A few presentations this week

We were back at the Veterans Breakfast on Thursday and presented a WWII veteran a quilt.  My are they ever grateful!

This morning at the Farmers Market, a QOV was presented to a WWII veteran, and a Vietnam Purple Heart Veteran.

There's a "patriotic sweep" pumping up in Aurora.  The Vietnam Moving Wall is coming to Aurora during Veterans Day Week.  People are volunteering to help, plans are in the making for a city-wide involvement.  I'll keep you posted.
Rita

Great Lakes Sew In

So you can bring your calendars along on  Tuesday:

"The Captain was wondering if you and the ladies had an available Friday in September?  The event would kick off at 11:00 a.m.  We would ask for everyone to bring in their irons and we will ave extension cords."

For those wondering what this is all about...When I was at the RWW in Madison, had quite a few of the Great Lakes Naval Base people ask me when they can come and sew with us again.  Well, we all know how crowded it can be, so I gave them the idea of us going to Great Lakes!  We can car pool.  So, if you check your calendars and let me know who is interested, we can have an idea of how many.

One more thing...please don't tell me to "let you know".  Until I have a list with emails, I'll post here on the blog to keep you up to date on the plans.   OR you can call me to find out the details as we get closer.
 Rita

Sew In Reminder for Tuesday, September 3rd

And the months keep flying by!

I wanted to send this early enough so you can look up and view the pattern we will be working on Tuesday.  I think you're going to like it.   The pattern is called:  Sunny Skies Quilt  http://freebiesforcrafters.blogspot.com/2013/01/httpyoutu.html

This is at Prairie Shop Quilts in Batavia, Tuesday, September 3rd, 10 AM - 3 (ish).  You will need a rotary cutter to cut your rectangles and if not enough 4-patches,  I will bring along more 2 1/2" strips.  We need your sewing machines!! 

Sew In at Great Lakes is in the planning.  Let me know if you are interested.  

Reminder:  We have a presentation Thursday morning if you're interested in attending. 
Upcoming events:  October 5, Waukeegan, IL..presentation to 5 graduates of the Lake County Adult Probation.  These are returnees who go thru a special program if stopped for a non-felony.  

Have a great Labor Day!
Rita

We're cutting and kitting in Yorkville today

Just a quick reminder:   we will be cutting and kitting today.  Hope you can come and help.  I'm trying to get as much cutting of the scraps as we can before the weather turns.   I also have a couple boxes of donated craft size batting.  We need these sewn together (large zig-zag)  so we can use them for the QOV quilts.

If you would like to be a part of a presentation, there is one on Thursday morning.  Let me know and I'll give further details. 

Saturday morning we have a booth at the Farmers market.  Another presentation is planned.   Would love to have you be  a part of that and could definitely use your help.  It's about the last chance to sell raffle tickets for our raffle quilt.  With all the strip piecing we've been doing, would love to be able to buy some thread and of course batting.

So, if you're coming today...bring rotary cutter and ruler!
Thanks.
Rita

QOVF blog

http://qovf.blogspot.com/

Check it out!

We're getting them done!

Had another nice sew-in in Yorkville at Sewing Etc. yesterday.  While only two worked on the new-to-us pattern, others were finishing up projects.  Also in the works are the projects for the next few months.  Which brings me to letting you know we will be getting together on Monday for cutting and kitting.  You like coming to the sew-in with a kit awaiting...well, this is where it's done.  We start at 10 and usually don't go much past noon.  We could use your help...bring along an Accu cutter and dies if you have one, your rotary cutter and scissors ..oh and ruler.  I hope to remember to bring along an extra iron..we could use a couple pressers, too.

I got word that we are having a booth at the Farmers Market on August 31.  We are teaming up with the group that is working on the ceremonies for the Moving Wall (Vietnam) coming to Aurora this Veterans Day week, website:   (http://vietnammovingwallaurora.org/).  This is probably the last weekend for selling chances on our "Opportunity Quilt", so if you can come out and help me that Saturday morning, I thank you! Set up is at 6:30 AM  and the Farmers market is open till noon.  I believe we are having a presentation that morning...always neat to witness.

Speaking of the fundraising quilt....bring in your chances and money.  The drawing for this quilt is October 1st.

Don't forget to get started on making your 12 " (finished) star block.  I have these prizes I'd like for you to have.  Again, any pattern you wish to use as long as it is a 12 1/2 block/12" finished in patriotic colors.  These blocks are due before the December sew-in.

I recall a few of you offered to help sort strips.  Also heard yesterday that more are on the way.  We have a couple "strip" sew-ins scheduled for October, so if we could sort before then...wonderful!  BUT before October, if you can pick up some strips to straighten..THAT would be simply Marvelous!!

Oh, almost forgot....  We are invited back to the Veterans Breakfast,  Thursday, August 29 at Grandmas Table in Montgomery.  Another presentation...  That's at 7 AM

So, hope to see you Monday at Sewing Etc., Yorkville...10 AM...
 Rita

PS...Some thank yous!
Thank you Martha for your work on the labels.  Martha was our "newbie" last month and just jumped the bandwagon and got it done! 

Thank you, Jane S for the note cards.  They are awesome!  Never dreamed of having something like this.   I hope you are back and feeling better soon. Again, Jane S, a newbie last month and just "knew" someone who could.  Love networking!!!  We now have these neat cards to insert with our quilts.

Another thank you

Picked up a thank you today from Charlie M...one of the recipients at our last sew-in.  It reads:

Rita and the ladies with Quilts of Valor

Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt and the recognition for my service many years ago.  This quilt will have a very special place in my home and I am sure it will be a topic of conversation for years to come.
Sincerely,
Charlie M

See you tomorrow at the sew-in in Yorkville at Sewing Etc.

A couple Thank yous

I have some catching up to do.  Didn't, or just couldn't work on that old computer, so, I'll start with a couple thank yous that came to me that I need to pass along:

Dear Rita:

Just wanted to thank you and the ladies for the very nice presentation last Tuesday.  All 3 men were just speechless.  My husband knows how much work goes into making a quilt so he appreciates it from a different level.  When we got home he spread it out on the bed and there it is to stay!!!  He said he thinks he got the best one!!  Well whatever he thinks is OK with me, I thought they were all wonderful.

Again thank you,

Your friend with a needle,

Paulette Marini

and from Bob:

Rita
I was really touched by the presentation of a quilt from your group last Tuesday.
It will always mean a lot to me.
I regret one thing though, I should have asked each lady present to introduce themselves. It
would have put names to each person. What you and they do should be very recognized.
I was 19 years old when we were ambushed and sunk at the mouth of a small river in
Viet Nam. I was wounded and was later given a bronze star for actions on that day, so
long ago and still on my mind.
Thank you and your ladies for what you do for our Vets.
Take care and may God Bless you all.

pictures

Well, new computer is up and running.  Let's see if I can post some pictures.  From the RWW last Saturday in Madison:  (you're looking for your quilt, huh)

This morning we worked the booth at the Farmers market.  My ears perk up when I hear of a Vet.  Well, Ron, the one playing music at the Market mentioned he as a Vietnam Vet.  We surprised him with a quilt!

Star Blocks and there will be PRIZES

Have a few "gifties" that were given to me and I've decided to have a Block drive.  You can enter by submitting 12 1/2" (12 finished") star blocks in Red, white and blue (what else!).  These must be square and made with quality fabrics.You can use a pattern of your choice.   Person entering the most accurate/squared blocks will get first pick of prize....and ..until we run out of prizes.  Deadline:  Have the blocks in before the December sew in.

We gather in Yorkville, Tuesday, August 20th.  Planned is that QOV pattern in Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting, May/June issue.
Rita

Thoughts of Madison RWW Presentation

I'm thinking these RWW presentations, keep getting better and better! Got to bring along, Karen, the Director of QOV.  Very impressing...  I'm still on a high!  What an opportunity for our Veterans to get away for a weekend and mix with other returnees.  

We presented 58 quilts...all patriotic colors!  What a neat quilt "show" right before my eyes!  The POW and MIA part of the program just hits the heart.  They told me to thank everyone involved in the making of "my" quilt.  Had a few nurses there who had been at the hospitals when our injured were presented their quilt.  They knew all about  the  meaning of the quilts.  We took lots of pictures, but because of our  computer problems (getting a new one this week), will post those later.

 

Keeping you posted

This caught my eye as we were making log cabins this month.  Didn't know how "detailed" one could get with the log cabin!
http://www.quilters newsletter. com/videos/ episode/tips- for-successful- log-cabin- quilts 

Thought I'd make up a "calendar of events"..sort of
August...tonight I have the honor of presenting 60 quilts at a RWW in Madison;
    Next Saturday, Farmers Market---could use your help!
October--we have been invited to be in the Village Quilters Quilt Show
November--Veterans Week, Vietnam Wall Ceremony; presentation at US Foods; Holy Angels Church
2014--a few Quilt Shows and also MQX (www.MQXShow.com) September
and we keep quilting....
Rita
**Having computer problems.  New computer ordered, so keeping my computer "stuff" to a minimum right now.

Presenters Point of View

I need to post Bonita's write up on the presentation Tuesday.  I love sharing these presentations and hope each of you gets a chance to present a QOV to a Veteran some day.  She wrote:  
If you have ever joined us for one of our monthly Quilts of Valor Sew Ins at PSQ, let me tell you what you're missing...yesterday I had the honor of presenting one of our QOV quilts to a Vietnam veteran.  For the presentation we wrap the quilt around the veteran and thank him (or her0 for his service.  It is such a moving moment for everyone and it just drives home how much these quilts are appreciated.

Thank you, Bonita, and  for all that you do for Quilts of Valor.

Presentation Tuesday

I had gotten a request from a fellow (Minnesota) Regional Coordinator to make a presentation.  The person requesting the quilt for a friend was from MN but the recipient was from Naperville.  She wanted to come and be here for the presentation.  The subject came up that her husband was also in Viet Nam, and her son, Iraq.  Could we do it?  We did and it was fun being in on the surprise. I love sharing these presentations with the "heart" of the Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor.

August Sew In Reminder

Tuesday, August 6th, we'll be sewing, cutting, pressing and quilting!  So, please bring your tools.   Yes, I'm going to learn how "Lucille" works and get back into quilting again.   This is how I, myself, started with Quilts of Valor and we really, really need machine quilters as we have almost 30 tops waiting for quilting!

If you recall, this month we will be working on the log cabin block along with some patriotic panels I've been wondering what to do with.  Coming soon, with the consent of the designer of the ABCD block (7 or 7 1/2" square), we will be introducing yet another new-to-us method that I'm excited about.  I also understand that Arrowhead was a success, so we will need to have 10" squares cut.

We have "guests" coming, so you know what that means on the dish to pass ;* 
See ya Tuesday.
Rita