OK, I'm back!

Well, really haven't gone anywhere, but been very busy with an engagement party we held here this past weekend for our daughter who is getting married next year.

So, I have fabrics to sort, fold to get ready to make into kits. If you have some time and would like to help in the cutting, and the making into kits, let me know.   Have several tops here that need quilting, so if you have some time to take a few, that would be great.  We have to remember now, that NO LAST NAMES ON THE LABELS!  Our next scheduled QOV sew-in is Wednesday, September 4th, so, just a little time to prepare for that.

I will also need to have names of helpers for working the booth at the Prairie Star Quilt Show Friday and Saturday, October 12-13, 9 AM - 6 PM.  This biannual show is held at the DuPage Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton.

With the temperatures cooling down a bit, hope you are getting the best of what's left of summer.
Rita

Presented 23 Quilts of Valor

Last night we presented 23 QOV's to Veterans from WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Iraq and Afghanistan.  Welcomeyouhome.com had a fundraiser in Joliet with the evening starting out with the Color Guard presenting the flag, with bagpipes playing patriotic music.  They showed a video of past welcoming home veterans.  If you ever get a chance to attend one of these, it is an awesome experience.   You can sign up for their emails on their website for future veterans coming home.    Rita

Another great sew-in

Well, for me, it was great to be back...missed you guys!  I should remember to use the camera I take so I could post pictures of our show-and-tell session.  If you find you can make it to Saturday's presentation, give me a call.  Everyone needs to experience a presentation!

So, maybe see you at the evening sew-in on September 20th!
Rita

Sharing a Thank You Note

Not that I feel I need to tell you how much these quilts mean to our veterans, but I'd like to share a thank you note we received: 
Rita,

What can our family say, other than an attempt of a most humbled thankfulness of such generosity and thoughtfulness of the quilts given to us at RWW in Chicago. Thinking about it still moves me very much...even more so: solidifying our families' resolve to answer our Country's call again, if we are needed. Mr. Joe Filer, I believe made our family's quilt. Could you make sure he gets this message? Thank you so much for what you do. I really do believe the work LOLQOV does is immeasurable. God bless you all and God bless these United States of America.

Tuesday, August 7th QOV Sew-in Reminder

This is your sew-in reminder for August 7th.  I am bringing along a few different patterns to work on, so we need sewing machines!  Bring along your rotary cutter, small mat, and  ruler.  Also, if you would, check your calendar to see if you are available for the evening of August 11th for a presentation.  I should have more information by Tuesday.

Thank you, thank you for all you do.  The donations are so much appreciated as well.  We are blessed with some generous donations.  As I stated in a previous blog, we do need to keep away from pinks and floral  quilts.  I have a handful of female quilts that just don't move.  Can't say enough about how generous you are with your time both at the sew-ins and so many take things to finish at home.   If you start a kit at the sew-in,  it's wise to keep it even if you need to bring it back to the next sew-in.  Our machines are so different and that makes it so for our 1/4" seam allowances. Speaking of which, all our kits are made for 1/4" seam allowances.  To take a kit and sew 1/2" seam allowance---that changes the required size---can't have that.   We also could use some help cutting and making up the kits.  See you on Tuesday!  Rita

PLEASE NO MORE!

No more pink, big floral quilts.  I have several female quilts here waiting for a female vet.  Can't tell you how long they have been here.  We need NO more please.  Thank you.  Rita

Tentative Date for Winfield QOV Sew-In

There is a tentative date for the Annual Winfield QOV Sew-in.  It is now scheduled for November 10th.  More details to follow.  So, pencil that date in.

Rita

Date for next Evening Sew-in

We will continue our evening sew-ins starting September 20th.  We begin at 5:30.  Right now, we're thinking every other month.

Good showing

The day at the show yesterday was quite productive.  It's really a nice little show.  It's being held all weekend, so come on out and see us.  I love the answer from one lady when we were asking people to sign a block for a donation.  She said, "How can anyone say no!".   Yeah, my sentiments exactly :)

Batavia Quilt Show

We are set up for the show this weekend.  It is located at:  Batavia Quilt & Textile Show 14 N. Van Buren, Batavia, IL.  Today, it is open from 1-6 PM.  Saturday and Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM.   Come on out!

Thoughts from Susie

Hey Rita,

  Am finally getting around to collecting my thoughts and impressions from Saturday.

  What a blessing to know that by participating in my favorite activity...making quilts...can bring some measure of peace and comfort to one who may bestruggling with the complexities of re-entry.  Like you said, to see the looks and smiles on their faces was just priceless.  I am so glad that I can use my time and talemtsin retirement for such a worthy cause.

  Attached are some of the better pictures I took.  I hope they are useful.

Susie

and from Dorothy: 
 This is my first time at the RWW Banquet.  To see all our men getting a quilt.  All the thanks we got.  I am so glad I am doing quilts for QOV.  They do so much for us and giving them a quilt is wonderful how they appreciate  them. Dorothy

More pics from RWW...
 Dessert, yum!

 This captain is retiring...

 Quilts bring a smile to everyones face...

 Here the facilitators are ready to give out the quilts...

 Here is Rita, out of her comfort zone. Good job, Rita!

 Then we signed labels...

 Proud to be an American...