Day 206

Getting ready for this quilt!

More Quilt of Valor Blocks

I won!!!!

I won the Kona contest over at Fluffy Sheep Quilting! Thank you so much for your votes!!!! Here's the proof:



In the pick-a-mix category, the greatest number of votes went to An Amish Girl created by Laurie of West Texas Threads.

World of Charity Stitching Finish

World of Charity Stitching gathers cross stitchers from around the world and creates small quilts for the elderly and hospitalized children.  I worked with them this month to put together some of the blocks for a Sports Themed Quilt.  Here is the finished top.  Now it's off to their longarmer for the finishing touches.  If you would like more information about WOCS - just click on the link.  You can contribute as little or as much as you'd like and it's a pressure/stress free organization. 

Mousie Girl

Isn't she adorable! Julia and I made this together yesterday.  You can find the pattern in this absolutely necessary book:

If you go to Amy's blog here you can even find FREE patterns!  Her patterns are easy to follow and her instructions are flawless.  A must have/terrific softie book for your crafting library. 

Could you vote for me?

Now comes the begging part..............could you go here and vote for my KONA bundle?  Thanks so much - I am "an amish girl" - lucky number 13 in the first category - thank you!!!!

PS - If I am lucky enough to win - it will add 2 yards of yummy fabric to my ever growing stash :)

My First Granny Square!

I took the plunge along with some many others and tried my hand at the Granny Square.  Here it is - booboo and all.   I actually enjoyed putting this together - didn't worry that much about the seams because I knew it was just a practice.  Now I know I can do this too!!  If you haven't tried one - here is the tutorial I used from Blue Elephant Stitches. 

Day 184/366

This is how I have felt in the terrific heat..................
Suzi is one of the dogs my daughter Julia has been dog sitting for.  They are miniature Daschunds.  Her sister Sparks is just as cute  - take a look!

Hannah & Harrington Block 5 - June

Here she is....................

Day 178/366

Beating the heat! We've had 100+ degree days for the last 3 days - it's much better inside than out.  It's funny, here in Texas, we stay inside when it gets too hot, much like we did in Maine when it got too cold.  Except the air conditioning is a little less - well a LOT less expensive the heating oil.

I know I post a lot about needy projects and I am about to tell you about yet another one.  I received this email today and felt I needed to pass it along.  Even if it results in just one block or one quilt, I've done my job.  Read on.......

More Wounded Means More QOVs Needed

This is an urgent message to all!

June Moore
Executive Director
QOVF
509.346.9332
509.989.2960

Afghanistan-NO, the war is not over!

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.

If you would like to help meet this need, please request a destination at http://www.qovf.org/req-destination.html.

Marcella Pirner-Cormier

Destination Coordinator

Quilts of Valor Foundation

Kona Solids & Fluffy Sheep Quilting

Kona colors from top left clockwise:
Tomato, Black, Dark Violet, Bright Pink, Teal, Basil, School Bus and Corn Yellow

Now I thought this was a fun contest that is being offered by Fluffy Sheep Quilting.  The idea is to pick 8 of your favorite Kona solids from a group of 35 - put together your colors and leave the rest to voting.  My favs are above in the mosaic.  I will let you know when the voting starts so that you can vote for ME!  Click here for Fluffy Sheep Quilting for the nitty gritty and you can join in on the fun too if you'd like.  If not, you can always vote for ME!  Hope your day is a good one - if not just read this little prayer and it will bring a smile to your face.

April's Hannah & Harrington block

Do you think I will finish May before June 15th?  I just might!! Here is April's block for your viewing pleasure.  Off to the library tomorrow to print out May's block.  It does feel good trying to keep up with this project. 

Harper's Quilt

I finished it today!!  Look how pretty it is - and just look at the quilting done by none other than Joanne Lendaro of Insanely Cheap Quilting.  It is perfect - I am pleased and hope that Harper's Mommy will be too.

And of course, one more important thing:

Happy Memorial Day - thank you to past, present and future soldiers.  I am so grateful for your service and sacrifice.  And the sacrifice of your families.  I will always remember.

Day 147 - Smile

So, this is what my boys do when I say smile!  Is it any wonder we haven't had a family portrait done in years?!!  At least one of them cooperates (in this picture!)





Quilt Poems

I am finishing up a baby quilt and remembered that I had once read a poem about not keeping the quilt as an heirloom, but to use it daily.  I found this site - The Golden Thimble - and found a poem similar to what I remembered.  I'd like to share it with you.  I also found another poem that I hadn't read before and it was a hoot, so it will follow the gift poem.  Hope you like them!!  (If you happen to know the authors of either poem, please comment and I will include them)  Thanks for stopping by!!

This Quilt

This quilt is made of cloth and thread.

To place upon your little bed.

It's not an heirloom - just to keep,

But to lay upon as you count sheep.

Or perhaps the floor's the perfect place,

For a doll and teddy picnic space.

This quilt can be anything you can dream-

From Superman's cape to the robe of a queen.

Pretend it's a raft adrift at sea,

Or just cuddle up when you watch TV. 

So use it up and wear it out-

I promise I won't yell or pout.

Just tell me when it's days are through,

And I'll make another, just for you.

            

          (Author Unknown)

My Wife, The Quilter

She learned to quilt on Monday,

Her stitches were very fine.

She forgot to thaw out dinner,

So we went out to dine.

She quilted miniatures Tuesday.

She says they are a must.

They really were quite lovely,

But she forgot to dust.

On Wednesday, it was a sampler.

She says the stipplin's fun.

What highlights! Oh what shadows!

But the laundry wasn't done.

Her charm quilt was on Thursday.

Green patches, blue and red.

I guess she really was engrossed,

She never made the bed.

It was wallhangings on Friday.

In colors she adores,

But she never seemed to notice,

The crumbs on all the floors.

I found a maid on Saturday.

My week is now complete.

My wife can quilt the hours away,

The house will still be neat.

Well, it's already Sunday,

I think I'm about to wilt.

I cursed, I raved, I ranted -

The MAID has learned to quilt!!

      

                 (Author Unknown)

QOV blocks

My goal was to complete a quilt top for Marjorie's QOV challenge, but poor health and time just got the best of me.  Here are the blocks that I did complete.  They are off to the Linhart's tomorrow - hopefully to be incorporated into another top.  I will tell you working on these blocks really brings a sense of appreciation of our soldiers - I thought of unknown soldiers coming home and receiving one of these quilts.  I read a comment on Marjorie's blog that really touched me - it said that if each quilter in the US sent just one top, we would be a lot closer to reaching QOV's goal to give EVERY returning soldier a quilt.  It's the least we can do as quilters to appreciate our freedom.  It hit me hard.  I will continue to work on more blocks as time goes along - I already have a bunch cut out.   If you have an orphan block that looks patriotic - you can still send them off to the Linhart's.  Their address can be found on Marjorie's blog - just click the QOV badge on my sidebar. 

Day 141 - Solar Eclipse



We were lucky enough to be in the part of the world tonight to see the solar eclipse! So exciting!!

Day 129

Here's my March block from The Raspberry Rabbits BOM.  Hopefully I can finish April before the May one comes out on the 15th! 

Day 128

This reminded me of the moon - so pretty!

Day 127



Taking a walk in the neighborhood can always prove interesting!

Day 116

Life is good!

Day 107

A new baby quilt top - a small twist on "Rainy Days" by Quilting in the Rain.  I am petrified to quilt it myself so I am hoping Joanne from Insanely Cheap Quilting will take it on.  If not, well................ I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.  As long as the baby gets it before her 1st birthday right?!

Day 104

Another picture embellished at PicMonkey!!

A small time fair has come to Hobbs, NM

Day 103

I used PicMonkey for the first time today (Picnik's replacement) and I LOVED IT!  Great features and all free (for now).  Check it out if you enjoy playing with your pictures.  Here's a picture that I have been dying to take - I saw the pipes a few weeks ago and finally convinced Julia to pose for me.  I would love to learn how to crop out the background above her head - just don't have enough time in the day to learn.  It's on my to do list!!

 Here she is:



Day 102

I know that ants are pretty creepy, but I was watching an ant hill yesterday and marveled at how hard they work.  They even work together to get out the big pieces.  This scene called to me as a picture of the day.