Monday

Today started Vacation Bible School! My oldest is one of the games guys, my middle guy and I are some of the crafts guys, and little bit is in his last year of VBS... so it is a busy morning!!


My oldest child also decided to have a birthday today - the nerve of him - growing older!!!  We celebrated all weekend long, with a party on Saturday, and fishing on Sunday. So much for resting up before our big VBS week!!

This is what I have been working on - a Quilt of Valor made by Connie and Kathy in Colorado. I think I must have really not been thinking when I loaded it, as when I decided how I was going to quilt it - it probably would have been easier to have it going the other way...

Oh well

Lesson Learned

Here it is all finished.

The brown fabric is really swirly so in all the brown I did swirls.

And in each different blue I did something *different*

This one ( above) got a feather.

This one got bubbles.

All in all I think it turned out pretty good!!

And here is my baby - at my pretty Hot Pink Table - with his cake and ice cream and Dr Pepper.  A kid after my own heart .

Presentations

We were invited to visit an awesome group of veterans. They spanned the range from Iraq, to Desert Storm, to VietNam, and they ranged from Army, Air Force, SeaBees, and Marines. And I was in love. 


We talked to the group about what a Quilt of Valor was, and why we were here to present them one. I only looked like a dork two or three times....did you know that I can NOT talk with out using my hands? *sigh*


After our little talk, Marilyn and Nancy helped each vet pick out their own quilt, and thanked them and were able to give them a hug.... and I.... snuck around and made them pose for me!! It was awesome.

Here is our pile of quilts. I did not take this picture. A Veteran came over and took my camera - and proceeded to tell me all about how it works.  I think that he and I will be having lunch soon.

BUT!!! He turned the camera on... and lo and behold - it had NO memory card in it!! I panicked, then said - OH! Wait - I know that I am a dork, so I bought an extra card, put it in the case, and voila'!  I was saved. 

I was told that it is good that I know that I am forgetful, and plan ahead. Shew...

So - the smiles, the love, the stories, the hugs!! The Hugs are the best, and I take them all - so I can pass them back to you!!! 

They check out the quilt thoroughly - the stitching, the colors, the various fabrics and the label - and then I get asked a lot - who is this person?  Why would they take time to make me a quilt?

It amazes our recipients that someone would take this amount of time to thank them... but Oh the healing powers, and the tears, and the stories that come from being wrapped in love!!!


I hope you keep checking back - I have more photos and a few more stories to share!!

Finishing Friday

I will be honest - I have nothing finished to show you today - except.... that I was able to get a ton of Quilts of Valor ready for a presentation ... and I did finish this in time to get them to a presentation....  

Is this not an awesome smile???

How about this one? Nancy  do you recognize this one?

So how about you - what are you working on? DO you care to share? Did you get something finished?

Progress

I thought that maybe I would try a new tactic in my quilting life.... and actually finish a backing AND binding before I put a quilt top away. Maybe .... just maybe I will actually get it quilted IN. THIS. YEAR!!!


May's Color Palette  has not been put away yet...  I made the back!!! And used up every last little piece I had... no scraps left behind  (tee hee)

then... I decided - well gosh, if I made the binding right NOW - maybe I could stitch it on as I am quilting.......  don't hold your breath on that one, but at least I was thinking!!

I am really hoping that I am going to get this quilt quilted this month. I don't see why I can not ...


My camera has all these crazy settings - so I took a picture of the boys and dad setting up the pool. it is kind of crazy isn't it?

Hope you all have a quilty day!!

Quilts of Valor Inspiration

Are you ready for todays Quilty Inspiration?  Grab a cup of coffee or a soda and stay a while!




Our first quilt today comes from Adele D in LA.  I love the scrappyness of it!!!

I believe this is the 3rd of her 12 quilts for the 12 for 12 challenge and the one at Patchworktimes    - just so I don't scare Adele - 2 more have come in, I just haven't got the pictures to my computer yet....

Some Great pillowcases from Vicki   who by the way has a great palette of Patriotic Dyed fabrics on special for Summer

And check out this QOV - plaids - LOVE it!!! Looks so snuggly. And that pattern is really cool!

This quilt was made by Connie and Kathy of Colorado - and quilted by Liz Taylor Davis,

Isn't it great? I love the star quilting on it!!!

Another Quilt from my quilting group - this pattern is SO easy - check it out here

Liz Davis Quilted it too!!!

Check out this Snowball type quilt?  It was made by Candy C of New York and Quilted by Liz Taylor Davis... she does a lot of quilting doesn't she? I LOVE her!!! Plus she is one cook cookie!!!  ( oh and she lives close to a Krispy Kreme so my kids ADORE her!)

A very manly Jelly Roll quilt pieced by Laurel and quilted by Liz

And out very last quilt for today's quilt show - Pieced by Susan S and quilted by Liz!

Hopefully you got a little inspiration? And enjoyed seeing all the different types of Quilts that comprise of Quilts of Valor!   Come Back Saturday to see some more!!

QOV Thank you's

I wanted to post these thank you's so you can see how much your Quilts of Valor are appreciated...



Hello Alycia,
I wanted to let you know we received one of your groups beautiful quilts and we love it! We live in Colorado Springs. My husband has been in the army for 15 years and has deployed twice. He was injured on his last deployment in Iraq in 2008 when a mortar hit his building causing part of the ceiling to fall on his back. However, he was recently diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension and they consequently found several holes in his heart which is what led him to being placed in the Warrior Transitional Unit. He is only 33 years old so this is very difficult for us to deal with. We really appreciate your dedication, talent, and thoughtfulness in making the quilt. (Ours was made by Jessica from LA.) It will be so nice and warm and definitely be put to good use on a chilly evening! My husband requires oxygen during exertion or walking more than 100 feet, so he spends a lot of time sitting on the couch and will certainly enjoy being able to cuddle up underneath the quilt!!
I just wanted to say thank you and let you know where it ended up :)  
Take Care and Thank you again!!
Elaine V.
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Hello Alycia,

Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for the work and love you and your co-quilters put into the Quilts of Valor.  You made a beautiful quilt for me, and while I feel like I don't deserve the honor I am thrilled to have this piece of tangible care.  My service was in Desert Storm which seems a lifetime ago, and this quilt helps me remember that part of my life in a good way.  

Thank you again for your generosity of time and spirit,
Apryl S

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Alycia:

 

Just a short note to say "thank you" for the beautiful QOV and all the work you and your helpers do for the US service men and women.  I am a disabled veteran from the Gulf War and was touched by the generosity and spirit of the QOV organization.

 

Don N., a clinical social worker at the Southern Arizona VA, presented the quilt to me at a recent appointment.  I must say that it brightened my day and continues to brighten up my home where I have it on display next to my other military mementos.

 

Kindest regards to you and your organization!!

 

Thank you,

 

Greg D.

Tucson, Arizona

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We often wonder where our quilts end up, and I have to say that I never expect a thank you, or an acknowledgement - but it sure is nice when they come!!

Quilting Quilting Quilting

I don't really have a design wall - as the project I am working on now - is top secret - but its a cool tops secret and when I can show you it - you will be the first to know!!


But let me show you what I have been quilting on!!  Batiks!! 


I did not know how beautiful these fabrics could be - well, I did, but look how great they are put together - such a beautiful quilt- made by Dianne..... She is an amazing piecer! Hope she likes it!

And another Batik Quilt!!

 Isn't this great?  Jessica has great taste too!!!

For other design walls - head over to patchworktimes.com - there is a lot of eye candy there!!

A Sunday Quilt Show

Oh I Love quilts!!! I so enjoy them and there beauty!! Hope you do to!




The first 5 shown were made by Nancy H in Fort Collins - I really love her style... And the fabrics she uses!!!

Can you see the subtle differences in these two?

Mmm Mmm - isn't this great? I love the offset look to it!!

Check out the row of stars in this one!!

This one was made by Marilyn - the front is so cool.... but are you ready......

Check out the back?   My boys went nuts over it - of course we love the zoo - so that makes sense!

And the last one for you inspiration - is from Nancy. I really like this one too!

Thanks ladies - your quilts are awesome and will be greatly appreciated!!!

Fire

There is a fire growing in Northern Colorado. This is like the 4th major fire already this year - its crazy... but the smoke and sunsets - wow...

My dad is not on this fire. I think I am pretty glad about that - he worked pretty hard on the Stuart Hole fire, and the Haymen fire... he was already worn out!! Plus its a type 1 incident that moves it out of the hands of the smaller fire departments....

PS - we are totally safe - it is about 60 miles to the west of me, and 20 miles from my parents ...its just *that* big