QOV - Wonky Stars

Wonky Stars - the Wonky stars.... they are everywhere  ;-)   This is such a fun block -

let me show you what I have as of this moment. ( I need to go back to the Post office - because, well, my box wasn't big enough and they were closed lol)

We have plans for these blocks  - and as the tops get made up - I will share the instructions with you too - so you can make one of you want!

The first photo has blocks from

1. Mary W in Vermillion SD

2. Krisztina from NY

3. Kathy B in Columbus IN

4. Judy F in San Luis Obispo, CO  ( she also Machine quilts for QOV)

( I LOVED SLO when I was a kid - THE BEST Street fairs ever!)

This is a Surprise set of blocks sent in by Lisa T in Sylvia NC

and on this wall

we have blocks from

Debbie Bowmer in Palm Coast FL 

( save a room for me Debbie - when it gets below 0 I may come visit!!

and Lisa T in Sylvia NC

The blocks on the Wall below came from:

Kate at http://kate-life-in-pieces.blogspot.com/

and

Ann C in Camarillo CA ( you can save me a room too!)

Then I had to clear the wall 

Holly M in Brazil IN sent in 62 blocks!!!

and Laura in CA

Send in 62 blocks!!

We will add up the total of blocks - but I must tell you 

There are a lot!!

I'll be back ( said like terminator)

To show you more!!

Happy Veterans Day

Hug a Veteran!!!

My Journey

Blogger has informed me that today is my 2000th blog post. For this somewhat shy, content to live on the edge of nowhere, let others take the spotlight kinda person.... who knew that I would have had so many words, and I still have them!!! Who knew?

I like blogging - it reminds me of where I was, what I did, and of course, the photos - I have watched my kids grow - but when I look back, I'm not really sure they were that small!!

My Very first post  was all about Quilts of Valor - that trend hasn't stopped has it? Ha Ha!!  And some of my favorite posts are about how a Quilt made a difference to a Veteran .

When I first started Quilting it was crazy. You see , I had been in Garment manufacturing for about 10 years. I owned a Maternity Clothing Company, and we were quite busy. I didn't think I had time to add anything into my life....

And then the Quilt bug hit!   I sold my clothing business a few years later - and voila - became a full time quilter. It was a change. I had 9 employees, and now I had 1 ( me!)  

I then realized that I had 3 boys - I could put them to work and ...

There you go - instant employees! Or stealers of the Spotlight. Little bit finished this quilt ( in 2007) and got to hang it at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum - here is that post:

Quilts at the Hands of Men

I now look up at that boy!

I tell you it is sort of fun to look back and reminisce.  and it's funny to see who is the camera shy one, and who are not!   

One of our first family shots shared on the blog (above)

And now.... I am the short one! ( even WITH heels on!)

Thanks for reminiscing with me

And thanks for being my friends!

I have ( and still) love catching up with all of you

At first a lot of it was online - and now I've met so many in person

Who knew?

Veterans Day Parade in Denver

Oh My Goodness!!! Yesterday was the Veterans Day Parade in Denver - and it was fantastic!!

I was asked to attend to Present a Few Quilts of Valor to a few Veterans, and I ended up riding in the sidecar on Roger and Nancy's Motorcycle ! IN! THE! Parade!   It was way fun!!  The kids loved the side car - so I got pointed to a lot - felt like a rock star  ( ha ha ha)

I also think they wanted me there for balance!   Roger and Nancy are a part of the Teamster Horsemen Motorcycle Association. I love them!

There I am - I waved by flag at my boys!

Oh and this was my view from the line up:

And my view to the left 

(okay I could really see it all - but isn't that a cool Motorcycle?)

Checking out the others turning the corner

Check that out

(below)

Two Ladders from the fire station hung a flag out for all to ride under!

After the parade

The Teamsters Horsemen  (THMA) had a stage set up for us

We called our Veterans onto the stage and did a QOV presentation

it was really nice!

The gentleman below is a Korean War Veteran

He enlisted when he was 17, and fought in 5 major battles

He also received 5 Bronze Stars.

(That's Ms Liz presenting the quilt - after she wrapped it around him - he hugged her tight!)

(PS - Photo Credit Teri Z)

Below - the First 4 of our Veterans Wrapped in their quilts

The gentleman in Black was presenting a Gift to QOV, and a gift to THMA

He didn't expect that he would recieve a QOV ( he had worked on nominating the others)

And we got him!

He was so shocked.

But seriously? 

Could we exclude this Combat Veteran?

( or make him wait?  NO!!)

After we were done the families hung around a bit

Mugged for the camera!

And chit chatted

Below

Liz , Veteran, Mary Beth

And - That was my Sunday!

( and consequently - that is my design wall too!)

Fall in the Rockies

it's a little later in the day than I am usually on my computer - but ..the trade off of living on the edge of nowhere.... you are the Lastest lasty type person on the edge of the wi-fi range.....

Remember when we used to complain that Dial up was slow?  well..... at least I was connected  ( ha ha!)

So this quilt was pieced by Linda H in Southern CO.  It is called Fall in the Rockies . And! I love it.  She has such a fantastic eye for color and texture in fabric.

Every time I look at it I see it from a different Perspective - and it really does look like our mountains here,

When the aspens change, and the evergreens get darker

i just really liked it!

 I quilted swirls like the wind and leaves

As you know - when the wind blows - the leaves fall!!

Thanks for stopping by!

( oh - did you know you can follow me on Facebook too?

https://www.facebook.com/QuiltyGirl/

I even put snippets of quilts that I am working on!)

Linking to:

Confessions

Crazy Mom Quilts

QOV 2015 - Sponsored by Waterpik

This Quilt of Valor Show is sponsored by Waterpik  !  Why - Because they know that quilting can sometimes stress those muscles, and tighten your neck, and a hot relaxing Power Spray(tm) shower will definitely keep you quilting longer!

For all of you who have been sending in Blocks for our Wonky Star Block Drive - ALL of your names will be added into the drawing to win a Chrome Power Spray + hand held Shower head (tm)

If you send 5 or more in, you will get an additional entry for each 5 blocks that you send in!!  So there you go - more chances with more blocks.

Waterpik has been a generous sponsor of our Blocks Drives for years, either with their Shower head products or their Dentistry products ( which have kept my childrens teeth cavity free!)

Go check out their products!

https://www.waterpik.com/shower-head/products/hand-held/XAC-763/

Here are some more blocks that have come in:

These are from

Sue B in Mt Vernon WA( Blogs at http://sewingmagpie.blogspot.com/ )

Cathy L in IA ( and blogs at http://saneandcrazy.blogspot.com/  )

Gail A in Atlanta GA

Beverly S in Grand Rapids MI

Dino C in Boise ID

Here is a better shot of the ones at the bottom of my design wall

And the ones from Terri J in WI 

and Nancy S in CO

Next we have a big ol batch from Barb G and Judy B in Pflugerville TX

Another big ol batch from Barbara R in Salt Lake City UT

And all the way from Atascadero CA from Jan

A scrappy bunch!

They are ALL so pretty!!! I love the different fabrics and am so surprised at the lack of duplicity

( sounded pretty technical there didn't I?)

Remember at the start of this block drive I stated CO would share?  Well I am proud to say that 2 tops were sent to Wyoming for their big Veterans Day presentation ( I sent them a while ago so they had time to finish them) and this week 2 finished Quilts will be heading off to Utah for presentations.  So Yay all of us - pat your back and congratulate yourselves!!

That's all I have for today!!

Special Thanks to Waterpik for the awesome prize !!  

https://www.waterpik.com/shower-head/products/

Go forth and Quilt!!

MQ4M A1

How do you like those acronyms???   I am hosting a Mystery Quilt - over at the yahoo group called Mystery Quilts 4 Military   and today - I posted the fabric Requirements.....

(PS - the link is fixed - thanks to anonymous for letting me know it wasn't working )
(Anon asked - I don't have a yahoo email , can I still participate? Yes - you just have to sign up in this yahoo group , using any email)

(Anon's -please leave me a way to respond )

and so.... it is what's on my design wall as well!!

As you can tell - this one is done  ( well - confession time : It's not bound )
Are you surprised that I used plaid??? Ha ha ha

And these are the fabrics for my next one!!

yay!!

It is a fun quilt - AND!! It even has an original block designed by yours truly!

Oh - and before you wonder - what is the A1? Well it is the first mystery that I am hosting at this site - so that;s the 1 - and the A - well that is me!   If I tell you the real title - it reveals too much, But this quilt does have it's own name.

Linking to:  Patchwork Times
Love Laugh Quilt
Cooking up quilts

Starry Night for Josh

This Quilt is now finished!!

It is called Starry Night for Josh. Josh was in the Army, Stationed out of Ft Riley, and was in Southern Afghanistan when his helicopter was under Enemy fire. He and 5 others did not survive the crash. Josh's parents are wonderful friends of mine. His Dad served in VietNam. I met them when presenting Quilts of Valor to Josh's Dad - and we have become forever friends.

I thought that maybe by creating a Quilt of Valor in Honor of Josh would remind them that my family does think of him often. He was a wonderful man.  I ran this as a mystery on the blog and now the pattern is in my Craftsy Store.

Starry Night for Josh

Here it is:

You will notice that it is not bound. And That my dear friends - is because I have a wonderful group of friends here that will bind it for me, as they know that bindings... requires a Lot of chocolate or

I go into anaphylactic shock.... it's true!

 So you may see it again - when it is bound - but I am quite proud to have finished the quilting on it

I used swirls and spikes - to give it the look of wind.

I sort of pictured this quilt as what I thought Josh would see from the air. And being a pilot myself, I pretended it was me....the twinkling lights of homes, the stars in the sky, a big star to guide you .....

Okay - I use my maps and coordinates - but pretend with me ok?

And that is my finish for this week!

PS - if you enjoy doing my mysteries - I am hosting the next Mystery Quilt in a Yahoo group called Mystery Quilts 4 Military.  You can join in - the next mystery starts November 14th - but Fabric Requirements might just leak out here in the next couple of days..... Hint Hint

Linking to:

CrazyMom QUilts

Confessions

TGI Friday

Quilts of Valor 2015 and the Fremont Quilters

As many of you know... it takes a village to make these Awesome Quilts of Valor - and we have amazing Quilters all over that pitch in!  One such group here in Colorado is the Fremont Victory Quilters. They hail from Canon City CO - and are a FANTABULOUS group!!

They had a sew day this last week and sent me the photos of their awesome tops ... so I wanted to show you. They work with local Longarmers ( and are always looking for more in the Canon City Area (hint hint)   )

Ready to see their tops?

I don't have a favorite!! They are all so Cool!

Thanks Fremont Quilters!!

I went to the Post Office and picked up a HUGE stack on squishies and boxes - 

So am taking photos of all the wonky stars

Here is all the info on the Wonky Star Drive:

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2015/09/qov-2015-block-drive.html

OH!!! And not only is Vicki Welsh Donating Fabric for a few lucky star makers

I have another surprise Gift as well - come back next

Wednesday to read all about it

and Stitch your Stars!!

Senior Photos

I guess that I am going to have to admit that my boy is a Senior.... I keep telling them all they should stay with me until they are 90... so far - I have no takers!


My Son is getting his Senior Photos - and these are a few of my favorites:

I'm pretty sure he is still two!

Because - seriously - how did they grow up so fast?

We had a really good time taking photos

and of course - 

I have more!!

You can find me hiding in the corner - pretending they won't grow up

Yep!

( I hope you all know I am kidding - It's fun to see what they do, where they go,

but they sure leave us with a big ol gap in our house!!)

Wonky Star Design Wall

Sunday was a QOV Sew Day for us and we had the University of Northern Colorado Softball team show up!! yay!! it is always such fun to have them join us in our efforts. I believe this is the 3rd year in a row!

They spent the day working on Wonky Star Blocks - we had a literal Chain Gang going on!
One of the girls broke her tibia and had to have surgery, so we sat her at the ironing table - and she became a master. The rest worked in pairs and stitched, and ironed and trimmed - and we might have had a little talking going on (just a little though)

Here they are in process

and here is the whole group in front of their progress

They made a LOT of blocks! 

There were 17 softball players

and 7 of them were new to our sew days

It was SEW much fun!!

Thanks girls for your support - see you at the Softball fields!


Linking to:
Monday Making
Patchworktimes