oh my - were they competitive!

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I am not sure where the rest of the days have gone, only that Wrangler Man is in Dallas, which makes perfect sense because it is supposed to snow tonite. It is truly a given - when that man is gone and I am 100% responsible for the chores, it snows! I think he and mother nature have a pact. They like to see me drag hay thru the snow and over the icy ground ( do you feel bad for me yet? - Didn't think so!)

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These Quilts of Valor came from the folks in my Heartstrings group. Just a great group that works so well together. I so Appreicate them! The first three were pieced by San and the Murphy NC Volunteers. There were quilted by the famous Mary! at http://blog.maryquilts.com/

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This beautiful Batik quilt was made by Nancy W in New York. I think you can click on the picture - the fabrics are just gorgeous! I think this quilt is called a Jewel Box pattern. Perfect for these fabrics.

Thanks all for the beautiful quilts. You guys are awesome. Soldiers will love these!

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Have a great evening!

Finishing Things

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! We spent a couple of days out east of us doing a little pheasant hunting. The first day turned out to be pretty miserable - but we perservered for about 4 hours - then headed back to the hotel to SWIM!! Much warmer.

This is my Dad, Goombah #1, Goombah #2, and Wrangler Man. I, of course am behind the camera. - oh and the dog is Hagen. Emma is ready to have puppies so she was back at the hotel with Grandma and Goombah #3, who was all worn out from the day before. We walked thru a million miles of corn fields and not down the rows either - across them - lots of stepping!

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We came back in time to cook turkey for Thanksgiving day, and I even did some experimenting. I ended up making a really good rice stuffing that was competely gluten free. Everyone except middle son liked it. But he doesn't really like rice anyways. So my feeling were not hurt (grin)

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Today the boys all headed out to the WYO vs CSU football game. A boys bonding moment, that has let me take over the whole house. And I started finishing things. First I finally finished the borders on my Chunky Churndash!

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2009/10/chunky-churndash-tops.html

Remember way back when... I asked if you all thought it was finished. The majority of votes said I needed a skinny white border and a large red border. And you know what... I LOVE it!! You all have great ideas.....

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These are the tops in progress. The Green and Black one in the back is all put together and now it needs a border, but I need to go get fabric for it. I *surprise* do NOT have any of this in my stash. My sweet Friends Charlotte and Myrna gifted me with the fabrics - and I LOVE them. Can't wait to finish it and get using it!

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The quilt in the middle is the wonky log cabin blocks that the 5th grade kids made as practice blocks. They are all set in a top and now I will work on the borders. You can see on kind of laying there on the left side.

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I know there are a few sew alongs going on around in blog world - and I think they finally inspired me to finish up some things.... so back to work!

Quilts of Colorado

Good Friday Morning!! Less than a week till Thanksgiving... and only one more day of school for us.
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This first quilt from Colorado was made by Merrie of Merrie Berrie Quilting. Such a sweet gal. Each block is quilted seperately.
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The next Colorado quilt ( sounds like a fashion show huh?) Was made by my Mom, and Donna P quilted it for me. She searched high and low for som ideas to put in the center of the quilt - and
she did a great job. She used Stars and Flags. I love it! This quilt will be going to the World War 2 Veterans as they return from the honor flight. So it won't be included in my sidebar list.
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The next quilt comes from Judy V in Thorton. She has made quite a few quilts for Quilts of Valor now - and is teaching kids at her school! See - the next generation of quilters will be bigger than ever!. The pattern for Judys quilt came from Bonnie at Quiltville.com . I also showed the back as she used some panels very creatively!





Hope you all have a great day. I am off to start assembling blocks into tops at the 5th grade.

From Denise in Colorado!!

This was a fun box to open!! I have a friend in Denver. We met a long time ago thru the internet.... and she is quite the quilter! She also has 2 of the most adorable daughters. I think if my boys play their cards right..... I'm just sayin'.....
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Denise did the Not So Top Secret 2
http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20So%20Top%20Secret%20Project%202

project along with us - and used black setting triangles. I LOVE it!! She even quilted it on her domestic machine, and did an awesome job.
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Next - she sewed along with the Quilt of Valor Mystery that turned out to be Chunky Churndashes from Bonnie Hunter. (Bonnie gave me permission). She quickly decided that it would be great to make two quilts with all those blocks - and voila - here they are!
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http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/search/label/QOV%20SEW%20ALONG%201

And of course - these are quilted too! Didn't they turn out cool? Thanks Denise!

GO LISTEN

Wanna hear something cool?

http://quiltsofvalor.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=542145_tab.html

And I didn't even have to bribe anyone....

Hope you all had a great day. Mine was good to the end - then we drove home from swim practice in FOG!! a 30 minute drive took about 50... we were pooped.... and we even went home the most civilized way, the highway and lights way... didn't help!

Quilts from Illinois and.... Snow!

The group in Illinois is so very, very prolific - I think I ought to go visit them sometime! Maybe I can get some of there go-jo ( that's like mojo but better for quilters!)

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This first quilt was pieced by Diane and Quilted by Arlene.

I love how they find unique ways to use the panel prints. I have a few and am always looking for great ways to use them.
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The strippy quilt was pieced by Debbie and quilted by Arlene. Isn't that a pretty quilt? Very subtle. I know that Mary over at http://www.maryquilts.com has a quick and easy strippie pattern.

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The next two quilts were made by Diane D - and I think she did them all. I love the use of the blocks, and the colors. It is so much fun to lay the quilts at and sit there and stare at them. I just love the creativity and the colors of each and every quilt.
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Thank you Illinois quilters!!

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And of course - what would a post be with out a little about our lives? This is what we woke up to this morning. It was beautiful. We probably only got about 5 inches of snow, much to my kids' dismay. They would really like to be snowed in for a month. But once they realized that we missed grocery shopping day - they pretty much changed their minds!

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The snow was wet and enough that we got to do a lot of sledding today. That was a blast - and cold.

Hope you all had a great weekend! Thank you for all the encouragement, especially over the Estes Park post. That was a really special evening.