Wednesday's Quilts

Bari over at http://crossroadsquilts.wordpress.com made this Green Not So Top Secret Project for our Quilts of Valor delivery. And she used the extra blocks to make a little kiddo quilt. Isn't that cool? Her twins wrote some letters and drew some pictures - that makes me smile!!
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And here's a small world thing for you - Bari and I went to the same college - and we think we might have overlapped a few years in our time there. Although she is in MO, and I am not. Thanks Bari!!
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The Next two quilts are from Marcia in IL. She is part of the Northwest Surburban Quilt guild. Marcia - these are lovely! The star one is very carefully planned, but has such a random look about it. Thanks SO much Marcia!!'
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Here's how you know the weather is going to be windy - I have to do the chores! And I have a list of outside things to do. Needless to say - I have had a sand facial today and have sandblasted my teeth!
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I drug the kids out with me too - so now their faces are all fresh. We had a bunch of new trees to water, and dirt to move. Today we had 8 1/4 tons of topsoil delivered. I thought that sounded like a lot, but when I look at it, I am not sure it is enough to fill what we wanted to fill. We may need to add compost ( and you all know where that came from!)
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Blue Wedding Quilt

This quilt was made by a customer/friend of mine. I LOVE it! It is so intricate and detailed. The picture of the quilt showed wonderful quilting all done by Mary Nordeng. So Mary, I thank you - because we copied you, to the best of my ability!
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My customer loved the quilting in the photo - and it really added to the quilt.
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It was a really fun quilt to quilt, and it helped having a picture to follow.

And no - this quilt did not go to a soldier. It was Huge! And I think she might have made it for her daughter. I might have kept it if it was me.

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Just wanted you to know, that I really do work too ( giggle - Dad... this proves it!!!)

Quilts from San and Mary

San made these two quilts and Mary (http://maryquilts.blogspot.com/ ) quilted them. These two are in my heartstrings group. This group is so prolific - They just keep a quilting and sewing!!

Thanks San and Mary!!

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I got a call today! From a Sargeant. He wanted to thank us for bringing the quilts. He said that a soldier told him about getting the quilt, and that he didn't stay to talk to us. He got back and read his journal and was just loving the meaning of this quilt. Now I don't know what soldier it was - but that makes it all worth it!!

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Hope you all had a great Mother's day! Ours was great. Last night Wrangler Man decided to mow some of the grass growing awful tall around the house - and he ran over a rattlesnake!!! I was glad to not be there!

Deployment One

Here's our little song bird in action! I swear - there wasn't a warble or quaver in her voice!

We got to shake each soldiers hand.

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Thank you for all your wonderful comments. I really appreciate them. We did a good thing quilters! We did good getting quilts to soldiers. They all have scheduling that they can not control, or change. They have events happen on a daily basis - and I think that having a comfort quilt will help. I really do, and when they are sitting around they have the journal to read, and labels to look at.

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Something that really struck me. When you give the quilts out you don't have a chance to explain why you made it, or the words you want to say. So that is what the label is for. I know a lot of people asked what should be on a label. And now I really think I know. Everything you want to say to the soldier, but can't because they are moving on quickly. So something they can read as they are using the quilt. And probably the washing instructions. I did get those on every quilt, just cuz I didn't know if everyone knew how to wash a quilt. When I was young ( just a few days ago) I washed EVERYTHING in hot water. No wonder my pants always shrunk.

Deployment One

Delivery Day. All I can say is that we defineatly overwhelmed them!

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Here we all are on the bus heading down the road. Lots of happy faces and dressed up kids!


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This is all of us unloading the quilts. Good thing there were lots of arms... thats all I'm saying'

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The kids and teachers put together a little presentation to talk about what it takes to make a quilt. And what a Quilt of Valor is.

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Then one of the students sang "I'm Proud to be an American" . She sang it a capella - and boy howdy does she have a set of pipes. I'll admit - I had a tear or two!

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I have to tell you that this was a neat trip again. I will tell you that we truly did overwhelm them with the number of quilts, and the quilts were more than the soldiers in attendence.

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But I have learned that when one door closes, God can open another one. I want to explain that over the next few days. And hope you all will still love me.

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This delivery was a bit different for me because I feel so responsible for all of your quilts. And I wanted to get a photo of each soldier with the quilt that you made. But this wasn't meant to be. There are a lot of things in this world that make me happy - so I expect they will make others happy too, but they don't.

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The air was different this time. The morale of the soldiers is not high. There are things happening on base everyday that we civilians aren't quite privy too, or are even able to comprehend. Wounded soldiers die every day. There is an awful lot of PTSD, and it effects everyone in such different ways. Even being afraid of kids, or to be in public, or of flashes of the camera.

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I know many of you wanted the press to be there. I didn't, and as time went on in our prepping, the soldiers didn't either. They don't want to be a dog and pony show all the time, they don't want to have their problems and injuries on display all the time. These injuries are not badges that they want seen every day. So the press was not there. We did take photos, and will share them with you. I do have a couple of video clips - that once I figure out how to get them off the camera to the computer ( this is where Wrangler Man excels!!) I will get them to you.

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I will probably mix posts of quilts received here, and of the soldiers, as I am still emotional. I learned that someone that I had known had taken his own life due to some complications of injuries, and this just breaks my heart. I am a fixer, and a do-er, and apparently I didn't get that he needed fixing. And if he could do that - how close are these soldiers to that edge? I want to help - not hurt any one of them, so need to present quilts to them on their own terms.

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From Becky

Becky is in my Heartstrings group. A while ago our focus project was to make Chinese Coin Blocks in Patriotic colors. Every one made them and sent them to Becky. Her job was to assemble them. Can you believe what a great job she did?

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These are some Cool quilts!!

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You can check out her blog at http://beckyquiltobsession.blogspot.com and see all the beautiful work that she does.

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If you are interested in the heartstrings group you can go to

http://www.heartstringsquiltproject.com/

I can officially tell you that there are not enough hours in the day! And that it gets dark waaaay to early.

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See ya later gators!

Deployment One

Preparations for Deployment One of the Quilts of Valor Challenge Quilts.

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Quilts take up a lot of space!

And now the floor is lonely!

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The Van was provided by the Independent Stampede in Greeley- its the largest 4th of July Rodeo around ( http://www.greeleystampede.org/ ) . Ask me how I know that!!

They took all the seats out for us - and they vacuumed!!

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The trailer was provided by RC Auto Detail and Carpeting in Greeley. Nice nice people!

Judy in OKC and Rita in MA

Rita in MA got together with some friends and made these quilts! Rita made the first two.
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Diane made the third one.
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Peggy and Jane made the fourth one.
I totally love group efforts. It is so much fun!!
Thank you Ladies!! These quilts are wonderful. My guys especially like the wildlife prints in them... they found them quickly!

I just love the way that Dissappearing 9 Patches can look so different. And all the

combinations they can make. This one as made by Judy L in OK.

Thank you Judy!!!

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Now you will start to notice some changes over on the sidebar. I promise I won't keep you in the dark very long - but things are happenin' ..... be prepared.

Stars and Strings oh My!

Stars and Bars! I really like seeing that finished quilt. This one came From Ellen Y in ID. Thank Ellen!!

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The colors are just strikingm and very patriotic.

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Next come five quilts from Gramma Nancy in MN.
This is a part of her label:

"When you are feeling down, or blue, or just having a bad day – I hope this quilt will make you smile a bit. It’s a “cuddle quilt”, made with love and appreciation, and something that was made especially for you -- I also hope you feel the “hugs” a quilt made with love can provide.

God bless….."

Grandma Nancy

I need to let you know that I am really trying to get all the pictures up quickly. I am amazed at how well we all work under pressure - as it is AMAZING the packages that I have recieved this last week. So if your quilt is not up today - I promise I will get it up. I want to give everyone their day on the blog. Plus it gives me great pictures to show.

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And this brings us up to 731!

Good Morning

We are up and at them this morning! Are you?
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This first quilt is from Judy V in Colorado. She helped her school make 2 QOV's http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2009/04/two-quilts.html
And just couldn't stop! I love her version of the Not So Top Secret Project.
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Next are Two more quilts from Sue S in Colorado. Her sister is in my guild and has bound a bazillion Quilts for us. Sue has the best taste in fabrics - I love how she puts it all together!

The Last two quilts were pieced by Richard, and Quilted by Arlene M in Michigan. They make a great team don't they?

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Thanks all you wonderful quilters. These quilts are sure to make a soldier happy!

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Have a great Day!!