GO LISTEN

Wanna hear something cool?

http://quiltsofvalor.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=542145_tab.html

And I didn't even have to bribe anyone....

Hope you all had a great day. Mine was good to the end - then we drove home from swim practice in FOG!! a 30 minute drive took about 50... we were pooped.... and we even went home the most civilized way, the highway and lights way... didn't help!

Quilts from Illinois and.... Snow!

The group in Illinois is so very, very prolific - I think I ought to go visit them sometime! Maybe I can get some of there go-jo ( that's like mojo but better for quilters!)

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This first quilt was pieced by Diane and Quilted by Arlene.

I love how they find unique ways to use the panel prints. I have a few and am always looking for great ways to use them.
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The strippy quilt was pieced by Debbie and quilted by Arlene. Isn't that a pretty quilt? Very subtle. I know that Mary over at http://www.maryquilts.com has a quick and easy strippie pattern.

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The next two quilts were made by Diane D - and I think she did them all. I love the use of the blocks, and the colors. It is so much fun to lay the quilts at and sit there and stare at them. I just love the creativity and the colors of each and every quilt.
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Thank you Illinois quilters!!

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And of course - what would a post be with out a little about our lives? This is what we woke up to this morning. It was beautiful. We probably only got about 5 inches of snow, much to my kids' dismay. They would really like to be snowed in for a month. But once they realized that we missed grocery shopping day - they pretty much changed their minds!

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The snow was wet and enough that we got to do a lot of sledding today. That was a blast - and cold.

Hope you all had a great weekend! Thank you for all the encouragement, especially over the Estes Park post. That was a really special evening.

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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

List of 2009 Quilts of Valor Delivered

2009 Quilts of Valor Delivery


Quilts

1. Janelle P Scrappy Bargello Done
2. Not so Top secret Quilt Done
3. Carol A's QOV #1
4. Carol A's QOV #2
5. Heartstrings Patriotic Quilted
6.-8. Betty from NM 3 Quilt
9.-13. 5 from Heartbeat Quilting
14.-15. 2 Heartbeat Quilts
16.-17.2 HeartbeatQuilting Quilts
18. Julies Rail FenceDone
19-22. 4 HeartbeatQuilting
23. Gayle W QOV
24. Sues first - done
25.Willas QOV QUilted
26. Marie in NY
27. Dale's in OH
28.-29. Alberta's 2
30.-31.Rita's 2
32. Jill B MQX
33. Naomi A MQX
34. Dianne D MQX
35. Jan K rail fenceDone
36.-39.Naomi Magic Valley 4
40.-43.April and Carolyn
44.-46.Tracye's 3
47.-50.Jackies 4
51.-52. Cathy E 2
53.-54.Vivian & Mae's
55.Maria in FL
56.Alycia TT done
57.Barbara LCC
Quilted
58.-59.Tracie H in OH 2
60. Norece from TN
61.-64.Sue and Carols 4
65.Ethels NSTSP
66.Nancy L's NSTSP
67-68.Amy in IL 2
69.-71. 3 Heartstrings
72. Vicki M in CA
73. Marilyn L in WI
74. Cindy in AK
75.-78. Sue & Carol 4
79.-80. Marti 2
81.Joyce in PA
82.Anon
83. Audry String
84.-85.Susan in CO 2
86.-87.Triangle Guild 2
88-89.Amy D - 2 more
90.-93.Pat in NM 4
94.Ethels 2nd quilt
95.-99.FOQ 5 quilts
100.Judy W Quilt
101.-106.Tuesday Thimbles
107. J's String quilt
Done
108.Deborah B Coin Quilts
Done
109.-115. 7 Tuesday Thimbles
116.-118.3 from Julia in NE
119.-120.2 from Lisa M.
121. Renee's QOV Challenge quilt Done
122. A's String quilt Done
123.-128.6 from Carolyn
129.-130.2 from Eileen
131.-132.2 from Jane
133.-135.3 from Nancy
136.-137.2 from Norece
138.-141.4 from Vicki W
142.-143.2 from Ruth
144.-146.Janet M's 3

147. Sue's Done

148.-149.2 LCC quilts

150.-152. 3 from Helen N

153.Judy in OK

154.Harriett in CO

155. Jill in NJ

156.Sallie Boxy Stars Done by Liz

157.Jan Ks Flag quilt

158. Nancy E's Done

159.Sheilas QOV Done

160.162. 3 from Nancy

163. Shar's Quilt

164.-165. Susan S 2 more

166.Audry Rail Fence Done

167.Audry NSTSP Done

168.Vicki in OH

169.-174Arlene & Geneseo guild

175.-180.Arlene & Geneseo pt 2

181-182. Nancy W from NY

183.Als quilt 1 Done

184.DeAn Flags Done

185. - 186. 2 from Kim

187. Lynn M in UT

188.Theresa in Denver

189.Wendys NSTSP Done

190.LCC Audry TT Done

191.Marie in Fl

192.Cathy E in KY

193.-194. Kathy's 2

195.-204.Tuesday Thimbles

205. Al #2 Finished

206. Barbara B 2Finished

207. Meg B Quilt

208.-210.3from Sue E

211.-214.4 from Jessie

215.-218.4 from Becky

219.-220.2 from Alberta

221.Audrey Pastel TT

222.Donnas

223.Paula in ME

224.-226.Carol SW 3

227.Barbara Rail 2LCC Done

228Barbara Rail 3 LCC Done

229.-232.4 from Stitch Witches

233.-235.3 from Stitch Witches in LA

236.-244.9 from Stitch Witches

245.-246.2 from Stitch Witchse

247.-249.3 from Carolyn in Craig

250.Ellen in Craig

251.Kim in La Junta

252.Sues Turning TwentyDone

253.Top from Gail DOne

254.1 Miracles Finished by Martha

255.Audreys quilted by Martha

256.Rebeccas quilt

257.Ruths Quilt

258.-2592 from Liz

260.-261.2 from Marianne and Mary

262.-263.2 from Sue S

264.Jans Log Cabin

265.Sandi Stars Done

266.-270.5 from Dawn

271.-275. 5 from Geneseo

276.-280. 5 from Geneseo

281.-282.2Miracles Tops quilted by Kris B

283.Barbs NSTSP quilted by Kris B

284.-285.2 Miracle Tops quilted Diane

286.Jan Log Cabin

287. Linda L from Florida

288.Becca in WI

289.Karen in OK

290.-291.2 Linda in MS

292.-295.4 from Geneseo

296.-299. 4 from Geneseo

300. rebeccas John Deere Quilt

301. Gayle W Quilt

302. Kris Quilt

303. Grace from NJ

304. Erica LCC TT quilt Done

305. Julie LCC #2 done

306.Barb in Florida

307.-308.LCC quilters 2

309.Anne in Canada

310.-314.5 - Elizabeth in IL

315.-319.NSQG 5

320.-322.3 VBS Quilts Done

323.-327.NSQG 5

328.Sherrill Boxy Stars Quilted by April

329-330.Sandi& Agnes Quilted by April

331.-333.Pat in NM 3

334.-337.Jill in NJ 4

338.-341.4 from Greeley

342.Peggy in NC

343. Kathy in OR

344.Ellen P in CO

345.-347.3 Lori in SD

348.-352.5 from MI

353.-354.2 LCC in CO

355.-356.2 Theresa in CO

357.1 Charlotte W in CO

358.-359.2 from Kerin in MO

360.1 from Connie in OH

361.-363.3 from Helen NV

364.-366.3 from Fran/Carma

367.Barbara Rail 4LCC Done

368.Anne Americana Done

369.LCC Audry NSTSP Done

370.Amy in WI

371.Kathy in OR

372.-373.Rita in IL

374.-376.Pat in Wisconsin

377.-378.Willa 2

379.Kim, PJ and Betty

380.Rita,Jude in AZ

381.Laura and Linda

382.-385.Pat in WI 4 more

386. Betty in CO

387.-388.Pat in WI 2

389.Marilyn in CaDone

390. Marilyn 1 Done

391. Deborah B Coin Quilts Done

392.-393.2 LCC quilts

394.-403.10 from Geneseo IL

404.Fay in MA

405. Ethel in CO

406.Gerrie in CO

407.Kay in MT

408.-410.3 Pueblo West Quilters

411.Linda L CO

412. Suzette TX

413.Pat CO

414.-415.PFQG CO 2

416.Carol in CO

417.Willa in CO

418.Miracles in CO

419.Sallie M OC Done

420.Jeanne in MI Done

421.Kaycee in CO

422.-424.3 Geneseo IL

425.- 429.5 Geneseo IL

430.Mary in WA

431.-437.Pueblo West 7

438.-447.10 from Oklahoma City

448.-457.10 from Oklahoma City

458.Sallie in VA

459.Maria in NY

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Deployment Number 2

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460.-462.3 from Connie in ID

463.-464.2 Linda in CO

465.-466.2 Marilyn in CA quilted by Linda

467.Leann in OK

468.Linda in NE

469.Donna in CO

470.-471.Willa qb Kris

472.Kris in PA

473.-480.8 Pat in WI

481.-483.Marge in IN

484.Karen and Sandi St Croix

485.Rosemary in PA

486.Myrna in CO

487.Ethel in CO

488.-489.2 Peg in CO

490.-491.Peggy in NJ

492.NWSQG ILL

493.Julia in NE

494.Connie in OH

495.-497Peggy in NJ

498.-501.Sassy sticthers 4

502.-504.3 qb April - from Miracles and Jackie

505.-507.3 from Willa CO

508. Mary in NJ

509. Beth in MD

510.-513.Amy in MI

514.-515.2 CO

516.-522.7 from TX

523.-524.2 from CO quilted by Kelly in MI

525.God's Creation PVE CO quilt

526.-529.Kim B in MN

530.-5334 Alberta in IL

534.Coleen in NE

535.Karen in OH

536. Miracles Top CO

537. Denise in CO

538.-539.Kim in La Junta CO

540.-547.8 Tuesday Thimbles WA

548.-550.Sue in AZ

551. America the Beautiful PVE

552.Joyce in PA

553.-554. Willa in CO

555.-556. Sew N Sews NC

557.Patriotic Plaid PVE

558.-560.3 Shari in AZ

561.Lori in SD

562.-563.Jane in WI

564.Marcella in MA

565.-567.3 from CO

568.-572.Suzanne in IA

573.-576.4 in CO

577.Harriett in CO

578.-579.Mtn View Deaf and Hard of Hearing School

580.-586.Lynn from Texas

587.Carolyn VI

588. Davis in CO

589.Denise in PA

590.-595.Willa in CO

596.Sherry in CO

597.Susan in NJ

598.Janice in TX

599.-610.12 Birchwood Bluegill quilters of WI

611. Sharon in MN

612. Marie in SD

613.Willa in CO

614.Heartstring

615.-616.Piece by Peace CT

617.-620.Rosie in KS

621. Designs Hidden Inside

622. Stars And Stripes

623. Healing the Heart

624. American Hope

625. Fighter Pilots Flag

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Deployment 3 June 29th

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626.-627. Amy D in IL

628.-630. PFQG Guild 3

631.-632.Janice W in CO

633.Amy in CO

634.Miracles in CO

635.Denise in CO

636.-638.Margaret in IN

639.-641.Peg in OH

642.-648.Geneseo IL

649.-651.Quilting Broads in WA

652.-654.Dianne K in CO

655.Sue in AZ

656.Betty in CO

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Next Delivery-July 09
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657.-660.Kathy and Beverly in OH

661.-662.Linda in AL

663.Sandi in NJ

664.Heartstrings

665.-667.Willa in CO

668.Kim in CO

669.-671.Grey Goose in CO

672.Paula in CO

673. Linda in CO

674.Kara in NE

675.Mary in WA

676.-680.Dawn in ID

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Delivered August 09
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681.-684.Pat in WI

685. Andi in AZ

686.-687. San and Julia

688.-689. Pat in NM

690.-701.Cecily & 1st Lutheran Church CO

____
NEXT Sept 09
____

702.-709.Rosalie's Group CO

710.-716. Stephanie in CO

717.-720.Mary in IL

721.Judy in CO

722.-723.Susan in CO 2

724.-725.Arlene and Richard in MI

726.Ellen in ID

727.-731.Nancy in MN

732.Judy in OKC

733.-736.Rita in MA

737.-741.Becky in MO

742.-743.San and Mary MN

744.Bari in MO

745.-746.Marcia in IL

747.-748.Stacey in NC

749.-751.Julie in the Barn CA

752.Loretta in LA

753.-759.PFQG quilts

760.-765.The HunnyBees

766.-770.Annie in IA

771.-774.Diane in TN

775.Mary in CO and Kim in MN

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Total Quilted : 775

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Happy Veterans Day

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

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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Please do be patient with me though(grin)

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Enjoy your day... off to quilt!

Quilts and More!

This beautiful Quilt of Valor comes from Margo S in Peyton CO. It is so lovely. The picture probably doesn't do it justice. Margo - Thank you SO much!! I have heard that more wounded are being moved in, so we will be ready when they are. Thank you all so much for making this possible!

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I have been remiss is showing you our pumpkin carving success! Even though we were in a blizzard - Wrangler Man was able to bring home some pumpkins. This is quite significant due to the fact that the pumpkins that we grew were under 4 foot of snow!
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Little Bit had a great time cleaning out the pumpkins - he was not afraid of the goo at all. But Middle Bit did not like the feel of it, so I got him some of my plastic gloves. Little Bit thought he should use them too then.

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If you notice Middle pipsqueak is more concerned with trying to keep his gloves clean. Amazing - since he loves to squish mud, and playdoh and cookie dough....

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Anyways here is one of our pumpkins shining in the night.

And just to prove that I don't play favorites - here is a picture of Big Bit and his dad. Their costumes were to be each other. I am

not sure who won.

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Wrangler Man was awful excited to get more support for his Wyoming Cowboys though.

Quilts from Dianne

We spent this weekend at a swim meet. All 3 boys did a lot of swimming, and eating to keep up with it. I was a timer for 2 of the sessions, and an official for the other session. I am still in training so I only had to do minor stuff. But you stand THE WHOLE TIME.... this is hard on your back!! The boys did very good though, and were happy!
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The Quilts of Valor in this post came from Dianne in Geneseo IL. She is part of a guild there that is extremely prolific! Pat ( another member of their group) came out to visit her daughter and grandchildren, I got to meet up with her for a wonderful quilt delivery!!

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Dianne - thank you for these quilts! They are just wonderful!

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I always read Judy L's blog and read all about her home made bread - and we get jealous!! I have tried all sorts of bread recipes and had not such good luck, as I can not eat wheat. I have also decided that I don't care for Garfava flour. So I got a new cookbook about cooking in the crockpot and they said you could make gluten free bread in the crockpot. I tried it and Look.... it worked! It was a mix from the glutenfree pantry. But it was a great mix and it worked!! We ate the whole loaf in approximately 3 minutes!
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It was moist and yummy and not like the past bricks that I have made.

More Quilts of Valor from Meredith

All four of these quilts were made by Meredith in California, but she shared the quilting blessing around! The first two were quilted by Dorothy H.
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That piano key border on the first quilt really struck my fancy - perfect border to the quilt!

The next two were also made by Meredith and quilted by Sandy V. Beautiful!!

Thanks so much ladies. These are just wonderful.

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And today was a great day for us. 2 of my 3 kiddos did not have school, so we got to mess around a bit. We quilted some, cleaned rooms some, raced a little bit, and then... I found myself with a free evening. I usually take my kids to swim practice. The oldest swims till 9pm, and he didn't need me to drive tonite.

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With the time on my hands - I got to play with some of my fabrics. New ones! They were a gift from some very sweet friends, and I cut them up!!! It was awesome - and when I finally take pictures you are going to laugh at the colors....

Made by Nancy - Quilted by Ros

Oh just look at these lovely lovely string quilts!!! These were pieced by Nancy - and I forgot to write down where Nancy was from. I love String quilts - And I really like these with the white center string. Very Nice! Ros from Colorado quilted them. I tell ya this gal has been a busy quilter these last few months!! I sure appreciate the work the two of you ladies did. Ros can be found here:
http://ros-the-quilter.blogspot.com/

On my Heartstrings Quilt group - Http://www.heartstringsquiltproject.com You can find all sorts of amazing pictures of string quilts and even instructions how to make them. The challenge for this month is Orange Centered blocks. I am thinking I may try to use a fallish orange and fall colors to see what I can come up with... that is if I get my sewing mojo back. I have been sewing a little here, and a little there... but not as much as I need to be sewing. I am thinking that Sunday after church I may hibernate with my machine and ignore the rest of the world.... so far my calendar is empty for Sunday afternoon......

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If you were me, and you were going to ignore 4 starving men - what kind of Crockpot meal would you start in the morning so they could fend for themselves?? I have already made chili this week....

November???

May I ask where the days have gone? The time change always messes me up! Now it is light in the morning when Wrangler Man does the chores, but dark in the evening for me.... is that fair? Well, I guess I could do them earlier...... ( but seriously - who asked me about this??)

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This first quilt on the left was made by Marilyn in Ft Collins. Just up the road from me.... She and I met at the Rocky Mtn Quilt Show in Loveland and she made this Quilt of Valor for us! Its beautiful. Thanks Marilyn!!
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The next two Quilts of Valor on the right were made by Meredith in California and then quilted by Ros in Colorado. She is over in the Real Cold Country. These quilts are awesome! Meredith must be a prolific quilter - because some more showed up from her!! ( So stay tuned) Thanks Ladies!!

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You know what is really cool? All of the quilts look GOOD in my house. I love laying them over the furniture and pretending. Maybe someday when I play decorator I will know exactly what colors to use for a quilt in this room!

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We belong to a small 4-H club in town. It has a lot of really young 4-H'ers in it. I love it. The kids are fun, the parents are pretty easy going. We have just finished our first year and are starting our second. Most times we try to find a community service project. This year we adopted 4 soldiers and packed up some care packages for them. It was quite fun. Every kid wrote a letter to the soldier, and we all shopped for some fun stuff and goodies.

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These kids are excellent packers. I didn't have to rearrange anything in the boxes before we shipped them... the kids did an awesome job.

Hope you all have a great evening.