The Numbers are growing

This first quilt was a mystery thru the QOV Mystery group. This one was made by the past president of our guild - so it is presitigious right? She is a funny lady from England - has a sharp sense of humor! She also embroidered a block and set it in the middle - I thought that was neat!
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The second quilt was made by Willa at my moms group. I wish I had her picture - but I don't - the camera ate it. Oh well.
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We had a week with only one swim meet - and since Saturday was the 5th of July they figured most people would be out of town - so we went fishing instead. The boys ( and Dad) Had the boat already and they got up early to make sandwiches and get loaded up. All I had to do was pack my backpack and away we went. That was probably the easiest trip I have ever gotten ready for. I like those kind of trips!
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Have a good one!

My Moms First Quilt Top

My Mom has caught the quilting Bug I believe. My Mom is not a quilter ( okay - I need to rephrase that - WAS NOT a quilter). She knows how to sew - but she basically left that to her mom and to me. She is a writer - and a good one.

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However - She has seen how important these quilts are to the soldiers and she wanted to get involved... I think she may be addicted now!

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The top picture is the first quilt - it is a rail fence. I think it turned out pretty good! And I think she even had fun making it. Then she remembered the quilts that I teach the kids to make and wanted to do one of those - so voila - here it is! That my mom holding them - and I made my Dad jump in for good measure - just to prove he exists. At this moment in time he is wishing they built a bigger house. He says her quilting "stuff" is all over the place - and there is no room for his "stuff".
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This is his "stuff" - a big dog named Hagen.. ( I really think it is he who owns the place and my parents just get to live there)

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Oh - and she has even caught the fabric buying bug - we must give her tips to keep her stash in control..... hmmm

Have a great one!

Alycia

Happy 4th of July

So far it has been a great day. I got to get some quilting in, the boys finished getting the boat all ready. We have had BBQ and now all the guys are out hiking on the east side. Oh we also watched the parade in Greeley - part of the Independent Stampede. We were told it is the largest 4th of July parade... it was cool. We even knew some of the people on the floats.

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This wonderful quilt came from Gayle W. She committed it to our Quilt of Valor Challenge and I am glad. It is very detailed and a soldier will love it!

It is all quilted Bound and ready to go. It got a Thumbs up from my guys!

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I also recieved a package of backings. The dear sweet hard working Ladies of the Machine Quilters Exposition Show sent them. (http://www.MQXshow.com) This is greatly appreciated - I counted how many tops I have to quilt so far... Shew I am amazed ;-) I don't want to post how many because I may re read my blog and panic - tee hee..

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Hope you all are having a great Independence Day! We read about an American Hero who fought in WWII and is making quilts forr wounded soldiers. Tonite we will be on the deck watching all the firework displays around the state and remembering what this day is about!

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Have a great one!

Heartbeat Quilting Quilts of Valor pt 4

These are the last Four finished quilts I recieved from HeartbeatQuilting. This is a very very prolific group!
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As I am working downstairs quilting I keep looking at the finished Quilts of Valor, and then I think of another one that I want to make... My head is full of a ton of ideas - now if the clock would just stop and let me catch up.
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Quilts!

The QOV Sew day that we had a Livermore is starting to finish the quilts. This is the first one finished bu Julie. She chose all western print fabrics in reds whites and blues - how cool is that? And it turned out wonderfully!

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When she started it she said - well I chose the fabrics that I like because if I screw it up - I can keep it and try again. But there is not a screw up on it ;-)

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On the personal front I am working on two quilts at the moment. We just finished this string quilt - the boys helped too. I used a blue grey for the center of the string block and thought I might have enough to make one quilt with this as the center... nope - this is the second one and I still have a few strips left over ...

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Then I started a second Not So Top Secret Project

http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/search/label/Not%20so%20Top%20Secret%20Project

This time in Reds and Creams - I have all the big 4 patches done and am halfway thru the 16 patches... Just squeezing in 15 minutes here and there to sew them together.
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Have a great one - We have a swim meet this afternoon and probably into the evening...

Two More Heartbeat quilts

I loved everyones guesses on the previous quilts. I am now thinking that the first one is not a dissappearing nine patch... so I'll have to keep thinking on it. But how about these two beauties?
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I am loving this Nine patch one - did you notice the blocks in the corners? They are PIECED Flag blocks - so perfect!
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And the Red White and Blue - Such a great color combination!
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These are from Heartbeat Quilting as well. Here is a little bit more about their group!
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"We” are the Tuesday Thimbles, a group of 10+ quilters who dedicate time to make QOV. Wanda Jefferies, of HeartBeat Quilting, donates batting, thread, and the use of her quilting machines to us.
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Isn't that a cool set up!
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Hope you all are having a good one - It is hot here today - but that makes the corn happy - so then I am happy right? Two of my kiddos celebrate birthdays with in 2 weeks of each other - so tonite is celebration nite with Grandpa and Grandma - the boys weaseled them into taking us to the movies -Kung Fu Panda - and then out to Culvers for ice cream. You should have heard the oldest talking to Grandpa today - "So Grandpa , do you want to get ice cream before or after the movie? We want to do what's best for your schedule". Now I ask you how can anyone turn that diplomat down?
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See ya!

Heartbeat Quilting Quilts of Valor pt 2

We are cooling down from a swim meet at the moment . Just can't tough it enough to go back out in the direct sun yet.... But it was a great meet. The kids swam good. I was the starter - so that was fun and Dear Hubby kept the kids moving to the right events. Here is a Picture of one of the fun things that they do at practice... Boy the water felt good today!

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These two quilts are from Heartbeat Quilting Group. They are very prolific and I have more to show you! I am guessing ( because I do that so well) That the plaid one is a dissappearing 9 patch quilt. It is so very soft - one you can defineatly cuddle into.

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The other one - okay this has GOT to impress you - is from an Atkinson Design book called Happy Hour. And this must be the Triple Treat quilt. How do I know this you ask? Because ( jumping up and down wildly) I HAVE this book and Love it!!

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Hope you all have a quilty day!

The First Not So Top Secret Challenge Top

Has Arrived from Ms Wendy over at http://weetoesandnoggins.blogspot.com/ and it is great! She has a good eye for color! The red going thru it is quite striking.

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She has little kids and is quite busy with them - but I am so glad she found time to make this top. I know a soldier will be happy to have it!

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Quick Vacation

Last Saturday a cousin was getting married. So we had a Swim Meet in the Morning, at noon loaded into the car and drive North 3 hours. Got showered and into the church with 15 minutes to spare. The wedding was BEAUTFUL. The reception was even better. We got to talk with lots of relatives and hang out.

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Then Sunday Morning we got up and headed out to Ayres Natural Bridge Park. My husbands Great Grandfather donated the land to Wyoming to make this park -

so we had to take the boys out to it and hike around! The whole area surrounding it is really pretty. So we hiked as far as we could, then rolled up our jeans and waded in the water. It was slightly cold! Although the little guy stayed in the longest. He must be part fish!

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Well I know this isn't quilty - and I can't really make it quilty... I could make it arty though. My husbands Aunt painted us a watercolor picture of the bridge and it is gorgeous!

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Hope you all have a good one - I am hoping our day slows down a bit and we get to be home for most of it... maybe even in the house - with power - and no thunderstorms..... A girl can wish ;-)

Heartbeat Quilting Quilts of Valor

There is a group that meets in Spokane WA at Heartbeat Quilting (http://www.heartbeatquilting.com/) that makes Quilts of Valor. They really want to help cover our wounded and Boy! is there heart in it!! They sent me 2 boxes of quilts. So I will let you drool over some of them today.

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It is amazing to me to watch the numbers grow over in the side bar.... we are in the double digits already!

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Hope you all are having a quilty day! We had a swim Meet this morning - are home for lunch and then heading out to a QOV sew day this afternoon.