Sunday Sharing - it really is the Little Things that count

Been a busy weekend here.  Sewing like mad to get bindings on quilts for Newcastle!  Nearly there but looking forward to Laurel and Evelyn's help on Tuesday.   I think someone hung out the shingle in Afghanistan again this week as more requests are coming in.  Right now you can sit back and read some happiness from some of those who have received our goodies this week.

Trying something new this time - do you prefer the different coloured fonts or all in black?

The following is regarding a quilt that Keryn sent.

Hi Jan-Maree,

It has arrived!!!

Thank you so much, it is beautiful and has certainly put a smile on my dial. It is something special that I will treasure. 

The work your team does it very much appreciated.

Kind regards,

This for a quilt that Anna sent off.

Hi Jan-Maree,

Just a quick one to say that I received my quilt today. I have sent an email to the XXX family in appreciation of it, but would also like to thank you for organising these little things for us serving over here. It is much appreciated by all of us, especially the younger members and those that are one their first trip away from home. Its the little homely touches that make the time go much quicker and smoother.

Regards,

Hi Stephanie,

Thank you so much for the dino bag it goes with my age group and will be put to good use here. You are most welcome for effort we all put in here, speaking from personal point of view it is an honour to serve a grateful nation. Once again thank you so much and all the best for the future.

Regards,

It has brightened up my room which is greatly appreciated. The weather over here is extremely hot now so summer is upon us, and then some...

Once again thanks; your gesture is greatly appreciated over here and it is funny seeing all of the non-drab and very colourful laundry bags when ever I do my washing. It is the little things. 

Regards

Good Evening Joan and Robin,

I would like to thank you both for my laundry bag, this was a nice surprise and has certainly brightened up my day and will most certainly brighten up my room.

Kind regards,

Dearest Julie Ann,

Thank you so much for your beautiful, personalised laundry bag and for the very thoughtful treats.  I have not had licorice in months - that hit the spot!  And how insightful of you to include coffee sticks - my absolute favourite. I received your package today and I have now brought the laundry bag back to my room (I shared the lollies with my soldiers).  The laundry bag is so lovely and colourful.

It is an honour to receive something made with such thought and kindness.  

I will treasure it.

We are well looked after over here, but a home made laundry bag is definitely not Army issue.  It was 56 degrees Celsius on Saturday.  It felt like walking around in an oven!

I hope this email finds you well.  Your time and kindness is greatly appreciated by all of the service personnel on operations. 

Fondest regards,

And from the same lady for her quilt

Dear Su,

Thank you so much for your beautiful quilt!  I received it today and I have now brought it back to my room.  It looks stunning.  It really brightens up the room.

It is an honour to receive something made with such thought and kindness.

 I will treasure it.

Thank you to your daughter for instigating your involvement in the Hero Quilts project.  She must be a wonderful woman.  I am always impressed by women in the services and so proud to be one.

We are well looked after over here, but a homey quilt is definitely not Army issue.  It was 56 degrees celcius on Saturday.  It felt like walking around in an oven.

I hope this email finds you well.  Please send my thanks to your dog walking friends.  Your quilt now has a very thankful and happy owner.

Fondest regards,

For Sue N

Hello Mr and Mrs N and children,

     I received one of your lovely hand made laundry bags today and I must say it came at the perfect  moment. I did not pack a laundry bag to bring with me so I had been using a pillow case instead. So rest assured your generosity will be put to good use.

     I was born in Tasmania but moved to Victoria when I was 7. I spent a little time in Altona and then in Sunshine, (Western suburbs) I also moved to Seymour where I enlisted in the Army. I have been posted to Townsville, Brisbane and Victoria. I have served for 10 years and have reached the rank of corporal.

I would like to thank you for the lovely gift I received from you and believe that the generosity you have shown will come back to you 10 fold.

All the best to you Sue and your family also thank you for your support.

The following message is in relation to a laundry bag made by Joan from a tea towel I had had for ages and had only just given to Joan.  I knew the right person would come along for it.

Good morning Jan-Maree,

My laundry bag arrived yesterday in the mail. I've got to say I love it! I don't think you could have got the design any more perfect for me!

In fact, I don't even want to use it as a laundry bag - I might try to hang it in my room to add a bit of colour to the drabness in there.

Thanks again, receiving this really made my day.

Please keep up the good work because it does make a difference we receive something like this - especially something that has personal significance/meaning.

Cheers, Tim.

Good evening Evelyn,

I am writing to inform you I have received my Aussie Heros Quilt you have very kindly made for me whilst I am deployed on Operation Slipper, It is wonderful to see that there is people like yourself who go out of their way to do nice things like this for us servicemen whilst on deployment it can be a very tough time being away from friends and family as I am experiencing at this stage in our deployment as I have a 8 month little boy and my partner at home it is very hard to see and hear all about him growing up and me not able to be there to see and hold him.

I hope all is well with you and your family and you are all happy and healthy as well, I will send a picture of myself shortly so you know the face behind the email and the quilt you made for me.

I cant thank you enough for the kind things you do for all of us and especially myself with that quilt you have made I will use it whilst on deployment and will pass it down to my son when I return home. 

Thank you again

The following is for a quilt that Lynn made, Kim quilted and Judith bound and the second quilt mentioned was made by Anne H.  

Hi Jan-Maree,

Firstly I will like to thankyou for my Quilt its wonderful and warm.

Secondly I’d like to thankyou on behalf of XXXX not sure if he sent you an email or the lady that made his Quilt.

XXX gets these childish grins that seem to cause an instant morale boost in anybody that see one, he walked around for days with one after he received his quilt, I known Mum said he like tractors, but when he opened the box up and pulled it out and the tractor was the same tractor as he owns at home - made him speechless for a bit.

Mum is right I am being rather spoilt by Her and my partner Samantha, so I thankyou for showing her the quilt in person.

I am still finding it a little bit strange that all this has basically come out of home and that one of the best mates of Mum's is one of your quilters and I never knew Aussie Hero Quilts existed.

So once again I’d like to thankyou for your support while I am away and thankyou to You, Lynn, Judith and the rest of your Volunteers for my beautiful Quilt.

By way of explanation, the author of the above letter is a local fellow from my area and before I sent the quilt to him I invited his parents to come and see it first.  Much better than sending them a photo.

One for Diane

Hey ladies,

I received your amazing quilt. It's great :) Thank you so much for having this service for the soldiers overseas!

Kind regards

And one for Nancy

Good Morning/Afternoon, 

 Would like to send my appreciation for the beautiful quilt that I received this week. Absolutely loved the pink laundry bag as well. 

Thank you for the thoughts and effort placed into making this quilt. Will treasure it, for the care, kindness and reasons placed in creating this quilt.

 Kind Regards,

Dear Bev and Geoff,

Thank you so much for my quilt and laundry bag. It suits me perfectly, so much I almost cried! I love it.  Hope the cold weather is kind to you down in XXXXX, but I guess you have a lot of blankets and quilts to keep you warm. I will be well and truly home by the time it gets cold here unfortunately. I enjoyed the winter last time....... Back to XXXXX just in time for summer again.

Take Care!

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

JMxx