Two QOV's go to Hines Hospital

Yesterday I delivered two Quilts to Cris from Hines Hospital that will be presented sometime this week (I'm assuming). The textured quilt that Nancy made will be presented to "T" (Marine) legally blind and another "T" (Army)will also get a quilt. He is with low vision.

Hines patient Marine Corps Lieutenant Tim Fallon recently received a very special quilt from the Quilts of Valor (QOV) organization. QOV provides quilts to "heal and comfort our war wounded" around the country. Sharon Helman, Hospital Director, was proud to present Lt. Fallon with his quilt on behalf of a Batavia branch of the group.

Rita

Yesterday's cut in & Happy Easter

Well, that went VERY well. Something to look forward to at our next sew in---Janet will be showing us Jodie Barrow's method of Square in a Square using Method 1. We cut and made up a few kits for the sew in and those who have the special ruler should bring their rulers with them. As in my case, you might want to go thru your rulers and be surprised--it might be one of them rulers you have but have never used and forgot about. Now is the time!! It's amazing how quick these blocks made up. Check out some of the videos at her site: www.squareinasquare.com

Also, we need to get some funds for supplies. I hope to be able to purchase thread and backing fabric soon! A lot of time is spent on piecing the fronts of these quilts, we definitely don't want to be piecing backings as well. It sure would be nice to have coordinating fabrics to go along with our scrappy quilts somehow. So have signature squares so that we can have our friends, family sign and give a donation once they know and hear what we're doing. So, those who help in this fundraiser, I'll get you thread and hopefully some blades! Of course these signature blocks will be made up into Quilts of Valor as well. And, the raffle quilt is ready--I want to have pictures available so we can sell raffle tickets and again, fund our needs to keep on making these quilts for the troops.

For those who celebrate Easter, have a Happy Easter, and for those celebrating Passover as well.

Rita

PS...we have several tops ready for quilting. If you have time to do a few of these, THANK YOU!!

Cut-in

It is confirmed...we are having a cut in, Wednesday, at my house with Janet (Square in a Square). I'm always excited about learning something new. So, if you're able to make it, let me know.

Rita

PS The cut in scheduled the day after Easter has been cancelled.

Beloit Sew-in

The Beloit ladies had another successful day on Wednesday, April 6. We gained three new members - so welcome to Jan, Fran and Kathy. We think they like us and hope that they will be returning. I (the longarmer) came home with 10 more quilts. I have a bit of a back log at present but hope to be entirely caught up by July 1. Tina and I talked to the group about doing a few Quilts of Valor Mystery Quilts to give Tina a break from cutting all the quilts that she has been cutting. We may have to institute a cutting day if this doesn't work out - we have about a dozen active women and most are able to cut so we will see how this goes for now and then may have to try something else. We want everyone to be comfortable, learn a little something and have a really good time. The food was awesome again and we will be together again next month at the church that is so generous to allow us to use some space. So until next month keep on stitchin' and pray that maybe someday they will all be home and safe.

Vicki

Operation Welcome You Home Illinois

I've written about this organization (see their blog) before. Well, there are three warriors returning this weekend. If you want to attend any of these (and they're pretty awesome, let me tell you) look for information at their webpage: operationwelcomeyouhome.org These warriors will be presented with a Quilt of Valor.

on Friday at 6 PM, they will be welcoming home:

US Navy E-4 Melissa Bavone was born in Winfield, Illinois and graduated from George Nelson Tremper High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She attended "A" school at NAS Pensacola, Florida and "C" school in San Diego, California. She has been stationed overseas onboard the Navy's only Forward Deployed Amphibious Ship, USS Essex (LHD-2), out of Sasebo, Japan for the last three years. While she was there she completed many qualifications including air warfare and surface warfare. She also received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her meticulous work and supervision during the ships inspection survey. She also received the Overseas(3) and Sea Service (3) ribbons. Upon completing her duty on Essex and aiding in the Presidents orders of Humanitarian relief for the victims of the tsunami in Japan, she will be reporting to Tinker AFB in May to l! earn the Air Force's E-6B Mercury. When finished in Oklahoma she will report to Travis AFB VQ-3 in September for two years of shore duty.

Melissa has not seen her family in close to three years.

Saturday at 1:45 pm, they will be welcoming home:

TERRENCE KRISTOPHER TOWNSEND WAS BORN JANUARY 2, 1991 AT PROVENA MERCY MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL IN AURORA, ILLINOIS. HE GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL (LINCOLNWAY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL; NEW LENOX, ILLINOIS) IN JUNE, 2009. HE ENLISTED IN THE REGULAR ARMY AS AN EVAC. MEDIC TRAINEE IN SEPTEMBER 2009. HIS MILITARY ORDERS SENT HIM TO FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY FOR BASIC MILITARY TRAINING WHERE HE QUALIFIED MARKSMAN WITH MILITARY WEAPONRY. HE WAS ORDERED TO TEXAS FOR (AIT) ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL TRAINING; THEN TO FORT DRUM, NEW YORK IN PREPARATION FOR DEPLOYMENT TO AFGHANISTAN. AFTER COMPLETING A TOUR OF DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, HE RETURNED TO FORT DRUM, NEW YORK. ONCE HIS MILITARY SERVICE HAS BEEN COMPLETED, (FOLLOWING COLLEGE) HE PLANS TO CONTINUE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.

On Saturday, at 3 pm they will be welcoming:
CPL Robert C. Bacigalupo II joined the Marines in 2006. He has received the National Defense Service Medal, NUC Navy Unit Citation for his recruit assistance and received a ribbon from the Army for successfully recruiting a soldier. He was part of the MCSFCO. He received his Global War on Terrorism Metal for his assignment at Kingsway.

He was chosen as a Certified Explosives Detector Dog Handler. Robert and his dog, K.D., were assigned Afghanistan in November 2009-June 2010. Robert and K.D. found several bombs that were disarmed with out incident. We welcomed him home in June 2010 and returned to Hawaii for additional training for his next mission.

After a short one week visiting family he is headed for his second tour of deployment in Afghanistan.


Also, at their site you will find information about a fundraiser in August. Remember that quilt I showed you yesterday that we need to raffle for the purchase of more supplies---well, hope to have our quilt there.

Rita

Another VERY PRODUCTIVE sew-in

WOW, we just seem to out do and out do! ok, the count for today: I came home with 12 quilted tops (includes the one from Nancy for the blind, which by the way, is so much better in person.. Thank you Nancy. 16 more tops that need quilting and backings were turned in as well. Can't forget to mention the 3 that are quilted and need the binding and label! Oh, and all the pillowcases...thank you, thank you!! Came home with some nice fabric donations as well.

I don't know if everyone heard me that I'm working on getting more quilts to Hines Hospital and they do have a hospital at Great Lakes as well. I know that you, as well as I, like giving our quilts to local warriors and will do my best to do that.

MaryJane, salads were great---good idea!

And got to mention how well we "play" together!! What a great group and I'm so proud to be a small part of it.

I did get pictures of our visitors picking up their quilts. Thank you Karen for this month's storage. These are pictures Wanda took of the van being loaded with the 50 quilts.

You all are great!!

Rita