Thursday 31 st

Hi all,
Down to business first of all tonight.   

In spite of a really enthusiastic response when the dinner was first suggested and when people were asked to register to attend, not enough people have followed through and we are faced with the need to make some decisions.  

Firstly let me reassure those who have booked.  We will be having a dinner, it will be on the same night and it will be in Brisbane.  We may, however, have to change the venue and the point at which we need to make that decision is rapidly approaching.   

If you do intend to come along and just have not committed to buying your tickets, then unfortunately you have until close of business Monday the 4th to purchase your ticket and email Angela with a copy of your EFT receipt in order to confirm your booking.  If we do not have the required numbers to meet the minimum by then we will need to make alternate arrangements or pay for people who will not be attending and I do not intend to do that with AHQ funds.

I might add though, that if you do come you are going to be in for a special night as at least two of my absolute favourites from "over there" are coming along to the dinner no matter what.  Okay, so if you know me well, you know that I have lots of favourites - what can I say - you have read the thank you messages - there are lots of really lovely guys and girls over there, some of Australia's best if you ask me. 

I have asked the one we know of as "the Money Honey" to be our guest speaker but we are still waiting to see if he gets approval for that.  Hopefully he will, but if not we will still have the pleasure of his company and the company of at least one other of the lovely fellows I came to know this year. 

I am sorry you have such short notice but Angela and I are beginners at arranging functions like this - we are quilters you know, not function planners - but ticket sales have been open now for two weeks and we had expected a better response given the initial feedback we had.  

We will keep you posted with how things are going and will give an update on Tuesday night.
.....

Time for a couple of messages from grateful recipients.

Afternoon Liz,

I just want to send you an email and say how thankful I am for your Quilt and other gifts that I received today, and I must say most of the Australian and other nations I work with admired your work and detail, it will be an item that will stay with me well after my time in the service. This is now my 3^rd tour of Afghanistan and 7^th deployment in the Army and I have never received any thing such as this with the amount of work and detail, I have already been wearing my beanie around at night as its starting to get cold in XXXX
.....

Dear Shirley,

I am writing this to thank you as I have just become the proud owner of a laundry bag that you made for us soldiers living and working over here in Afghanistan.   I made the mistake of leaving my old one behind, so when I was offered one that you made I instantly picked one that was covered in Aussie flags and looked like a pair of beach shorts.

My family and I also live in XXXX and we went on a holiday to XXXXXX, for a week just before I left to come out here. I have to agree with you it is a beautiful place. Hopefully we will visit that part of XXXX again, however I have another 7 months left until I get home so it will have to wait for now.

Anyway I will have to finish now, again thank you for the bag you made and for your support for myself and all of the troops serving over here. It is hard being away from family and friends for such a long time but we all know the job we are doing is a worthy one.

I know this is a short post but I am pushed for time today  - before I go though a small bit of news.  Our Deployed Quilter received her quilt!  "I got my quilt and it is beautiful I love" was just a snippet of her reaction sent to me in  a Facebook message overnight.  She is planning an email so I will wait till I get that before passing more on.  

I will also wait till then to show the whole quilt as it has her first name on it and I need to get that scrubbed unless she is happy for me to share it as is but in the mean time here is a reminder of some of the blocks, chosen at random.   There were so many more awesome ones but you have to wait to see the whole thing. I could not share it before because we were being "watched"!

 Last thing every Thursday I publish the list of those who have posted things off for this week.  Once again, if you are not on this list and think you should be please let me know.

Angela

Judy C

Judith

Karen B

Keryn

Maree

Nancy

Noeleen

Pam Y

Su

Sue N

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

Happy Mail 30 October

H All,

Busy day today.  I am bundling up quilt tops, quilts backs, bindings, battings, accompanying letters and so on to go to quilters so we can get more quilts in the mail.  I am also sending some off for binding (thanks Jo P) and a few laundry bags and quilts need to go in boxes to post.

Busy Busy 

Before I forget - Don't leave it til the last minute to get your tickets in the raffle and especially for the dinner.  I am looking forward to meeting you!  

:-D

So here is the happy mail for today.

Check out these gorgeous quilt tops.  These are BOM  Blocks -  (Block of the Month for the non-quilty).  Don't they look aweseome together!

This quilt top was pieced My Michele C at a sewing day in Penrith, then taken home to finish off and dropped in to me.

Thanks Michele

These laundry bags arrived out of the blue from Lin.  

Thanks so much Lin.

These are more BOM blocks sent in by Liz J.  Love these colours.

I also love the colours in this quilt top made by Margaret N and Pen K.

Thank ladies.

 Millie sent in another great quilt.

and who says you need a big piece of fabric for the backing.  Millie pieced a great strippy backing.

That is it from me for now. I have to go and cut, press, and pack.

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

Grati-Tuesdays

Hi all,

Another busy day here in Aussie Hero Land.  Just a short post tonight as I have lots to do to get quilts away to quilters and make sure everything is up to date before I go to Brisbane. I know it is a month before I leave but it will be the longest I have been away since starting AHQ and it is a really busy time so I can't afford to let things slide.

REALLY IMPORTANT!

The next sewing day at Penrith is on this Sunday the 3rd. It is a busy time of year so I know there are a few people who can't make it.  Personally I don't mind how many or few people we get as if we get a lot we will get lots done but if only a few of us are there that means that I will get a lot done.  But I just need to know which it is going to be so I can prepare.  

If you are planning to come to the sewing day in Penrith this weekend please let me know by by 8am Thrusday morning.  Pretty please.

I have heard a few comments (or read them in emails) about people making laundry bags for the Laundry Bag Challenge we are having to coincide with the Brisbane Dinner.  With a lovely heart shaped pendant to win courtesy of our Money Honey you have to be in it to win it.

Just a few thank you messages to share with you today.  Firstly one for Granny Smith, who whilst on holidays with her husband, traveled on the Ghan!  Granny Smith was keen to knock a few things off her "bucket list" while away and one of those was apparently to "ride a quad bike". Unfortunately it appears the only thing that got knocked off was Granny Smith herself.  As a result she pulled all the muscles in her back quite badly and has had quite a period of recovery to endure.  At one point I gave this fellow a little update on his quilt's progress, I think it was when he wrote to say he had received his laundry bag and I told him about Granny Smith's mishap, hence his comment about "anything with an engine".  LOL

.....

Good afternoon Rita M (Granny Smith)

To say that I am overjoyed is a complete understatement. Thank you so very much for MY quilt (hands off to my Son) which has just arrived in the last hour.  The only reason I haven't emailed sooner is that I have been busy showing it off - believe me, I have.

When you are visualising surprises, and waiting in anticipation for the arrival, you often wonder 'what will it be like' - and Rita, you far and away exceeded even my highest expectations - Thank you very, very much.

The time of day has caught me unawares and I am going to have to close for now. For now though Rita. thanks very much for your efforts. Believe me it is appreciated more than you know.  Please stay away from anything with an engine, at least until I get the opportunity to say thank you to you personally.

Please take care - stay safe and thank you.

Kindest regards,

.....

Do you remember the Mystery Quilt that we did with the purple and aqua theme and the elephant blocks?  Well I can't remember if I showed it to you on the blog, or if I was waiting til it had been received, so here it is in case you haven't seen it!  How cute!

And don't you love the quilting that Belinda did.  Here you can see a frog but there were also mice and giraffe and cats and more. How cute!  

Seriously aren't we lucky to have such wonderful quilters who donate their time and skills to us!

This quilt went to a sailor who joined HMAS Newcastle late in the piece.  That meant that she missed out on putting her name down for a quilt when everyone else did. It also meant that she could not get her quilt sent to her on board as there just was not time.   There was time, however, to make it as a Mystery Quilt and what fun!  She has recently returned home and here is her response to her quilt...

Hey Jan

Just arrived to my mums house and what was waiting for me but the most amazing quilt I have ever seen. I thank you soooo much.   I can't believe the amount of care and love that went into it. It's amazing. I am so thankful. 

Sincerely 

.....

Good morning Julie-Ann, 

I recently became the proud recipient of a very impressive laundry bag that you made for me.  Thank you so much for the effort that you have put into this and any others you have made for defence members it is very much appreciated! 

Thankfully I should be home just in time to spend Christmas with my wife and our respective families. 

I wish you all the best for Christmas - I spent many a long summer in Adelaide growing up, and have a great New Year with your husband and imminent grandchild. 

.....

My heart was warmed beyond measure upon receiving my quilt.

The beautiful Liz and Brian from XXXXXX who put my quilt together also included a postcard with my parcel - receiving this has certainly been a highlight of my deployment so far.

The work that all the sewers and contributors to The Aussie Quilts initiative is truly remarkable.

Thank you again and I hope that many more can support your efforts to allow current and future deployed members to receive such a memorable gift for their time on operations.

Thank you

.....

Good afternoon Sue, 

I got your laundry bag and I have to say I love it! Thank you so much for the time you put into making it, and for your jokes/puzzle card as well! 

Anyway just thought I'd drop you an email to say how much I appreciate the support. I've seen a few other members with the laundry bags as well, and its really amazing how much the small things count when you're far away from family and home. 

Once again, thank you! 

Every now and then it is nice to learn a little more about some of those who sew for Aussie Heroes.  Recently the Clyde Street Quilters of Kempsey were visited by  a reporter and photographer and here is the resulting article for you to enjoy!

newpaper article  

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

Monday 28th Raffle

Welcome to another week in Aussie Hero-land.  

So, did any of you listen in to the interview on Coast FM?  

Love to know what you thought! ( I think...LOL)

Two important subjects tonight.  First up the Raffle Update and at the end the latest Request List.  Make sure you scroll down to the end to check it out as there are some great ones on the list and LOTS of new ones.

In the last week another bunch of gorgeous raffle blocks have come in and I am just amazed at the variety of blocks and how gorgeous they all are.  The deadline for blocks arriving was Friday but I know some of you received your fabric late thanks to the variables in Aussie Post so if your block is not here and still in the mail can you please let me know as Lynn is chomping at the bit to get going.  The first quilt top has been put together and it looks awesome. I will show it to you soon.  

For now, here are the blocks from this week's mail.

Lyn W

Lyn W

Stephanie T

Christine C

Louise

marlene

Jill M

Jill M

Gail

Marilyn 

Marilyn

Susan H

Kaylee

Jan-Maree

Jan-Maree

Liz J

Lisa L

Okay, I won't keep you in suspence any longer.  Here is the first quilt top.   This is the one that will be raffled at the dinner on the 30th.  The remaining blocks will go into a second top which will probably be auctioned off next year at a time to be determined.  This one heads off in the mail to Kym in QLD so that it can be quilted in time for the dinner.

Just a reminder.

The Quilt is the first prize for the Raffle.

Second Prize is a voucher for $200 towards a 

QANTAS Domestic Ticket 

courtesy of Spencer Travel.

Third prize has been donated by the Money Honey,  

who will be attending the dinner.  

It is a beautiful pendant.   We are in the process 

(at his request) of getting an approximate value 

and confirmation that the stones are rubies but I believe it to

be valued at around $100.

Fourth prize is a Crafters Clock which will  be made 

by Sue  N in the winners favourite colour.  

Just what we all need - extra hours in the day!

There may be more prizes to come.  Stay tuned.

So how to buy tickets......

TICKETS ARE $5

Please make your payment via direct deposit (EFT) to

Bank Account Name – Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags) 

Westpac Dural Branch   

BSB 032376 

ACCOUNT NUMBER 301860

Copies of the deposit (EFT) receipt along with 

your name and phone number needs to be sent to Joan Carter 

so she can issue the raffle tickets.

joanmcarter@outlook.com

Raffle will be drawn on 30^th November.  Winners will be notified via email or phone within 48 hours.

TICKET SALES CLOSE 6 PM MONDAY 25^TH NOVEMBER

NOTE:  If you are unable to use to buy tickets by electronic banking please contact me.

Quilts and Laundry Bags for Girls

A quick note if you are planning to make quilts and then ask me for someone to allocate them to.  I have got LOADS of fellows on the list and not so many girls.  There are girls with preferences but unless i think we are running out of time I try very hard to get something that even loosely matches their tastes before I send them a "generic" quilt.  If you have made a quilt and I do not think it suits someone at the time I will place it in "quilts in Waiting File" and will allocate it when someone suitable comes along.  That does not usually take too long.

Also, if you are making laundry bags and want names for feminine laundry bags at the moment I am all out of names.  Of course that could change but I never know when.  I always have lots of fellows though.

About the requests in general.  

We ask them to give us their favourite colours and their hobbies and interests.  They may not always go together.  For example the fellow whose favourite colours are green and blue and yet his favourite team is the Sydney Roosters and he loves V8's.  If you can make him a green and blue quilt that is great.  OR you might choose the Sydney Roosters theme (with a green/blue backing perhaps).  Don’t feel you have to include everything that is listed.  They will be grateful whatever you choose.

If you would rather just make a quilt and a request includes a laundry bag please let me know.  I will allocate the laundry bag to someone else.

If you wish to take on a request please give me all the information on the line INCLUDING the number at the end so that I can match them up on the request list.

These fellows are the highest priority on the list at the moment. If possible I would like to get these in the mail no later than 1 Dec

Ex-Canada. hockey footie, Harley Davidson motorcycle. Likes the water/beach.	1	Q+LB
Colour- Black, Green and Multi, hobbies/interests- Mythology, Pirates and Vikings	2	Q+LB

These fellows are the next highest priority.   I would like to get these ones away no later than mid Dec if at all possible please.   

V8 Supercars Baby pink – yes this is for a male – I am confirming colour preference!	3	Q+LB
Queensland Rugby Union Team - red	4	Q
Lime green black – nautical	5	Q
Liverpool FC Pink Red	6	Q/LB
Blue	7	Q
Blue	8	Q/LB
Blue – theme Navy	9	Q/LB

This girl has a simple request – an Aussie flag combined with the colours of the Afghani flag. She is coming home early December so will not be there long enough to receive her quilt over there but will pay the postage to have it sent to her home address.  I have told her it might be reasonable to expect a quilt in January sometime.

Aussie Flag with Afghani Flag colours Post to home Jan onwards

10

Check with me re the posting dates for these ones as they vary – the ones that need to go sooner are at the top

Water Skier  - Carlton FC	11	Q+LB
Traditional tattoo anchors ships - dark colours	12	Q+LB
red and black, fishing and car racing.	13	Q+LB
Green and blue, sydney roosters, V8's.	14	Q+LB
Red and White, St George Dragons.	15	Q+LB
Blue,  Fishing, AFL, Cars, Beer, Outback Australia	16	Q+LB
Black,  Gold Coast Titans and Metallica	17	Q+LB
Owns a Hungarian Vizsla  “Mitch” Mountain Bike Riding with wife (name provided) whitewater kayaking, Rock Climbing. Is a Fire Fighter with the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade.	18	Q+LB
Pink with green Camo - Women in the army Would like first and middle name on the quilt	19	Q
Red and black - Skulls OR flowers OR animals	20	Q
Greens blues browns	21	LB
Cars, motor bikes, trucks, boys stuff	22	Q+LB
Anything Aussie - Southern cross flag roos emus	23	Q
Blue red Newcastle Knights - Children’s names provided if reqd	24	Q+LB
Chess (chess board pattern?)	25	Q+LB
Manly sea eagles - Maroon and white	26	LB
Green and gold with a boxing kangaroo  LB Only  AW or nickname	27	LB
Your Choice  LB only  AB or nickname	28	LB
Paragliding paramotoring  “Ned”  LB Only	29	LB
Camoflage or Essendon FC	30	Q
Motorcycles cars	31	Q+LB
Deputy dog	32	Q+LB
Water sports retro	33	Q
Brisbane Broncos - Nickname ASH	34	Q
LB Bag only – Blue    WS	35	LB

These are not the only requests on the list but they are the only ones with preferences so if you wish to make your own preference I can find homes for them.

Hope you find something in there that takes your fancy.

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