WWQs, FWQs and Thank you messages

Tomorrow another Wounded Warrior Quilt (WWQ) will hit the road and air to wing its way "over there"  from Julie in SA.  As most of you will know by now another four of our brave soldiers were injured by an IED explosion in recent days.  Only one was injured seriously enough to need to be transferred to Germany and one of our quilts went with him.  

A big thank you to those of you who heard the news and contacted me to make sure that I was aware of it - which I wasn't.  It means a lot to know that we can get a replacement quilt in the mail as soon as possible.

Thanks also to Gail who has a WWQ waiting to go, Julie Ann who has one ready for quilting and Jill who is going to get one started.  It is good to have them in various places around the country in case I am not home and cannot get one in the mail.   Also, these are the quilts that we hope we will never need but we also never want to be caught short.

It goes without saying that all of us at Aussie Heroes are sending the best of wishes to the injured fellows for their recovery and that they and their families are in our thoughts, especially our most wounded hero in Germany.

Now on to the good news.

Some thank you messages.

First up a message that was passed to me from the wife of one of our recipients. There will be more to come on this one but not just yet.  In the mean time this little snippet will leave you in no doubt that what we do makes a difference.

I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to the ladies of the Aussie Hero Quilts and to XXXXX and XXXXX (the couple that requested the quilt for their friend) for their part in bringing this wonderful gift together for my darling hubby!!  Thank you all so much.

The quilt is amazing!!!  He told me the other day that he got it and he was so grateful and touched by the fact that someone (or several) went to such an effort for him!  And he was so grateful that you thought to do this for him.  We both can't thank the ladies involved enough.  It's perfect!!  :-D and believe me, its no little thing what you did.....It really means a lot to both of us that you all took time out of your certainly busy lives to put this together for him!

It truly has made him feel special and thought of and for that I can not thank you all enough!

I may or may not have had something in my eye when I read this for the first time.  It is so good to know that there are lots of ladies out there like me who want to sew for these guys so that as many of them and their loved ones can know that they are appreciated by more than just their families and friends. 

Good afternoon Caroline and Jan-Maree,

I wanted to say thankyou very much for sending me the quilt. It looks fantastic plus passes the sleep test :-)

Thanks again and keep up the good work at AHQ.

Nadene received a postcard from a fellow who received her lovely chocolatey quilt in Egypt and here is what he said in part

I am writing to say thank you for the quilt you sent me.

I really appreciate the hardwork and effort you went to in making sure someone you've never met was a little more comfortable at night.

Thank you and God Bless.

A lovely thank you for Liz for this gorgeous quilt.

I have just received my beautiful quilt and wash bag in the post and wanted to thank you so very much for the wonderful surprise. It is simply stunning and I am blown away that people take such care to keep us deployed troops in mind.  I don't know how to thank you enough.

Now I am no quiltist I am the first to admit, but I can see the amount of work that has gone into making it. The colour scheme and pattern is amazing. Mary must be a very astute lady, please would you thank her for me. I will treasure it as a great memento of my tour of Afghanistan. The chips and rocky road were also very welcome and were shared over a cup of tea in our office! 

Your kindness and efforts are very much noticed over here and help keep morale high when at times things can be a little lively and worrying. 

With very best regards and grateful thanks.

(Mary donated the centre of this quilt to Liz - it is a gorgeous panel )

Naomi and the group from the Berri Uniting Church received another lovely thank you for the quilts they sent over to Egypt.

G’day Naomi,

Firstly, thanks so very much for the quilt that you and your team have taken the time to make. It has honestly come in handy as I have no doona cover over here and it adds a little colour to my room. I can guarantee it will be coming back to Australia with me and held as a memory to me and what it is to be an Aussie. What I find even more remarkable is that it has come from the riverlands (I’m currently posted to XXXXXXXX in the Adelaide Hills) and I have been to every one of the five towns mentioned in your letter. Unfortunately, I will be posting away from SA on my return to Australia, I’m a Queenslander at heart, but will possibly be driving through that way on my way north for a quick bite.

To all those involved in the making of these quilts, I hope this letter of appreciation conveys atleast a small portion of the gratitude and “warmth” I have for your kind efforts and makes it atleast a little worthwhile for you.

Again, thanks to all of you,

Fallen Warrior Quilt (FWQs) Block Update

It seems, from emails and notes that have arrived with the blocks for the Diddams family quilts, that some of you are a bit unsure of your colour choices and whether or not your blocks will fit in.    Firstly I thought I would split the blocks up into their groups so that you can see how we are going.  Secondly, I leave making my blocks till last.   If I think the quilt needs more balance then I will choose my colours accordingly.  For example in the first group we have here for SGT Diddams' wife, TA, the pale one stands out but it won't once I have made a couple more pale blocks as well.  Remember this is only 8 blocks and I know of more that are to come and there are probably some of you out there who are yet to choose your fabrics.  A couple of you have told me that if you block just doesn't fit then feel free to not use it.  If it comes to that rest assured that your block will go into another Aussie Hero Quilt.  In fact I have a bit of an idea for what we can do if there are too many blocks but I don't want to put it out on the blog in case it isn't necessary.

So, now for the blocks.

TA's blocks

Ellie-Lou's blocks

Hens' Blocks

Peter and Cate Diddams blocks 

(SGT Blaine's Parents)

I won't be posting pictures of all the blocks together again in case the family is sneaking a peak as I don't want to spoil the surprise. I will be putting up the blocks as they arrive and I will update you on progress and when the quilts might be completed

There is still time if you would like to make some blocks. 

 Please use the February BOM tutorial - pdf available at the side of the blog or tutorial  post available here

Post them to me at 
PO Box 248
Cherrybrook,  NSW,  2126

All blocks to be with me no later than the 14th of September please 
to be guaranteed inclusion in the quilts.

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