Merry Christmas

I'm sorry I'm late on that.  We had 3 days of family Christmas....it was great!  To see the excitement in kids faces is such a treat.  My wish is that you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.  Of course we remember the greatest gift our Servicemen and woman give or have given is the gift of freedom.

A few quilts were presented over the Christmas holiday.  Pictures are taken with the iPad now and I can't figure how to get them downloaded to the computer to post here.  Pretty easy posting them to our Facebook page.  Will have to just take along the camera I guess.  But again, join us on Facebook at Illinois Quilts of Valor.

I'd like to get more feedback on the "First Annual" QOV sew-in on February 1st that is being planned this year.  I could supply fabric and pattern if necessary if you would like.  Any ideas of where if you'd like to gather?  Let me know.
Rita

Two Presentations Yesterday

Yesterday morning was busy for us.  Had the honor presenting of a QOV to Matthew Johnston, a Marine who served two tours in Iraq, one in Fallujah and another in South Sinjar.  Welcome home, Matthew, and thank you for your service.

Sandra A made a presentation at a Welcome You Home celebration yesterday to SPC Joseph Wucka, Army ,  served in Afghanistan.  Hope to get a few words from Sandy...and maybe pictures.  Welcome home and thank you for your service, Joseph.

 And, thank you Sandy for being there and representing QOV.
Rita

A note on Tuesdays sew in

I wanted to share some pictures of our show and tell from Tuesday.  Also, thank you Dorothy for picking up the quilts from the shop.  Came home with 13completed tops!!

Well, I had every intention to post the pictures but am having a problem.  I have posted to Facebook..you can find us at:  Illinois Quilts of Valor.  I don't know if the problem is sending from the iPad to the computer cause I am unable to post pictures directly from the iPad to the blog but am able to send to Facebook??? I welcome any help here :)
Rita 

Met with Elaine Hicks this AM and wrapped her in her quilt.  She was so thrilled!  As she mentioned, Vietnam era folks did not get a happy homecoming.

She was tickled that the pillow case had the Navy fabric. 

 Thank you, Elaine, for your service.

First Ever QOVF National Sew Day - February 1, 2014

Quilts of Valor Foundation has chosen February 1, 2014—National Freedom Day—as the first ever QOVF National Sew Day. Quilters all around America are asked to sew for our combat service members and veterans touched by war. It’s not too early to start thinking of blocks and patterns, cutting fabric, and inviting friends to gather together. Let’s reflect on our freedom and make more quilts in one day than ever before on QOVF National Sew Day.

Let’s Make Freedom Ring on February 1, 2014!

Sew In Reminder and watch for shop closing due to weather notice

Well, jury duty is over for the Pennington family!  Did I tell you Gary had it last month and I had it this past week!  Just doing our duty...all part of the "system".

So, we have another sew-in Tuesday at Sewing Etc, in Yorkville.  If you still have unfinished projects, go ahead and bring them along.  I have a few here that ...well, what happens, and I got to work on this, some people will pick up a kit and work on it day of sew-in and turn it in unfinished!  What's bad about that is all sewing machines are different and some of us do "scant" 1/4" seams and some do "generous" 1/4" seams.  I need to "enforce" that we take it home with us whether we're going to finish at home or just bring back to the next sew-in to finish.   AND if you have an unfinished kit or project, it's best not to take another cause nothing like having a QOV UFO plus what we have of our own, right!!  Plus, it gives me an idea of what's out there and what we need to do in regards to making up more kits. 


Another important thing to note:  If the weather is bad, you can check this blog or I'll post on Facebook whether we're cancelling or not or if the shop is going to close.  i.e., Rt 47 does get drives...as well as Orchard Rd. and Randall for that matter. 

So, hope to see you Tuesday.  Stay warm.  I'm going to enjoy the snow from inside!  I should say, I'm planning to...
Rita

Superior Thread for our Machine Quilters

Superior Threads has partnered with the Quilt of Valor Foundation to provide registered members with So Fine #50 and King Tug quilting thread.  They have offered our membership So Fine #50 at $7.95 a cone and King Tut at $12.95 a cone.  To register go to QOVF.org.  If you are solely quilting for Illinois Quilts of Valor, put that in the notes area.  If they contact me, I will verify.

A registered individual quilter may purchase a total of 6 cones of thread annually.

Three colors of each thread have been chosen to typify the need for patriotic quilts.  They are:  #413, 401, and 431 in So Fine; and 919, 976, 971 in King Tut.

Upon receipt of the letter of Authorization, Superior Threads will contact the purchaser via phone, request credit card information for payment and shipping address verification.

The contact person is:  karen@superiorthreads.com (phone) 1-800-499-1777

Sharing another newsclip...make that two!

check out the quilts on yet another Brian Williams newsclip:  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x180jml_nbc-nightly-news-with-brian-williams-wounded-soldiers-journey-to-safety-out-of-afghanistan_news

Here's one featuring Eddie:  http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/crosby/24151427-418/disabled-patriot-i-wish-i-could-do-more.html
if anyone can get a copy of this for me, I'd love it!
Rita

24 FINISHED Quilts, 5 just needing labels and 7 tops

Needless to say, my car runneth over yesterday.  Thank you Mary Jane for taking the overload.  What a problem, huh!!  I'd say we've done a whole lot of finishing of our projects this past month.  We will be back with more ideas for our red/white and blue strips in January.   Thank you Priscilla for taking the strips home and getting some of the strips ready---that's a big job.

It was like a reunion yesterday:  Tina and her friend were here from Beloit!  Sharon was back!  Congratulations and thank you Jane for the 12" stars.  And thank you more for taking the stars home to make up some more tops!!  Nice to see you again, Patty and can't wait to see what you do with the Anniversary squares.  That pattern was the pattern the QOVF had to commemorate its 10 years of existence.

To top the day, we had the honor of presenting a QOV to Steven S, Army--2 tours Afghanistan.  Thank you Steven for your service!!  His Mom brought along a reporter from the Beacon News...always great to have the avenue to spread the news of our mission.  Denise, you are welcome anytime. 

Thank you for the birthday wishes.  As I said, I'm more into celebrating 6 years cancer free and thank you for celebrating that with me.  Thank you, Cheryl.  Have her tell you about the first birthday cake she brought :)

Each month it humbles me to be a part of the "team".  We get newbies each month and you just "do it".  We did have a great show and tell but now I need to get them off the iPad and onto the computer.  You can see them on our Facebook page:  Illinois Quilts of Valor.
Thank you all for what you do.  You make my job so much more easier.
Rita

Presentation at our sew in today

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/24149001-417/gratitude-and-comfort-for-a-soldier-with-ptsd.

Huntley QOV Sew-in change

Please note the change of location for the Gazebo Quilters in Huntley.  Beginning in January, they will continue to meet on the first Tuesday of the month at:  American Community Bank on rte.47 in Huntley.  Sorry to hear of the closing of the shop, but so happy to hear they will continue on the mission of covering our troops with quilts.

Rita