Starry Log Cabin from the *Pile*

 My Quilt of Valor Group did a Log Cabin Block drive this last year . This year the National QOV block is a log cabin.... I keep telling myself - I am psychic  or maybe I am just a trend setter and I don't know it??

Next trend - Flannel Jammies under the chore pants - its a REAL thing people!!

This is the one I am currently working on . and Yes, these blocks were in my Piles!!!

I have it all Stacked to start rowing it now... Below - that was me trying to figure out how I wanted the star to go, and then looking at it, and then looking again, and then wondering if I was close to right!

This last weekend we had a Polar Vortex come visit ( much like the rest of the country). We have horses, and mostly they stay outside - but when the winds blow so hard we put them in the barn. The barn is mostly a riding arena, so we have to put temporary corrals up . Which we did - 6 of them...

I rarely -and I do mean rarely - wear my glasses outside, but for some reason I did while moving horses in the barn. The weather was so cold, everything was frosting almost immediately. even my hair!!

My horse took a big breath and blew it out, right into my face - and Literally Blinded me!!!

It was frustrating and funny at the same time. She didn't know what she did, and why we stopped so abruptly. 

Oh!!! and there is always some calamity when its miserable cold - We got a call from a neighbor - look west!   We looked out our window and saw this: 

That is smoke from a fire, and the fire truck lights looking our way - it was still a mile away, and the wind was blowing from south to north ( see the Vortex caused that!)   But still not something you want to see when its dark. The guys all headed over to see if they could help - seems they had a fire in the cornfield.... 

no real details as to why?? but! It got put out and all was good. 

Linking to:

• Wednesday Wait Loss at the Inquiring Quilter

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Jelly Roll Race Day Update

If you remember ( as I know you have my blog memorized 😂😂

In September my Quilt of Valor group had a Jelly Roll Race day - and we had a blast!! 

At our last day a lot of us brought back those Jelly Roll quilts. Most were tops - but I think Three were completely quilted, and one of our other quilters too some home to quilt - so YAY!!

I think this is 15 of the 22 that were made? I know a few were on quilting machines - but isn't this so cool!!!

We sued Orphan Star blocks, and Deb used some of her own orphan blocks - and Karen made some cool ones to intersperse in her quilt.. and Vickie added an eagle - they are soo SO cool!!!

Linking to:

midweek makers at quilt fabrications

Greek Key Log Cabin Quilt of Valor

 

Hey!!! I just looked up when I started this one... and!! proud to say... It's not a million years ago!!!

This is a Greek Key Log Cabin - and I used the Block on Board Log Cabin die from AccuQuilt - and patriotic fabrics and... I am in love!!

I used a star print for the borders - and there are actually 4 borders.... the wind was blowing ( again) when I was taking the photo!!!

But it is all quilted and will go to one of my Quilting Friends to get its binding and Quilt of Valor Label!!

yay!!!

Hope you all had a Great Christmas!!

( I have photos!!!)

Linking to:

Design Wall Monday at Small quilts and Doll QUilts

Queen of Diamonds.... and! Finished ( or not) Friday!!

Happy Happy Friday!!!

I sure hope your week was spectacular!!! I am sure mine was... It just went kinda fast on me! The wind has been howling and I am not a fan of that - so it makes us want to stay inside a bit more, which should be good for getting quilting done right?

This is my finish for this week!  It is called

Queen of Diamonds - 

the pattern is by Atkinson Designs and its awesomely fun to make!! 

and of course, this is a Quilt of Valor!

(pieced Quilted and going to a friend to bind! yay!)

We were going to go outside and take a really pretty Ranch shot - but I am pretty sure our Ranch has blown south - to New Mexico!  That wind - its been gusting at up to 75mph!!!

This is Puppy - he would like you to know - that he is not an outside dog when the wind blows - he kinda flies like a kite!

So now!!

it is your turn - Show me your Finishes!! ( or your not finishes)

* please directly link to the Finished Friday post

* visit some others

* share the link

* Make me Brownies

* and Have fun!!!

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You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

** ******************************************************************************

Linking to:

Can I get a Whoop Whoop

One Monthly Goal for July and.... catchup!!!

My July One Monthly Goal was my Inspired by Cynthia    and guess what???

I did it!!
Yep - I am bragging... I actually did a whole OMG in the SAME month!!

Ta da!!

It is done and quilted

And because it will be a Quilt of Valor

I am sending it to our Sew day to get bound!! Whoot Whoote 

A close up of the quilting

and the back

AND THEN!!

My May One Monthly goal was to bind this big ol stack of quilts

I got all of them done except this one

( it was half bound)

so now!!

It's done!

I think that makes one Halloween quilt per kid - but I may have to recount

AND THEN
My One Monthly Goal for June - was only an OM - and now it has it's G

So there you go!!

I am all caught up on my OMG's and ready for August... ok - not really - but I should be!

Linking to:

http://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2018/07/one-monthly-goal-july-finish-link-up.html

http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2018/07/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-how-i-got-my-mojo.html

http://www.sarahgoerquilts.com/2018/07/26/tgiff-island-batik-secondary-pattern/

http://busyhandsquilts.blogspot.com/2018/07/baby-postcard-from-sweden-quilt.html

Quilt of Valor Pattern

This last July - I was the guest artist at 3 Creative Studios and designed this quilt pattern.  I thought I would try to get it to you again - just in case you all were looking for another pattern....

I issued a challenge to Quilt of Valor quilters to make 12 Quilt tops in the upcoming year, or to volunteer to quilt 12 Quilts of Valor in  2012.... Anyone want to take on the challenge with me?

Printable PDF File

In Full Disclosure here!!  .... I started mine in 2011, and it is in my piles .... (oops)

BUT I have decided I am starting to finish it now!! So it will be considered my top for January.... right???

Quilts from Illinois

First off - Thank you so much for the well wishes for my horse. And No - Rattlesnake bites do not ususally cause death, but there is always a chance that the venom will get to the heart and cause a heart attack. Usually after the first 24 hours the risk goes down, but you still watch for 5-6 days. And then there is always the chance that the venom could have damaged the heart and you notice in later years. Sadly - this is our 4th horse to be bit in the last 12 years. The little buggers are sneaky!!!

Mac is looking better - but he still looks like he got beat up!

I recieved a box in the mail - and have been a little slow in showing you the cool Quilts of Valor that came in it. These three quilts were made by Alberta G of Illinois and quilted by Joe F in IL. They are just beautiful.

Look at these colors!! Aren't the bright and peppy - definately for a female warrior!!

This one is made with some of the same fabrics but some others are in there are well. How do I know? *grin* I looked!!! I Love these colors!!

And this last one Alberta sent is totally for a baseball lover! The backing is even apple pie - I guess you could call this the All American Quilt!!





Alberta and Joe - Thank you for collaborating on these Quilts of Valor!! They are wonderful.

A Quilt of Valor Presentation

There is an organization called Homes for our Troops ( http://www.homesforourtroops.org/ ) and they help provide new and adapative housing for returning vets in many areas. The latest house to be built in Colorado was for Lt Cpl Hinkhouse.

Apparently he had not recieved a Quilt of Valor while he was at Walter Reed. One of the Vets Wives working on this house really wanted to remedy this - so through a few connections - she met me. And I was able to provide a QOV because of all the wonderful quilters that have helped out in making Quilts of Valor.

So here is the video clip of him recieveing his house, and if you watch in the interview, his wife is sitting with the pillowcase with the quilt in it. She did not leave it unattended.

http://cbs4denver.com/video/?id=74155%40kcnc.dayport.com

There are also more pictures of the day to be found here:
http://wickedvixphotography.photoshelter.com/gallery/Key-Ceremony-for-LCpl-Hinkhouse-Homes-for-Our-Troops-build/G0000O10yAAWxGk8/

I hope the links work well - it was a great day, and many happy people were all around.
Thanks to Sandy for coordinating all of these events and for getting attention for Quilts of Valor.

Estes Park

We traveled up to Estes Park today. It is the little town right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. Anyone who comes to Colorado NEEDS to go here! This is a great little town but the park is amazing. And there are 2 quilt shops.

~

It started snowing as we were getting ready to go - so we grabbed Toothbrushes and PJ's - just in case. And of course, wouldn't you know - the drive up was pretty snowy, but the drive down was perfect. That only happened because we were prepared to have to stay in a hotel.... remind me to tell you about the time we were not prepared LOL!

~

We had a destination in mind so we drove straight to it to make sure we knew where we were going. As we turned down one street - look at what we saw..... probably 25 to 30 elk just meandering thru the town - across the highway too.

A couple of them had big antlers. A few had just spikes. A few were crazy - running an kicking and maybe playing Elk tag. We stayed in the truck and took pictures - as we had heard of some Bull Elk charging at cars. And I am extremely allergic to pain, so I thought we should totally play it safe!

~

Do you want to know the real reason we headed up to Estes Park?

Three soldiers recently returned from Iraq - in need of Quilts of Valor. It was cool. This turned out to be a surprise presentation and the person that organized the whole shin dig did an awesome job. The only complaint? No one told the others to bring tissues. I believe that there was not a dry eye in the place. Made my heart happy.

Just in case you wondered - I am the tall person to the left of the whole group.

Happy Veterans Day

Today is the day to remember and honor those who haved served in our Armed Forces. Please - Thank a Vet Today.

~

I can not think of a better way to Honor a Veteran than to make a Quilt - not just any quilt - a Quilt of Valor....

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Many, Many of you already participate in Quilts of Valor ( QOVF.org). but for those of you who don't - let me give you a little background.

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Quilts of Valor is an awesome organization of Quilters making quilts for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. They also go to Vietnam Vets, and WWII Vets. These quilts represent Honor, Courage, and are a Hug from a grateful nation. These quilts provide a tangible, physical proof that a soldier is loved.

~

I have seen first hand how much these quilts mean to our soldiers. I have heard the stories, seen the amazement, and watched the smile come as a soldier realizes that somebody besides Mom and Dad care about me.

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2009/10/far-reaching-effects.html

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I have heard feedback from the Chaplains, the Lieutenants, and the Majors that work with these soldiers - that the Quilts DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE in their healing process. I have seen the awe on soldiers faces at the beauty of a quilt.

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Today there are so many wounded ( I used to have the exact number but lost it along the way), and approximately 25,000 quilts have been handed out. I can tell you, this does not cover the many soldiers who NEED a quilt.

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Just think - if every quilter in America made 1 Quilt of Valor how many more soldiers would feel the love a quilt can give.

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I know many of you have been organizing, cleaning or just looking thru your quilting supplies. Many have found tops, quilts that need to be bound, blocks that could be assembled - well here is your opportunity to get them into the hands of a soldier....

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Here is how Quilts of Valor works:

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You - the quilt topper - provides a top (Minimum size 50 x 60, Maximum 72 x 90) and backing that is 6 inches bigger than the top. When it is ready you can request a Long Arm quilter thru QOV ( this is free). (The website is under maintenence right now - but I have all the emails addy you will need.... I can help. grin)

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You mail the top and back to the LA'er - they add the batting and the quilting. Based on the agreement between you and your quilter - either they will finish the binding then ask for a destination - or they will send it back to you for binding.

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Regardless when the quilt is finished you make a pillowcase

http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2007/05/pillowcases.html

then go to QOVF.org and request a destination. ( again I have the emails if the site is not quite ready)

~

This last school year my 5th grade quilters had been challenged to bring 100 Quilts of Valor to the Chaplain on post. We asked how many wounded soldiers there were and were first told 400, then 700. Combined with the quilts we made and with the help if many many many wonderful quilters, and Long armers we had a quilt for each and every wounded soldier in the Warriors in Transition unit. NO SOLDIER WAS FORGOTTEN.

~

The unit leaders and Chaplains are wanting this to happen again. I have not been given a number yet - but many wonderful quilters have been helping us prepare for the next delivery. The 5th grade class of this year have been sewing regularly.

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Wouldn't it be cool to cover each wounded soldier in America? I know that I am not the only one out there with a QOV project. Mine is Colorado, but there is Rita in IL, Marsha in MN, Julia in NE, Barb in Southern Cal, Gail in Northern Cal, June in WA - there are soldiers everywhere - so please - today - won't you consider making one Quilt of Valor this year?

`

If you have question, feel free to email me. If you want to hook up with some of the groups I can probably help you out. If you want to know how you can get involved in lots of ways - let me know.

~

Please do be patient with me though(grin)

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Enjoy your day... off to quilt!

My Lucky Day

Yesterday turned out to be a great day. I had not expected it to be bad, so should not be surprised... but it was better than I thought it would be.

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First I was invited to a luncheon from a Foundation in town. The lunch was to recognize all the ways the Foundation has contributed to the community over the past year. But it was also to recognize a great volunteer. Col. (ret) Cass. He has worked tirelessly organizing Honor Flight in Northern Colorado. He will be heading his third FULL flight of WWII veterans from Colorado to Washington to see the WWII monument. But better yet, his wife.. she's a quilter - and my friend!!

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Then the foundation decided to do a special deal - and I ended up being the recipient of $100 to go towards Quilts of Valor at the School. Very lucky day indeed!

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But it didn't end there. In the evening I met with a bunch of Quilters from my guild - and we ate and bound quilts... get this .. are you ready... 11 Quilts were bound E.Le.ven. Shew!! That was cool. I used to call my group the Greeley Gals - but we had a male join us - so now I think we shall be the Binding Buddies! He got 2 done . So we need him!!! Plus he brought Fritos.

~
Now I am recovering from all that excitement.

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Yesterday I tried to show you this sunset - cuz we all thought it was cool - but I couldn't get it to upload - so I will share it with you today.

Have a good day!!

A Kids Creation

My Mom and Dad taught the Wednesday Night Kids church and for their art project they colored blocks. Two of the ladies then sewed them into this top - and now I quilted it. The kids did a great job.

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Each kid signed their block and included thier age on it. I thought that was really neat, that way the soldiers can know that even the littlest ones care about them.

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Hope you all are having a good one. Did you know that this weekend is Labor Day Weekend? Any exciting plans? Wrangler man says we are pulling weeds.... I wonder if a Quilt Shop could call to me again?? I could leave at precisely the time he decides to make me work ;-)

Sunday Sunday Sunday....

Remember this quilt?

Here is the original Post.

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2009/02/oh-la-la-patriotic-beauties.html

And here is the link to the pattern : http://www.thesweetteagirls.com and the pattern is called the wave. How do I know this you ask? Because I have the pattern right here!! The Sweet Kerin( who made the original quilt) ordered one for us, and Leigh, the pattern maker sent it to us to try. How sweet are they?

D'oh - the buzzer just rang - I will be back.... I have more quilts to show you!!

Quilt Tops

I have been thinking ( gasp - I know!) and organizing ( yes - I get it, something is in the air!) and quilting today. The quilting part has been the funnest, and most challenging today. The quilt was a baby quilt, that they added fabrics to to make it queen sized.... so I had to piece batts, and really think about it! I think it turned out great if I do say so myself.

Anyways here is what I was thinking and organizing

- Quilt Tops for Quilts of Valor -

Here is my thought - feel free to shoot me, I am too far away for it to hurt!

I have sent out a lot of tops to other longarmers, many have already been posted on the blog, and some more are to come back in for binding. I have tops here from people, and groups, and others that I have bugged into making something. Enough to keep my QOV quilting time full. So ( see this is where the thinking comes in) If you are wanting to donate a top still, there are 2 ways to do this.

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First - You can go thru the QOVF.org website, and request a Longarmer. Send them the top and the backing and have the Longarmer send the finished quilt to me. If it is not bound, I will have my wonderful Binding ladies ( the Greeley Gals) do it, because they love me ... still. If you don't want it to come here - you can then fill out the destination form - again at the QOVF.org . They will tell you a place to send it. Those people run a tight ship!! They are there for you ( and me!!)

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Second - If you want to send the top and backing to me - go for it. But... I can not promise that it will be quilted in time for this years delivery - but rest assured it will get to a soldier. Because that is what I am all about - getting these quilts into the hands of a soldier! If I can, I will get it done for this year, but I still have 3 children to raise - and feed. Apparently children need food EVERY day - not just once or twice a week. Not like fish! Who knew? So no promises.

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I am sure there are lots of other ways - but those are the 2 I pondered today as I was working. I don't want to discourage anyone - as this is a truly WORTHY project. The soldiers - these quilts mean so much to them. Don't believe me - find a soldier and present him a QOV.... its the truth!

A few years ago my family presented a QOV to a VietNam Vet in my parents' church. The man thanks me every time we see him. Seriously - every time, and his wife, she hugs me every time to thank us for his quilt. Its amazing. He takes it with him to the VA for treatment, he snuggles in it at home....

Okay - Thanks for listening. I have a new quilt loaded - and I can't wait to see how it quilts up. It is a pretty Brown and Cream Quilt of Valor!! Have a good one.

= Oh and because you might need a picture - here is my Eagle. He lives on the place, and he dive bombs my house - and this is his power pole - that just happens to bring the power into my house.

Strings and Pillowcases

I love string blocks because I can use all of my scraps, but when my scraps get too full I really MUST sit down and start sewing! Which is just what I did this last week. My kids had a couple of days off, so I spent some time at the sewing machine while they chilled to "underdog"

...here is a picture of my overflowing scraps. They usually don't get that full - as I share my strings with some of the ladies at my guild, and with the 5th grade kiddos... but apparently I haven't been sharing enough!

This is my orgazined pile of strings... its about as organized as I get, maybe it would help to be more organized... hmm - thats a thought!

And this is some finished string blocks sewn together. I had the kiddos sew them into 6 blocks per row. Now I just need to really really really iron them, and have the strips sewn together and voila - a quilt top!

Now - Pillowcases! Each Quilt of Valor is going into its own pillowcase. These are so great!! It makes a nice presentation case, as well as a carrying case.

Many of the soldiers are sort of in transition mode, and travel to various doctors, only to sit and wait until they can be seen. And they take their quilts with them. So the pillowcase is a nice way to tuck it into and take it with them. And YES they do take their quilts with them....

These fabulous pillowcases were made by Peggy of my Heartstrings group. Here are a couple of links to free pillowcase patterns.

From Operation Support:

http://www.operationsupportfordeployedmilitary.org/PCDir.php

I have used Vickis instructions a lot and they turn out great!

http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2007/05/pillowcases.html

If you are interested - the weekend after Thanksgiving the Heartstrings group is having a Pillowcase virtual retreat!

http://heartstringsquiltproject.blogspot.com/2008/11/save-these-dates.html

Little Bits Quilt of Valor

Yay - we finished the top of Little Bits quilt of Valor. This is the quilt that he decided we needed to sew on each day for 15 minutes! It worked and it is ready to be quilted. its a scrap pattern from Bonnie Hunters website called weedwhacker. (http://www.quiltville.com)

We changed the borders a little and it is 51 by 62 - perfect for a Quilt of Valor.

He really liked the way he chose his borders - and he even tried to clean the kitchen up a little before the picture ;-)

We call this a working kitchen - and house for that matter.

We went on a vacation so all my days are a little messed up - the benefits of leaving a computer at home. But either last weekend or the weekend before we had my kids, and my nephews out and did a little riding on the horses, a little rodeoing, and a lot of goofing off. This is the 5 cowboys. We sure had a lot of fun and were a little sunburned.