This time last year ...

Looking back to Feb 2012 - the blog was just one month old and the practice of including a monthly tally of quilts and laundry bags hadn't begun, but Feb did start with a lovely thank you message  "I don't underestimate the effect your quilts and crafts have on the guys over here. It's lovely to realise that so many Australians are thinking of the troops."

At last a central distribution address was organised which meant the AHQer's could finish their quilts and laundry bags and post directly. This helped to spread the load.  Jan-Maree finalised the labeling of boxes and quilts and kept the blog up to date.  She opened a facebook page and overnight gained 30 followers - many of those were new to Aussie Heroes! This grew to 50 followers in two weeks.  I'm sure you'll agree, lots of steps in the right direction. Janine C

February 2012 orphan blocks

Orphan blocks came in - blocks quilters had left over or parts of quilts they had never finished. The orphans were included in new quilts.

BOMs

The first of the Block of the Month blocks arrived. These 9 patches look wonderful and quilters will understand how exciting those days would have been.

Group sewing days were organised by Jan-Maree and quilts by the dozen were layered, pinned and quilted.  Jan-Maree had AHQ labels printed for the dozens of boxes that would take the dozens of quilts.   

Box of batting

Donations:  

* An email from Karen announced donated batting in the mail - enough for up to 50 quilts.  Jan-Maree's response was  "I can't tell you how exciting it is to get an email from someone I don't know at all, offering support."

* Nutex in NZ donated 10m of each of the Aussie fabrics used with the AHQ quilt labels. 

Aussie fabric

* Kay Rodriquez, of "The Tea Towel People" sent 30 Aussie tea towels, which were quickly featured in new quilts!

Aussie themed tea towels

More mail from Feb 2012

A thank you,  "I have just returned to my office from lunch to find two parcels on my desk. As you can imagine, getting parcels at the best of times is exciting, but getting them whilst over here, where the temperature is -2 to -10 and the hot water has been turned off for the past week (so far), resulting in cold/no showers, no laundry facilities and outdoor portaloos, is a thousand times more exciting!!!!

                                                     -------------------------------

Thanks so much Janine!  I am just going to add a few of my favourite memories from February. Pauline sent me these great quilts - still love these for an simple idea.

And Tarnyia sent these fabulous quilts and a bunch of blocks and a top which were finished off and sent.

I also received these photos of some of our laundry bags in action.  I still haven't given up hope that I will be able to get some updated photos of the same area if it exists.  All I know about these photos is that they were taken in Tarin Kowt.  If any of you can arrange an updated picture that would be great.

WOW I hadn't realised that was 12 months ago- we had barely sent 40 -50 laundry bags at a guess by then.   Haven't things changed!


Another thing that has changed is that we now send quilts and laundry bags for those that are on Peace-keeping Mission in South Sudan  Kylie heard from one of her South Sudan recipients recently -

Dear Kylie,

Thank you so very much for the laundry bag you sent me. I really appreciate the time and effort you have spent in making it. Not only does it colour up what can only be described as a bare room, but it means I can stop trying to fit my washing into plastic shopping bags!

I love the Australiana on it as well. Once again, thank you very much, it is humbling to find support from strangers who do so unreservedly. Proud to call myself Australian. Thanks.

As usual - if your name is not on the list below and you have sent a quilt or laundry bag this week please email me asap - I need photos in tonight preferably or by midday tomorrow at the latest to be included in this weeks' Quilts of the Week post.

Angela

Carol

Caroline

Cheryl

Christine C (WA)

Dasha

Donna

Evelyn

Gayle

Jan

Jenny and Gale

Judy C

Karen B

Kaye

Linda

Liz

Liz B

Liz J

Miriam

Nancy

Stephanie D

Tess (NSW)

One last request - would anyone consider sending me a Cairns teatowel?  I want to make a special laundry bag but I need a teatowel to do it with.  Would love it if someone can help - just a bit far for me to go - sadly!


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