I've been contemplating what to write for today and then this came in from my brother that I thought I'd share. Thank you Ray (Marine).
Thank you and the women and men who remember our Veterans every day through the Quilts of Valor. You are all special. The quilt means more to us than any medal we have ever received.
Rita
We are a busy bunch of quilters that strive to provide quilts as our small and humble way of saying "thanks" to our returning troops. Rita Pennington (garipenn@att.net) is our "Drill Sergeant" and she keeps the (quilting) troops moving and motivated. We have 6 monthly sew-ins North of I88: St. Charles, Elgin, Rolling Meadows, Crest Hill, Geneva and Montgomery. See side bar for more info. Join us on Facebook: Illinois Quilts of Valor
Thank you!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Memorial Day Presentation (a little early)
On May 23, 2011 I attended the first Memorial Day Program at the Prairie View Assisted Living facility in Winnebago, IL. I was asked to speak about Quilts of Valor and after having found that they had two veterans living in the facility decided this would be an excellent opportunity to promote the program further and to say Thank you to our Veterans.
I delivered my message about Quilts of Valor and Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor and the reasons for Quilts of Valor and why we do what we do. I closed my presentation by saying we would now be awarding quilts to the two veterans that lived at the facility. The families had been notified in advance so each gentleman had family there to see him receive his quilt.
I awarded quilts to Neil Groves - US Navy serving from 1962 to 1965 and to Chuck Hildebrand who served from April 1948 to April 1952 in the US Navy. Each man was so surprised to receive the quilt and the smiles on their faces made it a most rewarding experience.
I think the other residents of the facility enjoyed the program also and enjoyed see their friends receive the quilts.
Vicki (Beloit/Rockford)
I delivered my message about Quilts of Valor and Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor and the reasons for Quilts of Valor and why we do what we do. I closed my presentation by saying we would now be awarding quilts to the two veterans that lived at the facility. The families had been notified in advance so each gentleman had family there to see him receive his quilt.
I awarded quilts to Neil Groves - US Navy serving from 1962 to 1965 and to Chuck Hildebrand who served from April 1948 to April 1952 in the US Navy. Each man was so surprised to receive the quilt and the smiles on their faces made it a most rewarding experience.
I think the other residents of the facility enjoyed the program also and enjoyed see their friends receive the quilts.
Vicki (Beloit/Rockford)
Monday, May 23, 2011
10 days!
I haven't posted in 10 days....well, that tells you how busy I am, right! Actually that is true. Lots coming up and hoping it all works out. I'm anxious to see how the signature squares are going. Those along with some patriotic 4-patches makes up the quilts we will be making. It's based on Bonnie Hunter's Fourth of July quilt using 4 1/2" squares.
The next thing on the agenda is I'm hoping to get volunteers to help me man our first table(s) at the Aurora Farmers Market this summer! Thank you, Cheryl for the tent and thank you City of Aurora for the opportunity. We have a quilt to raffle, the signature blocks to have signed and of course those hand warmers (hey, might be a big seller when October comes around)! It is my hope to spread the word of our QOV mission. The dates for this are Wednesday afternoons at West Aurora Plaza (starting July 6) and Saturday mornings at the Aurora Transportation Center (starting June 11th). So check your calendar and let me know which dates you are available.
Of course we have our next QOV sew-in coming up as well. We have quite a few kits to finish---it'll be nice to see the various completed tops at the end of that day. So, see you June 7th!
Rita
The next thing on the agenda is I'm hoping to get volunteers to help me man our first table(s) at the Aurora Farmers Market this summer! Thank you, Cheryl for the tent and thank you City of Aurora for the opportunity. We have a quilt to raffle, the signature blocks to have signed and of course those hand warmers (hey, might be a big seller when October comes around)! It is my hope to spread the word of our QOV mission. The dates for this are Wednesday afternoons at West Aurora Plaza (starting July 6) and Saturday mornings at the Aurora Transportation Center (starting June 11th). So check your calendar and let me know which dates you are available.
Of course we have our next QOV sew-in coming up as well. We have quite a few kits to finish---it'll be nice to see the various completed tops at the end of that day. So, see you June 7th!
Rita
Friday, May 13, 2011
SAVE THE DATE: June 25 9 AM - 3 PM
Last year, the Ladies Auxiliary from St. John the Baptist Church in Winfield hosted a Quilt of Valor Sew-in. Well, they are doing it again and the info I received:
It is that time of the year again when our Auxiliary seeks to support our veterans in a very special and loving way; by making quilts to provide them warmth and comfort.
If you, your wives or older children can sew a straight line or if you know how to use an iron your help would be most appreciated! OK, even if you can’t sew a straight line, but always wanted to know what goes into making a quilt, you can help. We need sewers and ironers, and sewing machines and irons too, to use for the day.
Donations to purchase the fill and backing materials are always appreciated.
Once again this year we will be working with the Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor group, a chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Our event will take place on June 25, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in the basement of the church, Sebahar Hall. The event takes place on June 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
If you have a portable sewing machine, iron or ironing cloth (they work better than boards) we could use those too. Come for an hour or stay for the day, lunch is provided through generous donations.
The address is 0s233 Church St., Winfield, IL. For pictures of last years' event, check out the blog in the blog archive dated: May 25, 2010.
Rita
It is that time of the year again when our Auxiliary seeks to support our veterans in a very special and loving way; by making quilts to provide them warmth and comfort.
If you, your wives or older children can sew a straight line or if you know how to use an iron your help would be most appreciated! OK, even if you can’t sew a straight line, but always wanted to know what goes into making a quilt, you can help. We need sewers and ironers, and sewing machines and irons too, to use for the day.
Donations to purchase the fill and backing materials are always appreciated.
Once again this year we will be working with the Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor group, a chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Our event will take place on June 25, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in the basement of the church, Sebahar Hall. The event takes place on June 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
If you have a portable sewing machine, iron or ironing cloth (they work better than boards) we could use those too. Come for an hour or stay for the day, lunch is provided through generous donations.
The address is 0s233 Church St., Winfield, IL. For pictures of last years' event, check out the blog in the blog archive dated: May 25, 2010.
Rita
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
A good recheck and news on funding!
I want to remind everyone of the minimum size of a Quilt of Valor. The Top: Width 55” to 72” by length 65” to 90”. Please no smaller--no larger. Go to the QOVF.org site and find all the basic information listed. Also, we must do our best on these quilts as our war heroes are doing for us!! Recheck that 1/4" seam...make sure you're connecting. Bindings aren't just slapped on. Trust me, if the border is "waving" at ya, it's a quilter's nightmare!! If you're not sure on how to put on a border, we can have a demo.
I hope you're enjoying this weather! Oh, and I've got a lead on having a table to raise funds for supplies. For those who just can't make it to our sew-ins but REALLY want to help, well, maybe you can. This summer we are in need of some help for Saturday mornings and a few hours on Wednesday afternoons. You can call or email me for more information and hopefully, I'll have a schedule soon. For now, if you have access to a tent---just big enough to cover a large table and a couple chairs, please let me know.
Rita
I hope you're enjoying this weather! Oh, and I've got a lead on having a table to raise funds for supplies. For those who just can't make it to our sew-ins but REALLY want to help, well, maybe you can. This summer we are in need of some help for Saturday mornings and a few hours on Wednesday afternoons. You can call or email me for more information and hopefully, I'll have a schedule soon. For now, if you have access to a tent---just big enough to cover a large table and a couple chairs, please let me know.
Rita
Monday, May 9, 2011
WOW
Hope your weekend was as great as mine!! Happy belated Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts! So nice to see the weather cooperated as well.
I don't remember who it was that asked about a Featherweight ...but I just heard of someone trying to sell theirs and I can't remember who you were. Email or call me and I'll forward the information.
There are a few quilts here that need binding if anyone is ready for them and I hope to quilt a few more this week as well.
Other than that, have a great week!
Rita
I don't remember who it was that asked about a Featherweight ...but I just heard of someone trying to sell theirs and I can't remember who you were. Email or call me and I'll forward the information.
There are a few quilts here that need binding if anyone is ready for them and I hope to quilt a few more this week as well.
Other than that, have a great week!
Rita
Friday, May 6, 2011
Sewing in Beloit
Everyone was busy on Wednesday as we stitched up more quilts for the military. We had nine members present and kept very busy. Everyone is working on a new project. Lunch again was very pleasant and then we had a little show and tell about our quilts. This is a very product group of women and they make exceptional quilts.
I have been asked to prepare a display for our local Support the Troops rally that is held the third Saturday of May which is Armed Services Day (May 21). The rally consists of the raising of a flag that flew over the hospital in Balad, Iraq. This flag was presented by my daughter to the village in 2007 and this is the only time the flag flies. Their will be speakers, music and the Civil Air Patrol will do a retiring of colors. This will all take about an hour and we will have various displays set up in the Town Hall. We are hoping for good weather and a good turn out. Everyone is welcome.
Vixanna "Vicki" Robbel
Sounds good!
Rita
I have been asked to prepare a display for our local Support the Troops rally that is held the third Saturday of May which is Armed Services Day (May 21). The rally consists of the raising of a flag that flew over the hospital in Balad, Iraq. This flag was presented by my daughter to the village in 2007 and this is the only time the flag flies. Their will be speakers, music and the Civil Air Patrol will do a retiring of colors. This will all take about an hour and we will have various displays set up in the Town Hall. We are hoping for good weather and a good turn out. Everyone is welcome.
Vixanna "Vicki" Robbel
Sounds good!
Rita
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Great sew-in--good time
Sounds and looks like everyone had a pretty good time yesterday at the sew-in. Thank you to Janet for showing us Method one with Square in a Square...I know I've had the ruler for years and now I know how to use it (a few methods, that is). I know I'm looking forward to seeing the tops done at our next sew-in.
The quilt tops are adding up---anyone want to quilt a top or two, let me know.
Rita
The quilt tops are adding up---anyone want to quilt a top or two, let me know.
Rita
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Whoohooo, for the Red, White & Blue!!
God Bless Our Troops! Well done! I pray we bring all our troops home safely soon! Looking forward to our QOV Sew-in on Tuesday
Rita
PS...I've been meaning to include this video for your viewing that I've received from several people:
http://media.causes.com/1060527?p_id=175378540
Rita
PS...I've been meaning to include this video for your viewing that I've received from several people:
http://media.causes.com/1060527?p_id=175378540
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