Don,t forget we are meeting at Prairie Shop Quiilts this Tuesday, the 3rd of July from 10-?. This is the day before we celebrate our freedom and what an appropriate way to do that than sewing quilts for those who help insure our freedoms. And this sober note from one of the directors of the national Quilts of Valor. Fire up those machines ladies!   On Tue, Jun 26, 2012 at 5:50 AM, Marcella Pirner-Cormier wrote:   Just a heads up that the fighting in Afghanistan is very fierce right now leading to a substantial increase in the number of wounded. As such,  the number of quilts requested by the standing weekly destinations has increased from 65 to 105 EVERY WEEK in just the last month. The increase by 40 quilts a week includes the addition of the ICU unit at Landstahl in Germany (15 quilts a week), the addition of the medical unit at  FOB Shank-East in Afghanistan (20 quilts a week) and doubling the number of quilts going to the multinational medical unit at Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan (to 10 a week). These quilts all go to front line wounded service members. There is no concern about whether they have already received a QOV or not. Sadly, we will fall far short of meeting this need since the 65 quilts a week wasn’t even being fulfilled. These destinations request patriotic/RWB only. I’m not asking for a debate here about RWB vs generic/branch specific/feminine. I’m just telling you what the Points of Contact have requested.   Marcella Pirner-Cormier Destination Coordinator

Drop offs/Pick ups

I picked up a really nice completed quilt at the shop and I don't have a name of who made the quilt. I don't recognize the fabrics so I don't think we cut out the kit. You could help me a lot if you leave your name and the name of the quilter (plus city) so I can insert on the label. But thank you for all the drop offs! I've made at least 3 pick ups this past week. Rita

Thursday, June 14

June 14th Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag. Let's do it!

"sharing" the torch

I'd pass it if you'd take it on, but I'm wondering if there is someone(s) who would like to share some responsibility with me. I have been asked to speak at a few functions (2 guilds, 1 VFW and another fundraiser). I'm thinking with the QOV show put on by PBS, the word of QOV is getting out and we seem to be getting a few people wanting join in the "Mission" of covering our troops---which is a GOOD thing!! I was told the first time I had to do this (cause I was overwhelmed in speaking) but, because your topic is something you are passionate about, it just "comes". And it does--believe me. So, think about it and let me know. Rita

Log Cabin pins

If you picked up a paper piecing sheet of the log cabin pin pattern, have fun--I did. I'm dropping off several (I made more copies on newsprint) at the shop today. We hope to sell these at the quilt shows (Batavia, and Prairie Star Quilt Guild) to make money for our mission. Rita

Need a little help.....

Guess it doesn't hurt to ask, but I need some help. I just got a call (and we have had this question before), so I'm going to put it out there. This lady saw our article in the paper and she wants to help. She's kinda in a pickle cause she has all her quilting/sewing stuff in storage right now as she's living with family.... BUT wants to help with QOV. Well, she just missed our sew-in on Tuesday but said she'd love to help somehow. Well, you know all that binding I've got.. Yes, she loves to do binding..BUT without a sewing machine isn't able to sew it on before the handstitching. SO, is there anybodies who could put some of these together for her.. and like I said, we do come across people who have also asked just to do the hand stitching. Thank you!

an OOPS in the pattern

those of you who took one of the new kits yesterday, there's a "little" change you have to make: The size will not end up right if you don't: take a row off the bottom and add one to the side of the top. It should measure 55 x 65 when complete. So, you will need 2 more 6 1/2" squares, 4 more 3 1/2" darks and 4 more 3 1/2" lights p/kit. Sorry for the mix-up.

Fun Sew-in

We had Great Lakes guests at the sew-in yesterday. There were there to pick up 75 quilts for the upcoming RWW next month. CAPT Gary Haben, CMDCM Jeff Martin, YN2 Philip Couch and YNSN Shawna Yale ---what good sports! They each sat down at the sewing machine and "helped". Pam was there to egg them on :) I have yet to get the count of tops and quilts that came in, which I'll do later today when I finish unpacking the car. Oh, and I must mention the fabric donations that came in yesterday as well. Thank you, thank you so much!! So, enjoy the pictures and I'll get back with the count.

Evening Sew-in is moving

We are changing the day for the evening sew-ins to the third Thursday of the month. There is NO evening sew-in for the month of June (nor August). So, the next evening sew-in is July 19.

A Generous incentive at the QOV Sew-ins!!

Bonita has just informed me that you will now be receiving a 10% discount on QOV Sew In days (and not just for things purchased for QOV). Thank you, Bonita and for ALL that you do for QOV!!

FYI

Questions about quilts for KIA's (Killed in Action) came up twice very recently. A group called Home of the Brave provides quilts for our fallen heroes. I've loaded the information on the right side of this blog for future reference. Barb sent me this to inform how those are presented: Every year on the last Sunday in September, Illinois has a very nice Gold Star Mothers service that is held somewhere downtown Chicago. We have been able to participate in this and present quilts to families of the fallen. I have also delivered a number of quilts to the families at their home. When personal delivery is not possible , I contact the family and ask if I can mail it to them. This seems to work quite well. I would prefer to present these myself, rather than have them presented by someone who is not from our group. If someone comes across this situation in the future, feel free to give the family my contact informatiomn and I will care for. Or, give me the name of the family and I'll contact them. I do get a report from the Department of Defense whenever someone is killed so I have a complete list of all the fallen. We usually wait 6 months before contacting the family but are willing to present a quilt at any time. Hope this helps. Barb