The new digs... or barracks...

I am not sure how to really start this post.... so bear with me....  

At Ft Carson they are always re-arranging, making better, trying to accomodate unforeseen needs... and the biggest challenge has been the fluctuating amounts of soldiers in the Warriors in Transition Unit ( WTU or WTB) 

I believe they have made some wonderful progress. They have just completed a new set of barracks, that is quite impressive, but that will help enhance the quality of life, and medical care for our soldiers. It is closer to the hospital as well, allowing for less travel for some of these injured.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was this week. There are already some soldiers living in there, but they opened a few rooms for everyone to see. We kind of decorated with some of our Quilts of Valor... it made it homey, but the best part is, it brought QOV to a lot of higher ups - and the dedication of our quilters, and the love that we show in our quilts.  

Kind of nice to get a nod... so kudos to all of you quilters!!!  (we rock!!)

So - are you ready for the pics?

This is the outside of the barracks. It is state of the art. Built by M.A. Mortenson Company, they used geothermal heating and cooling, Solar water heaters, and made sure the whole first floor meets the ADA standards, and the other rooms on the remaining 3 floors are ADA adaptable.

This is one of the great rooms, one soldier thought his quilt would look good there. (Remember this is decorating purposes only - his quilt went back to him at 17:30 pm SHARP!)

By putting it in that room tho - he got a lot of complements and comments! 

Yes - thank you - I did eavesdrop *grin*

This is us with two hospital Chaplains. They were giving me a hard time - wondering where a chaplain could get a quilt or two. I told them I had NO idea.... but might work for chocolate...

These two hoodlums - um I mean soldiers - stole my camera...

Actually these guys were awesome and very fun to hang with!!

There was a band to play for us.

Guess what was played the most?

"First to Fight for the right,

and to build the nation's might,

and the Army goes rolling along......"

So each room can hold 2-4 people, and the beds are fully covered, but we thought hanging a quilt at the end of the bed would look very nice. Again - decoration - the Quilt of Valor stays with its soldier... we just wanted it to look pretty.

This is our new Chaplain! Well, I guess he is not considered *new* anymore - 90 days in now!

Don't these barracks look more homey than you would expect barracks to look? I think it is such a nice way to honor our vets!

One guy shared his QOV journal - and you can tell a man decorated this room... he put the journal on the washer.... ;-)

This one wanted to draw attention to his closet. No more living out of his duffle. But just so you know - that quilt DOES NOT live there.... decoration.......

I hope you enjoyed seeing the new location of the WTB. And where the majority of our Quilts of Valor live. Again, I just want to let you know - this was decoration. Each owner of his quilt was so tickled to show them off, and help decorate for this occasion. And the Chaplains were happy to show off what their offices were involved in.

Thanks to all of you who help cover our wounded soldiers, you are amazing, and you should seriously feel good about your efforts.  Maybe not just good, but awesome!! If I were with you I would share a piece of my Dove Dark Chocolate ( and I don't share well) and tell you Thanks!!!  

A couple of more quilted

Both of these were made by Mary in Greeley. She decided to whittle down her plaid stash.... and *tee hee* at the last sew day .... she was still sewing with them!!!!

Quilt Number 1

Quilt Number 2

I really like these plaids. They look like you should just cuddle up , and snuggle in them!!
Thanks Mary!!!

Design Wall Monday...

I got a little bit of piecing time in, my goal was to have my Halloween quilt top finished. That way it can be on my UFO quilting list and get done in time for Halloween 2012..... right?  Oh and thanks to all who told me that the Pumpkin Fabric I used for the borders Glows in the dark... it totally does!!!

I pieced a few blocks for my Jacobs Ladder QAL ( over at http://imperamagna.blogspot.com/)

a few more blue one, and the red ones... I didn't know if I would like the red with cheddar... but I do!! Maybe my color palette is expanding!

 Then - I quilted some Quilts of Valor.... my pantry is Empty   So I thought I better kick it in gear - kind of like in College when you pulled an all nighter.... that is me!!!

This one was pieced by Kathy of Longmont.  She and her buddy are prolific quilters. This was a fun quilt - I love the fabrics she used!

This is the backing ... Yum!!!

The next Quilt of Valor I got quilted was made by Mary M of Greeley. She thought red thread would look great on it, and I agree!! Altho - I admit - I was a little concerned... but she knew what she was talking about!

A few close ups - I used a musical Panto - I can't remember the name of it - but it was by Deb Giessler.

This is the backing - wild!!

I got a few more quilted, but don't have the pics yet - so come back tomorrow - I will have those as well.

For other design walls go to:

http://www.patchworktimes.com/

Quilts of Valor from Ohio

I recieved a wonderful box of finished quilts and a few quilt tops from Ohio.... these are just lovely!!  I am thinking that a nice cup of Hot Chocolate might be in order, to view all of these!

This quilt is from Denise P. I believe it was one of the mysteries that is run over at mysteryquilts4military@yahoogroups.com

This one was quilted and pieced by Bev H oh Ohiw, and is also a mystery quilt. I love the colors she used!

Here is a close up - for fun!

These next three were made by Gail S.  And there are some close ups for closer inspections ( my favorites!)

You know I am a sucker for string quilts, I love the planned scrappyness of this one, and its all tied up in blue binding. Great idea!!

Again made by Gail S

This one was made by gail too. Check out how she used the half square triangles made from the block trimmings... now that is a scrap user!!

Ladies - Thank you so much!! These quilts were greatly appreciated... and remember they were here... and now they are with soldiers....

Quilts of Valor from Colorado

I told you I wanted to brag - and I really want to show you all the Quilts of Valor that come thru these doors.... just so you know - these were here... and are now with soldiers.

This one was made by Molly in Montrose, and quilted by Anna Marie of Greeley. I LOVE the center string color... totally ties it all together.

heres a close up

And the back - is that not cool?

This quilt was pieced by Sue of Colorado Springs, and quilted by Donna of Monument CO

This one was made by Jessicas sewing group, it is inspired by a quilt in the collection of the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, and can be seen at the QuiltIndex.org

It was quilted by Donna of Monument too. She is a retired Lt Col, USAF.... I love her!!

This quilt is from the Miracles Sewing Group in Denver, and quilted by Mindy M of Colorado.

Heres a close up - Mindy did an awesome job!

This quilt was pieced by Miracles as well, and quilted by Merrie J of Denver.

This one was made by Charlotte of Pieceable Friends Quilt guild and Quilted by Merrie J of Denver.

And a close up!

This one is from Kathy of Lafayette and Connie of Loveland. This quilt has a little added something - cuz the picture right under this... is the back!!! Can you believe it?

These quilts of valor are awesome, and are just wonderful!!! Thank you all for your contributions and your help, and your dedication!!!

Homes for our Troops Presentation

Here in Colorado, Homes for our Troops has been building a few houses! They have a group of Blue Star Moms that are amazing at the support they provide. Well, another house has been built and at the key ceremony, one of those Blue Star Moms, and a Quilt of Valor angel made a cool presentation..... want to see?

See the Patriot Guard in the corner?

This is the Blue Star Mom (aka QOV Angel - I have discovered I can't be in 2 places at once..bummer)

Unfurling the Quilt

Sgt L. and his family coming to check it out.

Standing proudly in front of their new house, with their Quilt of Valor

And showing off the back

You can read more about Homes for our troops at

http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer

The QOV Pantry is empty!

This is where I keep all the prepped and ready to go Quilts of Valor.

They are empty....;-(

I worked on a top secret mission today on post, and won't be able to completely tell you about it until next week - but listen up folks!

OUR QUILTS OF VALOR ARE A HOT COMMODITY!!!

So - I might have told you that I got a new Chaplain?  If not, I am sorry - but I have a new Chaplain in our unit. This unit is the Warriors in Transition Battalion.  oh - at Fort Carson Mountain Post in Colorado

It can house up to 775 wounded soldiers at one time. This unit seems to be in transition all  of the time. I mean it, all the time! 

but this Chaplain -

He is genius!!  Not only that, he totally, totally, gets the importance and the mission of our quilts. This is not to say the other weren't on our side, they were. This is just to say , this Chaplain has the *fire*. He is fresh from Afghanistan too, so he has a heart for these guys ( and gals)

So, in the time that he has been here, we have checked in with many of the soldiers, and got them covered with a Quilt of Valor, a hug, and a Thank you, and... as of today.... as of this very moment...

I HAVE A WAITING LIST!!!

I can not believe this - we ( this specifically means YOU!) have done such a HUGE job in getting all these wounded covered, but there are more of them! Chaplain says this unit has had the biggest transitioning amount of soldiers that they have seen, in the past 3 months. Most of the soldiers stay there for a minimum of 6 months, but all of a sudden a lot of them have been tranisitioning out - either back to combat or to post jobs, or civilian jobs. And even more are coming in!

When I got home today - Look what was waiting for me on my doorstep.  Seriously, I cried! There are 12 Quilts of Valor in those boxes and I am so tickled. They will be on their way immediately ... well after I take pictures, so I can brag on them...

Even so, that does not fill my Wait list...

Why am I telling you all this - to beg... seriously... to beg!

I have 6 quilts waiting to be bound, those will be done quickly... they are needed.

I have also been quilting, and decided that this month, I am going to have to kick it up a notch, to get more quilts ready to bind.

But, back to the begging... if you have ever thought of making a Quilt of Valor, or have one in process ( and no destination in mind), would you consider making one, or finishing up the one in process?  I am trying very hard to finish up all the tops my groups have made, so I am really begging for finished quilts, ones that are ready to be delivered.

I know that nationally the Quilt of Valor organization is having shortages as well, so any help is appreciated.

What are the requirements of a Quilt of Valor?

1. Minimum size of 55 x 65, Maximum size of 72 x 90
2. made of 100% Cotton fabrics ( flannel is perfectly fine -especially here in colorado)  (batting does not have to be cotton)
3. Long arm or machine quilted, not tied
4. Has a pillowcase/presentation case   ( now I have you covered here - the Pueblo West Quilters are awesome pillowcase makers and have sent me great ones)
5. Washed in cold water, no detergents or smelly *things* 

Thank you Thank you Thank you for all of your past help, future help, and great thoughts!! If you need my address , feel free to email me ( there is a link on my profile) or to AlyciaQuilts @ Gmail.com

*updates:  1. No the quilts do not have to be all Patriotic colors (grin)

                 2. Here is a link to a free pattern:

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2011/01/scrappy-rail-fence-pattern-for-jan-30th.html

NorthWest Suburban Quilt Guild

Sent another box of goodies.....

I am thinking that these is no more patriotic fabric left in their region? What do you think?

Again - THANK YOU very much for these Quilts of Valor!!! Totally Awesome!