Super Fun Socks

I am also a knitter and just love making socks. I think they are easy and there are so many wonderfully designed sock yarns. I could never get the hang of knitting with a couple of different balls of yarn but there is no need to do that.



I am going to try some different yarns this year. The first new one I tried was Sockotta. This has some cotton in it along with wool and some nylon. I really like how they look and feel.

Next I am using some fancy hand dyed yarn. After I bought it I see it is hand wash. So I will have to be extra careful because I usually just toss all my socks in the washer and dryer.

I have found I like having some white in with the colors.

Quilt Police

I often hear things about the quilt police. Apparently they are people who will arrest you for not making a block right, points not matching up, etc.

The other day I put down an older quilt for my constant sewing buddy to lay on. He obliged me and I was able to snap a picture of him.

Decision Made- Exchange block happiness

I just love the paper pieced blocks by Carol Doak. I just received her new book Mariners Compass and found the perfect block. I may not have enough of this fabric for all the bocks but have another piece of the darker that is just as beautiful. I bought some beautiful blue fabric at Keepsake Quilting in New Hampshire in October. We went there to attend my son's wedding to the most wonderful and beautiful girl in the whole world.

These blocks are not due until late October so I have plenty of time to get them finished. I will probably make a couple each month. Each section has 4 pieces and there are 8 sections.

Possibilities

I decided that is was time to pick the star block for an exchange that I am hosting. This is my online WW quilting buddies and due next October.

I have a free pattern from Carol Doak of a Mariners compass. This took way too much time for an exchange but I do love the way that it turned out. It will go into that quilt but I will pick another block for the exchange.

Catching up with Carol Doak Group

I belong to an internet group of paper piecers using Carol Doak's method. She has the very best patterns and instructions. She is giving us a block each month for an entire year. I decided to make these in red white and blue for a Quilts of Valor
quilt.

A Little Break

It is always fun to take a break from making BIG quilts. I decided to try a pattern from Elenore Burns Book Quilts Through the Seasons. It is a heart block made the Crazy Quilt Way.



I made the 3 block wall hanging for my living room. It is sad to take down the Christmas decorations and I wanted something new and fun for Valentines Day. I then decided to make one block for my daughter to put up in her office. I got out some of my buttons to sew onto her quilt.

I am now going to make a small one for my office. These are fun, easy and slightly addictive.

Happy New Year 2008 Will be great

I started off the New Year by finishing a quilt for my oldest son. He lives in Las Vegas and was given the gift of music when he was born. He plays several different instruments and has a marvelous singing voice. He did not get any of this from me or his Dad.

I found the perfect fabric and was able to purchase only 1 yard. I had to come up with a pattern showcasing the orchestra fabric. It ended up a little too square so I added just a top and bottom border to get it a little more rectangular. I found the perfect border fabric.

I am getting better with machine quilting with each quilt that I do. It is not my favorite part of making a quilt but is one of those things that just needs to be done. I will mail it off tomorrow after I make sure I have the right mailing address.

I am now working on a Valentines Day Wall hanging for myself. I needed a little break from Quilt of Valor and these 2 projects have been just perfect. I will piece another top when I get the wall hanging done. I have a place in the living room for small seasonal quilts.

Local Quilts of Valor

We are making steady progress on finding a location for our local group. We have a couple of possibilities for a meeting place. Everyone is so busy this time of the year that we will just wait for a week of so to contact these people again. I would love to have our first meeting in January but it may wait until February.

I found a group on the internet that knits sock for soldiers. I love knitting almost as much as quilting and am good at socks. This will give me a sit down project for the evenings when my husband and I watch TV.

I have Monday and Tuesday off so that means 4 days. I will try to get a couple of my tops finished as they are not really big. I am going to take a little break on the QOV tops to finish some UFO's.

The picture on this post was sent to me by a co worker. I think it is quite amazing. We have lots of these Ospreys around here.

The Letter that motivitated me

Here is a copy of the letter I received after making my first Quilt Of Valor. This has pushed me into getting a local group started here in St. Marys County, Maryland. I am also trying to get on Oprah, Dr Phil or something like that. It matters not whether you support the War, the President or not...it is about supporting our men and women in the military.

Dear Eileen,

I am writing to express my gratitude to you and your friend, Betty ------, for the beautiful, patriotic quilt you sent to the 332 EMDG (Expeditionary Medical Group) in Iraq. I want you to know how much those quilts mean to us. Yesterday evening six of our Nation's very finest soldiers were flown in by chopper after a suicide bomber attacked their foot patrol. I cared for one of those young men last night. (I'll call him Sgt C.). Sgt C is a young American soldier from Utah with a wife and two small children at home. He is one of the lucky ones. His burns and bruises will heal. His ruptured eardrum will heal. Yesterday he earned his second Purple Heart.

As is customary, the Chaplain or his assistant bring the injured troops a quilt and we cover them with it, either in the ER or on the ward. If they are alert we read them the cards from wonderful Americans like you and tell them that someone from home made that quilt for them. We save them for very special days, like yesterday; for an occasion when a touch of kindness and love from home is exactly what is needed. As I write these words my eyes fill with tears. I have watched many young soldiers receive their quilts of valor and I want you to know that it touches them deeply. It touches all of us deeply. I couldn't read your card out loud to Sgt C because I was crying as I read it. Trying to hold back tears, I held it for him and he read it himself. I can tell you that a strong soldier fought valiantly to hold back his own tears. I don't know if he will ever write to thank you, though he says he plans to, but I wanted you to know how much your kindness means to these young troops, and to those of us who care for them. This is no exaggeration…everyone who passed by Sgt C's litter last night commented on how beautiful your quilt was. It was truly one of the most beautiful quilts we've seen.

I firmly believe that the Lord puts us where he needs us. Right now I am needed in Iraq, caring for those in harms way. I was placed with Sgt C last night to tend his wounds and was blessed to read your message and admire your quilt with him. Of all the quilts that were given last night I was especially touched by yours. You see, I have left behind a husband and four beautiful children in Damascus, MD. As I read the inscription on your quilt I was even more moved by the fact that it was from one of my Maryland neighbors. I told Sgt C that I was planning to write to you and when I return I hope that we can meet for tea and chat. I will share my pictures of Sgt C and his quilt, adorned with his Purple Heart.

Thank you, again, for your kindness and patriotism. I guarantee you truly touched the lives of many last night….through one beautiful quilt of valor. I know that Sgt C is anxious to return home and show that quilt to his family. It will always serve as a reminder to him of his victory last night and of the love we share as Americans. God bless you and God bless America!

Sincerely,

Major---------------------

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Here is another top I just finished and will be mailing off to my wonderful long arm quilter. That will be 2 more to send. I am keeping the one I quilted so I have one to show when I can finally get some speaking opportunities. They will surely come.

So a journey starts with the first steps. I have a former quilting student helping me start our local group. Our first order of business is to find a location and a consistent monthly meeting time. I hope to be up and running for January. I started a Knitting Guild when I first moved here and it is not that hard. It may start small but then grows. Then we will become official and can get a checking account and link to the National organization.

Perfect Pattern

I think I have found a really good pattern to use with the QOV quilts. I want something that retains the WOW factor but can be done in an efficient manner. Most of the pieces are made from a 4 1/2 inch strip and then cut with my Tri Recs ruler combo. Here is the quilt I just finished using this pattern. The corner blocks are easily made using 2 squares.

I have been unsuccessful with getting any media coverage for this wonderful group. But I will continue trying. I am going to start a local group in January. I need to start fund raising to help cover the expenses of making a quilt. I also want to involve other quilt makers in the area.

Tomorrow I will post the letter that I received after making my first quilt. It is just wonderful