Quilt of Valor presentation ;-)

It was my first QOV presentation of the New Year!!!

We have been working with a Veterans group for a lot of years now in one town, and the group got so big - they were able to start another chapter in a town closer to me.... 

Which of course meant - NEW VETERANS - and more Quilts to present.

I went to their inaugural breakfast (in November) and got to talk about Quilts Of Valor , and awarded One quilt. Then sat down to breakfast with them. When I was done, I had 7 more veterans that needed a quilt .

Saturday was the day!!

You only see 6, one Veterans wasn't sure he wanted in the photo - and that is all good. I respect his decision.

WE had Army, Navy , Air Force, and one is still Active Duty ;-)

Aren't these eye catching tho!!! We had so much fun, and!! more Veterans appeared as the group gets more popular... I have 8 more Veterans on our list now ;-)

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Quilts of Valor

 

I had the privilege of meeting two amazing Veterans on Saturday!!!

One is a Marine who served during Vietnam - take a moment and google Operation Buffalo . This veteran was a part of the 1st battalion , 9th Marines .

The other served during Korea, in the Army and is the sweetest soul ever .

The quilt on the left (in the top left photo ) went to the Weld County Fair and won Champion in its class . I told him it was a champion quilt for a champion of a man .

The quilt on the right ( in the top left photo ) is called "stars like spaghetti " and was a mystery quilt made by Sandi H ... ( and designed by me )

I told him the story - and said if he got hungry while using it - it wasn't my fault

Such an honor to award Quilts of Valor to these amazing Veterans .

Sunday found us at our Quilt of Valor sew day - I have a LOT of photos to share - but!!

Check out the blocks we made!!!

This is the leader/ender project from Bonnie at Quiltville = and we used 2 1/2 inch strips!

I do have to tell you though - I cut enough strips for 80 blocks.... and somehow came home with 95....

Magic???? Hmmmmm

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Realities Ride and QOV

 

This is Luke

Luke has been riding with the Realities for Children ride for over 20 years .

He served in the Army for over 20 years and was in the 187th regimental combat team - part of the 11th airborne division .

He served in both the Korean War and Vietnam war . He received 3 Purple Hearts - 2 in Vietnam and 1 in Korea

There's a lot more to his service record - but suffice it to say ... it was a great honor and privilege to Wrap him in a Quilt of Valor today - and recognize this great hero .

It was an awesome day to be able to do this.

I do have to say that life has been a bit of a whirlwind around here - and I sort of look forward to catching my breath this week, before it goes nuts again ha!

I have lots of projects awaiting my attention - but! I got to dog sit again - and the three girls are getting a long SO much better. Daisy gets a little tired of all the commotion and you can tell when she is getting weary of the puppies - so she has plenty of space to slink off too

Bella - She is full bore running and jumping with puppy and the three of them wear each other out. Its quite fun to watch, This morning I walked for 30 minutes - they ran the WHOLE time and chased each other and played fetch. My arms are getting strong.

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A Quilt of Valor Presentation

Sunday was a pretty special day !! We had our Quilts of Valor Sew in and then got to award 6 QOVs

This group was pretty cool : 5 of them are Vietnam veterans , 1 is an Iraq Veteran and the son of one of the Vietnam Veterans .

All of the Vietnam Veterans were friends , and 2 are brother in laws.

We got to hear their stories of service - 2 were medics , 1 fought in the Battle of Hamburger Hill.

All were amazing to listen to .

I love being able to honor our Military this way , and I love the people I get to quilt with !!

We also spent some time putting together new tops - here are some rows we got finished :

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Vietnam Veterans and their Quilts of Valor

 our Quilts of Valor group has been *working* with this groups of Vietnam Veterans for 6 years now - and over that time we have awarded 126 Quilts. as they continue to grow - we continue to award more quilts!!

I met the President of their group when I was the State Coordinator for Colorado, so even though they aren't really in my area - I have kept them!!! ( and the group the is closer to them is okay with it - we talk a lot!!)

I was able to award Quilts this year - we did 13, but somehow not all of them made it to the photos.

I really love this group of Veterans. They are just the sweetest kindest group. And of course they make me smile. When I came in one of the gentlemen who had received a quilt last year came up and said 

I just love when you come - your smile is contagious.  Doesn't that just set the tone for the day!! Love it so much

13 More veterans honored!!! 

Do you remember the Happy Half Square project of 2020?  Well!! My guild has decided to do a little Block making for QOV - so I chose Block 3 for them to make .  

We are going to make them at 12 1/2 inches - so if you want a little leader ender project.... there you go - I will use 4 inch squares to make the half squares and trim to 3 1/2 inches before setting them in the block...and I would be glad to take what you make!  Same colorway as Block 3 !!

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A Mystery with no Name and Finished!!! ( or not!) Friday

A while back Lisa S, in one of my QOV groups - asked *Who wants to do a Mystery?*

I thought - sure - but there was a catch!!She wouldn't post the next step until at least half of us had it done... and I thought Oh Heck!!  I had to get moving - I didn't want to hold the whole group up.

The pressure worked! Got the top done - and just got it in to quilt!!!

isn't that fun? She had said to do scrappy  - but I had scrap large pieces - so I used that - and I like how it turned out! the Patter designer is Lisa Sutherland - You might have seen some of her patterns and she has a book out Patriotic M&M&M Quilts

Whoop whoop - glad to have another one done!!!

How are you all coming on your finishes? I had a goal - I wrote it down, now I can't fid the paper - so I am going tohave to search!!

Now it is your turn to link up!! I love that this is growing - tell all your friends!! 

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*Visit others and leave lots of comments!!

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Jacobs Ladder or the Road to California - and!! Finished ( or not) Friday

I had planned to have at least a finished top - but the blocks had different ideas!!! At our Sew Day we Started working on the Jacobs Ladder/Road to California blocks - enough of them to Make TWO more Quilts of Valor.... We had fun - we goofed off, and a lot of blocks got made.

I came home and laid the first quilt out on the design wall - some of the rows were even stitched together - so you all - we stitched... 

But as I started staring at it....

Do you see what I saw??? haha!!! 

I will get that fixed up - and finish the last block then get to working on the borders - and Bam!! it should be done in no time right?

We also got to award 4 Quilts of Valor - 2 Marines and 2 Air Force - all in Iraq/Afghanistan - OEF and OIF  .

They were super cool - the two in the middle are related ;-)

So that's about all I got really DONE this week ...How about you?

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A QOV presentation and a chance meeting...

 The weekend after we got back ... found me at a Veterans Breakfast.

I was still sort of on Island Time, so I think I was a little more relaxed. I don't get *Nervous* as much as I get *antsy* before presentations anymore. I try really hard to rehearse in my head, but sometimes... there's a lot of empty space in there... and things bounce around haha

it also happened to be International Women's Day - which I did not know - but things have a way or working out:

Check that out - THREE Women in our group this time, a Marine, Army and Army active Duty 

So this part was funny - the girl on the far right, that is her husband next to her. He did not really know what she had nominated him for (he is also still active duty) . I did my presentation and was helping them put their quilts back in the pillowcase - and he says - Man - My wife sometimes gets my nominated for stupid things - but I have to say - this is ONE OF THE COOLEST things she has ever nominated me for... his eyes were a little leaky ;-)

Made my day!

And now my Chance Meeting: ( its a little long)

I was at the grocery store, and I opened the case to grab a cottage cheese. A lady reached in to grab hers, and her husband said – Hey!! Where did you get that Sweatshirt? Are you a Marine?

Gulp, I said No Sir, this is my son’s sweatshirt, he is a Marine. And we proceeded to chit chat there in front of the dairy case for about 30 minutes. He told me all about his 17 years in the Marine Corp – including three tours in Vietnam.

Then he said he wondered if my son could get him a cover for his uniform. So I got his email, and asked my son. All the time – pretending that I knew what he was talking about.  My son did though, so it made me look smart.  He got one purchased and mailed to me.

Well – I asked that Marine and his wife if we could take them to lunch and make the delivery of said cover. I might have asked if they knew what a Quilt of Valor was in the process of all the emails we exchanged.

We met for lunch. He is an amazing Veteran, and his wife – just the sweetest. I gave him the cover; we talked for an hour over ice cream and burgers.

I finally said – well – I brought you something else. And I proceeded to tell him about Quilts of Valor. I said to him that 17 years in the service as an artillery guy was quite impressive, and now knowing more about his service, I was honored to be able to award him this quilt: made by our wonderful group of quilters. And you know what?

I did my job – Brought him to tears. (Which truly is not my intent, but when it happens I know some healing is taking place) He told me that in all his years, he had never been thanked like this and he continued to look at it, and touch it, and talk about all the different fabrics used.

Then he turned to his wife and said it was time for them to get home. He felt a nap coming on and needed to use his new quilt.

Totally made my day! And maybe redeemed me for only being the Mom of a Marine?

Needless to say – I added another Marine to my family over this lunch.

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Awarding a few Quilts of Valor

 I had the privilege of awarding some Quilts of Valor to Combat Veterans - You all know this is the best part of making Quilts.

Usually, before a presentation I am given a little bio of each Vet - and I was this time as well, but!! I decided I wanted to hear more.

It was a small group of their peers, they were all excited to be here - I thought I had a chance to get a story or two out of them if I tried....

and Man did that pay off!!

Each one of them took the time to share about their service, and then of course , Civilian - ize it for me so I knew exactly what they were talking about. It was awesome.

The best part was hearing what they thought of their quilt. A lot of us say this - but I am always confirming it - there is a divine hand when we choose the Quilts for the Vets - the Vet on the far left, She got her quilt and her eyes welled up. After I wrapped her she told me she was Native American and we couldn't have made a better quilt for her ( Karen K made it!) 

Third from the left is a Marine, and He received the Motorcycle Quilt I made - and wow  - did he ohh and ahh. And then I added my Son is a Marine - he told me we were family now. Love this so much!!

Now I want to go award more haha!

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Liz's QOV and !!! Finished ( or not) Friday

Happy Friday!!!!  AND !! Happy Valentines Day!

I got a little behind in my own finishes - but!! I helped to Finish Liz's QOV!!!

WE were gifted some fabrics from a QOV'er out east - so I put together some quilt kits - various Quilters took them home from one of our meetings - and Liz brought hers back  ( okay!! a lot of them brought them back - they are too fast!!)

I got this one quilted!!! and it will go back to Liz to bind!!

I am still going to count it as a finish - since is was on my to do list! 

And this week - started okay but turned brutal!! Certain folk have led you to believe that when it is winter the Ranch chores slow down. (I heard a News Anchor say that!)

I am here to call Phooey on that - Even though I have tank heaters, Ice still has to be chopped - the wind  - not helpful. Animals need to be fed more - horses especially - if they have full tummies they can stay warmer. 

Which also means you are hauling feed around a lot more.... and needing more time in the day ha ha

Now it is your turn!!

BRAG Away!! let us cheer you on!!!

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and visit - I love getting little comments - I try to reply, but sometimes.... well - just know that I LOVE them - they make my day 💓💕

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QOV Chain and Stars Quilt 2 and!! Finished ( or not) Friday!!!!

 Back in June my friend Deb and I led our Sew day to make these blocks. Deb did ALL the embroidery - I did all the cutting and prepping the blocks for our stitchers,

August saw me putting together Quilt 1 

and January Saw me Putting together Top 2!!!

I used darker Blues for this one than the first one. I really Like both blues, but it is fun to see how color can change the look of a pattern.

After I got the top together - I just couldn't stop - so I loaded it on my Longarm....

and away we went!!!

And then!!!

I had to sweep the concrete to get a dry spot!! we FINALLY got some snow.!! So I swept and hoped the sun would come out for a photo... 

all I needed was 2 minutes....

It sort of happened.... Came out Super bright for 90 seconds then the clouds took it back over...

But!! 

I snapped!!!

Now I am finished with it!! It will go back to one of the stitchers in my group for Binding!!!

Whoo Hoo!!! A second Finish for this year !!

Just because... Check out my funny girls!!!!

Kate ( over at Life in Pieces) hosts a 15 minutes to stitch . I have to admit - I am never that organized to make sure that happens, but I am trying to turn over a new leaf. 

So far this year, after chores each evening, I have sat down and gotten 15 minutes in. Of course, I bribe the dogs with a Woof Pupsicle  

 - It takes them approximately 20 minutes... 

So Win Win!!!

oh!! that means I have 1 whole week of making it 15 minutes per day!!!

Alright!!! It is your turn to BRAG away!! we had 32 link ups last week - that is SO awesome - and I did make it to all of them!! What amazing projects everyone has going on!!!!

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Buckets of Binding and now Piles of Quilts!!!

 Yesterday was our BINDING Day at our Quilts of Valor Sew day..

This is the Pre Pile (above) ☝

Please ignore the messes behind it - I am still sorting my parents things on top of my things, on top of adding labels to more to be bound,  on top of fabric on top of... well - I am just a mess!!!!

Stack #1 NOW BOUND ☝

I get a lot of the credit for all the Amazing Quilt of Valor presentations we make - but that’s just because I talk the loudest ( and maybe the most) and get to be the front woman ….

Today the amazing quilters who are a part of my group - worked their tails off in very warm room to finish off these quilts . This is pile number 1 .

Pile 2 is already being washed for upcoming presentations and ! More quilts went home with these awesome quilters to bind !

A super shout out to these amazing quilters!

Now we also do a little show and tell before we stitch!!

Ms Jeri - she lead one of our Sew Days and had us make these cool friendship stars - she taught us a new way ( to me) to make them - and I think this is the 3rd quilt she has finished from the blocks

in 2022 She led a day and taught us this hatchet block - she made 2 quilts from them and then had some blocks leftover - so!! Whats a quilter to do? She make more and completed another top!!

Ms Lorna Turned in this top!! You may remember it? Long May She Wave? I think it was a mystery last year. She said she had worked on it, then put it away, then realized her Elves weren't getting it done - so she had to take over!!

And she liked making the stars the way Jeri taught us so much.... She made another!!!

Today I am washing quilts, unloading the car and getting everything back in place !!! Oh - And did I mention these quilters bound in a hot room? Instead of Hot Yoga - we did Hot Quilting!!!   

The AC went out - so by the time we left it was 80deg in there... oh boy.....

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