Quilters Dream Batting Sponsored QOV show

Quilters Dream Batting is our sponsor for today!!  I am going to show you a QOV I just quilted using their Dream Puff batting... I wanted to snuggle in it IMMEDIATELY.... but I didn't, I have self control like that!

Doesn't that just look snuggly?

A word from our Sponsor:
PS... grab a tissue... I promise you will thank me later.... seriously!!

From Kathy Thompson,
Owner of Quilters Dream Batting:

"I would like to thank Alycia for her tireless work on behalf of Quilts of Valor and for inviting Quilters Dream Batting to be a QOV sponsor and a guest blogger.  We are honored.

As guest blogger, I was originally going to write a promotional piece about all the wonderful features of Quilters Dream Batting, .... and how we really really hope you will use and love Quilters Dream Batting :))))

However ….instead... I thought I would share with you my personal story about the special meaning of receiving the gift of a quilt:

At just 32 years old, my beautiful son, Josh, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).   This cruel fatal untreatable disease has taken my kind, intelligent, athletic, hardworking son (can you tell that I ‘adore’ him?) to being totally paralyzed and unable to eat, speak, move or breathe.  Josh’s life (our lives) completely depends on life-support (mechanical ventilator, feeding tube, sheer will, and love).

To help raise awareness of ALS,  we started the annual Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS.   The response and the generosity of quilters donating quilts for the benefit of ALS patients  has been truly amazing.   Since the Hopes & Dreams Quilts for ALS started, we have  sent thousands of quilts to desperately ill ALS patients.   Several participating quilters have called and written telling me that they would like for Josh to receive their quilt.  As touched as I have been at their kind offers,  I felt I needed to avoid any appearance of impropriety and thought it best not to give Josh a donated quilt.

Well... one day, about two years ago, UPS delivered a small package to Josh’s home. There was no return address. Inside this package was a small brown and green lap quilt.  The quilt is tied, it is not pieced.  The quilt front is a single piece of fabric with imprinted verses of religious hymns.  Attached to the quilt was this handwritten note: “Dear Josh, I am 88 years old and I wanted so much for you to have this quilt.  This quilt comes prayers of love, courage and hope… and I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  I will think of you every day”.

 When Josh read the note – he cried.

Since receiving this special gift.... except when it is being laundered, this quilt is laying on Josh or beside him. For Josh, this sweet  ‘humble’ little quilt is the most special quilt in the world.   When his wife has gone to ‘fix’ up or refresh their room with bright new colors – no matter what she does - this little brown and green quilt along with Josh – is at the heart and center of their room –the heart of their home and our family's life.     We have no way of thanking our kind thoughtful anonymous quilter.   We can only hope she 'knows' how much her quilt has meant to Josh.

For me ... it is not only inspiring ...it is so sweet and special seeing Josh with this little quilt.   It reminds me of his heart and deeply kind sentimental disposition that is now, sadly, nearly impossible for him to share and communicate.

....So, if you are hesitant in sending in your blocks because you are not confident in your quilting, or you are concerned that the gift of your quilt or quilt block  will not be appreciated or will not make a difference  .. please keep in mind – Josh’s little quilt…. And the joy, comfort and love that your donated quilts can give and the love and care your quilt will receive by someone reminded that they are not forgotten, that they are not alone.

Please join and support Alycia in this wonderful QOV quilt block challenge. The quilts that will be created from this challenge will mean so much to the young military men and women who have served our country and sacrificed so much for our safety and freedom.

 I hope you will send your Quilts of Valor quilt blocks in today!!  "

Remember for every 5 blocks sent in, you get 1 chance to win a variety of prizes. Quilters Dream is offering 2 different prizes. the first is 3 twin size batts, and the second in 2 twin size batts. You will love them all - I promise!!

BLOCKS RECEIVED THIS WEEK:
Donna W in Vancouver WA (28)
Tuesday Quilters from Greene Co. IA (30)
Lori G Spokane WA (20)
Alison N in Cincinnati OH (15)
Diane H in Anchorage AK (50)
Andrea S in AZ (5)
Melinda in CT (51)
Ann G in MN (58)


Just wanted to show you another recipient. He lives about 6 hours from me, and our Arizona Coordinator happened to be driving through! So I met with her in this part of the state, and she met him in another part of the state!!

This is our Vet and his Daughter. He LOVED his quilt.  I was so tickled that this worked out so well!!

Please be sure to visit all our sponsors:

Vicki Welsh Hand Dyes:     http://www.etsy.com/shop/vickiwelsh?ref=si_shop

Clothworks  :    http://clothworks.com/

Superior Threads:   http://www.superiorthreads.com/

Craftsy:  http://www.craftsy.com/

KimmyQuilt – Kim Brunner: http://www.kimmyquilt.com/

Waterpik :   http://www.waterpik.com/

Quilters Dream Batting : http://quiltersdreambatting.com/

Quiltygirl.com : http://www.quiltygirl.com

Patchwork Times: http://www.patchworktimes.com

And to see how to join in the BIG BLOWOUT BLOCK DRIVE head over here:

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2013/08/big-blowout-block-drive.html It has a list of all the prizes too.... and blocks turned in by October 30th are eligible - and the drawing will take place NOV 8th  - so get sewing!!

Crock-tober week 2

Week 2 did not go as planned. And Nope - that is NOT a complaint!!  We had an unexpected visitor for 3 days, and and unexpected shopping trip on another day that was TOTALLY awesome!!!

So my original plans were:

Old Fashion Chicken Noodle Soup:
Chicken Enchilada Chili
Black Bean Pie   and
Sweet Corn Chowder

I made the Old Fashion Chicken Noodle soup.... yep - that's it .... who knew that things would get so topsy turvy..... But we had Buffalo Wild Wings one night, PF Changs another, and Tres Margaritas another.... so I am ALL restauranted out for a while.

This week..... I have plans - yes I do... wish me luck!

Oh - and!! When you have already shopped for some recipes, and then you don't use them... the shopping trip this week.... easy peasy ;-)

This week:

Lasagna  ( In the Crockpot - RIGHT NOW! Score!)

Black Bean Pie

Sweet Corn Chowder

Football game pizza ..... thats really pizza at the football game. My kids love it, and I take a gf sandwich.

Not in the crockpot - we will have Mexican Fish 

and breakfast for dinner

Crockpot recipes are all coming from this recipe book.  I Love it!!!  

My special shopping trip.... I took a buddy who lost his crockpots in the flood  to find the very best crockpot. We had a great time, and even found some must have spices ....Don't ask me what they were - they just looked pretty. He will have to test them!

Sundays Quilts of Valor 10/13

Good Sunday Morning...

Check out the Mountains in the Mist...

And now.... are you ready for some Amazing FINISHED Quilts of Valor?   Here you go:

Made by Marilyn M of the PFQG Quilt Guild!!

Made, quilted and bound by Connie H
We love her ;-)

Blocks by various, pieced and quilted by Connie H of CO

Close up

Pieced by Connie, quilted by Liz TD of Colorado

UNC Softball team

 The University of Northern Colorado Softball team cam and sewed with us at one of our sew days. They made a zillion blocks, and this is one of the tops we put together from their blocks. It was quilted by Liz TD in Colorado

Made by Judy D in AZ and quilted by Liz TD.  Love Love Love these stars!!

Hope you enjoyed today's quilts!!  I love the varieties of the quilts this week. Have a great week!!! Hope to see you back !

Finished!!!

This quilt is ready to be bound.... so it is FINISHED in my opinion....

It was pieced by Carol at one of our sew days, of blocks that were collected in a block drive.

The backing was made by Holly M ( cool fabrics Holly)

The batting is Quilters Dream Puff. It is super soft and fluffy and cuddly.

And it has binding made, and is in the to bind pile for our Quilt of Valor sew day!!

This was yesterdays sunrise. They have been so beautiful lately, that as I am doing chores, I just sit there in awe.... and my horses nudge me and say "Dork! Get us the hay!" So yesterday I got up early enough to get all the chores done... so I could watch with my camera. I was NOT disappointed!!

And the other spectrum..... the Big Dipper.... from my deck ;-)

Enjoy Your day!!!

10/9 Quilts of Valor show!! Sponsored by WATERPIK Oral Care

OH! MY! Goodness!!!

Kevin asked how many blocks had come in so far, and well, I didn't know.... so I used my handy dandy calculator..... are you ready?

No Seriously - are..... you...... ready?

2461 !!! Blocks 

This is a combination of both blocks.... It is SO!!! AMAZING!!!

Today's sponsor is Waterpik Oral Care.  One of our prizes is a Waterpik Complete Oral Care system - AWESOME!!

Waterpik's new Complete Care combines superior Water Flosser and Sonic Toothbrush technologies in one product and is up to 70% more effective than Sonicare® FlexCare. Now all of your brushing and flossing needs can be accomplished with one convenient device that saves counter space and power outlets. So don't just brush, go complete. The easy and more effective alternative.

The Waterpik® Water Flosser is clinically proven to be significantly more effective than traditional dental floss and Sonicare® Air Floss for reducing plaque, gingivitis, and gum disease and was proven to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas.

Waterpik® Complete Care is ideal for anyone with braces, implants, crowns, bridges, or periodontal pockets.

If you check out this page http://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/complete-care/ there is a video as to how the system works.

From my point of view - a mom with boys and braces  ( FIVE!!! FIVE sets of braces so far!!!!)  This is an amazing system. Everything is right there - in one convenient place, with the coolest set up. Our Orthodontist always gives the boys great reviews as to keeping their teeth clean, and I credit having one of these systems for each kid. BEST. INVESTMENT. EVER!

To Find out how to enter in our Big Blowout Block Drive - here you go:

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2013/08/big-blowout-block-drive.html

And now... for the list of blocks that I have opened!!

Linda R in NE  (50)

Michelle F in CO  (20)

Joyce W in MO (5)

Sally R in MN (40)

Julie S in KS (20)

Kings Quilters in PA (25)

Katie L in KS (20)

Amy B in CO (5)

Jan R in CA (30)   ( Atascadero to be precise.... I LOVE that town!!)

Barbara R in VT (38)

Dar S in MO (20)

Wilson United Methodist Church (80)

Nancy E in CT (40)

Valerie R in OH (32)

Judy R in WA (15)

Charlotte W in OK (15)

Julie C in CO (10)

Judy R in WA (15)

Cathy B in MS (140)

AMAZING!!!!  You all totally rock!!!  

Please be sure to head over to our sponsor WATERPIK - and say Hi!! Check out all their great items!

Oh yes! A lot of you said you loved seeing the finished quilts too - so check out last Sundays post - you may like it! http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2013/10/sunday-quilt-of-valor-show.html

Have a great day!!!

Crock tober - week in review

Our Crock-tober week went SO well!!!

First off here are the four recipes I chose:

Baked Potato and Cauliflower Soup
Beef and Green Chili Stew
Beef Vegetable Soup
Chicken Enchilada Soup

Of course, they were all in the first chapter.... but we LOVED them!!  

So - I am not always a fan of cauliflower - but in this soup - it was quite yummy. I will admit to doubling the recipe though. I kinda hoped that I would have some leftovers. .... And we did! Yay

The Beef Vegetable soup was great! I am always up for trying someone else's recipe... so was very happy that it was SO good!  I substituted Moose for Beef though. I live in a family of hunters - we don't waste a thing ;-)

The Chicken Enchilada Soup - yumm - 5 stars ( or more) I LOVED this one the best. I kept all of the leftovers for me, and even put my name on the tupperwares ;-)  

Lastly the Beef and Green Chili Stew - again Yum! I was afraid it would be a little too hot, but it was yummy. This one was Wrangler Man's Favorite - he marked the tupperwares this time!!

So on to week 2 :
We are going into one of her other books. I have 2 of her books in print, and one on the computer. So we needed a travel book to do our planning this week:

From here we will make:
Old Fashion Chicken Noodle Soup:
Chicken Enchilada Chili 

From the New book:

We will try Black Bean Pie   and
Sweet Corn Chowder

Is anyone else trying some new crock pot recipes? Feel free to share - you just might make my children's day!!

Running Recap

I know.... today is design wall Monday - BUT! My design wall looks exactly the same.... the reason - ALL of my boys had meets this week, and I was able to get to the college one too ;-)

So - Little Bit -
He and his team ran a 4000K run, and did awesome....   He is a total ham - he sees the camera and the smiles come out! Usually there is a thumbs up, but this was towards the end.....

 Ahhh- there is the thumbs up - he and his buddy ran a great race!

And that was the end of the sun.... we then dropped to the 20's and had a snow storm. This kiddo ran out east in 32 deg weather, with the wind blowing like crazy. I think he was tough!!! And of course, he got home and piled the quilts on.... made a momma proud!!

He and his team did great too - even though - I think Icicles were involved!!! His run was a 5K.


Then this kid - the college runner (13 tag) ran in 28 degree weather. Oh my stars. I was in my jacket, and look at them!!!

My fall Foliage shot - I have a feeling it is short lived, winter is moving in. This trail was GORGEOUS!!!

Here he is on the finish ;-) His team runs an 8K...

 Us... I am on the tall side of the hill - I think my height is short lived around here ( tee hee hee)

Hope you all have an awesome day - and it you are looking for Design walls - head over to http://www.patchworktimes.com

Sunday Quilt of Valor show

You all - I have another SEVEN finished Quilts of Valor to show you!!! They are so awesome.!!

I just love spending Sundays browsing a few quilt sites, so I thought maybe you would too;-)

The first three Quilts are from Cathy L in IA - Cathy blogs at http://saneandcrazy.blogspot.com

Not only did Cathy send in these 3 finished quilts  - she sent in Blocks for the Big Blowout Block Drive

 Aren't these Quilts awesome!!!  I love them!!

This Quilt is from Sandra of http://sewinpeace.blogspot.com/  She sent in this lovely top a while ago, and I sadly got behind in getting the tops out to our LongArm quilters..... But Liz TD did a lovely job in quilting it, and it will be bound in a few weeks and ready to go!!

This Yummy quilt was pieced and quilted by Liz - the star blocks came from http://www.mqxshow.com/MQX/Home/index.cfm  Rock the Block Block Drive!  I love the way they are incorporated into this quilt!!!!

 Here is a close up of the blocks - Machine Quilting Expo  owners are wonderful supporters of Quilts of Valor!! Thanks!!!

This is a whole cloth quilt that Liz made too - I think If you click on the picture you can see more details -but I also took an up close one .

 This last quilt is also MQX ROCK the Block Blocks!!! Isn't that cool? I can't remember who pieced this one but it was also quilted by Liz TD.  

Hope you all enjoy your Sunday!  It was pretty cool here for the last two days, and last night I pulled out three quilts - It was SO toasty!!!  ( of course, someone refuses to turn the heater on since its supposed to be 70 on wed)  The cold weather always inspires me for more quilts!!!

Quilts of Valor Show - Sponsored by Vicki Welsh Hand Dyed Fabrics

This weeks Quilt of Valor show is brought to you by Vicki Welsh Hand Dyes.

I have known Vicki for years, and have watched her beautiful fabrics come into being. I am telling you - this is one talented, creative entrepreneur !!

I am just so amazed at the amount of wonderful blocks coming in - it took me almost all day saturday to get these recorded ( time I am gladly willing to take...seriously.... its fabric!!! )

This list.... it's long - maybe get a pumpkin spice latte ( or if your me peppermint hot chocolate)

L Newman in AL (50)
Carolyn F in CA (5)
Jeanine in NC (20)
Martha S in OK (60)
Debbie G in OH (10)
Dianne K in CO (15)  ( Howdy neighbor!!)
Susan M in MA (10)
Judy R in WA (43)   ...she is on a roll - there were some from her last week too!
Sally S in VA (27)
Alice F in NC ( 15)
Jan P in WI (10)
Christy M in KS (10)
Gina S in CO (5) - Hey Gina!! Hope you all dried out now!!!
Sandra G in CO (10)
T Craven in OH (82)
Kay J in CA (40)
Bonnie S in VA (11)
Barbara W in MN (45)

You all - I had a total - I wrote it down, and then I wrote over it.. and the my son asked me am algebra question and I wrote a quadratic equation over it - and now I can't find the number!!! I'll re- add for next week - but its a lot - i mean A LOT!!! We will be able to cover our CO veterans and get some down range.... Happy Dancing here!!


And now a word from our sponsor:

Hi everyone, I’m very happy to be visiting with you and Alycia here today. I have been a big fan of Quilts of Valor since I first found them and then one day I happened upon Alycia’s blog and since then I send all of my QOV quilts directly to her. I try to make at least 3 QOV quilts each year but I’d like to do more. When Alycia started doing these block drives I knew that I had found another opportunity to help by providing prizes. Here’s the QOV that I finished recently.

This quilt is made with all hand dyed fabrics which is a good way to introduce what I do.

I make and sell hand dyed fabric and providing these prize packs to Alycia helps me with my other goal: to introduce (or reintroduce) quilters and fiber artists to the world of hand dyed fabrics. People avoid hand dyed fabrics for a lot of reasons but the two primary reasons are cost and reputation. Hand dyed fabrics are more expensive because of that key phrase “hand dyed”. A lot of labor goes into every yard of hand dyed fabric so the cost is greater. But what you get are the most unique colors and textures that really make your quilts special.

 Here’s a Judy Neimeyer pattern that I’ve made in hand dyed fabric using one of my gradients called Warkton Lane.

Hand dyed fabrics also have a bad reputation for not being colorfast and, therefore, many quilters avoid them. I’m trying to fix that reputation and make people more comfortable using them.

My fabrics are processed to remove all of the excess dye and you can use them in your quilts as confidently as you do commercially printed fabrics. You can read about my process for removing excess dye here and the process is also effective with commercial prints that bleed. One recent quilter used this process on a finished quilt that bled and it got out all of the excess dye that had bled onto her white fabrics. The quilt was saved and won several awards in quilt shows! 

Turquoise dyes seem to be the most stubborn and they sometimes require multiple treatments. I apply this process to any commercial fabrics I buy. I put them through the soak before they are ever placed in my stash. Try it the next time that you have fabrics with unstable color.

For up to date information on my new palettes, new products and special sales, sign up for my monthly newsletter here. A great way to get started using hand dyed fabrics is to try a Stash Pack.

Stash Packs are sets of 10 fat eighths. You get a good variety of fabrics in the theme of the pack. Blend them in with your commercial fabrics in your next scrappy quilt. You can see some of the projects that others have made using hand dyed fabrics in my Customer Gallery.

If you think you might like to try hand dyed fabrics here’s some additional incentive. You can get free shipping on all US orders over $40 now through October 11. Just enter the coupon code ALYCIASHIP at checkout.

You can find me in all these places on the web:
Blog: http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/ (with lots of tutorials)

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1773771307

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/vickiwelsh/


Please head on over an check out Vicki's great fabrics - and be sure to say thank you for all her support!

And thank you to all these great sponsors:

Vicki Welsh Hand Dyes:     http://www.etsy.com/shop/vickiwelsh?ref=si_shop

Clothworks  :    http://clothworks.com/

Superior Threads:   http://www.superiorthreads.com/

Craftsy:  http://www.craftsy.com/

KimmyQuilt – Kim Brunner: http://www.kimmyquilt.com/

Waterpik :   http://www.waterpik.com/

Quilters Dream Batting : http://quiltersdreambatting.com/

Quiltygirl.com : http://www.quiltygirl.com

Patchwork Times: http://www.patchworktimes.com

Crock - Tober!!!

I am declaring the month of October - Crock - Tober!!!

You may remember that I have horribly hungry children, who can eat more that their fair share of food.... BUT!!! They also have sports practices that last till forever, AND I have a husband who is driving south to go east to go north to get home at way later than usual.....

All of this adds up to dinner distress!! Especially since I have to take over some of the evening chores.... and I don't like working in the dark....that all leads me to my trusty Crock Pot!!

I am telling you people  - my crock pot has saved dinner more times that I can count! I have to eat gluten free so imagine my delight when I found another GF eater.... AND!!! She was a crockpot queen!!

Stephanie has a NEW book out!

And I am IN LOVE - (again)  I love love love her recipes. She gives a verdict at the end of each recipe. I feel like I am in her house taste testing!!

I chose 4 recipes for this week. Yes - I know there are 7 days in the week - BUT!! One night is team dinner... I don't have to cook, and one night I am speaking and they are feeding my family. That is truly a win win situation for me!!

Here are my choices- We are working in the Soups and Stews Section this week.

Baked Potato and Cauliflower Soup
Beef and Green Chili Stew
Beef Vegetable Soup
Chicken Enchilada Soup

I will let you know how they turn out!

Here's To GOOD eating!!

PS - you can purchase this book Here at Amazon
Stephanie's Blog is http://crockpot365.blogspot.com

And... She has two other books!  I really love the actual hard copy of recipes. Why? I am still the main driver for my kids - so I can tote these with me, choose my meals, make my grocery list - and feel like I have accomplished something during their practices.

ENJOY!!!