Aussie Hero Quilts and Joint Task Force Centenary Quilt - Update

Hey all,

Exciting day today.  I am heading out shortly to take the front and back of the Aussie Hero Quilts and Joint Task Force Centenary Quilt to Stephanie T who is going to quilt it.  I am soooo pleased with how the quilt is coming along.  I have a couple of pictures for you but only some sneak peeks. I won't reveal all the secrets just yet.

The poppy side looks just wonderful.   Truly the photo does not do the colours justice.  The red poppies just glow.  More of the poppies have been included on the back as well.  

I can only show you part of the back - three silhouettes have been added, one to represent each of our services on the appropriate fabric.  First a frigate for the Navy.....

then a C130, the workhorse of the RAAF and appliqued on a piece of flying suit material

and finally a soldier.....  and even more appropriately, this is our Wounded Warrior, Garry, in Afghanistan prior to his injury.  For those of you who do not know, Garry was unwittingly one of the reasons I started Aussie Heroes - you can read more about him and his amazing story here in the post I wrote when I told his story just prior to Garry and his family departing for the Invictus Games last year.  I think it is extremely fitting to have him on the quilt representing the Army.

Well that is all I can show you for now.  I have not had time to write up the letter to go with the quilt yet but this quilt is very representational of Aussie Heroes. Yes, it represents a lot of effort, but it is a little effort from a lot of people.  Close to 100 people have contributed to this quilt in one way or another.   I tried to include as many people as I could though there are still many that I have realised should/could have been part of it.  Lots of ladies, and one bloke, made poppy blocks, different ladies put the top together and the back.  Long time supporters and past recipients contributed funds to pay for material and postage etc.  Michele's help was invaluable collecting and recording all the poppies as they came in. More details will be revealed when I can.  Right now the goal is to get the quilt completed and into the mail to the Middle East.   

A note of business

I am off to Canberra tomorrow and back on Sunday. As I will be on the road all day tomorrow pleas send in any photos for tomorrow night's blog post - Weekly Dispatches - no later than 6pm tonight. Any that miss that deadline will be included in next week's post.     As I am travelling you will understand if I am a little slower than normal answering emails etc.

Till next time...................keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Jan-Maree  xx