Winfield Sew-in--SUCCESS

Yesterday's sew-in was great. We had more ladies sewing yesterday than the year before---what more can we ask for. I can only estimate how many tops will come in from the number of kits I came in with and I'm guessing 20 tops. Some tops went home for finishing. We also received some much needed fabric from a couple of shops.

I hope we've recruited a few more quilters for the cause of letting our troops know we care! Thank you to the Ladies Auxiliary for all that they did to see this happen. I hear we're already talking about next year!
Rita

GREAT job, kids!

This past year, Marilyn went to her grandson's 5th grade class and helped them make a quilt of valor. The recipient was Shane Brady (Army), the 3rd grade teacher's son who had returned from several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Shane was overwhelmed by the kid's gift.

How proud do you think THEY are! Great job, Marilyn.
Rita

Pillowcase alert

I know every time I ask for pillow cases, I get them. Well, I didn't realize how low (4 left) we were getting until the other day I had a few completed quilts come in. Now, I've got fabric if you need some fabric to do these. Do remember that these as well as we do for the quilts should be done in quality fabric...no child prints, etc.

Thanks for all you do! Hope some of you are planning on joining us at the sew-in on Saturday in Winfield. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call or email me.

Rita

Sew-In Reminder for Saturday, June 25

Don't forget the Quilt of Valor sew-in that is scheduled for Saturday, June 25th at St. John the Baptist Parish, Sebahar Hall, located at: 0s233 Church St., Winfield, IL. We'll begin at 9:00 a.m. and sew and sew until 3 p.m. Bring your filled bobbins along with your sewing machines. Kits will be provided. They're asking for irons and iron cloths as well. Lunch will be provided.

Hope to see you there for the day or for however long you can stay to make quilt tops for our returning servicemen and women.

Rita

Market Day Report

Yesterday, we made our debut at Aurora's Farmers Market. On our way there it started to sprinkle and I thought, OH GREAT! But no, we had no rain---no sun, but no rain, and that is a good thing. I might have been able to sell a handwarmer or two.

They had a tent already up for us which was also a step in the right direction. I have nothing to compare it to, but I was pleased. The raffle quilt was a hit with both men and women and didn't have to twist any arms to sign the blocks that will be put into a quilt. I've lived in Aurora all my life and it was so nice to see a lot of familiar faces that I haven't seen in awhile.

So, thank you Aurora for the opportunity to make an awareness that we are making these quilts for our troops! To be among people who see what we are doing and saying it was their "honor" to be signing these blocks is good for the soul! Take an opportunity to work the table on either a Saturday morning or Wednesday afternoon this summer and get your own warm fuzzies.

I also have a report from Vicki on how the Rockford/Beloit area did at their sew in:

The Beloit Ladies of the Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor met as usual on June 1 (first Wednesday of the month). We had a great group. I think there were 10 ladies and we gained another new member. Welcome Suzie Wendel. I came home with 7 more quilts. As you can see these ladies produce the quilts. We had a great lunch and then back to work. I (the longarm quilter) am working very hard to get caught up. We had a reporter come to visit from the local newspaper and he is going to run a story about our group and Quilts of Valor, maybe we will get some more interest and some donations.
Well done!
Rita

Pictures of quilts from yestesrday's take-in

Here are a few pictures of quilt tops finished yesterday and one top quilted (pattern from Three Dudes QS, AZ. Thank you to the person who donated those 2 1/2" stripped batiks--didn't leave their name. Love the patriotic Square in a Square and don't we ever use up the scraps with the chisels!
Rita

Yesterday's Sew-In

Weather outside was VERY hot but we managed to get a lot accomplished yesterday. ok, you wanted to know how many quilts, etc. I came home with 6 completed tops (quilted, labeled, bound and in the pillowcases); 10 tops (now these included ones that were dropped off completed at home as well; and 6 needing labels! Not bad, huh!

Oh, and we had a QOV presentation as well. Chris and her mother stopped in to pick up quilts for her nephews who are returning home for a family reunion at the end of the month. Sgt. Zachary Knud Klingberg was with the First Marine Division, Fox Company 2/5; and was involved the the initial invasion in Iraq in 2003. He is now with the Army - 314MP Company out of Irvine, Calif.

His brother, PO Drew Leif Klingberg is with the Coast Guard, PSU 311 (Port Security Unit) out of Long Beach, Calif.

BIG thank you for the donations brought in with the signature squares. Headed out this weekend to pick up some much needed fabric for backings. Thank you to those who volunteered to help man the tables at the Farmers Market. And thank you to all who took quilts that needed binding...whewwww

Thank you for your dedication in this mission. If you're in the area of the Aurora Depot on Rt 25 Saturday, the first of this year Farmers Market...stop by and say hello! It would be nice for the people to see the faces of our quilters.
Rita
PS... don't forget the sew-in in Winfield on June 25th. Also, let me know if you're headed to the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest. Stop in to meet Catherine Roberts, the founder of Quilts of Valor.