Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Quilts of Valor 2014

Oh boy - do I have a show for you!!

First we start with this dear sweet soldier - She was so tickled to receive her Quilt of Valor! When I work with groups I try really hard to let them choose the quilt that speaks to them - and it is so fun to watch. There will be a few quilts out and I swear!!! Each one of them calls to a specific soldier - and this one called her name!  She was SO tickled!

 And that leads us to the most recently finished quilts - this one is from my Heartstrings group and quilted by Dawna in Colorado.

What you may not know is that Dawna designs pantos - so she used her Panto Sashay on this one - perfect!


You know how every quilt tells a story?  So!  My friend Linda is a Breast Cancer survivor. She wanted to make a quilt to give to another Breast Cancer patient. We worked on a quilt together. The recipient of the Quilt... turns out to be an AVID piecer. Putting blocks into tops was too difficult. She called me and asked if we could use her blocks.


OVER 600 6 inch blocks people!!!!   So - Deb took a huge stack of them - and these are the quilts that she made from them!  This one was quilted by Dawna too - and it is one of her pantos - but I forgot to ask the name....

Last Wednesday I took these quilts to show Betty - who made all the blocks. To say she was tickled was an understatement!!  Turns out her husband is a WWII Veteran - and received a Quilt of Valor after his Honor Flight.... and get this!!   FROM OUR GROUP.... too crazy right???



This next quilt was pieced and quilted by Sue S in Colorado. This was a shop hop quilt from a few years ago.... A bonus!! Her UFO is all finished - and a soldier ( or navy or marine or airforce) will adore it.

Which brings me to my next thought - if you have unfinished quilts - tops that range in size from 55 x 65 to 72 x 90.... and you want them finished??? There are many state coordinators who are needing some help right now fulfilling their requests.  You can find the coordinators for your state here:

http://www.qovf.org/content/regional-coordinator-overall-view.html   - Don't have a coordinator? Email me - I'll be glad to help!!

And next up we have a gorgeous quilt made by Kathy and quilted by Dawna! I have to tell you - i LOVE the color combo on this one!!




 Here is another awesome way to get involved with Quilts of Valor --- BLOCK DRIVES!!

Janet Lee of Machine Quilting Exposition is hosting a block drive - that will benefit Colorado too - it can be found here:

http://www.mqxshow.com/MQX/East/Classes/QOVBlockDrive/index.cfm

Quilts of Valor is hosting a 2014 Block drive - the patterns and info can be found here:
http://www.qovf.org/Pdf_Files/HearthHome_BlockPatternB.pdf  This will benefit all state coordinators.

and lastly - I know Kevin is doing a block drive... I just couldn't help myself ..the blocks just looked cool:
I know - he was wanting to make 3 quilts... but, um, I think he may be making more.... Check it out ;-)



Thank you ALL for your support... and for reading this far!!!

To thank you - leave a comment.... any comment - tell me what you are up too - tell me what you are involved in... tell me anything!!! And I will enter you in a drawing for a free Quilt Pattern -

It will be this one:  http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/cheery---os/86636?ext=craftlet-pattern 

Enjoy!!!

33 comments:

Kathie said...

Beautiful quilts, thanks for the wonderful pictures.

Judy V. from Thornton, CO said...

Let me count the ways...2 QOVs ready for the bindings to be hand sewn to the back, 6 projects prepared for an upcoming retreat, one of which is a QOV, a table runner and a small wall hanging ready for FMQ, a queen coverlet waiting for a border...I'll stop there :)

Ranch Wife said...

Thank you for sharing more awesome quilts and thank you for getting them into the hands of our deserving servicemen and women. Looks like I've got some blocks to make for those block drives!

Sue in Scottsdale, AZ said...

Alycia, all the quilts are great but I especially like to see a soldier receiving a quilt. The soldier in the top picture is holding a quilt I made. I'm glad it spoke to her! I have 4 QOV tops made and waiting to be quilted. Hopefully, soon they will be on their way to you.

Laura B said...

Beautiful quilts for a great cause!

Magoo47 said...

I look forward to Wednesdays and your QOV posting for the week! The block drives are inspiring, and so wonderful to see the response to Kevin's (doubt he knew how many backs & batts he would be supplying!). I have a quilt sandwich waiting for quilting, another top & back waiting to be sandwiched, and a two more tops in progress - all for one of the charities our guild supports.

Impera Magna said...

Lovely quilts; however, there is something special about a photo of a soldier with her/his new quilt. Tugs at the heart strings, it does...

Marly said...

Well done, on finishing so many quilts for a cause. It's big of everyone who gives their time and skill in this way and I'm sure it's appreciated. I'm now investigating how I can join such a scheme in the Netherlands. Thanks for showing and sharing.

Sherrill said...

Yes, your announcements ALWAYS get me in trouble!!! I made 4 blocks for QVX (or whatever) saying I was making 2 for me and 2 for some lazy butt quilter! HA I had jumped in when Kevin made his announcement but he has been inundated so I will piece a top or two and get them quilted myself. But its not anywhere NEAR what you somehow manage to get done!

gmwahl said...

Hi and thank you for all you do for our service people.
My husband spent years as a Marine,
and my daughter was Air Force for 12 years as a linguist, fluent in the 7 Arabic languages.
I spend my time making lap, throw and twin size quilts for the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa.
Last May we took 250 quilts to them that had taken me 2 years to make. It was just a drop in the bucket as there are almost 700 residents there. I am building a supply again to take to them next year. What you do is so great for our current Military, but as an Vietnam Marine, my husband is glad that we can remember these older men and women that paved the way for today's troupe's.
Love the slide shows.
Gladys in Iowa

Roslyn said...

Haven't commented ion a while too busy as always Alycia. Currently trying to squeeze in a QOV finish for my husband's VHPA reunion[Vietnam Helicopter Pilots] it's to be presented to a Wounded Warrior vet at the reunion.
Roslyn

Julianne said...

Beautiful quilts...

Karol said...

I look forward to Wednesdays! Can't wait to see your quilt show. I, too, love to see pics of the recipients with their quilts.

I have a couple QOVs I need to quilt. Most of my quilts are twin size or smaller, down to baby size, and I donate them locally.

Terri said...

Love the quilt show - especially the one with a smile included.
Right now I'm trying to finish 2 UFOs for the H2H challenge and the Kisses baby quilt for my new grandgirl, and a wedding quilt that needs to be finished for June 21. Too many deadlines.
Thanks for a chance to win.
Hugs

Unknown said...

I just passed the 4th anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis yesterday. So I celebrated by going to my LQS! ;-) I've been making loads of sewn gifts for people. I'm off to dig through my stash to make some blocks for Kevin's drive - the most simple one ever! :-)

Jacqui S. said...

A wonderful selection of beautiful quilts!

L. Haynes said...

Our group makes small quilts for children entering the Foster Care system in our county. My first two pieced tops were made using the Heartstrings pattern.
I love seeing the delight and humility on the faces of your QOV recipients. Thank you for sharing the beautiful quilts in the weekly show. I always see something inspiring, whether pattern, color combinations or the look on a face.

Lori said...

I always enjoy the pictures and posts. Thanks for all the great links.

I'm having a quilting marathon, challenged myself to quilt 10 tops by May 1st. #8 is done.

Judy@Quilt Paradigm said...

A show indeed!! What a wonderful picture of the soldier and her quilt!

Oh my, your heart strings quilt! SO cool!!!

Andee said...

Your pattern is very cute! I sent Kevin some blocks and am finally slowly working on another top to send to you. I need to make faster progress on it, but am so glad Kevin is collecting blocks so I can contribute something faster! :)

Becca said...

I'm in love with the string-pieced hearts! I need to pull out that bin of strings. Thank you for the inspiration.

Kate said...

Beautiful quilts! My blocks for Kevin are all done, I just need to get them in the mail!

Joanne K. said...

Well, 1 QOV on the frame, another after that, and then about 6 kids quilts. Our quilting group, MSP Quilting Angels, makes both QOVs and Quilts for Kids...so we keep busy!

Love your show every week!

Lorna McMahon said...

All very beautiful quilts and for such a worthy cause. Thanks so much for sharing!

Ramona said...

Such Beautiful quilts. Thank you for all that you are doing with the QOV quilts. The picture of the Soldier and her quilt.... moved to tears.

Kevin the Quilter said...

Hey Alycia! Thanks for all you do for QOV! These quilts are awesome as are the stories of the recipients and makers! Thanks for the shout out! Love your blocks!

Barbara Winkler said...

Well, so far this year I've made 12 Quilts of Valor and have several more in various stages. We had a high school sew day where 31 tops were made. And, our group has presented 29 quilts so far this year!

The Quilter' s Nimble Thimble said...

I am always amazed at the wonderful quilts. You do so much for our servicemen and women. Check each week for inspiration!

Unknown said...

Thank you Alycia for your strong support of Quilts of Valor and our Hearth and Home Block Drive this year. We look forward to a strong show of support on the block drives. They will be shared with our State Coordinators to honor someone who has given so much for the freedoms we have today. Sharon Ledbetter, Director, Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Leanne Parsons said...

Those are amazing quilts! And giving away 600 blocks?! Wow. I am sure those soldiers really appreciate the love, time and effort that goes into every quilt. Thanks for linking to TGIFF.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing the beautiful quilts and stories to go with them. The first pic is my favorite, though. Really nice!

quilttale said...

I love the story of the 600 blocks from the cancer patient! I always love your quilt shows!
Kris

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

What am I up to? she asks. Well, thanks for the inquiry. I am cogitating my next project. I just finished a quilt for a dear thirteen year old and am loose ends for another project. I will string the lap loom and work on some weavings over the weekend while I deep clean the house. Wanna come by and swing a mop for an hour ?~! I kid. but just a little.

This post is delightful Thursday night fodder with superb pictures and great commentary. Thanks for posting and sharing the info about state QoV coordinators.