July 2nd Sew In Reminder

Wow, July, already!  AND we're gathering again for another QOV sew-in.  It's cherry picking time, so guess what I'm bringing for the dish to pass!

ok, Same Place....Prairie Shop Quilts Store, Randall Rd., Batavia...
Same Time:  10 AM - 3 (ish)

Need your sewing machines along with rulers, rotary cutter and all that enthusiasm you always bring along!!

See ya Tuesday!
Rita

Cheryl's report...thank you, Cheryl

This has been a busy week with Quilts of Valor.  It started with a sew-in in Yorkville, IL on Tuesday.  That is one of our regular monthly sew-ins.  On Saturday, I rode with Rita (our leader of the Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor chapter) to Rockford, Illinois for the first ever sew-in at Quilter's Haven.  While we were there, the local TV news station showed up to report on the sew-in.  Here is the story that they did on WIFR.  There was film footage, and we were on the 6 & 10pm news, too.  Woohoo!  Quilter's Haven is looking forward to having more sew-ins, in the future. 

WIFR news guy shooting footage of the long arm class

in the process of cutting quilt kits

I cut several quilt kits for future Quilts of Valor quilts.  There are many ladies who just pick up kits, then bring back the finished top (or quilt) when they are done.  Many can't make any of the sew-ins that we have.

Today, I got to make a Quilts of Valor presentation to a returning US Army Airborne Ranger.  Here is just a part of his write up.

 

He has been to Iraq once and just returned from Afghanistan in May (for the 5th time)  He plans on continuing with the Rangers in Reconnaissance.

An E-6, Brett has received the Army Achievement, Army Commendation, Good Conduct Medals, 2 Joint Service Commendation Medals,  Afghanistan Campaign Medal , 3 Campaign Stars,  Iraqi Campaign Medal and  2 Campaign Stars.

My oldest son came with me for the presentation.  He held a flag while the 'parade' arrived.

my son (far right) holding a flag

 There were about 100 vehicles of all kinds that were a part of this. They just kept coming, horns honking and people waving.  Very moving!

first cars

more vehicles and start of the motorcycles

motorcycles

more motorcycles

the fire department

start of the line of tow trucks, too

The presentations were great!  They even gave his daughters teddy bears dressed in camouflage.  Here is the family.

some of the family

  And here is me presenting him with his Quilt of Valor (on a VERY hot, steamy day).

wrapped in his Quilt of Valor

 If you have never been to a Welcome Home event, I recommend it greatly.  Sign up on their website in your area, and attend.

We were on TV!

http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/Quilts-Being-Made-for-Veterans-212632991.html

At the sew-in at Quilters Heaven, in Rockford today, TV WIFR  was there to record us!  That's exciting!

Rita

Yesterday's Sew-in

Had another enjoyable sew-in.   We should have a couple Twist and Shout quilt tops made with all the plaids we have collected.  I bet we have enough plaids for yet another!  I really like that pattern, can you tell.

Thank you, Kelly, for helping me get some much needed batting!  You sure know how to work the phone!  AND your camera!

FYI, we are gathering on Monday to do more cutting and hopefully, put some kits together.  We only stay till about noon and head out to lunch (pending a little one, that is).  So, join us.

Again, thank you for taking the time to come out and sew with us.
Rita

2 Welcome Home ceremonies this weekend

Would you like to be a part of a welcome home ceremony/QOV presentation this weekend?  There are two this Saturday, June 15  One is in Aurora and the other Naperville.  Call me for further details, or go to welcomeyouhome.org.

Rita

Sew In Reminder

Yep, we will be at Sewing Etc., Yorkville, Tuesday, June 18,  to sew for our troops.  We start at 10 AM and go until 3....(ish).  Again, I have mega strips in all colors.  If you're interested in making a strip quilt...any pattern, let me know and I'll pull the colors for you.

A reminder for the QOV sew-in in Rockford: 

• Quilts of Valor Sew-In Friday June 21st  and Saturday June 22nd 10am-4pm
  

Quilters Haven
4616 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-227-1659
Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10am-4pm
           Wed. 10am-7pm
quilterhaven.com
HANDI QUILTER REPRESENTATIVES

Oh, one more thing.  We have been invited to have a booth at the Batavia Quilt Show bataviaquiltshow.com, July 19 (1-6 PM) , 20, and 21st (10-5 PM).  We could use your help at the booth.  Let me know ASAP.  These shows are very important for us.  #1 it's a place to spread awareness of our need to support our troops and #2, we raise money for much needed fabric, batting, postage.  You get a free pass into the show, so why not come and help.

Stay dry!  Rita

Home!

Well, we made it home Saturday night.  Wedding was very nice.  Enjoyed our trip back driving thru the mountains!  This is one great beautiful country!

Heard you had a great sew-in last Tuesday.  If you happen to complete your top, would you mind dropping it off at the shop. Anita Grossman is our guest speaker at guild this month.  I had requested her permission to use the pattern for our sew-in and it would be nice to show her what we did.

Came home to more boxes of strips.  So, if you let me know what colors you would like to play with, let me know and I'll pull them...getting too heavy for me to bring them all in.

Susie had a nice presentation on Saturday. Thank you, Cpl Gene for your service.  I am still unable to post pictures.  I will share the thank you note I got from his mother, Diana:  On behalf of my family we wanted to thank you again.  The quilt is beautiful. He was very impressed.    You All do such beautiful work.    One has to pull pictures from a Picassa account and I don't have one.  I had a presentation when we were on vacation.  I presented a QOV to a Vietnam Vet, Ken R.

If you contacted me while I was away and I promised to get to it when I return and you have yet to hear from me, send me a reminder.
Rita