January 3rd, 2017...Sewing/Cutting and "bundling" Day

at the Moose, St. Charles!
Hope your Christmas, Hanukkah was most enjoyable, and that you bring in the New Year all rested and ready to go! We will start at 9:30 and can go until ??? So, we need to prepare for our National Sewing Day.
IF you have a kit that you need to finish before getting a new kit (as I have 2 that I need to finish in order to get a new kit), you can go ahead and bring in your sewing machine and work on that/those.

Batting Station:  we have about a dozen tops needing batting, We tape our batting scraps, measure and make up the bundles to get to our machine quilters.  So, bring maybe a measuring tape, scissors and if you can bring in an iron/ironing board, please do.

Cutting Station:  Caron has come up with two patterns for Nat'l Sewing Day.  Plan is to cut and if time, make up the kits.  So, supplies needed are:  rotary cutter, rulers, scissors (or cutting machines if you wish) and if you have an extra mat and bed risers to raise the tables to save our backs???

I did say rest up, right.  OH, and we are expecting visiting guests.  So, 2017 is off to a good start I hope. 
Rita
PS.  Joyce is ready to take your plastic bags again.

Announcing QOVF Annual Sewing Day info...February 4, 2017

The date is set, we are getting kits ready now. Will you be joining us for the Annual Quilts of Valor Sew-in on February 4, Moose Lodge in St Charles? If you are like me now, I can't come to the monthly sew-ins so this is the LEAST I can do!! This is year 4 that I am involved and I am always amazed how much we achieve when we work together. Please RSVP so we know how many kits to plan. Last year we had 28 give or take. Can we top that? Oh, and if you can bring a little something for the food table that would be great!!! Bring a friend and even if they don't sew we can find something for them to do!!! Look forward to seeing you there!!  Caron Carlson

You can now start registering at the QOVF web page. They will be having drawings for prizes that day. We also have another location. Sugar Grove at the Firehouse. Elizabeth Ivins will lead the group. As soon as I get more details, I'll also set up an event so if kits and or fabric is needed, there will be enough.
Montgomery, I need to know if there is interest for the VFW so I can inquire if they can have us. Email me, call me, let me know. Otherwise you are welcome at the other locations.

December Sew-in Reminder Notice

Sew day at the Moose, St. Charles, Tuesday, Dec 6. We will be starting at 9:30 and go until 2 PM, and it's bring an appetizer day! Don't forget your extension cords, sewing/quilting supplies. Also, for those who attend the sew-ins in Geneva at Aunt Sassy's, December's sew in is cancelled.

Montgomery Sew In

Another enjoyable day quilting with friends! Came home with tops and finished quilts...We had a special guest. Mr. David W was there to accept his Quilt.. Thank you for your service, Sir...always a plus. Thank you to all who showed up! Here is nor show n tell!

Montgomery Sew in Notice

On Tuesday, November 15, we have our 2nd QOV sew in at the VFW Hall in Montgomery. I'm hearing to expect more newbies!! That's great. If you are looking for a new project, I'll bring some of the kits I have left. NOTE?.when these are gone, we need to talk about having a kit day or??? I have some patriotic 2 1/2" strips if you want to bring along your favorite jelly roll pattern. If you have been following, we have awarded quite a few quilts with 3 more to go: one today at Freeport High, finish a Rotary Club Veteran members and a graduation at a Veterans Traffic Court in Maywood. We already have a list of upcoming events for 2017. So we need your sewing machines!! Along with your tools of course and extension cords. See you Tuesday at the VFW around 10 am. PS working on bringing in a special guest to award him his quilt.
Rita

VTAC awarding

Deb S attended the graduation ceremony in Waukegan and wrote: Rita -"I've attached a photo of 2 of the 4 Veterans who were awarded Quilts of Valor at Veterans Treatment and Assistance Court (VTAC) fro the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Lake County on 04 NOV. Pictured are Aaron and Greg. Both of these Veterans had to deal with significant issues related to their time in combat, but with hard work, persistence and support they successfully completed the program. One of the Chiefs of Police in the audience told me he was so touched by the event, he even shed a tear when the quilts were awarded." Congratulations and thank you gentlemen for your service.  **Sorry, was not able to upload picture.

Naperville Rotary Veterans Quilts of Valor Day

Just returned from a very nice ceremony by the Naperville Rotary Club, and Susan E Wing can chime in with her thoughts. The ceremony included a nice young lady with a really, really nice voice singing the National Anthem and ending the ceremony with a nice rendition of God Bless America. We awarded 6 quilts. Everyone was so gracious. I don't have any pictures...yeah, my photographer was home babysitting and picking up a granddaughter from school. Again, these Veterans were so thankful. OH, Naperville's Mayor, , Steve Chirico, read a Proclamation making today “Naperville Rotary Veteran’s Quilt of Valor Day”. Thank you to the Rotary Club and to their Veterans for your service.
Rita

November sew in St. Charles Moose

Note from November's sew-in yesterday at St. Charles Moose. I counted almost 20 volunteers...thank you, ladies. Oh, and that's not counting the few ladies who stopped by to pick up tops for bindings and dropped off quilted tops!! We drew the lucky winner of this year's Opportunity Quilt. Ticket # 713656 and congratulations, Adele J. Thank you to all who donated! Another shout out to the ladies who are helping me with the upcoming presentations this month. Here are the pictures of the 11 tops that came in.

Honoring our Korean Veterans

Yesterday, AVAC, Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, held a special event honoring Korean Veterans. We accepted their invite to award Quilts. Thank you Cheryl P, and Marilyn Swinkin Lichtenstein for your assistance in awarding 32 quilts.  Thank you gentlemen for your service.  Hereare a few pictures:

Skokie Mental Health and Veteran's Court

Our busiest time of the year! Today we awarded quilts at the Mental Health & Veteran's Court in Skokie, IL. Martin H, Aaron H, Juan B and the Honorable Michael Hood...thank you for your service. What an honor to be there and hear their stories! Thank you, Elizabeth Ivins and Cheryl P for your assistance.  Thank you gentlemen for your service.

Quilt Shows and catching up

Have had two successful quilts shows.  1-Prairie Star Quilt Guild and 2- MQX, Springfield.  Thanks to Accomplish Quilting for all the quilts they quilted!!!  We now have MANY quilts needing binding.  At the MQX show, some Veterans received their quilts.

This is what we have upcoming next month:
-46 Korean Veterans and 1 Vietnam 
-4   Waukegan Court
-3  Maywood Court
-4  Skokie Court
-16 Rotary Club
-6 Glenda's church
-4  Freeport High School
** Foundation request for 11..waiting to see if we have enough.

Prairie Star Quilt Guild Quilt Show

Prairie Star Quilt Guild Quilt Show

DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton, IL

Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9- 4 PM
You won't be disappointed.

Stop by the QOV Booth!

Roncalli Class Reunion--23 Veterans honored

23 Roncalli HS Veterans received their QOVs at their class reunion ..Thank you for your service!!! Thank you, Joe Toma for inviting us to share in your veteran recognition part of the program. And thank you Jim and Donna Bohr and Gary Pennington for your assistance!

Montgomery's first sew-in

We had 14 ladies show up today... and I'm very good with that. And a welcome to our newbies!!! If we didn't fear shorting out the power, we could each have our own table! Note: there is plenty room for more. I brought home 3 completed quilts. Here is today's sew n show!

Montgomery VFW sew-ins begin this month

Tuesday, September 20, at the VFW, 121 N River St. we have a new QOV sew in location. We will begin meeting every other month on the third Tuesdays of the month, until further notice. 10 AM - 3 PM. You will need to bring along your sewing machines, a power extension cord, a pressing mat if you have one, quilting tools and a sack lunch. NOTE: Please check here or on the blog for any cancellation notice as they rent the hall for funerals as well.

September Sew In Notes

Wow, another full-house today! AND we had 3 special guests. We had the honor and privilege to award Mr. James H, and Mr. Lloyd S their Quilts of Valor. And Mr. Franklin P came by to visit. Nice surprise for Anita! Erica, you're listed as the quilter and he thanks you and thanks you as well. Thank you gentlemen for your service. Here are the quilt tops that came in.

Sew ins

Not able to spend much time at the computer, so going to set this up now. 

Today, is the month sew-in at Aunt Sassys, Geneva, from 11-4 PM.  Bette and Fran would love to have you join then.

Next Tuesday, that's right, day after Labor Day, September 6, we gather again at the Moose in St. Charles.  Now, if you're wanting to cut, please bring your rotary cutter, maybe a small cutting mat and tools.  You want to help bundle or press, thank you.  You know we cut our scraps into usable strips.  I've got 3 1/2, 4 1/2 and 5 1/2" strips.  You needing a kit, let me know.  Find your own pattern or let me know which one of ours you want to do. 

This is what we have coming up:   That's 97 requests (not including requests from Foundation) to end of year.

…BACCA  (October?)	-5
Roncalli Reunion (Oct 8)	-18
Korean Veterans--October	-50
6 church Nov	-6
Rotary Club (Nov3)	-12	18 ?
Freeport Veterans Day (Nov 10)	-6
Vietnam Wall Oswego 6/29/17	-12

Thank you, Tom for your service.

Deb S, wrote: I presented a Quilt of Valor to Tom S today (Sun 28 AUG 2016). Tom was a personnel specialist assigned with an Army airborne division in Vietnam in 1969. I've attached a photo...and he gave me permission for you to put it on your blog Rita. His daughter and son-in-law where there for the presentation. Thank you, Sir, for your service.

Sale Sept 9-10, 8 AM - 3 P:M

****PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER!*****

One of our QOV friends, Caron Carlson, is having a Yard Sale soon and will include many many quilting and sewing items, and she has pledged a portion of the proceeds of those items to donate to Land of Lincoln QOV. Caron was a longarm quilter, pattern designer, national teacher and all-around fabric hoarder for many years and is de-stashing! Besides lots of household items she is offering-
*Fabric Yardages most $3 per yard
*“Pounders” One pound pkgs of coordinating fabric, no piece smaller than 1/8,
most pieces 1/4s and equivalent to 3.5 to 4 yards total (20+ of these) $10
*Patterns (probably close to 100) $1
*Books (dozens, and many new) $5
*Notions (rotary cutters, rulers, tools of all sorts)
*Kits

If you are a newer quilter/sewer you shouldn’t miss this, or if you just love a bargain you’ll find them! Caron is trying to share some Quilty Love!
The details- September 9-10 8AM to 3PM (check garagesaletracker.com for a rain date if it’s rainy all weekend) 1150 McKee St Batavia (legal parking on east side of driveway)Sunday by appointment for Quilters only!

*******Saturday Cancelled and switched to Sunday 8-3 Plenty left!!!!*********

Thank you Frank P for your service!

It was quite emotional when we awarded Mr. Frank P his Quilt of Valor this morning. What a story he shared. He is a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient in Vietnam. Thank you sir for your service.

Deb S was our spokesperson at last nights Honor Flight welcome home ceremony. She along with a few of her guild friends and some elected officials, awarded 20 Veterans (WWII and Korean). She noted: "it was a wonderful welcome home event. The general consensus from the Veteran's comments was that they had a once in a lifetime trip to Washington, DC". Thank you gentlemen for your service.

Binders, Binders!!!!!

Between now and Veterans Day, we have requests for 97 (NOT including those from Foundation). I have quilts ready for binding which would help us meet these. AND I know we will get last minute requests for Veterans Week once school begins. Even though I hate saying no (especially when we get a school request) those will be on standby. So, if you can help in binding, give me a call. Leslie is bringing more on Tuesday!
Rita

August Sew In Notes

Another sew-in for the record books...if one had time to keep such books! We didn't have our "counter" there, so can't tell you how many were there. We had a newbie!! Welcome, Diane. We had a visitor and we stuffed her car with quilts for the upcoming RWW and some for the Honor Flight in North Chicago both later this month. 13 flimsies and came home with 9 finished quilts. Mary and her crew were SO VERY busy bundling. A couple trips to Joanne's...how convenient!! Here is our show and tell. Had to take a picture of Lisa's car with the QOV's headed to our Veterans and Sandy's car with bundles headed to Douglas Chapman.